PS3: European Launch > U.S. Launch
Most of the time, I would say that it sucks to be a European gamer because they generally get shafted at every turn. This is especially true when it comes to console launches, as the territory has always had to play third fiddle (is that even a phrase?) to Japan and North America. However, in the case of the PS3, I think their wait will be worth it. The PS3 launched in the U.S. with limited units, a lackluster variety of games, and no peripherals (aside from the SIXAXIS) to speak of. We've also had to deal with multiple firmware updates (the latest of which just released last night) and slow updates to the PlayStation Store.
As a contrast, the European launch of the system seems to be of significantly higher-quality, with over 30 titles across the launch window, immediately availability of the PS3 Remote Control and official Sony cables, and a better-stocked PlayStation Store brimming with Tekken and Gran Turismo HD from the get-go. Obviously, by that time, the U.S. gamers will have had first access to all of that stuff, but the fact that overseas gamers get it all on Day One makes their launch that much more complete and compelling.
On top of all that, a major firmware update (with a lot of the additions that gamers have been clamoring for) will be released to coincide with the European launch, so even the experience of the console itself will be quite a bit better than what U.S. gamers saw when they booted it up last year.
The European launch, with its allotment of 1 million PS3s (over the launch window), is what the Japanese and North American launches should have been. If they were, a lot of the negative criticisms wouldn't have occurred and the Cell-powered console certainly would have been viewed in a different light by the media and hardcore gamers.
One might say, though, that all these early issues, such as the lack of quality titles, OS shortcomings and limited units don't really matter as long as they are resolved by the time the mainstream gamer comes on board and I would agree with them. The cost of being an early adopter is dealing with a console's initial growing pains. One might even consider it a beta test of sorts. For some people, that sounds like an exciting proposition while others would argue that they shouldn't have to wait in order to get the ideal gaming experience.
Regardless, the PS3 is expensive and it is going to take a while for it to come down in price. That's probably going to turn off a lot of people and, perhaps, maybe even make the impatient ones head over to the Wii or Xbox 360 camps. For those who are willing to wait, though, the experience of having a PS3 will only get better and better over time, while the cost of entry will continue to get lower and lower. The question I put forth today is, "How patient are you?"
As a contrast, the European launch of the system seems to be of significantly higher-quality, with over 30 titles across the launch window, immediately availability of the PS3 Remote Control and official Sony cables, and a better-stocked PlayStation Store brimming with Tekken and Gran Turismo HD from the get-go. Obviously, by that time, the U.S. gamers will have had first access to all of that stuff, but the fact that overseas gamers get it all on Day One makes their launch that much more complete and compelling.
On top of all that, a major firmware update (with a lot of the additions that gamers have been clamoring for) will be released to coincide with the European launch, so even the experience of the console itself will be quite a bit better than what U.S. gamers saw when they booted it up last year.
The European launch, with its allotment of 1 million PS3s (over the launch window), is what the Japanese and North American launches should have been. If they were, a lot of the negative criticisms wouldn't have occurred and the Cell-powered console certainly would have been viewed in a different light by the media and hardcore gamers.
One might say, though, that all these early issues, such as the lack of quality titles, OS shortcomings and limited units don't really matter as long as they are resolved by the time the mainstream gamer comes on board and I would agree with them. The cost of being an early adopter is dealing with a console's initial growing pains. One might even consider it a beta test of sorts. For some people, that sounds like an exciting proposition while others would argue that they shouldn't have to wait in order to get the ideal gaming experience.
Regardless, the PS3 is expensive and it is going to take a while for it to come down in price. That's probably going to turn off a lot of people and, perhaps, maybe even make the impatient ones head over to the Wii or Xbox 360 camps. For those who are willing to wait, though, the experience of having a PS3 will only get better and better over time, while the cost of entry will continue to get lower and lower. The question I put forth today is, "How patient are you?"
posted by Frosty @ 2:55 PM
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