The new generation of consoles - and a bit of a review of the strategies used by Sony and Microsoft
Given we've got a new console generation coming up, it's been interesting watching how the two companies set out their stall. Microsoft, it seems, can't walk for tripping over their own feet - it's just been one bit of 'bad' news after another. First it was the news about how/whether you could lend your games to friends (you can, but it's a lot more complicated than just handing them the game), the requirement to have an internet connection so the machine can check in every 24 hours otherwise the machine won't work, and considerable uncertainty over whether you can trade in your old games.
Most of the important articles are available through this link, like like this one, where Microsoft confirms it all.
Conversely, apart from a bit of a technical demonstration around the same time as the new Xbox was launched, Sony has been really quite quiet regarding the PS4. They seem to have been quite happy to let Microsoft make the first moves, and with E3 now on have come up with their riposte.
This article just about covers it. The PS4 doesn't require you to check in online once every 24 hours, will be making no changes to current practices regarding used games, and lending your games to your friends is apparently as simple as handing them the game. Here's the video of the used game/online announcement:
As a final dig, Sony has released this video on how to share games on the PS4:
So, in short, Microsoft seems to be taking it's core audience for granted and is forgetting that if your core audience is on side, they're a lot like an unpaid PR rep for you. Sony, however, are taking the opposite tack and courting their core audience, by ostensibly listening to them and making them feel like they were listened to. In the PR wars (and the battle for the wallets of the consumer), the first rounds have definately gone to Sony.
Most of the important articles are available through this link, like like this one, where Microsoft confirms it all.
Conversely, apart from a bit of a technical demonstration around the same time as the new Xbox was launched, Sony has been really quite quiet regarding the PS4. They seem to have been quite happy to let Microsoft make the first moves, and with E3 now on have come up with their riposte.
This article just about covers it. The PS4 doesn't require you to check in online once every 24 hours, will be making no changes to current practices regarding used games, and lending your games to your friends is apparently as simple as handing them the game. Here's the video of the used game/online announcement:
Click to viewAs a final dig, Sony has released this video on how to share games on the PS4:
So, in short, Microsoft seems to be taking it's core audience for granted and is forgetting that if your core audience is on side, they're a lot like an unpaid PR rep for you. Sony, however, are taking the opposite tack and courting their core audience, by ostensibly listening to them and making them feel like they were listened to. In the PR wars (and the battle for the wallets of the consumer), the first rounds have definately gone to Sony.