PS3 screenshots: HOLY FUCK

[A Black Falcon]

1) I recently did a breakdown of available genres for the Xbox 360. You might be surprised to find out that FPS games account for only 12% of the 360 library, and mature rated games only account for 23%. You can see the entire list and the accompanying pie charts here: Link (it's post #62)

Having said that, I did more research to find out that, while smaller in numbers, the FPS and mature categories have higher quality ratios than the other genres or ratings, respectively. Be that as it may, there are still some quality titles available for across all ratings. It seems as though Microsoft needs to get better at making people aware of them. In other words, don't only advertise Halo 3 this holiday, Microsoft.

Yes, of course games across all genres are available. But the FPSes dominate attention-wise, dominate ratings-wise as you say, and are the clear focus of attention. Could a gamer buy an X360, buy no FPSes for it, and really be happy with their decision? Maybe, but so many of the top games are FPSes...

As for your last point, I think that part of the problem is public perception -- as I said that "Xbox just has FPSes" like "Nintendo games are for children". Of course there is a variety of stuff available... but a lot of the games that draw the most attention, and sales, fall right into that stereotype, and it continues on. MS seems to be doing even less to fight their "FPS/hardcore gamer" stereotype than Nintendo has done for most of the time since they were marked as "kiddy". I mean, they have done a few games that could have pushed the X360, like Viva Pinata and stuff, but they didn't really try very hard... combine that with the EXTREMELY mass-market unfriendly price that MS is unwilling to drop and you get the picture of a company that doesn't mind the fact that their console is mainly aimed at a limited audience. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's the impression I get...

Remember, perceptions are most important. Eternal Darkness and Resident Evil did nothing to change "Nintendo=kiddy" and did nothing to get more mature games on the system.

2) There will be a 360 price drop this year. The billion dollar set-back will be written off and business as usual will be conducted. It's an unexpected loss, and it will be accounted for just the same.

Microsoft can't afford to let the 360 slip anymore in momentum. Even though they have some heavy hitters coming out this fall, I don't think its enough to spark interest in a console that's nearly 2 years old for its original price.

They're waiting for Sony to act first. Until Sony drops prices I don't think they will either.

3) RPGs for the 360: Enchanted Arms, Oblivion, Blue Dragon, Eternal Sonata, Lost Odyssey, Fable 2, Culdcept Saga, Phantasy Star Universe, Final Fantasy XI, The Last Remant, Infinite Undiscovery, Cry-On (may be adventure, coming from Mistwalker), Blue Dragon 2, TBA Mistwalker MMO, and some lesser known RPGs as well.

As for the moment, there are more announced 360 RPGs than the PS3. I read that there are quite a few unannounced PS3 games to be unveiled shortly, so things may turn around.

EDIT: DJ, you forgot about White Knight Story for the PS3. It's going to be amazing.

Does Fable 2 count too?

Anyway, how many of those is MS paying the developers to make for their systems... :)

Seriously, it is kind of odd how many Japanese RPGs there are on the 360 while the system is failing there just as badly as the Xbox did and the Xbox had all of nothing JRPG-wise... RPGs always take a while to develop so they usually don't come out in a console's first year (with certain exceptions), so it'll be very interesting to see how JRPG developers deal with the currently unfolding sales situation.

The PS3 isn't exactly a hot commodity in Japan, either. If anything, developers will choose Wii, and reports lately have indicated there has been a shift of development resources to Nintendo's side.

Yes, but will those be their RPGs or will they be minigame collections and Brain Training ripoffs?