Sony Prepping PlayStation For Hardcore Gamers And Strengthening Ties With Major Publisher

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https://www.wsj.com/articles/sony-positions-next-playstation-for-hard-core-gamers-11561800603



Sony sees Microsoft as its main competitor in the next generation, with Google a potential threat in the mid- to long-term as internet technology advances, one company official said.Nintendo Co. isn’t perceived as a major rival, the person said, because its main users tend to be younger than PlayStation’s core demographic.

PlayStation has been one of the most successful mass-market products of the past quarter-century; the PlayStation 4 alone is expected to pass 100 million units this year. Sony’s latest thinking puts less stress on overall sales numbers and more on the most-profitable segment of the market: the devoted fans who buy big-budget titles, such as Bethesda Softworks LLC’s “Fallout” series and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.’s “Red Dead Redemption.”

A second Sony official said the company believes people buy a videogame console to play graphics-heavy games.

Sony is concentrating its attention on large software publishers as it gets ready for the next PlayStation, according to executives at Sony and software makers. In general, publishers want their games on multiple platforms to maximize sales, while console makers look to make deals for exclusive content or an initial period of exclusive sales.

Some executives at smaller game makers say they have felt snubbed by Sony, in contrast to Nintendo. At the Tokyo Game Show in September, Nintendo is supporting events to showcase independent game developers. Sony used to do the same, but isn’t planning to this year, the first Sony official said.

Sony still welcomes games from independent studios, the first Sony official said, but the emphasis is on strengthening relationships with large publishers since resources are limited. The thinking is, the official said, that people buy a console to play high-quality games available only on that platform, not smaller games also available on smartphones
 
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He's right, I was always frustrated with their focus on indie stuff early on, you don't buy a $400-$500 machine to play mobile based games or pixel art stuff, yeah you can play those too but that shouldn't be the focus as they don't show off the hardware in the least.
 
I appreciated their focus on indies early this gen, but after I spent a few years searching the indie scene, I didn't find it as creative and different as I had hoped -- there are far too many titles that are just another version of whatever (2-D side-scroller #253). The good indies were too few and far between and too hard to find. So I'm good with the focus on big games, as long as those games continue to be quality.

I'm also pleased with Sony's talk about focusing on traditional console hardware and strong narrative SP games, as well as their de-emphasis on subscription models. All of that makes me feel like Sony is going in the direction I want. I'm going to continue to be their customer as long as they do that.

I'm a little surprised that they seem to be focused on producing a very powerful machine. I personally wouldn't care if they were half a step behind in that department -- it's all about the games to me, not little differences in graphical performance -- but it's nice to see they're making that a priority as well.

The statement about Nintendo not being a competitor because of age range is interesting, too. I'm sure it's true. I wonder what those average ages are. For PS, it's probably in the late 20's (?) -- although average age of a gamer is late 30s, I believe, so maybe it's as high as that. For Nintendo, maybe it's the late teens, early 20's? I'm just guessing. Would be nice to see the stats.
 
Agreed. What set this gen apart IMO was the games. Sony hit it out of the park with their 1st part exclusives and subsequently all the 3rd party ones as well. If the Ps5 is "powerful" that's fine but as long as the software remains solid they'll be a step ahead.
 
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MS needs to step it up.
Hopefully they start backing up all the s*** they been saying.
The seeds are layed.. I guess we see next gen.
 



MS needs to step it up.
Hopefully they start backing up all the s*** they been saying.
The seeds are layed.. I guess we see next gen.


What s*** have they been saying? They started off a little slow but they've had a steady flow of high quality exclusives for several years now.
 
He's right, I was always frustrated with their focus on indie stuff early on, you don't buy a $400-$500 machine to play mobile based games or pixel art stuff, yeah you can play those too but that shouldn't be the focus as they don't show off the hardware in the least.
I said this when this gen began and got nothing but nonsical defensive drivel in return.
 
Every platform went through their indie phase.

The Switch seems like the perfect home though.
 
Most of their studios do focus on AAA but some don't like Japan Studio so it will be interesting to see if they will transition to bigger games whilst retaining the Japanese creativity. I also agree with their stance, I have not bought one indie mainly due to the amount of AAA titles I own and the lack of time. I think UC4, HZD,Spider-man and God Of War made Sony realise they have the line up of I.P and developers that resonates with a large amount of hardcore gamers and they just need to continue that.
 
I didn't mean you specifically.

It wasn't just Playstion gamers either.

Oh I know, I was just basically saying I was with ya even if we didn't know each others thoughts at the time. I know when I complained about the lack of new AAA IP during the second half of the 360's lifespan some here told me I should be happy with the xbox arcade offerings and I said then that I didn't buy a new console to play games I could have played 3 generations ago. I have nothing against indie titles being on any platform I just don't think they should ever be the focus unless it's a truly special title.
 
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It isn't about it being right or wrong from a business perspective, though.

Well from a business perspective it didn't hurt them

But its irrelevant because its not like they were trying to make indies the focal point of the system
 
I appreciated their focus on indies early this gen, but after I spent a few years searching the indie scene, I didn't find it as creative and different as I had hoped -- there are far too many titles that are just another version of whatever (2-D side-scroller #253). The good indies were too few and far between and too hard to find. So I'm good with the focus on big games, as long as those games continue to be quality.

I'm also pleased with Sony's talk about focusing on traditional console hardware and strong narrative SP games, as well as their de-emphasis on subscription models. All of that makes me feel like Sony is going in the direction I want. I'm going to continue to be their customer as long as they do that.

I'm a little surprised that they seem to be focused on producing a very powerful machine. I personally wouldn't care if they were half a step behind in that department -- it's all about the games to me, not little differences in graphical performance -- but it's nice to see they're making that a priority as well.

The statement about Nintendo not being a competitor because of age range is interesting, too. I'm sure it's true. I wonder what those average ages are. For PS, it's probably in the late 20's (?) -- although average age of a gamer is late 30s, I believe, so maybe it's as high as that. For Nintendo, maybe it's the late teens, early 20's? I'm just guessing. Would be nice to see the stats.
I don't think it's age, personally. Nintendo is the side console that everyone gets. It's a perfect spot for them.
 
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