By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
pokoko said:
It's a well-written article and a lot of the points are undeniable. Sony has been very scatter-shot with their products, not just in gaming, but over-all. I get the feeling that's coming to an end under the new regime, however--at least, I hope so, and signs are pointing in that direction, with many lines being pared down to only the most profitable models. For years, it seemed like Sony was trying to bull their way into markets without much in the way of strategy.

The Vita is hard for me to put into that category. It's really a fantastic device. It might simply be that a handheld just isn't going to succeed in this new gaming environment without a Pokemon or a Mario.

I'm very hopeful about the PS4. Sony has identified gaming as a central part of their business. More importantly, they don't have a new media format to push. Their next console can release with a very slight loss per unit and they'll be fine. My hope is that they concentrate firmly on traditional gaming, where the Playstation brand is still quite strong. They have several prominent franchises in that area. They should focus on profitability and the core demographic first and foremost. That they're finishing this generation so strongly might bode well for next generation.

The vast improvement PSN has shown is also a cause for optimism, I believe. With PS+ and cloud development, I think they're poised to push gaming as a service instead of simply a product. I honestly think that the PS4 and PSN have a lot of potential going forward.


I was a little iffy on whether to include the Vita.  In the case of the Vita, they knew the market they were shooting for, but didn't put enough thought into how to appeal to that market.  I'm actually working on something about the Vita specifically, but I don't think it needs a Mario or a Pokemon.  It needs a really massive marketing overhaul.

Finishing a generation strong doesn't necessarily mean you'll win next generation.  The PS3 is a perfect example of this.  I think the PS4 has a huge opportunity, but I don't think going with a service style netflixish approach is the way to go, at least not yet.  PSNPlus is a great service because it gives a way for Sony to earn money off of an otherwise unsellable back catalog.

With PSN Plus, Sony is giving away games like Crysis and Ratchet and Clank All For One.  It's not like these games were going to be selling very well anyway, so this is a way for Sony to make money off of them, and also help build fanbases for those franchises.  Sony isn't exactly losing anything by "giving away" these games.  Of course, that's not a complaint.  It's a clever idea by Sony, a good value for their consumers, and a good opportunity to raise brand awareness.  It's a win win.  I could imagine Sony doing something like offering a huge selection of PS3 games or even the entire PS2 library for free streaming with the PS4, but I don't see a full on Netflix type service quite yet.