The Vita should of sold twice as much.
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Why Sony failed to fully capitalize on PS4 success in 2014?
- Thread starter noobie
- Start date
The Vita should of sold twice as much.
Dirtyshubb
Member
No offense, since we are all entitled to opinions but yours isn’t a great one.No i never say they are bad. They are doing good but they could have done better than good.
I am not saying they should go for the kill. But i believe that there are finite number of active gamers and if you loose 1 non-fanboy gamer to the opposing camp you are reducing your life time sales of the console.
16 is not a magic number.. But i think the result of November NPD were not good which Sony also claimed that their opponent surprised them. Also PS3 managed to get 14 million while being expensive and not the market leader.. So i believe PS4 should have easily topped the best of PS3.
Just an opinion
First off, selling 16 million units in the time they have isn’t doing good, its phenomenal! Especially when you take into consideration how negative many people were being before launch (WiiU shows consoles are dead, Xbox will win easily etc.). In fact, I believe that its rate of sales has only just been overtaken by the Wii, which was the fastest selling console of all time (Not greatest selling though).
As for the NPD comments, that is simply not true either. Yes it was outsold by the XBO but there is still a half million gap in the US between the 2 consoles (With PS4 being on top). If you follow the sales threads you will see that even if Microsoft do continue to outsell the PS4 (They most likely wont) over the coming months, it would still take at least 6 months to catch up, if not more (Just for the US, not worldwide numbers either).
This also doesn’t take into consideration that the gap between both consoles in every other country is much bigger, in favour of the PS4 of course.
So basically, what you are saying is ‘Yeah the PS4 is one of the most successful console launches in history, now only second to Wii after over a year, but they should have done better!’ Do you see how silly that sounds?
It was more like this: Eh.../shrug, all the next gen systems aren't that great and there are no games. But might as well buy the PS4 for 2015 exclusive lineups.
So it was more like recommendation on how to poison yourself, either with the pill, or straight up liquid.
At least with the pill, you might live a few hours longer and get an antidote if you change your mind.
But yeah, 2014 was a bad year when people asked if I enjoyed any of the new console.
Soultaker0220
Member
I think they could have sold a lot more ps4 if they were not in a bad financial state. During the holiday they had gta+ last of us bundle which sold crazy from what I heard but it only lasted few days. I can imagine they lost money on this bundle but stil, if this bundle was introduced a bit earlier and lasted for few weeks ps4 would have killed it during holidays. Just to mention, not saying ps4 did bad but I can imagine it doing whole lot better if this was the case. Andrew House said they had problem keeping up with suplies in Europe so I guess they are killing it over there even though the x1 had way better deals here in Sweden.
toddhunter
Member
I don't think this is true at all.
Do you really think Microsoft didn't plan all these apps and stuff way back when? What exactly about bringing windows 10 stuff to the xbox is a response to Sony's success?
At the end of the day, Sony made a gaming box and sold a lot of them. In fact they have sold more then enough so that pretty much every game of note will have to be released on it, as the superior version no less.
Microsoft are consequently competing on apps, services and specific titles like Halo that will always appeal to the same gamers that it would have appealed to on day 1. There is no real fightback there, it is an inevitable success built on the back of their previous products. There is nothing Sony can do about that except release great games themselves over time and carve out their piece of the pie. I don't think anybody should doubt that they also plan to do exactly that with the upcoming lineup.
So yeah, once again this "failure to capitalize" thing just doesn't make sense. People need to think more about what these companies are actually trying to do and the market they are competing in.
GOGOheadray
Member
Where is this narrative that the PS4 has no games coming from? Between NBA 2k, dragons age, and some indie titles I have had plenty to play.
FeiRR
Banned
I agree with OP even though I think he didn't think about the reasons I'm going to mention.
PS4 is a great console but PSN has many problems. Messages get stuck. While in party, I sometimes get an error with NAT and can't talk to some of other party members. It's not my network configuration problem, that much I know. Digital game prices are terrible in Europe and are getting worse instead of better. A lot of people I know would buy a PS4 but can't get over games which are up to two times more expensive than on PC. Customer support isn't always as it should be, too. Local SCE offices happen to be terrible in many countries. Etc, etc...
Dualshock 4 is not very reliable. PS4 is louder than I'd expect from a company with such high quality hardware. There are many things I'd like them to work on.
