The Gaming Industry: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

[Mike S]

The Nintendo Switch has hit 10 million sales in just under 9 months and games like Zelda, Mario Kart, and Odyssey have sold to over 50% of Switch owners.
http://variety.com/2017/digital/games/nintendo-switch-10-million-console-sales-1202636150/

 

[21stamps]

The Nintendo Switch has hit 10 million sales in just under 9 months and games like Zelda, Mario Kart, and Odyssey have sold to over 50% of Switch owners.
http://variety.com/2017/digital/games/nintendo-switch-10-million-console-sales-1202636150/

I literally just got off the phone with someone, talking about Switch vs PS4. I’ve already bought FIFA and Crash for the PS4.. haven’t bought the console. I’m so conflicted!

I know you said that you’re not into sports games, but is the Switch “cool” enough to be worth not having Madden?

And one more question.. do Nintendo games ever go on sale? Maybe it’s because I’m not a gamer..but $60-$70 for video games is ridiculous to me.

 

[Mike S]

I literally just got off the phone with someone, talking about Switch vs PS4. I’ve already bought FIFA and Crash for the PS4.. haven’t bought the console. I’m so conflicted!

I know you said that you’re not into sports games, but is the Switch “cool” enough to be worth not having Madden?

And one more question.. do Nintendo games ever go on sale? Maybe it’s because I’m not a gamer..but $60-$70 for video games is ridiculous to me.

$60 is the standard price of games and no Nintendo games do not drop as quickly in price as others. The Switch is very cool imo but for you I think you should go with the PS4 if your son is really into sports games.

 

[Master Yoda]

I literally just got off the phone with someone, talking about Switch vs PS4. I’ve already bought FIFA and Crash for the PS4.. haven’t bought the console. I’m so conflicted!

I know you said that you’re not into sports games, but is the Switch “cool” enough to be worth not having Madden?

And one more question.. do Nintendo games ever go on sale? Maybe it’s because I’m not a gamer..but $60-$70 for video games is ridiculous to me.

$60 is the standard starting price for a video game. Been that way for a looooong time. If anything, expect that number to go up.

 

[21stamps]

$60 is the standard starting price for a video game. Been that way for a looooong time. If anything, expect that number to go up.

That part I see, but it looks like the PS4 and XBox games go on sale.. many are on sale currently. Can’t find any discounts with Nintendo.

$60 is the standard price of games and no Nintendo games do not drop as quickly in price as others. The Switch is very cool imo but for you I think you should go with the PS4 if your son is really into sports games.

I think my main concern is.. leaving the handheld aspect out of it.. is the system itself great, or is receiving so much hype because of the handheld aspect?

 

[Master Yoda]

That part I see, but it looks like the PS4 and XBox games go on sale.. many are on sale currently. Can’t find any discounts with Nintendo.



I think my main concern is.. leaving the handheld aspect out of it.. is the system itself great, or is receiving so much hype because of the handheld aspect?

Nintendo first party games stay pretty steady in price. They drop a little as time goes on, but not by much.

PS and Xbox games typically only sell at full price for a few weeks at best. If you don't mind being a few months behind, you can often buy new AAA titles for around half price. Destiny 2 is a still very popular game that just came out in September and can be hand for $40.

 

[TwilightZone]

I think my main concern is.. leaving the handheld aspect out of it.. is the system itself great, or is receiving so much hype because of the handheld aspect?

I think it's both. The system has some great games, like splatoon 2, sonic mania, super mario odyssey and so on, and you can get the hd console experience on the go. both of these factors make me love the switch, where I was indifferent with the 3ds and the wii u. Not that the games on those consoles were bad, it's just that most of them weren't as replayable to me as the games on the switch are.

 

[Mike S]

I think my main concern is.. leaving the handheld aspect out of it.. is the system itself great, or is receiving so much hype because of the handheld aspect?

The system has great games on it so yeah, the system itself is great. In the end games are what matter the most. The system is just the box you have to buy to play the great games.

 

[ShoalFox]

The Nintendo Switch has hit 10 million sales in just under 9 months and games like Zelda, Mario Kart, and Odyssey have sold to over 50% of Switch owners.
http://variety.com/2017/digital/games/nintendo-switch-10-million-console-sales-1202636150/

Poor Wii U. I loved it, but everything that could have gone wrong with the system did...

 

[21stamps]

I think it's both. The system has some great games, like splatoon 2, sonic mania, super mario odyssey and so on, and you can get the hd console experience on the go. both of these factors make me love the switch, where I was indifferent with the 3ds and the wii u. Not that the games on those consoles were bad, it's just that most of them weren't as replayable to me as the games on the switch are.

The system has great games on it so yeah, the system itself is great. In the end games are what matter the most. The system is just the box you have to buy to play the great games.

