CNET: Is Sony as desperate as it looks?

[BluCrusader]

omg & wow, i thought everyone should read this story i found at cnet.

Is Sony as desperate as it looks?
Don Reisinger
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-979...?tag=cnetfd.mt

(Credit: CNET)
With a rumored $399 40GB Playstation 3 on the way, a cheaper device hitting shelves in Japan and UK, and announcements of an all-out price blitz this holiday season, is Sony really as desperate as it looks?

By just looking at news from the last week, it's quite easy to see that Sony is grasping at anything that will make the PS3 stick. Whether it's a new color, a cheaper price, or a rumbling controller, the company is hoping we will like something that make us spend our hard-earned money. I can't blame Sony for trying--the PS3 is hands-down, the most important device Sony is selling right now. Not only is it the harbinger of Blu-ray, it represents one of the most economically stable divisions of the company over the past decade.

But once again, Sony has it all wrong. The company is a victim of its own self-image and there is no stopping it with the current management in place. Simply put, Sony sees itself as a hardware company and in this business, that's the last thing you want to do.

Is Sony just a hardware company? Well, yes and no. Almost every product it releases is hardware and it seems to know this business best. There is no denying the fact that Sony threw all of the cutting edge components into the PS3 and it's simply the most powerful game machine we have ever seen. But for some odd reason, Sony genuflects at the sight of high-powered hardware while thumbing its nose at software--the true sellers of gaming consoles. Isn't this ironic considering the company develops software for its platform on a regular basis?

I can appreciate Sony's position--it needs to drop the price on the Playstation 3 to appeal to consumers first, but at what point does the company plan on selling consoles? A dropped price is fine and $399 is a good place to start, but if it gets rid of backward compatibility as it did with the UK device, how will it stop people from buying the Playstation 2 and opt for a PS3?

In fact, look no further than the PS2 to see how the video game industry really works. The Playstation 2 is underpowered when compared to this generation of consoles and yet, it's selling better than the PS3. Some may say it's price, but I disagree. Sure, it's easy to afford, but think of how many games you can play with a Playstation 2. And once you do that, compare it to the Playstation 3 library of games and then tell me which console you would prefer to play.

For the first time, Sony is off the mark entirely. To make matters worse, this couldn't come at a worse time. With a floundering PS3 that Sony hopes will catch on, what will happen to Blu-ray? What will happen to its game development division if the PS3 continues to fail? Worse, what will happen to Sony as a whole?

Sony is under the impression that a lower price on its console will stimulate sales and help it attain the lead it used to enjoy. But with no exclusive blockbuster titles in sight, what's the impetus for us to run to the store and buy the Playstation 3?

The Xbox 360 currently has the best software library and that console has been selling for $399 since its release. The Nintendo Wii is riding a wave like nothing we have seen in this industry and that console costs just $250. Simply put, if I want to play video games, why would I choose the Playstation 3?

Now, I'm sure Sony zealots will stand up and tell the world why there is a need to buy a Playstation 3 immediately, but I think any and all of those arguments are pure rubbish. I've owned the console since December and I can say that I've tried to play it as much as I can, but there is nothing out there that has made it imperative that I do so.

The Playstation 3 is on life support and unless Sony starts grasping at something it can hold on to, it should stop worrying about how the public perceives its hardware and start doing what it can to bring exclusive blockbuster titles to the console. So far, the Playstation 3 is the biggest gaming blunder we have seen in years.

Can you say "another Sega Saturn?"

[aristotles]

I gave them a piece of my mind.

The only Sega Saturn around is the 360 with its lack of a HDD as standard and a DVD-ROM drive not to mention the 30% failure rate.

[Y3k Bug]

That writer must be at least slightly mentally retarded, so I won't trash his whole rant (can't really be called an article).

I just can't imagine why there might be more games for the PS2, then there are for the PS3...hmmm....that's a tough one indeed. The same could be said when comparing the PS3 against the 360 for that matter. It's been out longer, so of course there are more games. Sheesh!

