Why Sony Will Trail Microsoft in the Beginning Once Again Next Gen

Tribune: "The next generation is upon us as we all know it. The Playstation 4 announcement has paved the way for Microsoft and Nintendo to start thinking about the next hard-ware design they will be introducing to the market."

[Cinotix]

I don't think the first console being released has any adventage, especially because it's the most expensive and one with the least game options.

[Ziriux]

While that may be true, I think it at least allows Sony to make a few price cuts before the competitors release their hard-ware at least giving them a price point adventage.

[Cinotix]

Sure that's a possibility, but when was the last time you saw a price cut within the first year of a console release?

[Snookies12]

@Dylila - Microsoft's consoles have only been around for two generations lol. It wasn't exactly fair last gen for them, considering they were going up against the PS2 which was a monster seller that continued to rack up sales well past its generation.

This gen they had a very strong head start releasing so early with the 360. Their first few years were amazing, but they slowly petered out these last few... While Sony had the opposite. They started out way overpriced with not enough great games to really get things going until these last few years which have really helped push the PS3 to even ground with the 360.

So, I'll be interested to see what happens with next-gen, assuming both launch their systems this year.

[Ziriux]

Agreeing with you snookies two generations is not enough to call one a failure or a trailing console.

[MaxXAttaxX]

It's like the author doesn't know anything about the PS4 or PS3's later years.

[shoddy]

I don't care.
Day one ps4

[kupomogli]

@Cinotix

The 3DS. A portable console is still a console. The 3DS was released 03/27/2011 and the price drop went into effect as of 08/12/2011. It went from $250 to $169 and owners who got online with the 3DS before that time frame were entered in the Ambassador Program, getting 20 first party GBA and NES games.

[PSVita]

That was a horrible article. It's like he's hasn't read anything on the ps4 and is stuck in 2007.

[dedicatedtogamers]

All bets are off this gen. Everything is different compared to the 2005-2006 launch window. We have an arrogant Nintendo with a floundering console instead of a humble, eager Nintendo with a revolutionary idea. We have a humble, indie-hungry Sony with a forward-thinking console instead of an arrogany Sony with convoluted console hardware. Microsoft is keeping quiet and biding their time instead of rushing to launch and bragging about everything.

We have no idea who will outsell who. Also, the "journalism" is the wild card. Microsoft might have the media turn on them. It happened to SEGA with their third console. The media favored the PS1 over the N64, which was Nintendo's third console. PS3 got slammed by the media. Microsoft is about to launch their third console, and perhaps the media won't be on their side like they were last gen.

[Saigon]

Why are you getting disagrees? You made some valid statements, bubbles!

[trancefreak]

Just bring the games and we will be gladly broke and happy:)

[Saigon]

This article is just trying to get hits. There were no legitimate points to point out why Sony will or even would have an issue. The first point was regarding price, we don't know the price, so we do not know if it would affect them or not. Until we know the price, the statement is mute and no one cares what was done last gen because it is said and done. With this generation we will see off the self hardware that will drive production cost down fast. The second point, game development, had nothing relevant. Last point, raising price of games, Sony already made a comment that games will be at the current price point.

[masteroftheclaw]

Sony is definitely a fan of pricing their items at a premium. They may or may not deserve these prices, but it does deter many from buying their goods :(.

[Jihaad_cpt]

dude hate to break it to you but all Companies "like" to to price their goods at a premium. It maximizes profit if you have no competitors. That is why patents exist on medicines that is why companies like E.E. (UK) seek to benefit from barriers to enter.

[StrongMan]

Sony isn't "trailing" MS now so what do they mean by "again"? Xbox is in dead last place. Nice try.

[lastofgen]

It amuses me how you think the xbox is in dead last place so many times.

Here, let me tell you something.
Sony came into the current gen from being a 1st place leader in ps2 sales (the sales were monstrous) and the xbox and gamecube were lagging.
This gen, sony has gone and basically lost their leadership and are behind the wii and xbox 360 in terms of total sales recorded so far. So, tell me. Who's really in last place in terms of units sold and regarding their position from last gen to the current one.

[Clarence]

I'll tell you who's in last place the Xbox. Now here's a question for you.. Tell me what other console besides the Playstation has sold over a 100m consoles twice in a row?

The PS3 will make it 3x.

The Wii was a gimmick that worked and M$ needed a headstart and RROD to get numbers that they have now.

