Whats the problem with Playstation 3 sales?
Thursday
The Playstation brand has been known as the video game market leader for over 10 years.Both the Playstation 1 and 2 both launched to critical acclaim and immediatly evaporated off store shelves at launch and even for months post launch. Even today the Playstation 2 is still outselling next generation consoles by a landslide. However, the Playstation 3 has had significant trouble out of the gate. Yes the PS3 sold out of its initial shipments but now it seems that significate stock is going unsold. Why is this? Before we answer that question lets look at why the PS1 and PS2 we so successful.
Playstation 1 and 2: Factors for Success
- Priced right for mass market- $299.99 at launch( $199.99 after price drop)
- Great "exclusive" games - Ridge Racer, Final Fantasy 7, Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2, Tomb Raider, Grand Theft Auto 3, etc.
- Easy and cost effective to develope software for. *PS2 was initially difficult however Sony was able to remedy this by better developer tool support.
- Focused on games only.
- Lack of "innovative" and "financially strong" competition. The N64 was still trying to push the dying cartridge format. The Dreamcast while a truly great and innovative system did not have the brand recognition or deep enough pockets to fight the Sony Playstation brand.
Playstation 3: Factors for Slow Launch
- Priced way to high for the mass market - $599.99 - 60GB / $499.99 - 20GB
- Exclusive games are harder to secure due to rising development cost. Sony has lost key exclusives to Microsoft such as Grand Theft Auto 4.
- Cell is extremely hard and costly to develop games for.
- Focus not on games anymore. Microsoft and Nintendo offer non-gaming features but they are secondary and optional. Gamers feel that the BlueRay disc format was forced down their throats.
- Competition is innovative,( ex: Xbox Live and the Nintendo Wiimote ), and pack significant financial resources, ( M$ and the Big N have extremly deep pockets) to combat the Sony Playstation Brand.
There is only one absolute this generation. Sony will no longer dominate the video game market as it has in the past. Competition breeds better products for everyone.
Gamers will be the true winners. Game on!
Labels: industry news, nintendo wii, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
posted by Wasted Rage @ 1/18/2007 12:55:00 PM,
2 Comments:
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At 12:26 PM,
said...
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I defintely agree although possibly i am definately not biast at all. Sorry for spelling
Nintendo for life!!! -
At 2:46 PM,
said...
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Let's not forget the PS2 @ $300 was a great bargain for people looking for a DVD player. Great timing. The advantages of DVD over VHS are much more significant than BlueRay over DVD, especially when most people don't own a HD TV.
The Authors
Brock Raybon - Wasted Rage
Brock is a business owner by day and avid gamer and blogger by night. He writes about console and pc gaming, hdtv and technology news. Definitely a "CONSOLE FANBOY" born with a 2600 joystick in his hand.
Chris Lugo - Master Sinwave
Chris works in customer services by day and moonlights as a hardcore techie by night. He started gaming as a young lad with his trusty Atari and now plays it all from console to hardcore pc games. HE GIVES CONSOLE AND PC GAMES A FAIR SHAKE.
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