How Important Will Sony’s 7 Day Head Start Prove To Be?

With 67 days until the launch of the Playstation 4, and 74 days until the release of the Xbox One, Sony and Microsoft have important times ahead in their final marketing strategy, but have gamers already made up their mind on choice of console, and how important will the early release of the PS4 be?

[mewhy32]

honestly I dont think that it will make much of a difference. This was over before it started. The minute that Don Mattrick stepped onto the E3 stage and basically said frack you if you don't like it, the bone was doomed to be beaten by the PS4.

[ArchangelMike]

Exactly. Since the reveal in February Sony have garnered more mindshare than Microsoft. People have already made their minds up which console they'll be getting. The polls indicate that the PS4 is in the overwhelming majority. The 7 day head start means nothing at this point.

[NatureOfLogic]

I think a lot of people will cancel their X1 pre-order and go with PS4 and have extra money left for games, PS+ and another controller with their X1 pre-order money. Some people can wait a week, but some simply won't be able to resist the better value that PS4 offers.

[darx]

@Nature

I am willing to bet that neither of 2 systems wil be available within the 1st week. I have to believe the first few weeks are filling all preorders.

[tristanwerbe]

overwhelming? maybe only on n4g you need to get around more

[BattleAxe]

Even though the 360 had a one year head start, the PS3 has outsold it in worldwide sales by around 600,000 units. But now that the PS4 is releasing 7 days before the Xbox One, Xbox is going to get destroyed.

[UltimateMaster]

That 7 day head start won't make a difference.
But their DRM policies really sabotage their own brand.

[aceitman]

well it could!! sony has 2 weeks to restock for black Friday ms will only have one so sony can have a higher number to sell on black Friday compared to ms.

[Omegasyde]

Good point.

[jackanderson1985]

Based on that logic the PS3 should have been dead on arrival. I wouldn't be surprised if both consoles have similar sales again at the end of the generation. Of the 80 mil sales (rounded up for ease) on both consoles I'd say the majority are casual users who buy later on in the life cycle when prices are considerably lower. Wouldn't be surprised if in 2/3 years consoles are 300 or lower and then casuals will start flocking to them.

Will PS4 race ahead? yeah probably. Will they end the generation with a huge gap? Unlikely

[GamersRulz]

I can see Sony gaining market in NA this time. EU/JP are already in the bag so I believe PS4 will lead the generation followed by X1 then WiiU

[yellowgerbil]

Vita TV will help widen the gap farther than it was already shaping to be. Before Vita TV I predict about 80mil ps4s to 70mil x1s. Now I am betting 100PS4s to 70mil x1s
The Vita TV will serve as a on-ramp to becoming hardcore. Casual and non gamers will get the Vita TV as a cheap "gizmo" for tv and movies. They will get PS+ and start getting free games, and boom they are sony fanboys. They will play vita versions of Uncharted Killzone etc and will want the full serving you can only get with Naughty Dog and Guerrilla Games and Sucker Punch etc on the PS4.
Ms has made every WRONG move they could
Sony has made right moves that no one even fathomed before they made them. Kaz has returned Sony to Greatness, and Greatness Awaits.

[darx]

I think Vita TV doesn't make a difference whatsoever.

[ZHZ90]

Then after people annoyed by always online, DRM, no used games etc MS said that "Go play with 360" their arrogance and ignorance and caring about $$$ w/o satisfaction of customer helped dooming of Xbone.

[dumahim]

By the time the generation ends, years from now, a one week lead isn't going to account for much.

[showtimefolks]

7 days ahead start could mean bigger sales for some 3rd parrty games launching on ps4, like watch dogs,AC4 etc, because people don't have to wait a week to buy next gen version

both consoles will do fine, both will sell out and will sell for a lot on ebay

but sony won first few years of next gen in February, unless sony messes up big time than they will only get stronger as time goes.

$100 less is gonna matter more than many people think, to families that means buy a console and 2 games or just buy the system

[MASTER_RAIDEN]

Not necessarily true. though the xbox one was eff'd in the beginning because of its policies, when it comes to launch, fans are going to pony up regardless. so even though i agree that months down the road the xbox one may struggle, its launch day is probably still going to be just as massive as the ps4's. not because the product is superior or even matches the ps4, but because both sides have had months to fill their launch quotas. Don Mattrick or no Don Mattrick, both consoles are probably going to be sold out for quite some time.

months or even years down the road is when the ps4 is really going to separate itself from the xboner. in software quality, technical capability and sales.

