As Holiday 2010 begins, Sony and Microsoft lock horns in the HD era of gaming, with no victor in sight. Both can legitimately lay claim to being in a dominant position. Microsoft is DOMINATING sales in North America and has built up Xbox Live to the point where it can begin to rival major television networks with respect to traffic. Xbox Live has become part of the lifestyle of over 30 million, or roughly 10% of the population, gamers in this country. It has brand name reputation, and the backing of one of the richest companies in the world.
However, Sony has won the HD format war with Blu-Ray. It runs a FREE to play PlayStation Network model, and features a pretty impressive PlayStation Plus premium membership as well (personal endorsement). The lack of consumer capital with respect to the PlayStation Network brand has it playing second fiddle to Xbox Live.
Hardcore gamers see GREAT value in this model, but it seems not enough are embracing it. Although Microsoft is dominating sales in North America, Sony has all but obliterated the 10 million console and 1 year head start that the Xbox 360 has had.
Enter MOVE and KINECT. Together, they represent a direct challenge to the Nintendo Wii's stomping grounds and make a case to Wii owners to add another gaming console/media device to their living rooms. I agree with most that KINECT will sell better this holiday season. Sony needs to make great software for the MOVE to get it to succeed. I believe that polishing Little Big Planet 2 and Killzone 3 for an early 2011 launch was a very smart idea. THESE titles are the ones that will be, pardon the pun, MOVING both hardware and software.
Which brings me to my ultimate point...Microsoft's strength lie in its unified online network and brand name reputation; their exclusives, Halo and Gears of War, dominate the sales charts. Other exclusives like Forza, Alan Wake, Fable, and timed exclusives like BioShock, Mass Effect 2, and Oblivion have also helped to round out their portfolio of games. Sony, on the other hand, has a free, open-network model, the power of Blu-Ray, and most importantly, a stable of excellent exclusive studios that pump out an outrageous amount of hit SERIES! God of War, Uncharted, Resistance, inFamous, Killzone, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, Heavy Rain, Ratchet and Clank, Little Big Planet, are some astounding examples that come to mind. Plus, they basically get 95% of what comes to Xbox 360.
Sony seems to like to drop their big games at the beginning of the year while Microsoft does the opposite. I am REALLY let down by the quality of Sony's exclusive lineup this Holiday season. Gran Turismo, Sly Collection, PlayStation Move, and what else? Maybe I am spoiled because I got Uncharted 2 last year or because I had God of War III, Heavy Rain, and MAG to enjoy during the 1st three months of the season, in addition to Mass Effect 2, Red Dead Redemption, Battlefield Bad Company 2, and Final Fantasy XIII (yuck).
I feel like Sony finally caught up, but might have to play catch up again because of Halo, Call of Duty exclusive timed maps (lame isn't it?), and KINECT.
Anyone else feeling me?
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