Sony is making the same mistake that hobbled Microsoft and almost killed the Xbox

If you're making a video game console, don't try to call it an "entertainment" device — just make a video game console.

[zsquaresoff]

"If you're making a video game console, don't try to call it an "entertainment" device"

But it is an entertainment device which plays highly rated exclusives and third party games, psvr games, netflix, music... all these classify under 'entertainment'.

Sony is not anywhere near close to the blunder Microsoft made with the xbone.

[chrisx]

exactly. aslong as Sony keeps producing these top quality single player exclusive games, they can call it "entertainment" or whatever the hell they like, it's all good. this looks like troll concern to me.

[RangerWalk267]

The problem with these single player games is that they end up in the bargain bin. They really need to focus on some multiplayer games. I really want a game to not be a one-and-done. Especially for 60 bucks

[Ricegum]

Ranger

Completely disagree. A single player experience is worth so much more to me than endless multiplayer grinding with no real reason.

[mandingo]

They could call it a pornbox if they wanted lol

[BitbyDeath]

The problem with multiplayer games is that you experience everything there is to experience in about 30 minutes.

Then you can choose to either repeat the same loop or find a new game.

[nucky64]

RangerWalk267 - what are you talking about? i just bought RE2 on day1 - not in bargain bin. i'm buying metro: exodus in 3 weeks on day1. i'm buying sekeiro: shadows die twice the month after on day1. i'm buying days gone the month after that on day1.
and as far as value for 60 dollars, how about GoW4 - i've got 60 hours in it and i'm still playing - it's a lot of fun.

[badz149]

@RangerWalk267

Because no MP games ever ended up in bargain bin?

Because all MP games are doing Fortnite numbers now? Aside from CoD, PUBG, Fortnite and maybe Overwatch, what other MP focus games that are currently dominating? Siege and CSGO seem to be doing good on their own but other than that, Almost NONE!

[Godmars290]

@RangerWalk267:
And multiplayer games don't? The only difference is that new owners have to pay for subs DLC and Mts.

When a SP is done right it offers replayability.

[JackBNimble]

I have seen very few single player games with any replay value at all .
And not all multiplayer games are FPS .

You guys like playing alone , that's your problem.

[remixx116]

@jack

Yo bro sorry but you sound stupid, first how is wanting to play alone a "problem". Second have you seen the landscape of multiplayer games nowadays?? You purchase a platform for 60 beans then you grind it out in the first week and then proceed to wait for the next batch of dlc/content drop/crumbs.

You don't even get a full game now just a gaas platform. This is coming from someone who loves single player and multiplayer games but they are so A. Grindy and repetitive B. Require you to constantly play with others to get anywhere C. Lack any real depth and almost always are either fps or open world D. And they are always featuring /season pass/loot boxes/microtransactions.

Sea of thieves, destiny, anthem, call of duty, overwatch, fallout 76 it's all the same shallow and or grindy shit.

Hit me up when another dev puts out a multiplayer game on the quality level of monster Hunter world or smash ultimate.

[indysurfn]

@RangerWalk267 I see what you did there.....

Show you the other side of that.........The problem with Multiplayer is they are a repeat and repeat. And they end up in the bargain bin. They really need to concentrate on Single player (because I am only one person after all) Multiplayer is a also....I know it is not split screen anymore.
But at least be the extra that is expected. Not just multiplayer mas-curating as a full game.

[jznrpg]

@Ranger I just bought Titanfall 2 because it was 4.99 on Amazon . It’s a multiplayer focused game . Plenty of those in the bargain bin too.

[Kyizen]

I am fine with single player 1st party games cause so many 3rd party publishers are going multiplayer so you get the best of both worlds

[ApocalypseShadow]

Looks like another writer got their check in the mail. Getting sent faster than any tax return checks. Articles are going to keep coming leading to E3.

What the writer seems to not mention is that Microsoft was doing what they always do and was trying to directly copy a successful strategy Sony deployed with the "it only does everything" campaign with Kevin Butler with PS3 but they blew it.
https://youtu.be/ukgISn3P2n...
Just like they wanted Xbox 360 to be the PS2 of gaming, they tried to sell Xbox one as a system that was an "all in one" console. Difference between the two companies is that Sony actually **MAKES** television shows, movies, music and games besides hardware. It's part of their DNA.

But even though Sony makes those other things, they always concentrate on what's important for consoles:GAMES. It's always FIRST. Making streaming services like PSVUE or PSNOW doesn't detract away from them making games and new IPs a priority. While Microsoft has it flipped and believes in "services" before games. And is using games to get gamers to buy into those services.

The writer then talks about market leader musical chairs but Microsoft has NEVER won a generation. And only lead in the market because they launched before everyone by abandoning the OG Xbox. When PS3 launched, even while stumbling on price and coming out way later, PS3 was still outselling Xbox 360 worldwide DAY ONE.

Also, we see again this push of "features" like cross play somehow being important over games. Features are nice to have. But you can't play features. You play GAMES.

Sony is no where near the F up Microsoft committed in trying to take game ownership away, sharing and trading. And surely didn't want to lock you in to sell subscriptions like XBL by requiring an always online connection while monitoring you with a camera that was going to push advertising. Cross play is not even close to that.

Even if Sony adds other features or services to PS5, it will still take a back seat to GAMES. The hope these article writers have in Sony failing so that Microsoft can try and introduce another anti gamer scheme behind paying for online, RROD, DRM2013, F2P behind an XBL paywall or GAAS is becoming ridiculous. I hope those checks are paying a lot for all these articles to sway gamers opinion.

[The Wood]

These shill esc bombardment of 'articles' and forced 'opinion' pieces have continued to narrate side dishes being more important than the mains. Side dishes compliment. As it's been proven time and time again. . .People think about the mains first when going out to eat.

