What did Sony do that was so great?

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

To say what everyone else has been saying. It is true that all they did was not screw up. But they did it in such a fantastic way. They showed interesting looking games. Showed that they were for gamers. and then absolutely ***** slapped microsoft at the end.

Debatable. The conference was actually pretty boring until the FFXV and KH3 news. Sure, the steampunk game looked neat but not enough to make me buy a PS4 day one. Fact of the matter is that MS set the bar REALLY low. We should have expected used games and a decent price tag by DEFAULT. That's just a sign of the games industry standards being LOW, which means that companies can still do better.

 

[idarkphoenixi]

For one thing they didn't fuck around, they just went straight to business.

With Xbox they make a huge fuss, show a trailer, bring out someone involved in the game to say how amazing it is, buzz word buzz word buzz word, now here's another trailer and we'll repeat the same thing over and over again.

Sony on the other hand:Here's a trailer, now here's another trailer, and another, here's some information about what's new, now we're going to spend 5 minutes to briefly talk about live-steaming and other non-gaming things we can allow, okay now back to the games.

Also, better design, better price, better looking games.

 

[RikuoAmero]

Title may be a bit misleading, so let me clarify: I am not being pessimistic against Sony. I thoroughly enjoyed the news coming out of E3. Watching Xbone explode, fist pumping after reading Sony news, laughed at the instructional video on sharing PS4 game, the whole she-bang.

After I calmed down a bit though, I realized, all Sony did was not screw up. All the current consoles had everything the PS4 is promising (though publishers recently played with DRM and always online nonsense.)

Again, I'm not hating on Sony (at least, I don't think I am) and there is no way I'll be buying an Xbone. If anything, I wanna know why we piss ourselves like excited puppies at the news Sony isn't gonna screw us over. Have we really come to the point where no bad news is the same as great news?

You are absolutely correct. When you get right down to it, Sony showed an upgraded PS3, no more, no less. Which is fine, but when I take a step back and forget about the announcements relating to used games and online connectivity requirements, the stuff Sony showed wasn't really exciting. It's just... a new PlayStation. Same as the old PlayStation with most of the same games, but with better graphics.

I dunno, maybe I'm being overly pessimistic.

True. I'm thinking that this new generation of consoles just doesn't have the same impact as previous generations.
Think of the first Playstation. "Our games come on CDs, which have a lot more storage than Nintendo's cartridges! And you can play your favourite music on them too!" That was amazing back then. No-one had done it before, it was new, innovative, everyone loved it.
Then the next generation. "The Playstation 2 can not only play games, but also DVD movies (without needing to purchase a remote)". Again, that was huge. Now you didn't need a separate DVD player, just stick in your movie and press X on the controller.
Playstation 3. "It plays Blu-ray movies! It has free online multi-player! You can use whatever 2.5inch hard drive you want! It's doing things that the previous generation didn't!" Again, huge, (well relatively).

Now though...at best, the PS4 just has a better graphics chip than the 3. And a record feature. Which you could already do in previous generations with dedicated hardware like a Dazzle or a Happauge. It's not doing anything new this time around, just better, which quite frankly isn't enough, at least for me.

 

[Gluzzbung]

They listened to what the public wanted or, rather, didn't want, and responded instead of Microsoft pretending that they aren't in a competitive market.

 

[Colt47]

The reason we are excited about Sony at the moment is that they've managed to incorporate similar technology to that of the Xbox One to the benefit of the end user instead of just the publishers. Eye camera technology is a good thing if used in a way that is controllable by the owner, and the key word being the owner.

Also, what just happened in the console space with microsoft is what people using PCs have had to deal with for years thanks to their monopoly on main stream operating systems. Microsoft gets away with terrible decisions because they have no one that can compete with them: users basically have a choice of picking windows or not playing PC games, have access to widely used Business software, etc. Savvy users could bypass it through either emulation or wine, but otherwise the general masses are kind of screwed. Part of the blame does lie with Apple as well, however.

 

[Jetsetneo]

The morning after, I'm just left with a lot of questions that will more or less determine the ps4's value and sony's future in general. Lets keep in mind a few things:

-the 360 won this gen (not counting the wii, because it basically wasn't this gen)

-They more or unless only undid all that hard work

-With Sony's 'decisive' win last night, will we see MS turn around? I don't know, the ps fan boys and the pessimists will say no, but then again PS+ came around because Sony was desperate to compete with 360's Live. So what might be awful now, may force MS to turn around too. Or simply add value.

-EA recently removed a lot of access codes (gave them away for free if you're an optimist), the assumption was that 'thanks' to the xb1 we won't see these ever again. Will we now see them on ps4 games?

-Sony will now have to deal with pirating. You can talk about the 'rights of the consumer' all you want the truth is there are now back doors, and Sony in particular has turned around on such things.

-Because of this will the publishers 'make good' on 'protecting' their games by going tot he xb1

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My most positive thought is that basically Sony went for tried and true, which they should have. Now MS HAS to make up for it, which will hopefully come in the form of not just games, but better services and value. Basically competition should make things better (yay capitalism?), isn't that what we wanted in the first place?

