Mom's Minute

PS4 vs XBox One  

The latest ploy by Microsoft to get you to purchase an Xbox One, if you have not already done so, is to try to lure you in with a promotion I saw recently where three free days of Xbox Live is being offered via an advertisement on bags of Lay's potato chips.  That's right.  Microsoft apparently sees no limits or boundaries as to where to remind you (including potato chip packages)  that if you have not yet purchased an Xbox One, now is the time to do so, especially if you want to get a few free days of Xbox Live usage.  The question is -- will this offer as well as other future ones steer more people to the Xbox One instead of the Playstation 4.

Probably more telling is Microsoft's introduction of the TitanFall Xbox One bundle where you get a free TitanFall video game along with the Xbox One system.  If that did not make you want to run out and buy an Xbox One, an additional promotion was a price cut of $50.00 offered at Walmart and Best Buy.  Of course, if you consider that the Xbox One comes packaged with the Kinect that is valued at about $100.00 -- there was really not that much of a price difference between the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 from the beginning -- with Xbox One selling for $499.99 vs.  the Playstation 4 price of $399.99. PlayStation 4 offers a camera that retails from $60.00 and up -- which did not come with the PS4.  

Regarding the price of both video game consoles, Sony, in my opinion,  did a much better job of marketing the PS4 at what it thought was a reasonable price and did not waffle on the price as Microsoft is doing with the Xbox One at some retail establishments.

Xbox One sits alone, circa April 2014, without the PS4 (probably out of stock due to demand), waiting to be bought at a small discounted price.

Let's get down to the basics of what Microsoft needs to do to turn the tables around in its favor.  First, in my opinion, its focus must turn toward the video game playing components of its system -- instead of the other video showings that it offers. Unfortunately, Microsoft cannot go back in time to undo its ill-thought out, and misdirected conference when the Xbox One was first introduced and the emphasis was on the TV-watching instead of the video game playing benefits of the Xbox One.  Also, even though Microsoft did not follow through on its "threats" to require internet access as well as its initial ban on trading its games, and even on the poor choice of name -- the Xbox One --  it can try to paint a more positive picture in video game players' minds.  In other words, it can try a second time -- to make a good first impression on the video game players with its Xbox One.

Regarding the name -- Xbox One, I believe just about everyone is accustomed to the name by this time -- so the name can stay the same.  However, instead of using the mantra that the Xbox One is an "All in One" system (which is nothing new), it must somehow -- by its tagline or slogan -- make it be known that Microsoft understands the Xbox One is for video game players -- who purchase the Xbox One to play video games. In other words, gamers should come first.  A suggested tagline for Microsoft is, the "Gamer is number One "-- hence the name -- Xbox One.  It may also use a play on the three musketeers' saying by stating that -- "Microsoft is all for One and  One for All"  when it comes to making the best of video game player's experiences. There are a number of creative ways Microsoft can try to rekindle the interest of  the Xbox One. I believe a new advertising campaign would greatly help to change the sometimes not so positive perception of Microsoft's Xbox One.

Unlike the PS4 -- Xbox One peripherals displayed on the bottom shelf.

 PS4 takes top shelf not only physically here, but tops Xbox One financially in sales as well.

Of course, the name and tag lines are mostly cosmetic, and much more is needed to turn the tables around in Microsoft's favor. The one sure way for Microsoft to get ahead on sales is to have more new video game offerings.  If you have either an Xbox One, a PS4 or even both, you may already know that one of the biggest complaints about both systems is the lack of new video games.  If Microsoft could somehow come out of the gate running with a slew of sophisticated/upscale, top of the line new video games that would rival games, such as Call of Duty and others, they may be able to get close to -- if not surpass Sony.  The problem with this solution, is that Sony, too knows about the lack of new video games for the new systems -- so as we speak, the company probably already has a lot of new games in the works.  In fact, it has been recently announced that Sony will be introducing its own version of Oculus Rift -- the new  Virtual Reality (VR) video game enhancement system. Nothing new from Microsoft so far.  Looks like Microsoft is too busy, in my opinion, trying to push the sales of the Xbox One, to be thinking of other innovative ideas for video game players. A fail for them, again,  in my opinion.

The above being said, there can be light at the end of the tunnel for Microsoft.  Since that ill-fated conference and resulting negative publicity for the Xbox One, there have been numerous management changes at Microsoft -- including the hiring of Phil Spencer.  Phil Spencer has indicated he knows the video game players should be the first and utmost considerations relative to the Xbox One. Now all he has to do is convert this statement into some actions to turn the tables around for Microsoft's Xbox One.

As can be expected, Sony is not holding its breath waiting for Microsoft to catch up.  It contnues to keep the video game players first and foremost in mind in all things PlayStation 4 -- Now Microsoft needs to follow suit and do the same for the Xbox One.

PlayStation 4 vs Xbox One: How the "Tables Can be Turned Around" Part 1 Read more.