PS3 launch means gears of next-gen global war grind HOT

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Friday, 23 March 2007 11:57

Your IT - Entertainment

The Wii was derided as being a next-gen games console without the next-gen hardware. But if there’s one thing that Nintendo has proven throughout their long existence, it is that GAMEPLAY is the key factor in everything. Yes, we all want wonderful, ultra-realistic jaw-droppingly good graphics. But a game can be so damn good that the graphics could be stick figures and people would still buy the game, with Geometry Wars on Xbox 360 an example of simple graphics but amazing gameplay in action.

So where I am leading with all of this? Well, even if the PS3 has the most amazing graphics on Earth, soon to make the Xbox 360’s graphics look like those of a Commodore 64, Microsoft needn’t worry too much.

After all, Nintendo isn’t worried at all, and from their point of view, they are the firm winners – so far – in the next gen games console race.

Microsoft’s graphics are, at least for now, more than good enough. What Microsoft needs to do to put up the strongest challenge to all is to focus on astounding gameplay, as they have done with Gears of War.

Make a great game, and the gamers will game! Make a bad game, and the gamers will say… what a shame. If the PS3's graphics start outclassing the Xbox 360's by miles thanks to programmers figuring out how to make the PS3 shine even more than we've already seen, Microsoft need only deliver the best graphics they can while focusing on GAMEPLAY.

It’s the lesson Nintendo has taught us all.

And as for Sony? Well, a hearty congratulations from us on finally getting the PS3 out to the rest-of-the-world. It’s been a long time coming, with plenty of loyal Sony fans now able to get the next-gen gaming and entertainment experience they’ve been waiting for.

But now’s the time to accelerate your efforts more than you ever have before, as glimpses of the Game 3.0 experience and ‘Home’ have ably demonstrated, although what gamers want is GAMES. Microsoft has a massive lead and you’ll need to work hard and fast – while ensuring the highest quality and game playability – to catch up.

Part of the art of war is perception, and for now, despite the latest launch which is not yet 24 hours old, you’re running last, and that’s not a place anyone likes to be in.

So what can the world expect now? More sales and marketing activity than we’ve ever seen before from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. We’re in a new golden age of high-end, next-gen, entertainment ready, Internet enabled games consoles. Get the one(s) that catch your eye, and play!