The future of PlayStation is finally here. Earlier, this week, Sony pulled back the curtain to reveal their next generation console the PlayStation 4. Like it’s predecessor the PS3, the PS4 stands out as being the most powerful console coming to the market with visuals beyond anything to date. But according to Sony, the direction taken with the PS4 focuses more on appeal than power. As a result, the technology is much more accessible to third party developers and is more sociable for gamers to share they’re experiences with one another.
Given what the PS4 has to offer, it’s hard to imagine how Sony can go wrong this generation. However, there is no such thing as the perfect console. For those who are still skeptical, we are going to draw up some possible conclusions to a failed console in the PS4. Here are four potential ways the PS4 could fail…
4. The Return Of The Dreaded ‘YLOD’
There is an old saying: “Power is nothing without control.” Before the PS4, Sony’s current gen system the PS3 was build to be the most powerful console on the market. However, the PS3 only succeeded in being a ticking time bomb as it proved to be too powerful for it’s own good. The overclocking combined with the poor ventilation lead to the console going into a state of meltdown, indicated by the LED power light flashing the color yellow. Hence, the infamous “Yellow Light of Death” or YLOD. Though Sony released a slimmer, more efficient model, it too suffered from the same problem.
It’s clear that the PS4 is also a console meant to be the most powerful on the market given it’s PC- like specs that include tetra flops, GDDR and more. But if Sony has learned anything from the PS3, they won’t shovel out a console that will burn out in less than year from it’s own raw power. To avoid this mistake, the PS4 has to be built with a better power management system and cooling system in place to stabilize it’s performance. If not, gamers will be left disgruntled until Sony launches a slimmer, more efficient version like before — a move proven to be costly and undesirable on both ends.
3. Another PSN Breach
Lately, it’s become common place for hackers to launch attacks at gaming networks. Especially since these companies have proven to be among the most vulnerable, and Sony’s PlayStation Network was arguably the most vulnerable. About two years ago the network suffered a breach that left more than 77 million user accounts pillaged. The PSN was shut down for almost two months pending an investigation that revealed the company was being tardy in it’s security efforts. But the real slap in the face came with a new barrage in the form of class action lawsuits launched at Sony over the company’s negligence.
It’s unclear if whether Sony will be using a new PSN for the PS4 or have the old one carry over. What is certain is that if another PSN Breach were to occur, it would not only destroy future sales of the PS4 but also destroy Sony’s reputation for good, though lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
2. Gaikai Becomes A Double Edge Sword
Sony shocked the world when they announced that after acquiring cloud gaming service Gaikai, it has been integrated into the PS4 experience, allowing users to play virtually any game on the console without limits. For those who don’t know, cloud gaming is a revolutionary technology that delivers complete video game functionality seamlessly through an online connection as opposed to the usual “pop in disc and play” routine. However, given the capabilities of cloud gaming, Gaikai could inadvertently do more harm than good for PS4.
Truthfully, cloud gaming doesn’t just eliminate the need of disc reading. It eliminates console functionality all together whereas a person only needs a PC/smart monitor, modem and a controller to play. But the PS4 is a console that uses disc based games as well. Hence, Gaikai inadvertently makes game discs seem obsolete. On the other hand, Gaikai requires constant online connectivity with quality bandwidth in order to properly stream the games, rendering it useless during downtime. Either way, Gaikai seems like a double edge sword for the PS4 as it feels both relevant and irrelevant for the PS4 simultaneously.
1. PS3 Vs PS4
As a company that makes powerful entertainment machines, Sony commands a hefty price from it’s consumers. But not everyone is willing to pony up the dough even if that device is the most powerful console on the market. The PS3 was a fine example as it struggled in sales with it’s street value that was above $500. Though Sony assures consumers that their latest console the PS4 will be priced less than it’s predecessor, it’s hard to swallow given the console’s specs that are ripped from a high end PC and that the market fluctuates like the weather. Hence, there is no guarantee that Sony will keep their word.
Price aside, Sony still has the PS3 to worry about. It’s current price of $300 could make it more appealing than it’s successor. Also, the PS3 is still very relevant, a fact that adds to the pressure the PS4 could face in sales. In order for the PS4 to sell successfully, it must not only go for a negotiable price compared to the PS3, but also quickly cannibalize it’s predecessor which has already sold 77 million units worldwide. Now that is a mountain that can’t be conquered so easily.
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About Ryan
Ryan was born in Barbados and grew up with a pen in one hand and a paper in the other. He is a blogger, freelance writing and gamer.