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| War of the game consoles: The story so far |
| Sunday, May 22, 2005 at 18:11 by Laurence Norah |
It being a quiet Sunday, we thought we'd have a little look back over the last couple of weeks worth of hype about gaming consoles, and see if we could get any idea of what the future is going to hold for us, other than everyone having a supercomputer sitting in their living rooms (assuming you believe the press releases of course).
All three of the major console providers have made some form of product announcement over the last couple of weeks, with Microsoft officially leading the race with their launch of the Xbox 360 on MTV on the 12th of May. Microsoft pulled all the stops out for that launch, although it was difficult to spot much actual information on their new console through all the celebrities they had surrounding it. Still, we were able to get some information on the technical capabilities of the new console.
Sony were next up with their product announcement, with the unveiling of the Playstation 3. This time round there seemed to be more actual detail about the capabilities of the device, with big numbers being thrown around, and some seriously impressive technical demonstrations.
Last off the blocks, and no doubt pressured by the releases made by the other two firms, was Nintendo. The new Revolution from Nintendo was unveiled, and technical details were very sparse. Nintendo appear to be playing their cards close to their chest with their new console, and other than the fact that the console is going to be much smaller than the other two consoles, and have 20 years worth of backwards compatibility thrown in, little was said. Either Nintendo are very confident, or they're very worried.
So, here's a quick rundown of what we know so far about the upcoming consoles.
Xbox 360:
CPU: Three core IBM PowerPC processor, each core at 3.2GHz (115 Gigaflops)
Graphics: 500Mhz ATI processor
RAM: 512MB GDDR3
Sound: Dolby 5.1
Hard drive: 20Gb detachable
Media: DVD
Controllers: Up to four, wireless
Connectivity: USB 2.0 (x3), Ethernet, Wi-Fi
Due for launch: Pre-Christmas 2005
Online play: Yes, Xbox Live service for over 300 games
Backwards compatibility: Yes, with Xbox 1 content
Price: tba (thought to be in the region of $300)
Playstation 3:
CPU: Seven core IBM PowerPC processor, each core at 3.2GHz (218 Gigaflops)
Graphics: 550Mhz nVidia processor
RAM: 256MB XDR Main RAM @3.2GHz, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM @700MHz
Sound: Dolby 5.1
Hard drive: 2.5" optional removable hard drive
Media: Blu-Ray / DVD
Controllers: Up to seven, bluetooth
Connectivity: USB 2.0 (x6), Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Memory Stick, SD, Compact Flash
Due for launch: Spring 2006
Online play: Yes
Backwards compatibility: Yes, with PS2 and PS1 content
Price: tba
Nintendo Revolution
CPU: IBM based processor, capabilities unknown
Graphics: ATI based processor, capabilities unknown
RAM: 512MB
Sound: unknown
Hard drive: unknown
Media: 12cm DVD drive
Controllers: Wireless, quantity unknown
Connectivity: USB 2.0 (x2), Wi-Fi, SD
Due for launch: 2006
Online play: Yes
Backwards compatibility: Yes, with Gamecube and 20 years worth of back catalogue material
Price: tba
As can be seen from the above, Sony seem to have the edge on the technical side of things, but as we've seen in the past, a more powerful system doesn't always equate to better games. Microsoft's online Live service has already been proven to work, so that is also likely to give them a bit of an advantage. Microsoft are also going to have a three to six month advantage on Sony, which may give them enough time to establish a firm market position.
Nintendo are so lacking in technical detail, or any other detail for that matter, that it is pretty hard to tell where they are going to end up. Their current product, the Gamecube, is lagging in third place in the market right now, so they will need to do something pretty impressive to beat Sony and Microsoft in this race.
As we get more information on the above consoles, we'll let you know. So far you've told us in our polls that you think the PS3 is going to be the one to get, but are you going to want to wait until next year to buy a next generation console when the Microsoft option is going to be sitting on the shelf looking all shiny and tempting? Let us know what you think in our comments section below. In the meantime, here's some pictures of the three consoles to get you excited.
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| the x box 360 and ps3 are always going to do well, the specs are very impressive and both companies have proved they can make awesome games.
the nintendo console is the most interesting to me though, nintendo seem to be trying to push gaming somwhere new, allthough im not sure they seem to know exactly where.
if they suceed with this then the console will do very well and no doubt the generation after, every console will have taken nintendos ideas onboard in some way or form. However, if they dont acomplish this then the likeliness is it will not do very well at all.
