The next generation is rearing its head in gaming. With Nintendo off on their own Switch adventure, and industry newcomer Google, betting on Streaming with its Stadia platform. The main event will be the battle of the main 2 Platform holders. Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Microsoft. Sony famously took back its crown this generation with the success of the PlayStation 4. Ditching the complex Cell architecture, record financial losses, and unfocused confusion that plagued the early days of the PlayStation 3, and capitalizing on the failures from the then Draconian Microsoft and the Rudderless Nintendo. Sony was given dominance of the console market, practically on a silver platter, and has kept the PS4 in a healthy condition with a steady stream of big first party games, the best third party support, and a stellar marketing campaign that made one thing clear. PlayStation was made by gamers, for gamers.
But things are a bit different this time. Sony is still doing well with the PS4, with sales and games that still break records each year, but they no longer have the market to themselves. Microsoft has salvaged as much as they could of the Xbox One and has made up for quite a bit of lost time. They're now prepared to take Xbox as a platform beyond the console, by bringing the brand to Windows 10 PCs, offering its Netflix style Xbox Game Pass, and is also betting on Streaming being a viable outlet with its upcoming Project xCloud. Nintendo has also found greener pastures, dumping its floundering Wii U, in favor of the sleeker hybrid Nintendo Switch, which has found a comfortable niche between the console and mobile landscapes. Sony doesn't have the luxury of taking advantage of corporate incompetence anymore, so the battle for next gen is going to be much more fierce.
The PlayStation 5's specs were first revealed earlier this year, and it sounds like a pretty good beast on paper. Even having improved 3D sound from what we've heard. With PS4 releases from Sony slowing down, the company decided to forgo a presence at E3 this year, as they prepare to detail the next generation at a later date. From what we've heard via rumors, Sony is deciding to double down on its existing audience, as being the premiere platform for AAA games from first and third parties. Interestingly, rumors also say that Sony is de-emphasizing indie games on the console, instead building on its relations with large third parties like EA, Ubisoft, and Activision. This is a surprising shift in gears, as Sony took advantage of Microsoft's outdated policies and attitude towards indies early on in the PS4's life, positioning it as the definitive indie platform. Sony is instead focusing on positioning the PS5 as the ultimate hardcore gaming console.
Microsoft however, is focusing on reaching a broader audience. With tings like its aforementioned Game Pass and xCloud services. But also its newly beefed up Xbox Game Studios, which hopes to beat Sony's Worldwide Studios in first party games thanks to its series of recent acquisitions, like Ninja Theory, the developers of Hellblade: Seuna's Sacrifice. Project Scarlett is also, for the first time in nearly 20 years, set to launch with a brand new Halo game, that being Halo Infinite. Project Scarlett's specs are also impressive, seemingly boasting frames of up to 120 per second. Microsoft has also recently trying to outbid Sony in attention from both Indie and Japanese developers. Sony's recent censorship policies on Japanese games, may convince many of them to bring their games over to Xbox as well. And their relationship with Nintendo has also been growing with rumors of xCloud possibly coming to Nintendo's neon-colored tablet toaster in the future.
On paper, Microsoft seems to be in the best position for next generation. They've cleaned house on the mess made of the early Xbox One days, made important acquisitions to solve its first party drought problems, and has grand ambitions for putting Xbox all screens. Sony seems to be following a "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, and doubling down on its core audience. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it could make them look stagnant and stuffy once the battle starts. Next generation is going to be an interesting creature for sure. We've got two main console makers fighting for dominance, a successful hybrid system, and our upcoming streaming overlords, all competing for your attention.
But things are a bit different this time. Sony is still doing well with the PS4, with sales and games that still break records each year, but they no longer have the market to themselves. Microsoft has salvaged as much as they could of the Xbox One and has made up for quite a bit of lost time. They're now prepared to take Xbox as a platform beyond the console, by bringing the brand to Windows 10 PCs, offering its Netflix style Xbox Game Pass, and is also betting on Streaming being a viable outlet with its upcoming Project xCloud. Nintendo has also found greener pastures, dumping its floundering Wii U, in favor of the sleeker hybrid Nintendo Switch, which has found a comfortable niche between the console and mobile landscapes. Sony doesn't have the luxury of taking advantage of corporate incompetence anymore, so the battle for next gen is going to be much more fierce.
The PlayStation 5's specs were first revealed earlier this year, and it sounds like a pretty good beast on paper. Even having improved 3D sound from what we've heard. With PS4 releases from Sony slowing down, the company decided to forgo a presence at E3 this year, as they prepare to detail the next generation at a later date. From what we've heard via rumors, Sony is deciding to double down on its existing audience, as being the premiere platform for AAA games from first and third parties. Interestingly, rumors also say that Sony is de-emphasizing indie games on the console, instead building on its relations with large third parties like EA, Ubisoft, and Activision. This is a surprising shift in gears, as Sony took advantage of Microsoft's outdated policies and attitude towards indies early on in the PS4's life, positioning it as the definitive indie platform. Sony is instead focusing on positioning the PS5 as the ultimate hardcore gaming console.
Microsoft however, is focusing on reaching a broader audience. With tings like its aforementioned Game Pass and xCloud services. But also its newly beefed up Xbox Game Studios, which hopes to beat Sony's Worldwide Studios in first party games thanks to its series of recent acquisitions, like Ninja Theory, the developers of Hellblade: Seuna's Sacrifice. Project Scarlett is also, for the first time in nearly 20 years, set to launch with a brand new Halo game, that being Halo Infinite. Project Scarlett's specs are also impressive, seemingly boasting frames of up to 120 per second. Microsoft has also recently trying to outbid Sony in attention from both Indie and Japanese developers. Sony's recent censorship policies on Japanese games, may convince many of them to bring their games over to Xbox as well. And their relationship with Nintendo has also been growing with rumors of xCloud possibly coming to Nintendo's neon-colored tablet toaster in the future.
On paper, Microsoft seems to be in the best position for next generation. They've cleaned house on the mess made of the early Xbox One days, made important acquisitions to solve its first party drought problems, and has grand ambitions for putting Xbox all screens. Sony seems to be following a "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, and doubling down on its core audience. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it could make them look stagnant and stuffy once the battle starts. Next generation is going to be an interesting creature for sure. We've got two main console makers fighting for dominance, a successful hybrid system, and our upcoming streaming overlords, all competing for your attention.
