rocketpig said:
Microsoft ate losses for years because they knew they would. They're in this for the long run, as is Sony. Online gaming is the future; not every game needs it but Nintendo needs to offer it at some point. Talking about x-band and that type of bullshit is a waste of time. What we're talking about is broadband gaming and a network of gamers that love a system. You're talking about a network that was offered before broadband even hit 5% of the population. In case you hadn't noticed, things are different now. My point is that if Nintendo doesn't offer online gaming choices, they'll distance themselves from the hardcore gamers. That may not hurt them in the short run, but it will definitely hurt them in the long run. And those hardcore gamers are the ones that buy 20 games per console and play up hype for anything that's in the horizon. |
Ah, but those hardcore gamers that buy 20 360 games are also the sort that generally grab up 2 or 3 different systems a generation and the wii is the most logical second system for most gamers (old argument.) Why fight for the 360's thoroughly established turf when you'll be the #2 choice for most of their audience whether you do so or not?
And yeah, x-band and its ilk sucked and were a totally different ballgame. Just saying that PC online gaming has been thriving and lucrative for a very long time while on consoles it hasn't so far. It should continue to grow at a steady pace, but nintendo clearly isn't missing out on a huge marketshare yet.
That said of course, Smash Brothers online would totally own (if done well.)
