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[gofreak]

PS1 and PS2 were weaker than their main rivals.

The difference being gaming is no longer a hobbyist market.

PS2 was the weakest of it's generation though, and won handily.

PS2 and PS1 were not the weakest of their generations.

And if the implication is that Sony didn't pursue a 'power angle' in those generations, nothing could be further from the truth.

Hardware superiority was present at both systems' launches, and was a factor to one degree or another in their success. Playstation's hardware left Sega reeling with Saturn. PS2's hardware did nothing to help Dreamcast. Microsoft dithered on launching a system in 2000 because they felt they couldn't outgun PS2 by any notable margin (and thus would have probably had a much harder time establishing a foothold).

That in both generations other competitors later arrived with more powerful hardware simply reflects the improvement of tech over time - not a decreased appreciation at Sony of hardware and power in those generations.

Every generation needs new, differentiated entertainment experiences that are valued by the market. Every generation PS has been present in, bar one (the parallel 'Wii' generation, if you like), has fueled that new entertainment via performance and hardware improvements. Sony put out the best machines they could each gen and hit the sweetspot in 2 out of 3.

Sony's philosophy on hardware was crystallized by PS2, IMO. The same philosophy that built PS2 built PS3. The 'only' change was in the budgetary constraints SCE was operating under as a growing sense of invincibility established itself.

I think it is pretty safe to say that sense of invincibility is no longer present though.

 

[Radec]

Is there a reason then they have been so late to everything in other sectors?

What other sectors?

 

[FyreWulff]

PS2 and PS1 were not the weakest of their generations.

And if the implication is that Sony didn't pursue a 'power angle' in those generations, nothing could be further from the truth.

Hardware superiority was present at both systems' launches, and was a factor to one degree or another in their success. Playstation's hardware left Sega reeling with Saturn. PS2's hardware did nothing to help Dreamcast. Microsoft dithered on launching a system in 2000 because they felt they couldn't outgun PS2 by any notable margin (and thus would have probably had a much harder time establishing a foothold).

That in both generations other competitors later arrived with more powerful hardware simply reflects the improvement of tech over time - not a decreased appreciation at Sony of hardware and power in those generations.

Every generation needs new, differentiated entertainment experiences that are valued by the market. Every generation PS has been present in, bar one (the parallel 'Wii' generation, if you like), has fueled that new entertainment via performance and hardware improvements. Sony put out the best machines they could each gen and hit the sweetspot in 2 out of 3.

Sony's philosophy on hardware was crystallized by PS2, IMO. The same philosophy that built PS2 built PS3. The 'only' change was in the budgetary constraints SCE was operating under as a growing sense of invincibility established itself.

I think it is pretty safe to say that sense of invincibility is no longer present though.

Both the PS1 and PS2 were the weakest or next to weakest console in terms of power in each of their generations. The only time the most powerful console has won a generation is the Super Nintendo, and that was after it was neck and neck with the Genesis and pulled away at the very end. This is across both home consoles and handhelds.

Even at that point people will probably debate the SNES/Genesis power comparison.

Eh, the power angle has been successful for plenty of consoles, ps3 being the only real exception. Handhelds don't count, as the market probably just isn't there for them.

No reason for Sony to abandon that strategy with ps4. Ps3 was just a cluster when it comes to engineering and it cost them dearly, 360 seemed to be tightly designed and did well.

As pointed out just now, no, and handhelds count. They have a market. Both the PSP and DS outsold the GameCube, the Xbox, and the N64 combined individually.

 

[GreggTheGrimReaper]

If Sony falls a new competitor will rise.

TurboGrafx Next Gen confirmed?

 

[gofreak]

Both the PS1 and PS2 were the weakest or next to weakest console in terms of power in each of their generations. The only time the most powerful console has won a generation is the Super Nintendo

I'm not going to argue with your ranking, but my challenge was to the implication that there was some change in philosophy toward power between all these generations at Sony, and also to the implication that 'power' wasn't a factor in how these gens shook out. The most powerful systems didn't win these gens, but that's a subtly different point that isn't at variance with my argument.

