What's With The PS4 Sales Doubt?

[EricHiggin]

thismeintiel said:

EricHiggin said:

Based on how predictable the Wii, 360, PS3, XB1, Pro, XB1X, and Switch all were, plus the more complicated the hardware, software, network, subscriptions, services, etc, situation get's overall in the console market, the harder it's going to be to predict in comparison to the past, which wasn't easy back then, as much sense as it may have made in hindsight.

Just giving an opinion on a portion of what may be causing the sales doubt. If none of what is rumored is true, or only the MS portion, then that doesn't change the fact that people may be concerned about PS4's continued sales longevity because of it.

That's cool.  Still, I just don't see what MS does really affecting the PS4 at this point in time.  If it affects anything at all, it would be the PS5.  There are going to still be people looking for a really cheap PS4 once it becomes readily available at $199, and $149, if Sony can get it that low.  And if they can only afford it at those prices, I doubt they have the kind of money to afford internet fast enough, and with no data cap, to stream XB2 games competently enough, so probably wouldn't be picking up a XB2 streaming box.

I think the biggest thing MS would screw up for PS4 sales, with multiple next gen XB consoles, would be Pro. If PS keeps selling Pro alongside PS4, with a single $399-$499 PS5, people who decide they would prefer the best PS4 model, would have to choose between a $299 Pro or $299 'XB2' base model with XB1X like specs. PS4 has the brand name and games behind it, but it's old tech in comparison to a next gen XB. Which is the consumer going to choose in a tech based age? Heaven forbid PS drops PS4 and only goes with Pro in a similar scenario. PS would be forced to sell Pro at $199 or $249 against a next gen base XB at $299. Pro at $249 for a year maybe, and then $199 beyond that, could be a really enticing draw though vs an 'XB2'.

As for a $149 XB streaming box vs a $199 PS4, odds are the majority of sales will still go to the PS4. Both that streaming box and base 'XB2' would be eating into late PS4 sales. That very easily could be at least a couple million less console sales each year for PS4. It's not like next gen XB would cause PS4 to tank, but in terms of overall sales, it will have an effect.

*Mind you, further thought makes me think dropping PS4 and going with Pro at $199, could actually solve both these problems the best. That way PS only has the Pro and PS5 on the market, and the Pro is way better value than the streaming box for slightly more, but a strong enough last gen console, for cheap enough, to mostly stave off the base 'XB2'.

Last edited by EricHiggin - on 03 February 2019