We’ve written so much about the PlayStation 4’s holiday lineup that we’re beginning to sound a little bit like a Skrillex record that has bass drops so heavy that the needle gets caught in its cavernous grooves. Much like the PlayStation 3 before it, there’s a narrative developing that Sony’s next-gen super machine is short on content – despite the fact that it’s received new releases on an almost weekly basis. It’s an exaggeration, of course, potentially borne out of the popularity of the beefy black box – but it’s a complaint that’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore as we labour our way towards Christmas.
The issue itself appears to stem from the lack of exclusives in the platform holder’s usually so prolific pipeline; inFAMOUS: Second Son is the only real blockbuster first-party title to deploy on the Japanese giant’s uber fast-selling format so far this year, with DriveClub the solitary other original outing on the docket. PS3 re-release The Last of Us Remastered is due out at the end of this month as well, while cross-platform game creation toolkit LittleBigPlanet 3 is set to challenge your muggy grey matter this November. It doesn’t look like a lot when arranged on pixel-powered paper, and it comes up even shorter against competing consoles – but it’s smarter than you think.
The real genius of the roster is that it’s cunningly spread out and much more varied than armchair analysts are giving it credit for. Throw co-marketed titles such as Bungie’s next big thing Destiny, first-person shooter Far Cry 4, and the re-release of Grand Theft Auto V into the mix, and Sony has something massive for virtually every month left in the year. You may argue that these promotional collaborations don’t count – after all, they don’t add a bullet point to the system’s exclusives list – but they are becoming increasingly important in the ongoing battle for mindshare, and the Japanese giant has virtually all of the biggest blockbusters attached to its brand.
The grass may often look greener on the other side, but forget to water it and it will wither and die
But while the abovementioned skew towards a more classic demographic, we think that Sony’s been smart at selecting different types of software to enforce its hardware this fall. Speaking at the Develop 2014 conference in Brighton last week, group president Andrew House admitted that the platform holder’s trying to convince Nintendo Wii-only owners to upgrade to its console, and there are hints of that in its software offering. That doesn’t mean that it’s trying to find a replacement for Mario Kart and Donkey Kong, but more that it wants to attract the more casual gamers that perhaps picked up its competitor’s motion controlled machine for family orientated experiences.
So, while LittleBigPlanet 3 and SingStar may not necessarily register at the summit of your wishlist, these are important titles to have showing on store shelves. Compare and contrast to the Xbox One’s lineup and it’s somewhat more one-dimensional, with Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare offering experiences already familiar to fans of the format – even if Sunset Overdrive does appear to be a particular standout. These types of titles aren’t exactly missing on Sony’s system, but the platform holder clearly realises that ‘For the Players’ must now incorporate everybody, rather than the sliver of core gamers that it originally targeted at launch.
And as a result of that, the new year is looking much stronger, too – an attribute that’s perhaps being overlooked by those unable to see beyond the busy Christmas months. The Order: 1886 and Bloodborne are both set to debut at some point during the first half of 2015, and while there’s a possibility that they may yet get delayed, it makes sense for Sony to spread out its software lineup, and give core gamers – the people that are prone to purchase software at any point in the year – something to play during those weary winter months. The grass may often look greener on the other side, but forget to water it and it will wither and die.
As such, this may not necessarily be a vintage year for first-party software on the PS4, but we get a sense that the holiday offering is much more cleverly concocted than people are giving it credit for. Not only has the platform holder ensured that it will have the best versions of most third-party games, but it’s also conceived a software lineup that both complements and contrasts the blockbusters coming from big multiformat publishers. Granted, the company’s competitors may have more in the pipeline this particular Christmas, but a better spread of content means that you’ll be returning to Sony’s first-party buffet deep into the new year, too. How is that a bad thing?
Do you agree that Sony’s software lineup this year is much more varied than its competitors, or is it just not your cup of tea? Would you prefer all of the big games to drop at once, or do you like it when titles are a little more spread out? Tell us why we’re wrong in the comments section below.
How would you rate Sony's holiday lineup? (65 votes)
- Very good
- Good
- Average
- Poor
- Very poor
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Comments 31
I"m excited for Destiny and GTAV to hit the PS4. Those games will hold me over for awhile, so i'm good!
While the line up is great if you already have a PS4, it does nothing for people who want to upgrade from a PS3 to a PS4. Of all the games mentioned here only DriveClub and Infamous are exclusive to the new system.
For Xbox One is not too different either.
Wait & See. I'm sure we can think of few bad things!
If theres a platform you should be worrying about within the PlayStation family you all know what its called.
