Max's 2009 in retrospect. A look back... - Blu-ray Forum

Maximus · 12-23-2009, 10:50 PM

So while I'm stuck at the airport waiting for a flight that may or may not take off I figured it would be a good idea to take a look back at the year and relive the many highs and lows.

So as well all know early 2009 started badly, PS3 had underperformed WW over holiday season and there were plenty of people predicting its doom and untimely death. The main reason behind this very short sighted thinking was that the PS3 had become an also ran in the console war...

By the end of Jan, the pressure was on and Sony had to do something, something big that shoots. Boy did they deliver...

With stunning graphics and gameplay to match Killzone 2 delivered everything we needed... or did it. With niggling complaints about controls and online Guerilla worked on patch after patch to placate the haters with out realising that haters are exactly that, haters.

March to April passed without much going on, just a few multiplats and casual games. It wasn't until May that we got a taste of what Sony had been working on internally. On the 21st of May Sucker Punch gave us a demo to the exclusive game inFamous. Hardly hyped and barely registering on mainstream websites this demo put this game on the map.

A week later the game went on general release, and it was received as the best new IP of the year and is still considered one of the best, most fun games to release this year.

Around the same time rumours were starting to pile up that Sony had something in the works, a cooler, sexier, slimmer PS3. Pictures and reports from manufacturers in China started to gather steam and Sony's denials were sounding more and more phoned in. The rumour mill was running in over drive by the time E3 came around, people talking about Sony announcing a PS3 Slimline and shipping in August.

E3 came and went, no PS3 Slimline, only a disappointing PSPGo on the hardware front, but SCEWWS continued to deliver on the software side. The strength of the first party continued to show as it had done in previous years. SCE showed off the Wand advanced motion controller...

...Uncharted 2...

...Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time...

...The Last Guardian...

...and The Agent from R* North.

E3 was hailed as a potential turning point for the PS3, but it turned out to be premature, the real turning point would come in Europe two months later at GamesCom. The PS3 Slim was announced for a price of $299/€299. This will be seen in the history books as the point where Sony went from being an also-ran to being the contender for market leader again. While most recognise the road back to redemption is a long one, no one doubts the effect the slim has had on sales. Top of the US charts in the release month, top of the Japanese and PAL charts since launch. Around 4.5m units sold to date with December yet to be counted (projected at around 3m WW by some).

Then we got to TGS. Nothing major, a few setbacks in that GT5 was confirmed for March 2010, but for the delay we consumers will receive the game we have all been waiting for. Murmurs of exclusive RPGs behind the scenes, but nothing concrete. Even more amazing TLG footage shown and WKC2 announced. RE5:Alternate Edition announced for PS3 Wand. Japanese gaming industry declared DOA, except Capcom, of course...

October was a big month for PS3, Uncharted 2 released with rave reviews and gifs. multi-player was a big success and Naughty Dog have been rewarded for their success with shipments of over 2m for the game and Drake is looking set to be the biggest PS3 IP introduced this gen! Insomniac gave us yet another instalment of the R&C franchise amidst claims that it has become a tired formula and calls for them to move on from the series and invest in a new IP more adult oriented. Despite this background of negativity Insomniac informed the gaming press that R&C:ACiT has become the fastest selling Insomniac game on PS3.

Rolling into November PS3 had a lot of momentum and with the release of COD:MW2 is continued, and Sony boosted their position in the US with some very good value bundles for the Black Friday buying bonanza but by this time all eyes were fixated on December 17th. This was the release date for a certain Final Fantasy game in Japan. FFXIII broke all current gen records in it's release week and became the highest selling PS3 game in Japan in one day and by the end of the week it had sold more than double the previous top game MGS4 (what great company to be in!). At the end of the week, FFXIII had sold around 1.5m copies, the largest opening of a home console game since the last FF game on PS2 and PS3 sold around 0.25m units for the week or the biggest sales week it has ever had.

