What's Most Critical For PS4: Games, Cost, Reliability, Or Power?
See Full ImageWith the PlayStation 4 announcement days away (or so everyone assumes), it's time to ask an important question: What will be the most critical selling point for the new system?
As it's a video game console, one can easily make the argument that games are still the most important element. After all, power, reliability and cost are basically meaningless without the games because you won't buy the machine without software you want to play. On the other hand, many might want to purchase the PS4 for future titles, and not necessarily for what arrives on launch day.
Then again, power might be essential for maintaining a certain status in the industry; a status the PlayStation 3 - and consequently, PS3 exclusives - earned. It could also help give Sony the edge in appealing to developers who wish to push the envelope; many designers have said this generation that their visions couldn't have been brought to fruition on any console but the PS3. Of course, if the machine sh**s the bed within the first few months, power and games really don't matter in the slightest, 'cuz now you have a busted console. Here's hoping the PS4 doesn't have any huge mechanical issue(s) when it first launches.
Lastly, there's the cost. It's usually the #1 question out of a consumer's mouth, especially these days. It could have the best games in the world, a boatload of power, and what appears to be fantastic reliability right out of the gate, but if someone deems it too expensive, it'll still sit on the shelf. So which consideration is most crucial when it comes to Sony's new PlayStation? Games, cost, reliability or power?
Tags: ps4, playstation 4, ps4 games, ps4 cost, sony
2/17/2013 10:10:49 PM Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (46 posts)
Dancemachine55
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 1:33:59 AM
I guess stupid people never learn.
4 up, 2 down
___________
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 3:47:46 AM
thats what warranties are for!
best thing about EB games, buy a ps3 from them and if you purchase extended warranty no matter when your system breaks, be it 1 day after purchase, or 1 day before expiry, they send your broken system in and give you a refurb there on the spot so your never without a system!
give me a nuclear power station which overheats once a week over a slow dated wood burning stove any day of the week!
2 up, 1 down
Akuma07
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 9:50:06 PM
1. Power
2. Reliability
3. Cost
Cost really isn't an important factor when it comes to my gaming.
0 up, 0 down
Cabalavatar1
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 10:36:58 PM
Reply
2. Reliability
3. Power
4. Cost
I bought the PS3 because it has the best exclusives. I could've managed without Gears of War and the Bethesda games that played better on the 360. Games is always my first priority. But the system must be reliable. I didn't have to buy a replacement PS3 and I wouldn't've if it failed. Built in obsolescence (cough 360) is unacceptable. The fact that many developers couldn't've made their games on the 360 or Wii is another obvious reason why I chose PS3. And I'm willing to pay more for more power and more/better options on a console. Sure, I still care about the price, but I'll save up until I can afford the machine I want; the games aren't going anywhere, so I can play them later.
6 up, 0 down
JROD0823
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 10:39:02 PM
Reply
Yes, games sell consoles, but console launches are notorious for having paltry selection during the first year or so.
Hardware power is what gives a console its legs later in the console's life cycle, no real downsides there.
Hardware dependability is important, because manufacturers don't want to be responsible for fixing faulty hardware this coming generation
(looking at YOU Microsoft), nor do they want to lose potential future console sales by being known for selling faulty hardware.
Cost is important because people don't want to spend a ton of money on a console just to turn around and spend some more money to get games to play on it, but as we have already seen this generation, the hardcore supporters will buy whatever console they are loyal to, no matter the cost. Finally, there are those that buy all of the consoles because they have far too much free money on their hands (that is a joke, lol),
Last edited by JROD0823 on 2/17/2013 10:40:00 PM
5 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 4:14:17 PM
0 up, 0 down
ulsterscot
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 10:53:53 PM
Reply
15 up, 1 down
JROD0823
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 11:09:37 PM
7 up, 0 down
Meatloaf
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 12:39:34 AM
0 up, 12 down
DazeOfWar
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 2:12:12 AM
8 up, 0 down
Dukemz_UK
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 2:36:11 AM
@ Ulsterscot: U sneaky devil. :-)
4 up, 0 down
Akuma07
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 10:05:48 PM
The new startup screen.... it got a new firmware upgrade.
And if she is like my woman, if she asks any questions about it, just confuse her with technical talk or a long confusing story about it to the point where she doesn't even want to know any more. Works every time.
"Did you get a new Playstation?"
.....
"ohhhhh well that is a long story my dear, the quantam accelerator inside my motherboard got vaporized from too much inactivity, which means I had to...."
....
"Okay, whatever."
Last edited by Akuma07 on 2/18/2013 10:09:14 PM
0 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 11:05:16 PM
Reply
Aside from that its games, power then reliability. Reliability is a big one but considering the reliability of Sonys consoles I've never had an issue with it.
