PlayStation 4 launch 'crucial' before next Xbox, says analyst

EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich talks to Shacknews about how Sony's early announcement was a cagey move, and suggests that the company should beat Microsoft to market as well.

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Sony has had its say on the PlayStation 4, followed promptly by the reactions of fans. It's the market analysts' turn to have a go at the new system. Jesse Divnich of Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR) says Sony was smart to beat Microsoft to the punch on the announcement, and needs to keep that trend going for the console launch.

"Sony's PlayStation 4 announcement was nearly perfect and on point," Divnich told Shacknews. "The biggest challenge Sony has right now is the struggling console market. Launching another console at $599 would be a big mistake. Sony has to keep the retail costs of the PlayStation 4 reasonable so consumers are not threatened by the price. It's crucial that Sony's launches the PlayStation 4 before Microsoft launches its next console."

He says that announcing ahead of Microsoft was a cagey move as well. "Sony can now focus and spend more time on discussing its online network, go more in depth with its games, and pricing at later events this year, such as E3." That said, he doesn't think Microsoft is fretting. "Microsoft is likely working on its own announcement plans and not deviating too much from them at this point."

Finally, Divnich noted that this presentation focused on courting developers, in stark contrast to the PlayStation 3. "The overall message of Sony's presentation was how easy it will be for developers this time around," he said. "PlayStation 3 had many development issues from third-parties, at least early on in the console's life. Many multiplatform titles ran poorly on PlayStation 3 compared to Xbox 360. It looks as though Sony is correcting this problem. Talking to developers and gaining critical feedback in development of the PlayStation 4 was essential."

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  • reply
    February 21, 2013 11:00 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, PlayStation 4 launch 'crucial' before next Xbox, says analyst.

    EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich talks to Shacknews about how Sony's early announcement was a cagey move, and suggests that the company should beat Microsoft to market as well.

    • reply
      February 21, 2013 11:46 AM

      Here's my take. I think its OK at best. I still wouldn't rush out to pre-order this just yet. And no - it's not because of the controller that everyone is crying about (which I think is fine imo), its the fact they've gone too social/sharing with this. That seems to be the bigger emphasis on this system. With my console games, I just like to play a single-player game, once in a blue moon maybe hop into a MP game. But theres too much ....useless fluff with this system that I'll never even bother looking at.

      Killzone 4 demo was OK, didn't WoW me like I though it would have. Majority of the bigger titles that were shown (Destiny, Watch Dogs, etc.) are multi-platform (including PS3) so a simple "yea, its coming to PS4" would have sufficed. I guess down the road we should see some more exclusives but this didn't jump out and impress me unlike the jump from PS2 to PS3 did. I'm waiting for Xbox's press release on their next system before deciding which system (or if I will even) go with.

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        February 21, 2013 11:57 AM

        [deleted]

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        February 21, 2013 12:09 PM

        the emphasis on social/sharing is because they got destroyed in the online space by Microsoft in the current gen. PS3 did not have online functionality at all when it shipped. They stressed all of this stuff yesterday because it is a paradigm shift for Playstation.

        i liked all of that stuff, and i am sure you can turn it all off if you don't want to use it.

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        February 21, 2013 12:52 PM

        I don't think the graphics leap will be as much as people are thinking this time around.

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          February 21, 2013 1:20 PM

          Initially it'll look a little better than current gen. In two years when publishers stop making versions of games for the Wii U, PS3 and 360 because they've figured out ways to optimize for the PS4/Durango that can't be replicated on lesser hardware it'll start looking pretty sweet. In 5 years once the Wii U 2 is out (with U2 skin and different U2 music for loading and startup screens, etc.) because they really need something better (but it will just be 9 PowerPC cores running at 1.7Ghz for backwards compatibility, and a GPU based on the next PC gen cards) they'll be pretty awesome and Nintendo will have 2 years of being a little better than caught up for the most part instead of just one while developers complain that they really should've put 16GB of GD^3RAR RAM instead because it's just not enough.

