Phil Harrison Claims Demand for PS3 "Unprecedented"

[fitbabits]

Source - Exclusive Phil Harrison interview with Game Daily (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=15342).

Talk to the people who run GameStop, talk to the people who run BestBuy, and they'll tell you that the demand is unprecedented and that they give us kudos for managing to keep a very sophisticated supply chain moving. What our competitors are doing I can't speak to but I know we are achieving our goals of keeping the market supplied and working closely with retailers to make sure they get informed about when supplies are coming in so that they can match their internal and external communications to store managers and consumers about when to buy a PS3. If that means that for Wednesday through Friday there were a few machines on a shelf in a store in Milwaukee, great!
From a personal, first-hand point of view, the Best Buy I'm based at has over 70 PS3s in stock and hasn't sold any in the last week. Unprecedented, indeed.

Do please read the rest of the interview, though, as it's rather informative at times.

[DangerousDaze]

You're not based in Milwaukee are you? ;)

[fitbabits]

You're not based in Milwaukee are you? ;)
Westminster, CO.

[TheFlyingOrc]

In the interview, Phil Harrison repeatedly says many, many more statements that we could criticize. It's mind-boggling - when you shoot yourself in the foot 6 times, you don't normally stop, reload, and begin again.

[fitbabits]

In the interview, Phil Harrison repeatedly says many, many more statements that we could criticize. It's mind-boggling - when you shoot yourself in the foot 6 times, you don't normally stop, reload, and begin again.
I really had to think about which one to use as the basis of the title. :(

[TheFlyingOrc]

BIZ: Wii has Mario Galaxy. Xbox 360 has Halo 3. What's the one game that will be the system seller this year for PlayStation 3? (And I don't believe MGS4 is this year but definitely correct me if I'm wrong.)

SCEA: Hard to pick just one, we have an exciting software line-up planned for

2007 including MotorStorm, F1, Lair and Heavenly Sword and several PS Network games as well including FlOw and Calling All Cars.

None of those can go toe-to-toe with Mario or Halo. The best ones MIGHT be up there with Gears.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I really had to think about which one to use as the basis of the title. :(
There are so many that I actually wondered if it was parody at first, but you got the most insulting one.

[IrishWhiskey]

Hey Phil? You heard of something called the DS lite? The demand for that is unprecedented. I still can't find them in my local stores almost a year later. As for the PS3, you do realize you're being majorly outsold by the Wii right?

[Xenkylm]

Unprecedented doesn't mean big. It just means unprecedented. No one would have expected a low demand for the PS3, given the precedent set by the PS2. The observed level of demand was unprecedented.

[Goronmon]

I don't really care about the negativity in the press; if it was true, if they were talking about real big issues that were genuine criticisms, then of course we'll address them, but there's nothing that bothers me.That's just quality right there.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Unprecedented doesn't mean big. It just means unprecedented. No one would have expected a low demand for the PS3, given the precedent set by the PS2. The observed level of demand was unprecedented.

I refuse to accept that his statement was that clever - the simplest answer is usually the true one, and the simplest answer is that he's a liar.

[Sloth]

Phil Harrison later started laughing hysterically, took off his pants and dove out the window.

[Doctor Setebos]

Unprecedented doesn't mean big. It just means unprecedented. No one would have expected a low demand for the PS3, given the precedent set by the PS2. The observed level of demand was unprecedented.Nice. :)

"We truly never expected the system to sell so poorly. It was unprecedented!"

[Jack B]

Another day, another crazy Sony quote.

He's speaking to the blind followers and the unwashed masses. Keep saying something long enough and some people will believe it.

All the PR mouthpieces for every console maker does it, it just seems to happen more often and be more over the top coming from Sony lately than the others.

The crazy quotes worked better before launch when it was all myth and hype. Now with more facts, it's sounds comical.

[Jack B]

Unprecedented doesn't mean big. It just means unprecedented. No one would have expected a low demand for the PS3, given the precedent set by the PS2. The observed level of demand was unprecedented.