Sony is still a lot better than a lot of other publishers/hardware providers but I don't care about them. I've invested a lot in their ecosystem and I expect them to provide good services to me.
So yes, Sony needs to work on a lot of things.
PS4 is a great console but PSN has many problems. Messages get stuck. While in party, I sometimes get an error with NAT and can't talk to some of other party members. It's not my network configuration problem, that much I know. Digital game prices are terrible in Europe and are getting worse instead of better. A lot of people I know would buy a PS4 but can't get over games which are up to two times more expensive than on PC. Customer support isn't always as it should be, too. Local SCE offices happen to be terrible in many countries. Etc, etc...
Dualshock 4 is not very reliable. PS4 is louder than I'd expect from a company with such high quality hardware. There are many things I'd like them to work on.
Sony is still a lot better than a lot of other publishers/hardware providers but I don't care about them. I've invested a lot in their ecosystem and I expect them to provide good services to me.
So yes, Sony needs to work on a lot of things.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
I guess I'll end by saying Sony exceeded everyone's expectations in terms of sales and hardware excellence. They killed it in sales and anyone doubting that can ignore this generation completely.
I just want them to step their game up in terms of the OS. OS is lacking for me, and I'll always complain about it. That said, things take time and judging them both heavily is arrogant. Move the OS development to US already.
Maybe I'm arrogant right now.
Or maybe I'm pissed at Vita not getting any love!
I just want them to step their game up in terms of the OS. OS is lacking for me, and I'll always complain about it. That said, things take time and judging them both heavily is arrogant. Move the OS development to US already.
Maybe I'm arrogant right now.
Or maybe I'm pissed at Vita not getting any love!
It really doesn't take that much effort to allow media playback on the device and release media server for the system.
Triggerhappytel
Member
I don't really understand the point of this topic. Sony did extremely well. Record-breakingly well. And they didn't even have to drop the price. They've already won the generation in mainland Europe, the Middle East, Australia (I think) and it will no doubt pick up steam in Japan when the right software comes along. The only place MS can possibly claw back any marketshare is North America and the UK.
And I don't want them to focus on media playing capabilities. I want them to focus on improving my game experience.
I have so many devices on which I can view videos, I don't need another one. I bought a gaming console for games and it still doesn't have suspend & resume which should be the number one priority.
Not device 700 that can now also play your movies while sucking way more watt than what you already have.
Aren't Sony pretty much perpetually near sold through? I remember seeing a thread on GAF not so long ago about shortages in Germany.
I think Sony are doing a bang up job with PS4. Vita on the otherhand could use more love.
At the start of 2014 to mid 2014 there where some shortages in Germany. I picked mine up right when this shortage started to fade.
The fact Ms had to discount the console by what a third in its first year show Sony was doing plenty fine, Sony has eu on lock down is still ahead in the U.S. and uk and hasn't had many big hitters or been reduced to mega massive price cuts yet while selling close to what the juggernaught wii did in its first year. Yeah I'd say Sony will be pretty happy where they are and still have massive first party that hasn't kicked into life yet.
PS4 haz no gaems
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
I know, I'm just saying: When a company makes a machine that's mostly designed as an entertainment machine/media hub, it's great for entertainment stuff, but it's the games that suffer on them (unless they're exclusive to their platforms, of course), as they tend to run &/or look worse due to some architecture designs that weren't really meant for gaming, such as the cell processor.
That's the reason why most multiplatform games gets most of the attention on Xbox 360 & on PS4 for me, because those consoles were mostly designed as pure gaming machines, & the only games that I played on PS3 are exclusive games as a result (as well as some multiplatform games that are more superior on PS3, like Final Fantasy XIII & L.A. Noire).
It takes no focus, its not something that requires an R&D team of its own,
you dont want it? fine, dont use it, let those of us who do have the option.
aygomyownroad
Member
Yeah Sony dropped the ball, they should be ashamed of such pathetic numbers for the first full year.
The only criticism I can find oof last year is a lack of first party games. Still waiting on getting a good catalogue of games before I jump in. Hopefully this year
The only criticism I can find oof last year is a lack of first party games. Still waiting on getting a good catalogue of games before I jump in. Hopefully this year
Randomizer123454444
Member
From my understanding (I'm not an industry insider), PS4 has been very supply constrained this year. They are selling PS4 consoles as fast as they can produce them. This could be one of the biggest reasons.
