Could 2006 Be The Worst Year Ever For Gaming?

[beetlegum]

I was browsing the magazine section yesterday, and uttered these words, "thank God I'm not an OXM subscriber anymore". The current issue is practically all about the Xbox 360 with primarily Xbox 360 demos. Don't have an Xbox 360? Well, sorry Charlie cuz the Xbox is old news.

Microsoft's aggressive marketing strategy could very well provide a bleak year of gaming compared to last year's countless lineup of top quality games. The OXM drives the point home clear. Microsoft is abandoning the Xbox to live a neglected existence with no first party titles. Yet, the Xbox 360 camp looks no better. The launch was a dismal failure. The market sold more PS2's in November than 360, and the launch library was mainly ports and boring sports games. PDZ did not live up to the hype, and CAll of Duty 2 could be played on the PC with better graphics. The big games to push the system such as Morrowind and Gears of War have been delayed well into late this year at best. The only real game to get excited about in the next 4 months is Black. Only one game??

Meanwhile, PS2 will continue to milk it's aged hardware and produce games with
butt ugly graphics. I seriously doubt the PS3 will hit US shores in 2006.

Of course, thanks to consoles, the PC market is all but destroyed. Most likely, we will see even fewer PC releases. Stores may stop carrying PC games all together as companies move to a download format to save more money. Visit a gamestop store back in 1998 and you would see the shelves packed with PC games. Those days are long gone.

So there ya have it. A year of fewer new releases and quality titles. Plus, we will probably see more political regulation of gaming thanks to people like Hilary who use the platform for political gain. January normally is a dead month for releases, but hell, a year ago, I was enjoying Mercenaries before the floodgates open. I only see a trickle this time.

[RAMSTORIA]

oh i can see where the confusion is, you dont have a DS

[Dr Mario Kart]

oh i can see where the confusion is, you dont have a DS

I heard Nintendo might even be working on something else to release this year.

[niceguyshawne]

I hear you about OXM. The last issue of my subscription was the first with the "new look." Sadly, I didn't see anything that would make me want to continue taking the magazine.

[kakomu]

The launch was a dismal failure. The market sold more PS2's in November than 360, and the launch library was mainly ports and boring sports games.
Do you have some sort of stat on this?

Of course, thanks to consoles, the PC market is all but destroyed. Most likely, we will see even fewer PC releases. Stores may stop carrying PC games all together as companies move to a download format to save more money. Visit a gamestop store back in 1998 and you would see the shelves packed with PC games. Those days are long gone.
Gonna have to disagree with you. Especially considering Gamestop didn't exist in 1998, but was known as Babbage's. Even when I would stop in a Babbage's store, you'd still have a majority of the store devoted to console games, and have a section for PC. The PC section may have shrank slightly, but the PC market can hardly be considered "destroyed".

So there ya have it. A year of fewer new releases and quality titles. Plus, we will probably see more political regulation of gaming thanks to people like Hilary who use the platform for political gain. January normally is a dead month for releases, but hell, a year ago, I was enjoying Mercenaries before the floodgates open. I only see a trickle this time.
While we're at it, Mr Prophet, who wins the 2008 election? What is your basis for this year being terrible? Seriously, your points are weak. They aren't steeped in logic or reason. It seems to be a rant about how much you don't like OXM, how the Xbox is being (relatively) neglected in liu of the newer console (newsflash, Sony, Nintendo and Sega all did the EXACT same thing) and that you don't like the games you have played...which is your opinion. Meanwhile, what do you know of the actual lineup of games from 2006? The one or 2 demos you've actually played? Do you have an insider scoop as to what games are slated to be released? Do you already know what scores they're getting?

[The Truth]

Do you have some sort of stat on this?


Gonna have to disagree with you. Especially considering Gamestop didn't exist in 1998, but was known as Babbage's. Even when I would stop in a Babbage's store, you'd still have a majority of the store devoted to games, and have a section for PC. The PC section may have shrank slightly, but the PC market can hardly be considered "destroyed".


While we're at it, Mr Prophet, who wins the 2008 election? What is your basis for this year being terrible? Seriously, your points are weak. They aren't steeped in logic or reason. It seems to be a rant about how much you don't like OXM, how the Xbox is being (relatively) neglected in liu of the newer console (newsflash, Sony, Nintendo and Sega all did the EXACT same thing) and that you don't like the games you have played...which is your opinion. Meanwhile, what do you know of the actual lineup of games from 2006? The one or 2 demos you've actually played? Do you have an insider scoop as to what games are slated to be released? Do you already know what scores they're getting?

Did you get to practice dissecting posts in anatomy class?

[kakomu]

Did you get to practice dissecting posts in anatomy class?
No, Political Science.

[botticus]

Actually, there were more GameCubes sold than 360s in either November or December, so don't doubt the PS2 stat. I saw a list of them posted at some point, don't recall where.

Here they be.

November sales (NPD):
Xbox 360 = 326,000
PS2 = 531,000
Xbox = 197,000
GCN = 272,000
DS = 370,000 (approx)

December sales (NPD):
Xbox 360 - 281,441
PS2 - 1.5 million
Xbox - 415K
GCN - 606,423
DS - 1.07 million
PSP - 1.12 million
GBA - 1,213,196

[dcfox]

2006 is a transition year so of course major releases are going to few and far between. But there is still enough to keep any gamer busy for the next few months, like Grandia III, Final Fantasy XII, Tales of Legendia, Okami, MGS3: Subsistence, Onimusha Dawn of Dreams, Splinter Cell 4, Kingdom Hearts II, Phantasy Star Universe, Shadow Hearts III, Ghost Recon, Full Spectrum Warrior, Final Fight, etc. . .

