HappySqurriel said: superchunk said: Well, as I stated many times before the PS3 will finish 2nd IMHO. It will not pass 360 in 2008, but it will eventually. The reason is solely due to Japan being much more in PS3's favor, especially after games like FF13 drop. Then, unlike right now, PS3 will eventually gain Others, this will be enough to put PS3 in a comfortable 2nd place.   EDIT: I read the first few posts and removed my beginning paragraph. Not that I disagree with what you're saying, but the Gamecube sold far better in Japan than the XBox did and the XBox still sold more units worldwide than the Gamecube did ...

 That would be because the Xbox sold much better in both NA and Europe than Gamecube. That is why I made that distinction in my post. Below is how I see it by 2010.

NA = 360 >> PS3 

Japan = PS3 >> 360

Others (eventually) = PS3 > 360 

rocketpig said: choirsoftheeye said: I think the fanboyism and brand loyalty is spawned from the same part of the human psyche as loyalty to professional sports teams. Which, when you actually think about it, is a ridiculous concept. But - it's fun. That analogy only works on a base level. More often than not, sports loyalties lay on a regional basis and much of sports fanaticism comes from a "my suburb/city/state/country is better than yours", not a "company a is better than company b, even though we can both buy the exact same product anywhere". There's a certain pride that comes from seeing your home team do well because, in many cases, they are a representation of the city and the people within. The same thing doesn't apply to products or companies because they're universal and have no ties to a region or city (well, other than their corporate base but that's such a small part that it doesn't apply). I just don't get brand fanaticism, that's all. Will I buy products because the company usually produces high quality pieces, such as Apple? Yes, but that's based on my experiences with the company and the second they stop producing quality products that I want, I'll stop buying their crap. I'm as loyal to a company as they are to me; in other words, I buy stuff that works well and has features I desire and the second the company stops providing those services to me, I stop providing them with my money.

 I think it works on more levels than you give it credit for.  It hast the same schoolboyish competition and growing up with a group you follow flair that console fanaticism has.  Do you honestly think it's so much about the city you're living in?  Does a Red Sox fan become a Yankees fan if he moves to New York?  Absolutely not.  And what about the people living in the middle of Connecticut?  Chances are that, much like video gamers and voters, their preference comes from what they grew up with rather than a deliberate, rational choice on their part. 

Aslong as a system has the games you want who cares how much it sells, i like Sony's line-up the best so that is my main console. There is only two games that i can see myself playing on the wii, while there are 30+ games on the PS3 that i am looking forward to playing. I can tell you i made the better choice in which system i bought.

*Hugs everyone, the goes back hugging Lord Fortesque*

Did i miss the group hug?

rocketpig said: choirsoftheeye said: I think the fanboyism and brand loyalty is spawned from the same part of the human psyche as loyalty to professional sports teams. Which, when you actually think about it, is a ridiculous concept. But - it's fun. That analogy only works on a base level. More often than not, sports loyalties lay on a regional basis and much of sports fanaticism comes from a "my suburb/city/state/country is better than yours", not a "company a is better than company b, even though we can both buy the exact same product anywhere". There's a certain pride that comes from seeing your home team do well because, in many cases, they are a representation of the city and the people within. The same thing doesn't apply to products or companies because they're universal and have no ties to a region or city (well, other than their corporate base but that's such a small part that it doesn't apply). I just don't get brand fanaticism, that's all. Will I buy products because the company usually produces high quality pieces, such as Apple? Yes, but that's based on my experiences with the company and the second they stop producing quality products that I want, I'll stop buying their crap. I'm as loyal to a company as they are to me; in other words, I buy stuff that works well and has features I desire and the second the company stops providing those services to me, I stop providing them with my money.

You're wrong in your comparison of Sports and Companies.

Why do you think people are fans of certain teams?  Because they feel represented by the team?

Why do they feel represented by the team?  Because they live in that team's region.

They're a part of the region, a part of a group.  Because they feel they're a part of that group, they will still be fans wherever they go because while they're not physically there, that membership mentality is still present.

Now let's draw this back to the console side.  When you buy a console, what happens?  The answer is you become a member of several new groups such as console owners in general and owners of the specific console you just purchased.  You're now a member of this group whether it be PS3 owners, xbox360 owners, or Wii owners. 

Now that you are a member of this group, you react more strongly to news about it.  If you own a 360 and one game comes out for the Wii and one for the 360, chances are the 360 one will be the one you turn to look at.  It has more relevance to you, as a 360 owner.  It's like the old car commercial question:  Who is most interested in a car's commercial?  The answer most people will give is a person looking to buy a car but the real answer is a current owner of that car.  The reason is that he/she is looking for affirmation that purchasing the car was a good idea.

Next let's put that into a competitive environment.  Football fans will very much hope that other teams in their favorite team's division will fail and lose games so their favorite team has a better shot at moving up.  Likewise, console fans will hope that other consoles falter or games fizzle to make their own console look better.   Consoles are competing for sales and 3rd party support, and the less one console gets, the more your console can get.

