5 Things Microsoft Could Learn From Sony

MMGN: With the next generation of consoles surely imminent within the next 1-2 years, the big three console manufacturers in Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony could be forgiven for becoming a little complacent with their current-generation efforts. However, that's far from the case with Sony, who have managed to stay relevant through a variety of new additions to the PlayStation experience, on top of the many features they've continually built upon. Microsoft, on the other hand, seem to be placing more of an emphasis on the 'entertainment' side of things, rather than gaming (which is all well and good if that floats your boat) - here's five ways Sony can teach Microsoft a thing or two about the industry:

[DialgaMarine]

Microsoft could learn alot of things from Sony, like How to actually contribute something to an industry that you claim to be closely tied to, instead of abusing people's sheer stupidity and sucking all the money you can out. That, and if you're going to market a product to a more casual audience, try not sh*tting all over the audience that made you popular to begin with. These things are just a start.

[dee-ecks]

Waiting for the obligatory "5 Things Sony Could Learn From Microsoft" now....Ugh i hate these....

[t0mmyb0y]

Haah the only reason I opened this was to make that comment. Bubbles

[dee-ecks]

Great minds dude!!!

[knowyourstuff]

I know right. Thing is, very few xbox gamers have any clue what Sony is offering, their mindset is just so closed off from anything outside of xbox, Microsoft has certainly done a magnificent job of keeping xbots in a bubble of limited information, so if a competitor even offers something great like free game trials etc. people would have no idea without endless marketing campaign dollars to push the new content.

[ShinMaster]

I'm fine with Sony reaching for the casual crowd because they haven't abandoned their core fans.
Despite their efforts with Move, WBook and other games, they're still constantly announcing and releasing solid core games to the fans.

[JellyJelly]

@knowyourstuff - A lot of Xbox gamers, like myself, have been gamers since the 80's or 90's and know perfectly well what Sony is offering but are still choosing the 360 over the PS3.

I've had a lot of first-hand experience with the PS3 and it has a lot of awesome games. The thing that makes me choose the 360 over the PS3 is:

* I tend to play a lot of multiplat games which generally work better on the 360.

*I prefer the 360 controller over the Dual Shock.

* Xbox Live works better than PSN (especially voice chat. I play a lot online) and has a lot more games and content on offer. Can't get games like Trials Evolution, Mark of the Ninja or Shadow Complex on PSN.

* Although I love games like Uncharted, InFamous and other PS3 exclusives I like games like Halo, Gears of War, Alan Wake and Forza Motorsport more.

What I'm trying to say is that you don't always have to be close-minded to pick the 360 over the PS3. But since you are the type who goes off calling people "xbots" I don't think you will understand.

[Irishguy95]

Fanboys are so bloody close minded, it always has to be "They don't want Playstation because they don't understand it". Please stfu, they don't get PS because they like Xbox more, and only an idiot would think Xbox doesn't have 'some' qualities over Playstation. Playstation has exclusives/ie more games. Xbox still has a large backlog of multiplats which are good. Geez:
Ps fanboy - Yay exclusives coming out soon
Xb fanboy - Waaah..no exclusives :'(
Xbox fan - Yay, games coming out soon
Px fan - Yay, games coming out soon

If you're looking for quantity Ps3 has it along with Quality. If your looking for quality 360 still has it. Xbox also has quantity, jsut not as much as Ps

360 is good because of it's interface and Xblive. Every time I introduce people to Ps3 they don't like how it's layed out. It's like going from Windows Xp to windows 98. Then there is the chat, which might not be a big deal to some people here, however from personal experience, it makes Xblive a more user friendly environment to play with friends, or simply have a chat with them while gaming if you wish. "I go out to talk to friends" --- Yeah, anyone who ses this is also an idiot, the point is you can do it and you would do it if you had the option to do it. Again, in my experience people use it for that too, and if you don't want to chat to people and get immersed in a single player game, you can do that if you want.

Anyway, everytime I introduce people it's always "why do you play this, it's so annoying to use over Xbox". I simply respond "It has alot more quality games". That as simple as that. But i'd rather play multi and with friends on my 360.

[tokugawa]

knowyourstuff.. just stfu. me like millions of people that own an xbox have owned all the playstation consoles and know exactly what sony has to offer.

for numerous reasons i use my xbox alot more than my ps3. at the end of the last gen i used my xbox more than my ps2. the almost 70mil consoles microsoft have sold have not been to new gamers.

whereas last gen the ps2 sold around 120mil before this gen kicked off, they have now sold around 70mil also... what happened to those other 50mil gamers??

[kariyanine]

@knowyourstuff the same can be said of Sony gamers as well.

[mcstorm]

Jellyjelly i agree with everything you said and could not of worded it any better.

I own all 3 home consoles and also own a 3ds and psv. The 360 is the console i buy most games for because it offers a better online experience than the ps3.

But i always own all consoles because i like what nintendo and sony offer too.

I hope nintendo sony and microsoft all carry on the way they are going as they all offer something of there own and something different.

Last gen there was not much difference between the ps2 xbox and gamecub where there is this gen.

We will always have fan boys of big tech like games consoles computers phones ect because we live in a world of mine is better than your and until people wake up and say they pick something for themselfs rather than because its the best it will all carry on.

[Brosy]

I dont think MS needs to look at sony or nintendo for ideas. Live is great, games are great, they are doing just fine. If you are a sony loyalist please disagree. If you are a stealth sony troll please respond and act all innocent.

[Godmars290]

They certainly took notes, and licenses, from them. The Latter of which they then ran into the ground if not failed to utilize.

