Will Sony Make The Same Launch Mistakes With The PS4?
For the third generation in a row, I would say Sony has emerged as the front-runner in terms of overall software quality and variety. But all three generations got off to somewhat rocky starts; perhaps the worst was the most recent.
I've said it before: the only reason I got the PlayStation 3 on launch day was because I needed it for work purposes. Left to my own devices, I really had no intention of shelling out $600 for a system that didn't have many games I desperately wanted. Blu-Ray hadn't won the HD format war yet, the PlayStation Network was in its infancy stages, and there were some reliability questions. I remembered working at EB during the PS2 launch, and there were definite issues when new owners tried to stand their new systems vertical. Also, let's not forget that PS3 availability was atrocious at launch. I mean, 6 per store in many places?
As it currently stands, I've got about 75 PS3 games, Blu-Ray is the only HD format, the Network remains free and in my eyes, offers just about everything you get with Live, and I've had two PS3s, neither of which hiccuped even once. And if I were to list the top 10 games of the generation, I'd say at least five or six would be PlayStation 3 exclusives. But you know, Sony may not learn from history...they're trying to say they have learned by delaying the launch of the PlayStation Vita for the sake of a lot of launch software.
The question remains, however- do you think Sony will repeat the same mistakes when the PS4 launches? As in, too pricey, not enough games, quite simply not enough features to warrant the price, and an almost complete lack of availability? It'd be hard to believe they'd do it all over again with the PS4, but who knows?
Tags: ps4, playstation 4, ps3 launch, sony, next-gen
11/13/2011 9:16:16 PM Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (87 posts)
Coffeya
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 9:58:49 PM
Dualshock 4 is probably going to be exactly like its predecessor with some added touch functions.
bigrailer19
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:34:20 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:38:40 PM
bigrailer19
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:45:05 PM
NoSmokingBandit
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 6:08:20 AM
AcHiLLiA
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 11:31:24 AM
Sony does have to change that. I'd say keep it the same way as the Dualshock 2 with sixaxis/rumble and make the controller arms a little longer cause I have big hands. I can palm a NBA size basketball if my hands r not sweaty.
Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 11/14/2011 11:35:18 AM
NoSmokingBandit
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 4:18:01 PM
Underdog15
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 @ 8:50:20 AM
Shams
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 9:43:44 PM
Reply
jaybiv
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 10:25:40 PM
Reply
Btw Ben, I dropped about $2,700 total in one day when I got my 3 in Dec '06. A 60 gb, new 57" DLP, three controllers, hdmi cable, Madden, Resistance, Tiger Woods, COD 3, Marvel Alliance and NBA 2K7. Most fun I've ever had spending that much money.
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 9:58:44 AM
xnonsuchx
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 2:35:12 PM
Douchebaguette
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:03:25 PM
Reply
...which is what Microsoft did this gen, and we definately wouldn't want that. Doubt it though, as Sony always wish to deliver an all round high standard of quality; they've probably analysed and evaluated all mistakes from all three corporations and set for the porridge that is juussst riight.
ulsterscot
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:10:38 PM
Reply
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:39:54 PM
Wendell
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 11:42:39 AM
Qubex
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 6:26:38 AM
TheCrazyMerc
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:23:13 PM
Reply
ulsterscot
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:28:25 PM
Reply
LimitedVertigo
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 12:17:06 AM
bigrailer19
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 1:24:35 AM
firesoul453
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 9:25:13 AM
If they don't use the cell they probably won't add backwards compatibility directly, but I bet that if not, they will have an addon or something for like $100 for backwards compatibility.
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:15:23 AM
Also, we are beginning to collect boxes, PS2, PS3 and a new PS4 all to play PS games? I think it is important that the next Playtsation home console be PS3 backwards compatible because is is entirely possible it will be the last generational change of console.
What I mean is that the PS4 may be the last console that is a substantial leap from it's predecessor and that future consoles will be evolutions of existing systems, iterative change and upgrades instead of a brand new system every 6 years, think updated capability every 3. The console will play the same games, but the visual quality will depend on the exact configuration of console. The games will be written the same way and be the same executable, they will simply scale themselves depending on the console hardware available.