[porkChop]

The week head start won't make much difference. What's important is the price. Anyone who really wants an Xbox One will wait 7 days, just like anyone who really wants a PS4 in Europe will wait the extra 7 days.

In order for a head start to really make an impact it needs to be big. It needs to be long enough that someone would want to buy the earlier console instead of waiting. 6 months to a year would be a big deal, but not a single week.

[DJMarty]

Your under estimating the power of the 'Playstation brand'. Just like a year - year & half head start for 360 over PS3 meant nothing to MS.

Sony fought back and over took MS.

Having a lead, could be all Sony needs to run away with NEXGEN from the start, not too mention the advantage PS4 will have once in Europe(out in more countries(31 compared to 13 PAYBOX ONE(OUCH))

[n4rc]

You forget one huge part of ps3 sales...

Bluray... When the format won over HD DVD, people all wanted one... And the ps3 was the most attractive option.. It was a kickass br player and was a playstation to boot for thr same price as a standalone player...

You want to mention a years head start but have to take that into account as well.. Would ps3 have caught up if it wasnt for a secondary feature that isnt a factor now?

Food for thought

[reaperofsouls]

i've been waiting since FEB for my PS4 so whats another week gonna make

[Godmars290]

With much if the consoles value being about online features, I wonder how much of those will be up and running come launch. How many hiccups there'll be.

Know that for every bump in getting online going, there's going to be a hundred N4G submissions.

[MrSwankSinatra]

being seven days earlier is not really beneficial to be honest but that 100 dollar less price point for the PS4 is whats gonna make the difference to consumers

[SpitFireAce85]

Exactly what I was going to say $100 should make a difference.

[T2]

Right on ... Price does matter and with Sony showing alot of good stuff since Feb those who can only afford one may choose ps4 ... Only a three to six month difference would really impact those who wanted both but couldnt afford right away

[n4rc]

It will... Can't deny that..

Many people want a Xbox or ps4 and don't really care what it costs...

But there are many that have no preference... And a $100 cheaper will certainly sway people... But thr xbox has some added value in entertainment that many (myself included) will feel $100 is well worth it...

There are many many situations... But ya.. The price wil make way more of a difference then a week wait

[DigitalRaptor]

I think once people investigate the PS4's features and realise that Sony actually has an awesome next-gen machine with a VASTLY improved and innovative network, great features, services of true value, great diverse games and the system's wide array of media features, the camera features and the DualShock 4 features and improvements, I think word will spread that this is a very worthy investment.

At $100 more, I think the Xbox One's worth is a tougher sell considering all its restrictions, policies, it's lesser specs, and especially the company behind it. and the fact that the Kinect market will question why they need a new one, as they always do.

Although a head start is not even truly relevant at all when most people have already made up their mind about 1) which console they want 2) which company they want to support.

[Campy da Camper]

Best of all is vitatv. This basically give you two was to play a ps4 on two separate TVs for the price of one xbone.

[GarrusVakarian]

The games from Sony 1st party devs are the main driving force behind the PS4, not a 1 week head start.

[Sevir]

In e largest part of Eu and Pal Territories it's more than a 7 day head start... The PS4 is going to sell extremely well, MS is going to have a tough time.

[Megaton]

Not very important at all. The first week will consist mostly of filling pre-orders. The higher price for inferior tech and Microsoft's mountain of bad press they earned over the summer is more damaging to them than a week head start.

[ThatCanadianGuy514]

Well i certainly won't be dropping $400 + bunch of games on the 15th, then drop ANOTHER $500 + games the week after.

I won't be buying an xbone anytime soon at launch.

[hazardman]

That's what I'm doing!!! PS4 on 15th and XBO on 22nd...

[younglj01]

+$1000 in an week congrats to you...

[hazardman]

@ young

What is it you or anyone else on this site what I do with my $$$. I game dude, so when new consoles are out I buy them.
Just happens to be that my two favorite consoles are being released a week apart. And yeah over a grand but I also took advantage of Gamestop pre order where they let you make payments..$50 here $100 there..no biggie!!

I'm gonna do it again next gen and the one after that!!

