ok, so the industry may not need 'saving' per say but its certainly not in a good position. what good the big 3 do to improve the numbers? below are the various ways manufacturers use extend the life of their hardware. please tell me if you think ive missed anyout
new compelling software
bundles
hardware revisions
new colours
marketing campaigns
new features
price cuts
usually these things are used in combinations rather than in isloation. of these software is the prefered method for large boosts since in brings in additional revenue from 2 sources. price cuts are usually the least refered since they represent a reduction in profit margins
Microsoft
microsoft's extention stratergy laucnhed in the second half of last year has worked wonderfully. it went from bei beaen by the PS3 to outselling sony's console on a wekly basis and being the only curent gen console to be up YoY in total so far in 2009. their strategry was mainly driven by a pricecut to tkae it under the magic $199 line. supporting this were 2 AAA sequels for the hardcore, GoW2 and Fable II. there was also a new focus on casuals. Lips and Your in the Movies were new, periferal based IPs that were heavily marketed at the causal gamer. the Netflix featurewas also part of this. looking to the future microsfot is set to continue its huge marketing campaign, usually showing 3rd party games. but as the affect of the price cut wears off what else can microsoft do?with a price cut basically out of the question microsoft will look to other methods. they will probably continue to make frequent use of bundling, most recently the RE5 bunde and game of the year bundle to ass value to thier console. The upcoming Halo ODST may move some consoles but as an add on its effect will be limited. however the price cut has meant that the 360 is once again in the position to be software driven. in the west microsoft will continuehunting the casual audiecne with new games and in japan will attract the core audience with exclusives such as NNNII and Magna Carta 2. thes esoftware is liekly to be accompnied with hevay makreting and bundling
Sony
i know its stating the obvious but PS3 needs a price cut. its reached saturation at its current price point. with relatively few third party exclusives (in the west at least) the console is relying on it simpressive first party line up. but this compleeling software, even bundled with proably not have that much of an effect without a price cut. new IPs such as infamous and heavy rain could potentially become million sellers are liekly to be marketed hard but they are not system sellers. after the extremely hyped Killzone 2 failed to give a large hardwae boost many are wondering what effect R&C an Uncharted 2 will have. Gran Turismo and God of War III do have the abillity to push hardwrae cnsdierable but whether either of them hits this year s another matter. with sony ruling out a hardware revision a pricecut seems to be Sony's best hope of revitilising the PS3
Part2 coming soon
nintendo fanboy, but the good kind
proud soldier of nintopia
