411 Games Fact or Fiction 08.25.06: Soccer, PS3 shortages, Gaming as a Sport, Madden, and more!
Posted by Tommy Coloma on 08.26.2006
Damian Sarcuni and Michael Joyeux tell us what they think about Xbox 360 exclusives, PS3 shortages, gaming as a sport, Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 4, Madden, and video game cut scenes in this week's edition of Fact or Fiction.
This week we have participants from the opposite ends of the Atlantic - Damian Sarcuni from NYC and Michael Joyeux from England. Every week, Damian hits us over the head with Angry Gaming, "the Ivan Drago to the game industry's Apollo Creed," while Michael shows us "those little moments in videogame history which make being a gamer so fun" with Great Moments in Video Gaming History. Do cultural differences and location have much of an impact on how people view games? Lets find out!
1. The Xbox 360 will be the only next generation system to get both Winning Eleven Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 and FIFA 07 for the first twelve months after they are released. This exclusivity will have a very positive impact on Xbox 360 console sales outside of the US and Japan.
Damian Sarcuni: FICTION
I admit flat out, I'm not qualified to answer this. I have definitely not spent nearly enough time analyzing the habits and behavior of soccer hooligans to figure this one out. If memory serves, video games take a back seat to soccer itself in Europe, and I'm guessing most fans would rather just buy a soccer ball than sit at home and play the game. Anyway, we are talking about buying an entire system here, based on temporary exclusivity of just two games. There are few games that have that kind of purchasing power, and I doubt this is the case here.
Michael Joyeux: FACT
FIFA and Pro Evo sell consoles. Simple as that. In the UK they are never out of the top ten. People do prefer to play football, but where else can you control the team and play a full side game against your mates? A common question amongst UK gamers is "What level do you play it on?" In Europe these games sell consoles and it will be a huge blow to Sony not having these titles.
Score: 0 for 1
2. The inevitable shortage will make the PS3 the most desirable next-gen system in the eyes of most consumers.
Damian Sarcuni: FICTION
As I've said before, there is no real exclusive game drawing anyone toward the PS3. Being elitist never sold consoles, and so far it seems the PS3 is doing everything wrong. Its price range is higher than the other two consoles, which takes away Sony's biggest strength that has held it superior to other past consoles. The shortage is only going to make things worse. I'm willing to bet that if Sony is having assembly line problems at this point, then their system isn't all that stable. If that happens, well, how much taste would you have for your PS3 if most of your time with it was spent bringing it to the return aisle?
Michael Joyeux: FACT
The 360 was in very high demand and as such, it became very desirable last year, this time round the "newest" and brand name will make the PS3 an attractive option. Combined with the shortages, this makes it a no brainer. The PS3 will be the most desirable but least sold next gen console, at least for the first couple of months.
Score: 0 for 2
3. Gaming should be classified as a sport.
Damian Sarcuni: FICTION FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING THAT'S DEAR!!!
Ugh, my god, can you IMAGINE if gamers were considered athletes?! The most obnoxious couch potatoes in the world would be bragging about the intensity of their "sport". There isn't even a minimal risk in video games, and there is definitely no standard rule set for any gaming competition. Even if there was an National Video Game League (NVGL), could you imagine the pay per view? Up close shots of guys pushing buttons? It would look like video armageddon from that movie "The Wizard."
Michael Joyeux: FICTION
Although I'm not as against it as Damien obviously is, I don't think gaming is a sport. It's a pastime, a skill, an art and hobby, but not a sport. Sports are about definite physical skills rather than pushing buttons. Also from a spectating point of view; the lack of standard view point makes it a poor spectator sport and also which game would we play?
Score: 1 for 3
4. Final Fantasy XIII and/or Metal Gear Solid 4 are reason enough to get a PS3.
Michael Joyeux: FICTION
I personally don't like either game, that being said I don't think people will buy a PS3 just for these titles. The simple reason is that anyone who wants to play a Final Fantasy or Metal Gear title will probably already purchase a PS3. People tend to purchase consoles they have a vested interest in. In the last generation people wanted a DVD player and got one through the PS2 and in the one before that, people purchased the "cooler" console. In this generation a combination of brand loyalty and marketing will sell a console, not the games.
Damian Sarcuni: FICTION
A few years ago I would have said fact. Konami effectively killed the Metal Gear Solid franchise, and although the new game looks absolutely superb, pairing it off against the PS3's high price tag it's just not worth it. Besides, if history teaches us anything, it'll just be released on the other consoles later. "Exclusive" doesn't mean much to 3rd party developers. As far as Final Fantasy, well...no. Not if they keep rehashing this love story crap. Even the most wuss gamers are getting sick of it by now.
Score: 2 for 4
5. This year's Madden is much more than just a roster update.
Michael Joyeux: FICTION
American Football? Is that like Rugby with pads? Er… As an Englishman I'm not at all interested in American Soccer. But at a guess I'd say it's probably nothing more than a roster update. There has been very little development in terms of sports games in this generation, with each new game just simply adding a new front end and some new stats.
Damian Sarcuni: FACT
Hmmmm, I see we're getting into a bit of the ol' nationalism this time around, eh? Interesting. I have a suggestion for a statement the next time me and Joyeux square off: "The British characters are better than the American characters in every Rainbow Six sequel." That'll be a nice little argument right there.
Anyway, back to Madden. I used to play sports games, but I stopped based on this exact kind of thinking. I got tired of buying the same games every year just to update the stats on them. That said, this year Madden looks much different. The graphics engine has clearly been overhauled, and there's just enough new features to make the same old plays get a bit of new flavor. I'll wager that some of these, such as playing as a defender, will make the game that much harder and save it from what I like to call the "Madden Curse." That is: in every Madden game, there is always one play you can do over and over against the computer that works every time. This year, at least in some ways, there's a bit more to it.
Score: 2 for 5
6. You prefer to see live actors/actresses in cut scenes.
Michael Joyeux: FICTION
Why? The graphics engines used in games are easily more suited to cut scenes. Why bother with hiring actors who will likely give a half arsed performance and look completely out of place?
Damian Sarcuni: FACT
You chose the wrong person to say this to. I just so happen to be a card carrying member of the cult of 3DO and I long for the days of Mark Hamill and Malcolm McDowell running around my TV in blue jumpsuits, or to hear the looney antics of that announcer from MegaRace talking about how much fun violence is. Even when the acting was bad, it was hysterical. Besides, even if FMV doesn't dominate the game market anymore, can't we bring it back a LITTLE?
Score: 2 for 6
A final score of 2 for 6. Wow! A major departure from what we usually get in this column. Who do you agree with? Don't forget to check back next week for two more participants and six more statements.
