Famitsu Next-Gen Survey

[score]

From Nintelligent (http://www.nintelligent.net/):

According to a survey conducted by Famitsu Weekly, Japanese gamers who responded to the poll, which asked "Which of the next-generation consoles are you most interested in?", narrowly chose the next-generation Nintendo console, codenamed Revolution, as the one they are most interested in. Among the things they cited as reasons for their choice were a confidence in the hardware capabilities, the possiblity of innovative and new designs in the console, and Nintendo's promised ability to download many of the company's older games onto the Revolution. As always, the asthetically astute Japanese also favored the Revolution's compact design and cited that as another positive aspect of the console.

Read More (http://www.nintelligent.net/news2636.php).

[sTubbs]

It will be interesting to see how these numbers translate into sales. I honestly do not see Nintendo surpassing the PS3, but it would be a hell of a thing if it did happen. It is also surprising to see that 18 percent of the people polled selected the 360. Considering that the XBOX has maintained a meaningless .5 percent of the market share in Japan, it looks as though they might actually make some considerable gains this time around.

[Gorilla800lbs]

Well, this is Famitsu. Figures.

[Rafer]

It is also surprising to see that 18 percent of the people polled selected the 360.

Blue Dragon is probably the only reason anyone in Japan is interested in the xbox 360. If it turns out to be another Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest they might make some inroads in Japan.

[RMan]

Honestly, I'm more interested in the Revolution as well. Not that I don't think the 360 and PS3 will be good, but frankly nothing about them seems that interesting.

[netcraazzy]

I'm actually surprised at the high interest level in the revolution considering the small amount of information that we have about it at this point. I don't know what to think of the revolution, I like my old Nintendo games as much as the next guy but it'll take more than that to really get my excited. Besides I still have my NES, SNES and Gamecube hooked up so it's not a big deal to me.

[GrinR]

http://www.gadgetmadness.com/archives/super_mario_bros_cosplay.jpg

[RMan]

True, but comparing the useful and reliable information we have about them they’re all pretty equal. I think at this early stage unless you swallow the hype, it comes down to faith, and Nintendo has done enough cool things in the past to earn a large degree of it.

[Tricky Thumb]

The only reason they're more interested in the Revolution right now is because they know next to nothing about it, duh-her.

[MagicAlex]

And why shouldn't they be? The PS3 and X-Box 360 are both promising more of the same, but better looking. It's easy to be cynical about Nintendo since they've shown practically nothing of their system, but they're also the only ones even talking about innovation.

[Klade]

Ahhh another non scientific poll. If they even bothered to actually take a poll it was probably from the people around their office. If they went hi-tech then they did an internet poll. Either way its totally useless as a means of determining anything.

[Tricky Thumb]

And why shouldn't they be? The PS3 and X-Box 360 are both promising more of the same, but better looking. It's easy to be cynical about Nintendo since they've shown practically nothing of their system, but they're also the only ones even talking about innovation.

Innovation? That's nice. How about some fun games?

Not to piss on your "Innovation Parade" so to speak, but that's a load of bull if I ever heard it. Innovation is great and all, but that doesn't really change the fact that fun games are still fun games. When all these sytems are readily available to retail I have a feeling, and call me crazy, but I have a feeling that the software is going to sell the systems, not some sort of innovative controller or something. But hell, it's not like I'm still not excited about the N-Revolution, I just think that poll is pretty lop-sided for a few (posted above) reasons.

[fitbabits]

Ahem, who cares what the Japanese think? :rolleyes:

I would have guessed that they would be creaming themselves over the Revolution more so than any of the other next gen platforms - the love affair between the Japanese gaming public and Nintendo is kept alive by the promise of yet more Zelda and Pokemon. That's hardly revolutionary.

[Ernst_Jager]

This also in - Americans like movies with big explosions and lots of woman with big fake tits. Nintendo could put out anything and the Japanese would buy it.

[Zombosis]

Innovation? That's nice. How about some fun games?

call me crazy, but I have a feeling that the software is going to sell the systems, not some sort of innovative controller or something.

Nintendo PowerGlove, anyone?

I love the fact that they are striving towards something different than the "graphics graphics graphics" that Sony and Microsoft are caught up in, but in all honesty Nintendo does seem to have a proven track record of gimmicky devices that never quite click with developers, or the masses.

[RMan]

Innovation? That's nice. How about some fun games?
Clearly the games will sell the systems, always have and always will. The point is that what's more interesting, the prospect of higher polygon counts, larger textures, and a few other things that in the end result in somewhat improved graphics, or the admittedly limited information from Nintendo about something, anything, that’s actually bringing something new to the table. Since the Revolution will likely produce graphics that will be on par with the current systems, the question is whether or not the new stuff the Revolution does facilitates better games. Again, the promise of something new is more interesting to me than the promise of nothing new, even if it doesn’t work out.