Guess these great thinkers gonna tell L James how to shoot and O Beckham how to catch. Save all these helpdesk opinions for the guys who want to be in their place not the guys actually there at the top. . . Yikes

[letsa_go]

To me, where xbox one failed, is they released a system that cost more, and was less powerful than the competition because of the forced kinect camera. If they would have dropped the kinect and increased the gpu power before launch and matched sony on price, they wouldn't have had an issue.

[ILostMyMind]

@letsa_go
It would still be the worst gaming console currently.

[rlow1]

Your saying Xbox360 was ahead only because they launched a year earlier? Why is it people point to one thing as though the 360 had no problems that hurt it's sales? Red ring of death.....had that not happened the 360 would have been much further ahead of PlayStation. It was the break Sony needed at the time. Had that not happened and MS not shifted it's focus to almost exclusively relying on third parties (which was a dumb move) instead of investing into first parties titles. They would of ended the generation strong instead of a wimper. Though Sony did lead outside the US, Xbox despite it's issue still lead in overall sales right towards the end. Remember, at the beginning of that generation everyone including Sony never expected the 360 to even remotely be in the ballpark with the PS3. So for that machine to overcome the red ring of death and still lead in overall sales Is impressive. Sony also had plans to do what MS did at the beginning of this gen, but they had the advantage of going second at E3. Did MS loose sight of what it was all about??? You bet, I agree they blew it and turned away from games and towards television. They did try and control the market as well...no doubt. Sony is a great company? Hell I buy alot of thier stuff outside of PlayStation but you talk about Sony like thier a saint. They tried to sneak in censorship on PS3 players until thier was an outcry about it. They also have tried to control just not games but other avenues as well......just like any other corporation wants. To control the market.....I don't entirely agree with the article either and I look at it with a grain of salt. But when you have leadership changes they can effect strategies. I don't see Sony screwing up a winning formula. That said times are changing and more companies are looking at possibly jumping into gaming. Plus the way games are sold is changing. So strategies must change to accommodate those things. Sony jumping into services and leveraging Some of thier assets toward PlayStation is a smart move because they would be left behind if they didn't. That said, I hope both Sony , Nintendo and MS continue on next generation with much success. But stop spewing hate as though MS is this solo evil company bent on totally destroying gaming and remaking it in their vision. Every company that has ever been in the console market has done anti consumer practices.....including Sony. It's us, the consumers that are the equalizer. The problem is you put so much faith in a company that it comes accross as fanaticle. It makes it hard to accept your arguments. Remember, love of a company product is like a relationship......it has its down and ups........peace.

[Saigon]

@rlow1

What the hell are you spewing?

First of all the 360 lead did come because it released a year early. That year early lead gave it a close to 10 million head start to the generation. The RROD did not hinder MS at all, as most outlets reported that MS was counting both standard sales as well as RROD n their reports. You can check online with a simple google search. At the beginning of that generation, MS had a slew of exclusives mainly 3rd Party but if you look at the model of the PS2, which MS followed than this is what MS planned. MS also had many of their own exclusives that helped out tremendously.

Sony did not Model MS 360 plans at all this generation. If anything, they Modeled the Plan from PS3. I mean think about it, if they Modeled the 360 Plan, the focus would have been trying to get as many 3rd Party exclusives but instead, they decided to create the most exclusives in house. Remember that at the beginning of the PS3 lifecycle Sony stated that exclusives will be more important from here on out.

Sony had its issues with the PS3, but in my opinion, that was due to learning the model that MS created when it comes to service before games. I am honestly glad Sony decided to choose its own path will providing the services but focusing on the games first. This is something where MS faulters.

I have more to write, but I have to leave out for a moment, may continue later but my point is no one is faulting MS, MS did it to themselves.

[bellome]

Amen

[S2Killinit]

They are pretending that it was just the message that was off with the xbox one. But, 6 years into the generation we are seeing with our own eyes that the message was very much in line with Microsoft’s idea of what xbox is. The lack of first party games is not a message, its a lack of merit where games are not the focus. Sony is not doing that at all, but the author pretends like the message was the only difference and if Sony uses the word “entertainment” device then they are in the same place as xbox.

[Hardiman]

Yup I began questioning M$ during the 360 with 3 RRD's and more samey shooters and less Alan Wake's, Jade Emipre's and Stranger's Wraiths. The messaging of the Xbox One reveal did turn me off but it just showed me this wasn't the same Xbox brand that I'd been a fan of so I said no! Throughout this gen they've only reiterated what I saw coming years before.

If Sony were to stop allowing so much creative freedom and funding the games they fund and pushed PSVue or PS Now I'd be extremely worried and start checking out. But they aren't and no matter what features they offer, it's their focus on quality software that carrys them on!

[gravedigger]

WTF! Man, i would love to smoke same thing what author of this tried.

[rainslacker]

As far as I can tell, Sony primary focus for marketing on PS4 is, and always was the games. The "entertainment" features were there from the beginning, and while they mentioned them, and went into some detail about share play and their streaming stuff, that wasn't a primary focus. PSVue isn't a primary focus like MS did with their TV stuff. And their music channel has been around since the early PS3 days on the console. Netflix, or other streaming services aren't made a big deal about. So on and so forth.

So, nope. Sony isn't making the same mistakes MS did. They are actually doing those services right, by just making them an added service to a game device.

[LandoCalrissiano]

They can barely even allow you to change your name and if you do there's a chance it could break everything. The pro can't even play 4k discs. There's no foresight.

[KickSpinFilter]

Congrats, 1. No foresight on one being able to change their username for sure was a bonehead move. Realizing most stream/download movies is some foresight for a saving measure on a stop gap device is actually a good move, even if I don’t completely agree with it.

But the biggest and most damaging lack of foresight this gen is MS lack of exclusives, especially SP options.