 

[Castor Krieg]

Eh, the power angle has been successful for plenty of consoles, ps3 being the only real exception. Handhelds don't count, as the market probably just isn't there for them.

No reason for Sony to abandon that strategy with ps4. Ps3 was just a cluster when it comes to engineering and it cost them dearly, 360 seemed to be tightly designed and did well.

The Wii, most successful console this generation, is an anti-thesis of power angle. Add to the fact the world is dramatically different now than in 2006: crisis + rise of mobile. It's stupid if Sony does the same thing again, it will mean they didn't learn anything.


Also, I like how the troubles of Sony come from huge authority and autonomy of its engineers. Oh wait, what is that I'm hearing? Engineers are not great at doing everything, suits are actually helpful once in a while?

Whenever I mentioned content,’ [Stringer] says, ‘people would roll their eyes because, ‘This is an electronics company, and content is secondary.

What do they think they make these devices? To look at and be admired? Seems like Sony deserves to fail.

 

[Sid]

The Wii, most successful console this generation, is an anti-thesis of power angle. Add to the fact the world is dramatically different now than in 2006: crisis + rise of mobile. It's stupid if Sony does the same thing again, it will mean they didn't learn anything.

PS4 will have to be equal or be a bit above nextbox power-wise since both eye the same market,it isn't stupid if they can have the most powerful console which will have components which come down in cost fairly quickly.

 

[gofreak]

The Wii, most successful console this generation, is an anti-thesis of power angle. Add to the fact the world is dramatically different now than in 2006: crisis + rise of mobile. It's stupid if Sony does the same thing again, it will mean they didn't learn anything.

Do you think that notable performance improvement can no longer enable the creation of differentiated/new entertainment content that will be valued by the market?

On a note about the Wii, while Wii showed you can create new entertainment content of value to the market WITHOUT notable hardware improvement in the box, the 'power angle' of HD showed you still could mine that direction this gen (and although two companies split that market, it was more popular in the market than Wii's approach). It's not like Wii has proven that the market no longer values the kind of experience better hardware can afford.

 

[Castor Krieg]

PS4 will have to be equal or be a bit above nextbox power-wise since both eye the same market,it isn't stupid if they can have the most powerful console which will have components which come down in cost fairly quickly.

Yes, the same way Sony was losing money on each PS3 sold three years in (check the article).

Do you think that notable performance improvement can no longer enable the creation of differentiated/new entertainment content that will be valued by the market?

Differentiated/new entertainment is rarely connected with increased performance. It's about doing things in a NEW way, not doing MORE of the same.

 

[Sid]

What do they think they make these devices? To look at and be admired? Seems like Sony deserves to fail.

We'll see how the future unfolds at least their new CEO is trying http://www.computerworlduk.com/news...irai-says-media-content-and-services-are-key/

Yes, the same way Sony was losing money on each PS3 sold three years in (check the article).



Differentiated/new entertainment is rarely connected with increased performance. It's about doing things in a NEW way, not doing MORE of the same.

The ps4 will most likely not have something like the CELL or would need to push a new media format both are huge cost savers where the savings can be turned to make the console more powerful with components which come down relatively quickly in cost.Many people want 'more of the same' just look at the combined install base of the ps360 market.

Both the PS1 and PS2 were the weakest or next to weakest console in terms of power in each of their generations. The only time the most powerful console has won a generation is the Super Nintendo, and that was after it was neck and neck with the Genesis and pulled away at the very end. This is across both home consoles and handhelds.

Both the PS1 and PS2 were huge upgrades from their previous gen competitors and were not the least powerful.

 

[ColdBlooder]

Err? Most of the stuff in that link came true...

