MicroTechXP

If Microsoft buys SEGA, who will hurt or lose the most? There has been a rumor of “Microsoft buying SEGA” and well if Microsoft did buy SEGA what would happen. If Microsoft buys SEGA the most that will get hurt are Sony and Nintendo (obviously). Nintendo and Sony would be without SEGA games, that means no Sonic (the new one coming out Unleashed), Shenmue 3, Virtua Fighter and many more. Although all Sonic games so far after Sonic Adventures have been very shoddy, Sonic Unleashed looks to be changing that.

SEGA need to be able to publish games on multiple platforms if they want to stay in the business and do well. SEGA needs to prove that they still have it in them with their games and they have shown that recently, with some of their games. Sonic has proved to have a great success after migrating to the Nintendo platform, mainly because Sonic games are generally geared towards the family market, and not the hardcore gamer. Sonic the Hedgehog (360, PS3) was ok, but nothing like it should have been like the originals.

If Microsoft were to buy SEGA though, it will hurt Nintendo the most. Nintendo is a family gaming division and the games that SEGA puts out are mostly for family’s (not all of them, but some of them). Games like Sonic, SEGA Rally, SEGA GT, and a couple of others will not be on the Nintendo system. They are not first party games, but SEGA is one of Nintendo’s major 3rd party publisher and if they lose them then most of their games will be crap. The users for Nintendo will only be looking forward to 1st party games and will eventually give up on 3rd party games. Sony will not be as hurt as Nintendo. Sony has a huge 3rd party support even without SEGA. SEGA is in there publishing for Sony, but the PS3 will not be hit as hard as the Wii.

Now if Microsoft went through with this and bought out SEGA, what will happen to the games that are in development already for other consoles? Will the continue to be developed and sold or will they just be dropped? What would happen to the Sonic team? Will changes be taking place? For the better or for the worse? You decide, post a comment on what you think about Microsoft buying SEGA below.

Pokéfanatics across the globe have been anxiously tied to their poké-related news sites over the past few weeks, attempting to prognosticate what gemstone/precious metal/color would serve as the title for the next installment in the beloved monster-enslaving series — shortly after CoroCoro magazine dropped word of the upcoming Pokémon Platinum, the Sandshrew-swift Nintendo swooped in to confirm the title, and to reveal a fall release window for the game in Japan.
Following the pattern of pokéreleases thus far, it will serve as a companion to the two current-generation titles, Diamond and Pearl — much like Yellow, Crystal, and Emerald did for their respective generations. That means we’ll likely be treated to new sprites for many the monsters, and a few tweaks to the story, but not many new entries into the ol’ Pokédex. Perhaps that expansion will come in the franchise’s next generation, Pokémon Ununbium and Cadmium. [Joystiq]

Wouldn’t you know it? No, really — didn’t you completely understand that Nintendo wouldn’t be releasing something as magnificent as a stark white GameCube controller in the States? Okay, so maybe NoA hasn’t made that official, but we’re betting the unit you see there on the right will be a (highly coveted) Japanese exclusive. Apparently the Big N is re-issuing a Wii-white GameCube controller in its homeland this month with an extended (3-meter) cord, and while we can’t glean any pricing information from the crumb of information out there right now, go ahead and start stacking those pennies for use on your favorite importer. It will cost around $20.
[Joystiq]

IGN has the scoop on the controller for the eagerly anticipated DS version of Guitar Hero. Guitar Hero: On Tour will come with a Guitar Grip that plugs into the GBA slot of your DS and allows players to fret along with a song while strumming digital strings on the screen. The Guitar Grip includes a hand strap and a little storage compartment for the specially designed stylus pick.
IGN reports that the microphone will also be used, probably to activate Star Power mode with a Jack Black-esque rock scream.
On Tour, due this summer, will support both co-op and competitive multiplayer using the DS’ local wireless functions, a battle mode and come packed with more than 20 songs. [Kotaku]

During a morning session at the Game Developers Conference, Nintendo network administration manager Takashi Aoyama announced a new program that will see Wii users being charged for service while using Wi-Fi enabled games.
Aoyama referred to the program as “Pay and Play,” and noted that games supporting it will be marked with a new red Wi-Fi logo to ensure players are not mistakenly charged. No details were provided on the program, though it was noted that Wii Points will serve as the method of payment.
The network guru also mentioned that a new data compression solution will soon take care of Wii storage concerns, shrinking software to a tiny size until needed. [shacknews]

For the first time in a long time the Playstation 3 outsold the XBOX 360 in units sold in the month of January 2008.
The PS3 sold 269,000 units against 230,000 for XBOX 360. However, both units was beaten by the Nintendo Wii which had 274,000 units.
Microsoft has said that shortage of machines may have impacted the numbers. “Our retailers are telling us that Xbox 360 is selling as fast as they can restock,” “but due to this high demand, Xbox 360 is experiencing temporary shortages. We are working as quickly as we can to replenish inventory.”
If you compare spending the winner was the XBOX 360 with 297 million followed by 244 million on Wii and $219 million on PS3. $159 million was spent on Xbox 360 games alone in January compared to $131 million on Wii and $80 million for PS3.
To date an estimated 17.7 million XBOX 360’s has been sold, an estimated 10.4 million PS3’s and more than 20 million Wii consoles. [dvdtown]

