Japan: Famitsu opinion poll favors Nintendo's Wii

Ahem the wii has far more chance of getting millions of new customers then a PS3. The playstation brand has been built on sony hype and hype doesn't last.

Blu-ray isn't something people care about. Even a lot of people interested in tech matters don't consider blu-ray to be worth it.

I mean how many games take up more then one dvd? Is changing a disc that bad maybe once or twice if the game is well designed to know how to split it up among the two discs?

HDTV Japan doesn't give a rat's ass they have had it since 1965. It's old to them. Upscale dvd players is what people are going to get rather then some blu-ray people. People aren't going to buy something if they cannot see or expierence any difference. Blu-ray doesn't give anything different then a dvd.

As for storage there are dvd mediums being researched that blow blu-ray out of the water. I wouldn't surprised if someone figures out a way to make a dvd player read a special dvd with a hundred gigs.

If sony was to scrap the blu-ray player they would be selling the playstation at 150 bucks. Cell is a joke, so is the playstation 3 graphics processor. It's basically PS2 games with some sparkles added. If the 360 is xbox 1.5 then PS3 is PS2 .5

@Vince

The PS3 is also what 80% of Japanese were waiting for as of last year. Now they're more excited about the Wii (doesn't mean anything for sales, but it does say where their attention is at now).

You are right about Sony being an important part of gaming history. That is undeniable. They have also "forced innovation" in gaming, such as backwards compatibility and...well I can't think of another right now, but I know there's another. Even Xbox has played its role in history by "forcing innovation" in graphical display and online gaming for consoles. Innovation doesn't just stop. We're far from done and no console will ever be "perfect."

Anyone who says ANY of these companies will be "crushed" this cycle is a moron. They are all GIANT companies with plenty of development muscle.

My only criticism of the PS3 is Sony's poor business decisions. You should always try to maximize your demographic and offer a unique product that stands out from your competition. As it stands, the Xbox 360 is a suitable replacement for a PS3. That's bad for Sony. No current product should be able to replace your own.

I think if Nintendo put Wii in a cute furry casing, sales in Japan would skyrocket.

Kawaii furry controller too.

Fat Sony Fanboy: you're obviously trying to just get a rise out of people. Your 'infallible logic' comment just has to be a joke, because not even the most blindly loyal, idiotic fanboy would claim the PSX to be a success. And oh yeah, I don't own a PS2 and I probably won't be getting a PS3 either (MAYBE if the price goes down). So that is three strikes against your 'infallible logic' right there. In other words, if you're playing jokes on people, you're a prick and you should stop. And if you really as loyal and blind as your posts imply, then I feel sorry for you and your wallet.

Now that thats over with, I find it no surprise Nintendo dominated the poll, because they dominated E3. Sony is in trouble, because everyone is looking at Wii as the must-have system now. I mean, when a poll shows %70 of people thought Wii was the most interesting, and %88 of people thought PS3 was too expensive, Sony is obviously in trouble. They are especially in trouble if 360 can actually get some decent games out in Japan that the Japanese may enjoy. That way, Japan will likely buy Wii first and maybe a 360 second, leaving the PS3 behind just like everyone else (or so it would seem).

Sony may have garnished a huge fanbase with PS2, but that console also launched at a good half the price PS3 will. There will have to be some pretty amazing games to convince people $600 is worth it. What's worse is a lot people buy a console for one specific game (a 'killer app' if you will'). That means PS3 will need a killer app worth $600, while 360 will need a killer app worth $400, and Wii will only need a killer app worth $200-250.

All signs seem to be pointing 'yes' to Nintendo this time around.

Well, I used to think that the PS3 was quite a powerful machine, but now...

I just don´t know anymore, Sony dropped dual HDMI, showing that the system isn´t capable of so much processing power and if it is you will never know.

Dropped the seven controllers (that talk of seven inputs, four controllers is crap or else you could say that the ps2 had 4 inputs with the USB ports), but that was just to cut costs and I don´t think I would play with other 6 people in one TV.

Dropped a lot of ports on the back of the console, so the way it is now is very close to what an Xbox360 is now in power and functions, but with the blu-ray drive that I don´t particularly want.

PS3 and 360 brings the same things to the table but you can choose if you want to watch HD movies in your console paying more for that, or if you want to save some cash with a 360 and in the future when the HD thing is really hot you buy a dedicated player for that purpose. (I have a lot of dvd´s so I don´t want to start buying the same movies all over again, I will stick with my dvd player for a while).