EDIT:

Mario Bros 2D platformer is in development for 3DS - Yup
Metroid 3DS is in development for 3DS - Maybe
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be re-confirmed to come before Christmas (Before end of 2011) - Yup
Kirby for Wii will get release date and proper trailer. Also coming before Christmas (Before end of 2011) - Yup
Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story coming to the U.S. before end of 2012 - Yup

Pretty much spot on

There will be over 20 playable games for the new Nintendo console at the show floor - Nope
I guarantee Pikmin 3 moving from Wii to Project Cafe - Yup
Soul Calibur 5 is a launch game for Project Cafe. It will be on the show floor. - Nope
Ubisoft wants to launch with at least 3 games at Project Cafe’s launch - Yup
You will see Nintendo sway more toward Western publishers than Eastern/Asian publishers - Yup
Nintendo wants to launch the console with a big first person shooter that has a lot of mass appeal - Yup (BLOPS2, ZombiU, Aliens)
The team that worked on Smash Bros 64, Smash Bros Melee, and Smash Bros Brawl transferred the assets of the game to another developer to work on it. The original Smash Bros team is not working on this new Smash Bros title - Yup
Rockstar is working on something for Project Cafe - Maybe
No harddrive. Nintendo chose to go with a cheaper alternative way of storage - Yup
You will be able to transfer some of your downloadable content (Wiiware/VC games) from Wii 1 to the new Nintendo console - Yup
Much more improved online system - Yup

Another doubter proven wrong who isn´t man enough to eat crow when hes proven wrong.

I really don´t get why people think she made up bullshit when nearly all of her predictions came true

And this article is really well written and researched. Sony is really in deep trouble. They are far more doomed than Nintendo BUT they are far from being gone from the gaming scene too! IF PS4 would fail THEN we might see them leave the gaming buissness. (And thats a BIG IF)

 

[Triple U]

Both the PS1 and PS2 were the weakest or next to weakest console in terms of power in each of their generations. The only time the most powerful console has won a generation is the Super Nintendo, and that was after it was neck and neck with the Genesis and pulled away at the very end. This is across both home consoles and handhelds.

Even at that point people will probably debate the SNES/Genesis power comparison.

They weren't when they were launched though. Power doesn't win generations in of itself but please don't act like it hasn't been part of Sony's strategy since they came in.

 

[gofreak]

Differentiated/new entertainment is rarely connected with increased performance.

Well the market has valued, and evidently deemed sufficiently new/differentiated, the entertainment that has been enabled by increased performance every generation I can recall.

Or maybe that's just a coincidence, and releasing systems without notable performance improvement over prior generations would have yielded the same results?

 

[Canis lupus]

Both the PS1 and PS2 were the weakest or next to weakest console in terms of power in each of their generations.

Neither the PS1 or PS2 were weaker than the Saturn or Dreamcast.

 

[Castor Krieg]

Or maybe that's just a coincidence, and releasing systems without notable performance improvement over prior generations would have yielded the same results?

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. DS as well.

 

[Sid]

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. DS as well.

Sony's strategy for their consoles is powerful hardware(does not always equate to the ps3 situation) with a TON of third and first party support,the wiiiiiiiiiii strategy is not even applicable to the wiiiiiii-u itself as motion controls as a primary control method were revolutionary back then.

 

[Celine]

Well the market has valued, and evidently deemed sufficiently new/differentiated, the entertainment that has been enabled by increased performance every generation I can recall.

Or maybe that's just a coincidence, and releasing systems without notable performance improvement over prior generations would have yielded the same results?

What's about the profits, manufacturing costs and market adoption curve related to MSRP this generation for MS and Sony systems?

It's clear that a part (big or little that could be) of the market values graphics performance but it's more telling the return.

Sony's strategy for their consoles is powerful hardware with a good price (does not always equate to the ps3 situation) with a TON of exclusive third and first party support

Fixed.
When that vanished the emperor was found naked.

 

[gofreak]

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. DS as well.

I asked if you thought that increased hardware performance was no longer a relevant component in enabling new entertainment content that is valued by the market.

You said it was rarely a factor.

Citing two exceptions, or one exception in the home market...I'm not sure supports an answer of 'yes' to that question.

All Wii, at last, proved was that the 'power angle' wasn't the only way to enable new generations of entertainment content that's valued by the market. Or that wasn't a prerequisite.

