5 things PS4 needs at launch to beat Xbox 720
- Posted July 5th, 2012 at 08:31 EDT by Mike Harradence
- 18 Comments
Chatter on Sony’s inevitable next-generation console has shifted into overdrive in the past six months or so, with many commentators pretty convinced we’ll see the PlayStation 4 – supposedly codenamed Orbis – on shelves by holiday 2013 alongside Microsoft’s new Xbox. In fact, some industry folk expected the machine to put in an appearance at E3 last month, which obviously didn’t happen. Nonetheless, next-gen is just around the corner; Sony is obviously beavering away on its new home console, and we’ve already seen incontrovertible evidence that suggests a number of major developers are staffing up for next-gen projects.
Still, cast your mind back to PS3; as great as the system is now, its first 12 months or so on the market weren’t great, and the launch was pretty shambolic. The price, lack of killer software and an under-developed online component gave early adopters a few headaches. The good news is Sony’s had time to lick its wounds and learn from its blunders. As such, PS4 should be more than equipped to leave the gates all guns blazing – but here’s 5 things we think are a must have for launch to give it the edge over Xbox 720.
- - - - - - - -
Triple-A exclusives
PlayStation 3 had Resistance as its poster boy launch title, which while a solid shooter and a fine visual showcase for Sony’s then-new machine, didn’t really do much else. PS4 needs a true triple-A or two, preferably from an already-established franchise; and with many new IPs introduced in PS3’s life cycle, there are ample games to pick from. Imagine popping down to your local game store come launch day and coming away with a shiny new PS4 and a copy of Uncharted 4? LittleBigPlanet 3? God of War IV? Having triple-A exclusives is key to any successful launch, and while PS4 needs more than just Nathan Drake or Kratos flying the flag for early adopters, their impact cannot be understated. Just don't expect Gran Turismo 6 on day one.
Robust PSN or bust
PlayStation Network is the heart of Sony’s gaming community. It’s where gamers flock to partake in heated, contention-filled bouts of online gaming, team up in some satisfying co-op, purchase digital goods and hang out in PS Home. The service has come on leaps and bounds since its inception in November 2006, but at launch it wasn’t exactly in great shape. PS4 needs to take the service to the next level by introducing some exciting new initiatives to welcome gamers to Sony’s latest home console, iron out all the creases – no more bloody frequent Firmware updates please! – and offer top notch content from day one. If backwards compatibility is out the door, then we want to see a comprehensive line-up of back catalogue titles up for grabs, ranging from PS1, PS2 and even PS3 (though the notion of PS3 games not being b/c is pretty far-fetched). Xbox Live is a killer service, and PSN needs to stay in the game if it’s going to compete.
Cloud gaming
Sony’s recent acquisition of Gaikai is no doubt going to form an integral component in its plans for PS4. Cloud gaming is the next logical step in the way we experience games, and has a wide variety of applications for Sony to take advantage of. Imagine the possibilities of having a robust Cloud service from day one. Sony could offer its entire PS1/2 back catalogue up for streaming at launch, distribute playable demos of new PS4 games and even flog those triple-A juggernauts to boot. No more having to free up space or waiting for downloads to finish; just stream the content you want and enjoy it instantaneously. Sure, there's a heap of logistical issues to consider with Cloud gaming (uptake of high-speed broadband, for one, which in some parts of the world isn't quite there yet), but if Sony can at least have some sort of initiative there on launch day, it'd give it a massive advantage over the competition. With Microsoft’s Cloud plans up in the air, Sony could well and truly pip the Next Box to the post in this regard.
Strong PS Vita compatibility
Sony has been trumpeting the cross-play functionality between PS3 and PlayStation Vita since day one, but you’d be off your rocker to assume the buck stops with your trusty old black slab. Nope, ever since PS Vita was conceived, there’s no doubt in our minds that the electronics giant had begun planning a comprehensive compatibility plan for PS4 and PS Vita. In fact, this has already been shouted out on the web numerous times, specifically when the whole Orbis rumors reared their heads, bringing with them the tantalizing prospect of the ‘circle of life’ – that is, the purported relationship that Sony’s next-gen console will share with its portable cousin. Sony would be foolish not to launch PS4 with an extensive line-up of cross-media functions with PS Vita, whether that manifest in traditional transferable saves between games, cross-platform play or something even more exciting.
The price is right
Anyone remember PS3's launch price? Enough said, we think. Sure, while PS4 is sure to be a powerhouse with some meaty innards, we hope that the company is looking at ways to keep the costs down while still offering something that is sure to dazzle from a technical perspective. The firm attempted to do this with PS Vita, which we think for the most part was quite successful. From what we’ve heard, PS4 won’t make use of Sony’s proprietary cell processor, which was a major contributing factor to PS3’s high price point and subsequent slow sales. If the rumors are true, then the platform holder is plumping for AMD, which would surely trim some of the unncessary fat in regards to costs. PS4 needs to be positioned at an affordable price point, so we’re hoping Sony decides not to perpetuate Ken Kutaragi’s ambitious yet flawed cell-loving strategy for its next-gen effort.
Email
Related Content
Comments
-
sony1978a |
Aked- 8:48am EDT - July 5th, 2012
- 1
I agree with all that, very good points, also i like to add and i am SURE about this, The Agent Rockstar game is PS4 ONLY on day one :)
and also I want PS4 to come with Action replay cheats :) i love Cheating it makes my gaming more fun :)
ATTION ALL, I DONT CHEAT ONLINE . just so you know.
-
-
Amy Lea Day
- 10:13am EDT - July 5th, 2012
- 3
Please make the final fantasy and kingdom hearts games for it
-
Hayley Legros
- 10:36am EDT - July 5th, 2012
- 4
PS4 definitely needs to be cheaper than when the PS3 came out. They'll also need to launch it with some good exclusives. Launching Uncharted 4 with the PS4 would be fantastic.