[DarXyde]

I don't know about that.

I don't think they're making that mistake now, but Kuturagi just kept saying things that made it seem like he wanted to destroy Playstation 3 before it launched.

As long as they keep a consistent message and don't describe future hardware as "a supercomputer", "capable of 4D", or utilizing HDMI so powerful that "it produces colors invisible to the naked eye", they should be okay. PS4 has had a very positive message.

Microsoft had a pretty bad message themselves where if you're not on board with Xbox One, go buy an Xbox 360.

Sometimes, I have to wonder if these people give any thought before speaking.

I don't think Sony or Microsoft will go into next generation being so careless.

[ShadowWolf712]

That moment when there really is a Supercomputer made of PS3s.
https://phys.org/news/2010-...

[DarXyde]

ShadowWolf712,

Kuturagi said it is "A supercomputer". As in, one PS3 constitutes supercomputer status. No. Definitely not. Not even close.

You need an army of PS3's to do supercomputer computation... just like virtually every other piece of computing technology that isn't a supercomputer on its own.

I worry about people who defend that kind of rhetoric. It is what it is, and a supercomputer, PS3 is not.

[rainslacker]

At the time, it most certainly did meet super computer status.

For the time, the raw processing power of the console is what gave it super computer status. That is what he was referring to. The reason for that classification is due to international trade agreements which decide how to levy taxes and fees on imports exports, and dictate how such things need to be classified for tacking which countries have what kind of power. Super comouters are regulated differently.

So, he didn't lie, although the way the systems were used wasn't for that purpose, unless you count that cloud processing thing they did for research.

These classifications are still in effect, and would apply to many high end computers due to the gpu power within some builds. But it only applies to actual built systems, not individual components.

None of the current systems meet requirement to meet this classification.

[Muzikguy]

I really don't understand where these crazy comparisons are coming from. PS2 wasn't called a gaming console and it's been like that ever since. Personally I didn't like that but Sony NEVER lost track of putting games first. That's the most important thing right there. Did this opinion writer say the same about the PS3 and PS4? One would be crazy to think that Sony is doing the same things that MS has done. That's not how they got where they are in the industry

[jlove4life]

You sir are the real Mvp

[sprinterboy]

Exactly, Colin moriarty mentioned on sacred symbol we expect all the chat, mp, entertainment stuff anyway netflix, youtube etc.
There is no need to talk about it on stage as we know it will have it anyway. Just talk about the games.

[rainslacker]

What I love most is that Sony may mention some feature as part of a bigger reveal, or part of a small segment in a show, or maybe the rare random tweet, and that is somehow equated to be the same big push ms does for similar products, where they use all the methods above for months on end.

I think the proof that there is a tangible difference between Sony and ms is easily evidenced by a lot of these articles. The sheer number of articles which seem completely oblivious to what Sony has available already, versus what ms promises in the future, yet for me it's how they're going to win the next gen. Most recent example being the kb/mouse support.

[Traecy]

PREACH!!

[neutralgamer1992]

Main difference between Sony and ms are games. Sony understood early on games matter while ms recently realized they maybe important to their long term success

Sony can make all the blunders but you can always be assured of the fact playstation home consoles will recieve excellent software support. Ps3 started worst tgah Xbox one yet by the end ps3 had caught up to Xbox 360 yet Xbox one couldn't even stay within striking distance. That in itself proves the different of approach. One thing I will give ms is they stuck it out unlike Nintendo who simply gave up on wiiu and released the switch and charged everyone full price for wiiu ports

[bluefox755]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is just another variation of those "How Xbox is poised to DOMINATE next gen!" articles, lol.

[OB1Biker]

Indeed, but the article here is so full of inaccuracies and stupidity that I wonder if the author tried to write a satire on a Saturday night for the lol
If they want to Ms pr then they could at least put some effort into it.

[Nyxus]

No they're not.

[ginganinja]

oops, are you hearing this Nintendo...

[porkChop]

Huh? How does this have anything to do with Nintendo? Nintendo didn't make an "entertainment" system, the Switch is literally just games. The only entertainment it has is YouTube and Hulu in the US.

[Razzer]

I agree. Switch isn't remotely in the same ballpark as Xbox One and PS4 as far as non-gaming entertainment. If anything Switch needs more entertainment services, imo. They are the other extreme.

[ginganinja]

nEs ?
snEs ?
It's literally in the name. I was making the joke that maybe if it hadn't been those consoles might have been successful..

[EpicFruityPie]

I thought gaming was entertainment?

[porkChop]

Oh lol. I see what you're getting at.

[Razzer]

lol....went right over my head.

[-Foxtrot]

The difference with Microsoft and the Xbox was that's all they were focusing on while saying it was a entertainment console.

[Razzer]

This guy has no business writing about the gaming industry. Here is an outline of his article:

1) Rehash console industry history
2) Bring up the "cross-play debacle".....again! lol....not even remotely related to the point at all.
3) Rehash xbox one launch
4) Finally.....get to the point of the article.

"Sony trying to convert its very popular gaming service into an "entertainment" service demonstrates a lack of understanding about why people love PlayStation. It handles gaming very well, and attempts to broaden that are likely to be balked at by its most loyal users. "

lol....convert? What is he talking about? Gaming consoles have had movies and music services available since last gen. The author is equating this to the Xbox One launch where "TV TV TV" was not only the focus, but it was actually integrated into the hardware.

Conversely....

"Mr. Yoshida wants to make better use of the company’s online PlayStation Network as a way to bring Sony movies, shows and music directly to consumers."
https://www.nytimes.com/201...

Not the same thing at all. Bringing more of the companies music and movies assets to PSN is expanding existing services. How is that a "conversion"?

And the primary point of all this.....