The conclusion, however, that it has rendered 'the power angle' - notable performance increases - impotent as component in new generations of valuable entertainment - and thus a mistake for MS or Sony to pursue - does not follow.

 

[gofreak]

What's about the profits, manufacturing costs and market adoption curve related to MSRP this generation for MS and Sony systems?

Of course it is a mistake to pursue 'the power angle' at all costs.

That's a different question of whether it's a mistake, fullstop. The suggestion seemed to be that Sony should drop 'the power angle', full stop - just because the Wii successfully ran counter to that approach.

That doesn't make sense, IMO. Sony needs to drop the unbounded budgetary constraints that accompanied PS3's development...which is a different matter.

 

[Sid]

Fixed.
When that vanished the emperor was found naked.

65+ million consoles for a console which launched at $600 even,pushed a new media format to the top and has been profitable for nearly 3 years,is 'naked'?

 

[breakfuss]

Neither the PS1 or PS2 were weaker than the Saturn or Dreamcast.

The PS1 was undoubtedly technically inferior to the N64, and the PS2 was weaker than the Xbox. Also, if I remember correctly, the PS2 was arguably weaker than the Gamecube (albeit, the GC had limited media capabilities).

 

[Celine]

65+ million consoles for a console which launched at $600 even,pushed a new media format to the top and has been profitable for nearly 3 years,is 'naked'?

Yes.
And since you cited profits, in the PS3 years SCE wrote down record-breaking losses.

 

[Sid]

Yes.
And since you cited profits, in the PS3 years SCE wrote down record-breaking losses.

No it really isn't,PS3 had exotic hardware which caused problems in cost reduction,was very expensive to manufacture and hence lead to losses,ps4 won't have such components going by the latest rumors and would not have to push a whole new media format,both are big cost savers.

 

[Triple U]

The PS1 was undoubtedly technically inferior to the N64, and the PS2 was weaker than the Xbox. Also, if I remember correctly, the PS2 was arguably weaker than the Gamecube (albeit, the GC had limited media capabilities).

The N64 was released almost two years after the PS1. Same with GC and Xbox. The PS1 and PS2 were the most powerful sytems when they launched...

 

[IrishNinja]

The N64 was released almost two years after the PS1. Same with GC and Xbox. The PS1 and PS2 were the most powerful sytems when they launched...

weren't they the first out for that gen? not counting irrelevant stuff like 3DO, mind.

 

[Sid]

weren't they the first out for that gen? not counting irrelevant stuff like 3DO, mind.

Nope,saturn and dreamcast were.

The N64 was released almost two years after the PS1. Same with GC and Xbox. The PS1 and PS2 were the most powerful sytems when they launched...

They were monumental upgrades compared to the then last gen consoles too.

 

[zoukka]

weren't they the first out for that gen? not counting irrelevant stuff like 3DO, mind.

No. Saturn and Dreamcast say hello.

edit:

 

[IrishNinja]

saturn works, but i always figured dreamcast was sort've in-between gens...history would've supported this if it'dve lasted longer

 

[zoukka]

saturn works, but i always figured dreamcast was sort've in-between gens...history would've supported this if it'dve lasted longer

Dreamcast was powerful enough. It took a hell of a long time before PS2 trumped its offerings.

 

[H_Prestige]

But the argument was power=success. When was that true for Sony?

Both ps1 and ps2 were well beyond any system released prior. They were also more expensive than gaming systems typically were.

 

[IrishNinja]

Dreamcast was powerful enough. It took a hell of a long time before PS2 trumped its offerings.

i agree 100%, i just dont agree with some on here who've said PS2 would've destroyed it even if sega wasn't going broke. it'dve had a place at the table for much longer, because looking back at last gen, the big 3 still weren't offering some of the unique things it brought.

point taken though - i mainly wanted to refute the "strongest system wins" thing though, it's quite often not the case, historically.