Good one. :)

[Zanzibar]

Notice also that he doesn't claim WHICH SYSTEM has given the retailers such 'unprecedented' demand. He could have been talking about BOTH systems, based on the quote, because the original question mentioned both the PS3 and the Wii:

BIZ: That actually leads into my next question, because a lot of the analysts have been making a big deal out of the fact that retailers seem to continue to sell out of the Wii while PS3s are found in stock at more stores. What do you make of that?


PH: I think you should talk to the people who are running those stores. Talk to the people who run GameStop, talk to the people who run BestBuy, and they'll tell you that the demand is unprecedented and that they give us kudos for managing to keep a very sophisticated supply chain moving.

Thus: 'The demand (for both systems TOGETHER) is unprecedented, BUT they give US kudos for managing the (PS3) supply chain moving.'

Slippery bugger he is, ol' Phil.

[Slack3r78]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c119/alexmm/o_rly_owl.jpg

That is all.

[Johan]

He's the Bush/Cheney equivalent in console public relations! The Brits are leaving ("a good sign of stability"); we're moving more forces in ("a good sign that we're for stability").

It's just ludicrous...absolutely ludicrous.

[BPM]

From a personal, first-hand point of view, the Best Buy I'm based at has over 70 PS3s in stock and hasn't sold any in the last week. Unprecedented, indeed.

Yeah Same Here, I see many more PS3s than Xbox360s...

[agentgray]

These quotes are beyond plain stupid.

They are an INSULT to everyone out there. What I really want to know is where are the HARDCORE games journalist that press these guys on their quotes and issues. (You know, a lot like the press goes after say a politician).

I'm getting really sick of re-quote interviews. We print them because we are funny, but nobody really ever takes these execs to task. I know it's different from politics because they pretty much have to talk to the press, but I mean c'mon.

I've talked with the people in the best buys and gamestops. They are not SELLING. It's as simple as thing. Sony should just outsource to political campaigns. They've got spin doctoring nailed down.

Oh, and this website was the closest anyone has come to going after these guys.

[Disgustipated]

I feel bad for Sony. I mean, ever since PS2 they've been arrogant fucks, but man, to be mentally ill on top of it...

[Slack3r78]

Yeah Same Here, I see many more PS3s than Xbox360s...
I was in the local Wal-mart the other night. The had no Wiis or 360s at all, and about 6 Gamecubes and 4 60GB PS3s in stock.

That's more or less the situation I've seen everywhere in town here. They almost all have more PS3s in stock than they do 360s. It's ridiculous.

[fitbabits]

They are an INSULT to everyone out there. What I really want to know is where are the HARDCORE games journalist that press these guys on their quotes and issues. (You know, a lot like the press goes after say a politician).
Believe me, I've tried to set up an interview with Sony. Many, many times. Each time I've been denied.

[bapenguin]

I don't understand what you people think he's going to say? These people are salesmen. They will do whatever they can to sell their product. They'll paint the prettiest picture they can, no matter how ugly the truth is, to sell their product.

NONE of us will ever get the delightful oppurtunity to know what Phil Harrison, Reggie Fils-Aime or Peter Moore truly thinks about their products OR their competitor's prodcuts. They are public figures for a company selling a product to mainstream and hardcore media.

During an interview they have one goal, mention their products as much as possible with as many buzzwords and positive statements as possible.

[bardockkun]

Westminster, CO.
Shit, you may live closer to me then i thought.

[CaptStu]

Believe me, I've tried to set up an interview with Sony. Many, many times. Each time I've been denied.

Even more reason to hate Sony. :mad:

[Slack3r78]

NONE of us will ever get the delightful oppurtunity to know what Phil Harrison, Reggie Fils-Aime or Peter Moore truly thinks about their products OR their competitor's prodcuts. They are public figures for a company selling a product to mainstream and hardcore media.
Maybe we need to just send them to the Playboy mansion and get them liquored up. Seemed to work for David Jaffe.

