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Sony’s PlayStation 5 outspent Microsoft’s Xbox Series X three to one In Launch Ads

assurdum

Banned
What a waste of money, if I can say. They no need to spent more. I can understand PR is important but this is just a self celebration than a promotion. They could use such money in a better way, without doubt. Furthermore is literally annoying see all this stuff on TV when it's impossible to find a ps5.
 
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regawdless

Banned
What a waste of money, if I can say. They no need to spent more. I can understand PR is important but this is just a self celebration than a promotion. They could use such money in a better way, without doubt. Furthermore is literally annoying see all this stuff on TV when it's impossible to find a ps5.

You underestimate how many consumers, parents etc don't follow gaming news and didn't even knew a new PlayStation was coming. Those ads are very important to get the message out there to the general public and to create demand.

It seems kind of arrogant to assume that you know better how to use the budget and how to run a successful business than a multi billion dollar company full of experienced people that does this for decades.

But you surely have a lot of business experience, so what do I know.
 

assurdum

Banned
You underestimate how many consumers, parents etc don't follow gaming news and didn't even knew a new PlayStation was coming. Those ads are very important to get the message out there to the general public and to create demand.

It seems kind of arrogant to assume that you know better how to use the budget and how to run a successful business than a multi billion dollar company full of experienced people that does this for decades.

But you surely have a lot of business experience, so what do I know.
I just express my opinion. Not sure why you need to be so defensive about it. It's not like multi billion dollars company are immune to spent money in a useless way, far the contrary, especially when they have huge revenues. ps5 was literally sold out even before their campaign would start. What's the point to spent so many money to promote something it's not even available in the shops? You don't need to be a manager to find illogical such huge investment, it's just logic. But sure I'm just a poor peasant who doesn't know nothing about marketing if make you feel better about it. But I find more 'arrogant" downplay the other opinion because we think multi billion companies can't never be wrong for the money sake.
 
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regawdless

Banned
I just express my opinion. Not sure why you need to be so defensive about it. It's not like multi billion dollars company are immune to spent money in a useless way. ps5 wss literally sold out even before their campaign would start. What's the point to spent so many money to promote something it's not even available in the shops? You don't need to be a manager to find illogical such huge investment. But sure I'm just a poor peasant who doesn't know nothing about marketing if make you feel better about it.

Didn't want to be so harsh about it, sorry for that. There was no need for it.

It doesn't matter if the PS5 is available for purchase right now. It's about generating demand and awareness. It not being available currently even adds to it and shows the potential customer how great that product is and that everyone wants it.

Not important if they buy it in 2 or 6 months or in one year, as long as the product stays relevant and desirable.

Do marketing departments love to spend money for crazy idiotic ideas? Sure, some do. But companies generally hate to spend money and especially in companies like Sony, it's based on analysis and there a strict control mechanisms.
 

assurdum

Banned
Didn't want to be so harsh about it, sorry for that. There was no need for it.

It doesn't matter if the PS5 is available for purchase right now. It's about generating demand and awareness. It not being available currently even adds to it and shows the potential customer how great that product is and that everyone wants it.

Not important if they buy it in 2 or 6 months or in one year, as long as the product stays relevant and desirable.

Do marketing departments love to spend money for crazy idiotic ideas? Sure, some do. But companies generally hate to spend money and especially in companies like Sony, it's based on analysis and there a strict control mechanisms.
No problem but that's something I hate terribly about the "capitalism" culture and it's annoying see many money put in the basket so easily for nothing and when the things suddenly goes wrong, people is fired or good game studios shut down. That's more detestable from this perspective.
 

regawdless

Banned
No problem but that's something I hate terribly about the "capitalism" culture and it's annoying see many money put in the basket so easily for nothing and when the things suddenly goes wrong, people is fired or good game studios shut down. That's more detestable from this perspective.

Then I really don't understand your point. Criticizing capitalism culture - whatever that means - while apparently being very uneducated in economics. Marketing money isn't for nothing, again, marketing is essential for these businesses to sell the product. So they don't have to fire people because the product isn't selling well.
More important to your point, there is a whole marketing business sector that generates millions of jobs. So you're saying that's not necessary and all these people should lose their jobs, interesting.

The amount of money Sony spend for marketing isn't that big compared to what they make, thus not posing any risk at all for any dev studio. Especially because every studio has its own separate budget and own targets.
 