 

[Frotality]

well exactly, we are apparently at the point where everyone f**ked up so badly all sony had to do was not follow suit, which they didnt. amidst all of microsoft's BS and nintendo quirky awkwardness, sony said, "hey, here is a thing that plays games and here is some awesome games to play on it, no stupid BS like that ONE thing, just games".

its a refreshing change of pace when a console dev makes a presentation that seems directed at customers rather than investors.

 

[RikuoAmero]

The morning after, I'm just left with a lot of questions that will more or less determine the ps4's value and sony's future in general. Lets keep in mind a few things:

-the 360 won this gen (not counting the wii, because it basically wasn't this gen)

-They more or unless only undid all that hard work

-With Sony's 'decisive' win last night, will we see MS turn around? I don't know, the ps fan boys and the pessimists will say no, but then again PS+ came around because Sony was desperate to compete with 360's Live. So what might be awful now, may force MS to turn around too. Or simply add value.

-EA recently removed a lot of access codes (gave them away for free if you're an optimist), the assumption was that 'thanks' to the xb1 we won't see these ever again. Will we now see them on ps4 games?

-Sony will now have to deal with pirating. You can talk about the 'rights of the consumer' all you want the truth is there are now back doors, and Sony in particular has turned around on such things.

-Because of this will the publishers 'make good' on 'protecting' their games by going tot he xb1

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My most positive thought is that basically Sony went for tried and true, which they should have. Now MS HAS to make up for it, which will hopefully come in the form of not just games, but better services and value. Basically competition should make things better (yay capitalism?), isn't that what we wanted in the first place?

With regards to pirating, that would have happened anyway. All it would take is for someone to write a server emulator that tricks the Xbone into thinking it's talking to a real Microsoft server when it's authenticating games. Okay, with three OS's to deal with, I will admit, such a task will be difficult, but not impossible. Eventually, the Xbone will be hacked. Will Microsoft insist on keeping its DRM? Yes it will.

 

[socialmenace42]

The only frustration I have with the console now is the lack of backwards compatibility. But I can keep my PS2 and PS3, so I'm not TOO upset.

Well they did mention in the press conference that they will be offering cloud streaming for all ps3 titles so as long as you have a half way decent internet connection you can play them all that way. Sure there's no iporting saves and you probably have to buy games again, but it's better than nothing at all.

I for one feel that the sony press conference wasn't just good because it 'didn't screw up' like microsoft(now granted that was a huge part of why I was so happy about it but there's more), but should be congratulated on showing a good mixture of exciting new IP, interesting new additions to popular franchises, underway titles by smaller developers an in many of their presentations actual gameplay footage.

It wasn't all perfect (Oh hi there digitalised Lebron James) and the technical screw ups were as entertaining as the have ever been (MS conference had them too and ended up floundering a whole lot more, sony just pushed on) but what I saw ot me genuinely excited for the ps4, and I have been a stubborn Xbox supporter since I got my forst console a good ten years ago. Now the balance has shifted and I'm glad that the bitter pill that is the xbone has a better alternative.

 

[Nuxxy]

After I calmed down a bit though, I realized, all Sony did was not screw up.

That's maybe a bit too simplistic. Whatever the cause (some people are saying "they listened", but maybe they just aren't as (X)boneheaded as M$ to begin with), what they did was build a gaming console that gamers can appreciate.

It's nothing innovative, but when you go to your favourite restaurant and order your favourite meal, and they make it just like the other times you enjoyed it, you don't go "Is that it? All you did is not screw up!" No...you take a bite and just enjoy it.

 

[bandit0802]

The only frustration I have with the console now is the lack of backwards compatibility. But I can keep my PS2 and PS3, so I'm not TOO upset.

Well they did mention in the press conference that they will be offering cloud streaming for all ps3 titles so as long as you have a half way decent internet connection you can play them all that way. Sure there's no iporting saves and you probably have to buy games again, but it's better than nothing at all.

But will I have to pay for the games all over again, like we do with the HD remakes? I'm not worried about transferring saves; I understand the limitations there (but I do have PSPlus, which backs up my saves, so that should not be an issue.)

I've also been a major Xbox supporter (Sony's systems have always been the last one I've gotten each generation), but I'm sold on the PS4, and have no intentions to buy an Xbox One in its current state.

 

[Daveman]

Well they gave us exactly what we want. If you do that that's not "not screwing up", that is providing for their customers. I mean there was only one bit of bad news which is the paying for multiplayer, but considering you would do exactly the same with Microsoft (as they have been doing for ages) and you get provided access to relatively new games like XCOM and Uncharted 3, versus bloody Halo 3 (lol, saw that preowned for 3 quid the other day) offered by Xbone, they're still on for a net win.

 

[dantoddd]

I think you guys should invest in a PC.

 

[NiPah]

All current consoles have what the PS4 is offering? What kindof BS is that? More processing power, better tech across the board, these things shouldn't be tossed aside. This whole mentality of "what does this new generation have to offer us?" is a load of shit, if you just wanted a game console that played free multiplayer games, had a great library, controller with an optional screen in the middle, and was easy to develop for you'd still be playing the Dreamcast.