 

[Corto]

About the "more power doesn't win" argument, could someone explain why less power is a market advantage? Did those "weaker" consoles in past generations presented to market with lower price tags? That's the only objective thing that could be advantageous about the power argument. If the price was not a factor then it's just incidental that the most powerful machine never won a generation and the reasons for that are not power-related.

 

[Busty]

A fascinating article but it's the human element that people never take into account. Imagine Sony did go under. Imagine all the jobs that would be lost.

I'm just saying.

They are the second most profitable studio in the US right now (with a high chance of being the first by the end of the year), and probably at one of the first places worldwide as well. Why close them down?

Incorrect. Sony Pictures made a loss last quarter and only made a profit last year when they sold off their sizeable chunk of HBO Latin America and then sold the merchandising rights for the Spider-Man films back to Disney.

So no. You appear to be confusing market share with profitability. These are wildly different beasts.

 

[Lynn616]

All this is incorrect.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483179&highlight=microsoft+fiscal+year+11
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473601&highlight=microsoft+fiscal+year+11

PS3 outsold the 360 in both MS's and Sony's FY for the past 2 years. FY is the only way companies give numbers, they rarely ever give "calendar year" numbers. Those numbers are likely made up and/or just plain inaccurate....

You just linked to the same numbers I was using. The numbers are not made up and are not inaccurate at all.

Jan-Dec 2011

360 14.9 Million units
PS3 14.1 Million units

 

[Miles X]

Just realised (not sure if already said) on the topic of the engineers ruling the roost making the decisions, I don't see how PS4 is going to be remotely different to how the PS3 was at launch. Kasz has only been in 6 months? These consoles are planned years in advance, unless they perhaps release late 2014/early 2015, he won't have enough time to drastically change the PS4.

You just linked to the same numbers I was using. The numbers are not made up and are not inaccurate at all.

Jan-Dec 2011

360 14.9 Million units
PS3 14.1 Million units

Yeah bit of a silly thing to say they're inaccurate when you're using exactly the same numbers (shipped) that are used in the FY, just shifting the time scale. And comparing Calendar years makes far more sense imo, it's exactly the same time frame for both companies.

 

[IrishNinja]

About the "more power doesn't win" argument, could someone explain why less power is a market advantage? Did those "weaker" consoles in past generations presented to market with lower price tags? That's the only objective thing that could be advantageous about the power argument. If the price was not a factor then it's just incidental that the most powerful machine never won a generation and the reasons for that are not power-related.

i don't think that's the point of the statement, its typically used here on GAF because we have this crowd that thinks power = big sales factor (see the old PSP vs DS threads, for one good example).

its pretty obvious why the NES shat on the master system, ps1 & 2 beat their stronger competition, etc - they had games. but if processing power alone was as big a factor as some make it out to be, that wouldn'tve been the case. but yes, we're in agreement about the bolded.

 

[Derrick01]

The PS2 was the prime console for casual gamers.

And the big core gamer console too.

 

[RukusProvider]

Uhhh.....wat?

I don't really see how this helps the Wii U.

It's quite clear he works for some sort of a marketing/strategist firm that engage in similar activities as the ones he is accusing Nintendo of.. It's also highly possible his firm is contracted by Sony.

Post history is borderline creepy from a corporate worship standpoint.

 

[mrklaw]

About the "more power doesn't win" argument, could someone explain why less power is a market advantage? Did those "weaker" consoles in past generations presented to market with lower price tags? That's the only objective thing that could be advantageous about the power argument. If the price was not a factor then it's just incidental that the most powerful machine never won a generation and the reasons for that are not power-related.

less power didn't win either. Waggle won. And that was only one round.

There hasn't been enough consistent results to declare any approach regarding consoles as a guaranteed solution.

 

[Corto]

Just realised (not sure if already said) on the topic of the engineers ruling the roost making the decisions, I don't see how PS4 is going to be remotely different to how the PS3 was at launch. Kasz has only been in 6 months? These consoles are planned years in advance, unless they perhaps release late 2014/early 2015, he won't have enough time to drastically change the PS4.



