Sony Going More Casual With The PlayStation 4?
See Full ImageWhat is Sony's intention with the next PlayStation? We keep getting the feeling that the electronics giant will be shifting gears to the casual and mainstream markets.
Recently, we heard the PS4 might not be a massive technical powerhouse and in fact, it may not boast that much more raw power than the PS3. Then we get an interview with SCEE vice president James Armstrong (via GamingBolt), where he says the following:
"It’s hard to say right now.I do not think we’ll have a console with a lot better graphics than the PS3 currently offered.I believe the future will be to offer consumers better and more accessible experience .The aim will be to make more people enter the world of video games and try to design titles for women."
It's frightening for the hardcore gamers to realize that such a statement reminds us of the Wii... Nintendo's latest machine was such a tremendous success out of the gate that both Sony and Microsoft eventually dove into motion sensing. Furthermore, while the casual/mainstream crowd is typically familiar with the Xbox 360, the PS3 is frequently the hardcore gamer's console. And no, this isn't to say there are no hardcore gamers who only own a 360; that'd be absurd. What seems apparent is that if you're only a casual fan who plays every once in a while, chances are, you have a 360 and not a PS3.
So what's Sony doing here? What are they planning? The Wii was huge for a little while but definitely lacked staying power, primarily because a video game console needs games to survive in the long run. Gimmicks always wear thin with the consumer; it just gets boring really, really fast. Should we believe Sony is just going to release a new console that isn't much more powerful but more "social?" Designed to cater to those who aren't even gamers? I.e., the Wii? It really is a scary thought; Sony has always been synonymous with games, and to shift that focus in any way seems tragic.
But hey, we shouldn't jump to any conclusions. Nothing concrete is known about the next PlayStation yet. Let's remember that.
Tags: ps4, playstation 4, sony, ps3
6/19/2011 8:33:52 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (136 posts)
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:08:05 PM
7 up, 0 down
mackid1993
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:51:08 PM
5 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:15:19 PM
Holographic discs are massive, but still way too expensive to implement on a consumer basis, so Sony are sticking with Blu-ray, which is a great thing since many are still confused about the difference between DVD and Blu-ray.
4 up, 0 down
AcHiLLiA
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 1:35:48 AM
10 up, 0 down
The Doom
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 9:36:10 PM
Reply
21 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:20:14 PM
Sony will keep the hardcore experience and advertise that at E3, TGS, gaming websites and other hardcore media sources. Casual experiences will be advertised on TV and in the papers or on Facebook.
Including casual will expand the market, meaning more cash for Sony, meaning more funding for hardcore developers taking chances with new IP's and RPG's or FPS'.
If Sony can successfuly balance both casual and hardcore on PS4, it will turn out win / win for all involved!!! Hardcore get more games and developers of hardcore games get bigger budgets thanks to Sony having plenty of cashiola from party or casual games exceeding in the market.
Let's not forget, there's a lot of competition ahead with MS, Nintendo and Apple, so Sony really have to wow the casual crowd to get them in.
6 up, 1 down
SayWord
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:04:54 AM
1 up, 0 down
FM23
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 9:36:55 PM
Reply
As far as incorporating women into gaming...that seems kind of odd and big indicator that Sony's going for the casual market. No women I know care about gaming beside Wii Sports...oh the future looks ugly. Hope Sony isn't going this direction. Hope they aren't listening to bullsh*t surveys.
2 up, 1 down
Karosso
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 9:50:34 PM
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If they really go that rout, might as well not change the basic design and just overclock the PS3, add tons of memory,newest HDMI standards, maybe add more SPEs. That way all games can run in 3D in 1080p.
But seriously thou, I don't see any chance of that happening. MS will come out with something much more powerful than the X360 and Sony would look really bad falling behind from being the leader in technology... Just don't see it happening.
5 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 9:54:03 PM
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when sony releases the ps4 it would have to offer a significant upgrade froim what the ps3 offers in terms of graphics. 1080p 60 fps and a hefty amount of ram would be a big leap over the ps3 alone. surely, this guy just doesn't know what he's talking about, i hope.
if sony does focus more on the casual side and doesn't pursue powerful hardware that's a big mistake imo. you need the hardcore gamers. especially early in a consoles life.
i want sony's system to be a beast of a machine with enough horepower to outperform anything ms comes up with.