I like the PSN service and feel they've done a good job with it. They just really need to add cross-game chat/party chat, etc. People like being able to communicate with their friends without playing the same game. Others like to talk to their friends in private. The Vita has cross game chat so i'm sure this feature will definitely be available on the PS4.
A KH game would be great, and I seriously hope they put it on the PS4, but there are also chances of it appearing on other consoles as well.
-
ItotheCtotheE
- 11:23am EDT - July 5th, 2012
- 5
Price is the only thing that matters. The battle between the 360 and PS3 has everything to do with call of duty and the price of the 360 versus the PS3. In North America, which is the only place in the world that the 360 has outsold the PS3, dudes call up their friends and tell them to play COD. They have it on 360 so their friends also have to get an xbox.
Looking at the lead of consoles sold that the 360 has, it's the number of consoles that were sold in the 360's first year on the market before the PS3 came out. (at least it was last year when I looked this stuff up)
If you want to beat the next xbox you need to attract an audience that doesn't play either system. 360 sold 2 million kinnects, most of those are to people who don't play 360 or PS3 (I bought one for my mom, I have not bought one for myself). I would suggest the PS4 should try and run some PC games like League of Legends or DOTA2, get some mouse and keyboard support and the ability to stream games online via TwitchTV. Those people may consider buying one.
-
-
JackC |
jack1982cp- 11:27am EDT - July 5th, 2012
- 7
The way to win at any business is to come out with a superior product, be first to market with it, and have it competitively priced. But with a Sony executive recently saying that "We've never been first, we've never been cheapest", I doubt that will be the case. They really do not seem capable of learning from past mistakes, and are apparently still under the impression that they're rolling in money.
At the very least, they need to fire their advertising department, which did more to turn people off to the PS3 at launch than even the price. But of course they won't. We'll be bombarded with tens of millions of dollars worth of advertisements and we won't even be able to figure out what they're for.
-
-
stealth20k
- 1:15pm EDT - July 5th, 2012
- 9
"Sony could offer its entire PS1/2 back catalogue up for streaming at launch,"
No they cant actually, its impossible, only if its sony's actual games, but really, its kind of worthless
Only price is correct
The vita is a giant flop and the ps4 will be the same if price, exclusives, visivbility arent there. AAA exclusives? you mean the ones that arent pushing ps3's?
Whats going to push the ps3 is those niche rpgs
-
joeyjoejoeshababadoo
- 1:32pm EDT - July 5th, 2012
- 10
I feel like I may have seen article like this one already.. About 60 times.
-
steviej
- 4:52pm EDT - July 5th, 2012
- 11
Best check the sales in the UK, the 360 is expected to surpass the Wii this year or early next year.
Also, Kinect sold much more than 2m. Check the Guinness Book of Records to see that Kinect is the fastest selling electronic device in History, 8m in 60 days, currently almost 17m.
-
Alpha2
- 7:26pm EDT - July 5th, 2012
- 12
What is so all fired awesome about XBL these days that the PSN isnt competing already? PLEASE explain. See even if Sony comes out with something awesome people just ignore it because it's "not XBL". There is litterally nothing short of them giving you free games that will put people in a mindset that actually praises PSN more than XBL, Oh wait they already DO that if you're a Plus subscriber. And the whole point of having multipla system updates is to IMPROVE the system rather than have it constantly getting hacked by thieves and cheaters looking to ruin the experiences for everyone not to mention adding features when they find something new that they CAN add to the network. You know what would make PSN better is if the people using it for FREE would STOP FRIGGIN' COMPLAINING ABOUT UPDATES.
Cloud gaming sucks. But you know something if you want it to be exciting, offer things that you cant play on the console. Dont force people to only play games by this garbage unless they're games you can ONLY play that way.
Vita, I said from the very beginning, needs to have compatibility with PSN games. It means for those people willing to buy the download only content that there will be tons of games ready to go to shut up the haters. This also means backwards compatibility for PSN games on the PS4, I will NOT repeat NOT buy games a second time the way they're asking us to do with PS2 remakes and PSone classics. Again, I suggested that the on disc versions of the games should have been able to be converted to digital versions like MP3s to be played on the PSP or at the very least allow you access to the downloads from the PSN where applicable. Enough forcing people to buy games multiple times.
As for price just stay in the $300 to $350 price range and people will be less likely to complain. OH WAIT, it's Sony, people will ALWAYS find some imaginary reason to complain even if it came out for 250 with all these features at launch.
-
ItotheCtotheE
- 12:43am EDT - July 6th, 2012
- 13
@stevej
Well according to VG Chartz www.vgchartz.com/
worldwide 360 is at 67.1 million, PS3 is at 65 million. They don't break down UK specific but euro totals are 360 at 21.1 million and PS3 at 25.3 million.
18 million kinnects is a good number for them but my opinion of the device stands, "most of those are to people who don't play 360 or PS3 (I bought one for my mom, I have not bought one for myself)."
-
harley2947 |
harley2947- 3:33am EDT - July 6th, 2012
- 14
PS4 will be more because of the cloud gaming they'll have
-
acecombat2011
- 10:56am EDT - July 6th, 2012
- 15
cloud no thanks Vita no thanks just make the graphics up tocurrent PC standards
-
-
-
Katie Mark
- 6:55pm EDT - July 7th, 2012
- 18
Would you guys please cite that the image you are using for the Playstation 4 comes from http://sonyps4.com
This will permanently ban this user and delete all associated comments. This action is irreversible, are you SURE you want to do this?!
