RetroGamingUK
Banned
I think PlayStation consoles will feel much more unique, you won't be able to buy a machine that works the way it does anywhere else.
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What does Sony PlayStation look like without Xbox around?
- Thread starter DarkShadowXI
- Start date
- Opinion
dragonyeuw
Member
Or the 6th gen, for that matter. And at this point I'd argue Sony coming out the gate with a $499/599 PS3 that was harder to program for opened the door for 360 to go toe to toe( and I say this as someone who was more into 360 than PS3 that gen, but it's clearly an outlier).
TransTrender
Gold Member
I think most of Sonys issues were self inflicted this gen, and Xbox wasn't really impacting their strategy.
Yeah, more of this
vodka-bull
Member
Guess it looks like this
DarkShadowXI
Gold Member
I wonder if it would extend this generation further than Sony was planning and push back the PS6 a bit.
I'm nobody
Member
They look like scum bags because there's no competition
Unless meta and steam enter the race
Unless meta and steam enter the race
Setsuna Mudou
Member
Great question OP, I don't know, but I'll close my eyes and try to imagine...
EverydayBeast
ChatShitGPT Alpha 0.001
Psin
ps1 served as a rival to Sega whatever and n64, Xbox hadn't existed, Microsoft made a strategic move to make an "Xbox" and Sony went the 360 route shifting towards online prioritization, DLC, and Sony made the cell decision.Great question OP, I don't know, but I'll close my eyes and try to imagine...
snapdragon
Member
Im betting my family on nintendo monopoly in 10 years
DarkShadowXI
Gold Member
Arrogant Sony isn't good Sony
Snakeeyes646
Member
Expensive, nothing hurts more in business than companies having monopolies. i feel the negative impacts of monopolies, such as higher prices, reduced innovation, and market distortion, which harm consumers will potentially come to fruition, While some will argue monopolies can offer benefits like economies of scale and increased R&D funding, the dominant view is that their ability to control prices, exploit consumers, and stifle competition ultimately leads to economic inefficiency and harms overall economic welfare.
Dirk Benedict
Gold Member
Let me get the wagyu A5 Steakdeck
Mister Wolf
Member
They can be as tyrannical as they wish as long as they stay under the cost of a similarly performing PC.
ShirAhava
Plays with kids toys, in the adult gaming world
PlayStation is going to be whatever boring cinematic VR remaster 'current thing'
the soulless bean counter in charge molds it into....The word "dull" comes to mind
PlayStation at its best has always been the underdog or at least had the illusion of stiff competition
I don't like anything at all about modern PlayStation. There isn't even anything interesting enough to me about what they are doing to hate on. I was the kid having USENET debates with official playstation magazine dudes, ex-EGM folk like SEANBABY and getting sent rare PSX stickers for my memory cards. Now? I just flat out don't care anymore. Guess I'll be a "Nintendo gamer" by default for the first time ever in over 30 years of gaming.
the soulless bean counter in charge molds it into....The word "dull" comes to mind
PlayStation at its best has always been the underdog or at least had the illusion of stiff competition
I don't like anything at all about modern PlayStation. There isn't even anything interesting enough to me about what they are doing to hate on. I was the kid having USENET debates with official playstation magazine dudes, ex-EGM folk like SEANBABY and getting sent rare PSX stickers for my memory cards. Now? I just flat out don't care anymore. Guess I'll be a "Nintendo gamer" by default for the first time ever in over 30 years of gaming.
Memati187
Member
As a non xbox owner, I honestly think this will make sony worse and I wished xbox could have stayed as a strong competitor, but they fucked up the brand beyond redemption.
Sonys' first party output already sucks as it is right now and I am not really expecting anything at this point.
Demon Souls Remake is literally the only nextgen looking game and that was a launch title.
Sonys' first party output already sucks as it is right now and I am not really expecting anything at this point.
Demon Souls Remake is literally the only nextgen looking game and that was a launch title.
ReasonBeing
Member
My speculation is mostly informed by the potentially misinformed idea that in the year 2025, Sony can't build a device much more performant than the PS5, if it is going to sell for a $500 price point.