Last edited by Excelsior1 on 6/19/2011 9:56:28 PM
9 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:24:38 PM
Sony will no doubt make a powerful console, but let's not forget the PS2. It was the least powerful of the GCN and Xbox, but it was the most popular, why?
Cheap price, heaps of games, earlier launch over the competition, low-fail-rate and a DVD player that didn't "require" a DVD remote to work.
I honestly wouldn't blame Sony if they went down that same road again. Just look at the Wii!! Mario Galaxy 2 was incredible, impressive and sold quite a lot, even though the hardware was incredibly inferior to PS3 or 360.
2 up, 0 down
sawao_yamanaka
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 1:26:24 AM
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 5:53:41 AM
b) PS2 was as capable if you used its quirks: compare GOW2 to any Xbox game.
c) the differences between last-gen systems in terms of raw power were not generational differences, like PS3 v. Wii (or the hypothetical PS4 v. a truly next-gen Xbox).
2 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 9:54:44 PM
Reply
7 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:26:50 PM
Just use the extra storage of multi-layered blu-rays to make female lead characters optional, like Bioware do with their games. Same script, same story, just minute changes in character relationships and dialogue referring to "she" instead of "he".
It's an extra 2-3 months of development, but the extra sales would definitely pay-off.
4 up, 0 down
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 9:58:31 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 9:59:40 PM
Reply
I wouldn't read too much into what this guy is saying at the moment. SCEE isn't Sony Japan who seems to call of most the shots.
9 up, 1 down
The Doom
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:11:02 PM
6 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:49:23 PM
2 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:28:18 PM
Vita and PS4 would go hand in hand, so why make the PS4 for casuals in that case?
0 up, 0 down
Dreno
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:00:37 PM
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If you want to apeal more to casual gamers, just sign with game devs that make game for the casual gamers. Use the games to bring them in, not the console.
Besides if they fall in love with the games with them in mind, than they will fall in love with the console, possibly change game preferance and try some harder games. Thus becomming part of the hardcore gamer type. Well it won't be THAT easy, but it shouldn't be too much more than that either.
If sony turns casual gamers into more hardcore gamers, that's an even bigger, faithful fan base for the future.
Please sony, PLEASE DO NOT GO the way of nintendo. Stay true to your roots of awesomeness.
2 up, 0 down
SolidFantasy
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:01:03 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:07:33 PM
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 10:41:39 AM
1 up, 0 down
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:02:04 PM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:29:24 PM
4 up, 0 down
Danny007
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:07:36 PM
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Anyways, I'm sick of all these PS4 rumors. I'm EXTREMELY happy with my PS3.
4 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:32:33 PM
PS3 is only just hitting its stride now while the other consoles were tapped out years ago.
PS4 just needs to be like the PS3, just a bit faster and with an updated graphics card.
2 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 6:00:16 AM
You're saying exactly what Armstrong did.
I want more than a small step. Supercharge that mofo, just like the Vita.
1 up, 0 down
CanadianGuy420
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:08:18 PM
Reply
Last edited by CanadianGuy420 on 6/19/2011 10:10:50 PM
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:36:48 PM
Assassin's Creed and MGS, Uncharted and Killzone will all be there for the PS4, it'll just have to share a little more shelf space with the cheaper casual games and Move party games.
Kids and adults alike loved the PS2. I say it's time we bring that love back with the PS4.
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:11:35 PM
Reply
11 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:40:48 PM
3 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:27:10 AM
But when's the last time you heard Sony say they want to target anybody BUT gamers? When's the last time you heard them target women? That's what's bugging me.
4 up, 2 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:36:07 AM
5 up, 0 down
Claire C
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:36:39 AM
DON'T SHOOT!!!!!!!
XD
Last edited by Claire C on 6/20/2011 12:36:52 AM
8 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:49:54 AM
When it comes to hardware, we haven't heard any evidence in thousands of interviews for three generations that the next PlayStation would try to "expand" beyond the core gamer demographic.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 6/20/2011 12:50:14 AM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 3:07:04 AM
I think they smell blood in the water with the Wii U too. I'm no analyst, but I don't see it taking off like the Wii did.
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 10:04:29 AM
This is less about the hardware than it is about the software and marketing. If it was anything else other than increasing the emphasis on more mainstream gamers, it would fly in the face of just about the entire E3 presentation by Jack Tretton and Kaz Hirai.
0 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 8:20:19 PM
You got an LOL from me again the second time I read your comment. Kudos.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 6/20/2011 8:21:24 PM
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:13:43 PM
Reply
make some of the game casual, not the console.
