Live and learn.

When the PlayStation 4 was initially unveiled, it seemed clear that Sony had learned from past mistakes. And SCE CEO Andrew House would agree with that assessment.

During a recent MCV UK interview (as cited by Examiner), House said the rough ride Sony experienced during the early days of the PS3 gave them invaluable feedback, and they acted on that feedback:

"Anyone can point out how those learnings have translated into the decisions we’ve made around PS4 –– selection of architecture, emphasis on ease of development, understanding PS4 had to be a highly connected and social experience. These were products of some tough learning we did on PS3."

Yes, in many ways, the PS4 was a complete 180 when compared to the PS3 at launch. It was cheaper than anticipated (in fact, $200 cheaper than the $600 60GB PS3 when it released), it featured off-the-shelf PC parts that allowed developers to get more easily acquainted with the hardware (PlayStation consoles have been notoriously difficult to design for), and Sony worked to make the system as available as possible. More units are on the way to retailers right now and they've already sold over 2 million.

At about this time in 2006, the doom-and-gloom headlines dominated the Internet. It really was tough for the PS3 out of the gate, but Sony is definitely at fault for that. And they have indeed learned.

12/19/2013 11:47:49 AM Ben Dutka

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps4-news/956.html

PS3 was a humbling experience.

The PS3 was a complete disaster at launch, it didn't become a worthwhile system until around 2009. I'm happy Sony has learned from it's mistakes.

That is a good thing.

Ps3 was terrible at the beginning but it had a strong ending so it makes sense why ps4 is selling so much... Hopefully the sales wont make Sony lazy just as how the sales of the wii made Nintendo lazy

No more Krazy Ken, that's why. That guy was hell bent on destroying PlayStation, he was the Don Mattrick of 2006.

"People can just get two jobs to get a PS3."
"The PS3 is too cheap."
"The Xbox 360 is really the Xbox 1.5."
"We want people to think 'I will work more hours' to get a PS3. We want people to fell they want it."
Then all his BS hype.

Then you had other Sony execs shooting off their mouths too, e.g. "If you find a PS3 on a shelf for more than 5 minutes I'll give you $1200 for it" (Jack Tretton), "Rumble is last gen technology" and of course "We could launch the PS3 with no games and it will still sell out."

The PS3 is the reason why we we need competition in the video game industry and why it's necessary for Microsoft, Nintendo, AND Sony to stay alive in the console race.

I should also mention Ken Kutaragi is the reason the PlayStation brand lost many high profile exclusives.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/report-sony-dallying-cost-ps3-exclusives/1100-6162084/

"Newsweek report says Ken Kutaragi's "slowness" allowed Assassin's Creed and GTA IV to go to the Xbox 360."

I'll never forget the "Batarang" PS3 controller design when the system was first unveiled. Whoever came up with that design should've been drawn and quartered.

I would hope losing + billion dollars would lead to change.

The PS4 is truly an anti-PS3.

I'll give credit where credit is due--both badgergnome and I said long ago that Sony and Nintendo had their spells of arrogance and would be better for it and that Microsoft was showing signs of following the same path with this coming generation. We were right, damn it.