They will not have to be as price sensitive as they were in the past. Many reports state that a large part of the younger generations are just skipping consoles all together, instead opting to play on mobile devices or PC's. I imagine as time goes on, Sony will continue to cater to an aging market segment and release more expensive devices to achieve performance gains that console gamers expect when a new generation arrives. At this point, I don't think Xbox being a round or not really changes their trajectory.
One could make the argument that since Sony would no longer have to compete on a technological level with another set-top box like console, they could focus on less expensive products and push for a larger player base. There would have to be fears at Sony that they would alienate a large portion of their 100M customers who currently buy their consoles. The "core gamer" that is looking for the latest graphics might be pushed to other platforms like PC or a potential SteamBox if the PS6 shows only marginal improvements in performance, even if it is offered for a great price.
They will not have to be as price sensitive as they were in the past. Many reports state that a large part of the younger generations are just skipping consoles all together, instead opting to play on mobile devices or PC's. I imagine as time goes on, Sony will continue to cater to an aging market segment and release more expensive devices to achieve performance gains that console gamers expect when a new generation arrives. At this point, I don't think Xbox being a round or not really changes their trajectory.
One could make the argument that since Sony would no longer have to compete on a technological level with another set-top box like console, they could focus on less expensive products and push for a larger player base. There would have to be fears at Sony that they would alienate a large portion of their 100M customers who currently buy their consoles. The "core gamer" that is looking for the latest graphics might be pushed to other platforms like PC or a potential SteamBox if the PS6 shows only marginal improvements in performance, even if it is offered for a great price.
PlayStaytion
Member
See, that's what I'm talking about, did we even count the exclusives at this point? cause it didn't matter with the ps1.Great question OP, I don't know, but I'll close my eyes and try to imagine...
Matsuchezz
Member
Sie needs to correct its course they still have some of the greatest powerhouses in the industry. good riddance to xbox they suck!!
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
Probably more of this
jufonuk
not tag worthy
Hector Hall
Member
It will be a bit sad.
Say what you want but having in your classroom that kind of multi-billion bully as enemy, all bragging and good for nothing, with the worst of the worst of the classmates as minions, ultimately defeated.. IT always makes you look better.
In Harry Potter terms, it's as if Harry and friends hadn't Draco Malfoy and his minions and his fluent and Influent family as perpetual secondary threat.
Say what you want but having in your classroom that kind of multi-billion bully as enemy, all bragging and good for nothing, with the worst of the worst of the classmates as minions, ultimately defeated.. IT always makes you look better.
In Harry Potter terms, it's as if Harry and friends hadn't Draco Malfoy and his minions and his fluent and Influent family as perpetual secondary threat.
Arsic
Loves his juicy stink trail scent
At this point Sony just competes with itself by following the traditional game formula. Nintendo follows its own path as well. Xbox for worse has its own path too.
They all stopped competing with each other if they play by Sonys playbook they lose.
I don't see a valve or anyone else console coming to contend with Sony either. They'll carve their own specific path.
If you plan to go high end console with exclusives against Sony you're in for a hurt.
They all stopped competing with each other if they play by Sonys playbook they lose.
I don't see a valve or anyone else console coming to contend with Sony either. They'll carve their own specific path.
If you plan to go high end console with exclusives against Sony you're in for a hurt.
IDKFA
I am Become Bilbo Baggins
Nintendo had no rival in the hybrid market when they launched the Switch. Why didn't they launch that console at £599?
This assumes the Saturn, Jaguar and 3D0 were competition. In reality it was Sony vs Nintendo, Sega was selling so little outside of Japan it's like they didn't exen exists.
I think Nintendo would keep Sony in check for the most part. The industry doesn't need the HD Twins. But I could also see someone else entry the battle if Sony showed weakness.
I think Nintendo would keep Sony in check for the most part. The industry doesn't need the HD Twins. But I could also see someone else entry the battle if Sony showed weakness.
