Last console generation (the sixth), Sony’s PS2 was so dominant that folks barely ever noticed the other players on the field; that’s how dominant Sony were. It had all the great franchises: GTA, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy and most other big hitters you could recollect called the PS2 home, exclusively.
The console is still living, so there’s no need to talk about it like it’s been dead and buried. Over 150 million copies have already been sold globally, and millions more sell every year. Guys, that was just four years ago.
In the midst of Sony’s glory days, when PS2 ruled all routes, a software company known best for its Windows operating system, went against the wind and released a console they named the Xbox. Oh the Xbox; Microsoft launched the thing in 2002 with much fanfare but not many fans. No one cared, really, because PS2 had already set up a monopoly. In fact, if it wasn’t for this game developed by Bungie dubbed Halo: Combat Evolved, the Xbox would have been naught.
Four years later, Microsoft dropped the console like a bad habit and dove headfirst, full throttle, into the current generation of consoles, (the seventh generation), and to make a long story short, with the release of the Xbox 360 in 2005, Redmond has sealed her position forever in the gaming industry.
They went from nothing to over 40 million consoles sold in just over five years; The Xbox 360 now sells the most games, most accessories, and makes more profit for the industry, ( see NPD) than any other gaming company out there. If that’s not great then nothing is. The way the Xbox 360 stands now, you’d think the PS2′s base was Microsoft’s. I mean, how could a company squander such a lead is beyond me, Sony I’m talking about.
Xbox Live is the most popular online service of the three companies, its features a robust and continually, Microsoft replenishes it with content and upgrades. Great franchises like Gears of War, Alan Wake, Crackdown, Fable, and Forza amongst others, were birthed on the box, and with Kingdom and XCOM added, things could only get better.
Now, I’m not comparing Xbox 360 games lineup to that of PS3, because we know the PS3 will win that battle any day, and rightfully so. What many seems to forget is that Sony has been in this game much longer than Microsoft, and so, over the years, they’ve made different acquisitions that lead them to have such a robust first party lineup. So if Microsoft dominated that area, it would be a shame on Sony.
But pause and think for yourself. Sony came from the sixth generation of consoles with PS2 ruling the day, (back then over 100 millionPS2 consoles had already been sold). Xbox 360 came on the scene barely selling over 20 million Xboxs. Now there are about 36 million PS3s on the market, and about 42 million Xbox 360s. This console generation will soon be out, as Microsoft will soon release it’s next, next gen console and rest assured, Sony will not allow Redmond to release before them.
If that’s the case, who then is the real winner here, Sony or Microsoft? It’s easily Microsoft imo.
It’s hard to argue otherwise.
I see your point but I think gamers are the true winners. Even though I’m team Playstation I like the fact that the 360 is doing well. It keeps Sony on their toes (they were too cocky before) and the result is just one awesome game after another. Think Uncharted 2, GOW3, Heavy Rain, etc. And as a result Microsoft is trying to make their fanbase happy as well. It’s a great time to be a gamer.
You make a great point. The pressure keeps Sony on its toes and so gamers are the ones who win!
the only reason why M$ are ahead is because of sony.
1 they released so late.
2 they had a RIDICULOUS! price.
3 PSN paled in comparison on release, still does!
4 sony does not bother advertising their product, M$ does and boy are they good at it!
5 sony are not willing to spend money on things, M$ are.
perfect example M$ paid fox 8 a crap load of money to televise this years E3.
did sony?
nope!
M$ are happy to spend money on exclusives, is sony?
nope!
M$ is happy to spend money bringing back old classics like doom or duke nukem 3D.
is sony?
nope!
sony have absolutely no one to blame this gen but themselves!
there arrogant attitude has come back and bit them in the a$$!
father ken certainly did not help, i mean how arrogant do you have to be to say customers will work a 2nd job just so they can have a ps3?
sonys arrogance has finally come back and bit them hard!
M$ have no one to thank but sony, and sony have no one to blame but themselves!
Wow, what a synopsis.
LOL!
its true though, sony have really let M$ walk all over them this gen.
releasing last and at such a high price has really hurt them, and its going to take allot for them to recover.
plus there attitude to their fans certainly has not helped, i mean look at move its marketed to casual gamers but has a really high price tag.
i thought sony would of learnt there lesson with the ps3, but looks like i was wrong.
they must have the worlds thickest head!
it will be interesting to see how both motion controls go, but at 200 bucks i really cant see them taking off for a long, long time!
They might all just die! I hope not, but people who wanted motion controls got the Wii, got it Sony and MS? Good.
motion controls do have there place, like action games its much more fun using a motion controller than a normal one.
like MGS rising i really hope that has move support.
even for shooters, aiming with the motion controls is much easier than with the analogue sticks.
i enjoy them, but there are games for them, and there are games that are not for them.
i really hope M$ dont just stick casual games with kinect, i dont think sony will though because they have already shown heaps of hardcore titles with move.
rumor has it infamous 2 will also have move support!