Sony's divided attention gives Xbox an opportunity - Analyst

IHS Supply's Piers Harding-Rolls says Microsoft could cut into PS4's commanding lead this E3

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

VR is aimed to a different market. Devs making games for VR are mostly 3rd and and 2nd party. Sony still has many 1st party content for consoles under their sleeves. Why should anyone be divided by this? As if VR isn't for the gamers anyways...

[OB1Biker]

'reach out to new users "without alienating early adopter gamers," something he sees as a considerable risk for PlayStation VR.'

I cant understand what the heck he s talking about. PSVR is a considerable risk to alienate early adopter gamers?

I sort of have the feeling he doesnt really know what he s talking about

[Kingthrash360]

This^
I just think he cooked up an article just to make a snazzy title for clicks.
Does xbox Scorpio alienate early adopters for xbox one? Why isn't that an article? Lol its a real concern.

Donthate below:

Lack of games? Go to the playstation store and find that it has 953 ps4 games available to purchase now.... xbox has 428 thats over double...lol what's even funnier only 5 of those are true exclusives. ..lol wow

[DivoJones]

Well they mean that the original PS4 runs PSVR rather poorly.. the one early adopters own roughly 40mil of. So the PS4K is coming to the rescue, but 40mil people aren't going to want to trade up for a faster console AND buy a PSVR.

Don't get me wrong, XB1 scorpio will have a similar issue of selling a faster variant of the same console to the same audience. The rumor of XB1 Scorpio supporting Oculus Rift (and being a driving factor in needing a faster console to support the Oculus) is unique in that Microsoft is (reportedly) partnering with Oculus while Sony made their own device and owns it's success/failure.

[donthate]

So the negativity towards VR doesn't exist?

What about the lack of games for the console itself? What about the crappy looking GT Sports game intended to push VR over the console?

Let's not fool ourselves, VR is coming and it is staying, but it certainly has diverted Sony's focus. On top of this, we are almost 99% sure a mid-cycle more powerful PS4 console is coming, and the loud voices here has already spoken. I'm for it, but there are a good number of people against this (on both PS and Xbox).

This applies to Xbox too, but they are going second so by the time the anger is subsided, MS swoops in. Sony did the same strategy with the original MS DRM plans. Sony had the exact same plans, but pulled it at the last minute. Worked for Sony, let's see if it works for MS this time around.

[Aenea]

@donthate
"lack of games"? Seriously dude? You're hilarious!

@DivoJones
And yet another one who is convinced that the PS4 is not capable of doing VR, you've got no actual proof of that silly notion!

[ZeroX9876]

With VR you still got the option to buy it or just ignore it. There's so many games coming out without any VR features or VR focused, it's not like you were forced to buy it. As long as any accessories/limitations isn't forced on customers, everything should be just fine.

[notachance]

oh dear, there's actually someone who's still using 'PS has no game excuse' when obviously it's the other way around..

you can clearly see the tear and desperation from across the internet, people I present to you.. donthate

[OB1Biker]

@donthate
'they are going second so by the time the anger is subsided, MS swoops in. Sony did the same strategy with the original MS DRM plans. Sony had the exact same plans, but pulled it at the last minute. Worked for Sony, let's see if it works for MS this time around.'
That's comedy
Supposing we go with the tale 'Sony wanted to do as MS DRM plan and pulled it at the last minute' which I don't believe and even so people bringing that up sound like 'A screwed me but I think B was *thinking* of doing it so B is just as bad'
So what is there to pull for Ms regarding VR?

[IIFloodyII]

@Donthate

Are you trapped in 2013 or something? The "PS4 has no games" and "Sony Too™" memes are so old, it's kinda sad people are still spouting them.

Do you really believe Sony completely changed everything about the PS4 in just a few hours, just so they could 1-up MS? I could maybe understand if you believed at some point during the PS4's development they had similar plans, but a few hours from a full reveal? Is just stupid.

[Petebloodyonion]

Answer is simple Sony does't have unlimited ressources.
So they have to balance their assets between creating interesting games for the PS4 so they can stay ahead but also have to develop interest software for the early adopter of the PSVR.

[Kingthrash360]

Pete, um isn't that what you expect from a gaming console???????????
Especially if you have unlimited recorces???? Don't that make the Xbox a major failure? To have unlimited recorces and still not pump out more interesting new games than its less unfortunate opponents? Am I missing something here? I mean they have less games too...sold less...less powerful. ...fuck man the struggle is real.

[ILostMyMind]

@donthate
"That is why you see the turn-around happening so quick with the Xbox One."

Dude, what are you talking about? You are in complete delusion.

