But this was the same difference we saw in the PS2 vs Xbox era. Max Payne, for example, ran at <20fps for the most part on PS2 and almost 60fps on Xbox. Not only was the Xbox more powerful, but in that case the more powerful system also had the easier architecture to deal with. But Xbox didn't steal the crown that gen, because it didn't have the software.
This forthcoming generation will be primarily a marketing battle. And it won't be the quantity of exclusives that matter, but the significance of the exclusives - eg whatever will be the next GTA or Halo. Other than that, it's down to the services each console offers. The power difference will only really play in to the decisions of people like us here on GAF in the main. If the general public were really that bothered about graphics they'd be buying plasmas instead of LCDs, and 360/PS3 would have wiped the floor with Wii from the get-go.
Hardcore are your advocates. In today's gaming market, you better appeal to them. Because the casuals have already shifted to superior platforms for their needs.
XBox didn't have the exclusives PS2 did. And neither will either of these systems. So that's a non-starter. MS has basically shuttered most 1st party development. It's not going to wipe the floor with PS4 in this area.
As for LCDs, that's not fair. Because LCD's, for all their issues, do look better in stores. Not only are they thinner with sexier WAF bezels, but they're brighter. And in the store showroom, brightness >>>>>> everything. As for motion quality, many LCDs have combated this with processing and are quite good. Granted, this processing introduces a lot of lag (bad for gaming), but lag isn't something uniformed buyers can see in a showroom. Plus, one source is often driving 50 displays. All sets have lousy motion artifacts as a result. It's impossible to stick out even if you could get over the brightness issue.
As for Wii, it had a hook that was universal. Bowling/tennis with a virtual racket? The world had never seen this. It was also pre-Ipad days. Casuals were naturally attracted to it.
One need only look at WiiU to see what happens when you don't capture the attention of the hardcore. Who knows. Maybe Xbox bros do have blind allegiance to a corporate brand and don't wanna become a free agent during transitions. This may prove correct. But it's never a good idea in today's environment to count on the casual appeal. That market is already being served much better elsewhere.
