In business terms, I think Microsoft and Sony did a great job this E3. If you view both the PS3 and 360, both have several faults that have hindered their success this gen IMO. The 360 has had two glaring issues so far this generation, namely RROD and the death of HD-DVD. The PS3 has had its own issues with multiple delays and poor 360 ports. IMO, these issues have died down now and are no longer significant hindrances to the Xbox 360 and the PS3. As such, I was looking quite forward to this year’s E3 to see what the 2 console giants would announce. Here are my thoughts:
Microsoft:
Netflix is a huge deal for the 360 for several reasons. Mainly, this provides a quantifiable alternative to Blu-Ray and is substantially more cost effective to the consumer. ($4.99/mo - $16.99/mo) Microsoft is also beginning to showcase its online infrastructure and how they can utilize it in the multiplayer game space. Take the trivia games (primetime) such as 1 vs. 100 or the new party system they are implementing. Couple these with the ability to win real prices (I hope not just MS Points) and gaming as a whole has moved forward. These innovations are a forward step in the solidification of Microsoft’s online strategy. Realistically, I doubt that Sony or Nintendo will ever truly be able to compete with Microsoft’s online space. I have high hopes for home but really, it cannot compete with a concrete business model that is already considered to be the best. Fanboyism aside, look to developer and publisher collaboration and alliance to XBL for your answer. Games such as Fallout 3, Portal, Guitar Hero, Rock Band and GTA 4 already have shown that XBL will be the place to acquire supplementary game content. Although Microsoft has allegedly paid for some of this content, developers can easily comprehend the capacity to extend software revenue streams on XBL over PSN.
I give Microsoft an 8/10 for their E3 conference.
Sony:
Sony unveiled several new features of PSN that look promising. The movie service appears to be in full swing starting tonight allowing users to upload there movies to their PSP’s for portable viewing. Allowing users to also rent movies is a good alternative to Microsoft’s Netflix agreement. Home looks like it is being polished and although I don’t care much for it, I am sure many PS3 users will be happy to see its progress. I defiantly believe that PSN is moving forward and applying its own niche in the online space.
It appears that Sony still believes in “millions of PS2 users upgrading to the PS3” concept still exists. I am not sure if this is just talk or they actually believe it but in any case, they need to get over this notion. PS3 really didn’t show me all that much other than some CG footage of God of War 3 and MAG which does look nice. (256 player battles!!!!) Infamous game play also looked promising but nothing that shocked me. I am really excited for LBP and believe it will be the best platformer of 2008. This was by far the biggest thing I took away from Sony’s E3 press conference. (I like how they went through the business figures)
Although some new announcements were made regarding an 80 GB Core PS3 there really wasn’t anything that I was shocked about. I also believe that although Resistance looks amazing, the footage from Gears 2 left me with a lot more.
I give Sony a 6/10 for their E3 conference.
Software:
Software wise, both Sony and Microsoft have some amazing games. MGS4 was by far the best cinematic experience I have ever had, while Mass Effect blew me away with its story and unique game play. Comparing PS3 and XB360 on software is moot point and really doesn’t present positive argument. However, I find that developers are clearly utilizing XBL in several amazing ways. Fable 2 for example blew me away yesterday. Firstly the pub games idea sold me at TGS but after the “orb” idea, I was blown away. I was also impressed by the life with Playstation addition to the PSN network. The ability to watch news, look at weather and stay up to date in the real world is something that I could see myself utilizing when playing hours on my PS3.
FF13 is a big deal but I find that it is something that we as gamers shouldn’t be surprised about. Just as BioShock and several other 360 games have found a new home on the PS3, several PS3 games are also finding a home on the 360. This is what business is all about...making money. I don’t consider Square-Enix a sell out as much as I consider them to be a multi-million dollar corporation who has to see a net income at the year’s end. Take it for what it is and place your personal emotions aside. Does it really matter to you that 20 million more gamers can play FF13? If it does then I suggest you spend more time enjoying the finer things in life.
Of note, I do believe that 3rd party titles that are not published by Sony or Microsoft will become multiplatform. I will not speculate on which titles but needless to say FF13 was the first epic if you don’t count BioShock (I do).
Conclusion:
All I can say is that this holiday season will be the best for both Sony and Microsoft. Resistance 2, Gears 2, Fable 2, Socom, Infamous, Left 4 Dead, the list goes on and on.
I am not one who really cares all that much for the console war. I like features of both the PS3 and the 360 however; I feel that Microsoft won this year’s E3 conference.
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