11/22: Too Early or Too Late?

[Grumpy Old Fart]

Do you think the launch of the 360 is a little too early, or do you think MS are launching thier next gen console at the right time?

I just feel that there's still so much potential left in the Xbox that MS are cutting it loose too early. In the last 12 months Xbox sales have increased and eaten away at some of Sony's sales. We've seen some fantastic games released that have really pushed the Xbox and shown what it's capable of, games such as Halo 2, Doom3, Forza, Fable, Jade Empire etc. It just seems that the Xbox hasn't peaked yet and it's going to be cut off in its prime. I know MS and other developers are still going to produce games for the Xbox, but lets face it as soon as the 360 launches all eyes will be on that.

[pApA SmerF01]

Do you think the launch of the 360 is a little too early, or do you think MS are launching thier next gen console at the right time?

I just feel that there's still so much potential left in the Xbox that MS are cutting it loose too early. In the last 12 months Xbox sales have increased and eaten away at some of Sony's sales. We've seen some fantastic games released that have really pushed the Xbox and shown what it's capable of, games such as Halo 2, Doom3, Forza, Fable, Jade Empire etc. It just seems that the Xbox hasn't peaked yet and it's going to be cut off in its prime. I know MS and other developers are still going to produce games for the Xbox, but lets face it as soon as the 360 launches all eyes will be on that.

no...definitely not.

look at it this way....xbox started late in this war, why not start early in the next?

xbox needs a head start against playstation3. would you rather they give ps the advantage again?

also, no one's saying they're going to stop making games for xbox.

[Grindstone]

The Xbox is old, why play it when your computer is so much better? And as cited above, M$ does not want to be caught in the same place as last time. The drawback was all the hype Sony has launched in an attempt to deter interest in the Xbox 360. Makes you wonder what would happen if M$ did launch at the same time as Sony. That would be a crazy, ugly war.

No, the time to launch is near. Look at this Xmas. What other electronic entertainment is being launch? Nothing, so far as I have heard. M$ gets an entire holiday season all to themselves. They should milk it for all its worth. And, huh, looks like they'll be milking me... ewww.

[pApA SmerF01]

^^exactly. sony's hype war will begin in full effect just as soon as the conferences are over.

they have 3 conferences in 3 regions, plus the added bonus of all the air time that they have to advertise before any other console starts their pr schemes.

[zCraven15]

i think it was smart to get a head start on the next gen console war. and it was good to release it before the holiday season, everyone is gonna want it for a holiday pressent.

[Exxo]

This is very debatable. I personally think the Xbox still has more potential left, and developers have only begun to tap into its full power. It troubles me that Microsoft is touting Perfect Dark Zero, a game that did not originate on their console, as the 360's killer app. It is too late to pull out now. Sony and Microsoft launching too close together would be bad for Microsoft.

I still think they should have waited until Halo 3 was available for launch to release the 360. It would no doubt be the strongest selling point for the system. It is good, however, that they are launching this holiday season, and coming out with a head start. There are no other systems to buy, so there are no other choices.

But I still agree that the Xbox still has more life to live, and more games to take full advantage and harness its capabilities.

[Grindstone]

Perhaps the Xbox does still have more life left in it, but with all the news about Xbox 360 and PS3, no game is going to sell too well at this point. I haven't bought a new game since March.

According to some analyst, the PS2 will drop in price to $99 this Xmas in an attempt to deter Xbox 360 sales. In my opinion, this ploy is futile. What Xbox fan would go to the store to buy a Xbox 360 but then, by happenstance, gets persuaded to by a +5 year old system instead? Well, okay, I cannot judge all consumers from this desk so there may be a few who get confused. But still, I see the Xbox 360 doing well at launch and if Sony releases their product in late Spring of `06, then the "war" will be close, but unfortunately Sony fandoism will prevail. If the launch is pushed back to Q4 of `06 or later, then it'll be a close race, if not a win for M$.

Not that it'll truely matter; you will buy the system that will make you happy because of your allegence to certain titles. After that, we can argue the "war" til we're blue in the face, and it will not matter, you will not be convinved that your console is inferior regardless of specs and reports.