-rich |
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| The Sony PS3 will be totally worth the wait. Nice try Microsoft. |
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| Xbox shiny and new? Can you say version 1.5? There's nothing to wait for there.
HELL YES ~ I'll wait and save money to buy a product that kicks the pants off of Xbox, in terms of pure performance, and also in terms of the number of games I can enjoy.
Geez, have you guys learned nothing? Xbox is still a wannabe... a good one, but still a wannabe. Sony has better vision, more player base, and a bigger game base than Microsoft. |
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| It is too early to decide who will end up on top. All the hardware of the world means nothing without good software. With those specs they could be running personal supercomputers. Don't confuse the 3.2 GHz of every IBM processor to be along the lines of the regular x86 ones like the P4, celeron, or every other wintel processors. This are PPC based, but probably G4s like the current low end in apple computers. Who knows maybe even G3s for that price. That means they could easily be 50 tp 100% faster than otherwise.
One thing, Bill Gates you are made of money, stop charging for xbox live. And develop a stable Os for the 360 that could run some apps. that way is not only recreational, but also productive. |
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| From the title, I thought that the author would go back to the beginning with this article.
Laurence, it gave me the idea that console history should be laid out in a three part history, of which two are past. Star wars formula, all that rot. Guess who is Darth Vader? I would love to see you tackle a project like that and really get into the research, interview the people to get an angle on any behind-the-scenes skullduggery, megalomania, etc.
Think, if humans and game consoles are around in 1000 years, they will definitely want to know about the history. So the potential for royalties for your heirs is pretty good too. :)
Cool, thanks for a provoking piece and great byline. Party on Laurence. |
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| I think the Xbox 360 will do very well, especially as it has the first launch and support from loads of games developers, unlike the current Xbox did. And add the fact that it will probably be cheaper than PS3 at launch (hopefully anyway) :).
From what I've heard there will be a Free (limited) version of live with the 360. But it won't include online multiplayer, defeating the point really. http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1147/Xbox-360-Software-and-Services-Features/p1 |
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| Ihave several gaming machines including machines from sony and microsoft. I have 2 xboxes, one to play Japanese games and one unmodified to play live games.
Nintendo produces games that I will stand in line to get, Zelda for example. I will definitly get a next-gen Nintendo machine. That is true no matter who is the gaming platform leader. Mario is still king of console gaming.
Microsoft has the best looking games. The XBox is currently the most advanced console. Ninja Gaiden for example is a solid game with great game play. I will probably buy an XBox 360 as soon as a game comes out that I want to play.
The Sony platform has an abundance of games. The majority of them I wouldn't buy but most are good for a rental. Sony games are for the most part second rate compared to Nintendo and XBox games. Sony games frequently promise more than they produce. I am sceptical of games that were shown at E3 for the Playstation3. They looked to good to be true. I may buy a Playstation3 when I see and play a game that I want to buy.
In buying consoles, I always find a game I want to play and then buy the console that it runs on, not the other way around. I will buy a Revolution to play Zelda and Mario. I will probably buy an XBox 360 for Halo3 online play. I may buy a Playstation3 if I see a game that I must have.
My favorite game and the game that I'm currently playing is a PC game, World Of Warcraft. I hope that one of the 3 console makers will get with Blizzard and port this game to a next-gen console. I would love to play WOW on a console with the graphics power shown by the XBox360 and claimed by the Playstation3. |
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| Playstation 3
Why?
Blu-ray, who wants an Xbox when you can get a PS3 that'll have the same games with better performance and is a cheap HD player to boot?
plus wifi and a gigabyte ethernet router built in. |
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| Definitely waiting for the PS3, Xbox 360 only has about a year or two lifespan, IMHO. |
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| IM GONNA GET THE PS3 WITH NO DOUBT |
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| Sony is playing damage control since the XBOX is ready to launch for Christmas. They are hyping the PS3 as powerful, just like they did with the PS2. Neither Sony console has lived up to the hype. Comparing FLOPS doesn't mean anything - the PS2 had 4 times as many as the original XBOX and look how lopsided the power of those two systems was. Just look at the Graphic cars in these machines - XBOX has a ATI card designed custom for the console, PS3 is using a generic NVidia GF6 card (it even has the dual monitor outs!).
The XBOX just designed alot better and will probably have a distinct performance advantage even though it will launch a year earlier in the States. |
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| The xbox 360 is actually quite a bit more powerful for games. If you look at what the specs actually mean when you compare them to the PS3. I'm sick of nubtards being fooled by sony's lies.