[rein]

From a personal, first-hand point of view, the Best Buy I'm based at has over 70 PS3s in stock and hasn't sold any in the last week. Unprecedented, indeed.

Are you saying the BB you work at did not sale one PS3 last week? Not a one? Come on Fit's, no way I believe that. Isn't that just as crazy a claim as Phil Harrison saying that demand is high? I spoke to a few EB's in my area and they are saying the sales are slow but they are selling. My old store is selling about 3-4 a week according to my old asm. Nothing earth-shattering but a bit higher than I expected.

[fitbabits]

I don't understand what you people think he's going to say? These people are salesmen. They will do whatever they can to sell their product. They'll paint the prettiest picture they can, no matter how ugly the truth is, to sell their product.

NONE of us will ever get the delightful oppurtunity to know what Phil Harrison, Reggie Fils-Aime or Peter Moore truly thinks about their products OR their competitor's prodcuts. They are public figures for a company selling a product to mainstream and hardcore media.

During an interview they have one goal, mention their products as much as possible with as many buzzwords and positive statements as possible.
There's being disingenuous and being good at PR, and then there's lying to save public face while at the same time taking the piss out of your core audience. Massive, massive difference there. Sony's PR is not all about talking up their own products, it's increasingly more about talking down their competitor's products and being patronizing to the people who made the PlayStation brand synonymous with the word success - that is, the consumer.

[Kweli]

Sony gives us something that Microsoft doesnt.... A good laugh.... Because really, they are funny guys that say funny things = )

Wish i knew how funny they were before I bought a 360 and started to enjoy every aspect of it.... <shrug>

[fitbabits]

Are you saying the BB you work at did not sale one PS3 last week? Not a one? Come on Fit's, no way I believe that. Isn't that just as crazy a claim as Phil Harrison saying that demand is high? I spoke to a few EB's in my area and they are saying the sales are slow but they are selling. My old store is selling about 3-4 a week according to my old asm. Nothing earth-shattering but a bit higher than I expected.
You don't have to believe it, but it's a fact. I left out the part about two being returned as well. Obviously there's no way I can let you see the sales breakdown from my store, but I did check before posting.

[Lunar Blue]

I'm getting really sick of re-quote interviews. We print them because we are funny, but nobody really ever takes these execs to task.

Well, there's a very good reason for that. If you make the Sony exec mad you may never get a chance to interview them again. Or like with EvAv you never even get the chance, because it's very likely on some Sony blacklist for giving them a lot of shit. Interviews are ad's, and ad's pay the bills. These guys are selling their product, and if you get nailed like being in Colbert Report, why bother when you can sell your product easier in other venues?

[Johan]

From a personal, first-hand point of view, the Best Buy I'm based at has over 70 PS3s in stock and hasn't sold any in the last week. Unprecedented, indeed.

Your community is obviously not a representative sample, as the thin air of Colorado has apparently had a negative effect on consumers' discernment there!

Also, who plays video games in Colorado in the winter? I thought you guys were all out on the mountains, skiing! ;)

[wyeast]

I don't even know what to say to this. Reading the interview was like trying to sit through a Spice Girls concert. :eek:

[Ferong]

Phil Harrison is the new Iraqi Information Minister.

[Siraris]

The one thing Sony needs to stop doing is claiming that the interest is unprecedented. As fits pointed out, he has 70 at his store, the Best Buy I went to the other day had 34 (I actually took a picture of the two giant stacks and sent it in to Jack Tretton for my $43,000), and most EB/GS' around here have 3-4 in stock.

The demand is definitely NOT unprecedented right now.

[Majster Wichajster]

BIZ: With that in mind, at the upcoming GDC, Phil is going to be giving a keynote on "always on" gaming. How will the PS3 take advantage of this philosophy? Obviously right now MS is clearly ahead in the online department with Xbox Live...


