BPX050: The Problem With Sony

[Neon Ignition]

Because, it's only fair let's be honest. It's all too common for the dedicated Nintendo Switch thread to erupt into a discussion about their slow release pattern and modern leaning on old ports to pad out gaps in original content delivery for their system without even getting to whether their next in line console will succeed or not. Likewise, the strange and wonderful world of marketing decision making that Microsoft seems to take as well as their increasingly divergent business model as they desperately try to nuzzle between the smothering mass market cleavage of success that Nintendo and Sony are enjoying currently in hope of glimpsing some of the teet of success themselves often leads to extensive back and forth between those who like their approach and those who believe it is flawed.

Sony however has enjoyed a fairly long road of success for some time now. Long since the launch debacle of the PS3 and the scandal of the server hack, the company aggressively steered the PS3 around and by the end of its generation they managed to overtake the 360's early lead and leave themselves poised to decisively strike with the hugely successful PS4 that is still tracking ahead of the system percieved as their king of king's - the PS2. The success, traditional approach and critically acclaimed chain of first party hits has generated a lot of positive press and a much quieter level of debate thanks to the greater benefit of the doubt they now enjoy again.

So, here we're making a dedicated space to focus on one key question:

What is wrong with Sony and Playstation?

It could be their approach to the PS5, the content of the PS4, pricing, how they market themselves, something they fail to offer etc
What are the failings and areas of improvement that wind you up about the industry leader?

[hudson]

Their current wave of exclusive first party games are getting stale. Open worlds and highly story driven games. Horizon, God of War, Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima (which I loved), Spiderman etc.

I remember titles like Wileout, Jumping Flash, Parappa, Resistance, White Knight Chronicles. A lot of genres covered. Then more followed. At the moment people are craving for more God of War, more Horizon, more Last of Us....I say No. Down with that kind of game.

I dunno, probably gonna get thumbed down for this opinion.

I tend to play 3rd party games. I think my loyalty to Sony at the moment is due to all the friends I have on the platform.

[QualityChimp]

EDIT: Wrong Thread.

[nonny]

I dunno I've got nothing really bad to say about Sony except that they're susceptible to making bad decisions as much as any of the big players.

They are relying on their AAA title exclusives right now but then it's an envious position to be in. I agree they may lack diversity of titles at the lower end of the market but the popularity of their platform means that can be handled by 3rd parties and Indies.

The only concern I have for Sony is the same I have for all and that's the rising cost of AAA development. The amount of years and cost it takes to develop is massive and so Sony (like others) have a huge risk with each title they put out.

I think they know this and with titles like Horizon Zero Dawn going to PC it's a way to prolong the revenue ofn these great games without directly competing.

[Asura]

What is wrong with Sony and Playstation?

I think it's a shame they ditched their handhelds. As an armchair-analyst I understand why, but I loved the PSP and Vita, and would love a follow-up.

[Dogg Thang]

I skipped the PS4 and it comes down to one very simple thing - there just weren't enough interesting games. I'm not saying that there weren't good games. I have no doubt that there were lots of fantastic games. But I mean interesting in the sense of being really eye-catching and different and leaving me feeling like I need to get a PS4 because that's where those types of games are found.

Thing is, they're the home of so many AAA games and yet, for me, most of those AAA games look so derivative this many generations in. But really, that's probably not so much a criticism of Sony and more just an indicator of my own tastes.

[dataDave]

I'm also not that interested in the exclusives. There are one or two every couple of years, and that simply isn't enough for me to base a console purchase on.

[teddymeow]

I think it's a shame they ditched their handhelds. As an armchair-analyst I understand why, but I loved the PSP and Vita, and would love a follow-up.

This. Love the PS4 - possibly my favourite console ever. Their first party titles have been hugely enjoyable and the third person stuff is totally my type of game.

[Asura]

I skipped the PS4 and it comes down to one very simple thing - there just weren't enough interesting games. I'm not saying that there weren't good games. I have no doubt that there were lots of fantastic games. But I mean interesting in the sense of being really eye-catching and different and leaving me feeling like I need to get a PS4 because that's where those types of games are found.

Thing is, they're the home of so many AAA games and yet, for me, most of those AAA games look so derivative this many generations in. But really, that's probably not so much a criticism of Sony and more just an indicator of my own tastes.

Admittedly... I kinda waited on the PS4 generation to "start" for me, and it kinda still hasn't. Like I could check up here and other places, to see the new releases, but as a PC/WiiU owner and later a PC/Switch owner, it just didn't grab me. Follow-ups to games like Assassin's Creed didn't personally interest me, though I know plenty here love them.

On the topic of follow-ups - no new Wipeout, no new Armored Core and no new Ridge Racer, though admittedly only one of those can be laid at Sony's feet.

The PSVR was the best thing, for me, that they've done in years. And it was great to see them really throw some effort at it.

[wakka]

I think what some people are getting at, and what I'd agree with, is that I'd say Sony's biggest problem is that they are just a little too mainstream and a little bit too vanilla. The PS4 hardware and software is incredibly competently done, but there's no wackiness there. It's ever so slightly boring in some ways.

Then again, they do have PSVR. So I'm not being entirely fair.

[hudson]

Oh yeah PSVR is great (in short bursts). It literally blew me socks off. Astro bot needs to be experienced by all to fully understand the impact.

[JazzFunk]

I haven't wanted a PS for yonks. I did like the PS3...but not as much as 360.

I love the Xbox One, even the ****ty original model I'm using. I'm only jealous of a coupla games, like that Darius that came out a few years back. I've played Spidey...and it's deece...but not enough to make me get a PS4.

I'll deffo get one when they drop to about £60. Xbox just has better controllers and I love the BC and its underdog status.

Love the Switch being around as Nintendo's flagship, it's good at the mo. Just don't want a PS5 at all right now. Too much good stuff still to play.

[dataDave]

I think what some people are getting at, and what I'd agree with, is that I'd say Sony's biggest problem is that they are just a little too mainstream and a little bit too vanilla. The PS4 hardware and software is incredibly competently done, but there's no wackiness there. It's ever so slightly boring in some ways.

That's right. Compare the PS3 and the PS4 to the PS1 and PS2 years.

It's not really Sony's fault, more the third parties for all playing it safe. I'm sure Sony would love a new Ridge Racer or a new Gradius.

[JazzFunk]

Aw, yeah, I forgot that. A new Silent Hill, potentially.

Might have to eat my above words and get some overtime in!!!

[CMcK]

PlayStation feels like the culmination of video games becoming more like Hollywood which arguably started with EAs games in the late 16bit / early 32bit era. It’s production values over risk taking. The marketing men are in charge. Another graphically impressive third person open world-ish yawn-a-thon is a far cry from the halcyon days of Sega’s output on the Dreamcast. How they slipped Dreams past the marketing bods I’ll never know.
It feels like you buy a PlayStation just because you have to knowing the large userbase will mean all the publishers will support it. Without the shmups coming out of Japan I really doubt I’d have bothered with a PS4. PSVR might have swung me but I rarely touch that now too.
The standard controller sucked from the word go and while the current iteration is better it’s still not as good as the Xbox controller.