- Related Stories
-
Sony spills PlayStation 3's guts
May 16, 2005 -
Xbox specs revealed
May 12, 2005 -
Developers uneasy about new game consoles
May 12, 2005
"Our view is basically we've got a Ferrari, they've got a Ferrari," Gates said in a question-and-answer session at Thursday's meeting with financial analysts. "Our Ferrari is leaving the starting line substantially before their Ferrari is, and in most races that's a very nice thing."
Microsoft's Xbox 360 is due to go on sale this holiday season in the United States, Europe and Japan. Meanwhile, Sony's PlayStation 3, with its powerful Cell processor, is slated to arrive next spring.
Gates noted that the last time around Microsoft was beaten to the punch and said overall sales suffered as a result.
"We tried it the other way last time," Gates said.
Robbie Bach, the Microsoft senior vice president who heads up the Xbox, said he doesn't see Sony having a demonstrable advantage with its hardware.
"They're going to be a little faster in a few areas, we're going to be a little faster in a few areas," Bach said. "The net result from a hardware perspective is going to be kind of a toss-up."
A Sony representative was not immediately available for comment.
Bach said that Microsoft should also benefit from greater developer support this time around, saying the company's easy developer tools are its "secret sauce." Developers have expressed some concern about the escalating costs of developing console video games.
Bach said there are 160 games in development for the Xbox 360, with 25 to 40 titles expected to be released this year, including around 15 at launch.
The analysts got to see a demo of one of those titles in the works--"Project Gotham Racing 3," which is being published by Microsoft.
However, the analysts did not get to drive the console for themselves. The one Xbox 360 console on display was underneath a thick plastic display case, a disappointment to more than a few in the Wall Street crowd.
See more CNET content tagged:
Bill Gates,
Microsoft Xbox,
Xbox 360,
Sony PS3,
console
that is what you were saying, wasn't it? ... or do you not know what you were saying?
it's all about the latest and greatest. some of those new xbox 360
titles look great.
that is what you were saying, wasn't it? ... or do you not know what you were saying?
it's all about the latest and greatest. some of those new xbox 360
titles look great.
If anything I think MS realeasing the xbox early gives Sony the ability to up the hardware (if possible) and come out ahead.
If anything I think MS realeasing the xbox early gives Sony the ability to up the hardware (if possible) and come out ahead.
"I won't buy Xbox 360 because it's M$ hardware."
"Sony have had 2 previous machines so they must be better."
"One machine can do "Function X" faster so I'll buy that one"
For Gods sake people what age are these posters.
Here's my criteria for what machine I'll be buying.
The one that has the best games will get my vote.
I'm not stupid enough to ignore Xbox because it's done by Microsoft. I'm not going to buy Xbox just because it's out first. I'll wait 6 months after both are released and see which one is the best price and which one has the best games. That's the criteria. I don't give a **** about Ferarris or which company their from. Grow up people.
If I were to read that a purchase decision was based on price, future proofness and upgradability, backwards compatibility, playability, technical support, community networking or online connectiveness, stability, robustness, innovation, versatility, developer support... and the list goes on, just use your imagination.
However, I'm glad to see that someone has a bit of unbiased common sense.
I will buy whatever console meets my needs, not based on some of the nonesense that I have read from the other posts.
For those who based their purchase decision solely on power, perhaps buying a V8 and heading for the 1/4 mile strip might be a better fit.
There's more to a thoroughbred than just raw computational power. As a developer, I am more than convince that the enabling technologies that permit richer and more creative content will win more hearts... only when both consoles are out will we know for sure.
All that said, let's have a bit of wisdom and try to ignore the hype for a few months before we commit ourselves to an uneducated opinion.
"I won't buy Xbox 360 because it's M$ hardware."
"Sony have had 2 previous machines so they must be better."
"One machine can do "Function X" faster so I'll buy that one"
For Gods sake people what age are these posters.
Here's my criteria for what machine I'll be buying.
The one that has the best games will get my vote.
