Analyst: Halo 3 Could Sabotage PS3 Launch

[fitbabits]

Thanks to Next Generation (http://www.next-gen.biz) for stating the obvious and giving voice to yet another hack analyst (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2494&Itemid=2).

A leading analyst says PlayStation 3's delay could prompt Microsoft to seek to sabotage the launch with the timely release of its key Xbox 360 title Halo 3.

Hiroshi Kamide, analyst at KBC Securities in Tokyo said, "The Xbox 360 will now have had a year’s head start. The danger is that they could target very big-hitting titles at the launch of the PS3 just to sabotage it. If they release Halo 3 – Microsoft’s biggest selling game – timed to PS3, that will be quite damaging for Sony."

Last year, Bill Gates famously stated that Halo 3 would be lying in wait for PlayStation 3's spring launch. But Microsoft then distanced itself from these remarks, as it became clear that the game would not be ready. But PlayStation 3's delay is bound to have put the prospect of spoiling Sony's party back on the agenda.
The delayed PS3 release must be like every birthday and Christmas rolled up into one huge Katamari for analysts and naysayers...

[Kelegacy]

Ugh. ANALysts and people who post stories about ANALysts should be drawn and quartered.

:)

[Vandenh]

End of 2006 would have given Bungie how much time? 2.5 years? Might be enough.... but I am counting on a summer 2007 launch together with the movie.

[drakkarim]

who in the world would base a system purchase based on the release of a single game on a DIFFERENT system? you have to be a mindless sheep for that to have any impact on anything whatsoever.

[Cool AN]

Analyst is the best job ever, you sit on your ass all day and do nothing but make up crap of rumors and speculation.

And I doubt Halo 3 can take that many sales away from the PS 3. Since most people who are Halo fans are probably gonna buy a Xbox 360 over a PS 3 anyway.

[MaiXu]

The delayed PS3 release must be like every birthday and Christmas rolled up into one huge Katamari for analysts and naysayers...

I know we've debated this before, but did anyone really expect anything else? Did anyone really think, even back in 2005, that Sony would meet its Spring 2006 launch date, when virtually nothing was known about the machine and not a single game had been seen? I gotta figure that any analyst worth his salt saw this all coming. The fact that Sony has just revealed what looks to be a fairly sharp world-wide launch in November, replete with online services and one SKU and all that other promising jazz, well, I gotta think the PS3's prospects looks rosier now than they have in a while.

As for Halo 3: I'll believe it when I see it. Bungie may be ass-deep into development, it may not even be beyond the planning stages. The likelihood of it coming out upon the PS3's launch is unlikely, and even if that does happen, the likelihood of it being any good is even less. Halo 2 was a huge step backward for Halo, IMO. Beyond bringing a really pretty game with a thorough online component to Xbox Live, it failed to improve upon Halo's weapon balance, superb physics, compelling combat, and tactical play. The chances of Halo 3 coming out in 2006, and actually being a great game, seem really slim to me.

[pheriannath]

I think the PS3 price point, not Halo 3 or any other 360 game, is going to be the determining factor in how many people snag it. Early adopters aside, if a console costs more than $400, it's likely going to take a big hit.

[fitbabits]

Ugh. ANALysts and people who post stories about ANALysts should be drawn and quartered.

:)
Thanks for that! :)

[MaiXu]

I think the PS3 price point, not Halo 3 or any other 360 game, is going to be the determining factor in how many people snag it. Early adopters aside, if a console costs more than $400, it's likely going to take a big hit.

Agreed. The biggest factor in the PS3's launch will likely be its price. Even if it launched with MGS4 and another AAA title, a $400+ price tag is just too hard for me (and I imagine a helluva lot of other people) to swallow.

[absolut taco]

who in the world would base a system purchase based on the release of a single game on a DIFFERENT system? you have to be a mindless sheep for that to have any impact on anything whatsoever.
Now replace "mindless sheep" with "fanboy", since they mean the same thing.

[TheFlyingOrc]

It seems to me this is only a slip of the Japanese release...as far as I can tell, no one EVER thought it was coming out in the US earlier than November-ish. Sony doesn't need to worry about Halo ruining the Japanese market.

[Liquidize105]

With electronics, a higher price could also mean "better product" for the consumer market. I think it's gonna be down to Sony's usual marketing ploy once again.