I switched from 360 so my PS4 is giving me the greatest gaming of my life.
(McDonalds quote for my PS4) I'm loven it.
@sinalefa having a version of the game that performs better, looks better, and is on a system that is better designed, is reason enough. I bought my PS4 for FFXIV even though I own it on the PS3 and it was worth it.
I voted for average. If PS4 is your only console I would consider it a lackluster lineup, but since I own a Xb1 and will be getting a WiiU later this holiday it's safe to say between all those consoles I will have a lot to play.
Here's all the games I'm getting
PS4
-Destiny
-AC Unity
-Farcry 4
Xb1
-Sunset Overdrive
-Halo Master Chief Collection
WiiU
Smash Bros
Bayonetta 2
Plus all the WiiU games I missed like Windwaker and 3D World.
It's average. I'm really just looking forward to 2015. I think I may get a PS4 this holiday in preparation. We'll see how things play out, if my Wii U and X1 get a lot of play time this holiday, I'll just buy a PS4 next year. But Guilty Gear Xrd tho...it calls to me.
Great read, always love the Talking Points!
@Dohv You know it's sad whenever you can get your whole PS4 holiday lineup on X1. And to top it off Xbox has Forza, SSO, and Halo!
Honestly the article was fine without trying to take a jab at Xbox ones exclusive lineup this year... which frankly is sizing up to be quite a bit better. Don't get me wrong, I love my ps4 but with developers coming out to say that the Xbox one will have parity with ps4 going forward such as destiny now being upgraded to 1080p, I think Sony really needs to step it up in the exclusive department.
It was much easier to skate by when all the 3rd party games were performing better on the ps4.
@SecondServing True. But we know Sony always delivers when it comes to bringing the exclusives. In both quality and quantity. They have proven that every generation with PS1,PS2, and PS3. But they always get off to a slow start every time. But look how they supported the PS3 last year with TLOU, GOW, GT7, and Beyond. Where as MS stopped making big exclusives for the 360 years ago. I can see why they have more exclusives announced. Besides Sony hasn't nearly announced everything they have.
Will be getting last of us, destiny, LBP3, GTA 5 and maybe Farcry 4...the rest would be for vita like freedom wars, minecraft and tales of heart R
this year ill be picking up AC Unity, GTAV, TLOU, LBP3, possibly Destiny, DriveClub, and Farcry 4. Thats a LOT to play, exclusive or not, especially for a casual gamer. In actuality, those are the games I want. I'll more likely only be forking out the cash for 2 or 3 of them.
However, I really do think Sony needs to remind us why PS4 is the best place to play, in 2015, especially if there is going to be cross platform parity in 3rd party games going forward. What do I want? To be blunt, I want Sony to revive Crash.
Plain and simple. That would be a killer app for sure, for older fans like myself where it would be a sweet and long awaited reunion dripping in nostalgia, and for new younger players that could experience a proper 3D platformer on Sony's newest system (which it is currently lacking)
@mitcHELLspawn IMO its mainly about preference and the games you want. To play. I personaly don't think much about the competing consoles as there's not much there I'd be interested in (not to say nothing)
There maybe some more surprise coming this year and I'd be happy to get a. Remastered GOW A (even if some people may go on their port/indie station whatever thingy horse ride XD)
Yeah, definitely wouldn't call it 'poor' but it's not much more than average. Hopefully 2015 will be much better. Truth is the only games for the rest of 2014 I'm really hyped about are Destiny, NBA 2K15, Far Cry 4 and Sunset Overdrive. There's others I plan to buy but none that I would say I'm really excited to play like I am Uncharted 4, Halo 5, Zelda Wii U, Batman: Arkham Knight, Witcher 3, Quantum Break, etc.
@sinalefa I take your point, but don't agree entirely.
First there are more PS4 exclusives than the ones your mentioned, Resogun, Knack and KZ Shadowfall to name just a few. In addition, there are 3rd party 8th Gen only games such as AC Unity and Outlast. There are also several PC MMOs that are exclusive to PS4 on consoles, such as WarThunder and PlanetSide etc. All just examples. So there are indeed a lot of games on the PS4 that are not available on the PS3. Whether they interest you or entice you to upgrade is personal preference, but the content is there, even if perhaps not overwhelming yet. Clearly 2015 will be a game changer for 8th Gen.
The other point that I think worth considering is that all of the content coming out on the PS4 that is also on the PS3 helps remove any barrier to not upgrading because of missing content. once you have the PS4, you buy that version, rather than the PS3. As more and more of the content that was PS3 is also on PS4 (I'm thinking of Singstar as a prime example), more and more it means you can upgrade and "potentially" no longer need the PS3.