2 up, 0 down
H0TSHELLZ
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 3:19:47 AM
3 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 4:19:02 AM
A lot of people say the PS3 was not shipped in a high enough quantities, and sure it was popular. But where I'm from even if they sold out weekly or whatever, they had other shipments coming in quickly. I assume either way, Sony will ship a good amount and stores will have be carrying more than usual.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 2/18/2013 4:20:58 AM
1 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 11:14:16 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 11:19:45 PM
Reply
:D
I hope Sony has high walls cos the mobs of fanboys screaming with rage would be deafening!!
2 up, 0 down
Mogreen
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 11:42:43 PM
Reply
#1 Priority is... Reliability, my 1st PS3 the blu ray drive died 2months after I got it. I eventually had to switch to a slim and that died once too. Can't have my systems failing on me when all my previous systems before lasted past a generation.
#2... Cost, I know the system will have loads of features and high tech technology but here in the US it's hard times haha.
#3... Power, I'm starting to get scared of rumors saying sony isn't focused on being the most powerful, that's what sony is about being the best or 1 of the best high power high tech companies even though I know they're on hard times, don't fail us sony.
#4... Games, I mean c'mon there's already high rumors saying that PS4 is h*ll of a lot easier to develop for than PS3 was and Sony has "THE BEST" group of first party console developers, i'm least worried about the games. They'll be there for PS4.
0 up, 0 down
JROD0823
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 11:56:25 PM
My 60 GB fatty still works almost perfectly after 6 years and the thousands of hours of gaming I put on it. The only thing that is wrong with it is that I believe the GPU is trying to go on the fritz. I get random columns of colors that shoot from a random origin into infinity, and the effect had happened on over a dozen games I had played on it before I retired it.
I still use it to play blu-ray movies, and PSN games, but the slim I got in 2010 is my new workhorse until I move on to the PS4. I will actually probably get a superslim PS3 so that I can fully retire my 60Gb fatty.
Last edited by JROD0823 on 2/17/2013 11:57:04 PM
3 up, 1 down
Knightzane
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 12:02:18 AM
Reply
1 up, 2 down
___________
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 3:44:17 AM
not to mention steam and origin have built in web browsers so you dont even need to do that!
not sure if uplay uses it, hate ubisoft so i dont use it much.
next time when your going to comment on something, at least do SOME research make sure you know half of what your talking about!
3 up, 2 down
JROD0823
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 8:27:19 AM
Yes, Knight made a typo on the computer controls, but you don't have to crucify him over it.
This community is known for its (mostly!) civil discussions. Yes, a member or two have made comments that were out of line (Hell, even Ben (playful nudge) has rubbed a person or two the wrong way in the past on the comments thread).
That doesn't give you, a guest, or anyone else (but especially you) the right to be outright hateful towards a member in this fine community.
If you want to be hateful, find another website to spread your negativity on.
I may not be the most vocal member on this site (or always present and accounted for, I sometimes vanish for a month or so, lol) but I'm pretty confident that everyone else here agrees with me.
0 up, 0 down
coverton341
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 1:21:57 PM
Not excusing him, but just thought I would interject that bit of fact.
0 up, 1 down
JROD0823
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 3:19:42 PM
I see what you mean now. I've seen posts by blank line before, and always thought it was a random guest commenting. Never bothered clicking on the line to see otherwise.
Guess his hostility caused me to assume that he couldn't be an actual member of this community, thereby denying him membership in my mind only, if that makes sense.
0 up, 1 down
Highlander
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 12:29:14 AM
Reply
2. Reliability (reliability = loyalty)
3. Cost (cost = initial sales, long term cost will decrease)
6 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 1:40:16 AM
Sales are based on price and content. My little brothers got a Wii. My older brother got a 360. All my friends got 360's cos it was $300 cheaper at the time.
But yes, over time, cost does come down. But look how much Sony has struggled to maintain a steady profit with PS3 and Vita this generation. Hopefully they have learnt their harsh lesson and have a brilliant strategy to challenge Microsoft, Nintendo AND Apple too!
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 1:41:14 AM
1 up, 0 down
AcHiLLiA
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 3:01:06 PM
Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 2/18/2013 3:03:30 PM
0 up, 0 down
Meatloaf
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 12:35:12 AM
Reply
1. Reliability
2. Games
3. Power
4. Cost
Everybody should know you get what you pay for and if you complain about the cost that you saw what happened the last time you complained about the cost, they took away the ability to play past games to make the Ps3 cheaper and stop making Sony make tough decisions which make them piss you off! Why blame sony for trying to make you happy! Like the PCs that you have to upgrade them almost every game you play! get over it and realize gaming consoles are dying and becoming computers and if you can't afford a computer, buy a Ps3 or a Ps2 or something and stop bitching!
