Sony AM DEAD in Japan....WHY?

[Dodece]

Sony has probably crossed the path of no return this generation. They haven't the resources necessary to change their market position, and perception is like a blind faith. Once fixed it is very difficult to persuade your average consumer that they were wrong all along. Sony missed the greater opportunities in the first year, but being realistic they lost the war before they came to the field of battle. Their plan was shot to pieces on day one, and they have been stumbling around looking for a new one ever since.

Sony never had a contingency plan call it arrogance, or call it a narrow point of view. Whatever you call it they were sluggish to reconsider their situation. They were sluggish to secure other possible avenues for success. They had their doubts that was obvious, and that is why the market in Japan got the best price in the world. You almost have the sense that they thought the seas would be rough for a few months, but the coarse would turn in their favor. When you think the situation will change despite all evidence to the contrary you only end up wasting time and energy.

Sony had real opportunities last year to change their fortunes in this war especially while Nintendo couldn't exploit its overwhelming triumph. That time has come and gone now, and only Nintendo stupidity can save Sony at this point in Japan. They need Nintendo to sit back and provide no opposition to the efforts the need to turn this situation around.

Sony needs to do four critical things this year to overcome Nintendo. The first thing they need to do is buy a few dozen critical exclusive games. They need to reintroduce backwards compatibility into the PS3 and discontinue the PS2. They need one well timed advertising campaign. They need to increase the value of the system more games in the box would help. All are drastic changes, but Sony basically passed up the gradual ones last year.

This is what happens when you do not deal with problems early on, and let them get outside of your control. Everything that Sony needs to do right now to salvage the situation is going to cost a great deal of money. They need to buy a mountain of games if for no other reason to keep Nintendo from getting them. They need to commit to killing off a honey pot in the PS2. They need to rework their release lists and marshal a massive advertising campaign to generate a false impression. Then finally they have to find some way to make the price palatable to consumers.

Sony isn't going to do any of this mind you. They are all but broken placing hope on wonder weapons. One or two games that are going to miraculously turn the war in their favor. That almost never works unless you use them strategically on day one. Sony knows the score, but they are in no position financially to do anything about it. They would need to commit to two billion dollars more in initial losses, and thus in Japan the console would never be profitable. Sony would probably have to sell off another major asset to cover the losses.

Nintendo has the momentum and all the benefits that come with it. With time their position will only get stronger while Sony will only get weaker. The ridiculous notion is that Sony will overcome all of these advantages in the middle of a generation while supporting three platforms to two. All of this without a concerted will to do so. Sony needs to spend a lot of money to salvage this situation.