To be fair, consoles can drive format sales (as you note). It's fairly well known that the PS2 drove DVD sales, especially in Japan. It allowed users to have a cheap DVD player that didn't take up additional space because it was also their gaming system. DVD would have won either way, but having the overwhelming install base of the PS2 helped speed it up. Though Sony does have a long history of failed formats (UMD, Beta, Memory Sticks, music formats, etc) so it isn't a sure thing by any means.
I do agree that the low Bu Ray sales is a problem for Sony. Last gen Sony could rely on its massive stable of exclusive properties to drive sales, but many publishers are now putting out games on both the PS3 and 360 (likely due to the smaller consumer base than the PS2 enjoyed). The loss of exclusives already hurts, so the loss of their format selling point could be a critical blow.
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To be fair, consoles can drive format sales (as you note). It's fairly well known that the PS2 drove DVD sales, especially in Japan. It allowed users to have a cheap DVD player that didn't take up additional space because it was also their gaming system. DVD would have won either way, but having the overwhelming install base of the PS2 helped speed it up. Though Sony does have a long history of failed formats (UMD, Beta, Memory Sticks, music formats, etc) so it isn't a sure thing by any means.
I do agree that the low Bu Ray sales is a problem for Sony. Last gen Sony could rely on its massive stable of exclusive properties to drive sales, but many publishers are now putting out games on both the PS3 and 360 (likely due to the smaller consumer base than the PS2 enjoyed). The loss of exclusives already hurts, so the loss of their format selling point could be a critical blow.