Judge PlayStation 3 in two years' time, says EA

[VG Aficionado]

Judge PlayStation 3 in two years' time, says EA (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=24483)

Matt Martin 09:45 (BST) 25/04/2007

Price won't hold back sales for first 12 months - Florin

Electronic Arts' boss Gerhard Florin has told GamesIndustry.biz that the true effect of the PlayStation 3's controversial price point will only become apparent two years' after release.

While early critics are suggesting the console's luxury price is hampering sales, EA's executive VP of international publishing doesn't believe the GBP 425 price tag will hold back sales in the first twelve months.

"Look at the price in two years' time, and then you can say whether it's too high," said Florin, in an interview published today.

"Whether it's too high or not the consumer has to decide, but I don't think for the first year the price will be a problem which holds anything back," he added.

It's not just Sony's latest home console that EA is withholding judgement on. Florin believes that both Microsoft's and Nintendo's recent launches also have a niche to find and sales to exploit.

"I wouldn't make any judgements within the next two years," commented Florin.

"The first two years will clearly be an open race, everybody will do very well. I believe all three [consoles] are worth supporting in different ways."

Electronic Arts is confident it has the portfolio of franchises to spread across each home console, playing to each machine's respective strengths.

"Something like Harry Potter is a very clear candidate to lead on the Wii," offered Florin.

"Shooters like Medal of Honor, Black, we will clearly concentrate on PlayStation 3 because we need Cell processor power."

"Then we've got more strategic, online-orientated games that we concentrate more on 360," he added.

[GTAce]

Fuck yeah Black confirmed and another confirmation how good Cell is! Ok the statement comes from EA but its nice to hear.^^

[BruceWayneIII]

^ and remember Burnout 5 :hugegrin:

[Applefiend]

Alex Ward is definately a huge friend of Playstation, don't be dissing his games just because they have EA stamped on them.

[BruceWayneIII]

^ I was praising Burnout - read again.

Who is dissing his games anyway?

[Applefiend]

Nobody really, but everyone goes "Euuughhh! EA!". :)

[BruceWayneIII]

Funny thing is: the Burnout games have to be the games I have played the most on the PS2. A get-together with friends in the living room, beer and Burnout was a sure success. That's why I can't wait for the next installment.

EA's just publishing, Criterion is doing the magic :)

[totobeni]

look at PSP after two years ( now ) it look more valuable , have a real games ( not only nongames -mini game souless crap like the other ) ..and now that system sell great in every territories ....

so EA make sense ..

[cliffbo]

Christ, more good news... its good to hear devs actually saying the obvious instead of sitting on the fence for fear of weakening their sales on other platforms.

"Shooters like Medal of Honor, Black, we will clearly concentrate on PlayStation 3 because we need Cell processor power."


this is one of the most significant statements this year and one that points to exclusives in the future

[VG Aficionado]

Exclusives from EA? :huh: Suuure.

[totobeni]

this is one of the most significant statements this year and one that points to exclusives in the future

exclusives and EA ? no way ...

but maybe as lead platform...

[VonGak]

Hmm but does it mean that we won't see a version of C&C on the PS3?

Oh and I so hate when devs use CELL as a marketing point when their 360 version run just as well.

[totobeni]

Oh and I so hate when devs use CELL as a marketing point when their 360 version run just as well.

QFT


Hmm but does it mean that we won't see a version of C&C on the PS3?

the thing is C&C may be better on PS3 with Keyboard and Rat support ..( like Unreal and HL)

[SleazyBig slim]

EA is the shizzle. PS3 will now be the lead platform for their games just like PS2 was last gen. Woot Woot!!!!!!.

[VonGak]

the thing is C&C may be better on PS3 with Keyboard and Rat support ..( like Unreal and HL)

Exactly, I find it weird that he would use RTS as an example for 360 development unless he meant the 360 user base got more (former PC) RTS fans.

[Danji]

look at PSP after two years ( now ) it look more valuable , have a real games ( not only nongames -mini game souless crap like the other ) ..and now that system sell great in every territories ....

so EA make sense ..

You post reminded me that I'm not training my pokemon right now. So how about them addictions?