No more than 25% of the games, and PLEASE, PLEASE, never bundle a mic with the console, cause I don't want my beloved console infected with juvenile-acting smack-talkers, racists & other assorted A-hole, just like that other machine's infection.
2 up, 1 down
Excelsior1
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:39:42 PM
1 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:46:26 PM
I hate the morons on Live as much as the next adult, but exelsior has a point. The mute button is there for a reason. Or you can report them to Sony and have them banned from PSN. :)
0 up, 0 down
DVE2k
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:13:56 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
BIGRED15
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:17:29 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
VampDeLeon
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:20:49 PM
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I don't think they're going to out right ditch the hardcore gamers in favor of casual games with the PS4 since they do expect us to continue supporting them. Just as long as they keep backwards compatibility, the price isn't too high and it does indeed do everything and it should be fine. Oh yeah, and the games too.
Last edited by VampDeLeon on 6/19/2011 10:21:46 PM
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 6:12:06 AM
Current circumstances allow the PS4 to be much more powerful than PS3 without the same huge initial price tag. In brief, the PS4's parts can be evolutions of PS3 parts (Cell, Blu-ray, etc.) while still providing the necessary performance upgrades.
It might not be PS2 to PS3, but it certainly doesn't need to be GC to Wii.
0 up, 0 down
BTNwarrior
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:22:58 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
GuyverLT
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:06:21 PM
Hell even Microsoft has seen a drastic increase in 360 sells... Know why??? Cause they've been marketing the hell out of Kinect, pushing the 360 as a casual gaming machine and sadly it's working in they're favor.
They don't seem to care that they don't have any strong exclusive titles for their main Hardcore audience anymore, all it took was for them to see that how much money Nintendo made in the casual gaming market and then boom! They wanted some of that pie.
Catering to the casual market has proven to be a success when you do it right, and I don't see the Wii-U failing I see it being just as or almost success as the Wii maybe more. IF it doesn't then it will surprise the hell out of me.
Last edited by GuyverLT on 6/19/2011 11:09:44 PM
3 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:18:50 PM
That really doesn't make much sense considering the Wii U is targeting casual and core gamers.
Last edited by Jawknee on 6/19/2011 11:26:26 PM
0 up, 2 down
The Doom
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:25:09 PM
Reply
If there's been less focus on expanding and more onto making better titles, we wouldn't be seeing so many crappy titles this gen, games that wouldn't need multiplayer wouldn't get them tacked on, or 4 hour campaign modes to only focus on multiplayer.
Last edited by The Doom on 6/19/2011 10:26:02 PM
2 up, 0 down
Claire C
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:29:08 PM
Reply
I'm not too worried about anything he said. Once Microsoft releases a new xbox that's much more powerful that the 360 and PS3, I bet Sony will follow suit with something probably even better. It'd be dumb to think Sony's not interested in staying competitive with Micro. o.O
Last edited by Claire C on 6/19/2011 10:29:51 PM
6 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:00:55 PM
2 up, 3 down
Claire C
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:09:07 PM
4 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:54:07 PM
Shame those shooters are so popular this generation. I prefer games that are fun and entertaining rather than CoD.
BTW, if the aim at girls means more female lead characters who are realistic like Jade, the new Lara reboot or Alyx from Half Life 2, I am totally for it!!! Most female lead games are more emotionally engaging, I find, and I love it!!
I hope it doesn't mean more casual games aimed at women or fitness and health games, that's just enhancing a wrong sterotype and I REALLY DON'T wanna get into THAT argument. :)
2 up, 0 down
Claire C
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:29:31 AM
I think Mass Effect's and Dragon Age's appeal is also in the relationships you're able to create with the characters in the game. It's quite amazing. RPGs in general are a big draw. Can't wait for ME3. =^.^=
Last edited by Claire C on 6/20/2011 12:32:41 AM
2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:39:41 AM
4 up, 0 down
Claire C
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:51:36 AM
'Thumbs downers' forgot their thinking *tags* ;)
4 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 7:01:23 AM
3 up, 1 down
Claire C
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 3:51:56 PM
;)
2 up, 1 down
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:36:14 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Claire C
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:38:25 PM
3 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:44:16 PM
4 up, 0 down
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:47:22 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:01:37 PM
4 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:57:38 PM
PS2's still selling means not everyone has got HD TV's and big wallets. I'm all for slowing the industry down a tad and just building our game collections on the systems we already own.
