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> Sony sells their consoles at break even or sometimes at a loss. They hope to make money from their software sales. I don’t have a strong opinion in this case
by kergonath 2mo ago
> Sony sells their consoles at break even or sometimes at a loss. They hope to make money from their software sales.
I don’t have a strong opinion in this case (of the games marketplaces on consoles), but this argument is fallacious. The question would not be whether they’d always done it, it would be whether that’s legal. It is not difficult to find business plan that don’t work because of laws and regulations. Anything related to health and safety, for a start. Basically, if society thinks strongly enough that your business should not be run that way, then tough luck. Either change your business plan or die.
For example, if locking out competitors’ cartridges in your printer is ruled anticompetitive, then don’t do it. Just because HP has been doing it for 20-odd years is no excuse.
- aurareturn 2mo agoIf locking out competition in your own platform breaks the law, then nearly no business is legal. Common sense needs to prevail.
- kergonath 2mo agoThe law draws a line. Plaintiffs think that line was crossed, Sony thinks they it was not. We have mechanisms to arbitrate this kind of dispute, and I am not taking sides. My point is that it can be perfectly legitimate for a law to outright ban or effectively prevent some business models.
- aurareturn 2mo agoSony sells the PS5 for $400 that can produce the graphics of a $1,500 - $2000 PC. In return, only Sony can have an app store in the Sony hardware. No! This business model is not allowed! Just yikes. Like I said, let's bring back some common sense.
- xboxnolifes 2mo agoYour other replies were insightful, but you're just getting emotional in this one. You like the sell at a loss model. Thats fine. Its not really relevant to whether or not it breaks existing laws.
- aurareturn 2mo agoAny existing law that prevents this should be repealed. Common sense needs to come back. That's my point.