Sony PlayStation Soaring Amid Industry Decline in Consumer Spend

With less money being spent on games, the console leader is showing what it takes to maintain gamers’ interests.

[Jin_Sakai]

Great games will do that.

[blackblades]

Popularity, name and knowing what they are doing will do that

[jznrpg]

They wouldn’t be popular without the great exclusive games and great hardware.
MS could be in the same boat as PS if they made games these last 20 years and didn’t rely only on buying games .

[S2Killinit]

Yes, and their name, or “good will”, was created by continuously delivering the best games. Not one or two, here and there, or in a major push, but continuously and systematically delivering to the point that people know they are in for a good time.

[fr0sty]

Just scored my PSVR2... I like the payment plan they offer, even to people with terrible post-COVID concert/festival industry worker credit like myself. Half up front, $100 every 2 weeks from there. Makes it much more reasonable.

[ravens52]

I got mine on Klarna. $146.60 every two weeks. I have the money to buy it out right, but $586.43 is a lot and I'd rather pay in increments as I get paid. Makes it seem like less money spent, even tho it's not lol. Also I haven't had VR since my Psvr1. I love it.

[SullysCigar]

Great games and great hardware. We're still in Q1 and PlayStation already launched a high-end controller and cutting-edge VR headset, both to high acclaim. Looking forward to Switchback and Burning Shores very soon, too.

[RaiderNation]

You'd think it was some big secret lol.

[badz149]

apparently, it is. MS had to get their lawyers to subpoena Sony for it

[Thundercat77]

Buying big games to keep them from other platforms and making 10 years deals to put those games on platforms no one knows will do that...

Oh wait....

[MoonConquistador]

It seems like some people are just blind to sarcasm when you don't mark your own posts as such (looking at you Chris)

Sad times

[TheCaptainKuchiki]

Something Microsoft Corporation™ is yet to understand.

[The Wood]

So much for being anti consumer. Weird to hear some faux complaining year on year about brands clearly doing better than their preferred choice. The shift in excuses and slight of hand as to why the demand and support of the ps in this case is higher both baffles and amuses me. These brands aren't equal

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Great games is key

[883]

Well, that and finally having consoles (widely) available after over two years... People wanted a PS5, they just had more of a challenge getting one until now. This is great.

[jonny897]

This is why Microsoft should acquire Activision, Ubisoft, Capcom, CDPR, Sega and EA

[italiangamer]

🤣 You forgot Valve, Square Enix, Embracer and Tencent 🦍

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

Yep the only way for MS to compete is to buy every publisher in existence apparently. Otherwise you don't like competition.

[EvertonFC]

Even then MS don't know how to run them

[XBManiac]

But... then... they'd compete with themselves... Well, they could loose too.

[anast]

The would turn them all into mobile games.

[The Wood]

The rich dweeb that can't get a girl then buys a Ferrari in order to compete against the alpha's

Who's playbook does that sound similar to

[Knushwood Butt]

Then crashes the Ferrari because they can't drive worth a ****.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

@The Wood,
It wouldn't be very Chad of Microsoft to buy everything.

[Redemption-64]

Funny thing is, if Sony keeps dominating Xbox even after the acquisition. I can literally see Microsoft trying to buy some of these publishers, using the excuse, look Sony is doing good, let us buy all these companies so we can compete.

[AmUnRa]

When the Activision Blizzard buyout is a bust, MS wil not ever get a change to buy a big publisher again...same for Sony....

[DarXyde]

Lazy c*nts have practically limitless resources and STILL can't figure out how to compete without purchasing publishers.

Granted, I know Xbox cannot utilize so if those resources, but they're very clearly in this space with a ton of money to burn.

I swear, they're like (or literally ARE) the stupidly wealthy guy who can't figure out how to survive on less than 10k a week.

Apologies, it really rubs me wrong when they float that "let us compete" nonsense.

[EvertonFC]

If playstation keeps dominating after the acquisition which they 110% will, then MS shareholders will just pull the plug on Xbox.
If they see no improvement with GP over the next 3 years it's game over for Xbox as they put all there eggs in one basket.

[Redemption-64]

@AmUnRa

Sony I believe is in a much better position to purchase a publisher than MS, as they have not purchased two publishers back to back like MS, especially Japanese publishers. Regulators would more than likely not approve such a purchase from Microsoft.

Honestly speaking I don't want Sony to purchase any publishers, they should focus more on buying smaller studios and develop them. That would be far more beneficial to Sony in the long run

[crazyCoconuts]

I really wish MS would stop escalating with these buyouts and focus on putting out good games with the huge number of teams they have. As gamers that's healthy competition that forces everyone to get better. Buying up the industry is unhealthy and anti-competitive because nothing new is really created... Things are just taken away

[Charlieboy333]

Even then Playstation would still put out the best games money can buy and still be the only console with VR.

[Vengeance1138]

Don't forget Apple, Google and Amazon!

[XBManiac]

And Nintendo... and Sony... and an dinosaur...

[MADGameR]

Microsoft cannever get CAPCOM because CAPCOM is a Japanese company, and to the other guy that said Square Enix, Square Enix is a Japanese company. CAPCOM and Square Enix will be aquired by SONY, mark my words.

