120°

3 Things Sony Needs to do to Win the Next-Gen Console Race

Arsala Bangash writes:

I’ve always been an avid Sony supporter, but I have to agree that Microsoft won the race for the current generation of consoles due to a few smart decisions on their end and some ridiculously dumb mistakes made by Sony. To succeed in the next generation, Sony has to get a few things right.

Emilio_Estevez4285d ago (Edited 4285d ago )

To me, it's all about timing and price. If they're first to market then it can be a little pricey and people would still buy, but Sony can't be last and the most expensive again.

shutUpAndTakeMyMoney4285d ago (Edited 4285d ago )

Not just that they need to make the hardware more like a traditional pc. MS is doing the right things preparing for next gen making sure devs have an easy time with pc/720 development.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...
http://www.thefuturepost.co...

And sony has no way of matching that streamed lined development since MS owns windows.

Sony needs to expand with gaikai since MS has an advantage with windows.

It seem next sony console will be expanding outside of the console and will be only part but still the main part of the experience. It's a big market out there compared to last gen.
http://www.develop-online.n...

DarkTower8054285d ago

"And sony has no way of matching that streamed lined development since MS owns windows."

Last time I checked games are developed based on processor type, RAM, GPU, video cards, etc, not an OS. Sure a game will have to be compatible with an OS, but games are developed around the hardware, which MS does not own. As long as Sony use common hardware and not the cell, devs will have no problem developing games and porting them **cough bethesda cough**

paddystan4285d ago

Like Jack Tretton said: "We will never be the cheapest, we will never be first. It's about being the best."

Emilio_Estevez4285d ago

Well I like the best, but that doesn't = money. Unfortunately everyone can't buy the most expensive and Sony has learned that the hard way it seems. Talking in general of course, it's pretty evident with all their electronics. Everyone knows that they make quality electronics, but they are expensive and right now it's killing Sony as a whole.

greenpowerz4285d ago (Edited 4285d ago )

#1 Borrow MSFT's approach

#2 Adopt MSFT's approach

#3 Copy MSFT's approach

A huge Kinect jump in tech and the 720 doubling as a set top box for cable providers make it hard for any company to match MSFT's built in head start with support from many industries.

Next Gen will be about which company is more capable of providing an *all in one* *multi media* *own the living room* strategy.

The Sony inclusion of BLU-RAY drives will look like warn ups compared to next gen. The App and service approach will start moving in the direction of Tablets and smart phones when it come to media and cross functionality.

MSFT has Windows OS's, Siverlight and next gen Smartglass as a head start foundation for 720. Service providers are lining up for a chance to implement a true cohesion with true multi media consoles.

Social online innovations for the core and smart casual strategy will override price talk, console release times, prematurely announced game line-ups and much of what I said above. And also believe it or not controller design.

I watch my game videos with Viaway on my blu-ray player and IMediaShare from my Cellphone on my HDTV. Little SmartGlass-like features like that start adding up with the casual consumers.

josephps34285d ago

Sony didn't learn anything. Vita is proof. PS3 was a disaster for Sony. You would think they'd take a serious mistake where you go from total market dominance in PS2 days to now where you are lucky to be 50/50 after 5-6 years. You would think Sony would never want to repeat such a monstrous error but the Vita has so many similarities to the PS3 launch.

They lost so many loyal Sony consumers. Lost so much marketshare. Lost so much goodwill. They will really need a homerun with the PS4 to stay even relevant because if they foul up again its going to be PS2 vs Xbox generation but in reverse this time.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4285d ago
Wyvern4285d ago

To me, it's all about games. And I have no doubt, Sony will deliver.

greenpowerz4285d ago (Edited 4285d ago )

For most, it will be about everything as consumers expect devices to do more adding value to very expensive pieces of tech. It's all about offerings all around. Even TV makers and AV Receiver makers know this to be true and they know they lose marketshare without adding other capabilities.

