2) Sony
Sony’s “For the players” slogan has quite literally put gamers right at the center of its entire ethos. This imperative was, of course, entirely strategic, deliberately latching on to the negativity following Microsoft’s bumbling reveal of the Xbox One, Kinect, and the huge outcry over its second-hand games policy. The slogan has played its role in hammering home Sony’s pledge this generation: to focus its home console purely on gaming, actioning features and policy to enhance user experience.
The recent influx of acclaimed exclusive games for the PS4 has certainly made good on Sony’s promise. There is little question which console has won over the hearts and minds of gamers thanks to a host of great titles, but owners of Sony’s record-breaking console have had more to shout about than just software. The PS4 is providing a much-improved platform than its predecessor with respect to its user interface and features.
Indeed, having endured a comparably awful online system to the Xbox 360, which was lamented by the PS3 userbase, PlayStation owners now enjoy a far superior service with easier-to-navigate menus and a better online store with frequently discounted games. PS Plus also provides a decent free games service for monthly subscribers, despite the inevitable complaints about the which ones are chosen. A recent price increase and the presence of the mandatory minimum spend is slightly frustrating, but on the whole, unlike Nintendo with Switch, Sony seems to have listened to its users and corrected flaws that marred previous efforts.
The annual PSX event perhaps best highlights Sony’s pledge to build a PlayStation community. The convention is a celebration of everything PlayStation and has ultimately reinforced Sony’s player-centric mission statement. Recently announced remakes of fan-favorite franchise such as Crash Bandicoot and Wipeout have further gone to demonstrate Sony’s resolve to deliver gaming experiences based on fan feedback, and the fans absolutely love it.
More than any other of the big three, Sony makes a big effort to create a sense of open conversation between the company and its users. From Gio Corsi’s touting of the Vita to the cheer of fans – console in his back pocket – to Shuhei Yoshida’s appearances on YouTube channels and interviews, Sony’s informal approach has jibed well with its fans.
