As you probably know, E3 is going on this week with the major developers and console makers (except for Nintendo) putting on elaborate conferences to showcase their upcoming games and the big news being the Xbox One and Playstation 4.
But where many gamers have been questioning the decisions of Microsoft, Sony showed up and in the eyes of the general consumer, won the next gen war before it started.
Playing a Game of DRM Chicken:
For the last few months, members of the industry speculated on what the next generation of consoles would mean for the used game market. With the increased crackdown of used game sales with digital codes and project ten dollar, many people concluded that Sony and Microsoft would be doing something with their consoles.
Both console makers knew how important the announcement over this would be and kept silent. As it turned out, Microsoft went first and announced their plans for used games, backwards compatibility and online requirement. This news did not sit well with fans and Microsoft’s conference did not help matters.
While they did show off new games for the system, they also announced the price of the Xbox One: $500 and no, there are no different models at this time.
These sour notes for Microsoft fed into Sony’s strategy perfectly and they pulled one of the classic tricks seen in politics and advertising: they did the opposite of their opponent.
Instead of hiding their news and allowing further speculation, Sony came right out and announced the details that everyone wanted to hear: No used game restrictions, no required internet connection and even more surprising — $400 price tag.
The only downside from the PS4 was that Sony’s premium online service: PSN+ will become required to play games online unlike the PS3 that had free online multiplayer.
This is the first time in what seems like forever where one console manufacturer went completely all out against the other one and not in the comedic way as in Sony’s commercials. When you got an entire conference hall applauding your console, you know you are in a good position for the next generation.
But speaking about conference halls, Nintendo didn’t have one this year and instead went with a video presentation, leaving many to wonder if they did the right thing.
Nintendo’s Strategy
While Microsoft and Sony were battling it out at E3, Nintendo went in another direction and announced that they were teaming up with Best Buy to have exclusive E3 demos for a limited time at participating stores.
Let’s face a harsh truth, even as a Nintendo fan I have to say that there is no way in hell that Nintendo is going to win the console war with the Wii-U. The system lacks the third party heavy hitters and robust multiplayer network to put it in the # 1 spot.
Nintendo’s video conference announced titles like Super Mario 3D World, but nothing that could compete with the PS4 and X Box One conferences
And at this point, I think Nintendo knows it, which is why they are staying out of the fight with the other platforms.
Instead, Nintendo should be striving to make the Wii-U the best “second choice” console on the market.
While the Wii-U won’t come close to the Xbox One and PS4 in terms of power and game library, they should be focusing on creating the best games that can’t be seen anywhere else. They have already succeeded with the 3DS, boasting a number of great exclusive games for the handheld.
Some have suggested that Nintendo should have announced a Wii-U price cut with their video presentation and I have to agree. Given the big numbers that Sony and Microsoft threw out this week, announcing a lower barrier of entry for the Wii-U could help sales as people begin to think about their next big console purchase.
With the news from the console makers over and done, all that’s left to do for now is to speculate about the upcoming console war.
What’s Coming:
It’s interesting that if you look at each console, there is a different business strategy guiding its development.
With the Wii-U, Nintendo is trying to pull another wild card success with a system of unique games. Sony is effectively running a victory lap and taking the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” motto with the PS4.
And Microsoft is going all in with a system that is trying to move the console industry as a whole in a new direction: Creating a disc-less console and multimedia center. However as I talked about yesterday, the economy and general online infrastructure of the US is simply not ready for a system with the requirements Microsoft has put in.
There were plenty of interesting games announced this E3, but what system to buy them on still remains a question.
As it stands I think Sony has a huge lead compared to Microsoft and Nintendo leading into the next console war.
The big detail that will affect the Xbox One is how much Microsoft can leverage those restrictions to create an experience that is both great and different from the PS4 and Wii-U.
And with Nintendo, hopefully they can bounce back with the Wii-U and claim second place.
Before we end this post let’s have some fun and discuss some insane theories that would undoubtedly mix things up for the next generation:
Sony: While the Ps4 will have no online restrictions, the system will require a blood and fingerprint sample from the main user once every 24 hours. Failure to do so will cause the system to self destruct.
Microsoft: Microsoft will announce a deal with Google and various cable networks to provide broadband internet and cable packages along with the set features for Xbox Live. Thereby drastically undercutting the cable and internet providers and truly giving the consumer, one piece of hardware for all their needs.
Nintendo: Nintendo will release a Wii-U 2 that comes close to the same power of the Xbox One and Ps4, but for only $200. They will also announce that the universes of Mario, Zelda, Kirby, Metroid, Fire Emblem, Shin Megami Tensei, Phoenix Wright, Star Tropics, Harvest Moon, Pikmin and Donkey Kong are all being condensed into a single continuity and universe and will have a game that has all those characters and genres aimed for the Wii-U 2 launch.
