PS3: When to say when (IGN)

>>>Link<<<

It\'s a five page debate between the editors on if the industry is ready to move forward.  It\'s all speculation but it\'s a fun read none the less.

Here are some quotes:

I think the question with most any console launch is, "Is there a leap in technology significant enough to warrant a new system?" From what we\'ve seen thus far and from what we\'re hearing, the answer is absolutely yes. Most everyone has seen some of the supposed next-gen scans out there and looking at Epic\'s UnrealEngine3, which should be greatly indicative of the graphical prowess of these machines, then yes, it\'s time.

It\'s all about image quality and finite details this time around. I for one am quickly growing tired of flat textures, aliased visuals and the like. Look at the tech demos that rolled out when ATI and NVIDIA launched DX9 cards oh-so-long ago for the PC. HDR lighting? Soft, realtime shadows? Normal-mapped everything with super hi-res textures? That\'s what I want.

---Chris Roper, Editor, IGN Gear

There\'s no need for Sony to rush PlayStation 3 to market. PlayStation 2 is continuing to sell. PlayStation 2 software is continuing to sell. Games like Grand Theft Auto San Andreas remain unstoppable. The company can afford to take its time.

Microsoft will of course launch the successor to Xbox later this year. Sony in turn will likely launch a campaign to subdue sales. It\'ll push its PSP handheld against Microsoft\'s new console. And it might just offer a hint of things to come: some well-placed teaser ads for PS3 that promise bigger, better things than Microsoft may have planned for Xenon.

Nintendo is a non-factor. The company doesn\'t so much compete as it exists.

---Matt Casamassina, Editor-in-Chief, IGN Cube

I normally disagree with Jeremy because I\'m a hateful bastard, but this time I actually have a valid point to make.

Already, *most* PlayStation 2 games feel antiquated when compared to their more advanced competitors and since the PC is already showing us what next-gen physics and graphics are capable of, the problem is only going to worsen with each passing day. We need to see something new and we need to see it fast to keep hope alive.

While I don\'t believe it\'s entirely necessary for the PS3 to release at this exact moment in time, it should definitely be unveiled soon to counter the rising tide of Xbox momentum, assuming Sony would like to remain on top. And when I say unveiled I don\'t mean for Sony to dance around the subject cupping their genitals and throwing out a lot of clever buzzwords that get the ill-informed in a hype-crazed uproar. I want to see specs. I want to see a final design. I want to see someone actually playing a killer app with a real controller. And, I want to see a release date that might have been engraved next to the Ten Commandments before Moses broke the holy heck out of \'em.

If Sony gives me more, "Cell is the greatest thing ever" nonsense and then follows it up with a paper launch at E3 and a promise of Mahjong 2006 on day one, I\'m going freaking nuclear.

---Ivan Sulic, Editor, IGNPS2

The hype for PlayStation 3 is already there. Talk to any developer and you\'ll get a range of comments, from "the system eclipses Xenon" to "it\'s three and a half times more powerful." Publishers are on board in a big way. Everyone is making Xenon and PS3 games. And Sony\'s brand name has never been better.

There\'s no point in releasing it now. Not when PlayStation 2 is doing just fine.

An added six months to a year ensures that PlayStation 3 will not only be significantly more powerful than Xenon -- which it clearly is -- but also able to play high-definition Blu-ray movies out of the box, all with a cheaper price tag than would have been possible this year.

---Matt Casamassina

Roper and I are in the same bed on this one. Let\'s face it, the PS2 is dated. GameCube and Xbox games look better and load faster than comparable games on the PS2, so I say it\'s time for a whole new generation of consoles to rub up against each other and spawn some new babies.
 
---Tal Blevins, Editorial Director, IGN.com

I don\'t like the argument that Sony should not come out with PS3 any time soon because PlayStation and its games are continuing to sell. In fact, I think that reasoning is absolutely ridiculous (again with the hateful bastard who tends to make an occasional point).

