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[geordiemp]

crap article....

Did gimmicks last gen...fool me once...

Kinect was rubbish, move was poor....And when we found out about waggle wii and uncovered the secret that its not 1;1 it just died...

Maybe gamers got wiser. Article writer needs to have been around a bit longer

Motion went out with 3D Tv's a few years back...

 

[cakefoo]

They aren't my posts but I would suggest less tongue and cheek, more on point discussion then.

When I say tongue in cheek, I'm referring to the article, not the posts. Everyone critiquing the article needs to realize that a large portion of it is sarcasm- not just the term "boring" but also some of the positive remarks about Wii U/XBO, like the "only $499 for XBO" comment.

 

[ProfessorMoran]

That's exactly what he's getting at.

Sorry it was a rhetorical question.

 

[jhmtehgamr20xx]

.

 

[Moving4Motion]

I don't see how anyone can have a problem with this article. It's nothing but positive towards the ps4. He's saying simple and boring isn't always a bad thing in business, and the ps4's success is testament to that.

 

[gotstrangepowers]

Subscribing for the hilarity

 

[MEsoJD]

It doesn't need a gimmick to be interesting.

 

[Sami+]

Article reads like a forum rant.

 

[RadarScope1]

New or old , if it doesn't improve the experience already on offer it's a waste of that persons money.

"We didn't arrive at the PS4 by just focusing on increasing the NES's horsepower every six years"

I'd like to think the focus was on great games

Agreed. I would argue that increasing the NES's horsepower is exactly how we got here. The controllers we use today and the storage mediums we use today (though physical is on the way out) are really just iterations of the two-button game pad Nintendo gave us in 1983 and the simple carts we've had since the 70s. Analog sticks and online play are just interations on what's come before. Every successful console has just been a more powerful console. Even the most successful platform-level or physical gimmicks - like Guitar Hero controllers or DDR pads or even the Kinect and Wiimote have fizzled out eventually.

Meanwhile innovative games (and, I'll admit - prettier graphics) have kept us coming back for more than 30 years now.

Games, not gimmicks.

 

[Toxi]

P4Gaming will get a kick out of this.

"Erik Kain Apologizes to Sony Fans for Complimenting the PS4"

 

[atr0cious]

and accept that the DS4 is the best game interface device we'll ever get.

Thank goodness the Wii U pro controller exists.

But seriously, I'm getting back into PC for that same reason. Consoles have lost their uniqueness, and now that PCs are offering comparable co-op experiences, I don't mind hopping back into that, especially for VR, and trying some stuff I missed along the way.

I can't wait til someone finally turns the Wii U gamepad into a shield.

 

[DNAbro]

Article reads like a forum rant.

i don't think you got the point.

 

[Griss]

I said it from the start, long before even the Wii U released:

Make the box boring, and let the software people make it interesting. Make the box powerful and financially accessible, and let the software people make it desirable. It's that easy, and Sony has shown that.

Sony nailed it, just like Kain says.

 

[Mutanthands]

When I say tongue in cheek, I'm referring to the article, not the posts. Everyone critiquing the article needs to realize that a large portion of it is sarcasm- not just the term "boring" but also some of the positive remarks about Wii U/XBO, like the "only $499 for XBO" comment.

It's like the Internet has turned into Congress: full of humorless attack drones that don't recognize nuanced thought and opinion, and wouldn't know sarcasm if it hit them on the head with a 2x4.

 

[jhmtehgamr20xx]

You're only able to say that because "gimmicks" that stuck are now called "standards", leaving only failed concepts under the "gimmick" moniker.

The word "gimmick" is just a pejorative for something new that you dislike. We didn't arrive at the PS4 by just focusing on increasing the NES's horsepower every six years.

Could not agree more.

 

[Sorcerer Supreme]

People should really read the article before commenting.

 

[And_Gignac]

Yeah, it is a shame the market doesnt reward innovation and creativity in hardware, but well, thats gaming for you with CoD topping the charts every year.

 

[Despera]

Lmao

ITT: people who pass judgement on the article without bothering to read it, others who read the article rightfully point out they're nonsensical kneejerk reactions, first group embarrassingly now try misdirect blame onto the "clickbait title"

The entire article is very tongue-in-cheek, the title is actually quite fitting given that.

I read the article and understood the writer's intentions before commenting here, but still can't fault people who reacted to it the way they did at first.

Even the author himself admits to the nature of the article's title...

.

Click-bait is click-bait my friend, plain and simple. We'll eventually have a discussion purely about the content of the write-up rather than the headline, but that initial shitstorm is mainly on him.

 

[Cheshire_Buddha]

It’s also extremely useful for kids, many of whom no longer have the capacity to use buttons properly thanks to the rapid rise of touchscreens in modern society.

What is this nonsense?

 

[cheezcake]

Over 200 posts and still getting kneejerk reactions.