This article is bull. Despite the PS3 being more expensive it's still the fastest selling HD console.
http://gamer.blorge.com/201...

The PS4 will have a lower price and it will be the best selling console out of the 3.

[lastofgen]

@Clarence

I'm referring to a comparison in position of the consoles between the current gen and the previous one, not total units sold by any one company of their brand product.

[Hicken]

" So, tell me. Who's really in last place"

360.

Can't keep getting outsold and still retain that position.

As for last gen to this one, too many differences. Not to mention this gen isn't over yet, as much as you and others might want it to be. And how about at least comparing last gen at the same age as this gen, instead of saying "Let's compare the ENTIRE lifetime sales of the PS2 to the ongoing sales of the younger PS3." Cuz that makes sense..

Is that some sort of moral victory to you, by the way? That the 360 sold more units than last gen? "Well, the Wii's gonna beat us when it's all said and done. PS3, too. But we upped our market share!"

[Muerte2494]

It's around that time again for the Big 3 to start releasing their quarterly results. Microsoft should be releasing theirs this month and Sony will follow in May.

In my eyes the only thing that ever holds a consoles back at launch is games. We're kinda seeing that with the Wii U. You need a steady stream of games coming out for the console even after the initial launch date. Sony has clearly learned from their mistakes. With putting Mark Cerny at the helm, Sony has swallowed their pride to try and become the electronic Giant the world once knew.

[kupomogli]

@Clarence

"Tell me. What other console besides the Playstation has sold over 100m consoles twice in a row."

If you consider portable consoles as consoles, then Nintendo consoles. The DS and the Wii have sold over 100 million. The 3DS is also looking to sell over 100 million.

But do sales really matter? The Wii sold more than 100 million consoles and in this past gen, considering we're going into next gen now, it was by far the worst console. There are good games on it, but not even close to how many great games were on the PS360, DS, and PSP. Even Nintendo's worst selling console, the Gamecube, had a much better library of software than the Wii did.

Sales do not equal a good system. It's the system itself and the games that define whether it's a good system or not.

[S2Killinit]

there is a few problems with what you said. First off Sony is in second place right now, you must have missed the news when Playstation overtook xbox sales (mind you with a whole year less time in the market). Secondly, you are assuming that the conditions that led to overwhelming PS2 success was achievable to begin with. Not to take any any credit from the great job Sony did with that machine but the PS2's success was partly due to market conditions of the time. This generation Sony's competition was a giant company that is MS with VERY deep pockets that was more experienced and instead of releasing a consule a year earlier as opposed to later in the PS2/Xbox era. IMO This generation truely belonged to Playstation and its fans (probably the only fans that didn't get dissapointed) I don't expect Sony to pull of another PS2 (since that is next to impossible) but I do see them pulling ahead of Xbox in every way (sales/games) from the get-go. The reason is, I think PS3's performance is going to be the deciding factor for a lot of people when it comes time to pick between PS4/720.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@strong Proof? that's right you got none.

[headblackman]

no its not. its Wii/Xbox/ps3 in global sales. its Wii/ps3/Xbox in systems shipped globally. there's a difference you know.

[yewles1]

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS??? A LOT, if not ALL of these reasons were either already debunked, or stand true for BOTH consoles in question...

[Lucreto]

Poor article it is using all the mistakes Sony Made this gen and applying them for next generation.

The Price:
The lastest rumour it will cost £399 to £499. It is a good launch point for a console. If people are able to buy an Iphone every year they can buy a console. Sony said they are going after the casual base as well so it will be well rounded. The changes Sony are making in Marketing will show through over the next few months. Sony have held a very good campaign so far with the conference and GDC and a read today they might have another conference this month. They are keeping interest up. We heard nothing from Microsoft yet but have all these negative articles are doing some damage.

Game Development:
It is too early to say. Sony have made things very easy for developers this time around here has been dozens of articles about it. How will this help Microsoft over PS4?

Raising Prices on Video Games:
Sony themselves said there will be no increase in prices. Developers get $25 per game, publishers get about $20 and the retailers get the rest. Publishers have to take a cut in wage so do publishers for the $40 the articles suggests. Those $40 are rare and are usually for smaller teams or projects.

[josephayal]

April fools

[jcnba28]

I can see the ps4 being the next Dreamcast. Sony are putting all of their eggs into one basket by just focusing on graphics and power. The industry has changed, people want new experiences not the same games with shinier visuals.

