Does PSP take the shine off next year's Xbox 2 launch?

[-tkf-]

XBOX2 or PSP

Isn't it a bit like comparing Apples to Oranges?

Of course Sony will be shouting loud about their PSP whenever the XBOX2 launches. But more importantly they will be telling everybody how much better the PS3 is going to be.

Personally i'm just wondering what next big PC games will be "slaughtered" when Microsoft turn them into XBOX2 exclusives. Hopefully Valves Steam is going to be the answer (partly) to the warez trouble.

 

[Spidermate]

And that's why I said:

I'll let the launch do the talking on that. It would be wrong to guess if it will or if it won't at this point.

When I mentioned PSP needing a system seller, it was regarding a person having to decide whether to get a PSP or Xenon. If there is no system sellers for PSP then people are more likely to get a Xenon instead which will have a system seller. They are not going to buy a PSP then let it sit there while waiting for system selling software to arrive. Xenon is not DC.

Are you telling me the PSP isn't going to have a seller by the end of 2005 although it'll be launching in 2004, because that's what it sounds like? These consoles are not releasing at the same time; they are releasing at different dates far apart from one another. The PSP is only being played as a hype strategy.

 

[Spidermate]

XBOX2 or PSP

Isn't it a bit like comparing Apples to Oranges?

Of course Sony will be shouting loud about their PSP whenever the XBOX2 launches. But more importantly they will be telling everybody how much better the PS3 is going to be.

Personally i'm just wondering what next big PC games will be "slaughtered" when Microsoft turn them into XBOX2 exclusives. Hopefully Valves Steam is going to be the answer (partly) to the warez trouble.

That's what I am talking about. The PSP was built to excel Sony's hype for the PS3. Without it, it would be a little difficult to persuade people to hold out for their console, especially the ones turning away from the PS2 because it didn't live up to their expectations.

 

[PC-Engine]

Have you seen the PSP's game list? I didn't see any system sellers for end of 2005.

 

[Spidermate]

Have you seen the PSP's game list? I didn't see any system sellers for end of 2005.

Have you stop to think that maybe it was just YOU that didn't see a system seller for this handheld? Not everyone has the same taste, which is probably why you like the Xbox better, no disrespect to you in any way. This also has nothing do do with what I said. Dispite what the launch may have, these systems are being released far apart from one another. There should be enough time to build a suitable library for everyone. And once again, this handheld is a hype machine. It would be naive to think that it will play no part of Sony's next move.

 

[PC-Engine]

Of course I've considered that, that's why I put myself into the mindset of the average Joe. GT4 is a system seller but it's coming out in the spring. And yes there will be people who will wait for PS3 as there will always be people who wait, but those same people could also wait for Revolution.

 

[-tkf-]

Have you seen the PSP's game list? I didn't see any system sellers for end of 2005.

It takes very little to sell something so "cool".

All you need is a few games with a broad appeal (football, racing and whatever) and lots of people will have an excuse to buy the "cool" PSP.

The DS doesn't seem to have the cool factor, so they might need some system sellers were it's the game and not the system that counts.

 

[wco81]

What is the Xenon system seller at time of launch?

Haven't heard too much about Xenon games in development.

 

[PC-Engine]

Have you seen the PSP's game list? I didn't see any system sellers for end of 2005.

It takes very little to sell something so "cool".

All you need is a few games with a broad appeal (football, racing and whatever) and lots of people will have an excuse to buy the "cool" PSP.

The DS doesn't seem to have the cool factor, so they might need some system sellers were it's the game and not the system that counts.

The PSX was also considered cool. It didn't do too well. Cool only gets you the early adopters and gadget freaks. Substance takes you further.

 

[-tkf-]

Have you seen the PSP's game list? I didn't see any system sellers for end of 2005.

It takes very little to sell something so "cool".

All you need is a few games with a broad appeal (football, racing and whatever) and lots of people will have an excuse to buy the "cool" PSP.

The DS doesn't seem to have the cool factor, so they might need some system sellers were it's the game and not the system that counts.

The PSX was also considered cool. It didn't do too well. Cool only gets you the early adopters and gadget freaks. Substance takes you further.

GT4, there is your substance.

The PSX was never as cool as the PSP.

 

[PC-Engine]

Yeah but everyone who wants GT4 will already have gotten it by the time Xenon launches since the game comes out in the spring like I said. Anyone who hasn't gotten GT4 and a PSP by then probably won't get one when Xenon launches. GT4 will be available on PS2 anyway and the PSP version is just watered down so it won't get people to buy a PSP instead of a Xenon. It will be old hat by then too. Not only will Xenon be new and "cool", but it will also have substance in the form of a system seller.