SCEA: We view the downloadable content, online experience and network capabilities of the PS3 in a very different way than Microsoft's Xbox Live. First of all, our network capability is free. Second, we are providing all our developers an open platform to provide games and game features that can truly be evolutionary – limited only by the imagination of the developer, custom designed for their specific game. We feel our content will be more robust and ground-breaking because of this. We aren't forcing the developer or the gamer into a neatly wrapped, cleanly scrubbed, sterile experience. I suppose you could say the PS3's network capabilities are the Google – open for exploration, as broad as your imagination -- to Microsoft's AOL – carefully chosen content they think is right for you, whether you truly want it or not. In the near future we will offer content including PSone emulation titles and non-game content on our network, such as movies, music and other game information, which our competition does not.

(Emphasis mine)

Comedy gold, regardless of how and which way you look at it.

EDIT: And an even more hilarious follow-up:

SCEA: At CES this year Sony announced its own free Internet Video HDTV system, an available option on the majority of new Sony televisions produced this year. This exciting project, called "BRAVIA Internet Video Link," allows the streaming of broadband Internet video, including high-definition content, and includes such partners as AOL and Yahoo. The power of the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Network provides us with the vehicle to deliver a vast array of online content to consumers beyond the games and trailers available today. As we have said, the content found in the future on the PlayStation Network and the PlayStation store will be much broader than what is currently available.

(Emphasis mine)

So now AOL is nice? Not that I'm dissing this, but in the context of the previous quote it looks like a mishap.

[Jack B]

The one thing Sony needs to stop doing is claiming that the interest is unprecedented. As fits pointed out, he has 70 at his store, the Best Buy I went to the other day had 34 (I actually took a picture of the two giant stacks and sent it in to Jack Tretton for my $43,000), and most EB/GS' around here have 3-4 in stock.

The demand is definitely NOT unprecedented right now.

Nice post.

[GunnyMo]

I just can't laugh at ol' Phil anymore. I do congratulate him on graduating at the top of the Kutaragi "Speak Like You Crazy" School of Bullshit. It was a tough competition and Phil is clearly the winner.

I wonder who the first person to sue him for their $1200+ will be. ;)

[Wyrm]

See them everywhere I go, but no Wiis, and only a couple 360s here and there. Truth is, the people that wanted one at the 600 dollar price point have them, and now the reality has set in. They paid 600 bucks for "potential".

I just managed to get my hands on a Wii, which, by the way, was extremely underhanded on the part of gamestop. Here's the story:

Me and a couple buddies walk in to Gamestop and inquire about the Wiis. We already figure they aren't going to have any, and they confirm this. We look around, and the two of us pre-order a few games (God of War II, Crackdown, Supreme Commander). After pre-ordering, they go to the back and then come back out and ask us if we're still interested in getting a Wii. We both look at eachother and say 'HELL YES'! They go into the back and come out with two, saying because we hooked them up with pre-orders, they were able to hook us up.

That's an entirely different issue altogether. The way people are hording those things is bordering on insanity. Many stores have them for an entire week, but because of a stupid ad they print in the paper, they hold them until Sunday and then give out numbers at 7am. It's still happening where I live, and I'd be willing to bet that's the case everywhere.

[Majster Wichajster]

I'm sorry for the massive quotage, but this interview is hopeless. Look at this:
BIZ: Let's talk portables for a minute. The Nintendo DS has been dominating, not just portables but everything. Is Sony happy with the state of the PSP business, especially with respect to the DS?


SCEA: Momentum for the PSP, as witnessed through sales and software support, continues to grow. In fact, over the holidays we saw a significant jump in sales for the system. As of Dec. 31, 2006 the PSP has sold more than 10 million units in the U.S. alone and has had a faster adoption rate than the Nintendo DS, and even the PSOne. In the coming year, you will see more than 100 new games for the PSP, bringing the total catalog to more than 230 titles.
I like this because they say that the PSP has a faster adoption rate than the fucking Nintendo DS which you can't find ANYWHERE due to it being, you know, bought out the moment it is fucking shipped. And also PSOne.

The way that statement works is that they're talking about NDS, not NDS Lite. Even then I'm not so sure.

[MajSheppard]

6 60GB PS3's on the shelf at the Best Buy I just tried to find cheap cube games at.

