Whenever fans of different consoles get together, they will taunt one another on sales, games and so on. It becomes an ego thing. This battle doesn't even win the fans of the console that sells more a cookie. You get jack. Maybe bragging rights. But, among console fanboys you want bragging rights? Anyone know what that is worth? I don't think much.
Well, current reality is the PS3 is in third place. There is a chance it will end up that way. MAYBE it gets second place. I am hard pressed to see the PS3 coming in first, so I wouldn't go there. Anyhow, that being said, I am curious what the big deal is with the PS3 coming in third. Why is it a bad thing, and why would it matter? I can see things like this discussed (and I will then comment on my thoughts on it):
1. The PS3 at third means the XBox is second. This means Microsoft is less likely to completely drop out of the videogame business, which has rob sales from Sony.
My reply: And you care about there being one less competitor in the videogame business... because? Oh, you hate Microsoft so you want them to pay? As I see it, Microsoft will continue to press on here, even if they came in third. They have done better this time around. So, it looks pointless to me.
2. The PS3 will lose exclusives, and have titles completely leave it competely for the 360. Software support also won't be what it could.
My reply: Why do you care that a title is also on the 360? Also, how many titles have abandoned the PS3 for the 360 alone? I don't see a lot at all. I see Microsoft moneyhatting to stop titles from being exclusive. Oh the PS3 had some RPGs delayed as a result. But beyond that? I believe the PS3 has held up good for a third place console on the software front. It gets all the top third-party games.
3. The PS3 isn't the lead development console for next generation if it isn't at least second.
My reply: Are developers getting the nack of the PS3 at this point? I would say yes, so the titles are about the same between both systems on multi-platform titles.
4. The Playstation brand stops being a major driving force in sales if the PS3 is third.
My reply: How as the "Playstation brand" helped in the handheld front? The DS owns the handheld market. Even then, the PSP still gets decent third-party support.
5. The PS3 at third means that the next Playstation will have a smaller user base to migrate next generation to.
My reply: With the PS3 removing backwards compatibility with the PS2, exactly where is the migrating going to? PS2 owners have jumped to the Wii and 360 this time around eventhough the PS2 was the best-selling console of all-time.
So, all and all, wherever the PS3 finishes, doesn't seem that important at this point and time. Sony does need to get things to be profitable, but beyond this? If the PS3 does finish third I believe the PS3 will still of had a good run. Also, we are talking about FINISHING third, at the end of this run of consoles. At that time, what place does it matter? Sony will have moved onto the next console by then.
Please post anything I have missed here.