Certainly the PS4 is not fully there yet in terms of content and not just with games, but PS3 apps on media functions not yet on PS4. But the holes are being filled in all the time. My PS3 is mainly used for PlayTV and other TV streaming services nowadays, with only the occasional PS3 game coming out. The PS4 has enough content to keep me busy.
I don't really care for tie-in add-on rubbish. I just want the game. The line up is good, its a busy period for third party AAA anyway so it's all a bit pointless trying to outcompete that.
Very weak article when it has to take pot shots at the competition. Sony and the PS4 have more than enough issues on their own. The number of reports about the PS4's line up for Christmas shows it clearly is an issue for many people. If it wasn't you wouldn't be getting so much mileage out of it. The line up is average and unoriginal at best. Nothing worth forking out £400 for a new console for and then paying the insane online prices Sony expect.
i will be gettimg tlou, destniy & gta 5 also the evil within if its any good this year
Personally I think it's worse than poor. The majority of gamers have now made up their mind and have a PS4/Xbox One/Wii U so it's the dreaded casual gamers left. If they're looking to upgrade to a new console this Christmas then PS4 would be the last on their list for what it has around that time. The only exclusive is LBP3, a game casual gamers know nothing about and don't want. The article says Halo and COD offer experiences already familiar but that is why they will sell a trillion times better than LBP3 - they're games casual gamers (somehow) enjoy and want. Next year will be amazing but this year is painfully average and looking like it's going to end up dreadful.
If Sony want to attract the Wii owners they're going to have a massive struggle. The majority who haven't updated yet are people who don't game much and find the Wiimote easier than buttons on pads. Going from the Wiimote to a DualShock would be terrifying - even more so when they look at the cost of one!
@rastamadeus
Halo is a great series, that's why people enjoy it.
Anyway, I'd say dreadful is pushing it a bit. Exclusives are obviously important but being the console with the best version of multiplat games like Destiny and Far Cry 3 is hugely important too. The exclusive lineup has to be better in 2015 though, I'm giving Sony a pass for this year. But The Order 1886, Bloodborne and Uncharted 4 all HAVE to be 2015 and the first two better damn well hit in Q1. I also expect at least a few more than just those three. Now people will typically respond with 'it makes no sense to show every game you have,' or that it's unrealistic to expect a company to release a game in every franchise it has so early in the generation. Of course that's the case, but what people who love to defend Sony seen to fail to understand is that I and others who think like me are not asking Sony to do that, but it needs to stop playing the cards so close to the chest and show a little bit more of what it has in the way of first party games and get some big ones out. As @voodoo341 pointed out, we can try to downplay things all we want, but when articles are constantly written about a console's lineup being weak that means there is a problem.
"...Not only has the platform holder ensured that it will have the best versions of most third-party games"
Not sure I agree with that statement... If we are talking DLC/timed exclusives - love it or hate it, Call of Duty will be one of the biggest releases this year - and Microsoft has nabbed the timed exclusive for DLC. Granted Sony have that with Destiny so its swings and roundabouts.
Coupled with the fact that with freeing up the 10% on the XBOX One through Kinect - hopefully the whole 1080p kiddie war can finally die the horrid fanboy death it deserves! Bungie have already stated that Destiny will run identically on both consoles so people who have to justify their console of choice will have to find another reason.
If you are talking actual exclusives for me this year, I'd have to choose the XBOX One over the PS4. Halo Master Chief Collection, Sunset Overdrive and Forza Horizon 2 are must buys for me. The only exclusive I really want from Sony's offerings is The Last of Us Remastered, simply because I didn't own a PS3. I'd even put Wii U's exclusives above the PS4 at this point with Smash Brothers and Bayonetta 2 looking great.
That's not to say that I won't pick up third party titles on the PS4, I'll most likely get Diablo III since my friends on PSN seem to be more interested in that rather than those on XBOX, plus I like the idea of remote play with that one. It comes down to that factor for me really with 3rd party titles.
Whilst I like Little Big Planet and am interested to see what happens with the 3rd installment, I'll be waiting for reviews before I decide. Driveclub I've lost all interest in - I'm hoping I'm pleasantly surprised, and since its going to be available in limited capacity on PS Plus, I can try before I buy that.
Into next year, I'm really looking forward to the Order 1886 and Bloodbourne but then I wouldn't say that's going to be stronger than the offerings from the competition .... (e.g. Halo 5, Quantum Break, Crackdown, Zelda (yeah right...), Yoshi's Wooly World, Xenoblade Chronicles X).