Yeah bit of a silly thing to say they're inaccurate when you're using exactly the same numbers (shipped) that are used in the FY, just shifting the time scale. And comparing Calendar years makes far more sense imo, it's exactly the same time frame for both companies.

Well, if companies publish those numbers using the financial year time scale it's natural we use those to compare their results. They do make their projections and build their yearly strategies with that time scale in mind.

less power didn't win either. Waggle won. And that was only one round.

There hasn't been enough consistent results to declare any approach regarding consoles as a guaranteed solution.

Exactly, it's rather simplistic any of the sides of that argument. Less powerful devices by itself shouldn't be a decisive factor in the market if it doesn't result in a lower price tag.

 

[Sid]

Just realised (not sure if already said) on the topic of the engineers ruling the roost making the decisions, I don't see how PS4 is going to be remotely different to how the PS3 was at launch. Kasz has only been in 6 months? These consoles are planned years in advance, unless they perhaps release late 2014/early 2015, he won't have enough time to drastically change the PS4.

PS4 won't have exotic hardware like the ps3 rather components which will shrink down in price fairly quickly going by the latest rumors and won't need to push a whole new media format all of that while being a lot more powerful than the ps3.

 

[Clear]

Decent article but a tad misleading in places. Betamax's failed at consumer level but opened the way for Betacam as the de-facto broadcast industry standard due to its superior quality. They made more money from it than any of the VHS partnership once commodification took over. This "failed" proprietary format was one of their biggest pillars during their golden years of the 1980's-1990's.

Its also worth pointing out that being a manufacturer, Sony were hit extremely hard by the Thai floods and the Japanese tsunami/earthquake. This last years annual report shows that very significant sums were required to restore/retool plants damaged by these natural disasters, so calling them "excuses" really is pretty ignorant.

As to the gaming side, this last generation nobody outside of Nintendo saw the enormous resurgence of the Wii coming. Nobody. This should never be underplayed because it changed everything and a far larger proportion of the global marketshare lost by PS3 went to it than XBox despite it being the more obvious competitor.

 

[Triple U]

Decent article but a tad misleading in places. Betamax's failed at consumer level but opened the way for Betacam as the de-facto broadcast industry standard due to its superior quality. They made more money from it than any of the VHS partnership once commodification took over. This "failed" proprietary format was one of their biggest pillars during their golden years of the 1980's-1990's.

Its also worth pointing out that being a manufacturer, Sony were hit extremely hard by the Thai floods and the Japanese tsunami/earthquake. This last years annual report shows that very significant sums were required to restore/retool plants damaged by these natural disasters, so calling them "excuses" really is pretty ignorant.

As to the gaming side, this last generation nobody outside of Nintendo saw the enormous resurgence of the Wii coming. Nobody. This should never be underplayed because it changed everything and a far larger proportion of the global marketshare lost by PS3 went to it than XBox despite it being the more obvious competitor.

I doubt even Nintendo thought the Wii would take off like it did.

 

[TunaLover]

Holy crap:

Electronic Arts Total Liabilities: $2.27 Billion
Google’s Total Liabilities: $21.33 Billion
Apple’s Total Liabilities: $51.15 Billion
Microsoft’s Total Liabilities: $54.91 Billion
Sony’s Total Liabilities: $135.61 Billion

Sony has more total liabilities than Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Electronic Arts combined.

Holy crap indeed

 

[OldJadedGamer]

Eh, the power angle has been successful for plenty of consoles, ps3 being the only real exception. Handhelds don't count, as the market probably just isn't there for them.

No reason for Sony to abandon that strategy with ps4. Ps3 was just a cluster when it comes to engineering and it cost them dearly, 360 seemed to be tightly designed and did well.

When was the best selling system with the most marketshare ever the most powerful?

 

[z0m3le]

The article is likely used as the beginning of a marketing campaign (likely for WiiU). For a large scale launch, it is not uncommon for large corporations to seed the target audience with PR support first. Once the audience is prepped, the actual launch will follow. Is Nintendo going to organize a press conference soon ? The airline and diamond industries are known to do this when they enter a new market, or when they want to cultivate a new behavior.