Go blog about demand all you want, I call shennanigins.

[Talvish]

NONE of us will ever get the delightful oppurtunity to know what Phil Harrison, Reggie Fils-Aime or Peter Moore truly thinks about their products OR their competitor's prodcuts.


Except Peter Moore has actually give praise to the Wii more than once, which surprised people. He has even given credit very recently (the CVG wii-mote for 360 article).

[cppcrusader]

These quotes are beyond plain stupid.

They are an INSULT to everyone out there. What I really want to know is where are the HARDCORE games journalist that press these guys on their quotes and issues. (You know, a lot like the press goes after say a politician).

I'm getting really sick of re-quote interviews. We print them because we are funny, but nobody really ever takes these execs to task. I know it's different from politics because they pretty much have to talk to the press, but I mean c'mon.

I've talked with the people in the best buys and gamestops. They are not SELLING. It's as simple as thing. Sony should just outsource to political campaigns. They've got spin doctoring nailed down.

Oh, and this website was the closest anyone has come to going after these guys.

Actually, I just read that EGM interview last week and I think they were a lot tougher on them than this one. There were a couple times in it were Tretton dodged a question and they pressed him for an answer.

To me, it seemed like this interview consisted of slightly softer versions of EGM's questions and they didn't press as hard for answers.

[TheFlyingOrc]

It's amazing, Phil Harrison is so crazy he went full circle back to sane, then waved as he went past and arrived at crazy again.
And from a poster on ******:

I believe this man drags himself out of bed every morning the way someone might roll off a pile of stones after being overwhelmed by a landslide, wearily stumbles before a mirror and looks himself in the eye, takes a deep breath and declares, "Today, it's Opposite Day!"

Every. Morning.

[rein]

You don't have to believe it, but it's a fact. I left out the part about two being returned as well. Obviously there's no way I can let you see the sales breakdown from my store, but I did check before posting.

Sorry to doubt you then. :o Like I said, I did call around the EB's here in the area and most told me that they had plenty of stock but they were selling a few. My old store said they average "3-4" a week in sales and he has no reason to exaggerate. Then again, I have also been seeing Wii's in both Target and Walmart in my area. go figure.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Sorry to doubt you then. :o Like I said, I did call around the EB's here in the area and most told me that they had plenty of stock but they were selling a few. My old store said they average "3-4" a week in sales and he has no reason to exaggerate. Then again, I have also been seeing Wii's in both Target and Walmart in my area. go figure.

If they are selling 3-4 a week, then 0 is certainly an acceptable outlier, though pretty far from the norm.

[Headcase]

Thus: 'The demand (for both systems TOGETHER) is unprecedented, BUT they give US kudos for managing the (PS3) supply chain moving.'

Slippery bugger he is, ol' Phil.

For the first month, PS3s were impossible to get; people had to wait in line for days. Most of them were scalpers, but the gray market soon after declined. Now barely anyone wants a PS3 so, yeah, it pretty easy to manage supply now.

So basically they failed where demand was high, and succeeded without effort where demand was low. And to supply for that small amount of demand they had to delay the Euro release. Good work, boys.

Meanwhile, the Wii has undergone no major production problems. They're supplying a good number of them around the world, but demand is high so they're still failing in terms of supply, but at least retailers are making money off of them, because they're selling.

Basically what I'm saying is that I'm skeptical of these alleged "kudos" that Phil Harrison professes.

[civil_dead]

Shit, you may live closer to me then i thought.
You mean more than the Restraining Order allows, don't you? ;)

[Dirty Harry]

None of those can go toe-to-toe with Mario or Halo. The best ones MIGHT be up there with Gears.
ever think that maybe halo is a mediocre fps and really it doesnt deserve any of the hype it has garnered, that it really isnt a gaming messiah brand that maybe the game just plain sucks....nah thats all crazy talk.......

[Evil Avnovice]

BIZ: Can you name a few things about Nintendo and Microsoft that they may have done a better job at than Sony and a few things where perhaps they could improve and learn from Sony?