You're basically saying if a Cellphone is clear with a decent plan, nothing else matters to consumers when it comes to phones in this day and age.

Have you guys been paying attention to the gaming industry this GEN? The 360 hasn't had a real price drop in ages while Nintendo is forced to release a new console and Sony another redesigned PS3.

Console will have to do much more than play games. Sony will have to deliver games the bulk of casuals and hardcore gamers want to play for that to have an effect on what I mentioned above.

pandaboy4285d ago

Pretty much true. Sony really need to do something big with Gakai; unite all devices and bring the ps4 and playstation to all electronics. I don't trust Sony to achieve this however, Microsoft will likely come up with the next development in this area with Sony following it too little to late.

Knight_Crawler4285d ago

Recapture the hearts of the American people.

Yes America does not equal the world but its the biggest and most important market for gaming.

JBSleek4285d ago

I believe Europe is either tied or a little bit more important actually.

Knight_Crawler4285d ago (Edited 4285d ago )

You belive wrong - http://www.csmonitor.com/US...

1. United States
$13.6 billion
The US remains the top country in the world for designing games as well as the place where people spend the most money on video game entertainment – by far. Its market is nearly twice the size of the next largest country, and sales are projected to grow here by 4.6 percent a year through 2015.

Edit:@ Vulcan - I never said it was. I was marley pointing out that America is the biggest and most important video game market.

JBSLEEK was the one to bring up Europe.

ProjectVulcan4285d ago

Europe isn't a country Knight_Crawler...

helghast1024285d ago

@Knight_Crawler
That same list even says "United Kingdom".
A mere part of the European market.

Jesus Christ man.

Lvl_up_gamer4285d ago (Edited 4285d ago )

Why do people automatically think right away that the word "America" only applies to the USA? America is a continent. Within "NORTH" America you have Canada, USA and Mexico. Within "SOUTH" America you have Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The USA is a "Country" within the whole America.

Knight_Crawler stated 1 country and it's ranking in the game demographics. Why is JBSleek bringing up Europe? To be on level, JBSleek should be taking 1 single country within Europe like the UK to compare to the USA. If we are talking Continents then you could compare "North" America (which includes Canada, US and Mexico) Vs. all the countries in Europe.

Helghast102 what are you even talking about? Knight_Crawler specifically stated USA on his rankings. The list is of "countries" NOT continents. He is NOT comparing USA vs. ALL OF EUROPE. And if you are pointing out that UK is on the list...so what? It's still not ranked #1 like how the USA is WHICH is Knight_Crawlers argument and a truthful argument at that.

The USA IS the #1 selling games market. Period. There is no question. North America is the #1 selling continent for games. Period.

How did this even become a string of what's what?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4285d ago
ChunkyLover534285d ago

They are going to be in a tough spot because Nintendo is releasing their console a full year (at least) before any other competition. If Nintendo releases at a $299 price point, and has no next gen competition for over a year, they could have a 10-12 million console lead.

I think its really all depending on what people make of the Wii U, but normally new hardware flies off the shelf.

Minato-Namikaze4285d ago

If the.wii_u is 299 it's not next gen

ChunkyLover534285d ago

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Next gen has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the tech inside, its simply the order in which a console is released. I mean the 3DS isn't on par with the Vita, but they are still in the same generation.

Nintendo's president came out and said they wont make the same mistake they did with the launch of the 3DS, so I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one version of the Wii U at $299, lets also not forget that in the leaked Microsoft documents it stated that they were aiming for a Xbox 720 releasing at a $299 price point. Now I'm sure they'll have a more expensive version as well, but $299 is a great price point.

blodulv4285d ago

Nintendo is gonna have to come out with some seriously brilliant marketing for the Wii U when that thing launches... all kidding aside there are still many people that consider this to be an add on to the original Wii and with launch games that people can already get on the cheap with a PS3/360.

I think it's MS's turn to capture the blue ocean this time around and it's really theirs to loose. That thing will be a gaming/cable box hybrid from the sound of it.