But it takes resources. Resources it takes away from what the console was sold on.
They deliberately at this point in time didn't market at the all in one "it only does everything" crowd like they did after 2009 with the PS3.
So I want my promises fulfilled before you get your wish, which they didn't even promise. That's the gist of it.
Isn't plex out now so you can watch your media on ps4 if you use that?.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Sony is not allowed to win, even if they are winning
Haha, Nah. Sony ain't going to lose this gen in terms of sales unless they stop moving.
I don't get the folks denying the sales. I just want the OS to rock!
TMaakkonen
Member
Its becoming more clear that Sony has huge problems. The PS4 is selling along the lines of PS2 and Wii, among best selling consoles ever, yet people still think it has mehish sales.
How did they let that happen. Ok, I think we know that the reason is that their Holiday lineup was weak. But it seems others had just as weak lineup yet only Sony is complained about. Well in Wii Us case the games werent big enough system sellers. You cant say they are bad. Either way, Sony seems most complained about.
How did they let that happen. Ok, I think we know that the reason is that their Holiday lineup was weak. But it seems others had just as weak lineup yet only Sony is complained about. Well in Wii Us case the games werent big enough system sellers. You cant say they are bad. Either way, Sony seems most complained about.
That made me lol at work. Strange looks from everyone.
John Bender
Banned
Sony actually sold as much as they have shipped.
So my guess is, they couldn't sell more, because they didn't even have that much to ship.
So did they "fail" in that regard? lol no!
I know it's been said already, but I'm a tad confused as to what the premise of this thread is based on.
I think it's just that PS4's success seems to be hard to handle for some.
I think it's just that PS4's success seems to be hard to handle for some.
Diprosalic
Banned
really? PS4 sells very very well here and i never saw it sold out anywhere outside of the launch month.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
I thought I knew what this thread was about. Now I feel silly trying to debate.
I just love debating.
PS4 sold well but it should have sold even weller and I think it is because of X, Y, Z.
Monty Mole
Member
Sony could have sold 16m but MS did some crazy aggressive pricing in Nov/Dec which clearly had a significant impact.
Sony could have matched the deals but ultimately they would have been throwing away money. The last thing Sony needs is a full on price war with Microsoft.
Sony could have matched the deals but ultimately they would have been throwing away money. The last thing Sony needs is a full on price war with Microsoft.
Sheesh...
Randomizer123454444
Member
The retail insiders I see on Neogaf have repeatedly told that XBOne stocks are way higher than PS4 stocks. From what I read, it seems like Sony is barely producing enough PS4 consoles to meet the demand.
It doesn't mean that PS4 should be sold out all the time. It means that extra 1,5 million units sold in 2014 might not have been possible with current supply of PS4 consoles.
Stereogatari
Banned
I fucking wish 14 million people knew what Time to Triangle was. We'd have a far better market of games then.
Fail to capitalize on PS4's success? The machine is doing gangbusters and stood strong in the face of a competitor who chopped their own legs off to sell their machine at a massive loss and an unprecedented price drop.
I purchased an Xbox One with Kinnect, Ryse, Dance Central, AND the Halo MCC for 249.99. Being the market leader speaks volumes on just how far they've been capitalizing this game.
I purchased an Xbox One with Kinnect, Ryse, Dance Central, AND the Halo MCC for 249.99. Being the market leader speaks volumes on just how far they've been capitalizing this game.
PeakPointMatrix
Member
So guess record breaking sales is only good now. Okay.
Having your console be able to access your media library takes little to no resources, and this has nothing to do with promises, its merely about holding them to the most basic expectations. How many companies can get away with releasing a product with fewer features and capabilities than their previous one?
My PS3 was a fantastic media device as well as a fantastic gaming device, a console needn't be one or the other, it can be both. So is it unreasonable of me to expect the same features I enjoyed to be in the supposedly upgraded version of said product?
Of course it takes resources. Are you kidding me with that?
Features just magically spring into existence and don't have to written by programmers and tested by QA?
And yes, it has all to do with promises. They didn't market that device as a PS3 replacement. They marketed it as the PS4.
You are free to expect whatever you want and make whatever choices you see fit. What you however do not get is that just because you desire media playback everyone else has to agree that those resources implementing those features aren't spent better other places.
Especially when they didn't even talked about any of that shit outside of their shitty music and video service they offer on SEN.
motorised mallard
Member
What the heck is the bolded?