Developers underestimated PS3 – Xbox 360 early release to blame
Developers definitely underestimated, and failed to support, the PS3 in its early days, mainly thanks to the Xbox being their main target for attention. But is that trend now changing, and is 2009 set to be the year of the Playstation 3?
The Xbox 360 was the first console to launch in this generation, beating the Playstation 3 and Wii by almost a full year. This not only meant that the Microsoft console built up an impressive sales lead in that first 12 months due to early adopters wanting to jump generations at the earliest opportunity, but also that third party developers had an earlier chance to get to grips with the hardware.
We all know the importance of third party developed games as while the first party games from Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony may be among the biggest release for each console, they tend to be relatively few and far between.
Shuhei Yoshida, the president of Sony Worldwide Studios, who recently replace the departed Phil Harrison, recently spoke to GI.biz about the disappointments surrounding launch year, and how third party game-makers naturally built games using the Xbox 360 first and then ported them over to the PS3. However, he did seem confident that this trend will now change and that 2009 will be the year that the Playstation 3 becomes the leading platform.
Talking about the launch year, the biggest disappointment was that because first party is very important and takes a certain share of titles, as well as a variety of third party titles – something that’s very important for any platform to succeed, and something that’s always been our plan at PlayStation – I’m sure that third party publishers had planned to release their titles day-and-date with the launch of the PlayStation 3, or day-and-date with the launch of the title on the Xbox 360, but because the 360 hardware was out earlier, the games were built based on 360 architecture.
But I think after the end of last year, there are more and more titles are coming out on the same day [as Xbox 360] and the same quality, and we can start to see some additional things on PS3 because of the space available on Blu-ray.
That re-architecture only needs to happen once, and once you pass that, you have the foundation ready. Moving forward I’m totally confident that developers will start to use more from the PlayStation 3 platform. This year is the year of parity, next year is the year of differentiation in favour of the PS3 platform.
I find it hard to disagree with Yoshida because all the signs are that the tide is turning, in favour of the PS3, and against the Xbox 360. I get a distinct feeling that the Xbox 360 is seen as the past while the PS3 is seen as the future.
Part of the reason for that rosier future for the Playstation 3 is definitely the victory that Blu-ray enjoyed over HD DVD. Microsoft backed the wrong horse in that battle and seem completely unwilling to change allegiance, although there are constant rumours surrounding a proposed Blu-ray version of the Xbox 360 on the horizon, none of which have yet come to fruition.
The Xbox 360 is still a fine console, and at this point in time a definite worthy purchase to make. But for me, looking to the far future, the Playstation 3 is in a much stronger position to move forward, gain sales momentum and some killer games, and generally be able to battle the Nintendo Wii for the crown of number one console of this generation.
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37 Responses to “Developers underestimated PS3 – Xbox 360 early release to blame”
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June 17th, 2008
what console do you have DAVE?
I hope firmware 2.40 is released tomorrow, finally in game XMB
June 17th, 2008
In before everyone mauls the last sentance in the first paragraph…
June 17th, 2008
SW,
Nice. It’ll be a bloodbath, I’m sure…
-Arvis
June 17th, 2008
i cant wait til the ps3 takes over…..i knew this was coming….and when it does, i get laugh at all of my friends that have a 360 til they go nuts…..then i will laugh at them some more……XBOX LIVE and 360 is quality=MY ASS
June 17th, 2008
Bourne, that would be telling…
June 17th, 2008
here here matt, when PS3 finally gobbles the last 360 i’m going to throw a party as all PS3 owners have been waiting for this moment, 360 fans just didn’t want to believe it! and now its finally here. Just need a few more developers on board and its plain sailing to success.
June 17th, 2008
Just wait! 2007 will be the year of the ps3, oh wait- 2008 will be the year of the ps3, dang it, i mean 2009 will be the year of the ps3! mgs4 was supposed to decemate all, hmmm… maybe killzone 2 will be the halo for ps3? hmmm… 2010 is just around the corner isn`t it sony?
June 17th, 2008
“The Xbox 360 was the first console to launch for the second generation in a row” … what? Maybe I’m missing the meaning of this statement.