PH: Both companies clearly have great strengths and they've both done some wonderful things in their respective fields. What could they learn from us? I think Nintendo, although I am very respectful of the innovation in Wii, and I think everybody should be respectful of it, I'm not sure that it has the technology base to propel that platform in the long-term. So I think their platform lifecycle is inherently going to be shorter, so they could have learned from us in terms of the high technology approach.

I understand the news submission is about the PS3. Not to delve off-topic, but I take it you're familiar with the DS vs. PSP, right Phil?

[TheFlyingOrc]

ever think that maybe halo is a mediocre fps and really it doesnt deserve any of the hype it has garnered, that it really isnt a gaming messiah brand that maybe the game just plain sucks....nah thats all crazy talk.......

Heh - you apparently don't know who you're talking to. I'm not a Halo fan(Unreal 2K4 is WAY better), but if you think any game on that list has the selling power of Halo, you have caught "teh stupid".

[JRR006]

You know, not just Milwaukee. Delafield's Best Buy had at least ten units sitting in a big stack on the floor, and Racine had three crammed under the PS3 game rack.

I read about Metal Gear Solid 4 again last night. My resolve... she wanes!

[EternalGamer]

That was a incredibly boring interview. I'm sure glad I bought a PS3 and not a "Phil Harrison."

[Evil Avnovice]

BIZ: But don't you feel pressure from the realities of the market and people who maybe don't want to spend $600? Do you feel there is pressure to drop the price this year?


PH: Absolutely no pressure at all. I think that the reality of the market is that there's a great deal of software people want to buy, there's a great deal of software coming that will stimulate further activity in the market. We're very comfortable with the plan.

Phil, don't you at some point, the fact that some people may be hesitant to get a PS3 because it's expensive, doesn't cross your mind at all? :confused: :eek:

And I'm curious about the software part. I look at previews from various websites, and I currently don't see much out there that tells me: "You know what Avnovice, maybe you should give in and get one because 'x-software' is waiting for you on the shelf now".

[fitbabits]

That was a incredibly boring interview. I'm sure glad I bought a PS3 and not a "Phil Harrison."
Like it or not, you bought yourself a Phil Harrison, a Jack Tretton, a Ken Kuturagi, a Kaz Hirai, a Blu-ray player, etc. Essentially, you bought it all.

[Dag-Sabot]

I think Phil's statements, while seemingly aimed at "gamers" are intended reassure SONY stockholders.

[lockwoodx]

Phil Harrison later started laughing hysterically, took off his pants and dove out the window.


Sad but so true. Man this made me laugh hard.

[Goronmon]

ever think that maybe <insert popular mainstream title> is a mediocre <insert corresponding genre> and really it doesnt deserve any of the hype it has garnered, that it really isnt a gaming messiah brand that maybe the game just plain sucks....nah thats all crazy talk.......Fixed.

;)

[crunchymonkey]

Has this man even looked in a store before opening his large hole?

[EternalGamer]

Like it or not, you bought yourself a Phil Harrison, a Jack Tretton, a Ken Kuturagi, a Kaz Hirai, a Blu-ray player, etc. Essentially, you bought it all.

Unlike most people at this website, I don't consider marketing or a company's PR to be indicative of the product's quality. Actually, when I was growing up, we had a word for people who actually did that, we called them naive. Thinking a company's product is bad just because their marketing is bad is every bit as naive as thinking a company's product is good because their PR is good.

Sony's Public Relations is pretty terrible right now, but I didn't buy their product, nor do I buy any other product, based on PR. Nor did I bought it because I thought the people at Sony were all a swell bunch of humanitarian chaps. I didn't buy a PS3 because of an internet popularity contest or as a poltical statement. I bought it because it is a solidly designed game console with some great extra features and is on its way to having a very solid gaming lineup.

[[VSK]BadCRC]

Talk to the people who run GameStop, talk to the people who run BestBuy, and they'll tell you that the demand is unprecedented and that they give us kudos for managing to keep a very sophisticated supply chain moving.

