Bloomberg: PS3 may miss shipment targets

News service cites Sony exec Jack Tretton as saying numbers are "more of a target" than actual projections.

Getting a PlayStation 3 on launch day may be even harder than previously thought. The Bloomberg news service is reporting that Sony's expected shipments of 2 million PS3s by the end of the year (which was halved from previous numbers) might not be so solid after all.

Bloomberg quotes Sony Computer Entertainment America vice president Jack Tretton as saying, "The honest answer is it's more of a target" of the PlayStation 3 shipment figures. "Clearly we've had production issues."

Sony currently plans to ship 2 million PS3s to North America and Japan through the end of the year, and 6 million through March 2007.

Because of issues in manufacturing laser diodes for the system's Blu-ray drive, the company was forced to scale down shipment estimates and delay releasing the PS3 in Europe to 2007. The report did not mention whether launch-day allocation would be affected.

310 Comments

  • rc_guy24

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 4:01 pm GMT

    Grave_Rob I just have to say I have one and its A lot better than I thought. The online is set up 2X better than Xbox 360 and the graphics are probably about 2X better. The controller is great now with the precision r2 button and the web browsing is awsome. If you think about it the ps3 is only $50 more than the xbox 360 if you add Xbox live which ps3 has online for free and your getting a load more feautures.

  • lightningamer

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 9:30 pm GMT

    the reason why people would spend 500$ + on a ps3 is not only for it's games but for the blu-ray. Blu-ray players cost easly over 1,000$ and a ps3 can play great games, and it's a blue-ray player, it's a win win situation

  • grave_rob

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 6:12 pm GMT

    why would anyone want to drop $500+ on a system featuring games you could play on the 360?

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 6:01 pm GMT

    I wish that I could get a copy

  • Shellshock92

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 5:44 pm GMT

    IS ANY STORE STILL HOLDING PRE-ORDERS?

  • mblsd8

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:29 pm GMT

    Bottom Line for critics of the PS3: IT WILL SELL OUT!!!!!!!!! Gamestop did preorders and sold out in about 20 minutes. ALL GAMESTOPS are sold out on the first and only day they did preorders. Yeah it might be a few per store but check out those upset that they didn't find out to reserve one. I have my 360 but I'll definately be in line to get a PS3. And you critics would be there too if you could shell out 6 bills.

  • nytrospawn

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 1:14 pm GMT

    Ebay sellers are going to have a laugh at the expense of fanboys.

  • mattnrob

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 12:28 pm GMT

    lol, they're all going to break down withing hours of being played....they obviously rushed these things to the market. I bet there will be a recall like the PS2 back in 2000. Have fun PS3 fanboys!

  • funky_muzic

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 12:23 pm GMT

    I'm sure the PS3 will sell well. They'll probably sell all of the 500 PS3s that they actually release on 11/17!

  • Chebwa

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 11:04 am GMT

    "$500/$600 systems just don't sell. Let's be realistic here."

    You must be MENTALLY ILL if you think the PlayStation 3 isn't going to sell.

    Seriously. Take it to Roddy Piper's house. Reality check. It will sell.

  • Ivoryblaze

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:50 am GMT

    PS3 owners I feel your pain! Brings back bad memories from the 360 launch....why can't people get there act together for launches it's really starting to irritate me! Anyway stay away from Ebay unless you like being ripped off!

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 10:16 am GMT

    i'm gonna LOL when sony can't fulfill pre orders.

  • daveg1

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:57 am GMT

    nothing from sony surprises me anymore first the countless delays then the batterys amongs other countless things then this!

  • sasuke55

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 8:40 am GMT

    The bashing Sony thing is getting real old. It don't really concern me cause I'm not getting one anyway but I think you should only post a pissed off comment if you actually wanted one on launch day and preordered one and now might not get one.

  • TintedChimes

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 8:33 am GMT

    I just need games on a particular system and I'll buy it, too bad there's nothing that interests me yet. I'll wait for the cool games and it'll probably drop in price.

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:46 am GMT

    Something isn't right... First they halve the nymber of units and now this. This doesn't sounds good for Sony. Anyway, I'm sure the PS3 will sell.