Radical_3d
Member
Cakeboxer
Member
Possible long term consequences:
- Higher hardware prices: There's less need for discounted bundles, attractive launch prices, special offers, limited editions or price cuts (if the market even allows it).
- Higher 1st party game prices: Standard prices could exceed €80, microtransactions could become the norm.
- Higher 3rd party game prices: Sony could demand higher platform fees, which publishers might pass on to consumers. This also eliminates the need for attractive discounts for end users.
- Higher subscription prices / worse content for PS Plus: Decline in value-for-money if Xbox Game Pass is no longer the benchmark.
- Less incentive for innovation: Features like adaptive trigger feedback, haptics, or VR support could stagnate.
- No more "Pro" models: Mid-generation upgrades (like PS4 Pro or PS5 Pro) could disappear, as there is no competition pressure from Xbox hardware.
- Graphics & technology: Less investment in maximum "next-gen leaps," since there is no comparison console to surpass.
- Single-player blockbuster projects: Risk that Sony finances fewer mega-productions over $200M, as there is no need to showcase superiority over Xbox.
- More remasters & remakes: Cheaper and less risky than new IPs, yet still lucrative.
- Fewer 3rd party deals: Exclusive or time-limited content becomes less relevant for Sony, as they already dominate the market.
- Fewer 2nd party investments: Games like Stellar Blade or Rise of the Ronin could become rarer, as Sony no longer needs to strategically bind studios.
- More monotony: Focus on safe franchises, sequels, and established brands, with less risk for creative experimentation.
- Higher hardware prices: There's less need for discounted bundles, attractive launch prices, special offers, limited editions or price cuts (if the market even allows it).
- Higher 1st party game prices: Standard prices could exceed €80, microtransactions could become the norm.
- Higher 3rd party game prices: Sony could demand higher platform fees, which publishers might pass on to consumers. This also eliminates the need for attractive discounts for end users.
- Higher subscription prices / worse content for PS Plus: Decline in value-for-money if Xbox Game Pass is no longer the benchmark.
- Less incentive for innovation: Features like adaptive trigger feedback, haptics, or VR support could stagnate.
- No more "Pro" models: Mid-generation upgrades (like PS4 Pro or PS5 Pro) could disappear, as there is no competition pressure from Xbox hardware.
- Graphics & technology: Less investment in maximum "next-gen leaps," since there is no comparison console to surpass.
- Single-player blockbuster projects: Risk that Sony finances fewer mega-productions over $200M, as there is no need to showcase superiority over Xbox.
- More remasters & remakes: Cheaper and less risky than new IPs, yet still lucrative.
- Fewer 3rd party deals: Exclusive or time-limited content becomes less relevant for Sony, as they already dominate the market.
- Fewer 2nd party investments: Games like Stellar Blade or Rise of the Ronin could become rarer, as Sony no longer needs to strategically bind studios.
- More monotony: Focus on safe franchises, sequels, and established brands, with less risk for creative experimentation.
ByWatterson
Member
Competition is everywhere.
But I do think their hardware business will change to be integrated into televisions in order to reach more consumers. We frankly don't need much more power than a PS6 will have, so it will soon be time to shrink and scale.
But I do think their hardware business will change to be integrated into televisions in order to reach more consumers. We frankly don't need much more power than a PS6 will have, so it will soon be time to shrink and scale.
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Signalis
Gold Member
I shit on Xbox and make fun of Xbox a lot. But it's all in good fun. I don't want Xbox to go away, because it helps keep Sony in check. Without Xbox then Sony has even less incentive to work hard to make amazing games and systems, look at the PS5 it's a shit gen and Sony really doesn't give a shit. With no competition they will care even less, because what other option do people have than to buy Sony slop.
Perrott
Member
Like:
- (2026) Fairgames
- (2026) Ghost of Yōtei: Legends
- (2026) God of War 2D
- (2026) Horizon: Hunters Gathering
- (2026) Marathon
- (2026) Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls
- (2026) Marvel's Wolverine
- (2026) Saros
- (2026) Until Dawn sequel
- (2027) FromSoftware's new IP
- (2027) Gran Turismo sequel
- (2027) Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
- (2027) Media Molecule's new IP
- (2027) Marvel's Spider-Man: Venom
- (2027) Santa Monica Studio's non-new IP
- (2027) Stellar Blade sequel
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Shtof
Member
Sony, and for that matter, no console maker, cares about making "high-end".
