Microsoft’s latest Xbox One backtrack may have stripped the console of its original identity, but it puts the platform at price parity with the PlayStation 4 – and will once again heat up the console war. While Sony’s black behemoth has burst into the lead over the past six or so months since release, it’s done so at a much cheaper asking fee. However, following its competitor’s decision to unbundle the controversial Kinect camera, the Japanese giant will now be forced to compete on a much flatter playing field. What, then, does the organisation need to do to maintain its next-gen lead?
Keep calm and carry on
You should never fix what isn’t broken, and Sony executives will need to take that statement to heart over the coming months. While kneejerk forum posters like to analyse the industry on a blow-to-blow basis, there’s really no need for the PlayStation maker to react to yesterday’s announcement yet. At the time of writing, the PS4 has sold seven million units, and continues to be a challenge to track down in some parts of Europe. Whether or not Microsoft’s move affects that momentum will be impossible to tell until a couple of months after the new model hits the market, so it’s far too early to do anything drastic.
However, that doesn’t mean that the manufacturer shouldn’t be prepared. Group president Andrew House hinted last year that – irrespective of the organisation’s wider financial failings – its latest console has been engineered with competitive pricing in mind. As such, it needs to be flexible should its latest format suddenly start to fall behind. We suspect that a $50 price drop would be all that it would take to swing things back in its favour, but seeing as the Xbox maker has essentially mimicked its strategy at this point, it need not lose confidence in the path that it’s currently plotting – or even consider changing tack.
Open up a little more at E3 next month
Some were quick to criticise Sony’s secrecy last year when it used E3 as a stage to counter Microsoft’s divisive digital-rights management policies rather than announce many actual first-party games. However, that stockpiled ammunition was stashed for a reason – and it’s starting to look rather useful right now. While we still don’t expect it to reveal its full hand next month – the firm will want to spread software announcements out between GamesCom and the Tokyo Game Show, too – we suspect that it’s going to have a much bigger game presence than recent press conferences, with the likes of The Order: 1886 and Uncharted PS4 all likely to be in attendance.
It’s the exclusives that we don’t know about that are going to generate the most excitement, though, and there are likely to be a veritable wealth of studios waiting in the wings to unveil their wares. Guerrilla Games, Sony Bend, Media Molecule, Quantic Dream, and Sony Santa Monica are all working on unannounced projects at the moment, while the likes of Polyphony Digital and London Studio are unlikely to be twiddling their thumbs. And then there’s the recent resurgence of Japan Studio, which is certain to culminate in at least a couple of console titles over the coming years, including the heavily rumoured Project Beast and – dare we say it – The Last Guardian, too.
Don’t let PlayStation Plus dip
While we feel that expectations for PlayStation Plus have become borderline unrealistic at this point, it’s important that Sony continues to deliver extraordinary value with its premium subscription service. While it’s impressive that the firm has managed to offer regular next-gen giveaways so close to launch, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the likes of Stick It to the Man – irrespective of quality – are not going to cut it as we venture forwards. As such, we think that it’s time for the manufacturer to start thinking about adding retail titles to the Instant Game Collection in order to complement its current indie offerings.
It’s far too early for best sellers such as inFAMOUS: Second Son and Killzone: Shadow Fall, but we daresay that Knack or perhaps even Thief would make appreciated giveaways. The platform holder could continue to offer one indie game a month and rotate the retail release each quarter, making this more viable from a financial perspective, while still offering the larger scale games that consumers so clearly crave. Now that Microsoft has decided to offer a similar service with ‘Games with Gold’, both packages are going to be compared more directly, and so the Japanese giant needs to ensure that it maintains an advantage with the initiative that it so cunningly concocted.
Fast track more firmware updates
Constructive criticism is massively important in all walks of life, but Apple pioneer Steve Jobs was right when he said that consumers don’t always know what they want. The constant complaints pointed at the PlayStation 3’s firmware updates may have convinced Sony to release fewer improvements for the PS4. However, as was evidenced by the fervent demand for the format’s most recent software upgrade, more frequent patches may actually be preferred. Considering that the update process for the next-gen console is much more manageable than its predecessor, we don’t think that this will cause too much whining.
And there’s a lot that the firm still needs to fix. Features such as the ‘What’s New’ application could use an overhaul, while there’s currently no way to organise content or customise the look of the user interface. Elsewhere, fundamental features such as 3D Blu-ray playback and MP3 support are missing, while the lack of direct YouTube compatibility remains a glaring oversight in the format’s otherwise excellent gameplay sharing suite. These are all functions that are no doubt jotted down on an engineer’s whiteboard somewhere, but they need to come to fruition as soon as possible.