[evanft]

That's a pretty kick-ass list there, dcfox. And it doesn't even include any DS games. I mean, there might be a Castlevania and Phoenix Wright sequel this year.

[Roufuss]

I was browsing the magazine section yesterday, and uttered these words, "thank God I'm not an OXM subscriber anymore". The current issue is practically all about the Xbox 360 with primarily Xbox 360 demos. Don't have an Xbox 360? Well, sorry Charlie cuz the Xbox is old news.

Wasn't Microsoft's last published title in July or something like that? MS has moved on from Xbox a long time ago, with some developers still releasing titles while they transition over... LIKE EVERY OTHER CONSOLE LAUNCH EVER.

CAll of Duty 2 could be played on the PC with better graphics. The big games to push the system such as Morrowind and Gears of War have been delayed well into late this year at best. The only real game to get excited about in the next 4 months is Black. Only one game??

Again, this happens with every console launch... a big chunk of launch games come out, games trickle out, then about a year into the systems life the console explodes. This happened with the ps2, DS, PSP, etc. And also, if you have the setup for it (HD TV, all that goodness) Call of Duty 2 is very much on par with its PC counterpart. Oblivion comes out in March too, Gear of War in July, that is hardly "late this year".

Meanwhile, PS2 will continue to milk it's aged hardware and produce games with
butt ugly graphics. I seriously doubt the PS3 will hit US shores in 2006.

Ok, so you rip on Xbox 360 for some reason, yet now slam the ps2 as being outdated and aged? What if Xbox 360 was delayed until 2006 / 2007, would you slam MS for "milking" its Xbox hardware? I'm not sure what games you're playing that have such "butt ugly graphics" but I can recommend some good ones to you.


Of course, thanks to consoles, the PC market is all but destroyed. Most likely, we will see even fewer PC releases. Stores may stop carrying PC games all together as companies move to a download format to save more money. Visit a gamestop store back in 1998 and you would see the shelves packed with PC games. Those days are long gone.

This has been an old PC gamer's argument for years now. 2005 was an EXCELLENT year for PC gaming, and I only think that 2006 can improve upon it. The only reason you'd see the shelves pack with games is because there was alot more garbage being shoveled out on the PC back then.



So there ya have it. A year of fewer new releases and quality titles.

Thanks Nostradamus.

That list dcfox provided is more than enough to get me excited for 2006.

[Strell]

Man. Do people honestly think the PS2's graphics are butt ugly?

Comparable to what the 360 can (supposedly) do? No.

Ugly? Of course not.

Also: Twilight Princess, New Super Mario Bros 2D, Tetris DS, The Revolution w/ Super Smash Bros Melee.

I could be locked in a room with those games only and I'd be satisfied for well more than a year.

[kev]

DS (drools for Tetris, please with the wifi!) + Oblivion + Splinter Cell 4 + 2 months free of FFXI = plenty for me.

Also, this happens EVERY year during Jan/Feb. Wait until March when the E3 titles start getting talked up. We always get games in November nobody knew was coming.

[evanft]

Dude, this beetlegum guy got owned pretty hard.

[Reality's Fringe]

DS+Revolution+Backlog= No murderous rampages for at least another year...maybe.

[asianxcore]

99 Nights
Gears of War
Okami
Super Princess Peach
Tetris DS
Ghost Recon 360
Oblivion
Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers
Resident Evil: DS
Prey
Super Mario DS
Kingdom Hearts 2
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Drill Dozer
Black
Shadow Hearts: From The New World
Blazing Angels (360)
Lost Odyssey

all the stuff I'm interested in checking out this year. far far from the worst year ever. on top of that the Revolution will be out.

[Apossum]

okami
okami
okami
okami
twilight princess
valkyrie profile psp?
revolution
ps3?
okami
okami
okami

I already like it better than last year. 2005 was not the best year for console gaming. the DS got a lot of love, but other than that, the pickings were slim.

[jennie25]

2006 is a transition year so of course major releases are going to few and far between. But there is still enough to keep any gamer busy for the next few months, like Grandia III, Final Fantasy XII, Tales of Legendia, Okami, MGS3: Subsistence, Onimusha Dawn of Dreams, Splinter Cell 4, Kingdom Hearts II, Phantasy Star Universe, Shadow Hearts III, Ghost Recon, Full Spectrum Warrior, Final Fight, etc. . .

and look at that list, you didn't even mention Black! :)

I would also like to add the games I am looking forward to in the next year, (along with the ones you have already listed) 25 to life, .hack GU Part 1, atelier iris: eternal mana 2, beatmania, bully, dark cloud 3, maximo 3, and lets, DEFINETLY NOT FORGET GAME OF THE YEAR 2006, THE TWILIGHT PRINCESS! :) I so can't wait!

[willardhaven]

It's never a bad year for gaming anymore... the "milking" of the PS2 brings at least a few enjoyable titles for fans of every genre. I just started Wild ARMs 4 (released a mere few weeks into 2006) and I'm having a blast. The graphics may not be cutting edge, but PS2 visuals are far from ugly. Was 1998 a terrible gaming year? The graphical power of the ps1 and n64 was pretty abysmal.

As was said earlier, we have some huge titles and systems launching this year.

The DS is exploding all over the world. I wouldn't be surprised if the Revolution did the same.

Plus titles like Okami, FF12, Kingdom Hearts 2, Grandia III and the new Onimusha guarantee at least some quality.

