Will There Be A Lot Of Day-One Adopters Next Generation?
See Full ImageWhen I was a kid, I knew a lot of people who wanted to be day-one adopters whenever a new video game system came out. Parents kinda had the final say, of course.
Those same people did become day-one adopters when they got old enough to have a little spending money. They would buy any new game console that was made, without asking any questions. Price, games, controller, power (pretty much the only considerations in those days); none of that really mattered. If it was a new system, they wanted it and they were going to buy it.
I don't know about you, but it seems that philosophy is tough to find these days. And you can't argue cost because that's crap; consoles like the Atari Jaguar and Panasonic 3DO were insanely expensive back in the day, as were the games that went with them. Super Nintendo cartridges would often cost more than games cost now (which is why I don't want to hear any bitching and whining about the price today). And yet, those die-hard individuals would find a way to own the latest and greatest. Okay, if not the "greatest," at least the latest.
I'm just not sure there are that many gamers left who still embrace this admittedly blind philosophy. As in, "I'm buying it because it plays games and that's that." Maybe it's just because the consoles are so much more complex now; they're basically computers, and as a result, there's just a lot more to consider. There's also the rising average age of a gamer; when you're in your teens and 20s, you tend to spend your money like an idiot. I know people my age who would cringe if they were reminded of just how much they threw at their favorite hobby 10-15 years ago. So with fresh responsibilities and less time comes the inability and disinclination to pick up any new game system on day one.
I'm just wondering how many day-one adopters of next-gen hardware there will be...the way I'm picturing things right now, I wouldn't be surprised if Sony and Microsoft didn't even come close to hitting their projected initial sales numbers. Oh, and lastly, the other reason is that it seems that the gaming community has become awfully cheap over the past generation. Cheap and entitled and occasionally embarrassing. And that usually doesn't translate to increased big-ticket item sales.
Tags: next generation, next gen consoles, next gen hardware, video game industry
2/13/2013 10:40:38 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (42 posts)
daus26
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:26:45 PM
Same with my PS2. How did yours hold up? The dreaded "disc read error" started bothering me towards the end.
I hope there will be some info on heat and watts output on the PS4, so I can get a good idea on how reliable it "might" be. There's no reason that we always have to depend on slim models for better reliability.
The PS1 is the only solid Sony launch product that still runs great, although a great part of that is probably because the tech on it isn't as advanced, but my points still stands.
Last edited by daus26 on 2/14/2013 11:29:26 PM
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JROD0823
Friday, February 15, 2013 @ 1:41:06 PM
I bought my 60GB PS3 just a couple months after the launch, early February if my memory serves me correctly, and it works pretty much exactly as it did when I first took it out of the box.
I couldn't be more pleased with how well the PS3's hardware has held up over the last 6 years, considering the countless thousands of hours I played on it before I retired it for my slim.
I bought a 160GB slim in August 2010 in preparation for GT5, because I knew I would be putting an insane amount of hours into the game, and many other games that followed after that.
Since then, my slim has been my primary gaming rig, while I retired my fatty to casual Move games and blu-ray movies, but it can still play any game if I wanted it to, I just want it to stay in perfect condition for as long as I can keep it that way.
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Highlander
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 @ 11:31:28 PM
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Knightzane
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:42:42 AM
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Highlander
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 3:49:02 AM
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Beamboom
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 10:50:49 AM
I am a bit more worried about the Steambox in this sense, but they'll probably launch their box a lot later than these two so it's rather irrelevant atm.
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/14/2013 10:51:40 AM
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matt99
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:46:46 AM
Remember, Sony needs to earn our loyalty.
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Axe99
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 6:17:33 PM
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daus26
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:43:40 PM
I'm all over this though. As you say, the advantages of consoles is that it doesn't have an OS dragging it down, and developers actually optimize it. If the optimization of 512mbRAM/VRAM and an ancient Nvidia gpu can handle games like Uncharted, GT5, and Killzone, I'm excited on what they can do with 3.5GB of GDDR5! RAM and dual gpus... assuming rumors are accurate.
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Killa Tequilla
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 @ 11:48:20 PM
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CrusaderForever
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 @ 11:57:36 PM
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Killa Tequilla
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:23:57 AM
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CrusaderForever
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 @ 11:54:46 PM
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I am hoping Sony implements more Remote Play with the Vita. Preferably a blue tooth design as well as Wifi.
Give me the same feel I get with the DS3. If you want to add a touch pad on the back that's fine. Also, change the triggers. I hear they will have different triggers on the next controller.
I hope this next gen spells success for Sony. This gen hasn't been to kind even though the PS3 will more than likely pass the Wii in sales as well.
I am just happy we don't have to wait long for some type of news.
2 up, 1 down
Buckeyestar
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:01:52 AM
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1 up, 1 down
AcHiLLiA
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:08:03 AM
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Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 2/14/2013 12:09:05 AM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:20:08 AM
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Geobaldi
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:45:41 AM
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Temjin001
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:30:24 AM
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Also, concerning sales. I am curious. I wonder if the Wii U and Vita sales look sluggish in part due to a weakened economy. Yeah, I know, both systems have their weaknesses, but I wonder if one year past PS4 and next-xbox if we'll be seeing similar 'sluggish' headlines. I also keep reading about game budgets doubling and companies like EA consolidating their franchises... meaning more re-hashes and sequels and less new stuff, I'd say.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 2/14/2013 12:31:13 AM
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Geobaldi
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:49:45 AM
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Temjin001
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:58:02 AM
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amonte64
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:35:40 AM
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On topic, the only way I would be a day one buyer of PS4 is if at least one SKU is $350 or less and it has PS3 disc BC or has at least a few OMG, epic, AAA, GOTY candidates games at launch. Of course other things like a good controller, no BS like required internet connection, required motion controller, camera, etc, blockage of second hand games and charging for things that should and can be free like online play and access to services and features.