  • bottomdollar

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 6:59 am GMT

    Take this from a non "fanboy" as you will call them. I like all the major gaming (electronic) companies, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony. Yes, Sony will sell out there launch date 2million units, thats without question! First of all, its only 2 million by the end of '06, so thats a no brainer, secondly, only having 2million make all the hungry gamers fight and search adn destroy for them. Does Sony reporting having some problems down the stretch to the launch date hurt them? Well yes and no. No because they are at least making it public that they are addressing the problems and are letting you know what you are getting yourself into BEFORE you purchase. Yes because well... they are problems, most of them being Blue Ray issues and other things that a lot of people really REALLY don't own or plan to own anytime soon. (I mean look at where DVDs and DVD players started and see where they are now). So Sony FANboy, Microsoft Fanboy, or Nintendo Fanboy (or girls in this case, as well). You have to realize that all these companies are here to make money. Sony is going to get there like this, you have to sell 3 Wiis (which I 'm getting on launch date) to equal what one PS3 sell will do (yes cause ppl are going to buy a game and other extras with their PS3) so Sony will make money. On the other hand, Nintendo is going to get there, being the available "fresh face" this holiday season, every parent, child, and whatever are going to "default" to get a Wii, and that not a bad thing, Nintendo is market ready. To be honest, its going to be a sort blowout for Nintendo comes years end, but through the 2007-08 year its going to be close, which is going to make gaming A LOT interesting again. ( I hope) So for all you fanboys, get your respective systemsm, respect the other companies, and have fun gaming. All these companies have an edge, either now or in the near future (check out Lost Planet and Halo 3 for the Xbox 360, I'm hearing Xbox Live Arcade is going to get more interesting too.) No need to worry about the Sony stuff, just take this as a heads up, (and yes you wont be able to find a PS3 after Dec 1 until next year so get in line with bats and all). And Nintendo ppl, get ready to experience a great new gaming system and hope they keep it up with the 3rd party support (which it looks like it will keep, just hope that this remote thing will keep going up and up.) and PRAY that the online play is going to be GREAT (Hopefully its a good glimpse of that from the Nintendo Ds success with WiFi) Ok, so was this comment reasonably enough? Was is non bias/ Let me know...

  • johnlucas1

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 6:47 am GMT

    The hard truth about Sony & why this story from Bloomberg doesn't help.

    #1: Sony's price will scare off most consumers. $500/$600 systems just don't sell. Let's be realistic here. The price is comparable to a basic computer & computers are MUCH more multi-useful than a game console can EVER be.

    #2: Despite the hype Sony's system will really be not much more powerful than Microsoft XBox 360. And the real salt in the wounds is that the XBox 360 costs $200 less in comparison for each version of Sony's offerings. The only thing Sony REALLY has going for it is the exclusive powerhouse titles on their system which are more & more starting to go to Microsoft.

    #3: Sony is dependent on its 3rd party contributors for sales. 3rd party developers go where the money is & can easily shift allegiances on a dime.
    Sony has TWO very strong competitors in queue and there's no guarantee 3rd party will stick it out with Sony. There has already been utterances from the 3rd party companies about spreading out franchises multi-platform. Depending on PS3's sales this can easily become competition exclusives.

    #4: Sony's lack of direction harms them. There is no clear focus with this project and it's trying to play on two separate fields. A field of powerhouse tech & multimedia ability with the XBox 360 & a field of innovation & interface development with the Wii. The SixaxiS controller was a response to Nintendo's revolutionary Wiimote combo & Cell, Blu-Ray is a way to get the edge on the XBox 360 platform. You can't go left AND right at the same time. You'll just end up standing still.

    #5: Coming out of the gate with a poor launch & long regional delays only gives the powerhouse competition the edge it needs to wins "hearts and minds". Outsider XBox 360 has a year-long headstart & will use its marketing muscle to persuade more buyers to make the switch to their system. Wii is an unprecedented development in game console design & its curiosity factor may prove to be inescapably contagious.
    By March 2007 Europe will have had nearly a year & a half to mull over the hungry-for-adopters XBox 360 & a third of a year to see if the Wii buzz lives up to its hype.
    Add in the fact that prices of both systems are lower & MUCH lower than Sony's offerings in a land that has a higher price margin in comparison with Americas & Japanese regions...you've got a situation that simply doesn't bode well for Sony.