[guitarded77]

It's not about Sony/Nintendo loyalist, it's about making MS even better. As a gamer, I'd love to see MS adopt some things from Sony/Nintendo, and vice/versa. Sony adopted trophies from MS's achievement system, and it made Sony better than they were. That's just one example, but there are many more. The article lists some things that Sony does, that would make MS better than it already is if they adopted them. As a gold member, why wouldn't you like to see additions to the program to compete with PS+? Why wouldn't you like to see more HD remakes like Halo CE? Why wouldn't you like to see more exclusive core IPs? You blame Sony users, but you seem to be the loyalist here. Defending a company while the article isn't bashing, but just bringing forth some constructive ideas which could make MS even better.

[ShinMaster]

And that's it.

[Neko_Mega]

Live is a rip off and heres why:

Can't use Neflix without being gold.
Can't play online without gold.
Most so called "Apps" can't be use without gold.

Yet you can do all that for free on other consoles, PC, phones, tablets and so on. An by free I mean you don't have to pay to use Netflix (besides being a paid member).

Plus Microsoft did rush their system out of fear of PS3, which hurt them money wise.

[Godmars290]

@guitarded77

You're looking at it wrong. Doing what MS is, which is ignoring Silver accounts.

In "allowing" people who just buy their console to access Netflix or even Youtube with the browser and before the app, Sony gave value to their system where MS is more about service, which is paid for in addition to the system you've already bought.

Also PS+ and XBL are not the same services.

PS+ was a frequent buyer program which gave discounts and a few free things, now with giving access to full tiles its more of a leasing service. And still if you don't want it you don't have to buy it

XBL is primarily for online access. Achievements and cross game chat only enhance it, but with games more and more leaning on online multiplayer, its technically mandatory. You cannot get the full value out of a 360 game unless you have an online connection and XBL.

If MS tries to directly mimic PS+, add a full game leasing service o XBL, expect to pay more for XBL. Just like its price will go up once this cable thing is fully up and running.

[MysticStrummer]

Sony loyalists and stealth trolls are the only sources of opinions that differ from yours? No one can just, you know, disagree with you?

Too funny.

Here's reality : Some people prefer PS3 and some people prefer 360. I have more than a few friends who bought a 360 because it was first to market, but now none of them has one. They prefer PS3 and PSN over 360 and XBL. Who is right... them or you? The answer is neither.

MS will learn from both Sony and Nintendo, unless they never want to reach 1st place in the console market, which I seriously doubt.

[showtimefolks]

Hopefully with the hiring of Phil Harrison we will see MS game studios actually make decent games. Phil Harrison is one of the main reasons Sony has so many studios

I don't know at 5 things I know about 3

Make sure your next products doesn't have a big fault like RROD and I know they have fixed it with DLIM model but going forward they shouldn't have a fault that big in their launched products

Live shuld be free when ps4 offers free cross game chat along with the fact a psn service that's free why is live a paid service? Is it because f espn,twitter,Facebook,YouTube? Give us a service where we can download demos and play online and if someone want more features than they should have a option to pay for that service. MS fanboys disagree all you want besides cross game chat PSN does everything LIVE does and something's even better. So stop with blindly being in LVE with live

And games,games and nothing but games. Instead of paying millions for exclusive DLC pay that to a 2nd party studios to make some actual games for LIVE or retail version. For the first 4_5 years everything was about core gamers but than they saw wii making money with casuals and they totally forgotten about it and that's not an opinion that's a fact. Look at last few E3 and you will see its all casual better with kinect this or better with kinect that

I think MS will see the affect of that with their next system they turned a lot of core gamers against them self when they went all casual in us

So a free live
A fault free hardware launch
And games games and more games

Nintendo and Sony know how to delivers to their core audience

[nerdkiller]

i am very happy with my ps3, the one thing sony could learn from msoft is a new control model. however theres one thing sony should not be doing like msoft, and that is fps. i wish they would just make the games there great at.

fps games suck give me god of war over gears of war any day. thats including all fps even sonys im not a fan boy.

[demonddel]

Hey Nerdy dude FPS been around before Microsoft especially when Goldeneye put them on the map for consoles Microsoft just grab that audience that's now playing the most popular game on the planet COD which Microsoft don't own

[Bon Scott]

This article is a prime example of what N4g is REALLY about lol.
This article over time will pull out Sonys finest defenders on the net..... go figure.
I think Sony could learn the same if not more from MS from this gen......fact:)
Someone please submit a "Sony can learn from MS"opinion piece and see if it passes,along with the mass disagrees that would fall upon MS fans that post on it.

This article is so laughable and shows the transparency of n4 and it's SDF.
The 90 + agrees on the first post say it all.

[GuruStarr78]

@jellyjelly:

100% agreed..

[RumbleFish]

Since they've both sold about the same amount of current gen consoles, there has to be something for both of them to learn from each other.

[greenpowerz]

So MSFT should learn lessons from Sony resulting in being in last place after dominating for two generations? Fat chance!

[lonesoul65]

Only one thing Sony could learn from MS and probably the most important in the end...how to make a profit = P

[Blastoise]

How to make games instead of relying on timed-exclusive third party DLC.

[OneAboveAll]

This goes both ways. Sony could learn a lot from MS too you know. Such as how to have better security...

Fanboys gonna fanboy though...

[jslash]

Never said they couldn't.

FYI I'm the polar opposite of a Sony fanboy. Owned a 360 since launch and had a PS3 for just over a year, with every major game I play being on my 360.

[Blastoise]

Dude, its not like that. You don't pay for extra security with Xbox live, you pay because Microsoft want your money.

If anonymous wanted to hack Xbox live I have no doubt they would succeed.

Edit: Whatever man, I'm not denying PSN could'nt be a better more stable service. Just pointing out that Xbox live's "Better security" would be useless when it comes to Anonymous, which I assumed was what you were hinting at.

[OneAboveAll]

Wrong. Xbox live is a great service because the money we spend on it keeps it well maintained.

Second of all, I never said anything about paying for the security. Learn to read. Even if we didn't Sony could still learn how to upgrade theirs by taking poits from MS. Last time I checked XBL wasn't down months at a time... EVER.