[Letthewookiewin]

Just another sad Xboy upset he's got nothing but mediocre exclusive's. The only way the X1 can gain on the PS4 is if it drops to 199$ now. It's over X1 go home and try again.

[kneon]

Even if we believe the ridiculous premise of Sony's divided attention, it's even worse on Microsoft's side.

The XB1 is being used to push Windows 10 as well as Azure ("the power of the cloud"), and then there is Hololens in the background and the renewed attention being given to PC gaming. It looks like they may have given up on their other agenda of "owning the living room", and Kinect is all but dead.

[clouds5]

The only way the xb1 gains is by getting good games. That's all that counts.

[trooper_]

Another journalist, another ridiculous article.

[LordMaim]

Blogger != Journalist

[jb227]

Not only is VR aimed at a different market, but wouldn't VR essentially be extremely easier & cheaper to develop for? I mean hardware constraints alone won't even allow for huge ornate visuals on PSVR, and the process of creating a VR title doesn't seem that labor intensive, seems to be more about getting the performance & fps up, rendering any image twice, then testing.

I'd be interested to see how much it costs to create something like 100 Ft. Robot Golf vs. how much it costs to create something like Horizon...It just seems to me like VR may actually be an easier & cheaper venue for devs, and first party Sony devs may be able to feasibly spin off a relatively small team in order to craft new VR games while not sacrificing any console titles in development.

Not only that but after decades of console gaming it will take more & more to impress gamers, whereas the most rudimentary basic game could wow someone in VR if implemented correctly. VR could essentially amount to the second coming & silver age of gaming, and if Sony is at the forefront of it, they could have a great ace up its sleeve.

[starchild]

I keep hearing how PSVR is superior because of the exclusives, but now you're making it sound like almost all the games are 3rd and 2nd party, which will likely be available on the Rift and Vive too.

Any way you look at it, though, Sony only has a certain amount of studios under their belt. It's a finite resource. Whatever time and money they spend on VR games is money and time taken away from traditional 2D games. There's no way around it.

[JasonKCK]

VR is being marketed to the same people who bought or buy a PS4. Show me where Sony says they're are marketing this to casuals, or any selected group at all?

[Herbalistic]

Xbox doesn't have the brand appeal to make any huge cuts in the PS4 lead

[FITgamer]

Some people have a hard time grasping that. They think Microsoft releasing a console more powerful console will make people jump ship and turn the tides. It's not going to happen.

[donthate]

MS didn't have brand appeal during the original Xbox launch, and was the laughing stock of the industry. MS went on to become the winner of last generation with Nintendo. The only looser was Sony with major lost market share.

If you actually research the actual history of Xbox, you will see they are relentless and highly focused. That is why you see the turn-around happening so quick with the Xbox One. Essentially, they are just very well managed.

I'm pretty sure MS will show that at this E3.

[Liqu1d]

@donthate "MS went on to become the winner of last generation with Nintendo."

No they didn't. Nintendo won, no amount of spin will change that.

[Doabarrelroll]

@donthate
Yeah winner with a nearly 50% failure rate, no exclusives late gen Kinect al That, where as PS3 killed it worldwide and had more and better exclusives -_-

[Sunny_D]

@donthate

Funny how you fail to mention that the 360 came out one year before the other consoles did which was also only 4 years after MS abandoned the first Xbox. Also, you fail to mention Sony's PS3 outselling the 360 at a faster rate year by year. That's why the Ps3's install base is higher than the 360. The only real territory that Xbox had was North America and the U.K. Now MS has lost those strongholds as well.

You also fail to mention how MS had barely any games in the last half of the 360's lifecycle when they started focusing on their little gimmick called Kinect. The same gimmick they tried to sell on the Xbox One before they pretty much abandoned that as well.

[Budrazor]

When the masses find out how much better the Oculus is gonna be than the PSVR you'll find out. That gives you guys two companies to crap on then.

[Errorist76]

@ don't hate

Winner?! They became last after Sony and Nintendo and Sony even needed a year less to sell more consoles in the same timeframe.

[Lord_of_Cinder]

They need a secret sauce to believe in and maintain hope. Facing reality is not an option for them.

[Gol3m]

Attach rate is higher on ps4 this gen @bg116 but believe what you want to believe

[Trez1234]

Donthate, xbox one had a year start n was still a getting outsold worldwide by a more expensive ps3 year in n year out.

U can say all you want but xbox is only relevant in two countries. You really think xbox appeals to French, German, Italian, Spanish..aka mainland European gamers? And that's not mentioning Asian gamers. You need to travel morw my friend

[kayoss]

Almost 20 million consoles separates the two. I'm not sure there is anything Microsoft can do to cut into that lead.

