June 29th 2024.
One reader has raised an interesting question - was the release of the PS5 a mistake? They suggest that instead of jumping to a new console, Sony could have focused on creating a more advanced version of the PS4 Pro. This topic has been a hot one lately, with many disgruntled PS5 owners sharing their opinions. But the one that caught my attention was a Reader's Feature from last week, where the writer expressed their lack of interest in upgrading from their PS4. As someone who did make the leap to the PS5, I can understand their perspective. After all, they would be missing out on amazing exclusives like Demon's Souls, Returnal, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
However, I find it hard to believe that these games couldn't have been possible on the PS4. Maybe the graphics wouldn't have been as impressive, but they certainly don't scream "next gen" to me. Of course, this may vary for different players, but the point I'm trying to make is that I'm not sure Sony gained much from releasing the PS5. In fact, it seems like they may have lost more than they gained, considering the increasing cost of game development.
Things were going great for Sony with the PS4. The games were top-notch, fans were satisfied, and Sony was dominating over Xbox. They were at the top of their game. Towards the end, sales may have started to decline as they typically do, but couldn't Sony have just released a new model of the PS4? Perhaps a "Super PS4 Pro" or something similar.
Considering the minor improvements in graphics, this generation doesn't seem worth the trouble, especially with all the issues it has brought and its short lifespan. The only notable change is the addition of an SSD, but that could easily have been incorporated into a "Super PS4 Pro" and marketed as a unique selling point.
Unfortunately, it's too late now, but I can't recall any indication that Sony ever considered this option. They have also given no indication that they plan to take their time with the PS6. In fact, given that Xbox has already announced they are working on a next-gen console, it's safe to assume that Sony will follow suit soon.
It's frustrating. There's no other way to put it. Both Sony and Microsoft were aware that game development costs would increase this generation, yet they still went ahead with the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. This would have been acceptable if they had a plan in place to address this issue, but it's clear that they did not. It seems like they were caught off guard, which is frankly, quite foolish.
And now, they are going to repeat the same mistake and make the problem even worse. I can already imagine the next-gen games taking even longer to develop and costing a fortune to make. It's a concerning thought.
If you're reading this and thinking that intentionally holding back and not advancing to higher-tech consoles is the real issue, then let's take a look at Nintendo. They have been doing just that since the Wii, and last I checked, they are doing pretty well. Their approach also seems to focus more on the long-term than PlayStation and Xbox, who appear to be more focused on immediate profits.
I can't help but wonder if Nintendo has a strategic plan in place, while Sony and Microsoft just seem to be winging it. I would love to know what that plan is. My gut feeling is that the final step is "profit" and the one before that is simply "???".
So, if we had a time machine, my solution to the current issues in the gaming industry would be to go back and prevent the release of the PS5. Of course, this is not a practical solution, but it's difficult to think of anything else that would have a significant impact.
By reader Hogie
Do you think things would have been better if the PS4 was still the current-gen console? As always, the opinions expressed in Reader's Features do not necessarily reflect those of GameCentral or Metro. If you have a 500-600 word feature of your own, you can submit it at any time and it may be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us via email or use our Submit Stuff page. And don't forget to sign up for all the exclusive gaming content and early access to the latest releases.
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