Moving into 2010 GT5 is scheduled for release WW and FFXIII in the west in March. GoWIII in March and MAG in January. 2010 looks set to be another stellar year, and we can see how well SCE expect to do when they release their fiscal projections in May, but early estimates are looking at a repeat of the 13m predicted for this year!

What do you guys think of the year just gone? How about 2010?

NB - screens coming soon, my internet is too poor for me to be bothered to try and get them over here.

GLaDOS · 12-23-2009, 11:53 PM

2009 was a year for Sony as 2007 was a year for Microsoft; it was a damn good year for us, and we're finally getting the momentum needed for sales to boost. I hope 2010 will be the same as last year for the PS3.

Blu-Generation · 12-24-2009, 12:15 AM

2009 is definately the best year thus far, for PS3. No doubt.

-PS3 slim came, and sold amazingly well.

-Uncharted 2 deliver on the promise and became instant game of the year. (Before it was even announced GOTY)

-Sony step it up with their commercials.

And for once, the majority of the world is starting to take the PS3 seriously. As a serious competition. The competitors are not only seeing PS3 as a threat, but literally took action. With either some sort of price cut, or banning a million console in an attempt to sell more unit. (conspiracy theory)

After 09, no one journalist or fence sitter can say PS3 has no good games, or that it's too expensive, etc. After 09, more and more people will start to think about buying one.

Going forward into 2010, the PS3 will only rise higher. (Hopefully)

The line-up speaks for itself.

09 was definately a great year. For PS3, and PS3 fans.

Seeking_Alpha · 12-24-2009, 12:45 AM

You forgot Demon's Souls Max

But yea, good year definitely. And good year for gaming overall, solid releases on all platforms.

Uncharted 2 is my game of the year - I actually was clapping in enjoyment while playing!

But other notable releases

Empire Total War - its just awesome

Left 4 Dead 2 - everything the first 1 was and better

Demon's Souls - if you beat it, pure satisfaction

Next year is gonna be even better with

1) GT5 (the reason I bought a PS3 in the first place!)

2) Mass Effect 2 (alien sex? and great combat? why yes please!)

4) God of War III (I played the first 2 games to death)

3) And of course, if it comes out, Starcraft II (My life for Auir!

)

I really also hope the new Medal of Honor will be good

toef · 12-24-2009, 01:29 AM

I'm probably in the minority, but I didn't really like Infamous or Killzone 2. Not that they were bad, it's just that they didn't seem all that amazing to me.

The new R&C seemed like a step back from the last one.

But Uncharted 2 was easily my favorite game of the year, and favorite since FFVII.

MLB 09 was [is] also a great game.

pBLU-RAYs3 · 12-24-2009, 03:31 AM

This is a great time for people looking for multimedia entertainment like myself. The ps3 keeps me busy with as it will only be my sole blu/dvd/cd/mp3 playing device and a very nice selection of gamies. I now watch youtube solely on my 32" tube. Thanks to the ps3, I've cut down on television shows by 99%.

From here on forward, it can only go up.

silversnake · 12-24-2009, 04:12 PM

Amazing, amazing games this year. inFamous was my favorite game before Uncharted 2 came out. We are truly seeing beauty in our PS3 exclusives and I can't wait for 2010.

ps: good luck with your flight Max

Elandyll · 12-24-2009, 05:44 PM

My best surprise of the year was Infamous (in 08 it was a toss between MGS4 and Dead Space). U2 wasn't really a surprise, because I was expecting so much from it (and it certainly didn't disappoint).