They said the exact same thing about PS2. Is PS2 a supercomputer? According to Sony's released specs a PS2 should have better graphics than an Xbox and PCs that are out now.
They lied about PS2, they are lying about PS3. |
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| XBox -> cheap-looking glossy plastic covers you often buy at One-Dollor-Stores;) Xbox 360 looks fine though. |
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| #12: MS are much worse liers overall:) |
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| If they make a PS3 version of Return To Castle Wolfenstein that looks as kick ass as Killzone 2 then the PS3 is mine... MINE! Not gonna put any more money into Micro$oft so the Xbox 360, which hasn't impressed me so far anyway, will only make an appearance in my front rrom if it given to me for free. Actually, that makes me wonder how much next gen console games are going to cost. I think a price increase is going to be inevitable with the rising development costs. |
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| I have all current systems and PS2 has always been my least favorite (even including dreamcast). I know I will end up buying all three new systems but I truly hope Microsoft's early start and Nintendo's sure to be unique quality (Can't wait to have an online Mario Party!) completely crush PS3. I know it'll never happen and Sony will be #1 (I have no clue what made people opt for PS2 over dreamcast except maybe backwards compatability and of third party publisher support, although it forced SEGA to make better sports titles than EA or anybody else) but in the current generation of systems Sony truley deserves last place. 2 control ports (or a $35 connector for 4. My connector never worked right out of the box but my friends wisely always prefered the other systems anyway), seperatly sold online connector, no harddrive, what made publishers and gamers support SONY? Who knows, but I do know it will automatically continue to the next generation and too many great Nintendo titles will never be seen by unknowing loyal SONY suckers. |
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| my child will not have the patience to wait until next year. He has an xbox now and unless he thinks the other systems will be much better, he probably won't wait. |
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| fully agreed. Xbox, be its generation, are a mere conspiracy for MS to make inroads into your living rooms - then charge some $99 each year for an upgrade on your living-room-operating-systems. Nice scheme, Mr. Gates - you even talked about a car with an MS OS that would 'never' crash - literally. But of course GM this time will not be robbed as was IBM 20 years ago, by you. After all - you cannot even make a PC crash-proof. LOL |
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| Yeah, Sony sucks 'cause it sucked up most of the console market share. PS2 outsold xbox 2:1 or 3:1 depending on where you get the stats, but man get a life - not necessarily the xbox one:( |
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| never judge a book by its cover, im a hardcore nintendo fan and despite its loss of sale to microsoft and playstation im still behind them all the way. Nintendo is quality from the design of a console to its collection of games, playstation produces unlimited games worldwide every hour and xbox, well notice that their games are just the same as ps2 except their most notable official halo game (which is brilliant in every way but GOLDEN EYE 64 is a classic and definitely one of, or is the best shooter of all time).
I like the fact that nintendo kept its mouth shut at this years e3show its very mysterious on what they will do while sony spilled itself when the new machine is due next year (not saying that this is a bad thing but i like the big N's approach). Nintendo has alot to cover and sort themselves out but the sound of their new machine so far seems promising in what they are trying to achieve compeare to the rest of the competition (being different is always best in my opinion).
How creative is a console machine the same size as 3 dvd cases and packs the amount of power to make you cry and please dont believe that revolution is going to be behind in graphics, why do you think its called revolution and looks sliker than your avarage.
Last verdict: I hope nintendo has shaped up from past experience this is the last time round and thay better deliver loads of **** to put x360 and ps3 on ice, how many time are fans telling them to fix up and look sharp, be the top dog again because im sick of arguing with my mate who has a ps2 (let me down and i'll travel to japan and give iwata and miyamoto a slap myself). |
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| Reading the online articles on the Microsoft's release of xbox 360, i really cant help but sit patiently sit on my ass and wait for the ps3. It's not so much that i buy into the specs and the hype of the ps3 it's just that i cant help but feel ill after hearing all that **** coming out of J. Allard's mouth. Microsoft should just play the meek card on this one and just hope on their early-release advantage with some groundbreaking games. Allard's bull**** about Sony being a company that concentrates too much on hardware and not on the content of its games is utter bull****. If they have better specs and invested more into the system, then swollow it and stfu... if anything make fun of the boomerang joystix |
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| Hey Guys, Say cheese for sony's PS decade, XBOX 360 will claim the 1st place . end of story.. (does any body still remember something was called NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR............) sorry |
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| Lol, I have to laugh at some of you guys' posts. First off saying Sony won't deliver because they haven't before is absurd. Yes you can say it has happen before and that it may happen again, but being absolute about it makes you look like a...