Sony would do best if they cater more strictly towards the hardcore gamer and I wouldn't doubt that that's what the PS4 will be.

R_aVe_N4285d ago

He really has an unrealistic list of games he wants at launch. Nobody delevoper in the right mind would release all the big guns at launch that would stupid as heck. I would want NEW IP's at launch mixed with some of the Sony classics. I don't expect a 600 system this time around "IF" they reuse tech such as blu-ray and cell. If they create all new stuff it could very well be priced at that price point again. I really dont think timing is an issue if anything Sony as proved that they can release a year later and still make up a lot of ground, but if they released within a few months before or after the nextbox they shouldnt have many issues if the tech is solid.

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150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos16d ago (Edited 16d ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers16d ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken16d ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g16d ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing16d ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H916d ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola16d ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn66916d ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle16d ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

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130°

Sony Could Increase Your Game's Difficulty If It Sees You Complain About It

Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.

jznrpg17d ago

This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.

Profchaos17d ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola16d ago

cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me

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280°

Sony Taps Bungie's Head of Revenue to Lead Live-Service Games

Sony has recruited Bungie's head of revenue Jaremy Rich to head up its live-service gaming division, Rich has announced on social media.

Read Full Story >>
techraptor.net
ChasterMies37d ago

Please do not put Destiny’s monetization into Sony’s first party games. The monetization is what’s driving players away from Destiny.

just_looken37d ago

The new temp boss is the sony cfo bean counter so i can see this being a thing get every penny.

Cacabunga37d ago

PlayStation officially losing it.. fans will never support gaas games

just_looken37d ago

@car

The new boss did a interview in japan he wants to tap into the mobile market like nintendio so he give 0 fucks about gamers/fans

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

Redemption-6437d ago

@Cacabunga
You only speak for you and those who think like you, but most fans will support what they want. Playstation and PC fans are literally supporting Helldivers 2 and that is a gaas. Maybe you wouldn't, but many more would if they like it.

Huey_My_D_Long36d ago

@Redemption-64
Look, Im not making any judgement calls about this guy, but I will say that Helldivers 2 GaaS model is unique to Helldivers, and legit the only other game I can think of thats similiar was the Avengers game except HD2 pass is still better.
The fact that you can earn in game currency in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to grind forever, as well you being able work on that pass that you bought...on your own time without a time limit...that right there is fucking huge to me, and I can't name any game other than avengers that avoided trapping players with FOMO logic...I think GaaS on HD2 shouldn't be compared to the rest of the industry...it should be copied.

Einhander197236d ago

Cacabunga

Helldivers 2...

Redemption-64

In Europe it's a 60 40 split favoring PC.
In the US its a 60 40 split favoring PS5.

So PlayStation owners supported the game just fine, it's not getting carried by PC or anything like that.

FinalFantasyFanatic36d ago

@just_looken,
I'm perfectly fine with the way Nintendo entered the mobile market, I never touched their mobile games, meanwhile, the console/handheld stayed the way it is. As for being a bean counter, he's probably going to reel in these massive budgets that Sony's studios have had lately, I haven't played Spiderman 2, but I cannot see how they almost tripled the budget for that game.

@Redemption-64,
That's an exception to the rule, I'm expecting a lot of these GAAS games from Sony to fail, to be fair, they only need a few to succeed, but I would have preferred that they put more of their resources into other types of games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 36d ago
DivineHand12537d ago

True their monetization is driving players away and at the same time, their decision to chop out content and convoluted systems is keeping new players away from the game.

Joe91337d ago

I don't think that will happen based on how things worked out at Naughty Dog now that we know what we do, seems they had the option to fully commit to live service games or stay making single player experences so they gave up on their live service game. We are not sure how things came about with Bend making a live service game but I hope that was not a forced situation. Sony doesnt seem like they are forcing studios to switch up but we will see, Sony's bread and butter is single player games it is how they dominated the console market.

