Apparently the war is in full force and Microsoft’s Don Mattrick is ready to poke the flag in the ground and call it a sure fire victory (in so many words). He said he’s “willing to declare here today that Xbox 360 will sell more consoles worldwide this generation than PS3” (eurogamer)
They’re either not seeing the Wii as a competitor or are trying to avoid that evil word considering the growth of the tiny little console in the market. After telling the audience the Xbox 360 has already outpaced the PlayStation 3 and Wii he failed to mention the one-year head start the 360 had over its competitors.
There are, of course, bonuses to talking figures when you were first out of the gate. The interesting facts, which won’t present themselves for years now, will be the end unit sales figures for Wii, 360 and PlayStation 3 when all boxes are end-of-life’d. We’re sure to hear each side declare victory when they’ve decided when the war actually ends. In Microsoft’s eyes, the console war will probably end when they release the next-generation box, barring the fact that they should wait at least one year before claiming the title.
You can’t argue with the facts, Xbox 360 is doing very well in the United States (if we ignore Japan). The Nintendo Wii has sold 8.8 million units to the Xbox 360‘s 10.3 million units. How many units did the Xbox 360 have sold around the same time Nintendo boasts 8.8 million? Probably a bit less.
Press can be a great thing when you have numbers to play with and figures to skew. Oddly enough, if some of us are any indication, we’ve purchased multiple Xbox 360’s because of dead systems. Sure, we’re stupid for actually doing it, but those figures will work into the total units sold for the Xbox 360 hardware sales. Imagine, their failing systems may have actually boosted sales figures a bit; probably not statistically significant but funny non-the-less.
We can’t wait to see what type of numbers Sony and Nintendo are going to fling out. If we ask each competitor, we’re sure they’ll say we’re going to win the console war. Nintendo may just ask, “what console war? We just make game hardware” and you can’t fault them there!
This weeks gaming podcast covers some cool news, some cool haiku’s and takes a look back at Paperboy and the history of the Apple Bandai Pippin. This weeks gaming news includes:
@Call of Duty: Elite for Black Ops 2 will be free
What does that service bring anyway? Seriously, besides bragging rights? I get it when you get DLC for free or at a discount, due to being a member but still, the service itself … 😐
Then again, I’m the guy that is not sure whether to play or not free-mium games, so …
@Metro: Last Light dumping multiplayer
That’s not actually a bad thing. The strong point of the first Metro 2033 was the story, so I don’t see this as a disappointment. So sure, focus on what you do best. STALKER has multiplayer, but I never bothered with it.
To follow the off-topic, if a game has Co-Op and other MP modes, I would usually focus on Co-Op. And I’m not the only one: if you look at the server browser for the first Serious Sam games (First Encounter and Second Encounter) most servers with people in it are Co-Op. That’s gotta say something.
@Microsoft banning PEGI 18 apps from Windows 8 Store
Well, what can I say, they own the store so they can rule it as they want.
CroTeam’s pink scorpion: I like that sort of copy protection! Devs should do that more.
QOTW: I remember now! “Zombie Nation”.
The game has no zombies in it. You are a flying giant head, spitting … spit and eyeballs at your enemies. I liked the game, but the title … it just sets your expectations in the wrong direction.
*DING* You’ve got hate mail!
Dear Paul,
Stop asking for hate mail and then inflating your ego after Jonah tells you that the fans love you. Stop saying ‘I blame the parents’ when it doesn’t even fit the context. Don’t hate or love someone just because they like to play a certain game, it shows how biased you are. Finally, something for Jonah as well, stop interrupting somebody when you don’t agree with their point/opinion.
*DING*
In all seriousness, I didn’t have anything of value to comment this week.
@attempting hate mail
Dear Paul
You are annoying. I hope that when you are driving a car, you will crash into a schoolbus full of children and you will survive and they will all die in a horrible fire and that will haunt you for the rest of your life.
\hate mail
@Elite and Premium
Is it me or is COD trying to copy Battlefield because it’s subscription was more successful? I play Battlefield but never bought premium. That’s because I received one of it’s DLC as a pre-order bonus. That reduced the value of the package for me. Talk about catering for long time supporters.
@Kickstarter UK
I agree with Jordan. Never even knew it wasn’t available outside of US. In many ways it’s a good thing, because the UK government strangles all local creativity. They tax creators so much, that a large percentage of local stuff (like cartoons) are made abroad. Maybe removing the publisher will allow game developers to operate more easily.
@A single-player Metro
I hate it when they tack on multiplayer in otherwise good single-player games. Darkness is a great example. It’s usually bad unless they invest a lot of effort into it. Which takes manpower, time and money. Which makes single player worse off. They either have to balance well or concentrate on just one.
@Why do we even care. 99% of content on Windows 8 will be pirated anyway. I don’t think anyone will even know there is a store.
Microsoft should just integrate Piratebay into their core system. That and Steam.
@QOTW
Wish Metal Gear Solid: Revengance was already out. My spellcheck crashes every time I type that word. From the games I know, “Big Mutha Truckers: Truck Me Harder” comes to mind.
@Obsidian Project Eternity game:
Well Project Eternity has gotten over 4M and completed it’s Kickstarting funding. I am excited for this game, a call back to Isometric RPG games which I haven’t seen in a long time. I hope this not only helps Kickstarter become a more reputable option but also show that games other then FPS can not only make a profit but deserved to be made.
I really like one of the companions you’ll be getting a Cipher (Psychic) Detective, which seems very outside the norm of Wizard/Fighter/Thief/Cleric type classes.
Love the show keep up the good work guys.
@Metro: Last Light dumping multiplayer:
i hope they launch it as a free DLC if everything else fails on MP in “launchday”
@Microsoft banning PEGI 18 apps from Windows 8 Store:
if they dont like money, i can take some off their hands! and with the podcast kickstarter up and running, i know my 1st spending of this fictional huge sum of money i’ll soon have :3
no, but seriously, i can give this as a real ansewr to this issue: “they should not forbid steaks for everyone just because a baby can’t chew it” – mark twain
@QOTW:
Space Pirates and Zombies. i know, it is a good game and the name matches the gameplay, but it is still an awesome and weird name!
as of the time i am writing this feedback, it is monday and i was at college a few moments ago. i could not be drunk, but when i’m inhibriated by alcoholic beverages, i’ll give you guys a heads up
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/417021624/td-gaming-podcast