I think that Microsoft discredited the Wii because they knew they weren't going to be able to catch it. I don't think it had anything to do with being more concerned with Sony. Trying to say that Sony has a bigger market share than MS by using the PSP as an example is also stupid.

Afraid is a valid word. It is widely believed (though i forget whether or not it was implied by Microsoft executives themselves), that the Xbox program was launched out of fear of the PlayStation Computer Entertainment Systems, and how they might eventually replace Windows, especially for the basic functions of web-browsing and multimedia.

 

Microsoft refuses to acknowledge Wii because they know they can't win, or make any sort of meaningful headway, so they just entrench themselves with the audience that they've already captivated. The PlayStation brand still has a very strong case for Microsoft's target (this very-elusive "core" gamer), so they need to keep up the pressure. Fortunately for them, Sony continuously seems to be just out of reach of the next price drop.

A fantastic read! I enjoyed it! You are 100% right! M$ are washing their pants 3 times a day now! I actually am quite happy for Bill Gates that he has retired!

numonex said: First-Party Support Microsoft is growing heavily reliant on third-party support. They recently shut down Ensemble Studios (Halo Wars), let Bungie (Halo 3) go independent and did not attempt to buy Bioware (Mass Effect). Since third-party gaming companies can switch alliances at any time, Microsoft is walking a tight rope. Sony, on the other hand, is quietly building up the biggest first-part development core in the gaming industry. Their studios span all three major regions (Japan, North America and Europe) and feature tremendous talent. First-party Playstation 3 games are gaining praise and popularity. With more third-party opting to release multiplatform games, exclusive games on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 may ultimately determined the battle between the two high-definition systems. With less fire power, Microsoft should definitely be concern about Sony.

 

 This is circular reasoning. Who came first, the chicken or the egg?

MS closing first party studios should be interpreted as evidence that MS is not afraid of Sony! Not the other way around. (and btw, Sony built it's first party dev empire before the PS3 generation. Sonyso ain't "quietly building up" anything, not anymore)

That was a terrible blog post.

FEAR ME!

Slimebeast said: numonex said: First-Party Support Microsoft is growing heavily reliant on third-party support. They recently shut down Ensemble Studios (Halo Wars), let Bungie (Halo 3) go independent and did not attempt to buy Bioware (Mass Effect). Since third-party gaming companies can switch alliances at any time, Microsoft is walking a tight rope. Sony, on the other hand, is quietly building up the biggest first-part development core in the gaming industry. Their studios span all three major regions (Japan, North America and Europe) and feature tremendous talent. First-party Playstation 3 games are gaining praise and popularity. With more third-party opting to release multiplatform games, exclusive games on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 may ultimately determined the battle between the two high-definition systems. With less fire power, Microsoft should definitely be concern about Sony.    This is circular reasoning. Who came first, the chicken or the egg? MS closing first party studios should be interpreted as evidence that MS is not afraid of Sony! Not the other way around. That was a terrible blog post.

 

So the one reasoning is wrong while the other reasoning is right? At least give a reason why that demonstrates that your reasoning is right. There are a whole lot of reasons they might have done that: 1) they don't want to waste money in that department 2) they feel they have enough of a foothold in this generation to let them go 3) they have a different strategy as to gaining exclusive titles.

But according to you, it's "this shows they are not afraid of Sony"? O_o

 

papflesje said: Slimebeast said: numonex said: First-Party Support Microsoft is growing heavily reliant on third-party support. They recently shut down Ensemble Studios (Halo Wars), let Bungie (Halo 3) go independent and did not attempt to buy Bioware (Mass Effect). Since third-party gaming companies can switch alliances at any time, Microsoft is walking a tight rope. Sony, on the other hand, is quietly building up the biggest first-part development core in the gaming industry. Their studios span all three major regions (Japan, North America and Europe) and feature tremendous talent. First-party Playstation 3 games are gaining praise and popularity. With more third-party opting to release multiplatform games, exclusive games on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 may ultimately determined the battle between the two high-definition systems. With less fire power, Microsoft should definitely be concern about Sony.    This is circular reasoning. Who came first, the chicken or the egg? MS closing first party studios should be interpreted as evidence that MS is not afraid of Sony! Not the other way around. That was a terrible blog post.   So the one reasoning is wrong while the other reasoning is right? At least give a reason why that demonstrates that your reasoning is right. There are a whole lot of reasons they might have done that: 1) they don't want to waste money in that department 2) they feel they have enough of a foothold in this generation to let them go 3) they have a different strategy as to gaining exclusive titles. But according to you, it's "this shows they are not afraid of Sony"? O_o

I should have said "if anything, MS closing first party studios should be interpreted as...".

 

This is one of those articles which look fine on the surface, but dig a bit deeper and the substance is very thin.

Coulda shoulda woulda... I don't see Microsoft worrying too much about hypothetical scenarios which didn't happen.



The PS2 is not selling at a steady pace. In fact it's declining very fast now, about 50% down year-over-year.

The PSP is decreasing as well, but in this regard ("gaming industry as a whole"), if anything Microsoft is afraid of Nintendo, not Sony. Nintendo dominates both the handheld and the console market right now.



Sony's first party franchises are (with rare exceptions like Gran Turismo) nowhere near as important as third-party franchises like GTA, FF and RE. I think that's why Microsoft went after those instead of pursuing lots of first-party content. It seems to be working out just fine for Microsoft too.



I don't know if this is really true... Last I heard, more than half of the existing Xbox Live accounts were paid accounts, which makes it hard to believe that many people mind paying for online as compared to buying a PS3 to play online.

This is perhaps the most valid point in the article, but it's something that Microsoft can change if they need to. However it doesn't seem like it will cause trouble to MS for the foreseeable future.

 

"Look! MS are closing their first party studios and keep charging for Xbox Live - they must be afraid of Sony!"

Laughable.

Senlis said: The said: Let me have a word about that bold part : bwahahaha...oh, Mr. Wii , I didn't notice you were there. You seem to have the Microsoft mentatility disregarding the Wii! Ooooh the irony!   So, you don't have anything constructive to say. Instead, you make fun of me because I own a Wii.

 

 

He just said that the wii is the ps2 of this gen...