    Yeah I got a little off-topic debating the Wii with the posters so I brought it back on topic here.
    It's time for a reality check. Short of a divine miracle from the heavens there is no earthly way Sony's gonna even KEEP UP much less succeed over the competition.
    And boy oh boy if those few new PS3's have those infamous Sony manufacturing defects...WHEW. That may be the straw that broke the camel's back for most Sony holdouts.

    And yes there are those who buy all the systems but in reality most people tend to stick with one maybe two at most.
    John Lucas

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 3:58 am GMT

    "Every last PS3 that is produced this year will be sold. This is not a guess, it is a guarantee. "

    Wow... thats soo many compared to the competition LOL

    Everyone buys sony stuff? Er.... "psp"..

  • nev70

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 2:31 am GMT

    johnlucas1
    When I say the graphics race is over it's because what I'm seeing on the screen is barely an improvement over what has been done already.

    Are you for real ? check out the version of JUST CAUSE ON A PS2 THEN THE 360 VERSION ON A HD SCREEN .THEN SEE WHAT RUBBISH YOU POST I'M SORRY TO BE SO BRUTAL BUT SOMEONE HAS TO. You clearly dont have a 360 with an hd screen,ps i expect the ps3 to also have a big leap in terms of visuals, it does help knowing what your talking about.

  • pb1285n

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 2:29 am GMT

    Nutzter:

    Are you just plain stupid. You can't compare a company like Sony with a company like Sega. Sega is a gaming company, Sony is an electronic company. Sony is so large and has its hands in so many different areas even if the PS3 collapses they'd be able to take the loss and move on.

    What you and your silly fanboys don't seem to realize is that your average consumer who is going to go out and buy a console won't connect shortages with Sony being a bad company. Only braindead fanboys like yourself will come to that conclusion. If nothing else this will boost the popularity of the PS3 because everyone knows people want what they can't have. Just think back to the PS2 and people trampling each other to get their hands on one. The PS3 may not be on top this generation but they will not fail.

    I know this hurts you so much to think about, but PS3's will sell no matter what you and your fanboys say. Every last PS3 that is produced this year will be sold. This is not a guess, it is a guarantee.

  • nev70

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 2:19 am GMT

    nev70
    johnlucas 1
    Shoot, Sony already knew which way the wind was blowing; that's why they created the SixaxiS. That's your endorsement right there, Mr. Bodywave.

    The reason Sony DROPPED THE RUMBLE WAS THE LOST LAW SUIT COSTING THEM MILLIONS, AND HAD F ALL TO DO WITH WHAT WAY YOU ARE BLOWING WIND.

    IF THEY HAD WON THAT SUIT THEY WOULD STILL HAVE A RUMBLE FEATURE PERIOD.(hence the original boomarang design they were lost as what to do , how could they replace there superb dual shock as they were not prepared to pay any loyalities )

  • heroofwinds1

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 12:51 am GMT

    problems for sony;very strange because from the time ps3 showed up it has not pass a day not to hear at least one.i hope they will get what they deserve.wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.

  • dragkill

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 12:03 am GMT

    "This is so sad. Seeing all of you fighting over something as frivolous as the console wars. Where did all the gamers go? >.> "

    They died the minute the word "Fanboy" was created. Plus the majority of gamers that have some sense don't post on forums. Also, the internet has been filled with the new generation gamers, and I think the actions speak for themselves on here.

  • Mobius74

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 10:05 pm GMT

    This is so sad. Seeing all of you fighting over something as frivolous as the console wars. Where did all the gamers go? >.>

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 4:58 pm GMT

    I'm sorry, am i on the wrong post here? was the subject Wii roxxors or Tretton purposfully misleading a business media outlet so investors won't freak out over sony's downward profit revision and sell off shares of the stock. I mean after all it was only on this very site that SCEA prez Kaz said in the Sept. 26 interview that there will be less than one million PS3's on N. American Soil by Dec. 31, But now somewhere they have magically found 1.6 million more PS3's to get here before the end of the year. This is nothing more than damage control for sony. Do any of you really believe that there will be two million PS3's here before the end of the year after Kaz said it was not going to happen?