Yoshida "plans to use the high-profile platform to showcase Sony movies, television shows and music. He plans to telegraph that not only will his Sony not exit any of these businesses, it will make them a priority as his predecessors have not. "

[stuckNhere4Good]

Thanks for the rundown, and the link to Yoshida. By the way, the folks over in Redmond had "TV, TV, TV" on their brains more than a decade before the XBO's reveal... https://archive.li/LNNYp ... Smh *chortle*

[rainslacker]

Ms was actually one of the first companies to put forth the idea of a smart tv which would use the internet to deliver content.

But like smart phones, they failed to realize that potential, and now they are not even part of that market., so Bill Gates dream of having Windows on every computer device failed in a spectacular way in what will be the 2nd largest market for OS and services in the future, the first being mobile phones, which they already failed out of, which is why they're now going back to live.com being so important.

It's one reason they do want Xbox to remain relevant, because it's the only way they can really access that tv market, and is a huge reason why they tried to redefine that experience with the x1. If it had been successful, they probably would have been able to get a leg up on a new class of smart tv. Something Sony tried to make happen on a smaller scale with psnow.

Can't fault ms for trying, but like so many things in their history, they come in late, and lack follow through, or greatly misjudge how people will adopt their ideas. I do give them props for surface making something of itself though. It's one place they saw a need, and adapted quickly to deliver.

[AspiringProGenji]

PS4 is not a glorified cable box so...

NO

[SCW1982]

All I could think during this whole article was this persons sounds like someone who knows absolutely nothing about the industry and is talking out the ass.

[Rude-ro]

Or getting paid to

[The Wood]

Both

[Hardiman]

Yeah the big difference here is the exclusive games, more to the point the quality and quantity of said exclusives. Also the relationship they have with their devs and it's daylight and dark. Creative freedom is a wonderful thing! I know how I felt about M$ from 09 to 13 and how I was just growing frustrated and I feel the exact opposite now as it pertains to Sony!

[StormLegend]

Another bot that doesn't have a clue what he's talking about or what's going on. We all love features but we love games more. It's nothing wrong with both and Sony has both.

[sampsonon]

what? making AAA games? HAHAHA!

[Father__Merrin]

The ps4 is a video game console that has the best games on it and has been the goto console this generation.

I will add this website to the usual gamingbolt/twin finite dribble we read on here

[FallenAngel1984]

“When Microsoft introduced the Xbox One in 2013, it was the industry leader in video game consoles with the Xbox 360.”

Xbox 360 was in last place in 2013. The slowest selling console of a generation can’t be considered the industry leader, especially when it got classed in every region outside of North America and UK.

“The PlayStation 4 went on to dominate, but now Sony is making the same mistakes that Microsoft did back in 2013.”

PS4 is still the system that sells the most and receives the most exclusives unlike with Xbox 360 in 2013.

“Microsoft's Xbox 360 became the standard-bearer for video game consoles of its generation.”

Not even. PS3 started becoming the lead platform for a number of games during its latter years and its software library started far exceeding 360’s in its golden years. Plus various things we take for granted now this generation started on PS3 just like with 360.

“Microsoft's Xbox One is doing fine, just like the PlayStation 3 did, but it's a distant second place to Sony's PS4.”

Don’t try to lump PS3 in with XO. Before the end of its fifth year PS3 had already sold 56 million units whereas Xbox One reportedly sold between 41-43 million by the ends of its fifth year. Plus PS3 had always sold at a faster rate day one than its direct competition compared to XO always selling slower than its direct competition.

“With such a huge lead, it's Sony's game to lose”

Thanks to PlayStation always have superior global appeal than Xbox, there will never be a time when a Sony console will lose to a Microsoft console. Sony’s least selling home console still sold better than Microsoft’s best console despite all the advantages the latter had.

[Hardiman]

It's like the author was in an alternate reality! Just look at the IP's Sony got out of last gen compared to M$. We got Uncharted, Resistance, Heavy Rain, Infamous, The Last of Us and Demon Souls which lead to the resurgence of hardcore gaming in Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Nioh and Sekiru. We got some new icons and great games out of the PS3! To me there's no comparison!

[SkippyPaccino]

2018: Sony releases over a dozen exclusives

3 weeks into 2019 : "Will Sony ever release a game again? They're getting cocky and we might as well all burn our playstations and buy an Xbox because there's not enough days left in the year for Sony to release or show us anything new"

We gotta love these doom & gloom articles..

[SixFragz]

Oh no...

This is the demise of the PS4's supreme reign. I can only imagine how Sony managed to screw up having the most successful console of this gaming generation. There needs to be an investigation.

Huh. Shame.

/s

[rainslacker]

This seems very reminiscent of all the doom and gloom articles of last gen, which started at the start of the gen and lasted about halfway through, then kind of died down for a while, only to see some more crop up in the last year of the console as if Sony was going to fail miserably this gen.

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting new results. Given that these articles seem to be about trying to build up MS, and bring down Sony, expecting some new result does seem to border on insanity. Alternatively, Sony keeps doing the same thing over and over, getting the same result, which is pretty good for me, because I am liking the games they're bringing, and 3rd party is great, espcially when you disregard the rather stale high profile AAA 3rd party market which is going downhill.

[CP_Company]

this article is bs. no real facts or reality, just some delusional dude. what is he using? write a piece of trash like this, you have to use something really strong.

and these trash articles get approved so fast. articles from PS4 side get delayed by days and sometimes never approved.

[Hardiman]

It's so strange how the powerful companies have the stroke to fan the smoke of all these "concerned " articles as I call them! It's like politics. Good thing there's actual facts that easily put the fire out. Well except for the sheep.

[masterfox]

Slow day in the article department I see, so why not throw a nonsense / dumb article in there. :D

[Vanfernal]

Yeah, don't do things like like call something the Nintendo ENTERTAINMENT System and save a dying industry. This guy is an idiot and doesn't know anything about the gaming industry. It's ENTERTAINMENT.

