Analysis: Why Sony Is Becoming A One-Platform Game Company

[Black Dragon37]

In this analysis, part of his NPD examination for January 2010, Gamasutra's Matt Matthews examines why Sony is turning into effectively a 'one-platform company' with the PlayStation 3, thanks to the PSP and PS2 accounting for perhaps under 6% of the total U.S. market in the month.

[jaxmkii]

i stoped reading at Anal...

[LaLiLuLeLo]

i stoped reading at Anal...

[Lucent Beam]

Ok. So that was not interesting to read. It sort of made you think the article was going to be doom and gloom but it... just kind of said nothing.

Here is the article summed up.

PS2 sales are slowing down. (This is like an obvious and logical fact.)
PSP sold less in 2008 than in 2009 (even with the release of the PSP go).
PSP software sold less in 2008 than in 2009.

It's sort of like.... big deal?

[Luis]

PS2 sales slowing down? Oh damn.

[qzak]

in the US

BD I did try to move the sliders on your avatar...lol.

[woundingchaney]

I think Sony really made some poor decisions with the PSP, but they are still supporting the platform so its not as if they are turning into a PS3 only company. PS2 sales are of course slowing down as they logically should be.

[curryking1]

Ok. So that was not interesting to read. It sort of made you think the article was going to be doom and gloom but it... just kind of said nothing.

Here is the article summed up.

PS2 sales are slowing down. (This is like an obvious and logical fact.)
PSP sold less in 2008 than in 2009 (even with the release of the PSP go).
PSP software sold less in 2008 than in 2009.

It's sort of like.... big deal?

I didn't read the article, but... that's pretty lame lol.

I guess the doom and gloom was for the hits, again.

[bobo_ess]

I'd rather masturbate with sand paper than read that nonsense.

[curryking1]

Maybe if they had some extremely reliable insider information which said Sony doesn't plan to make a new PSP in the future and discontinue the PSP line... then maybe... it'd make some sense.

But I doubt that's the case lol.

Also, I really wonder where the Windows media program by Sony Creative Software, Media Go, would lie. Which is a new software.

[Viper]

I don't think they'll be 1 console in the same manner that MS is but the dependence on PS2 and PSP as the 2nd and 3rd pillar in the Sony gaming hat are definitely waning based on current trends.

Now a PSP2 is certainly on the horizon somewhere but we don't know exactly when.

As for that being a doom and gloom article? Not at all. That's Gamastura's monthly NPD analysis.

[Z]

It was entertaining, but halfway through the article talks about other systems. It turns out it is one of those monthly market analysis articles and not secifically towards its the subject of its title.

In addition, I find it strange that the article discusses a single-platform era for Sony in 2010 when Sony is the company with the most consoles ever on shelves in the industry's history.

In any case, Sony is recovering quickly now from their PS3 launch-era mistakes. PS3 now is in a fantastic position. PSP had promising game releases since 2nd half of last year. There is a rumor about Monster Hunter Tri coming to PSP as well. God Eater is doing great in Japan. But I don't know how will its future turn out to be. PS2? It is amazing how well it did till now. Now matter what happens to it, nothing will change that.

What was interesting in the article is that PS2+PSP profits have halfed since last year while PS3 almost doubled.

[Viper]

In addition, I find it strange that the article discusses a single-platform era for Sony in 2010 when Sony is the company with the most consoles ever on shelves in the industry's history.

There is a rumor about Monster Hunter Tri coming to PSP as well. .

What was interesting in the article is that PS2+PSP profits have halfed since last year while PS3 almost doubled.

What do you mean most consoles on shelves? Do you mean separate consoles or number of units of the same console? Nintendo holds them both.

Actually, that's Monster Hunter portable 3, not Monster Hunter Tri (the Wii game).

And finally, that is revenue, not profit.

[Diresu]

What do you mean most consoles on shelves? Do you mean separate consoles or number of units of the same console? Nintendo holds them both.

Actually, that's Monster Hunter portable 3, not Monster Hunter Tri (the Wii game).

And finally, that is revenue, not profit.

Nintendo only has more separate consoles if you count each DS iteration as a different console.

[Viper]

Nintendo only has more separate consoles if you count each DS iteration as a different console.

He said most console son shelves in console history. Sony currently has 3. Nintendo has had as many as 5 a couple of times and 4 consoles many times.

If means most separate consoles out right now, then it's obvious Sony has 3 to Nintendo's 2 to MS's 1.

[Z]

What do you mean most consoles on shelves?

Separate systems. AFAIK, Ninty only has two unless it is a transition period to a new handheld. Sony has three different systems on shelves now.

Actually, that's Monster Hunter portable 3, not Monster Hunter Tri (the Wii game).

I just read yesterday that Tri may be having a PSP port. Maybe it'll be a port or just another new MH title.

[Viper]

Currently, only 2, yes. But in the past there have been times when 3 or 4 were officially supported and not considered in transition. Recall most recently that the DS, GBA and GC were a 3 pillar approach from Nintendo.

And the Monster Hunter 3 for PSP was a mistranslation. It's mean tot be Monster Hunter Portable (Freedom) 3. MH3 is getting major support from NOE and NOA for the European and North American release so you can be certain any ports to other consoles are now out of the question.

[Z]

Is the MH3 you are talking about a very new rumored PSP game? I am not following the MH games news, but what I read yesterday was talking about a port of the Wii title. I didn't post it here because it was just a rumor from somewhere which for me just means some random guy's speculations which is worthless.

But the thing is, why wouldn't they release a new game on PSP when they have the biggest selling franchise on the system by far?

Recall most recently that the DS, GBA and GC were a 3 pillar approach from Nintendo

Yes, but are they still selling GBAs? If they do, then they and Sony hold that record.

PS. Sony just announced that PSN will be coming to Sony Ericsson phones.

[Viper]

Yes, this is very recent and it was a bad translation. Look at the titles themselves. MH3 and MHF3. Easily mixed up.

And the reason it won't go to PSP is 2 fold. 1. Why wasn't it put on PSP in the first place if it's the right console for it? 2. I told you of the support coming from Nintendo. Nintendo wouldn't give that support if the game were going to another console sometime soon.

They'll get MHF3 but not MH3.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

PS2 decreasing in sales shouldn't even BE news. The shit is 11 years old almost. It's gonna die peacefully in it's sleep without anyone noticing. PSP is going on 6 years old.. I wish they'd start announcing PSP2 to be honest. PSP Go was just a re-casing of 5 year old technology. While the graphics are still very nice, the other features like the wireless internet and stuff are dated now.