So far this generation, Sony has decided that taking a back seat is a good thing. Now i dont know if its that the fame of the Playstation 1 and 2 got to them but you cant do that. Especially not this generation. Nintendo and Microsoft got clobbered last generation and theyve come back with a vengence as can be clearly seen. However, this does not mean that Sony is out just yet.
People speculated yesterday, myself included when i first heard, that it was the beginning of the end for Sony when we were informed that Devil May Cry 4 would be appearing simultainously on PS3 and Xbox 360. However, after a couple of hours, most of us were able to calm down and move on. While undoubtibly losing DMC4 was a heavy loss, not just for the console but for many gamers who felt like Devil May Cry was part of their Playstation family, it is not the end of the world. While this may be one of many 3rd party games that was lost to the Xbox 360, it changes, really nothing. The reasons for this, Sony has more 1st party developers than Nintendo and Microsoft put together. And not only do they have a lot, but they all make really awsome games.
Lets not forget that Playstations biggest game possibly, God of War, can never be taken away from us. This is just one of the many games. However, Sony cannot just stand around and wait for God of War 3 for people to start scooping up its systems. They need to start releasing games that are going to catch gamers attentions and make them believe that the PS3 is a good $600 investment. They are already starting to show this. My example is Motorstorm. While it may have gotten a ridiculous score on Motorstorm, it is the Playstation 3s hottest game at the moment. My friend was convinced solely by looking and playing Motorstorm that he had to get a Playstation3. This is good, however, not by far enough. Today, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was released on the PS3 which was what a lot of gamers were waiting for to pick up their PS3s.
Still there is no point in fooling around and beating around the bush here. Playstation 3s saving graces are both of the Final Fantasy XIIIs and Metal Gear Solid 4. Both of these have an immensly huge fan base. However, there is great danger. Both of these are produced by 3rd party developers. Im not to worried about Metal Gear Solid 4 really because from what ive seen thus far this generation, Konami is the one company that hasnt been a) interested in producing on the Xbox 360 or b) bribed by Micro$oft to take away exclusives. Also, with the announcement of rumble going back into the Sixaxis, which was Hideo Kojima's biggest problem with the PS3, Metal Gear Solid 4 is almost 100% comfirmed to be an exclusive. Final Fantasy on the other hand I'm much more worried about. Square Enix, though loyal to Sony last gen, may not prove so this gen. We've already seen one Final Fantasy, FF11, put on the 360. It might have been a bad port, but non the less it was Final Fantasy on the 360. The best way that Sony can secure Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4 also is to increase home install basis.
However, this is kinda a problem when you consider the fact that the PS3 is $600 and not really for a casual gamer. So what can Sony do to solve this problem? LOWER THE PRICE!!! First and for most, that is the most important thing that Sony has to do and the sooner, the better. It is true that Sony is already losing about 200 dollars or so on each system, but the only way to get it back is from sales of games. And they cant be selling games if no one is buying the systems. So lower the price at least to 400 dollars. Yeah, it would hurt Sony, a lot, temporarily, but if they did that, people would start to wonder why they should buy a 360 for the same price since it cant do all the things the PS3 can. Once more PS3s start being bought, the more games that are gonna be sold meaning the more money Sony gets back.
Another thing is, even at $400 the PS3 wont be selling at its best. What it needs is a series of good games. Luckily, that is were the PS3 is showing great progress. It has a big number of 1st party games that are exclusive coming out this year. Lair, Heavenly Sword, Ratchet and Clank, and very important, Killzone 2. Here is where Sony really needs to act fast. First of, release Lair and Heavenly Sword as fast as possible since there are a lot of people looking forward to those games. Secondly, have Killzone 2 up and ready to counter Halo 3 by the time it comes out Setember. At the most delay it til October, but have it ready by fall. Oh, and heres is a BIG one for Killzone 2. MAKE IT FREAKING AWSOME!! For starters, make the graphics come as close as possible to E3 05. Also, make a huge online multiplayer that features somewhere around 64 player online. And finally, and incredible story line and intuative controls. If Sony makes Killzone 2 into this Masterpiece, it might even be enough to topple the colossus that is Halo 3.
If Sony gets this down, as well as having great games like Ratchet and Clank releasing at least once a month, they will have a much higher home install basis come November and December 2007. This time is crutial because it is around this time that Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4 will be releasing. If they can show to Konami and Square Enix that they have a large enough home install basis, they will have no reason not to make them exclusives.
If Sony gets past 2007 doing all of the things said, the success of Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4 will be enough to have them somewhere in the 15 millions of consoles sold. This will be higher than the Xbox 360 at that point in its life. After seeing them make that great of a comeback, the 3rd party developers will come back and produce great exclusives for the PS3 again. Most likely the next GTA and DMC5 will be PS3 exclusives if at least for a while.
2007 is going to be the hardest year for the PS3. However, if Sony plays their cards right and brings the fight to Micro$oft and Nintendo's door, they can be a force to be recconded with come 2008. However, if Sony doesn't secure FF13 or MGS4, all we can do is sit and wait for God of War to come and save us all.
They need to realize that they are in great danger of not only losing this next gen war, but of becoming this generations Dreamcast. Now is the time for new strategies from Sony, now is the time to fight back.