Why is there still console exclusives?

[Golfman]

Personally, and many may or may not agree with me here, i think exclusivety in games consoles should stop. No matter what system you own, i think it only fair that games companies should be allowed to release their games across all formats, thus giving gamers the chance to play all the big releases withouth having to splash out on another console. Wouldnt it be better if 360 owners could play the likes of Uncharted 2, Heavy Rain, God of War 3, or even GT5? And if PS3 owners could play Halo 3, Gears Of War, Mass Effect, or Forza 3? It would certainly give us a wider choice of what to spend our money on. And games companies would probably make double or triple profit.

Remember the days when everybody owned either a Spectrum, Amstrad or Commodore? 90% of games back then were released across those 3 formats, and while the differences in the systems' capabilities were obvious, and thus the games themselves, what mattered was that no matter what machine you owned, you still had the chance to play these games and discuss with your schoolmates "how far you got last night" or "that level boss was a b*****d" etc. And it didnt hurt the success of each system at all, because each version of the game was written to take advantage of the system it ran on.

I missed out on some big name games because i owned an Atari 800XL, but i DID play the likes of Zybex, Draconus, and many £1.99 Mastertronic games(oh the days!), and personally i felt that my computer outdid the C64 when it came to game music. Then i owned an Atari ST(stuck with Atari systems cos i was a fan), and while the Amiga had slightly better versions of the games, it didnt bother me at all. With the differences in cababilties of current systems minimal, why cant this happen? A game written for all 6 current systems(PC/PS3/360/Wii/PSP/DSI), will obviously have visual differences(Wii/PSP/DSi being weakest, 360/PS3 being almost identical, and PC being strongest), what's important is that no matter what system you own, you can still play the game. And the limitations of each machine shouldnt matter as long as the gameplay was there(GTA Chinatown wars on DSi is regarded as one of the best in the series - even better than the likes of San Andreas). It would also benefit the games companies because once the game was released simultaneously across all formats then they could move onto other projects.

I think the only people stopping this happening are the console manufacturers themselves(Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo). They believe that if a game was to be released on all formats, then people may still only buy one system. But the deciding factor i think is the price and uniqueness of the systems themselves(im a PS3 owner and feel that Sony overpriced it on release - something that hurt it's success initially) and what people want, outwith playing games: The PC - well it's a computer so it can do loads of stuff apart from games. The PS3 - its a blu-ray player as well and can display more games in full 1080p than the 360. The PSP and DSi - they're portable, and both have unique features outwith playing games. Never played a 360, so i cant comment on that, but iv heard it's online gaming is far better than PS3, and im sure 360 owners will know what is so good about their own system. And the Wii - well no other system offers as much fun at drunken party that's for sure(speaking from experience)!

To be honest, all this fanboy s**t and "my machine's better than your machine" blah blah is pathetic.

I started this thread because i think the topic has merit for much discussion and affects everything in these forums. What does everybody else think?

 

[Rykon Zero]

Here's the first problem with that: A PS3 uses primarily a vastly different system than an X360, Wii, or even PC. If I'm not mistaken, the PS3's processor does all of the graphics work, and the graphics card that's in there is onyl for those cross platform games. Simply put, a game designed specifically for the PS3 won't work on anything else, because not only is the system of electronics completely different between the consoles, but the strength of those parts are vastly different.

And that's not even getting to the part about exclusivity. If you can get all the games on a PS3, Wii, or X360, which would you choose? The only reason to choose either or is graphics and controls. There's no other reason, not even graphics, as they'd all be the same, and because of that, not only would the PS3 be way behind, mainly because the controller sucks like a Dyson, but the X360 would be way ahead, because the controller's nice, and it's cheaper than the PS3.

And here's a bigger problem, the PS3, as you know, is extremely powerful. It uses technology so advanced, that the US Government uses them to run some of the infrastructure of something. But because of that, it's very, very expensive. And if there's no reason to get the PS3, like GT5, or MGS4, or any of the other PS3 exclusives, people will always, always go for the cheaper option. The graphics would also suck, because the PS3 is limited to X360, or heaven forbid, Wii abilities.

Simply put, consoles need the exclusives. If you've ever tried to program a game for a console, you'd know that it's a hell of a lot easier to make it for one system than have it work for more than one, and if you're using that effort for something better, like better graphics, an advanced AI, or more content, then games are made much better.

And also, I hate the idea of a game like Halo polluting the PS3.

