How PS3 Will Win The Console Wars (For Now)
First, I must say that it’s hard to write this article. I’m a converted Xbox 360 fan (thanks to the Halo series), so for me to go out on a limb and proclaim the Playstation 3 as being the superior gaming platform on the market today isn’t any fun. Sadly, for myself and Microsoft, it looks that way.
So let’s get down to it. We’ve all known that the PS3 has superior processing power with alot more potential but that hasn’t really slowed things down because, until late, the Xbox 360 still had enough grunt to keep up. On top of that, it was much easier for game developers to code games for the Xbox as it was an older platform and had more memory (specifically bandwidth, alot more). Well, that’s not going to be the case much longer…
Game developers generally code for a particular console, then port the game over to other consoles. Xbox 360 games usually have no problem being ported over to the faster PS3 box, however as of late it’s getting harder to port PS3 games over to the weaker 360 system. In some cases, the Xbox 360 is using 90% of it’s system resources to keep up.
So, in this war - Xbox 360 vs Playstation 3 - it’s gonna be the latter by far. Until Microsoft comes out with another gaming console (or widespread upgrades to the 360, which isn’t likely), Playstation is going to have the edge in producing cutting edge games. Right now, the margin is small - but that won’t last for long.
G.E. said,
Wrote on September 17, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
hmm so developers who want to develop multiplatform games will have to use the 360 consoles as the benchmark??
I’m not arguing that the PS3 is the stronger of the two, its just that wasn’t it the opposite case between the PS2 and Xbox?? the Xbox was more powerful?
mo said,
Wrote on September 17, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
uhhh, any other evidence to back this up other then you having a blog online?
ps3 expert said,
Wrote on September 17, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
This is uninformed. Both systems have the same amount of memory. Although the Cell potentially has more power (7 SPUs versus six Power threads on the 360) most game developers have been having a very hard time making use of it. Porting between the consoles is difficult because of the differences in architecture. Sony will only win if they can get a large number of exclusive titles that take advantage of their architecture — and even that is no guarantee. Let’s face it, Sony flubbed it with this generation, that’s why I don’t program the PS3 any more.
RaycerX said,
Wrote on September 17, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
Um, yeah the price point leaves me wondering how the Playstation 3 will win anything, who can afford to pay that?
game_artist said,
Wrote on September 18, 2007 @ 12:03 am
um, you have no idea what you’re talking about. im a professional game artist for a smaller indie company. and i dont know where you read it, but porting from 360 to ps3 isnt easy. developing for ps3 isnt easy. the architecture is too complex and lack of windows support makes it extremely difficult to build games for ps3 or port them from 360.. as of right now, among developers, ps3 is seen as one of the biggest console flops in history.. its games arent selling, arent even getting good reviews, look at lair. the sixaxis controller is a huge failure, dooming that game. not that im a fan boy or anything, but games like Bioshock and Mass Effect are visually and just all-around superior to the games being offered right now on the PS3.
Gabe said,
Wrote on September 18, 2007 @ 4:40 am
Yeah hi, Im like rooting for the NEWEST console, the GeekBoxStation5000 and its like unstoppable… Designing things is quadruple geeky and triple harder, and you cant even teleport over to it because its way too better and advanced-er! hya hya hyaaaaaaaahhh
Jeff said,
Wrote on September 18, 2007 @ 9:27 am
Is it just me, or does it seem everyone’s argument is actually in agreement with the article? It basically says the Xbox 360 is easier to code for which is why there’s better games for the 360 but soon the extra processing power is gonna allow for better games on the PS3 than the Xbox 360 can handle. As for the whole memory issue, a few comparisons of the XBox 360 vs the PS3 shows while the memory of both systems add up to 512, the Xbox 360 has something like 5x the bandwidth or whatever that means so that was probably the point there. Some of you just like to argue I guess, or maybe it’s I’m just not a ‘l33t’ enough programmer to find something to disagree with.
Michael said,
Wrote on September 18, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Uhhh, do you realize that you give completely ZERO evidence to support your single and pivotal claim that it is more difficult to port PS3 to 360 than 360 to PS3? If you had ever bothered to keep up with the tech news, or read sites like ars technica, anandtech and others, places where programmers live and breathe (some of whom have actually programmed on these environments) you would know that the exact opposite is true. Virtually every port yet made has favoured the 360, partly because virtually every port started out in a Direct X environment in the first place, something that can’t just be programmed in to the PS3. When Devil May Cry 4 and others that started on PS3 but moved to 360 are ready then you will have a real gauge of comparison. But I would not get hopes up about this if I were you. Capcom has already taken to showing the 360 version of DMC4 at trade shows instead of the PS3. That should speak to their confidence about its competence on that system.
Console VS Console said,
Wrote on September 20, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
[…] So, in this war - Xbox 360 vs Playstation 3 - it’s gonna be the latter by far. Until Microsoft comes out with another gaming console (or widespread upgrades to the 360, which isn’t likely), Playstation is going to have the edge in producing cutting edge games. Right now, the margin is small - but that won’t last for long. To keep up on news concerning this check out gamers evolved. […]
saquib said,
Wrote on October 14, 2007 @ 10:23 am
who even reads this sort of baseless stuff??? please… cant beleive, seems likea 4 year old PS3 fanboy .. HAHAHA…
Zee said,
Wrote on January 26, 2008 @ 9:43 am
You guys are retarded the Xbox360 is proven by science to be a faulty system (RROD) And it scratches discs and because of that people are switching in droves to buy a PS3 because it is a more solid, powerful and better looking and running system.
Dan said,
Wrote on March 11, 2008 @ 6:42 am
Xbox doesnt even come with wireless internet… what a shame of a system
Corey said,
Wrote on October 11, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
The ps3 is by far better not only because it is physically stronger but most developers secretly looks at it as the future of console gaming. The xbox 360 has too many glitches like the rings of death. 33% of xbox 360’ske and was sent back yo microsoft while only 0.2% of ps3’s are sent to Sony. Most people at the end of the day just wants a reliably and strong system with the peace of mind tht it won’t break in the next hour. So I truely believe the ps3 is better.
david said,
Wrote on January 20, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
realistically the ps3 is buy far the most underpriced console. from the starting price point to now, your getting a great peice of kit for the price. 360 is also awesome and much cheaper, but your having to buy alot of expensive addons like wifi and batteries etc. so in reality the price isnt that different. i know because i bought the wifi adaptor the extra pad the wifi headset and battery. its all a novelty and you will eventually buy them. 2009 in my opinion could be big for the ps3.
wtf demo said,
Wrote on February 5, 2009 @ 1:00 am
well im neither ps3 or 360 fan but i have both. i have to say ps3 is by fat better and with the price drop and selling for $399 now. 2009 will be huge year for ps3. seriously my 360 broke twice from over heating and i have no problem with ps3. plus if u want all extra stuff for 360, u must just as well as buy a ps3 cuz 360 cost more with extra stuff. but we’ll see what 2009 brings.
Tom said,
Wrote on February 17, 2009 @ 5:40 am
This article is totally correct. Even if it’s unbiased, it states the obvious points. Killzone 2 is coming out, which will greatly increse PS3 sales. Xbox 360 is running at about it’s max limit, the only reason games aren’t becoming that good is due to the Xbox 360, since they refer to bring games to both consoles for more money. Soon Xbox 360 wll go down, and Playstation 3 will go up.