Sony Would be Making a big Mistake to Release the PS4 After the Xbox 720

In a recent interview, Sony President Kaz Hirai hinted the PS4 might release after the Xbox 720 saying, “why go first when your competitors can look at your specifications and come up with something better?” This would be a horrible mistake that shows Sony is not confident in their own product. The PS4 should be released when it ready, not when Microsoft shows their hand first. Playeressence's Furious Francis discusses how this decision could hurt Sony in the long run and what Sony should do with the PS4.

[mandf]

They want to get as many sales off the PS3 before moving on. Releasing before MS was be a mistake and kill PS3 momentum. The longer MS doesn't release the better for Sony.

[iamnsuperman]

Sony has already said releasing after the 360 was a mistake they are not going to repeat. The PS3 momentum will be killed with a new Xbox anyway. Sony have more to loose waiting. I am predicting a release either the same day or a week either way

[bicfitness]

Exactly. They went on record for saying that allowing the 360 to gain traction was a mistake.

[Manchild]

Sony released PS3 the last and look how that turned out. N64 was released after PS1 and look how that turned out.

Wii U will be the winner of this generation, you can bet your ... on that! :D

[DOMination-]

I think people took what Sony said slightly out of context when last week they were talking about "we'll wait for MS to show their hand" etc.

I think literally all they meant by that, was that - and has been the case for the last few years - MS will be showing off their console at e3 first because their press conference is usually the day before e3 starts. I really would be surprised if both 720 and PS4k didn't release holidays 2k13.

Looking forward to both. And actually, looking forward to what Nintendo might do. I still may get a WiiU as well if the software starts to roll. I'm excited for 2013 and beyond.

[hakis86]

@mandf
I see your point, but I'm not sure I agree. I mean, it's very unlikely that Sony would sell millions and millions of PS4's the first year, a lot of people wait for more games, etc.

And if Sony then can cut the PS3s price somewhat - and remember PS3 has 200x more games than the PS4 has when it will launch, I'm sure the PS3 will keep the momentum going for quite some time (I mean, just look at the damned PS2 which only recently 'finally died'..!!)

[joab777]

I agree and if rumors are true then they are ahead in production. And the ps3 is still marketable. Everyone is worried about backwards compatubility but i dont think ppl are gonna be selling these machines. They are entertainmemt boxes u can use anywhere.

What woulda been smart is to link the new to the old somehow so that the ps3 stays relevant. Also, many games may release on both. Its just a bad idea to let xbox get the jump. 1st, even if ur machine is better and u have better launch games, which is what matters anyway, if u release first, their launch will be much harder. If it isnt, u definitely dont want to launch 2nd. Anyway, they can do what they want but its smarter to atleast get a jump in the US and UK where they typically get killed.

[jmac53]

I think the mistake was releasing a $600 console rather than releasing later. Plus the arrogance of telling people to get a second job to afford it.

[GribbleGrunger]

@Mandf: There's an old adage that goes 'throwing the baby out with the bathwater'.

@jmac53: $600 wasn't a mistake, it was a necessity after all that investment. But that investment has been made now and those overheads won't need covering this time. If the PS3 had released a year later at the SAME price as the 360, the picture would have been completely different. I think that saying 'Next gen starts when we say it does' was arrogant, but talking about getting two jobs was just a cultural difference. In Japan it's seen as positive, while in the lazy West it's seen as OTT (and rightly so!)

@Manchild: I hope you're right. I really want to see Nintendo in there fighting the HD era this time around. I have reservations though. Are developers going to make better quality games on the 720 and the PS4? Or will they use the Wiiu as the lowest common denominator? If the 360 and the PS3 stay around for many more years then Wiiu devs have a bigger install base for their Wiiu games.

many people are already calling 'doom' on the Wiiu, but just as it is with the Vita, it's far too early to tell. One thing is for certain though, both MS and Sony have cut the talk of PS3/Vita and Smartglass. Perhaps they're waiting to see if Nintendo can make it popular before they fully commit.

You have to consider a more cynical strategy from the two major HD console manufacturers too: If they keep teasing next gen and can do that for a year or more, it could stifle the sales on the Wiiu because people will wait.

[BattleAxe]

Sony is waiting for Microsoft to "announce" their system first before they announce their system.

If Sony does "release" their system after Microsoft, I don't think that anything up to 3 months will hurt them at all.

