Analyst Piers Harding-Rolls Expects Next Gen Focus on Services for PS5 and Xbox Series X
With Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 both bringing impressive hardware capabilities to the table, how will the competing consoles differentiate themselves? First, you might think of exclusives. But there is also another way that Sony and Microsoft can compete. According to analyst Piers Harding-Rolls, the two companies will have a next gen focus on services.
What Harding-Rolls Said About a Next Gen Focus on Services
In MCV/DEVELOP 955 March 2020, Harding-Rolls said, “Next-gen, I expect a stronger focus on services to differentiate console offerings. It’s clear that Microsoft will be focused on Xbox Game Pass, but only as part of a collection of ways to access content using different distribution and monetisation models. I do not expect a wholesale transition to subscription services. I also expect Sony to continue evolving PlayStation Now. How the platform holders blend their services together and how they are integrated as product offerings will play an important role in engaging consumers.”
Also, Harding-Rolls had some thoughts on pricing for the next gen consoles. He said, “Although there is quite a lot we don’t know about the launch of next-generation consoles, my expectation is that both PS5 and Xbox Series X will launch strongly if there are no supply constraints and pricing is within an acceptable range, that being $499 or below.”
So. this is in alignment with what many others are saying right now with regards to next gen console pricing.
Further continuing with this train of thought, Harding-Rolls made some predictions about performance. He added, “By strongly I mean that both the PS5 and Xbox Series X will beat the launch figures of PS4 and Xbox One. I hold this view because the PS4 has a significantly bigger active userbase compared to the PS3 back in 2013, which should put Sony in a stronger starting position at launch. I also expect Microsoft to have a much more effective launch this gen compared to Xbox One and to be better positioned to drive early adoption.”
So, now you have some perspective and predictions from one of the industry’s top analysts. For more rumors and updates on what we can expect next gen, check out our PlayStation news section.