PlayStation’s Success is Important to the Industry
When the PlayStation 3 was released almost 3 years ago, it was almost immediately met with negative media. Since the release, Sony has managed to slowly but surely reclaim the respect that they earned through the last 2 console generations with their respective products. Most surprisingly, during this time of what the media considered “unsuccessful” for the PlayStation 3 and in turn Sony, the market itself has managed to drop along with it. There seems to be a strong relationship between the success of Sony’s PlayStation products and the success of the gaming market itself.
Jack Tretton, the CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, recently sat down with Forbes and discussed the past, present and future of the PlayStation 3. During the interview, Jack Tretton stated the following:
“We like to say that the environment where PlayStation wins is best for the industry, because we have a brand that can play on a worldwide basis, young and old, male and female, where our competition tends to be relegated to select regions or to select consumer audiences.”
Judging by the market trends, Jack Tretton’s statement actually makes a lot of sense. Both of Sony’s competitors, Nintendo and Microsoft, have niche consoles that have done well but don’t affect as wide of a demographic as the PlayStation brand.With the recent release of the PlayStation 3 Slim, the PlayStation 3 sales have skyrocketed and in turn software sales have also increased significantly. Not only have these sales contributed to PlayStation’s success, but Blu-Ray sales and other forms of HD products have also been improved directly by the increased sales of the PlayStation 3.
Hopefully, the wide success of the PlayStation brand so far this year will pave the way for a brighter future for the gaming industry, electronics industry and entertainment industry as well.
[Source]
36 Responses to “PlayStation’s Success is Important to the Industry”
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October 7th, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Well, I haven’t seen the numbers that say that software sales are up for PS3, but I do know a lot of people talking about getting the PS3 now that the price has dropped, and one of the reasons is because it’s a bluray player. I think the format has a ways to go before it hits mainstream status like DVD, and I think that it’s got a lot of factors working against it. The most notable factor is the price, but also the blu-ray market is weirdly aimed. The people who really care about image fidelity aren’t really the people buying Step Brothers, and the people buying Step Brothers might as well pay $10 less to get it on DVD. The selection of titles available for BD hasn’t quite stepped up to its potential, but it’s starting to. One of the best things for Blu-ray as a mainstream format is getting film buffs into it, and the best way to do that is to have a giant like Criterion publishing in the format. I think once you have the collectors buying movies, we’ll see the format really making some strides.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:49 PM
^ Criterion is publishing in blu ray already:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=criterion+blu+ray
I don’t think blu ray has to replace DVD as a format to be successful; I think it can exist along side it as more of a niche format for those that want the HD experience.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:33 PM
I know, but they’ve not switched to BD as their main format. Check out their upcoming releases, most get released exclusively for DVD for now. But I was saying trying to say that Criterion is a boon to the format.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:44 PM
lol Destructoid gave so much flame to Jack for this statement.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:54 PM
@onionpaper
Have you heard of the tv show Attack of the Show? They have a weekley segment showing dvd’s and blu rays, and usually the blu ray versions have extra features, more commentaries, it isn’t just the hd visuals in most cases.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:08 AM
blu-ray has more special features, l thought evey knew this already
October 8th, 2009 at 12:15 AM
skullking, I think everyone has just become so accustomed to hating Sony that it’s hard to break the habit. Every statement they make has to be stupid in some way.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:17 AM
but JohnnyTruant5 – most people don’t care about the extra features. I buy blu-rays and have never once watched the extras included because I don’t care how the movie was made or how the actors and directors feel about it, etc.