---Ivan Sulic

I\'m with Ivan. Once people see what the Xbox 2 is capable of, they\'re going to move away from the PS2 simply because it looks like so much poop. Hell, most of the time I don\'t like playing it. Look at Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. That game looked like ass. I don\'t care what you say about the visual style, the PS2 just didn\'t have the power to make it a good looking game. When players see the difference between the PS2 and Xbox "somethinerother" they\'re going to start frowning at their old favorite and want something new.

---Dan Adams, Editor-in-Chief, IGNPC

I\'ll post my thoughts later, I want to see what some of you have to say...

[Bobs_Hardware]

The only thought that comes to my mind is that they\'re a bunch of idiots.

A couple of valid points, granted. But on the whole, just a bunch of slack jawed faggots.

p.s. Ginko, you never come on MSN anymore..

you..care?  

*he does love me, he really does



I just thought it was a fun read, but fuck it, just rain on my goddamn thread...

yea its interesting

i just find it funny - everyone always says its about the gameplay

but all those editors talk about it how graphics will be shown on xbox2 and make everyone come to play it instead of ps2

which is not true - they may flock to xbox for merely fact that one its new - and its the next console - but as wel know graphics are nothing without the gameplay - least for more then just casual gamers


i could give rats ass about graphics - i could enjoy my older systems as much as the new ones given the right game :0

Its funny that despite that the PS2 is selling as well if not better than the more powerful XBOX and GC they judge it just by the graphics.The games overall are top notch.

Also they want the PS3 to be released sooner just to get the "oh godly graphics" sooner because they are bored of PS2\'s graphics.Yeah lets rush it shall we?Lets not delay the PS3. Sony shouldnt release it when they believe its the right time to ensure success.Right?We dont care how well it will do and what it will offer.We just care about the good graphics in the short term.Right?
Lets kill it like the DC.

I guess i have quite a bit to say but ill have to elaborate later.

Im not quite sure that its time for a new gen or system. If anybody launches before 2006 id consider that just plain silly. Microsoft is talking about launching before the end of 2005 but we havent even seen real/complete specs or even a decent amount of gameplay shots. There are too many loose ends.

Either MS is keeping their people tight lipped or they are just making a big mistake. They make promising statements but im just not seeing the reality.

To reiterate: Launching before 2006 is DUMB.

[clips]

but can we all agree that graphics at this point is really not an issue? i mean we\'re not talkin atari 2600 graphics here anymore...these consoles can put out graphics that surpass the arcades..(yes even the ps2 is doin this) don\'t get me wrong i think graphics are a big part of it, but if you put a ps2 game and xbox together side by side the difference is not dramatic at all....so for those that say it is are full of s**t.....

eh.  being a pc gamer I think the consoles have dragged on long enough.  When Doom III, Far Cry, and HL2 look as good as they are, compared to GTA:SA (which outsold all those other games) I really think it\'s time to move on.

I like console gaming but with the standards that are out now, the 4-year old tech is actually hurting gameplay.  Slowdown is always a major factor in any game and the only way to combat it is to let the graphics & original vision suffer.

Xmas 2005 would be great but I can wait a little bit longer.

We are making a mistake when we judge consoles by what we see on PC

[clips]

Originally posted by Unicron!
We are making a mistake when we judge consoles by what we see on PC

i agree and i\'m not a pc buff at all,...but imo and i could be wrong here, but most games i see on the pc, even tho the graphics are nice, they seem to be lacking in the animation dept...you can\'t compare the pc industry to the console industry,...the pc industry is always evolving, while the consoles do evolve (engine wise) they are still working with the same hardware technology....

Okay, let\'s look at what the PC is doing right now, Half-Life 2 and Doom 3 as examples.  Those can\'t be done as they are meant to be on the current consoles.  Recently we have seen the amazing graphic capabilities of the Unreal Engine 3...you guys don\'t want some of that?

If it was only about the gameplay then we\'d still be playing our our 32-bit systems.  That\'s not the case, people got excited over the prospect of better visuals and cheerfully moved into the next gen.  It\'s a natural progression.

Its funny that despite that the PS2 is selling as well if not better than the more powerful XBOX and GC they judge it just by the graphics.The games overall are top notch.