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            February 21, 2013 9:43 PM

            [deleted]

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              February 22, 2013 1:28 PM

              If I could, I'd be a professional rambler, I'm pretty good at now, but I would do it professionally. Another thing I would do is invade a neighboring country, and force my own ideology on them, even if they didn't want it.

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          February 21, 2013 1:23 PM

          Some of those demos were supposedly running on a PS4 prototype and they were FAR above what we are seeing on console right now.

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            February 21, 2013 2:01 PM

            I've heard that and if the Deep Down demo was really real time, I will proudly rescind my statement.

            That said, every console announcement has pre-rendered "game footage".

            The PS2 was supposed to have Toy Story graphics and we can't forget the whole Killzone 2 incident and even now Aliens Colonial Marines had an impressive "demo" that didn't look the final at all.

            I would say though that I am cautiously optimistic.

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              February 21, 2013 2:33 PM

              People have terrible memories. Aside from the jump to HD, the first run of 360 and ps3 games were really not that impressive. Go back and look at perfect dark zero, then compare it to something like halo 4.

              We also saw the Unreal 4 tech demo playing in real time, there is nothing close to that on current consoles or pcs for that matter right now. And that is just at the start of the cycle.

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              February 21, 2013 2:41 PM

              Sony has never spewed so much bullshit as they did for the PS2. They were at their bullshit prime at that time. The PS2 really wasn't that impressive at all. It always had pretty muddy and washed out look to it. I still thing Dreamcast games looked better.

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                February 22, 2013 11:40 AM

                YES. THIS GUY. Upvote. Like. Whatever. I'm constantly surrounded by Sony FanBoi's to this day claim the PS2 was some sort of marvel, made them breakfast. Hell I used to be one. I preordered a PS2, had that thing on day 1. Sony hyped that thing to the moon and back, this thing is gunna let you run Toy Story in real time blah blah blah. After about a year of crappy games and unfinished promises I sold it grabbed a Gamecube at launch and never looked back.

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        February 21, 2013 1:27 PM

        The is just a factor of what is being improved.

        Killzone 4 was running at 1080p, a signification jump in resolution from the previous generation. The image was also much cleaner with an obvious improved use of AA. Other factors such as shadow quality were way up as well. In general everything was a lot cleaner with minimal rendering artifacts that we've gotten used with the current generation.

        These don't pop out as an improvement as much as say triple to polygon budget but as a whole these little things add up to a significant improvement in image fidelity that people will notice more actually playing the games.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:30 PM

        Its the same with pcs to be honest, too much useless stuff i dont need. I should just not bother.

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      February 21, 2013 11:50 AM

      it's amusing; i remember analysts saying that MS launching the 360 so early (and before the PS3) was a bad move that showed a lack of confidence.

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        February 21, 2013 12:12 PM

        I was thinking I remembered the same thing...

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        February 21, 2013 1:25 PM

        And I'm pretty sure even Sony said a few months back that they were in no rush to release this year and were just fine taking their time and releasing after the other consoles...

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          February 21, 2013 1:56 PM

          do you really believe that? A few months back they'd have already had this event on their development schedule and thus a release window scheduled

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            February 21, 2013 2:08 PM

            I remember reading it somewhere and it was a statement from Sony themselves. Honestly, I think it was just an attempt to throw MS off and lull them into a false sense of security. Either that or another example of the strange silos of Sony not communicating withe each other very well.

            • reply
              February 21, 2013 2:29 PM

              right, I just meant it was likely your first explanation

    • reply
      February 21, 2013 12:16 PM

      I don't think cost will be such an issue this time around since they're likely using more common components.

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        February 21, 2013 12:25 PM

        Agreed. I'm pretty sure the reason the PS3 was so expensive at launch was because of the cell processor and all right?

