Analyst: Sony from first to worst?
DFC Intelligence, which provides game industry research, has released a new article citing the possibility that Sony could go from first to last place in home console market share. The article claims that despite Sony's strong brand awareness and current market position, the launch purchase price of $500-$600 combined with a lack of "killer application" game titles could hurt the company's chances of continued success.
From the report: "It is our view that the PlayStation systems have been successful not because of hit software but mainly because of software diversity and third-party support... With the PlayStation 3 the company is going after the high-end power user. It is almost as if Coca-Cola not only decided to go with a new formula, but also decided to exit the low brow soft drink business to go into high-end wines."
The research group concludes that if Sony wishes to drive unit volume in 2007, it needs to not only cut the PS3's price, but cut it drastically before there could be a new market leader.
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Sega, Ubisoft want a PS3 price drop in 2007
Two big-time publishers have shown caution regarding the PlayStation 3's price relative to its (non-) competitors, Microsoft and Nintendo.
Ubisoft President Yves Guillemot told Bloomberg that, while the PS3 will sell out its first shipments, the price of Sony's console must go down in 2007 to stay competitive. Sega of America exective Scott Steinberg echoed similar sentiments, telling GameDaily that "for a lot of families [the launch price is] too expensive." We have no doubt that early adopters will secure a successful PlayStation 3 launch in all regions (Sony is more than sure of that), but beyond the launch window is still a mystery.
Ubisoft is bringing the possibly exclusive Assassin's Creed to the PS3, while Sega has reaffirmed their commitment to the PS3 version of Virtua Fighter 5.
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Next Call of Duty answered, previewed
If the mention of World War II still compels you to go about shooting things (typically Nazis) from a first-person perspective, you'd best check out 1Up's weeklong feature that promises to detail every pixel, polygon and private that constitutes the upcoming Call of Duty 3. Taking over from Infinity Ward, developer Treyarch is keen on capitalizing on next-gen technology and the creative freedoms it provides -- with any luck, that means we'll actually be able to open doors in this one. Oh well, we suppose loads of on-screen enemies and trampled blades of grass are just as useful.
The screenshots and video provided are enough to convince us of the game's technical gravitas, but we're quite interested in the Wii version and how it looks to take advantage of the unique control system. A small blurb in the first part of the preview suggests how, while at the same time suggesting that the other two versions of the game are the main focus here.
"The Wii version, in development outside Treyarch, shows some potential to bring the player into the game during the Battle Actions in a way the PS3 and 360 won't be able to. Actually wrestling with a German for his gun or actually disarming that explosive are things only the Wii will let you do this gen."
Battle actions are Call of Duty's answer to Shenmue's Quick Timer Events. At certain points during the game, you're required to press certain buttons in order to escape a cinematic struggle or situation. Failure is likely to result in far more unpleasantness than getting smacked in the head by some Japanese kid's soccerball. These sound particularly intriguing if done correctly for the Wii and should make up for some of it's inevitable graphical shortcomings. Even then, we have to wonder how long it'll take before we grow tired of crawling through trenches and taking out tanks. Is World War II the new Hoth?
Source:
Joystiq
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