Obscure_Observer37d ago

Yeah, I though Sony learned something from all their failures in the LS segment under Bungie´s disastrous leadership and supervision which led to games been cancelled, studios closed and all the people laid off.

Looks like Bungie still plays a major role in Sony´s LS initiative and Sony is not backtracking on their GaaS plans.

S2Killinit37d ago (Edited 37d ago )

Are we forgetting that Destiny is also a highly successful franchise? I feel like that definitely deserves mention here.

Besides, there is no reason why a person cant learn from past experiences.

Joe91336d ago

I agree, people act as if Destiny flopped when it came out lol it took 9 to 10 years for the numbers to fall yet people are still playing it add the success of Helldivers 2 no wonder Sony is going forward down this path.

S2Killinit36d ago

Personally, I see no problem with Sony also having service games as long as they make good ones, and more importantly they deliver the AAA story driven games that they are known for. So yeah, I agree 100% with you.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 36d ago
Christopher37d ago

I mean, this person made some pretty bad decisions at Bungie. I hope they've learned from them because I definitely don't see those type of ideas as good for PlaySation in general.

CrimsonWing6936d ago (Edited 36d ago )

Honestly, what’s to learn from? How to make people happily continuously dump money into a single game over its life-time? Buy season passes continuously for several years with a smile on our faces?

GaaS is a design decision that is everything wrong with this industry. The fact that Helldivers 2 did so well and people defend the monetization because it was $40 and is a fun game, scares the sh*t out of me to see that the door is open and all shift will probably be to replicate that in future games. We already know the ROI for traditional game dev cost isn’t doing it for them.

I thought with Jimbo leaving we’d see a change for the better… I’m not so sure now.

S2Killinit36d ago

Service games are being offered by everyone. Sony cannot afford to only create single player AAA games. No one can. They already said they will be doing both.

Abnor_Mal37d ago (Edited 37d ago )

Ps5 gamers in 2023 seemed to play more live service types of games, so regardless to how people feel about them, numbers don’t lie and Sony is going where the money is. I mean look at the excitement around Helldivers2, people are showing that they want live service games.

Christopher37d ago

They play long-time existing live service games like CoD, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and the like. Mass majority of new live service games are considered failures and aren't moving gamers away from older games.

just_looken37d ago

Yep the huge issue with live service is they need paid players along with a reason to play them.

You forgot mobile market that also taps into that player base as well as the eve online style games there is only a certain amount of krakens/whales blind supporters compared to the amount of live service games we have its not sustainable math wise.

700 restaurants making food for every seat for 1000-3000 eaters just does not work out

Einhander197236d ago (Edited 36d ago )

Christopher

I am not a big live service fan and literally own zero of the games you listed, but that is not true, unless you call games that aren't the top games to be failures.

There are tons of live service games that are profitable.

Games don't have to be the biggest game ever they just need to make more than they cost.

I challenge you to show professionally prepared data that shows that more live service games fail than make enough to keep going.

Because all the data that I have seen shows that live service is less of a gamble than making a big AAA budget game which needs to survive off retail sales.

FinalFantasyFanatic36d ago

I sometimes wonder if we're at saturation point, where it's hard for a new game to join those ranks unless it's particularly exceptional, people only have so much time and money to devote to these types of games.

romulus2337d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218337d ago

Lol it's not even a quarter of the ps5s sold. Helldivers may have been a hit but let's not say most are enjoying it because truth is most(the real most ) don't care about it.

S2Killinit36d ago (Edited 36d ago )

I play what is fun. If a live service game is good I’ll play it as long as its not a money scheme which Helldivers is not.

And Im a single player gamer.

mastershredder37d ago

How do you kill a franchise that already been killed?
Destiny’s grind, cash-in-on-playbass-cha-Ching, and pop-culture-insertion mainstream-me-too bs totally killed any rep Bungie had. Sony/Bungie, if you are doing this to ward-off players, it’s already working.

crazyCoconuts37d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

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