What If... The PS3 Had Come First?

Brutal Gamer writes - "Well, that's what I'm wondering this time.The Playstation 3, that jet-black, 5kg shiny piece of metal we've come to call a "next generation video game console", has come into its own somewhat this year, with a whole range of software and top quality games becoming available for it, and its technical aspects becoming more accessible for developers.

With a Blu-Ray player enabling full HD film and television viewing inbuilt into the console, full HD gaming, multimedia functionality, a free online service for playing online with other people around the world, an inbuilt wireless network adapter for connecting to the internet without the need for a wire, a motion sensor control, bluetooth connectivity, a very in-depth menu layout for console tweaking, an internet browser, and depending on the console you bought, a large HDD suitable for storing a mass range of files, the PS3 certainly holds its own in the video game industry.

But don't think that I am gushing over the PS3, and forgetting the Xbox 360. As an owner of both consoles for multiple years, I can say with much confidence that both consoles have their ups and downs."

[KingKionic]

hmm... good question.

Sadly we wont ever find out.

wait one minute here...

"It would have been a very, very strange world. Almost like a parallel universe, where the PS3 is bigger than the 360, the world’s economy is stable, fears of global warming are non-existant, the weather is nice, people are happier, the world is safer, and politicians would know what they are talking about a lot more."

huh?

[rucky]

One thing is for sure, it would also be an RROD free world...

...maybe

[Codinthepocket]

"It would have been a very, very strange world. Almost like a parallel universe, where the PS3 is bigger than the 360, the world’s economy is stable, fears of global warming are non-existant, the weather is nice, people are happier, the world is safer, and politicians would know what they are talking about a lot more."

I forgot to add "/sarcasm" to the end of that statement. ;)

[Natsu X FairyTail]

lol Codinthepocket so true.

[Maddens Raiders]

would be large and in charge, walking the halls of SCEJ in full Samurai regalia (because he could) scheming and whipping up gadget after invention after gadget add-on for the PS3(128-X?), Ace Combat 6 would've never been disgraced to the unveiling it had to a very strange audience and out of the PS family (wtf was that Namco?), no one would've been shot and killed during the launch of the 360 at all with the dominance of Blu-Ray subduing the reveal, and Madden would've never been gimped in 2007 the way it was with all of the lame ass excuses from EA, that yours truly caught in a lie back in the good 'ol days.

KILLZONE II would've never reached the uber epic proportions of hype and delivery that it enjoyed and yet... Cellius would still be as mysterious as UFO's and Loch Ness.

[a_squirrel]

lol...

[SinnedNogara]

It would still be too expensive! (SARCASM)

Hmmm......interesting question. It would have sold well, but what titles would have been released?

[Lifendz]

God was one of us....

[edhe]

If the ps3 had release a year ahead of the competition then the marketplace would be probably something like 80% ps3.

The brand name, the new tech, the lack of competition, it would've steamrolled the whole industry.

it would've also cost about 50% more due to the immature nature of BDA.

[thebudgetgamer]

What if Nintendo never stabbed Sony in the back and they became partners?

[Silver360]

At least with the functions they copied from MS and Nintendo. There would be no home, no trophies, no free online gaming and no gamertag. Sony is not doing bad and they profited from seeing ideas from other companies and making them there own.

[adsaidler]

it's called sarcasm where i live

[y0haN]

If Sony had come first I think gaming would be cheaper for all. The Xbox console would be more expensive than it is now but still marginally cheaper than the PS3.. so I think it'd still be winning this 'war'.

MS is pushing the envelope with the gaming features on its console and often has Sony playing catchup, as well with the seemingly 'cheaper' price.. things wouldn't be all that different.

[Bnet343]

What if I had a cannon for an arm? I'd shoot sh*t up.

[FarEastOrient]

I like the question... if Nintendo didn't stab Sony in the back and how would gaming today look if Sony worked for big N? Would the Wii even come out?

[Poopface the 2nd]

First. Does this mean the PS3 comes out sooner, or the 360 comes out later?

If it was 360 later, Id say we might have no RRoD, and ps3 might sell more. Or 360 could have a blu ray or HD dvd built in.

If it was ps3 sooner, It may sell more than it did. It also might cost alot more or not have a blu ray drive.

Theres no way to tell waht would happen as there are alot of factors which would change the sales of both PS3 and 360.

But at the end of the day Id say the Wii would still be selling more(is sales what this is about?) as nintendo has found away to sell to people who would never consider getting a 360 or ps3.

[JL]

I have to agree with edhe, if PS3 released first I think it would've steamrolled the industry. Especially if nothing else changes but order of release (ie RROD, production costs for Sony). Probably wouldn't even resemble a contest at this point. And PS3 might quite possibly be battling with Wii in numbers.

But this is way too "what if" and too many variables to consider to even truly fathom what would've been. We'll never know.

[Sam Fisher]

i see it more like pay alot now in one single shot(ps3). or pay a whole sh** load more later (Xbox 360 and then online pay to play 50 annually), sooner or later ur paying more. how many years the ps3 and the 360 came out on their time? when it first came out and what your paying every year should already cost as much as the ps3 or more by now.

do the math. and if u think im wrong think about the future payments aswell, yea u can not pay to play online, but thats like having an iphone or blackberry without internet service = a regular phone.