[Chevalier]

They would literally have to beat PS4 worldwide monthly by just over 500,000 units per month for 3 straight years to even it it up. They have won what 3 months total in the U.S.? People are just too stupid to understand the possibility is slim at best.

[notachance]

Slim possibility is pushing it, more like nigh impossible...
They can't even win on the home country let alone worldwide, believe me on some parts of the world casual console gamers don't even know there's a XB1

[Bathyj]

20 million difference in 2 and a half years. That means XB would take 2 and half years to catch PS4 if Sony stopped selling them today.

Its just never going to happen people. Sony has won this gen and MS has lost. Why do you think MS is apparently so keen to release a console with such a substantial upgrade rather than an incremental one? We're not talking about a small performance boost here. They want to start the next gen early, they are just not going to say it out loud. Scorpio is not XBox One Point Five, its Xbox Two (Xbox 4. God their names are dumb). Many said last gen went too long. MS is trying to make this one too short. But thats what they do went they know they cant win, they stop supporting. Looks like 3 in a row now.

[Overload]

Xbox had their opportunity last gen and look how that turned out.

The hopes and dreams just never stop, it's embarrassing.

[Godmars290]

More like the insistence that MS will command consoles and gaming. Despite actions they've taken which only limited them.

[Overload]

Exactly.

[kenwonobi]

It's actually embarrassing because the media keeps pushing them. As if there is some hidden comeback scenario when they are farther than ever behind. The generation has been decided over a year ago.

[ScorpiusX]

Cool and I say they take full advantage of it .

[SpaceRanger]

Advantage of what? Both companies are divided in their own respects. Xbox has trimmed down since getting rid of Kinect and no longer having Oculus come to the Xbox. But in no way is Sony that divided in their gaming efforts.

They've been doing twice as well as the closest competition with the PS3, PS vita and PSNow all going on at once. MS is doing the same with Windows 10 and its focus for older BC games.

[ScorpiusX]

Listen am not here for a long conversation on what you think or what that other company's about nor do I care for them . Am just posting a response comment on the article on what I think and how I feel , not looking for long winded conversation of any kind .

@gol3m Wrong on what my brief comment that pretty much really gave no insight or info for me to be wrong about .

[Gol3m]

In other words. 'I'm wrong and I know it but I won't admit it and I'm not listening' so @scorpiusx you're pretty much a child

[jb227]

Castillo....why the change of handle & user pic?

I personally don't care what kind of new hardware any company has coming out in the near future, I just want to see the games that will be supporting the purchase I made w/ my PS4....as log as Sony keeps me happy with that, & keeps me in games I'm good. I'd assume the same will ring true for the majority of Xbox fans for the time being.

I'm all for these companies giving us reasons to buy into new ecosystems, as long as the last ecosystem I bought into stays full supported. The first company to forget these basic ideas is the first one to lose the plot entirely. As it stands, if we are going solely off of leaks & rumors, the Neo is guaranteed to not feature any systems or gameplay that my vanilla PS4 doesn't...haven't seen the same for the Scorpio leaks. There's a possibility that Scorpio could be a full reset & the idea of "forward compatibility" may go into effect for next gen, but no this one. Hard to develop games that can straddle a gap from 1.2 tflops to 6 tflops. Interested to see how it all pans out.

[ScorpiusX]

In anticipation of the new hardware & looking forward to seeing what its all about

[jb227]

Do you think we see Scorpius at E3? I'm thinking it'll only be the Slim on show, but there are rumors that the slim could receive a power boost as well, down to the new cards that the companies are pushing on the consoles for cheap prices.

My guess is that Slim gets revealed with a power increase enough to possibly get it to run Oculus, then Scorpius has breathing room so they may not announce that until next E3.

Either way I'll be holding off on any new hardware for at least a couple years....I want to get my money's worth out of my last purchase & Im pretty sure it'll take a couple years for devs to really start utilizing that power increase in any significant way.

[Perjoss]

I dont think they have a chance but its going to be entertaining watching them try.

[cyber_daemonx]

Piers who? A wannabe Pachter who will probably be just as accurate in his 'predictions'.

Lol

[Mr_Luke]

Just... no. And:
"With Sony concentrating on multiple dimensions of its console offer including the launch of an entirely new product category for the company in the form of the PlayStation VR headset, Microsoft will have an opportunity window to cement its focus on the gamer"
1) Microsoft is doing the same it seems, about "multiple dimensions of its console". Or it's bad only if it's about Sony?
2) Cement its focus on the gamer... why? PSVR isn't for gamers? I didn't know that.

[Aenea]

And Sony doesn't have a PC OS to get divided by...