  • nutzter

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 4:56 pm GMT

    ps3 is garbage i knew sony would mess up one day,soon they will be makin' games for other systems just like sega .Let's just accept the truth ,in graphic power they are the same crap,but microsoft have xblive,and a year ahead of them it doesn't matter what sony does right now they doomed the PS3 from the start with the price by itself,too many mistakes,oh well let's see what happens a year from now.

  • johnlucas1

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 4:47 pm GMT

    laxkeep thinks he's the boss of these boards.
    I'm 'polluting "our" comment list' according to my poor misguided compatriot.

    Now hating on the Future of Gaming isn't gonna do anything but raise your blood pressure & harden your arteries.
    He's insinuating that the existence of the Virtual Console is to distract from the *ahem* "SUCKiness" of the Wii games.
    Hmhmhmhmhmhm.

    Well wasting time with time wasters is an unproductive hobby so I'll just seal the so-called debate with these words:

    {{The Electronic Entertainment Expo 2006's line for Nintendo's Wii.}}

    [[E306: Nintendo Stampede]]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFQz98jAcg8

    Notice how they bypass the Sony booth in droves. And NOTE this is the THIRD day of E3 not the First. Yes Nintendo's Wii games kept up the excitement for *just that long*. Note the Sony booth rep at the end of the clip frustrated at the rush for the Wii WAY BACK at the back of the venue.

    One more for our Boss of the Boards.

    [[E3 2006 PS3 vs Wii lines]]
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37T4goLj-4w

    Taken on the last day of E3 as the lady says.

    Each story like the one from Bloomberg here shows that the PS3 is in trouble at the prospect of what XBox360 and MOST IMPORTANTLY Wii brings to the table.
    Sony may not even have a *chance* at Europe.

    Hi crills. Prepare for November 19th. Hard to wait ain't it?
    John Lucas

    Just because you were good here's one more for you.
    PS3 Vs Wii Commercial
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qImUBZGZhM

  • GrimBee

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 4:32 pm GMT

    "they know that their wii titles are going to be as gimmicky as people expect and so they will perhaps fail again. "

    And the ps3 and 360 games will be realistic MOVIES with lack of gameplay...

    I mean... you want to get like this now right?

    Nintendo offer the virtual console because people actually LIKE those games. Alot of them have 10 out of 10 right here on gamespot! And its a nice features for ALL kinds of gamers in the household (or a hardcore gamer who just wants to have these games in one place).

    I wouldnt go as far as to say that the wii motion controls will be gimmiky.. i mean, the ps3 has motion controls doesnt it? doesnt it? If motion WASNT a way forward.. then why would a future proofing console have these features too?

    And what was so awful about resident evil 4? if the wii is 2 - 3 more times powerful than resident evil 4, i would expect games to be VERY awesome indeed.

    and laxkeep999... i will answer your question about nintendo's virtual console by posing another.. why does microsoft AND sony have retro games up for download aswell? because their games catalogue is shoddy and uninspired?

    Give the fanboys a break from other likewise fanboy attacks will ya?!

  • crills

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 2:45 pm GMT

    laxkeep999 you said why is nintendo adding them old games the wii games are going to be great but the whole idea of haveing them old games is for people who have not played games since those games came out to start playing again.that being said i keep hearing the same afther a while it will become gimmicky no it wont it will become a standard before real would you rather move little analogs to shoot or would you like to aim like real life.or drive like real life i played the wii and i cant get it out my head that feeling of allmost total control was the best feeling i ever got from a video games. any one that does not think so is crazy just prove it to your self when the wii comes out try it like i did and i bet you will be sold. i had a 360 and was planing to keep it when i got my wii but afther september 14 that i went to rocafella center for the nintendo press conferance and played the wii i dont want to play with no other system cause they dont got that great control set up

  • laxkeep999

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 12:56 pm GMT

    ah and john, answer me this, without blagging on about something outside my question...
    why is nintendo implementing this system where you can get all of the nes, snes etc games if the wii games are meant to be so immersive as you say they will? whats wrong with the wii games? are they perhaps going to be CRAP?
    you might say "oh the ps3 has backwards compatability" but thats for ps2...
    Xbox360 for Xbox (not that many as well) but nintendo is obviously milking money from their old games because they know that their wii titles are going to be as gimmicky as people expect and so they will perhaps fail again.

