Downloadable games - driving the wedge between consoles?

[charlesr]

Forgive me if I'm totally not keeping up, but in my daily visits to http://www.console-arcade.com/ I get the impression that the vast majority of download releases are console specific.

Assuming that this is true (and this thread isn't going much further if someone corrects me at this point ), this is somewhat different from what we had in the ps2 generation and the disc based portion of the current generation where the majority of games were cross-format.

If so, and downloadable becomes the future, either dlc will diverge as more money pours in so that development can occur over multiple platforms, or it will continue as-is and we will have different stuff on each console, making multiple console purchases essential, not just for enthusiast like us, but for everyone that likes games. And if they can't be bothered with more than one, we'll end up back in console-war land.

Yeah, it's early and I've had zero sleep (babies), so no the best first post. Hopefully you guys can figure out what I'm on about and turn it into useful discussion.

[Neon Ignition]

My guess is that as downloadable games become more of the norm and the market becomes more crowded we'll see more developers copy the disc based market by going multiformat to maximise profits. With things still a little new on the consoles and the three markets so disjointed the developers seem to be cherry picking the best fit for each release, in time though I'm sure it'll smooth out and the exclusives will become the minority once again

[Vince]

I enjoy downloading titles and its funny how the 3 companies are approaching things differently. I know we are importers here but talking about the European service its funny how Sony are so far behind the other 2, its like they have no idea what they are doing. Thats no great surpirse when they have a director who believes that the internet delivers nothing good. Hopefully when the PSP Go comes out they will resolve the issues but i somehow doubt it.

[Soundwave]

I've been looking through the PSN store lately & it's woeful compared to the 360.
I dont have use of my 360 at the moment & I didnt realise just how many great games Microsoft have allowed on Live compared to Sony.

I thought pretty much everything on Live was available on PSN but it appears I was wrong & I'm now missing my 360 more than I was a week or so ago...dying for some Sensi Soccer & TMNT: Arcade.
Plus I'm missing out on Garou & KoF '98 too
Sucks

Wish Sony would get their act together & allow more retro stuff on the store.

Neil

[rmoxon]

As technology for downloadable games progresses, multi-format games are just as likley to lead to the same arguments....

For instance alot of PS3 versions of disk based games are inferior to their 360 counterparts which leads to people saying the 360 is the better console. For example, recently the generaly rubbishness of the PS3 version of Ghostbusters has caused uproar online.

Theres always going to be some reason to like one console more than another, downloadable games are no different.

As for the best service currently, It would have to be Xbox Live, becuase it has more games, and seems to offer more good things on a regular basis than the other two... but then its been going longer, so what do you expect really?

As has already been mentioned though, the UK PSN store really needs to sort itself out... plus, is Poles Big Adventure out here yet?

At least Xbox live has mostly worldwide realeses.

[BaudAttitude]

The PSN and the ability to buy stuff off it seems almost an afterthought to Sony. I've downloaded a ton of PS1 games from it but only a couple of original titles.

It kind of feels like the days when they were saying "no 2-D titles on the Playstation!" - they're ignoring a genre (small, non-"event" games) that is quite profitable for the competition, because it doesn't suit their image.

XBLA, on the other hand, feeds me a steady stream of shmups, and life is good.

[concretesnail]

I'd agree that the PSN is dragging up the rear. The Wii at least has some absolute classics to download. I do wish though that MS would get some more shooters on live. The likes of Ikaruga and trigger heart are fantasic as downloadables. Online score tables and co-op pushes the old arcade vibe and competitive score tables.
Having spent summers in arcades on the sea fronts it was the best feeling to see your name at the top for the time I was there.

[Brats]

The PSN store is the area that I thought Sony have done a really good job with the PS3. I like how they have encouraged more 'arty' games with stuff like FlOwer and Pixel Junk Eden.

Most of the original DL games that are console exclusive are the ones developed by the smaller studios, probably because they don't have the resources (or the inclination) to port games across. The titles developed by the bigger studios like the Capcom titles are available over multiple platforms. If DL games become the norm, I think we'll see most games becoming multi-platform except for first party stuff and where exclusivity deals are done.

[saif]

SCEJ have held up quite well on the classics front - let down badly by SCEA and SCEE. The selection of PS1 games is pretty extensive on the Japanese Store.

[112]

I really don't like the idea of downloadable games becoming the norm. It may not be an 'up to date' way of thinking - maybe im showing my ages, or maybe im jus cynical and feel ripped off by not having something physical to touch to justify spending my hard earned cash.

I am a gamer through and through, but I will be honest and say that i have never brought a downloadable game. I don't have a need to, i must admit......... I will say that I am curious about certain titles available for download. Although i am still under the naive impression that downloadable content are mostly demos, short games done by smaller dev companies, and retro games re-hashed in HD to milk us gamers as much as possible.

In terms of driving a wedge between consoles, I couldn't really say as I only own a PS3, and the only times ive used it online is for the odd bout of MGS4 and Fight Night when the mood arises........ The only wedge that is being made i guess, is a wedge between me and downloadable content. If what is being said about the 360s content being superior to the PS3 is true, it wouldn't affect my choice in buying the console any more than it did previously........ What i will say about possibly jumping on the 360 train, is the amount of exclusive titles it has, which tempts me on the regular..........

Something interesting I'd like to add is that, the 'popularity' of acquiring games online opens up opportunities for companies to censor games from territory to territory as well as allow smaller dev companies to get their product out without concerning themselves with the additional over heads of packaging/shipping/promoting etc........

These are all interesting possibilities, as we move more towards a less physically cluttered form of gaming.

Like the video games magazines have experienced in the past few year, where gamers opt to receive their news online and not in a magazine - we will probably see more of this happening to our beloved games. Of course this is only ever going to happen when the bloody TINternet is quick and cheap enough in your locale - which brings to mind that it may be cheaper to take gaming online fully for the corporation, but as the end user, it could potentially be more expensive, and in some parts of teh country and world, less available.

112

[Brats]

I love downloadable games. I never read manuals (and for most games, there's a tutorial so there's no need), the box just takes up space and I have to find the disc to insert if I want to play. Downloadable games are just there.

When MS release their service for full downloadable games later in the year, I think I'll probbaly use it over the disc based version, price notwithstanding.

[ItsThere]

Interesting topic and one I can completely get behind.

IMO though it is the Wii that has really set itself up as the best console for downloadable games. There are things on there that I need to own - mainly back catalgue stuff - but the full releases are also excellent on the Wiiware service.

Also this will drive a wedge between the handheld platforms. The DSi is a redesign that allows for downloadable games AND the traditional medium (well most of it anyway) that sits behind it to be used. The PSPgo! has only downloadable content - which has already prevented me from buying it. The market just isn't ready for a DL console. It will be interesting to see hoe NOE and SOE take this battle on.

Much as I don't like it - it is clear that downloadable games have started, and they are here to stay.

[Brats]

Aside from a few gems like World of Goo, Lost Winds and Strong Bad, the Wiiware games always sound terrible! My favourite part of the Giant Bomb podcast is where they discuss the new releases and they get to the Wiiware stuff. Admittedly I could be missing out on GOTY material, but somehow I doubt it.

This seems to be what much of Wiiware seems to be filled up of:

Target Toss Pro: Bags

In the game, the player has to throw their bag into a hole or as close to it as possible. The game features up to 16 player tournaments, the choice of male and female players and extended leaderboards.

[ItsThere]

Hmm. Yes ok - that sounds quite bad. It was the whole world of goo / lost winds thing I was going for.

What about that Space INvaders one?