I'm not stupid enough to ignore Xbox because it's done by Microsoft. I'm not going to buy Xbox just because it's out first. I'll wait 6 months after both are released and see which one is the best price and which one has the best games. That's the criteria. I don't give a **** about Ferarris or which company their from. Grow up people.
If I were to read that a purchase decision was based on price, future proofness and upgradability, backwards compatibility, playability, technical support, community networking or online connectiveness, stability, robustness, innovation, versatility, developer support... and the list goes on, just use your imagination.
However, I'm glad to see that someone has a bit of unbiased common sense.
I will buy whatever console meets my needs, not based on some of the nonesense that I have read from the other posts.
For those who based their purchase decision solely on power, perhaps buying a V8 and heading for the 1/4 mile strip might be a better fit.
There's more to a thoroughbred than just raw computational power. As a developer, I am more than convince that the enabling technologies that permit richer and more creative content will win more hearts... only when both consoles are out will we know for sure.
All that said, let's have a bit of wisdom and try to ignore the hype for a few months before we commit ourselves to an uneducated opinion.
Anyone considered what Nintendo is offering, the revolution? No has mentioned them yet as they are still in the console wars.
Anyone considered what Nintendo is offering, the revolution? No has mentioned them yet as they are still in the console wars.
The reason why Xboxes aren't being made backwards compatible is because the only game on it that made a blip that was worth a blip was Halo-- so there's really no point. PS3 is backwards compatible, playstation is the IT console for new games, and PS3 is the future; Xbox is just 1.5 so why bother with that if you're going to choose which of the two to upgrade. This is the point the totally flamed first replier tried to make, I believe. People who want to play with electronics buy xboxes. people who want to play games will be buying playstations-- even (and especially) if they wait a few months to see who's delivered the best system. I hate sony's bungle of proprietary restraints almost as much as microsoft's, but let's be for real. We know playstation will be better, despite all the micro-noise spinning out of the starting Gates' mouth right now. Microsoft's move into consoles is more about the aggresive use of extra cash to conquer new territory and contain the threat of consoles-online: read: ie, their "territory"-- than the desire to host great games. (remember their sucka** computer games back in the day with the one or two gems that their monkeys hacked out?) When sony gets its game together, it beats all competition at making specific products for the end user of an applied technology (except ipod, course, sony's latest generation of mp3 players look pretty sexy though). I know this and say it, giving the OTHER devil his due despite the fact that actually I don't really even like corporateSony, and prefer strategy games (loved atari. now they make civ3!). Poor gamecube, sega, nintendo. Yay firefox --C
2. Who said that the controllers will be used by 8 people? They could, for example, a wireless steering wheel with separate gearstick and pedal.
The reason why Xboxes aren't being made backwards compatible is because the only game on it that made a blip that was worth a blip was Halo-- so there's really no point. PS3 is backwards compatible, playstation is the IT console for new games, and PS3 is the future; Xbox is just 1.5 so why bother with that if you're going to choose which of the two to upgrade. This is the point the totally flamed first replier tried to make, I believe. People who want to play with electronics buy xboxes. people who want to play games will be buying playstations-- even (and especially) if they wait a few months to see who's delivered the best system. I hate sony's bungle of proprietary restraints almost as much as microsoft's, but let's be for real. We know playstation will be better, despite all the micro-noise spinning out of the starting Gates' mouth right now. Microsoft's move into consoles is more about the aggresive use of extra cash to conquer new territory and contain the threat of consoles-online: read: ie, their "territory"-- than the desire to host great games. (remember their sucka** computer games back in the day with the one or two gems that their monkeys hacked out?) When sony gets its game together, it beats all competition at making specific products for the end user of an applied technology (except ipod, course, sony's latest generation of mp3 players look pretty sexy though). I know this and say it, giving the OTHER devil his due despite the fact that actually I don't really even like corporateSony, and prefer strategy games (loved atari. now they make civ3!). Poor gamecube, sega, nintendo. Yay firefox --C
2. Who said that the controllers will be used by 8 people? They could, for example, a wireless steering wheel with separate gearstick and pedal.
