PS3Center.net releases it's 2nd ever roundtable feature; Killzone 2 under the spotlight. We asked PS3center.net staff members a few questions...

1. Killzone 2 is the most anticipated title coming out for the PS3. Are you equally hyped for this game and do you believe the game will live up to the expectations?

I’ve been hyped for Killzone 2 ever since I saw the CGI trailer back in 2005. Over the years, there has been so much talk about whether or not the finished product would be able to match that trailer, and everything I’ve seen so far about the game indicates that it does. It’s not the graphics that really makes KZ2 pop for me, but the type of weighty and intense gameplay Guerrilla has created. Polygons and high-res textures are great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s the care that GG has put into perfecting everything down to the smallest detail that makes KZ2 so special. The sound your gun makes changes depending on how full the clip is; sparks from grenades bounce around like they would in the real world. Killzone 2 isn’t just a graphical behemoth, it truly is “war perfected.”
 
The 2005 trailer at E3 got everyone hyped because of stunning graphics. Because of that I have to thank GG for making every other studio step up to the plate, especially for PS3. I honestly think if they didn't show that trailer, all PS3 gamers would have been stuck with poor ports and lower end graphics until MGS4 released. Am hyped about this game? Yes of course, how could a PS3 fan like myself not be? The thing is I’m no longer hyped about graphics, I’m hyped about detail to expertise and playing a kickass all around game. Thankfully the hype calmed down recently so I believe the game will be received much better than Sony expects.


2. Do you believe Killzone 2 will be a Sony success? Will it start to move consoles for Sony? Will it finally be our true leap into true next generation?

That’s hard to say. Sony needs it to be a success for sure, but it’s difficult to predict if Killzone 2 will drive people to shell out the money for a PS3, especially in this economy. LittleBigPlanet and Resistance 2 were both supposed to move consoles, but neither game really did that. I think what we’ve seen time and time again is that one game rarely sells a console. It’s simply not practical to spend the $460 dollars needed for a PS3+KZ2 to play just one game. While KZ2 may not move consoles on it’s own, it is just the start of an incredibly strong 2009 lineup, and a lineup does sell consoles. It’s a lot easier to justify the purchase of a console when you have a whole range of games that you can see yourself purchasing in the future. I definitely think that 2009 is the year that Sony starts gaining ground on Microsoft. The PS3’s first party titles are finally starting to show a real edge over what the 360 can put out, and with a price drop, Sony can put a dent in Microsoft’s massive lead this year. Don’t forget that before the 360’s price drop, the Sony was outselling Microsoft for quite a few months in 2008.

If Sony can do certain things correctly, I honestly believe the game will sell tons of consoles. What needs to be done is a whole lot and Sony isn't doing any of it. First you obviously need to advertise, and while Sony stated massive advertising for the game, we haven't seen anything special. Second bundle the game with the system but don't jack the price up. A Best Buy near me had a deal to get a 50 dollar gift card and Guitar Hero with the purchase of a PS3, the stack of PS3's were gone for the first time since I can remember. Last they just need to let the game run its course and then advertise how good it is based on that. Let online kick ass and let people say it’s the best game out there, then go tell the other people about how everyone loves your game. There is a bunch of other business related things to getting the game to move consoles, but so far Sony isn't doing any of that too well at all.

3. What do you think the fan reception will be like the day of launch? Will Killzone have an immediate fanbase similar to Halo on the original Xbox?

You know, I remember reading an article commenting on the PS3’s lack of a mascot. The Xbox has Master Chief, Nintendo has Mario, but there has never been one defining title on a Sony platform. I think the biggest reason for this is just the diversity of Sony’s game library. The Xbox is known for shooters, Nintendo is known for family-oriented titles, but Sony has the entire range. You’re doing something right when you console’s titles span from LittleBigPlanet to Killzone 2; there’s something for everybody. So no, Killzone 2 isn’t going to garner a Halo-esque following, but it doesn’t need to. As hyped up as it is, it’s important to remember that KZ2 is just one leg in Sony’s stool.
 
Like Nikhil stated, the PlayStation name in general will not let that happen. The game will obviously be put on its pedestal for a while and fanboys will love it to death, but as soon as that next exclusive comes the reception changes. PS3 has more top rated games than both the Wii and 360 and Sony is known for harsh rules keeping certain games from releasing because it doesn't show the power of the system. This in return allows their first parties to do one hell of a job and the third parties just have to keep up or not sell. Launch is going to be awesome, the reception is going to be awesome, and Killzone is going to have a strong fanbase behind it similar to Resistance. Unlike other systems, PS3 has tons of good quality games for everyone to love just one game like Halo.