[FamilyGuy]

There'd be more PS3 owners, duh.

But what would the 360 be like if the PS3 came first?
Would M$ still have went through with their plans that made the 360 less appealing?
In other words, would the 360 have:
over priced HDDs?
Proprietary HDDs
Silver membership with no online gaming functionality
no HDMI from the start
no web browser
$400 elite
sony exclusives turned multi-plat
sony exclusives switching consoles
RROD
Dvd-9

In the end, the 360 would have been better, feature/tech wise, than it is now had sony been the leader and M$ playing catchup. But their market share would suffer BIG TIME.

[MGOelite]

it doesnt matter cause it didnt...

[Gue1]

I agree. This kind of articles are just plain crap.

[NegativeCreep427]

Speculation can go on and on about what if this and what if that happened, but in the end its just meaningless.

Could of. Would of. Should of. But didn't.

[The Master Chief]

I'm gonna have to agree with you on this one.

PS3rd 4 EVA!!!

[leila01]

Despite being third/last, the PS3 still has a very impressive catalogue. Isn't that what gaming should be about, the games?

[Snake Raiser]

First of all the article doesn't take itself too seriously...just read the last paragraph. Second of all it is also a lesson for the next gen. If sony can launch with or ahead of MS then they will have an advantage that they don't have now.

[da720izcumin]

what a fail for an article...

we could the spend the rest of year going what if:
sony never existed?
wii failed?
ps1 failed?
ps2 failed?
ps3 failed?
....wait a minute, the last one is not a speculation is it?
hahahaahahahahahahah

[RockmanII7]

1.6 you make me lol

[Etseix]

1.6@
agree with u still, u just **ed up all ur comment 'cuz the end, dont start a fanboy war can u?

ontopic, agree with 1
it didnt happen so this article just fails, by the way, who aproove this?

[Spike47]

Nintendo was smart. They said, lets just make a cheap system with a gimmick that everyone would fall for and slap a $250 price tag on it.
Heck I'm not bashing them, they were the smart ones this time around.
Sony would have it easier if they would've spent more time trying to find gimmicks than features that most consumers don't even know exist lol. However, I find the PS3 a lot more fun than the Wii by light years, ironic huh?

Price and marketing is Sony's problem, not launch date.

[KingKionic]

Riiight...

I think there pretty aware what there buying .

[mrv321]

Sony's like a brilliant scientist that can't seel his ideas. This is Sony's approach to the idea.

Sony invents internet and goes 'Well hello, I've invented this thing called the internet, I need investment, this is a piece of technology that has the ability to send and recieve data. So your in?'

Nintendo invents VHS 'Hello, I've invented this brilliant product all I need now is investment, this tape allow one to purchase and view adult material at any time.'

Nintendo of course got the invesment, and that was a dreadful analorgy.

It's just Sony has this brilliant machine but no one knows why it's so brilliant unless they own it (which they don't because they don't know why it's brilliant)

[WEL]

Believe me @KionicWarlord222, I know a couple of persons that bought the Wii thinking it was HD like the other consoles but with the motion controller.

They even bought component cables and everything but when they hooked it up, they just called me asking how to set it up to output the HD res cus it looked kinda blurry on their LDC tv's. Lol

They thought the Wii was graphically on par with an X360. But who blames them, after seeing this http://revolutionmedia.ign.... and this http://img.jeuxvideo.fr/003... . They aren't like me that I'm always looking about games on the internet and all that.

----------------------------- ------------------------------ - --------

BTW @mrv321 that analogy sucks big time!

[Traveler]

Most people are heavily influenced by marketing and gets sucked in by fads. I agree with Spike47, most consumers don't make informed buying decisions. You can get people to buy almost anything with the right marketing and fad behind it; even to the point that they will pass up a superior product for it.

[JOLLY1]

MRV put anal and orgy into one word.

[7thNightvolley]

i think if ps3 came out first .. it would not make a whole lot diffrence but ppl would tolerate any bads the ps3 has e.g no chat blah blah and the ps3 fanboys would have been more of a bigger crowd that they are now. just a personal opinion.

[Poopface the 2nd]

I mean today my MOM said she wanted a wii for wii boxing. Geez. But your wrong if you think they dont know what it is.

They may not know the specs or the history of the company's, but I guarantee you they know what they are getting. Most these people with wii would never consider buying a 360 or ps3(kinda like me never buying a wii)

Id say most of the people who buy the wii would only buy a wii, and if it wasnt for the wii they wouldnt own a console.

Nintendo has sold to a new group of people. They may not know that the wii is very underpowered compared to other consoles, but they do know that they can play nintendo games, its family friendly, and it has motion controls.

Id say taht alot of people that own a wii dont want to play shooters, or any kind of hardcore game at all. Just look at the sales of "core" games on wii.

I wouldnt say that they dont know, Id say that they just dont care at all.

[Natsu X FairyTail]

The real thing is.

this is the world of electronics. you put your product out before the competition or you come out with something that will attract more people than the competition.

Wii did that with the wii-mote gimmick
Xbox did that coming out 1st .

ps3 did not.

