There is no denying the brilliant performance of the Playstation 4 saleswise. A stroke of marketing genius, largely playing off Microsoft's marketing failures, has resulted in a very strong showing for Sony's console worldwide.
Then you have the marginal performance enhancement (again, its more a case of 'what was Microsoft thinking' over 'go Sony') playing into the narrative of a stronger console. All of this combined together to see the PS4 come hard out of the stables.
But its difficult to avoid the fact that for both Sony and Microsoft, the first year was characterised more by a lack of gaming strength than any brilliant new innovations. But where this has been true for both, it has been most true for the PS4. Indeed, before Bloodbourne, it was hard to look at the PS4 and say "gee, I really need that console for game/games "X."
As we look ahead to the end of this year, it is becoming clear that Microsoft has a relatively strong line-up of announced games, compared to Sony. Indeed, putting sales to the side, its easy to wonder exactly where and how Sony have apportioned their gaming resources for the first few years of their console's life, and how many resources were put in place to begin with.
Of course, the words 'turn around' are a bit of a misnomer. Japan and much of Europe seem all but lost to Microsoft. But with what would seem to be a tangible advantage in playable and high profile exclusives on the immediate horizon, Microsoft may well have a shot at damaging the notion that Sony will have this generation all to itself.
I'd be keen to hear what others think. This generation has shown us, arguably for the first time, that you dont have to have the best games to be the lead console. Arguably, both the Xbox One and the WiiU have better games than the PS4, and yet they are being beaten (almost combined) in global sales.
Does this year represent an opportunity for Microsoft to shift perceptions?
starcraft - Playing Games = FUN, Talking about Games = SERIOUS
