Hello,
Sony and Microsoft have laid their cards on the table for their next-gen console releases. With these moneymakers arriving in time for the holiday season, it’ll be interesting to see how other industries respond.
What’s important to know?
Both manufacturers are releasing multiple versions of their consoles
Each console will have a normal edition and a slightly cheaper edition with less bells and whistles.
Sony is launching a standard PS5 and a digital PS5. The only difference will be that the digital version will not have a disk drive while the standard version will.
Microsoft is releasing the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S. The XBOX Series S is a digital-only console and will have less horsepower than the Series X. Xbox’s naming conventions give me a headache.
Subscription gaming will become more prominent
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is going to be a big selling point for Microsoft. For 15 dollars a month users will be able to access over 150 games. Many of those games will also be streamable on devices like phones and computers in addition to Xboxes. The PS5 will have something similar with their Playstation Plus collection, but it won’t be as robust and device agnostic.
I’m hesitant to call this the future because I don’t see big developers being a fan of this. They want to be able to charge full price for their games for as long as they can.
Sony and Microsoft are freezing out the used game market
Both publishers are sending a clear message to used game retailers like Amazon and GameStop by releasing digital only consoles. Traditionally, players have been able to buy used game disks from retailers at reduced prices. That’s great for players like me, but publishers don’t get any money from resales - it all goes to the retailers. By getting rid of disk drives on their consoles, Sony and Xbox are effectively shutting down the used game markets.
What are some things my brand can do?
Tap into review culture
Gamers love themselves a good review. It makes sense, buying a console is a huge investment. They’re going to do their research. Plus, it’s not hard to find someone willing to give their opinion. It can be a gaming site, a traditional news site, a streamer, or an insightful Redditor.
It’d be interesting to see a brand’s social channel give a review of the new gaming consoles. If they want to get crazy they could review the video game consoles’ functionality for an activity that isn’t video games. They could explore something like how well can the PS4 absorb a spilled sprite and how does the XBOX Series X work as a placemat.
Show how your product is a gaming enhancer
Gaming setups are more than the TV and the console. People need good internet, a comfy chair, a set of headphones, snacks, and cameras to name a few. Figure out what role your product can play to make a gamers’ experience more fun.
Pringles made a gaming headset that feeds its user. Top that.
Play on the number of games being remastered
There are a good number of remakes being released for this new console generation. It’s much easier to upgrade an existing game’s graphics than it is to build a new one from scratch. Meaning, that we are going to see a lot of old games with a fresh coat of paint.
For a brand that wants to play on this gaming trend they could release an old product with some updates and call it a remaster.
What to take away:
Mark your calendar for the week of November 10th because it’s going down! Be ready for Sony and Microsoft to dominate the conversation and holiday season.
Gaming news that caught my eye:
Gameindustry.biz: A nice overview of a farming simulator esports league. Need I say more?
The Verge: There’s a full-fledged Harry Potter video game being developed and JK Rowling has nothing to do with it. I always find it interesting how fandoms separate the love of someone’s creations from the person who created it.
Music Business Worldwide: Twitch is becoming a viable option for fledgling musicians. I kind of see it as a Soundcloud for live music.
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