This generation of the console wars has been a rough one for Sony but the PlayStation 3 has survived and is finally poised to turn things around, thanks in large part to a surprising and unforeseen ally: Nintendo.
Sony’s domination of the previous generation of the videogame market with the PlayStation 2 was absolute, but that all went out the window with the debut of the PlayStation 3. At $599, the unit was priced substantially higher than its competitors and Sony’s attempt to justify the cost with the built-in Blu-ray player just didn’t take flight. Sony took a first-to-worst tumble, slapped down by its mortal rival, Microsoft.
But while the situation was dire, predictions of the PlayStation’s demise never came true, largely, according to DFC Intelligence, thanks to the Nintendo Wii. While the Xbox 360 was slapping around the PS3, the Wii was merrily pounding the crap out of both of them like an angry Newfie chasing down a couple of baby seals.
“The main danger Sony faced was that the Xbox 360 would become embedded as the system of choice. Instead consumers flocked to the Nintendo Wii,” the report says. “The Xbox 360 had solid sales, but they have not been enough to give Microsoft anywhere near a breakout market position. In many respects, Sony was saved by the success of the Wii.”
Now, with the playing field leveled and the popularity of the Wii apparently waning, Microsoft’s inability to deliver a knockout punch may very well come back to bite the company in the ass. “The cards are in Sony’s favor and now is the time to make the most of them,” the report says. “The next year will be extremely important for PlayStation 3 sales and Sony’s overall position in the marketplace. Now is the time for Sony to shine.”
via: CVG
Published: Nov 5, 2009 05:13 pm