The PS2 is Dead (or dying)

[Xander]

Some of the UK's leading developers and publishers have discussed PS2's relevance with MCV – and it appears the console may be bowing out sooner than you might think.

The industry leaders we spoke to were largely unanmimous in agreeing that they would halt new releases on the system following the festive period – and concentrate fully on PS3, despite PS2's incredible installed base amongst the family market.

MD of Mastertonic Andy Payne – whose Blast label has enjoyed impressive sales during the PS2’s twilight years – believes the system is on its last legs, thanks to limited space on the High Street.

He told MCV: “The PS2 market has been virtually killed overnight. There’s been no real run-off like with the PSOne, and that’s because retail just does not have the space.”

And the European marketing boss of a massive international publisher – another specialist in family releases – said: “It’s certainly looking like this is going to be the last Christmas for PS2. We won’t be supporting it with new release beyond that.”

Major UK developers have also thrown their hat into the ring – with the boss of one company responsible for creating one of the PS2’s most successful blockbuster franchises telling us off the record that his firm had ceased production on the format.

However, the companies questioned said that the console's success in emerging markets suggested it could still have a future in some territories.

source

If developers are beginning to think like that then something amazing might happen for us Wii owners and that's good multi-platform games. We've already seen what some mutli-plats that don't include the PS2 has done for the Wii, so now, it's going to start being a standard. So long PS2, we had fun, but every good thing must come to an end....

Another concern though is Sony ready to give it up. I guess after the holiday season, we'll see how the PS3 stands on it's own legs for a change (that's not a bash, I'm just saying I curious to see if Sony's marketing plan can really work without the PS2, so don't attack me you rabid fanboys)

[Garry15]

I belive everyone has a PS2 and that there are so many games avaliable out there for the PS2 and to see it being killed of in my opion is not a wise choice.

[Kill]

well two and a half months ago i didn't have a PS2, but now i do and seeing it "Killed" is a little depressing... i mean it is a good system and sony knows it! that is why it survived as long as it did, but see how old it is doesn't replace the fact that more people own PS2s then XBox360s and PS3s... guess we'll just have to wait and see what develops...

[DAmwake]

I am skeptical of how true this is.. only because there are over 70 releases yet to come out for the PS2 (games that have been announced and confirmed) only 15 of which come out this year. That leaves at least 55 more games to come out for the PS2 some of which have tentative release dates in 2010 and 2011.

[RL Link]

Originally Posted by DAmwake

I am skeptical of how true this is.. only because there are over 70 releases yet to come out for the PS2 (games that have been announced and confirmed) only 15 of which come out this year. That leaves at least 55 more games to come out for the PS2 some of which have tentative release dates in 2010 and 2011.

Are you for real? XO Lame! I need to be informed more. If they do cancel those games for the PS2, though, I'ma stab someone. They have to at least continue on with those releases. D: I love my PS2 more then my Wii. xD

[DAmwake]

One of those games is Persona 4 too!

[LinkToTheRescue]

Same happened to GC. GC is Wii now. Ps2 is Ps3 now. It happens. Wii will die in a few years.

[RL Link]

Um... the PS2 isn't really the PS3 right now. In fact they've been royally screwing themselves over with the PS3. Especially since they've been losing their games, including SO4(this still makes me cry). If I'm not mistaken, they're going to lose MGS4 and whatnot to Microsoft as well. I'm not saying all the games suck, but it's not matching up with the PS2 yet.

[LinkToTheRescue]

Sorry Wii is GC & Ps3 is Ps2. I said it the other way round.

[TheBlackLink]

Well I must say, the PS2 has had quite a long and successful run in the industry. But I do see the truth in some of these developers logic, there just simply isnt enough space to keep creating games for the Ps2 as well as the other more advanced systems. If this is true, I'll be sad to see it go, but this may just be the opportunity for the PS3 to grow. Since Sony won't be able to rely upon the PS2's sales any longer, mayhaps we'll see if the PS3 can stand on it's on legs.

Sony's gonna have to focus all of their efforts on the PS3 now, so hopefully it'll start doing better in the market.

[SuperSonic]

First thought was "'bout time", but my god, you're right Xander, we might actually start seeing some decent efforts with the Wii versions of multiplatform games now.
Yay!

[TheBlackLink]

Originally Posted by SuperSonic

First thought was "'bout time", but my god, you're right Xander, we might actually start seeing some decent efforts with the Wii versions of multiplatform games now.
Yay!

Indeed. No more mediocre crap versions of other games.