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For some time now, the gaming console industry (hardware and software) has been bigger than movies and music put together in terms of global sales (not surprising, when a game costs two or three times the price of a DVD or CD, I guess).

At this year's E3 (electronic entertainment exhibition?), Microsoft unveiled their new gaming console, the Xbox 360, which will be in stores in time for Christmas. Sony's new PlayStation, the PS3, will be out next year, as will the new kit from Nintendo.

So the debate question is simply:

Which of the big three console makers will make the most money worldwide?
Why do you think that?
(If you secretly hope it will be someone else, talk about that too)

Unusually for an AD debate topic, we can check back on the archive in five years' time and see who was right.

Which of the big three console makers will make the most money worldwide?
Why do you think that?
(If you secretly hope it will be someone else, talk about that too)

Fun topic Julian!

I had the pleasure of attending this years E3, man what a show. However, when it came to console announcements, I was extremely disappointed. Here's what I found:

X-Box 360 - By far the most substance to their announcements as they actually had alpha models on the floor. Well, check that. Thanks to Mike, we found out that they were actually using Mac G5 Dev Kits!!! Even with that constraint, some of the demos were visually stunning, especially Kameo (click here for a sample image). Visually that game knocked my socks off. In spite of all the noise and thunder though, I really don't think Microsoft took advantage of the fact that they were the only ones of the big 3 that had playable demos (even if it wasn't truly an alpha console like the dev claimed that was demoing it for me). The two biggest questions I didn't get answers for related to backwards compatibility and whether it will have a hard drive.

Playstation 3 - Man, was this a disappointment. I really wanted to kick the tires on this one. No such luck. The "mocked up videos" that may or may not be actual game footage were as stunning, if not more so than what I saw from the 360. Another interesting note in the battle with Microsoft is that the PS3 will be using Nvidia's graphics (G70) while Microsoft will be using slightly a slight less robust version of ATI's graphics set. Microsoft makes up for this in other areas that I won't get into technical details about.

Nintendo "Revolution" - Man, what a letdown. Product announcement was as vague as you can get. The name isn't even set! Most of the details they announced weren't surprising and line up with the feature set of the 360. The one exception is the promise that this console will be backwards compatible with Gamecube games. That may sell a lot of product by itself. What was even more disturbing is they haven't even finished designing the controller! Obviously there is a lot of detail to be filled out before you can even remotely give this a fair shake.

To specifically answer the question, I think Sony will maintain its lead in the console battle with the PS3. The 360 will fly off the shelves this Christmas and likely get an early lead, but I expect PS3's to catch up quickly. Both consoles look like they have solid development backing (as far as games committed for development) and enough next gen enhancements to even take a lead over PC game graphics for a short time. In the event of a tie, however, the lead stays with the leader, and for now that is Sony. As for Nintendo, unless they announce something earthshattering, I don't see them moving up from the 3rd position.

Doc

I remember one time somebody said Microsoft "cheated" and jumped the gun to release the Xbox 360 6 months ealier than the PS3. I simply think it's marketing strategies.

I think, because of the 6 month difference, that the Xbox 360 will "win." If the Nintendo DS wasn't realeased before the PSP then I bet the DS would barely have any sales because people would be so pleased with the features the PSP would have to offer. Because the DS was released earlier than the PSP, I think it got more sales than it would've if it was turned around.

I've always been a loyal Nintendo fan. I'm not getting the Xbox 360 or PS3. I want the Nintendo Revoultion for SNES games, free online play, and its backwards compatability.

Coming out first certainly didn't help the dreamcast. Most people wait before they buy a new console just because they're are so expensive. I'm not sure I'll buy another console in the future. I have a PS2 that I use occasionally, but I guess I'm :: gulp :: growing out of games?

they're much better on computers anyway.

While there is some truth to this statement, I have been facing the issue of continually upgrading my computer in order to play the newest games. If you play online (which is where all the fun is ), you are at a significant disadvantage if you are playing against people with better hardware than you...they see you and act before you see them, allowing them first chance to go BANG! Also, newer games utilize newer video software features, which are only compatible with newer hardware (cannot currently play Battlefield 2 on my computer for just this reason...my video card, which is sufficient for most games, doesn't support pixel shader 1.4, which BF II requires). This will happen more and more, as games are what push the video arena. I am considered moving my gameplay over to the consoles specifically because of this issue...the hardware is locked down, and everybody has the same, thus avoiding both upgrade costs and competetive issues if you don't. Have any of you priced new video cards lately? Sheesh! How often are you willing to lay out $200, $300, even $400 to play the latest games? Now matter what card you get, in a year or two, there will be some new game you want to play that will require a newer card.

Also, you should check out the specs of the two new boxes....its questionable they're better on computers anymore, at least graphically.

I have an X-box now, which I got because its graphics and features were clearly superior. I'll probably stick with the 360 when/if I get a new one, because of my current games....but it's very debatable from what I've seen which box is better now.

Which of the big three console makers will make the most money worldwide?
Why do you think that?

While at the moment it's a turkey shoot, I'd bet on the Playstation to win.

If Playstation continues it's backwards compatability it will have three generations, the PS1, PS2 and PS3 in games to pick from. Think of it, that must be over 3000 games, some of them simply ageless.

The sweet graphics aside, the game needs to be fun too. Sony has pleanty of talent in house and out. Microsoft has a long record showing it dosn't play well with outside software producers.