10- 12 year development cycles, anyone?
1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 1:07:13 AM
0 up, 2 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 1:51:21 AM
PS2 didn't sell on that premise though. Back then, it was all about graphics, not resolution.
Oh, how times have changed.
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 6:22:46 AM
PS2 could display 480p "Enhanced Definition" via component cables. It could also display 576i (PAL) content. I assume 576p was also possible via component cables.
The exception: GT4 could run in 1080i.
A few Xbox games ran in 720p, I believe.
Times have changed because TV resolutions were (essentially) the same for over 50 years and then they weren't.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 6/20/2011 6:31:28 AM
0 up, 0 down
Bloodysilence19
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 10:59:58 PM
Reply
Last edited by Bloodysilence19 on 6/19/2011 11:03:30 PM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:02:30 PM
2 up, 0 down
Bloodysilence19
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:53:12 PM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:41:15 AM
4 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:04:12 PM
Reply
Some of my female friends either love music games like Singstar or Rock Band, they love multiplayer games like Littlebig Planet or Motorstorm, and some of them love RPG's with female lead characters as an option.
I say PS4 will have a bigger Blu-ray, so just offer a female version of characters within most games, like Bioware does with their games.
Girls I know love RPG's with cause and effect mulitple-tiered pathways, relationships with other characters, action, action and more action with a woman being the hero as an option, a male lead character as the other option.
As for the PS4, if they do what Nintendo is doing and keep PS3 games, PSN purchases, Move and Dual Shock 3's compatible with PS4, they will be instant win!!!
What do people want most of their PS4?
1. Backwards compatability
2. Faster RAM and blu-ray disc drives
3. The same 8-core architecture (cos it will still be twice as much as the competition's, so why go further if it'll just cost more?)
4. (personal preference) Include in the box a wireless headset and a two-lens PSeye 3 camera that does what Kinect can do, but better!!
If Sony did all that, it would hopefully keep costs low, win over the hardcore gamers AND give MS nothing to fall back on but Halo (which most people will be over in 3 years time hopefully)
2 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:08:28 PM
Makes sense doesn't it?
I suddenly feel like applying for a PR job at Sony. :P
Last edited by Dancemachine55 on 6/19/2011 11:08:43 PM
2 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 6:42:17 AM
I'd be shocked if PS4 doesn't have *at least* 2 Cell's worth of cores/SPEs.
I will agree that the CPU is likely to be less "upgraded" than the GPU or RAM.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 11:51:21 AM
1 up, 0 down
NoOneSpecial
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:23:25 PM
Reply
Kind of off topic, but yesterday I was proud to be informed that I had convinced yet another former xbot friend of mine to take the leap over to the PS3. This is the second one in 4 months, and I feel good to give Sony this business :D
Last edited by NoOneSpecial on 6/19/2011 11:23:50 PM
3 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:03:04 AM
I feel my Xbox loving friend might be finally won over with Dust 514 linking to his EVE online account. He's a hardcore PC and Xbox loving gamer, so hopefully Dust 514 will be that final push to get him on the PS3 bandwagon.
As for my other friend, unless Halo comes to PS3, he ain't leaving Xbox.
0 up, 0 down
79transam
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 8:58:11 AM
1 up, 0 down
JackDillinger89
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:26:47 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:03:59 AM
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 6:44:59 AM
2 up, 0 down
kingjose
Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 11:27:30 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Qubex
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:11:43 AM
Reply
Overall, and broadly speaking, since the PS3 was released we have had some "major" paradigm shifts taking place within in the industry.
The advent of Apple and it's iOS devices, the iTunes app-store ecosystem, the birth of the Google Android operating system and it's "market" app store ecosystem, Android dual core devices with GPU accelerated graphics (standard in many of these devices), and the advent of motion controlled gaming within the realms of the console umniverse; has no doubt changed the landscape on how entertainment, particularly gaming, is being developed for, played and consumed.
One CANNOT underestimate the power of having mobile devices, that literary, do everything. Sony's own vision has become a reality on competitor devices. Bar the limited amount of storage memory on some of the devices, you can almost do everything on mobile devices that you can on a PS3!
Of course the bigger PS3 exclusive games are not possible yet, and not every service on the PS3 is available on mobile devices generally... but think about that pace of change, and current developments in the pipeline... how long will it be before your mobile device can basically do everything? The Vita, for example, is already there in a sense; if only it had a video out port - which I don't think it has.
