The Transition of Gaming in 2000
- The year 2000 marked a significant transitional period for the gaming industry as it was the end of one console generation and the beginning of another.
- A number of gaming consoles, such as the 3DO, Sega Saturn, and Atari Jaguar, failed during this time, leading to what was described as a massacre rather than a console war.
- In contrast, Nintendo's N64 managed to maintain its presence in the market by carving out a family-friendly niche, particularly in the American market.
Nintendo's Successful Releases
- Nintendo's N64 had a steady stream of successful titles in 2000, including Paper Mario, Mario Tennis, and Mario Party 3, which contributed to its popularity.
- One of the most significant releases was Zelda: Majora's Mask, a follow-up to Ocarina of Time, which, while not selling as well, received critical acclaim and developed a cult following.
- Another notable title was Perfect Dark, developed by Rare, which, despite not having the Bond license, pushed the N64's hardware to its limits and showcased impressive visuals.
The Dominance of Pokémon
- The Pokémon franchise was at its peak in 2000, with Pokémon Stadium becoming the best-selling console game in America and Europe, selling a million copies in its first month.
- Additionally, Pokémon Gold and Silver for the Game Boy Color outsold Pokémon Stadium on their release day in Japan, selling 1.4 million copies.
- In total, 12 percent of all video games sold in 2000 were Pokémon titles, highlighting Nintendo's dominance in the handheld market.
The Competition with Sony PlayStation
- The Sony PlayStation was a formidable competitor, having outsold the N64 by a ratio of 2 to 1 and establishing dominance in both European and Japanese markets.
- The PlayStation was particularly popular for JRPGs, with titles like Final Fantasy IX, Vagrant Story, and Dragon Quest VII released in 2000.
- Despite the N64's theoretical power advantage, the PlayStation's use of CD-ROMs allowed it to keep pace in 3D graphics, resulting in a variety of successful genres including driving and first-person shooter games.
The Rise of PC Gaming
- The PC gaming market was thriving in 2000, with a significant install base of IBM-compatible computers, making it the primary platform for many gamers.
- The Sims emerged as the best-selling PC game of the year, appealing to a broad audience and selling 6.3 million copies by 2002.
- Diablo 2 became the fastest-selling computer game ever, reflecting the enduring popularity of RPGs on the PC platform.
The Challenges Facing PC Gaming
- Despite the success of certain titles, the PC gaming market faced challenges due to an overwhelming number of releases, leading to many critically acclaimed games failing to achieve commercial success.
- Notable flops included Deus Ex and The Operative: No-One Lives Forever, both of which received critical acclaim but struggled to sell well.
- The PC market's lack of cohesion and the increasing competition from consoles began to erode its dominance in gaming.
The Introduction of Next-Generation Consoles
- The next generation of consoles began to emerge with SEGA's Dreamcast, which was developer-friendly and aimed to capture the market with its powerful hardware and modem capabilities.
- The Dreamcast launched with a variety of unique games, including Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and Seaman, which showcased its potential and creativity.
- Despite its strong library, the Dreamcast struggled to compete against the established PlayStation brand, particularly as the PlayStation 2 was on the horizon.
The Launch of PlayStation 2
- The PlayStation 2 launched in March 2000 in Japan and quickly became a market leader, selling 10.6 million units globally in its first year.
- The PS2 was a versatile system, capable of playing DVDs and backward compatible with the original PlayStation games, making it an attractive option for consumers.
- Launch titles included a mix of genres, with notable franchises like NFL, NHL, and FIFA available, alongside new titles such as SSX and Gran Turismo, which contributed to its success.
The Future of Gaming
- As the new millennium began, there was a sense of optimism in the gaming industry, with technological advancements paving the way for innovative gaming experiences.
- The rise of mobile phones and the internet was beginning to influence everyday life, creating new opportunities for gaming and connectivity.
- With the announcement of the Xbox, Microsoft aimed to challenge Sony's dominance in the console market, indicating an exciting and competitive future for gaming.
