News & Rumours: Playstation 4/ Orbis *spin*

[Silent_Buddha]

Sony's brand recognition is still strong. Combining superior engineering with low cost manufacturing has been a problem with Sony because it still has a rather significant manufacturing base in japan.

I had a hand me down floor model trinitron (wood grain and everything) up until I got married in 2006 which worked perfectly except for a broken volume and channel button. My parents bought that TV back in 1981. Great picture and had my PS2 and Xbox hooked up to that bad boy.

Those were the days. I can't imagine any piece of electronic I currently own lasting anywhere near that long with regular use even Sony's wares. The trinitron didn't even die, I gave it away because my wife.

It was a beautiful TV.
http://www.auctionflex.com/showlot.ap?co=1&weiid=3722639&lang=En

Yes, the Trinitron was the epitomy of a good TV, especially before others started to make something similar.

But currently the only strong brand that Sony has remaining is the Playstation brand. And even that is starting to fade. Xbox is more frequently used to reference consoles in Movies and Television than Playstation is. Go back to 2007 and earlier and that wasn't the case. Playstation was used in Movies and TV to refer to anything that was a gaming console.

Ask someone what what a good TV to get is. Samsung, LG, and Vizio (in the US, not sure Vizio exists outside of the US?) will come up. Very few people even think of Sony in conjunction with TVs anymore.

As for a good phone that someone mentioned earlier. Apple and Samsung dominate that discussion. After those you have the smaller players like HTC, Huawei (gaining some word of mouth), etc. Sony? I have never heard anyone recommend a Sony phone in the past few years. Back when Sony-Ericsson was strong that wasn't the case.

Home Audio Visual equipement? Used to have at least a fair bit of brand recognition. Now? Many people wouldn't even look at it twice.

Cameras also used to be really strong for them. But even that has started to fade significantly.

And that isn't exactly easy for me to say. Sony used to be my favorite foreign electronics company. Although I did also like various other ones over the years.

Regards,
SB

 

[rockaman]

Do you guys know what VEVO is?

Just curious.

Very few people even think of Sony in conjunction with TVs anymore.

I can't help but disagree with these statements. Their TV sales are down, and they are scaling back production, but I don't think Sony is thought of as a consumer business that doesn't deal with TV's.

They are still viewed as a premium electronics maker. Competition has obviously grown, and Sony has hurt itself by pricing itself outside the market for too long. But Sony is still an electronics company, I don't think anyone has forgotten that.

Home Audio Visual equipement? Used to have at least a fair bit of brand recognition. Now? Many people wouldn't even look at it twice.

I'm sorry, these are just absolutely silly statements. This is like an Apple fan claiming no one looks at Microsoft in laptops anymore.

I mean, I'm sure I'd agree with the idea of brand losing that Sony has experienced like I agree with Shifty, but it's just statements like these that fly over my head! Lol.

 

[Silent_Buddha]

Do you guys know what VEVO is?

Yup but it took me a while, because when I think of VEVO, I think of Youtube. Because that's where the vast majority of people are going to see VEVO...on Youtube.

I'm willing to bet that less than 1% of people that have seen a VEVO video will know that it is associated with Sony and not with Youtube and hence Google.

I certainly didn't until I was prompted to wonder why you were asking me about it, as I (just like most people) just assumed it was affiliated with Google due to the only time you see it being on Youtube. Which certainly doesn't help out Sony in brand recognition although it at least brings in some revenue.

I can't help but disagree with these statements. Their TV sales are down, and they are scaling back production, but I don't think Sony is thought of as a consumer business that doesn't deal with TV's.

It's beyond down. It's abysmal. Your average consumer is more likely to think Samsung or LG when thinking of a good TV brand to buy than Sony. It says a lot when a TV manufacturer (Vizio) that earned its reputation for making good quality cheap TV's is considered by your average consumer to have better TVs from top to bottom than Sony.

They are still viewed as a premium electronics maker. Competition has obviously grown, and Sony has hurt itself by pricing itself outside the market for too long. But Sony is still an electronics company, I don't think anyone has forgotten that.

Take out the premium part and I'll agree that people definitely still associate Sony with Electronics. Just like people associate RCA with electronics. The problem is that most people don't think of them as being "premium" anymore and hence definitely not worth the premium prices that Sony still tries to charge. But at least unlike RCA, Sony is still a company and not just a brand being passed around.