  • laxkeep999

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 12:33 pm GMT

    John lucas...get a life for god's sake...
    If you really care about all this body motion rubbish go to an arcade and play dance dance remix II or something...stop polluting our comment list.

  • crushgoil

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 11:49 am GMT

    *shrugs* itll sell lots eventually..

  • tankintheair315

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 11:13 am GMT

    the wii amount goes up, the ps3 goes down, goodbye ps3

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 10:42 am GMT

    I have no doubt PS-3 will be facing more problems because of Sony's bad desicions........

  • TekkenMaster606

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 8:51 am GMT

    I got China on hold, line 3. They want their wall back!

  • johnlucas1

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 7:46 am GMT

    You're wrong, Mr. Bodywave.
    And that is because you are looking at how games are played NOW.

    You fail to factor in adrenaline.
    Moving the body WITH the control can ACTUALLY entice people to play LONGER.
    I know this site has children watching so I'll try to be discrete.
    It is similar to going out & playing sports or good lovemaking.
    You get a workout with the physical activity.
    You'll be winded but you'll be smiling broadly because the activity gave your body a charge. And as soon as your breath catches up you're right back into the activity.

    They call it Wii, right?
    That's WE as in more than one person.
    Playing with another person adds an energy level to the gameplay that isn't there with only one person. Think those who play fighting games alone & those who have fighting game parties with a group of their friends.
    Something engaging like the Wii only enhances this natural energy & interplay/interaction within the group.

    Watch those Wii Experience videos & see how the controller connects people to the action better:
    http://us.wii.com/experience_gallery.jsp

    Each person that plays at the same time grows this connection between themselves & the game they see on the screen.
    Like I said Wii stimulates MORE than your eyes.
    The way weve been playing the past 20 something years makes for strong control but there is still a disconnect between the player and the action on the screen. The visuals & the gameplay pulled you into the action but you were still one or two degrees of separation from really FEELING what was on the screen. And that is because of the nature of the input.
    Rumble was one step closer to making you FEEL the action but Wii takes this to its ULTIMATE step.

    Not only can you FEEL the vibration, you can HEAR the sound through the controller speaker, & your soul, your spirit connects to the action based on a greater involvement of the body. The movement triggers chemical reactions/buzzes that tingle your synapses. Before we just moved our fingers & thumbs. Now our whole arm is involved & some of the torso & leg as well. Not in a fashion designed to overexert yourself but to move you just enough to trigger those good natural chemical reactions within the body.

    Listen, you don't have to take my word for it. It'll become apparent soon enough. And with Nintendo's history & track record for redirecting controller design I think it's safe to say they'll do the same with this NEW design.

    Shoot, Sony already knew which way the wind was blowing; that's why they created the SixaxiS. That's your endorsement right there, Mr. Bodywave.
    Unfortunately for them the form of that controller will not work for the kind of interaction motion sensing requires. Down the line they'll try to make a remote similar to Nintendo as will Microsoft.

    Trust me Wii's control is ANYTHING but a gimmick.
    And you know I'm saying all this NEVER HAVING PLAYED the control. Purely upon sight I know what this controller will bring (as soon as I saw this thing on Sept. 16, 2005 I knew for sure the direction gaming was headed; purely upon sight). After I play it I will know even MORE why this is the right direction. My imagination lets me envision the possibilities of that new controller but nothing will compare to me actually playing it for myself.
    For me seeing WAS believing. Playing will just make me believe more.

    The gameworld is overdue for another direction. The other companies playing slightly different versions of Nintendo's design...of course it would be Nintendo, no one else, who decided it was time for a new way of doing things.
    Those ready for the change like me are welcoming it with open arms.
    Those scared of the change are cynical, skeptical & stubbornly holding onto old standards.
    In the end they'll ALL be just like me...

    John Lucas
    Wii will change THEM.

  • Nawras

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 7:28 am GMT

    For the love of god, no more delays and excuses - it isn't like they would just discover that manufacturing takes so long. It isn't only Sony, Nintendo seems to love playing with us the delay game with Zelda and Square if FF games.

