| RCTjunkie said: all the consoles sold within 10K of each other weekly? If the comprtitiveness improved drastically, how would gaming change? How would forums change? How would fanboys change? |
Not going to happen as each console maker has a different business strategy, different view of the market, and different philosophies concerning whethe it is the games or technology that drives them.
Sony under Kaz Hirai made the move to put out the most cutting edge, expensive console of this generation. From 2006 until 2009, the price of the PS3 was $499 and $599. Consequently, their sales have suffered in comparison to the smashing success of the PS2. Sony proves that gamers buy systems for the games, not for the technology.
Microsoft is a harder read than either Sony or Nintendo because they have only been in the market for two generations. The 360 in many ways is the common man's PS3 where you get many of the same blockbuster games, 360 exclusives, and a company who is keen on learning from the success of Nintendo with Kinect.
Nintendo has pushed the philosophy of disruptive technologies and the blue ocean business strategy to the extent where Nintendo is referred to by many misinformed, over opinionated gamers as the "casual" console. Casual or not, Nintendo's hardware and software numbers alone speak for themselves and will allow Nintendo to dictate the industry for years to come.
The time for being within 10k consoles was when the first consoles first launched. Since the difference in total hardware and total software numbers has been cemented by 5 years, neither will be fighting for the top spot currently held by Nintendo.
Also, hardware sales after the release of the 8th generation consoles is a very, very moot point because the console makers are focused on the new console.