Although I should note that at least Sony's A/V department has noticed the fact that people don't think of them as being a premium brand anymore, as they are now quite attractively priced for features offered for their A/V receivers. Although there are numerous complaints about manufacturing quality, something that was almost unheard of for Sony electronics 15+ years ago.

I'm sorry, these are just absolutely silly statements. This is like an Apple fan claiming no one looks at Microsoft in laptops anymore.

Actually it would be more like a Microsoft fan claiming that no one looks at Microsoft in laptops anymore. Whatever that means.

Or did you miss the fact that I still like Sony very much, and have quite a few Sony products? I have more Sony eReaders (3) than I have Kindles (0). My last 3 A/V receivers were Kenwood, Onkyo and now Sony. I have 2 Sony Camera's that each cost ~1,000 USD when I bought them. The list goes on. Hell, I came -><- that close to buying the OLED TV that Sony put on the market a few years ago.

So please, drop the personal attacks, they don't put you in a good light.

Regards,
SB

 

[Silenti]

Split the difference - call it 400 and 500$ plus paid online. If MS's prices are similar (especially if the VG Leaks spec info is correct) I may just have to skip a generation. Haven't done that for a long time.

 

[rockaman]

Yup but it took me a while, because when I think of VEVO, I think of Youtube. Because that's where the vast majority of people are going to see VEVO...on Youtube.

I'm willing to bet that less than 1% of people that have seen a VEVO video will know that it is associated with Sony and not with Youtube and hence Google.

But the discussion we were having with Shifty was brand awareness. And we were talking about arms of Sony. You don't need to know that Walkman is a Sony product in the 1990s to buy a Walkman. Neither do you need to know that PlayStation is a Sony product in 1995 (Sony themselves tried to distance themselves from their own product).

VEVO is a strong brand, and it is partly owned by Sony. Where it is distributed is not the question.

Yes, people view VEVO on Youtube, but the revenue generated from advertising is split between Sony, it's partners, and Google.

It doesn't matter if you think of VEVO and you think of Youtube. You're still using a service provided by Sony Music. And you are going to VEVO, because it is a well-known and good service.

Or did you miss the fact that I still like Sony very much, and have quite a few Sony products? I have more Sony eReaders (3) than I have Kindles (0). My last 3 A/V receivers were Kenwood, Onkyo and now Sony. I have 2 Sony Camera's that each cost ~1,000 USD when I bought them. The list goes on. Hell, I came -><- that close to buying the OLED TV that Sony put on the market a few years ago.

So please, drop the personal attacks, they don't put you in a good light.

Um, how was it a personal attack?

I didn't attack you, sir. I addressed the statement you made. If you want to wear it on your sleeve, that's your choice.

I'm not here to judge your personal preferences or buying habits (hence my analogy to an Apple fan, not a Microsoft fan, raining on Microsoft products). I just disagree wholeheartedly with the suggestions that imagine Sony in such a difficulty with brand awareness. It's the implication that comes from statements like 'no one looks twice at Sony TVs' which is, in all likelihood, patently false.

P.S.

Was Sony-Ericsson even that strong at any point? This was only in the time before true 'smartphones' came to market. The joint venture did not compete well with Nokia who has, by far, the most phones sold overall in this last decade. Sony even scrapped the entire Ericsson branding in favour of the 'Sony' Xperia.

 

[Brad Grenz]

I don't think sony will charge for MP, what will happen to Vita MP?

I agree they will continue to offer basic multiplayer with voice chat for free, Netflix et all as well. It is too good a wedge issue against Xbox to abandon. But all the cool new video streaming, sharing and Gaikai features will require a paid service.

 

[patsu]

If the competition is coming as weak as the rumors suggest, Sony will have all the right in the world to charge for MP. Especially if they provide feature parity (which shouldn't be an issue at this point).

Hm ? Is the competition weak or keeping radio silence ?

Vita would stay free, because that ecosystem is already in play.

I'm still of the opinion that Sony looks at Live revenue and drools a bit, if MP gaming is the best carrot to get there why not? Most people won't notice a few $ a month.

Few people play MP over mobile networks (lag !). Vita MP is mostly LAN game or adhoc party.


As for PS4 online experience, I'll see what they offer, and how they package the deal before commenting.


I would be very surprised if they announce the final price tomorrow.

 

[Hecatoncheires]

If Sony is smart they won't charge for online multiplayer but will make the PlayStation World as attractive as possible so that core gamers are going to sub it anyway.