This thread is a who's who of people who don't read OP's

 

[block tower]

Better version of multiplats, tons of indies (many available on PC, but you forget not everyone owns a PC, a lot of cool F2P games, great press, great price, strong hardware, and Sony's excellent stable of first party devs along with the great value proposition that is PS+....Add to that MS and Nintendo shooting themselves in the foot, and yea, why ever would it be selling so well, there's like, no reason!

yeah most of what you wrote really isn't that compelling. third parties are also on PC and X1, same with indies, same with F2P and Sony's first party games so far suck, the exception being TLoU Remastered. the price point is good but again, i dont think theres enough compelling software in my opinion to have bought a PS4 or X1 before holiday 2014. to each his own though, sounds like you are clearly in love with your PS4.

 

[Sami+]

i don't think you got the point.

I completely got the point. "Boring" is business savvy and it's what people want. It's right there in the article.

The article just exhibits an absurdly poor choice of words and reads like a forum post ranting about how the market unfortunately likes boring things as opposed to "exciting and innovative" things.

 

[devjin]

Yeah, you tell them, Erik!

 

[Toxi]

but that initial shitstorm is mainly on him.

No, it's mainly on the people who choose to post about something without actually reading it.

 

[Replicant]

I just want to play normal game. None of this swiping or touch BS or worse, waggle. If I need to move my arms, I'll do it at the gym like I always do. But when I game, let me game boringly by pressing buttons.

 

[prwxv3]

yeah most of what you wrotel really isn't that compelling. third partybis also on PC and X1, same with indies, same with F2P and Sony's first party games so far suck, the exception being TLoY Remastered. the price point is good but again, i dont think theres enough compelling software in my opinion to have bought a PS4 or X1 before holiday 2014. to each his own though, sounds lije you are clearly in love with your PS4.

Its clearly compelling enough for some people since it has sold 10 mill.

 

[Schweinehund]

And it's exactly what the market wants.

I too, like it when my hobby stays inclusive.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

lol @ social experiment. As if someone needs to conduct a study on whether or not attention seeking headlines....gain attention.

Anyway, the actual content isn't wrong. And That's a great thing. PS4 is good times.

 

[atr0cious]

I completely got the point. "Boring" is business savvy and it's what people want. It's right there in the article.

The article just exhibits an absurdly poor choice of words and reads like a forum post ranting about how the market unfortunately likes boring things as opposed to "exciting and innovative" things.

Now read it again with that frame of mind, as if you were trying to placate the people who would normally rage at the thought of Nintendo and MSFT being talked down about.

 

[Crzy1]

Well, hopefully it serves as an example that gamers aren't stupid, the Wii was a fluke and no one cares about motion or touch based gaming.

Kinect is a great accessory for voice controls, I'm sure, but it shouldn't have come at a premium given the inferior hardware in place inside the Xbox One. The only compelling thing I saw was it's ability to read serial codes, but not $100 of compelling. I haven't purchased and don't have any immdediate or future plans to purchase and Xbox One and that's due in large part to the reveal of the system and the lack of games that interest me.

The Wii U gamepad has yet to show why it's a necessary feature of the system as a whole, it would be just as effective if it shipped with a pro controller for less money. I bought a refurb unit for $200 and that seems like the perfect sweet spot for the system with or without the gamepad, if they can get their retail price there by this holiday given their lineup this year, it will sell like crazy. But it's Nintendo, so that's not likely to happen.

I recently purchased a Playstation 4 for $350 after a price match. I didn't particularly want to play anything on it just yet, but I'm really intrigued by The Order 1866 and Bloodborne so I pulled the trigger preemptively. I'll probably give Destiny a shot, too. I'm not sure if it was mentioned anywhere in the article that the PS4 has been available below suggested multiple times in the past two months, but that's also helping it to sell more units I'm sure. Project Morpheus may or may not be something big, but right now it doesn't seem to be a major focus for Sony, just something so they'll be ready with a product should VR really take off. I thought they might try to take on Oculus, but not sure they'd even be able to after the Facebook buyout.

The compelling aspects of a gaming console are not the gimmicks that it offers, but the games that you'll be able to play on that console. Sony put their money where it needed to be. They've created a piece of hardware that is focused on playing games and they've pulled ahead because that's what the enthusiast market is concerned with.

 

[OverBlood 3]

I completely got the point. "Boring" is business savvy and it's what people want. It's right there in the article.

The article just exhibits an absurdly poor choice of words and reads like a forum post ranting about how the market unfortunately likes boring things as opposed to "exciting and innovative" things.

No his point is that these 'boring' things are good things. There's no 'unfortunately' about it. It's a positive thing.

Yeah, I think the reaction is funny, but we're getting into "clickable vs. credible" headlines here, and the actual article is a pretty obvious statement without bringing to light any interesting take on the subject.

But if that's what it takes for a hilarious thread, hey, I'm not the one writing this headline.

Yep, that's all you can take away from this whole thing. It's entertaining to watch people squirm when the realise their error.

 

[Adam Blue]

Yeah, I think the reaction is funny, but we're getting into "clickable vs. credible" headlines here, and the actual article is a pretty obvious statement without bringing to light any interesting take on the subject.

But if that's what it takes for a hilarious thread, hey, I'm not the one writing this headline.

 

[ethomaz]

The article is good.

It is nice to read something like that some times... it shows the keys feature of PS4 that makes it so good and cool.