[Kingnichendrix]

Yeah Xbox live is brilliant you pay for cross party chat and ads :)

[TCG_Returns]

Well maintained he says..

I never had any problems with hacked COD lobbies on PSN..

[GTRrocker666]

I have a ps3 and used to have a 360. I honestly couldnt tell the difference other than games, cosmetic differences, and features like chat. Beyond that they are the same.

[srcBFMVBMTH]

Better security? You REALLY think the dudes who hacked PSN couldn't hack XBL if they actually gave them a reason to? LMFAO. They were able to hack into the security of banks bro. What makes you think a gaming service won't be cake?

And what Blastoise said.

"You don't pay for extra security with Xbox live, you pay because Microsoft want your money."

Microsoft could learn from Sony about how to make hardware that doesn't blow up half the time. lol

[GrahamGolden]

the only thing sony could learn or copy if u prefer is in the controler department..sony has nothing to be jealous

they have the best AAA games and doesnt depend on third party exclusive dlc

the best online deals,borderlands,Red Dead,LBP2 just to name a few

the best indie devs who will dominate next gen sony console

better cloud service gaikai

u mad sis ?

[TheRealHeisenberg]

The one thing they have in common is their fanbases. Can't tell either side a damn thing because logic pretty much escapes them both.

[wages of sin]

They have the best games in your opinion. I find Sony's games to be overrated-and by a lot. That's why I sold mine.

Secondly, Sony rose to the top on the backs of third party. Now third party doesn't count? Fail. Either that or you're too young to remember when Sony came into the industry and what that was like. A lot of the shit you Sony fantards harp on Sony was doing years ago. They have exclusives but most of them are average at best. Not only that but MS started this gen with an explosion of games. Total they have about the same amount.

Play beyond my ass.

[srcBFMVBMTH]

@wages of sin

"I find Sony's games to be overrated-and by a lot."

Like what I find about Gears and Halo.

"Secondly, Sony rose to the top on the backs of third party. Now third party doesn't count? Fail."

"A lot of the shit you Sony fantards harp on Sony was doing years ago."

Same reason how exclusives only mattered to 360 fans when the PS3 didn't have much. And they constantly bashed on PS3 for it. But when the 360 doesn't have any, exclusives all of a sudden don't matter? Fail.

"They have exclusives but most of them are average at best."

"Not only that but MS started this gen with an explosion of games."

Your opinion. IMO that award goes to Gears and Halo. Same stuff they've been pushing out because they are too stupid to think of anything new expect for Kinect shovelware.

"Total they have about the same amount."

Maybe. But the 360 is practically beaten in most genres except for FPS. They severely lack variety. That right there is a fact, not an opinion.

[Kingnichendrix]

That is so true like the only thing they can learn, Marketing.

[xXBlondieVanHarlowXx]

Haha too funny, if it wasn't for that hack you'd be giving us the 07' "we haz more games" speech. How about writing an actual vice-versa article?

"Wrong. Xbox live is a great service because the money we spend on it keeps it well maintained."

Haha the money YOU spend allows you to get CoD maps 1 month ahead of other consoles. THAT and alot of advertisement for MS. You can't seriously believe XboxLive is un-hackable right?? :D Anyways, good laugh.

[Jazz4108]

You do understand that almost every advertisement on live is for things happening on the service. What ms has done so much better then sony this time is make a user friendly and dev friendly console thats not full of partial installs and slow ass connections a sloppy menu after sub menu and a commuinty broken apart with no standard headset plus a ton of great features are included on live sony does not offer with crisp voice connections and cross game chat and marketing. Sony has fallen so far this gen and i hate to say it but they deserve it and if they stay in business as there finances are a mess as not near as many people want there arrorgant overpriced junk then they will get trounced even more next gen if they dont change there ways which fans on here are blinded by.

[ninjabake]

@Jazz4108

I don't think an ad about the army and a TV Show has much to do with gaming.

[PirateThom]

All from 2012.... Top notch Microsoft security, am I right?

http://articles.timesofindi... - Microsoft's India store hacked, usernames & passwords stolen (Note: Passwords stored in plain text format)

http://nakedsecurity.sophos... - Microsoft rushes out fix after hackers reset passwords to hack Hotmail accounts

http://www.networkworld.com... - Microsoft's MAPP reportedly hacked, RDP exploits coming sooner than expected

http://finance.yahoo.com/bl... - Microsoft Warns of Internet Explorer Hack Potential

Whatever, though, it's not like online security matters as long as XBL isn't hacked, right?

[Oner]

"Whatever, though, it's not like online security matters as long as XBL isn't hacked, right?"

QFT

[rpd123]

The fact remains that XBL has never been hacked. ;)

[TheFirstClassic]

I think the main thing they could learn from both ms and ninty is to have a mascot. They have a lot of great ips, which is why I perfer Sony, but nothing has the same influence that the chief and Mario have. Nathan Drake and Kratos are probably the closest things to mascots.

[ninjabake]

That's the thing, Sony has mascots. Plenty of them they just don't have one solid mascot and haven't had a bonafide mascot since the Crash Bandicoot days. But if you ask me Sackboy is an easy choice with Kratos being a candidate as well. As much as I like Nathan Drake I just don't see him as a viable mascot.

When I think of a videogame mascot you think of something sort of fantasty like or at least not necessarily "realistic" per say. Something with wide mass appeal that people who don't follow gaming as much, or are casual gamers can instantly recognize as a videogame character.

Now I know the days of the mascot are long gone but if Sony wanted to put a specific character at the forefront to push as a mascot, they easily could. Probably more so now than they ever could.

[attilayavuzer]

Sony could learn how not to put themselves out of business

[calis]

"Such as how to have better security... "

Live is hacked all the time, just not on the level Sony was.
Even Major Nelson had his account hacked.

