TheLastStarFighter on 15 January 2013
Gamerace 2 hours ago
This is an excellent point. In 2006 only PS2 was still alive and the industry was not nearly as robust as it is today. 360 was out but was considered too expensive (at least until the $600 PS3 released) without a big library of games and most of those games it did have were on PS2 (which people already owned).
Today 360/PS3 are still selling software well (just not as well as in the past) and even Wii can sell millions of units if anyone bothers to put a good game on it (Just Dance, Skylanders). WiiU is now the expensive systems without a lot of games (and most of it's games are on 360/PS3 which everyone already owns).
The issue here though is 360/PS3 and Wii (and mostly Wii at that point) offered experiences the previous gen couldn't. Wii's offering was the most unique and it was the most affordable system. WiiU is offering largely the exact same experience as the previous gen, albeit with a touchscreen added but for a higher price point. This is a fundimental problem.
When next gen systems launch, it gives MS/Sony the opportunity to come out with innovative devices that offer gameplay the previous gen (including WiiU) simply couldn't. MS is also looking to subsidize the cost of it's console with 2(or 3?) year contracts and cable bundles (rumoured). So the 720 could well launch at below WiiU's price point while still offering a more unique and 'next gen' gameplay.
Today 360/PS3 are still selling software well (just not as well as in the past) and even Wii can sell millions of units if anyone bothers to put a good game on it (Just Dance, Skylanders). WiiU is now the expensive systems without a lot of games (and most of it's games are on 360/PS3 which everyone already owns).
The issue here though is 360/PS3 and Wii (and mostly Wii at that point) offered experiences the previous gen couldn't. Wii's offering was the most unique and it was the most affordable system. WiiU is offering largely the exact same experience as the previous gen, albeit with a touchscreen added but for a higher price point. This is a fundimental problem.
When next gen systems launch, it gives MS/Sony the opportunity to come out with innovative devices that offer gameplay the previous gen (including WiiU) simply couldn't. MS is also looking to subsidize the cost of it's console with 2(or 3?) year contracts and cable bundles (rumoured). So the 720 could well launch at below WiiU's price point while still offering a more unique and 'next gen' gameplay.
I wouldn't call a system that launches at... say... $250 plus a 2 year contract at $15 a month = $610 is actually below the WiiU price point. MS may be able to convince people that it is, but it's not. I really hope they don't go this route, or if they do that no one buys it. It's hiding costs and sucking money out of consumers in a way they don't notice. Cell phone companies have mastered it and I really hope it doesn't enter the game industry more than MS is already doing. MS and Sony do have the opportunity to offer something that Nintendo has missed, however.