[antoniogaud]

I had just posted the following in a previous topic, but it seems more topical here!

Color me confused. What have we actually learned from this announcement?

1) Playstation will be released simultaneously in November 2006.

Well, we sort of guessed that already, didn't we? I expect Sony will have even bigger problems than MS had due to shipping with 2 new technologies (cell and Blue-Ray) and a very complicated piece of machinery. Shortages will be worse then MS - guaranteed.

2) The PS3 will need a HDD.

This is new, but expected. The big question is whether or not the PS3 will come with the HDD or will it be priced seperately. With the expected price point estimated to be $425 for the base PS3, add another $100 minimum for a 60g drive and you have spent $525 before even getting one game. Add to this the eventual confusion (and anger) of gamers buying a PS3 without the HDD only to get home and learn that the $425 machine they just took home can't play the $60+ game they just bought.

The PS3 needs to have the HDD installed at sale - there is no other option. Sony will have to eat the price or sell a $500+ gaming machine.

3) Playstation expects to have an Xbox Live service at launch.

Highly expected. Anything else would be a disaster. Good news for gamers!

4) No announcement on price, exclusive games or final controller specs, etc.

I am not sure what to make of this, perhaps they are waiting for E3 in June to make the really big announcements?! My concern has always been how the game developers can make PS3 games stand-out from X360 games. I fear that the game quality will be almost identical. Making it worse, most of the games will be multi-platform anyway, which doesn't build a good case to spend the extra cash to buy the PS3 over the X360.

At the end of it all, I am almost more confused than before this morning's announcement. I think if everyone is honest, they would agree. Kutaragi's statements sounded wishy-washy, as if he couldn't commit to anything other than the launch date. For a machine that was supposed to launch this month, there seems an awful lot of speculations out there, even from Sony themselves.

[Nite_Moogle]

To the analyst:

http://www.noobschoolbus.com/images/lastweek.jpg

[rein]

I can't believe how many times I read that Halo 3 will do this or that to Sonys launch. Here is a clue, not everybody plays Halo and Halo 2, nor will they play Halo 3, 4, 5, or 6! It might be a system seller for people who like FPS games but it is not a system killer for people who do not.

[phantomhitman]

As much as i despise halo, not only will it help sell tons of 360s but it is the black hole of hype. It is a basic fps that is so fucking hyped that is drives people to like it. Its a solid multiplayer fps. But how the fuck it breaks all these records and gets so much praise is beyond me.

[Rommel]

And Katamari Damacy must have been every birthday and christmas rolled up into itself for those who needed new analogies.

[Doctor Setebos]

What I think is really funny is how analysts are predicting that Halo 3 will be negatively affecting sales of the PS3, and not the other way around. Isn't it just as likely a possibility to say that the PS3 could negatively affect sales of Halo 3?

Maybe that's what Sony's banking on, in any case.

[Citizen Philip]

Nice post *****

My only thought is: the only good sequel was Empire Strikes Back. There have been other sequels that were worthy of their genre/story/etc busting first release, but not "good". I would include Half-life 2 as a very good sequel, but not equal to its original.

As far as a third iteration of the same material, I would find it doubtful to be a "killerapp" as much as a title that will be bought on franchise value alone. But of course, it's the quality and not how much it sells that's important, right?

I totally missed the double entendre that it's the PS3 and Halo 3 being discussed. Ahh hubris.

[Cool AN]

What I think is really funny is how analysts are predicting that Halo 3 will be negatively affecting sales of the PS3, and not the other way around. Isn't it just as likely a possibility to say that the PS3 could negatively affect sales of Halo 3?

Maybe that's what Sony's banking on, in any case.

Funny, I never thought about that, but that does make sense.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

My only thought is: the only good sequel was Empire Strikes Back. There have been other sequels that were worthy of their genre/story/etc busting first release, but not "good". I would include Half-life 2 as a very good sequel, but not equal to its original.

I don't know about that. It's safe to say that the later Zelda's are better than the first and second game. The first game is a classic, but I'd take Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, Ocarina of Time, and Wind Waker over it anyday.

You're right in most cases though.

[bapenguin]

What I think is really funny is how analysts are predicting that Halo 3 will be negatively affecting sales of the PS3, and not the other way around. Isn't it just as likely a possibility to say that the PS3 could negatively affect sales of Halo 3?

