Sony Lacks a Marketable Franchise

Sony simply lacks a marketable franchise. I've been thinking about this when I work my crappy retail job. My store sales Mario, Pokemon, Sonic and Angery Birds merchandise. I have seen Halo, Gears, Call of Duty merchandise sold at other stores. But for the life of me I can't recall a Sony franchise that really was marketable in that kind of way. Now I'm sure there is probably some Uncharted or maybe some God of War stuff floating around, but it isn't anywhere near as popular as those other franchises.

When you look at the many franchises Sony owns I can't find something as big as Halo or Pokemon let alone Mario or Zelda. Now that is not to say they have bad franchises because many are really good but I think Sony have done a poor job of creating franchises that bring the consumers around in a real way. Now this isn't a Sony bashing post, just an observation I have made, maybe I'm wrong.

go play duke nukem 3d,blood,quake,unreal 1998,rise of the triad,shadow warrior,redneck rampage those games dont have arrows guiding u fps are casual now.WinningEnds00

[QUOTE="WinningEnds00"]go play duke nukem 3d,blood,quake,unreal 1998,rise of the triad,shadow warrior,redneck rampage those games dont have arrows guiding u fps are casual now.marq4porsche

He's imitating some user name wewantdoom4now in the wrong thread.

I can see TC's point. Sony has had several popular franchises they've tried to parlay into a mascot, but they haven't had anything come along the likes of a Mario or Master Chief over the years.

so whos milking?raskullibur

The merchandising strategy is a page straight out of Disney's playbook (they're the masters of it, after all). And you're right, Sony hasn't done a good job of it, but Nintendo kinda stumbled into it just out of happenstance with Mario. But looking at their first party IPs, I don't see how they're going to turn Sweet Tooth or Kratos into a plushie.

Nevermind, I totally see how they should do it. On the double, Kaz; I think we may have found what will save the company. :P

I can see TC's point. Sony has had several popular franchises they've tried to parlay into a mascot, but they haven't had anything come along the likes of a Mario or Master Chief over the years.

santoron

[QUOTE="santoron"]

I can see TC's point. Sony has had several popular franchises they've tried to parlay into a mascot, but they haven't had anything come along the likes of a Mario or Master Chief over the years.

slvrraven9

I've noticed this for quite a while. I think it is because there are too many good games to choose from on PS3, so no 1 franchise gets a ton of attention.

Sony also lacks an overall mascot for its platform. The only franchise I can think of that has spanned from PS1 to PS3 are Gran Turismo. Kratos is hard to market since he is not a likeable character and Sackboy doesn't give an accurate depiction of what is offered on PS3

oh no they don't have a mario or a space marine all they got is spyro, crash bandicoot, ratchet and clank, jack and daxter, sly cooper, sackboy and parappa.

:lol:

sony does not lack for marketable franchises, they just don't handle the ones thay have right.

[QUOTE="slvrraven9"][QUOTE="santoron"]

I can see TC's point. Sony has had several popular franchises they've tried to parlay into a mascot, but they haven't had anything come along the likes of a Mario or Master Chief over the years.

:P

:P

NoodleFighter

[QUOTE="NoodleFighter"]

:P

marq4porsche

But going on naughty dogs history its not likely we will see a new uncharted game on the ps4 they put out 3 games in a franchise + a racer spinoff each gen.

I agree TC.

Tons of people, mostlly north americans, still see the PS3 as the system with no 'good games'

This could be partly attributed to the fact that sony first parties keep making new IPs instead of carrying over there popular franchises from previous gens, Sony lost spyro/crash, stopped making Jak and Daxter games/sly cooper etc. The only franchise they have really had for a long time is Gran Turismo and thats the best selling sony game on the PS3.

It's not that they lack an appealing franchise, it's that they can't/won't market it properly. Killzone for example could be really huge with the CoD/Halo/Gears audiences.

Can you really put someone like Master Chief in a sports game or party game and ask the Halo fanbase to buy it?

I think that's where the problem lies, Nintendo's characters are universal for some reason. Whether they are fighting each other or platform or party, it all just makes sense.