[Hellstorm]

Nintendo PowerGlove, anyone?

I love the fact that they are striving towards something different than the "graphics graphics graphics" that Sony and Microsoft are caught up in, but in all honesty Nintendo does seem to have a proven track record of gimmicky devices that never quite click with developers, or the masses.

Yes, it's amazing how that little gimmicky device called the DS manages to handily CRUSH the PSP week in and week out in Japan in not only hardware sales but software sales as well.

Not much longer till the launch honeymoon for the PSP wears off in the US and what is happening in Japan will happen here?

[Furious Wang]

Yeah, this is like a poll in Nintendo Power asking "What's your favorite system?"

I'd love to see a poll in five years asking "Which next gen system have you been the most disappointed with?"

And Nintendo can talk about innovation until their head falls off. But what have been their best games this generation? Zelda games that play the exact same as OoT. Mario SS same as 64. List goes on. Same old games a few new moves.

Yeah that's innovation.

[Furious Wang]

Clearly the games will sell the systems, always have and always will. The point is that what's more interesting, the prospect of higher polygon counts, larger textures, and a few other things that in the end result in somewhat improved graphics

Yeah better graphics AND better AI AND better Physics AND manipulatable environments AND realistic animation AND global event coordination AND persistant world states and the million other things you can do with a better processor and more memory.

Anyone saying that the only PS3 and 360 are going to bring to the table is better graphics has an agenda.

[splatstick]

Yeah, this is like a poll in Nintendo Power asking "What's your favorite system?"

I'd love to see a poll in five years asking "Which next gen system have you been the most disappointed with?"

And Nintendo can talk about innovation until their head falls off. But what have been their best games this generation? Zelda games that play the exact same as OoT. Mario SS same as 64. List goes on. Same old games a few new moves.

Yeah that's innovation.

Nintendo never really claimed innovation with the Cube.
Look, the company's not (entirely) retarded. They ARE a business, after all, and they know they can't compete graphics-wise with the next gen, so they're basically pulling a wild card. If they pull through, everybody wins because it's something new and exciting and fun. If they lose, nobody (but PS3 and 360) wins because there's a sub-par system on the market.
I don't get why anyone needs a be a pessimistic dick about it. It's not like Nintendo is TRYING to kick everybody in the balls, contrary to popular belief. They just do it accidentally occasionally.

[OSX]

Yeah, this is like a poll in Nintendo Power asking "What's your favorite system?"

I'd love to see a poll in five years asking "Which next gen system have you been the most disappointed with?"

And Nintendo can talk about innovation until their head falls off. But what have been their best games this generation? Zelda games that play the exact same as OoT. Mario SS same as 64. List goes on. Same old games a few new moves.

Yeah that's innovation.

Goddam right. Nintendo started the horsepower wars. They started the re-hash/sequel model, and now theyre putting their best foot forward to end this horrible cycle of unchanged sequels, re-hashed games and putting a bigger better processor in the same console.

That earns them the benefit of the doubt in my mind.

[sTubbs]

Yeah better graphics AND better AI AND better Physics AND manipulatable environments AND realistic animation AND global event coordination AND persistant world states and the million other things you can do with a better processor and more memory.

Anyone saying that the only PS3 and 360 are going to bring to the table is better graphics has an agenda.

Agreed. I have actually been pleasantly surprised at how many developers are truly attempting new things with their next generation games, particularly how many titles are going to feature persistent, seamless areas and large scale destructable environments. No to mention the incredible advances in AI and physics that will be apparent in games such as Oblivion and Alan Wake. Sure, prettier graphics will certainly be part of the 360 and PS3 package, but right there with them will be worlds that are far more realistic and convincing in every way, not just visually.

I am looking forward to seeing exactly what the Revolution will be, but I am not building myself up to be disappointed. By making the Revolution considerably less powerful than its competitors, Nintendo is almost certainly cutting itself out of the multi-platform market. Games that are technically feasible on both the PS3 and 360 will not be possible on the Revolution. It seems that Nintendo is counting on first party titles and other GC exclusives throughout the next generation, but as we all know, that was hardly a successful game plan in the current gen. Unless they find some way to attract more third parties, it seems to me that Nintendo will once again miss out on some major software opportunties, as companies are more likely to release their games on the 360 / PS3 combination. I guess it is possible that this controller will make every single developer willing to create special games for the Revolution, but I seriously do not see that happening.

[RMan]

Yeah better graphics AND better AI AND better Physics AND manipulatable environments AND realistic animation AND global event coordination AND persistant world states and the million other things you can do with a better processor and more memory.
Ohh, please. Although clearly added processing power and ram is good, the idea that we haven't seen these elements of which you speak even now is because we're limited by the hardware is absolutely stupid (half of them have little/nothing to do with processing power or ram). We haven’t seen these things mostly because they’re really difficult to develop. The games you see on the 360 and PS3 and Revolution will generally be better in every area you mention, but it will not be primarily because of the increased system power, it will be because the games will feature more development time (remember, they’ll be enhanced from their PS2/ Xbox/GCube counterparts), better and more developers, better techniques, tools, and development strategies. That’s why even if one next-gen machine is twice as fast as another, it won’t make a significant difference because that’s a small part of what influences modern games and what can be done with them.