Maybe that's what Sony's banking on, in any case.

Good point, but I think Analysts see it in dollars.

They see $50 Game vs. $500 console launch. More people are likely to hold off on buying a $500 piece of equipment to get instant gratification from a $50 game.

[NightRain]

My though is that MS is hoping that people who are Halo fans (and since they have sold millions of copies there are a lot of fans) who currently own a 360 and are considering buying a PS3 will decide to hold off on getting a PS3 becuase they can play a game from a fan favorite franchise on the 360. To most gamers spend $60 on a game trumps sepnding $400-600 on a console and a game anyday of the week. Microsoft doesn't really expect people without a 360 to say screw the ps3 I'm getting a xbox 360 with Halo 3 now (although a small amount of consumers will).

Microsoft could release Halo 3 around the same time as the PS3 to delay a gamers purchase of the PS3. I have all last gen consoles (PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, Dreamcast) and I have a Xbox 360 and do plan on getting a PS3, and I have to be honest if Halo 3 comes out around the same time I very well may delay buying a PS3 for a couple of months to play Halo 3 instead. This is what Microsoft is hoping for, they know they can't stop gamers from buying a PS3 but if they can make them delay their purchase it could have a big impact on Sony. The first couple of months is a big deal for a new console and if Sony hypes the PS3 like they hype everything else the impact Halo 3 could make on total sales may be very very big.

Again the Halo 3 thing is not designed to get you to buy a Xbox 360 and Halo 3 instead of a PS3 it would be designed for existing 360 owners who want a PS3 too to hold off on getting a PS3 to play the new Halo 3 game. Makes perfect sense to me.

Now one way MS could encourage gamers who don't own a Xbox 360 to buy a 360 instead of a PS3 would be to bundle Halo 3 with the Xbox360 console and don't increase the price. This may make people buy a 360 with a AAA game for equal or less than the price of a PS3.

Who knows what will really happen.

[destoo]

I'm very sorry for this, but both Hiroshi Kamide and Next Gen deserve to be shipped a dead white owl with the words "O RLY?!?" written on the box.

now where is that predictions thread.. can we strike out a few of them yet?
got it. here (http://www.assassinworks.com/poll/).

[Doctor Setebos]

Good point, but I think Analysts see it in dollars.

They see $50 Game vs. $500 console launch. More people are likely to hold off on buying a $500 piece of equipment to get instant gratification from a $50 game.
Damned analysts! Always seeing things in dollars! :D

[Mason]

What I think is really funny is how analysts are predicting that Halo 3 will be negatively affecting sales of the PS3, and not the other way around. Isn't it just as likely a possibility to say that the PS3 could negatively affect sales of Halo 3?

Maybe that's what Sony's banking on, in any case.
Not really, based on the announced PS3 titles. While I've found them disappointing, the Halo games are the sort of AAA titles that actually move systems. If MS is selling a widely-available system and several major league games, while Sony only has 300k PS3s (which will be promptly eBayed) and the usual mix of moderate quality launch titles, MS and Bungie will have a lot to gain.

That said, Halo 3 cements the 360 with the XBox faithful, but it doesn't do a lot to bring in new converts.

[NoName]

The delayed PS3 release must be like every birthday and Christmas rolled up into one huge Katamari for analysts and naysayers...
Good call fit. It may be the lack of sleep but that made my day.

[Nath5000]

I think most of us who post our thoughts on this website are analysts in a sense, even if its not professionally. I personally dont think halo3 will be ready for this november considering usually big games like half-life2, doom3 take more than 2 years to complete. Maybe Gears of War + maybe Mass Effect + Too Human will be the "killer microsoft trio" to take on the PS3 launch with maybe a few japanese heavy hitters like Blue Dragon showing up as well to round it out in the east.

It would seem foolish, if microsoft was releasing all of those big Microsoft published titles this fall, to release Halo3 among the mix, when It's almost a guarantee that most people would disregard many of those big games and jump straight to halo3 and play/buy nothing else for 6months to a year.

[The Continental]

If MS really wanted to spoil the PS3 launch, particularly given the holiday shopping frenzy, they'd be better served by announcing the first price cut on the 360 to coincide with the PS3 release. While it may not be terribly likely, it's certainly not out of the question.

[gzsfrk]

Analyst is the best job ever, you sit on your ass all day and do nothing but make up crap of rumors and speculation.