I think having a PS4 that uses Cell technology and another nVidia GPU (assuming that's the way they go) will feed directly into this with the PS4 being able to play PS3 games, and PS3 developers being able to easily move up to the new system, and even making their PS4 games scalable so that the visually inferior version can be sold on PS3, and the full spec on the PS4 with a price premium for the full spec version. They wouldn't be the same executable, but different compilations of the same game. The PS3 version might limit visuals to 30fps 720 resolution (or lower) - for example, where the PS4 version can run at full 1080p60 with 3D.
Whatever the differential, it needs to be a different executable to prevent haxx0rs from simply chipping the PS3 version to run on a PS4 with full resolution. But doing this would grandfather all PS3s into the next generation, and yet still provide a good reason to upgrade, especially if the PS3 becomes feature locked and only receives security updates and bug fixes.
Also the PS4 needs to be capable of near total PS2 backwards compatibility (and I would throw in PSP compatibility - not Vita). If Sony can manage that, then the PS4 becomes that one system to buy because it handles PS1, PS2, PSP, PS3 and PS4 games. Technologically it should have no trouble with this.
If you make the Ps4 100% backwards compatible to the PS3, you have to make a compelling reason to upgrade from the PS3. Giving PS4 backwards compatibility for everything except PS Vita games provides an extraordinarily good reason to upgrade, even if PS3 remains on the market. The backwards compatibility with the PS3 also provides a huge comfort factor for gamers since they will not have to re-purchase all their games, nor throw away that existing investment.
AcHiLLiA
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 11:48:05 AM
Coffeya
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 11:52:48 AM
BikerSaint
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 12:41:25 PM
Since I'm also a gaming collector, as well as being a gamer, I'm always buying(& playing) PS2 games & I never realized how much I really would miss my phat Princess's B/C until she was murdered by an A-hole of the US Postal Buffoons & I only had a Slim with a PS2 Slim sitting along side it for a few months. I guess it was just force of habit(and wishful thinking) but for those few months, I kept forgetting & kept trying to popping my new PS2 games into my PS3 slim.
And that's one of the big reasons why I recently went out & bought ANOTHER 60GB(refurbed), & then promptly put a 750 HD into her.
And since my 320 Move bundle slim is already sporting a nice new Phat 1T HD in her, all I can say is I love that I've now got 2 gigantic fatties, just lounging their butts off, in my household!
Last edited by BikerSaint on 11/14/2011 12:54:23 PM
Coffeya
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 2:49:31 PM
BikerSaint
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 @ 11:15:03 AM
I put a Western Digital 1T in my slim & also a WD 750 into my old 60GB Phattie, plus I've also put a Samsung 750 into an earlier PS3, all with zero problems.
For myself, I usually stick with WD because I can find better deals & sales on them more often than the other brands.
BTW, the HD brands that Sony had put into them originally were Seagate's, Samsung's, & Toshiba's.
So whichever you wind up using, it shouldn't be a problem, as long as you stick with one of these name brands
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:17:51 AM
bigrailer19
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:36:29 PM
Reply
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 11/13/2011 11:37:14 PM
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:25:45 AM
Even if Sony uses a development of the Cell, it will be costly to make at first, as will the GPU. The BluRay drive will be substantially cheaper, the cost of BluRay players at the time of the PS3 was so high that there were really no players below the price point of the PS3. That said, I anticipate that the cost of the BluRay components in the PS4 will be less than 1/6 of what they cost in the PS3, so that is a major cost reduction. I am hoping that because of this the actual cost to build for the PS4 will be in the $500-$600 range, which would allow Sony to sell the PS4 for something like $400. The cost of semiconductors will shrink with each process generation, so Sony knows that the initial build cost will shrink to a profitable point more quickly because the PS4 will not also have the cost of BluRay components to contend with.
In the PS4 we will see, commodity RAM, commodity video RAM, commodity BluRay, commodity motherboard components for BlueTooth, ethernet and other standard features, commodity HDD/SSD. The CPU/GPU are likely to be a bit more exotic, and perhaps even the cooling system and case. Other than that though, they should be able to take advantage of commodity pricing.
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:36:49 PM
Reply
bigrailer19
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 11:41:50 PM
Russell Burrows
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 12:03:00 AM
Reply
BD100 and later BD200
3D chipware CPU units in a vertical stack beats the flatlander topography of the PS3 design.
The performance of a 600 dollar 2013 platform for 349 dollars in 2013.