Just google for the amount of stories of Live being hacked.

[ItsTrue]

Live was not hacked, his account was. Account does not equal online service.

[calis]

This may seem a little hard for you to understand, but who is responsible for the protection of his account and information?

[Sithlord-Gamble]

Sorry but ill take GOOD GAMES & 1st party exclusives ANY DAY over a nice interface for my online gaming needs.

Fanboys gonna fanboy tho.

[DOMination-]

Must be into xbox then as MS have 7 more first party studios than Sony ready for next gen.

[ceballos77mx]

Not kinect exclusives I imagen

[cedaridge]

@NoFanboyRequired! I may be wrong about the Christmas Season and xbox live been HACKED so i'll give you that BUBBLE. BUT then i'll snatch it back with YES xbox customers account's being Hacked. With xbox being a $ payed membership provider and Sony being a FREE payed membership provider How is xbox live better? I took your advise and researched it and found indeed "Major Nelson and other ppl ACCOUNT'S been hacked and microsoft employees have given folks the run around." Don't get on here acting like Microsoft can't do anything Wrong. And don't be NAIVE in thinkin just because you pay for something it won't happen to you. So THANK YOU I did my reseach and found xbox live is no better than psn when it come to being HACKED. Microsoft is just better at hideing it. LOL psn: cedaridge / xbl: cedar4Thunder

[DOMination-]

Funny that I get so many disagrees. MS has 20 first party studios now. Sony only has 12. Exclusives will not be a problem for MS next gen.

[Sithlord-Gamble]

Funny, howd those 20 studios work out for u this gen?
Other than the same 4 AAA titles every year?

Ill take Sonys 12 studios over MS 20 ANYDAY.

Theres no reason to believe things will change with MS.
Theyre all about multimedia and multiplat timed exclusives ... oh and kinect. Cant forget about that and all those great onrail games u guys get.

Youre just in denial. Wake Up.

[cedaridge]

You do know xbl have been hacked before during the Christmas Season? Now it wasn't to the degree that Sony was hacked but neverless XBOX Live Payed $ Service been hacked and Sony's FREE psn Service been hacked. So Really how much more better xbox live was than playstation network when they both got HACKED? psn: cedaridge / xbl: cedar4Thunder

[NoFanboyRequired]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but it wasnt hacked, it was a server overload from the thousands and thousands of people connecting to live the day halo 3 came out. Also, it didnt go completely down, just had an unstable connection. Do some research before you fail more lol.

[Ayabrea123]

Fifa Hack. What security? That was a backdoor situation that compromised people's accounts that MS did NOT give compensation for but in fact blamed there customers, including the ones who didn't play fifa. I could understand Sony hack but at least they took fault and gave a free insurance policy to psn user affected for 1 million dollars if it ever happens again, on top of that free games and 3 months on PS+! Give me a break. For someone who got hacked they handled it a whole lot better than people who were actually COMPROMISED on Xbox. No one was compromised on Psn, not one person so where's the bs?

[iNFAMOUZ1]

why so much hate on 360 i love mine :) always on it

[jslash]

Not hate! I love mine too! It's just five things Microsoft could learn from Sony.

[QuantumWake]

Not exactly hating. I for one play my Xbox 360 everyday. But these are just some of the things MS could improve on. Most of the points made in the article are pretty good.

[Tito08]

Actually it's not hating... As Sony could learn a few things from Microsoft, but Microsoft could learn from Sony as well... I would say it is mostly on the first party department.. There's Crimson Skies, Killer Instinct, Jade Empire, Project Gotham, & other past IPs they could work on... They don't have to make em into full retail games, could be XBLA games too.. They have a very good developer in Rare...

Of what I read from a former Rare developer, Rare wanted to make KI3, but Microsoft said no... And funny that some of those Xbox fanboys in the comments saying Microsoft did the right thing by not allowing them to work on it, wow, on a very good IP..

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Yeah Microsoft can learn some things from Sony. Just like Sony, can learn some things from Microsoft. Other than MS doing just fine.

[jslash]

Considering doing a reverse article next week on what Sony could learn from MS, how does that sound?

[AngelicIceDiamond]

How does that soun.. I could care less. Ok so MS can learn to put more 1st party output, big whoop. MS seems to be doing fine with out new retail IP's. Though I like new Ip's sure but there not do or die for me and obviously from MS.

[TheFirstClassic]

???

You ok? Seem kinda emotional. Don't be an asshole to the writer.

[GrahamGolden]

hell yeah i love that pic hahahaha

kratos rape master chief nice bro

[IQUITN4G]

I think you have a weird understanding of what rape is if you think it's to smash and rip people's heads off. I'm fairly familiar with the franchise but I don't recall any instances of forced sex by Kratos

[Reverent]

Kids these days with their over the top, offensive and controversial slang. Whatcha gunna do.

[Rockoman16]

OK?! σ___σ0

[InTheLab]

#1 should be offering online play to XBL free members. MS appears to be very confident that XBL is the go to place for entertainment, so why continue to hold online hostage?

[Reverent]

You just answered your own question. They think XBL is the go-to service so they have zero problem with charging as much as they want for it because they think their fans believe the same. The worse part is, some actually do.

[attilayavuzer]

Hostage?

[ceballos77mx]

Hostage as in "you want your other half of game u gotta pay up".

I live in Mexico I know these things.

[attilayavuzer]

Oh please there are ~10 franchises out there where the multiplayer could even be labeled as vaguely worthwhile, much less half of the experience.

I also have a feeling that the only people complaining about Live costing money (an astonishing 13 cents/day) are all under 15 years old. I just don't see how anyone who makes some sort of income couldn't afford it.

I mean, 50 bucks a year for someone who'll put up 600-700 hours online seems like a solid deal...can't remember the last game I bought that gave me that much value.