PS2 launched in North America on 26 Oct 2000
Xbox launch… 15 Nov 2001 (Not even if it were the same year did the Xbox beat the PS2 or Gamecube out)
This is a little late in the game for the devs to start talking smack on the 360, by the time the full potential of either console is realized, the next gen will be on the horizon as with that last few iterations. Yes, the Blu-Ray disc does give some benefits, but, no one that I’ve talked to who has an unbiased opinion has been willing to say that either console is far ahead of the other. Some prefer the architechture of the 360, others prefer the space of a Blu-Ray drive and HDD in every PS3. It all comes down to how you like to build your games. I really hope PS3 does start coming out with some amazing stuff because that will force MS to up the ante.
No matter what, those of us who bought a 360 three years ago have been gaming happily for at least 2.5 of them. Laugh if you like but I got my monies worth already and I don’t see it ending yet.
And on the comment about XBL not being quality…. find me one reputable reviewer who is impressed with Sony or Nintendo when it comes to online implementation. Microsoft got it right and the others are trying to catch up. I remember people talking about how XBL was just a fad when I was in the beta and now it’s the example that others are using for a base.
You all are obviously Sony fans and that’s fine, it’s your choice. Sony has a good thing going if they can keep dumping money into it until it does finally take off on it’s own. MGS4 was a step in the right direction but they still have a lot of work to do….
June 17th, 2008
I guess I should only click submit once…. sorry…. can an op please delete the extra posts?
June 17th, 2008
Done zs451.
And article altered to reflect the fact that yes the PS2 did indeed come out before the Xbox. My apologies, and thanks for the correction.
June 17th, 2008
I am a fool for continuing to read Xbox 360-related posts on this site that is CLEARLY PS3-biased.
Johnson asked a good question in his post. Why is the year of the PS3 always NEXT year?
June 17th, 2008
that is true Johnson, actions speak louder than words. but with MGS4 in 1080p (Fianlly a real game in HD) i think PS3 is going to start flourishing very well. keep all the BS games Like HAZE (what a joke) away from the PS3. i am curious to see how BF3 plays and what resolution 1080p would be nice. they about ruined GTA4 with 640p. that was ugly. 360 still gonna be going solid with games like Gears 2 graphics look sick but i do think their days are numbered. even if its a year or 2 away th3 360 held up pretty good, lack of cpu power will be its downfall like i said in a few years anyway.
June 17th, 2008
Malbert69,
It’s called “Flame Bait,” and this site is full of it. Makes for… erm, “interesting” discussion.
-Arvis
June 17th, 2008
Exactly Arvis, that is the reason I keep coming back.
June 17th, 2008
OK let me get this right, you want me to buy a PS3 for $500 dollars because it will have the best games next year…. Maybe? This guy is talking like ya it’s a good investment to put into a PS3, but why? im not gonna make money out of it. Besides it doesn’t give the full Blue Ray effect anyways because of its spec’s. I’ll buy one when & if they come out with good games on PS3 next year. It will cost less too by then. Why waste money. As of right now 360 dominates & I’ll stick with the winner, until that changes. Its just an article to hype people to buy PS3, how low can you go Sony.
June 17th, 2008
heh johnson, i’ve been noticing the same trend. If/when the ps3 outsells the 360 (my prediction is 2012) i’ll be more than likely geared towards the next generation of games, either that or ditching games altogether and growing up.
June 17th, 2008
Good point Sergio. I am in the same boat as you, I will buy one if more good games come out and the price drops, but i can’t justify spending that much money on a PS3 yet.
June 17th, 2008
I’ve been debating about this entire console war for so long… so many months… and while nobody listens, I turn up to be correct.
I’ll be frank. The Xbox 360 sucks. After my 4th 360 RROD’d last month, I gave up on it altogether and started playing my PS3 exclusively. The experience has been great, the games (like MGS4, Warhawk, Resistance, Motorstorm, Unreal Tournament III, and Everyday Shooter) are amazing, and the hardware is extremely reliable.
Screw 30% failure rate, I’ll stick with the PS3’s .01% for now.
June 18th, 2008
Matt
Guess what those friends of your will laugh back when your playing all by yourself with only 3million people on the PSN network. Meanwhile your friends will be having fun playing with each other online with the 12 million other people on LIVE! HA HAAA!