In other words a flat and expensive 15nm chip gets outperformed by a 28nm 3d chip thats faster, cheaper and much better.
3D chips Integrated design means amazing bus speeds that outperform traditional flatchips and flat single on chip designs.
Stay tuned.
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:27:08 AM
LimitedVertigo
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 12:12:55 AM
Reply
PharaohJR
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 12:17:37 AM
Reply
look here.. all sony need to do is drop another console with more depth to the current features present on PS3. backwards compatibility for all models if not certain models & continue to make quality there primary focus in the system & software.
correct me if wrong but isnt ps3 the dominant console after wii in all countries except America? as many units wii sold tell me right now is the majority of owners still using their wii as they did when purchased? x360 we have already seen the facts cause of microsoft tactics in making a faulty system & flipping gaming industry into exclusive DLC content it didnt work so well. the sales #s are only that number cause of a unreliable system.
as long as sony realizes there is a shift with the mindset of younger consumers now gravitating to what others are dealing with but also remembering the folks that supported Playstation since entry. Sony will stay relevant & be a dominant console into every generation. if they play the competition game.... just know other sides dont play fair & will pull tricks.
___________
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 1:38:14 AM
Reply
yea, theres your answer!
ridiculously overpriced.
awkwardly timed.
and of course it would not be a $ony product without a piss poor lineup!
i mean come on, how can you release a new PSP and have the only adult FP game as uncharted?
no killzone, no LBP, no resistance, no GT, none of the franchises you think of when you think of playstation.
just uncharted!
yea people are really going to go spend 450 bucks on a vita plus 60 or so on uncharted just so they can play that for a week or so then have the unit sit on the shelf for a month or so!
one thing $ony has taught me this gen is there thick as mules!
actually no, for once that term is actually a literal understatement!
Lawless SXE
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 3:04:55 AM
And the games... Uncharted is the biggest launch day game, no doubt, but it also has Wipeout, MVC, Katamari, Shinobido, Ridge Racer, and that's only what's been confirmed. The first year promises to be amazing if even half of the expected games make it out.
___________
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 8:56:51 AM
how can a handheld cost 100 bucks MORE then a ps3 with MW3, BF3, 2 controllers play TV AND a monster HDMI cable!?
as for the iphone, well the vita cant turn into a GPS system now can it?
i can play games my 4 for a good 5 hours before it goes flat!
according to $ony the vita struggles to get half that, and its a dedicated gaming device!
and the iphone is as reliable as a wood burning stove!
how much you want to bet the day of release people will be complaining of broken vitas?
only problem iphones have had in the past few years since introduction was the reception issues with 4 and that was not exactly a major problem like what $onys had with their products.
for example my father just bought a new xperia arc yesterday and the f*cking thing keeps turning itself off!
not going flat, you can turn it back on and it will have 100% battery life.
then lock it put it down, come back 5 minutes later and it will be off again!
iphones are 800 bucks because they do everything, and they do it so well!
and there as reliable as a wood burning stove!
lets see the vita get one of those right!
as for the games i clearly said first party.
last time i checked MVC3 and co are not made by $ony........
i can see the vita is going to suffer the exact same fate the PSP did.
third party publishers are supporting it better then what $ony is, how pathetics that!?
its their system, its there job to release enough games to carry it on launch!
not release 2, and look to crapcom and co to carry the rest of the weight.
thats what i cant understand about $ony!
they just dont learn their lessons!
they released the ps3 at a ridclious high price.
sold poorly.
so to fix that problem they do the EXACT SAME for the PSP GO!
common sense, right?
ill solve the problem by doing the exact same.
hmmmm, every time i stick my finger in this light bulb socket i get electrocuted.
hmmmmm, i wonder why.
i know ill solve that by doing it again!
one day they will learn, one day they will stop being greedy money grubbing price gougers, and backup their products with decent software.
but by the time that happens the world would of already ended, so its kinda pointless!
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:31:21 AM
Ridiculously expensive? Not 6 months ago people were fearing that the base model would cost $500, and then Sony announced at $249 and the entire industry was very p0leasantly surprised. Not one voice was raised saying that this was ridiculously expensive. More recently the somewhat MS favoring tech media has started to harp on the price of the Vita, except that any comparable smart device or iPad costs 50-100% more than the Vita with inferior components.
