Is history repeating itself?

I must say, as a classically trained historian (:wink:), that I’ve never believed history repeats itself! Still that isn’t to say we cannot learn stuff from previous generations!

Click on to see what they’re talking about!

Anyway, the point of 1up’s article is to examine the common factors between the PS2 and PS3- in summary the similarities are:

• Dreamcast and Xbox 360 were released a year before both, at a lower price, with “great games, eas[ier] development, and superior online service[s].”
• Both offer a movie format at a cheaper price than the competition.
• Unique/groundbreaking CPUs.
• Both feature older hardware inside to allow backwards compatibility.
• Both will launch in the US with only 400,000 machines.
• Both have creepy ads.
• Ridge Racer at launch.
• Weak launch lineup, but much more expected in the next year.
• Nintendo offering: ‘A smaller, cheaper “family friendly” console with a “focus on gameplay.” ‘
• Microsoft offering: “better online, exclusives from Rare and third parties like Tecmo, Capcom and Ubisoft, and the highly anticipated Halo.”
• Unique exterior designs.
• A controller upgraded from the previous one, but keeping the same form.
• A Gran Turismo tech demo using a previous model’s assets.
• Ducks/Faces/Real-time Final Fantasy demos.
• Metal Gear Solid is a showcase of system ability, as is the Getaway.
• Europe gets left behind.
• Exclusive: Virtua Fighter, Tekken and Final Fantasy.
• Level 5 wowed gamers with RPGs at TGS.
• Pushing non-traditional games.
• Linux support.
• Kutaragi-isms.
• Importing/exporting legal issues.
• 3-4 years until system potential will be reached.
• High loses on consoles ($150-$200).
• $600 price at launch (on ebay for PS2, for real on PS3).

They also explore 10 reasons the PS3 won’t repeat PS2’s success:

• Cost
• Lack of HDTVs
• HD-DVD/Blu-ray “war”
• PS2 Hyped vs. PS3 Hated.
• GTA multi-format.
• Vast PSOne sales vs. Slow PSP sales.
• Stronger competition.
• Resistance already bettered by Gears of War- nothing new at PS3 launch.
• Online issues.
• Arrogant when they shouldn’t be.

So, what do you think? I see some great points here, but I think it’s too early to call Sony’s online service. I also think many of the similarities do not count for much, but then I would! 😉

Over to you!

PS3: Is history repeating itself?