Why would the PS3 finishing in last place, not first, be a bad thing?

[Dodece]

@richardhutnik

You are making good valid arguments. That sadly underlies a fundamental flaw in the way Sony is approaching its console business. Their current model does not allow for a promise of carry over, or more specifically promise of carry over being likely. You are right in that these arguments do not damage the current experience, or guarantee a bad experience with the next console.

However the philosophy in itself of not fully honoring carry over means that the owner is all but guaranteed a poor experience. I own a 360 and a Wii. I have a good deal of confidence that at the end of this generation I can buy a new console, sell my old console, keep my old games, and play them on my new console. I will be able to transfer any data I need, and have my community experience remain much the same.

Basically your analysis breaks down into your fucked already deal with it. Shit cannot get worse, because the console has an expiration date, and it will have a slightly worse situation then the competition. Those points you made are valid for anyone that owns a 360 or a Wii, because they are invested in a product line. Whereas PS3 owners are only invested in a single machine. When the time comes to move to the next machine they will basically have to start from scratch with a significantly higher buy in.

Basically both Microsoft and Nintendo have a stronger selling point on their next console. The only upside for the PS3 owner is they will have no strings attached. They can simply move on to the next console from one of those two players since they will probably be starting back at square one.

Honestly it would be better for PS3 owners if the arguments you shot down did matter. Many of them have spent over a thousand dollars on their console. To buy the console, and provide games for it, and even accessories. With no carry over its a terrible loss of investment. I know I would be upset if I spent that kind of money, and had no way to carry over the investment. Hell even the games have a lower sale or trade value. It was always gut wrenching for me to have to sell my old console, and all the games to buy a new console.