Topic: Will Christmas be a tough one for PS4?

@ShogunRok they need to do a han solo carbonite ps4

I don't think so...all they need is a nice bundle and it will sell very well. I don't see Xbox One X as a valid competitor. If you are after the games the ps4 library is a lot stronger and the switch's much more interesting, if you care a lot about resolution and frame rates, you are probably playing on pc...

If you consider tough to be finishing third, yeah I absolutely think that's a possibility, but if you base tough just off pure numbers, I'm of the mindset that all 3 companies are going to do well so no matter where they place everybody will be happy. I do think the Xbox One X is going to put MS in front over here in North America for however long this gen continues on after this year and could even it make the top selling console in this region the same way 360 eventually passed the Wii but the gap isn't going to be big enough this time around like it was last time to cause a virtual dead heat in the worldwide sales. Unless something happens in the other markets that is totally unexpected, Sony should continue to lead globally.

I think we've reached that point in this generation where most people interested in getting a console will have one so it would be no shock if sales slowed down. I don't personally see the X1X as something that will change the field though, much like the Pro it isn't going to appeal to all that many people or encourage them to 'upgrade'. I'm also unsure if Microsoft have any big games to release alongside the console that would encourage people to part that amount of money (they seem to me to have been pretty quiet of late).

Don't get me wrong in this next comment as I'd like a Switch and will eventually pick one up, but I think people are losing hype over the system now that they see it is, again, not going to be supported by the larger game companies with good ports of their big franchises. Nintendo games are great, but it wasn't enough for most people to buy the Wii U and I can see it having an impact here too. Then again if you look at the Switch as a portable it should do well going on the 3DS and is certainly the reason I'll get one. However there is an argument to be had over whether a portable console would be able to replace a home console and if they would even affect each other's sales.

Personally I think Sony will do roughly as well as they would have done this Winter whether the Switch and X1X had released or not. My main concern is that they are starting to show signs of sliding back into the arrogance that made the PS3 launch so poor, but it is too little so far to have much of an impact.

I think people's expectations for the One X are way too high, and Nintendo won't resolve their stock issues this year. So no, the PS4 is going to be fine.

I think the Xbox X will sell well. I know that, being a PS4 site, people may struggle to see who its for but as more and more upgrade to 4k, the X is the 'best' option - not just for the multi-platform games but also the media and audio options too. With DF and other general gaming sites that will no doubt have 'comparison' video's, breakdowns and even image comparisons, it will help - just like it helped PS4 in the previous 4yrs.

Sony won't be overly concerned because they have a large install base, a good line up of exclusives and will no doubt beat Xbox in the HD market. Of course some of those with HD TV's may well want either a Pro or X for the improved performance that these consoles can offer and more future proof assuming they may be looking to get 4k in the future. The X of course makes more sense to those invested or interested in the XB1 and have a HD TV. Its no secret that the XB1 has far more games that do not offer a full HD and no doubt, that will continue. Therefore, they may be more inclined to upgrade to ensure that all games moving forward, as well as a reasonable number of released games receiving enhancements, will be 'better than' 1080p thanks to super-sampling instead of being 900p or less. There are also boosts to all games - patched or not - as the 'X' has a permanent and significant 'boost mode' - bigger than the Pro's. No doubt again, sites like DF will look at those games that have dynamic scaling, unlocked frame-rates etc and see how well the 'boost' works, test loading times which should be greatly improved and assess the other improvements - like Anisotropic Filtering that will improve the textures.

With the PS4 to Pro upgrade, those on 1080p TV's may not see 'much' improvement, if any at all. The base PS4 already offers a lot more games at 1080p and the Pro doesn't always use super-sampling. Therefore, the image quality can be identical and performance may not offer 'much' either. In the recent CoD WW2 beta, those on 1080p TV's nd Pro, only got a 1080p image (not a higher res down sampled) and the performance appeared very similar too but that is not unusual. Therefore, unless you are interested in PSVR, the Pro isn't always working for you and providing a significant or even noticeable boost. We are also seeing a few 'Pro' enhancements that don't increase resolution over the 'base PS4' - Dirt for example only adds a few minor visual tweaks - like better and more accurate reflections for example.

The other advantage that Sony has though is 'cost'. The X isn't cheap - although the Slim is. The XB1s doesn't appear to offer that much to HD owners - just Atmos I guess but the 4k HDR bluray is wasted and a lot of games are not at the same visual quality as the PS4. The Pro isn't that much more than a PS4 and could guarantee that all games will be at full HD - look at Tekken for example. What this means is that both the PS4 and Pro are better options for HD TV owners - before we even mention their Exclusive line-up. Both of which though can keep sales moving for both models.

It will be interesting to see if and when Sony will release the PS5. How long they will be prepared to wait until they can and will bring out their 'full' 4k console, prepared to wait to reclaim the 'most powerful console' on the market and not only match but beat the XB1X - specifically the CPU/GPU with the RAM necessary for 4k Assets, Atmos audio and Game VRR. No doubt HDMI2.1 too which the 'X' should be updated with when it launches in the near future.

Point is though, that Sony have two good consoles on the market, a good line-up of exclusives and HD TV's are still the most popular in peoples homes. I am sure though that 4k HDR TV's are in more 'gamers' homes than the 'global' install. You aren't going to get all those 'non-gamers' interested in 4k HDR, all those 'elderly' for example content with their HD TV until it gives up...

I'm sure they'll be fine! I'm hoping to have a traditional Nintendo Xmas this year (which means I'll probably buy a switch in October) and if it's unavailable I'll seriously consider PSVR. My housemate/bro is looking at getting a pro so we'll have 2 ps4s in the house. I'm also going to get most of the new games coming out for ps4 too. So even though my main hope is to get hold of a Switch, as a household we'll still be spending loads on Sony stuff.
The only reason I'd get an Xbox at this point would be due to the amount of Rocksmith dlc I have on 360 (it's a lot...),but I don't really need a new £450 guitar karaoke machine while the old one still works. I have a good PC so Xbox exclusives aren't really an issue.

@CountFunkula78 I'm down for either a Switch or VR at Christmas too. I want a Switch, but really it's only for Zelda. Sure I'll get Mario Kart and the new Mario game as well but I can live without them. Where as VR has quite a bit of content now, plus it looks like PS+ will be giving some VR games out, not to mention sale prices on software.

VR just looks like a good way to go if you're gunna treat yourself this Christmas tbh.

My major concern is motion sickness but that'll be a gamble

@kyleforrester87 - I have thought about picking up PSVR but it's just too much money to drop without testing it out first. My biggest concern like you is motion sickness. I don't want an over priced paper weight that I can't use.

@kyleforrester87
I was ready to go for a Wii U last year, but the Switch release made it a bit pointless, so even if they just re-release the good Wii U games that I missed, I'll be happy for now. I travel a lot for work, so I'll play it a lot on the road as well. There's also something about having a new Nintendo console at Christmas...
I have Google daydream, so I'm sold on the idea of VR overall but I'm not sure whether to get PSVR now or wait to see how they integrate it with PS5 or whatever is coming next and if they're going to redesign the move controllers. If they drop the price much more I'll probably just get it anyway, especially if they continue to give VR games with plus!

@CountFunkula78 @Splat @kyleforrester87 the switch is good but after the initial hoo haa we dont play on it. Mario Kart is overrated big time. Its a good MK game but errr thats it really, not a patch on something like Rocket League or Pes in multiplayer tbh although it is a marvel we can play a fully fledged none condensed MK on the move. Im gonna check out splatoon 2 and maybe that can win me back around.

So im in the vr camp and will be properley testing the vive and ps vr at egx.