Please, don't read only the title.

 

[Y2Kev]

Well, duh. Vanilla is the best selling ice cream flavor every year because it has universal appeal.

 

[Rats Off To Ya]

I completely got the point. "Boring" is business savvy and it's what people want. It's right there in the article.

The article just exhibits an absurdly poor choice of words and reads like a forum post ranting about how the market unfortunately likes boring things as opposed to "exciting and innovative" things.

Erik Kain is fairly established as a big fan of the PS4. He's not saying it's unfortunate at all.

 

[Concept17]

Sony understands their customer. Nintendo and Microsoft have lost touch with theirs. I think this sums it up? Sony made a platform for us. MS and Nintendo forced an idea onto us.

 

[MikeE21286]

Sony has done a lot right this console generation (indie, horsepower, etc.) but they are also definitely benefiting from how poorly MS and Nintendo have done

 

[Meesh]

It's been said before, but he's right about the Wiiu name issue. When retailers refuse to add the "U" it no doubt confuses potential buyers and frustrates those who already own the damn thing.

Case in point. I went into Best Buy to nab a couple external HDs for the Wiiu. I was looking for specific ones that didn't seem available and asked if the ones they had would work.Every time I asked them, "will this work on WiiU?"(various clerks) They countered with "I dunno if that'll work on Wii." Everyone I talked to said Wii and I would correct them saying Wiiu. It was almost as if adding the "U" made the whole affair unspeakably filthy.

Shoulda been "Super Wii".

 

[Freeman]

To me the key thing to understand PS4's success is to understand the way Sony turned the PS3 around.

PS4 has all the positives of PS3 (strong internal studios,IPs and partnerships, PS+, very diverse software lineup, global appeal, Blu-ray/Multimedia functionality) without the negatives (high price, crazy hardware, terrible initial PR, late to the market). Its also has the best characteristics from 360 (early larger install base, better multiplats, strong online network service).

 

[cheezcake]

I read the article and understood the writer's intentions before commenting here, but still can't fault people who reacted to it the way they did at first.

Even the author himself admits to the nature of the article's title...



Click-bait is click-bait my friend, plain and simple. We'll eventually have a discussion purely about the content of the write-up rather than the headline, but that initial shitstorm is mainly on him.

No it really isn't. You say you've read the article, its obviously very satirical in its tone. So given that he needs a satirical title, thats how it works. Having a title like "Why the PS4 doesn't need gimmicks to succeed" would be totally conflicting with the writing style of the actual article.

 

[Concept17]

And then there is Morpheus, a viable direction for hardware innovation. Something MS should have considered long ago, rather than continuing to push the Kinect.

 

[Sword Of Doom]

Wow that's some oversimplified garbage right there

 

[unknownstranger]

Sometimes boring is the most business-savvy road to travel. Sometimes it’s a word that shouldn’t carry such negative connotation. If games are the most important thing to gamers, making things like the Kinect or the Wii U gamepad mandatory is a big mistake.

I think most people are missing the key word in the last paragraph. If Microsoft launched the Xbox One at $399 without Kinect and sold it separately at $100, it still wouldn't be beating the PS4 but I don't think it would be doing quite as bad. Requiring all the early adopters to pay $100 more than the competition because of an accessory many people did not want hurt sales badly. The fact that Microsoft was adamant that they were not going to remove Kinect anytime soon turned people away that didn't come back after they changed their mind.

 

[synce]

I agree the PS4 is boring right now. I also agree that MS goofed by removing Kinect, but the bigger goof was trying to sell a "just $499" (lol) console - oh and the whole anti-consumer stuff, but yeah I'm sure that had nothing to do with their exciting console failing.

If MS went with a $300 or even $400 price point at the expense of graphics - AND properly supported Kinect - AND not tried to screw consumers over - they might've had the next Wii on their hands.

So basically the PS4 is winning because MS made it easy, not because it's an amazing console.

 

[lifeexpectancy]

Wow so much reading comprehension fail (esp on page 1 and 2, dear god). Even if you didn't read the entire article (which should be mandatory before commenting), if you missed the sarcasm even in the first 2 or 3 sentences then I just don't know what to tell you, lol.

I agree with the article writer entirely. If MS had simply focused their development $$ on making a 'more powerful 360' instead of all the other rubbish, we might have a very different picture today. Sony was very smart being boring, very smart.

 

[Kageshinzo]

Jesus Christ people, would it kill you to read the whole damn article before jumping to defend the honor of your beloved console?

 

[FairXchange]

Alright, read the article.

So the question I'll throw out is this, if Xbox One is pairing down its other services/kinect in order to be seen as games focused, will this be enough to emulate the success of the PS4?

 

[sn00zer]

Boring hardware insanely interesting software is not a bad way to go about

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Sony understands their customer. Nintendo and Microsoft have lost touch with theirs. I think this sums it up? Sony made a platform for us. MS and Nintendo forced an idea onto us.

They made a platform to make money off us

 

[Disaster Nebraska]

I wouldn't call it boring. It's just bull****-free. Wii-U and X1 have too much b.s. in the public's eye.