Column

Christian Gilbert

Journalism

14 April 2014

An Uphill Battle

                To review a column example I choose a column from the Game Informer magazine by Matt Helgeson. He wrote his column on how the Xbox One has an uphill battle to reach the PS4 level. Its an opinion piece by the author which seems to embody the style of the writer. Matt begins his column by discussing the past success of the Xbox 360. He gives some information on the Xbox’s past with units sold and how it advanced past PS3. He gave important facts so that the reader could understand his topic.

                After he gives the information out, he shares how the current market leans toward the PS4 in most regions and is unlikely to change. He backs it with more information, which is nice, but not required for a column. He then moves into what he feels may start to catch Microsoft back up with Sony. First things he states is the Xbox One exclusive title Titanfall, which is living up to the hype. Helgeson believes that Titanfall may be able to bring the Xbox sales up. Along with building a superb shooter, which he calls the “bread-and-butter” of Xbox gamers, he also comments on an upcoming Halo game and securing the Gears of War franchise. Matt claims that with these titles, Xbox may have a shot to catch up to the already ahead PS4.

                Matt discusses why the Xbox had such a lead for the 360, being out a year before the more expensive PS3 was released, but this time around, Sony made sure to avoid those pitfalls. Sony and Microsoft both released their consoles at the same time, Sony actually being a week ahead and at lower price. Sony has secured the lead this time around and it seems to have paid off.

                Matt’s game plan for Microsoft is a price drop, improved software and much better marketing. Sony is leading in sales in all markets, even in North America which belonged to Xbox last generation. Helgeson believes that Microsoft can overtake Sony but not without a lot of work, not an easy task. Matt began the column with some information for the reader and then discussed how and why he believes Xbox is failing this time around. He then discusses how they should proceed if they wish to surpass their opponents in sales. All in all, it was not a perfect column but it does  give the author flare and thoughts and therefore is a passable example.