[StrongMan]

It doesn't matter. Sony will blow past MS with a year head start like they did this gen. We are still getting plenty of great and exciting new IPs on the PS3 so I'm not in a rush to see a PS4. Let MS go first and see if the casuals will spend $400-$500 on another Kinectbox when they don't play the one they have judging by extremely poor Kinect game sales.

[bicfitness]

They can't afford to be in 3rd place for 6 years again. They're not coming off the blistering success of PS2 domination. I prefer Sony for consoles, but really, some common sense please.

[Lvl_up_gamer]

LMFAO "blow past".

7 years later and the PS3 is still in 3rd place.

StrongMan still spreading ignorance and still won't produce any proof that Sony passed MS in any "significant" manner.

20 Million Kinect Adventures is poor kinect sales now? Sony only wishes they had an IP that could sell half those sales this gen.

Kinect Sports - 5.49 million...that is more then Uncharted sold and only 13K less then uncharted 2. So if Kinect Sports is considered poor sales, then I guess So is Uncharted 1 and 2. Lets not even bring up Twisted Metal, Resistance 3, Infamous 1 and 2.....etc

Kinect sports 2 - 2.11 million
Kinect Disney Land Adventures - 2.09 million
Kinectimals - 1.36 million (Infamous 2 - 1.52 million)
Kinect Star Wars - 1.24 million
Kinect JoyRide - 1.24 million

Remember, Kinect doesn't have a 70+ million install base like the PS3 has where game like Resistance, Allstars, Infamous etc have to sell on, Kinect only has about 20 million units out there so those "poor" sales are arctually VERY good.

[WeAreLegion]

He was talking about the current Kinect sales. There was an article recently, that stated the Kinect wasn't selling anymore.

[Ezz2013]

@lvl_up_gamer

i think the only one who show ignorance is you
you are getting angry at ps3 passed xbox even with the year head start
it was commen knowledge that ps3 was outselling xbox every year since launch
it was pound to happen

and what funny that you are sooooooo proud of kinect that sold 20million with 500million $ ads

yet the move sold over 15million with almost slim to non ads
http://www.engadget.com/201...

and also plz tell me where you are getting that infamous and Resistance and the "etc." don't sell ...vgchartz ?! lolXD

it doesn't matter who start the race ...what matter who end it

get over your self

[chronoforce]

the 360's best selling game this gen is kinect title

[Lvl_up_gamer]

@ CrowTRobot

If he was only referring to current kinect titles (nitpicking) then lets compare to current PS3 titles.

How is Twisted metal selling?
How is Allstars selling?
How is LBP karting selling?

All those titles are on a 70+ million console install base.

Kinect titles only have a 20 million install base.

It's absolutely stupid to talk about poor sales when the install base is so low.

Everyone says that the Vita is doing fine yet poor sales of the Vita is ok and the low sales of the games are just fine according to Sony fanboys.

@ Ezz2013

You are really not that bright are you.

Where is your proof that the PS3 has outsold the xbox in any manner that is relevant to market share? You are just spreading more ignorance every time you cling onto unofficial SHIPPED numbers. LMFAO how desperate do you have to be?

As for MS spending $500 million on marketing the Kinect.

The average cost of Kinect since launch has been around $200.

It has sold 20 million units.

$200 x 20,000,000 = $4 BILLION.

That's around $2 BILLION a year.

So minus the $500 million that is approx $3.4 BILLION generated revenue from Kinect. That is NOT including the software sales for Kinect as well.

So it's YOU Ezz2013 that is the ignorant one. You post the cost of marketing MS spent to make some kind of irrelevant point only for it to backfire back in your face.

If you want to talk races, then the only thing that matters is who crosses the finish line first. The race was over when the Wii crossed the finish line with their next gen console, so all that matters is whole will cross next. If MS release their their next gen Xbox before Sony (which all indicators are pointing too) and still holds 2nd place to Nintendo in market share sales, then the race will be over. Sony is running out of time. MS will release the 720 come November.....Sony just needs 1.6 million to TIE MS as of right now....it will be interesting to see if Sony can do it, but as of right now Sony is still losing the race and the finish line is extremely close.

[Ezz2013]

@lvl_up_gamer

"You are really not that bright are you."

i will adjust my brightness to 60%
am i still too dark for you?!