[pixelsword]

...we'd all have a Merry Christmas.

Theory and conjecture are wrecking the writing quality of gaming journalism as it is, but at least this writer makes the case in a theoretical setting; not trying to pass it's musings off as fact.

Not that this isn't a relevant article, but I'd rather just stick to the facts, thank you.

[Codinthepocket]

I'd have to agree with you.

The "What If" articles are theoretical. I try to write about things that gamers may wonder about.

I realise that the articles aren't "news", but what I'm trying to do is to get gamers to think about the possibilities. What would have happened if Microsoft made a handheld console? What if Sony had produced and the released the PS3 before the 360?

They're hypothetical.

Some would say there would be no point writing these.

I say, if I don't write about what could happen, why would I write about what actually happened when everyone already knows?

It's an open debate. I love any feedback and criticisms you guys have, it helps make me better at writing.

[leyego]

a site that never posts news of any kind. just flamebait.

let the war begin

[edhe]

*article.

[PLAYINB3YOND]

The fact of the matter is that PS3 is outselling the 360 when 360 was at the same point in its life. The only thing the 360 had to compete with was the ps2, no wonder it sold a bucket load. I believe the headstart had a huge impact as did the region split delays, with Europe getting it 5 months late because of the blu-ray diode shortage. Launch was shaky for the PS3 but considering its higher price point and, as i said before its selling more than the 360 when 360 was at the same point shows that, as soon as Sony hire a new marketing team and either bring out a cheaper "slim" PS3 or reduce the price sales should equal if not overtake 360. Touch wood...

[Gamer_Politics]

Lols i love when sony fans bring out this miracle ps3 come back....

[leila01]

Why do you guys care so much about sales, does your game library bore you?
We have so much great games on both consoles, but all you guys seem to talk about is "tha salez".

[kaveti6616]

That's only assuming that when Sony cuts the price of the PS3, Microsoft won't do anything to counter. Do you think Microsoft is that stupid? I mean, greedy, maybe, but not stupid at all. As soon as Sony cuts the price of the PS3 Microsoft is going to do something bigger and louder and make sure the entire world sees it. That's how Microsoft rolls. As a business, they're pure genius. They spend as much money of marketing as Research and Developments of their products. That means that if you're walking down the street and you see 10 Xbox 360 billboards for every PS3 billboard or when you're watching TV and every multiplatform game commercial ends with the 360 logo, you will think the 360 is the leader and the PS3 is not as good.

That's the idea that Microsoft can instill in the minds of the layman public. The public doesn't know anything about bus speeds and floating point operations and the DVD disc limitations. The public only flocks to the shiny, flashy product, and Microsoft has managed to do that with the 360. If PS3 gets a price cut, I'm willing to bet that Microsoft will counter with an even better offer. Xbox 360s bundled with 4 triple AAA titles or something like that.

[Skynetone]

Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices VP Don Mattrick said "History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle

ill just include the 360/ps3

[Defectiv3_Detectiv3]

Why bother commenting on something if you say it is pointless? Is that not, in and of itself, utterly pointless? Sometimes I worry about you guys.

One thing is for sure, people are eager to jump on the latest trend, hence the 360's popularity. If it would have been the PS3 out first, the roles would be reversed, but the 360 would be doing nowhere near as good as the PS3 right now.

A lot of people like to ignore the fact that the PS3 has actually sold more in the same respective timeframe as the 360. Imagine when they have a proper price cut what will happen.

[Gamer_Politics]

wouldnt matter if ps3 came out first but that high price tag would scare people away like its doing now

[La Chance]

"A lot of people like to ignore the fact that the PS3 has actually sold more in the same respective timeframe as the 360. Imagine when they have a proper price cut what will happen."

Euh..600 to 400 dollars is what I call a price cut.

And a lot of people seem to forget that Sony had a 120 million install base to rely on while MSFT had a 25 million install base so no matter how you spin it its a freaking failure for Sony

[cereal_killa]

Hows is this a failure for Sony sure they made a mistake by the price but Sony is quite happy with the sales they have right now sure they could be better, but tell me what has M$ done so much better they got there system out a year early but has made them selves look greedy fools by releasing a faulty system that stupid Muppet's like yourself La Chance will continue to support because even though your system will break 1-5 times on you because of RROD/E74 they fix it for free or "hey there only $200 I'll just get a new one so I don't have to worry about this again. Sony's biggest problems is there marketing and price point because they deliver great games, have a reliable system and even though your paying $400 for a system it's dam sure worth every penny.

By the way La Chance you got to love multiple accounts you were down to one bubble yesterday and now look at you already up to 2 bubbles.

[PLAYWATCH]

Stop spreading lies and FUD.

I know you want and others to believe that A PS3 price cut won't have any affect by suggesting that it already had a large price cut from $600 to $400, but a hardcore fanboy like yourself already knows that is not true but still spreads it anyway.

The truth is it only had one $100 price cut so far.
$600 (60gig) to $500 (160gig)
$500 (20gig) to $400 (80gig)

Why would you want to sell your integrity over a freaking console?
Are you the head-honcho or somehow responsible for the Xbox360's success or something?

