PS2-PS3 vs 360. If you focus too much on an existing console, the competition will make you pay when you decide to launch your next. If your next console sells less, usually meaning the competition's sold more, your going to sell less games overall and getting your momentum back isn't easy. Luckily for PS4, it was handed this gen like a gift. If XB1 launched like it should have, without DRM or Kinect ever being tied to the console, let alone even mentioned, and $400 retail price, PS4 would not have near the lead it has now in hardware or software sales. It's no doubt part of the reason that Neo (Pro) launched when it did, making sure they didn't focus too much on PS4 and potentially allowing Scorpio (XB1X) to change the tides.
Hardware is like watching the football game and calling plays (which most fans enjoy). Software is like trying to figure out how much money was made off all of those fans during the game (fun for a select few). The stadium must exist and be decent enough (hardware), then depending on how good your team is, you either sell more or less (software).
PS1 - ! - We must build a console that can alert our enemies.
PS2 - @- We must build a console that offers online living room gaming.
PS3 - #- We must build a console that’s powerful, social, costs and does everything.
PS4 - $- We must build a console that’s affordable, charges for services, and pumps out exclusives.
PRO -%-We must build a console that's VR ready, checkerboard upscales, and sells but a fraction of the money printer.
PS5 - ^ -We must build a console that’s a generational cross product, with RT lighting, and price hiking.
PRO -&- We must build a console that Super Res upscales and continues the cost increases.