But anyway this is a dead issue, everyone here knows the online situation on each console and should buy accordingly...no use protesting something you knew you were getting into.

[TongkatAli]

They can all learn from each other.

[Angerfist]

800 MS Points : 10 Dollars, i find this argument invalid because on ebay you can get Points worth 50 Dollars for 35, thats saving alot of money, only fools buy there points straight from Xbox.

[Dms2012]

The pic alone is trolling, nevermind the article itself.

[RowSand]

1-thing-sony-could.learn.from. ms-xbox--aa!!!!!!!!!!!!

[iwin86]

They could learn how to bring real value to the xbox live service instead of "providing" twitter & facebook apps.
A programm like Playstation +.

[ChunkyLover53]

This is the perfect troll inducing article, lets ask the huge PS3 heavy community what Microsoft or M$ as they are known here, what they can learn from the beloved Sony........riiiiiight.

The bottom line that competition is good, its probably not too smart to try and be directly like your competitor because your fans went with you for a reason. As a Xbox 360 owner I'm overall pretty happy with how they have come along in just their second generation, I do wish they had released a successor to the Xbox 360 already, but next year isn't too far off.

[MeatAbstract]

This to me is just a massive excuse to stir things up with your big wooden spoon varnished with the tears of fanboys.

Read above: "UUHHH YOU PAY FOR XBOX LIVE LOLOLOLOLOL" so what? What's it to you what services people use and don't use? If you don't want to pay for XBL then don't but don't bitch at the people that prefer XBL to the PSN.

Each has their benefits and short comings.

[BitbyDeath]

'What's it to you what services people use and don't use?'

It sets precedents that shouldn't be set.

Microsofts actions effect the entire industry and if something negative comes along such as forcing people to pay for online then people will automatically want it to fail so that it does not catch on with other companys who they game through.

[FunAndGun]

The whole reason I will not pay for Live and don't use my gifted 360. Its not about the $/per month, I just will never pay to play a game online, sorry.

[MeatAbstract]

You say that Microsoft's actions effect the entire industry. Perhaps. I haven't seen many other service that force you to pay a subscription to play online.

The major ones being:

PSN: Free
Steam: Free
Whatever Nintendo Use (Sorry I don't own Wii): Free.

Non of these companies show any sign of saying "RIGHT, you need to pay to play now".

I love the PSN. Between my Xbox360 and PS3, PS3 has definitely had the most game time put into it. What bothers me here though is all the Sony fanboys having a circle jerk over how 'lame' they think XBL is.

[telekineticmantis]

I could say many things about Microsoft, and how much they've made me angry, but I've learned it makes other people upset when I do, so I will try to direct my complaints to Microsoft in a forum that only Microsoft themselves can hear or see it.

[chanmasta]

Wtf? Isn't it against the rules of N4G for an author on their site to post their news to N4G then private message members on the site begging to approve their article? 'Cause that's what I received 59 minutes ago from jslash.

[NastyLeftHook0]

a LOT.

[ACEMANWISE]

I think both companies can take lessons from past consoles. I think they are pushing online and service so hard that they are making games dysfunctional without it.

Game saves are becoming an issue as they are now locked by certain developers and unable to be backed up by users. These locked saves can magically be saved to cloud storage though...provided a paid membership is used. Past consoles didn't have this problem. So why take the user's ability to copy saves away?

Almost every game disc requires at least one online update. These "1.01" updates are available on release day and seem to only provide a "hook" to online in order to complete the game. Past consoles didn't have that many broken games on release day. So why use online to make sure every game is broken on release day? Doesn't that contradict the entire purpose of online updates to begin with?

Every digital game bought from the online store can't be backed up by the user. You can back up the garbage data but you can never recover your "purchases" unless the digital store activates it. So instead the only reliable method of getting your purchased games is through the online store... a store that might not be available next generation. Sega, Panasonic, NEC, and others left the console market. Who's to say these three will stay or even bother to keep the service next gen? Microsoft and Sony both stopped supporting backwards compatability of PS2 and Xbox titles. Why would the digital format be any different?

Online game servers dropping out before the gen is over. Yet they surrounded the entire industry around it and call it the future without any considerable foresight…or hindsight for that matter. Instead they pass the costs on to the consumer to feed their pockets endlessly.

Get your gaming priorities to the top and the service should follow. Not the other way around where your service comes first and nothing else stands in the way. Because of that both the games and the gamers have gotten a lot less this generation and most don't even know it yet. Those who haven't read the terms and conditions yet will only be fooled until the next generation starts. Mark my words.

[Bezerks]

@chanmasta
u r an idiot i would not call that begging, i think ur jealous coz u could not write an article of this quality

[chanmasta]

Lulwut? Really? Oh yeah I'm totally jealous... not. I'm an idiot because someone wrote an article and messaged a bunch of people on a news site basically saying "Please please approve my article!"? Wow.

You must be twelve years old or something, go to school and stop name-calling people on the internet for asking a question that didn't harm anyone.

[Soldierone]

Why so much hate over an opinion? who's to say this article won't be followed up with Sony on the other side? Sony can learn things too, such as advertising techniques. Nintendo can learn things as well.

They all have strengths, and all have weakness, every company does. Simply implying a company could learn from someone else isn't saying the company sucks....

[BigStef71]

This goes both ways for each company:
For Sony:
-They can learn to make their online network run a little smoother and possibly making online communication with friends and other people easier. Not saying anythings wrong with PSN. I love it very much but you can't lie and say live isn't the better service for online. But I don't want Sony to start charging for online but I'm definitely willing to pay for psn+ which I already do and am enjoying the free game if they use some of that revenue for building a better online network
-The next thing Somy needs to learn is to market their blockbuster games better like how Mocrosoft does. I mean the Kevin Butler commercials were a great start so build on that and have him do more commercials.
For Microsoft:
-They can learn from Sony is to produce a bunch of new IP exclusives and stop doing the exclusive times DLC. There is no benefit to that. Go buy some creative and talented studios and give them the freedom to create their own unique game. For example I know RARE can still make great games so let them do their own thing instead of kinect shovelware.
- Xbox live should be similar to PS+ that you get free games and discounts for paying yearly subscription. It has certainly benefited for Sony so they should do the same to rewards 360 owners.