If you're going to defend yours or criticize others, at least do with some integrity and not with lies, misinformation and FUD.

[mrblacknut]

Now it has came down to what if articles to get by. Wow this must be rough for some of you fanboys that don't like the way the climate turned out then what some of you expected in 2005.

Blame it on the alcohol or Petrone lol

[Unicron]

What if...

This site actually had news?

[II Necroplasm II]

Good question...

[KeiKei]

this was a question on the gametrailers forums, now its on a blog? wow

[Foxgod]

The dreamcast came first too.
What matters is timing, not being first, the wii wasnt first either.

This person should have wrote, what if the ps3 arrived sooner.

[leila01]

Or "what if the PS3 launched at a $250 price tag"?
We'll never know anyway so who cares.

[Meus Renaissance]

When it arrived it was bare bones anyway especially in comparison to what we have in the system now. If it had arrived sooner, it would have been a heck of a lot more expensive than that $600 figure and the games would not have been ready - the infrastructure would have not been ready. Same reason why Microsoft didn't release the 360 sooner, same reason why the Wii didn't come out sooner.

Believe it or not kids, these global corporations have hundreds of switchboard monkey's working full time on accountancy, marketing and media research. In other words, they know what they are doing.

[Cenobia]

"When it arrived it was bare bones anyway especially in comparison to what we have in the system now."

What? The 60gb is the best PS3 there is. The newer versions are the ones with less features.

I assume you were trying to say something else.

[edhe]

Yes, he meant firmwares/games.

[ef-u-2]

wow a world with no halo,no mass effect, no bioshock,no gears,no crackdown this other place sucks damn scarlet witch you turn reality back how its supposed to be right now

[nostalgic_noob]

Xbox 360 releases in november 2005
Total Sales 31 Million Units.

Ps3 Released in November 2006
Total Sales 23 Million Units

Yearly Xbox sells 10.3 million units
Yearly Ps3 sells 11.5 Million Units

Sony is Selling more ps3s in the same timeframe as Microsoft is selling Xbox 360s.
If the PS3 was out at the same time as Xbox 360 the sales would be theoretically speaking....
Xbox 360 31 million
Ps3 34 Million.

[kewlkat007]

then it's numbers will be more padded as well...

[cmrbe]

Even if the PS3 came out 2 years late they still expect Sony to sell 3 times as many PS3 at double the price of competition and sell 100 million units in 2 years. I find it funny that haters think so highly of Sony and yet hate them with a passion at the same time. Logic and common sense is not their strongest suit.

[konvict]

a question that xbox fanboys will hate....but it's a good one though.

[vx]

da Xbox will be dead for sure wish we all know even M$ know dat der next system must come out b4 da PS3 or it haz no chance dat y day release a crap machine

[ef-u-2]

Hay I got another what if. what if the xbox360 could run widows XP/7/or vista

[jmare]

A giant asteroid came out of the sky and crushed assholes that ask what if?

[Shortstop]

Well, it certainly wouldn't be good for you!

[Codinthepocket]

Then you'd be dead too. ;)

[Cajun Chicken]

Basically, the 360 wouldn't have any true exclusives until Gears of War because all other earlier 'Only for XBOX' games could've easily been multiplats only reason they weren't is because the PS3 was later than anticipated.

[The Judderman]

Please use English so we can understand you.... I don't think it would have changed much due to the price. Could be wrong though, guess we will never know. It didn't so that is that.

[maverick1191]

why do you always get people that moan because they can't read what someone is saying it's pathetic, grow up if you're not going to comment about the article then why bother moaning because he used slang words.

Seriously how can the mods let a comment get approved when its nothing about the dam article oh and by the way ps3 is doing fine this article is just desperately wanting hits all you see is ps3 hate articles why no xbox or wii?

[LinuxGuru]

Shiny piece of metal? The exterior is plastic.

[jmare]

Yeah, I think there is very little metal in it. At least comparatively to the amount of plastic.

[Isis06]

but it's so heavy!!!!!

[MysticStrummer]

The 360 would have been discontinued by now and we would be seeing commercials for the XBox 420. (The marketing department has no idea why the number 420 is so cool, but research has shown that it is)

[kaveti6616]

You have no idea how many gamertags I come across on Xbox Live with 420 in them.

[keysy420]

360 fans really get mad when people talk positive about ps3.
it doesn't make sense becuase even the loayal fans of 360 will eventually get a ps3 they just don' t havea choice or miss out on some of the greatest games ever made. That's just how it is and what it comes down to. so stop hating save some dough and go buy a ps3 .

Or maybe M$ can ride halo till 2015. personally im through with halobut some people are dumb and because of their ignorance are stopping games from moving forward.really M$ get off halo make another ip that is good or just use the halo engine to make a game that isnt halo just do somethin gyou guys have been boring me all 2009

[RockmanII7]

dude shut up about halo. whats 1 thing bad with the game.

[keysy420]

two yearfrom now 360 fan boys will waqke up to see sony has surpassed m$ adn then they will really be pissed. but ill be happy beacause m$ is making sony make better games. If they came out after sony you would see that they are really not that much competition. Then sony wouldnt have to make so many games and you would jsut be playing third party games so kudos to M$.

