I thought folks were playing and buying more games than ever during the pandemic.
That doesn't mean Sony isn't losing money in other areas of the business. And, Sony sells more than just consoles and games too.
Interesting view on what gets to be exclusive. Ratchet is a weird game to release at the start of the console generation since it is more of a family friendly game so you would think they would sell it later when the price had reduced and more families decided they want to buy a ps5 for Christmas. I think it is more when they got released rather than it being smaller franchises. They pretty much have given gt and god of war an almost extra 2 years to put the game/optimize for ps4 and horizon got probably an extra 6 months at least to port the game if they hadn't already planned for it.
There's been two critically acclaimed hardcore titles released in this launch window, with Demon's Soul and Returnal, and likewise with two* critically acclaimed casual titles, with Miles Morales and Ratchet (*assuming things go well which it likely will). Two are established franchises (Spiderman and Ratchet), two are more niche (Souls and Returnal).
Sony has had all sides covered for their launch window. It's hard to say that most people aren't interested in at least one of these titles.
And, Sony's moves on delaying GT7 / HFW / Ragnarok, and making those same titles cross gen isn't coincidence.
The pandemic started in 2020 they should have adjusted sales projections along time ago. They want more money.
Decreasing their sales projections indicates a loss in potential revenue. Delaying GT7 / Ragnarok / HFW also costs money. All of this goes back to my point on Sony needing money.
I'm positive Sony has analysts who have measured the sales projections of making these titles cross gen and how it would offset the loss in potential PS5 sales due to the semiconductor shortage, additional development costs from the delays, and losses in other areas of business due to the pandemic.
I agree that folks still would have bought the games. God of war is still god of war just like gran turismo and horizon are still going to be great games most likely. It is still a what would have been scenario if they had been exclusive to ps5. The generations talk is what is mostly messing up the discussion and then the 60 fps nonsense.
This stuff is just classic gamer entitlement. People want what they want without understanding that Sony needs to perform for their shareholders, they need to support thousands of employees, and they need to finance development of the same games these gamers want.