Those are my thoughts for both sides. I used to own a 360 but now I own a ps3. Im most likely going ps4 next gen but that doesn't mean I won't get a 720 eventually

[ALLWRONG]

I'm sure MS learned many things from Sony. They learned how to get ahead of Sony this gen, and stay there.

[BigStef71]

Lol did you really have to troll? The only reason they are ahead is because the 360 came out a year earlier and was cheaper. Anyways the difference is like 2 million between the 360 and ps3 worldwide and its only gonna keep on getting smaller like it has for the past 3 years. Sony will rebound next gen no doubt. They dominated with the ps1 and ps2 so if they have a good price this time which they will they'll do the same next gen as ps1/ps2 did

[ALLWRONG]

Funny how truth = trolling to you guys.

BTW 360 outsold the PS3 WW last year. So there goes that "past 3 years" theory.

[BigStef71]

@ALLWRONG
Well you were talking shit about something that had nothing completely to do with this article. Man you xbox fanboys are ignorant.I know the 360 outsold it WW last year but what by less than a million? The only reason 360 did was becaus of that holiday bundle which had reach and fable 3. That barely put you over the edge. Well lets see this year Oh I think the ps3 is winning WW sales. So the next time you want to talk shit dont be a moron about it

[Tito08]

@ Allwrong- As your username implies, you're ALL WRONG... BTW PS3 selling 66 million PS3s in 6 years is a bigger achievement than Xbox 360's 68 million in 7 years, so without the year head-start & very soon to market launch(Xbox 1 was roughly 4 year old when 360 launched)360 is actually 9 millions behind PS3, so 360 is pretty much the undercover 3rd place console..

[Belking]

I'm sure they learn from each other. Sony could use a lesson or two in making money. They haven't been too good at that lately.

[Brettman2008]

There is no certainty of Sony dominating the next generation of consoles. Thats like saying the Wii U will be a guaranteed big hit because the Wii had huge console sales. For Sony, if they hope to 'dominate' again they need to make inroads back into the U.S. market. PS2 dominated in the U.S. and now the Xbox 360 does. The game industry is very different from when the PS1 and PS2 were available. I don't think anyone will have any idea until the Wii U and next gen Xbox and Playstation are for sale.

[xboxbigbossmgs]

so i can get hack like sony hell ya and have bad net codeing and 200 games and jap that i cant get and games that online die and re release ps3 for 2012 put red on a psp 2!!! and be 6 billion in the hole and lay off people to. all i got to say is halo ftw. ps sony is ass

[AusRogo]

Hate fanboys.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

I own a 360 and PS3... I also game the most on my PS3 watch tons of Blu-rays on my PS3...

The only thing that MAINLY keeps me on my PS3 is the fact that MS fell asleep at the gaming wheel quite a while ago, my appeal in Sony is the fact they take dramatic risks in most their exclusive titles where MS wants the safe bet all the time... The fresh ideas are what keep me interested, the ideas of doing something on 1 console that you can't on the other... that's where 3rd party support don't mean much if at all to me!

[NeXXXuS]

Exclusives

[ALLWRONG]

They all have em, some much bigger than others.

[NeXXXuS]

Microsoft barely has any exclusives whatsoever.

[DivineAssault]

Microsoft puts out halo & gears so all xbox fans are happy.. Sony is a much deeper gaming company than all western guns blazing & aliens.. Halo & COD are the only reason microsoft stands.. Sony has COD as well but they have 20x more exclusive games in almost every department & a premium network service thats actually worth the $50/yr.. Oh i forgot xbl went up in price to $60/yr so ya sony owns em in my book... Xbox & kinect have no place in my home.. I love the headline picture.. Kratos would so murder the master chief & all those gears of war brutes..

[rbailey]

And in murdering Master Chief, Kratos would also have to murder the millions of Xbox 360 consoles that have sold since the system has been out. Good luck with that lmao

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

I've got to be honest though man, the gap isn't as big as I personally thought it would be.

MS's happy cause they are still in the lead currently, but with sales of PS3 still going strong and staying in close... I know they gotta be somewhat bummed in that!

[DivineAssault]

hey, maybe when microsoft dies out from software droughts, MS will license him to sony so he can really get murdered in the future GOW games.. That would be awesome! windows 8,9,10, or whatever at the time can be a psn app too..

[rbailey]

Sony fanboys wouldn't have Trophies if it wasn't for Xbox 360 making achievements in the first place.

Might I also add that Sony can learn a thing or two about how to make their network as engaging as Xbox live. PSN is a joke and the community aspect needs to be completely revamped.

Oh and by the way, don't get me started on the ridiculous install times for games on Playstation 3... Just as easy as it is for a fanboy to praise their console, a real gamer would be honest enough to point out the flaws for their system as well. Xbox and Nintendo both have flaws too but given the nature of this article my points on focused on sony for the minute.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

Are game install times actually Sonys fault or the people who are making the games you want to play?

and community aspect of PSN needs to be revamped?... Playstation Home STILL exists and TONS of people STILL use it!

I know I'd love to be on Home but my internet isn't the greatest for it at the moment. But when Home first went live... it was freaking awesome going bowling with people than right there your Avatars link up while still in Home, and boot right into a game for you all to play together...

Also if they carry over Home to PS4 I can only imagine what they do with it, and I definatley see it as a overlooked edge that Live definatley don't have... and the Arcade for your Live avatars, IS indeed a crappy attempt at it!