Silly article...

[thisgamer503]

While I agree this article is BS, you do realize that PC OS is also what is currently already running on the xbox right?

I think we can all agree MS doesn't stand a chance in catching up with PS4 install base.

[Godmars290]

One, how is Sony's attention divided? Two, when has MS truly ever taken advantage of an advantage over Sony?

Come to that how is MS's attention any less divided if they're not only going to be introducing VR themselves - even if they're just piggybacking on Oculus - but still trying to justify Hololens use with Xbox, nevermind that that's AR, as well as cloud support?

And that's not even mentioning how Xbox 1st party support is.

[kayoss]

True, the only advantage that Xbox took was with the Xbox 360 one year head start over the PS3 and they still screwed up that one.

[Godmars290]

@Disagrees:
Would really like to know what advantages MS has had over Sony which they have used and/or been effective.

The best example of an advantage or opportunity squandered to me will always be Netflix. Something they maneuvered exclusivity for nearly a year only for it take off once it became available on the PS3.

[rainslacker]

I didn't disagree with you, but the biggest advantage they ever had was the one year head start over the PS3. While they took advantage of it to great effect to make Xbox a bigger name than it was before the 360, they kind of squandered it there in the last 2-3 years of the 360's life by focusing on a different market through their Kinect efforts, and are finding out this gen that the casuals they were so keen on capitalizing on, aren't the people that will help them sell more consoles come a new generation, nor will likely care about a new console to begin with. Even if new hardware is coming, the people MS focused on at the end of last gen aren't likely to go for it, nor be interested in the current hardware, since it now doesn't offer enough compelling selling points to peak their interest.

I won't attest those same people may be attracted to PS now for whatever reason, so basically, those casual markets were just short term gains for any company that catered to them more readily...which for last gen would have been Nintendo and MS, while Sony kept it's portfolio more diverse to attract the different crowds.

[Jburr94]

Sony has first party studios cooking up games to come and one of them looks better than anything Xbox has (in my opinion) how is Sony's attention divided?

[Jburr94]

Except it won't, just like "the greatest game line up" was supposed to start a comeback

[The_Sage]

Divided like with Kinect, hololens, Windows 10, Xbox one point 2, and things of that nature?

[thisgamer503]

Yes, exactly like that. Kinect=Move, hololens=psvr, xb1.2=ps4neo. Looks to me like they just go back and forth.

[rightway]

90% per cent buy consoles for third party. It does make any sense people would stick with Sony if its console has the weaker hardware and games perform worst after testing. If both consoles have the same power, i don't see MS overtaking Sony but it would be a closer fight.

[Aenea]

There are many reasons to buy a console for a certain brand and I believe the least looked at reason is performance.

If it were as you think why on earth did 20 million people buy an X1??? :p

[RosweeSon]

America is a big country. It's an American product, can see why they've still sold a fair few.

[Aenea]

@RosweeSon
Please notice the context!

I didn't say I'm surprised they sold 20 million, just replying to rightway, since he believes people mostly buy a console by looking at the specs, that 20 million people bought an X1 tells me that is not really the case at all...

[Father Murder X]

VR is never going to take off enough to be mainstream.

[Aenea]

Maybe not with the current headsets but I am sure it will one day!

[j15reed]

Yea its a niche product at best.

[thisgamer503]

I'm sure it will become mainstream. Probably around Oculus/PSVR/Vive 3.0. I honestly expect hugely mixed emotions with the current gen VR. Until we have a good method of low latency wireless transfer of video/audio to the headsets, I'm not convinced. Once I can just put a headset on and go into my back yard and walk around a virtual environment, give me a call.

[kayoss]

VR will be the future...for porn.

[iTechHeads]

Hopefully Sony doesn't try and push VR too hard.
It's far too expensive.

[thisgamer503]

Considering PSVR is the cheapest entry to VR, I wouldn't say it's far too expensive. If anything, Sony has the best chance at MASS VR adoption. VR will be a big market. I personally think this gen will be a gimmick to myself and a lot of others, but it's going to pave the way for future advancements in the VR field. For this reason alone I hope they do great. Other than that, I'm not sold on VR this gen.

[Sm00thNinja]

In all honesty Microsoft isn't making any ground with the Xbox one this generation. And THAT'S OK! Is the Ps4 a better console than the Xbox One? That's a title Microsoft can aim for. The Xbone has become a fantastic console capable of competing with the PS4 despite the performance gap. I still consider getting multiplats on Xbone simply because the Xbone is an amazing console to play on. Now if we could just get background music....

[EjWarrior]

lol!

[DarXyde]

I wonder if one can really say Sony's attention is divided.