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assurdum

Banned
Then I really don't understand your point. Criticizing capitalism culture - whatever that means - while apparently being very uneducated in economics. Marketing money isn't for nothing, again, marketing is essential for these businesses to sell the product. So they don't have to fire people because the product isn't selling well.
Also, there is a whole marketing business sector that generates millions of jobs. So you're saying that's not necessary and all these people should lose their jobs, interesting.

The amount of money Sony spend for marketing isn't that big compared to what they make, thus not posing any risk at all for any dev studio. Especially because every studio has its own separate budget and own targets.
I disagree completely. Companies waste tons of money for useless stuff when they are healthy in their finances. But they lost any sense of humanity when things go wrong because it's the business baby and similar bullshitness. Maybe save money during this period could help more in worst situations in the future, or they can even invest such money in something which give more concrete revenue for the future perspectives. Think multi billion companies always know how to invest wisely their money, it's quite naive, there are tons of examples in the reality and to be clear, I'm not saying invest money in promoting is wrong. But we are ot.
 
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regawdless

Banned
I disagree completely. Companies waste tons of money for useless stuff when they are healthy in their finances. But they lost any sense of humanity when things go wrong. Maybe save money during this period could help more in such situations in the future, or they can even invest such money in something which give more concrete revenue in the future perspectives. Think multi billion companies always know how to invest wisely their money, it's quite naive, there are tons of examples in the reality and to be clear, I'm not saying invest money in promoting is wrong. But we are ot.

7.5 million is nothing for Sony and marketing is important, don't know how that shouldn't be wise and what your point is. And of course they do save money for the future. Don't know where you're getting the idea from that they are not.

It really shows that you have very little understanding of how businesses work.
 

assurdum

Banned
7.5 million is nothing for Sony and marketing is important, don't know how that shouldn't be wise and what your point is. And of course they do save money for the future. Don't know where you're getting the idea from that they are not.

It really shows that you have very little understanding of how businesses work.
They spent 3 times of MS. 3 times. And we already know would have sold more without it. Again I ask to you what's the point? If not beat their chest and show they are the strongest in this business? It's a patriarchal habit of the company which I detest. I studied economy, sure, not in the university, but I know a bit how it works. It seems you know even less if you are really convinced is the best way possible to handle the business. But obviously it's just my opinion.
 
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longdi

Banned
What a waste of money imo. Maybe the champion league billboards are ok.

I do wonder what kind of marketing they do with the money? Viral marketing? Social media did?
 

assurdum

Banned
Mindshare. Even if you're out of stock you don't wanna be out of the conversation. That way you keep demand and hype levels high so that when you're in stock your sales remain strong.
I understood the reference. But again it's more theorically than factual such "model" if I can say.
 
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regawdless

Banned
They spent 3 times of MS. 3 times. And we already know would have sold more without it. Again I ask to you what's the point? If not beat their chest and show they are the strongest in this business? It's a patriarchal habit of the company which I detest. I studied economy, sure, not in the university, but I know a bit how it works. It seems you know even less if you are really convinced is the best way possible to handle the business.

I've already explained the reasons for it above, are you not capable of reading? MS spending way less money really shows, because Sony has generated a lot more buzz and awareness.

You obviously have an ideologically driven view without having sufficient knowledge about economics, so this discussion is pointless.

Maybe you should use your extremely good understanding of how business work to start an own business. I'm sure that would work out great, Mr. Biased Armchair Manager.
 

assurdum

Banned
I've already explained the reasons for it above, are you not capable of reading? MS spending way less money really shows, because Sony has generated a lot more buzz and awareness.

You obviously have an ideologically driven view without having sufficient knowledge about economics, so this discussion is pointless.

Maybe you should use your extremely good understanding of how business work to start an own business. I'm sure that would work out great, Mr. Biased Armchair Manager.
Stop to take my personal opinion as a personal attack and to be so childish. And no what you said is so approximative which I don't know even where I have to start; there isn't a single way to handle businesses, you are completely wrong here if you think so, there are tons of models and it's a very limited perspective of the matter what you said.

Yeah sure laugh, it's better, the Keynes of the last minute has speaken. Unbelievable. Thanks to God it's me the ignorant there 🤣
 
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kyoji

Member
If you think Microsoft cares about hardware sales as much as Sony does than you clearly have not been paying attention.... to anything really
If you think they dont youre a fool. idc what there lip service says. hardware sales only dont matter for them now because they have been far behind there competitors for years now.

If hardware truly does not matter then i fully expect them to be all digital next time, since you know the thing they really want to push doesnt require a xbox. But lets see how that works for them if they kill off xbox hardware and try a streaming/pc model only with game pass as the focal point. Its certain death for a already non worldwide brand.
 