[PhoenixUp]

Wow the author is really trying to relate crossplay with the controversy generated from Xbox One’s reveal.

“In early 2013, Microsoft's Xbox 360 was still the most popular and best-selling game console in the world. Not only was it the sales leader, but the Xbox brand had gaming's evangelists - the so-called "core" gaming audience - on its side.”

Lolwut? First of all the Wii was the best selling console of that generation.

Second throughout 2013 we had news that PlayStation 3 finally outsold Xbox 360.

https://m.ign.com/articles/...
http://www.vgchartz.com/art...

By November both consoles passed the 80 million mark with 1 of them doing it in 1 year less time.

Lastly PS3 had far more core gamers on its side thanks to wide array of exclusives & PS+ service. Sony was going into the next generation in a far better position than Microsoft because of the goodwill they generated in the latter of years of their 7th gen console.

“Sony trying to convert its very popular gaming service into an "entertainment" service demonstrates a lack of understanding about why people love PlayStation.”

Have you been living under a rock? Sony has always marketed their consoles as “computer entertainment systems” in all of their advertising since the PS1 era and consumers never had an issue with it. After all why would they when PlayStation consoles always garner the most quality software every generation, especially in its golden years?

People often love the multimedia functions that Sony’s systems have and the people that don’t just ignore it, so there’s no negative in having nongaming applications on consoles. Let us not forget that there was a time when PS3 was the most used Netflix device.

http://www.mtv.com/news/246...

Yet that didn’t stop anybody’s enjoyment of PS3 as a gaming console.

[Silly gameAr]

People are waiting for Sony to slip up, but until then, they'll keep coming up with dumb reason as to why Sony will fail. foh already.

[rainslacker]

Even if Sony slipped up, it's have to be a catastrophic fail for it to have the effect that we see posited in the articles of late. Sony could not have any of the features that people are saying will win next gen, even though they have them now. They could disregard and back pedal on cross play, even removing it for pc games. They could likely remove all media functions, and even go to proprietary optical drive it not include a UMD drive. They could probably release a very powerful system at $600 which would put ms at a disadvantage or cause ms to have to wait longer to release their console. They could even keep their censorship policy, or beef it up some more to include more "inapprpriate" material, and they will still beat me next gen.

You just don't come off a 6 year high for the generation in terms of customer satisfaction, which followed the 3-4 years they started building that reputation to higher levels than in their entire history, and have everything come crashing down because their competitor decides to say they might have some stuff in the future, when all anyone can do is call them out on their failings.

The market just doesn't work like that. It would take a tremendous effort of marketing for ms to change peoplepeipkrs perceptions for next gen. It won't be the features. It'll be the marketing and current brand satisfaction /reputations. Two things Sony has been out doing ms on all gen, and that hasn't changed except Sony had actually improved on both those fronts the past few years, while ms scrambles to try and get people's attention.

[Inzo]

"Microsoft's Xbox 360 became the standard-bearer for video game consoles of its generation, and it remained that way"

WHAT! Sony gifted MS a year head start and a problematic PS3 launch and the PS3 still ended up crushing the 360. Sorry Business insider but xbox has always just been along for the ride. With the exception of the Wii , the PS has always been the front runner in the console market spanning almost 25 years.

[Potnoodle999]

Haha don’t be silly. Sony have been doing this for 25 years, they’ve gotten pretty good at it now...

[FanboysKiller]

Are you a gamer? Did you know gaming is the best form of entertainment weirdo.

[RosweeSon]

The difference is PS4 is a games console with entertainment features being added on like 360/PS3 did. Xb1 came out the gates with entertainment no games and 4-5 years later still lacking in games. PS4 is first and foremost a games console

[EpicFruityPie]

So a console I use to entertain myself isn't an entertainment device? What am I missing? Does it have to have all this media apps to be an "entertainment device?
I thought ps4 last I checked had Netflix, youtube, Spotify and more that I don't use
Can someone explain this to me?

[badz149]

Dumb article is dumb

[Ratchet75]

Wimp. Businessinsidetheirpocket.
😔😔😔&# 128532;.
Trash the competition through so called journalist is just wrong especially when your brand is only surviving on one continent.
This as to stop.
🤔🤔🤔

[timlot]

Please, Sony is untouchable. You think us warriors are just going to go away? Team blue till I'm blue.

[Nacho_Z]

Personally cross play means zero to me so I'm discounting that as an issue.

I see no indications whatsoever that Sony are backing off from producing a range of quality exclusives so I've got no concerns there either. This might be the right time for Sony to branch out but just because Microsoft ballsed it up it doesn't mean that they will. There's always one front runner who does things better than the opposition and let's face it that's been Sony for a while.

[Mr_Writer85]

There is a HUGE difference between, having other services on your console as additional services.

And MS's original TV TV TV pitch.

If Sony do an hour long conference and spend 5 minutes talking about new music and video services and 55 minutes showing off games that appeal to all types of gamers.

Literally no one (other than fanboys and trolls) would say that having that other stuff isn't a bonus.

I'd only worry if it was 5 minutes of limited appeal games and 55 minutes on other entertainment.

[victorMaje]

Is it just me or am I seeing quite a few articles lately about how Microsoft is poised to take back next gen & Sony is doomed? Even though Sony is about to unleash on us a series of SP gems?

[OffRoadKing]

Welcome to N4G.

[Lilrizky]

The article is missing the point. Regardless of what a company calls their console, Sony has games.

[Kakashi Hatake]

Man, all these articles trying to create a narrative. No cross platform connection being compared to always online, really? Sony not wanting to give their competitors a leg up is them being arrogant? MS is pretty relentless with these articles lol.

