Sony breaking cover first: beneficial or detrimental?

[Dodece]

I think the cons probably outweigh the pros in this particular scenario. I think people here are perhaps confusing their own enthusiasms for public awareness. The reason that companies prefer to unveil during major industry events is that those events magnify their own efforts. It isn't just about free publicity. It is about the spectacle lending gravitas to the announcements. Going first and going alone. Might give Sony distance from Microsoft so it can stand out, but in doing so it is also positioning itself farther away from the spotlight. Where it could run the risk of preaching to the choir rather then converting the masses in earnest.

I am sure others have alluded to this, but this isn't actually a positive sign. Sony possibly ceding the big stage does say a lot about its own confidence in its product. Namely that it doesn't compare favorably in a side by side comparison. It is a rather implicit, and furthermore quite obvious conclusion. Now if that is the case then Sony unveiling this month can be seen as being more of a pro then a con. In so much as it allows them to avoid a even worse fate.

Concerning the matter of hype which itself means a exaggerated response. I think a lot of people are blind to the fact that this is actually a irrational outcome. Do some of you earnestly think your average gamer is going to become nigh obsessed with this hardware. Sure they may get interested, and dwell upon the subject, but to lose their sense of all proportions. Really you think that is a likely outcome. Look I can see someone getting hyped about something that is going to happen tomorrow, or the day after that. I don't see anyone just getting hyped, and then staying there for half a year.