I am eagerly awaiting more good games than ever next year: WKC, FF XIII, DeadSpace 2, 3D Dot Game Heroes, Aliens vs Predator (hoping for Colonial Marines) - and still unsure about ModNation Racers and Heavy Rain, some choices will have to be made in the first 6 months ... etc.
Not a big fan of racers, but I might just get into GT5 if it is nearly as good as rumored.

alanshearer · 12-24-2009, 08:31 PM

I think SCE needs to change it's focus in regards first party games now the Playstation brand relies on it. Like Nintendo and Microsoft it needs to go for sales and system sellers which would need a more market research driven agenda.

galperi1 · 12-25-2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanshearer

I think SCE needs to change it's focus in regards first party games now the Playstation brand relies on it. Like Nintendo and Microsoft it needs to go for sales and system sellers which would need a more market research driven agenda.

ummm. thats utter crap. What sets Sony apart is the breadth and depth of their 1st party studios and offerings. I would rather have Infamous, KZ, LBP, Uncharted, Demons Soul each sell mediocre rather than focus on 1-2 system sellers ala Gears and Halo.

As a gamer, Sony's new IP and first party strategy has been great to me over the past 2-3 years and there is no way I would advocate that they need to change to appease the people that think they NEED to focus solely on sales.

If they focus on high quality games, the sales will come over the course of the consoles lifetime

GLaDOS · 12-25-2009, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galperi1

ummm. thats utter crap. What sets Sony apart is the breadth and depth of their 1st party studios and offerings. I would rather have Infamous, KZ, LBP, Uncharted, Demons Soul each sell mediocre rather than focus on 1-2 system sellers ala Gears and Halo.

As a gamer, Sony's new IP and first party strategy has been great to me over the past 2-3 years and there is no way I would advocate that they need to change to appease the people that think they NEED to focus solely on sales.

If they focus on high quality games, the sales will come over the course of the consoles lifetime

Well, you do realize we're in last place, right? We need to step our game up to catch up the other two consoles, so I agree with what Alan says.

JonD7 · 12-25-2009, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toefer

I'm probably in the minority, but I didn't really like Infamous or Killzone 2. Not that they were bad, it's just that they didn't seem all that amazing to me.

The new R&C seemed like a step back from the last one.

But Uncharted 2 was easily my favorite game of the year, and favorite since FFVII.

MLB 09 was [is] also a great game.

YOU HEATHEN!

lol just kidding.

LOTS of great games this year, Killzone 2, InFamous, Batman Arkham Asylum, Uncharted 2, Ratchet & Clank... I can't believe '09 came and went SO fast.

but it was damn good!

AranhaHunter · 12-27-2009, 05:28 AM

I think this year was easily the best year ever for SCE in terms of 1st party/2nd party software.

Uncharted 2 has won numerous overall TPS, Action/Adventure and GOTY awards (over games like AC2, Batman AA)
Demon's Souls has won overall RPG and GOTY award (over games like Dragon Age, Mario and Luigi RPG, SMT, DQV)
Killzone 2 has won overall Shooter of the year award (over games like MW2, L4D2 and Halo 3 ODST)
Ratchet ACIT has won overall Platformer of the year award (over games like NSMB Wii)

Let's not forget other great games that they put out like inFamous (arguably best new IP and best sandbox GOTY), MLB 09 The Show (arguably best sports GOTY) and PSN games like Flower and Fat Princess.

And I'm not even counting the PSP outputs like Gran Turismo, Motorstorm, Resistance Retribution and LBPso many more great games

2010 looks to be just as good for SCE 1st and 2nd party with GOW3, GT5, MAG, Heavy Rain, ModNation Racers could be great as well.

assydingo · 12-27-2009, 07:14 AM

I'm not much of a gamer but I have to say, Uncharted 2 is as good as everyone says.

Shin-Ra · 12-27-2009, 02:44 PM

Some of the replies here disgust me, but:

Quote:

Originally Posted by AranhaHunter

I think this year was easily the best year ever for SCE in terms of 1st party/2nd party software.

Uncharted 2 has won numerous overall TPS, Action/Adventure and GOTY awards (over games like AC2, Batman AA)
Demon's Souls has won overall RPG and GOTY award (over games like Dragon Age, Mario and Luigi RPG, SMT, DQV)
Killzone 2 has won overall Shooter of the year award (over games like MW2, L4D2 and Halo 3 ODST)
Ratchet ACIT has won overall Platformer of the year award (over games like NSMB Wii)

Let's not forget other great games that they put out like inFamous (arguably best new IP and best sandbox GOTY), MLB 09 The Show (arguably best sports GOTY) and PSN games like Flower and Fat Princess.