[kiskiboy97]

"Sure, it's easy to afford, but think of how many games you can play with a Playstation 2. And once you do that, compare it to the Playstation 3 library of games and then tell me which console you would prefer to play."

Is he serious? He does realize the PS2 has been out almost 7 years, while the PS3 has been out for less than a year, right? Geesh.

[mikesoba]

He must have overlooked the "desperation" of Microsoft, which is giving away machines for free since it has had to set aside $1Billion to cover returns for a defective product.

[MacHaggis]

I could never find any useful information on CNET...

As far as I'm concerned, they are garbage...

That article fits them just right!

Bogdan

[kaliraver]

BS look at M$ I think they are way more desperate since they have been in the negative since they started selling consoles. Especially now that they have to millions for repairs on their X-Crap 360. I think the movie Sony is doing is to push its console since there will be exclusive games like Unreal III, FF XIII, & the new MGS all exclusive to the PS3. Lets also not forget about L.A. Noire which is being made by Rockstar can only fit on a Blu-Ray! This guy needs to do his homework on what the future lies for the PS3 and its future is super bright. Blu-Ray will lead the way and we will see the PS3 on top at the end like it always has been.

[cantCme]

w t f is wrong with this guy!!! sounds like a true idiot!! if he haven't found a game to play yet, then he must be some 60 year old retard trying to get off on making no sense!!!

[Go Blu]

HUH! has this guy been living under a rock?

I bet he is a 360 fanboy.

There are so many out there that have wanted a PS3 but only for the price point and its also fact that each time they drop the price by $100 the sales double per/month basis. With regards to Blu-ray its still 2:1 ratio. Where does he get "Life Support" from?

The only Life Support is the one that costs 150 MILLION to Toshiba.

[BTBuck1]

I think i'll take Sony's historical dominance in the industry (and not some Dousche from CNET) as evidence that they (Sony) knows WTF they are doing.

[Xerious]

You remember CNET and GameSpot are the same company. GameSpot is notorious for being Anti-Sony/PS3... I take this as a drop in the bucket, just one man's rant.

People said the same shit about the PS2 when it came out and now they're RAVING about it... what gives... Americans and their lack of foresight.

[oldmike]

wow i not even seen cnet in like 5 years there soooo 1990s
back in the day of PC games being king and downloading demos there
i mean come on

[Musashi]

Save his name; once the big PS3 games arrive and propel the system to new heights, I want to be there to laugh in his face.

[Amel]

lol

I personally hate Sony, but this article is just plain stupid

comparing PS2 sales to the new future PS3 is dumb

lets see what happeneds over the next 12-15 months

[Blu Blur]

I never understood why people have a problem with Sony, Outside of being a little full of themselves at PS3's unveiling and launch they have stood by their product and made some of the best game consoles ever. I am a gamer first and foremost and up until now I have owned all the consoles from each "war"
NES & Master System, Genesis and SNES, PS1, Saturn, and N64, DC, PS2, GC and Xbox. This is truly the first time I have ever owned just one console (I had all 3 at one point but after 11 360's and the fact that the Wii is the worst console I have ever used I sold them both). This guy is just being an ass, since when is introducing hardware improvements, new models and lower your price a sign of desperation, I though it was called business?

Didn't MS just lower the 360's price introduce 2 new SKU's (Halo 3 ed. and Elite) new controller colors, and lower the price of their HD-DVD drive? If what Sony is doing is desperation then what MS is doing would be fear. CNET is full of morons as is Gamespot but so is IGN and damn near every game publication out there. Point is I remember all this crap when PS2 came out and look where that is today, talk to me about this in 6 years in the mean time shut up.

[matthewrounds]

Originally Posted by BluCrusader

In fact, look no further than the PS2 to see how the video game industry really works. The Playstation 2 is underpowered when compared to this generation of consoles and yet, it's selling better than the PS3. Some may say it's price, but I disagree. Sure, it's easy to afford, but think of how many games you can play with a Playstation 2. And once you do that, compare it to the Playstation 3 library of games and then tell me which console you would prefer to play.