Anyway, I don’t agree with onionpaper that blu-ray is still lacking when it comes to title selection. There hasn’t been one new release in the past year that hasn’t been on blu-ray as well as DVD. Also, your statement about price is correct, but when the DVD format first released DVD players and the movies themselves were very expensive too. It’s only a matter of time before the price of the technology starts to drop more and in turn the price of HDTVs needs to drop as well because there are still a lot of people who don’t have one and don’t want to pay $1000 for one. A TV usually isn’t something you upgrade unless you have money to burn, so people won’t buy an HDTV until they need a new TV which also doesn’t happen often because TVs tend to last a long time. Anyway, my point was that blu-ray is right on pace and will eventually drop in price like DVD did and in turn will eventually replace DVDs once a majority of people own an HDTV and therefore want to utilize the full capabilities of said TV.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:21 AM
As DVD is still widely popular, It would be hard for BD to replace them. But as more people get into HDTVs and BD gets cheaper, there’s no reason for BD to not be the mainstream and replace DVDs. With BD now being transformed into 320gb space, It would be hard to replace it when it goes mainstream. (Unless 1TB would be like 1GB in the next few years. But hey, It’s possible)
October 8th, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Just don’t let the fanboys know.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:55 AM
When you have a high quality product that looks like it’ll last for a few years mixed with a reasonable price then you have something that can only improve an industry like the video game industry. That seems to be the difference between Sony and Microsoft. Sony pushes boundaries when it releases new hardware (and consequential high but short lived cost) where Microsoft seems to start out with something that while reasonable in cost can only go down. Mark that with a lack of initial entrenched game series and you fail to create a future for your industry.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:51 AM
hello …
i agree partially with this statement.
stil taking it on myself & some friends ..
1 – we bought a PS3 @ it’s bad moment (was somewhat pricey according to some …huh!)
2 – we got ourselves HD TVs to play games for not all games work on SD (region compatibility issues)
3 – we tested HD samples & were amazed
4 – the software lineup was now so great (LBP/GT5/GOW3/HR/FFXIII & Co/TLG/…phew!)
5 – we tried our first blu-rays & were more than amazed …
6 – we tried HD Sat TV & loved it …
7 – we took PVR option on SAT because we had not enough time playing games, watching Blu-rays & TV !!!
& it all started because we bought that damn big PS3 !!!!
I will never replace my DVD collection, but for sure i’m going for Blu-ray for all new movies that are worth it.
So yes, SONY changed our lives .. thank you!
when the 3D option will be out, i will sell my 42″ Full HD TV for a 200Hz PLUS / 3D Bravia …. & will have to start again on purchasing new stuffs!!!
oh SONY we are not so rich … !!!
well not yesterday, maybe not really today but for sure tomorrow !!!
cheers!
October 8th, 2009 at 4:16 AM
@giese
Just because you don’t care about any of that doesn’t mean most people don’t care, that’s crap. If special features were so unpopular you wouldn’t see them all over the place. Also, they’re extra work that has been done, which costs a bit more money, which could factor in the price. Usually you would buy a movie you’re a big fan of, as opposed to renting one you just want to see, most fans enjoy learning about the actors and all that. Sorry you don’t appreciate them, but you’re crazy if you think most people don’t even care for them.
October 8th, 2009 at 11:20 AM
sorry JohnnyTruant but I still stand by my statement. Some people may watch them just our of curiousity once they buy the movie, but I know I don’t know anyone between all of my college friends, family, co-workers that would buy a blu-ray over a DVD just because of Special Features. I know there are some people that like that stuff but I feel strongly that MOST don’t care that much about them. I would also make the assumption that most people that really enjoy watching the special features are also the ones who enjoy reading their favorite actor’s/actress’s every thought on Twitter, of which I am also not a fan.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:29 PM
“There seems to be a strong relationship between the success of Sony’s PlayStation products and the success of the gaming market itself” i’m a big fan of the PS3 but to say that the games industry would be better of if the PS3 was winning is wishfull thinking.
Yeah the games industry is better when the games companies are doing better but there isn’t some Jack Tretton dosen’t have a magic ball to make the gaming market suddenly better, the evidence does seem like it’s in he’s favour though seeing as the gaming market did dip when the PS3 seemed to not be doing well but you have to look at multiply factors there wasen’t very good games released at the time and it was just after the release of the consoles meaning after buying them not many people had much money to spend on brand new games,
I would like to think the PS3 made so much of a contibution to the gaming market it made nintendo and microsoft’s efforts seem meaningless but that’s not how it works though the giant list of exclusives that sony annoced at E3 may make this the case.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:03 PM
I don’t understand why some of you guys tend to forget how there is always a pattern when introducing a new format. When DVD first came out VHS was still around for a few years more. DVD players cost around $1000 and the disc too was expensive. I mean i’m 23yrs old and I still remember this same pattern between VHS and DVD transition that the DVD and BluRay transition is facing now. Yet some of you guys are talking as if you were born in 2001 and never even experienced the VHS – DVD transition. BluRay is going to take over, but it will take some time, BOTTOM LINE! We have Sony to thank for that
October 8th, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Jack Trenton is right on SO MANY levels. The Playstation brand always pushes the envelope. What would happen if Nintendo or Microsoft set the trend after this generation.