But now MS needs to step their games up or get ou tof the picture. becuase if sony get two more ip's from Ms then why own a xbox

[keysy420]

the biggest mistake that sony made hands down forget the price they didnt have the games. But that will never happen again look for sony to come out first and with a line up that will tell it all. if that happens game over for m$. it doesnt matter if they come out with a gun that you can really frie bullets at the screen ps will win

[cmrbe]

is it would be PS2.2 and not PS3.

Long answer. No Blu-ray, no cell, no HDMI port. PS2.2 would have been price at 299 and sell just many unit if not more than the wii right now. However Sony will struggle to support the PS2.2 for ten years to reach the 100 million mark. Sony will have to release the PS3 in late 2010 angering PS fans and devs that have invested in the PS2.2.

Also PS fans would have to wait until late 2010 to get their taste of PS3 games we had since 2007.

[thrashermario]

go f your self fanboy go play gaylo part 255654321 trey 4 life

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

POOR ChatBot!!! ;-D
Nothing those idiots do will stop the PS3!!! ;-P

I can't wait for a $299/£199 PS3!!! ;-P
(Not for me, because i got 1 already. Just want to see the internet eat their sorry little words!!! IT WILL HAPPEN!!! SONY have just made it to EASY for M$, shame that...oh well) ;)

[TheTwelve]

If the PS3 had come first...it's hard to calculate how much weaker the 360 would be but in my opinion, the 360 coming first is the only reason why it has the market share that it has. This was a very smart move by Microsoft, or so it looks that way right now. When all is said and done, though, I believe the 360 will still be third place by a clear margin.

12

[mrblacknut]

So I guess we should do a what if the PS2 didn't come out 18 MONTHS before the Xbox what would the landscape be like then.

3rd place huh? LOL okay.

[TheTwelve]

If you're going to make no valid points, why even comment? I mean, you basically said nothing. The PS2 coming first over the original Xbox was clearly a large reason why the Xbox got the crap blown out of it. That's why Microsoft determined to release their system first this time. That's what they themselves said. The Sony name and their established fanbase will still win out in the end, but this gen wouldn't even have had close numbers if the PS3 came out first. Look up some facts and enlighten yourself.

12

[kaveti6616]

The consoles have reversed positions from last gen. The PS2 launched first and sold astronomically well, while the Xbox launched afterwards and happened to be more powerful than the PS2 but sold very poorly.

This generation the 360 launched first and sold fairly well, while the PS3 launched later and happens to be more powerful than the 360 but sells less.

Considering how much of a failure the original Xbox was, the PS3 is doing pretty well in its current position.

I am of the belief that if Microsoft decided to launch the 360 a year after the PS3, the 360 could potentially have been more powerful than the PS3, but wouldn't have had as much 3rd party support.

[edhe]

"The consoles have reversed positions from last gen. The PS2 launched first and sold astronomically well, while the Xbox launched afterwards and happened to be more powerful than the PS2 but sold very poorly."

'happened' - it was about 2x the power. And it sold not bad for a new platform.

"This generation the 360 launched first and sold fairly well, while the PS3 launched later and happens to be more powerful than the 360 but sells less."

ps3 is not more powerful than the 360, at least not for gaming. That's been proven repeatedly. From vocational comnparisons to chip specs.

"Considering how much of a failure the original Xbox was, the PS3 is doing pretty well in its current position."
The xbox wasn't a failure, it did it's job of creating a brand, and creating a premium service for gamers and getting MS under the telly. Sure 360's kicking it's arse but the xbox was no dreamcast.
The ps3, in it's current position, is bleeding Sony dry. As it is it's just not a profitable venture.

"I am of the belief that if Microsoft decided to launch the 360 a year after the PS3, the 360 could potentially have been more powerful than the PS3, but wouldn't have had as much 3rd party support."
Probably true.

[Godmars290]

Better to ask what if Sony had put more effort into supporting and securing third party devs. Advertising. Having and blocking video content from XBL.

[edhe]

or...

what if they had designed the console system around what developers would've appreciated having, instead of making it arbitrarily difficult.

[N4g_null]

The truth bluray would not have been in the PS3 and the cell would have been the GPU for the PS3. HD may have not been a main component for the PS3. Yet SONY would have been some what of a lame duck except all of there games would have came out on time while the xbox 360 comes out two years later with HD graphics.

The funny thing is the PS3 would be possibly a little more stronger than the Wii maybe but it may have been a tie yet this would still be an upgrade to the PS3. The same things that make the Wii attractive to developers would have made metal gear and all other games dev keep developing for the new platform. The xbox 360 would have looked like a money sink.

This is one reason why most developers where waiting on sony to come out with their system. There was this strange rumor that the PS3 would be close to the xbox 360 power yet be cheaper. LOL then we all got the price on the same day LOL. The dev tools where order early by some yet some told many of them that SONY could get away with this.

What they where saying was pretty good and the early benchmarks we ran made the PS3 look like a beast. Then came all the promises... then came the delays.

Now if the PS3 had came out earlier would sony have opted for a emotion engine hybrid with the cell which would let us use our PS2 code base and add on shader tech may be? Game would have came out on the PS3 and it would have solidified them as a major player before any one else had came out.

