What are some alternative strategies that Sony and Microsoft could have used instead of walking back their decisions?

These decisions could negatively impact the perception of these brands among gamers. Gamers may view these actions as a disregard for their interests and loyalty, which could lead to a loss of trust and potentially a decrease in brand loyalty. This could ultimately affect the brands' sales and reputation in the gaming community.

Potential alternatives to the decisions made by Sony and Microsoft could include maintaining the original pricing structure for Xbox Live Gold service, instead of raising the cost. For Playstation, an alternative could be to keep the legacy Playstation network stores operational, or perhaps offer a transition plan for users to migrate to new platforms. These alternatives could potentially avoid upsetting their user base.

These decisions reflect the competitive nature of the gaming industry as they show how companies like Sony and Microsoft are constantly trying to find ways to increase revenue and maintain their market share. However, they also highlight the power of the consumer in this industry. When these companies made decisions that were not well-received by their customers, they faced backlash and were forced to reconsider. This shows that in the gaming industry, companies must carefully balance their business strategies with the needs and wants of their customers.