Let me guess, you just read the quotes I supplied instead of reading the whole article?

All of those people, even the people claiming the PS2 is starting to show its age, say that the system has great games.  The gameplay is less of an issue, the graphic ambitions of the developers are outgrowing the systems.  GTA:SA is a perfect example, fun to play but the graphics leave something to be desired.  How many of you would object to a better looking GTA?  None? Thought so.

Also they want the PS3 to be released sooner just to get the "oh godly graphics" sooner because they are bored of PS2\'s graphics.Yeah lets rush it shall we?Lets not delay the PS3. Sony shouldnt release it when they believe its the right time to ensure success.Right?We dont care how well it will do and what it will offer.We just care about the good graphics in the short term.Right?

Now I know you didn\'t read the article.  They specifically say that the PS3 is not needed at this very point and time, however they do say that 2006 sounds about right.

With the power of the new systems they\'ll be able to handle the ambitions of developers like Rockstar and Polyphony.  You probably won\'t hear them bitch about upgrading.  More horsepower equates to more headroom for the developers...and you object?  

Lets kill it like the DC

lol, Sega had so many other problems that led to the demise of the DC.  Launching with the PS2 in the horizon was but one of many pieces.

but all those editors talk about it how graphics will be shown on xbox2 and make everyone come to play it instead of ps2

which is not true - they may flock to xbox for merely fact that one its new - and its the next console - but as wel know graphics are nothing without the gameplay - least for more then just casual gamers

People will upgrade for better graphics, how else do you explain the rockstar launch of the PS2?  You think that had to do with gameplay?  Tell me what PS2 launch game possesed the gameplay that justified a mob of people upgrading, in your opinion...

Now, I don\'t think everyone will jump on the MS wagon just because it\'s out first.  People know Nintendo and Sony are coming and I have no doubt a majority will wait to see what they have to offer.  

I think it\'s time.

Originally posted by clips
i agree and i\'m not a pc buff at all,...but imo and i could be wrong here, but most games i see on the pc, even tho the graphics are nice, they seem to be lacking in the animation dept...you can\'t compare the pc industry to the console industry,...the pc industry is always evolving, while the consoles do evolve (engine wise) they are still working with the same hardware technology....

Wait, so the PC games are lacking in areas like animation but the consoles are not?

The console industry works on a different timetable.  It is evolving as well but due to the willingness of the market we only see upgrades every five or so years.

Originally posted by Ginko

Let me guess, you just read the quotes I supplied instead of reading the whole article?

All of those people, even the people claiming the PS2 is starting to show its age, say that the system has great games.  The gameplay is less of an issue, the graphic ambitions of the developers are outgrowing the systems.  GTA:SA is a perfect example, fun to play but the graphics leave something to be desired.  How many of you would object to a better looking GTA?  None? Thought so.

Tell me where did I say I dont care about better graphics and hardware

Now I know you didn\'t read the article.  They specifically say that the PS3 is not needed at this very point and time, however they do say that 2006 sounds about right.

With the power of the new systems they\'ll be able to handle the ambitions of developers like Rockstar and Polyphony.  You probably won\'t hear them bitch about upgrading.  More horsepower equates to more headroom for the developers...and you object?  

Tell me where did I say dont care about better graphics and hardware

lol, Sega had so many other problems that led to the demise of the DC.  Launching with the PS2 in the horizon was but one of many pieces.

I am trying to understand what are you disagreeing with.Perhaps you should tell Sony to release it now too.

Actually tell me who(the people you disagreed with) said he doesnt want better graphics.

Originally posted by Ginko
Wait, so the PC games are lacking in areas like animation but the consoles are not?

The console industry works on a different timetable.  It is evolving as well but due to the willingness of the market we only see upgrades every five or so years.

Console Market different than PC market.Stop comparing them

Originally posted by Unicron!
We are making a mistake when we judge consoles by what we see on PC

Better graphics in above HD resolutions are out there, don\'t be scurrd, or even worse, complacent.

No one wants the PS3 NOW, we are saying the PS2 is definitely in need of a replacement.  Then with the Xenon on the way the PS2 will look ancient.