Sony sacfriced gaming marketshare to win the format war.

By making Blu ray a intergral part of the PS3 they knew they would win the formats wars.They also knew that they would lose a big chunk  of the gaming market to MS and Nintendo by pricing the PS3 at $599/£425.

I personally think they did the right thing,with the success of the Wii the PS3 would still be struggling even if it was $200 less.

There would also be nothing that would set it apart from the 360 and with so many 3rd party games going multi-plat and and big 360 games like Gears,Mass Effect and Halo3 out before any of Sony's big guns they would still be losing out to MS for the first few years.

I think 2008 is going to be the big year for Sony,if Blu Ray has won the format war by then and they manage to drop the price .MGS4 and FFXIII and maybe GT5?should come out then as well,all those factors comnined should give the PS3 a massive boost in sales.

By then we'll also know if the Wii was a fad or not.Personally I think the Wii will still be going strong but its just not my cup of tea at the moment.

Well thats my take on the state of teh System Wars at teh mo.

By making Blu ray a intergral part of the PS3 they knew they would win the formats wars.They also knew that they would lose a big chunk  of the gaming market to MS and Nintendo by pricing the PS3 at $599/£425.

I personally think they did the right thing,with the success of the Wii the PS3 would still be struggling even if it was $200 less.

There would also be nothing that would set it apart from the 360 and with so many 3rd party games going multi-plat and and big 360 games like Gears,Mass Effect and Halo3 out before any of Sony's big guns they would still be losing out to MS for the first few years.

I think 2008 is going to be the big year for Sony,if Blu Ray has won the format war by then and they manage to drop the price .MGS4 and FFXIII and maybe GT5?should come out then as well,all those factors comnined should give the PS3 a massive boost in sales.

By then we'll also know if the Wii was a fad or not.Personally I think the Wii will still be going strong but its just not my cup of tea at the moment.

Well thats my take on the state of teh System Wars at teh mo.

 

 

gsx1100

I think what will help Sony out in the long run is HDTV sales.  As saturation continues, more and more people are going to want to take advantage of their televisions by buying HD compatable gear.

I agree here.  From the get go I had a sneaking suspicion it wasn't about games, it was about the format.  I've heard that video games are a 10 billion dollar a year industry.  Dvd sales/rentals make about 24 billion dollars a year.  Now imagine if Blu-ray became the new DVD.  It's not perfect, but Sony would recieve royalties for every disc sold, and would stand to make a lot more money than if they simply won the console war.  That's what the PS3 is about.  They'll never admit it, but they packaged their surefire success with their new format in order to get it into the market, because they can smell the $$$ if it works.rykaziel

I agree here.  From the get go I had a sneaking suspicion it wasn't about games, it was about the format.  I've heard that video games are a 10 billion dollar a year industry.  Dvd sales/rentals make about 24 billion dollars a year.  Now imagine if Blu-ray became the new DVD.  It's not perfect, but Sony would recieve royalties for every disc sold, and would stand to make a lot more money than if they simply won the console war.  That's what the PS3 is about.  They'll never admit it, but they packaged their surefire success with their new format in order to get it into the market, because they can smell the $$$ if it works.rykaziel

Sony is certainly just as interested in attracting people to their new format, and no, it has nothing to do with games.  Just look at the market they attempted to create with UMD.

The format war is not over yet.

The PS3 has given Blu-Ray a big advantage so far this year. If people remember, UMD sales were also very strong for a couple of months after the PSP launched but it did not last. As more games become available for the PS3, and as people become more accustomed and used to high-definition media, Blu-Ray sales will go down. They won't nosedive, but they will still go down.

HD DVD is still alive and kicking and still selling well compared to Blu-Ray in stand-alone sales. It's going to be a while before this is decided.

Personally I don't care which format triumphs over the other - I think they're both going to inevitably fail against digital distribution. HD DVD & Blu-Ray are not the only means of which we can get high-definition content. The adoption rate of both is going to be really, really slow compared to what DVD saw against VHS.

yep it was there trade off. they care more about movies than games. that's clear. movies format makes them more money.

If it turns out good for them then it would've been a compromise well worth making (though this is assuming the hit their marketshare takes isn't too big.