"Where is your proof that the PS3 has outsold the xbox in any manner that is relevant to market share? You are just spreading more ignorance every time you cling onto unofficial SHIPPED numbers. LMFAO how desperate do you have to be?"

for the 1000 time both report shipped numbers not sold numbers
this has been knowen for ever
both get the money from that too..in case you don't know

also the last report from MS show it shipped 76M
which is the same numbers as the numbers from the report that say ps3 shipped 77m while MS shipped 76m

it's clear the report is right
you just don't want to admit it

"As for MS spending $500 million on marketing the Kinect.
The average cost of Kinect since launch has been around $200.
It has sold 20 million units.
$200 x 20,000,000 = $4 BILLION.
That's around $2 BILLION a year.

So minus the $500 million that is approx $3.4 BILLION generated revenue from Kinect. That is NOT including the software sales for Kinect as well.
"

again you still didn't see my point where i said MS spend 500Million on ads for kinect to sell only 20 million
while sony didn't spend any thing close to that number yet move sold over 15million

"So it's YOU Ezz2013 that is the ignorant one. You post the cost of marketing MS spent to make some kind of irrelevant point only for it to backfire back in your face."

where did backfire on my face ?!

"If you want to talk races, then the only thing that matters is who crosses the finish line first. The race was over when the Wii crossed the finish line with their next gen console
, so all that matters is whole will cross next.
"

no the Wiiu didn't cross any thing
not because the console come to HD era mean
this HD era is over
and this gen won't over untill they stop making games for ps3/360 or stop making the consoles
get that through your head
this gen is far from over

"If MS release their their next gen Xbox before Sony (which all indicators are pointing too) and still holds 2nd place to Nintendo in market share sales, then the race will be over."

xbox is not holding 2nd place no matter what you try to tell your self..it's in 3rd place
and as i told you this gen won't over untill they stop making games for ps3/360 or stop making the consoles

"Sony is running out of time. MS will release the 720 come November.....Sony just needs 1.6 million to TIE MS as of right now....it will be interesting to see if Sony can do it, but as of right now Sony is still losing the race and the finish line is extremely close."

where did you get that ps3 is behind 360 by 1.6million ?!...dude stop using Vgchartz

it really hurt yu that ps3 passed xbox so you come up with numbers to sleep better

[DeadlyFire]

E3 2013.

Both will announce.
XB3 will showcase hardware and games
PS4 will showcase games and hint at the hardware.

Likely both have what they want set in stone, but Sony might leave some room for slight improvements on certain features just in case Microsoft has something a little better than their hardware tech. I expect Sony to be no more than 3 months behind Microsoft. Maybe less than that.

[nirwanda]

On paper the ps4 sounds like a more powerful machine if vgleaks are correct so sony would have a massive market share if they released at the same time or earlier than MS and would seriously damage their sales as most people would go with the most powerful console

[dcbronco]

No one can tell which console will be better based on any of the leaked specs. No one knows what the final builds will be. No one knows what 8 Jaguar cores are capable of until later this year. The PS4 power belief is based on both using Jaguar but Sony using a more powerful GPU. But no one has said how many GPUs the consoles will have. And no one has said what modifications have been done to the APUs. The best thing to do is to wait and see what is launched. No one is going to release specs so we have to wait for a teardown later.

[nirwanda]

Based on last gen leaked specs that people seem to not disagree with on game specialist websites tend to be very close, I had heard the ps3 specs long before the 360 came out.
Don't forget it can take year to make a game and final dev kits quite a while before a console ships for fine tuning code.

[dcbronco]

The problem is that the specs aren't usually finalized until late. Like you said. The early specs are based on off the shelf parts. The released machines will not be off the shelf. And considering Microsoft has such a huge CPU group of their own, I'm not sure what we can take away from the rumors of a Jaguar core. The 360 uses a PowerPC CPU but the final version in the 360S is not what IBM made. Microsoft completely changed that themselves. So even if the next Xbox is based on Jaguar. I think it will be a highly modified Jaguar core. And if you think about the direction MS has taken with their software(Windows 8 and C++ AMP), it seems they plan to have an APU based on pure HSA or as close to it as anybody will be by the time these machines are released. AMD doesn't expect full HSA until next year. MS beat them to the APU and Unified Shader was first used in the 360. So don't be surprised if the first full HSA APU is in the next Xbox. It would be hard for Sony to match that.

[Gamer1982]

MS E3 is always before Sony's from that time they have 4/5 months to build millions of ps4s for launch. This is what they are talking about no doubt in my mind. They will announce the ps4 and show games working on a dev kit version but no doubt the final spec won't be "final" until MS have announced there console. Thats what he is probably talking about.