[jairusmonillas]

Nothing new here, Just another sponsored paid article by team xbox (ofcourse they won't make it that obvious). lol

[Latex74]

I have a great single player game over any multiplayer game but maybe it's because I'm old and that's all there was at one point

[KickSpinFilter]

Let me put it this way...Love Mp, love SP.
If let’s say next Generation it was only SP, if still play. If next gen was only MP I’d pack it up as a hobby.

[roboteye]

The media really want the next xbox to win don't they?

[jznrpg]

Just the media paid by Ms

[zodiac909]

"360 was the industry leader by 2013"....even though ps3 sales were ahead at the time...

It must be Saturday for an article like this to be on N4G.

[zodiac909]

"Sony is far from the position that Microsoft was in during that first year of the Xbox One's life, but recent signs point to exactly the type of shift we saw at Microsoft before the launch of the Xbox One."

Expect it seems like the only console of the 2 with exclusives...
Does the person who wrote this article know anything going on with the industry??

[DVAcme]

Sony could call it a "fur-covered toilet" for all I care, it's still the best exclusive games console, period. Microsoft might claim they're all about the games now, but the facts speak for themselves.

By the way, I'm watching NXT TakeOver from my "entertainment device" right now, so hey, it does that well too.

[neomahi]

Ha ha ha ha hah, right.

[Shakengandulf]

Another trash article... common thing lately.

[Game-o-holic]

hmmmm. Click bait.

[rob-GP]

Pathetic article. Sony is a gaming cooler first, the PSVue comes second and offers high quality content over in America (also brings them a lot of cash)

The Xbox was a media centre first and gaming console second. That’s a massive difference

[tochi]

Actually, Sony is duplicating exact same strategy they used prior to PS4 launch. Finishing final year of the console with a bang. This is why we are expecting a lot of exclusives from their reputable studios in this year, right?
Ironically, it is Microsoft who is making the same mistake almost killed XBOX. They are finishing final year of the console with no game.

PS4 has proven that the beginning of new console generation is a relay. The momentum of finishing runner allows you to run fast at the beginning. PS4 is trying to run fast as possible before passing baton to PS5. On the other hand, XBone is walking and hoping that XBtwo will come to take a baton. Obviously, XBtwo will not be able to run fast at the beginning.

I wonder why so-called journalist cannot see this obvious pattern and wrote such a ignorant article.

[Orionsangel]

It's Sony's turn to screw up their launch.

Sony screwed up the PS3 launch with the $599 price tag and Riiidge Racer and Giant Enemy Crabs and the bad luck Spider-Man movie font for the Playstation 3 logo on the console.

Then next gen the Xbox One screwed their launch when they announced the console had to always be online to play games and after gamers whined about it they had to reverse course, but the damage was done.

Your turn to screw up your launch PS5.

[Scar-]

Why don't people ever mention the wiiu???? Its like people just want to pretend it didn't happen because it was Nintendo.

[toyzombie]

All consoles now are entertainment systems. The problem is when a company focuses to much in the "entertainment" department instead on the gaming part. Sony did this with the PS3... and Microsoft did this with the Xbox One.

[jznrpg]

Sony had/s an amazing library of games for PS3 over its entire lifetime . Xbox 360 stopped making new IP when the Kinect came out because it made a lot of money years before the end of the gen and I put my Xbox in the closet . That’s another reason they lost so many people. They ditched the OG Xbox really fast and then they ditched the 360 halfway through and that was enough for me and I’m sure a lot of people. The reveal of Xbox 1 just confirmed my suspicions of what they really were going for but I never had intended to buy one after buying the first 2 systems anyway

[Rachel_Alucard]

Sony for its first year or 2 had nothing good in exclusives on PS3. As soon as Kinect came out the tables flipped and MS stopped caring about releasing games outside of Halo, Gears, etc.

[Chocoburger]

I don't understand why you would say that. Uncharted 1, MGS 4, Ridge Racer 7 (severely underappreciated!), Motorstorm, and Folklore are all exclusives and all came out within the first two years of PS3. There's plenty more I'm forgetting.

[Rachel_Alucard]

And nobody bought them until the price drop way later and the only game on that list that sold consoles was MGS4 which was 2008.

[OffRoadKing]

Is the entirety of game journalism just a bunch of clueless morons now?

[Pantz]

Sony has managed to do pretty well even without including a 4K blu-ray drive in their consoles. I don't think calling it an entertainment device will hurt them either way.

[Silly gameAr]

When 4K becomes common place, I'm sure Sony will include it. Doesn't seem very important right now.

[Pantz]

Yeah it's weird, 1440p seems to be the most popular content right now.

[ILostMyMind]

@Pantz
The most popular "content" right now is 1080p and the PlayStation 4, both of them, is doing It very well.

[Pantz]

@ILostMyMind games like God of War and Spider-Man

[ziggurcat]

please cite one game on the PS4 Pro that required a UHD blu-ray drive.

[Pantz]

???? I never said anything like that. I almost said the opposite of that. They are the #1 most sold console even without having a 4K blu-ray drive. I think you misread something.

[derek]

And another one!

[bigmalky]

Oh, f.ck right off now.

[AK91]

Business and Insider? I’m sorry but who?

[ufo8mycat]

Wait what?
Games, YouTube, Netflix and other streaming services are some of the things the PS4 can do. Isn’t that entertainment?

[Clarence]

Ah this guy is leaving out one key factor, the Xbox 360 had year headstart in the US and a year and a half headstart in the UK. The PS3 was $600 and sold faster than the Xbox 360. The PS3 also surpassed the 360 before the last gen ended. Meaning the
Wii was first followed by the PS3 then the 360 in last placed.

As long as Sony PS keeps making top exclusive they will remain in good standing.

[Miacosa]

Fake News.

