First lets start off with Nintendo, Gamecube, and N64 were huge blows to Nintendo, and if the Wii faced the same fate, then Nintendo might have just stopped making game consoles. Since the Wii was a HUGE success, Nintendo will without a doubt continue to make consoles and provide those great first party titles.

Now Microsoft. The Xbox was not a complete failure, and even if Microsoft got a huge blow again with the 360, they would still continue to make game consoles. Now since the 360 is doing great, and has almost the same number of consoles sold as PS3, they are always in competition mode, they will never lay back and relax until they take down the PS3, which again is a bonus to the gamers, because of more great games.

Finally Sony. The Playstation brand was and still is the most known gaming company. The PS dominated and the PS2 just raised the bar so high that, most consoles may never reach the PS2 levels, ever. Sony decided on a different marketing plan with the PS3, they just depended on the brand power to move consoles, but they have learned that, they were wrong. The Playstation brand was always at the top, and now its not, which will make Sony less dependent on Brand power, and more dependent on games, pricing, and the console itself.

Overall, gamers get the most out of this situation, now not all AAA games come on just one console. Now all three companies are in competition mode, no company is laying back. Although Nintendo might be doing so now, they will fire back once the competition becomes close.

Dont agree, post your arguement below, or just post how you see things.

DISCUSSSSS

For Sony?...yes and no.

For PS3 only owners?...it shouldn´t matter much, since it´s the first 3rd place console that gets very strong 3rd party support and the majority of the so called 'AAA' 3rd party titles (along with its HD twin)....something unheard of in all previous generations.

You said that the 360 has almost the same amount of consoles sold as PS3...
An 8 million gap isnt "almost the same"

Anyway, PS3 wont be in 3rd for its entire life. Its managing to either keep up with or outsell the 360 in Others and Japan, despite being twice the price. When the price is lowered, sales will be like the Wiis.

yes and no as well

it will make sony work harder meaning better 1st party games

it will make me upset and ill have to keep that Angy face in my sig

lol, boy are your hopes going to be crushed.

WII IS AN ICON, PS360 NOT

 *sniff*

*APPLAUSE*

Sony staying in third has these benefits:
1. It causes Sony to reevaluate things, and be more humble, not presuming that it has a "Playstation" name so it is a lock.
2. It causes Sony fanboys to have to shut their mouths for awhile. Any time you can get a bunch of fanboys who are annoying to have to shut up, that is a good thing. I had to read them on forums yammering way back when as Sega was going down. Yes, it is a bit of happy to see payback. But the principle of fanboys having to be silenced is good.

We will see... maybe not AS big, but they will be damn close.

IT DOESN`T MATTER anymore.

EXCEPT Japan, where PS3 is N1 HD console.

PS3 WW is 3rd, so WHAT? x360 or Wii getting more 3rd party exclusives? NO.

Wii is only on PAIR with PS360+PC. That`s why HD consoles will always get MANY 3rd party games, which won`t be available on Wii.

x360 is ahead only in NA, but NOBODY will ignore PS3 userbase.

While, many Japanese developers may ignore x360 in Japan, where x360 is DEAD and PS3 is the ONLY HD console of choice.

Again, this gen is not like PS2 with xbox/GC.
The gap between x360 and PS3 is small compared to those, that ps2 and xbox or GC had.

And just wait for 299$ PS3, then talk about 3rd place.

However, Sony might learn from their mistakes before this gen is over, but for them coming back in America seems too late, but the PS3 can still be a huge impact in Others and Japan. So PS3 owners, dont feel scared, Sony wants to make money, so they will be pushing the PS3.