For comparison, look at the two types of people who give to the homeless: one writes about it on social media, the other just does it. The social media enthusiast will be treated well for their acts of humanity while the other just continues living, perhaps with a sense of satisfaction only they know about.

Point being, we're probably better aware of Microsoft's activities, but we don't know what Sony has brewing. Their silence this year is polarizing. It's either because this is going to be a tame E3 (unlikely) or a potential full scale assault of epic gaming proportions (more likely).

[Goldby]

amazing analogy.

the social media person talking about helping the homeless is looking for instant gratification and justification, while the person actually helping them isn't even expecting a thank you, but when the thanks comes is even better

[Xavy]

Another wet dream those bone fanboys are having. Just NO, in reality Sony is a market leader with over 2:1 market lead. PLUS more first party games are coming, so in other words PS is just starting to Accelerate. PSVR is almost ready to release. Neo is on the Horizon. Just face it MS are the underdogs and they will stay that way til they leave the console Biz.

[Angeljuice]

It's interesting to hear that the cinemaware portfolio has been bought up (in other news).
I used to love their games on Amiga (Rocket Ranger, Wings, Defender of the Crown etc).

[dinosaurcrossbow]

Xbox already alienated their customers when they got rid of there kinnect from early models or they alienated their fans when they focused on TV at launched. They have been flipping the switches on everything that their fan base has been divided. It just shows you can't take Microsoft's Word on anything.

[rainslacker]

Outside of the Kinect at launch, there really is no reason why features themselves should be polarizing, nor need any switches flipped. The key to success is to balance the features with the games, and I do think MS spent more time concerned with the features at the start of the gen in what I can only assume was an attempt to mimic the way Sony has brought success to their consoles by including features that didn't have direct correlation to games(CD/DVD/BR). MS was just kind of late to the party on the whole all-in-one device idea, because there were/are so many other devices which do it better and cheaper out of the box with no waiting on updates or feature implementation, up to, and including the TV itself. Truth is, most people aren't looking for devices that do the kind of stuff X1 could do at the start of the gen, it's just becoming commonplace, or things people use because it's included with other things they buy...so no real new technology was pushed to make it have a broader appeal. Anyone interested in those features would likely already have a device which offered them.

[SynestheticRoar]

O........................K.

[kevnb]

Sony has tried a bunch of other things but it hasnt hurt their main product. Although almost everything else they have done has failed (gaming related), vita, playstation tv, the 3d tv they had, the streaming service, playstation move, and Im not feeling real confident about vr.

[iceman06]

The crazy thing about that (whether they failed or not is partially subjective) is that, while trying these new things, the flagship console never really suffered in the long run. Sony has been juggling multiple consoles at a time for the better part of 20 years. (old and nee gen, old+new+handheld, etc.) It's a bit par for the course at this point.
As for VR, IMO, Sony is just trying to get there first for consoles. They want to be an established name when and if it takes off. It's a gamble for sure. But, scared money doesn't make big money.

[NeoGamer232]

I don't know why anyone thinks XB1 is going to gain or overtake PS4. I don't think that is even what MS is trying to do. If they were there would be a singular focus on just XB1 and not Windows 10 as well.

What I see is that MS is no longer trying to chase Sony's tail. They are charting a new direction for XB1. Great games and device agnostic seems to be the theme I am hearing. And I like it. Give me more games and allow me to play them on my gaming PC, Laptop, tablet, and XB1!

[j15reed]

Yea, if they get a quarter of those Window's 10 device owners to buy games and anything else gaming related Sony won't be able to compete with that.

[joeorc]

@j15reed

"Sony won't be able to compete with that"

While your argument. Would be Sound strictly from Microsoft dominate. Position in the Pc market, if Sony was Trying to compete with Microsoft. There.

But Again Sony is not trying to compete with Microsoft in the Pc market, instead Microsoft. Is trying to compete with Sony in the Consumer Electronics. Business for the Household Living room/Bedroom/recreation room space. And under that market Microsoft is not just Facing Sony that is just only Playstation and its console. Being the only thing in Microsoft's way.
Problem is for Microsoft. Is many fold in this Market.
The Main Problem is not even Playstation, of course its a problem, but the Top problem is real simple to grasp.
The #1 operating system going directly. Into smart TV's is not Windows OS based, it's AndroidOS! The #1 Graphics Api for the living for computer entertainment devices for the living room computer entertainment devices is Vulkan which Again AndroidOS is using as its default Graphics Api,and to a lesser extent Apple's iOS.
The big problem is Microsoft's. Main two Rival companies in the game console market has already adopted AndroidOS and its Graphics Api : Vulkan to make and include those devices into their Eco systems..with Sony unlike Nintendo Active in Development with the further Development. Into the AndroidOS itself, but making AndroidOS Smartphone's, SmartTV's, and playstation software and services that run not just on Sony made AndroidOS powered devices, but other companies AndroidOS powered devices also.
The big problem is not Sony only having just a Games console, it's Sony Actually supporting a Operating system &Graphics Api that is not tied to Microsoft and its Windows & Graphics Api Software Eco system properties.
And its not Sony by itself, it's google,Samsung,Amazon,Apple,pr etty much every TV manufacturing. Company.