If Nintendo sets the trend then the industry will never make huge advancements in technology. The PS3 brought Cell processing and BluRay to homes. The PS2 brought the DVD format to games. Nintendo on the other hand kept cartridges for their N64, it only limited them. They brought those Mini disc to the gamecube, and that held less than DVD, another limit. All they brought to the Wii was motion controls, but the system itself is just a polished Gamecube with online support.
If Microsoft sets the trend then getting nickled and dimed for everything will be the Standard. PSN network is free! And in my book they’re doing a damn good job with only having this generation making it mainstream. Microsoft had TWO generations to fine tune it while their fans had to pay the whole time. All their peripherals are unnecessarily expensive. Natal will be!
October 8th, 2009 at 1:37 PM
@giese
You’re standing by something you’ve made up though, as long as you know that, you can stand by whatever you want. You understand the concept of supply and demand? It’s the reason you don’t see size 300 clothes, theres no demand for them. On the segment on the show “Attack of the show” that reviews movies, lack of special features can knock a movie from buy to rent. This is a popular show for electronics, I don’t think they would take something into consideration like that if it wasn’t a big deal to the majority of people. I’m sorry you feel a twitter obsession would be the same thing as an interest in what happens behind the scenes of your favourite movies, but thats just made up.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:33 PM
I know all about supply and demand but I feel the demand is coming only from film fanatics, collectors, etc. Your “Average Joe,” who makes up the majority of the consumer base isn’t all that interested in the special features. I know I don’t have any data to prove my statement, but I’m basing it on experience. The fact of the matter is you can’t prove people are buying anything due to the special features either. EVERY DVD or Blu-Ray these days includes some sort of Special Features therefore, unless you have a survey of millions of people to show data to prove me wrong you have no way of proving that people are buying Blu-Ray over DVD just because of the “extra” extras. People have no choice today but to buy movies with extras (unless they are older movies just releasing on new formats) so therefore the data shows there is a demand for those Special Features.
I’m not trying to say it’s wrong to like the Special Features, I’m just trying to say that the “Average Joe” just doesn’t care that much. If they choose blu-ray over DVD it’s because they want the hi-def or maybe even just because they want to “be cool” and follow the trend. AND even if you did have a survey that doesn’t mean much because people will usually answer a survey in the way that they feel will make them look the best, smartest, etc. So I may be making my theory up, but so are you…by the way I graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Minnesota and have done numerous research projects about consumer trends and misleading data so you can argue all you want with me, and I wish you would because I enjoy it, but you will never PROVE to me that I am wrong, just like I probably won’t convince you to see things my way. Not to mention I’m sure everyone else on here is really enjoying our pointless debate.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:58 PM
one more argument to add and then I’m done…if Special Features were as important as you say Johnny to the majority of the market then I would argue that Blu-Ray would already be more popular than DVD and that the demand for those Special Features would neutralize the price difference between the two formats.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Well, lets go back to the start where all I said were reasons for the price being a bit higher than DVD’s. I wasn’t trying to argue anything then. YOU started an argument about the popularity of special features when I was making a point that more content means higher price. Then you brought up a theory about millions of people based on your experience of what 100? “EVERY DVD or Blu-Ray these days includes some sort of Special Features”(quoted from you) Isn’t that a pretty good indication that special features aren’t just something a couple people like? The very fact that when you don’t see any you think it’s a lazy effort goes to show why special features aren’t just for a small minority. When you have the extra special features, theres more of a chance something will appeal to you. If you enjoyed the movie, why wouldn’t you enjoy deleted scenes or bloopers? You liked the music in a movie? sometimes theres a music video. There’s features on blu-rays you can’t have on a DVD, and those features aren’t free simple as that.