I made a thread on this months ago, nobody agreed. It seems with another poster posting the same point I originally raised. The reception is less taboo. gingerdivid

If Blu Ray becomes THE HD format Sony will make more money then their video game division has ever given them.

Its that important.

If Blu Ray becomes THE HD format Sony will make more money then their video game division has ever given them.

Its that important.

Bread_or_Decide

Regardless, I don't see Bluray or HDDVD winning anything this generation, or maybe the next.

The format war is not over yet.

The PS3 has given Blu-Ray a big advantage so far this year. If people remember, UMD sales were also very strong for a couple of months after the PSP launched but it did not last. As more games become available for the PS3, and as people become more accustomed and used to high-definition media, Blu-Ray sales will go down. They won't nosedive, but they will still go down.

HD DVD is still alive and kicking and still selling well compared to Blu-Ray in stand-alone sales. It's going to be a while before this is decided.

Personally I don't care which format triumphs over the other - I think they're both going to inevitably fail against digital distribution. HD DVD & Blu-Ray are not the only means of which we can get high-definition content. The adoption rate of both is going to be really, really slow compared to what DVD saw against VHS.

thinicer

People will always want to physically own their movies and music. Downloadble itune music hasn't gotten rid of the CD. The hard copy is something I will always want so I don't think HD digital distribution will kill the HD disc formats.

By making Blu ray a intergral part of the PS3 they knew they would win the formats wars.They also knew that they would lose a big chunk  of the gaming market to MS and Nintendo by pricing the PS3 at $599/£425.

I personally think they did the right thing,with the success of the Wii the PS3 would still be struggling even if it was $200 less.

There would also be nothing that would set it apart from the 360 and with so many 3rd party games going multi-plat and and big 360 games like Gears,Mass Effect and Halo3 out before any of Sony's big guns they would still be losing out to MS for the first few years.

I think 2008 is going to be the big year for Sony,if Blu Ray has won the format war by then and they manage to drop the price .MGS4 and FFXIII and maybe GT5?should come out then as well,all those factors comnined should give the PS3 a massive boost in sales.

By then we'll also know if the Wii was a fad or not.Personally I think the Wii will still be going strong but its just not my cup of tea at the moment.

Well thats my take on the state of teh System Wars at teh mo.

 

 

gsx1100

that doesn't make sense.  a console has never dicated the outcome of formats, contrary to what the ps forums say.

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

If Blu Ray becomes THE HD format Sony will make more money then their video game division has ever given them.

Its that important.

Jandurin

Regardless, I don't see Bluray or HDDVD winning anything this generation, or maybe the next.

Well I love movies more then I love games so it works out quite well for me. In fact I finally ordered me that PS3 with some movies.

Now all I need is that Wii and all will be right with the world.

I don't think HD digital distribution will kill the HD disc formats.Bread_or_Decide

[QUOTE="gsx1100"]

By making Blu ray a intergral part of the PS3 they knew they would win the formats wars.They also knew that they would lose a big chunk  of the gaming market to MS and Nintendo by pricing the PS3 at $599/£425.

I personally think they did the right thing,with the success of the Wii the PS3 would still be struggling even if it was $200 less.

There would also be nothing that would set it apart from the 360 and with so many 3rd party games going multi-plat and and big 360 games like Gears,Mass Effect and Halo3 out before any of Sony's big guns they would still be losing out to MS for the first few years.

I think 2008 is going to be the big year for Sony,if Blu Ray has won the format war by then and they manage to drop the price .MGS4 and FFXIII and maybe GT5?should come out then as well,all those factors comnined should give the PS3 a massive boost in sales.

By then we'll also know if the Wii was a fad or not.Personally I think the Wii will still be going strong but its just not my cup of tea at the moment.

Well thats my take on the state of teh System Wars at teh mo.

 

 

tango90101

that doesn't make sense.  a console has never dicated the outcome of formats, contrary to what the ps forums say.

*cough*DVD*cough*PS2*cough*

[QUOTE="gsx1100"]

By making Blu ray a intergral part of the PS3 they knew they would win the formats wars.They also knew that they would lose a big chunk  of the gaming market to MS and Nintendo by pricing the PS3 at $599/£425.

I personally think they did the right thing,with the success of the Wii the PS3 would still be struggling even if it was $200 less.

