The merger of behemoths Square and Enix is an unprecedented move, what repocussions will it have for us GC owners? And the Christmas season is an important period for the competitive console market, but which console will emerge on top? Our staff discuss.

1. Square and Enix together!? What does this mean for Gamecube owners?

2. Who will win the Xmas battle between the three consoles this year?

Blackbird: (...) 2. GameCube! In many (grownup) peoples' minds, Nintendo is still a kiddy product. XBox isn't known by parents (asked them myself), while PS2 has reached its maximum (GBA might even sell more).

Conor: The merger of Square and Enix rounds off the year of unbelievable events (unless of course there is something even bigger down the line, which I wouldn't bet against). I mean, the two biggest RPG developers in Japan working as one, it is just mind-blowing. As far as GC owners are concerned, it mightn't be too significant so the short-sighted but will definitely be felt in the long run. Already, we're getting a new Parasite Eve game (which I think is absolutely brilliant) and not forgetting Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles next year. With this merger I'm sure that we'll be getting a Dragon Quest game now, I had suspected it before. So looking ahead over Gamecubes lifespan, I think this merger means we'll be getting far more RPGs than we would've thought.

2. Even though the software line-up for Gamecube far outclassess that of PS2 and Xbox, I don't think any console is going to outsell PS2 this Christmas in Europe. PS2 has got mainstream heavy-hitters like GTA: Vice City and while it may not be as good as, say, Mario Sunshine, it has public appeal. It sold over a million copies of course. As for Xbox, I don't think it has enough firepower if you will to do anything above average. But by next Christmas things would very well go Gamecubes way.

GamecubeGod: Right, I think that Square merging with Enix could lead two different ways. One way could go very favourably for GCN, but the other couldn't. It could either be that loads of games will be released for Gamecube, or that none at all could be released.

2. Hmmmm, as we all know, Zelda is being released in Japan around Christmas time, which is sure to boost GCN sales ten fold. So in Japan, I think that Gamecube will definitely dominate. However, in America and Europe I think it will be different with Sony winning out in both areas, and the Gamecube coming 2nd and 3rd, in respective regions. There just aren't enough killer games being released around that time in these two regions for the GCN to really contend.

Modox: 1. Square had already started deviously developing games for Nintendo, and Enix had pledged their support. With a reduced share for Sony (now down to 9%), we could see a whole host of new titles from the two, Parasite Eve being a good example.

Dragon Quest appears to be PS2 exclusive for the moment, but don't count on it staying that way, and DQ sells in Japan, really sells.

It's an exciting thing, I can't wait to see what new games the Cube gets as a result.

2. I think it's clear that no one will beat the PS2 this year, probably not in this generation of consoles. Both the GameCube and the Xbox have a whole host of quality titles available, but the PS2 is proving it's power by taking them on with merely Vice City, and winning.

It's pretty obvious that all three consoles are going to clean up this Christmas, but I expect the GameCube to be lagging behind the competition a bit. With the Xbox's ridiculously cheap bundles and bombardment of popular titles, and PS2's Vice City and brand name, the Cube really needed something to help them compete, and I don't think they have it.

Link: At first I was scared about the partnership between Enix and Square because I wasn't sure what it was going to mean for the GameCube. So far it seems pretty good. Crystal Chronicles is still in development and now Parasite Eve is in development. So far sounds good to me. But what does this mean for the other consoles? Will Sony still have control over Sqare? Does Enix want to develop for XBOX. I guess only time will tell and until then we can only speculate.

2. I think that this year, as always, Sony will come out on top as far as consoles go. They have an amazing reputation and titles that are selling ridiculously well (GTA: Vice City). Part from that, though, I think the GameCube will have a strong Christmas season. Sales have gone up recently and with some major hits coming out soon (Metroid Prime in North America and Zelda in Japan) so in Japan I will be surprised if Zelda isn't the top selling game this Christmas season. As for the XBOX I can't say much. XBOX Live is sure to add excitement to the American owners and some of their commercials are interesting and to the unknowledgeable gamer prove that XBOX is the best console out right now. Then again I could be wrong and the Christmas could bring many unexpected things, but we'll have to wait and find out.

Tim
1 It all depends a bit how dedicated they will be to the GameCube. Of course they will develop for the GBA, but that about the GC? They have two titles under development now for the GameCube, which is a good start. I think the new company will develop more for our beloved Cube. I would not be suprised if they would let it depend on the succes of Final Fanatasy Crystal Chronicals.

2 In overall this christmas the PS2 will win. It depends a bit where you look though. I think in Japan the GameCube will win. Cube hardware sales have doubled there and are about to pass the Sony sales. In Europe it is a different story... PS2 is the big winner here. Nintendo claims they are beating the Xbox though. The winner has already been set though...