And I doubt Halo 3 can take that many sales away from the PS 3. Since most people who are Halo fans are probably gonna buy a Xbox 360 over a PS 3 anyway.

Don't underestimate the power of a hugely popular intellectual property such as Halo. Regardless of your opinion of the two games thus far in the series, there is no denying the tremedous popularity and mindshare that Master Chief holds. Just like how millions of PS3s will be sold on the name "Playstation" alone, pretty much any half-decent game named "Halo X" is a guaranteed platinum seller, based on the current popularity of the franchise. And that -will- translate to a large number of 360 sells, PARTICULARLY if they get it out in the September - Early December timeframe.

And just to point out the obvious, if Sony didn't think they needed to combat the popularity of Halo, why would they have ever pushed Killzone as the "Halo-killer"? It's obvious that for a platform successful, you need quality titles in every genre. Last gen, PS2 had the JRPG and quirky titles locked down solid (aside from the Gamecube having several notable titles in each of those categories), with an overall lead in good platformers/action games. The Xbox dominated out in FPSs and online play.

It stands to reason that if Sony or MS either one can maintain the genre leads in the areas they had in the previous generation while making improvements in the areas they trailed, they open the opportunity to gain the lead/expand their lead in the next gen.

I think we see both Sony and MS doing just that--MS pushing hard to line up Japanese developer support behind the 360, and Sony aiming high with their proposed structured online service. We'll just have to wait and see who hits their marks more accurately.

[gzsfrk]

With electronics, a higher price could also mean "better product" for the consumer market. I think it's gonna be down to Sony's usual marketing ploy once again.

I'm sure some marketing guru gave this same advice to 3DO, SNK, and Phillips when they were releasing the CDi.

[gzsfrk]

As much as i despise halo, not only will it help sell tons of 360s but it is the black hole of hype. It is a basic fps that is so fucking hyped that is drives people to like it. Its a solid multiplayer fps. But how the fuck it breaks all these records and gets so much praise is beyond me.

Couldn't you say the same thing about most recent Final Fantasy games (8, 9, 10, presumably 12) and the JRPG genre? They're generally solid RPGs with a good story, but more or less nothing spectacular that hasn't been done before. It's all about the franchise hype.

[Nath5000]

--My look into November 2006 regarding Xbox 360 versus PS3--
If you put these "announcements" against what microsoft could potentially do or is already planning on doing:

Regarding Windows/Linux integration-PS3 has Linux functionality. Xbox 360 will have Windows Vista media center functionality.
Winner? I think Microsoft has a bigger thing going with vista and its integration with the 360 than what Linux could do for the PS3 because vista will be new and will be a bigger consumer buzz word for fall 06 than linux will be as far as being a selling point for the PS3.

Regarding Online network-PS3 announces 2 tiered online service with the basic model being free which sounds exactly the same as Microsofts two tiered xbox live system that also includes things like achievements and will, by november, include video functionality as well as xbox live arcade and a points system that has been proven to work.
Winner? I think Microsoft because it already has a large paying online userbase and is just grabbing up new users all of the time. By the time the ps3 comes out xbox live 360's network may be so large and developed with newer features it seems very unlikely that ps3s online system will be even just as good as xbox live right from the start. This especially seems likely since xbox live will have more downloads available and more games to play online for the money it costs to subscribe to an online console service. This may give an xbox live subscriber more bang for their buck, so to speak, compared to a ps3 online premium subscriber. By november xbox live will have video chat and possibly with the camera the ability to scan your face into online games so that users can "play as themself" online, a gimmick that might just further boost xbox live or could prove to do nothing at all.

Regarding Fall Game Lineup-PS3 will probably have a 3rd party based launch lineup will probably offer titles that may also be available for the xbox 360 such as Splinter cell, rainbow six vegas etc. At this time microsoft may counter ps3s launch lineup with heavy hitters such as gears of war, too human and possibly even halo3.
Winner? PS3 may have better graphics/physics capability but microsoft might counter with some AAA titles. Id say tie even though I know from ps2, psp launch experience, sony has had nothing but terrible launch lineups in the past.

