As you may all know the ps3 launch was anything but plain sailing, by many considered to be a disaster. in my thread I will analyse where Sony went wrong and what they should have done, I will also comment on the change in the market place!
To start off Sony should have gone into the market place first, allowing the Xbox 360 a year's headstart was a huge mistake. The year's headstart allowed the Xbox 360 to firmly establish itself in America and while establishing a strong library of games. Factoring all this in it made it only harder for the ps3 to establish itself, the launch price scared consumers away, and their launch titles did not have the 'wow' factor. As every console entering the market needs is time, time the ps3 did not have it lauched in the same month as the Nintendo Wii, this was a hughe mistake, the nintendo wii was much cheaper and was therefor the consumer choice. With the high price point that the ps3 had and the fierce competition, it mean that the ps3 was in for a real batlle!
Which is really important is that Sony should have made sure as Nintendo does, not to sell the console at a loss. They should have made the ps3 production within budget!!
Sony should have gone into the market place either a year early or at the same time as the Xbox 360. Had both consoles launched simultaneously, Xbox 360 would have been firmly in third place, brand name is everything!!
Sony should have launched with better titles, and should have priced the ps3 at launch at the current retail price of $399. This entry point is much more feasible for consumers to jump in, many consumers were disgruntled by the $599 and opted to purchase the Xbox 360, losing both new and potential customers.
But not all is lost Microsoft quick entry into the market place was a huge mistake, despite knowing about the console's issues before launch. Refused to delay the lauch, scractched discs and most Xbox 360 owners are by now well familiar with the dreaded Red Ring of Death, a problem which Microsoft should have fixed, but opted to beat their rivals. To this day, Microsoft have still not completely fixed the RROD, only reduced the failure rate. It does not matter how many price cuts the Xbox 360 may get, they must completely erase the rrod and tell consumers this, instead of cutting price on a console that may breakdown!!
The reason why the wii is doing so well is because the Nintendo Wii at launch was $250 and the ps3 was $599. The Wii was priced perfecly for consumers to buy, where the ps3 was so expensive many people could not afford it and therefor either purchased a Wii or Xbox 360, but I want to leave you with two questions!
Q1 -If the Nintendo wii and Ps3 had been priced the same, who would have been the market leader?
Q2 - If the Ps3 lauched a year earlier, would the Xbox 360 be able to catch up?
If you do not agree with me please state your reason for this, so we can disscuss it!!