[I AM WILLIAM H. MACY]

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/disturbed/icons/cagposticons/iconxbox360.gif
Full Auto
Burnout Revenge
Far Cry: Instincts Predator
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
Timeshift
Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Gears of War
Too Human

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/disturbed/icons/cagposticons/iconpsp_r2.gif
Mega Man Maverick Hunter X
MX vs. ATV Unleashed: On The Edge
Daxter
Metal Gear Acid 2

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/disturbed/icons/cagposticons/icongamecube.gif
Chibi Robo
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Nintendo Revolution!!!

[joeposh]

At this point in 2005 it looked like Resident Evil 4 and God of War were the only titles to get excited about. I mean people were looking at release lists going "OMG CONKER! GOTY!! YESS", so I'd say 2006 is already a step up. Zelda: TP, the Revolution launching and most likely the PS3 as well, games like Black, Okami, Tetris DS, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, New 2-d Mario Brothers, Final Fantasy 12, etc all promise to be exciting events/products for gamers. Honestly no one really knows the bulk of what will be released this year, but it already looks extremely promising.

Now if you're an Xbox only gamer, that's another story. MS obviously bailed out prematurely on that console, but it looks like you'll still get a trickle of quality third party titles this year, which honestly isn't all that different from last year.

[Parathod]

If anything 2006 looks like it will be a great year for gaming. We have two new consoles, a number of long-put off large profile games coming out, potential peak years for DS and PSP, as well as a number of original games being released all across the board. Seems like the only people potentially missing out on the action are die-hard microsoft fans. Even for them I would consider this very far from the worst year of gaming.

[ananag112]

I think 2006 could be one of the best years in gaming history game wise. Tons of new games and a ton of sequels are coming out this year. Super Princess Peach, Odama, Zelda: TP, MGS3:SE, MGS4, KH2, Okami, Daxter, SFA3 (ONLINE!), Gears of War, and Too Human are more than enough to get me excited. Add to that SSB Rev, new Mario on the Rev, FF 12, FF PSP, And 1 Street Basketball, Black, Sonic Riders, Tomb Raider, etc and this should turn out to be a huge year. Sure the Xbox is almost dead, but what else did you expect once the 360 came out?

[Kapwanil]

Now if you're an Xbox only gamer, that's another story. MS obviously bailed out prematurely on that console, but it looks like you'll still get a trickle of quality third party titles this year, which honestly isn't all that different from last year.

It's fine by me! I'm looking to pick up Samurai Showdown 5 very soon, KoF '94 Rebout is coming in a month or so, and there's another KoF out in just a few weeks. Three games in around a month? I can live with that (but my wallet can't...good thing they're $30 apiece!).

Toss in the upcoming Xyanide and, boy, I'm thrilled. The next Splinter Cell should be on the way shortly so while the XBox doesn't have the same first-party support it used to, the other companies out there are still throwing their dedication towards it. It won't last for too much longer but, hey, enjoy while it lasts, that's what I think!

Mmmm...online fighting goodness and shooters...I couldn't be happier!

[sabin23]

Every year, someone either predicts doom and gloom or overhypes the upcoming year in gaming.

i think most of us have been following the industry long enough to know while there might be some ups and downs, for the most part, the video game industry is pretty steady. 2006 should be no different.

Even if everything turns out like crap and PS3 and Revolution are delayed until 2007, I will still have Zelda: Twighlight Princess in 2006.

[deadlite]

I have to agree with joe posh microsoft is shaq-fuing the old xbox owners.

[dcfox]

Now if you're an Xbox only gamer, that's another story. MS obviously bailed out prematurely on that console, but it looks like you'll still get a trickle of quality third party titles this year, which honestly isn't all that different from last year.

Xbox people are so spoiled ;) What you call a trickle would be a deluge if you're a GC owner. I counted 56 titles slated for release just in Q1 alone for the xbox. That's 3x more than the listed GC titles for the entire year

GC Coming Soon list (http://www.allcube.com/comingsoon/)

Xbox Coming Soon list (http://www.allxbox.com/comingsoon/)

[Vinny]

I'm all for less games... if there are too many good games, most people don't have the time to play 'em all.

[botticus]

I'm all for less games... if there are too many good games, most people don't have the time to play 'em all.
Well, they (other than CAGs) don't have the money to buy them all either. Too many games and obviously no one is going to make good money in the industry because there's too much dilution. As a GC owner, I'm actually kinda happy the system is slowly dying... gives me time to catch up on the 4-year old games I haven't had a chance to pick up.

[kill3r7]

2006 won't be any different from 2005. Your are going to have 2 new systems coming out, the DS will be hitting it's stride. You'll start to see what the 360 is capable of. Final Fantasy XII seems to be coming together nicely, Kingdom Hearts II seems to be great, as well as Black. And then we have the new Zelda which I'm sure will be worth the wait. All and all I think this year is going to be very similar to 2005. However, I think 2007 is the year we should all be looking foward to.

[kill3r7]

I have to agree with joe posh microsoft is shaq-fuing the old xbox owners.

Dude I think it's time to move on. Most companies don't want to develop games for the Xbox anymore. I'm sure MS isn't out there telling publishers not to make games for it. As a publisher you much rather put efforts to producing for the 3 new consoles rather then spending your time developing a new game for the Xbox. It just doesn't make much business sense.

[beetlegum]

Do you have some sort of stat on this?


