This week, reports have been revealed, hinting at a PS4.5 (or PS4K), a midlife refresh to the Playstation bumping up its overall performance and allowing games to run on 4K. Though the amount of evidence present currently can only be used to classify it as a rumour, it has come from a  number of developers and has even been shared by Playstation Magazine’s Facebook page (though it doesn’t confirm it).

The move has received mixed responses. While some say this is only logical with the boom of 4K, many others argue that this makes consoles much less economically viable when compared to PCs and also relate this to SEGA’s poor business model.

On the other hand, the gaming community has been avidly waiting for Sony’s response for Microsoft’s offer to share networks. If Sony accepts, Xbox and Playstation gamers will be able to play together online for the first time ever. If they reject, then…….let the memes continue!

Another thing we saw was a (mostly fake) leak of what could be the Nintendo NX, the console which Nintendo hopes would turn its fortune around.

So how are fairly different moves from each company in the console game (no  Valve, the Steam box isn’t a console just yet) related to each other, and how do they all point towards a rough patch for Sony?

Nintendo’s Domino Effect

The design for which Nintendo filed a patent

It has been quite some time since Nintendo announced the NX, but the company has kept us in the dark for quite some time. Despite this, the NX should be releasing by the end of this year, before it’s too late (there’s only so much Pokken Tournament a person can take). Hints given by Nintendo and the company’s patent filings show that Nintendo might be heading for a radical design change (oh, what a surprise…) and could also be doing something to integrate console and on-the-go gaming.

What is obvious is the fact that considering the NX is releasing 4 years after the PS4 and Xbox One, it would most likely be made of much better stuff on the inside, which Nintendo will definitely look forward to exploit, especially while developing its own games.

This is a big, big problem for Sony and Microsoft, whose console have almost always had more juice than their Nintendo counterparts.

Microsoft, whose Xbox has much lower dominance than the Playstation, is reckoned to be working on a Xbox 1.5 (or whatever you want to call it. Nobody really gets how Xbox names stuff), with improved specifications to stay future-proof and to push ahead of the PS4 and possibly the NX too.

If this is true, then Sony’s PS4 would be the least powerful flagship console in the market. This is a complete opposite to its position in the beginning, when it had an advantage in sales thanks to its slightly better performance and pricing. So naturally, Sony would have no choice, but to update the PS4, especially if the Xbox 1.5 is confirmed.

Microsoft’s Competitive Revolution

Microsoft is into gaming in two flanks, but both are currently behind. The Xbox can only stare at the PS4’s sales rocketing from the sidelines, whereas Xbox Live for PC is still trailing behind Valve’s Steam. However, Microsoft decided to play its trump card and has now invited others to share networks, so irrespective of which platform your friends are on, you can play online with them.

So how does this benefit Microsoft? Let’s say you have 11 friends and 6 of the have a PS4 while 3 have an Xbox One and another 2 play on PC. If you’re pack loves playing games online, then unless you really like those 3 friends more, you should be going for the PS4 while buying a console, so a total of 5 of you can play together rather than 3 on the Xbox One.

Not anymore.

If Sony accepts, then your choice wouldn’t depend on how many among your buddies have a PS4 or Xbox One, as you’ll be able to play with all 5 anyway, but would depend on factors that are in Microsoft’s hands, such as price and server stability.

As Xbox Live for PC also would share its network, those 2 friends playing on their PCs would also be encouraged to use Xbox Live, rather than Origin or Steam.

Considering the number of consoles sold by Sony is around twice than that of Microsoft, this move would generally benefit Microsoft.

What Would Happen Now?

• Sony refuses to join network sharing or some other misunderstanding make Microsoft scrap it. Nintendo would release its NX and to counter it, the PS4.5 and Xbox 1.5 release. This would mean Sony will be leaving almost 40 million PS4 owners in the dust, while Microsoft would be ditching only half that number of customers. This means Sony would have more unhappy customers.

• Sony joins with Microsoft to allow network sharing. This would hit NX sales, as new customers would be able to play with more of their friends on a PS4/Xbox One than on the NX. However, as stated before, Sony loses its advantage of higher number of current users.

