Whoever says New Year’s Eve says good resolutions. In 2023, the major players in the video game market should consider some of our proposals.
It’s 2023, which means it’s time to make resolutions – and good ones, preferably. This mandatory passage at the turn of the year also affects large companies, which have to learn from the previous months in order to be able to make good decisions afterwards.
Given the video game flops of 2022, we can recommend multiple resolutions for Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo — three manufacturers marketing multiple consoles.
Some resolutions for Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo
PlayStation
- Improvement of the PlayStation Plus
In 2022, Sony launched a new formula for its PlayStation Plus. Thanks to a merger with PlayStation Now (ex-cloud gaming service), the subscription is now offered in three different formulas. For now, this redesign fails to impress once you cross the second of the three levels. The game catalogs on offer are ridiculous, streaming functionality is limited compared to Xbox Game Pass, and the lack of new features doesn’t make you want to pay more.
Finally, the PlayStation Plus evokes the complicated early months of the Xbox Game Pass, which has continued to be refined over time. We’re hoping for a similar development for Sony, whose latest financial report notes a loss of subscribers. It’s not a coincidence.
- Selling PlayStation VR2 games
With the PlayStation VR2, Sony is launching its second virtual reality headset, this time in conjunction with the PlayStation 5. From a technical point of view, the accessory looks more convincing than ever – according to the first feedback. But the future of the PS VR2 will not be limited to its hardware qualities: it needs games to convince. This point was missing from the first PlayStation VR, which nevertheless sold well.
In general, Sony really struggles to bring its accessories to life. From the PlayStation Eye camera to PlayStation Move controllers, software tracking rarely lives up to expectations. A finding that can be transferred to the DualSense, a formidable controller that is still underused.
- Stop with the exorbitant prices
Sony inflating the price of its consoles (+ €50), Sony launching a remastering disguised as a remake for €80 (€20 less on PC…), Sony daring, a controller for €240 to launch, Sony preparing to launch a VR headset for €600… If you’re a fan of the PlayStation brand, it’s in your best interest to maintain good relations with your banker. Because the pricing policy of the Japanese company doesn’t care about our savings. And it shows more and more…
Nintendo
- Finally releasing the Nintendo Switch Pro
It appears that a Nintendo Switch Pro – more powerful – was actually in the pipeline – hence the many persistent rumours. It would have been definitively dropped in favor of the OLED model, which focuses on improving comfort. However, when we see the technical debt of certain games releasing in 2022 (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Bayonetta 3), we tell ourselves that Nintendo would be wise to reissue the file. Especially this year when a certain The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will land. The idea would simply be to provide a better gaming experience for the eyes.
- Start a new Mario game
Nintendo fans are eagerly awaiting The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. But for those who prefer Mario, time is getting long. The last 100% new opus called Super Mario Odyssey is from 2017. The mustachioed plumber, who is about to have a crazy adventure in the cinema, has been in technical unemployment for too long.
- Repel the next Pokemon
In 2022, we were treated to two episodes of Pokémon with Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Purple. In both cases the experiences were mixed. Perhaps Nintendo should give Pokémon Company the idea to take more time, otherwise we might fear Assassin’s Creed Syndrome. Ubisoft had made a habit of releasing a new work every year until it hit the wall and triggered a necessary renewal. We wish the same for Pokémon, if possible on a Switch Pro.
Microsoft
- Create your exclusive catalogue
Nothing: This is the word that best sums up Microsoft’s 2022 in terms of games launched under its flag. It’s a real problem for an actor who has had a string of studio acquisitions for legitimacy but is still struggling to convert the essay on the exclusive catalog side. It’s high time for the Redmond-based company to get people buying an Xbox for something other than Game Pass. With its constellation of developers, it must now be able to establish an editorial line that can compete with Sony’s.
- Maintain current prices
“We’ve kept our console pricing, we’ve kept our games pricing… and our services. I don’t think we’ll be able to keep this up forever. At some point we’re going to have to raise certain prices,” Phil Spencer, head of the Xbox store, said in late October. But Microsoft could also change its mind and maintain an aggressive strategy — especially versus Sony, which cares much more about its margins. Keeping the Xbox Series S at €300 and the Xbox Series X at €500 is a strength, especially with Xbox Game Pass which would remain at €10 per month. To make the volume, there would be nothing better.
- Launch Xbox Game Pass natively on the Steam Deck
Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s main strength in the gaming market. The subscription is unbeatable, with quality/price and quantity/price ratios that are hard to dispute. In 2023 we want to expand the service to more and more devices. For example, we dream of it arriving natively on the Steam deck, with an application that would allow you to install the games – or play them in streaming. Today you can access Game Pass on the Valve console, but after complex instructions (for newbies) and more than questionable compatibility.