Will NeXtbox and PS4 Need Major Unique Selling Points?

[DanneSandin]

Andrespetmonkey said:

DanneSandin said:

Andrespetmonkey said:

DanneSandin said:
Aaaah I remember this article =)

I think they might have to get an USP; if only because the competition will get it. What if PS720 only uped the graphics, and nothing else? 

Then they would suck, but those aren't going to be the only advancements or innovations even if the input device is the same, because in todays world I would say the system's OS and UI is just as important as the hardware, and I'm very confident they'll have a slew of new features and refinements. And first party titles of course.

I see 4 USP's for the Wii U. Of course their 1st party games. A no brainer. But the controller COULD become something great; not saying it will, but if developers use it I think it could be a real USP. Then we have the Miiverse, which could become a pretty cool feature. But what I love with Wii U is Nintendo TVii! If that shit's coming to Europe I'll be so happy :D

Those aren't just small "advancements or innovations" and "new features and refinements"; those things could sell consoles. If sony and MS only refines what they already got, they'll be left in the dust by Nintendo. They need to bring something new.

I think you are really underestimating what I mean by "new features and refinements", and how important they will be to a console in 2013. Say for example, the PS4 still uses the XMB, but it's lightning fast in game or out, has any kind of cross-chat/group-chat/nude-chat crap you could imagine, has dozens of TV/social media aps, Gaikai integration (possibly bringing full BC), rebooted PS store and PS+, a much improved browser, new trophy system  etc. and a ton of new crap that I can't predict all wraped up in a much more attractive and intuitive UI (and all of which by the way is avaliable in-game, fully featured, by simply pressing the PS button)... that would be massive, and that would be a lot more than a refinement. That would be like going from Windows 95 to Windows 7 (maybe almost literally if Microsoft put W8 in their next Xbox). 

Yes, perhaps I am underestimating all of these refinements and fine tuning.I think that if PS4 is launched with Gaikai integrated, THAT'LL be the USP. But I'm not sure if I'd call these improvements for USPs, since they already exists... That's my main point I guess; while attractive features and essential, they are not in fact USPs, they are features. Except Gaikai - that would be a hell of an USP!

Miiverse is a similar concept to PS home if I'm not mistaken... and while it probably will be bigger, will it really be a big draw? TVii isn't going to be big (and isn't anything new) because 1: Tablets exist, there will be far more out there, and they already do this well. 2: It's not really a major feature anyway because 3: The vast majority of people watch TV on their TVs, and 2 gaming systems have already been doing this for years, and I would bet PS4/720 will do it better than the Wii U (but obviously, we don't know if they actually will so you can ignore that last bit if you wish) 4: It isn't confirmed for the second biggest region?

I've never used PS Home myself, so I wouldn't know if they are similar. If PS Home is anything like facebook/twitter for games/gamers, then yes, they are the same thing. I've just not heard of such a functionality and Sony has failed marketing a potential USP; all I hear is that Xbox Live is way better.

The buzz around the gamepad is not nearly what the buzz around the Wiimote is, which is not a critique of the actual controller mind you, just an observation. I don't expect it to "wow" the masses.

Yes, as an USP the GamePad isn't generating enough of buzz; but perhaps Nintendo is counting on it buzzing within a few months through word of mouth. First they sell Wii U to loyal Nintendo fans, and getting noticed by "hardcore" gamers for their core titles (ZombiU and Bayo2) which they follow up with getting ports of major core games and releasing/announcing a few of their own. And next holiday they release more casual titles and having a lower price point than PS720 it'll start to look like the best by.

That's all nice and dandy in theory. I doubt it'll go down that smooth, but that strategy would ensure massive sales imo. If done right Wii U will end up nr 1 OR nr 2 this gen, pending on MicroSony