Trashing the xbox cause you're a PS fan? Look, all the consoles have advantages and disadvantages. Xbox's forte? online gaming - I only wished PS could/would do the same.
Yes the PS2 has better hardware then the current Xbox, but its not all about hardware like some of you stated. Its about the games, how they're programed and how they perform. Game play is number one in my book before graphics.
With a 7 core cpu don't you think the PS3 can produce unbelievable graphical games? Hype? Maybe, but the 'Cell' has been under development for a long time - a lie it is not.
I play all the consoles because each has something unquie to offer, be it a game, graphics, or features (online). Saying one is king of all doesn't apply currently to this, unless Nintendo does somethign spectacular. |
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| (does any body still remember something was called IE............) sorry it's firefox time......( |
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| Sorry guys, but it seems that Microsoft
outperformed SoCalled Sony ,
for reference ( IGN website , 360 section, xbox360 Vs PS3
Article).......
sorry but wait till PS.........10 or something may be it will beat
XBOX..........
regards |
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| Sony is hurting and hyping to save their butts.
They are late - big time. They could not have planned to be later.
Microsoft and ATI did their homework big time and have designed an overall spectacular console.
Up until late last year, Nvidia was not even in the picture for Sony and PS3. This is testimony to all the problems and costs Sony is facing after marrying themselves to an unproven technology. Sony and the cell was supposed to do all the graphics themselves (in addition to making you a grill cheese sandwich) just as they always have.
The 'CELL' has been hyped to no end yet Sony came crying to Nvidia. And wouldn't you just know it that NVIDIA LOST THE MICROSOFT XBOX CONTRACT TO ATI TECHNOLOGIES.
Don't be fooled by the hype people. While Sony was fooling around with the CELL, Microsoft and ATI have designed a super powerful, power efficient, game developers dream.
The games are coming like gangbusters as a result not to mention Microsoft's own proprietary games like Halo. Grand Theft Auto will no longer be time exclusive to Sony.
The specs in this article don't do the ATI Technologies GPU any justice which is a piece of graphics beauty and ingenuity. It is a true next generation chip while Sony because of their last minute decision to bring in Nvidia will only get a modified PC GPU poerted to the console. Not to mention that the graphics leader is ATI. Sony had to go with Nvidia after all because ATI is in all the other competing consoles - XBOX and NINTENDO.
Don't believe the Sony hype. They are hurting and will do anything to try and get you to wait until they launch which has been continually pushed back from early 2004.
XBOX means business. Even if Sony manages to get its act together the tech specifications will be hardly noticeable (unlike the current generation where XBOX clearly has the advantage over the hyped up PS2).
As it stands, Microsoft is positioned to likely have the cheaper console, potentially more powerful and out alot sooner...NOT TO MENTION...it will also have the best games by far this time around as Microsoft has been pushing game development huge.
Xbox is the future while PS3 is still vaporware. |
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| I am definitely going with the 360. Why? Because I'm a 31 year old gamer who has seen it all, and I've had enough of video games where the lead charachter is a skimpy-clad heroine who weilds a sword almost as big as her, needs to summon dragons with special magic that you earn on your quest to save the planet, and follows a story-line that would only make sense to a 12 year old Japanese kid. Bring on the Halo 3..... |
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| Factor 5 Shuns Xbox 360 For Game Development EOM |
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| NINTENDO NINTENDO !!!!!!!!!! |
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| Just from the design you know XBOX 360 is behind, both Revolution and PS3 uses trayless bay, that doesn't mean much but it means that the 2 Japanese companies are trying something new.
Why penalize Sony for spending years of research to develop a multicore CPU?
Why dog Revolution we haven't seen the controller yet, that was suppose to be the revolution. A controller that offers a whole new way of gaming.
And bashing Sony for putting in high tech components in the PS3 why? Isn't it good that Sony is putting 3 gigabyte ports? 2 HDMI ports?
If Xbox360 allows you to stream media files from your PC then that'll be a great thing, but right now Windows Media Player won't allow you to display a lot of AVIs on the TV screen because of copy right protection.
Complaining about Sony only using proprietary formats? PS3 is the only console that supports CF, SD
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| PS3 will wipe the floor with Xbox 360.It has the superior hardware. |
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| serious gamers, like me, will go with nintendo. horny, drunken gamers will go for sony. as for microsof... good, but lesser than nintendo. |
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| I think that Xbox is better it has all the games ps has and Halo the best game on the market
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