And about supply and demand, if you understood it like you say you did, then you would realize the amount of features on some things is to meet a certain demand. What you don’t realize is I don’t have proof of this, but the companies investing their billions in the business certainly have a better idea than either of us. If it wasn’t profitable to add these things, they wouldn’t be doing it.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:57 PM
And to shoot down your last argument, I never said anything remotely close to special features warranting $1000+ purchases, but if you already have the set up up for HD movies, you shouldn’t be worried about the 10$ to make sure they aren’t useless.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:53 PM
@giese
right. The average person dosen’t buy a Blu Ray for special features but like it or not the film fanatics still count in the survey, you can’t count out XBOX 360 fanboys on a survey of what console is more popular becasue their addicted to the 360 in the same way you can’t count out people who are film fanatics in this one,
Their still consumers. Who buy. Surely someone who took a course in economics would know that you have to take all factors into account. Also just becasue you took a course in economics dosen’t make you akeen to never making mistakes in that field, you could have a fricken PHD your still gonna get something wrong as your human like me and everyone else so please don’t take it too hard becasue i’m only trying to suggest a way to better you could possibly be wrong.
The real question here is why is it reported as news that sony’s C.E.O is saying that it’s best for the games industry that sony does best? He’s the fricken head of the company of course he’s going to say something like that Jack Tretton wouldn’t say “oh yeah microsoft are tons better, without them the gaming industry will crash and burn” becasue he owns sony, it’s in he’s job description to promote sony as much as he can.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:59 PM
First of all, all statistics and data collected are from a small sample used to represent a larger mass so you’re argument about my “experience of what 100?” when speaking about millions of people doesn’t hold up very well (Yes I know that the sample should be bigger for a group that large but we’re not talking exact figures here are we).
Second, I do agree with you that Special Features are included so that movie companies can meet a certain demand. However, that says nothing of the amount of demand present for these features. I would assume that the cost of making multiple versions of a DVD or Blu-Ray, one with Special Features and one without, would be more costly to the movie industry than it is just to make the features and therefore it is more cost effective for them to include those extras on every disc. I would also add that I don’t ever remember DVD’s being released without Special Features, I’m pretty sure since their introduction they’ve come with extras so I’m not sure that there is any data to show whether or not people prefer on or the other. I guess the only way we could compare is the sales figures between “Collector’s Editions” and regular editions of movies or games for that matter….and I think we both know how that would turn out…
Third, I do have to concede on one part and that is that I do enjoy bloopers and also music videos from the soundtrack. However, I NEVER stated that it is impossible to enjoy any part of the Special Features, I was only trying to aim my statement towards Director’s Comments and things of that nature.
Lastly, I never really wanted to start an argument with you to begin with. I was simply making a statement of my opinion on the matter and that I don’t think Special Features would be a driving factor in sales between Blu-Ray and DVD. I am not, however, one to back down from a challenge and therefore when your responded I felt the need to stand my ground. Anyway, it has been a good debate and I bid you farewell as I will not return to continue. I hope there are no hard feeling because I was only having fun (It is only in my nature to debate, I don’t feel that strongly about the issue that it is something I needed to persuade you on).
October 8th, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Timewarp, look at my “Second” argument in my last comment…I was never counting out those fanatics…
October 8th, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Sony will always be a pioneer of new tech in whatever they do most other companies just copy and paste.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:26 PM
@giese
The first part of your comment that was directed to me alone, was trying to state your opinion, and a that of a few others as if it was the opinion of, well most of the world(you can see why this could be batshit insane), when I was only stating the fact of more content = higher price, nothing about popularity of anything. In that comment you said “I buy blu-rays and have never once watched the extras included because I don’t care how the movie was made or how the actors and directors feel about it, etc.” but now you’re saying “I do have to concede on one part and that is that I do enjoy bloopers and also music videos from the soundtrack.”. Those are special features buddy, that’s your whole argument blown to smithereens. It’s okay that you like to argue, but don’t start them where they don’t belong, or at least have some facts to back up what you say. The proof behind my argument is people invest millions directly on this, and people that know what they’re doing, and you respond to that by saying: so what, I have friends that disagree? Holy cats, you need to think before you type. I understand why you wouldn’t want to respond, you must be really embarassed.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:44 PM
@ giese095
The average-joe is just uneducated on blue-ray or they dont own an HDTV. Its not just the collectors, film fanatics but also audio/video enthusiast or anyone wanting to show off there HDTV and Surround sound system. There are people who buy it for commentaries, added film footage, extra features but also just for the picture quality and sound. Most my friends in college who were average buyers would re-buy the same film, if there was added features or footage.