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      February 21, 2013 12:42 PM

      I doubt a lot of million of consumers will buy the Playstation 4 than 720 xbox because the xbox will block used games that aint be good.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 1:24 PM

        [deleted]

        • reply
          February 21, 2013 1:25 PM

          does anybody here speak jive

          • reply
            February 21, 2013 2:06 PM

            You's know ah' do, Fry. Slap mah fro! It be a skill learned ova' a life time wid meanin'ful implicashuns.

            • reply
              February 21, 2013 2:06 PM

              Above post brought to you by Jive Translator.

              http://www.luketillo.com/jiveluke.html

              • reply
                February 21, 2013 2:09 PM

                Dude, you are being rude to me. I'm an hearing impairment and I do not have perfect English grammar. You better be respect at me.

                • reply
                  February 21, 2013 2:15 PM

                  what a weird day in the chatty lol

                • reply
                  February 21, 2013 2:17 PM

                  I did not intend to be rude. I was responding to [fry]'s post above. How about I rewrite your post above so you can get a better idea of the grammar involved?

                  "I highly doubt that millions of consumers will buy the Xbox 720 over the Playstation 4 because the xbox will block used games. Blocking used games would not be good."

                  Hopefully, I was close.

                  • reply
                    February 21, 2013 2:19 PM

                    Follow-up:

                    "Dudebro, you are being rude to me. I have a hearing impairment, and as a result, my grammar is not perfect. You best show me some respect."

                    • reply
                      February 21, 2013 2:21 PM

                      Awesome, smart-panty man. I do barely use my English grammar, but I know most hearing people have better grammar in English than I do. I might have more times to read books that help me to write more better someday.

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                        February 21, 2013 2:28 PM

                        I think you meant smarty-pants, but honestly, smart-panty man is much funnier.

                        I do not know the extent of your hearing impairment. I am sure you have overcome a great deal, and I am glad you are posting here and communicating with us.

                        I do hope that you can find the time to read more and improve your writing in the future.

                • reply
                  February 21, 2013 2:17 PM

                  I'm respecting at you right now.

                • reply
                  February 21, 2013 8:52 PM

                  My cousin has a pretty severe hearing impairment yet she managed to learn grammar about as well as anyone. Is it common for people with hearing problems to have shitty grammar? It seems like if you can read you should probably be able to pick it up like anyone else but I don't know.

                  • reply
                    February 22, 2013 9:46 AM

                    I'm thinking English might be his/her second language as well.

                • reply
                  February 21, 2013 11:54 PM

                  Hahaha, this is amazing.

              • reply
                February 21, 2013 3:11 PM

                lol this thing is great

          • reply
            February 21, 2013 2:34 PM

            HAHAHAHA

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 1:43 PM

        The only way that plan would have worked is if Sony did it as well. Since that doesn't look to be the case, I think it's safe to call that MS rumor just that, a rumor. Now, they could totally come out at E3 and announce a boneheaded plan like that, but they'd all be quickly out of jobs.

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        February 21, 2013 1:45 PM

        Exactly my point! Sometimes a million of a people will aint be so gooder!

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          February 21, 2013 2:15 PM

          In my opinion, consumers won't buy the next generation of xbox because the xbox would have block used games. People could go for buying the Playstation 4 which do not block used games and always be on connect with an internet. :) I won't buy the xbox and probably go for Wii U and Playstation. :D

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            February 21, 2013 2:23 PM

            "In my opinion, consumers won't buy the next generation xbox because the xbox may block used games. People will opt to buy the Playstation 4 that does not block used games, and is always connected to the internet. :) I won't buy the xbox. Instead, I will probably go for the Wii U and the Playstation. :D"

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        February 21, 2013 2:06 PM

        "I doubt millions of consumer would buy a Playstation 4 over an Xbox 720 because..." and that's as far as I got....

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:11 PM

        I should have edit this sentence before check it twices time.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 5:05 PM

        Are you Yoda?