They care about selling consoles, so that consumers are locked into their ecosystem.
If a competitor makes a more powerful console, that risks them losing that consumer to the competitor.
So with regards to the question of the OP, it is likely that Sony will relax their processing power targets for next-gen and rather focus on making a cheaper console.
In fact, the leaks points to them doing exactly that.
They care about selling consoles, so that consumers are locked into their ecosystem.
If a competitor makes a more powerful console, that risks them losing that consumer to the competitor.
So with regards to the question of the OP, it is likely that Sony will relax their processing power targets for next-gen and rather focus on making a cheaper console.
In fact, the leaks points to them doing exactly that.
Astray
Member
I don't understand people talking about an $800 PS6 when it's Xbox that has leakers talking about a +$1000 machine for their next gen.
In that same vein, Xbox now charges more than PS/Nintendo for subscriptions, charges more for consoles based on specs and possibly charges more for accessories (need to verify that last part).
Xbox has not been competition to PS for ages now, to the point where Sony doesn't even bother to pay for exclusivity anymore, they know they're getting the vastly better console sales split in every single game.
They almost joined the $80 club ahead of Sony too.
I almost certainly guarantee you that nothing will change for PS owners if/when Xbox exits the race.
In that same vein, Xbox now charges more than PS/Nintendo for subscriptions, charges more for consoles based on specs and possibly charges more for accessories (need to verify that last part).
Xbox has not been competition to PS for ages now, to the point where Sony doesn't even bother to pay for exclusivity anymore, they know they're getting the vastly better console sales split in every single game.
They almost joined the $80 club ahead of Sony too.
I almost certainly guarantee you that nothing will change for PS owners if/when Xbox exits the race.
PlayStaytion
Member
This guy is sick, dreams worth much more, rich people dreams are stolen.
The_Mike
I cry about SonyGaf from my chair in Redmond, WA
90 euro base games
30 Europa monthly ps plus
Less first party games as they dont need to compete anymore and it's cheaper to just reap money from third party sales.
Monopoly is bad. If there's no competition then they can do whatever they want.
Look at Nintendo how they have increased everything to absurb levels.
They don't have competition as you buy a Nintendo console for the exclusives.
30 Europa monthly ps plus
Less first party games as they dont need to compete anymore and it's cheaper to just reap money from third party sales.
Monopoly is bad. If there's no competition then they can do whatever they want.
Look at Nintendo how they have increased everything to absurb levels.
They don't have competition as you buy a Nintendo console for the exclusives.
Setsuna Mudou
Member
Sintoid
Member
Sony and Microsoft competition was good for everyone, losing a competitor is always bad because you lose ideas (good or bad don't care)
Anyway Microsoft is not going anywhere, they made a huge mistake but they have big shoulders and they can come back (firing that two assholes, Phil and Bond)
Anyway Microsoft is not going anywhere, they made a huge mistake but they have big shoulders and they can come back (firing that two assholes, Phil and Bond)
Unfortunatecookie
Member
Excellent thread. As Xbox continues to flush itself down the toilet, more and more people will wonder what an Xbox-less future looks like.
1. Does Sony make any immediate changes to their strategy?
No. Their business strategy is probably locked-in for the next 3 years, so any major changes that happen will be a result of like another pandemic or an alien invasion. It won't be because Xbox pulls out of hardware.
2. What does the rest of the PS5 generation look like and how long will it last?
More Xbox games on PlayStation (e.g., Starfield, Halo, Forza etc.) and maybe 5 more big first-party releases from PlayStation before the PS6 releases. I'm guessing based on GaaS still being incredibly popular and based on the cost(s) and time of making games only going up up and up, the PS5 will still receive support well-into 2030. The PS4 -- a system that came out 12 years ago -- is still receiving support, albeit in a reduced fashion. It makes sense that even with all of the buzz around AI this and machine learning that, the PS5 will still be a viable platform for developers and players for the next 5 years.
