Sony has yet to announce the PlayStation 4, however I have created a plan that if executed would be great way for Sony to release the PS4.
Sony announced in March 1999 that PlayStation 2 was under development. However it wasn’t revealed until May 12, 2000 during a pre-E3 press conference that the PlayStation 2 would ship in North America on October 26, 2000 at a price of US$299. There were 30 launch titles available for the PlayStation 2. Sony’s strategy to reveal the PS2 release date before the largest video game conference and to include an extensive list of launch titles worked tremendously for exciting the gaming consumers.
It was announced at E3 2006 that the PlayStation 3 would be available worldwide early November 2006. Sony once again decided to use the E3 platform to create a buzz for their upcoming console. The 20GB PS3 was priced at $499 and 60GB for $599. These prices created uproar in the gaming community and it resulted in Sony’s PlayStation 3 getting off to a slow start in the console wars with Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. With the expensive hardware and the disappointing PS3 sales, it took four years for Sony to begin making money on its PlayStation 3 console.
It is safe to say that with the success of PS1 and PS2, Sony assumed that with the highest launch retail price for a console in video game history that gamers would purchase the PlayStation 3 regardless of how much it costs. That proved to be poor judgment on the companies end and they suffered the consequences.
I am hopeful that Sony has learned from their mistakes, and if not then I have the perfect launch guide that would help propel PlayStation 4 to lead the next generation of consoles.
1. Do not announce PlayStation 4 until E3 2015. Developers need to continue exploring the power of the PlayStation 3 and Sony just begun making a profit on their current console last year. Do not let Nintendo’s Wii U 2012 release or the rumored next Xbox in 2013 force you to an earlier release date. Let them take the stand and capitalize off their mistakes.
2. Pack the PS4 with power features. DVR capabilities would be a great addition which would make the PlayStation 4 the ultimate home entertainment system. DVR would be included with a monthly service and have the lowest price in the industry.
- Get rid of PlayStation Move, and use body movement-based control like Kinect.
- Upgrade PlayStation Home and have it as option to replace XMB. Allow gamers to access music on stereo, videos/photos on TV, and games via virtual PS4 on your TV. The internet and PS store could be accessed via a laptop. System settings would be modified from a toolbox and the PDA functions as your friend list.
- Have social networking (Facebook, Twitter) incorporated to PlayStation 4.
- Upgrade online features. Allow cross-game chat for PS4.
- Backwards compatibilities with PS1, PS2 and PS3.
- Close the gap between PC and console graphics.
3. Include minimum 25 PlayStation 4 launch titles with one major title such as Grand Theft Auto, Gran Turismo, Call of Duty, LittleBigPlanet, Metal Gear Solid, or Uncharted.
4. Launch PS4 with a normal selling price. $399 would be a great selling point and it would not have consumers cringing at a high launch price as was the case with the PlayStation 3.
5. Launch the PlayStation 4 worldwide in October. After the PS4 sells out, another large batch will be available before Black Friday in November. Following the sales mania that Black Friday creates for all products and retail stores, be prepared for the rush that Christmas will bring in the following month. This would strategically be the best way for Sony to get the PS4 in households.
This is my launch guide to the PlayStation 4, and I hope that the next console Sony releases is worth the upgrade and is packed with enough features that will lure Xbox and Nintendo gamers to PlayStation 4.
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