Anyone saying that the only PS3 and 360 are going to bring to the table is better graphics has an agenda.
Not true, I have no agenda other than refuting the hype (I could say the same about anyone promoting the hype), and I’m not sure why anyone else wouldn’t see that. I have seen absolutely nothing that indicates that PS3 and 360 will have anything significant but graphics capability over Revolution, I'm assuming the Revolution will feature competitive processing power, but we won't really know until they all hit the streets. Like I said, even if there is a relatively big difference in processing power it won’t make a significant difference in what can be done in a game.

[mister_slim]

Innovation? That's nice. How about some fun games?
If you don't think Nintendo games are fun now, I don't think you'll find them fun after the 'revolution'. The only actual games we've seen thus far are from the 360, and they look like current gen PC with lots of money spent on art and physics. For some reason, I'd like to have a better reason for buying games than just keeping developers out of bankruptcy.
Yeah, this is like a poll in Nintendo Power asking "What's your favorite system?"
Actually... fuck it... feel free to stay ignorant. Wikipedia does have a nice article on Famitsu, if you can handle that much work.
Yeah better graphics AND better AI AND better Physics AND manipulatable environments AND realistic animation AND global event coordination AND persistant world states and the million other things you can do with a better processor and more memory.
And that's interesting how? Ten years ago I could have told you the PS3 would be more powerful than the PS2.

[Chris_D]

MS is aware of the massive battle they have on their hands to make any real impact in Japan. Of course in the context of a Famitsu poll I think 18% is very positive actually although it may be reflective of Famitsus mainly hardcore gamer readership.

[Achilles]

Yes, it's amazing how that little gimmicky device called the DS manages to handily CRUSH the PSP week in and week out in Japan in not only hardware sales but software sales as well.You’re right about the software sales, Nintendogs was a huge bonus, and it doesn’t help that the PSP is having the same post-launch drought that the DS had. However saying that the DS CRUSHs the PSP in weekly sales is wrong, unless you consider them being within 18% of eachother every week with who’s ahead shifting from week to week "crushing". And the PSP is outselling the DS by less than 1% for the year so that's not a huge crush for the DS either.

This poll is interesting because I really don’t think it’ll come down this way when the people see what games are available for the different systems. Right now it’s tech vs. tech vs. Nintendo, with Nintendo being a collection of guaranteed franchise games which hardcore gamers really dig on.

[kizke]

Interesting poll. Knowing the Japanese gamer and my own inclinations, I'm not very surprised.

I've spent a long time in deliberation after watching all three major companies' presentations at e3. I think Iwata-san is onto something. I mean, what percentage of gamers make up the cutting-edge segment, who go out and buy expensive DTS 5.1 setups and HDTVs and new consoles as soon as they can snatch them up? Well, obviously a disproportionate number on this site, but still.

If this generation of consoles has taught me anything, it's that Nintendo's the one that's always given me something to smile about. FF Crystal Chronicles took up a good portion of my last summer and struck me as a pretty damn brilliant design frame, as well as lots of fun. The Metroid Prime series has sucked me in in a way no other game ever has. I could go on and on.

And hell, any company who would see fit to license a game like Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney must be kickass. I know at least three other people who are getting a DS primarily for that game.

[Mason]

Ohh, please. Although clearly added processing power and ram is good, the idea that we haven't seen these elements of which you speak even now is because we're limited by the hardware is absolutely stupid (half of them have little/nothing to do with processing power or ram). We haven’t seen these things mostly because they’re really difficult to develop.

One of the best ways to make any piece of software faster and easier to develop is to let it be inefficient. The more excess hardware you can throw at a problem, the less of a burden it is on the developer to get it running. And since game devs don't have infinite time or manpower to get a game running, it is really in everyone's interest to let them have a bit of wiggle-room to be sloppy.

Most innovations in software development have involved trading less efficient runtime code for quicker coding. That's just how the world works. You can either have tiny applications/games written directly to the metal, or code with a bit less efficiency yet produce a ton more features. The amount of bloat you can get away with depends entirely on the hardware.

[bjornbarspingvinen]

actually haven´t nintendo mostly depended on their charathers mainly?
same same

[RMan]

One of the best ways to make any piece of software faster and easier to develop is to let it be inefficient.
I understand and agree with your statements, but again, most of what was mentioned has little to do with processing power. It's like making the statement that an easier to use movie camera will make actors act better. It may do many things to make the process of movie making easier, but it won't do that.