Align with the most interesting third-party games
First-party franchises may be the true system sellers, but with so few exclusives in this day and age, partnering with third-party publishers over the industry’s biggest brands is incredibly important, too. Sony’s done a great job in this area over the past six months or so, aligning with titles such as Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Watch Dogs, and – perhaps most importantly – Bungie’s upcoming first-person shooter Destiny. However, with Microsoft also likely to pull out its cheque book in this area, it needs to remain as competitive as possible by continuing to secure co-marketing partnerships with the most interesting multiformat games.
Speculation suggests that it will be collaborating with Warner Bros on Batman: Arkham Knight, while it’s likely that its longstanding alliance with Ubisoft will continue with this year’s Assassin’s Creed Unity. Of course, it’s not just the blockbusters that it needs to keep fighting for, but also the smaller games. With both Nintendo and Microsoft slowly improving their self-publishing policies, Sony will need to ensure that it remains the home for innovative indie games. It’s unlikely that it will be ceding this area anytime soon, but continuing to establish strong relationships with smaller studios will undoubtedly benefit its system’s software library in the long run.
How do you think that Sony can hold on to its next-gen lead? Does the manufacturer need to do anything drastic, or do you think that it should simply offer more of the same? Do any of the above suggestions resonate with you in particular, and, if so, which ones? Plot your plan of action in the comments section below.
Comments 36
Remember the days back when Grand Theft Auto games were PlayStation exclusive?? Okay, lock it up again with Rockstar and that would do it.
Just add DLNA, the rest will fall into place!
Show me Fallout 4 at E3 and I'll give you a hug
@CodeSe7en There are rumours that Sony will be the ones to announce the next-gen port of Grand Theft Auto V, but I don't really believe them. The port will definitely happen, but Rockstar will be the ones to announce it on their own terms.
Also, there's no way either company could ever afford timed exclusivity for GTA at this point. Well, they probably could, but it'd be a bad investment.
You know, can't we just enjoy our favorite games on our consoles without worry about who is selling more? :s
Yeah quicker firmware updates plz(saying that the last 1 i didn't get anything i was asking for) + SONY have been very mute this year about their big Exclusives really so hopefully there will be amazing ones shown at E3 then
@Tsuzura Yes you can. Sony has to pay attention to the backlash from Plus. It seems like people were expecting more. They also need to speed up with the firmware updates. The console still doesn't really resemble what they pitched. They also need Naughty Dog on that stage again with whatever they're working on (not TLOU remaster).
@get2sammyb You think PS4 will get a price drop to $349 this year? From history we can see that every PS home console gets a price drop of at least $50 within the first year, is it reasonable to expect Sony will follow through with it this generation as well? (lol I feel like one of those press reporters).
Edit: I have no idea what the price in £ has been historically, but I guess if you have more knowledge with that I'd still get the picture.
@Tsuzura Of course you can!
@Cloud7794 Personally, I don't think so. Unless its momentum slows to a crawl, I don't think they'll change anything. They're still struggling to meet demand in some parts of Europe, so I can't see it. If they suddenly fall heavily behind in North America, it's possible, but I think next year is when you'll get a price cut. They may start adding extra incentives to the box like three months of Plus or a game, though.
I think one thing people have to realise is that companies look to see how their own products are doing before looking at what their rivals are busy doing. Sony will only change things if the PS4 starts slipping, and for now, there's no need to do so. It's a waiting game to see how the Xbox One performs after its recent announcements and E3.
@Wesker it blows me away at the fact that some people are not satisfied with ps+. If you own a vita, ps3 and ps4 you get easily over a hundred dollars worth of content free per month, and if you just own a ps4 well you're paying for better multiplayer as well and always a pretty much brand new game monthly. it makes me sick to see people being such entitled babies. ps+ is an amazing value and I'm so glad it exists. especially now because xbox is following suit and trying to one up them on xbox on by offering 2 free games a month on xbox one as well as xbox 360. I'm looking forward to picking up those free games as well.
PS4/ Vita bundle, PS4 +1TB HDD....
Also a M$ official stated that PS4 is selling well because PS3 owners are not satisfied and need to upgrade. Really sounding like a d.. whatever
http://www.gamepur.com/news/14626-ps4-selling-well-because-ps3-owners-are-not-satisfied-and-wants-upgrade-say.html
YOUTUBE???? Seriously, it's free advertising. Sort it out.