[Truth]

Are you talking about bizzaro world Sony? Or have you not read anything about Sony buying gaming studios, large and small to help release and fund otherwise niche games over the years. Sony's consoles have some of the most extensive libraries of games, do you think they'll all of a sudden stop creating good games and only focus on graphics? Don't be silly.

[S2Killinit]

well, I think the only area you maybe correct on is that there is the possibility that Xbox will come out with a new way of gaming (Wii anyone?) and end up selling a lot of hardware only to disappoint in the long run. I think most gamers want good games, not gimmicks. now is it possible to create a new way of gaming that is not a gimmick? Maybe, but highly unlikely from what technology is available out there right now (as far as I know)

[jcnba28]

Maybe, but I think that the companies that go in a different different direction and deliver new gaming experiences aka Wii U and Kinect, they will be the successful ones this coming generation.

[Jek_Porkins]

Jeez, good or bad, how can they predict a single thing when the next Xbox hasn't even been hinted at by Microsoft?

[SolidDuck]

Are u paying any attention to what Sony is doing? The ps4 is not all graphics and power. It def has graphics and power, but Sony is being very aggressive in the indie scene. By letting developers publish there own games, simplifying the certification process, pub games fund, and making easy to work with architecture inside the ps4. Sony is really focused on bringing all types of games to the ps4 and pushing for developers to be creative with less hoops to jump though. Not only in the certification process, but patches, things that used to really limit smaller developers. It's not even e3 yet and the support for ps4 is incredible. If u think the ps4 is just about graphics and power, your not paying attention. And that's without mentioning, new features, gaikai, sharing or anything like that. All it needs now is a decent price point.

[Bhuahahaha]

in a long run sony always prevail. seeing theres less and less good xbox games coming out now. wont be surprise when the new xbox hit the store microsoft will just abandon x360 and it'll just be releasing xbla games only but sony will still support its ps3 about 2-3yrs more

[pissed999]

Pc will win again. Like it always does. Get over it suckers.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Keep on thinking that...

[S2Killinit]

I didn't realize there was a war with PC... all I know Is i'm getting my PS4 and my Starcraft:HOS. So you get over it.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Next-gen options for Nintendo?! HELLO! Wii-U!

[DragonKnight]

This has to be the most pathetic article I've seen in a long time.

For one, the author knows literally nothing about any of the consoles. He doesn't know the exact release date of either console, or the price of either console. To suggest that Microsoft will hold the edge over Sony over a price neither side has announced, and with MS remaining tight lipped that their next gen console even exists at all, is the height of stupidity. Given that the idea most developers and others who actually have some knowledge about what the nextbox will be like is that the two consoles will be similar, the idea that they won't be priced similarly is ridiculous.

Game Development: The author spent this entire section complaining about the PS3. In what way does MS have an edge over Sony in the next gen in game development if A)No one knows anything conclusive about the nextbox that they are willing to say that gives any indication about its architecture and B)The developers have been praising the PS4's incredible ease of development. How does this equate to Sony trailing MS?

Raising Prices: Yeah, Jack Tretton said Sony won't be raising game prices and in fact expects prices to drop. Again, how is this bad for Sony but good for Microsoft? Do some frickin' research and stop living in your fanboy delusions because you don't like the PS3.

Absolutely ridiculous.

[WeAreLegion]

The PS3 has outpaced the 360 since launch. If you don't know a subject very well, don't write about it.

[sandman224]

Because Microsoft and USA are a team not to reckon with. You heard!

[clintos59]

If we learned anything from the last 2 generations with microsoft vs sony is this.

The ps2 launched before the xbox & by the time the xbox launched, sony already hit a grand slam out the park & with 3rd party support in sony's favor at the time, the xbox didnt stand a chance.

Forward to this gen & it was the 360 that launched 1st & with the biggest failure rate in console history & a 1 year head start & affordable launch price of $299 the 360 has benefited from this with sony helping them out with an expensive launch of the ps3 a year late into this gen. Despite all the advantages the 360 had it still came in 3rd place.

So how is sony going to trail if microsoft cant even beat them in sales with all the advantages they had this gen. True Facts dont lie & the ps4 with all the hype its getting I dont see the 720 standing a chance unless microsoft launches it at $299. Then they might give them a good run but with not much exclusives they wont last the long run.

[wenaldy]

Blast to the past into 2007.

[BitbyDeath]

1. The Price:

Sony have already said they want it to be cheaper than PS3. Xbox will more likely have more price issues for including Kinect in every box.

