This console generation has been surprising—it’s the opposite of the previous one, with Nintendo having the highest selling console, and Microsoft and Sony having a tug of war for second place (Microsoft currently has the edge). Things could change by the time the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii are replaced, but it’s a good chance it’ll stay the same. The real shake up will happen during the next generation, and here’s why we could be headed back to the 6th generation.
The PS3’s rocky road to its current success has been well documented. Sony made a few mistakes, but then they got their act together and fixed things. Still, the damage has been done, and while the PS3 is going strong, it’s almost impossible for it to catch up with the competition.
Sony will have to wait until the PS4 comes around to recapture their PS2 glory days. Here’s how they’ll do it, by focusing on games and not bleeding edge tech. Sony’s consoles have always come on top because of the games—not the hardware. Specs are just mental masturbation for enthusiasts and fanboys anyways (sorry, it’s the truth). By making the most powerful console, you’re also making the most expensive one. This is what happened with the PS3 at launch, it was ahead of its time. Sony would be foolish to repeat their mistakes. They’ve been acquiring a lot of studios lately; this could signal a PS4 that puts software over hardware.
The Xbox 360 launched first—and it’s been riding its head start ever since. And despite a few problems (RROD), it’s managed to stay relevant and continue to sell. Yet, the Xbox 360 is starting to show its age, and some gamers feel it’s holding the graphics of this generation back. Hmm, what should Microsoft do?
Make a beefy console when it comes time to release the next Xbox. They know that the 360 is showing its age, and that gamers don’t enjoy games on multiple discs. This is why they’ll step things up, while trying to keep the price reasonable. Although, like I said a few times before, power doesn’t equal success. But despite that, Microsoft still could choose this route since they’ve really matured as a gaming company. Their fans would follow them no matter what at this point.
The Wii is the little console that could; it was an instant success and is responsible for introducing gaming to a new crowd. But it’s had a hard time keeping core gamers satisfied, and thus a lot of them lost interest in it quickly.
Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo has already announced their next generation console—the Wii U. They’re trying to win the core gamer back with an exciting third-party line-up. This is great and all, but the reaction to the Wii U was barely lukewarm. It doesn’t have the same magic the original had; with the rise of tablets the controller won’t be enough to capture the interest of the mainstream. Also it’s not as affordable as the Wii thanks to the controller. All of this is a sign that Nintendo is starting to turn into the Sony of old, just because you’re in first place, it doesn’t give you the right to become comfortable and overcharge. What’s that old saying? When you’re at the top, the only place to go is down.
If everything above happens the PS4 should be the sells leader (thanks to its software), the Xbox 720 will be the most powerful (but power doesn’t equal instant success here), and the Wii U will underperform because it’ll be too costly and its controller isn’t as innovative as the original’s. All of this would make the 8th generation of consoles like the 6th with Sony in first, Microsoft in second, and Nintendo back in last. This is my prediction, but I’ve been known to be wrong in the past. Still, if this happens don’t be surprising.
Im excited about the PS4, and your right they should focus on making a console with technology that is more standard now a days instead of technology that will be the standard 2 years from now.
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