I finally get it now - the 10 year life of the PS3 is an amazing plan and, keep reading after this - could win them this gen and next gen in one!
Ok so here is (I think) Sonys plan for the PS3 and that 10 year life:
Sony makes the hardware the best out of all next gen consoles (it is the most powerful so dont deny it) and so they are basically ahead of the competition in the hardware department. Ok, so hardware doesn't necessarily mean you're going to win the generation (look at the XBOX, N64 etc.) however, look a little further on in the PS3's life - when MS and Nintendo release their next gen consoles (if they do) - the PS3 may be the weakest in the hardware department, and at that time - will be cheaper also. My estimation - we'll see the next MS console in 2012 at the latest and the PS3 will be roughly $150 - $300 at that time.
Now then, when this happens - the PS3 has basically turned into the PS2, only Sony have been more clever about it this time and have taken a gamble - fact is, the PS3 will be the cheapest 8th gen console and will already have a headstart in the generation (think 360 with its 8 million headstart when PS3 and Wii launched, only by 2012 PS3 will be at what - 40 million or so? keep in mind the fact that PS3 will be getting cheaper and the fact that PS3 will have a strong 2009 for exclusives and probably each year afterwards).
So when the 8th gen starts - Sony will have a strong start and developers will be far more used to that console than the next console from the competitors. So it will be like 360 this gen, but MORE (like how 360 got a lot of support from Capcom) but imagine if the Wii was in the 360's place - PS3 could possibly the Wii of the 8th gen - getting a load of support from 3rd party companies (of course a lot of it will be shovelware, but it was the same with the PS2).
So, really, Sony WILL succeed with very strong sales from this plan however, like I said earlier - this is a huge risk on Sonys part, because it all depends on whether the other two companies decide to release a new console (I think they will, more likely Nintendo) but if they dont this plan could fail, however, it could be a huge success, when the Wii has ended its life and stops selling and PS3 gets go and possibly passes its sales and it could be almost impossible to catch the PS3's sales in the 8th gen, it'll be like trying to take on the PS2 at its 60 million sales.
The fact is, if this succeeds, Sony has made an extremely smart move and will possibly get the best of both worlds, or maybe even three:
Consumers looking for the most powerful console
Consumers looking for a cheap HD format player
Consumers not bothered about power, but plenty of games and a cheap system
What do you guys think? I think if this is the 10 year plan Sony has made - I love it, whether it works or fails, you've got to respect them for risking it and trying a new tactic.