[smashcrashbash]

For the last time it was Insomniac that did achievements first. Microsoft didn't think them up by themselves. I wish modern gamers would get their facts straight. Give credit where credit is due.Anyway everyone can learn from each other just like they did a long time ago. It's irritating when people seem to think that their systems are perfect in every way. Microsoft fans especially seem to have already forgotten Microsoft's careless RROD mistake. Microsoft could probably learn to stop making things that glitch and break and have to be fixed all the time.The PS3 may have had it's faults but at least it didn't break 50% of the time and have to be replaced every second.

[rbailey]

So Xbox 360 comes out before PS3.. Yet Insomniac created achievements first? Makes no sense at all and I'd like to see a weblink to backup your claims...

Obviously no system is perfect and I'm sure Xbox 360 fans would admit the faults of company and move on.

Funny thing is Sony fans must also admit the same. After all the PSN hacking was just as bad as the xbox rrod fiasco.

[Hicken]

Insomniac's been around longer than Microsoft has been in the console gaming business. Unless I missed something, Achievements are new to this generation of Xbox...

... but there were trophies in Star Ocean last generation.

So even IF Insomniac hadn't done it first, Microsoft STILL wouldn't be next in line.

Engaging? What do you consider "engaging?" Because there's nothing as "engaging" on XBL as Home is. Lemme guess: party and cross-game chat. Because it's SO "engaging" to talk to your buddies in different games while you're playing something that SHOULD require teamwork...

Install times... that was the last card in your hand? You sure you don't wanna fold? I'd advise you to walk away from the table now; this pot is too rich for your blood.

Edit: You can tell whose fans were reading by the agree-disagree rates on the various comments. Even the factual ones.

That "Home is boring" argument is the last bastion of people who aren't using it. Simple enough.

Installs don't take an hour. Most- and most games don't require an install- are a matter of minutes. You DO have some info-heavy games, like Gran Turismo, but those are few and far between.

Wanna try again?

[SegataShanshiro]

Using Home to win a video game argument? Dude you're so lame Home sucks and its boring. As hell. And it takes hours to load and yeah you never answer about the install times

[rbailey]

Funny how this fan totally ignored my PSN Security Hacking Point. This just goes to show that Fanboys will ignore the truth and only state the facts they make up in their head. lol

[Ben_Grimm]

"Engaging? What do you consider "engaging?" Because there's nothing as "engaging" on XBL as Home is. Lemme guess: party and cross-game chat. Because it's SO "engaging" to talk to your buddies in different games while you're playing something that SHOULD require teamwork..."

Spoken like a true Sony fanboy who doesn't and has never owned a 360. For your information talking to your buddies cross gameas IS engaging and just goes to show that there is a huge community on Live playing different games. But I guess Home would be MORE engaging right? I mean trying to hit on every (fake) woman avatar that runs your way is a much better gaming experience.

[rbailey]

What Sony can learn from Microsoft:

How to work well enough with Bethesda to release a version of Skyrim ( with DLC) that actually works on the Playstation 3

End...

[KMCROC]

I think MS entertainment & gaming division has done well for a Division that's been around for say 12 years & on thier second console.

[urwifeminder]

Please ms take no advice from sony i want you to be around for years.

[user7792788]

Some new AAA IPs would be nice.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Yes fix the ms point system to real money. My friend had like 200 MS points and Jet Grind Radio was 800. He couldn't get 500 msp because he would be be 100 msp short so instead he had to buy 1000 ms.

[dcortz2027]

Just about everything really.

[joeyisback]

more games and not just dlc all the time 1 month before playstation wow get more games its now xbox has no games

[DeusExer]

I'd rather they spend time and money on brand new games instead of remastering old titles.

[chuckyj1]

OKay... Here is something Sony could learn from MS...When you redesign your system to make it cheaper....Maybe you could cut the cost to the consumer???

That redesigned PS3 is one of the ugliest system redesigned systems I've ever seen....AND IT'S NOT EVEN CHEAPER....Horrible move Sony.

Sony cut the price of the PS3 too many times to try and keep pace w/ 360. So they can't afford to cut prices this early again.

[Brettman2008]

Irrespective, I think Sony will get a sales bump from the 'new' PS3. Gullible consumers will think it is better than the previous model. In my opinion, Microsoft have put profitability over sales volumes the last few years. Whereas Sony previously cut the price of the PS3 and reduced profit margins. They will both be maximising profit on this gen because the next gen will take a while to get profitability.

[AlphaJunk]

I think Sony should learn how to make money - maybe they can take notes from M$ and Nintendo. Maybe, if they could come up with some IP's that sell Like M$'s Halos, Gears, and Kinect or Nintendo's Mario's and Zelda's among there many hits then I'd believe Sony is competent and know's how to do business.

[Bon Scott]

This article is a prime example of what N4g is REALLY about lol.
This article over time will pull out Sonys finest defenders on the net..... go figure.
I think Sony could learn the same if not more from MS from this gen......fact:)
Someone please submit a "Sony can learn from MS"opinion piece and see if it passes,along with the mass disagrees that would fall upon MS fans that post on it.

This article is so laughable and shows the transparency of n4 and it's SDF.
The 90 + agrees on the first post say it all.

[Studio-YaMi]

And yet your own fanboyism towards Microsoft while dissing Sony isn't really "helping" here .. is it ?

[Studio-YaMi]

Reported the site
not gonna waste my time with your stupid trolling article,the display pic alone is more than enough to report your site

in the sound of napoleon dynamite :
IDIOTS!..

Edit :
"You are still a trainee. You need 3 news submissions approved before you can add reports."

-_- whatever!

[baodeus]

the one thing that Sony could learn from MS is not to cater/listen to the so call hard core fan or rather fanboy of their console, why?

