We batted around this question a bit on the podcast, and I think I’ll side with the consensus–the upcoming PS3 re-design does in fact feel like a new launch. The console looks dramatically different, the crap Spider-Man font has been ditched for a cleaner logo and its unveiling to the public will tie in very closely to Sony’s monster title of the year, Uncharted: Among Thieves.
I was in Best Buy yesterday and I saw only a couple of 80GB consoles on the shelves, showing, at least circumsantially, that the price drop has helped move inventory. And I suspect that the new model will certainly boost sales.
My main question is: has the ship sailed? Is there too much of a gulf between the PS3 and the 360/Wii? Though I have no doubt Sony will gain ground, I’m not sure if it will be able to pull even quite yet.
Uncharted 2 will almost certainly be awesome–since Street Fighter 4 and Resident Evil 5 released, it’s been my most-anticipated title of the year–and based on the sterling first game should move consoles.
My skepticism comes from the not-world-burning sales of Playstation’s other mega-games, Killzone 2, Little Big Planet, inFamous. All fantastic and no slouches in units moved, but shy of game-changing for the PS3’s fortunes.
If the Big S is to make its push, now is the time–a new look, a price drop, a kick-ass game on the way, a quiet month or two for its rivals. For the sake of competition, I hope it does make its push…but I’m not sold just yet.
By Dave JohnsonTags: PS3 Slim, uncharted 2
I think it’s really only now that the system is hitting its stride. The days of shoddy PS3 ports is over (for the most part), and 99 percent of the high profile titles being released in the next 18 months will appear on both consoles. People are very excited about owning a Sony console right now, and the stable of excellent looking first party software they have coming down the pipe only cements the strength of the brand. The fact that some of the existing heavyweights (Little Big Planet/Killzone 2) are still seeing some excellent support doesn’t hurt either.
On top of that, the big issue is Microsoft’s general lack of first party offerings. They seem to be putting their energy behind marketing third party titles and locking up DLC that will appear in some shape or form on Sony’s box. Their last dashboard update was a joke, wherein every feature was some new implementation of separating gamers with their money. If they want to stay in the game, they need to pick it up. Otherwise, this time next year, they’ll be looking at a third place finish.
This motion control mumbo jumbo will do nothing to help either box in overtaking the wii, they’re chasing a market that’s already cast its lot with Nintendo’s machine.
I’m still not entirely sold. The price cut and redesign will give the PS3 steam, but there’s still A LOT of ground to be made up for it move into second place.
And I agree with those observations you made, but who besides the hardcore gamer crowd really cares that much about dashboard updates and strict first party offerings?
When it comes to moving consoles, it seems the lesson is simple–marketing. That’s the PS3’s biggest hurdle. For years it’s been smacked around as too-expensive, game-starved and suffering from an identity complex (Blu-ray player or game machine). Now you and I know, it’s not too expensive now and features some killer games, but erasing that perception I think is easier said than done.
What Nintendo and Microsoft have done particularly well this generation–and what Sony has definitely not–is market the living crap out of their stuff. Natal may or may not ultimately crater, but that’s what people talked about the most out of E3. You may be skeptical of the motion stuff, but it’s that kind of technology that will edge its way into the public consciousness.
And besides maybe God of War 3 and Gran Turismo when it ever releases, Sony’s lacking those monster, household name games. Hey Uncharted just might be my favorite game of this generation, but “Master Chief” or “Marcus Fenix” definitely out-resonates “Nathan Drake” in the pop culture mindset. Getting people talking about your console, convincing them they really need to own it because everyone’s doing it, that’s what Sony dominated in last gen and, frankly, what Nintendo and Microsoft have done well this go-round.
Anyway, I’m seriously not a fanboy. The closer the battle is for console supremacy, the cheaper and cooler the stuff gets and the more gamers win so I wish Sony well, especially as I’m a happy PS3 owner myself.