Sony's Playstation 3 showing at E3

At E3, Xbox enthusiasts argue that PS3 was showing off too many future games, "vapor ware."



But I think that “vapor ware” might actually be in their favor, even if it is frustrating. A few of their hit games are coming out this fall, and the games after that are what people are going to buy PS3 in anticipation for.

We had the same effect with Halo 3. After Halo 3, we just didn’t generate the future excitement we had. In other words, we’ve done that too, just not to such an extreme degree by showing so many different games that are far out.


Sony’s doing the same thing. They’re selling people on buying now for a couple of cool games and out of anticipation for more cool games.


I think that’s phenomenal marketing, no matter how infuriating it might be. When we or Nintendo got the games lined up like that, we also play that card. I think that’s Sony’s current advantage.



First of all, their fall lineup is comparable to ours…




Sony:

1. Resistance 2 (Nov 08)
2. Ratchet & Clank Future 2
3. MotorStorm 2 (Oct 08; the first had 3.4 MUS)
4. Socom 4 (Oct 08)
5. The Agency (Dec 08; MMO)



Microsoft:

1. Gears of War 2
2. Fable 2
3. Banjo-Kazooie
4. Viva Pinata 2
5. Too Human

(Too Human looked good at the product fair.)



Nintendo:

1. Wii Music
2. Animal Crossing: City Folk
3. Super Mario Sluggers
4. Wario Land: Shake It
5. Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles 2 (maybe 2009)




Second of all, they’re doing a better job pointing to future games…




Sony:

1. Killzone 2 (Feb 09)
2. DC Universe Online
3. Gran Turismo 5
4. infamous
5. Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier
6. MAG
7. Twisted Metal 5



Microsoft:

1. Halo Wars
2. Star Ocean
3. Alan Wake



Nintendo:

1. Wii Sports 2: Resort
2. Pikmin 3
3. Kid Icarus
4. Zelda Wii 2
5. Mario Wii 2
6. Wii Motor Sports


I think this is also why Nintendo’s realizing to get more games going for the gamer market (they’re obviously concentrating too much on the casual market). They suddenly realized that Animal Crossing, Mario Sluggers, and Wario Land weren’t exciting enough people. So Nintendo is working on Mario, Zelda, and Kid Icarus games, but they should also try to revitalize Star Fox and Donkey Kong properly. It’s also funny that Nintendo doesn’t have to show any of these future titles. We just nag them and say “when’s it coming out?” until they confirm that they’re working on it. =^)


- TAE