Whatever system though, the 3rd party line up is going to be strong with the likes of The Division, Batman, Witcher III, Rainbow 6 Siege, MGSV - so its a great time to be a gamer.
PS4 is still going to sell well beyond the holidays, simply because people buy systems for third party games. Look at the data. PS4 owners on the internet just need patience because personal preference will always downplay total lineup of exclusives.
For me its like for the witcher 3. I know its coming but theres no point jumping up and down it will be out when ready and be awesome.
Same thing with PS4 exclusives, they dont have to be pushed out for Christmas because its Christmas
@Ginkgo
That is why I said "exclusives mentioned here" as in this particular article. I never count Knack after it was panned by the critics. Resogun is a great game, though.
I agree with you that the PS4 is not there yet, but it is getting there. I guess I am still very happy with my old phat
Well the Xbox 360 done well with hardly any Exclusives in the last few years so i don't think it's that important really this Xmas for the PS4 to have Billions of Exclusives at Xmas time coming out(i do LOVE my PS Exclusives tho & try & buy most of them) There seems to be a game for most people on the PS4 this Xmas(Exclusives or not, a game is a game)
Average for me. Looking forward to Shadow of Mordor and Inquisition on PS4, WiiU/3DS has the rest of the games I'm interested in for 2014.
Other than that, Witcher3 and Arkham Knight look like good starters for 2015.
...Aaaand, I just realized I clicked poor lol. Whoops
Hmmm, a lot of Sony doom and gloom I see. B- b- but the line up is weak!!! I say "sooo what !!" After 20 years of delivering the best gaming experiences in my life, I'm not going to doubt this company who has the finest collection of in house developers because a couple of kids are impatient !!! Psone launch: desert! Ps2 launch: boring ps3 launch: wasteland!! Ps4 launch is packed with content !!! The console sells itself, without any games!! ( sarcasm). People are crying because they're not receiving uncharted 4, and god of war, etc,etc within the first year of the consoles existence. Those titles take time. We all know they're coming! Early in the wiiU life it's content was a joke. Now the platform is getting quality titles. The last few years 360 was a wasteland, Sony supports ps3/4/vita!! 3 platforms at once! Yet people wanna praise MS for a cross plat racer, a 3rd party exclusive and another year of halo??HALO!!! Again?!? I have an Xboxone, but more halo, until more halo next year doesn't do it for me. Same with Forza! I'm still playing the last one!! Only thing interesting is sunset overdrive. The meat this year is 3rd party multiplats. 2015 is gonna be amazing on ps4! If you didn't realize, all the great titles that made us run out on launch night begin to arrive next year! Witcher, batman, mgs5, the order, uncharted, bloodborne, division, dying light, mad max!! And I believe next years E3 and gamescom are gonna be one for the ages!! This is when I believe Sony will completely pull back blue curtain and reveal the majority of what's cooking!!!
One more thing!! What happened to "Shadow of the Beast"??? Rant over.
@Dual-shock-spok Wouldn't be surprised if Shadow of the Beast is shown at Gamescom, hope so at least.
To be honest, I'm not picking up much for the PS4 this year other than Destiny, Inquisition and maybe Evolve. No first-party developments pique my interest yet.
@sinalefa they may not be exclusive. But I have played trials fusion on ps4 and on xbox 360 and its a hell of a lot better to play on ps4. Having a better system, controller and now new tv has made a big improvement in my game.
I don't have my PS4 yet.. but I voted average. I think the Xbox One has the better lineup for this year but that's not saying a ton. I'm getting the white PS4/Destiny bundle and then look forward to getting TLOU as I never had a PS3.
On the Xbox One, can't miss out on Sunset Overdrive and I will most likely pick up Halo MCC. Forza Horizon 2 looks to fill my racing needs but I'm going to hold off on stating it's a must buy at this time.
3rd party.. plenty of games I'm interested. Starting with GTAV for sure, Witcher 3, Batman Arkham Knight.. list goes on. If PS4 continues to show dominant performance graphically, I'll probably be picking up those games for it.. if it comes back towards even, then it will depend on who is giving better exclusives or deals.
Going in to early (hopefully) next year for exclusives.. The Order:1886 looks very promising and Bloodborne was the first game that gave me pains that I didn't own a PS4. Xbox with Quantum Break and just maybe that Scalebound game that looked pretty promising.. Good time to be a gamer. Now if I could just justify the Wii U as that Zelda teaser was ridiculous!
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