Those pesky analysts are at it again, and this time it’s serious: Evan Wilson of Pacific Crest Securities says we can expect a sequel to the Wii in 2010, to be followed by a new Xbox later that year. Obviously it’s something on the minds of all three of the gaming hardware giants — in fact, Gizmondo probably has 2010 in its sights as well — but there’s really no telling at this point how accurate this rumor is. What we have heard are some conjectures before now that Nintendo has a shorter life cycle in mind for its graphics-impaired Wii. Also, Microsoft obviously made a huge bet this generation on hitting a year before the competition, and has done alright for itself in the process, so Microsoft might be looking for a repeat. There’s no rumor yet on Sony’s PS4 plans, but while the company has its hands full at the moment with its purported 2008 comeback, we’re sure they’re keeping this all in mind. Wilson also predicts a new Nintendo DS and PSP in 2010, meaning any way you slice it youre’re going need a second mortgage.[Joystiq]

Wii will stay on top, says Activision.

Earlier this week, EA told the media and investors its belief that the Wii would stay on top and that PlayStation 3 would outstrip the Xbox 360 in western market sales throughout 2008.

Although Activision didn’t dispute its competitor’s prediction on the ongoing sales of the Wii, it did put the Xbox 360 ahead of the PlayStation 3 for the year in North America.

Activision revealed during to Q3 earning call that it expects the Wii to sell more than 6 million units, the Xbox 360 to sell 4 to 5 million units, the PS3 somewhere between 3-4 million and the PS2 trailing off at 2 to 3 million.

The games publisher also was pleased to announce record holiday sales, up 80 percent over the previous year with $1.48 billion in sales and $272.2 in profit. Big titles helping to drive Activision’s positive report are Guitar Hero III and Call of Duty 4.

Slated for 2008 will be more games that Activision hopes will bring it another record period. According to Variety, Guitar Hero 4 will hit in the fall, but not before two other spinoffs in spring. The publisher also has the rights to release an adaptation of the upcoming James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.

With Activision the top publisher in the U.S. in 2007, the company’s next target is to unseat EA in Europe. “That’s the low-hanging fruit for us,” Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said. “We have No. 1 market share in the U.S. but not Europe, and there’s no reason we see why ‘Guitar Hero’ shouldn’t be the No. 1 product in Europe as well.” [DailyTech]

When game publishers talk, people listen. But when that publisher is EA, people stop what they are doing and take notes. With as much sway in the industry as EA has, they have a huge grasp on the inner workings and future of gaming.
EA recently made a prediction that the Nintendo Wii would continue to dominate in 2008, to no surprise. One startling guess that they have made, however, is that the PlayStation 3 would outsell the Xbox 360 by a large margin. 
According to the predictions, the Wii would outsell both of its competitors soundly, with an estimated 12-14 million units this year. Very solid numbers compared to Sony and Microsoft’s projected sales of around 10 and 7 million respectively. So, according to EA, the PS3 will sell about three million more consoles this year than the 360.
Now, keep in mind that these estimates only pertain to the North American and European market and are guesses based on research. Be sure to check back for all the latest in sales numbers here at PSU. [Gamer.tm]

So if you’re a PlayStation 3 owner it probably means that you are a high roller because you had the money to purchase the console. If not the former, then chances are you’re probably really broke, because of the high price tag and your lack of funds to purchase one. Either way, you probably want some reassurance that your decision will be one made with much guarantee instead of regret.
Before the launch Sony has been bragging that the PlayStation 3 is not for the short run, but for the long run ahead. Ten years to be exact, which means that while the PS4 is new to the scene, the PS3 will still be strong just like the PS2 currently is.
Rod Cousens, CEO of Codemasters explains, “I really do think it’s going to be a ten-year cycle and I do think that’s something that’s been overlooked when people are fairly dismissive of certain hardware platforms,”
Cousens also believes that it will be the PS3, not the Wii or Xbox 360 that will be the major forerunner this generation, “I certainly think it’s premature to dismiss Sony because I believe that they’re only now showing signs of ramping up and that shouldn’t come as any surprise to people given the trail of to be released dates of Wii and 360 and given the price points that they were coming in at, and given the lack of software supporting the format. I believe all those ingredients are starting to merge and I would expect Sony to have real momentum over the coming years.”
Closing it out, he details how the PS3 will be a major role player in Japan and interesting enough, Eastern Europe:
“I also believe you have to look at it on a global basis and not be territorial. If you look at it on a global basis then you would expect Sony to certainly pick up in the Japanese market.
“You only have to look at their performance in Russia over the last twelve months where there’s very little distribution for competing consoles, and in some of the Eastern Bloc countries to know that they will almost certainly prevail in those marketplaces.”  [Next Gen Biz]