Whereas people buy Halo for the game, people buy Mario/Kirby/Donkey Kong games for the characters.

People say it's because Sony creates new IPs, well, you could say Nintendo does that too. Games such as Kid Icarus: Uprising, Mario Sunshine and Kirby's Epic Yarn have literally nothing in common with their respective series on a gameplay level. They are 'new IPs' except for the characters put into them.

Can you really put someone like Master Chief in a sports game or party game and ask the Halo fanbase to buy the game?

I think that's where the problem lies, Nintendo's characters are universal for some reason. Whether they are fighting each other or platform or party, it all just makes sense.

Whereas people buy Halo for the game, people buy Mario/Kirby/Donkey Kong games for the characters.

SuperFlakeman

Are you saying Nintendo customers are dumb?

Are you saying Nintendo customers are dumb?

waltefmoney

Well if you bought "Mario Sports Mix" expecting a Mario platformer you're dumb but I don't think this is what is happening.

When people keep buying Nintendo games, that means they are happy with the product.

So if you're picking between "Mario Golf" or "random golf game", people know that it's less of a risk if I get Mario Golf because I am usually pleased with Mario games.

It might be a controversial point, but I agree, Sony doesn't have a strong iconic franchise

They have franchises with the potential to be hugely marketable - Uncharted and Little Big Planet being the most obvious two at the moment - but for whatever reason, they're just not household names. They appeal to the right demographics, they've got good games backing them up, and yet I couldn't start talking about them to people who aren't 'in the know' about games (unlike the Mario games, Halo, etc).

Perhaps they just haven't marketed them correctly? I don't know what they're doing wrong - maybe they just haven't milked them enough to be noticed by the public-at-large.

[QUOTE="waltefmoney"]

Are you saying Nintendo customers are dumb?

SuperFlakeman

Well if you bought "Mario Sports Mix" expecting a Mario platformer you're dumb but I don't think this is what is happening.

When people keep buying Nintendo games, that means they are happy with the product.

So if you're picking between "Mario Golf" or "random golf game", people know that it's less of a risk if I get Mario Golf because I am usually pleased with Mario games.

It might be a controversial point, but I agree, Sony doesn't have a strong iconic franchise

They have franchises with the potential to be hugely marketable - Uncharted and Little Big Planet being the most obvious two at the moment - but for whatever reason, they're just not household names. They appeal to the right demographics, they've got good games backing them up, and yet I couldn't start talking about them to people who aren't 'in the know' about games (unlike the Mario games, Halo, etc).

Perhaps they just haven't marketed them correctly? I don't know what they're doing wrong - maybe they just haven't milked them enough to be noticed by the public-at-large.

Planeforger

It's seems like they started to market Sackboy and LBP for awhile, but lost interest in it. That seems to be Sony's problem with a lot of stuff. If it doesn't take off quickly they loose interest in it.

Sony has always been about variety and that's what helped them crush with the PS1 & PS2. Now that they've had to depend mostly on their 1st and 2nd Party IP's, it's tough. I don't really think Sony will ever have a single mascot for their systems. I perfer to have it that way TBH but I guess it tdoes always help to have 1 IP that people will always buy your console for.FlamesOfGrey

What helped them crush with the PS1 and PS2 were huge system pushing third party franchises like GTA, MGS, Final Fantasy. You know, franchises with mass appeal.

[QUOTE="FlamesOfGrey"]Sony has always been about variety and that's what helped them crush with the PS1 & PS2. Now that they've had to depend mostly on their 1st and 2nd Party IP's, it's tough. I don't really think Sony will ever have a single mascot for their systems. I perfer to have it that way TBH but I guess it tdoes always help to have 1 IP that people will always buy your console for.waltefmoney

What helped them crush with the PS1 and PS2 were huge system pushing third party franchises like GTA, MGS, Final Fantasy. You know, franchises with mass appeal.

That helped also as they attributed to the exclusive variety those systems had, did they not? Point is Sony has never had to worry about having a main mascot until this generation and looking forward.

That helped also as they attributed to the exclusive variety those systems had, did they not? Point is Sony has never had to worry about having a main mascot until this generation and looking forward.