Every one waited on SONY to step up but I have to admit many had a bad taste in their mouth afterwards due to the price and the promised game tech.

Then MS would have showed the horrible tech demo that they showed before and it would have put them in 3rd place while you would see nintendo and SONY go for the gold. It would be possible that all of the HD tv talk would have been more of a gimmick than any thing else also and that would have benefited SONY and nintendo since SONY could have invested in motion tech a lot earlier and ports from the Wii like the conduit would be on SONys system also and many games that sony gamers want from the Wii would be their also.

These two being on top would have been like the classic sega vs Nintendo back in the day with SONY having more of an edge simply because of the PS2.

Most importantly due to the lack of the HD hoopla SONY would not have alienated their PS2 owners and welcomed them to the next gen, while MS could possibly be seen as a novelty with the xbox 360.

Yet I must say when SONY co signed the HD crap it gave MS more cred in an industry where their only real hit was halo. SONY would have been way more smart to co sign with nintendo and just pull their cool card to get the tech guys.

While all of this is happening blu ray can go down in price and the true HD tech becomes affordable. Yet the next gen can go true HD.... And SONY doesn't have to fire Ken one of the4 main visionaries behind the PS brand.

[infamous_27]

The better question is what if the Wii came first?

I bet the Wii would be in 3rd place if it came out first. Consumers would wait for the PS3 (because they not yet know theprice) and leave Nintendo's console.

[N4g_null]

The Wii did come out first right? No one was left waiting on the PS3. Plus if the Wii did come out first their would not be this whole air of HD gaming being better because MS PR guys would not have time to show us why, GOW came out almost 2 years later every thing before that was very forgettable.

The Wii would have had almost 3to 4 years on the market in a time before the recession also... meaning sells would have been higher.

[Rowsdower]

now N4G has imaginary news

what if 9/11 never happened

what if your mom never had you

waste of time

everybody done with fantasy time?

welcome back yo reality.

[cmrbe]

It dose make you think which is a good thing in my book. The internet will not implode or crash because of this article. Also you always have the option of ignoring it and leave it to other people that are interested in thinking and then commenting on this article.

Its not a wish. Its just a question.

[Rowsdower]

the mature way you responded to my comment. your right, sometimes I cant seem to help myself and jump into these sort of threads. This article annoyed me and I lashed out, I would have been a lot happier if I left it to its audience. I shall not bring my evil here. Peace.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

If the ps3 came first than I reckon things would be different. Next subject...

[gamingisnotacrime]

the PS3 would have gotten developers fully behind it and when the 360 launched, maybe there would have been spec issues (disc space being the must obvious one). The 360 was all by itself and in its first year (well until Gears) there was not a really good reason to own a 360, just like it happened to the PS3 in its first year and a half. Now in its 3rd year PS3 has as many good reasons as the 360 to jusify the purchase. I dont mind Sony being behind at the present since im not a Sony Exec, and if anything the PS3 gets better thx to 360 influence and tough competition. For gamers is all good, for SONY it has been a rocky road, for MS they have achieved some victories, but also lost easy battles (RROD, current lack of upcoming 360 exclusives). The Wii.......$$$$$

I just hope current 360 owners (like me) dont have to "Jump In" in the next 2 years. Either way i have decided to ride my PS3 for the 10 years promise even if the PS4 is released in the PS3's fifth year (obviously i will buy the PS4 when the great games are already out and the price is mass market)

PS: I missed a lot last gen because i bought an xbox instead of a PS2, but now I have a PS2 and i am playing catch up (FF X, RE4, MGS3, GTA San Andreas, SoTC, ICO, FF X-2, FF XII, GTA San Andreas, Jak, Ratchet....obviously it will be impossible to play the PS3 + PS2 games, but heck is worth a try)

[keysy420]

maybe the fact that halo has been beaten to death and more remakes make it worse. i love halo 1 and 2 but halo 3 came with no major updates and reminded me of a halo 2.5.
what else is wrong with halo other games are just better. i will always love halo 1 and 2 but its time to move on. call of duty 4 really showed that. Their are things that i will always miss about alo like double kill! but its time to bury the game. it reached its peek and now will never live up to its once fame.
But Ms is the king of spin offs anf dlc so im sure you'll end up seeing a gear rts soon

[RockmanII7]

There are no halo remakes. The only halo 'remakes' are ports to the PC for PC gamers who don't have a xbox. Also saying that halo 3 has no major updates is bull. What do you call Forge, Theater mode, and WAY more customizable custom games. I fail to see how any game is better. equal maybe, but better? Can you play infection in CoD4? How about make your own maps. Can you do that? Didn't think so. And halo hasn't even hit its peak. Halo 3 has sold more copies than any other halo game and will be considered a great franchise until Bungie deciedes to make something else.

[TheColbertinator]

I would have been playing 4D games at 120 FPS earlier.

[Midgard228]

so its not a matter of wat the ps3 wud of had at launch, because there was no good games on 360 the first yr, or atleast not many imo, not till gears and halo, i guess alot of people got it for the first high def madden aswell

[Kishin]

I haven't read all of the comments... But i'll say something about...

Anyone remembers a little white console called the Dreamcast back then... Need I say more? I didn't think so...