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Haha what the fuck is this EA no spectators! The new FIFA sucks.
 

Panajev2001a

GAF's Pleasant Genius
It doesn't changes is almost pointless.

I disagree, it helps set the tone for the generation, it helps ensure the word of mouth continues positively and maintains a healthy hype for the product and its ecosystem.

I would not celebrate a company not exactly in dire straits taking early adopters and launch consoles selling out for granted that saves pennies so to speak by stopping their ad campaign or curtailing it early on “why spend a cent on them, those suckers will buy it anyways”.
 

Panajev2001a

GAF's Pleasant Genius
They spent 3 times of MS. 3 times. And we already know would have sold more without it. Again I ask to you what's the point? If not beat their chest and show they are the strongest in this business? It's a patriarchal habit of the company which I detest. I studied economy, sure, not in the university, but I know a bit how it works. It seems you know even less if you are really convinced is the best way possible to handle the business. But obviously it's just my opinion.

Hold on... how did you fit the “patriarchy” into this :messenger_dizzy:?

You detest them having marketed their console because they would have sold out without... well, it seems to promote an approach that takes consumers for granted. I appreciate them not doing that or not doing it blatantly: staying hungry and working to get customers’ attention is a positive thing.
 
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silentstorm

Member
Well, I did not see Xbox commercials outside the Internet so...
Yeah, i think Microsoft didn't think there was any point at this time, their market goes more for hardcore gamers who follow news, but you'd think advertising Game Pass would be great for them, tell parents that their kids can have a bunch of games fast without them having to pay much, with online multiplayer included.

I showed a family member my Xbox and she genuinely thought i had bought a bunch of games fast until i told her about Game Pass, which she seemed interested at, even noticing it had Fifa games(she didn't care it didn't have the latest game, though no doubt my cousin would care) and at the moment i just thought that Microsoft should have been advertising this service a lot more.

I guess they are hoping for word of mouth, for people passing on stores to notice a new console came out and for them to have the big exclusives ready before actually saying anything?

Still, it's not as if they don't have anything, particularly for the crowd who don't follow gaming news or just wants to gift someone a console, those kinds of people would see Game Pass and think "Hey, i can just give hundreds of games at once and the commercial says they are big games, i will gift them a Xbox rather than PS5" while a lot of people online would mock the commercials and not change much.
 
Yeah, i think Microsoft didn't think there was any point at this time, their market goes more for hardcore gamers who follow news, but you'd think advertising Game Pass would be great for them, tell parents that their kids can have a bunch of games fast without them having to pay much, with online multiplayer included.

I showed a family member my Xbox and she genuinely thought i had bought a bunch of games fast until i told her about Game Pass, which she seemed interested at, even noticing it had Fifa games(she didn't care it didn't have the latest game, though no doubt my cousin would care) and at the moment i just thought that Microsoft should have been advertising this service a lot more.

I guess they are hoping for word of mouth, for people passing on stores to notice a new console came out and for them to have the big exclusives ready before actually saying anything?

Still, it's not as if they don't have anything, particularly for the crowd who don't follow gaming news or just wants to gift someone a console, those kinds of people would see Game Pass and think "Hey, i can just give hundreds of games at once and the commercial says they are big games, i will gift them a Xbox rather than PS5" while a lot of people online would mock the commercials and not change much.
I think they are waiting for XCloud apps to get to TVs and upgrade of cloud server and yeah for now rely on their community - GamePass has incredible attachment rate - for the word of mouth.
 

bxrz

Member
If you think they dont youre a fool. idc what there lip service says. hardware sales only dont matter for them now because they have been far behind there competitors for years now.

If hardware truly does not matter then i fully expect them to be all digital next time, since you know the thing they really want to push doesnt require a xbox. But lets see how that works for them if they kill off xbox hardware and try a streaming/pc model only with game pass as the focal point. Its certain death for a already non worldwide brand.
They care so much about hardware sales that they are putting all their exclusives on PC. That definitely sounds like a company that cares A LOT about hardware sales

Again, you really are not paying attention to anything
 

bxrz

Member
So you saw that when you went in to the future? Its pure speculation on your side just as 55 mil sold is also a speculation.
Whe have to wait and see.
The Xbox One did 55 million and it was one of the worst consoles ever. Had nothing going for it from the day it released. Bad PR attached, it was more expensive than the competition while being weaker and STILL did 55 million and Microsoft themselves threw in the towel for last gen in like 2018

It basically did 55 million last year from brand loyalty alone, and your telling me the Series X/S won't hit that mark? I hope you're trolling
 
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Thirty7ven

Banned
The Xbox One did 55 million and it was one of the worst consoles ever. Had nothing going for it from the day it released. Bad PR attached, it was more expensive than the competition while being weaker and STILL did 55 million and Microsoft themselves threw in the towel for last gen in like 2018

It basically did 55 million last year from brand loyalty alone, and your telling me the Series X/S won't hit that mark? I hope you're trolling

Why won't it?