Gonna have to disagree with you. Especially considering Gamestop didn't exist in 1998, but was known as Babbage's. Even when I would stop in a Babbage's store, you'd still have a majority of the store devoted to console games, and have a section for PC. The PC section may have shrank slightly, but the PC market can hardly be considered "destroyed".

Talk about weak arguments. Your basis for disagreement is simply the fact that the name was different? I clearly remember at least half the store being stocked with PC games, then a whole budget PC games section.





While we're at it, Mr Prophet, who wins the 2008 election? What is your basis for this year being terrible? Seriously, your points are weak.


Take a chill pill, dude. We are discussing video games. Nothing to get upset or anal about. Do you spend hours flossing your teeth too? Sounds like it.


They aren't steeped in logic or reason.

Except the fact that I gave specific examples for my reasoning. You gave 0 + ) reasons to explain why you disagree.

It seems to be a rant about how much you don't like OXM, how the Xbox is being (relatively) neglected in liu of the newer console (newsflash, Sony, Nintendo and Sega all did the EXACT same thing) and that you don't like the games you have played...which is your opinion. Meanwhile, what do you know of the actual lineup of games from 2006?

Yes, I've seen the lineup, and Black is the only game getting buzz.


The one or 2 demos you've actually played? Do you have an insider scoop as to what games are slated to be released? Do you already know what scores they're getting?


Actually, I've played none since Microsoft's wonderful strategy has kept most of the population from owning a 360.

[dcfox]

I have to say beetlegum faces quite a conundrum. He wants to play a game. It has to have the best graphics. A pc game? Nope, pc gaming is non existant thanks to consoles. A console game then, perhaps the 360. Can't get one. Next in line in graphics is the xbox. Can't play that either since xbox is getting zero support thanks to the 360. Maybe a ps2 game. Not a chance, butt ugly graphics and aged hardware. It looks like beetlegum is SOL. Better luck next year.

Just joking with you beetle :lol:

[Apossum]

Actually, I've played none since Microsoft's wonderful strategy has kept most of the population from owning a 360.

just to keep things straight-- it's not their strategy. i think it's pretty clear that they intended to get many more systems out than they actually did. there have been big problems with manufacturing these things.

[KaneRobot]

just to keep things straight-- it's not their strategy. i think it's pretty clear that they intended to get many more systems out than they actually did. there have been big problems with manufacturing these things.
Pretty hard to have sympathy for them. I know Microsoft is just a small company that is hard-up for resources to get things done - and I know they NEEDED a lot of those consoles for their highly successful Japanese launch - but there's a line.

You guys are being too hard on the OP. He did make some good points, even if I don't agree with all of them.

Now, if some of you LIKE to swallow those countless FPS releases and RPG sequels, then 2006 will be awesome for you. Also, if you enjoy having to spend upwards of $1000 just to own all three consoles with no games. Oh, and don't forget the $600-$3000 HDTV if you don't have one already so you can play them "properly." Better throw down for a sound system as well.

Some of you guys making these "lists" are throwing in stuff that just looks or sounds pretty on paper so your lists get big, as if a large list of games will prove the OP is completely wrong. Sorry, but as much as I'd LIKE to be excited for "Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers" or "Drill Dozers" or a graphically-enhanced port of Battlefield 2 (WHOA, NEXT GEN BABY!) or some PS2-to-PSP revamp or Madden '07 or whatever stuff people buy and then convince themselves it was worth it...I can't. If you are legitimately excited for those games, I'm not picking on you...but they're hardly titles to ensure the future onward and upward progress of the game industry.

It's not all bad of course...some of the handheld stuff (both DS and PSP...mostly DS) looks pretty cool and new consoles are exciting even if the price is high, but that doesn't mean dick as far as it being a "great year." We'll know if it was a good year or not at the end of December.

It's annoying to see these little smartasses calling the OP "Nostradamus," hurl a few lame jabs, and walk away without offering much actually backing up what they say. Better ask for a refund on that PolSci class.

The reason the XBox not getting support anymore is noteworthy (as opposed to, say, the PS1 after the PS2 came out) is because of the XBox's short life span. Yes, the Dreamcast had a shorter lifespan (comparatively pathetic, even) but the XBox is more noticeable because it was successful while the Dreamcast had moderate success at best. Microsoft would have done fine if they stuck with the XBox another year. I do understand their "first to market" strategy and on several levels it appears to be working, but between them dumping the XBox early and then offering weak backwards compatibility, it doesn't built consumer confidence in the brand from a longevity perspective.

I do like how some of you seem to have the attitude that it's absolutely impossible that the bubble will ever burst on the game industry again. That's cute.

I dunno. I've lost interest in the 360 because Microsoft can't get their act together, but I still may pick one up down the line. The PS3 will likely be too expensive for me to care...even though I could afford it, I can't justify paying over 300 for a console, I guess I'm not awesomely hardcore like those who have to camp out and have every console on day 1 or whatever. The Revolution does have me legitimately interested - just as much because it's Nintendo's first real chance at a noteworthy comeback since the SNES died out - than because it appears to be something different. Still, if they can't manage to get anyone behind them, it'll fare the same as the last two Nintendo consoles.

It's not doom for the industry by any stretch, and it won't be the "worst year ever," but all this happy sunshine bullshit is as much nonsense as the pessimist point of view.

[slidecage]

I was browsing the magazine section yesterday, and uttered these words, "thank God I'm not an OXM subscriber anymore". The current issue is practically all about the Xbox 360 with primarily Xbox 360 demos. Don't have an Xbox 360? Well, sorry Charlie cuz the Xbox is old news.