  • Mr_Bodywave

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 6:32 am GMT

    "
    johnlucas1"

    Well it is nice that you are so confident in the Wii and its new controller. Unfortunately that confidence might be premature. There is serious concern that the controller will grow old and that it will be seen as gimmicky--especially as it is shoe-horned into any and every game, whether it warrants its us or not. Plus--can you imagine playing a baseball game? YOu have to "throw" every ball, and bat every time. That will get old fast, I believe. and the 5,000th time you have to swing your sword to kill a goblin, it will get old.

  • aznbenjiman

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 5:26 am GMT

    watch its going to get delayed and ima laugh at all the people who were so hyped up for the realease...
    cause im not planning to get any of the new systems right now but the wii cause its the cheapest....
    IM CHEAP...

  • sweetpinoy2k1

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 3:58 am GMT

    i know playstation 3 putting everybody on hope for the blu ray that's great we are looking toward to future and HD- DVD as well... whenever you go to Electronics store all you see is HD-TV so that means you have to move on whatever you have... i know it seems too much... but if u like this kind of stuff you will do it even against your will.... i have read a lot of comment here and i understand that's your opinion.. don't hope to much about the PS3 it might have some glitch like the XBOX 360 no system are perfect even the Wii they tried the Revolution of course they have some difficulties making it the way gamers would like so they change the name because the name don't appeal to people and their graphics aren't for futuristic so insted of calling the revolution so they end up using Wii its more simple and catchy phrase
    so find the right source and make sure investigate the system so you wouldn't have to get your new system fixed... believe me it's like the XBOX 360... and i'm just hoping that blu-ray won't fail the world who's been waiting for this moment... goodluck to those people reserve and hopefully the PS3 won't backfire you.....

  • wwonka666

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 12:45 am GMT

    This comes as a surprise to you? If it does then think again. Sony is trying to force Blu-Ray down our throat whether we want it or not. I plan on getting one, but probably not for 2-3 years or until the price is at least $399 for the 60GB system. I have an X-Box 360 and am thankful that Micro$oft didn't force the HD-DVD drive on me an allowed me to buy something for what I wanted it for GAMES. Sure, the option of getting the HD-DVD will set me back the same amount as a PS3, but you know what that is my CHOICE and not the CHOICE of Micro$oft trying to sell another consumer electronic to me that I dont need right now. I love Nintendo.

  • johnlucas1

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 11:35 pm GMT

    Rhygeta & SilverIce7, I understand your doubts.
    It's human nature. Uneasy with the same ol' same ol'. Uneasy with change.
    A contrary species this animal is. Just like the universe it inhabits.

    This is whole paradigm shift (I hate using that phrase) for gaming the likes of which we haven't seen in about 20 years. But it's even MORE than the major paradigm shift we witnessed 20 plus years ago.

    Everyone's uneasy because Nintendo's breaking the ground right from under their feet. They are afraid of the freefall from the crumbled ground & are hanging on to the solid & familiar because that's all they have to grasp.

    Home Console Gaming used to be played with turning dials, first on a little box then like on Etch-A-Sketches. Dials were the perfect choice because dials were on TV's & radios & familiar appliances. Less intimidating to the novice user & all-encompassing the "TV" of TV gaming. Just scrunch your hand, grip the knobs & turn, turn, turn. Much like in sex this was how gaming was played.

    Then later on in the 1970's some cat brought out a fighter's pilot's stick complete with gunner's trigger. Another relatable & exotic object that would be sure to intrigue the newcomer to pick up & play.

    THEN this Japanese-named American company brought out ANOTHER stick. A simplified "joystick" named risque just like the ones the pilots used (see origin of word to understand why it was risque). A little square based pad with a big plastic stick in the middle & big red ACTION button on the side. This company SECURELY put homegaming on the map & made this the standard interface that people played replacing the "dials" set-up that was known before.

    Some used multi-directional trackdiscs, big keyboards & what I call "the calculators" but the mainline standard from the late 1970's on was the joystick & button combination rooted in lap on floor, stick gripped with left hand, right hand fingertips pointed downward to press the ACTION button.
    That was the NEW WAY games were played.

