Earlier this month, Sony proudly boasted that the hit PlayStation 4 console had reached 10 million units sold in just 9 months, a record for the company.
While setting records for sales would normally be seen as a huge positive, the sales have left a confused strategy for Sony's head execs, who are now scrambling to figure out the future of the console.
Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida confirmed during a recent interview that the company does not know why the console is selling so hotly, and that not knowing could bring their team issues moving forward. For example, if the 10 million sales were all to hardcore gamers, once those run out, the company will have a very hard time predicting future sales as "casual gamers" may not find the PS4 a necessary expense.
Says Yoshida: "As soon as we see a great sales number, our instinct tells us we should be concerned about future sales, right? Are we exhausting all the core gamers? If we sell this number of units, there are no more consumers we can sell to. That's a really terrifying prospect."
Of course, there could be a nice mix of consumers purchasing the PS4, including those that simply want a Blu-ray player/set-top box combo. Sony will have a better grasp as the year continues on.
Source:
Eurogamer
Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida confirmed during a recent interview that the company does not know why the console is selling so hotly, and that not knowing could bring their team issues moving forward. For example, if the 10 million sales were all to hardcore gamers, once those run out, the company will have a very hard time predicting future sales as "casual gamers" may not find the PS4 a necessary expense.
Says Yoshida: "As soon as we see a great sales number, our instinct tells us we should be concerned about future sales, right? Are we exhausting all the core gamers? If we sell this number of units, there are no more consumers we can sell to. That's a really terrifying prospect."
Of course, there could be a nice mix of consumers purchasing the PS4, including those that simply want a Blu-ray player/set-top box combo. Sony will have a better grasp as the year continues on.
Source:
Eurogamer