There would also be nothing that would set it apart from the 360 and with so many 3rd party games going multi-plat and and big 360 games like Gears,Mass Effect and Halo3 out before any of Sony's big guns they would still be losing out to MS for the first few years.

I think 2008 is going to be the big year for Sony,if Blu Ray has won the format war by then and they manage to drop the price .MGS4 and FFXIII and maybe GT5?should come out then as well,all those factors comnined should give the PS3 a massive boost in sales.

By then we'll also know if the Wii was a fad or not.Personally I think the Wii will still be going strong but its just not my cup of tea at the moment.

Well thats my take on the state of teh System Wars at teh mo.

 

 

tango90101

that doesn't make sense.  a console has never dicated the outcome of formats, contrary to what the ps forums say.

Actually they have. PS2 did help with DVD and PSP did help to kill UMD.

Oh, and screw the Colts. GO BEARS!

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]I don't think HD digital distribution will kill the HD disc formats.Jandurin

DVD sales are down from where they used to be. HD discs could re-ignite the excitement for buying movies again. Who knows.

People will always want to physically own their movies and music. Downloadble itune music hasn't gotten rid of the CD. The hard copy is something I will always want so I don't think HD digital distribution will kill the HD disc formats.

Bread_or_Decide

I don't know. times are changing. the young ppl are fine with having their music in digital form. and these young ppl are the going to be the major consumers for the next 20 years.  itunes is really making digital distribution widely accepted.

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]I don't think HD digital distribution will kill the HD disc formats.Bread_or_Decide

DVD sales are down from where they used to be. HD discs could re-ignite the excitement for buying movies again. Who knows.

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]I don't think HD digital distribution will kill the HD disc formats.Jandurin

DVD sales are down from where they used to be. HD discs could re-ignite the excitement for buying movies again. Who knows.

well at this point, players and discs are priced at what DVD's used to cost.

All they need is to lower the price on the players and release a HUGE title at sale price.

[QUOTE="thinicer"]

The format war is not over yet.

The PS3 has given Blu-Ray a big advantage so far this year. If people remember, UMD sales were also very strong for a couple of months after the PSP launched but it did not last. As more games become available for the PS3, and as people become more accustomed and used to high-definition media, Blu-Ray sales will go down. They won't nosedive, but they will still go down.

HD DVD is still alive and kicking and still selling well compared to Blu-Ray in stand-alone sales. It's going to be a while before this is decided.

Personally I don't care which format triumphs over the other - I think they're both going to inevitably fail against digital distribution. HD DVD & Blu-Ray are not the only means of which we can get high-definition content. The adoption rate of both is going to be really, really slow compared to what DVD saw against VHS.

Bread_or_Decide

People will always want to physically own their movies and music. Downloadble itune music hasn't gotten rid of the CD. The hard copy is something I will always want so I don't think HD digital distribution will kill the HD disc formats.

All they need is to lower the price on the players and release a HUGE title at sale price. Bread_or_Decide

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

People will always want to physically own their movies and music. Downloadble itune music hasn't gotten rid of the CD. The hard copy is something I will always want so I don't think HD digital distribution will kill the HD disc formats.

Ontain

I don't know. times are changing. the young ppl are fine with having their music in digital form. and these young ppl are the going to be the major consumers for the next 20 years.  itunes is really making digital distribution widely accepted.

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

By making Blu ray a intergral part of the PS3 they knew they would win the formats wars.They also knew that they would lose a big chunk  of the gaming market to MS and Nintendo by pricing the PS3 at $599/£425.

I personally think they did the right thing,with the success of the Wii the PS3 would still be struggling even if it was $200 less.

There would also be nothing that would set it apart from the 360 and with so many 3rd party games going multi-plat and and big 360 games like Gears,Mass Effect and Halo3 out before any of Sony's big guns they would still be losing out to MS for the first few years.

I think 2008 is going to be the big year for Sony,if Blu Ray has won the format war by then and they manage to drop the price .MGS4 and FFXIII and maybe GT5?should come out then as well,all those factors comnined should give the PS3 a massive boost in sales.

By then we'll also know if the Wii was a fad or not.Personally I think the Wii will still be going strong but its just not my cup of tea at the moment.

Well thats my take on the state of teh System Wars at teh mo.