[jjb1981]

I've already made up my mind and am buying ps4 and have 5 games paid in full. My preferences have not swayed me to consider buying an xb1. Titanfall is the only game I would want on launch and it doesn't justify the 499 + 60 for Xbox live to play. Ill stick with the ps4 and the ps+ cost because it has way more value. I already have a subscription until November 2014. I would love to buy an Xbox one but nothing at this moment makes me actually open my wallet. Then there's GTA V....

[Brix90]

If you still have a 360 you can play Titanfall. I just hope it's as good as the X1 in gameplay.

[gamertk421]

Difference will be negligible. The hardcore already know what they're getting. The casuals on the other hand will buy whatever they can get on Black Friday. I think product availability will be much more important.

[panbit86]

VERY!

[-Gespenst-]

Little to no difference in the greater scheme of things unless the advertising campaign is aggressive. You plan to buy a Ps4, few people just see the ads when it's released and randomly decide to buy one. Most of the sales of the ps4 have already been ordained in advance.

[MRMagoo123]

It wont make a difference, the ps4 will outsell the xbone no matter if its out first or last, its a week difference either way in US and Europe.

[alexmac]

I think that it will make some people that aren't decided yet jump the gun and buy the PS4 instead of the Xbox One.

[DoggyBiscuit]

The XI is $100 more and it comes out a week later the choice is clear PS4 all the way

[hazardman]

Good luck finding one that week!!

[DoggyBiscuit]

I find one in the mom and pops store just like I did with my Wii u

[GreenRanger]

With the release dates this close together, I don't think anybody is just going to get the PS4 if they wanted the Xbox One first, and vice versa in Europe.

[alexmac]

People might hear about the PS4 and how awesome it is and go get one instead of waiting for the X1, some people are impulse buyers.

[pwnsause_returns]

its going to be a statement.

[Adolph Fitler]

Sweet FA....The positive press, & definitely the $100 price difference is sure to make the big difference. But then again, just like Sony fanboys, MS fanboys are huge hypocrits & will dismiss the price gap to suit there own ends....when they should have been saying all along that as gamers, a console's price is the smallest outlay & $300, $400 or $500 or even the $600 the PS3 was initially is a pretty minimal outlay for a hardcore gamer that will probably spend AT LEAST $2000 on games per year, not to mention $400-$700 on online subscriptions (and yes, at $100 per year in Australia, Live's cost over 7-8yrs is exactly that).

So, ANY fanboy that tries justifying there preferred purchase with the excuse of price, is a lying douche, as any gamer with half a brain knwows that it ain't the console that costs you the big bikkies over a consoles lifecycle.
As an example, I myself have probably bought 250 games for PS3 ALONE this gen (yes, it is my preferred machine for controller & games reasons), I probably have 20-30 on 360, & 20 on Wii, as well as 5-6 on Wii-U (yes, it is current gen), so the money I've wasted on games is mindboggling, & opposed to the cost of hardware, they are not even comparable.
And when a company released a machine that is costing THEM money to give to us so cheap, then I don't feel cheated, even though masses of morons called out Sony for doing just that to us with PS3....these same morons, were never gonna buy a Sony machine anyway, as that is fanboyism at the highest level.
Like these MS fanboys that have already rated Sony's new online service as crap & far inferior to MS's.....Wow, these lucky fanboys NEVER even played on PS3 online service before & call it crap, yet they have access to PS4 & XBone's machines, games & online services already & have given there expert reviews on the matter......Play Starhawk, Warhawk, Mag, Killzone 2&3, Resistance 1-3, ANY COD, any of the BF's, Unchartered 1-3, ASBR, GOW:Ascention, Socom 4, Twisted Metal & many others on PS3's online servers & then try being honest about "HOW SUPERIOR" Live is....as I don't see any multiplats worth playing, that are better online on Live than on PSN, as they simply are not....The only thing you clowns have used as justification is X-game chat & other USELESS features that add not one thing to gameplay....in fact, they probably cause latency/lag & such problems.....

