1010°

PlayStation 5 Will Be Dead on Arrival with Sony's 'Hardcore Gamer' Strategy

Sony has hinted that the PlayStation 5 will target hardcore gamers with premium specs and pricey titles, but that could be a big problem.

Knushwood Butt1789d ago (Edited 1789d ago )

Looking forward to the follow-up piece where the author admits that their 'opinion' was total ass.

Kingthrash3601788d ago

Lol.....very slow week in gaming.
Why would anyone think casual gamers are the key to success when its been proven that it's the most inconsistent market.
Look at the wii.....then look at the wiiu, then the switch....high low high...casual gamers follow the hardcore....the Wii had zelda,metroid a proper 3d mario...wiiu zelda was its very last game, no metroid no proper 3d mario...switch already had zelda mario and announced metroid....hardcore gamers hype these and thus activate the tag along hype of casuals....smh the hardcore gamer is key to success because we are the voice of gaming. Period.

VenomUK1788d ago

This opinion is derived from believing Michael Pachter’s mischievous claim that the PS5 will cost $800!

The writer is giving his opinion to others when he doesn’t yet know enough about Pachter! I mean he’s entertaining and he can talk about a company’s financials but doesn’t know enough about gaming.

Also, Sony targeted the PS4 at gamers and it worked out well for them.

kneon1787d ago

@VenomUK

Even if was priced at $800 that wouldn't necessarily be a problem. All they need to do is make all titles backwards and forwards compatible. The PS4 then becomes the entry model while the PS5 is the premium model. Yes this means lower sales of the PS5, but much higher software sales, and that's where the money is.

This is the smart way forward as they can carry their 100+ million gamers into the next gen without having to start from 0 like every other gen. Eventually, they would drop the base ps4 support and only support the pro. Then sometime after the PS6 release, when the PS5 price drops enough then it becomes the base model and the PS4 support can be dropped entirely.

naruga1787d ago

its a CentralCn article guys ....only BS -Xbox friendly stuff here ...

abstractel1787d ago

Wow at the disagrees. Why even predict, I know analysts have to because of the way our economy is structured (hence Pachter), but for other people? The public knows basically nothing about it other than some pretty damn diffuse specs.

Kumakai1786d ago

Why do ppl take other ppls opinions so personally?

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1786d ago
SierraGuy1788d ago

BS article and it goes without saying Pachter is officially senile.

Zeegamereh1788d ago

So tired of these trash articles lol “Xbox will be dead on arrival” “PlayStation Will be dead on arrival” like oml gtfo consoles will never die sure they have their ups and downs but that’s it

ShadowWolf7121788d ago

Sega and Atari had to leave the console space.

While consoles will likely be a viable market for a good while, that doesn't make individual companies immune. That said... this article is highkey trash that's entirely based on comments taken way out of context.

Potnoodle9991788d ago

This.

But it’s a hilarious read. Gamers appreciate quality which is all Sony have ever brought.

Knushwood Butt1788d ago

The bots are unleashed in this thread.

Let's see if the genuine votes outnumber the bots.

indysurfn1788d ago

Exactly! You can tell by the actual comment to vote ratio when there is bot voting going on.

Knushwood Butt1788d ago

Yes, the bot drivers are very desperate. Clearly they are tired of playing Crackdown 3 and have nothing else better to do.

Ratchet751788d ago ShowReplies(1)
HallowedSoul11788d ago ShowReplies(1)
NarooN1788d ago ShowReplies(1)
AnubisG1788d ago (Edited 1788d ago )

How the heck do you have 307 disagrees? That has got to be a record on N4G.

skiggy341787d ago

Holy Sh1t why do you people care so damn much about dislikes????? Its like you are gonna cry or something because someone's opinion differs from yours.,..

AnubisG1787d ago

No skiggy34 that isn't the point. I usually fon't care about likes/dislikes but there is something fishy going on here. This is out of the ordinary. That is why I mentioned it. No one will cry if their opinions is different than someone elses...well normal people won't at least.

CaptainObvious8781788d ago (Edited 1788d ago )

There's clearly a bot in this thread.

300 disagrees for someone disagreeing with this riduclous article... seems legit.

WeAreLegion1788d ago

Yeah, there's no way. I don't even know if 300 people are active on the site these days.

AnubisG1788d ago

Yeah, most likely something like that is involved. We never see agree/disagree go that high, ever.

trooper_1787d ago

Lol, this article is dead on arrival.

Kostche1787d ago

ha ha 322 down votes, cluless people that keep supporting a garbage system that gives them nothing but multiPlat games and sub par in house garbage, that they now have to wrap up in nice package to actuall get people play their crap games

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 1786d ago
Knushwood Butt1789d ago

Lol after reading the author's profile and then reminding myself that the article kicks off with a reference to Pachter.

Atom6661788d ago

Right? The whole idea stems from the premise that they're launching an $800 "hardcore" machine. I thought Pachter said that as a joke though?