    • reply
      February 21, 2013 1:26 PM

      my master plan that is very complicated and unique is that i'm going to buy both consoles when they come out and play video games on them that i like.

      anybody else with me.

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        February 21, 2013 1:34 PM

        I've posted this too much today, but I'm not buying the next Xbox till the hardware proves stable.

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          February 21, 2013 1:38 PM

          eh i had a 360 red ring on me and they had a replacement out in a couple of days. i ain't worried.

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            February 21, 2013 1:45 PM

            I boycotted the 360 this entire time based upon shoddy hardware, so I'm a little more extreme than most in this kind of situation.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 1:47 PM

        Word. I hope I have room in my entertainment center for AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL these expensive consoles I'll have while everyone else is rubbing shit on re-verse's garage.

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          February 21, 2013 2:10 PM

          It might sound lame but that is a big reason for me only buying one console. I don't have room for two.

          • reply
            February 21, 2013 2:18 PM

            how big is your TV?

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              February 21, 2013 2:42 PM

              It's not my TV, it's my entertainment unit and my hate of clutter.

              • reply
                February 21, 2013 3:16 PM

                So you do have room, you just don't want the clutter?

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                  February 21, 2013 8:48 PM

                  Both. Right now the shelves under my TV are pretty full, my 360 sits right next to my TV. With one more console I could shift things around a bit to make it work. 2 more? I don't know... it would get ugly and start to annoy me.

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                February 21, 2013 10:42 PM

                Doesn't everyone have an auxillary entertainment unit for the obselete/classic consoles?

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                  February 22, 2013 5:33 AM

                  I don't yet. I plan to finish my basement then I'll set up all my old consoles there.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 1:49 PM

        I'm with you!

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 1:54 PM

        [deleted]

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 1:56 PM

        ballers itt

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 1:57 PM

        race traitor

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:03 PM

        This will be me in the end haha

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:09 PM

        Ditto

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        February 21, 2013 2:11 PM

        I will stick with the PC master race and probably get a PS4 next year.

      • gmd legacy 10 years legacy 20 years mercury mega
        reply
        February 21, 2013 2:17 PM

        slow the fuck down maverick

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        February 21, 2013 2:20 PM

        That has worked for me with this generation of consoles, no need to change now - I'm in!

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:23 PM

        WHAT A PIG YOU ARE TO HAVE NO BRAND LOYALTY

        • reply
          February 21, 2013 2:23 PM

          ...or perhaps you're one of those people that just enjoys playing games regardless of the system they're published on.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:26 PM

        [deleted]

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        February 21, 2013 2:27 PM

        i will probably get one of the 2 at launch and the other later on down the line but i haven't figured out which one it is. PS4 looks pretty awesome but if everyone sticks with xbox i might risk not being able to play mutiplayer with friends and other shackers.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:31 PM

        [deleted]

        • reply
          February 21, 2013 2:35 PM

          i was gonna save for a PC upgrade but if the next gen consoles are coming out in the fall, my money is probably better spent on one of those since it might last another 8 years.

          • reply
            February 21, 2013 3:23 PM

            [deleted]

            • reply
              February 21, 2013 7:34 PM

              never going to have parts in your pc that need replacing or upgrading in 8 years? hopefully they still make the components for the right socket if you have to replace something...

            • reply
              February 21, 2013 10:03 PM

              Do you equate replace with buy? Who has to buy the same console three times?

              If not, who cares?

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:36 PM

        I'm with you.

        I'd also like it if we could introduce the red ban hammer for pc master race discussions. Its getting so fucking tired at this point.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:42 PM

        You shall have my controller

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 3:07 PM

        Same.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 4:18 PM

        Yep, that's what i'm doing.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 4:25 PM

        It's worked for me the last 20 years, why stop now?

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 4:32 PM

        Fuck yes. This isn't Genesis vs. SNES and I'm not 12 anymore. I want to play ALL the best games.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 5:05 PM

        Sadly no [fry] I came to realise recently, yes I can easily afford all 3 consoles, I can not afford the time of all 3 consoles.