To be realistic it is my opinion that the Xbox360 has an upper hand not only because of it's early release neither because of it's local americanize marketing that appeals more to this generation of gamer but the blatant PiRACY that's been going out since almost launch days.... Free games is a major incentive into buying a new console for the tech savvy's out there. I mean lets look at the PS2's past... It sure wasn't widely known as the 360 today but if you spent just a single day walking down the streets in say china or korea you would understand instantly why it's that much popular console unit selling wise...

Point in case the free game piracy is a major advantage... And probably also the fact that MS consider's a RROD replacement as a brand new purchase... remove the 25 to 30% of those failed console as a whole and it's not that Shiny any longer.

[keysy420]

ps3 hasn't failed its doing better than 360. the only failure to ps3 is that it isnt 10+million ahead of 360. thats the failure.

the ps3 is a success 24 million user base and the ground work for ps4 giving them the edge in making the next system cheaper.

[Enigma_2099]

The same thing that happened with the 360 coming out first... Microsoft would have seen what they were up against and responded accordingly...

DUH!

[lizard81288]

If my aunt had balls, shed be my uncle.

as in its a what if...

[Sonic the Hedgehog]

and What if my hair were blue...

oh wait.

[RockmanII7]

its funny because his hair are blue

[zok310]

It's not MS that got Sony in this mess, it was Sony that failed to keep and secure major 3rd party exclusive. If Sony was able to keep; Assassin's Creed, FF13, GTA5, RE5, Devil may cry 4, Monster Hunter, and many more upcoming games exclusive to the PS3, then I doubt the 360 would have sold 20 million units from launch to date world wide. Sony let the above exclusives go, and for what? I really don't know.

Sony could have taken... idk.. $50 million, give or take a little (I don't care who you are that's a lot of money) and divided it between those 3rd party developers and kept those system selling games on the PS3 for at least a year, these devs had a great relationship with Sony and I'm pretty sure they would have taken some kind of offer from Sony.

Sony laid back and watch MS take every major 3rd party game that debuted on the PS 1-2 and made it multi, this mistake is hurting the ps3 sales more than anything.

The PS3 was able to sale 23 million units world wide in 2 years under heavy competition, and in a bad economy, proof that people see and prefer the value of the PS3 over the 360, but, when some see the game line up and they notice the 360 have all the major 3rd party games the PS3 has, and for a much cheaper price... guess which system they are going to buy?

[Magna Farta]

The PS3 had cost approx. $830 to build for every unit in 2006.

If the PS3 came first, it would've had to be before Nov. 2005. During this time, blu-ray manufacturing was still in it's infancy, which I can only assume manufacturing failure rates were at their highest, maybe 2 or 3 out of every 10 discs pressed that failed QC. Not to mention the 1st blu-ray player released in Japan retailed for $3800 in '03.

so, working with some generous educated guessing, I'd say that if the PS3 debuted at the same time or before the 360, it would've had to retail for at LEAST $1000, and that's Sony still taking a loss on every one. Just the same had the 360 used an on-board HD-DVD drive as it's storage medium.

Hypothetically, if the PS3 debuted a year earlier, and the only thing changing it would be a DVD drive instead of blu-ray (and forcing every publisher to press on that format, I'll elaborate on that in a sec), the PS3 may have debuted at $349-$399, putting it in direct competition of the 360, and with the massive install base of the PS2, and this is just speculation, but the ps3 would've probably outsold the 360 2-1 or 3-1, and that number is solely based on the install base of the ps2, so flame-shield engage!!!

There, now that my +1 flame-shield is up, I will continue onto the whole forced blu-ray deal. This is why that desptie the fact I love my ps3, I have no illusions that the ps3 was being marketed to force blu-ray into the field.

Sony had been coming off multiple defeats in just about every format war imaginable (Beta and Mini-Disc to just name two), they wanted a format that would bring in royalty dollars to offset the prohibitive cost of the ps3. Here comes blu-ray.

Now has anyone noticed that some early PS2 games were still pressed on CDs? That's because if there's enough space on a CD to hold the data, it saved devs countless amounts of money to print on a cheap CD instead of a then-expensive DVD, and Sony didn't care because the format was compatible and it didn't have monetary value to them other than the sale of the game.

But enter Blu-ray. For every blu-ray pressed and sold there is a royalty fee given to the BDA, which is headed by Sony and operated by 8 other major companies. Now all of these games that fit onto a 9GB DVD are FORCED to be pressed on blu-ray for the PS3 format (for the sake of royalty revenues). Devs weren't given the option to press the PS3 versions of their games onto DVD to save loads of cash, which also could be a hidden answer as to why most exclusives went multiplatform.

Wheee! That was a long post. Well to sum it up, if PS3 released first, it probably would be blowing away the competition as far as sales go, but blu-ray would've been another tombstone in the Cemetary of Dead Formats, either way, Sony kinda painted themselves into a corner with these moves, and the paint is taking a long time to dry.

Please note that I play both consoles, prefer my ps3 simply because I have more time invested into it, but have no desire to join the ranks of unreasonable fanboys.

[Magna Farta]

..the first Blu-ray disc in USA to be edited and pressed for the market was Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.

