PlayStation backtracking isn’t enough

It’s been a productive time in the gaming industry as of late. I think it’s clear, XBOX are now ramping up their ambitions in the console hardware space going into the next generation with Project Helix. After Sony’s attitude towards physical media. They can smell blood. Of course, XBOX has been in the news recently with its cloud limits. I am not sure how that helps their way of building on the sort of audience they need. It’s clear that cloud gaming usage is actually growing and becoming an important part within the Eco-systems that these platform holders have.

However, I’ve seen a lot of fans recently moving from Sony to XBOX. I have even seen some moves to Nintendo Switch 2. All Sony had to do was license their Blu-ray tech. They didn’t need to take the backlash for a future that most publishers are looking for and wanting to be the future.

I think this is probably the equivalent to how bad the Xbox One generation was for Microsoft. It’s just been a very badly mismanaged generation by Sony that has had more negatives than positives throughout. They’re not at all ready for the next generation and unless they have incredible software from the get go, and increase their output quite dramatically then why wouldn’t people look at other platforms with interest?

There is a high price to pay to entirely trust a closed Eco-system that hasn’t communicated at all well this entire generation. There have been a number of times I have read on Push Square about the need for better communication from Sammy. It’s just been completely ignored by Sony.

Then when you consider how bad the recent State of Play was for the majority. I think PlayStation are starting to lose even some of their ‘own supporters’ faith just a little bit and it’s down to that ongoing incompetence. So how can they reverse that? Well, it’s going to have to start with new leadership and actually doing the kind of things that the PS4 did so well.

The problem with that is I feel the gaming industry has gotten more corporate regarding the way it understands the needs of its fans. The things that XBOX seems to be doing so well at least is listening to the feedback and improving and they’re doing so in a way that is quite clever. And let’s be honest, they’re doing so because there is a need to because they’re so far behind.

It only takes a few good decisions to start getting some faith restored in your brand, but at the same time, let’s not kid ourselves. There is no saint in the gaming industry, but where competition is there, that’s when you always have a chance for some of the right things to start going your way again.

Ultimately, sometimes even when you’re not hitting all the right notes. You’re still very much performing to a standard. That always gives you a chance within an industry led by Sony that’s needed a kick up the arse for quite some time now. Fans are always going to dictate what is successful and what is not.

Sure, you can have your digital future, but as we all know, if you do not meet fans half-way regarding how they wish to move forward with their entire collections. You’re always going to be in trouble. Even if it’s in the minority, a brand tainted, it’s never the same after 30 years of loyalty, and I believe Sony has recently realized that and is backtracking accordingly.

It’s not enough though, they need to start getting things right with their game studios and bringing back more of what fans love. They also need to take the lead and improve their digital store. Because while I understand the need to get as much out of your fan base as you can through the likes of PlayStation Plus.

If Sony does not read the room in terms of this upcoming generation being different from past ones. Then they could find themselves just hinging on past glories while not actually evolving.

PlayStation is in a great place right now. They’re doing better than ever, and we want them to continue to do well, but they’re going to have to meet their audience half-way and stop seeing them as just dollar signs. That becomes hard to do though, when that’s all the current PlayStation boss knows.