The gaming world is very different now than it was a single generation ago, let alone two gaming cycles ago. Several gaming publishers are focusing on multiplatform success versus trying to make their name and money solely on exclusive games for specific consoles. As for the main trio of console makers, only one of them is really “rolling in the success” right now, and that’s Nintendo. They’re not even two weeks into the Nintendo Switch 2 launch period, and they’ve been shattering world records and dropping surprising announcements about games that are coming out soon enough. Microsoft and Sony are clearly scrambling, and it shows in various ways.
Microsoft revealed its new “gaming handheld” during a special showcase, but many already feel that it’s “too niche” and isn’t likely to do well. As for the third member of the trio, during an investor call, as revealed by Nintendo Everything, Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO Hideaki Nishino had this to say when asked about the Nintendo Switch 2’s success and how it might affect both the PS5 and the inevitable launch of the PS6:
“We closely monitor the overall gaming industry, including the action of other market participants. Additionally, a catalyst in the market is great for the industry as a whole. As they invigorate excitement they demand more product, so it’s great to have people launching new things.”
A bit basic? Yeah, pretty much, but what are they supposed to say? “They just had the best console launch ever, and we’re likely never going to match that hype? That wouldn’t fill the investors with confidence, now would it? The exec did say the following about the company’s goals to try and inspire, though:
“Our mission is that we will continue to be the best place to play and publish. As such, we have empowered our creators to leverage our offering and the services to create amazing, unique experiences for players with high engagement and great monetization opportunities. “
Yeah…about that, while Sony does have some great games on the PS5, it being the “best place to play” is a stretch, and they know it. First off, they lost consistently to the OG Switch throughout its lifetime, despite the PS5 being better, and many of its recent titles over the years that were exclusive either underperformed, weren’t as well-received, or straight-up bombed.
Could this change in the future? Absolutely. But that also means the Nintendo Switch 2 has more time to reveal new, exciting games and projects that could push it further into the “all time great” category.