Microsoft's aggressive marketing strategy could very well provide a bleak year of gaming compared to last year's countless lineup of top quality games. The OXM drives the point home clear. Microsoft is abandoning the Xbox to live a neglected existence with no first party titles. Yet, the Xbox 360 camp looks no better. The launch was a dismal failure. The market sold more PS2's in November than 360, and the launch library was mainly ports and boring sports games. PDZ did not live up to the hype, and CAll of Duty 2 could be played on the PC with better graphics. The big games to push the system such as Morrowind and Gears of War have been delayed well into late this year at best. The only real game to get excited about in the next 4 months is Black. Only one game??

Meanwhile, PS2 will continue to milk it's aged hardware and produce games with
butt ugly graphics. I seriously doubt the PS3 will hit US shores in 2006.

Of course, thanks to consoles, the PC market is all but destroyed. Most likely, we will see even fewer PC releases. Stores may stop carrying PC games all together as companies move to a download format to save more money. Visit a gamestop store back in 1998 and you would see the shelves packed with PC games. Those days are long gone.

So there ya have it. A year of fewer new releases and quality titles. Plus, we will probably see more political regulation of gaming thanks to people like Hilary who use the platform for political gain. January normally is a dead month for releases, but hell, a year ago, I was enjoying Mercenaries before the floodgates open. I only see a trickle this time.


LOL
PS2 will continue to milk it's aged hardware and produce games with
butt ugly graphics

I would rather play March madness 2005 on my PS2 then NBA live 2006 on the xbox 360 anyday..

[Apossum]

Pretty hard to have sympathy for them. I know Microsoft is just a small company that is hard-up for resources to get things done - and I know they NEEDED a lot of those consoles for their highly successful Japanese launch - but there's a line.

You guys are being too hard on the OP. He did make some good points, even if I don't agree with all of them.

Now, if some of you LIKE to swallow those countless FPS releases and RPG sequels, then 2006 will be awesome for you. Also, if you enjoy having to spend upwards of $1000 just to own all three consoles with no games. Oh, and don't forget the $600-$3000 HDTV if you don't have one already so you can play them "properly." Better throw down for a sound system as well.

Some of you guys making these "lists" are throwing in stuff that just looks or sounds pretty on paper so your lists get big, as if a large list of games will prove the OP is completely wrong. Sorry, but as much as I'd LIKE to be excited for "Guilty Gear: Dust Strikers" or "Drill Dozers" or a graphically-enhanced port of Battlefield 2 (WHOA, NEXT GEN BABY!) or some PS2-to-PSP revamp or Madden '07 or whatever stuff people buy and then convince themselves it was worth it...I can't. If you are legitimately excited for those games, I'm not picking on you...but they're hardly titles to ensure the future onward and upward progress of the game industry.

It's not all bad of course...some of the handheld stuff (both DS and PSP...mostly DS) looks pretty cool and new consoles are exciting even if the price is high, but that doesn't mean dick as far as it being a "great year." We'll know if it was a good year or not at the end of December.

It's annoying to see these little smartasses calling the OP "Nostradamus," hurl a few lame jabs, and walk away without offering much actually backing up what they say. Better ask for a refund on that PolSci class.

The reason the XBox not getting support anymore is noteworthy (as opposed to, say, the PS1 after the PS2 came out) is because of the XBox's short life span. Yes, the Dreamcast had a shorter lifespan (comparatively pathetic, even) but the XBox is more noticeable because it was successful while the Dreamcast had moderate success at best. Microsoft would have done fine if they stuck with the XBox another year. I do understand their "first to market" strategy and on several levels it appears to be working, but between them dumping the XBox early and then offering weak backwards compatibility, it doesn't built consumer confidence in the brand from a longevity perspective.

I do like how some of you seem to have the attitude that it's absolutely impossible that the bubble will ever burst on the game industry again. That's cute.

I dunno. I've lost interest in the 360 because Microsoft can't get their act together, but I still may pick one up down the line. The PS3 will likely be too expensive for me to care...even though I could afford it, I can't justify paying over 300 for a console, I guess I'm not awesomely hardcore like those who have to camp out and have every console on day 1 or whatever. The Revolution does have me legitimately interested - just as much because it's Nintendo's first real chance at a noteworthy comeback since the SNES died out - than because it appears to be something different. Still, if they can't manage to get anyone behind them, it'll fare the same as the last two Nintendo consoles.

It's not doom for the industry by any stretch, and it won't be the "worst year ever," but all this happy sunshine bullshit is as much nonsense as the pessimist point of view.


I'm not an MS sympathizer (it's so funny how politcal these console arguments get with people, even against my will :lol: ) but I just like keeping the facts straight. It would be ridiculous to think MS is creating artificial hype at this point...they've barely shipped a million worldwide, right? Of course, I don't know for sure and i'm not sure if I even care that much either...

as far as the game industry goes, who knows...lots of outside influences factor into its survival, and as an expensive form of entertainment, it would be one of the first industries to go in the event of a depression or recession. I think its popularity is strong enough to keep it afloat, as long as they keep titles entertaining enough (as quality obviously isn't the best indicator of sales.

[I AM WILLIAM H. MACY]

Sorry, but as much as I'd LIKE to be excited for a graphically-enhanced port of Battlefield 2 (WHOA, NEXT GEN BABY!)
Well, I'm excited about it, personally, since the PC version was excellent and the XBox port failed to live up to it, even close. The 360 one, however, they are trying again and I think maybe adding some new features so that the game that we all wanted to play will now be available instead of some shitty Xbox port.

