The only group that can be counted on to consistently buy new hardware generation after generation are gamers. This is the group Sony went after first and foremost.

Nintendo strayed first and it paid huge dividends for them in the short term. However, their new audience had zero loyalty to the brand was not interested in upgrading.

Microsoft strayed with Kinect and ran into the same situation as Nintendo. They also strayed with their reveal by focusing heavily on television capability.

Sony made PS3 gamers happy run through the end of last generation and they began this generation by focusing on that same demographic. They did the best job (or least worst job) of convincing gamers that they are the priority. This instilled product confidence.

Placing your core audience first leads to steady support. Going after other audiences might produce spectacular results if you can get a hit but it can also backfire and leave you playing catch-up.

I agree that Nintendo's and Microsoft made mistakes but every much disagree the PS4's success thus far is only because of competitor's mistakes. Sony got a bunch of things right.

Gamers have spoken. They don't need gimmicks... packed in and forced to buy gimmicks. The Wii U game pad and Kinect 2 are simply gimmicks that consumers don't won't to buy. They add very little if nothing at all

Sony simply had a better plan and executed it better then Nintendo or Microsoft.

Also Playstation being way bigger brands then Nintendo or Xbox helps.

Sony had a plan inline with what gamers wanted. Simply to see why PS4 is success

As you are  referencing from the US (N.American) point of view that can make sense. In the major mainland Euro zones where the Xbox One has been launched this falls apart. The X1 price is being cut to equal or below the PS4 and it still sells poorly. Check the Amazon prices on the European markets.

The PS3 was launched a US$599.00  seven years ago.

OT: I really doubt anyone can say the X360 was a disappointment. If you owned one I really don't see how you could have been disappointed. It gave you brilliant exclusive and 3rd party games. On the other hand the Wii was a third-party disaster when it came to AAA non-exclusive titles.

Fanboys (generally speaking) like to think everyone is like them. You buy into a brand and you stick with it. The truth is the majority of people are more intelligent than that.

For me Sony just produced the best presentation of their console and people not dumbed in brand loyalty went with this presentation.

People were disappointed in Wii's third party support and SD visuals which gave it an image as a "not as good as PS360" system. Wii U inherited the Wii name and image. XBOne is too expensive. Thus, PS4 is selling like hotcakes.

 PS3 dissappointing in what regard? I seriously eveybody who's purchased a PS4 has only done so out of sheer pity. That's just asenine.

All told the Xbox 360 has arguably the greatest games library of any console outside of the PS2 - certainly (more than) a match for the PS3's.

Given that even someone without a bent towards shooters and WRPGs could see this even if the library wasn't their thing, its pretty natural to assume this is a troll thread.

Not pitty, frustration.

Just imagine your favorite sports team. It was once great but now it almost loses all the games and going down multiple leagues. But suddenly they've found the steroids in the basement and are climbing up again. Not only reaching top league but also winning it in every regard. Suddenly all the old fans are back again and it is so much more satisfying to celebrate a team that was once down and is now kicking the asses of its oppressors. It's your regular hero story ;)

Read my above post to see why I think the PS3 was a big disappointment.

360 no. Wii U yes. BUT heres the thing, I think Wii dissastifaction is contributing to WIi U not doing so well. remember it hasnt been doing hot long before PS4 or One hit the market.

thats a terrible analogy considering people arent spending 400+ to root for a sports team. People want the PS4 becasue they want it, its that simple

Sports fans are not spending less than gamers^^ Do you know how much season tickets cost? Not to mention fan merchandise, travels and live streams of the games.

Fans across all hobbies are the same. They want to see their team win and they spend a lot of money on it. Gaming fandom is quite similar to sports fandom.