And I'm not even counting the PSP outputs like Gran Turismo, Motorstorm, Resistance Retribution and LBPso many more great games

2010 looks to be just as good for SCE 1st and 2nd party with GOW3, GT5, MAG, Heavy Rain, ModNation Racers could be great as well.

Just replace Flower and Fat Princess with Critter Crunch and PixelJunk Shooter.

ScarredLungs · 12-27-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotsedriver

2009 was a year for Sony as 2007 was a year for Microsoft; it was a damn good year for us, and we're finally getting the momentum needed for sales to boost. I hope 2010 will be the same as last year for the PS3.

I agree that 2009 was great for the PS3. I think with the line up of games, (and the growth of the blu ray market), Sony will win 2010 as well.

cajmoyper · 12-27-2009, 05:00 PM

WKC? What is that?

saprano · 12-27-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

WKC? What is that?

White Knight Chronicles.

Dont you just hate acronyms?

Beefbowl · 12-27-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvm

I agree that 2009 was great for the PS3. I think with the line up of games, (and the growth of the blu ray market), Sony will win 2010 as well.

That depends if Mass Effect comes out for the PS3

2010 looks like the year for RPGs (or Action RPGs?)

FF XIII
Mass Effect 2
Alpha Protocol
WKC (does that come out next year)

and I'm probably missing some.

2009 was great. I don't ever recall a time where I had more games waiting to play than I had time to play them. I just started playing Dead space. lol.

androvsky · 12-27-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

Some of the replies here disgust me, but:

Seriously? Good thing I never posted my thoughts for the year...

12-23-2009, 10:50 PM	#1
Maximus Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2006	Max's 2009 in retrospect. A look back... So while I'm stuck at the airport waiting for a flight that may or may not take off I figured it would be a good idea to take a look back at the year and relive the many highs and lows. So as well all know early 2009 started badly, PS3 had underperformed WW over holiday season and there were plenty of people predicting its doom and untimely death. The main reason behind this very short sighted thinking was that the PS3 had become an also ran in the console war... By the end of Jan, the pressure was on and Sony had to do something, something big that shoots. Boy did they deliver... With stunning graphics and gameplay to match Killzone 2 delivered everything we needed... or did it. With niggling complaints about controls and online Guerilla worked on patch after patch to placate the haters with out realising that haters are exactly that, haters. March to April passed without much going on, just a few multiplats and casual games. It wasn't until May that we got a taste of what Sony had been working on internally. On the 21st of May Sucker Punch gave us a demo to the exclusive game inFamous. Hardly hyped and barely registering on mainstream websites this demo put this game on the map. A week later the game went on general release, and it was received as the best new IP of the year and is still considered one of the best, most fun games to release this year. Around the same time rumours were starting to pile up that Sony had something in the works, a cooler, sexier, slimmer PS3. Pictures and reports from manufacturers in China started to gather steam and Sony's denials were sounding more and more phoned in. The rumour mill was running in over drive by the time E3 came around, people talking about Sony announcing a PS3 Slimline and shipping in August. E3 came and went, no PS3 Slimline, only a disappointing PSPGo on the hardware front, but SCEWWS continued to deliver on the software side. The strength of the first party continued to show as it had done in previous years. SCE showed off the Wand advanced motion controller... ...Uncharted 2... ...Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time... ...The Last Guardian... ...and The Agent from R* North. E3 was hailed as a potential turning point for the PS3, but it turned out to be premature, the real turning point would come in Europe two months later at GamesCom. The PS3 Slim was announced for a price of $299/€299. This will be seen in the history books as the point where Sony went from being an also-ran to being the contender for market leader again. While most recognise the road back to redemption is a long one, no one doubts the effect the slim has had on sales. Top of the US charts in the release month, top of the Japanese and PAL charts since launch. Around 4.5m units sold to date with December yet to be counted (projected at around 3m WW by some). Then we got to TGS. Nothing major, a few setbacks in that GT5 was confirmed for March 2010, but for the delay we consumers will receive the game we have all been waiting for. Murmurs of exclusive RPGs behind the scenes, but nothing concrete. Even more amazing TLG footage shown and WKC2 announced. RE5:Alternate Edition announced for PS3 Wand. Japanese gaming industry declared DOA, except Capcom, of course... October was a big month for PS3, Uncharted 2 released with rave reviews and gifs. multi-player was a big success and Naughty Dog have been rewarded for their success with shipments of over 2m for the game and Drake is looking set to be the biggest PS3 IP introduced this gen! Insomniac gave us yet another instalment of the R&C franchise amidst claims that it has become a tired formula and calls for them to move on from the series and invest in a new IP more adult oriented. Despite this background of negativity Insomniac informed the gaming press that R&C:ACiT has become the fastest selling Insomniac game on PS3. Rolling into November PS3 had a lot of momentum and with the release of COD:MW2 is continued, and Sony boosted their position in the US with some very good value bundles for the Black Friday buying bonanza but by this time all eyes were fixated on December 17th. This was the release date for a certain Final Fantasy game in Japan. FFXIII broke all current gen records in it's release week and became the highest selling PS3 game in Japan in one day and by the end of the week it had sold more than double the previous top game MGS4 (what great company to be in!). At the end of the week, FFXIII had sold around 1.5m copies, the largest opening of a home console game since the last FF game on PS2 and PS3 sold around 0.25m units for the week or the biggest sales week it has ever had. Moving into 2010 GT5 is scheduled for release WW and FFXIII in the west in March. GoWIII in March and MAG in January. 2010 looks set to be another stellar year, and we can see how well SCE expect to do when they release their fiscal projections in May, but early estimates are looking at a repeat of the 13m predicted for this year! What do you guys think of the year just gone? How about 2010? NB - screens coming soon, my internet is too poor for me to be bothered to try and get them over here.