When more people start owning HDTV’s they will phase out dvds.. Anyone that says up-converting a DVD will look just as good needs there head checked. I know you didn’t say that, but thats always a common weak statement which has been proven wrong. Even by the average joe.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:46 PM
well I returned just to see if you responded and unfortunately you forced me into writing one more comment…I am supposed to be embarrassed when I made clear that all of my arguments were based on assumptions and opinion and not to mention economic theory (Never once stating they were fact or that I KNEW I was right) and all you can do is try to insult my intelligence?? For shame…I almost feel like you didn’t even read my last comment apart from a few lines. Insult my intelligence all you want but I’m not the one that is going to end up embarrassed
October 8th, 2009 at 7:23 PM
“I am supposed to be embarrassed when I made clear that all of my arguments were based on assumptions and opinion and not to mention economic theory” Yes you god damned are, you shouldn’t be arguing if you’re backing yourself up with “because I say so” You came at me with your opinion about something barely related to what I was saying, acted as if your opinion was that of the majority of the people that buy movies, said you have never once watched a special feature but later ADMIT TO WATCHING SOME, and you think multi-billion dollar companies spend all the time and money to pile in special features for a few hardcore fans out there. Not to mention the places I corrected you, that you never acknowledged. That’s why you should be embarrassed.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:11 AM
hello …
this one is not a BETAMAX vs VHS fight, it is a transition like some mentioned of VHS to CD/DVD
it will take some time but it is coming … the DVD will not die soon enough.
but as people want more and more – in terms of contents (to some!) & quality – size will matter, with 300GB PLUS Blu-rays or any other future format, Games & Movies will reach new heights, soon 3D will make another comeback.
A blu-ray will be the solution when speaking of better image quality, higher level multi-channel sound for various languages, extended contents or even movie / tv series compilations.
i’m not going after blu-ray because i’m a techno geek .. but because it is practical & i still don’t understand the thing some complains about the price.
hey blu-rays are almost same price to DVDs online !!! & if i need to buy a collection, cost less !!!
the player is another issue, yet we can see some 100$ players around the net & the PS3 as a blu-ray player is AWESOME with all other features, not forgetting it has a great software lineup that only biased other fanboys cannot see.
like i said several times on similar blogs / forums … it’s all a matter of taste & capacity to afford.
i like movies & if i need to buy it on blu-ray for a couple of dollars more .. & i can afford it .. so what!
DVD will not die, i don’t feel i need to replace my collections, they are upscaled on my PS3 & older movies even if they are good, were not made to be distributed on high capacity media so no big difference when re-released on blu-ray (remastered ones too!) , as long as newer movies or documentaries are concerned it’s another issue in itself … HD resolution is still bad compared to original shooting resolution, so the better they can keep it, the better it will be to my eyes!
now, those who are used to modded consoles / cinema ripped movies / radio ripped songs, (not pinpointing anyone!) & who compare price with what they used to get (steal i mean here) .. they can feel the difference & sure they don’t care about the quality for they don’t have any considerations about other people’s work! they can continue with their ripped content & no need to comment on this post for they don’t buy such stuff!
sorry for a long post & being somewhat harsh …but the truth is DVD is good, Blu-ray is better .. someday something else will be best. SONY brings new technology to the consumers like any other companies. Mr Tretton is too over-zealous about it but not completely wrong.
don’t forget, with just one PS3 – i had to move to HD TV, HD Sat, Blu-ray, etc … etc … read my former post!
to this…
cheers!
October 10th, 2009 at 7:29 AM
to be honest i have no idea what either you giese and johhnytruant are talking about other then that this has something to do with Blu ray’s special features not making a differance when it comes to sales. I just wanted to be part of the conversation to be honest becasue i’m incredably bored.
October 10th, 2009 at 4:58 PM
All I know is when you admit your arguments have no merit as giese did, you kinda look like an idiot.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:44 AM
[...] the PlayStation 3 Slim was announced only 2 months ago, millions around the globe were shocked when they noticed that [...]
October 18th, 2009 at 6:51 AM
nice shot, i like it!
Sincerly,
Sodagod @ Modern Warfare 2 Forums
October 25th, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Johnny despite what you want us to think, you sound like that 10 year old kid at a grocery store, crying and rolling around on the floor as his mother tries at first to coerce him to stop, but then gives up, realizing that everyone around her is in understanding with her about her child acting so foolishly and immaturely.