Regarding Price-PS3 will be costing sony big bucks with rumored minimum prices starting at $425 USD while the Xbox 360 which costs 400 may be lowered even further to counter the ps3 launch or may be upgraded to a 60 or higher gig hard drive to compete with sony's specs (assuming that PS3 will cost 425 with a hard drive).
Winner? The ball seems to be in microsofts side of the court...

Regarding Movie Player Functionality as a selling point-HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray and their console functionality.
HD DVD and Blu-Ray will launch in the spring with HD-DVD releasing witha more consumer friendly name and more consumer friendly prices with a less consumer friendly movie lineup. Microsoft may release an HD-DVD add on for the xbox 360 for late spring early summer. PS3 will launch with Blu-Ray.
What do I think? Well if Blu-Ray is already limping by november, ps3 may possibly rejuvinate it, or may not be able to revive it. If HD-DVD is limping by november and PS3 releases as a cheaper Blu-Ray movie and game console this could really be a big selling point.
Winner? While it depends on what happens and this gives microsoft a chance to push HD-DVD early with the 360 before the PS3 really is able to boost Blu-Ray I think that since PS3 has it built in and microsoft will have it as an add-on Id say PS3 wins here. What would make sense for microsoft to do to perfectly counter the ps3's blu-ray functionality is: 1)lower the 360 price in november and 2) release a 360 package that comes bundled with at least a 60Gig hard drive AND the HD-DVD add-on in the box for the exact same price that sony is selling the PS3. (assuming that the HD-DVD drive for the 360 will already be over 150 dollars which Id assume is a safe bet).

All of this being said, I still plan on buying PS3 AND Nintendo Revolution. I just hope that PS3 doesnt really flop in north america. I like competition and what It can do for consumers. If PS3 wasnt on the horizon I dont think microsoft would improve the xbox 360 at all. I dont think they would release a bigger hard drive, drop the price as quickly or at all, update the xbox live features etc. Competition is good because it makes things happen.

[trip1eX]

If I hear Halo3 is the PS3 killer again I think I'll barf. Please enough. Give it a rest.

[fitbabits]

If I hear Halo3 is the PS3 killer again I think I'll barf. Please enough. Give it a rest.
Halo3 is the PS3 killer, :D

Oh, and Killzone was supposed to be a Halo killer.

Swings and roundabouts, everyone.

[Snipee]

I can't believe how many times I read that Halo 3 will do this or that to Sonys launch. Here is a clue, not everybody plays Halo and Halo 2, nor will they play Halo 3, 4, 5, or 6! It might be a system seller for people who like FPS games but it is not a system killer for people who do not.

Well let me just say I'm an avid xbox and sony fan...Its just people dont always have the money to spend on what they want. Most people will have both...even if they do not want to admit it. I will have halo 3 and I will have a ps3. But I do expect a little bit of a diffrence, when 360 came out early it took the lead. Therefore the ps3 will start out at a loss, even with japan buying tons of them. Microsoft will have a fair lead. With the next Gen.

[phantomhitman]

Couldn't you say the same thing about most recent Final Fantasy games (8, 9, 10, presumably 12) and the JRPG genre? They're generally solid RPGs with a good story, but more or less nothing spectacular that hasn't been done before. It's all about the franchise hype.

yes, same issue but with a different genre

[JazGalaxy]

The comments about Halo 3 being "delayed" and "pushed back" or "not ready in time for..." are getting annoying. NOBODY said Halo 3 was ever even going to come out. As far as I know there has been no official word that the game is even in development. Everyone just decided to assume that it was being made, and being made to counteract the PS3 launch. Bill Gates included. There have been strong hints by microsoft that Bungie is actually going to release another new game in between Halo 2 and Halo 3.

[Rafer]

End of 2006 would have given Bungie how much time? 2.5 years? Might be enough.... but I am counting on a summer 2007 launch together with the movie.

Unless they were already working on Halo 3 before Halo 2 came out, who knows how long they've been working on it. I remember Final Fantasy X for the PS2 came out just 1 year after FFIX for the PS1, so it wouldn't be the first time a huge franchise had two games come out close to eachother.

[gzsfrk]

Unless they were already working on Halo 3 before Halo 2 came out, who knows how long they've been working on it. I remember Final Fantasy X for the PS2 came out just 1 year after FFIX for the PS1, so it wouldn't be the first time a huge franchise had two games come out close to eachother.

Then Ubisoft must have started working on Chaos Theory before the original Splinter Cell went gold. They might as well just start labeling them by year, like Madden...