Yeah, launching an $800 console would be a problem. That's why they won't do that.

supes_241788d ago

Yea, it’s like people think Sony is listening to gamers or something. They’ve proven this gen over and over that they do. No doubt they’ll hit another grand slam next gen

zelent1788d ago

It was meant as a joke. Pachter was actually very optimistic about Sony's next gen plans.
Based on what he's heard so far, the PS5 has hardware/power that is roughly equivalent to an $800 console. However, he has a strong feeling Sony is going to price the console much, much lower.

1788d ago Replies(1)
Shiken1787d ago

My first thought about this article was satire... unfortunately stupidity this deep is real...

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1787d ago
rivaldoo7771789d ago

Is this article mistaken PS5 with Stadia??? Lmao

harmny1788d ago

i cant wait for tomorrows article

"PS5 wont be dead on arrival with its hardcore gamer strategy"

Gardenia1787d ago

Also seeing that some comments get over 300 dislikes, I'm pretty sure something is fishy here. Bots maybe?

THC CELL1789d ago

Poster can your website you just signed a death warrent

TK-661789d ago

"According to information obtained by the Wall Street Journal, Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida has revealed that the company will position the PlayStation as a niche product aimed at serious gamers."

Where was it said they're targetting a "niche" audience. I'd absolutely say it's necessary to target hardcore gamer in the first couple years, and then get the casuals on board later via things like price drops or bundle deals. Early on though the hardcore gamers are what you want because they're not just going to buy a couple games and be done. You want to get people who're buying dozens of games for that system early on, and not the sort who buy a couple every year.

Zenbaby3691788d ago (Edited 1788d ago )

I would like to point out that "targetting a niche audience" does not in any way mean that something is less appealing to another audience. I think it just has a little something "extra" to add appeal to yet ANOTHER audience. This doesn't have to make it less appealing to casuals. Oh also, you can target multiple audiences as long as they don't directly contradict one another right?

phoenixwing1788d ago

@TK

yoshida compares console gamers as all hardcore gamers and people who use phones as casuals i think. In this way the product is niche compared to phones. So when he says he's focusing on hardcore he just means console buyers. Which is a fair comparison since phones far outnumber consoles making them niche.

TK-661788d ago

Then he's basically reworking the term for marketing. Someone who just buys COD and Fifa every year is not a hardcore gamer.

MarkyMark891787d ago

@TK-66 and I consider somebody who buys almost every available title in a given year a casual gamer. Some will side with you, some will side with me. Its called an opinion.... They are not reworking the term, just depends on what your perspective of the term means. Let me explain before I get a hateful bash comment back. You say the guy that buys COD and Fifa isn't a hardcore gamer. But that same person could be signed up to multiple league websites for both games and compete at local or international level in said game but still be considered casual... ? Lol how compared to a guy that played every single Ps4 exclusive to date, but doesn't play any type of competitive shooter? What makes the guy that plays single player games, hardcore compared to the guy the only plays 2-3 games any given year..... Because you buy more games you are hardcore...New generation of gamers are just.. LMFAO a joke !!!!!!!

TK-661787d ago

@MarkyMark

"and I consider somebody who buys almost every available title in a given year a casual gamer. Some will side with you, some will side with me. Its called an opinion...."

I consider anyone who buys no more than 22 but no less than 19 games a year a blipbloop. Some will side with you, some will side with me. it's called a waste of time.

"You say the guy that buys COD and Fifa isn't a hardcore gamer. But that same person could be signed up to multiple league websites for both games and compete at local or international level in said game but still be considered casual... ?"

No. It makes them hardcore fans of that game. it's like saying you're a huge Sci-Fi fan but only watch Star Wars. That makes you a Star Wars fan, not a Sci-fi fan.

" Lol how compared to a guy that played every single Ps4 exclusive to date, but doesn't play any type of competitive shooter?"

He's a hardcore gamer. Still having difficulty understanding this?

"New generation of gamers are just.. LMFAO a joke !!!!!!!"

These god damn kids and their opinions on the internet. Back in my day *proceeds to go on rant*-

OB1Biker1788d ago (Edited 1788d ago )

I agree. Nobody at Sony said they will position it as a niche product. They just mentioned a while ago that console gaming is a relatively niche market and always has been. Typical misinformed piece drawing even more misinformed confusion.
You are right, dedicated gamers are the ones buying a console at launch too.

I don't know why people disagree with you Haha.

I think he didn't even say hardcore. That was from the anonymous 'official's quoted by wsj

OB1Biker1788d ago (Edited 1788d ago )

I can't even find the reference saying 'hardcore gamers' that part seems to be a take from wsj based on the anonymous 'officials, but just an opinion from the wsj writer himself
We live in a time when journalists write opinion pieces based on what they think are fact but are actually another journalist opinion, rumours and goes full circle on and on

phoenixwing1787d ago

ah ok I guess i remembered it wrong when it came to the hardcore statement. but the niche market comment still stands in my original post.