3. How does Sony approach the PS6 without a direct competitor?
They'll probably overcharge for the console and undercharge for the handheld. The PS5 Pro is a bad sign of what happens when they don't have a direct competitor. I expect the PS6 console won't be astronomically priced but it won't be cheap. As for the handheld, the Switch 2 forces Sony to not fuck around with pricing. As they learned with the PSP and Vita, Nintendo is incredibly competitive in the handheld space. Additionally, I expect PS6 first-party software will be littered with remaster after remaster and GaaS attempt after GaaS attempt. PlayStation will only learn how bad their software strategy is when people stop supporting their software. The good news is, it does seem like a number of popular sites and streamers/vloggers are unafraid to call out the PS5 first-party software as the worst first-party software in PlayStation history. Finally, I expect pricing for PS6 games will be $80 as a standard. It's going to be an expensive generation.
4. How does this affect PS+ and their PC releases?
PS+ prices will go up, PC releases won't stop. The software and services people at PlayStation -- the same minds responsible for Concord, requiring a PSN login to play Helldivers 2 and then reversing it, canceling Factions, thinking Bungie was a good idea, thinking BluePoint working on a GoW GaaS would pan out etc. -- won't just disappear when Xbox disappears. Their current software leadership is the riskiest part of the entire PlayStation business; they genuinely come across as people who are unqualified to make good decisions for the future of the platform. I can't stress this enough: even though 20% (possibly less) of all software sales are first-party, it's that 20% that gets people in the door.
5. Does anyone else step up in the console space? If so, who and how?
The likeliest company would be Valve. But Valve have one massive problem. Outside of some maniacs still playing The Orange Box, 99% of Valve's audience are on a dedicated PC. You're just not going to get PC users to switch to console. So think about it like this: If Xbox officially pulls out of the console space and 'redirects' their users to dedicated PCs, and Valve jumps into the console space with the GabeStation 1, who will be Valve's audience? A very small percentage of Xbox users (which is already the smallest userbase in the console space), and some PS and Nintendo users. Realistically, their potential userbase would be under 20M. That's just not enough to keep a multi-billion dollar business going. Another entrant into the space could be the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. They have hundreds of billions of dollars to spend, and they could see a business reason to have their own console now that they control EA. However, they too have a massive problem. A lot of people in the western and eastern world (a massive audience of console users) do not want to support their efforts.
6. Will there even be another console generation or will the industry look different by then?
100% guaranteed there will be another console generation. Over 50% of consoles are sold in regions with so-so to crappy internet. This is a key point to remember: it's impossible to fix/upgrade an internet infrastructure if there isn't an economy (i.e., billions of dollars) to finance it. In the context of modern gaming -- 100GB+ filesizes, 20GB+ updates, 1440p streaming of 50 hour+ games -- it's going to take a while for the rest of the world to catch up to the faster internet countries. Cloud gaming -- which will be the successor to console gaming -- simply won't be ready for the world for another 12 to 15 years. That's roughly two more PlayStation generations, and it lines up with where generation Alpha will be age-wise (i.e., young adults who can afford subscription based cloud gaming.)
7. What other possibilities are there?
Well all of this shit could still go KABLOOEY. Never forget that we're always talking about expensive toys and not like drinking water or corrective lenses. There could be a massive flop (e.g., GTA6) that sours millions of people on console gaming, resulting in mass disinterest in future consoles. Realistically that won't happen, but there could be other things -- economies collapsing, WW3, another pandemic, a VR gaming headset that's revolutionary -- that could derail the console market.
1. Does Sony make any immediate changes to their strategy?
No. Their business strategy is probably locked-in for the next 3 years, so any major changes that happen will be a result of like another pandemic or an alien invasion. It won't be because Xbox pulls out of hardware.
