Sony to make the comeback?

I think that those 2 runaway successes with the previous PlayStations has kind of gone to Sony's head as a company. That, and their movie/music division is absolutely ruining the rest of the company, by pushing for all these expensive DRM schemes that only end up getting cracked sooner or later, and really only serve to alienate the paying customers. If you've been following the BioShock uproar, Sony is behind the company that made the invasive DRM for that game.

If the PS3 had simply been a faster version of the PS2, capable of better graphics, etc... It probably would have been an instant success, like the Wii. Instead, the movie/music division of Sony insisted that it also be a blu-ray player and some kind of home media hub, which splits the focus of the developers.

Most people don't want a console that's also this high end multi-media hub. Most people just want a game console. Those that want a media hub could easily buy an after market accessory, but Sony's movie division wants to try and prop up blu-ray with the PS3.

Personally, I think success like Sony had with the first two PlayStation generations is out of the question with the PS3. However, once a few big name titles start arriving, like Final Fantasy XIII, it's situation will improve significantly.

The best thing that could happen to the game console market though, would be for Microsoft to leave it. The console market works best with two major competitors, and having three just puts too much strain on game developers. Microsoft only has the 360. They killed the Xbox the day the 360 launched. Sony and Nintendo are still supporting their old consoles, and both also have handheld consoles to flesh things out more. Microsoft is also the one driving console prices into the extreme. Microsoft is the one trying to build some kind of central hub for all home entertainment, and Sony is stupidly casing after them. Problem is, almost every time Microsoft tries to make hardware, it ends in disaster, and the Xbox seems to be no different.

Sony dug itself a hole by forcing the PS3 to include a BR player. If they had gone with a DVD drive, the price would be the same as the 360, thus taking away one of the biggest reasons for the slow sales numbers. Also, Sony would be losing less money on each console they make.

Also, the PS3 has a huge lack of good games and one of their best ones, Oblivion, was ported from the 360 way after the 360 launch. The only thing that will save the PS3 from finishing in 3rd place is their games. They are losing exclusives like gang busters (GTAIV, Devil May Cry 4, and perhaps MGS4). Their online is trash compared to XBL, which doesn't help.

Microsoft put out a console with an obvious design flaw but they have fixed it (the updated heat sinks and thermal tape on the GPU). Bioshock, Halo 3, and Mass Effect are going to kill Sony this holiday season.