Upon reading the headline, I already know what everyone is thinking: “How can they be losing when the PS5 is continuously breaking sales records?” And it’s true. But it’s also true that, at present, it is selling out of momentum. You’ve been a loyal PlayStation fan since you first pirated the original console in 1997, and by now, you’re hooked on its game franchises. The problem is, where are those franchises now? Is it really worth investing in a PS5 at this moment? What if, despite selling a significant number of consoles, Sony is paradoxically losing ground?
Win or lose
Let’s start with an uncomfortable truth: as much as “true gamers” may want to boast, PlayStation 4 fell short against the Nintendo Switch, just as PlayStation 3 did against the Wii. Heck, only 3 million units separated it from the Xbox 360. Who’s to say that in a turbulent gaming world, where the trailer for ‘Super Mario Bros Wonder’ can exceed all expectations for the year, there can’t be a turnaround?
Let’s take a look at the truly exclusive games for the PS5, those that won’t have a version for the PS4 like ‘God of War: Ragnarok’ did. There are three heavy hitters, of course: ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,’ ‘Spider-Man 2,’ and, temporarily, ‘Final Fantasy XVI.’ Frankly, it’s not enough reason to spend 500 euros. And considering that ‘GTA VI,’ the next big game-changer, will also be available on Xbox Series and Steam, the argument is losing steam.
It’s possible that Microsoft isn’t effectively marketing the advantages of its new Xbox and Game Pass, even though it actually competes in a league more similar to PC gaming… but with a plethora of exclusives (and more to come) at an affordable price. Is it possible that if the audience embraces cloud gaming and streaming better, Sony’s dominance could come to an end?
Or is that once again the job of a reinforced Nintendo, following the success of ‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,’ which is already rumored to have plans for launching a new console very soon? For the first time in a long while, especially after the negative publicity surrounding its inability to meet demand, Sony is beginning to realize that, no matter how much it tries to boast, it starts this generation with losing cards that it’s struggling to turn around solely through blockbuster games.
You’ve surely heard the phrase “Why bother with a PS5 right now”… and it holds a lot of truth. There’s no pressing need for a PS5 at the moment. Not at these prices, not with these games, not with such fierce competition. Could we be witnessing the beginning of the end of the gaming paradigm of the past few decades, or has it already changed, despite some people’s reluctance to admit it?
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