360 is the odd one out, if anything Xbox One only sold over 55 million consoles because of 360 legacy. That's over now and they are about to have a terrible first year with the XSX, so momentum is already against them.
 
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oagboghi2

Member
I disagree completely. Companies waste tons of money for useless stuff when they are healthy in their finances. But they lost any sense of humanity when things go wrong because it's the business baby and similar bullshitness. Maybe save money during this period could help more in worst situations in the future, or they can even invest such money in something which give more concrete revenue for the future perspectives. Think multi billion companies always know how to invest wisely their money, it's quite naive, there are tons of examples in the reality and to be clear, I'm not saying invest money in promoting is wrong. But we are ot.
Cutting back on marketing isn't saving money. You are going to market the PS5 eventually, and doing it now when the vast majority of consumers are learning about it for the first time is only logical.
 
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Unknown?

Member
The Xbox One did 55 million and it was one of the worst consoles ever. Had nothing going for it from the day it released. Bad PR attached, it was more expensive than the competition while being weaker and STILL did 55 million and Microsoft themselves threw in the towel for last gen in like 2018

It basically did 55 million last year from brand loyalty alone, and your telling me the Series X/S won't hit that mark? I hope you're trolling
Series S/X arguably has even less going for it in content AND short-term future. If Bethesda goes full exclusive they will probably see a good bump once TES VI releases though but that won't be for a long time.
 

bxrz

Member
Why won't it?

360 is the odd one out, if anything Xbox One only sold over 55 million consoles because of 360 legacy. That's over now and they are about to have a terrible first year with the XSX, so momentum is already against them.
How are they about to have a terrible 1st year if everything they put up sells out and gaming is basically at an all-time high. And thats without any marquee game coming from them for some months. They are doing that strickly off brand-loyalty, as I said so where is this "terrible 1st year" coming from when they sell everything they have
 
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bxrz

Member
Series S/X arguably has even less going for it in content AND short-term future. If Bethesda goes full exclusive they will probably see a good bump once TES VI releases though but that won't be for a long time.
You are a fool if you think the Series X/S has less going for it than the Xbox One. Its that simple. As I said, the Xbox One was one of the worst consoles ever from the day it dropped. It was bad decision after bad decision and Microsoft was in disarray
 
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EverydayBeast

thinks Halo Infinite is a new graphical benchmark
If you’re Sony you want PS5 to be as successful as possible and accomplish things, and so you got to continue feeding the masses ads.
 

Unknown?

Member
You are a fool if you think the Series X/S has less going for it than the Xbox One. Its that simple. As I said, the Xbox One was one of the worst consoles ever from the day it dropped
Nah not really. It had a lot of bad press but it actually had exclusive software at launch AND with securing Titanfall months after launch really helped hype. Software always wins. Switch proved this, it wouldn't have done so well out the gate if it wasn't for Breath of the Wild.

Anyway we're both just speculating but we will see how the series consoles perform come January-March. The X1 had a STEEP drop January 2014. A drop is normal but it underperformed till they dropped the price. We will see if that trend repeats itself.
 

bxrz

Member
Nah not really. It had a lot of bad press but it actually had exclusive software at launch AND with securing Titanfall months after launch really helped hype. Software always wins. Switch proved this, it wouldn't have done so well out the gate if it wasn't for Breath of the Wild.

Anyway we're both just speculating but we will see how the series consoles perform come January-March. The X1 had a STEEP drop January 2014. A drop is normal but it underperformed till they dropped the price. We will see if that trend repeats itself.
Software always wins and the Xbox One has the worst game library in console history so i'm not seeing what you are talking about. Unless you think the Series X library will be worse than the Xbox One's library
 

Unknown?

Member
Software always wins and the Xbox One has the worst game library in console history so i'm not seeing what you are talking about. Unless you think the Series X library will be worse than the Xbox One's library
It is at launch. Can't comment on the future. If they only have one a Halo and Forza next year then things won't be changing soon.
 

regawdless

Banned
MS kinda shit the bed regarding marketing. The naming of these consoles is so confusing for consumers, they could spend four times the money and people would still be confused. Xbox One x vs Xbox Series X and Xbox One S vs Xbox Series S, like wtf are you doing.
Also, without any exclusives at launch while Sony has at least some very good ones doesn't make it better.