Ask yourself this do you ever hear about the Windows 10 OS being installed directly into the TV itself?
You do with AndroidOS.
While Microsoft is still after Decades trying to Put the window's OS under the TV to be your Main Computer. entertainment platform in the living room, Sony and other companies are instead Taking over the TV itself!
📺
[As its own computer. entertainment platform]
by putting an Advanced Operating system and graphics Api directly onto the Tv itself.
And AndroidOS has the lead by a wide gap. AndroidTv is now the Main OS for smart TV 📺!

And Microsoft is still trying to put a Pc 💻 under the TV, as a matter of fact, with Media center PC's and The Xbox being both still trying to capture the market [under the Tv] instead of inside the Tv itself!
Sony is now turning the TV into becoming a playstation node
With Remote Play, Playstation Now, and Playstation Vue. Add in a dual Shock 3 or 4 and Every smart TV 📺 with a game controller can be PlayStation node for any room in your house.
Microsoft Is trying to merge the Xbox & it's Pc eco system to be one..well Sony is and has already managed to merge the TV 📺 itself as part of the Playstation Eco system.
If I was a betting Man 👨, Playstation and Amazon,Google, Apple, LG , Samsung, Vizio, Etc. Has already won this battle.
Sony can in fact compete with Microsoft and actually win.

[kenwonobi]

No it's not divided. Sheesh you guys keep looking for this angle every year. It never works. So far they have had their best year ever. VR isn't a change in anything Neo, Scorpio, PSVR.... It all means the same thing. PS4 dominates the entire generation with awesome exclusive. On top of adding virtual reality to its arsenal.

[Inzo]

You have to love how year in and year out Xbox gets talked up just for Sony to blow that little candle out.

[ILostMyMind]

Some media are being very well paid by Microsoft.

[Xavior_Reigns]

Or (certainly most likely) are just corporate slaves or morons who have no business in this "industry" just stirring up the masses with clickbait.

[jessionpc]

Aaaaand Windows 10 shitigration isn't divided attention also, hoooooooooow???

[j15reed]

All Microsoft needs to do is buy up a bunch of exclusives like Sony does and while they might not catch them they could at least put a dent in their lead. There first party studios have shit for games except a couple of gems here and there, the same thing Microsoft gets crucified for seems to be a great business decision for Sony.

[Inzo]

"buy up a bunch of exclusives like Sony does "

What! How did you get to that?

"There first party studios have shit for games except a couple of gems here and there"

Sorry son, but its difficult to take you serious when you spew this kind of nonsense, you are just making yourself look foolinsh.

[IIFloodyII]

Are you crying about Sony owning a bunch of studios? Or are we pretending they pay off a bunch of 3rd party devs?

[iceman06]

They tried that last generation. While it gave them momentum, it didn't sustain them to the end. (not to mention that the motion control fad drove MS and Sony mad with lust for money and "casual' gamer support) IMO, MS needs to keep listening to its fans. It needs to weather the storm (much like Sony had to do in the early days of the PS3). Mostly, it needs to continue to focus on providing more gaming options outside of the tried and true. The risks might not provide immediate financial reward. But, it will show gamers that the Xbox is more than just a Halo, Forza, Gears box. That in and of itself will increase the profitability of the Xbox brand.

[joeorc]

@iceman06

Motion controls last cycle is not how you put it to be accurate, as I have not the same perspective. Or opinion on the matter, because both had different. Directions and reasons for their Motion control systems.

Example back in 2000 siggraph Sonys R&D head for motion controls Dr. Richard Marks showed off the concepts with working model and software in how a motion wand controller would work for Not only AR gaming but as a means toward VR interactive control impute as a natural extension. Of the users hands.

Fast forward today Playstation VR + HTC Vive+OculusRift all use a Motion control wand controller..while Microsoft's Kinect is being used for what VR impute method?

