Framtiden nu

Those of us who are into gaming have followed the E3 conference this week closely. I didn’t have time to watch all the keynotes yet but I looked at the important parts of each keynote.

Some quick comments for those of you who haven’t had time to follow it closely:

• Nintendo: New version of Nintendo DS heavily inspired by iPhone gaming (accelerometer et cetera) and more games that people are excited about. Nintendo has found a formula and are sticking with it, everything they announced was expected and they are doing exactly the right things.
  Verdict: 5/5
• Microsoft: heavily focused on the Playstation-generation and trying to reach hardcore gamers (Gears of War, Metal Gear Solid). But also trying to be a more gimmicky kid-focused brand like Nintendo with Kinetic (motion based gaming). Seems to be targeting both groups with one console. Not good!
  Verdict: 3/5
• Sony: oh dear Sony my old friend. What has happened? It’s like Sony takes one step forward and then one step back. They used to be the king of the hill but they are just slipping further down. Let me sum up my emotions for Sony for the past four years:
  2006 PS3 delayed launch, €499 pricepoint: No no… this will not end well. But okay, it is clearly targeted towards hardcore gamers and who knows, maybe they are ready to pay a hefty sum to get the coolest console.
  2007 Lair launches, receives 4.5/10 rating on Gamespot: It’s been a year. If you have a good console you need AAA games. Who on earth let this game through Q&A?
  2008 Playstation Home: Hold on guys. You have an expensive hardcore gaming console and you launch a service for kids? This is not cool. It is wrong on so many levels.
  2009 Playstation Slim: Lower pricepoint. Awesome! This can be a casual gaming console too. AND you have Littlebigplanet. Finally someone has got hold of their senses.
  2010 3D Gaming: Nooo.. You are betting on a really, REALLY, risky horse here. 3D TVs are still uncommon and now you are betting on 3D gaming? It’s definitely not for the casual gamers and the hardcore gamers are not impressed. And at the same time you launch Playstation Move for kids and casual gamers.

  Verdict: 1/5

As you can see I am a Sony fanboy. But now I’m slowly slipping over to the dark side (Microsoft).

Coming from the outside the recipe for the success looks so easy. What I would do if I were Sony:

• Shut down Playstation Home
• Put 3D gaming on hold for two years
• Tie the Playstation brand in with mobile phones, TVs etc
• Make the Playstation network on par with XBox Live
• Bet on two groups: social/cascual gamers (Singstar) and hardcore gamers

But isn’t there anything they are doing right? Yes, actually there is! The marketing department has made some really good commercials. Here is the one announcing Playstation Move, note how it manages to make fun of both Microsoft Kinetic and Nintendo Wii.

(While we’re at it, here are some more of the commercials that really funny)