The reality here, which is staring game developers and console manufacturers in the face is actually quite simple.
In a consumer led "play as you go" environment - where people have "broadband" internet in their pockets (or something similar); cheap gaming anytime and anywhere starts to have an interesting affect with "the big three". How they will market and publish gaming products for future systems if these very systems are now in question? How to best invest money into future console designs if the hardware needs to make a profit from the get go and attract the larger portion of the market that could make the winner a lot of money quickly, and not take half a decade to do so?
Let us entertain the idea that PC gaming may actually make a resurgence!
Not because people generally prefer it (the broader console market that is), but because the games themselves - and i think we can all agree , as we have done in the past, its all about the games right? - are becoming better and better as technology progresses.
Let's take Battlefield 3. Again we can agree it looks totally awesome, especially on the latest PC hardware; but what would be interesting would be to see the statistics of how many console owners decide to get a new PC rig for this game, or how it may influence non PC gamers to actually pick up a PC with the latest technology in order to play this game and future titles?
So is it possible then that new awesome looking PC games bend the gamin flock back toward mainstream PC gaming as people wait impatiently for the next generation of consoles?
Also, how would the gaming industry have changed by then when considering how mobile devices and casual gaming experiences are changing and developing as I type?
What will companies like Apple, Samsung, LG and HTC have in store in the future - quad core iPad's, iPhones, Tablets and Smart phones; and how will developers take on this hardware and develop for it? Well, we can already get an idea with some recently released titles.
The cost of games generally on mobile devices is 1/4th of full priced games... as Nintendo recently mentioned... these pricing points and casual "game consumption on the go" is debasing the very nature of the industry itself, sapping any value left in full priced gaming titles that deserve a high price for the gameplay experience, story and artistry that goes into making them.
I am sure then, the big three, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, are wondering to themselves; how do we create new platforms that retain our traditional markets and permit us to extend our homegrown IP's across to each new hardware generation?
There must be some head scratching going on... Hardcore gamers will always be around, but will the playing field have changed that much by the time the PS4 is released that people just won't care anymore... not for the hardware, but for the exclusive IP's; probably yes!
Essentially, gamers have their powerful PC setups that already propels them into the next generation, and, with some additional investment, they can "keep up to date" as needed - essentially they are in control of their "generic" platform. In addition they have their casual gaming fix on their mobile devices as needed too.
Sony, like Microsoft and Nintendo, may only offer updated versions of their current IP stock, and also brand new IP's, on next generation hardware as their UPS.
Is this enough to differentiate yourself from others and keep yourself, as a company and hardware platform, relevant going forward?
I guess only time will tell...
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 6/20/2011 12:13:26 AM
6 up, 0 down
Qubex
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:34:24 AM
It will be interesting to see if Microsoft and Sony are similar affected in the future.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-19/nintendo-may-fail-to-replicate-wii-success-as-iphone-games-bloom.html
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:32:09 PM
I don't see the statements that are driving this article as anything more than an executive pointing out that as we mature the gaming market, the market develops, deepens and widens to include far more groups than simply the hardcore gamer. I've been preaching this for years now, mostly because I've seen my favorite genre languish because the industry became entranced with the hardcore shooter market as the be all and end all.
With a much bigger market, there are different market segments that have different needs. the hardware in the home has to try to serve as many of these as possible. Forgetting the hardware side of it for a moment, everyone should be able to see that Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft all want as much of that as possible. Historically Nintendo has pitched to the less hardcore end of the market, and Microsoft has pitched to the more hardcore end of the market and Sony has been pitching right down the middle to hit the majority of the market. If anything, this generation, Sony focused slightly more on the hardcore gamer market. If they were to re-balance that and go back to focusing on the wider market, no one really loses anything, it's a win for all gamers.
I'd hope that as the market continues to mature, that the segmentation of the market will be recognized and used as an opportunity to make games that address different market segments. To me, that's actually a recipe for greater variety of games.
On the hardware side, we'd discussed before that the PS3 already does full HD in some games. the PS4 will not go further than full HD in games, but it will make it possible for all games to hit that mark. The next wave of hardware is far, far less about the hardware than it is about the games and services. If the Ps3 merely evolved and adopted a more efficient Cell with the same basic configuration, added a modern GPU and modern amounts of memory, it would be several times as fast as the PS3, and offer 1080p60 gaming, and yet allow developers to continue their heritage of development from the PS3. That lets everyone focus more on the games, and less on the new hardware. But I don't see how that can be a worry for gamers, the hardware in the coming generation is far less of an issue than it was in the leap from SD to HD. Sony's PS3 jumped far enough ahead, that the PS4 need not be a totally new design to offer fullHD experiences.