Phil, as an employee of one of said stores, please refrain from including retailers in your insanity. The demand for the PS3 has been incredibly shallow across the board. We can't give the damn things away. People aren't buying them, and many of our launch units were subsequently returned in the days following launch after the initial buyers realized that no one was buying the console with the intent of using it themselves.

In addition, I'd also like to state that, at least from our store's perspective, consoles aren't selling, and accessories aren't moving either, given the lack of consoles in our general area, neither are the games.

[Tentaro]

These quotes are beyond plain stupid. They are an INSULT to everyone out there. What I really want to know is where are the HARDCORE games journalist that press these guys on their quotes and issues. (You know, a lot like the press goes after say a politician).


There aren't any because, in a perfect world, the hardcore journalists would be covering shit that matters, not a bullshit videogame "war".

[vherub]

One of the best things to happen to Nintendo was to get crushed with their console efforts. And this is probably the best thing for sony right now. Arrogance is crippling both for the makers and the gamers.

[saulob]

none last week ?
what about Wii and X360 ?

thanks fit.

[fitbabits]

none last week ?
what about Wii and X360 ?

thanks fit.
Not sure how many Wiis we got in, but they lasted less than an hour. 11 360s were sold (that I know of).

[Majster Wichajster]

Unlike most people at this website, I don't consider marketing or a company's PR to be indicative of the product's quality. Actually, when I was growing up, we had a word for people who actually did that, we called them naive. Thinking a company's product is bad just because their marketing is bad is every bit as naive as thinking a company's product is good because their PR is good.

Sony's Public Relations is pretty terrible right now, but I didn't buy their product, nor do I buy any other product, based on PR. Nor did I bought it because I thought the people at Sony were all a swell bunch of humanitarian chaps. I didn't buy a PS3 because of an internet popularity contest or as a poltical statement. I bought it because it is a solidly designed game console with some great extra features and is on its way to having a very solid gaming lineup.

My thoughts exactly.

I want this console, but I don't have the money to buy one. Not only that, I still have quite a few games to buy for the PS2 and with my limited budget...

To me, Sony is in a bit of a corner with the success of the PS2. People won't migrate right now because why would they? Great titles are coming out right now and seeing as they don't need to buy the PS3 to play them they'll stick with the PS2. By the end of the year we should see a nice shift in the sales performance of the PS3 due to christmas, but right now the reception during March won't be staggering.

I see the console as a solid product with great software line-up, but until that software arrives I'm not going to buy one, especially with the lack of an HDTV set.

This post is a mess.

[wyeast]

I understand the news submission is about the PS3. Not to delve off-topic, but I take it you're familiar with the DS vs. PSP, right Phil?
Actually I agree with the assessment that the Wii is probably a shorter-lifecycle platform than 360 or PS3 by design. But unlike Smokey McCrack, I think that's exactly what Nintendo needed, to recoup lost buzz and marketshare from the Gamecube days, and put themselves in position to be able to chance a higher-risk (i.e. more technology, hurrrrrr) replacement platform just as MS and Sony's consoles are starting to feel a little... old.

[Chameleo]

I bought it because it is a solidly designed game console with some great extra features and is on its way to having a very solid gaming lineup.

all we know is that its getting MGS, FF and GoW. All of which will not be out this year.

"great" extra features is purely subjective; popular opinion seems to think otherwise of those "extra features".

you made a strong statement about the PS3 - and it will probably be applicable at this time next year - but right now; nope - I really don't think so.

[Jack B]

I bought it because it is a solidly designed game console with some great extra features and is on its way to having a very solid gaming lineup.

It does seem we hear very little about PS3 hardware problems other than the Sixaxis blue tooth connection drops. I can't remember when the 360's starting dying, but it seems like I can't remember a time when they weren't.