[darkrider]

It's in demand

[shadowT]

great product, great games

[Hofstaderman]

People want the most bang for their buck. What the big hitters just on the horizon and Sonys track record, of course the going for a PS5.

[MrSec84]

I'll echo what others are saying below, Sony has actually bothered to make quality games for their platform, Nintendo obviously needs better hardware, but they bring the games and quality standards their platforms, which is why these two big players in the console industry are selling so well.

If Microsoft invested the money they're spending buying ZeniMax and Activision on creating new studios and hiring people that care about variety and quality of games then they would be in the mix too, but they don't.

[iivGHOST]

Yup thats all they need to do is make games, i miss the good ol 360 days.

[EvertonFC]

Unfortunately for Xbox gamers MS are just NOT willing to spend £150m on risky story driven AAA games that might bomb.

[MrSec84]

It doesn't have to be story driven, the games likely wouldn't bomb if they are made with care and you employ capable developers.
Invest in quality and you'll get quality.

[kneon]

The irony is that for what they are willing to spend on this aquisition they could have funded 300-500 AAA games.

[derek]

Focus on great AAA games for your customers and people will flock to the platform. Playstation/Nintendo understands this. Microsoft has made acquisitions and "affordable" gaming the main conversation around their platform, no wonder the xbox brand is failing

[Flewid638]

I've had GamePass PC for over a year now and I'm not gonna lie, the selection is forever wack. Sure....a handful of games have been worth it, but I've always found way more value on PSNow / PS+

[TheEnigma313]

makes sense. cheaper to buy a console and spend the money up front and entertain yourself at home instead of spending going out.

[aaronaton]

I think for those early adopters of the Series X/S, it's time to sell whilst the losses are at a minimum.

[Demetrius]

Series x is a powerful console shame it’s the only console being held back by Microsoft’s decisions it’s so simple stop canceling games and being so strict on creativity even the Nintendo switch is still getting games more than xbox

[The3faces]

I clicked this article expecting to read about playstation and I'm seeing nothing but comments about Xbox. Imagine my surprise lol

[Hofstaderman]

Then don’t jump on these articles or get a PS5, we won’t judge you.

[XBManiac]

And then, PSVR2 arrived to show others how to make money with VR.

[jackwei22]

Microsoft had the momentum during the Xbox 360 era but at the end of that console they kind of dropped off and haven't really had that same sort strength as they did during that console generation don't get me wrong Xbox one and Xbox Series have been great consoles but not as much impact as the Xbox 360 for me just my opinion. For me Xbox 360 is the best console they ever made for me in terms of games and experience.

[Bathyj]

One and Series have not been great consoles. Not even close.

[dnawesum]

As predatory and monopolising as the Activision acquisition is, in some ways I wish it would go through as it would force Sony to actually make a "COD killer" FPS shooter. And you know their development teams could do it if they put the time and effort into it.

[gold_drake]

Sony has good games, its rly that sinple.

[Youngindy21]

Whatever. Playstation just releases the same games over and over w/ a new coat of paint. At least Xbox is trying new things instead of releasing one hundred sequels/spinoffs.

[shinoff2183]

Eh try again. Xbox has games coming out that were coming to ps to. Starfield wasn't started under ms. RedfalL wasnt either. Ms isn't that creative lol.

All sonys games look the same. Sure buddy

[Doomeduk]

Take popular opinion and turn it on its head to get a reaction and sit back ..not worth the downvote chap

[Traecy]

This article is about PS not XB.

[Aloymetal]

''At least Xbox is trying new things instead of releasing one hundred sequels/spinoffs.''
Lmao! Forzazz,Gearzz and Halozz for the past 20 yrs...
Let's count how many new IP's Sony has vs Xbox, shall we???

[Ninver]

I think n4g hires randoms to make such ludicrous comments just to keep the flames going. No person in their right mind would agree with what you just spouted.

[ravens52]

Lmao. 🤣🤣🤣
🤣😂😂
Lol.

[anast]

It's by far the most entertaining platform. More often than not they recognize creativity and maximize it.

[Traecy]

You know who is never in these types of articles. I guess seeing this only makes them mad & cry...lol!

[Bathyj]

Orchard has been MIA since psvr2 launch. I hope he's alright.

[Hofstaderman]

@Bathyj I think he is posting under a different user name.

[Knushwood Butt]

What with the positive reception of PSVR2 it's difficult to push the 'niche' rants.

[X-23]

Surely this will all go away if they lose Call of Duty right?

[CrimsonWing69]

Consumer spend is on the decline? Is that because they’re waiting for games to go on sale?

[HyperMoused]

I still look forward to the day, Sony, MS and Nintendo all merge into one entity and deliver the MIcronyendo box..and we can all play together.

[Bathyj]

PlayStation is up while nearly everyone else is down.

This tells me what I already know. PlayStation is gamings shining light and for those of us that outgrew Nintendo, they are carrying gaming for the last decade.

[Dwarrior]

Here come all the stockholders.

[MrSec84]

Or maybe the gamers that have been satisfied with the many offerings for them will feel like praising a company making good products as PlayStation does IMO.

[Dwarrior]

Or maybe tribalism is destroying any semblance of civilized society and the fangirl arguments under every article are proving it one post at a time.

[Father__Merrin]

theres absolutely no doubt that gamers interests are with playstation and not xbox i blame gamepass