I'm not in the least worried about all of this and see it (the coming few years and transition to an eventual PS4) as an opportunity to grow the entire market, rather than continually focusing on a specific segment in a larger market.
2 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 2:14:45 PM
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:14:47 AM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 4:52:51 AM
It's fun to have psxe names on the list, so everyone feel free to add me too! "Beamboom" is the psn nick, no big surprise there.
1 up, 0 down
SoulController
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 9:22:26 AM
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 10:16:40 AM
Lovely with these kind of games where something else than your reflexes are tested.
1 up, 0 down
SoulController
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 11:06:14 AM
Yea I was just saying that to my buddy the other day its refreshing to play co-op without being required to blow someone's head off. Ha! I'll add both of you once I'm home. I unsurprisingly go by Soulcontroller for my psn id.
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gray_eagle
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:37:34 AM
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i can'nt see sony selling the PS4 for $300.00 if it's to be more powerfull than the PS3.
if what was said is true, imo, that'll be a thin line sony will be walking on.
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A2K78
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:43:58 AM
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Anybody who is looking for a big jump in visuals is clearly kidding themselves because there in no realistic way that neither Microsoft or Sony can bring such a thing to the console market cheaply. To further add, given the fact that production budgets are the highest in decades there is no developers can committ to such plaforms economically.
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main_event05
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 12:48:41 AM
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AcHiLLiA
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 1:42:34 AM
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realmadpuppy
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 2:23:54 AM
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I take "news" about the PS4 going "casual" with a grain of salt. this early in the game I really don't see Sony showing their hand to the competition this soon.
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___________
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 2:55:41 AM
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next gen will be allot like now but more streamlined to everyone instead of having niche titles out there.
i miss the good old days where developers made games for a passion, not purely to line there pockets!
back then they were more willing to take risks on games that would have a real small market.
from now on though those things are dead, we can kiss goodbye our games like deamon souls and such.
:(
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Dancemachine55
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 4:32:12 AM
Those niche titles are now found on the PSN and Live. Big budget games have a harder time justifying the risk of doing something different or for the passion of it.
Don't forget, there are still many games out there that take risks and deviate from the norm. You can't push aside games like Heavy Rain, Child of Eden, No More Heroes, Braid, Limbo, Flower, and all little pet projects you find on PSN that are done out of love!!!
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___________
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 9:14:57 AM
if the industry keeps moving in the way it is, ie driving budgets up, and looking for new fans, then what reason would developers have to release a niche title?
release a risky new concept and limit your sales, or release a tried and tested concept that appeals to a much broader audience?
allot of companies are not willing to take the risk, put upwards of 50+M bucks and not knowing if they will ever see it again!
games like LA Noire are sadly a dying breed.
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Beamboom
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 10:20:44 AM
However I do agree with some of what MrConstanza says, I too wish there was a bit more of the full sized full priced creative games that stand out from the crowd, like LBP and Portal2.
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Fane1024
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 5:43:46 AM
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;D
(If someone beat me to it, I apologize; I haven't read all the comments, something I usually do before posting).
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karneli lll
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 5:48:15 AM
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On the brighter side of life, Redbox just started renting games out in my area this weekend and i must say the local Gamestop was unusually empty...i hope this turns into the blockbuster scenario
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parasitic
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 5:56:45 AM
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Deleted User
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 8:24:56 AM
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I still think the serious Sony video gamer will still have the lion's share of titles on the PS4.
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SoulController
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 9:18:14 AM
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Who knows, maybe they'll try something gimicky while still keeping the hardcore satisfied.
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Fabi
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 9:30:53 AM
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I was around for the launch of everything after the NES, but I remember the N64 being the first console to get me super excited about graphics and new controllers. Even though I never bought one. I only owned Sega and Sony.
Since then, I've always loved the build up to a new console release. Watering at the mouth over screenshots and counting down the days.
I dunno what it is now though, but not only do I feel less excited over the thought of a new console, I really don't even want one for the next 2-3 years, at least.
Probably because this is the first generation where the graphics are still wowing me, and where we have options of different types of games. From fun little $5 games, online, to add-ons, to user-created levels and even motion controls. And of course the AAA games that blur the lines between Hollywood and gaming.