I mean Kinect is fantastic and I realm can add to VR in its setup to be also a good asset to VR, but in practical. Terms again Sonys R&D showed Playstation. move to not be a fad , but a real viable control Method for VR , so much so that Facebook & Valve itself Adopted that very method of control for VR. Also more Mobile smartphone VR kits are also using motion control wand controllers to to be used for VR.
And if Microsoft has further Xbox 🎮 & OculusRift unity between both platforms as a add on to the Xbox, that even Xbox will have a motion control wand controller for Xbox😉

[iceman06]

@joeorc...While I DO remember that particular demo, I STILL don't think the primary motivation for the MOVE controllers, at that time, was to capitalize on the VR future. It was to capitalize on the Wii craze and the potential to draw in 'casuals'. (that's not a BAD thing at all...but it DID take some focus away from core games, especially for MS) That being said, Sony is versatile enough to be able to utilize assets to their advantage. The MOVE being perfect for the 1:1 interaction needed in VR space is a credit to the designers and engineers who crafted the best that they could at the time, while keeping affordability and apparent longevity. I don't know if they truly envisioned VR becoming a reality again way back in 2000, but I DO know that they were prepared.

[KnightsOfTerror60]

I think its too early in modern VR's life cycle to be making these kind of assumptions.

[QuickdrawMcgraw]

Xbox's new bundle will also help close the gap...Get 2 Xbox1's with every PS4 sold....

[Christopher]

Wait... what? Sony's attention is divided but Microsoft's isn't?

PS4 + PSVR + Possible new console for PSVR
XBO + Windows 10 + Possible new console for more power

Seems pretty evenly divided to me.

[Lord_of_Cinder]

Devided attention? Is just dumb to think that Sony is not focused on normal gaming because they are also doing VR. Why people think they cannot do both at the same time is beyond me.

How in the world can xbox take on PS4 commanding lead by just an E3? Things doesn't work with magic in the real world. Xbox can have an excellent E3, that doesn't mean is going to take PS4 commanding lead.

Enjoy E3 and stop with the fairy tales.

[thisgamer503]

"Devided attention?"
"Things doesn't work with magic"

I hope English isn't your first language.

[rainslacker]

They seemed to handle Move and regular PS3 stuff pretty well without it dividing their attention, or causing them to lose focus on the core PS3. Can't say the same for Kinect, despite it selling well. Move had a lot of support, and did sell quite well to a different market, which I can say the same happened for Kinect.

I don't see Sony changing this with PSVR+PS4, so even if MS stays focused on the X1, which they aren't since it's all about Windows 10 now being what Xbox is about and the games aren't specific to the console brand anymore, I can't see how it's really going to benefit them unless so goes all in on PSVR and stops focusing on PS4...which isn't their normal method for console support...and likely won't be this time since PSVR is likely to be nowhere near the cash cow that the PS4 is.

[Whirlwind_Fanfare_08]

LOL

[WelkinCole]

What is this?. Reason number 4000 how MS can catch up on the PS4?.

[IIFloodyII]

Are we really still getting "Xbox One can still make a comeback" articles? This one might be the silliest one yet, if anything MS are more divided than Sony is, they are trying to break into an incredibly competitive market with the Windows Store, have HoloLens and if the Scorpio rumours are true, will basically have to push and support a new gen too, all while having fewer game development studios to do it.

[Artemidorus]

No it doesn't I will not buy another Xbox for a long time

Too much Halo, Forza and Gears, providing a useless camera with outdated controller followed by the difficulties of the current console. Biggest purchase mistake I ever made in my gaming history.

[plmkoh]

VR doesn't belong at an E3 presentation, they can give it an honorable mention and show a clip or two but VR either needs it's own show or be focused on the show floor where people can go hands on. The success of it will be through word of mouth, not through a trailer or some jetlagged overweight man flailing on stage.

It would be a mistake for Sony to dedicate significant time on stage for VR.

[XanderZane]

They don't need any opportunity. They just need to release more exclusive games. Releasing the Scorpio won't hurt either, as all the games should run at 1080P, 60fps from here on out. I don't think owners of PS4 will get devided. Only problem I see is releasing the PSVR and the PS4 Neo so close together. If someone wants both, it's going to cost a lot. If anything they should release the PS4 Neo first and then the PSVR next year.

[thisgamer503]

Divided*

[Hugodastrevas]

This "divided attention" console has lots of great exclusives coming out all the time and will keep on that stategy,plain and simple.
If M$ thinks they can make a comeback they can try anytime... or they can hide their sales numbers and instead count users, release stagnated average exclusives and then run to pc trying to ruin that too!

Watching biased articles try to give some life support to the Soldbox None it's very amusing indeed!

[MainstreamGamer]

Just give it up Xbox fanboys. You guys lost this gen and lost badly. Admit it and move on already.