1. Could Sony use some money to make their PSN services better? Yes, but what do these "hardcore fan" wants? They wanted it free. The rule of business is no money, no improvement, that is reality. Just ask yourself something, would you be dedicated to work for free so that others can entertain themselves (it is not something critical like hungry children, it is just entertainment) People aren't stupid to break sweat and blood over something insignificant right?

2. Ok, so now u guys support PS+. That is good, but what they get from these services, free games right? U guys even boasted about free games you guys are getting every months. It is good, but i can't help but wondering, If you are core fan of Sony, why didn't you buy those games for ps3 like years ago? Wouldn't that help sony and developers (3rd party included) more when you buy it then, instead of waiting for bargin bin price or free on ps+? Both fanboy camps are pretty bad, but at least i see the xbox fan support xlive regardless, where as ps fan only support ps+ because of Russian Roulette like cheap deals and free games offering each months. You guys must have really like Forrest Gump quote "ps+ is like a box of chocolate, you'll never know what you gonna get"

3. Nintendo show that casual market are very viable, much more so than the hardcore (as evidence with more developers going toward mobile gaming now). Sony also want to reach into that market to make more profit which would help their business dramatically. But what happen, u guys just want hard core games (as shown from comments on here and the lack luster sales from the MOVE). It is so sad for Sony that they have to keep catering to the hardcore fans (even with the moves when it was clearly made to get Sony into that casual market) because they can't afford to lose the hardcore fans too. Sony is in a bind and can't expand their games to more potential customers. Of course, Sony could have also learn from MS on how to dissociate themselves from Nintendo if they want to do well in that market; no one want to buy the same product, although it is slightly different in that it is black and has a glowing globe, that are out years ago at a much higher price tag now do they?

4. Many on here, based on your own words not mine, seems to also only want exclusives. What about 3rd party games on ps3? How many times will we see threaten letters, boycotting,partition, lost of interest on games, used to be on ps console exclusively (FF13, DMC, MetalGear,etc..) that go multiplatform (seriously do you guys know they are still available on ps3?)? How 3rd party willing to show more support for Sony if they see the fans don't really care much? Do you really think 3rd party aren't important to sony when they still make up most of what available on ps3? In part, Sony could have also learn from MS to make a more developer friendly system because no 3rd party gonna stick their heads out for Sony anymore like in the past because they do have good alternate system to developer for that is easy, quick and convenient (from development tools, flexible memories, or they don't have to worry about online aspect like communication because it is already handle by MS).

[baodeus]

Conclusion:

Ask yourself something, are you guys truly supporting PS3 like you said, or you guys just all talks for the soul purpose of bragging rights (exclusives,exclusives, free online, cheap deals and free, free and free games on ps+, best exclusives ever, etc....).

Do you guys truly understand a dam thing or two on how to support Sony?

Sony is in dire situation because they keep supporting mindless zombies soldiers that would kill/destroy/threaten 3rd party developers/developers (SE, Capcom, etc..) in Sony name, but don't really know how to help them prosper in their business. Like the army, you have to pitch out money for the soldiers, but Sony is a business company, they need customers, not soldiers so get it straight.

[Freak of Nature]

Being a fan of both....

The main thing I think Microsoft could learn from Sony is to be a little more open minded towards more stylish/creative IP's that think outside of the box and take a more original/unique stance, opposite to the more common generic route, the safe bet, at least 1 or 2 a year...

Microsoft should give the next ***Media molecule*** type dev house a shot, (not just indie games, but full blown IP's,) become a little more risque ... A LBP type game once a year would not hurt....

[Adityac]

I'm a Sony Fan, don't get me wrong, but the one thing which Sony could learn from Microsoft would be providing a decent online service, yes even though it's free.

[ceballos77mx]

Each need to learn from their mistakes first, then see what the competition is doing good and adapt it with their plans.

As a gamer I go with the console that adapt to my gaming preference, last gen I started on ps2 and finished with the Xbox (very good exclusives). This one started with Xbox and will end on ps3, that's my choice as a gamer, I want the better games not the things any cheap phone and tablet can do.

[sdplisken]

microsoft needs to get out of the game industry, imo if youre not gonna make and fund new hardcore ips then please leave

bring back sega!

[KidCuDiWINS]

Dammit Jerry! You started another fanboy war!

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

Sony is true to the core gamers! MS? The bastards killed killer instinct. I have no doubt if rare was under sony we would have killer instinct again.

Sony still supports the ps3 with new ip's and ms pumps out kinect, halo & forza again.

Oh yeah and gears.

beyond, the last of us, rain, puppeteer & the second ps3 version of god of war will be amazing!

Sony only needs to beat MS's online service and marketing.

[Britainz-Fin3st]

Pointless article.

MS and Sony will do as they wish.

Besides, i disagree.
The only valid point i see is develop more IPs which imo applies to both consoles.

Apart from a selection of games neither console has much "quality, hard selling" games apart from multiplats.

Abit oftopic, either its that or im growing out of gaming, im finding it hard to find a game which can keep me entertained long enough worth forking out my dosh.

[grayfoxx881]

I owned the original Xbox, and had a ton of great exclusives for that console. The exclusives and the sturdy hardware is why I bought it and stuck with it. It seems though Microsoft has abandoned both of these concepts with the 360. I bought my 360 a few months after launch, picked up some great games, and bought a gold subscription. I'm now on my third 360, while my original Xbox still works wonderfully. As the years went on, exclusives became fewer and fewer, and the dashboard slowly became what it is today. So why would I pay for a gold subscription anymore? Where is that money going? Do you know how much money Microsoft is pocketing with all of those ads? Where is this money going? New IPs? Improving a dashboard that's actually meant for the people that put the Xbox brand on the map? I'm not seeing it! Consumers reach a point where they come to realize they are being taken advantage of. I have come to that point, and have not renewed my gold subscription. The Xbox brand will not get another cent from me until they show their consumer base that they are worth it

[KMCROC]

Could not have thought up a better quote myself .

You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new.
Steve Jobs