Give me a PS3 and a Vita for the next 4-5 years, and I'm good.
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bigrailer19
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 10:33:33 AM
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With that said I dont think Sony would ever abandon the work they've put in, every console generation; to have the best running, the best looking, and the best exclusives for everyone to play. I don't think they would abandon what they are doing now... ...and how would a creative studio like ND, or GG, feel if they felt shackled and constrained to a system they can't further develop on or push their games to the next level? I just don't see this PS4 being a next gen sony version of the Wii. I see it being the PS4, the system we expect from Sony, but maybe with some features to broaden the experience. Hmm never thought I'd say "broaden the experience", when the PS3 does everything anyone could need! ;)
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 6/20/2011 10:36:31 AM
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Highlander
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 10:37:18 AM
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The PS4 is not being developed by SCEE, it's higher up the corporate chain in a company that's fundamentally a hardware company. So, let's not take what the SCEE VP in charge of Portugal and Spain says as defining the global PS4 strategy for hardware and software, OK? The most he says is that the PS4 will not likely have graphics better than the PS3 can offer. not typically offers, "can offer". the PS3 is a 1080p60 capable device. Very few games use that resolution because it pushes the hardware very hard. But the point is, that the PS4 can't offer anything better than 1080p60 anyway because HDTV caps out at 1080p30 for things like movies and TV and 1080p60 for games. So, what's the problem ? His remarks do not in any way say that the hardware will not be better, more powerful or more capable, just that the kind of graphic fidelity offered by the PS4 will be about the same as the PS3 is capable of - in other words 1080p.
As for the increased focus on more casual gamers and female gamers, if you're really being honest you can already see that happening *today*. But, let's go back and look at the PS2. what were some of the better selling games, and what market were they aimed at? If you ignore GTA and GT games, you get games like Final fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Jak and Daxter, and of course Ratchet and Clank in that top echelon of games. These games are all games that in some ways address the gaming needs of more family oriented (casual?) gamers, gamers interested in a less violent game genre (female?). PS Eye sold 4 million on the PS2 and all of it's games were family entertainment. that doesn't even include the various Guitar Hero games, Shrek, Hot Shots Golf, SingStar, Lego Star Wars, Scooby Doo, Dance Dance Revolution, Harry Potter, the Incredibles, etc...
In Europe one of the leading Sony Studios is the London Studio, you want to know the games they are responsible for (there are also action games on their resume, but the majority are more mainstream like these)?
This Is Football (Soccer)
EyeToy Play (1, 2 and 3)
SingStar
SingStar Party
Eyetoy Chat
World Tour Soccer
Singstar Pop
EyeToy Kinetic (yes, that close to Kinect - MS copied anyone?)
EyeToy Operation Spy
Eyetoy Kinetic Combat
EyeTor Play Sports
SingStar Rocks!
SingStar Anthems
And on PS3 Singstar titles, PS Eye titles - such as EyePet and DanceStar Party (aka Everybody Dance)
My point being that Sony Europe has always had a more balanced view of gamers that included many more mainstream/casual titles and titles oriented towards gamers with a less macho/violent gaming preference. So I don't find it at all surprising that a SCEE executive would say that with the PS4 (which is likely to be an evolution of the PS3 and will not have graphics better than 1080p - the same as the PS3) there will be a greater focus on mainstream/casual gamers and female gamers. After all, with the PS3 Sony deliberately courted 'hardcore' gamers with a much larger number of shooters (Resistance was a launch title) and action games heavily targeted at hardcore and male gamers. That's not to say that female gamers don't enjoy a good shooter, of course they do. But if you are looking at the market as a whole, and the demographics, the vast majority of players of such games fall into the hardcore, male gamer category.
So perhaps this is more of a case of redressing the balance in terms of where the focus is?
The hardware is and will be the hardware. As we've discussed before, the new PS4 hardware is very likely to be an evolution of the PS3. If you took the PS3 as it is today, replaced the CellBE with the more modern PowerXcell8i design (same number of cores, far more efficient design) at a 3.5 GHz clock speed, put in a new nVidia GPU and merely bumped the RAM to 2GB System and 1GB video, you'd have a system capable of 1080p60 without any problems. That's about as much effort as it would take to take the PS3 to a performance point in the region of 50% faster (CPU) and several times faster (GPU). Anythign more than that, and the performance gains could be considerable. In fact if Sony simply put two integrated CellBEs in the system with updated SPUs along with a modern GPU the system would be about 3 times more powerful in CPU terms and 4 times more powerful (at least) in GPU terms. It really is that simple. so I don't believe that we should be concerned about the hardware. Everything else is the games, and in my opinion, it's time That Sony remembered that in this *huge* gaming market, the broadest reach wins. So perhaps widening the focus isn't such a bad idea?