*huddles in corner*

[Shnazzyone]

You fool! you can't change the past without altering the present. You'll cause a paradox!!!!! Then the universe would collapse upon itself negating all existence! Curse your fanboy desires! They have destroyed us ALLLLL!

Seriously I just hate what if articles. If ps3 was first then I'm sure that maybe we would have seen a price drop by now. Seeing as it didn't come out first then oh well.

[meetajhu]

The 360 would have been finished before start!

[rjackson1]

It was the PS3 and now it is PS4 will own all for sure! keysy420 get a life and stop being a fool for Sony! And i own both systems.

[DelbertGrady]

What if the 360 didn't have RROD?

[ArcticWolfUK]

then it would have 1 less exclusive

[Marty8370]

Never gonna happen, you can but dream bot.

[ACEMANWISE]

I think the Wii would still have risen to the top. The Wii was released last and it didn't appear to matter what 360 and PS3 offered. I think the Playstation 3 would be in 2nd place today but not have the same lead.

The Playstation 3 was released too early the way it was. Sony already stated they rushed the PS3s release a tad early because HDTVs, Blu-Ray, optical and HDMI weren't even common knowledge yet. As a matter of fact the Playstation 3 was bashed because it was too far ahead of it's time and people refused to pay for something that they couldn't use. Blu-Ray was an uncertain format too.

I do think overall the Playstation would have benefitted a one year headstart though. It would have given developers that extra year to learn how to program for the Playstation 3. Blu-Ray would have been adopted a bit faster over HD-DVD and there may have not even been a format war started.

If the 360 came out one year later I think they would have been evenly matched in multiplatform versions. Sony would have always had the advantage of exclusives due to their inhouse developers doubling the size of Microsoft and Nintendo combined. That snowball effect would suck in 3rd party exclusivity because install base would be higher. The 360 would sell at a faster rate because they still would have the price advantage. Therefore I'd say the PS3 would be sitting around 29 million today and the 360 would be closing in at 25 million.

[HarukoHex]

I love what I read earlier, sony would have been screwed, since they would have never gotten trophies, the PSN tags, online service even close to right. and everything else they stole from MS and nintendo.

[FlamingBozo]

Companies still would find the 360 easier to code and the ps3 would still would have been 600 which still would have scared alot of people from buying it and waiting to see what happens with the 360.... part of me though thinks that PSN would actually have a fee

[BYE]

The position of being the last released console is better than being the first, you learn from the mistakes the others did and make it better, which is exactly what they did with the PS3. It's more thought through and future proof.

[Ninjamonkey82]

If PS3 had came out first it would have been the system to beat now simple as that. We as gamers crave are games so money will be spent no matter the price. Want prove xbox launch price on both v1 and 360. Personally i spent £1200 in the November launch here to have it rrod the first day of the new year. :/ Didn'T stop it selling though ad that only goes to show the length gamers will go.

[CSM-101e]

it's the sound the doorbell makes at misery's house.

[cyclindk]

The ladies would have said, "that's okay, it happens to a lot of guys."

badabing!

[han411]

it's goin to be the best console ever

[Marty8370]

The reason why the PS3 did'nt release first was there was problems with Blu-ray production. PS3 other componets simply were'nt ready. So it could never have happened. PS3 is better for it, atleast the hardware is reliable and has been ever since launch.

MS rushed 360 to market, and it shows with upto 68% failure rates.

Even today RROD is common place.

PLAYB3YOND

[AngryTypingGuy]

If the PS3 came first, it would have more of the market share, possibly even the lead. It's no secret that being first out of the gate certainly helps. However, it's not a guarantee that it would have the lead thanks to the PS3's high price and the poor economy. Those two factors are the biggest crutch for the PS3 and any other high-dollar piece of equipment.

[Rowsdower]

this is so stupid
since when is daydreaming of imaginary scenarios news

i dont care your what your console of choice is leave the make believe to the kiddies and deal with reality. the ps3 and wii came out a year after the 360. now 4 and a half years after the release of the 360 the wii sold the most consoles and the PS3 sold the least. Deal with it. I am so tired of the stupid oohh the 360 had a year head start thats why my expensive console, sold during one of the worst financial situations since the great depression, is in last place. where is the real gaming news? I tried to ignore this article, but as I watch it increase in popularity i cant help but think that this article is a great example of what is wrong with this site.

many people here dont want news, they just want their own views to be validated by horrible articles like these.

[ShadowCK]

But the fact is, It didn't.

So stop dreaming. You dreamers.

[Half-Mafia]

if the PS3 came out first then i wouldnt of got a 360 simple as.

and i know alot of other people who r the same.

[Lykon]

from the darkist crevice of my anus. its like the ps3 it better get over it, everyone accepts this now.

[DuneBuggy]

Its fun to theorize what the video game market would be like, but no one really knows or can know right? Its like asking what the world would be like if WWII never happened or the TV wasnt invented.
But since its all in fun....
What if there was a massive anti PS3 backlash (due to price) and the PS3 was STILL in third behind the Wii and PS2?
What features WOULD NOT be on the PS3 since the 360 never "existed"?
What quality of game would you have seeing as there is no other "next gen" competition?