Vizigoth041788d ago

When Sony talks hardcore gamer they mean those who buy it specifically for their Exclusives. Sony knows third party multiplats will take care of the rest.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1787d ago
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90°

HexGaming Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Hex Phantom

Custom Controller Company HexGaming launched a Kickstarter campaign for their latest pro controller, Hex Phantom. - IS

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80°

Evercade Alpha Reveals Affordable Mini-Arcade

This looks fun and affordable for fans of Retro Cabinet games.
Introducing Evercade Alpha, the first Evercade-compatible arcade machine. This bartop-sized arcade gives you everything you want in a home arcade machine with one big feature - full compatibility with the Evercade cartridge ecosystem.

darthv722d ago

I like the Mega Man one more as it has a better variety of games. Strider, Carrier Airwing, Final fight... The other is all SF. Plus i like that i can pop in any of my evercade carts to play as well.

Garethvk2d ago

As long as it is durable; it's a deal.

300°

Sony Says The PS5 Is Its “Most Profitable Generation To-Date"

During Sony’s recent business segment meeting and investor presentation regarding its game and network services, the PlayStation company revealed that PlayStation 5 is the company’s “most profitable generation to-date.”

It’s the top slide of the presentation, showing that in its first four years, the PS5 generation has already hit $106 billion in sales, having almost caught up to the PS4’s total $107 billion generated.

Operating income for the PS5 generation has also already surpassed that of the PS4, having now reached $10 billion.

ApocalypseShadow3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I wouldn't doubt it. They released a high quality system. A lot of high quality games from themselves and their support of 3rd party developers and indies. They released many high quality remakes and remasters. They released a high quality GaaS game going against the naysayers thinking Sony would abandon single player games. And they most likely are profiting a lot more than PS1, PS2 PS4 and the loss leading PS3 that drained all their profits.

Now, I'll wait to see what's cooking tomorrow. But can you use some of those profits to better support your high quality VR headset? Because, by supporting it, you can sell more games and more systems and make more profits?

jznrpg3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I want RPGs for PSVR2! Good ones of course

shinoff21833d ago

If it had some rpgs I would buy right fking now. It looks dope and alot of fun, but it's biggest game resident evil 4(maybe) I've got no interest in. I'm not a fan of racing games, even with that metro game coming i was never much into that series. Rpgs would be fantastic.

MrNinosan3d ago

Lemme know if ya wanna play some Zenith 🙌
Bought it at release, but haven't played it more than 1-2 hours but for sure on my "todo list".

Cacabunga3d ago

Normal when they released mostly cross gen games so far. That’s a lot of money saved..
We haven’t seen what PS5 can do yet. 4years in and PS4 games still look great to me. The gen leap isn’t quite there yet.

--Onilink--3d ago

The interesting metric for me is the $106billion in operating income/profit (not sales as mentioned in the article) reaching the same as the PS4 did with only half the consoles sold.

In particular because they all are supposed to be making the most per hardware sold after a few years when manufacturing costs are down.

So even putting inflation aside(and the higher console price), it is interesting that they could reach PS4 $ with just half the consoles sold.

Maybe there is more to the metric thats whats seen at face value, but they have clearly been making a lot more money than before on the software side (with also less games released I suppose, given its only been half the generation so far)

VersusDMC3d ago

The bulk of the money has to be coming from the 30% cut on all games and microtransactions. Especially on all the free to play juggernauts like genshin, apex, fortnight, etc.

--Onilink--3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

@Versus

They are definitely making a lot on that for sure (which the $70 price increase factors into as well), but its not like many of those games werent around for the PS4 too.

They might be counting the gen as a whole and not just PS5 itself (so extra profit from PC sales, whatever that may be)

PS+ price increase and different tiers probably amount to part of that too.

But in general, its still quite a surprising metric. Half the time, half the consoles sold, less first party games released so far and still already making more of a profit than last gen is quite something, and as mentioned, there is probably more to it that we dont know, after all, since we are talking about operating income, all the expenses they have also factor into it, so it is also possible that they have found ways to significantly reduce that + all the means of increased revenue that appear to be factoring into the equation

All in all, just an interesting situation from a business perspective

porkChop3d ago

It's for the whole generation, so it would likely be including PC. They also make much more profit on digital sales vs retail, and digital is far more prominent these days. The generation also started at the height of COVID when everyone was home, spending far more money on gaming/hobbies. It makes a lot of sense for this gen to be more profitable.

Abnor_Mal3d ago

This will surely shut up all the new trolling accounts trying to spread lies and non facts in other articles comment sections before this article is posted.

Hofstaderman3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Obscurely, those trolls or troll will not show in these articles as the truth is contradictory to his or their orchard-sized daily dose of copium and hopium.

Tacoboto3d ago

Or... They're intentionally trolling you guys specifically. Because they know it upsets you so easily.

Name-dropping Orchard, after this many months? How long has it been and he's still in your thoughts?

Elda3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I'm quite sure the individual is reading these positive comments downvoting & seething at the same time. Edit: It just downvoted my comment...lol!!

Hofstaderman3d ago

No I'm entertained by this individual. I love unhinged people, they are so interesting lol.

repsahj3d ago

Wow! I am super impressed that in just 4 years, ps5 already caught up to the PS4's. Congratulations.

JackBNimble2d ago

That happens when half of your games are cross platform. I'm still waiting to see what the ps5 is capable of, because they sure haven't pushed any limits.

And where are all these ps5 exclusive games?

sagapo3d ago

Not really surprised as Sony barely has any competition at the moment.

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