What Makes A Great Launch?

We’re not talking about a good launch for the console manufacturers here, we’re talking about what constitutes a good launch for you, for me, and for John Q Gamer. Hardware availability and pricing, number of launch titles, launch title variety and software quality are all important, but what’s the most important and why?

Read the full article and find out, after the jump!

We’re not talking about a good launch for the console manufacturers here, we’re talking about what constitutes a good launch for you, for me, and for John Q Gamer. Hardware availability and pricing, number of launch titles, launch title variety and software quality are all important, but what’s the most important and why?

Hardware Availability:
It’s simple, if people can’t find the console to buy, then they’ll do one of two things, either forget about it and head for the nearest competitor, or if they’re “hardcore” their inability to procure the machine of their choice will drive them to extreme measures (eBay+$$$ = happy hardcore gamer).

Sony’s PlayStation 2 launched with a horrendously low number of units, spurring those eager to get their hands on the big black box that could to go to unheard of lengths just to lay claim to one. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console also launched with fewer units than were required to sate the rabid mob and crippling shortages (artificial or not) propelled the console to the top of many Christmas wish lists. Unfortunately the fact that the shortages were only alleviated within the last month meant that many an eager gamer was left with a slimline PS2 under their christmas tree come Jesus’ birthday.

So yeah, give us the right numbers because starving the population to increase demand is great for the manufacturers (apparently), but gamers hate getting the shaft like that. *Crosses fingers and prays that Sony and Nintendo don’t hump us all this November*

Hardware Pricing:
I wonder what’s going to happen when November rolls around and the PlayStation 3 and Wii launch within a few weeks of each other, especially if the PS3 is in short supply as it most assuredly will be. Will gamers take one look at the $600 PS3 price tag and turn to the sub $250 Wii, or perhaps the easily available Xbox 360 with Gears of War, Oblivion and PGR3? Will you? Gamers have to weigh their initial investment not only against the immediate gain from the purchased console, but also against its future prospects, so while the PS3’s price might seem pricey at first glance, its huuuge back catalog and possible future catalog might just prove the investment wise. Speaking of initial investments…

When you buy a console more often than not you’ll want to get a second controller, one or two games, perhaps some cables as well, getting all these with a Wii would still keep you under $400, but with a PS3 we’re talking close to $750. To spend that much moolah on a piece of kit (no matter how sexy) any consumer should be able to feel reasonably confident that it’ll be worth the splurge. Hardware pricing’s a difficult thing for the manufacturer, they rarely make money off their consoles, and they want to get them out there as cheap as possible to encourage gamers to pick up peripheral devices and games especially (that’s why attach rates are so important) . The real money comes from software sales and those of the aforementioned peripherals, and not the hardware.

Personally, I think Microsoft pretty much hit the nail on the head as far as pricing the 360 goes, $400 (we’re not counting the ‘tard pack here, that was sneaky). The price is definitely an increase over what was considered the norm last generation, but not so much that it seems unreasonable. Older gamers can afford it and younger ones don’t have to feel bad asking mom and dad to shell out for one. With a price tag of $600, Sony have ensured that younger gamers will have a hard time picking up their console, asking mom and dad for a $750 pre-Christmas gift pretty much guarantees you get nothing else. If Nintendo do launch for under $250 as they’ve continually hinted, they enter the fray at a price that kids and teens can afford on their own, and adults and older gamers won’t even blink at, smart move for them, but great for us all! What Sony need to do between now and launch, is start showing us why we’re going to want to break the bank to get their system, they’ve got the hardware pretty much right, now let’s see the software.

Launch Titiles: Quantity, Quality and Variety:
Would a small number of launch titles even matter if they were all AAA “killer apps”? Would you rather have two really tasty oven fresh Krispy Kreme glazed donuts, or a dozen stale day old donuts? Sure the twelve donuts would last longer, but the enjoyment derived from devouring and savoring every tasty morsel would be limited.

In case I’m losing you with the donut analogy, let me put it this way, I’d rather have Metal Gear Solid 4, Gran Turismo 5 and Ratchet And Clank at launch than thirty three different variations on Genji 2 (sorry, but that game looks like pap). The current trend in gaming is to put emphasis on the number of titles a console launches with rather than the quality of these titles, choice doesn’t necessarily equate to quality. Don’t get me wrong if we can get a launch with 20-30 top tier games I’m all for it, but when was the last time you remember that happening?

The Worst Parts Of A Console Launch:
The lines, the pushing, the shoving, the waiting, “launch windows”, and worst of all, the defective units. As hardware gets more and more complex it’s likely the sort of problems that plagued the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 launches will become more and more common… shucks! It remains to be seen how smoothly Sony and Nintendo’s launches will prove come Thanksgiving, but there will be defective units on both sides, count on it.

What Makes It All Worth It:
Maniacally ripping open the packaging and cradling your prize in your arms, then tossing aside the styrofoam padding, plugging her in and booting that baby up for the first time. In those short, sweet moments before you actually put any software in the machine everything just seems right with the world.

If you haven’t figured it out yet despite the article banner, a great launch is made by great games, it always comes down to the games because at the end of the day that’s what we play and why we play 😉