Is it possible the games don't matter anymore for PS3 to succeed?

Mike Bantick
Monday, 25 June 2007 17:31

Opinion and Analysis

Currently running a distant third in sales to the Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, is it possible Sony is batting out of their league in this generation of console wars?  Time to shift emphasis away from  games?

We all know that there are three current generation games consoles available on the home market.  The Former King, Sony is struggling along trying to stay relevant in the home console gaming market, but really should they try?

All three consoles, despite big budget and hyped cross-platform titles, provide a differing experience.  In a nutshell, for unique, party flavoured fun, join the ever-increasing Nintendo Wii army.  For a guaranteed broad range of good gaming and online experience, pick up an Xbox 360.  Or for a somewhat  future-proofing gamble in your choice of technology, go for the PS3.

In essence this is where Sony are suffering, purely an image of promised delivery.  Currently there are no compelling exclusive games for the PS3 platform - aside from MotorStorm and less arguably Resistance: Fall of man. 

Recently my iTWire colleague Alex Zaharov-Reutt reported on Sony Chief Executive Howard Stringer boasting of the proposed 380 games in development for the PS3 (200 packaged, and 180 to be released for download).  As Alex points out, not all of these games will be "killer apps" and even more certainly, not all of these titles will be availably exclusively to the PS3 platform.

Alex also mentions that future games will be released increasingly with developers getting a grip on the PS3's capabilities, hinting that as more time is spent on the platform, games produced will be comparably compelling to play.

The reality is that both sales of the Wii and popularity of game-play driven titles such as the release on Xbox Live Arcade of Pac-Man Championship Edition show that it is not necessarily promised technological wiz-bangery that sells games.

So could it be that more than cost holding back sales of the PS3?  Check out page 2 for the answer.