Like many of you I have an HDTV so why would I want to play games that do not take advantage of the hardware I am using to display the output from these games. The PS2 games when compared to PS3 games are the equivalent of SD v. BD, Duhh. As an avid gamer, I want the latest and greatest in my games and this requires me to have a PS3.

[Luis_A51]

I laugh at how he points to Sony's Blu-ray price blitz when Toshiba has been selling its players at a loss since launch and Bluray players have always had healthy margins. Thats why they can afford the "price blitz".

MS rushed a console without true HDD support and a dvd-9 drive, not to mention a 30% failure rate. Its been overtaken already by the Wii. The PS3 does not yet have its biggest name games either (MGS4 and FF13 to name a couple)

Totally worthless article.

[SkantDragon]

Holy cow! Sony can do _anything_, and the media will still hate on it. This article is one step away from claiming that PS3's are made out of dead babies.

Once again a repeat of 'There are no good games for PS3!' FUD. I have 2-3 games I've bought but haven't had a chance to open yet because of the other PS3 games I'm playing. My friends and I are having a blast with my PS3. The notion that PS3 has no games for it is _OLD NEWS_. The Xbots won't let go of it.

And no big exclusive titles in sight? Is he joking?! Yeah... I suppose he's right. Not like anyone has ever played Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Gran Turismo*ahem* Oh right... I forgot. All bow before Halo *rolls eyes*

Let's see... Halo... which is unable to render in HD resolutions... has a single player mode as short as Heavenly Sword (which the media _LOVES_ to penalize heavily) but it's made up for by it's amazing multiplayer with up to 8 players in a ranked game... No next gen title could possibly be more deserving of perfect scores.

What we're seeing here is that a good section of the media is literally owned by Microsoft. And so there should be no wonder why the media paints a picture of a failing Playstation no matter what. They actually started moving toward this during the PS2 generation long before the PS3 was even impending.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by BluCrusader

omg & wow, i thought everyone should read this story i found at cnet.

Is Sony as desperate as it looks?
Don Reisinger
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-979...?tag=cnetfd.mt

(Credit: CNET)

With a rumored $399 40GB Playstation 3 on the way, a cheaper device hitting shelves in Japan and UK, and announcements of an all-out price blitz this holiday season, is Sony really as desperate as it looks?

Agenda from the go^^^

By just looking at news from the last week, it's quite easy to see that Sony is grasping at anything that will make the PS3 stick. Whether it's a new color, a cheaper price, or a rumbling controller, the company is hoping we will like something that make us spend our hard-earned money. I can't blame Sony for trying--the PS3 is hands-down, the most important device Sony is selling right now. Not only is it the harbinger of Blu-ray, it represents one of the most economically stable divisions of the company over the past decade.

So giving people choices is desperation now?

But once again, Sony has it all wrong. The company is a victim of its own self-image and there is no stopping it with the current management in place. Simply put, Sony sees itself as a hardware company and in this business, that's the last thing you want to do.

Once again? WTF...they've been idolized by the other Companies...WTF is this guy talking about? IDIOT!

Is Sony just a hardware company? Well, yes and no. Almost every product it releases is hardware and it seems to know this business best. There is no denying the fact that Sony threw all of the cutting edge components into the PS3 and it's simply the most powerful game machine we have ever seen. But for some odd reason, Sony genuflects at the sight of high-powered hardware while thumbing its nose at software--the true sellers of gaming consoles. Isn't this ironic considering the company develops software for its platform on a regular basis?

Yawn... He's spent to musch time on the MS teet.

I can appreciate Sony's position--it needs to drop the price on the Playstation 3 to appeal to consumers first, but at what point does the company plan on selling consoles? A dropped price is fine and $399 is a good place to start, but if it gets rid of backward compatibility as it did with the UK device, how will it stop people from buying the Playstation 2 and opt for a PS3?

Because ps2 is old news...anyone Hard core gamer who wanted one, has one...or is replacing a broken one(if that). Numbnuts acts like a 80gb with BW compatibility doesn't exist or isnt offered...
People buyign ps2's now are casual gamers. The ps2 is at the end of it's life cycle....hell the dream cast sold like crazy when it went down to $149 too!