    THEN in the early-mid 1980's this odd named Japanese company DESTROYED that standard creating a controller that would be INSTEAD rooted in the palms & fingers of the hands, thumbs placed atop on controller face, left thumb on this cross-like control pad, right thumb on queue over the two ACTION buttons labeled simply "A" & "B".
    More completely than the last standard THIS standard became ABSOLUTELY the way games were played as everyone suddenly patterned their controls after this Family Computer.

    Since that revolution in control 20 something years ago not much has really changed. This same company evolved its design with shoulder triggers, color coded buttons, a diamond-shaped action button layout, undertriggers, 3D analog sticks, rumble or force feedback, ergonomics, handgrips, action button size differentials but we STILL played much the same as the Family Computer of 20 sum'n years ago. Thumbs placed atop controller face, left thumb on pad/stick, right thumb on queue over the action buttons, controller supported in palms & fingers of hands.

    Nintendo's breaking their OWN standard that they created with the Wii.
    Either Hand gripping remote-like wands, remote snuggly fitting the space within the grip, thumb on queue over action buttons, arm involved in motion ALONG with hand in natural followthrough. Independent, interchangeable but cooperative game controllers. No longer dependent on a right hand dominant perspective now lefties can make control fit their natural motion as remote & nunchuck can be placed on either side of each other. Gesture based input.

    Yes, after 20 plus years playing basically the same way it's hard for people to let go of those twigs & branches they grip as they freefall from the crumbling ground. That's a natural response.
    Just as it was everytime a new interface was proposed EVEN the one from that Family Computer from Japan and EACH of its evolutions.

    They weren't lying when they called it a Revolution. And believe me it's more than just in the controls.
    Playing is believing as they say. And Wii is gonna make believers out of everybody.

    This is the NEW WAY games are played.
    John Lucas

  • SilverIce7

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 11:20 pm GMT

    Here's another bottom line to think about: different companies, with different systems find different successes (or failures) every gaming generation. SNES kicked the crap out of the Genesis, but then Sony came along and Nintendo to a back seat to PSX's eventual success. Ps2 had a slow start but built up the biggest following a few years later, while Dreamcast failed. Gamecube had success in the beginning, but over the years it lost support and dwindled. When XBox was launched, few thought it would actually succeed, let alone even get its foot through the door. "Microsoft? pfffftt." And they were all proven wrong. People thought the PSP was sh*t on a silver plater, and the inferior Nintendo DS outsold it into humiliation, especially in Japan. The bottom line here: Just because a company was on top last generation, doesn't mean it can't very well end up rock bottom this time around. Sony's systems, especially with negative profits on the hardware, could cause disaster in the future. No one can tell the future.By the time there's PS5, Sony Computer Entertainment could be going bankrupt. Microsoft could sell like crazy in Japan in 2015. And Nintendo could be washing their floors and shining their shoes.

  • crills

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 11:06 pm GMT

    Rhygeta you and alot of other people are missing the point. you keep saying i will be hard for devolpers to come up with new ideas what new listen once you play a fps useing the wiimote you wont want to play any fps the old way you here that halo fans you will be saying i wish halo had this control set up .driveing wont be the same flying wont be the same etc just amagine resident evil use the wiimote slice zombies heads off fling knifes at them you name it just look at wario ware those same ideas can be applyed a lot of diferant games

  • thepalatinepoet

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 11:02 pm GMT

    Sony, sony, sony....

    People love you so. They really do. What is it that's convinced you that you can have your way with their innocent wallets? A shortchanged launch is one thing, a high-end (but warranted) price is another, and heck, forcing your brainchild blue-ray onto the gaming populous we can live with, but your attitude? You're not the new guy anymore, and Nintendo isn't the tyrannical monopolistic giant it used to be. What convinced you that being at the top meant putting your foot down whenever, whereever? What convinced you that you don't have a long way to fall, with every misstep?

    David felled Goliath once, but now David has forgotten the dangers of disregarding the little guy.

    *is a raging Nintendo Fanboy, by the way, and thinks PSPs are cool, but emulating SNES games on the PSP is less so*

  • SilverIce7

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 10:53 pm GMT

    johnlucas1-

    "But believe me Wii's gonna supercede EVERYTHING we've seen about gaming when it releases"

    It might, it might not. Its foolish to assume and bet on certainty when that the last thing that exists. $700 Virtual Reality goggles (remember FX, PowerVR, etc.), the Power Glove, the Virtual Boy, Aura Interactor Vest and other new concepts failed miserably.

