E3 is over, and I figured I would give my breakdown on all three. I was thinking about doing several, but figure one would be appropriate. This isn't the how the companies slammed dunked, but issues they need to overcome:
* Nintendo: Will the 3DS this holiday season Europe or North America, and how much will the 3DS go for? Price and when they are released matter. It seems issues about if 3D is worth it have been resolved with yes, but the price point and release date remain. A secondary issue of how to advertise the 3DS to people over regular TVs needs to be dealt with also.
* Microsoft: Kinect got mixed reviews. There is the issue of price still left to be resolved, along with how well it would work in homes, and also the price point of it (and what would be bundled with it). Another issue I see with Kinect is the issue of the controller being a gateway for people into playing the full 360 experience. Kinect seems to be stuck where it is, separate from regular 360 controller. The Wii is a gateway in how it works. I will say that the Kinect is a definite push for casual players, and it seems to fit that well... assuming it works well enough.
* Sony: The price point for doing 3D is now prohibitive for a lot of people. It may be cool and leading edge, but I see concerns about this. And then there is Move isn't a transition controller into the full Playstation experience, the same way that the Wii remote is. I would also say here that the price point is on the expensive side. Have to wonder how will it is going to catch on. I also see an issue of trying to cater to hardcore gamers with Move, when hardcore gamers found the Wii Remote, and Wii on the stupid side. The feeling is a want to stick with the standard joypad. I also am not sure that being more precise than Wii Motion Plus is a selling point that casual gamers would care about. Greater precision seems to be a point more appealing to hardcore gamers than casual gamers, because precision rewards skill more. And maybe graphics count some, but how much more is Sony's realism going to be able to offset the cuteness and approachability that Nintendo has with Miis.