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nath08
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 11:32:25 AM
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kevinater321
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 11:40:15 AM
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nilos95
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 1:05:33 PM
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Darwin1967
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 1:56:21 PM
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PS9
Monday, June 20, 2011 @ 6:36:03 PM
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SONY is essentially stuck it seems. They can't offer anything that will not seem like a modest bump from what we have now. 1080p/60fps, increased texture detail, more polygons, etc... I agree that these elements alone will not create a true next-gen feel. Unlesss... they were increased to a *significant* degree. If I remember correctly, Ken initially wanted a 1,000 fold jump in processing power from PS2 to PS3. He didn't get that of course, but it's the drive and focus that counts. It's what made CELL, and experiences like Uncharted 2 and Killzone 3, possible in the first place. Everybody is talking about how they don't want next-gen yet, and who can blame them? Nobody (with the exception of EPIC and their Samaritan demo) is really trying to show something which will make people want to make that jump.
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Fane1024
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 @ 12:56:03 AM
He didn't exactly do a great job as the public face of the company. Kaz is much better.
BTW I really miss Phil.
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Mukkinese
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 @ 12:12:28 PM
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Don't forget the previous gen had lots of hardcore games with no more power than the Wii. It's a chicken and egg situation, the Wii couldn't build a hardcore market for itself because third party devs wouldn't create enough hardcore product for it. That was partly because porting to the Wii was so difficult and partly prejudice against what classed as a "casual gamers" machine and nothing else.
Well they don't have that excuse with the Wii U, there is no reason that machine couldn't have all the hardcore titles the other two have right now, and we know the "next-gen isn't going to be a huge leap ahead of the Wii U so let's see which devs have the balls to compete with Nintendo's own software head to head and which make weak excuses.
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Mornelithe
Thursday, June 23, 2011 @ 10:51:31 AM
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Sony, on the other hand, has seemed to always view it's core as at least being semi-adult. Sure, during the PS2 days there were tons of kid friendly games, but...the PS2 was the only scene in town at the time.
Many of Sony's core franchises are also geared more towards adults than children, even moreso nowadays, although LBP and MNR are obviously well-respected entree's to the E category. But, Heavy Rain? God of War? Resistance, Killzone, Uncharted, InFamous, Gran Turismo?
These franchises are really for Sony's core, and it's where Sony's bread is buttered. If people haven't liked Sony franchises up til now, launching a more 'casual' hardware unit is unlikely to change minds anytime soon, while at the same time risking those that helped them through the tough PS3 years.
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stevev363
Thursday, June 23, 2011 @ 10:53:01 AM
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stevev363
Thursday, June 23, 2011 @ 10:53:01 AM
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Razmoudah
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 6:32:45 AM
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Ather
Friday, June 24, 2011 @ 1:37:50 PM
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Nuh uh. It just needs a really cool controller. Nintendo's philosophy cna't possibly be wrong. Controlelr first. Games later, if you even care.
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phade2blaq
Saturday, June 25, 2011 @ 7:51:15 PM
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Overheating: This little phenomenon has effected every Playstation console since the PS1 !
Freezing: Ditto for this little beauty !
Skipping: Again, ditto !
DRE (Disc Read Error): I've had my fair share of this problem with all my Playstation consoles !
Backwards Compatibility: Either let us have BC or do not include it at all !
Last edited by phade2blaq on 6/25/2011 7:51:52 PM
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sha4dowknight05
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Sunday, June 19, 2011 @ 9:34:32 PM
ps1 - cd
ps2 - dvd and cd
psx- dvd, data and cd
psp - data and umd
ps3- all above plus blu-ray
psp go - data
ps vita - data and cards
wonder what the next one is going to be like?
I don't want sony to release another console until 2013 at least until then, minimum but longer if they could.
But with the Wii U out Sony and Microsoft are probably rushing to think if they are going to release a new one.
There is just so much to experience on the ps3 I don't think we'll ever be done with it.
Sony has way too many name franschises to aim for casual gamers.
The exclusives are earth-shattering awesome!
Last edited by sha4dowknight05 on 6/19/2011 9:40:10 PM