This reminds me, if PSVita had a UMD to digital program for free or virtually free, I probably would have a PSVita right now.
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:11:39 AM
4 up, 2 down
matt99
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:52:32 AM
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amonte64
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:37:24 PM
It's not like that though. If it's the way you say than PSVita would cost way more than $250 because PSP go costs $250 and PSVita completely annihilates PSP go. That's why it doesn't matter how things were before, things can change and what matters is how things are now. For whatever reason some SNES games cost the same as now, we have to consider they were in cartridges, games didn't make as much sales as they do now, games now are in discs, cureency value, economy, and so many other things could matter.
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gumbi
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:48:25 AM
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I was a little late with PS1, but PS2, PSP, PS3, and PS Vita were all launch buys for me (pre-launch for the Vita ;)
I just have such a massive backlog of PS3 games now that I don't know if it'll be worth it for me to get a PS4 early on. Of course, there are a few titles that could change my mind on that statement.
We shall see!
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Draguss
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 1:48:26 AM
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ethird1
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:01:40 AM
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I got tired of Mario and it is why I dont play Nintendo anymore, because of all the rehashes. If Sony doesnt put out new content on the ps4 then no I will not. Enough with Tomb raid.... I mean Uncharted and give me something new!
End of Line.
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Beamboom
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:05:21 AM
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1) the games (obviously)
but also,
2) the features
If the next PS offer some genius features that makes me go, "dang, now that *is* handy!" for my living-room entertainment then I'll get it for sure. That would have been just the last little argument I needed to join the "early adopter" club.
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/14/2013 2:05:44 AM
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GamingLegend7
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:08:04 AM
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Heartless Angel
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 2:55:01 AM
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___________
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 6:02:51 AM
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if its your elchepo system than no one is going to be interested in it, no matter how cheap it is!
this is playstation, you go to playstation, to $ony, for the best of the best!
you dont go to ferrari expecting a 30K car, you go to ferrari expecting a 300K car!
but if its your typical playstation system, ie something thats a true leap into the future and a serious push on whats technically possible, than there will be ques out the door, down the street, and around the block!
its funny, ive been questioning peoples funds and excitement and desire for next gen systems, i really thought people were happy with what we already have on offer.
but after reading so many posts, and working at a PC retailer for a while now, its amazed me how many people are chucking consoles away and going to PC simply because they want something new and amazing!
i guess it has been the longest generation weve ever had, but due to the financial state the worlds in, and how technically amazing games still are, i really thought there wasent that much of a drive for next gen systems yet.
im quite surprised, theres a much bigger drive than what i was expecting!
and i hope $ony and M$ dont underestimate that!
to come out with a gen 3.5, especially when this has been BY FAR the longest gen weve ever had!
would be a MASSIVE, and VERY costly mistake!
dont forget that $ony, and M$.
ninty, your already screwed!
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Huey
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 7:44:40 AM
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DjEezzy
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 9:22:15 AM
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trumpetmon65
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 10:36:15 AM
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Shatterday
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 10:51:26 AM
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Currently though, I'm planning on getting the PS4 at launch.
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telly
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 12:53:47 PM
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DazeOfWar
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 6:14:24 PM
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JROD0823
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 7:11:06 PM
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Yes, SNES games (hell, even NES games) were guilty at times of costing more than games today, but that was because cartridge technology was inherently more expensive to produce games for per unit when compared to the optical disc drive technology of the same time all the way through present day.
While not being the first console to use it, when the PlayStation debuted employing optical disc drive tech, the cost of games was instantly lowered $20-$30 over the cost of comparable cartridge-based SNES titles.
The reason why the 3DO and Jaguar games were so expensive back then can only be attributed to sheer, unadulterated greed on their part. I feel that it was done as a means to justify the absurd pricing of their consoles. I was poor growing up, and I thought $150 was expensive as hell for an SNES when I got one as a late present for my 10th birthday.
Now here we sit right in the middle tier of the pricing range ($50-$70) that was common in the SNES days, and every major game console currently uses optical disc drive tech to run their games.
With the next generation at our doorstep, there is an air of anticipation draped overhead like a thick, blinding fog that games will again increase, likely to a $70 standard, and I for one am unwilling to stand for it.
The ever-increasing push toward digital distribution also should be causing prices to decrease, not remain level with physical copy costs. With digital releases of retail games, there is no longer any cost involved to place the software on a physical storage medium before shipping for distribution.
Therefore it completely eliminates the costs of the disc, packaging, storage, shipping, and distribution that comes with delivering a physical retail copy to market.
Also, with the reports that the PS4 will be a vastly easier console to develop games for means that game development budgets should go down, not up.
Therefore game prices should be lowered to reflect the cost savings at development, with digital release needing to be at a minimum $10 less than physical copies of games for this new generation of consoles. Day one digital releases of games for the current generation should only cost $50, instead of being sold at the full retail price of $60.
Reasonable people will agree with all of the points I have brought forth in this comment.
Last edited by JROD0823 on 2/14/2013 7:26:01 PM
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daus26
Thursday, February 14, 2013 @ 11:16:50 PM
I do agree that digital distribution should be cheaper than its physcial counterpart at least.
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Hoagie324
Reply
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 @ 11:03:36 PM
Last edited by Hoagie324 on 2/13/2013 11:04:16 PM