Oh, but let's not let facts get in the way of your trolling.
Nor am I sure how the game line up for the Vita can be described as piss poor. The only piss poor thing around here is your intellect. I think it's time that Ben killed your account, your posts are becoming ever more ridiculous and nothing more than trolls.
sawao_yamanaka
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:43:20 AM
You do know they have resistance, lbp, modnation racers and hot shots golf releasing on the vita launch date right? I say Sony is definitely supporting it. Please do stop being a troll and go elsewhere. As for uncharted it is not an fps it is a tps and a damn good one to boot.
sawao_yamanaka
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:46:03 AM
Qubex
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 6:28:31 AM
___________
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 9:04:56 AM
i dont live there, i live in AU and in AU the vitas 450 bucks NOT 250!
so, you were saying.......?
im sorry, no f*cking way in hell the vita is worth 450 bucks!
no way, no how.
dunno where you got that from, but LBP, resistance and MNR ARE NOT launch titles!
as i said the ONLY first party games that are launch titles are wipeout and uncharted.
how can a single third party publisher, crapcom, support the device better then the devices manufacture!?
one of the biggest problems that befalled the psp was the lack of first party support.
and there doing the exact same thing here!
Last edited by ___________ on 11/15/2011 9:07:22 AM
Underdog15
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 9:12:42 AM
Lawless SXE
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 2:53:35 AM
Reply
It's pretty clear that they have some idea. Of course, they need to have some of their strongest developers working on launch window games and it has to have new features, perhaps a larger optical disc format, a more powerful processor setup to outdo the typical PCs of launch era, and particularly the Xbox TEN/loop, or whatever the dickens it's being called... I trust 'em to not stuff it up.
Dancemachine55
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 6:13:16 AM
Reply
It will not surprise me one bit to see a PS4 with the same structure as a PS3, but a little more power under the hood.
I'm talking the same 8 core cells structure, but with 1 or 2 GB system RAM, 512 MB video RAM, a 3D top of the line graphics card AND a 500 GB or 750 GB HDD.
I think a new God of War, Gran Turismo, Uncharted, Littlebig Planet or Killzone, along with some new IP's to kick off the new gen, would be an instant system seller!!
I had a few ideas that would really get the PS4 off to a great start:
1. A strong 1st party lineup within the first 6 months of the console's release. At least 12 AAA titles from Sony's studios.
2. Agreeing with InBlackestNight, release the PS4 in North America and Japan around June 2013, then Europe and worldwide in September / October. Stagnated enough to build stock before the Christmas rush.
3. Gain a lot of 3rd party developer support. Incentive programs such as free use of motion capture studios and free reign on new IPs to test new ideas from all 3rd party studios, allowing lots of creative freedom so long as they make their first next gen game Playstation exclusive.
A new gen of consoles generally means the start of new big franchises. Just look at Uncharted, Assassin's Creed, Dead Space and Gears of War for this generation!!!
If Sony did any of this stuff with the PS4, and keep the price low, like around $399 US, they will no doubt dominate next gen.
Finally, here's some mistakes they made that I hope they will not make again:
1. Release at least 6 months before the competition.
2. Be the cheaper console or the same competitive priced console but with more functions to offer.
3. Backwards compatibility with all PSN purchases, and hopefully with PS3 discs.
4. Make sure you have millions ready to ship for the holiday season.
5. Have at least a handful of games for each type of player, eg. hardcore shooter, racer, kids games, adventure, RPG, quality party games like Dance Central, Rock Band, Sports Champions 2, etc.
6. Do not rely on weird commercials to grab the viewers attention. People these days respond better to humour and straight-to-the-point advertising, like features and cost. Keep It Simple, Stupid!!
7. Improved customer service. People really respond well to a company that goes out of their way to satisfy a customer, like a 1-2 week turnaround for console replacement or repair, free posting, maybe a month of free PS Plus thrown in for good measure/
Excelsior1
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 8:33:08 AM
Reply
VampDeLeon
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 9:12:42 AM
Reply
- Encourage people to get 2nd jobs to pay for it
- Commercials that creeped people out (Baby doll one)
- Boast on backwards compatibility only to later remove part of the feature (PS1 and PS2 please, PS3 included would be awesome but I won't mind if they don't allow PS3 games to work)
- Have any alleged exclusive launch title games that end up on another console. (Assassin's Creed, Elder Scrolls IV, etc.)