 

 

gsx1100

EXACTLY! Thank you. Sony is to big of a company to live off the PlayStation alone. All sectors of Sony's business is loosing money except for the PlayStation department. In order to save itself it made sense to use there huge PlayStation fan base as pawns to fortify their blue ray format. Owning the next home movie format means billions for Sony. Its way more important to them then dominating the game market like they did last gen. I think Sony is fine with coming in second in the console wars as long as blue ray wins the format war.

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

Bread_or_Decide

EXACTLY! Thank you. Sony is to big of a company to live off the PlayStation alone. All sectors of Sony's business is loosing money except for the PlayStation department. In order to save itself it made since to use there huge PlayStation fan base as pawns to fortify their blue ray format. Owning the next home movie format means billions for Sony. Its way more improtant to them then domanating the game makret like they did last gen. I think Sony is fine with coming in second in the console wars as long as blue ray wins the format war. Nugtoka

Not that I actually know, but I'm pretty sure.

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]All they need is to lower the price on the players and release a HUGE title at sale price. Jandurin

The tech is still in its infancy. Right now its only for those who are willing to pay a premium. In 2-3 years enough HD TV's will be sold and trust me, owning an HD TV really makes you want EVERYTHING in HD. Thats when HD video will score big. You do SEE  a difference, its not minimal, its extraordinary. Totally enhacing the movie viewing experience, at least for me it does.

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]All they need is to lower the price on the players and release a HUGE title at sale price. Bread_or_Decide

The tech is still in its infancy. Right now its only for those who are willing to pay a premium. In 2-3 years enough HD TV's will be sold and trust me, owning an HD TV really makes you want EVERYTHING in HD. Thats when HD video will score big. You do SEE  a difference, its not minimal, its extraordinary. Totally enhacing the movie viewing experience, at least for me it does.

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

Jandurin

Dude my CD'S only leave their case ONCE, and thats to get burned to my Zune. They never see the light of day again lol. How are they more likely to get scratched?

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

Bread_or_Decide

Dude my CD'S only leave their case ONCE, and thats to get burned to my Zune. They never see the light of day again lol. How are they more likely to get scratched?

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

Jandurin

And as I said, you can fit 100 CDs worth of data on a DVD-RW for backup.  If your HD crashes and dies, just whip out the DVDs and reinstall your music.  Plus many people have removable hard drives or redundant drives for backup.  So yeah, no need for physical media with regards to music... IF you have an MP3 player.

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]All they need is to lower the price on the players and release a HUGE title at sale price. Jandurin

The tech is still in its infancy. Right now its only for those who are willing to pay a premium. In 2-3 years enough HD TV's will be sold and trust me, owning an HD TV really makes you want EVERYTHING in HD. Thats when HD video will score big. You do SEE  a difference, its not minimal, its extraordinary. Totally enhacing the movie viewing experience, at least for me it does.

Yes Widescreen is awesome. Films in 1:85 have no black bars and films in 2:35 have small black bars. No more reason to buy full screen for the ignorant folks who bought that crap.

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"][QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

Jandurin

Dude my CD'S only leave their case ONCE, and thats to get burned to my Zune. They never see the light of day again lol. How are they more likely to get scratched?

Mmmmm...can I interest you in a Zune?

:P

Yes Widescreen is awesome. Films in 1:85 have no black bars and films in 2:35 have small black bars. No more reason to buy full screen for the ignorant folks who bought that crap.Bread_or_Decide

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

donalbane

And as I said, you can fit 100 CDs worth of data on a DVD-RW for backup.  If your HD crashes and dies, just whip out the DVDs and reinstall your music.  Plus many people have removable hard drives or redundant drives for backup.  So yeah, no need for physical media with regards to music... IF you have an MP3 player.

Well I do agree on one thing, I would love to burn all my DVD's into a hard drive and just play them off that to my TV any time I want. That would rock.

Its simple take the IPOD and make it for DVD's. Million dollar idea right there.

[QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"][QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

Bread_or_Decide

Dude my CD'S only leave their case ONCE, and thats to get burned to my Zune. They never see the light of day again lol. How are they more likely to get scratched?

Mmmmm...can I interest you in a Zune?

