Who is winning the 'Game Wars'?

Mike Bantick
Friday, 13 April 2007 18:25

Opinion and Analysis

Aesthetics: Both the Xbox 360, and more so the PS3 want to be your Living room entertainment hub, as such they need to strive for that electronic component look.  The PS3 is huge and brash but does look more at home in this position than the Xbox 360.  The Wii has no such ambition, yet looks great in your entertainment cabinet.  Xbox 360:7, PS3: 8, Wii:8

Fun:  The Wii-Mote can be picked up by anybody and instantly be enjoyed. The PS3 offers a gigantic back catalogue of PS2 party games and a great choice of hardcore titles to please gaming connoisseurs.  The Xbox 360 has been criticised for a focus on Hard-core titles, but still boasts a fun level hard to beat.  Xbox 360:7, PS3: 7 Wii: 9 

Future: There is a lot of money at stake in this consumer sphere, and much of the money is gambled by the gaming giants betting on what you and I demand in our electronic entertainment.  Sony have painted themselves into a corner by significantly narrowing their target demographic.  At the same time Nintendo have seemingly broadened their appeal, shaking off the somewhat “kiddie” image that plagued the Gamecube.

Microsoft are also going more so for the traditional gamer demographic with the promise of including PC gamers with Live integration.  In this “war” the big M is the most vocal about their future plans, with Sony seemingly doing some laurel resting, apart from the intriguing PlayStation Home.  Nintendo is as secretive as ever with the power to surprise. Xbox 360: 8, PS3: 6, Wii: 7

Conclusion:  Lets add up the scores; Xbox 360: 54, PS3: 51, Wii: 52.  What does it all mean?  Well not much, for starters we haven’t even spoken about gaming on a PC, looking back over those categories; you could argue that the PC would lead in many.

As usual you need to decide what is best in your own situation.  For me Microsoft are doing the job at the moment, but the Wii provides the instant family fun, and the PS3 the uncompromising power if need be.  Once you decide the best sytem for you just have fun.  I invite WireTalker comments on this - give me your own experiences.