- Price it over $500, even if it allowed mind control, popcorn making powers most people will still be turned off by the price.
Last edited by VampDeLeon on 11/14/2011 9:13:45 AM
Mr Bubbles IGR
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 9:27:16 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 9:55:41 AM
Reply
Isn't it funny how the people who get banned are so OBVIOUSLY people who should be banned? ;)
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 11/14/2011 9:56:13 AM
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:34:04 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:44:23 AM
sawao_yamanaka
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:47:57 AM
Dancemachine55
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 5:12:57 PM
Thanks Ben. It still amazes me that people would go out of their way and waste so much time trolling web sites. Sound like real losers to me.
Nice to know Ben's on top of it. Keep the comments section exactly as it should be, thoughtful comments or rational point of views. Or strong personal opinions that are well explained and not pushed on anyone else.
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 10:47:25 AM
Reply
The other possibility is a radically different architecture based on a larger number of ARM cores. But, I think that one of the bigger lessons that Sony had to take on board with the PS3 was the radical change in platform caused developers too much pain. extending the current design so that the existing knowledge isn't invalidated would seem to be a major point of learning. Maintaining control of costs would seem to be another obvious lesson. Sony won't want to launch the system at much above $399, that price point is about the ceiling for a new home console in terms of the pain that consumers will experience without turning away. Build costs are therefore likely to be no higher than $600 at launch. so long as only the CPU and GPU represent 'new' devices, that should leave enough room for a well specified system with build costs in the $600 range. If the CPU/GPU cost $300-$400, it would leave $200-$300 for the rest of the system, which is a fair amount for the increased amounts of RAM and all the other components - including the upgraded BluRay, new case, PSU and motherboard.
As I said in a post above, I sincerely hope that Sony makes this the one Playstation to rule them all, in other words it needs to be capable of playing PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PSP, and PSN games. The only exclusion I make is Vita, That will be a current platform and emulating it would pointlessly hurt the Vita's market.
I expect that even if the other emulations are there on the PS4, the PSP emulation may well be left to the Vita. If PS4 is cell/Power7 based, I hope to see new PS4 games built in such a way that a budget version of the game limited to 30 frames per second at 720 or lower would be built at the same time for PS3. This would allow developers to effectively build games in a two for one manner. The PS3 version would be gimped compared to the PS4, but sold at the discount end of the price spectrum. I don't think this would harm PS4's market because I think that including all the backwards compatibility in one box will provide a compelling reason to upgrade. But, Sony's market research may say something else - who knows....
Either way, PS4 should be interesting - whenever it arrives.
Dancemachine55
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 5:47:51 PM
Just look at the PS2. It wasn't as powerful as an Xbox or Gamecube, but it was highest selling because it was cheaper and it came out first. It also had a strong exclusive lineup of games, and many multiplats still ran well on PS2, even if not as smoothly as Xbox.
Since the PS3's 8 SPE's and 3.2 GHz PPE is still considered quite high these days, I really wouldn't be surprised to see a minor upgrade on these when the PS4 launches. You think they'll keep the NVIDIA Reality Synthesizer in the PS4?
Would not surprise me to see Sony double the amount of SPE's and quadruple the DDR3 RAM and XDR DRAM to 1 GB each, perhaps adding a separate 512MB video RAM to help process on-board applications, streamline multi-tasking applications and improve general gaming performance.
Is it just me, or has the focus on new consoles turned from better graphics to smoother performance and higher resolutions? Do you think graphics have been maxed out and can't get much better?
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 9:13:26 PM
As for the GPU, I wouldn't expect to see a RSX in the next system, but if they stick with nVidia, it will make getting a working RSX emulation a lot easier - IMHO. I would expect that they pick the current architecture from nVidia, rather than trying to evolve RSX. Much less expensive and easier for PC Devs to cope with.
Twistedfloyd
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 11:47:24 AM
Reply
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 12:35:23 PM
Dancemachine55
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 5:55:23 PM
The 360 was maxed out by 2009 with Gears of War 2. Nearly all major releases are on multiple discs cos of 360's use of DVD format.
