I feel a couple things aren't being emphasized enough in these threads. First of all, even after launching at a silly price a year late Sony has still had a great generation.
It isn't by ANY stretch of the imagination a "great generation" for them. Not at all. Even the PSP will be considered a far better success than the PS3.
Their PS3 sales have recovered greatly and are nearing 360 sales.
That's something to be proud of? Going from the king of the industry, selling 120 million (outselling closest competitors by 6) to barely coming close to the second place console AFTER 5 years in the market? Not to mention that the PS3 is the one taking a downturn while the 360 is the one that's been revitalized.
The PS3 is THE console in many parts of the world. People never seem to criticize Microsoft for lackluster sales worldwide but everyone is quick to jump on Sony for their success in America.
Which parts are these? And how much of worldwide sales do they represent? 5%? 4%? 2%?
If you don't people criticize Microsoft as much, it's because in EVERY part of the world, no matter how bad (see: Japan), Microsoft has sold more than the previous generation. They've proved they can improve internationally, and because even though you may call them lackluster Microsoft is still #2 worldwide.
Second, too many people here think that the 2 billion loss from Sony is from their games division. From what I know, it's not.
What you know is wrong. There is a massive generational deficit for Sony. Sony has lost more this generation (over the course of the past 6 years) because of the PS3 than they've earned.
Their games division is profitable and, as Kaz has explained, it is one of pillars of Sony that should keep doing what they're doing.
Certain profits are profitable, yes. But they don't make up for the HUGE losses incurred at the start of the generation.
Also, being "profitable" doesn't make everything okay. Making $1 and Making $1,000,000,000 are both considered profitable, but one is more appealing than the other. Consumers and Shareholders both expected far more from Sony.
Third, they are doing great things for the games business. They produce hardware that is feature filled, like the PS3 with blu-ray or the Vita with its touch screen, dual analog sticks, etc, etc.
They also take a lot of features OUT like PS2 backwards compatibility and other OS. But yes, you're right that it is a great machine. But any of the BIG 3 can make an awesome suped up console with a shitload of unnecessary features (and believe, to most consumers Blu-Ray was an unnecessary feature for the longest time). The point is to do it while maintaining costs and price in check, something which Sony once again failed at this gen. No one reasonable was happy that Sony released this "feature-filled" console for $599.
And even with all that tech, Microsoft developed a far more dev-friendly console which resulted in more benefits for the 360 than the handful of games that actually make use of the PS3. When 90% of 3rd party games are performing better on the 360, consumers aren't thanking sony for making an excessive and expensive console.
They also deserve credit for investing and promoting talent in this industry. Their first part line-up is bar-none, imo. With exclusives like Uncharted, God of War and LittleBigPlanet. They nurture talent and give studios multiple chances to get stuff right. That should be respected.
No doubt. Consumers do appreciate the effort Sony has put in their first-party lineup. It's definitely something to be respected. Even if most consumers (not even including casuals) have simply bought more Microsoft and Nintendo first party games.
Sure they aren't perfect but the doom and gloom is getting pretty irritating to be honest.
You say this because you lack genuine perspective. You're a Sony fan, and that's alright, but it's clouded your judgement and perspective on the business side of things greatly.
The doom and gloom people and doom and gloom-y because they know that Sony's handling of the PS3 is NOT something that can be repeated again. Selling $900 for $600 with an iferior online infrastructure, and going from first place to last and nibbling at Microsoft's heels isn't a "great generation". And no one at Sony will stand for that again.
I can't stop laughing