 

[Daniel]

What Stiggy said, and that these companies are competing against each other. So if Sony gave GT5 to Microsoft. Then Sony would drop steeply in sales. As the X360 is much cheaper... Same thing with Halo. It's to do with sales & competition, mostly.
THEN all the online gamers will buy a PS3 instead, because you don't need to pay for a headset, LIVE Points, a Wireless Adaptor, and maybe some other accessories - that an X360 needs.

Good idea, though. Because in theory, perfect. But in theory, Communism was also perfect. And that didn't turn out too, too well, didn't it?

 

[Golfman]

Okay, heres another couple of ideas: Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo either need to price their consoles cheap enough so that people can afford them all, or they should work together in the future to make one Superconsole. Imagine a console combined with: the PS3's power/blu-ray playback, with the easy-to-program-for of the 360, the 'fun' motion control stuff of the Wii, and with a detachable unit so you could take your games on the bus? Remember what happened with Sega? They were in deep s**t until they decided to make games for other machines.

 

[Golfman]

And also, I hate the idea of a game like Halo polluting the PS3.

Hmm. Nice of you to end it sounding just like a fanboy, but you're argument is sound. Can't wait to read what other people think.

 

[tyl0r_r]

So what, you want Nintendo to start putting out 360 and PS3 games? Never.

First, not all consoles are equal. PS3 and 360 can't run Wii tennis at the moment. If your suggestion were reality then what about it? Less dramatic an example is MGS4. That'd be a different experience with all the discs the 360 would want it on.

Second, money. Console exclusives are made in order to get people to buy the console. This means that some of the best games, being the prime show-pieces meant to win over consumers as they are, are often console exclusives. Little Big Planet. Mario Anything. Halo. Uncharted.... Gran Turismo. I don't want a world where everything is multi platform mediocrity like the stuff ubisoft and activision and ea crap out with such alarming regularity.

So yeah, terrible idea, in my opinion.

 

[Northstar]

Okay, heres another couple of ideas: Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo either need to price their consoles cheap enough so that people can afford them all, or they should work together in the future to make one Superconsole. Imagine a console combined with: the PS3's power/blu-ray playback, with the easy-to-program-for of the 360, the 'fun' motion control stuff of the Wii, and with a detachable unit so you could take your games on the bus? Remember what happened with Sega? They were in deep s**t until they decided to make games for other machines.

If all the companies came together to make 1 console it wouldn't make it cheaper. Chances are it would have a reverse effect since there would be no competition in the console market.

Console makers are always trying to make their console more accessible, only thing is though is that the technology normally dictates what they can charge. This is essentially why the Wii is cheaper, it's not as high tech as the 360 & PS3.

 

[tyl0r_r]

If all the companies came together to make 1 console it wouldn't make it cheaper. Chances are it would have a reverse effect since there would be no competition in the console market.

This. Also, these companies have totally different philosophies about what gaming should be. Miyamoto has already said that he could make Halo style games but would never want to.

Microsoft would want Mario to start carrying an AK47, Sony would want him to dress up in sacks, and Nintendo would give Master Chief a water pistol and Nathan Drake would be walking your virtual dog. IT WOULD BE MADNESS!

 

[Golfman]

Knew there would be some interesting reponses here, keep em coming!

 

[Azuremen]

Too much left-wing idealism for you; stop drinking the Socialism-aide.

You'd grant a full monopoly to the video game industry and reduce incentives for original designs and concepts. The industry would basically become Apple = Slow adjustments to basically the same product for a decade at a time.

Microsoft would want Mario to start carrying an AK47, Sony would want him to dress up in sacks, and Nintendo would give Master Chief a water pistol and Nathan Drake would be walking your virtual dog. IT WOULD BE MADNESS!

Umm... wut? Every console has a lot of variety... So grossly exaggerating here is just... well, over the top.

 

[Rykon Zero]

Hmm. Nice of you to end it sounding just like a fanboy, but you're argument is sound. Can't wait to read what other people think.

Yeah, I don't actually have a PS3, I have an X360. I shouldn't have said polluting, I meant that a game like Halo wouldn't feel right on the PS3.

But, that's me being a jackass.

Anyway, on the topic of a superconsole: I'd compare it to the car industry.

If Ferrari, Lamborghini, Chevrolet, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Nissan, Honda, and Lotus got together, assuming no conflicts and the companies doing what they should be doing, together, they'd beyond a shadow of a doubt, be successful at making the greatest car the world has ever seen.

