We find ourselves today on the precipice of great change. A new and wondrous console generation lies just beyond our reach. Sony is going to play gatekeeper tonight at 6pm EST as they are widely believed to reveal some of the first details regarding their follow-up to the widely successful Playstation 3.
I’m not alone when I say that am more than curious. My PS3 has been the centerpiece of my family’s entertainment for several years. The idea of a follow-up is tantalizing. But I am not without my doubts. Sony has made significant blunders before.
I have seen countless “Predictions,” “Rumors,” and “Insider Reports” in the last few weeks. This piece will be none of these. I find myself, instead, called to write this article to express what I can only express as “uncertainty.” I’m not afraid of the future. But I’m not ready to dismiss the potential impact that today’s announcement could have on me and my entertainment choices.
Brand loyalty has been a huge part of my video game identity since grade school. There I, like many others, would argue vehemently with classmates over the superiority of Mario and Sonic. I would marvel at the audacity of my peers when they tried to explain the merits of Phantasy Star compared to my beloved Final Fantasy. I’ve even been known to argue that Ryu could take Sub-Zero in a fight. I am most certainly NOT a commitment-phobe when it comes to my video games.
I suppose that is what makes it to difficult for me to be staring once again at the face of a difficult decision. I have been loyal to Sony for years. The Playstation and Playstation 2 were brilliant. I have been more than happy with my PS3. But I am left wanting more.
I spent some time in the last few days really examining the WHY behind my loyalty with Sony. I like hard Sci-Fi far more than I like Indiana Jones. I find myself longing to play games online with other people while watching two dozen Facebook friends talk about their Xbox Live accounts. It turns out that the only thing that I can say that Sony gave me that Microsoft couldn’t have is Journey and Flower. These are both amazing games. But, are they enough to justify missing out on HALO, Fez, and dozens of other XBLA titles? I don’t know.
So here I am folks… I’m waiting. Patiently. I want this event to amaze me. I want to watch it in awe as my wallet stars to burn in anticipation. But… all I get instead is fear.
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