Sony’s strategy in Europe with the PlayStation 4 appears to revolve around releasing as many bundles as it can possibly muster. This enthusiasm for big box sets has bordered on parody at points, with Germany landing a gigantic hardware set including Killzone: Shadow Fall, inFAMOUS: Second Son, and Knack. The tactic has been mirrored overseas as well, with Japan readying dozens of limited edition consoles, complete with custom hard drive covers. Why, then, is SCEA seemingly so averse to the idea of premium platform packages?
A quick look on Amazon.com reveals that there are only two officially sanctioned PS4 options available in the United States right now: a standalone Jet Black unit for $399.99 and the Glacier White Destiny bundle for $449.99. The retailer has, of course, created its own packs involving Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, but these don’t come with promotional box art – they’re literally just sets thrown together by the online shopping giant. Black Friday leaks suggest that a Grand Theft Auto V package is also on the way, but this still hasn’t been confirmed.
Compare this to the UK, where the manufacturer has official sets for Destiny, DriveClub, Far Cry 4, LittleBigPlanet 3, Grand Theft Auto V, Knack, Watch Dogs, and more all readily available. There’s even a package for SingStar: Ultimate Party available exclusively from Very.co.uk – a smart choice, considering that the store is marketed mainly at women. And there are even more options on the continent, including the abovementioned Triple Pack – it’s a night and day difference in approach compared to North America.
There’s definitely something very special about seeing software and hardware unified as one
And the strategy appears to be working: PS4 hardware sales increased by 300 per cent in the UK due to the Destiny bundle, and it saw similar success with Watch Dogs and The Last of Us: Remastered earlier in the year. In fact, the tactic has been so triumphant that Microsoft appears to have cottoned onto it; Assassin’s Creed Unity and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare have both received exclusive holiday packages from the Redmond-based manufacturer, and with the machine’s temporary price drop in the USA, both have shot up the charts.
So, the big question is: why isn’t SCEA doing the same? The simplest answer would be that it perhaps doesn’t see the point – after all, most savvy retailers will create their own bundles around recent releases. However, there’s clearly still value in official hardware sets, as the custom box art can really pop on store shelves – especially when part of a concentrated marketing effort. Sony smashed September NPD sales records with its Destiny bundle, and while its console was always going to sell well on the back of Bungie’s shooter, we have to imagine that the custom SKU helped.
It’s also difficult to deny the impact that bundles can have on specific audiences. A parent may not necessarily be inclined to pick up a vanilla PS4 for their child, but including Sackboy on the cover can have a psychological impact – particularly when the competition is focusing on more mature titles. These don’t need to be enormous runs – and we know that sometimes manufacturers transform existing inventory into makeshift bundles by putting overlays on top of the default art work – but either way, there’s something special about seeing software and hardware unified as one.
Perhaps we’re looking at a foreign market through European eyes, but from reading posts on various message boards and websites in recent weeks, we get the feeling that even American gamers are shocked by SCEA’s reluctance to release bundles in the all-important territory. With Microsoft going for the kill in the region with its own hardware options, has Sony made a mistake by not replicating its global strategy in the nation – or is it doing the right thing by allowing retailers and consumers to assemble their own packages?
Is SCEA making a mistake by not preparing more official PS4 bundles, or are we reading the US market all wrong? Share your thoughts and insight in the comments section below.
Should SCEA prepare more official PS4 bundles? (26 votes)
- Yes, it should absolutely be following Sony’s global strategy
- I honestly have no idea
- No, let retailers and consumers assemble their own options
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Comments 15
Yes. Bundle FC4, GTA V, LBP3 and Disasterclub. Win...... Okay maybe not the last one.
That is, if they want to sell more than they usually do and get those impulse purchases... They won't win me over, but impulse purchases do happen.
I've wondered why we don't get at least some sort of variation of bundles that EU gets. I'm always jealous when I see all the bundles released other places, and Destiny didn't interest me past the Beta; but the white PS4 looks solid.
Think of the backlash they would have received if a Driveclub bundle had released for the game launch in the US. Maybe Sony knows what their doing:)
Wasnt Dianey Infinty a bundle, or was that PS3 only? LBP3 needs a PS4. Bundle.
Yeah, SCEA has been dropping the ball. Remember that Microsoft can come in for the kill if Sony doesn't try harder.
SCEA should do more games, if they bundle them thats cool too
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare on new gen sold best on PS4, so i really don't think Sony needs to anything...
I mean Call of Duty AW, bundled, exclusive marketing, dlc first rights can't edge the One past the Four. It really says it all. This is going PS4's 360 moment, its going to lead no matter what others do.
@Punished_Boss_84 That's in the UK, though.
I say that Sony should NOT go the bundle route. Obviously from the poll results so far, I am in the minority here, but I think bundles are terrible and have yet to see a bundle where I actually wanted the games in the bundle. Usually its one game in the bundle is good, and the rest are meh or worse. Not only that, but the bundles are for digital products, which in my book are worthless.
When I bought my PS4, most stores were doing forced bundles (with physical titles and accessories), and almost every store had a forced bundle with a few games that I would never, ever, play, yet I (almost) had no choice other than to buy them. That has soured me a bit on bundles, although I don't really think stock will be so constrained this holiday season that this would be an issue again.
@get2sammyb You win this round, Barker.
Looking at the USA Amazon Best Sellers Charts it looks like SONY have fallen asleep So many X1's in the Charts(well 4 X1's & 2 PS4's) now. Not sure why there is no GTAV + FC4 PS4 bundles in the USA to for, very ODD.
I heard Vita crying again.
@get2sammyb @Punished_Boss_84 who won in Japan?
They still need to do the PS4/Vita bundle eventually, and they can bundle it with Killzone Mercenary, an 8 GB card, and Killzone Shadow Fall.
@Knux
As tough as I've been on Sony there is only so much they can do. Now not only is MS paying for DLC and exclusive/timed-exclusives like Titanfall and Tomb Raider but also paying off companies like Ubisoft and WB/Rocksteady to downgrade their PS4 versions of games and these scumbag companies are giving into it! Not much Sony can do to fight that. MS has proven it will go to any length to win this battle and that includes having scumbag developers with no conscience worsen the experience for PS4 owners because they chose to buy a more powerful platform. Pathetic. I'm actually defended some of MS' decision making but now hearing that I may not get the definitive home console Arkham Knight experience? I'm drawing the line, it's bad enough I had to give up on AC (a series I do like) now I may have to not purchase what was my most anticipated game.
I think bundles are cool if they're actually special (like the Dragon Quest edition of PS4) but when it's just the outer box that's different and a digital code inside it's not enticing. Actually it feels more insulting. Especially when the prices are about the same as buying this stuff separately.
With Vita (2000) I'd rather just buy it stand alone at $140-$160, but they want to tack on $40 extra for a game I don't want. I know I can sell the code, but why make the consumer go to this kind of trouble?
In other words, the core editions should always be the main thing and the bundles should be special limited editions, more appealing to collectors.
If they want to make PS4s more unique (not everyone wants black or solid colors) they could sell faceplates separately.
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