        Selling the 360 stopped me looking at 360 news, I don't need to worry "is this 360 exclusive something I'd like?" because I spent so long looking at PS3 exclusives. I have cut off a limb and I need not worry about it.
        Between movies, TV shows, PC gaming and my PS3 - my time is already well well taken care of :(

        So when it comes to next gen, I'll rent / borrow / steal a Wii U for 1 week for Bayonetta 2 and otherwise buy one console. It's likely to be the PS4 but Microsoft could do some fucking amazing shit which I have no choice but to go for.

        We shall see.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 5:08 PM

        Nah, probably just PS4 for me. Unless MS has secured exclusives (read, not on PC either) that interest me. Then I could see getting the new Xbox at some point as well.

        • reply
          February 21, 2013 5:12 PM

          The Xbox failed to produce exclusives which interested me long term, Fable I loved and it slowly turned to shit and Forza well,.. I do miss Forza :( a lot.

          The other Xbox exclusives, 2 particular ones I feel are actually some of the most over rated games in the past decade :/ I think the only other thing on Xbox I'd like is Fez.

        • reply
          February 21, 2013 8:54 PM

          Having both give you the ability to get a game on whatever console runs it best though if they systems are as similar as rumors suggest that shouldn't be as much of an issue this time.

          • reply
            February 22, 2013 1:15 AM

            I had both for a while this generation, and I think the only time that came up for me was Bayonetta. I suspect it'll be even less of an issue next generation.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 11:52 PM

        I will most likely wait for a price drop on the next XBox and in the meantime enjoy my awesome PC and 360!

    • reply
      February 21, 2013 1:44 PM

      Since it's likely we see the next Xbox this same Holiday season, I doubt first to market means much this time around. Now, if MS doesn't launch until next year (which if think is unlikely) it could mean something.

    • reply
      February 21, 2013 1:51 PM

      It will be good for the whole industry to step up the tech level. I don't really care which pony wins in MS/Sony fights as they're really close to being the exact same thing.

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      February 21, 2013 2:43 PM

      So of the new features, it's obvious the social functions are what Sony thinks are important.

      Are they? I really don't give a shit about most of that. It's cool, but I don't think it's a big deal. Games are the thing. After that comes all the streaming capabilities, then way down the list comes streaming my game to other people.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 2:48 PM

        what were you hoping for exactly? I mean, as far as games go they showed the specs and beefed up hardware, the UI design for the OS/store/demos and some of the non-game functionality you'll be able to do within a game, and some early looks at games.

    • reply
      February 21, 2013 3:07 PM

      guyz, Carmack has spoken: https://twitter.com/ID_AA_Carmack/status/304607913853476864

    • reply
      February 21, 2013 3:13 PM

      man not only does the Wii U have to compete with 2 other consoles, they now have to compete with 2 other consoles that have the same specs. If you were a developer what would you make games for, Wii U or 720/PS4? seems even more obvious now.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 7:35 PM

        yep, but Nintendo has a ton of experience just doing their thing. they sell the console at a profit, and their titles are the big sellers.

        • reply
          February 21, 2013 7:40 PM

          they took a per unit loss out of the gate this time though for both the Wii U and 3DS. They're in the clear now but it wasn't as simple as the last few pieces of hardware they put out.

      • reply
        February 21, 2013 7:47 PM

        Same thing that happened for the last 12 years.

      • reply
        February 22, 2013 1:34 AM

        They'll make them where they can make money. If Wii U gets it's shit sorted as far as install base goes it will be included and don't think for one second that pubs are going to abandon 150 million+ users in PS3 and 360.

        Wii U might not get all games but it should be able to handle downports of a lot.

      • reply
        February 22, 2013 2:19 PM

        um, the specs on the next gens are well beyond the Wii U

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