June 18th, 2008
Arvis
That is the reason I keep coming back too. I actually like debating. But the lies that come out of the mouth of Dave Parreck is a bit upsetting at times. I just wish he would not fill his blog with so much bullshit in between the facts.
June 18th, 2008
To bad Chris. Unfortunalty I don’t have your experience because mine is very good. But I think if you gave it one more chance since it’s under warrenty, at this point I can’t see your 360 breaking down anymore. I really don’t know how you could make a decision like that given the vast amount of good games on the 360 and the superior graphics and online. PS3 really can’t compare when it comes to the games. The decision you made is like waiting for the PS3 to come out with good games hopefully vs The 360 RROD to be fixed which the solution is now fixed. I just think it’s a foolish decision. Good dusty hardware means nothing without the support.
June 18th, 2008
CAD……you are a fucking RETARD…..did you read the article at all?…….the games for 360 will be outdate bc they dont have bluray….developers will go towards better opportunities for their games with bluray on the ps3…..have fun playing OLD gay boring games while ps3 makes a crap load( they already have 150, not including the ones out)…….id rather kill myself if i had to deal with 360’s problems……and also I WAS TALKING ABOUT REAL FRIENDS THAT YOU SEE IN PERSON….Thanks for the heads up….Now i can laugh at that 12 million……why dont you try to interact with an actual friend ( if you will ever get any)……all 360 players are uneducated, dumbass idiot nerd, greasy teenagers……and thats all they will ever be…..no lives who waste all their money in there wallet to buy cheap shit Xbox Dead…..Get a life, go learn how to read, go take a shower, go get some friends, let some sunlight in your room for the first time in 3 years, shut the fuck up, and leave me alone..better yet, get a PS3
June 18th, 2008
Sony’s argument regarding the focus of developers makes no sense in light of the fact that their own games do not present better than games on the 360. Sony is a great system but it has yet to put out a game that looks better than GOW.
June 18th, 2008
@ CAD
I don’t recall any games where you can play against 12 million people all at the same time. So who cares about 12 million vs. 3 million, there are still plenty of people to play online on the PS3. Your statement really makes me wonder about Xbots. Also the no games on PS3 can be laid to rest, Xbox might have more games, but how many are really that good, no really. Alot of people who own a PS3 are old enough to have a job(thus could afford a PS3) and can’t sit around gaming all day, so we can wait for games to come out and take our time playing the ones that we already have! Crazy, I would reply to your post but your name says it all!!!
June 18th, 2008
Crazy,
You clearly have not played Metal Gear Soid 4.
-Arvis
June 18th, 2008
*Solid… not Soid.
-sighs-
June 18th, 2008
THis argument about the number of games out is funny because it’s a full 180 from the PS2 / Xbox days. PS2 owners would hype up the number of games and Xbox owners would talk about the quality of games. I see there’s not much objectivity on this subject, just fans of one or the other doing what fans do.
June 18th, 2008
Damn Matt, did someone piss in your cornflakes or something? What’s with all the agression? Want a hug? Come here!
June 19th, 2008
Yeah matt, that’s ok, you can drink milk from my ample breast if you like. I needed a good milking anyway.
Ouch, not too hard…
June 19th, 2008
….disturbing stuff…
i thought this was a gaming website rather than a fetish porno one.
June 19th, 2008
@ winner…….???..lol
June 19th, 2008
@ Bourne……lol
June 19th, 2008
Winner,
I KNEW you were a girl!
-Arvis
June 20th, 2008
moore’s law prevents any piece of tech lasting “long into the future”… and this is a tech site? good gawd…this place is crawling with idiots.
face it; the ps3 is failing to impress and now sony is blaming the developers for sony’s poor design decisions.
nice.. that’s gonna help them with third party support.. lmao.
oh well… at least sony proved reliability won’t keep a console from becoming #1.
seriously dave…how did you graduate…?
June 20th, 2008
Kev,
I don’t know, the Wii seems pretty reliable to me. I guess that IS all part of being #1.
At least DAVE PARRACK knows the difference between one and two, Kev.
-Arvis
June 20th, 2008
erm winners a guy, find him at lemonparty.org
June 23rd, 2008
It’s so sad that you took out my comment… that only proves me right