POTW: Which console manufacturer had the best year?

Karai Pantsu · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:33 am�� Post subject:

For the sake of clarification:

I agree that Nintendo cleaned up in terms of profits - that's something you can't even begin to argue. Do I think that's them having a 'good' year? Not necessarily... 'Ruthless' isn't the best word to describe them, but it's the first one that comes to mind. They continue to peddle their wares at an astronomical rate, but did they release enough good games to hold the interest of a gamer like myself? Hardly.

Sony have put out a few megaton titles, and have continued to improve upon their consoles with regular updates to features and functionality, but for every step forward they still seem to be taking an equal number of steps back.

Microsoft, also, have had a their share of wins and losses - but coming from the position they had last gen, and even for the first few years this gen, they've taken strides in public opinion it seems. Sales have picked up, hardware faults are of the way down, and more often the 360 seems to be the platform of choice when people need to pick between multi-platform games. That, to me, is the win here - they might not be the best sellers, or have the sheer weight of loyalty that Sony have mustered, but they've come a good way forward from where they started.
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Jedi.Jell · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:37 am�� Post subject:

I had to say Sony. For me the PS3 went from being a console I would never consider to gaining quite a bit of respect. If Home was released sometime in the next 20 years I may even consider purchasing one...
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doofus · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:57 am�� Post subject:

Benza · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:03 am�� Post subject:

Qbert · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:11 am�� Post subject:

I see what you mean Benza, I guess it just depends which way you look at it. For example I wouldn't say that the Broncos had the best year of all the NRL teams this year, because they made the most money, you'd say Manly becuase they played the best footy and won the comp. Or I wouldn't say that a certain film or music company had the best year because they made the most money through selling sh!t products like Superhero Movie or the Superhero Movie soundtrack.

Obviously these are just examples. Every week it seems that there are 2 or 3 different interpritations of the Poll of the Week. That's probably not a bad thing, just something that I've noticed.
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unlachs · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:15 am�� Post subject:

so this poll works as a nice companion to the "are you a fanboy?" poll
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Dropbear · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:25 am�� Post subject:

Nintendo - Good sales this year, but not a lot of games. Plus they basically are now focused on casual gaming so much that it's not funny. But they have sold enough DS handhelds, so in reality, they had a good year.

Sony - Your mileage may vary comes to mind. Exclusive games looked awesome. Did sell a lot of consoles compared to last year. Free PSN network looks good for what you pay for it. Blu-Ray won the DVD wars, so that gave them a few points. Also selling those last PS2's for the entire year, so that does play a big factor. PSP is still lagging behind.

Microsoft - 2 markdowns in price made it the cheapest console on the market. A few exclusive games and DLC made it start to stand out. Xbox LIVE sounds like a good place. New Xbox Experience came as a early Christmas present. Also finally starting to look like they have fixed most of the RRoD problem. Stole FFXIII from underneath Sony's nose, making it multi platform, and a few 360 games and DLC is coming out before PS3.

In terms of a winner this generation, it's still too early to decide, but the Wii is obviously getting nearer to selling the most consoles. As for the Xbox 360 vs PlayStation 3... still tight, but the 360 is ahead by a bit. Sony need to either discount the console next year or get games that Microsoft won't get.
Also managed to get a Sony fanboy (read me) to think about getting a 360.

Vote goes for: Microsoft.
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john_solids · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:30 am�� Post subject:

i have to agree with Qbert here, if it were a poll about money and sales it wouldnt make much sense since we can find actual figures anyway, to see who has done the most money and sales wise.
the way i answered the poll was which company has done the most this year, as in done a better job delivering...... umm hard to explain, but taking money and sales out of the equation, but which has given us better games and a better experience this year (is that better?)
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lapzod · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:16 pm�� Post subject:

For my, the PS3 had the best year, and still remains my most played console.

harness · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:33 pm�� Post subject:

Undeniably Nintendo. Sony did alright with some hit games and a Blu-Ray victory, and MS had a good E3 and released/announced some hit games as well. But that's all academic since Nintendo had the most sales, and that's what counts in business.

Buttmouth · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:56 pm�� Post subject:

Not taking into account handhelds

From my perspective, the casual market is a myth. I don't see how you can continue selling products to people who only want to use them once every few months, and they don't actually know why they bought the product in the first place. It's like Nintendo are manufacturing little white lawn mowers.

So I don't see how I could congratulate Nintendo, when all they've really done is dig themselves out of a Sega shaped hole and into a niche shaped 'one time only' hole. So it looks like they've had an amazing year from a monetary standpoint. But where do they go from there? Their product is a dust magnet for gamers like me, and to countless other gamers I know.

Does manufacturing a dust magnet that sells amazingly well equal a win? "hell no" is my answer.

I'd say its an equal win for Microsoft and Sony.