0 up, 0 down
JROD0823
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 8:11:09 AM
Even if JRPGs aren't my big thing, I have to commend your originality and spin on Ben's factors.
0 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 1:30:18 AM
Reply
Many families and income earners live on a budget, so only a certain amount can be set aside for luxuries such as gaming. Finding that sweet spot between cost of parts and retail price can be tricky, and as the Wii has demonstrated, a cheap and far less powerful console can still sell really well.
2. Games
Exclusive games and media content is absolutely essential to sell a new entertianment machine. I placed it second since cost is ALWAYS a factor, regardless of how many AAA games the machine may have. It is also important for people to know that the games will keep on coming, even 5 or 6 years after they've bought the console as it is quite an expensive but fun investment...
Which brings me to...
3. Reliability
The popularity of the 360 is proof that reliability doesn't need to be #1 priority, so long as you are willing to stick to your word and honor the warrenty. However, over several years, word of mouth spreads that the console is or isn't reliable, and so people turn to a product that has a proven track record of reliability. You don't want an expensive gift or purchase to break down on you after the first year or so, do you?
4. Social Networking Features
Very important for increasing sales! Why do you think 360 is so popular in America compared to PS3? Is it the games? Apart from Halo and Gears, not really. It is the cross game chat, fast game joining options and online services that made 360 popular in the first place. Do NOT underestimate the power of social networking in consoles, because many people will buy THAT console just so they can play with their friends.
If PS4 leads with social features and streamlined game joining and online play options, it will lead, big time!!
5. Power
In the previous generation, this would have ranked much higher, but we are starting to hit a bit of a peak, and many casual gamers can barely tell the difference between Crysis 3 on PC and PS3. (Core gamers are a whole different thing though, but they're not as large in number)
Most casual gamers don't care or have lost looks on their faces as soon as someone starts talking about Teraflops and Gigahertz and Mbits/sec and RAM size and processing cores.
I think the PS4 will succeed with a big boost in RAM, but just stick with a good processor and medium/high performance video card, mostly to save on cost (which is why Cost is in the number 1 spot) but the main reason power doesn't matter is because history HAS PROVED that power doesn't matter!!
PS1, PS2, Wii, all dominated sales charts, and all 3 were the least powerful of the 3 competing console of each generation! N64 had better graphics and processing (especially with the expansion pack) and Xbox was HEAPS beefier than PS2! But the PS1 and PS2 was cheaper and had the best games!! Lower $ + large game library = WIN!
So, in order once again:
1. Cost
2. Games
3. Reliability
4. Social Networking features
5. Power
I really hope Sony have a better head start than the PS3 had when it first released. The Vita too.
1 up, 1 down
___________
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 3:42:21 AM
played the alpha on PC, and the beta on ps3, and the freaking alpha looked 100000 times better than the beta on ps3!
not to mention that was running on my crappy 4 year laptop, not my new PC.
come on saying people cant tell the difference between crysis 3 on PC and consoles is like saying people cant tell the difference between liquid nitrogen and lava!
difference couldent be more pronounced!
3 up, 0 down
JROD0823
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 8:08:20 AM
Leave it up to you and World to add factors that Ben didn't mention, lol.
All kidding aside, I think you make good, strong points that tie in with or further elaborate on my post above.
I do maintain however that the power of the PS3 (and even the 360 can claim this up to a point) has allowed this generation to last a LOT longer than any other has in the past before new hardware was released to keep the masses happy.
0 up, 1 down
BTNwarrior
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 2:01:22 AM
Reply
4 up, 0 down
DazeOfWar
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 2:17:26 AM
Reply
2.Cost
3.Power
4.Reliability
It needs to have games and it needs to be plenty of them spread out through the first year. I don't want the same issue as the Vita. Which then leads into cost. It can't be expensive or it won't sell well. I don't think the new Xbox will either if it's expensive. Many people have just finally got around to buying new systems.
The other two items aren't as big a deal for me cause I know those two things will be there.
1 up, 0 down
___________
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 3:39:43 AM
Reply
you can make THE best games ever created, but no one is going to buy a ps4 if the games are not much more technically advanced than the ps3.
not to mention allot of people are jumping ship to PC because there sick of yesterdays games, they want to see whats possible with the best tech available!
if $ony half a$$e$ the ps4, than not only is no one going to buy it because its just not that impressive, but no one is going to buy it because further down the line its going to look even less impressive!
exactly the problem the wii faced, allot of people were having a ball with it but they just had to stop playing it because they were sick of rubbing sand in their eyes!
i LOVED my wii, but ill never ever go back to it simply because i value my eyesight!
system can be as cheap, reliable as it wants, have the funnest games possible, but no one will care if the games look like slightly enhanced ps4 games!
how much of a improvements required to make it attracting, well thats a whole other kettle of fish.
but suffice to say $ony can put there head between their legs and kiss their a$$ bye bye, if the ps4 is nothing but a playstationu!
3 up, 2 down
Beamboom
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 4:57:42 AM
Reply
But I'm missing a fifth entry in that list: Features. I really think that matters too. This is a machine that will be located in the families living room. Therefore, features that uses that fact to it's advantage will be a selling point too.
It's just sooo much easier for daddy to buy a new gaming machine if mom finds some interest in it too. :)
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/18/2013 5:05:38 AM
3 up, 0 down
Ludakriss
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 6:51:30 AM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
infamousgodV2_0
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 7:14:32 AM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
slugga_status
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 10:29:07 AM
Reply
1. Power
2. Games
3. Cost
Sony consoles have always been pretty good in the "Power" department which churns out quality Games. So those to go together to me. Cost is last because I'll get it regardless. The rumored price range seems appropriate anyway.
1 up, 0 down
Ultima
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 11:02:08 AM
Reply
For me, games comes first because I only play a *very* limited type of games. Specifically, fighting games and [j]RPGs. Basically, every console I've bought after the SNES has either been for a) Street Fighter and/or b) Final Fantasy. So until the PS4 gets one of those, I'm not picking one up regardless of everything else. Cost next after that, since if the cost is too high I won't be able to justify picking one up considering how seldom I get to play games now (married, full time job, two young children, and other hobbies that take up time).
But I think for the majority of people, cost will factor in first, then games. If the cost is too much, the units will stay on the shelves until the price comes down. People with either wait or (more likely) go to another, cheaper system unless the PS4 has exclusives that they REALLY want to play. Frankly, in this day and age, I think such an audience is actually limited. Nintendo is the only company that has many first party exclusives that really drive system sales any more.
Power is largely irrelevant. Outside of fanboys wanting to wave their dicks online, no one cares what the "power" of a system is, because that power is useless without games to show off that power. And frankly, most people wouldn't even be able to appreciate games that show off the power of their system unless the games ALSO happen to be good. But there are games that are good that don't necessarily show off the power of their system. So really, what it all boils down to is "the games have to be good". Games don't -need- to showcase the system's power.
In fact, the only time "power" comes into play is if your system can do something with its extra power that your competition can't, and again, that -only- becomes a notable factor if your game is also good. After all, nobody cares how much tesselation a game employs or how many objects the game throws at you at once or how advanced the AI is, if the game itself is garbage.
Also, I find it amusing that "reliability" is mentioned at all. While some quote the 360 as an example where this proved to not be important at all, am I the only one who remembers the *original* Playstation's reliability issues? Y'know, the one whose laser array got corrupted over time and stopped working unless you flipped the PSX on its side or upside down (or, in the case of a friend of mine, only worked while in a fridge? We called it the FridgeStation). Yeah, Sony themselves proved long ago that reliability isn't really that important.
In addition, I agree that "features/services" should have been mentioned. I would consider features to be much more relevant than power or reliability.
Last edited by Ultima on 2/18/2013 11:04:11 AM
0 up, 0 down
CrusaderForever
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 12:07:24 PM
Reply
2. Power
3. Cost
4. Reliability
Games are huge as we have seen with every console including the WiiU.
Power, is very important so the console can have longevity. We need to see improvements in graphics, AI, pop-in and load times.
Cost is a huge factor for a lot of gamers however I don't count myself among this penny-pinching-squeak-when-you-walk-$700-Ipad-purchasers group.
Reliability is very important however we have a receipt and a warranty to help deal with any problems the PS4 could have. But I honestly don't think there will be that many problems since Sony is amazing at building high quality products. They have also been around the block many times with many different consoles.
I bought the WiiU right away not for launch titles but for the future. However, the PS4 will be different. Seriously if Killzone 4 is the only launch title I will be happy. However there will be much more as the Vita launch showcased. 2 more days until pure bliss epicness!!!
0 up, 0 down
ethird1
Monday, February 18, 2013 @ 1:51:57 PM
Reply
ALL OF THE ABOVE IS IMPORTANT!
You just have to be sensible about things. I dont care if the system can do everything, price is always a factor. You have to put video games in perspective with it.
2 up, 0 down
Crabba
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 @ 9:34:20 PM
Reply
2. No always-online requirement.
3. Power - If it's not significantly more powerful than the PS3 what's the point of upgrading??
4. Cost I had no problem buying the PS3 @ launch for $499. I prefer quality over quantity.
I'm not concerned about games, and they really don't have anything to do with the hardware, except for the fact that better hardware means better games.
0 up, 0 down
Vitron
Reply
Sunday, February 17, 2013 @ 10:24:53 PM
1. Games
2. Reliability
3. Cost
4. Power