Splinter Cell 2k7 4tw! =)

[Zeal]

Halo 3 will be shown at E3.

[bapenguin]

One thing that worries me about the PS3 Network Thingy (which should be the official name) is the lack of a world wide Beta Test. Or any large scale Beta test. That was one of the main reasons Live came out a year after the XBox. It required a lot of testing in an open beta, etc.

[rainbowblack]

so basicly they are going to rush halo 3 and screw all of us over with a crappy game over a console war they though theyd have won by now? and think a single game is going to crush somthing like the launch of the PS3? brilliant!

seriously, they really ought to take thier time with this. otherwise were going to end up with another PD0 this xmas. i say release the damn game whenever its done, even if that means next summer. im not going to touch this game if it coinsides with the ps3 launch. ill wait until ive seen reviews and the testimonials of happy/upset pre-orderers

[gzsfrk]

im not going to touch this game if it coinsides with the ps3 launch. ill wait until ive seen reviews and the testimonials of happy/upset pre-orderers

Of course, bear in mind that the name on the franchise alone guarantees it an average review score of 8.0 or higher. And then, if they manage to do at least a few thing exceptionally well in the game, despite some flaws, it will score a 9.0. And if it's released without any huge, glaring deficiencies, it will get a 9.5.

It's kind of like how at the winter olympics, the ice skaters who are expected to do well usually get a higher-than-average score even if they fall a couple times during their routine, whereas the no-name who goes through their set flawlessly is usually dinged in the "artisitc" score.

Subjective scoring 4tl... =)

[TheFlyingOrc]

I think one of the biggest deciding factors this generation is where Square plays their cards, important for the American Market, CRITICAL for the Japanese. They are doing projects on Both Nintendo and Microsoft consoles - If the all-important Final Fantasy Core games (those just with Final fantasy followed by a number, excluding 11) do not stay on Sony's machine, then they could get slapped around.

I think most Sony fanboys are actually either GTA or Square fanboys.

[Demo_Boy]

Price drop for 360 could cripple PS3 launch too

[Hemalin]

Possibly, but I don't see a price drop too likely. The Xbox is still $180 even, shouldn't that have dropped in price with the 360 release at least?

[MaiXu]

so basicly they are going to rush halo 3 and screw all of us over with a crappy game over a console war they though theyd have won by now? and think a single game is going to crush somthing like the launch of the PS3? brilliant!

seriously, they really ought to take thier time with this. otherwise were going to end up with another PD0 this xmas. i say release the damn game whenever its done, even if that means next summer. im not going to touch this game if it coinsides with the ps3 launch. ill wait until ive seen reviews and the testimonials of happy/upset pre-orderers

Other than Nintendo, I really can't think of the last time a publisher held back a really critical title because it just wasn't ready. Think back to last Christmas: PS2 had some great games coming out around Xmas time (Shadow of the Colossus, Guitar Hero, etc.), MS rushed not only a shitload of games like PD0 and PGR3 out the door but an entire CONSOLE was rushed to meet the Xmas deadline, and Nintendo ... *DELAYED* Zelda. And left their customers with nothing but mediocre 3rd-party crap and fond memories of RE4 from 11 months prior.

Bungie hasn't said a word about what they've been working on since the launch of Halo 2, and yet we all know they're working on something. Halo is MS's bread-and-butter franchise, and you're a fool if you think they don't plan on releasing a third iteration as soon as possible (especailly after Halo 2's "ending"). Unless the game that will be Halo 3 is an unplayable mess, I would not be surprised if MS rushes Halo 3 out the door. But if they don't try to counter the PS3 launch with Halo 3, then I hope they late Bungie (or whoever is making the game) take their time with it.

[NINTENDO 4 EVER]

Woo, I Hate The Ps3, i Luv Nintendo. Good On You Halo! :D

[Zeal]

I think one of the biggest deciding factors this generation is where Square plays their cards, important for the American Market, CRITICAL for the Japanese. They are doing projects on Both Nintendo and Microsoft consoles - If the all-important Final Fantasy Core games (those just with Final fantasy followed by a number, excluding 11) do not stay on Sony's machine, then they could get slapped around.

I think most Sony fanboys are actually either GTA or Square fanboys.

Microsoft doesn't need Square, they have HALO.