[XanderZane]

PS lost badly last gen. Did you care back then? I don't see any comeback happening. It won't stop gamers from enjoying their games on the XB1. The Wii U was the real major loser this gen, but I still enjoy many of its games still.

[jagermaster619]

Everyone just shut up and enjoy the games and console or consoles you like! I swear you all drive me nuts over who has better this and that all of you sound like little high school punks. Seriously let's fight over something so stupid. #GETALIFE

[thisgamer503]

Welcome to N4G

[showtimefolks]

when you have a 20 million lead there is no dividing anything. everything playstation does is as a unit and nothing less

VR is part of playstation ecosystem moving forward

i do think think both ms and sony need to be really careful when announcing new hardware. don't piss off the people who originally bought ps4 and xbox one at launch

[RaiZdbyDINGOES]

Guy obviously doesn't know what he is talking about. MS are bringing VR to the table with Occulus and Scorpio. Both companies are divided if you listen to this article. I'm going with PSVR for the fact Facebook own Occulus. Their terms and conditions are a little bit shonky. Including a clause that says any software product remains the property of Occulus and FB???. MS big guns are the rumoured Scorpio and the 6 teraflops it apparently is rumoured to be. Compared to PS4 Neos' 4.14. Also MS are rumoured to have a Left 4 Dead exclusive. Which may bring people over to MS? Otherwise VR is targeted at gamers as well. Though mainly hardcore gamers and early adopters. Otherwise I think the Occulus partnership and Scorpio will improve sales of the Xbox One. Not to the point of what this guy is talking about. Unless SONY experience a RROD situation there is no way MS can catch up to a 20 million plus gap.

[RosweeSon]

So Sony launching an alternative console and an Accessory in VR and games are gonna get distracted whilst Microsoft plan to do much the same in a slim console, Scorpio and hololens? Think what your saying.

[kpanda]

That's what they say every year. "Maybe they'll get the advantage this year, or the next year, or the next E3, or the next GDC, or the next big exclusive." No they're not! It was over when Andrew House said "$399."

[spoonard]

To catch up to where Sony is now? But by then, Sony will still be that much ahead in a game Microsoft hasn't even began playing yet.

[Babadook7]

"Sony's divided attention gives Xbox an opportunity"
No not really.

[SynestheticRoar]

The title provoke an insane amount of laughter.

[SgtPepper1806]

Console wars never end. Not unless one competition is totally defeated like Sega. Sony have won the generation 8 battle of Xbox One vs PS4. Unless MS shut down there entire gaming division Sony haven't achieved a tots victory. Gen 9 will eventually come and the whole cycle starts over again.

[Many-hat5]

This generation -meaning X1 and PS4,is already over. Sony has clearly dominated this gen,certainly in terms of sales. But that's the point, as I see it.If your competitor produces products that outsell your offering for whatever reason, you move on to the next generation as quickly as the market will allow. I don't think MS see Scorpio as a challenge to PS4 -too late PS4 has already won.More likely, they see it as an opportunity to husher in the next, next gen.As an all formats gamer and owner of PC,PS4, and X1, I'm loyal only to great games and good developers I really don't care about the platform.Ms' statergy moving forward looks interesting and personally, I do think VR will be significant. And on this one MS and Sony didn't have a choice. Producing your own VR extension without a product powerful enough to exploit it, is dumb.Ms are playing this smart. Integrating Windows PC's and Ms consoles -smart.Provides cross platform support. Oculus support -smart. Great! I can use Oculus with my console AND my PC -makes purchase price worth it. This is about leverage and market share, not about PS4 and X1 users.Does alienate early adopters -wrong question. PS4 won't be caught, MS know this.Now lets move forward.

[MrZweistein]

I am an Xbox Owner. Don't see that unless Microsoft releases a new beefier console next year. Street word is against Xbox, still.

[SgtPepper1806]

I agree. Think about it. An Xbox with the power of top end PCs in the Scorpio, Xbox and PC sharing an ecosystem with the possibility to run PC games on Xbox. A shared VR platform with PC meaning a bigger user base and more games, and more power and game from the PC and Xbox union than the Ps4 or Neo provides. Sonys only advantage if MS fully integrate Xbox and PC will be their first party studios and IP. But if Ms can fully integrate their ecosystem and make all PC games run on Xbox and all Xbox games run on PC, the term "Microsoft Exclusive" will hold much more weight. If Spencer can pull off the fusion of Xbox and PC, Xbox will be back in the race.

[Miacosa]

Not really as Microsoft has their own Scorpio vs Slim to push out plus if the rumors are true about a Rift partnership then they have the same things to push.

[arkard]

We must be forgetting that its pretty heavily rumored at this point that Microsoft is also "dividing" their attention.