Analyst Predicts Further Console Price Cuts

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to a Reuters/Yahoo story discussing software sales growth and possible console hardware price cuts for the US. Tony Gikas, a gaming sector financial analyst, saw strong short-term sales prospects for companies such as EA, Activision, and Take Two, and "said he expected software sales growth for the industry of 12 percent each in 2003 and 2004." Interestingly, Gikas is also quoted as saying "(The recent) hardware price cut to $179 is working and (there will be) more to follow before year-end." How low can prices go before a new generation of console hardware kicks in?

Re:Inside Information

[Matrix272]

Wireless has always had some appeal to me, as well, but the problems with them in terms of gaming don't even seem to be something that most people have been looking at. I know 2 people that have wireless controllers for their gamecubes that noticed the same latency issues I'm talking about (note: not dropouts, latency, the time between pressing the button and the action being performed on-screen), but I don't know if they have the controller you're talking about or not. I definitely have had problems with wireless controllers on the PS2 (my step-brother bought one), and wireless keyboards/mice on the PC (my dad and my roommate both have wireless keyboard/mouse combos that are less than a year old).

My guess is that you're not using good wireless equipment. I have a WaveBird for my GameCube, and it's fantastic. I never used a wired controller with it, and don't see any need to. I've played it on the same batteries for 8-12 hours at a time for over 6 months and never had any problems at all, including latency (yes, I know what latency is). For the PC, I'm currently using a Logitech MX700, both at work and at home. I have noticed one relatively minor problem... after a little while of not moving the mouse, it takes about 1/4 of a second to re-initialize the wireless connection before any movement is seen on the screen. It never seems to happen during games, but only when I'm browsing the internet or doing other non-time-critical things. I would highly recommend both items, although cost might be an issue. If memory serves, the WaveBird was about $35 new, and the Logitech MX700 is around $75 - 80.

At least the XBox controllers have longer cables than the Sony controllers. I had to buy extension cables for my PS2 controllers, whereas the XBox controllers get from beside the TV to the couch with no problems. I've considered putting my consoles next to the couch to alleviate all of the problems associated with the cables streamed across the room when playing, but then I'll have to route the video & audio cables under the carpet or through the walls & attic, either of which seems a bit much at the moment.

I bought my XBox a week after it came out, and I have to agree. I absolutely LOVE the 10' cables, as compared to the standard 6' ones on the GameCube and PS2. I don't know who the hell ever thought that 6' was enough to go from somewhere near the TV to wherever the kids would be sitting, but they need beaten in the head with something heavy. That's the main reason I tried the WaveBird (see above ;-) ).

It depends a lot on how it's handled by the transmitter. Many wireless standards such as bluetooth will shift frequencies to avoid interference, which I'd imagine the Live headset would do as well (I'm not sure what wireless standards it uses, or the specs if it's a proprietary protocol). The amount of data is generally not an issue, as long as they chose their specifications properly in the first place.

I personally wouldn't recommend bluetooth, or anything else in the 2.4ghz range. At this point, almost everything is operating at 2.4ghz... microwaves, cordless phones, wireless mice / keyboards, etc. Even if bluetooth can shift frequencies, there's only 3 non-overlapping ranges in the 802.11b standard... I'd recommend 5ghz. It's got additional bandwidth, and not nearly as many things operating in the same range. Latency shouldn't be an issue, as long as it's tested properly...

My personal opinion would be to sell the wireless controller in 2.4ghz, and the XBox Live headset in 5ghz. In the XBox Live box there would be a replacement transmitter that would include BOTH 2.4ghz AND 5ghz, and there wouldn't be any overlapping between them at all. The headset could easily have a 5ghz transmitter built-in, and the controller already would have the 2.4ghz built in. It may not be cost effective yet, but it seems like a good solution to me.