Whenever fans of different consoles get together, they will taunt one another on sales, games and so on.  It becomes an ego thing.  This battle doesn't even win the fans of the console that sells more a cookie.  You get jack.  Maybe bragging rights.  But, among console fanboys you want bragging rights?  Anyone know what that is worth?  I don't think much.

Well, current reality is the PS3 is in third place.  There is a chance it will end up that way.  MAYBE it gets second place.  I am hard pressed to see the PS3 coming in first, so I wouldn't go there.  Anyhow, that being said, I am curious what the big deal is with the PS3 coming in third.  Why is it a bad thing, and why would it matter?  I can see things like this discussed (and I will then comment on my thoughts on it):

1. The PS3 at third means the XBox is second.  This means Microsoft is less likely to completely drop out of the videogame business, which has rob sales from Sony. 

My reply: And you care about there being one less competitor in the videogame business... because?  Oh, you hate Microsoft so you want them to pay?  As I see it, Microsoft will continue to press on here, even if they came in third.  They have done better this time around.  So, it looks pointless to me.

2. The PS3 will lose exclusives, and have titles completely leave it competely for the 360.  Software support also won't be what it could.

My reply: Why do you care that a title is also on the 360?  Also, how many titles have abandoned the PS3 for the 360 alone?  I don't see a lot at all.  I see Microsoft moneyhatting to stop titles from being exclusive.  Oh the PS3 had some RPGs delayed as a result.  But beyond that?  I believe the PS3 has held up good for a third place console on the software front.  It gets all the top third-party games.

3. The PS3 isn't the lead development console for next generation if it isn't at least second.

My reply: Are developers getting the nack of the PS3 at this point?  I would say yes, so the titles are about the same between both systems on multi-platform titles.

4. The Playstation brand stops being a major driving force in sales if the PS3 is third.

My reply: How as the "Playstation brand" helped in the handheld front?  The DS owns the handheld market.  Even then, the PSP still gets decent third-party support.

5. The PS3 at third means that the next Playstation will have a smaller user base to migrate next generation to.

My reply: With the PS3 removing backwards compatibility with the PS2, exactly where is the migrating going to?  PS2 owners have jumped to the Wii and 360 this time around eventhough the PS2 was the best-selling console of all-time.

So, all and all, wherever the PS3 finishes, doesn't seem that important at this point and time.  Sony does need to get things to be profitable, but beyond this?   If the PS3 does finish third I believe the PS3 will still of had a good run.  Also, we are talking about FINISHING third, at the end of this run of consoles.  At that time, what place does it matter?  Sony will have moved onto the next console by then.

Please post anything I have missed here.

Its not a bad thing at all...

If the PS3 is, then the 360 is also.  This then has to do with more about the PS3 not being in first place, then it being in last.

Every fan wants its console to win, exuses are made to cover this desire, so debating such posts is useless when we all know we are all fanboys which want our favorite console to win and laugh at the other fanboys that want the same thing.

It is more of a question of asking why the PS3 coming in last (third) is a bad thing, rather than it NOT coming in first.   The PS3 has different possible issues then the 360 coming in third.

Not bad for me.

But it could be cool if Sony actually did some profit on PS3.

Because, well, they need money. A shitload of it.

uhhh....Monster Hunter 3? That's all I can think of

I am 100% sure the 360 will end up second.

I understand this.  I did want to offer people a chance to discuss the PS3 coming in first.  I also posted it because the PS3 was forecast by everyone pretty much to be the top-selling console before this generation fully started, and the PS2 was the top console last generation.

@richardhutnik

You are making good valid arguments. That sadly underlies a fundamental flaw in the way Sony is approaching its console business. Their current model does not allow for a promise of carry over, or more specifically promise of carry over being likely. You are right in that these arguments do not damage the current experience, or guarantee a bad experience with the next console.

However the philosophy in itself of not fully honoring carry over means that the owner is all but guaranteed a poor experience. I own a 360 and a Wii. I have a good deal of confidence that at the end of this generation I can buy a new console, sell my old console, keep my old games, and play them on my new console. I will be able to transfer any data I need, and have my community experience remain much the same.

Basically your analysis breaks down into your fucked already deal with it. Shit cannot get worse, because the console has an expiration date, and it will have a slightly worse situation then the competition. Those points you made are valid for anyone that owns a 360 or a Wii, because they are invested in a product line. Whereas PS3 owners are only invested in a single machine. When the time comes to move to the next machine they will basically have to start from scratch with a significantly higher buy in.

Basically both Microsoft and Nintendo have a stronger selling point on their next console. The only upside for the PS3 owner is they will have no strings attached. They can simply move on to the next console from one of those two players since they will probably be starting back at square one.

Honestly it would be better for PS3 owners if the arguments you shot down did matter. Many of them have spent over a thousand dollars on their console. To buy the console, and provide games for it, and even accessories. With no carry over its a terrible loss of investment. I know I would be upset if I spent that kind of money, and had no way to carry over the investment. Hell even the games have a lower sale or trade value. It was always gut wrenching for me to have to sell my old console, and all the games to buy a new console.