[HighPlayer28]

I'm really getting tired of these dumb ass articles as an Xbox fan. Microsoft would not be in this position if they had more high quality exclusives and knew their core fanbase at launch. Sony is not in any trouble at all right now they have the momentum going into next gen just like Microsoft did with 360. Its up to Sony to keep the momentum or royally mess up again. Anything can happen next gen all it takes is a bad launch from either brand and the people will switch to the most consumer friendly console with great ips.

[Ristul]

*Article sponsorer by Microsoft*

[jznrpg]

Huh? More of the crap trying to convince people to leave Sony but nobody falls for it, they deliver games

[Chocoburger]

According to article:
"When Microsoft introduced the Xbox One in 2013, it was the industry leader in video game consoles with the Xbox 360."

Excuse me? By what metric, exactly? Wii was the #1 selling platform, PS3 out sold the 360 world wide. Near the end of the console lives, Sony was dropping hits like Uncharted 3, the Last of Us, Puppeteer and more. MS was dropping misses with Gears Judgement, Halo 4, and plenty of Kinect games no one wanted. So how exactly is the house that built Kinect viewed as the "industry leader"?

"Microsoft's Xbox One is doing fine, just like the PlayStation 3 did"

This is an entirely different scenario than the early PS3 days where Sony took a beating. Xbox One is getting out sold over 2:1, PS3 was not getting out sold, it was much closer to 1:1 sales. You can't compare the two at all. Last gen, PS3 surpassed 360, but it was very close. This gen, one system is clearly getting walloped.

He then goes on to talk about cross-play with Fortnite, which was been resolved! How are we still holding this over Sony's head, when the article itself makes it clear it is no longer an issue? Feels like its padding out the length of the article for the sake of trying to make it seem like it can truly build a case argument.

Finally, he balks at the idea that Sony movies, music will have a closer relationship on PSN. But they've already had music and movies on PSN since the PS3 era. I don't remember anyone complaining about optional music and movie services. He completely misses the reason why we were upset with Microsoft back in 2013. GAMING COMES FIRST! MS didn't put gaming first, so we revolted against a terrible concept. Sony has put GAMING FIRST on PS4, and everything else is secondary. This is how it should be.

This is either another paid article, or someone concern trolling to rack up some website hits. :/

[Godmars290]

Sony making kinect mandatory for the PS5?

[Sevir]

First off MS 's marketing was what caused their headache when they first announced the XBO, everyone knows the PS4 is a games console first. That provides a myriad of options to enjoy entertainment. I don't see how, in year 5, 91 million PS4s sold that they are going to blunder or botch their marketing when it's worked for 5 years straight.

Foolish editorial piece 😑

[Snappy]

They do realise that the PS3 eventually outsold the 360 by a few units don’t they?

[Einhander1971]

Single player games end up in the bargain bin!! Don’t make me laugh. I think you’ll find most of the multiplayer shit ends up there, with no substance other than running around aimlessly. And in years to come when the servers get shut down I may as well use the disc as a tea Coster. And the box as a door stop.

[UltimateOwnage]

These articles keep trying to paint MS as the next gen winner in advance. Nice try. Being too ubiquitous wasn’t the the blunder that cost MS this generation, it was trying to shove DRM and GaaS into every game purchase, killing used game sales and requiring always online to play even SP games. And yet, despite that decision costing them this generation they’re not only doubling down on that approach, they’re tripling down with Gamepass, Playanywhere and supposedly launching a diskless console next gen... It seems to be MS is putting their shareholders first and repeating the same mistakes over again, not Sony.

[ILostMyMind]

Microsoft is again killing and burying its XB console long before the end of the circle, as they have always done. XBox is the most disposable console in history.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Really? Sony hasn't made that blunder dude

[Dragonscale]

Article is a joke lol.

[spambot0815]

Always online and camera without a good reason like vr killed xbox one not labeling it as entertainment device. + xbox never had a real console selling must have exclusive.

[WelkinCole]

What the F did I just read? "Sony trying to convert its very popular gaming service into an "entertainment" service demonstrates a lack of understanding about why people love PlayStation. It handles gaming very well, and attempts to broaden that are likely to be balked at by its most loyal users"

It ain't Sony trying to push GAAS or MP games that are open to Micro transactions

Its Sony the only one still pushing Single player games exclusives even this late in the Gen.

What the F did I just read?

[mike32UK]

I'm sorry I don't remember a time when Microsoft were selling 2.5x more consoles world wide than Sony with such a large roster of exclusive titles.

[Gigglefist]

But it IS an entertainment device. I play plenty of games, sure, but it's also my YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll box. Bad article is bad

[Shikoku]

Um I see everyone arguing in the comments but you've all forgot the reason it really floundered on launch cause I saw no one bring it up. Force hardware (kinects), 100$ more expensive but weaker, required internet check in to game(every 24hrs) and DRM used game fee crap. The positioning of it as a cable box was due to the failed deal with Comcast and their X1 affinity service. How quickly people forget.

@rangerwalker
Games with MP focus hit the margin bin quicker pal if that MP is craptastic like Battlefront 1 and 2 or CoD and battlefield so stop pretending they don't. Not everyone cares about leader boards and little ego prop ups man.

[bluefox755]

Really? Another Xbox fluff piece?

[Thundercat77]

Article is pure garbage. It shows how little understanding of Playstation the writer has.

[AmUnRa]

And there is the next Sony is doomed article.🙄
zquiresoff and chrisx and Apocalypse Shadow are right on the spot, with what the where writing, spot on. Nothing but the true.

[sampsonon]

the writer s a fool. if i have to explain why, you didn't read the article.

[Uglyday]

Yawn, Bill Murray was good in Groundhog Day. Video game “journalists” not so much.

[Nodoze]

Incorrect. Mattrick and team went full retard on the entertainment box for the Xbox 1 launch. Sony has not, and will not do this.