I don't know how it looks like in the US, but here in Europe the new Xbox flies under the radar. It's "PS5, PS5, PS5 - oh and the new Xbox exists. Either way, PS5, PS5...."
Europe of course being Sony land.
 

bxrz

Member
It is at launch. Can't comment on the future. If they only have one a Halo and Forza next year then things won't be changing soon.
You can comment on the future though, we know what games are coming. Fable, Avowed, Starfield, Hellblade 2 ect. What exclusive games on the Xbox One (besides Halo, Gears and Forza) matchup to those 4?
 
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ethomaz

Banned
You can comment on the future though, we know what games are coming. Fable, Avowed, Starfield, Hellblade 2 ect. What exclusive games on the Xbox One (besides Halo, Gears and Forza) matchup to those 4?
Killer Instinct, Ryse, Titanfall, Control Break, Sunset Overdrive, etc.

We don’t even know if these new exclusives will really match these old ones... probably not for Titanfall and KI... probably yes to Ryse.

For now we know Xbox One had a way better lineup at launch and though the first years.
 
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bxrz

Member
Killer Instinct, Ryse, Titanfall, Control Break, Sunset Overdrive, etc.

We don’t even know if these new exclusives will really match these old ones... probably not for Titanfall and KI... probably yes to Ryse.

For now we know Xbox One had a way better lineup at launch and though the first years.
This guy just said Fable, Avowed, Starfield and Hellblade 2 don't matchup to Killer Instinct and Quantum Break

Neogaf summed up in one post
 

Unknown?

Member
This guy just said Fable, Avowed, Starfield and Hellblade 2 don't matchup to Killer Instinct and Quantum Break

Neogaf summed up in one post
Uhhh we don't know when any of those games are releasing and none of those are launch window. We also don't know if Starfield will be exclusive. It's likely they were working on a PlayStation version and if so, won't be canceled.
 

The_Mike

I cry about SonyGaf from my chair in Redmond, WA
It's money wasted. Could be spent on games instead.

Why advertise to much when there's so many that does it for free
 

ethomaz

Banned
This guy just said Fable, Avowed, Starfield and Hellblade 2 don't matchup to Killer Instinct and Quantum Break

Neogaf summed up in one post
So how are these games? It is nice to believe in promises... just don’t use them as something certain.

Fable doesn’t have a good game for generations.
What is Avowed?
How is Starfield?
Hellblade never put the world on fire.

Killer Instinct and Titanfall are top games.
Quantum Break and Sunset Overdrive are really solid.
Ryse is indeed below average even so it was of of the best launch titles in 2013.

So yes the games you listed doesn’t match the game game I listed... the ones I listed already proved themselves... the one you listed are promises without any ideia how it will turn out.
 
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bxrz

Member
Uhhh we don't know when any of those games are releasing and none of those are launch window. We also don't know if Starfield will be exclusive. It's likely they were working on a PlayStation version and if so, won't be canceled.
When isn't relevant. We know they are coming, and thats the point. And your delusional if you think they spent 7.5B to put Starfield on Sony's console

So how are these games? It is nice to believe in promises... just don’t use them as something certain.

Fable doesn’t have a good game for generations.
What is Avowed?
How is Starfield?
Hellblade never put the world on fire.

Killer Instinct and Titanfall are top games.
Quantum Break and Sunset Overdrive are really solid.
Ryse is indeed below average even so it was of of the best launch titles in 2013.

So yes the games you listed doesn’t match the game game I listed... the ones I listed already proved themselves... the one you listed are promises without any ideia how it will turn out.
Titanfall is solid, but the sequel was better and more memorable
Quantum Break is seen as a disappointment
Killer Instinct is a niche game and the MC is in the 70s
Sunset Overdrive is good but nothing to write home about
Ryse...lol

Those games havn't proven themselves to be anything because the narrative is still "Halo, Gears, Forza. Xbox One had no games"

Fable hasnt had a game in generations period. Its last game was during the 360 days. Its why its anticipated
Avowed is Obsidian being given AAA money. I think it will be good, Obsidian is a good company and they make good games
Starfield is Bethesda's next big game. Bethesda's main games are always good. No doubt about that
Hellblade 2 should be good, just needs more marketing but thats MS fault.
 
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