[Opinion] Why Sony Should Exit The Console Hardware Business

[Metrium]

pezus said:

Cobretti2 said:

Metrium said:

pezus said:

 

This article is quite funny in light of recent sales numbers...

 

You are aware that this week's numbers are in no way a good indicator right? They launched a new model of the PS3 and for some reasons europeans jumped on it like crazy. These numbers are only because of the PS slim slim and that in a week or 2 they will go back to normal.

don't forget that hardware sales does not equal profit.

PS3 sold millions at launch and it LOST Sony money. Sony makes its money from software sales, 

 

My personal view:

It would be nice to see Sony publish software and drop the hardware race, However like others have said it would leave a void. Sadly I can see that void being filled by Apple. If that happesn gaming will be ruined forever as all the apple sheep will flock to the overpriced apple product.

The point was that it's pretty much a given they profit from hardware sales now. Stopping that right after they started profiting is such an incredibly dumb idea.

Yes they are profiting from hardware NOW with the PS3. And offcaurse they will keep on selling PS3s. But will we be able to say the same thing with the PS4? Will it be sold at profits on day 1? Or will it bleed money for 2 or 3 years like the PS3 did. Will they be able to lose money for a new console the same way they were able to afford back in 2007? And if even the ps4 is sold at profits day 1, how many years will it take to cut even with all the R&D (# that will be way worst if its sold at a loss). Offcaurse Sony already have an idea on what they will do next gen and the R&D already started if they are planning on launching a PS4. No one is suggering that they kill the now profitable PS3 but they are suggering that they should not launch a ps4.

But to be honest, I'm not sure Sony wants or even can to go thru all of this again, they are probably looking at the Vita's launch that had a not easy launch and still struggling today, they are probably looking at the utter failure of the pspgo and they remember the PS3's launch. One thing is certain is that they are rly not looking forward to the day they have to launch the PS4 but saddly they will probably still do it by pure ego. I would'nt be surprised that they try to milk the PS3 as long as they can in order to move away the day that they have no choice to switch gen as far as they can. I see no possible scenario where Sony announces a PS4 at E3 for fall 2013, I'm sure they will be the last to switch gen and that it won't be before 2014 at the very least.