Problem is, all those companies have different philosophies. Chevy would want a huge lumbering V-8 that could cruise along at a little above idle speed, but Honda would want a comparatively tiny V-6 pushing 9000 rpm, and a tiny amount of torque. BMW would want to keep the car as good and over engineered as possible, but Alfa would try and give the car as much soul and character as they could, at the expense of quality. Nissan would try to push the boundaries of technological achievement with a completely computer controlled AWD system and a transmission that shifts faster than the signal your nerves send to the brain to let you know you've shifted, but Lotus would want a traditional, mechanical car that doesn't use technology to tell you what's happening, it tells you through the gears and pedals you're manually playing with. And let's not even start on Ferrari and Lamborghini, they'd bicker and fight 'till the end of time.

And that's the same problem for game and console makers. Sony would try to constantly push the technological limits, Microsoft would try to enhance the gamer's experience, and Nintendo would be doing theirown little thing of being revolutionary and kid friendly. But they would all fight about who gets priority in a situation or another, and the games would be a similar fiasco.

And, the final nail I'll drive is that people want choice in a console. If the three of them got together and made a console, there'd be flaws in it simply because nothing's perfect. If you have three different consoles, each offering a different opinion on what a perfect game is, then you can choose what you want to have, and people want their choice, goddamn it.

And while I don't want to see only one console on the market, like the car example, I sure as hell would like to see the result.

 

[LaBounti]

This seems more like flame bait.... clearly its a bad and flawed idea.

 

[[empty space]]

what im more interested is being able to play against other people on other systems on multi-platform games instead of just people on the 360 or the ps3. ive a ps3 and a 360, but, im not going to buy both versions of the game. if theres a choice it'll most likely be for the online im paying for. plus with kz2, ive not been able to join a game before getting dropped out to the main menu.

 

[tyl0r_r]

Umm... wut? Every console has a lot of variety... So grossly exaggerating here is just... well, over the top.

My examples were meant to be over the top. Hence the absurdity and the all-caps topper.

But you're exaggerating too. I owned a Wii and only a Wii from 2006-mid 2009. There's not much variety on that console. There's a handful of ported FPS's, The Conduit (which sucks), Red Steel (m'eh), and Metroid. So yeah, if you want a good mature game on the Wii you get Metroid. If you have a sense of humour and a real love of gaming, maybe you get No More Heroes.

Likewise, there's very little like Mario Galaxy on PS3. Little Big Planet covers the 2d platformers, but that's one game... Then you have 360, where you've got Banjo Kazooie and what else...?

There's variety on all three, yes, but it's silly to deny the differences with which these three companies approach gaming.

PS: It's not so bad being a socialist. Unfortunately we can't decide on an official beverage, due to concerns with licensing.

 

[Northstar]

what im more interested is being able to play against other people on other systems on multi-platform games instead of just people on the 360 or the ps3. ive a ps3 and a 360, but, im not going to buy both versions of the game. if theres a choice it'll most likely be for the online im paying for. plus with kz2, ive not been able to join a game before getting dropped out to the main menu.

I think it's possible, however it's extremely complicated since games will perform differently on different consoles.

 

[Golfman]

Ok I give in. Terrible ideas all round. Just ignore me.

 

[Golfman]

Ok, so I agree that my exclusives/superconsole ideas wouldnt work, but I do agree with Justin. It'd be great to play online against people with other consoles. Imagine playing Modern Warfare 2 against both 360 and PS3 owners in the same session.

 

[Spagetti69]

Final fantasy online can be played between Xbox PS3 and PC.

 

[Azuremen]

Ok I give in. Terrible ideas all round. Just ignore me.

Hard to ignore you when you double post in a 5 minute window...

 

[gtone339]

Playing GT5 on Xbox 360? No way dude. Remember GT is suitable on blu ray disc, rather than DVD disc.

 

[GTP_ENERGIYA]

Playing GT5 on Xbox 360? No way dude. Remember GT is suitable on blu ray disc, rather than DVD disc.

+1000 there buddy

 

[tyl0r_r]

Ok, so I agree that my exclusives/superconsole ideas wouldnt work, but I do agree with Justin. It'd be great to play online against people with other consoles. Imagine playing Modern Warfare 2 against both 360 and PS3 owners in the same session.

This would be super. There's some stuff that works this way for 360 and PC and there have been plans to make games this way for PS3 and PC (the Star Trek MMO that ended up sucking was going to do this).

It won't happen between consoles because it would mean collaboration between console makers. . It'd also be kind of funny if it were going on today because you'd have people on Live paying X dollars a month playing against people on PSN paying zero dollars a month and that would make Microsoft look very stupid and greedy. [Before the upcoming premium PSN argument is brought up: 1) it doesn't exist yet. 2) Sony has said regular PSN users will not be gimped/charged to play their games online anyway.]

@ GTP_ENERGIYA and gtone339: True at the blu-ray but they could probably just pull a FF13 and ship it on a pile of discs.