    Don't get me wrong, I don't want Sony to succeed. On the contrary, I hope they fail miserably for how badly they've treated consumers, businesses, the press, and retailers for years. If Nintendo manages to do it, so be it. I'll be proud. But ultimately, being able to (for now) purchase only one system, I've decided to stick with what has the absolute most, and the absolute best, of the kinds of things I look for. That's why I'll be buying an XBox 360 at the beginning of next month. Better safe than sorry, and I figure its better for me to stick with a proven formula that has entertained and excited me for years. Online gaming. Graphics (yes, I admit to that, but only because I believe better graphics justify higher prices, that better graphics signal an evolution in visual quality, and an evolution in visual quality ultimately just as essential, if not more so, for the unforseeable future.

  • Rhygeta

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 10:53 pm GMT

    Miyamoto said it huh? Cool. Nice to know I'm on the same wavelength with this genius of gaming.
    This graphics argument reminds me of the Future Trunks/Perfect Cell fight from Dragonball Z. "What good are all those muscles if you can't hit anyone with it?" says Perfect Cell.
    What everyone fails to understand is that Wii will immerse you into the gameplay like no other system can. They are involving MORE than just your eyes. They are engaging your spirit & tapping into your adrenaline. Making gaming a more active experience than a passive experience.

    Google an author named 'Sean Malstrom' & read his article "Theory of Cycles" among others. The graphics-first kind of thinking comes from the 3rd cycle of gaming "The Cinema Cycle" where it's all about looks. This cycle has been here since roughly 1993 & is on its way out.

    No one is gonna care about graphics when they play with the very capable Wii. And its graphics will be nothing to sneeze at make no mistake. But that is not the focus. XBox 1 shoulda been champ if that was the case. Twice as strong as PS2??? Isn't that enough? XBox 360 can't outsell PS2 still!
    It's not about the graphics alone.

    What sells systems is games & gameplay.
    The PS's won based on variety of games.
    As did Nintendo before along with their gameplay.
    The way Wii will immerse, renew, & redefine a gamer's relationship to gameplay will ensure that the system takes off & they get that volume of games that has eluded them the past 2 generations. For that is the ONLY REAL reason why Nintendo "lost" the last two 'contests' to the PS's.

    The only next real graphical improvement, LEAP, will be Virtual Reality when you can't tell the game from real life. Think Star Trek: TNG hologram simulations. Speaking of real life, that is where I can get the greatest "graphics" of all. *wink*

    Like I said before, that "loyalty" was earned not given. They're just that dadgum good.

    Well IMO, there is 2 different grounds of "immersion" the Wii's way involves the user, but since the graphics are sub-par, it still doesn't completely draw you from the real world.

    The PS3/360 have exceptionally good graphics, and through use of physics ,ambiance and sound you can "feel" like you are there.

    Since both systems have different forms of immersion, its safe to assume that they all "offer" a different from of it.... the only problem I see for the Wii is that since the controller is the "foundation" its console is built upon, without continual improvements in that area (i'm talking a new way to interact every year as opposed to the same control schemes seen in previous years) I can see myself getting bored with the console, The PS3 and 360 don't have to worry about controller innovation much, because thats not with their selling their respective systems on, its graphics, mechanics and features that are their respective selling points.

    So in turn, the only thing anyone should expect to improve incrementally over time is graphics, (and use of controller in PS3's case to some extent), which is easy to do, but I think for the developers to continually find innovative ways to improve on how the controller is used will be hard... and won't quite feel "revolutionary" after 8 games are virtually the same barring backdrop and characters.

  • BlackDragon110

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 10:35 pm GMT

    SilverIce7 your "don't mess with a proven formula" doesn't really work. If you don't change you can't evolve and you can't evlove without change. If you stick with what works, all games would be the same. Can you imagine what games would be like if developers only stuck to one proven formula? Games like Halo and Resident Evil wouldn't even exist because they were totally new and had never been done before. There is something to be said about sticking to what works, but only to a point. The DS came out of left field but it works and as such has taking gaming in a whole new direction that wasn't really thought of till now.

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