It was a strange year for the PlayStation, wasn’t it? Objectively, the organization is probably at the height of its power now: revenue is ridiculous, it is collecting more nominations for prizes than the rest of the combined industry, and the PS5 has been a resounding success that has forced retailers to implement lottery systems and other innovative technologies just to meet demand. For the most engaged fans, though – the type of person who visits sites like Push Square several times a day – it has honestly been very monotonous for a long Time.
In terms of daily traffic, we had a record number of visits last year, but it was certainly not the news cycle that kept us afloat. Sony, as we have seen, has been getting closer to Nintendo-style public relations for some time; it operates secretly, in mysterious ways and gives us very little to work with. It seems like an old story now, but many of you must remember that the specifics of the PS5 – its main features and user interface – remained shrouded in secrecy until literally weeks before the launch of the console. Supporting titles, such as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, remain sealed behind closed doors.
To be fair to the organization, earlier this year it opened up a bit: Jim Ryan scheduled a rare interview with GQ and casually unveiled about half a dozen major announcements – including the existence of a next-generation PSVR headset. The consequence, for the most radical fans, is that we probably won’t hear a peep from the executive again until the end of the summer; a disappointing game state occurred in February, and the PlayStation Blog has been somewhat subdued since then. That’s how it was with Sony in 2021.
It is difficult not to look over the fence and feel a few pangs of jealousy; while the PlayStation has a comparatively loaded list of future software, Microsoft is making big moves that threaten to upset the status quo. We saw it complete the acquisition of Bethesda, effectively overshadowing Sony’s primary operations, while its Game Pass initiative – regardless of financial viability – is making games like Returnal look like daylight robbery in comparison. PS Plus, to Sony’s credit, is an exceptional value now – but over time, the PlayStation will need to react.
Frankly, Bethesda’s game changed the game, and while we don’t expect Sony to lie down and let its belly tickle, it will need to invest. The strength of the Japanese giant’s primary studios is not up for debate, and its pipeline remains among the best in the industry, but with Japan Studio closed, Media Molecule apparently linked to the unpopular Dreams and Sony San Diego doing MLB The Show 21 for platforms multiple – the previously unstoppable PlayStation Studios is starting to look a little light.
It is really hard to criticize a platform holder who has been beating the Game of the Year nominees annually, but with highly successful games taking longer to develop, Insomniac Games, Guerrilla Games, Sony Santa Monica, Sony Bend Studio, Sucker Punch and Naughty Dog carry the burden of initial development alone? Ryan said the PlayStation is committed to organic growth, and we’ve seen all of his studio teams increase significantly in recent years, but there will be a reckoning in a few years when Microsoft teams start work.
Sony, of course, will continue to do what it has always done, which is to create innovative games. But it looks like some things are going to have to change: the news cycle, at this point, is dominated by a very disruptive competitor, and we can’t help but feel that he needs to make more noise on his own. In addition, it will have to work harder than ever to justify the value of its domestically developed games, because its competitor will decrease its production later in generation by a nominal monthly fee. This is a problem.
The consequence of buying Bethesda means that the PlayStation is likely to spend more than ever on timed exclusives – we know it was, at one point, trying to block Starfield – but it will need to do more than that alone. A Game Pass response will probably be needed at some point, and although the platform owner’s first party pipeline remains as impressive as ever, there is an argument to be made that a group of studios that have already been world champions now it looks tiny compared to the competition.
And most important of all, Sony’s time on the sidelines is probably coming to an end. You will need the energy of the PS3 era if you want to overcome the noise emitted by the Green Team; these long periods of silence from the platform holder cannot last much longer. As PlayStation fans, there is still a lot to be excited about, but you are the owner of the platform same making the most of everything in your arsenal? Competition generates excellence, of course – and it is becoming increasingly clear that the PS5 will not have an easy ride.
The challenge was, in many ways, launched; hopefully Sony is up to the challenge.
How do you feel about the PS5 situation now that 2021 is well underway? Do you think Sony’s message was as strong as it could be? Leave it all out in the comments section below.