First there was Atari, then Nintendo, and soon afterward, Sega Genesis. Next came the 64-bit systems - Nintendo 64 and Sony Playstation. Before October 26 the most recent addition to the video game world was Sega's 128-bit "Dreamcast."
Not surprisingly, however, Sony allowed Sega little time to gain substantial momentum in the video game market by introducing "Playstation 2." North Americans eagerly anticipated the arrival of the new and improved Playstation partly because of the rave reviews it received after its initial debut in Japan.
Although the video game craze now is centered on the most recent additions to the market, in the near future additional companies plan to introduce new systems, hoping to share in the wealth and excitement this growing industry has to offer.
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For now, consumers can compare only the consoles that are available for sale.
Sega's system can generate 3 million polygons per second while Sony's system generates 12 million polygons per second -- an important measure of graphics performance. The PS2's screen resolution is double Dreamcast's (1280 x 1024 screen pixels versus 640 x 480), and the PS2 comes equipped with a DVD-ROM (CD-ROM compatible) player.
The Dreamcast contains a built-in 56K modem, allowing consumers to partake in Sega's new online gaming service (SegaNet) that comes complete with Internet access and e-mail for a monthly fee of $21.95.
The new Sony console has a bay for a 3.5" hard disk drive that will enable the company to offer broadband connectivity in 2001. Both systems come with a single controller. The PS2's Dual Shock 2 uses vibrations that are timed to parallel the action in the game. Both consoles offer varying yet, impressive packages. Which system is more attractive depends on the personal preferences of each consumer.
A PS2 - if you can get your hands on one - is approximately $300, twice the price of a Dreamcast. However, eager gamers willing to shell out the extra $150 for a PS2 most likely will have to wait for some time before they're able to find a store with one in stock.
Sony had planned to offer North America one million units when PS2 debuted at the end of October but was forced to half the scheduled number it could offer due to scant supplies of key computer components.
With the holiday season creeping up, the consensus is that PS2 will be hard to find. Sony Entertainment plans to ship approximately 100,000 additional units per week on average to North America during the holiday season. Sony will have to bear the burden of the high console demand - a troublesome task.
Local Wal-Mart Store Manager James Hornsbu advises consumers, "to be patient and to not get caught up in the whoopla." Hornsbu noted that "paying extra high prices [online] and standing in long lines will only allow gamers to play early."
On the other hand, the Dreamcast system which has been on the market for about a year now, is readily available for sale at most stores. The PS2 seems destined to become this year's "Tickle-Me-Elmo" toy that will prove to be nearly impossible to come by. Hence, Sega is hoping to reap the benefits of Sony's supply setback.
Looking to the near future, the video game war will only intensify. Nintendo and Microsoft are planning to offer new consoles that will rival those of Sony and Sega.
The Nintendo "GameCube" will offer a 405 MHz chip with up to 12 million polygons. Moreover, Nintendo hopes to maintain the interest of its previous consumer market by designing a connection plug that will allow Gameboy to connect to GameCube.
Microsoft's "Xbox" will contain a 733 MHz chip along with a video card capable of outputting 150 million polygons - six times that of PS2. As of now, video game aficioniados and experts alike can only begin to compare available and future systems by numbers alone.
James Toliver, store manager of Babagge's at Fashion Square Mall, said he anticipates Xbox "to be a little better" and for GameCube "to be basically the same without a DVD player" when compared to the PS2.
He also offered pertinent advice for the present time, urging eager gamers to be persistent in their attempts to obtain the PS2, noting that his store will be supplied continuously with a few new consoles throughout the holiday season.
Toliver does not expect to encounter similar supply problems with Sega Dreamcast.
University students hold varying views about the current console clash.
Zach Berk, a fourth-year College student, casts a vote for the PS2, saying "Playstation 2's DVD player and its ability to play old Playstation games give Sony the definite edge."
But Steve Coo-per, a fourth-year College student, said he disagrees with Berk. He noted that "The Dreamcast offers a greater selection of games that are comparable if not better quality than the 27 games available for PS2 ... the PS2 is twice as costly."
In spite of their differing opinions, both students agree the future of the video game world will offer gamers the opportunity to experience exciting, unprecedented advances in technology and home entertainment.
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