[Chacrana]

You're actually completely wrong. I know it's your opinion, but you're wrong anyway. Yeah, the XBox is completely dead and the Cube only has Zelda coming to it... but the PS2 is getting a lot of really good games this year (including countless RPGs that will be excellent... this is finally the RPG year), the DS is getting a ton of good games, the PSP is finally going to see some good games, and the GBA is somehow still getting new games that actually look good (Tales of Phantasia, FFV, FFVI.) And that's not counting the 2 system launches for this year.

[Vegan]

and the GBA is somehow still getting new games that actually look good (Tales of Phantasia, FFV, FFVI.) And that's not counting the 2 system launches for this year.

To be fair, not a single one of those games is new.

[Gameboy415]

Xbox people are so spoiled ;) What you call a trickle would be a deluge if you're a GC owner. I counted 56 titles slated for release just in Q1 alone for the xbox. That's 3x more than the listed GC titles for the entire year



Keep in mind the fact that, although a lot less games come out on GC than XBOX, most of them are actually GOOD GAMES. ;)

[CappyCobra]

I have to say beetlegum faces quite a conundrum. He wants to play a game. It has to have the best graphics. A pc game? Nope, pc gaming is non existant thanks to consoles. A console game then, perhaps the 360. Can't get one. Next in line in graphics is the xbox. Can't play that either since xbox is getting zero support thanks to the 360. Maybe a ps2 game. Not a chance, butt ugly graphics and aged hardware. It looks like beetlegum is SOL. Better luck next year.

Just joking with you beetle :lol:
Sounds like the man needs a 'Sega Playstation XP 64 +alpha' :lol:

[wubb]

Nothing like an issue of OXM to bring you down :lol:

The latest (and last of my sub) has a 4 page spread on Xbox Live Arcade :roll:

I also got really annoyed by the 13 page ad slapped right in the middle of the King Kong review an issue or two ago.

[gambitmachete]

There are lots of good PSP and DS games coming out, but there really isn't anything coming out on the current gen consoles that I have any interest in. 24 for PS2 is pretty much it for me. That said, I'm gonna get a Revolution and either a PS3 or Xbox 360, which I'm sure will have plenty of awesome games to play. The only way this year will suck for games is if the Revolution and PS3 get pushed back to 2007.

[craven_fiend]

Who knows, we may actually see Star Craft Ghost this year. :rofl:

Hell even a new Duke Nukem. :rofl:

Either way, the year should wait to be judged at the end, rather than at the beginning. Sure its your forecast for the year, but like someone mentioned about last year, at this point, all we knew release wise was God of War and Resident Evil 4, and those were great, but so where some of the other games released.

As for the 360's numbers, sure they are low, but thats roughly 100%, if they truly are sold out. Either way, there will be more this year, and if MS gets their act together, I may actually buy one by the summer. Hopefully by then, they've picked up slack on backwards compatibility, and have a way for me to transfer saves from my Xbox, to it. (I know I'm dreaming, but still)

[Graystone]

I was browsing the magazine section yesterday, and uttered these words, "thank God I'm not an OXM subscriber anymore". The current issue is practically all about the Xbox 360 with primarily Xbox 360 demos. Don't have an Xbox 360? Well, sorry Charlie cuz the Xbox is old news.

Um.. their is more then one gaming mag, and what do you expect them to do they are a xbox mag. You want them to ignore the 360 cause you don't have one yet. Last time I saw a OXM on the shelf it had a huge sticker on the front that said playable on xbox and xbox 360

M$ aggressive marketing strategy could very well provide a bleak year of gaming compared to last year's countless lineup of top quality games. The OXM drives the point home clear. Microsoft is abandoning the Xbox to live a neglected existence with no first party titles. Yet, the Xbox 360 camp looks no better. The launch was a dismal failure. The only real game to get excited about in the next 4 months is Black. Only one game??

Yes 500,000 units in 2 days is a failure. Yea selling all of the hardware you have available is failure. I am not biased toward any company.
and "black only game to get excited about for 4 months" is probably one of the dumbest thing I have heard in a long time.

, PS2 will continue to milk it's aged hardware and produce games with butt ugly graphics. I seriously doubt the PS3 will hit US shores in 2006.
Of course, thanks to consoles, the PC market is all but destroyed. Most likely, we will see even fewer PC releases. Stores may stop carrying PC games all together as companies move to a download format to save more money. Visit a gamestop store back in 1998 and you would see the shelves packed with PC games. Those days are long gone.

Do you even understand business at all. Why stock stuff that does not move as good as PS2 (which is 1 in 4 homes) does. WoW has 5 million subscribers plus all of the other 500 mmorpg, Doom 3, and Half-life 2 plus all the others. I don't think you realize how large stuff is. In my opinion OP you come off like an old bitter fanboy that is mad that the jaguar no longer exists. Dude calm down open your mind and try new stuff that is the worse thing you could do.