I reckon, since the PS3 was so far ahead of it's time in design, the PS4 will just be a highly improved and optimized version of the PS3. Familiarity with developers, backwards compatability with all PS3 and PSN software, yet enough of a boost in RAM and graphics processing to give next gen graphics a real kick.
Dancemachine55
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 5:56:16 PM
BikerSaint
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 @ 11:34:33 AM
About 30 are completely finished, with another 15 or so where I got stuck near the end somewhere, & that I will go back to with a fresher insight. I also have probably about a good 75 to a 100 that are still in my backlog too(AC1&2, Batman, Fallout3 & Vegas, Mafia 2, Borderlands, Deus Ex Human Revolution, etc, just to name a few).
I just finished Crysis & am about 2/3 through Crysis 2 right now & I'll totally loving their stories & SP length
BTW, I have a lot of other titles, such as RTS, RPG, sports, music/dance titles that I'll never play, but I still needed to help fill in my collection.
BikerSaint
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 1:25:32 PM
Reply
Dancemachine55
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 5:58:38 PM
tridon
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 1:30:21 PM
Reply
1) Launch with some of your big guns. You want people to run out and buy your system at launch, there needs to be something recognizable there. This is why I'd recommend holding off on God of War IV and Uncharted 4 until the PS4 launch.
2) The price has to be reasonable. With today's economy, there's a slim chance a lot of people will be able to pay $700-$800 for a new system (before taxes). I know I wouldn't be able to.
3) Keep the DualShock design!
4) The features that are available at launch should stay with the system and NEVER be removed. People are paying for that feature, so don't scoop it away on them (i.e. PS2 backwards compatibility, shared PSN accounts, etc.).
5) Beat the Xbox out of the gate. You want your crown back, don't let them have another 1-year headstart.
6) While on the topic of the Xbox, pay for exclusives! Sony may have ten times the better first-party line-up, but Microsoft is smart. They know they don't have Uncharted and LittleBigPlanet, so they keep up exclusivity on gaming giants such as GTA and CoD. You want dominance, you need the giants!
7) And while on the topic of exclusivity... do NOT let go of Metal Gear Solid!!!
8) Be prepared for demand. Don't allow yourselves to run out of stock again. It won't help in the long run (even though I'm sure a lot of eBay salespeople wouldn't mind).
That's about all that's coming to my mind. ;)
Last edited by tridon on 11/14/2011 1:31:26 PM
Dancemachine55
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 9:55:30 PM
Third party timed exclusives are a good deal, but eventually fall flat a year or 2 later when the competition gets it too. I say Sony should focus on getting complete exclusive deals with publishers through promoting the hardware and allowing access to Sony's resources to make game development easier or smarter.
Take GTA or CoD for example. A GTA spin-off exclusive to PS4 would be a much bigger system seller than, say, GTA DLC timed exclusives. Let MS keep their timed exclusives.
CoD map packs are only 6 months ahead on 360 than on PS3 or PC. For most gamers I know, that is not a big deal, and is definitely NOT why they got a 360. Timed exclusives are good for the small niche market of rabbid fans wanting their map pack fix now, but I reckon it's a big waste of money.
Sony securing eternal exclusives rather than timed exclusives is a much better deal, or getting exclusives on new IPs, like Dust 514.
All I know is this, the PS4 will have a fantastic launch if Sony use the same mentality and techniques they have used for Vita. Let's just hope Vita won't be hacked and its games pirated like the PSP, and let's hope that it has 3rd party support for a LONG long time, not just the first 2 or 3 years.
Temjin001
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 7:49:52 PM
Reply
I just hope Sony maintains their identity with being premium, bigger and more powerful.
I sometimes wonder if the next gen of hardware will be scalable, like the end of hard platform launches. I see in the horizon efforts that model themselves similarly to how the smart phones and tablets work.
Highlander
Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 9:18:51 PM
Qubex
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 6:35:52 AM
BigBoss4ever
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 3:37:44 AM
Reply
PS3addict
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 8:37:50 AM
Reply
Highlander
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 10:26:43 AM
Underdog15
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 @ 2:41:33 PM
In fact, the original and second Halos are high on my list of longest loading games I've ever owned.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 11/15/2011 2:42:14 PM

See Full Image









InBlackestNight
Reply
Sunday, November 13, 2011 @ 9:39:29 PM
Also, don't dare change the controller Sony.