[ProGengu]

What a dumb article. What Sony is doing is nothing at all what Microsoft attempted to do. And if the poster is so upset at the word entertainment then I guess Nintendo made a mistake calling their system the Nintendo Entertainment System to begin with.

[JesusBuiltmyHotrod]

BWHAHA, this article reads l;ike it was written by Statham or BRaier on Resetera, both massive xbox trolls. The US media having a hard time this gen, getting desperate. Total and utter nonsense.

[Elda]

The PS4 is a gaming entertainment system but it caters games first & foremost.

[Germaximus]

100% agree. I don't think this means PlayStation is all of the sudden going to suck but yes this is exactly why many of us couldn't stand the Xbox One announcements and such. Nobody will ever forget "tv tv tv tv tv tv tv tv tv tv."

[sprinterboy]

After reading the entire article it states cross play? How's that making the same mistakes that hobbled MS?
It also states Sony are not listening? Games from Sony speak louder than words, there listening alright (we like games). When was the last time you heard Sony mention anything other than gaming like sports, TV etc, never that's right.
They talk games, this year and nxt yr will be the ps4 Swan song of the generation before ps5 leases with tlou pt2, GoT and death stranding.

[Yourworld]

You can call it an "Entertainment device" But don't design it like one.

Microsoft decided to brag about the 3 OS system, and the fact they can have TV that plays through it. Those are the blunders. "Calling it's an "entertainment device" isn't a blunder. Hell The NES was the Entertainment SYSTEM not a Console specifically because Entertainment System sounded better at the time.

Sony is more than fine where they are at right now, but that's why I don't go to Business Insider to get my video game news. Not to mention the entire article is poorly written focusing on everything but what he really wanted to say.

[madpuppy]

This is a stupid article, First Business insider and it's contributors Should know better than to paint it's opinions with such a large brush. Sony and Microsoft are two very different companies with different corporate philosophies, Sony is a customer driven manufacturer of consumer and Professional products, they cater to the needs of their customer base and know that there are alternatives to what they have to offer, thus they learned to compete in a normal business environment. Microsoft, on the other hand has grown in a bizarre atypical business environment. being a virtual monopoly and sole distributor of the pervasive MsDos and later Windows operating system, they had no real competition, thus could dictate what it provided to it's customer base without fear of losing market share to a competing product. MS as well used every bit of it's power to either buy or crush any company that even remotely tried to enter any markets they were interested in entering. Until the console gaming market, MS does what is always does while entering a new market, it gives the illusion of being better than the incumbents while promising a pie in the sky future (eg: cloud processing) once they think they have enough power and influence in that market, they try to dictate terms to it's customers ( The Xbox1 debacle, trying to take complete control of the used gaming market and restricting users with forced always connected hourly checks to verify ownership of software, essentially constantly treating the customer like a potential criminal.) Also, pushing, as it's main features, everything that the average gaming consumer is not looking for as a main feature for their console purchase. That is what Microsoft wanted the Xbox1 To be and tried to force it on it's customers. Ms wanted to get into being a content creator and broadcaster and was trying to force it's customer base to tow the line.
As for Sony....well, They have been in the console gaming industry for a long time and knows what sells and what they need to do to get those sales. They know what they are doing (most of the time)
games first, everything else is a feature that adds value to the console. (EG; PSnow, PSvue ect.) MS did it backwards (except the dumped on games and gamers on top of that) and ate a big offal sandwich in the process.

[nucky64]

i don't think sony is making any mistake - call it a game console or entertainment device or blender - i don't care. what i DO care about is games - and sony delivers. that's all i need to know.

[GoodnessGreatness]

Well Playstation sure knows how to make an excellent entertainment device.

[Exvalos]

Nothing wrong with adding features to the ps5, I dont know who at Microsoft cut you a check to write this article, but Sony is nowhere near making the same mistakes Microsoft did.

[RDF]

Huh? Wait..___.What?

[jojo319]

Hubris has bitten all three companies in a major way at least once. As gamers we should hope that they have all learned from their past blunders. Usually it means the gamers win. Lets face it, companies rarely do much to improve unless faced with competition. Look at the DS for example. No real competition, so they just kept releasing the same system in a different shape for a decade. The benefits of having all three companies healthy far out-weigh the negatives. Far more than having one dominant company would. I own all three (my preferred is unimportant), but I get it when "your" company has a big "win". It feels great. But does anybody really think that if Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo got out of the gaming business, it would benefit us? Not in a million years. Having them push each other is what makes it great.

[madpuppy]

I agree mainly with your assertion that Competition is a good thing for the consumer, and I agree that companies do and will make missteps, I do disagree that they are all equal in their mistakes and their ability to learn from them. Because of differing corporate philosophy's each company conducts business in different ways, I think Microsoft, specifically, has the worst one of the three, followed by Nintendo and then Sony. Microsoft wants to not just lead an industry, they tend to want to take sole control of an industry, competition is something to be eliminated so they can have total control of that sector and can stop catering to customers and start dictating what the customer will have to accept, you saw some of that with the release of the Xbox1 and Ms' attempt to usurp and destroy the used gaming market, and the addition of adding broad restrictions on how you played and what you did with your games. This is the "pushing the industry into the future" that Microsoft dreams of, they want the customer to get used to these restrictions and eventually roll out "software as a service" rather than you buy a license and have unrestricted access to that software, eventually Microsoft wants to "license" all it's software products as a monthly or annually paid service. I, frankly think that the console gaming industry is to robustly protected from Microsoft's attempts at this because the other console makers don't rely on Microsoft technology to conduct business. If they did Microsoft would eat away at them like a cancer and destroy the industry as we know it.

[jackdaddy]

You might want to fact check. Sony rarely make 'mistakes'...