A quick thread on the PS5 showcase + Strategy:
- Overall a strong showing that focused on blockbuster IP playable on PS5.
- Key exclusive content from first party and select partners.
- Competitive pricing options and global roll out in November.
- Overall a strong showing that focused on blockbuster IP playable on PS5.
- Key exclusive content from first party and select partners.
- Competitive pricing options and global roll out in November.
https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1306336291890638850?s=20
PlayStation have tailored their PS5 showcases around first year games for the most part since June.
All the major new games showcased, including God of War Ragnarok (PS5 Exclusive), Final Fantasy XVI (PS5 Console Exclusive) and Hogwarts Legends (Multiplat) are 2021 titles.
All the major new games showcased, including God of War Ragnarok (PS5 Exclusive), Final Fantasy XVI (PS5 Console Exclusive) and Hogwarts Legends (Multiplat) are 2021 titles.
The emphasis, as noted in the first tweet, is very much on these blockbuster IP releasing soon and PlayStation 5 being the best place to play.
In addition to exclusive games, Sony continues to invest in exclusive content for third party games. E..g. COD Beta / GTA Online free.
In addition to exclusive games, Sony continues to invest in exclusive content for third party games. E..g. COD Beta / GTA Online free.
The selection of Sony published Day 1 games is fairly compelling.
Was a bit odd that none of these were confirmed as launch titles until afterwards in a blog post. Not to mention that only two of them were actually showcased at all.
Could have communicated it better imo.
Was a bit odd that none of these were confirmed as launch titles until afterwards in a blog post. Not to mention that only two of them were actually showcased at all.
Could have communicated it better imo.
The pricing aspect is something to note here. Sony is bumping next gen game prices fairly significantly here, with the aim to:
- Introduce baseline pricing for next gen
- Pitch PS5 titles as premium games
- Increase with inflation
Will get some pushback, but become normalised
- Introduce baseline pricing for next gen
- Pitch PS5 titles as premium games
- Increase with inflation
Will get some pushback, but become normalised
At the end of the day, Sony's key differentiator here is exclusive content.
The PS5 is the center of the PlayStation ecosystem, with exclusive games, content and bonuses.
For Xbox, Game Pass is becoming the entry point to its ecosystem, with multiple devices to choose from.
The PS5 is the center of the PlayStation ecosystem, with exclusive games, content and bonuses.
For Xbox, Game Pass is becoming the entry point to its ecosystem, with multiple devices to choose from.
A $$$ console will always be a tough sell, which is why Sony's strategy expanded beyond just appealing to current PS4 owners.
In the June conference, Sony showcased back compat with PS4 and service games transitioning over.
Essentially keeping your library / trophies / friends.
In the June conference, Sony showcased back compat with PS4 and service games transitioning over.
Essentially keeping your library / trophies / friends.
Today, Sony expanded on that strategy to appeal to new users. Pitching its PS+ Collection as a way for new PS5 users to have a day 1 games library.
It's not Game Pass, but it's a good competing offer from Sony in a world where digital ecosystems matter
It's not Game Pass, but it's a good competing offer from Sony in a world where digital ecosystems matter
https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1306337091304001536?s=20
One point of contention today was the announcement of cross gen games such as Sackboy and Horizon
The reason for this is because Sony has 110m PS4 users, nearly half of which have a PS+ sub
Not all of them will upgrade in year 1. Many waited for $299 on PS4 and will wait here
The reason for this is because Sony has 110m PS4 users, nearly half of which have a PS+ sub
Not all of them will upgrade in year 1. Many waited for $299 on PS4 and will wait here
Moving on to pricing:
The disc based console price matches the Series X
The digital console, which is the same spec, comes in $100 cheaper than the X and $100 more than the S
Overall it's very competitive as the digital ver. will be compared to the X
The disc based console price matches the Series X
The digital console, which is the same spec, comes in $100 cheaper than the X and $100 more than the S
Overall it's very competitive as the digital ver. will be compared to the X
https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1306334789553844224?s=20
I did a thread here on why the PS5 digital edition is priced the way it is, why that benefits Sony, and why ultimately some buyers will see it as the best option as they are already all digital.
https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1306339823070965761?s=20
Xbox does have a few tricks up its sleeve:
- All Access provides a smoother entry into next gen, with the cost spread over 24m
- Game Pass provides more value out of the gate than PS+ or PS Now, and is on multiple devices
- Series S offers a low cost entry point to next gen
- All Access provides a smoother entry into next gen, with the cost spread over 24m
- Game Pass provides more value out of the gate than PS+ or PS Now, and is on multiple devices
- Series S offers a low cost entry point to next gen
Sony is looking to counter this by:
- Pricing the Digital Edition $100 lower than the Series X
- Exclusive content + increased value with PS+ Collection + expand PS Now to other devices.
- Pitching PS5 as its premium console, with low cost PS4 still an option w/ new games.
- Pricing the Digital Edition $100 lower than the Series X
- Exclusive content + increased value with PS+ Collection + expand PS Now to other devices.
- Pitching PS5 as its premium console, with low cost PS4 still an option w/ new games.
Ultimately I expect Sony to win out in the console space. It has a more compelling day one offering and greater brand / IP recognition around the world
In the medium term, PS5 should outsell the Xbox Series X | S by a notable margin. Although I expect Xbox to do better than 2013
In the medium term, PS5 should outsell the Xbox Series X | S by a notable margin. Although I expect Xbox to do better than 2013
The long term is where it gets interesting. Especially as Microsoft continues to increase the value of Game Pass and make the service more accessible / frictionless.
Microsoft might not win the console war, but it could win the ecosystem war. See more:
Microsoft might not win the console war, but it could win the ecosystem war. See more:
https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1283827733026439169?s=20
I expect PS5 to see strong demand this holiday, hence its staggered global launch through November. Production and logistics could certainly be an issue this holiday / 2021.
I do expect the console to sell faster than the PS4, but how much faster will be determined by supply.
I do expect the console to sell faster than the PS4, but how much faster will be determined by supply.
We have an internal forecast for next gen which I might be able to share in the future, either as a free download or part of our paid reports.
Right now we expect an installed base of over 8 million next gen consoles by the end of calendar 2020.
Right now we expect an installed base of over 8 million next gen consoles by the end of calendar 2020.
Here is my previous thread on Sony's June PS5 showcase for anyone interested.
https://twitter.com/ZhugeEX/status/1271211070192005120?s=20
* Issuing a correction to the second tweet in the thread.
I said that FFXVI was a 2021 game, but looks like they just said more information in 2021. Apologies for the mistake.
Point still stands that most of what Sony has shown is planned for release in year 1.
I said that FFXVI was a 2021 game, but looks like they just said more information in 2021. Apologies for the mistake.
Point still stands that most of what Sony has shown is planned for release in year 1.
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