A Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Selected Video Game Console Platforms: A Critic-Topsis Comparison

Öz

The research covers nine selected console platforms of several generations according to eight criteria related to market, content, hardware and ecosystem. In the revision phase, three coded indicators were reconstructed using explicit directives and 27 platform-criterion evidence documents. An unrecorded appraisal of exclusive gaming abilities was exchanged for documented analysis of a specific first-party franchise panel. The analysis of community compatibility and state services was grounded in five unique characteristics. The basic CRITIC-TOPSIS framework ranks PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 4 in first, second and third place respectively. Entropy and uniform weighting leave unchanged these three rankings, min-max normalization places the PS4 in second. Excluding the graphics processing unit performance advances the PS4's competitiveness. The partial life-cycle indicator is removed. Results depend on the conditions, citations, standardization, and the designated date of May 13, 2026. An audit of the sources was conducted on October 12, 2026. No claim is made of an original concurrent codebook or independent inter-coder verification.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Video Game Consoles
• Platform Performance
• CRITIC
• TOPSIS
• Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

Seçilmiş Video Oyunu Konsol Platformlarının Çok Kriterli Değerlendirilmesi: Critic-Topsis ile Karşılaştırma

Öz

Bu çalışma, farklı nesillerden seçilmiş dokuz video oyunu konsol platformunun pazar, içerik, donanım ve ekosistem profilini sekiz kriterle karşılaştırmaktadır. Revizyon sırasında üç kodlanmış ölçüt, açık kurallar ve 27 platform–ölçüt kanıt kaydı kullanılarak yeniden oluşturulmuştur. Belirsiz “özel oyun gücü” yargısı, seçilmiş birinci taraf oyun serilerinin yerel yeni oyunlarla kapsanması göstergesiyle değiştirilmiştir. Geriye uyumluluk ve resmî servis yetenekleri, beşer gözlenebilir özellikten hesaplanmıştır. CRITIC-TOPSIS temel modelinde PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S ve PlayStation 4 ilk üç sıradadır. Entropy ve eşit ağırlıklandırma ilk üçü korumakta; alternatif normalizasyon PS4’ü ikinci sıraya taşımaktadır. GPU kriteri çıkarıldığında PS4 birinci olmaktadır. Etkin platformlarda tamamlanmamış yaşam döngüsü temel modelden çıkarılmıştır. Sonuçlar belirtilen puanlama kurallarına, kaynaklara, normalizasyona ve 13 Mayıs 2026 hedef tarihine koşulludur. Kaynak denetimi 12 Ekim 2026’da yapılmış; özgün puanlama kaydı veya bağımsız değerlendirici uyumu iddiasında bulunulmamıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Video Oyun Konsolları
• Platform Performansı
• CRITIC
• TOPSIS
• Çok Kriterli Karar Verme

Kaynakça

1. Binken, J. L. G. & Stremersch, S. (2009). The effect of superstar software on hardware sales in system markets. Journal of Marketing, 73(2), 88-104.
2. Cennamo, C. & Santalo, J. (2013). Platform competition: Strategic trade-offs in platform markets. Strategic Management Journal, 34(11), 1331-1350.
3. Clements, M. T. & Ohashi, H. (2005). Indirect network effects and the product cycle: Video games in the U.S., 1994-2002. Journal of Industrial Economics, 53(4), 515-542.
4. Diakoulaki, D., Mavrotas, G. & Papayannakis, L. (1995). Determining objective weights in multiple criteria problems: The CRITIC method. Computers & Operations Research, 22(7), 763-770.
5. GameSpot. (2017). Console GPU power compared: Ranking systems by FLOPS. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/console-gpu-power-compared-ranking-systems-by-flop/2900-1334/
6. Hwang, C.-L. & Yoon, K. (1981). Multiple attribute decision making: Methods and applications. Berlin: Springer. Inflation Station. (2025). Console prices adjusted for inflation. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.inflationstation.net/
7. Katz, M. L. & Shapiro, C. (1985). Network externalities, competition, and compatibility. American Economic Review, 75(3), 424-440.
8. MobyGames. (2026a). PlayStation 2 games list. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.mobygames.com/platform/ps2/

9. MobyGames. (2026b). PlayStation 4 games list. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.mobygames.com/platform/playstation-4/
10. MobyGames. (2026c). Nintendo Switch games list. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.mobygames.com/platform/switch/
11. MobyGames. (2026d). Xbox Series games list. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.mobygames.com/platform/xbox-series/
12. Nintendo. (2026). IR information: Sales data - dedicated video game sales units. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/hard_soft/index.html
13. PlayStation. (2022, May 16). All-new PlayStation Plus game lineup. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://blog.playstation.com/2022/05/16/all-new-playstation-plus-game-lineup-assassins-creed-valhalla-demons-souls-ghost-of-tsushima-directors-cut-nba-2k22-and-more-join-the-service/comment-page-7/
14. PlayStation. (2026a). Backward compatibility: PS4 games playable on PS5 consoles. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/ps5-backward-compatibility-games/
15. PlayStation. (2026b). PlayStation Plus. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-plus/
16. Shankar, V. & Bayus, B. L. (2003). Network effects and competition: An empirical analysis of the home video game industry. Strategic Management Journal, 24(4), 375-384.
17. Shannon, C. E. (1948). A mathematical theory of communication. Bell System Technical Journal, 27(3), 379-423; 27(4), 623-656.
18. Song, H., Jung, J., & Cho, D. (2017). Platform competition in the video game console industry: Impacts of software quality and exclusivity on market share. Journal of Media Economics, 30(3), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/08997764.2018.1449750
19. Sony Interactive Entertainment. (2026). Business data and sales. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://sonyinteractive.com/en/our-company/business-data-sales/
20. Spearman, C. (1904). The proof and measurement of association between two things. American Journal of Psychology, 15(1), 72-101.
21. Triantaphyllou, E. & Sanchez, A. (1997). A sensitivity analysis approach for some deterministic multi-criteria decision-making methods. Decision Sciences, 28(1), 151-194.
22. Tsai, P.-H., & Chen, C.-J. (2021). Entertainment in retailing: Challenges and opportunities in the TV game console industry. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 60, 102503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2021.102503
23. VGChartz. (2026). Platform totals. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.vgchartz.com/charts/platform_totals/Hardware.php/
24. Xbox. (2026a). Xbox backward compatible games. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/backward-compatibility
25. Xbox. (2026b). Xbox Series S technical specifications. Retrieved May 13, 2026, from https://www.xbox.com/en-US/consoles/xbox-series-s