umm yeah. I think it's a great idea. Though Nintendo did that already after the backlash from N64. NGC was the developers system in regards to what developers wanted. See where that got them. I'm not saying it's not important. It's in fact VERY important and I'm glad Sony has learned a tiny bit of humility and are getting input this time around, but this is how I see it as what happened.
PS1 vs N64
NIntendo this time to out do competition tries to produce the most baddass system with help from professional hardware developers of CGI. Nintendo has the popularity hype lead. new comer Sony is facing an uphill batter. Hardware wise Sony PS1 is years behind. However Sony introduces successfully an element that both makes developers jobs easier and allows for a new experience for gamers. The CD. An old technology introduced into gaming.
Winner SONY
PS2 vs NGC
Nintendo after getting their @$$ handed to them. Decides to go all out in hardware design technique and makes a system that supposed to be super friendly to developers. In that they succeeded very well. Many developers who worked on the GC commented that it's a dream to develop for. PS2 has lowest hardware, but had a early lead and has consumer and developer support from previous gen.
Winner SONY
PS3 vs Wii
Sony produces the most baddass system of incredible power by hiring IBM to produce an incredible CPU. Sony is the most popular console coming into the generation and has developer support. The system however launches late and offers nothing more that didn't exist in the previous generation(better does not mean new experience). Xbox brought PC online, NGC and XBox had graphics. PS2 brought in DVD, PS3 is going to try and bring in BR. It's just a step up. Though a poweful one. Nintendo takes a passive role knowing their uphill battle. Instead provides gamers with a new experience of an old technology into the console arena. Sony get's the @$$ kicked.
Winner Nintendo
When I head that project dolphin from Nintendo was talking to developers. I thought this would be a changing point for Nintendo. They would reclaim the first position. Why? because developers would want to support the console that is easy to develop for and faster to get games out on.
Well that didn't happen and closing the PS2 to Wii rise thought me a valuable lesson. That marketing will go where they THINK the money is. PS1 had to prove itself and did. There is a lot going on in market decisions that just this or that, but importantly I will tell you this and it's relevant.
Being developer friendly means shit to gamers and business. In the PC world this is different, but the PC world is soooo flexible that it has room to breath. The Console world is extremely rigid and it's a close environment that you have to play by manufactures games. As Console developers you don't get much of a choice at all. You need to develop within the business world. It's cutthroat and harsh.
So I'm glad Sony is listening to developers. The Cell maybe powerful but it's taking tooo long for developers to utilize it. Sony next console however even if it's developer friendly will have no impact. Sony is following Nintendo's reactionary footsteps. If this path remains true and Nintendo goes arrogant again. Nintendo may have risen to heaven, but Sony PS5 should shake the foundations of heaven. However the game has changed. Nintendo humility has made them a much more dangerous advisory, but only if you decide to take them on. They are very happy to let you do what you want and seem even happier if you want to work together, but as soon as you stand in front with your weapons drawn. They will out maneuver you rather than try to take you down.
So Sony great job. I'm glad your learning, but next gen. PS4 bring something really new to the table.
Squilliam: On Vgcharts its a commonly accepted practice to twist the bounds of plausibility in order to support your argument or agenda so I think its pretty cool that this gives me the precedent to say whatever I damn well please.
