Around 150 million PS3+360 have been sold. The large installed base was one of their original reasons to release on these two platforms.
We don't know how fast PS4/XB1 will grow and PS3/360 will decline.
You have some points but I think it's a big risk to drop PS3/360 now.
Yes of course but situations change. back in 2011/12 you couldn't bank on when and what the new systems would be. If the expected 2014 roll out of next gen info was to play out then the PS3/360 would be the main focus for publishers and media in 2013/14. you would aim for gamers wanting anything while they wait for news of new stuff. Sony/MS have turned up with solid platform news in q1/q2 of 2013 and this changes everything.
PS2 had 130 million base, why do Ubisoft and others ignore that and count on 7 million xbox users and 3 million PS3 users? Also original xbox was a failure, 360 was completely turned but this wasn't expected and PS2 wasn't replaced until march 2007 worldwide (EU launch of PS3 March 2007). Now we have two solid platforms going at it this year after 9 years of current gen. All focus will be on the new stuff.
Why do games that are comparable not go up in sales with increased install base? So many games stick at 2-3 million in two years whether its 20million base or 70-140 million base. These extra people often don't buy new games.
By the way, just of note, usually consoles sell 7-10 million a year worldwide so you can expect that, they normally target that for the first year. Not saying new console will beat PS2 or PS3 year on year, we may see a decline as other ways of entertainment get better.
I should also note that I was weighing all this up in the past weeks, thinking how precarious a PS3/360 title would be in mid 2014, state of sales right now declining and half price within weeks . I was worried becasue I know how dead old systems are and we'll be many months into the new stuff. the game would be DOA and be cut down in price. I was considering getting in touch with someone at WMD to talk about it, looking at the money back thread even but they come up with the plan I was thinking of. In 2011 I thought how good pcars would be as a launch title for new tech, I expressed this opinion assuming the consoles would come out sooner than later and the game would probably slip which they both have.
SMS seemed to me to have a good head start in a higher end game and I thought back then they should keep new systems (should they appear) in mind and be ahead of the game in graphics etc.. and be the best alternative to GT and Forza on the new systems. You get that chance at launch, to establish an ip and have good sales in the 2-3 years in.
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Some proper vibration.
