Microsoft’s recent reveal of the Xbox Series S introduced gamers to a budget-range console that will allow them to play next-gen games, but will have lower specs than the Xbox Series X. Sony, however, has taken a different approach. In a recent interview that has been translated by VGC, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan stated that Sony had considered making a lower spec PS5 similar to the Series S. However, their research led them to believe that such consoles have “not had great results in the past”.
Explaining further, Jim Ryan stated that Sony’s research informs them that gamers expect their consoles to be “future-proofed” and last them for up to seven years. This makes creating a lower spec PS5 problematic. Hence, while Sony is releasing two version of the PS5 in November, the only difference between the two will lie with the inclusion of a disc drive.
The prices for the PS5 have been revealed.
From this, it is clear that Microsoft and Sony are taking radically different approaches to the next generation. Microsoft is placing further emphasis on accessibility by offering a much lower-priced console and allowing many of their games to be played on PC. Their subscription service, Game Pass, can also be used on both Xbox and PC. Sony, however, is looking to “emphasize value as opposed to price” as Jim Ryan has previously stated in an interview with BBC. Sony also offers a host of exclusive franchises such as Spider-Man, The Last of Us and Gran Turismo that cannot be played elsewhere.
Jim Ryan states that although they will not be making a lower spec PS5, Sony respects “other companies’ competitive strategies. However, we are fully committed to and believe in our current strategy and the effect it will have”. With both Microsoft and Sony releasing their new consoles in November, it will not be long until we find out which strategy serves gamers best.