:P

[QUOTE="tango90101"][QUOTE="gsx1100"]

By making Blu ray a intergral part of the PS3 they knew they would win the formats wars.They also knew that they would lose a big chunk  of the gaming market to MS and Nintendo by pricing the PS3 at $599/£425.

I personally think they did the right thing,with the success of the Wii the PS3 would still be struggling even if it was $200 less.

There would also be nothing that would set it apart from the 360 and with so many 3rd party games going multi-plat and and big 360 games like Gears,Mass Effect and Halo3 out before any of Sony's big guns they would still be losing out to MS for the first few years.

I think 2008 is going to be the big year for Sony,if Blu Ray has won the format war by then and they manage to drop the price .MGS4 and FFXIII and maybe GT5?should come out then as well,all those factors comnined should give the PS3 a massive boost in sales.

By then we'll also know if the Wii was a fad or not.Personally I think the Wii will still be going strong but its just not my cup of tea at the moment.

Well thats my take on the state of teh System Wars at teh mo.

 

 

SkyCastleDan

that doesn't make sense.  a console has never dicated the outcome of formats, contrary to what the ps forums say.

Actually they have. PS2 did help with DVD and PSP did help to kill UMD.

Oh, and screw the Colts. GO BEARS!

i haven't read anywhere that the success of dvd was because of the help of the ps2...

Bears?  puh-leeez.....  MANNING FTW... :D

[QUOTE="donalbane"][QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

Bread_or_Decide

And as I said, you can fit 100 CDs worth of data on a DVD-RW for backup.  If your HD crashes and dies, just whip out the DVDs and reinstall your music.  Plus many people have removable hard drives or redundant drives for backup.  So yeah, no need for physical media with regards to music... IF you have an MP3 player.

Well I do agree on one thing, I would love to burn all my DVD's into a hard drive and just play them off that to my TV any time I want. That would rock.

Its simple take the IPOD and make it for DVD's. Million dollar idea right there.

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"][QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"][QUOTE="Jandurin"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

donalbane

Dude my CD'S only leave their case ONCE, and thats to get burned to my Zune. They never see the light of day again lol. How are they more likely to get scratched?

Mmmmm...can I interest you in a Zune?

:P

Creative Zen was my second choice. I do like my Zune but its got alot of the crap that I don't like about the Ipod.

Zen doesn't control you, you control the Zen.

So do you like your Zune?  I have a Creative Zen Vision.  And for those of you without MP3 players, perhaps you can see thier advantages... no need for physical media.  Hundreds of CDs with you at all times in an item the size of a deck of playing cards.  Pretty cool.donalbane

[QUOTE="Ontain"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

People will always want to physically own their movies and music. Downloadble itune music hasn't gotten rid of the CD. The hard copy is something I will always want so I don't think HD digital distribution will kill the HD disc formats.

Bread_or_Decide

I don't know. times are changing. the young ppl are fine with having their music in digital form. and these young ppl are the going to be the major consumers for the next 20 years. itunes is really making digital distribution widely accepted.

Well if you computer or ipod die then you lose everything. Young ppl love their ipods but they are still burning cd's into them.

you can backup your itune library to dvd or external harddrive. backing up files isn't something new.

[QUOTE="donalbane"]So do you like your Zune?  I have a Creative Zen Vision.  And for those of you without MP3 players, perhaps you can see thier advantages... no need for physical media.  Hundreds of CDs with you at all times in an item the size of a deck of playing cards.  Pretty cool.Jandurin

This thread points to what I have been saying since the PSX was launched.  Sony IS NOT, WAS NOT and NEVER WILL BE a game company. That's not their M.O.  They are an ELECTRONICS company.  Nintendo is a game company (Call them kiddy all you want), Sega is/was a game company.  That's their primary focus. 

Saying that the PS2, PSP and PS3 were/are trojan horses for new formats is a no brainer when you look at who's behind it all.  I mean sure some great games are likely to slip through the cracks but that's neither her or there for Sony because they have their sights set on an entirely different target.  The only reason you are hearing rumblings now about the corporate shuffle is because Sony didn't quite expect the reception that the Wii has been recieving, which could possibly put a major dent in their trojan horse blueprint.

Make no mistake about it, if things continue down this road in 08 through 09, don't expect to see a PS4. Quote me on that.