12-24-2009, 12:45 AM	#4
Seeking_Alpha Active Member Member since:Jul 2008	You forgot Demon's Souls Max But yea, good year definitely. And good year for gaming overall, solid releases on all platforms. Uncharted 2 is my game of the year - I actually was clapping in enjoyment while playing! But other notable releases Empire Total War - its just awesome Left 4 Dead 2 - everything the first 1 was and better Demon's Souls - if you beat it, pure satisfaction Next year is gonna be even better with 1) GT5 (the reason I bought a PS3 in the first place!) 2) Mass Effect 2 (alien sex? and great combat? why yes please!) 4) God of War III (I played the first 2 games to death) 3) And of course, if it comes out, Starcraft II (My life for Auir! ) I really also hope the new Medal of Honor will be good Last edited by Seeking_Alpha; 12-24-2009 at 12:50 AM.

12-24-2009, 03:31 AM	#6
pBLU-RAYs3 Expert Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:LAKER country	Who needs a ps4 now, I DON'T! This is a great time for people looking for multimedia entertainment like myself. The ps3 keeps me busy with as it will only be my sole blu/dvd/cd/mp3 playing device and a very nice selection of gamies. I now watch youtube solely on my 32" tube. Thanks to the ps3, I've cut down on television shows by 99%. From here on forward, it can only go up.

12-24-2009, 04:12 PM	#7
silversnake Blu-ray Champion Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Montreal Home Theater Gallery:22 4K collection:7 Blu-ray collection:498 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:32	Amazing, amazing games this year. inFamous was my favorite game before Uncharted 2 came out. We are truly seeing beauty in our PS3 exclusives and I can't wait for 2010. ps: good luck with your flight Max Last edited by silversnake; 12-24-2009 at 04:14 PM.