If it's an objective investigative report, it won't use an ugly picture of Kaz Hirai in the article. The editorials are sensitive to PR reaction like this (because they get advertisements and sponsorships from companies), and will replace it with standard PR photos (or drawings) of these executives to play safe. OTOH, for political campaign ads, you'll often find messy, inconfident facial expressions of the opposing party to mess with their image.

Who is Emily Rogers anyway ? ^_^

The articles put together Sony's bad news over the last 10 years, but her interpretation may not be completely true or objective. It's very one sided (e.g., Announcing a $25K or $40K TV for the riches doesn't mean anything ! My friends sell $100K speakers per unit, doesn't mean it's a bad thing. It's just not meant for us~). It looks like the truth is somewhere in between.

I love the article though. Sony, this is how you spend your marketing $$$. Not on useless, brand advertising, or replaying game ads. Go through the entire value proposition, and then spend on the full shebang; from PR or counter-PR like this all the way to pricing for mainstream. The Xperia division seems to be ramping up nicely with the latest fast and waterproof cellphones/tablets, plus Google announcing experimental Xperia-Nexus support. Ride on that.

As for engineering dictating the company's future, it's not entirely incorrect. The analysts are often wrong themselves also. Many top management were engineers by training (e.g., Steve Jobs). It means your top engineers are not sensitive/schooled to be product marketing gurus at all. Not every engineers can be. Find those who can cross between marketing and engineering, and use them wisely.

First off, LOL... This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. The site was launched by NeoGAF users 3 months ago, Guek owns the site, and I'm one of the editors and authors of the site. Emily works a ton on research and the statements are all well sourced, we get between 500 and 2000 unique hits a day, and on an article like this we might hit 10k (our rise of costs, fall of gaming article did around that) So no it's not a paid PR stunt, we are just gamers who are sick of the way gaming journalism is handled. (paid for reviews like kanye and lynch)

Second Assets:Liabilities is what paints such a drastic picture, I'm not sure how this article could be seen as anything but a dry and serious look at the realities of Sony's problem.

Just a few months ago Sony had ~$20 Billion in stock value, now that has dropped to ~$11.7 Billion. If you want to "Make.Believe" that everything is fine well this article is directed at you and those who are actually worried about Sony. If they don't change their ways soon, it will mean that their ways will be changed for them.

We also have no ads anywhere on our site, this site is about trying to do something real gaming sites just don't do and that is hitting the hard topics with well researched work.

 

[Lord_Byron28]

As to the gaming side, this last generation nobody outside of Nintendo saw the enormous resurgence of the Wii coming. Nobody. This should never be underplayed because it changed everything and a far larger proportion of the global marketshare lost by PS3 went to it than XBox despite it being the more obvious competitor.

It doesn't matter if anybody saw the Wii being succesful. What matters is after Sony anounced a $599 price tag most knew that the PS3 at that price wouldn't sell.

 

[Empyrean Heaven]

It's not just Sony. Nintendo and Microsoft are hurting right now too...Nintendo moreso since they don't have anything to fall back on.

I think it's time for new blood to enter the console space to reinvigorate the industry. And there's one company I think everyone wants, knows, and believes can do just that.

 

[megashock5]

It doesn't matter if anybody saw the Wii being succesful. What matters is after Sony anounced a $599 price tag most knew that the PS3 at that price wouldn't sell.

I think it's a combination.

A. Wii brought something completely new that garnered a lot of interest
B. Price. Not just $599 PS3 vs $249 Wii, but Sony going $299, $299, $599 - jumping to double the launch price of their first two machines

 

[Busty]

It's not just Sony. Nintendo and Microsoft are hurting right now too...Nintendo moreso since they don't have anything to fall back on.

Yup. Apart from that $10 billion in the bank Nintendo have nothing.

I think it's time for new blood to enter the console space to reinvigorate the industry. And there's one company I think everyone wants, knows, and believes can do just that.

Atari.

Consoles with a wood grain are teh future mang.