[Kaijufan]

I think this year is going to be a great one for gaming, with tons of good games and the launch of the Revolution and PS3. I'm looking forward to:
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
ES4: Oblivion
Kingdom Hearts II
Tetris DS
Star Wars: Empire at War
Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth II
Age of Empires DS
Mario DS
Too Human
Smash Brothers Revolution
Final Fantasy XII
Final Fantasy III DS
Final Fantasy V GBA
Final Fantasy VI GBA
Grandia III
Tales of Phantasia GBA
Mana DS

[spoo]

Dear God,
Please let the fanboy wars stop.
-Spoo

---------

Nintendo Fanboys- OMG We have a new Zelda coming out this year!!!! Best year eva!! (Same thing Big N fanboys said last year @ this time.) or OMG Rev is coming this year I can spend my money on games that I already bought for 2 other systems now I can buy them for the 3rd time :)
PS2 Fanboys- M$ gave up on the Xbox and only thinking about Xbox 1.5. We have plenty of sequels/rehashes coming out this year (and all the games that should have came out last year WA4, KH2, FFXII...)just like every other year. PS3 is coming this year OMG now I just need to save up for two 1080p HD (5k each) TVs so I can exp real HD gaming.
Xbox Fanboy- Unavailable for comment to busy playing 360 (only the 3 that got their hands on a 360.) Rest of the fanboys Halo 3 > yo' motha (but all know Halo 3 wont come out untill fall 2009.)

[beetlegum]

Um.. their is more then one gaming mag, and what do you expect them to do they are a xbox mag. You want them to ignore the 360 cause you don't have one yet. Last time I saw a OXM on the shelf it had a huge sticker on the front that said playable on xbox and xbox 360


How many gaming mags offer Xbox demos? The only thing playable forl Xbox owners are movies of the 360 demos. I looked forward to my monthly demo fix, and now that is gone.





Yes 500,000 units in 2 days is a failure. Yea selling all of the hardware you have available is failure. I am not biased toward any company.
and "black only game to get excited about for 4 months" is probably one of the dumbest thing I have heard in a long time.



Wipe that sarcasm off your chin before you make a mess, brother. A 6 year old console outselling your unit during its debute is a failure.



Do you even understand business at all. Why stock stuff that does not move as good as PS2 (which is 1 in 4 homes) does. WoW has 5 million subscribers plus all of the other 500 mmorpg, Doom 3, and Half-life 2 plus all the others. I don't think you realize how large stuff is. In my opinion OP you come off like an old bitter fanboy that is mad that the jaguar no longer exists. Dude calm down open your mind and try new stuff that is the worse thing you could do.


Oh, I see, no one played PC games before MMORPG's came around. Reality check, a lot of people still do not have high speed internet connections. A lot of people want to enjoy a good single player experience on their PC. Those days are gone.

[vietgurl]

They need to make more games like Quest For Glory or Kings Quest for PC. Hell, I'll play another Gabriel Knight at this rate.

I miss the good adventure games...

[radjago]

It's fine by me! I'm looking to pick up Samurai Showdown 5 very soon, KoF '94 Rebout is coming in a month or so, and there's another KoF out in just a few weeks. Three games in around a month? I can live with that (but my wallet can't...good thing they're $30 apiece!).

Toss in the upcoming Xyanide and, boy, I'm thrilled. The next Splinter Cell should be on the way shortly so while the XBox doesn't have the same first-party support it used to, the other companies out there are still throwing their dedication towards it. It won't last for too much longer but, hey, enjoy while it lasts, that's what I think!

Mmmm...online fighting goodness and shooters...I couldn't be happier!
Xyanide is still getting released? I thought it vanished into the ether.

Looking at their site, it looks like it's been released for N-gage and cell phones, but not Xbox yet.

[craven_fiend]

Yes 500,000 units in 2 days is a failure. Yea selling all of the hardware you have available is failure. I am not biased toward any company.
and "black only game to get excited about for 4 months" is probably one of the dumbest thing I have heard in a long time.

Wipe that sarcasm off your chin before you make a mess, brother. A 6 year old console outselling your unit during its debute is a failure.

Isn't it kind of hard not to be outsold, when you sold out of all your consoles, and only had a limited amount of them to begin with? I don't see how you consider it a failure, since they did sell all of the systems. Sure they didn't make enough to have a real launch and they are having trouble releasing them, but that fact of the matter is a 100% sold is still not a failure.

[msdmoney]

Isn't it kind of hard not to be outsold, when you sold out of all your consoles, and only had a limited amount of them to begin with? I don't see how you consider it a failure, since they did sell all of the systems. Sure they didn't make enough to have a real launch and they are having trouble releasing them, but that fact of the matter is a 100% sold is still not a failure.

I don't know that it's a failure yet, but MS really needs to get more supply out there. Sure there is a lot of demand because there is such a limited supply, but the whole idea in launching early was too get a large installed base before the PS3 comes out. I really think this could end up a failure from the supply side of things if MS isn't able to turn this around. I think they did the right thing releasing first (from a business aspect), only time will tell if it gives them the jump start they need.

[craven_fiend]

I don't know that it's a failure yet, but MS really needs to get more supply out there. Sure there is a lot of demand because there is such a limited supply, but the whole idea in launching early was too get a large installed base before the PS3 comes out. I really think this could end up a failure from the supply side of things if MS isn't able to turn this around. I think they did the right thing releasing first (from a business aspect), only time will tell if it gives them the jump start they need.

Yeah, I was just saying the only way it could be a failure is on the supply side, as there was far too few consoles for such a huge demand. And that means its far from being a failure. Any console that sells 100% of the product in retail chains, should be considered a success.

[ITDEFX]

lets see, GRANDIA 3 for ps2 (Loved Grandia 2 for the DC!)

Phantasy Star Trilogy (remastered!)