I just have to say that this was one hell of an interesting read. I don't know much about games and I probably never will even though many of my friends are avid gamers but, from what I've read, the PS3 is too overpriced for it's economic life-span, the XBox360 is too simple for what technology is capable of now (and too many people hate bill gates) and the Wii will dominate sheerly out of fanbase and curiosity.. but hey, that's just my opinion and I won't be reading this again so don't bother flaming me.

Fat Sony Fanboy,

read your comment
"I was right all along, just like everyone here you own a PS2. Don't worry, so do most families in the world. The best console is the best selling one. This generation PS3 and BluRay will conquer once more."

First off
I DON'T support Sony for making cheap systems that break within a three day time period.

Second
It's only the best selling console because Sony can't make a half way decent piece of crap! Their sales aren't so hot now either, which is why they had to lay off 10,000 people.

Third
Sony is putting EVERYTHING on the line with Blu-Ray. and 90% of the world desn't want Blu-Ray either.

You gotta learn that Sony is FAR from perfect (you would know that if you lost weight, had a life and a girlfriend, cuz you're even farther from perfect).

The Wii will get old quick, you konw when the PS2 came out and you played a PS1 game you saw how shitty it really looked compared to the PS2. This is what will happen to nintendo, people will play the PS3 and then play the Wii and see that they just can't get into this crap. Nintendo is just aiming for little kids and non gamers, if you want to play real games then don't get a Wii. Graphics are a big part of a games if a game looks like crap even if its fun you really can't get into it. Once graphics cross a certain level is hard for a dedicated gamer to play games that are beneath that level. Graphics enhance gameplay nintendo is forgeting that.

The xbox 360 is just isn't exiting the graphics are plain, the games on it right now are crap. I don't know what is the big deal with oblivion, must be the shortage of games I guess. The only games that's looking good is GOR, I don't like Halo, and its not worth getting a console over it. The 360 is just a small improvement over last gen and the it has fps issues. Every other game is an fps and its just dumb. I want it to get one to hold me over until the PS3 but its just a waste of 400.00, i'll just play my PS2.

The PS3 now that's what I'm waiting for, it has everything bluray,power,motion sensing and free online. People that are crying over the price just need to look at what you paying for, the only accesories you'll need are extra controller and a headset that's it. Wifi is standard, no cables thank God, 60gb harddrive, card reader, 1080p no one can match that and more power. Ms and nintendo can't match the PS3. 600 may sound like a lot of money, but is the PS3 worth it? definately. And compared to the 360 is a bargain. The PS3 is like a fully loaded car, it has every option in the book and then some. Ps3 is the only way to go.

What you people are forgetting is that Sony needs the support in the long run. These would be good news if the Japanese *never* planned to own a PS3. There are always early adopters. After those comes the price drops, and once FFXIII, Monster Hunter, FFversusXIII, DMC4, MGS4 and others come out (come 2007 or so), they'll be pleased.

Remember this is a poll made to gamers, so all the people in Japan that like new technology such as Blu-ray, will want a PS3; at least a good portion of them. Just compare how Laserdisc, a format which didn't have as much hype, marketing, and support from the market in many ways, did well in Japan compared to America... the numbers were four times higher for sales even when they are half the population. (LaserDisc sold like a million players in the States or so).

Of course that price matters.
I am not going to pay a fortune for a Blu-ray when I can have a HD-DVD for a more reasonable and to me, that is the only difference between the PS3 and the 360. I don't really care about their Sony's titles that much.
I have already pre-ordered my Wii.
I am really excited about it.

38. Darren Tilley:
"As a games artist, I'd much prefer to be free of limitations imposed by low-powered machines like the Wii. For me, the industry would take a step backwards if the Wii dominated this generation."

A good artist works within his limitations. A shitty artist needs the Cell processor to create anything.

I guess this means you're a shitty artist!


~M

Idioteraser:
"I wouldn't surprised if someone figures out a way to make a dvd player read a special dvd with a hundred gigs."

HD=DVD and Blu-ray ARE DVD players that read special DVD's, except that they aren't a 100gigs, "just" 30/50 (IIRC).

It's definitely going to be interesting when the Wii and PS3 finally come out - what came true and what didn't? At least all this fanboyism will keep the market from crashing again.

