I own a PS3 and of course I hope it can have all success.
However, according to what Microsoft have done in recent months, I am worried about Sony. I just feel that MS is trying to do what it did in the past to monopolize the gaming market: Copy + Cheap (or even free).
Frankly speaking, I don't like MS because it often introduce unfair competitons. A brief historical retrospect:
Windows 3.1 -> Machinosh
IE -> Landscape
Windows Messenger -> ICQ
Windows Vista -> new MacOS
Now it is XBox360 -> PS3.
I don't mind if XBox360 is doing well and successful. But it is very unfair to PS3 owners when MS continously use much money to pay for exclusive games, no matter whether timed exclusive or exclusive DLC. As a result, the right games are not developed for the right consoles. And it shows that the success is controlled by how much money a company is able to waste instead of how good are the games and how creative it is doing (this is usual problem of MS). And finally, XBox may destroy PS in one day. It is definitely not a good consequence to gamers.
On the other hand, Sony must also do something to compete with MS. According to several feedbacks, the problem of PS3 are mainly the price and number of games.
About price, I think cutting the price is not a good solution when the current price reflects its value. Of course more bundles with same price is a good strategy. (The price of XBox360 is decreasing either indicates its value is decreasing or indicating it is selling in price under cost)
About games, I think Sony should not hope that the future trend is going to be completely multi-platform. It is not wise as it is not the thought of its competitor. As MS keeps on buying exclusives and paying PS3 exclusives for multi-platform, it will just lead XBox360 to have more and more exclusive games and when people consider which console to buy, they should choose XBox360 because they feel that it is more promising on providing the games they want.
Another unwise strategy Sony is doing is to let its exclusive games go multi-platform. e.g. FFVIII and may be MGS4. Of course, MGS4 going multi-platform a year later does not affect the sales of this game for PS3. But the impact is very big in long term. This cause people think:
- Any good exclusive games for PS3 will finially come to XBox360 (not vice versa) so they will choose to buy XBox360 and no need to buy PS3 for that game. And when XBox360 gamers express a high demand MS will fight for them.
- PS3 will have less and less representative games. When people mention PS3, they can hardly figure out any third party PS3 label game.
- Existing PS3 fanboys will not be happy and Sony will lose their loyalty.
Finally, I think Sony should definitely get more JRPG games for PS3 to rescue the Japan market.