But nooo you wanted more power, you wanted those games that were harder to develop for, you wanted those little extra graphical boosts, so you bought a PS2.

Face it, current gen doesn't have squat on the new systems, my windows 98 computer did everything my current computer promised it could do too but it still got trashed.

I think you guys should invest in a PC.

Whats with all the PC fanboys these days? We get it, PCs can do everything really really awesome and no PS4 exclusive will be made without a super awesome PC port. All my favorite Japanese RPGs will come over, and I can play super awesome games with a mouse and keyboard, it will be rad.

Now please stop bringing up the PC in every next gen topic, if you hadn't noticed we're ignoring you guys because we don't want to talk to you.

 

[somonels]

To the console gamers.
Nothing. None of them had to do anything great, that is how the console business works. Plenty of people - thus publishers/developers - would have been sufficiently interested in just an upgraded system. The "greatness" is mostly relative due to it's competitor.

To me.
I consider Sony's great move to be switching to off-the-shelf components. That is step one of my fever dream of the 'consoles' dying and the PC reigning supreme.
Should Sony actually fulfill the given promises then it would be the first console since the Wii that I wasn't fundamentally against.

Spoiler: Gated content

WARNING
The following spoiler includes objectionable content, mature language, depictions of graphic violence and frontal nudity. By clicking on the "I Agree" button you confirm you are at least 21 years of age and allowed to access such content by your country of residence and agree to not object to any content you may find therein.

TL;DR: Don't snitch, there's no need to call the escapist popo.

Spoiler: I Agree

Nothing really, they just removed their hand and zipped their pants. Now they just look like normal business men who mean to sell you a decent product.
Xbone on the other hand stands in a room with Activision, EA and maybe Ubisoft, all of them naked, sweaty and slightly shivering from the anticipation of someone initiating. Meanwhile Gamestop's heart is throbbing and his back feeling cold, peeking through a hole in the wall.

I'm trying to get into the "women's lit" business. Critique, suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[Banzaiman]

Yup, in the end Sony wheeled out nothing revolutionary.. All they did was get it right, but in the state the industry is in now not screwing up is actually applaudable. In a competitive market, all you have to do is show you're less of a dick than the other guy and you have the consumer's attention. Sony displayed a console that won't dick you around like the Xbone will, and though it's still a bit of dickery with PSN it's less than you would have to endure than with Xbone - or so it seems right now.

Honorable mention goes to the WiiU, which, in all fairness, is a decent console that doesn't seem to have the same problems that its competitors will. Just a damn shame few games are out for the blasted thing. I hope we see some attention given to it soon, otherwise it'll just be a useless plastic brick sitting in my living room.

Still, I have to agree with Mr. Croshaw on his attitude towards next gen consoles. Not being a dick is not enough if I already have a console that plays good-looking functional games with free online multiplayer and a library that features some of my favorite games of all time.

 

[Ren_Li]

I'm seeing a few complaints about paying to play multiplayer... Forgive me if I'm missing something here (I probably am), but isn't playing online less about playing a game you've already purchased, and more about making use of a service that requires money and effort to upkeep? I don't play mutiplayer, I'm not interested in my console being online at ANY time while I'm playing a game, so... I may well be missing the point.

The only frustration I have with the console now is the lack of backwards compatibility. But I can keep my PS2 and PS3, so I'm not TOO upset.

I'm kicking myself because I can't remember exactly what I read or where I read it, but I did read that the PS3 tried something new that meant it was unable to read older games. When it didn't really work well, PS decided to go back to tried-and-true, which would therefore be unable to read PS3 games.
Of course, if that's correct, they potentially could make the PS4 able to read PS2/1 games. Which would tickle me no end. Assuming that's possible though, they wouldn't see it as a sound investment. (It would make me more inclined to buy a PS4 if I knew I had those old games to play on it though!)
:EDIT: That was bugging me, so I found the article.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/experienced-points/10215-Why-the-PS4-Doesnt-Do-PS3-Games

 

[CaptQuakers]

Sony showed hardly any games when Microsoft did this they got destroyed for it, How come ?

I can't get my head around buying a console because it's a bit cheaper that makes no sense to me at all.

 

[bandit0802]

I'm kicking myself because I can't remember exactly what I read or where I read it, but I did read that the PS3 tried something new that meant it was unable to read older games. When it didn't really work well, PS decided to go back to tried-and-true, which would therefore be unable to read PS3 games.

Shamus Young covered it in Experienced Points.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/experienced-points/10215-Why-the-PS4-Doesnt-Do-PS3-Games

 

[Ren_Li]

I'm kicking myself because I can't remember exactly what I read or where I read it, but I did read that the PS3 tried something new that meant it was unable to read older games. When it didn't really work well, PS decided to go back to tried-and-true, which would therefore be unable to read PS3 games.

Shamus Young covered it in Experienced Points.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/experienced-points/10215-Why-the-PS4-Doesnt-Do-PS3-Games

Heh, yeah, I went hunting for it as well and edited it into my post, but thanks.
It's good to know why they make the decisions they do, when there's more than there first seems to be going on.