My opinion? This could be eluding to the RAM comparisons were hearing about. Rumour is new xbox is gonna have 8gb which is overkill and Sony wouldn't wanna launch with 4GB if it did as that would make there console look weaker even though for a console 4gb is PLENTY (current gens run on 512mb remember?) but perception is everything and it would cost them $5 to pop an extra 4gb in there.

[creeping judas]

Didn't seem to hurt them all that much this gen?

[Gamer1982]

It did enough damage. 360 should never have become as big as it did. It had everything wrong about a console from high death rate at launch to having to pay to play online games but thanks to Sony bumbling their launch MS still got in anyway. Gamers (most of them) speak with there wallets and most shunned original Xbox because of stuff like online pay-to-play. Because PS2 was the superior console though not in terms of specs but backing. Backing can outweigh specs in that respect.

[Viper7]

It doesn't really matter who launches first, what matters is that one doesn't release too much after the other.

Making the Customers and Developers (especially the latter) isn't really the best strategy when you want as many and as great games as possible for launch.

[Gamer1982]

Sadly I agree but that could work in Sonys favour. If MS say we launch nov 21st. Sony say Oct 21st or something most console owners will go for ps4 as they really want nex-gen now and won't even wait a week.

[SpartanGR]

Doesn't matter who launches first. The one with the best software will win.

[WeAreLegion]

Not true.

The one with the MOST software will win. NES, SNES, PS1, PS2, Wii. What do they all have in common? They had more titles on their platform than the other systems. In the case of the Wii, however, they weren't necessarily the highest quality titles. :/

[Viper7]

For my understanding Wii has less software titles than Ps3 or X360. Partly due to the fairly low 3rd party sales on the system and the poor digital distribution system.

Altough I do agree that system with comprehensive and versatile lineup of games has far better standing on global market. Shooters sell systems in US, but not necessarily anywhere else.

E.g Singstar has been fairly big thing in Europe, lips doesn't come even close thanks to it's poor localisation.

[asmith2306]

I don't think it matters as much as this gen. This gen Sony and MS were aiming for the exact same audience starting out. MS has clearly taken aim at a new demographic. Hell the PS3 has even surpassed 360 sales worldwide even when both companies were aiming for the same audience and the PS3 came out a year 'late'. Of course it would be nice to see the PS4 sooner than the nextBox because as a gamer Sony does more for my needs, but it's not a mistake if it doesn't release before it.

I don't mind if Sony takes their sweet time and delivers us the goods. They have proven this gen that they keep giving and giving to core gamers, and more importantly, WANT to keep giving to core gamers. As long as they don't get arrogant like they did at the start of this gen, I will be buying the PS4 day one.

[abzdine]

before or after doesn't matter. it's the price and the line up that matters

[profgerbik]

President Kaz Hirai:

"Why go first, when your competitors can look at your specifications and come up with something better?"

http://www.tomshardware.com...

http://www.ign.com/articles...

It possible something big is planned for the PS4 and they aren't wanting to give any competitors a glimpse? I mean basically that is what he just said.

Fairly new also So I don't know why people are saying Sony won't do it over again not like I think it's going to be a problem.

He said it during this month, I think it's pretty obvious from his own words he is not doing what most of you are saying. He is going to wait, I don't see what is so hard to comprehend about him directly saying he is going to..

[DeadlyFire]

Well I didn't buy X360 or PS3 until a year after when both were out. Only reason I bought Xbox was it was cheaper. I bought PS3 later. Likely Sony will keep that in mind this time around though and make their console very cost effective in comparison. I don't think they would have a problem outselling competition if they made the price right. :)

[No FanS Land]

If I am not mistaken, hirai actually hinted they would UNVEIL the Ps4 after the 360, not release.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure both consoles will release in the same weekend.

let's say the next xbox releases on a friday and the PS in the sunday of the same Weekend, this would be quite a weekend! (A bit like PS3/Wii)

[Karpetburnz]

I dont think it matter who launches first, Just as long as Sony doesnt release the PS4 a whole year after the next Xbox Like they did with the PS3. A couple months apart wouldnt be so bad.

[-Falaut-]

Yes, because they did horribly against the competition this gen.

*When in doubt, slap a "opinion piece" on it.

Seriously, opinions are all well and good, but not if you pull them out of your ass.

" This would be a horrible mistake that shows Sony is not confident in their own product "

Really now. Wow.