2. What does the rest of the PS5 generation look like and how long will it last?
More Xbox games on PlayStation (e.g., Starfield, Halo, Forza etc.) and maybe 5 more big first-party releases from PlayStation before the PS6 releases. I'm guessing based on GaaS still being incredibly popular and based on the cost(s) and time of making games only going up up and up, the PS5 will still receive support well-into 2030. The PS4 -- a system that came out 12 years ago -- is still receiving support, albeit in a reduced fashion. It makes sense that even with all of the buzz around AI this and machine learning that, the PS5 will still be a viable platform for developers and players for the next 5 years.
3. How does Sony approach the PS6 without a direct competitor?
They'll probably overcharge for the console and undercharge for the handheld. The PS5 Pro is a bad sign of what happens when they don't have a direct competitor. I expect the PS6 console won't be astronomically priced but it won't be cheap. As for the handheld, the Switch 2 forces Sony to not fuck around with pricing. As they learned with the PSP and Vita, Nintendo is incredibly competitive in the handheld space. Additionally, I expect PS6 first-party software will be littered with remaster after remaster and GaaS attempt after GaaS attempt. PlayStation will only learn how bad their software strategy is when people stop supporting their software. The good news is, it does seem like a number of popular sites and streamers/vloggers are unafraid to call out the PS5 first-party software as the worst first-party software in PlayStation history. Finally, I expect pricing for PS6 games will be $80 as a standard. It's going to be an expensive generation.
4. How does this affect PS+ and their PC releases?
PS+ prices will go up, PC releases won't stop. The software and services people at PlayStation -- the same minds responsible for Concord, requiring a PSN login to play Helldivers 2 and then reversing it, canceling Factions, thinking Bungie was a good idea, thinking BluePoint working on a GoW GaaS would pan out etc. -- won't just disappear when Xbox disappears. Their current software leadership is the riskiest part of the entire PlayStation business; they genuinely come across as people who are unqualified to make good decisions for the future of the platform. I can't stress this enough: even though 20% (possibly less) of all software sales are first-party, it's that 20% that gets people in the door.
5. Does anyone else step up in the console space? If so, who and how?
The likeliest company would be Valve. But Valve have one massive problem. Outside of some maniacs still playing The Orange Box, 99% of Valve's audience are on a dedicated PC. You're just not going to get PC users to switch to console. So think about it like this: If Xbox officially pulls out of the console space and 'redirects' their users to dedicated PCs, and Valve jumps into the console space with the GabeStation 1, who will be Valve's audience? A very small percentage of Xbox users (which is already the smallest userbase in the console space), and some PS and Nintendo users. Realistically, their potential userbase would be under 20M. That's just not enough to keep a multi-billion dollar business going. Another entrant into the space could be the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. They have hundreds of billions of dollars to spend, and they could see a business reason to have their own console now that they control EA. However, they too have a massive problem. A lot of people in the western and eastern world (a massive audience of console users) do not want to support their efforts.
6. Will there even be another console generation or will the industry look different by then?
100% guaranteed there will be another console generation. Over 50% of consoles are sold in regions with so-so to crappy internet. This is a key point to remember: it's impossible to fix/upgrade an internet infrastructure if there isn't an economy (i.e., billions of dollars) to finance it. In the context of modern gaming -- 100GB+ filesizes, 20GB+ updates, 1440p streaming of 50 hour+ games -- it's going to take a while for the rest of the world to catch up to the faster internet countries. Cloud gaming -- which will be the successor to console gaming -- simply won't be ready for the world for another 12 to 15 years. That's roughly two more PlayStation generations, and it lines up with where generation Alpha will be age-wise (i.e., young adults who can afford subscription based cloud gaming.)
7. What other possibilities are there?
Well all of this shit could still go KABLOOEY. Never forget that we're always talking about expensive toys and not like drinking water or corrective lenses. There could be a massive flop (e.g., GTA6) that sours millions of people on console gaming, resulting in mass disinterest in future consoles. Realistically that won't happen, but there could be other things -- economies collapsing, WW3, another pandemic, a VR gaming headset that's revolutionary -- that could derail the console market.
