The internet caught on fire after both the original Xbox One showing last month and Microsoft’s recent E3 press conference. The DRM issues and required access to online connectivity every 24 hours have been reversed, but at the time, just the mere mention of the Xbox One seemed to ignite an angry portion of the gaming community that’s been dormant for years. How vocal consumers were was crucial in the big Microsoft policy reversal, but it also did a lot to guide Sony’s marketing path.
Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida told Famitsu (via Polygon) that the company saw Microsoft’s performance as a “very useful source” for the future of the PS4’s marketing.
"There were lots of people who gave their opinions on that issue to my Twitter account before E3," Yoshida said. "It's not that our hardware policies are decided strictly based on user reaction like this, but when we were thinking about what we had to bring across and how to bring it across, it was a very useful source."
It seems to have worked, too. The PlayStation 4 (in many peoples’ eyes) has come out as the white knight, riding in to slay the evil, money-hungry Xbox One. Both consumers and developers seem to be satisfied with Sony’s efforts, and that should translate into even better games.
"As of now, I feel like we're getting a very positive response," said SCE Japan Asia president Hiroshi Kawano. "For this system, we made a list of what people expected from us, debating over each point, with user feedback forming the main basis for the list. The software makers are also telling us that they feel like they really make some fun stuff with it. A new platform always provides the basis for new forms of play, so I'd like to see it connect to a revitalization of the marketplace."
Opinions can change in an instant, but as of now, Sony is bathing in the hot rays of the community’s support.