In the current generation of consoles, XBOX has more than twice the processing power of the other consoles (it is a fact, that can be tested, analyzed, etc. The difference is much greater than what you see in the next generation of consoles), yet due to lack of titles, coming late to market, etc. XBOX is clearly behind PS2 in total sales. However, it is also proven that in the US XBOX has outsold PS2 for many months, once titles started to catch up.
On the other hand, MS is aware, that even with this twice or more power on their current platform, most publishers never took the full advantage of the console graphics or sound, because it would be too different from what they were doing on their other platforms, and so it would have cost more. So even though the XBOX has lots more power, in most games the difference is small.
Given all this, a similar XBOX 360 and PS3 platforms would produce similar games. XBOX would have an advantage right off the gate, but depending on titles PS3 could easily surpass XBOX 360 sales. To be sure, the titles are what is going to make the difference. In today's market most games still come out for the PS2 first.
I have not seen the details of compatibility, but that will also be an issue. Mainly because people that spent money on games will feel betrayed if the console doesn't play their old titles and might jump ship, simply because the other platform provides full compatibility. Of course not to the games the person has, but at least is a sort of "guarantee" that it won't happen to him again.
And last, there is the issue of the developer platform. MS is trying to reproduce what it has done in the PC world, and provide a simple, fast, productive development environment. If game developers and publishers start using it, that could make a difference. But maybe they won't use it to try to keep their development the same in many platforms. Or many developers will jump in the gaming market because of the simplicity of these tools.
All in all, it will be an interesting next 18 months.
- It is hard to predict
-
by
August 1, 2005 5:56 AM PDT
- It is hard to predict what is going to happen. I can see most points from both sides, but it is too early to tell on several issues. I would consider the following:
-
Reply to this comment
-
-
- PS3 is simply better for gamers...
-
by Stan Johnson
August 1, 2005 11:30 AM PDT
- Hey listen, PS3 is fully backwards compatible and twice as fast. It also has a deeper developer base. There is no question who will win this round. SONY WILL WIN EASILY. XBOX really screwed this one up in my IMO. They could have put a little more thought in compatiblility and the power of their unit but they didn't. My first consol was an XBOX but I can clearly see what the best choice would be for my next consol. I'll be happy to wait for PS3. Who wouldn't? It's just a better situation all the way around for the gamers. Also PlayStation has more good games the are oriented for younger gamers like my son. I think most XBOX titles are stupid.
-
View
reply
-
Showing 1 of 2 pages (128 Comments)In the current generation of consoles, XBOX has more than twice the processing power of the other consoles (it is a fact, that can be tested, analyzed, etc. The difference is much greater than what you see in the next generation of consoles), yet due to lack of titles, coming late to market, etc. XBOX is clearly behind PS2 in total sales. However, it is also proven that in the US XBOX has outsold PS2 for many months, once titles started to catch up.
On the other hand, MS is aware, that even with this twice or more power on their current platform, most publishers never took the full advantage of the console graphics or sound, because it would be too different from what they were doing on their other platforms, and so it would have cost more. So even though the XBOX has lots more power, in most games the difference is small.
Given all this, a similar XBOX 360 and PS3 platforms would produce similar games. XBOX would have an advantage right off the gate, but depending on titles PS3 could easily surpass XBOX 360 sales. To be sure, the titles are what is going to make the difference. In today's market most games still come out for the PS2 first.
I have not seen the details of compatibility, but that will also be an issue. Mainly because people that spent money on games will feel betrayed if the console doesn't play their old titles and might jump ship, simply because the other platform provides full compatibility. Of course not to the games the person has, but at least is a sort of "guarantee" that it won't happen to him again.
And last, there is the issue of the developer platform. MS is trying to reproduce what it has done in the PC world, and provide a simple, fast, productive development environment. If game developers and publishers start using it, that could make a difference. But maybe they won't use it to try to keep their development the same in many platforms. Or many developers will jump in the gaming market because of the simplicity of these tools.
All in all, it will be an interesting next 18 months.