Here’s my issue with investing in a console/games., I can’t stand the thought of encouraging my child to sit in front of the tv, even worse- spending $500-$700 initially to do so.. but, he’s a kid, and he wants one, and I knew it would happen sooner or later. I’m going to put a strict 2-3 hour per week time limit.
He does have an iPad and Kindle Fire..and does play games on each of those..mostly uses these when he has to come with the office with me, or on longer drives. He is allowed a minimal amount of time at home as well, his iPad is used daily for homework.

Adding another handheld is redundant I think, and may cause problems that I’d rather avoid..but the reviews are wearing me down. Super Mario Odyssey looks outstanding.

I will not invest in another game system for a minimum of 5-6 years... so I want to make sure that I make the best decision for him. My fear with Nintendo is that he will outgrow it in the next 2 years..my fear with Sony is that it may be outdated in the next few years.

Am I just completely overthinking this?

Thanks so much for your opinions..this stuff is not in my wheelhouse at all.

ETA- maybe the better question to ask is- How do you personally make the decision on a system when so many of the games overlap? Is it because of the Nintendo exclusives?

 

[Mike S]

Here’s my issue with investing in a console/games., I can’t stand the thought of encouraging my child to sit in front of the tv, even worse- spending $500-$700 initially to do so.. but, he’s a kid, and he wants one, and I knew it would happen sooner or later. I’m going to put a strict 2-3 hour per week time limit.
He does have an iPad and Kindle Fire..and does play games on each of those..mostly uses these when he has to come with the office with me, or on longer drives. He is allowed a minimal amount of time at home as well, his iPad is used daily for homework.

Adding another handheld is redundant I think, and may cause problems that I’d rather avoid..but the reviews are wearing me down. Super Mario Odyssey looks outstanding.

I will not invest in another game system for a minimum of 5-6 years... so I want to make sure that I make the best decision for him. My fear with Nintendo is that he will outgrow it in the next 2 years..my fear with Sony is that it may be outdated in the next few years.

Am I just completely overthinking this?

Thanks so much for your opinions..this stuff is not in my wheelhouse at all.

ETA- maybe the better question to ask is- How do you personally make the decision on a system when so many of the games overlap? Is it because of the Nintendo exclusives?

2-3 hours, a WEEK?!?!?!?!

You monster... How will he ever get far in a game at all?

I decide based on what console has the most games that I wouldn’t be able to give up. It just so happens those types of games for me are made by Nintendo.

 

[TwilightZone]

Here’s my issue with investing in a console/games., I can’t stand the thought of encouraging my child to sit in front of the tv, even worse- spending $500-$700 initially to do so.. but, he’s a kid, and he wants one, and I knew it would happen sooner or later. I’m going to put a strict 2-3 hour per week time limit.
He does have an iPad and Kindle Fire..and does play games on each of those..mostly uses these when he has to come with the office with me, or on longer drives. He is allowed a minimal amount of time at home as well, his iPad is used daily for homework.

Nintendo switch has a parental control app that can help you with the whole time limit thing

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Adding another handheld is redundant I think, and may cause problems that I’d rather avoid..but the reviews are wearing me down. Super Mario Odyssey looks outstanding.

switch is both tv and handeheld, so not quite just a handheld, but I can understand your thinking as the handheld feature is the most advertised thing about the console

I will not invest in another game system for a minimum of 5-6 years... so I want to make sure that I make the best decision for him. My fear with Nintendo is that he will outgrow it in the next 2 years..my fear with Sony is that it may be outdated in the next few years.

Nintendo is now investing into more adult games like doom if that is what your concerned about. not to mention it all boils down to your kid's personal tastes, if he's like me and loves platformers, rpgs, and puzzle games then it's unlikely he'd outgrow nintendo. Sony has many great games from what I've heard too, so the games will be outdated hardware wise, but still considered great in the next few years, like how mario 64 is.

ETA- maybe the better question to ask is- How do you personally make the decision on a system when so many of the games overlap? Is it because of the Nintendo exclusives?

For me getting a switch was for nintendo exclusives, but I'm sure people will do the same thing with sony. this is the reason why xbox one didn't do so well, too little exclusives. I'd say show your son some games that are appropriate for his age group on youtube from each system and let him decide what he wants.

 

[21stamps]

Nintendo switch has a parental control app that can help you with the whole time limit thing


switch is both tv and handeheld, so not quite just a handheld, but I can understand your thinking as the handheld feature is the most advertised thing about the console

Nintendo is now investing into more adult games like doom if that is what your concerned about. not to mention it all boils down to your kid's personal tastes, if he's like me and loves platformers, rpgs, and puzzle games then it's unlikely he'd outgrow nintendo. Sony has many great games from what I've heard too, so the games will be outdated hardware wise, but still considered great in the next few years, like how mario 64 is.

