News
Should Sony Stop Making Hardware?
Cordova, TN May 20, in the
year of our Lord 2013 -- It is always interesting to
hear someone say Nintendo needs to get out of the hardware game.
Usually it is followed with what a flounder the Wii U is. Many
years ago there were calls for Nintendo to step down when the
Nintendo 64, and the Gamecube were less than stellar performers.
Two flops in a row meant that company should go third party. At
least that was the logic applied by many in the gaming media,
and of course the niche hardcore gamers. What about a company
that has had three flops in a row?
Who has had three hardware flops in a row? Sony. The Playstation
Portable was a flop. The Playstation 3 was a flop. The
Playstation Vita was a flop. Three straight failures. Three
straight machines that came in last place. It has been a long
time since Sony was at the top in the video game industry – in
anything. They have sat in the cellar like proverbial loser
baseball teams for many years now. Where is the cry for Sony to
step down and go third party?
Can Sony finally start to turn things around with the
Playstation 4? Is this their last shot at success before the
plug is finally pulled on the Playstation brand? The majority of
industry analysts Family Friendly Gaming consulted all agree –
the PS4 is not looking very good. In fact all those putting
chips down, are putting them on Microsoft and their next Xbox
home console. When Nintendo had past home console failures they
had the hand held market to keep them afloat. The Nintendo 3DS
is keeping the Wii U above water. Sony does not have a
successful hand held to keep them going.
Sony has some of the hardcore gamers behind them, and of course
their loyal fanboys. But they need to reach the mass audience.
They need to reach families. Thus far they have done nothing to
interest families. Sony's message to Family Friendly Gaming has
been received loud and clear. They do not care about families.
They are only interested in reaching a niche audience. That
marketing strategy is going to lead them to their fourth
straight failure. Can they survive a fourth straight flop? The
Playstation 4 may be Sony's last chance at a piece of hardware.
They may go the way of Sega after the Dreamcast.
- Paul Bury
- Family Friendly Gaming