Some people might like to say that the ps3 is worth it becuase of the power of the console, but as mor einfo comes out, it has become clear that the 360 and PS3 are close enough that the leader will be the one that has the best games.

Both system have the power for next gen, its up to the developers to take advantage of it. There are actually more excitign games for the 360 then just Gears of War, and its pretty easy to look those titles up, they have been listed over and over. Im glad there is a good mix of fps,adventure, and rpg. Ihope that trend continues.

Some may not like any of the titles on the 360, but I do and I have a feeling a good portion of the market will as well. This generation will be closer then the last one.

The Wii is a darkhorse. Either it will fly off the shevles becuase people are interested in the new, more casual gaming experience they are trying to push or it will sit on shelves becuase people arent confident in the concept.

In the end, all three systems will survive this round and lead to yet another generation. i really dont see why people would out right hate one system or another. If there are enough unique games on all 3, then Ill be getting all of them eventually.

@pedro
I think most of what you said is based on stuff you pulled out of your ass i for one go back to play ff7 once in a while and enjoy more than most of the crap that past as game nowadays also i still play snes rpgs so stfu graphics are not needed to get involve

hey fat sony fanboy, you know you have negative 2 stars now. I'm not sure but I think that's a bad thing. Maybe you should stop talking out of your ass and get some brains.

@Fanboy...your argument is stupid. DVD was the next logical step for video just like CD was the next logical step for cassettes. BluRay is not a logical step for DVD. It's excessive and totally not necessary.

@the artist that wants unlimited freedom...blah blah blah. Where the hell have you been for the last 3 generations? The limitations of those consoles of yesteryear pushed creativity in developement that you would be hard pressed to see matched today. Why do you think the retro market is so big. Why is Street fighter so highly anticipated on XBLA?

I agree with Momus. A good artist works within limitations. A great artist uses his/her creativity to the point where limitations are removed because of superior skill. I'm work professionally as a graphic artist and have done it for the last 8 years. To whoever the "artist" is looking for the "freedom of bluray and PS3, you don't know wtf you're talking about. I still see traditional work (many of my own included) that are superior to CG so what does that say about limitations?

@ Pedro...the industry needs you. People like you remind the rest of the gaming world why fanboys are bad. No logic, no commen sense, no sensible argument.

striderhayasa
Everything I stated is just the plain truth your just to cheap to see it. You just call people fanboys for liking the PS3 and not liking other consoles. Many people share my point of view maybe you don't but I just don't care. My argument is sound, has plenty of logic, is sensible and most of all is just the plain truth. Your just to dumb to see it

Joystig thanks for that -1 working on -2, you just don't like to look at reality. That's okay I know that you are just a bunch of misguided MS bitches.

N3rrd (48): "Darren, I find your claim to be a video game artist to be ridiculous after claiming that you NEED feature "x" to work your magic."

Momus (61): "A good artist works within his limitations. A shitty artist needs the Cell processor to create anything.

I guess this means you're a shitty artist!"

I knew some idiots would come along with a comments like that.

I've been working in the games industry for almost 6 years, and have been happily working witin the limitations of the current gen, and the generation before that. I would never claim to be the best artist out there, but I have always created art of the highest level possible within the limitations of the target machine.

My 3D skills have now reached the point where I am able to create art that is nearing photorealistic quality. It's only natural that I'd like to see that kind of detail in a game, but the current generation of hardware is no where near capable of displaying graphics like that while allowing for all the other things that make a great game.

I'll tell you what. I'll show you some of my artwork. Nothing special, just run of the mill stuff. If you can come back with something you've made that even comes close to comparing, then you can call me a shitty artist any day.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/967/2097/1600/Lamborghini_Miura.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/967/2097/1600/Face02.png

Your turn.

"We are talking about PlayStation here, you know, the brand that did for gaming what nothing else has come close to in recent years, yet they get so little respect now."

It's not that out of the ordinary. You sound like you could be talking about Nintendo ten years ago. Just a couple major mistakes and the whole landscape of gaming changes for the next ten years.

Darren baby,

Yawn! These lack style and, as I suspected they would, remind me of GTA and racing games. These seem perfectly mainstream enough for the PS3 so you should stick to it.

6 years you say? This is about creativity, not experience.

You're still championing a console that favors graphics over all else, with high resolutions that perfectly expose every flaw in the textures. Photorealistic graphics? The *next* generation of hardware is no where near capable of displaying graphics like that:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/84/Tekken6.jpg

It is, however, a great leap for realtime sweat physics! SAVOR THE MOMENT, DARREN.