[sdozzo]

Never read an article like this. Original.

[PS4isKing_82]

Xbox will probably go even more casual and app focused then they are now with 360.
In that regard, I don't think Sony is too worried.

It's probably why they're choosing to go last again.
They know they can test and perfect their new hardware without being pressured to launch early.

[axerated]

As long as they're in the same fiscal year this time I don't see why it should be a problem, the only reason they were late to the party last time is cause Microsoft were so focused on getting the 360 out before the Xbox had even had a decent life cycle length

[Zechs34]

Not to mention faulty hardware and crap internal design to make that holiday launch with some bad launch titles. Hopefully we are past that for the next gen.

[black911]

release date from neither wont matter.

[WeAreLegion]

Regardless, neither of them is afraid of Nintendo.

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

whatever ill be getting both at some point.

[giovonni]

Being a graduate of business, I have come to understand that it's premature to state a company is making a mistake if they release or don't release said product because its an advantage. The market is so unstable, and takes more than just past patterns to really figure out who would win. Lets look at the Nintendo, Sega area. Nintendo was the house phone. Everyone had it, Sega released The Genesis it wasn't until Sonic the Hedge Hog 4 years into the life span of the genesis made the system a house hold name. Since then Sega brought systems to the market first and failed to capture.

My thing is, who cares who comes first, second, third whatever. It's what you bring to the table. It has to be refreshing, and also offer something that isn't offered at the present time of release, it also has to be understood, and at least affordable to a large percent of the masses. This has to be understood more than anything.

When you compare this gen's pattern. Sony should have out right killed the 360 because of its past history, but it didn't, and it has nothing to do with the 360 coming out first. Granted , it helped, but come on

[Npugz7]

It matters who releases first because alot of people will buy the first one who comes out and maybe get the other later.

[Belking]

Sounds like sony is lacking a bit in confidence IMO. Whatever happened to leading? Saying they will let MS goes first because they don't want to be outdone in specs is total BS. We already know it's too late in the game to change any specs now.Get it together sony.

[FlyingFoxy]

Meh i hate FPS games on consoles, ps4 ftw.

[JimmyDanger]

It didn't matter for the Super Nintendo/SNES releasing after the Megadrive/Genesis. It didn't matter when the PSX released after the Sega Saturn. It didn't matter when PS2 released after Dreamcast. It didn't matter when the Wii released after the 360.

The last 4 generations, that generations leader hasn't released first.

[1upgamer99]

Microsoft had a full year head start over Sony this gen, yet Sony is pulling right up next to Microsoft and waving. Soon to put Microsoft in its rear view mirror. Just as Nintendo Sony has more significant IP'S than Microsoft. I do not mind waiting a few more months for PS4. I more or less expected Sony to do this. They announced earlier this year they were going to continue PS3 support through 2014. That is more than a year and a half from now. I do not really care about another Halo, and from what I have read Microsoft is pushing to release it for nextbox launch. Seeing as how Halo 4 just came out months ago that seems a little rushed. I mean common Microsoft talk about milking the cow, and people say Nintendo milks their cows too much. LOL...I will be happy to play Wii U while waiting for PS4, and I hope Sony does something really cool with the new console. Like Nintendo did with Wii U.

[Belking]

Sounds like you may be a little upset over MS beating sony to launch again. It's ok dude, life goes on.

[1upgamer99]

No I am not upset at all about that. There are very few Microsoft exclusives I want to play though. So I am a Wii U, PC, And PS3 game kinda guy. I only have so much time to play games, so I choose the consoles that offer me what I want. I never even had a PS2. I had Gamecube and Xbox. This time around I did have a 360, but lost it in a break up, so I picked up a PS3 to go along with my Wii. I honestly did not miss 360 much at all.
Microsoft is already getting ready for the Nextbox, hence the lack of first party games this year. I am sure Microsoft will have some kick butt games, but I Will wait for Sony. Sony still has some great first party games coming this year, as does the Wii U. I am honestly looking forward to more Wii U games than Sony or Microsoft.

[Npugz7]

We all know that the PS4 will release after the 720! Sony just doesn't learn! They are chicken to show off they're system first afraid that microsofts console will be better.

[Spookshow]

Who wins? I surely expect us gamers will win, not Sony, Nintendo or MS... fanboys, quit the stupid war once and for all!

[PopRocks359]

Hey author, may I see your crystal ball?