FlamesOfGrey

That is true. The times have changed though, and it would have really helped them if they had a returning franchise with mass appeal this gen.

[QUOTE="Planeforger"]

It might be a controversial point, but I agree, Sony doesn't have a strong iconic franchise

They have franchises with the potential to be hugely marketable - Uncharted and Little Big Planet being the most obvious two at the moment - but for whatever reason, they're just not household names. They appeal to the right demographics, they've got good games backing them up, and yet I couldn't start talking about them to people who aren't 'in the know' about games (unlike the Mario games, Halo, etc).

Perhaps they just haven't marketed them correctly? I don't know what they're doing wrong - maybe they just haven't milked them enough to be noticed by the public-at-large.

marq4porsche

PSOne and PS2 had the same issue but sold extremely well ... A marketable franchise is the last thing Sony needs to worry about when it comes to the PS4. Pricing will be the biggest factor.

Sony simply lacks a marketable franchise. I've been thinking about this when I work my crappy retail job. My store sales Mario, Pokemon, Sonic and Angery Birds merchandise. I have seen Halo, Gears, Call of Duty merchandise sold at other stores. But for the life of me I can't recall a Sony franchise that really was marketable in that kind of way. Now I'm sure there is probably some Uncharted or maybe some God of War stuff floating around, but it isn't anywhere near as popular as those other franchises.

When you look at the many franchises Sony owns I can't find something as big as Halo or Pokemon let alone Mario or Zelda. Now that is not to say they have bad franchises because many are really good but I think Sony have done a poor job of creating franchises that bring the consumers around in a real way. Now this isn't a Sony bashing post, just an observation I have made, maybe I'm wrong.

marq4porsche

Anything is marketable if enough money is thrown at doing so. This is proven every single year Ive been alive, by adverts selling things to people they dont really want or need.

As an example, Apple have the best marketing in the world, and manage to sell what is essentially the same product with minor improvements, in the millions to people that already own them.

In Sony's case, they dont do marketing very well. They need to improve their marketing, and in doing so would improve sales.

The very best marketing I have seen this gen was by Nintendo. Not long after the Wii released, they understocked a large part of the UK and other countries, delibertaly. The result was massive hype for the Wii by everyone non gamer, as all the tabloids were reporting how difficult they were to get for Christmas, but everyone wanted one. Online prices sky rocketed, and every store sold out, just because 'they were so hard to find'.

Of course, Nintendo ensured stores had just enough consoles, but never an abundance. It was genius.....

I would like to see an IP from Sony that consoles lack. Namley, a good RTS. Sony could do this, and either have move support or release the game with a mouse peripheral, rather than maiming it by forcing pad use. I think they could do well with that, no other console has managed a good RTS.

[QUOTE="marq4porsche"]

[QUOTE="slvrraven9"] hmm, i guess youre right. well, for a while there was a ton of FF7 stuff..........back in the 90's and early 2000's. and then.....wow, i really have to think about this. slvrraven9

How so? There is a PC version of the game and the game itself was published by Square in the USA and Japan.

Anything is marketable if enough money is thrown at doing so. This is proven every single year Ive been alive, by adverts selling things to people they dont really want or need.

As an example, Apple have the best marketing in the world, and manage to sell what is essentially the same product with minor improvements, in the millions to people that already own them.

In Sony's case, they dont do marketing very well. They need to improve their marketing, and in doing so would improve sales.

The very best marketing I have seen this gen was by Nintendo. Not long after the Wii released, they understocked a large part of the UK and other countries, delibertaly. The result was massive hype for the Wii by everyone non gamer, as all the tabloids were reporting how difficult they were to get for Christmas, but everyone wanted one. Online prices sky rocketed, and every store sold out, just because 'they were so hard to find'.

Of course, Nintendo ensured stores had just enough consoles, but never an abundance. It was genius.....

I would like to see an IP from Sony that consoles lack. Namley, a good RTS. Sony could do this, and either have move support or release the game with a mouse peripheral, rather than maiming it by forcing pad use. I think they could do well with that, no other console has managed a good RTS.