Do not put hardware above software. The PS3 is a tool. Tool exist to be used. And, I hear, this particular tool is a nightmare to develop for. Much like the N64 was, reportedly.

Here's a question for you: why do you think Sony puts so much money into producing such dazzling visuals? Because they're all that will standout in the screenshots.

You won't know how well the game plays, animates, sounds or anything else but how well it looks by just seeing the screenshots. When marketing a video game, screenshots are the most important thing they have to show it off. Too bad for Tekken 6.

Momus, you are in no position to judge my art unless you yourself can show just how "creative" you are. I never once said that I'm a creative artist, I am a technical artist. I also said that it was "run of the mill stuff". I gave you an opportunity to prove yourself. I gave you a headstart. By "proving myself" with some generic artwork, I gave you something easy to compete against. It's like you are swimming competition against me, but I'm refusing to use my arms. I'm making this very very easy for you. So what have you got?

People who actually get off their asses and do something with their lives always have to deal with armchair critics like yourself. There's no guarantee that you'd ever make a good, average, or even adequate artist if you tried. I mean why bother speculating
about it if you are never gonna try. It's much easier to spend your time trolling Joystiq for people's opinions to criticize.

Do you think that artists should still be scratching their ideas on cave walls with blood? The whole point is that art tools evolve. And with that evolution, so do the artists. If you actually worked as an artist, instead of sitting on your ass commenting on forums, you also might understand an artist's need to stretch their legs once in a while. Working within limitations is what we do. Doesn't mean we have to enjoy it, and it doesn't mean that we don't want to see those limitations lifted some day. We only work within limitations because they are there. No group of artists would vote to have them stay. You are retarded if you believe that.

When you can do what I can do, I'll accept your bullshit critisms. I may, in time, even come to respect them. But never mind, that armchair looks pretty comfortable, and it's just within arms reach of the fridge. While you're grabbing that soda, I'll get busy preparing for my interview with Bizarre Creations.

Ok....time to make some things right....

1- Have you seen Sony's ads? They are directed at teens. I dont think any parrent [average parent] will spend 600+ on a 12 pound PS3
2-Fat Sony Fan Boy, no one likes you
3- Darren, those were great pcis...i certainly can't create that.
4-All fanboys of every game system should work together or die trying, instead of pissin and moaning about a war as old as Catrdges.

However, another recent opinion poll said three-quarters of Japanese gamers wanted a PS3, whereas only half of all gamers had even heard of the Wii! Here's the URL to my translation of it:

http://whatjapanthinks.com/2006/05/25/three-quarters-of-japanese-gamers-want-a-ps3/

Darren,

Holy Hell!

Those are great pics!

I think its absolutly possible that Wii got the polling results that they did, not because of the PS3 launch price, because its a great console.

I used to be a "Hardcore" gamer, now im just someone who plays a game if its SPECTACULAR.
I think that is the problem with the top consoles today.

Overfilling us with Fluff like BumpMapping on a floor that we will never be able to get close enough to appreciate, or character designs that are so smooth only a limited number of enemies can be on the screen at one time (Compare Hunter 1 to Hunter 3) And everyone loves Eye candy so they have to keep shelling out more and more to pacify everyone...

Dont get me wrong, graphics are one of the key elements to a game, but please developers, If you would start spending half as much time on story as you do on graphics, Maybe there would actually be a decent gaming lineup for one of the consoles out there..

Before I start saying this, I have owned/played my fair share of consoles, and right now Innovation is lacking, Run here! Shoot This! Rescue Her! QUICK QUICK! Honestly, its hard to see how all of these consoles are getting as much fanfare as they are, seeing as how they are all primarily the same thing..

I have not purchased a console in a long time, and I can honestly say that I am truly impressed with what the Wii has to offer. Ok, the games may be exactly the same as Rescue ME,shoot this, grab that, but at least I am interacting with the TV.. If anything its forcing people to get up and do something. Although it may still be from behind the TV screen, they are getting off their %*#@#$ and actually getting a little exercise. I haven't owned anything fron Nintendo since NES but I will probably be buying a Wii if money permits.

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Triptweeze,

What you said makes me think you should deserve a star.

That is, until you said

"SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

That ruined the whole comment you made, and you could have gotten a star for it too. Just some advice here. Next time you say something as powerful as that, don't destroy it by saying "SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE".