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[darkistheway]

That was coming off the success of all conquering PS2. I wouldn't be willing bet their brand is as strong this time around... especially thanks to Vita.

I don't know - the Sony faithful are pretty committed. I think the PS2 captured the casuals and that is what drove its phenomenal success, same as the Wii. Next-gen is up for grabs in that department - although I suspect the casual market has gone elsewhere and won't likely return to consoles. My expectation for next-gen is 60-80 million for all three console makers.

 

[AOC83]

I doubt that the Vita has affected the Playstation brand regarding consoles.

Most gamers in the west don´t give a rats ass about handhelds. It´s basically a kids thing, short periods of (casual)hype aside.

 

[yurinka]

Would it really? Look at PS3 - a year later, significant price difference and no major difference in hardware units sold.

Arguably, going head to head with Microsoft's marketing dollars could be a more significant roadblock. A few months may give Sony the time and space to properly differentiate their efforts.

PS3 also faced a major constrain that benefited 360 : due to the rise on budgets the 3rd parties needed to go multiplatform, and exclusivity deas were too expensive.

So a lot of major IPs that were in the past more related to Playstation went to 360 since day one. So people who wanted to play at launch the new big Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, Tekken ot GTA didn't need a PS3.

Most of them did the jump early in the gen. There were also some cases were some previously MS exclusives went multi but this happened mostly in the 2nd half or the gen and were mostly current gen exclusives or IPs that didn't sold a lot of millions in previous gens.

That was coming off the success of all conquering PS2. I wouldn't be willing bet their brand is as strong this time around... especially thanks to Vita.

There's nothing wrong with Vita, it's a great device but a bit expensive that like 3DS or PS3 had a weak start.
Just need more mass market appealing games (according to Metacritic had more and better games during 2012 than 3DS so quantity and quality is there), a price cut (very likely to be made as part of a console cycle), and maybe a bit of extra marketing.

 

[Can Crusher]

I have this nagging feeling that the Playstation Omni Visor thing, that is VR tech is gonna make a huge impact on the playstation brand.

 

[test_account]

Most gamers in the west don´t give a rats ass about handhelds. It´s basically a kids thing, short periods of (casual)hype aside.

I guess that many people dont even know what the Vita is.

But i agree that it could be risky for Sony to launch the PS4 too far behind (6 months+) the Xbox 720. If the two systems are quite much alike, the initial foothold could be important.

 

[darkistheway]

they lost all their third party exclusives by being behind so much early on. Ms became the goto system with the COD crowd.

They lost their exclusives because developers couldn't rely on the juggernaut install base that the PS2 had. I don't think being a year later was the issue. I think one of the most significant things that happened was the split in terms of sales per region. PS3 in Japan/Europe and Xbox 360 in US/UK sort of forced publishers to move to multiplatform so as to be able to hit all gamers worldwide.

PS3 also faced a major constrain that benefited 360 : due to the rise on budgets the 3rd parties needed to go multiplatform, and exclusivity deas were too expensive.

So a lot of major IPs that were in the past more related to Playstation went to 360 since day one. So people who wanted to play at launch the new big Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, Tekken ot GTA didn't need a PS3.

Most of them did the jump early in the gen. There were also some cases were some previously MS exclusives went multi but this happened mostly in the 2nd half or the gen and were mostly current gen exclusives or IPs that didn't sold a lot of millions in previous gens.

And this picture will continue next-gen. With all the major third party releases being multiplatform (ah ah ah Wii U not so fast... poor Wii U) each company is going to have to make major efforts with first-party games (advantage Sony) and marketing (advantage Microsoft) to differentiate themselves in the marketplace.

Again, my thinking is that it will add up to parity in terms of hardware sales.

 

[Psychotext]

The brand is still pretty strong, especially in Europe, but of course it doesn´t come close to the PS2 days.

Yeah, it's unquestionably strong in Europe still, but it's a long way from where it was in the PS2 days in the US and Japan.

 

[Zoe]

The rumour arose from an actual patent. Whether it will see the light of day I dunno...

They never did anything with the PS2 BC patent

 

[Duffyside]

I'm wondering how they'll tackle PS3 games in terms of PR... will they push Gakai right at the PS4 unveiling? Will they somehow pull of BC? Are we going to see PS4 remasters? It's got me curious.

Since Sony will also be facing the issue of what kind of PS+ support to give PS4 owners, I'm guessing BC and Gakai will be one and the same. BC compatibility achieved through streaming.

 

[AOC83]

I guess that many people dont even know what the Vita is.

But i agree that it could be risky for Sony to launch the PS4 too far behind (6 months+) the Xbox 720. If the two systems are quite much alike, the initial foothold could be important.

I agree, the Vitas influence on the next Playstation should be close to zero and Sony can´t afford another major misstep like the PS3 start, even in Europe. They need to be there with the PS4 when Ms launches and they need a amazing lineup.

 

[bizatch]

So what are the chances of next gen consoles being announced at E3? How surprised would you guys be if neither MS or Sony make any announcements?

 

[THE:MILKMAN]

So what are the chances of next gen consoles being announced at E3? How surprised would you guys be if neither MS or Sony make any announcements?

Close to zero if we believe the mods/insiders here........because they hear the announcements are coming before E3.

 

[BlackJace]

So what are the chances of next gen consoles being announced at E3? How surprised would you guys be if neither MS or Sony make any announcements?

Microsoft is 100% likely, either they show it before, or they wait till E3

Sony's reveal is a little less known. I'm guessing before E3.

 

[quest]

Would it really? Look at PS3 - a year later, significant price difference and no major difference in hardware units sold.

Arguably, going head to head with Microsoft's marketing dollars could be a more significant roadblock. A few months may give Sony the time and space to properly differentiate their efforts.

It cost them the biggest market in the world where they still get outsold every month. They need to get out in the US this holiday season. If not MS has the US market wrapped up again. A console has to launch in the fall season to succeed in the US. I would say both sony and MS need to have a launch day before the next COD release to help attract that crowd to suppliment core gamers. Sony can push back the japan and european launches since the holiday season is not vital to launching in those areas.

 

[Globox_82]

So what are the chances of next gen consoles being announced at E3? How surprised would you guys be if neither MS or Sony make any announcements?

i think it is safe to say that by the end of E3 we will know almost everything about nextbox & PS4.
At least one of them will have reveal before E3. Potentially both of them...

 

[DBT85]

It cost them the biggest market in the world where they still get outsold every month. They need to get out in the US this holiday season. If not MS has the US market wrapped up again. A console has to launch in the fall season to succeed in the US. I would say both sony and MS need to have a launch day before the next COD release to help attract that crowd to suppliment core gamers. Sony can push back the japan and european launches since the holiday season is not vital to launching in those areas.

I will say as a citizen of Europe that we are sick of getting the cunting shaft when it comes to release dates.

 

[spwolf]

Since Sony will also be facing the issue of what kind of PS+ support to give PS4 owners, I'm guessing BC and Gakai will be one and the same. BC compatibility achieved through streaming.

Well, maybe you will be able to play PS3 games through Gaikai, but i am not sure it is "BC"... it wont be free and you will probably be able to play PS4 games thought it too.

I see Gaikai as Playstation Live service where you can play games via Sony TV, Sony BD player and any other Sony devices that can output to TV.. just buy an controller and thats it.

However due to the ongoing nature of the service, it wont be free for sure and so it cant be "BC".

 

[Gorillaz]

The marketing war(or lack of) between MS and Sony will be interesting.

 

[Cramoss]

I don't know if this is old or what but on an interview Hiroshi Sakamoto, when asked about if we'll see something about the next gen console, he said that they're getting ready for a big playstation announcement for E3 or even before in May.

http://www.emol.com/noticias/tecnol...uncio-de-playstation-para-unos-meses-mas.html

 

[DenogginizerOS]

I think the rush to preorder will be unprecedented. Whatever these two titans do, it will be a mad rush to shops and sites to get gear reserved.

 

[Sid]

I don't know if this is old or what but on an interview Hiroshi Sakamoto, when asked about if we'll see something about the next gen console, he said that they're getting ready for a big playstation announcement for E3 or even before on May.

http://www.emol.com/noticias/tecnol...uncio-de-playstation-para-unos-meses-mas.html

May announcement pretty much confirmed basically.

 

[weekend_warrior]

May announcement pretty much confirmed basically.

God this is like 2001 waiting for the PS2 all over again. Ripping through my issues of OPM looking for any new details or pictures.

 

[Sid]

So after TLOU releases I guess.

 

[pharmboy044]

May announcement pretty much confirmed basically.

So no Playstation meeting until May? Dammit, that's too far away.

 

[DBT85]

A May reveal with launch in time for Christmas would be much better that the PS3. We had to wait nearly 18 months for the PS3, and those of us in the EU waited nearly 21 months!

Also means they have a much more condensed release of info to keep it in the minds of gamers in the leadup to launch.

 

[Duffyside]

I think the rush to preorder will be unprecedented. Whatever these two titans do, it will be a mad rush to shops and sites to get gear reserved.

I think we're all in for a rude awakening at just how much the market has changed. Unless one of these two is a tablet, it's going to be a real shock how poorly they sell.

 

[KAL2006]

So no Playstation meeting until May? Dammit, that's too far away.

Makes sense. Last of Us comes out early May. I expect PS4 announcement after Last of Us and God of War drop. If PS4 gets announced before those games get released it would take the hype away from them. Of course Beyond and Pupeteer release the second half of 2013 though, but they are not graphical showcases like GoW and LoU.

 

[Mario007]

Makes sense. Last of Us comes out early May. I expect PS4 announcement after Last of Us and God of War drop. If PS4 gets announced before those games get released it would take the hype away from them. Of course Beyond and Pupeteer release the second half of 2013 though, but they are not graphical showcases like GoW and LoU.

Well Beyond kinda is,but then again so were FFXII and GoW2 when they released on the ps2.

 

[test_account]

I agree, the Vitas influence on the next Playstation should be close to zero and Sony can´t afford another major misstep like the PS3 start, even in Europe. They need to be there with the PS4 when Ms launches and they need a amazing lineup.

Yeah, i think so too.

I think we're all in for a rude awakening at just how much the market has changed. Unless one of these two is a tablet, it's going to be a real shock how poorly they sell.

The initial respons will almost always be the strongest. I wont be surprise if this will set some pre-ordering record (or close to it). Long term sales is much more up in the air though.

 

[KAL2006]

Well Beyond kinda is,but then again so were FFXII and GoW2 when they released on the ps2.

I still think its important to get out Last of Us before announcing a PS4. It would give PS3 the final boost before the PS4 takes over.

 

[Psychotext]

I think we're all in for a rude awakening at just how much the market has changed. Unless one of these two is a tablet, it's going to be a real shock how poorly they sell.

They'll sell fine off the bat, there's enough hardcore gamers out there to ensure that the supply limited launches will go just fine. It's how they go after that which will be the real test.

 

[darkistheway]

It cost them the biggest market in the world where they still get outsold every month. They need to get out in the US this holiday season. If not MS has the US market wrapped up again. A console has to launch in the fall season to succeed in the US. I would say both sony and MS need to have a launch day before the next COD release to help attract that crowd to suppliment core gamers. Sony can push back the japan and european launches since the holiday season is not vital to launching in those areas.

I'll be honest - i consider the difference of 10 million console in the US to be a very surmountable obstacle, if we are talking about mindshare going into next-gen. I think that difference has a lot to do with Microsoft's success with Kinect and Sony's inability to match Xbox 360's price point at retail.

Those are real elements but they go away next-gen. Kinect is not really system-seller to the core gamer and all signs point to price parity.

Don't get me wrong - I hope they do launch at the same time, if only to sit back and watch all banning that will happen here. I'm just not sure they have to.

 

[RoboPlato]

Makes sense. Last of Us comes out early May. I expect PS4 announcement after Last of Us and God of War drop. If PS4 gets announced before those games get released it would take the hype away from them. Of course Beyond and Pupeteer release the second half of 2013 though, but they are not graphical showcases like GoW and LoU.

Exactly what I'm thinking. Beyond and Puppeteer are far more niche titles and not ones that could potentially boost hardware sales a bit.

They'll sell fine off the bat, there's enough hardcore gamers out there to ensure that the supply limited launches will go just fine. It's how they go after that which will be the real test.

Yeah, the first fee months will be sellouts but I'm curious to see how they do after that. I could see MS and Sony putting an end to the current gen versions of some cross gen games (of which I'm expecting a lot) in order to force people to upgrade if sales aren't strong.

 

[gofreak]

I don't know if this is old or what but on an interview Hiroshi Sakamoto, when asked about if we'll see something about the next gen console, he said that they're getting ready for a big playstation announcement for E3 or even before in May.

http://www.emol.com/noticias/tecnol...uncio-de-playstation-para-unos-meses-mas.html

Think that's new news/new thread territory.

Going by google translate he says 'in that time we expect to deliver great news, but we must wait until May at least.', which is pretty clear cut.

He doesn't work for SCE, mind you, rather at Sony Corp, but he says it so authoritatively so I guess he knows...

 

[Elios83]

He says that we'll have to wait until May which is what I was expecting in terms of not sharing the stage with other companies, getting the spotlight for themselves but at the same time not letting their announcements become old news by the time E3 arrives but just keep people wishing to see more.
Maybe there will be consistent leaks anyway before then for both systems.

 

[Duffyside]

The initial respons will almost always be the strongest. I wont be surprise if this will set some pre-ordering record (or close to it). Long term sales is much more up in the air though.

They'll sell fine off the bat, there's enough hardcore gamers out there to ensure that the supply limited launches will go just fine. It's how they go after that which will be the real test.

Hm, maybe you're right.

I do hope that MS and Sony release at the same time though. That'd be really fun, and exciting, and good for the industry, I think.

 

[Iacobellis]

I think we're all in for a rude awakening at just how much the market has changed. Unless one of these two is a tablet, it's going to be a real shock how poorly they sell.

Um, the Wii U is not selling that well.

 

[Duffyside]

Um, the Wii U is not selling that well.

?

I don't consider the gamepad a tablet, if that's what you're getting at.

 

[Iacobellis]

?

I don't consider the gamepad a tablet, if that's what you're getting at.

Haha, that's what I thought you meant. My mistake.

 

[Dusky]

I don't know if this is old or what but on an interview Hiroshi Sakamoto, when asked about if we'll see something about the next gen console, he said that they're getting ready for a big playstation announcement for E3 or even before in May.

http://www.emol.com/noticias/tecnol...uncio-de-playstation-para-unos-meses-mas.html

Interesting to say the least, looks like it's pretty much confirmed that it will at least feature at E3 or even prior to that.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

I wish the Oculus Rift technology was a year or two ahead. Its probably too much to ask for from Sony for a VR headset like the Oculus Rift. However, I would purchase a "Pro Edition" containing a PS4 and "Oculus Rift inspired" headset for $599 without any complaints.

 

[Duffyside]

Haha, that's what I thought you meant. My mistake.

Ah, no. I mean the entire system is a tablet. Just like an iPad.

 

[Iacobellis]

Interesting to say the least, looks like it's pretty much confirmed that it will at least feature at E3 or even prior to that.

It has to be featured before E3. They won't have enough time at the show to tell us all about the PS4!

 

[androvsky]

If they wait until May, Destination Playstation and GDC are going to be all sorts of awkward, bordering on a waste of time.

 

[KillerMan91]

I think we're all in for a rude awakening at just how much the market has changed. Unless one of these two is a tablet, it's going to be a real shock how poorly they sell.

So you think that those tens of millions players that play games like Skyrim, Battlefield, Uncharted, God of War etc. have moved to tablets? Hardcore market is still easily big enough to support two consoles at least at launch. Problem with Wii U is precisely that at the moment it doesn't cater either hardcore or casual audience. Hence poor sales.

 

[Iacobellis]

So you think that those tens of millions players that play games like Skyrim, Battlefield, Uncharted, God of War etc. have moved to tablets? Hardcore market is still easily big enough to support two consoles at least at launch. Problem with Wii U is precisely that at the moment it doesn't cater either hardcore or casual audience. Hence poor sales.

And Nintendo is slow to support a console at launch, ever since the 3DS.

 

[SniperHunter]

Think that's new news/new thread territory.

Going by google translate he says 'in that time we expect to deliver great news, but we must wait until May at least.', which is pretty clear cut.

He doesn't work for SCE, mind you, rather at Sony Corp, but he says it so authoritatively so I guess he knows...

looks like they want last of us to be released before making any sort of announcement. Whats the release date for god of war Ascension? anyone know?

 

[Iacobellis]

looks like they want last of us to be released before making any sort of announcement. Whats the release date for god of war Ascension? anyone know?

Microsoft could easily steal the thunder from Sony if they wait for May. The one big title left, Gear of War: Judgment, comes out in March.

 

[SniperHunter]

Microsoft could easily steal the thunder from Sony if they wait for May. The one big title left, Gear of War: Judgment, comes out in March.

wll that's sony fault for announcing and developing so many PS3 games this late. IMO Beyond is just fucked...it will get lost in the mired of next gen hype

 

[Elios83]

Microsoft could easily steal the thunder from Sony if they wait for May. The one big title left, Gear of War: Judgment, comes out in March.

How could they steal the thunder from them if they're planning to make their announcement at E3?
People are so eager to see the new systems that they're getting ahead of themselves. There will be leaks anyway but official announcements are still a few months off.

wll that's sony fault for announcing and developing so many PS3 games this late. IMO Beyond is just fucked...it will get lost in the mired of next gen hype

Market doesn't work like that. People are not going to stop buying and playing games on the system they own just because something new has been announced (not even released). Most people won't even buy those systems at launch but they'll wait a few years. Also Beyond has been well known and marketed for a year.