Based on quite a few factors that are brewing this generation, I think we may be in for the closest market split since the days of snes/genesis.
PS3
Demand for the Playstation brand is huge with a 100million+ gamers onboard last gen. They could repeat that success but there are some factors which must be considered.
Price - The console is launching at a much higher pricepoint than has been accepted in the past and they have not announced a core version, so the likelihood of meeting the same pricepoints that both playstations launched with anytime soon is very slim.
Games - They don't have the familiar franchise games that have captivated gamers on ps2 available at launch. Historicly they have had the lions share of variety quality and quantity of games. If they can keep the same ps2 fire burning, they should continue to be the place to find variety.
Timeframe - They are coming to market 1 year after the xbox360 has been on the shelf for a year and is likely to have sold 10million units by the time PS3 hits the market. This is in stark contrast with ps2 which launched 1 year before Gamecube and Xbox last gen.
Extras - Bluray inclusion could either be a huge gain if they dominate the next gen media war or an ancor driving the base the cost up, ditto with the standard inclusion of hdd. Computer functionality could be a selling point if they can get the proper software support.
Wii
Coming hot off the questionable name announcement, Nintendo breezed through e3 with praise from all corners of the media. The anticipation based on their e3 showing is high.
Price - Not officially known but should come in between $250 and $200. This is in-line with their recent historical pricing for console launches and shouldn't be an issue.
Games - Nintendo has not announced the release dates of their fan favorite franchises but they look to have one of the best launch libraries in history. How the library will grow from that point is questionable but they seem to be gaining support and should at least see more variety/quantity than Gamecube did.
Timeframe - They are launching neck and neck with PS3 but one year after xbox360. This is roughly the same situation they found themselves in last gen by launching a year after the first next gen machine but also launching alongside the another.
Extras - They are including minimal additional features aside from the Wii controller which is the fundamental draw of this machine. The virtual console effort should prove useful for gamers interested in retro/classic gaming.
Xbox 360
Microsoft launched a year early and has since followed ps2's successull footsteps very closely. They have learned much from their fierce competitor and have put that knowledge to work in 360.
Price - A move which most questioned was having two sku's. One which went for the high-end market and the other which has accessories to match ps2 in functionality but with next gen games. By having the barebones system available and owning 100% of the design, they have cost control measures to ensure competitive pricing now and down the road.
Games - By securing availability of one of the most popular franchises last gen they have gone to great measures to level the playing field. Along with their other exclusive franchises both up-and-coming (Gears of War) and tried and true (Halo3), Microsoft looks poised to expand their library internally and through 3rd party.
Timeframe - As Sony proved last gen, "the early bird gets the worm". In Microsofts case, by launching a year ahead of their rivals they look poised to secure 10 million worms before either Sony or Nintendo hit the market. If ps2 is anything to go by this could prove huge for them.
Extras - Minimal extras are included but there are many available. Dvd playing out of the box is yet another ps2 feature they have taken note of and included standard.
Given the above pros/cons for each system when blended together in the same market will give us an interesting mix of gaming options.
My bet is on a 33% split equal across the board.
PS3
Demand for the Playstation brand is huge with a 100million+ gamers onboard last gen. They could repeat that success but there are some factors which must be considered.
Price - The console is launching at a much higher pricepoint than has been accepted in the past and they have not announced a core version, so the likelihood of meeting the same pricepoints that both playstations launched with anytime soon is very slim.
Games - They don't have the familiar franchise games that have captivated gamers on ps2 available at launch. Historicly they have had the lions share of variety quality and quantity of games. If they can keep the same ps2 fire burning, they should continue to be the place to find variety.
Timeframe - They are coming to market 1 year after the xbox360 has been on the shelf for a year and is likely to have sold 10million units by the time PS3 hits the market. This is in stark contrast with ps2 which launched 1 year before Gamecube and Xbox last gen.
Extras - Bluray inclusion could either be a huge gain if they dominate the next gen media war or an ancor driving the base the cost up, ditto with the standard inclusion of hdd. Computer functionality could be a selling point if they can get the proper software support.
Wii
Coming hot off the questionable name announcement, Nintendo breezed through e3 with praise from all corners of the media. The anticipation based on their e3 showing is high.
Price - Not officially known but should come in between $250 and $200. This is in-line with their recent historical pricing for console launches and shouldn't be an issue.
Games - Nintendo has not announced the release dates of their fan favorite franchises but they look to have one of the best launch libraries in history. How the library will grow from that point is questionable but they seem to be gaining support and should at least see more variety/quantity than Gamecube did.
Timeframe - They are launching neck and neck with PS3 but one year after xbox360. This is roughly the same situation they found themselves in last gen by launching a year after the first next gen machine but also launching alongside the another.
Extras - They are including minimal additional features aside from the Wii controller which is the fundamental draw of this machine. The virtual console effort should prove useful for gamers interested in retro/classic gaming.
Xbox 360
Microsoft launched a year early and has since followed ps2's successull footsteps very closely. They have learned much from their fierce competitor and have put that knowledge to work in 360.
Price - A move which most questioned was having two sku's. One which went for the high-end market and the other which has accessories to match ps2 in functionality but with next gen games. By having the barebones system available and owning 100% of the design, they have cost control measures to ensure competitive pricing now and down the road.
Games - By securing availability of one of the most popular franchises last gen they have gone to great measures to level the playing field. Along with their other exclusive franchises both up-and-coming (Gears of War) and tried and true (Halo3), Microsoft looks poised to expand their library internally and through 3rd party.
Timeframe - As Sony proved last gen, "the early bird gets the worm". In Microsofts case, by launching a year ahead of their rivals they look poised to secure 10 million worms before either Sony or Nintendo hit the market. If ps2 is anything to go by this could prove huge for them.
Extras - Minimal extras are included but there are many available. Dvd playing out of the box is yet another ps2 feature they have taken note of and included standard.
Given the above pros/cons for each system when blended together in the same market will give us an interesting mix of gaming options.
My bet is on a 33% split equal across the board.
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