Maybe at the end of this year when FFT and Castlevania are out I can look at the PSP and smile. Until then, I can't.

[totobeni]

^ i stop reading after pokemon...sorry

[Danji]

^ i stop reading after pokemon...sorry

I stopped reading after your username, sorry.

[VideoGame mania]

And when exactly you can judge EA in 10 years ? maybe then they'll make a game that is worth being on PS3. The PS3 needs more time, AAA games and a price drop 2008-09 will be the time to shine.

[CreativeWriter]

I'm just annoyed that EA is wasting the LOTR franchise. They cancelled The White Council after I spent months following the game's development, posting on their forum, etc. I'm sure there were significant problems to warrant the game's cancellation, but we got zero explanation from them and were left wondering for about a month whether the game was axed or not...

[Carlos]

Yes, judge it in two years. Of course, that's a no brainer, but people don't understand it.

[Paradigm]

I don't know about everyone else, but when a developer states they are spending more time focusing on the cell (especially on multi-patform titles) my interest is instantly piqued.

[curryking1]

Hey, welcome to the forums Paradigm!

Me too btw lol. It's definitely something that rings in my ear a little bit.

Also, I too think it's a no brainer to judge the PS3 in a few years time. And not that we can't do it now and prospect, just we will have an easier time prospecting in the future.

Currently there is too much pressure and influence to yell out 'PS3 is t3h failz!11!' on the internet lol. For each console, we'll have a much easier time predicting where and how the pieces will fall, because they'll be far fewer intangible things to think about, and much less future to predict.

Edit - One more thing! Far too many people are ready to commit to one idea of how the consoles will end up in the future. Far too few people are accepting that there is definitely more than one possibility of things happening.

[LiquidEagle]

I'm ready to judge the PS3 by the end of this year -- MGS4 > All :-D

[curryking1]

I'm ready to judge the PS3 by the end of this year -- MGS4 > All :-D

:D

[OmniCloud]

I believe the Burnout and Black series always had the PS2 in mind first because of it's hardware as well as installed user-base. (at least I've think I read it somewhere)

I also see the same praise with PS3...Exclusive or not, We as PS3 owners want games that take advantage of the system-that's exactly what Criterion and other devs are doing. So I'm ecstatic!

[Domination]

Exclusives from EA? :huh: Suuure.

No, but possibly developing this game with the PS3 in mind and not another console's architecture. Meaning the game might not be a port from the 360 or Wii, but possibly a game ported down to the 360 or Wii.

[VG Aficionado]

Yeah, I'd like to believe that.

[gozirah]

Some of this could be just talk. It endears you to PS3 fanbase if you claim you are researching the cell. More likely, they are looking into multi-core processing in general.

For now, the best business decision for EA would be to focus on PS2 development.

[Viper]

Sorry EA but if we didn't judge now, how the hell are we supposed to know which to buy?

"Hmmm, I don't know which console will do better so I guess I'll wait 2 years and then buy one." That's great EA, not like your games rock but you're asking people not to buy your games for 2 years.

[Applefiend]

Pretty much everyone is waiting two years. The sales of next gen consoles now are tiny compared to those in 2 years time when they hit the price sweet spots and have excellent libraries of games.

Real people don't spend 400 to 600 on games consoles. They often don't spend 250 on them either.

[OmniCloud]

Pretty much everyone is waiting two years. The sales of next gen consoles now are tiny compared to those in 2 years time when they hit the price sweet spots and have excellent libraries of games.

casual gamers don't spend 400 to 600 on games consoles. They often don't spend 250 on them either.Fixed it for ya;)

[Applefiend]

Well, you know, death to the casual gamers and all that, but sales wise... :)

[OmniCloud]

Nothing wrong with being casual...Just consider myself a real person too...lol

Well..kinda:twitch:

[Viper]

Casual gamers enabled the PS2 to have what may considered the greatest games library of any console of all time.

Death to casual gamers is a death to a huge fan base and therefore a death to a massive library. Didn't the PS2 and GC teach us nothing?

[Applefiend]

Nah, death to them. They keep buying games like Fiddy Cent : Bulletproof. :)

Alright death to too harsh. Chinese burns to them.