Sony Sacrificed the PlayStation 4 Camera to Beat Microsoft on Price


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When Sony announced that PlayStation 4 would be priced at $399 to an uproar of applause from the audience at its E3 press conference, it secured a critical edge over the Xbox One. But the advantage came at a cost: the PlayStation 4 camera (formerly known as the PlayStation 4 Eye). According to multiple sources, in the months leading up to E3, Sony nixed plans to include the camera add-on with every system and shave $100 off its originally planned price of $499. Most importantly, it did so quietly, informing its retail partners only of the removal of the camera, not specifying the lower price so as not to tip its hand to Microsoft.

 

But in its efforts to undercut the Xbox One, Sony has damned the accessory to a future of fragmented consumer adoption and inconsistent software support. The decision has also rendered a major design element of the DualShock 4 controller ? the built-in LED Move tracker ? largely useless.

 

 

 

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And not a single person cares. From what I remember hearing if you want a camera for your PS4 it will only cost you $60 to buy it separately instead of an extra $100.

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I rarely go to the front page lol.

 

 

And not a single person cares. From what I remember hearing if you want a camera for your PS4 it will only cost you $60 to buy it separately instead of an extra $100.

 

 

Well Sony has a reputation of forcing things on consumers so I think having the option is better for us at the end of the day.

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Considering that most games likely won't make much use of the camera it's probably a smart idea.

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Well I consider it to be a good direction. If I want to flail my arms around to play a game I'll buy the camera separately. As it is I have no interest in Move.

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If the roles were reversed; Microsoft making the Kinect optional and Sony forcing the PS4 camera on consumers and designing it so the console won't work without it*, this is something like how the conversation would go:

 

"SONY has to force peripherals onto consumers to make them want them! LOL! MS isn't forcing you to buy and use a Kinect because they know some people mightn't want them! SONY as a company is dead and the PS4 stands no chance!"

 

I'd bet all I own on it.

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Cleaned

 

Post flame-bait again and I'll restrict you from the Gamers' Hangout. You know who you are.

 

Anyway...

 

Sony made a smart decision to make the PS4 camera optional. A $100 price difference means a lot to most people. And for most hardcore gamers, a camera isn't a must-have accessory (the same applies to the Kinect). It's seen as an accessory for casual games. I don't want to stand up and hit virtual targets with my hands. I'd rather sit down and enjoy a game with a good story and great visuals. The only reason I'd ever consider buying a camera is for guests. They'd probably enjoy playing a dancing game that tracks their movements.

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Pretty smart move, both from a price standpoint and also because they aren't locked into supporting Move either.

 

And let's face it, they haven't supported it from day 1. It has some benefits (not FPS before anyone kids themselves), but the chance to 1up MS is much more valuable than some tacky motion feature devs can come up with.

 

If only MS did the same /sigh

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If the roles were reversed; Microsoft making the Kinect optional and Sony forcing the PS4 camera on consumers and designing it so the console won't work without it*, this is something like how the conversation would go:

 

 

I'd bet all I own on it.

Well no different than changing from "Including headset with every 360 means you have to suffer annoying 12year olds" to "Sony cares about gamers and includes a headset with every PS4 and Microsoft is just cheap with XB1".

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i dont get it... leaving it out cus of $100 difference, but isnt the life cycle supposed to be over like 8 years? kinda miniscule difference if your looking at it in that way

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I have mixed feelings about this.  We obviously saw the lack of support from developers with the PS3 eye, if the market is going to be segmented again then we'll run into the same issue here.  The light or whatever in the controller is useless without the eye so they essentially cut off one of their own legs by removing it.  Obviously I like the price point and the option but I feel like it was the wrong choice.  I loved the tech demo shown at e3 so the eye is certainly capable but without developer support its going to be DOA.

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