2. Game Development:

Did you just wake up from a coma? Game development has been said a billion times already to be easier than any PlayStation console to date.

3. Raising Prices on Video Games:

This has also already been covered by Jack Tretton. Games will remain between 99c -> 60 US.

Reporting this as fake since everything mentioned has already been covered in other articles.

Do your research before submitting next time.

[Indo]

So last gen

[TronEOL]

Price: Hasn't been announced, and since it didn't hurt the PS3 that much, I HIGHLY doubt it'll hurt the PS4. The PS3 launched SLOW, it didn't fail. Someone should bring up how Microsoft has failed to maintain their lead, while Sony is still in high gear.

Game development: Almost every developer that has spoken of the PS4 has been very positive. And hearing the rumours of the Xbox720 using a more complicated RAM setup and to be more media/kinect focused doesn't sound too promising.

Raising Prices of Video Games: This is just pure stupidity. Sony gives games away for FREE via PS+, while Microsoft charges you over $60!!!! to play online and use features that are absolutely free on almost every other platform. Not only that, but a simple minded person with an IQ below 90 could find (via Google) that Sony's execs said games will cost between $0.99 and $60. Which means 99 cents, 60 dollars, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. Not to mention Microsoft has the exact same problem.

This is the same old BS that plagued the internet when the PS3 came out. And people wonder why PlayStation fans are bitter? Because Microsoft is being put on a pedestal despite the rumours (mandatory-disc-install, always-online, mandatory XboxLive fee, etc), and the fact that nothing nextBox has even been announced. Meanwhile, Sony is showing massive support for gamers and game developers (all types) and they're being bashed? Bullshit.

[NateCole]

Perhaps the US but Globally no.

[Ezz2013]

pffff,you are telling me that there is a world outside US ?! NO WAY
the last one who tried to go outside of US never come back ...it's like bermuda triangle outside of US

[imahustla19]

this guy clearly did not do his homework.aside from the spelling errors he seems to know nothing about the ps4 what it can/will do.why is pricing even being talked about here?no one knows the price on either system so hold that conversation for another day.

[tommygunzII]

CoD confirmed as a launch title I assume?

[rammstein91]

first version of xbox released with wired controllers and no wifi and lot of rrod..wtf! doesnt matter who shows up first,quality hardware,price and feauters are more significant

[S2Killinit]

its hard to take the title seriously, the article is by someone who is not even aware of which consoles are already out. Nintendo isn't thinking about their next hardware, they already have one out haha. IMO while it maybe true that MS which advertise the shit out of the next xbox,all things being equal, i dont see MS putting up as good a fight as they did this generation. Reason being, PS really did a fantastic job of delivering quality games this generation.Comparing my own sentiments at the onset of last gen(PS3,360)I was very conflicted as which system I should pick up,(I ended up getting both), this gen however, I KNOW I want the PS4 because of the stellar job Sony did with ensuring me that their system was the system for GAMES.

[Supermax]

Each console has 75 million units in people's houses right now it will likely be the same this comeing generation.each system will be successful if you can grab both and enjoy.and don't expect a price difference maybe by 50 bucks but nothin major,expect to see them launch a month apart as we'll if not on the same month.

[izumo_lee]

Microsoft is the wild card here. We know nothing about it other than the rumors. IF Microsoft decides to go the 'casual' route to be something of an entertainment box more so than a gaming console they have the ability to be the Wii of next gen.

We all know what Sony's agenda is next gen, to cater to the 'core' gamer the ones that goes out & buys games on a more regular basis. Core gamers will follow the games & if Sony has the games the core will be there with it.

Nintendo is stuck between a rock & a hard place, unsure of its place next gen. Of course they have their juggernaut 1st party games that sell sh*tloads but so far their relationships with 3rd party is on the rocks. No matter what Nintendo fans may think, having 3rd party support is critical to a consoles success. Without it the console will be in dire straits.

Which brings me back to Microsoft. Just like with the original Wii their next console will have its high selling 1st party games (Halo, Gears, etc.), but if the system is created solely to be a media hub in mind their may be sacrifices made to hinder the game development like what happened with the PS3 early on. Sony was so enthralled to get Blu Ray as the medium of choice which drove up costs for the system. The same can happen with the next Xbox.

We know where Sony is next gen, Nintendo is trying to find its identity, and everything we know about the next Xbox is speculative. Hopefully E3 will answer more questions about next gen.