Xbox retail confidence sags; PS2 powers on
An executive VP with Vivendi Europe feels that retail confidence in the
original Xbox is flagging with MS needing to work with publishers "to help generate some impetus."With Microsoft's primary and first-party focus squarely set on the next generation, the 360's predecessor may be feeling some neglect since saves aren't transferable and exclusive titles are elusive.
The Vivendi VP also noted that the PS2 still has a lot of life left in it, which we're inclined to believe with all the triple-A games still to come to the West, including Kingdom Hearts II, Okami, Final Fantasy XII, and God of War 2. You gotta love the PS3's 100% backward compatibility (or 99.9% BC, give or take a couple of titles). Emulation profiles can only do so much.
[Via Evil Avatar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SuicideNinja @ Mar 27th 2006 2:47PM
I agree that Microsoft may be making a mistake by dropping direct support for the original Xbox. It is even worse that we aren't hearing about more emulation updates.
Many gamers didn't get the opportunity to experience games on the Xbox, and are stuck in PS2 land. There are a lot of good games to play, and in my opinion, for multiplatform games, the XBox versions are generally the best (graphics, loading times, playability). With the next generation upon us, MS had an opportunity to get the original Xbox in the hands of more players by lowering prices of the console.
I highly applaud the "full backwards compatibility" of the PS3. My main problem is whether Sony puts the PSX/PS2 hardware onboard again instead of going with emulation. This means we end up paying the cost of PSX and PS2 related hardware even if we don't need it/don't want it.
kismet I. @ Mar 29th 2006 11:33AM
Playstation can be fully emulated, while ps2 can be integrated onto a single chip in the ps3 (as ps2 had a single psx chip in it)
elementmailman @ Mar 29th 2006 11:52AM
Why is everybody so hooked on PS2? The games aren't that great and the Xbox has way better graphics. Will somebody please explain why people are addicted to the crappy PlayStations?
TidusX @ Mar 30th 2006 3:40PM
To elementmailman:
Obviously you are a fanboy of the worst degree. Have you ever read reviews on some of the top Playstation games let alone played them? They are revied by people who are pretty balanced on their opinions of game consoles. They don't have that small minded slanted thinking that you seem to have; and like a usual Xbox fanboy all you can clamor about is the graphics, you just fit the model perfectly don't you.
Oh by the way I own an Xbox and I enjoy it as well.
elementmailman @ Mar 30th 2006 6:23PM
To TidusX:
How are Playstation games even remotley as good as the Xbox's? Name one game that sold better then any of the top five Xbox games. Xbox has Halo, Halo 2, Forza Motorsport, GTA (so does the PS2), and the Xbox has Xbox Live, the best thing that has happened yet to gaming. You should think about what Sony is going against.
TidusX @ Mar 31st 2006 2:47AM
Elementmailman
So, I could tell you the facts; but to those that are ravenous fanboys the truth will mean nothing because they will believe their own lies before the facts. But lets think realistically first. Sales have nothing to do with how good a game is, sure some times it is a good indicator but other times its not. But if you do want to play on the sales game lets use it. If the PS2 has a larger install base that does the Xbox obviously the PS2 has a larger chance of selling more games than the Xbox. Am I right? Second there is a little excerpt taken from the NPD group that tracks video game sales. This is as of August 2005
""The total game software market expanded 9.2% year-over-year to $2.8 billion for the first half of the year, the firm said. Sony's "Gran Turismo 4" was the best-selling title for the period based on unit sales, followed by Nintendo's "Pokemon Emerald" and Electronic Arts' "MVP Baseball 2005."
LucasArts' "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" for the PlayStation 2 ranked fourth -- its Xbox counterpart came in 10th -- and Take-Two Interactive's controversial "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" rounded out the top five. ""
Listen, I am not like you to play on false information and fanboyism. I go by the facts, so when it comes to your sales remark you are wrong and I will be happy to show you more sales figures if you like.
elementmailman @ Mar 31st 2006 6:32PM
So your "dependable" source says that Gran Turismo 4 sold better than Halo 2? Wow, somebody sounds like they are a silly dilly. I am going to tell my mom what you said about the Xbox and its games.
TidusX @ Apr 1st 2006 2:51AM
It seems that some one needs to work on their critical thinking skills. It was never noted that Grand Turismo 4 outsold Halo 2, but Halo 2 is by far one of the few exceptions. Most PS2 games outsell their Xbox counterparts. As for the reliability of NDP I suppose that that they arent a great source after all, its only Gamespot, IGN, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal that use them for their articles.
I can tell that you are running out of ideas.