The PlayStation 4 – and in fact the entire PlayStation brand – doesn’t quite have the shooter pedigree that the Xbox does. For a long time, the Xbox has been considered the “go to” platform for first person shooters on consoles. That, Sony believes, is changing. Or is it?
There has been a marked change in the PlayStation catalogue of games this generation. Sure, there are still some very unique titles that trend towards the indie and bizarre that show up on PS4, and Xbox One is still a strong platform for shooter fans thanks to Halo and Gears of War. However, PlayStation has high expectations for Star Wars Battlefront, and what it means for this generation. Speaking to MCV, PlayStation group marketing manager said:
This generation, the shooter audience is tending to switch over to PS4, so we’ve got high expectations for Star Wars Battlefront around both launch and into next year.
When we first saw [the Battlefront TV ad] I think everyone in the office suddenly had something in their eye. It really pulls on the heart strings and celebrates nostalgia, which aligns well with PlayStation’s 20th anniversary.
One of the most favourited comments on our Facebook post was ‘the nostalgia is strong with this one’. Star Wars is so important to so many of us, those who love it often have that one friend they grew up watching it with so its a good way to get the local co-op message across.
Combining nostalgia, Star Wars and shooter fans? Sounds like PlayStation knows how to win at marketing to gamers. Really though, I’m intrigued by this new trend. Could this mean that Xbox is forced to deliver more unique IPs to lure people over to the brand? PlayStation did some innovative things when forced to compete with Xbox, and it improved the games on offer and the company policies in general. Here’s hoping that with the tables turned, Xbox follows a similar path and finds some new niche markets that are worthwhile.
Still, and its worth mentioning, is despite now having the Call of Duty partnership, and a larger shooter audience, Sony has nothing in the way of first party shooters with the sway of something like Halo. Killzone? Resistance? Nope.
I just realized how incredibly mainstream the PS4 has become. Quick hipsters, head to your nearest store for an Xbox One. Better yet, pick up a Wii U.
Last Updated: November 5, 2015
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 5, 2015 at 15:10
Cannot wait for Hammersteyn to win a FAWR!
Hammersteyn
November 5, 2015 at 15:13
Need a higher luck stat 🙁
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 5, 2015 at 15:17
Invest in it when you level up!
Captain JJ the Goo
November 5, 2015 at 15:59
FAWR
Is that four, but with your silly inland accent?
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 5, 2015 at 16:02
Want to hear me pronounce Lenny in a “silly inland” accent?
Captain JJ the Goo
November 5, 2015 at 16:02
What am I? A masochist? 😉
Hammersteyn
November 5, 2015 at 15:13
All the PS4 needs now is their own elite R2500 controller.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
November 5, 2015 at 15:29
HA! The standard controller is Elite…
Captain JJ the Goo
November 5, 2015 at 16:02
All the Xbox needs is to finally figure out how to put a power brick inside the box.
The new PS controllers are years better than the old ones (that felt like controllers for oompa loompas), but I still prefer the Xbox controllers.
Hammersteyn
November 5, 2015 at 16:03
Ugh, my carpal tunnel is acting up again
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
November 5, 2015 at 15:33
I think the hipsters will be hitting the Nokia 3310 for that proto – hipster snake edition…
Captain JJ the Goo
November 5, 2015 at 16:02
Don’t hit a 3310, that’s how you break a hand.
Pieter Kruger
November 5, 2015 at 15:38
BroStation!
Corrie
November 5, 2015 at 16:16
How, How ? does one use a controller to play an FPS, it’s like driving an Uno in a F1 race
Seriously and then some people are like but if you adjust the sensitivity it’s better than a mouse :/
frikkenator
November 5, 2015 at 16:24
You get used to it, actually works very well once you do. I didn’t believe it before I got a 360 way back when either, but unless you’re a pro there are people who’ll kick your ass six ways to Sunday with a controller vs mouse.