 

[Spidermate]

Of course I've considered that, that's why I put myself into the mindset of the average Joe. GT4 is a system seller but it's coming out in the spring. And yes there will be people who will wait for PS3 as there will always be people who wait, but those same people could also wait for Revolution.

Very true, and I'm not saying they won't. But, that's probably why Sony entered the market the way they did with the PSP. They wanted to instantly attract people to their product before it was too late, therefore establishing a fan base early. All there is to it now is to see how it goes.

GT4 may only be one of their sellers. We don't know this yet, in the very same way we didn't know GTA would become so popular.

 

[wco81]

Will the PSP version of GT4 be online playable? Or will it just have LAN play?

What about the online version of GT4 for the PS2?

They could come out with a supplemental version of GT4 for the PSP which would let you play online with the PS2 version. Or at least let you sync both versions. So licenses you earn on the PSP could be synced to the PS2 version when you get home.

Or maybe have a retail bundle of the PS2 and PSP versions.

The other thing they could do is bundle it with the PSP for the holidays, as they did with GT3 and the PSP.

 

[-tkf-]

Yeah but everyone who wants GT4 will already have gotten it by the time Xenon launches since the game comes out in the spring like I said. Anyone who hasn't gotten GT4 and a PSP by then probably won't get one when Xenon launches. GT4 will be available on PS2 anyway and the PSP version is just watered down so it won't get people to buy a PSP instead of a Xenon. It will be old hat by then too. Not only will Xenon be new and "cool", but it will also have substance in the form of a system seller.

There will be people that will buy GT4 even if they have the PS2 version, it's not the same thing, i for example would buy both.

And i'm pretty sure there will be extra content on the PSP version (money talks).

Then there is quite a few people that don't own either a PS2 or GT3/GT4.

GT4 PSP is a system seller, no doubt about it. Of course GT4 PSP combined with a GTA PSP game would be very good for Sony

 

[Jov]

People tend to buy what they CAN buy, ie a PS3 that won't be intro'd until late 06 at the earliest won't stop people from buying something that is available a year earlier.

Does your comment apply to the DC?

 

[Jov]

PSP doesn't offer a new type of gaming experience. It's all been done before on Nintendo portables and the upcoming NDS. It will sell mainly because of its price and as SONY's first entry into the portable console market, NOT because of system selling titles since the games are just watered down PS2 ports. Yes some people will buy it for certain games, but most people will buy it for the reasons I posted earlier since they know the games they want will eventually arrive.

PC-Eng... tell me which handheld thus far will come close in letting you play titles near on-par of current gen's games on the move? If this is not a new type of gaming, then what is?

 

[jarrod]

PSP doesn't offer a new type of gaming experience. It's all been done before on Nintendo portables and the upcoming NDS. It will sell mainly because of its price and as SONY's first entry into the portable console market, NOT because of system selling titles since the games are just watered down PS2 ports. Yes some people will buy it for certain games, but most people will buy it for the reasons I posted earlier since they know the games they want will eventually arrive.

PC-Eng... tell me which handheld thus far will come close in letting you play titles near on-par of current gen's games on the move? If this is not a new type of gaming, then what is?

I dunno... playing games you can already play sounds a little redundant regardless of the context. But, I still want Ridge Racers!

PSP and Xenon both seem to be targeting the same base (PS2 owners) I'd say though... it's entirely possible there'll be some indirect competition there. Really, all entertainment competes for the same dollars when you step back far enough.

 

[wco81]

Saw the RR for PSP preview at Gamespot. No mention of online play or any kind of wireless play at all.

So in that case, yes it could just be a rehash of RR on the PS and PS2. Because RR never had multiplayer of any kind did it?

 

[jarrod]

Saw the RR for PSP preview at Gamespot. No mention of online play or any kind of wireless play at all.

So in that case, yes it could just be a rehash of RR on the PS and PS2. Because RR never had multiplayer of any kind did it?

4 player wireless is already finished, the team's trying for 8 player but they're having problems as SCEI's only supplied Namco with 4 PSP units to test on. :/

 

[wco81]

I just don't see people other than kids in school playing wireless LAN games. That's the most likely place where you're going to find so many others with PSP or DS units.

As people who've graduated and got full-time jobs, not to mention family obligations have found, it's not easy to get together to play games, as they used to do back in school.

That is why online games, at least in the US, have had some success (not huge success but certainly more than link or LAN kind of games.). More PS2 Network Adapters and XBL Starter Kits have been sold than any link cable accessories have been sold. Probably more than the PS2 multitaps too. And more than whatever the Gamecube uses to connect to the GBA.

That should tell the publisher/developers that they need to make online games for the PSP and DS and build some online infrastructure. At least partner with Gamespy if necessary. That is if they want to attract the older demographic (anything older than school or college age gamers) at all. Otherwise, older gamers won't use the wireless that much.