In fact, look no further than the PS2 to see how the video game industry really works. The Playstation 2 is underpowered when compared to this generation of consoles and yet, it's selling better than the PS3. Some may say it's price, but I disagree. Sure, it's easy to afford, but think of how many games you can play with a Playstation 2. And once you do that, compare it to the Playstation 3 library of games and then tell me which console you would prefer to play.

Exaclty, it's called BRAND LOYALTY. this is why the XBOX got pwned by the ps...not because the ps2 had shittier graphics...ps2 is like 130 bones with 700+ games, it's a no brainer for parents buying their kid a toy.

For the first time, Sony is off the mark entirely. To make matters worse, this couldn't come at a worse time. With a floundering PS3 that Sony hopes will catch on, what will happen to Blu-ray? What will happen to its game development division if the PS3 continues to fail? Worse, what will happen to Sony as a whole?

Too early to tell, he even says "For the first time" How do you know ps3 is still a baby. It's liek saying your kid isn't smart enough to go to college and he's still in diapers.

Sony is under the impression that a lower price on its console will stimulate sales and help it attain the lead it used to enjoy. But with no exclusive blockbuster titles in sight, what's the impetus for us to run to the store and buy the Playstation 3?

I beg to differ, there is tons of games comming. some of which will do real well :
Haze, MGS4, Gran Tourismo, Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted, DMC, RE5, Guitar Hero 3, Starnglehold, COD4, NFS pro street, Smackdown 08, Rockband, Soul Caliber 4 just to name a few.

The Xbox 360 currently has the best software library and that console has been selling for $399 since its release. The Nintendo Wii is riding a wave like nothing we have seen in this industry and that console costs just $250. Simply put, if I want to play video games, why would I choose the Playstation 3?

A) Because you are investing in MULTI MEDIA. Not just Games.
B) Your system will still be active an supported 3 years from now (Wii & 360 will be ancient history then, dumped by it's makers)
C) Becaust the software drought is over, the 4th quarter is HERE!

Now, I'm sure Sony zealots will stand up and tell the world why there is a need to buy a Playstation 3 immediately, but I think any and all of those arguments are pure rubbish. I've owned the console since December and I can say that I've tried to play it as much as I can, but there is nothing out there that has made it imperative that I do so.

I have to agree here, but my XBOX360 was basically a one game console it's first year too. Aside from COD2, I had nothing to do on the 360 from Nov 05 to Nov 06. Thats when the good games came. So the 1 year anniversary of the ps3 is comming up....I see a healthy list of games to buy/play

The Playstation 3 is on life support and unless Sony starts grasping at something it can hold on to, it should stop worrying about how the public perceives its hardware and start doing what it can to bring exclusive blockbuster titles to the console. So far, the Playstation 3 is the biggest gaming blunder we have seen in years.

Life support, yet it's sold more systems than the ps2 at their same points in time.

Can you say "another Sega Saturn?"

No, But I can say uniformed MS bought Shill.

[caliminius]

Sony is under the impression that a lower price on its console will stimulate sales and help it attain the lead it used to enjoy. But with no exclusive blockbuster titles in sight, what's the impetus for us to run to the store and buy the Playstation 3?

Yeah, um no games? I already have 5 at home and have $330 worth of games preordered (of course that only comes out to 3 games when you factor in the $200 Rock Band bundle) to go with the 18 Blu-Ray movies that the PS3 allowed me to make use of. I have a spreadsheet set up listing the games coming out for the rest of the year, half of them being PS3 exclusive. If I were to buy all of them (I won't be, darn it), that would be over $1000 worth of merchandise.

There are also quite a few other games I'd like to pick up that have already been released.

Is there a "must-have" 360 game that isn't a AFFPS (another f***ing first-person shooter, my name for the genre)? There are plenty of games for the PS3 if the industry "experts" could stop looking through their red-ring-of-death colored glasses.