[cletus]

Games coming out in 2006:

PS2:

Black
Kingdom Hearts II
Grandia III
Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Starcraft: Ghost
Okami
Disgaea 2
Rogue Galaxy
Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams
Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria
Shadow Hearts: From the New World


Gamecube:

Kirby
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Odama

PC:

Medieval 2: Total War
D&D Online: Stormreach
Star Wars: Empire at War
Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Prey
Unreal Tournament: 2007
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
Spore
Hellgate: London
Half-Life 2: Aftermath
Huxley
Supreme Commander
Galactic Civilizations 2
Vamprye Story
Paraworld
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

X360:

Gears of War
Fight Night 3
Full Auto
Ghost Recon 3: Advanced Warfighter
Dead Rising
Burnout: Revenge
Chrome Hounds
Crackdown
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
Blazing Angels
Dreamfall
Naruto: Clash of Ninja

PSP:

Splinter Cell Essentials
Daxter
Metal Gear Acid 2
Mega man Maverick Hunter X
Generation of Chaos
Goku Makaimura
Exit
Loco Roco
Gradius Collection

DS:

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence
Metroid Prime Hunters
New super mario bros
Pokemon Diamond
Super Princess Peach
Rub Rabbits
Cooking Mama

GBA:

Mother 3
FF5+FF6
Yggdra Union
Tales of Phantasia
Mega Man: Anniversary Collection

I copied this from somewhere so I'm probably missing a few others. Still, there are more then enough good games coming out this year. I'm especially looking forward to Okami, FF6, Yggdra Union, Kingdom Hearts 2, Super Princess Peach, and Disgaea 2.

[gambitmachete]

I don't know that it's a failure yet, but MS really needs to get more supply out there. Sure there is a lot of demand because there is such a limited supply, but the whole idea in launching early was too get a large installed base before the PS3 comes out. I really think this could end up a failure from the supply side of things if MS isn't able to turn this around. I think they did the right thing releasing first (from a business aspect), only time will tell if it gives them the jump start they need.

I agree, MS could really be fucking up their biggest advantage. Once more info comes out on PS3, they could have the problem of people just waiting for that instead of searching everywhere for a 360. I played my brother's 360 when he got it on launch day, and I was pretty impressed even though I had no interest in it whatsoever beforehand. Now that it's been so long and they're still unavailable I'm just gonna wait and see what Sony has to say before I drop $400-500 on anything. Bad mistake to not take advantage of the HUGE hype they had going over the holidays.

[diaeresis]

The people posting game lists about 2006 who turn around and accuse the OP of being "Nostradamus" are in no way being hypocritical. Postmodernism would be universally accepted were it not for the Cartesian certainty in the projected release dates of the video game industry.

It's not prophecy; it's the future tense. Maybe CAG needs a "Deo Volente" forum just to be clear on this.

That said, 2005 seemed slow to me, but I don't regret not anticipating it in premature mourning. They're just games. I know "gaming is life" and all that but it's just what you do instead of reading or painting or watching football (or work in a different industry, if it's your job). I don't think anyone here, were they born in 1850, wouldn't have been able to function unless due to smallpox, but you can check with the person who said that Microsoft is a small company with limited resources; they're much closer to the 19th century than the rest of us.

"All 360 units sold" caught me- did you mean at launch or by yesterday? One week before Christmas in Japan, the Xbox 360 outsold two consoles: the Xbox, and the Game Boy Advance, respectively, by selling 3,000 units (rounded down). Note that this is the Game Boy Advance, not the SP. You might wonder what that has to do with us, and you might not understand subtraction, but it has a lot to do with why you can play Shin Megami Tensei on the PS2, which is a big thing to some of us.

I would have been happier if Microsoft didn't shoehorn the reason that ancient Powerbook G4's were still being sold until 2 weeks ago into their new console, triple the cores, fill the box with a heatsink, call it good, and act surprised when it overheats. I don't know what Sony has planned- perhaps the Cells will be as bad- but I'm curious how long first gen working 360s can last at all. And their external HD-DVD drive is as sexy as a dead cat in a birthday cake.

But as a non-DS owner, I'm drooling over Electroplankton. 2006, so far, is fine by me.

[jer7583]

lol Black sucks.

And Im still catching up on games from the past few years, nobody should ever complain about a lack of games to play...

[ViolentLee]

The fact that some people are having a hard time thinking of good upcoming releases is by design. Companies need to sell their holiday titles, which they manufactured in bulk. Come E3 time, they'll be ready and willing to pimp all the new hotness.

But yes, it is a transitional year between hardware cycles. I for one think the PS2/Xbox/GC console generation was pushed out the door too soon by the 360. It just seems like Microsoft enjoys losing money on console business, so they threw away their first chance to do so by going deeper in debt with a new platform.

I for one am looking forward to Okami, Zelda, Mario Bros. DS, Gears of War, and Pursuit Force PSP in 2006. Let's just hope 25 to Life is the worst game we see this year ::shudder::

[Strell]

All you people complaining about a slow year, do you honestly NOT have a backlog? I have shit from 2002 I need to finish. Due to CAG, I have games that could last me 3-4 years if I didn't have a job and a gf. I'd KILL for a slow year, but with the Rev and the DS, I'll be backlogging for quite a while.

[craven_fiend]

All you people complaining about a slow year, do you honestly NOT have a backlog? I have shit from 2002 I need to finish. Due to CAG, I have games that could last me 3-4 years if I didn't have a job and a gf. I'd KILL for a slow year, but with the Rev and the DS, I'll be backlogging for quite a while.

Amen, brotha man. It'd be nice to have a slow year, where I could sneak in a few games, instead of trying to sneak in a bunch. And to top it off, I gots to pay for a wedding and rent/mortgage in a few months and get my game on, so its rough.

With that said, buying games will take a backburner until August, that is insane amounts of games being purchased.