Brand loyalty/fanaticism is not hard to understand though it is annoying when people take it beyond reasonable limits.  I've no problems with people who like what they like however the people who insult everything which isn't what they like are the problematic ones.

elnino334 said: I also go with who cares though I doubt the PS3 can ever catch up to the Wii or 360. I mean they are about to get whooped for a second straight holiday season not counting the initial 360 launch. Everyone knows install base means alot and both the Wii and 360 have it while the PS3 doesn't. Anything the PS3 does can be countered by the 360. Bottomline the Wii and the 360 have the price and games to ALWAYS stay ahead. Doesn't mean it will fail as it has been said many many times there is room for all 3 systems especially since all 3 systems have strong first/second party support to have their own unique games. Will be interesting to see how all of this develops in the coming months and even years :)

Well said. I really think that if users are waiting for the PS3 to drop in price, how long can they wait? Thats my question. I couldn't wait long I needed a next-gen console and the 360 is what did it for me. Seeing that Sony doesn't want to take any loses they are using their exclusives to drive their console. And thats wrong because the user is going to look at the console like, "I bought this game and a $600 console but thats it". Let's see if more games come out for the PS3. I even made a list of the titles I like and here it is for the PS3:

Call of Duty 3Resistance: Fall of ManMobile Suit Gundam: CrossfireMarvel: Ultimate AllianceSonic the HedgehogVirtua Fighter 5MotorStormNBA Street HomecourtThe Godfather: The Don's EditionTom Clancy Splinter Cell: Double AgentF.E.A.R.The DarknessTom Clancy Rainbow Six: VegasNinja Gaiden SigmaTom Clancy Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2Dynasty Warriors: GundamHeavenly SwordStrangleholdWorld Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the BraceletsRatchet & Clank Future: Tools of DestructionClive Barker's JerichoCall of Duty 4: Modern WarfareBlacksite: Area 51SingStarKane & Lynch: Dead ManArmy of TwoAssassin's CreedHalf-Life 2: The Orange BoxBrothers In Arms Hell's HighwayWWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008Time Crisis 4HazeUnreal Tournament 3Medal of Honor: AirborneUncharted: Drake's FortuneSOCOM: ConfrontationTime ShiftDevil May Cry 4Dark SectorMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsGrand Theft Auto VIDynasty Warriors 6Burnout ParadiseTurokMercenaries 2: World in FlamesTNA iMPACT!The ClubCondemned 2: BloodshotTurning Point: Fall of LibertyFrontlines: Fuel of WarStar Wars: The Force UnleashedFracturePrototypeAnd in the end only 11 games I like that are exclusive to the system and the rest are on the 360. Now thats whats preventing me from getting a PS3. I need to see more exclusives to prevent me from playing my 360 and I need a decent price cut. If none of those then the console is sitting on the shelves for me.*red means exclusives

rocketpig said: I think the real question is this: Why on Earth are so many of you loyal to a faceless corporation that only cares about your money? Sheesh... All three console manufacturers have very sordid histories and "cheering" for them because of brand loyalty is downright foolish. Buy the console that has the games you want to play, no matter what inane logo resides on the front of it. End of story.

 Exactly.

rocketpig said: choirsoftheeye said: I think the fanboyism and brand loyalty is spawned from the same part of the human psyche as loyalty to professional sports teams. Which, when you actually think about it, is a ridiculous concept. But - it's fun. That analogy only works on a base level. More often than not, sports loyalties lay on a regional basis and much of sports fanaticism comes from a "my suburb/city/state/country is better than yours", not a "company a is better than company b, even though we can both buy the exact same product anywhere". There's a certain pride that comes from seeing your home team do well because, in many cases, they are a representation of the city and the people within. The same thing doesn't apply to products or companies because they're universal and have no ties to a region or city (well, other than their corporate base but that's such a small part that it doesn't apply). I just don't get brand fanaticism, that's all. Will I buy products because the company usually produces high quality pieces, such as Apple? Yes, but that's based on my experiences with the company and the second they stop producing quality products that I want, I'll stop buying their crap. I'm as loyal to a company as they are to me; in other words, I buy stuff that works well and has features I desire and the second the company stops providing those services to me, I stop providing them with my money.

But the "my geographical region is better than yours" thing is stupid as well because professional sports teams don't represent their cities and the people within.  They're hired mercinaries, the vast majority of whom are most likely from outside the region.

But there are still good reasons to root for one sports team over another. 

Well some people on this forum seem to hate my honest opinions.
But let me just tell you soething. I know how leo-j is feeling. I got a 360 in December 2005. I owned the previous xbox but only had 3 games. Halo 1,2 and Fable. My PS2 however has 24 pretty games sat by it. I loved it. I viewed 360 as a stop gap. However when I finnally bought my PS3 after about 1 week I found myself playing my 360. Very quickly my 535£ spent on PS3 seemed to hurt. The release list was weak and now I'm glad I didnt wait for Lair or Warhawk. I sold it after 3 mnths. 360's lineup was and is more diverse and games are currently about 10£ cheaper, for the same game! Remember, you might love Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft but they dont love you. Only your money.

@selnor

You do not know what I am feeling.