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12-23-2009, 11:53 PM	#2
GLaDOS Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:May 2009 Location:Fujiwara Tofu Shop 4K collection:10 Blu-ray collection:114 Blu-ray reviews: 5	2009 was a year for Sony as 2007 was a year for Microsoft; it was a damn good year for us, and we're finally getting the momentum needed for sales to boost. I hope 2010 will be the same as last year for the PS3.

12-24-2009, 12:15 AM	#3
Blu-Generation Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:1	2009 is definately the best year thus far, for PS3. No doubt. -PS3 slim came, and sold amazingly well. -Uncharted 2 deliver on the promise and became instant game of the year. (Before it was even announced GOTY) -Sony step it up with their commercials. And for once, the majority of the world is starting to take the PS3 seriously. As a serious competition. The competitors are not only seeing PS3 as a threat, but literally took action. With either some sort of price cut, or banning a million console in an attempt to sell more unit. (conspiracy theory) After 09, no one journalist or fence sitter can say PS3 has no good games, or that it's too expensive, etc. After 09, more and more people will start to think about buying one. Going forward into 2010, the PS3 will only rise higher. (Hopefully) The line-up speaks for itself. 09 was definately a great year. For PS3, and PS3 fans.

12-24-2009, 01:29 AM	#5
toef Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2008 Location:Isla Nublar 4K collection:229 Blu-ray collection:545 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:4	I'm probably in the minority, but I didn't really like Infamous or Killzone 2. Not that they were bad, it's just that they didn't seem all that amazing to me. The new R&C seemed like a step back from the last one. But Uncharted 2 was easily my favorite game of the year, and favorite since FFVII. MLB 09 was [is] also a great game.

12-24-2009, 05:44 PM	#8
Elandyll Blu-ray Knight Member since:Aug 2007 Location:MD Blu-ray collection:188 Trading Score:1	My best surprise of the year was Infamous (in 08 it was a toss between MGS4 and Dead Space). U2 wasn't really a surprise, because I was expecting so much from it (and it certainly didn't disappoint). I am eagerly awaiting more good games than ever next year: WKC, FF XIII, DeadSpace 2, 3D Dot Game Heroes, Aliens vs Predator (hoping for Colonial Marines) - and still unsure about ModNation Racers and Heavy Rain, some choices will have to be made in the first 6 months ... etc. Not a big fan of racers, but I might just get into GT5 if it is nearly as good as rumored.

12-24-2009, 08:31 PM	#9
alanshearer Banned Member since:Sep 2009	I think SCE needs to change it's focus in regards first party games now the Playstation brand relies on it. Like Nintendo and Microsoft it needs to go for sales and system sellers which would need a more market research driven agenda.

12-27-2009, 05:28 AM	#13
AranhaHunter Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Trading Score:1	I think this year was easily the best year ever for SCE in terms of 1st party/2nd party software. Uncharted 2 has won numerous overall TPS, Action/Adventure and GOTY awards (over games like AC2, Batman AA) Demon's Souls has won overall RPG and GOTY award (over games like Dragon Age, Mario and Luigi RPG, SMT, DQV) Killzone 2 has won overall Shooter of the year award (over games like MW2, L4D2 and Halo 3 ODST) Ratchet ACIT has won overall Platformer of the year award (over games like NSMB Wii) Let's not forget other great games that they put out like inFamous (arguably best new IP and best sandbox GOTY), MLB 09 The Show (arguably best sports GOTY) and PSN games like Flower and Fat Princess. And I'm not even counting the PSP outputs like Gran Turismo, Motorstorm, Resistance Retribution and LBPso many more great games 2010 looks to be just as good for SCE 1st and 2nd party with GOW3, GT5, MAG, Heavy Rain, ModNation Racers could be great as well.

12-27-2009, 07:14 AM	#14
assydingo Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Oct 2008 Blu-ray collection:483 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:3	I'm not much of a gamer but I have to say, Uncharted 2 is as good as everyone says.

12-27-2009, 05:00 PM	#17
cajmoyper Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jun 2007 Location:San Antonio, TX Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:182	WKC? What is that?

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