[ChaosLord13]

I'm glad that the 360 is coming out first and I do believe after reading console comparisons that the Xbox 360 is more powerful because the power it has, has been designed much more effieciently and will better utilizable than the PS3's overkill floating point power that is useless and will just drive the price up. The two worries i have about it coming out so much earlier is that a) the xbox is acutally hitting its prime and that b) the 360 still uses a normal DVD 9 drive that can hold 9.5 GB while the PS3 is using Blu-Ray that can hold 54 GB. Considering that Xbox games already take up on average half of the DVD 9 running at standard definition and with much smaller files than those will be of the 360 I'm worried that many games will either only hit the PS3 because of the size issues or that they will turned down a few notches before getting to the 360.

[Diamond]

I'm glad that the 360 is coming out first and I do believe after reading console comparisons that the Xbox 360 is more powerful because the power it has, has been designed much more effieciently and will better utilizable than the PS3's overkill floating point power that is useless and will just drive the price up. The two worries i have about it coming out so much earlier is that a) the xbox is acutally hitting its prime and that b) the 360 still uses a normal DVD 9 drive that can hold 9.5 GB while the PS3 is using Blu-Ray that can hold 54 GB. Considering that Xbox games already take up on average half of the DVD 9 running at standard definition and with much smaller files than those will be of the 360 I'm worried that many games will either only hit the PS3 because of the size issues or that they will turned down a few notches before getting to the 360.

Well you can stop worrying, this was already debated in another thread:
http://forums.planetxbox360.com/xbox-360-general/1352-ps3s-blueray-vs-xboxs-dvd.html

Actually there's several more threads out there with even more detail and breakdown of the whole debate, but I've searched for 20 minutes and I can't find them. You're gonna have to find them on your own. But, anyways I'm just trying to save this topic from repeating itself over, and over. I just wish people would read through the forums before posting about something already discussed.


And yeah, as for the Xbox I totally agree. I only got my Xbox a year ago! I have 34 games and I would love even more. To be honest there's a LOT more xbox titles I still want to play, I just don't have the time or money. I STILL haven't beaten Prince of Persia 2, Doom 3, XIII, Spiderman 2, and a bunch of other games. Some are a bit ****ty to list like Turok Evolution and Indiana Jones. I still want Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike, Jade Empire, Advent Rising (well actually I have that one, sorta), Fable: The Lost Chapters (I still play original Fable!), Destroy All Humans! Chaos Theory, Time Splitters 3, Still Life, Phantom Dust... Damnit the list goes on. That was my problum with Xbox. It has TOO MANY good titles and I didn't know what ones to get so I just buy them all!

Same goes with the 360. Every game looks sweet as hell! I feel like I could pick any game out of a hat and I wouldn't be disappointed.

Compare that to Ps1 and Ps2. I didn't own either myself, but my brother and some friends did. I noticed after awhile they all have exactly the same games... I got curious as to why, of course, and asked them. They all told me something basically like "because the majority of the games are undesirable and only certain games are very appealing and worth playing."

No, of course they didn't all say exactly this, I just phrased it in a politer way so I don't look like a fanboy... I guess. Even though I shouldn't anyway, it's not me who said it. It was them. Just making a comparison based on actual events. But I know how some lurkers here are. Always searching for a line, phrase or quote they can attack with "OMFG YOU STUPID #$*&ING FANBOY, I H8 YOU DIAMOND!!!" ... Meh.

I wish I was rich. I would buy every single Xbox 360 game. (I really would too!)

[Jacksmith28]

i dont think it makes a diffrence. the ps2ers will be sick of lame graphics and the 360will be there only choice.

[Jeet]

i dont think it makes a diffrence. the ps2ers will be sick of lame graphics and the 360will be there only choice.
well they could wait till the PS3 comes out

[Diamond]

That's exactly what I said about the backwards compatibility issue. I don't even know WHY people try to compare it. I don't know WHY Sony would use the old, ****ty games as an OMG LOOK TONS OF GAMES. Alright, I DO know why. It's just a questionable number Sony can use to sway people's way of thinking.

Think about it like this. How many PS2 Users do you know are going to buy PS1 games? If any - WHY!?

How many PS3 users are going to buy PS2 games? Wait, since we aren't used to the next gen graphics and gaming standards, put that one on hold until then. But since we are above PS1, we can still ask that question. How many PS3 users are going to buy PS1 games? Like is that a joke or what?

Some people don't think of these things... If I decided to go with the PS3, there's no way in my right mind I'd consider paying that ammount for a next gen console when I'm only going for PS2 games, let alone PS1. I can't even look at PS1 games right now and imagine myself playing them. There are only 2 games I can think of I'd ever consider (and only as a possibility) of playing again. Final Fantasy 7 and 8, and that's only because I own the PC ports for them (which are a FANTASTIC improvement in sound and graphics compared to the PS1 port).