BibiMaghoo

i don't believe this at all. There is always something 'right' about those products, something that somehow defies classification of the time. Just like MarioKart, where the game is lacking by many gameplay standards and yet everyone seems to have a blast with the local multiplayer, ingenious in certain ways really (and btw Nintendo hardly markets Mariokart compared to the marketing other big name series get).

You really think that Apple products are only successful because marketers tell them to like it?

You really think that the only reason the wii was a success was because they artificially limited supply? (and yet the wii was the fastest selling console of all time)

[QUOTE="slvrraven9"][QUOTE="marq4porsche"] Even then, FF7 isn't Sony's.

kaealy

How so? There is a PC version of the game and the game itself was published by Square in the USA and Japan.

FF7 was published by Sony. They hold the rights to it.

Eidos purchased the PC rights directly from Square, so that means the PC rights were never sold to Sony, the console ones were.

[QUOTE="raskullibur"]so whos milking?marq4porsche

I feel LBP,KZ,UC,Twisted Metal,GT,Metal Gear.. all come to mind..MS has Halo,Gears,Forza...

[QUOTE="raskullibur"]so whos milking?marq4porsche

I feel LBP,KZ,UC,Twisted Metal,GT,Metal Gear.. all come to mind..MS has Halo,Gears,Forza...

VanDammFan

Sony owns Metal Gear? When did that happen?

[QUOTE="BibiMaghoo"]

Anything is marketable if enough money is thrown at doing so. This is proven every single year Ive been alive, by adverts selling things to people they dont really want or need.

As an example, Apple have the best marketing in the world, and manage to sell what is essentially the same product with minor improvements, in the millions to people that already own them.

In Sony's case, they dont do marketing very well. They need to improve their marketing, and in doing so would improve sales.

The very best marketing I have seen this gen was by Nintendo. Not long after the Wii released, they understocked a large part of the UK and other countries, delibertaly. The result was massive hype for the Wii by everyone non gamer, as all the tabloids were reporting how difficult they were to get for Christmas, but everyone wanted one. Online prices sky rocketed, and every store sold out, just because 'they were so hard to find'.

Of course, Nintendo ensured stores had just enough consoles, but never an abundance. It was genius.....

I would like to see an IP from Sony that consoles lack. Namley, a good RTS. Sony could do this, and either have move support or release the game with a mouse peripheral, rather than maiming it by forcing pad use. I think they could do well with that, no other console has managed a good RTS.

GunSmith1_basic

i don't believe this at all. There is always something 'right' about those products, something that somehow defies classification of the time. Just like MarioKart, where the game is lacking by many gameplay standards and yet everyone seems to have a blast with the local multiplayer, ingenious in certain ways really (and btw Nintendo hardly markets Mariokart compared to the marketing other big name series get).I dont get what you are saying with this, or how it was relevant to my post?

You really think that Apple products are only successful because marketers tell them to like it?

No, I never said that. However, it is a large contributing factor, weather you agree or not. They have wonderfull marketing, and release minor upgrades of products so frequently its laughable. They sell in the millions. It isnt because the majority of people want those minor upgrades lol, for some it is though granted.

You really think that the only reason the wii was a success was because they artificially limited supply? (and yet the wii was the fastest selling console of all time)

No, again I never said that. Also again lol, it was a large contributing factor to its success in my country at the time.

You have made alot of assumptions in your post, taking a very different meaning from what I posted. I suggest you read it again. I never said 'only reason' with either point. That would be stupid. They were simply factors that added to the success of both examples.

[QUOTE="VanDammFan"]

I feel LBP,KZ,UC,Twisted Metal,GT,Metal Gear.. all come to mind..MS has Halo,Gears,Forza...

waltefmoney

Sony owns Metal Gear? When did that happen?

I guess when I typed it..:roll:

I guess when I typed it..:roll:

VanDammFan

You write things and they come true? Are you a god?

[QUOTE="marq4porsche"]

[QUOTE="raskullibur"]so whos milking?cainetao11

Exactly.

Any company--no matter who it is--will milk a franchise as long as it guarantees them a profit.