I reckon the success of the year should be based on where you're sitting at the end of it. MS and Sony are in a bloody great spot right now. Happily co-existing the way consoles should.

I voted Sony, because they gave me a metaphorical 'handy' this year. And it only looks like more great action to come next year.
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Karai Pantsu · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:10 pm�� Post subject:

^ Did you at least buy Sony dinner?

Fair point though, as much as I have to grumble about the Wii I have to say that the DS has done a whole lot more right by me than it (seemingly) could ever do wrong.
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Skiller · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:53 pm�� Post subject:

bleach1st · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:54 pm�� Post subject:

i'm a Sony fanboy but I gotta say from a sit-back-and-watch-the-flowers-grow position I'd say Nintendo as they have just killed the Sale Chart's for many of the weeks with either Wii or NDS games... but that's only from the point of view from sales... I dunno about 'quality' wise as I'm too poor to buy a current gen tv-console atm... :'(
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Ravrahn · Status: Offline Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 1 $poons: 0.00

Nintendo did statistically have the best year.

Rav

Benza · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:12 pm�� Post subject:

mipac · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:15 pm�� Post subject:

Business wise, they all did great. Nintendo sold extremely well, but I just don't know how sustainable the Wii is in the long term. Microsoft launched Netflix streaming, which will possibly be a great revenue stream if public awareness can be made high enough. Sony won the HD format war, and Blu-ray sales are rapidly increasing.

In terms of games, I have to give it to Sony without a doubt, purely because the PS3 had all the best games for me. Metal Gear Solid 4, Wipeout HD, Siren, Resistance 2, MotorStorm 2 and LittleBigPlanet made 2008 an amazing year for PS3 owners. Gears of War 2 was a great success, but besides that, the 360 didn't really have any exclusives that caught my eye. Nintendo were dead to me this year, although their 2009 lineup (specifically Sega titles) is very interesting.

Next year looks like it could be similar, given what we know so far. Microsoft could have a great win with Halo 3: ODST and Halo Wars, and Nintendo have unique titles such as Mad World along with The Conduit and Punch Out!, but with Sony bringing out the big guns with Killzone 2, InFamous, MAG, God of War 3, Heavy Rain, Final Fantasy XIII and Gran Turismo 5, it's going to take something special to top that lineup.
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fireflybck · Status: Offline Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 39 $poons: 3.00

2008 went to Nintendo.
But I wish they didn't. There's no denying the innovation of their systems and the introduction of Wii Fit. But the games have been disappointing. Other than Super smash bros on the Wii and more Castlevania/FF iterations on the DS it's been disappointing.

The PS3 has improved from last year, mainly due to "winning" the format war and having at least 3 brilliant exclusives - MGS 4, Little Big Planet and Resistence 2. They still have a lot of ground to cover. They should suck up to Warner Brothers and do a promotion with The Dark Knight on Blu Ray. I also reckon they should find a way to speed up the Blu Ray drive.
Overall though, it's amazing how much they have stuffed up since 2006.

Microsoft deserve credit for lowering the system price. They had some quality exclusives (Fable 2 and Gears of War 2) but other than that, have relied on multi platform titles like Farcry 2, DMC 4, Fallout 3 and of course GTA 4.

mipac · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:21 pm�� Post subject:

Benza · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:27 pm�� Post subject:

mipac · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:30 pm�� Post subject:

barbz89 · Status: Offline Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 12 $poons: 0.00

Went with Sony. If you look at where all 3 platforms started and finished this year, Sony had the best year...imo.

waz79 · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:45 pm�� Post subject:

No ill be honest, Sony had the best games due to only those two basically, LBP and MGS4, therefore they win.
Nintendo was shameful and Wii Music only made it worse, but money wise sure its pretty much a Chinese economy worth of market share right now so they win that.

Im feeling quite torn about MS due to their half hearted attempt at the casual market. Respect for some games, price drop and online but they stole avatars, casual titles (lips from sony for eg.) and their own origial casual ip's bombed hard (that movie game). Look at Nintendo, price is negligable if their games are innovative enough to seperate them.

Conclusion would be Nintendo is waiting till May next year, only then when theres less competition will Punch Out, maybe Pikmin and whatever else they haven't told us will be released.

ManeKast · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:27 pm�� Post subject:

Since each manufacturer measures their sucess finacially, Nintendo all the way.

If you said which SERIOUS GAMING console had the best year I would say Sony. The PS3 has come leaps and bounds this year and with the added burden of releasing a full year or more after the 360. Well done Sony.

If you asked me which one I personally had the best year with: XBOX360 wins. I had the WORST and BEST year with the 360, having to buy a new console as MS couldnt repair my DRE errors.... bugs in fable..... agrh. But really, the third party games shined on it and it has kicked ass with gears 2 and fable. VERY close.

Financially: Nintendo
Financially Serious Gaming: Sony
Personal Choice for GAMES: Xbox360
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