I expect everything that is free on PS3 and Vita to be also free on PS4. Charging for PS4 but not for the other two console makes no sense. Sony customers won't accept it. On the other hand, I expect every new feature as well as all PS+ features to be integrated into the new PlayStation World subscription, which then can be used across all of Sony's gaming platforms, or more precisely with your Account that applies to every PlayStation product.

 

[dagamer]

If Sony is smart they won't charge for online multiplayer but will make the PlayStation World as attractive as possible so that core gamers are going to sub it anyway.

I expect everything that is free on PS3 and Vita to be also free on PS4. Charging for PS4 but not for the other two console makes no sense. Sony customers won't accept it. On the other hand, I expect every new feature as well as all PS+ features to be integrated into the new PlayStation World subscription, which then can be used across all of Sony's gaming platforms, or more precisely with your Account that applies to every PlayStation product.

That's pretty naive. Considering Microsoft was able to convince millions of people for Xbox Live Gold, I really doubt that people actually picked the PS3 for that single issue alone. Besides, if Sony does charge for online multiplayer, where are those people going to go, PC gaming?

I don't want to be adversarial, just don't stick your head into the sand act surprised if/when it happens.

 

[Hecatoncheires]

Considering Microsoft was able to convince millions of American people for Xbox Live Gold

Fixed that. You have to consider that the XBox brand is very popular in the US but in Japan and Europe Sony is dominating over Microsoft. These markets don't have the same (let's call it) "buying mood" as the American market. I'm convinced that if Sony goes too far they will easily lose their customers to PC (Europe) or other consoles (Japan).

 

[dagamer]

Fixed that. You have to consider that the XBox brand is very popular in the US but in Japan and Europe Sony is dominating over Microsoft. These markets don't have the same (let's call it) "buying mood" as the American market. I'm convinced that if Sony goes too far they will easily lose their customers to PC (Europe) or other consoles (Japan).

Doubtful, again, if some one was really that attracted to the PC by now because of the better graphics (miles ahead of what current consoles can do) and free multiplayer, they would have left by now. As for other consoles in Japan.... The Wii U ain't doin so hot, Microsoft consoles are shunned, and PC gaming isn't really that big in the first place over there. and no game developer wants to really spend the next 5 years working with nearly the same tech on the Wii U as they have been doing on the PS3/360 when the PS4/720 offer many more possibilities. Heck, they might as well just keep making PS3/360 games then, at least the install base is larger (and they most likely probably will).

 

[arijoytunir]

 

[dagamer]

BATTLEFIELD FOURRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

 

[Hecatoncheires]

Doubtful, again, if some one was really that attracted to the PC by now because of the better graphics (miles ahead of what current consoles can do) and free multiplayer, they would have left by now. As for other consoles in Japan.... The Wii U ain't doin so hot, Microsoft consoles are shunned, and PC gaming isn't really that big in the first place over there. and no game developer wants to really spend the next 5 years working with nearly the same tech on the Wii U as they have been doing on the PS3/360 when the PS4/720 offer many more possibilities. Heck, they might as well just keep making PS3/360 games then, at least the install base is larger (and they most likely probably will).

Like I said, I see that quite differently. Let's wait a couple of hours an we will know anyway.

 

[2real4tv]

Is that why I can't get on GAF?

 

[Cheezdoodles]

Paid online, screw that.

Yes I have ps+ but I find the idea of paying for a game and then paying again I order to play it disgusting. Then sell me a cheap non mulltiplayer version aka a used version. I guess I will need to build a dedicated pc for my big screen setup.

Paid online is the biggest scam in console gaming. It's not like ms is hosting dedicated servers, you get the same laggy **** service as you have on the ps3, but with a better user interface and some more features

 

[Cjail]

BATTLEFIELD FOURRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

KILLZONE FOURRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

 

[Brad Grenz]

That's pretty naive. Considering Microsoft was able to convince millions of people for Xbox Live Gold, I really doubt that people actually picked the PS3 for that single issue alone. Besides, if Sony does charge for online multiplayer, where are those people going to go, PC gaming?

I don't want to be adversarial, just don't stick your head into the sand act surprised if/when it happens.

Why is it so many people have trouble believing Sony might just fundamentally disagree with a policy like charging for P2P multiplayer? Are you as jealous of con men who trick retirees out of their life savings as you think Sony is of that XBLG money? Or do you prefer to earn money in a way that conforms to your personal standards?

 

[Cjail]

Paid online on PS4 would be a massive mistake IMO.
Gaikai on the other hand might be a premium service on PS4.

 

[Nesh]

So how many hours are left before the unveiling?