But can you say the same about the Xbox vs 360 titles? It's hard to say, even in for the future. Sure, everyone will be so blown away with the new standard, playing with the older generation wouldn't be as appealing... HOWEVER. That will always be debatable in my personal opinion. Some games on the Xbox were exceptional, (like Halo 2, PGR2, Forza, Fight Night etc) and can't be replaced until the sequel is out. At first I expect everyone on my Friends list to still keep playing, for example, Halo 2 online until Halo 3 is out. But in the long run, we'll be used to these amazing graphics as a new standard. 2 or 3 years from now, looking back... Well... That's computer evolution I suppose.

[Daniel]

Do you think the launch of the 360 is a little too early, or do you think MS are launching thier next gen console at the right time?

No ! there launching at the right time if you ask me the sooner the better !

[Glock 19]

I think it coming out at perfect time they will have a well advanced jump on sony and nintendo. Plus fact it is being released before shopping season kicks of, so it is a win win situation for M$, and plus I get to play all thanksgiving iis going to be great holiday.
Happy Happy Joy Joy :)

[ace2cloud]

What do you think of the Xbox 360's US release date?

[Dragonx420]

give it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Razors Edge]

Give it to me NOW!!!

[electricjoe13]

I think the release date is just fine...I am more impressed with Microsofts approach with Japan,...350 bucks american, and EVERY system comes with a harddrive....affordable and fully loaded...now market the hell outta it MS

[Real Maximo]

i think it is at the right time as it puts sony on the back foot.

As for backeard comaptibilty to me is a must. These consoles are getting bigger and less room to have my old sytems in place with them.
I bought PS 1 games when the ps2 games out and I still play them.
If a game is good and I like it I will buy it even if it is only on a outdated console.
I am about games and gameplay not just graphics. So what if they offer inferea graphics I can still enjoy the game if the gameplay is their.

Just to dicth a console and games for it just coz their is a new one frankly is stupid IMO i spent money on them and I enjoy them so i still play them even if their are older.

[hrdone]

hell no it is awsome

[xpitbull]

Please Billy I Need It Now

[Glock 19]

perfect timing it is good marketing stragedy on M$ part Is gonna be out right when x-mas shopping kicks off so in my opinnion they did the right thing by releasing on Nov.22 this is going to give them a big boost in buisness, as no other console is being released during holidays so microsoft will clean up.

[Cybergig1]

its a good date, doesn't make us have to get in those crazy black friday lines. But is late enough to give Developers as much time as they can to polish up launch games and lets MS still hit their november launch promise.

Its nice the Japanese get it for a little less but I dont think they'll care much at launch. Hopefully it'll gain some popularity down the road but it doesn't appear to be too big a deal at first. They could sell it for 300 with everything and the Japanese still wouldn't flock to it. Just one of those things, maybe after some good RPG and other games that appeal to the Japanese consumers come out and get good reviews/word of mouth it'll help MS over there. But they'll still probably be 3rd overall with the next Gen. Even though I hate that new Nintendo controller LOL I mean its "interesting" but c'mon imagine playing a fighting game on it, your wrist will get so sore and you'll have carpal tunnel in record time haha XD

anyways good launch day for the 360 I'm ready for it, although its gonna put a dent in my wallet with the system and all the games I want o_O

[Diamond]

Isn't there another thread exactly like this one?

[Diamond]

I wasn't just talking about graphics. I was talking about style of game play. Most old games have ****tier controls and gameplay compared to current generation stuff. Things generally get better.

But there are some exceptions of course! - IE... Goldeneye 64! GIVE US A 360 PORT! WOOO!

Oh and yeah, it's a very good release time. HD-DVD and blu-ray are over rated. I totally agree on sticking with DVDs as they are the mainstream right now. maybe in 5 years when HD-DVDs have a use for us and start becoming popular it'll be worth it then (and cheaper by that time too). As for blu-ray. Sorry but I don't see Blu-Ray becoming the mainstream for at least 20 years.

[XTREK]

I just feel sorry for all the kids getting 360s for xmas. I'll be playing next-gen games for over a month while they sit on the sidelines waiting for Santa...

[bennyboo03]

i say just on time cuz its right before my b-day! so i can get it from parents maybe, even though i have money