For me getting a switch was for nintendo exclusives, but I'm sure people will do the same thing with sony. this is the reason why xbox one didn't do so well, too little exclusives. I'd say show your son some games that are appropriate for his age group on youtube from each system and let him decide what he wants.

Thank you! Is there a chance that a new PlayStation will come out in the next few years? I think the PS4 has already been out for 3 years or so? Should this play a factor in my decision?

Kiddo doesn’t know that the Switch even exists.. I can’t even remember the last time he’s watched tv, besides YouTube soccer videos, and Rogue One with me this past Saturday...so he hasn’t had an opportunity to see any commercials. This could be a good thing...unless his friends come to school talking about their new Nintendo Switch after Christmas break.

I’m ready to do a coin flip at this point. I’m tired of thinking about it. Thought I had the decision made with the PS4..then second guessed myself.

 

[Johnny Three-hats]

Thank you! Is there a chance that a new PlayStation will come out in the next few years? I think the PS4 has already been out for 3 years or so? Should this play a factor in my decision?

Kiddo doesn’t know that the Switch even exists.. I can’t even remember the last time he’s watched tv, besides YouTube soccer videos, and Rogue One with me this past Saturday...so he hasn’t had an opportunity to see any commercials. This could be a good thing...unless his friends come to school talking about their new Nintendo Switch after Christmas break.

I’m ready to do a coin flip at this point. I’m tired of thinking about it. Thought I had the decision made with the PS4..then second guessed myself.

Well, there is a new Playstation out, sorta. The PS4 Pro has some graphical and performance improvements, but it plays the same games. I doubt the Pro is what you're looking for, but I'd take it as an indication that Sony won't be letting the PS4 die anytime soon. Plus if you worry too much about obsolescence in video games of any kind, then you'll never get anywhere. I'd be more concerned with continuing new releases and, unless something catastrophic happens, there's certainly many, many more to come on PS4. Consoles tend to last seven or so years before a completely new iteration releases, if the previous console generations are any indication.

 

[Master Yoda]

Thank you! Is there a chance that a new PlayStation will come out in the next few years? I think the PS4 has already been out for 3 years or so? Should this play a factor in my decision?

Kiddo doesn’t know that the Switch even exists.. I can’t even remember the last time he’s watched tv, besides YouTube soccer videos, and Rogue One with me this past Saturday...so he hasn’t had an opportunity to see any commercials. This could be a good thing...unless his friends come to school talking about their new Nintendo Switch after Christmas break.

I’m ready to do a coin flip at this point. I’m tired of thinking about it. Thought I had the decision made with the PS4..then second guessed myself.

There is already a new Playstation out...the PS4 Pro. Odds are we will see what could be called the PS5 in the next year.

However, if Sony follows Microsoft's lead, the PS5 might be backwards compatible, but there are no guarantees. It is also almost inevitable that we will see games that will only work on the PS4 Pro and whatever comes out after it.

 

[Mike S]

There is already a new Playstation out...the PS4 Pro. Odds are we will see what could be called the PS5 in the next year.

However, if Sony follows Microsoft's lead, the PS5 might be backwards compatible, but there are no guarantees. It is also almost inevitable that we will see games that will only work on the PS4 Pro and whatever comes out after it.

I don’t think we’ll see PS5 until 2019 with a release in 2020. It would be stupid to cut the legs off of the PS4 so soon when big exclusives are still coming.

 

[21stamps]

I don’t think we’ll see PS5 until 2019 with a release in 2020. It would be stupid to cut the legs off of the PS4 so soon when big exclusives are still coming.

This is exactly what I wanted to know!! I don’t want to buy games and a system that will prompt a “mom I want the new one” 2-3 years from now.

I think this made my decision.. now I’ll just hope that the next installment of Madden will come to Nintendo!

Thank you!

 

[Mike S]

This is exactly what I wanted to know!! I don’t want to buy games and a system that will prompt a “mom I want the new one” 2-3 years from now.

I think this made my decision.. now I’ll just hope that the next installment of Madden will come to Nintendo!

Thank you!

A PS4 could still be worth it. When the PS4 was brand new it took a few years before the big third party games all stopped coming to the PS3 and you needed to buy a PS4 to play them.

Exclusives are another matter. Those always move over rather quickly which is understandable because the companies want to sell the new hardware.

 

[Master Yoda]

Please be true, please be true, please be true....

 

[Jahona]

Please be true, please be true, please be true....

I want this to be true. I have fond memories of BC2 and just the insane amount of destruction that you could wreck upon small towns and cities. That and throwing C4 like a pro quarter back.