• Sony joins with Microsoft to allow network sharing, but this time around, Microsoft also announces the Xbox 1.5, ditching Sony and gaining a huge advantage over both of its competitors. Then Sony will be forced to lose customers due to network sharing AND would be forced to launch the PS4.5 to stay relevant, leaving behind a huge number of loyalists

Either one of these three cases can and most likely, will happen. The question is simple: which one?

I have to admit it. I'm a big fan of Sony. I love Bravia, Xperia, Sony cameras and the most important

of all, the Playstation. However, of these four departments, only the cameras and the Playstation are turning out as profitable. The other two are being hunted down by fellow competitors. I'm not very knowledgeable about TVs, but I think Sony might hold on to the Bravia for a little longer and has shown clear signs by releasing Android TVs even in developing countries. The same can't be said for Xperia. When it comes down to the Xperia, Sony really doesn't understand that what's going wrong. That's cause nothing is, and that's the problem.

Sony phones are undeniably good,  but most people won't be willing to put down $800 on a phone if it isn't unique. Each company is trying to cater to the people on this basis.
 

Each have their own specialties. What about Sony?

Apple makes no nonsense top notch phones,  HTC has blinkfeed, LG has a laser focused camera and those rear buttons, Nokia has (had) a 40 MP camera,  Motorola has customization capabilities, Xiaomi makes cheap Apple clones and Samsung makes.....costly Apple clones. What does Sony have?
Well Sony wants us to believe that being waterproof and dustproof makes its phones unique too, but even the sub $250 Moto G is IPX7 (waterproof for non geeks).

Spot the differences. I can't...

So, what can Sony do? First it has to decrease the quantity of its product line and should increase the quality. Even if I want to buy a Sony phone, there's so many I don't know which one to buy.  What's the difference between T2 Ultra and T3? If the Z3 and the Z2 have the same specs, why do I have to shell out more bucks for an increase in the number?

Sony should also reconsider the speed at which it refreshes its phones. It's throwing out new flagship every 6-8 months, but it's budget phones, which get outdated real fast  are the ones Sony expects to last pretty much a year.

Start working together!

Samsung's displays are brilliant,  so their phones have the most vibrant displays.  Apple has an wonderfully optimized OS and the ability to stand out,  so it does so. Xiaomi has really low production costs, so it keeps prices low. When all of these companies are using their strengths, why are Xperia phones and the Playstation still not behaving like kith and kin?

The Xperia I dream of

Smartphones' biggest enemy

• Would still be waterproof: Even though I say waterproofing is not a unique feature, the current loyal owners who have bought  a Sony phone have done so because it is waterproof. So Sony, who already has little loyal customers, shouldn't risk losing more. 

• Will be sheltered by Playstation: When I talk about Xperia working with Playstation, I'm not just talking about streaming PS4. I'm talking about adopting full fledged features. One good example is adding game streaming options. Playstation should be used as a beta platform for features to be used in other Sony products and vice versa. 

That's what I'm talking about

• Uses that camera: Why does Sony hold back when it has such a good camera. It isn't enough to throw above average cameras in your phone if your banking on it. I'm talking about 13 MP shooters below $250 phones and 21 MP cameras on below $350 phones. It is possible, as these cameras work out cheaper for Sony since it's the manufacturer. A phone with built-in pocket zoom wouldn't be too bad either.

•  Will have stabilized it's products: According to me, a good company will have one phone priced at $150, $200, $300 and $400 each and 2 phones at $600. The phones below $350 should aim at giving value for money and can be sold in flash sales, which is nothing but another way of advertising these days.  The other phones should be aimed at providing the best quality and should be put on open sale, but can be kept online exclusive to cut costs. Budget phones should be refreshed every 2-3 months,  whereas the flagship should stay for a year.

4.5 inches of wonder

• Would play a major role in smaller phone: After the success of the Z3 compact and the withdrawal of iPhone from the small screen segment, Sony should continue to aim here. This way, Sony can remain loyal to its Z3 compact customers and can bag some people who previously used iOS. The fact that this segment is completely out of competitors now makes it much easier for Sony.

I do see some hope. The Sony Xperia M4 was a decent $400 smartphone and the Z4 didn't rush into the scene too early. Let's just keep our fingers crossed...