The Great Battle Begins...
While I hate to admit it, Sony is going to have its hands full with this upcoming generation of gaming. Even without considering the challenges of reducing a considerable debt, pushing the PSP and restructuring a handful of low profit-generating departments, the company that brought “computer entertainment” to the masses is heading into a difficult battle against Microsoft. Once again, it goes into the fight with several disadvantages, but the difference this time is that the opposition is taking advantage of them.
With an estimated head-start of a year, Microsoft is going all-out to make sure that the successor to the Xbox sells as many units as possible. And, it appears they are taking all the right steps. The idea of unveiling the console on MTV is certainly brilliant and will help to spread the word more quickly than standard E3 news coverage will. This is especially true when you consider that most casual gamers have no idea of what E3 is in the first place. I have no doubt that Sony can whip up a major marketing campaign that will blow MS away, but it’s not going to be as easy this time.
The next major step that MS is firmly planting is its strong push to sign exclusive content from foreign developers. So far, I haven’t really been impressed with what’s been announced, but there is bound to be more. Will it be enough to make that huge of a difference? I doubt it, but it does show that the company is serious about the Japanese and European markets. MS needs to really push the exclusives angle, as Sony rarely does. Maybe since Sony gets so many exclusive titles, by default, it doesn’t really bother promoting that fact. However, that should change for the next generation. Sony should really promote every exclusive title it has instead of just relying on the third parties to do it.
Online is another major advantage for MS, as its Live service won the hearts of many gamers over the past few years. The ironic thing is that the PS2 has way more online games, but there has never been a unifying service to connect them all. Every developer created its own unique login procedures, etc. which made for some confusing online experiences. Also, the continuing support for dial-up users (56K), while certainly declining, has hampered a lot of multiplayer sessions and modes for PS2 owners. There is no denying that the Xbox spanked the PS2 in this department and that the Live service has a major advantage coming into the next cycle of consoles. Even if Sony does create some sort of service, it will still be behind what Live has to offer, just from the aspect of growing pains.
There are a handful of other areas where MS has the lead, but I will address those later. Just from sheer brand recognition, Sony still has the biggest upper hand, but with each little area that the company falters in, MS will be there to show gamers how things should be. Sony just needs to remember that a name can only go so far (ask Nintendo about that) and that it needs to go in with guns blazing in order to win the hearts of gamers once again. Unleash a storm of exclusive content, online services and a cool-looking console and show everyone why you're #1. Definitely don’t rest on your laurels and pull out all the stops to get everyone excited about what the future holds. Throw away your market research and boring Power Point presentations and talk to us as your friends. Just tell us, honestly, why the PS3 will be the best thing ever. Make us feel like kids on Christmas day and we’ll be there to support you all the way.
UPDATE - UMD Movie Release Dates
Buena Vista just announced the release dates for their first batch of UMD movies and here they are. Future titles will be revealed shortly.
April 19
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Kill Bill Vol. 1
May 3
National Treasure
Hero
June 21
Cursed (day and date)
Hostage (day and date)
With an estimated head-start of a year, Microsoft is going all-out to make sure that the successor to the Xbox sells as many units as possible. And, it appears they are taking all the right steps. The idea of unveiling the console on MTV is certainly brilliant and will help to spread the word more quickly than standard E3 news coverage will. This is especially true when you consider that most casual gamers have no idea of what E3 is in the first place. I have no doubt that Sony can whip up a major marketing campaign that will blow MS away, but it’s not going to be as easy this time.
The next major step that MS is firmly planting is its strong push to sign exclusive content from foreign developers. So far, I haven’t really been impressed with what’s been announced, but there is bound to be more. Will it be enough to make that huge of a difference? I doubt it, but it does show that the company is serious about the Japanese and European markets. MS needs to really push the exclusives angle, as Sony rarely does. Maybe since Sony gets so many exclusive titles, by default, it doesn’t really bother promoting that fact. However, that should change for the next generation. Sony should really promote every exclusive title it has instead of just relying on the third parties to do it.
Online is another major advantage for MS, as its Live service won the hearts of many gamers over the past few years. The ironic thing is that the PS2 has way more online games, but there has never been a unifying service to connect them all. Every developer created its own unique login procedures, etc. which made for some confusing online experiences. Also, the continuing support for dial-up users (56K), while certainly declining, has hampered a lot of multiplayer sessions and modes for PS2 owners. There is no denying that the Xbox spanked the PS2 in this department and that the Live service has a major advantage coming into the next cycle of consoles. Even if Sony does create some sort of service, it will still be behind what Live has to offer, just from the aspect of growing pains.
There are a handful of other areas where MS has the lead, but I will address those later. Just from sheer brand recognition, Sony still has the biggest upper hand, but with each little area that the company falters in, MS will be there to show gamers how things should be. Sony just needs to remember that a name can only go so far (ask Nintendo about that) and that it needs to go in with guns blazing in order to win the hearts of gamers once again. Unleash a storm of exclusive content, online services and a cool-looking console and show everyone why you're #1. Definitely don’t rest on your laurels and pull out all the stops to get everyone excited about what the future holds. Throw away your market research and boring Power Point presentations and talk to us as your friends. Just tell us, honestly, why the PS3 will be the best thing ever. Make us feel like kids on Christmas day and we’ll be there to support you all the way.
UPDATE - UMD Movie Release Dates
Buena Vista just announced the release dates for their first batch of UMD movies and here they are. Future titles will be revealed shortly.
April 19
May 3
June 21
posted by Frosty @ 11:35 AM
1 comments