@get2sammyb Yeah, I couldn't care less who announces it. And I wasn't thinking timed exclusive. I was thinking exclusive. But I know it's too expensive. But that would be a major, major deal.
@N711 a 1gb hdd is a bit small. Also most of the stuff that microsoft guy was coming out with is laughable. Is it possible that some of the x360 players aren't waiting for a cheaper xbone but have already upgraded to ps4, like me and 5 friends of mine.
@MoleZandor probably a bit small but not too expensive and I guess they could do it anytime, and way better than Xbone offer
@N711
Microsoft are off there heads and it clearly shows, also with all the bs Microsoft was saying about the XboxOne & Kinect and goes on to sell a Kinect-less XboxOne. I would bet some are not very happy with Microsoft around about now, just like E3 that lead the Xboxers to by a PS4.
@CodeSe7en The cost of doing so would not be worth it for Sony nor Rockstar.
Thanks for such a thorough article and I particularly align with the last point about...... er.....aligning. But in all seriousness it's a very interesting point you make because third parties are currently doing a very nice job of relieving the pressure on the first party studios. If there is any scope to further develop this already decent situation then it could really make things extra special on PS4.
Great read. I agree.
I say let them focus on making the PS4 and Vita the best console they can, bring the best games they can, give us the best experience they can, and provide the best value they can. Let the cards fall how they fall. If they 'win' the generation, cool. If not, who cares. I don't get satisfaction from them outselling MS or Ninty, I get satisfaction from them doing the things listed above. Whatever the outcome is as a result of doing those things is irrelevant to me... But, if they DO follow those things, there's a good chance 'winning' the console generation will happen as a side result.
@CodeSe7en That would 'seal the deal.' Having Rockstar as a first party studio for Sony again would be dangerous for Xbox and PC alike
Yes, more frequent updates that add functionality like media server, mp3, YouTube, etc., not just minor bug fixes. Those simple features make us very happy.
Sony could use their digital content instead of dropping the price. Just add free PS+ for a year, and throw in a $50 redeem code for anything on PS Store.
@Cloud7794 I don't think so either. From a business standpoint, a price drop won't change anything. The demand for Playstation 4 still seems to be relatively high, so dropping the price won't really have a purpose. Also, I think $399 is generous for the tech already, so Sony would just lose money from a price drop
@MoleZandor I meant 1TB of course haha
I'm sure this isn't a popular thought, but Sony will not keep the lead.. in America anyway. I know for a fact that 360 gamers have been waiting for this exact price drop (said a massive amount of people on my XB friends list) I bought th3 XB1 knowing MS was going to back off the kinect BS (my XB1 kinect broke after less then 2 weeks psh) that said Sony will be fine and we will all enjoy great games no matter what console we play (I will personally enjoy my PS4 a bit more
Edit: I'm a bit piss faced so excuse me if my points have no point lol.. what I mean is I don't feel ripped off by the XB1 kinectless price drop as people thought buyers would be because I have the means and I am a compulsive buyer. Xbox is a solid console but to me personally it cant compete with Sony, however it will because there is such a strong fanbase.. I tried very hard to get my friends to switch sides but they would not and with this price drop people will be running out and buying XB1's. Their continued loss as they will miss out on uncharted series TLoU and so on.. have a great night folks
You don't know QTE rage until you've played Resident Evil 5 on Professional difficulty.
Games running at 1080p 60fps... X5 there's your five ways.
@Sutorcen xbox gamers care more about community then 1080p
Just make sure some new games are released rather than ports. As for Plus, the idiots wanting better games on PS4 are just unreasonable. I fully expect Knack to be given away free soon - probably at E3 time - as it's just done poorly but would still be a big(ish) name. It's on PS3/Vita and the lies the majority of people have against PS+ at the moment, not PS4.
it defies logic that the xbox (minus) one will outsell the pS4 - but it will . as michael once asked " Why ? Why ? tell 'em that is human nature. "
I know of one way - Use better quality materials on the gamepad.
A good free decent game is all I am asking just to show what this babe can really do even if its only a short one .outlast and being in the dark is old stuff I would have thought I recall when resident evil 5 came out they made better use of light sun etc why can we not stay that way the future is bright the future is playstation
the xbox one has titanfall and forza.
Ummm the ps4 has infamous son??? lmao. I bought a ps4 and the only reason I did not return it was because of Final Fantasy XIV.
@Madd_Hatter401 Paying customers care more about promises kept than anything else... and both consoles fail at keeping their promise yet again.
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