[Adolph Fitler]

I know, one of my mates who was a 360 nut & totally preferred 360 over PS3 has switched to buying all his online games for PS3, because he was getting constant dropouts & disconnects, yet would buy the same game for PS3 & never or VERY RARELY if ever, have the same, or any issues with the PS3 version. So, I'm not saying one is better than the other, but all weighed up, I personally would preffer the one that I don't have to pay for, that doesn't have a couple of useless, non-gameplay enhancing, or related features, as opposed to one that requires a yearly subscription, & has these useless features, at the expense of lag/latency & gameplay enhancing online features....I mean, the proof is in the pudding, as 360 has nothing the scope of PS3 for online games, in the tradition of MAG with 256 players & zero lag, as well as the scope & magnitude of a game such as Warhawk/Starhawk game series. '
And these reasons, are another contributing factor, as to why I would buy a PS4 over XBone, as even though I will now have to pay to play online (thanks to MS), I know that I will get a better variety of online games, with bigger, bolder scops. And already owning a Wii-U, I see no reason to buy a XBone as well, as PS4 & Wii-U will do me for the time being......MS has a lot to prove, or should I say disprove, & they have just shown themselves as untrustworthy in the worst way, with recent displays, so I will not contemplate buying one until Kinect is p1ssed off from the package & they prove they are not gonna U-turn again on important matters, such as used games & the like.

[xKugo]

You're going to be waiting a LONG time then, because MS said they have no plans for a kinect-less sku

[hazardman]

I didn't know the SS was making a comeback!

[DJ]

Launching first is important, but that price point of $399 is unbeatable.

[thehitman]

In the first 3-4 months I believe the company that ships the most units will sell the most units. After that then I believe the winner of that number will probably hold the commanding lead for that territory as people will just follow the initial adoption. Consoles are a bandwagon product, people will get what their friends and family have because they want to be apart of the experience. MS had a year head start in US so they had a great opportunity on getting and holding that now its up for grabs.

[PS4isKing_82]

I wish sony would announce exactly how many units they plan to launch on the 15th. I remember ps3 was originally going to be a mil units for launch day but got cut to half of that.

[Arty84]

really nothing as others mentioned black Friday is the day to watch new consoles new iphones etc,, I see a lot of old ladies being trampled this black friday

[ziggurcat]

the amount of time won't make a lick of difference - it's the amount of countries the consoles are launching in on day one that will make all the difference.

[xKugo]

I think it will play a huge role, but not because of superior specs or anything like that. I think it will come down to how much can people resist the better valued product that comes out a week earlier than it's more expensive counter-part. Specs will not play a role in a purchase until much later down the line, because the only people who know about the hardware disparity between the two are the hardcore Xbox, PlayStation and PC gamer. Just my opinion, I could be completely wrong.

[cyberninja]

More important than 360's year plus head start over ps3.

[N4G85]

Picking up both my consoles at launch I can't wait games games games

[SITH]

Not as important as a 364 day head start. Sony is going for US gamers, MS for European. They need very advantage they can get.

[BG11579]

Truth, but it also truth that until now, they have done a very good job. I hope they continue...

[chuckyj1]

7 days... LOL no difference at all when you look at the big picture...Esp. when that 7 days is in the middle of the busiest shopping season of the year in the states. Both will sell out their inventory so no real advantage will be made. I guess whoever has more in stock to sell will be the real winner. Just b/c a system launches 7 days prior doesn't mean they have a bigger inventory.

[TheFutureIsBlue]

There will be a lot of "sick" people come launch day for both consoles =p

[assdan]

Not at all.

[thelaughingwiseman]

Sony wont be competing with a National Holiday of Thanksgiving like Xbox one is. People would spend their money on PS4 the week before Thanksgiving; the next week the people will be spending it on festivities!!!

[AceBlazer13]

Sony already has this in the bag.Only question is how much are they gonna win by.Anyone else think PS4 is gonna join the 100mil club?

[Jdoki]

It will make almost no difference. The biggest volume of sales will be from pre-orders.

[DevilishSix]

Doubt one week week will make a difference seeing as a one year and 9 million head start for 360 couldn't keep PS3 from passing it in world wide sales.

MS is in a tough spot, they are insignificant in Japan, like 100 consoles a week insigificant. Sony dominates Europe. The real battleground for MS is US, they can't afford to lose alot of ground in that market.

[Arcanine]

ITS MY F***ing opinion and I know im 100% right. To some people it will make a difference....I hope you idiots read what I wrote I said," TO SOME PEOPLE!!!" that are (impatient) will absolutely change their preorders ok make a decision soon, or are what for it to launch and have not preorder any systems will buy the ps4!