Although, my launch day two 360 is still running... **knocks on wood**

[Tel Prydain]

Peter Moore's Wii love is just another marketing trick – albeit one that goes down somewhat better then Sony’s contemptuous remarks. By acknowledging the Wii as a successful family-friendly non-competitor Peter gives several subtle messages:
* That Microsoft are ‘good guys’ who appreciate great games.
* The Wii is great for families, parties and kids, but ‘real’ gamers who want engaging immersive games will want a 360.
* That Sony has nothing to offer. That Xbox does ‘gamer’ games better and ‘Wii’ does party games better.
* That Nintendo and Microsoft are united against an evil Sony.

By being ‘nice’ to the Wii Peter is able to attack Sony and bask in reflected glory from Nintendo, all while appearing to be the good guy.

[CapnBob]

Hard to pick just one, we have an exciting software line-up planned for 2007 including MotorStorm, F1, Lair and Heavenly Sword and several PS Network games as well including FlOw and Calling All Cars.

...These games aren't out yet? I mean, I haven't really been playing all that much close attention, but I thought those were all supposed to be the near-launch games to tide people over until the big 2007 games... not that they actually WERE the big 2007 games. Ouch. Ouch ouch ouch. If that's the best they have until 2008... ouch.

[Sl1pstream]

There was a short article in the newspaper a few days ago. Out of the 50 000 available systems, 25 000 were already preordered. I wouldn't exactly call that unprecedented demand, but hey, the Sony spokesperson made it sound like a big deal.

Meanwhile, every Wii I get in our store is being sold within 2 hours. That's 2 months after release. When the 360 launched, our first real delivery was about a month after its release.


I'm sure it will sell when they're on shelves, but right now, people stop asking questions when you mention the price.

Today, I've had to send preorder info to company hq, since Sony wouldn't give us anything unless we'd provide full adresses, birthdates, email for every customer and I had to send 3 preorders total.

[Kelegacy]

Unlike most people at this website, I don't consider marketing or a company's PR to be indicative of the product's quality. Actually, when I was growing up, we had a word for people who actually did that, we called them naive. Thinking a company's product is bad just because their marketing is bad is every bit as naive as thinking a company's product is good because their PR is good.

Sony's Public Relations is pretty terrible right now, but I didn't buy their product, nor do I buy any other product, based on PR. Nor did I bought it because I thought the people at Sony were all a swell bunch of humanitarian chaps. I didn't buy a PS3 because of an internet popularity contest or as a poltical statement. I bought it because it is a solidly designed game console with some great extra features and is on its way to having a very solid gaming lineup.

Thank you for your post. It's like me not buying Gears of War because I like CliffyB is a tool. I don't give a shit about figureheads, or PR dolts, or other management momos. I care about a product that's fun to use. Some people around here need to step away from their computers once in a while, me thinks.

[camberiu]

http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/images/07-minister.jpg

Phil Harrison's latest picture.

[Taco]

There were a ton of PS3s in a mall store near where I live (EB type store, forget which). My past experience is if there is a major demand for anything my area is always hit hard and fast. Even knowing how unsellable these things are I was surprised to see a pyramid of them available.

[EternalGamer]

all we know is that its getting MGS, FF and GoW. All of which will not be out this year.

"great" extra features is purely subjective; popular opinion seems to think otherwise of those "extra features".

you made a strong statement about the PS3 - and it will probably be applicable at this time next year - but right now; nope - I really don't think so.

It's on its way just as well as any other fledgling console in recent years has been. Resistance is not mind blowing, but it is heads and shoulders above anything available at the 360's launch. Virtua Fighter 5 certainly one ups the likes of Dead or Alive, and Motorstorm looks to be a very solid title. And then there is Heavenly Sword and Lair, coming out in the next few months. The former has shown itself to be pretty promising in preview builds and the later is from a very talented and dependable developer. Then we have a new Ratchet & Clank, a game by the Jax & Daxter Team, and Killzone 2, just to name a few of the exclusives, all coming out this year. Toss in the multiplatform stuff (still up in the air as to who will have the best versions of heavy hitter games like GTA4, Assassins Creed etc.) and you have a lineup that can easily hold its own against either of the other two new systems.

[Taco]

For $200 and a negative online experience more.

[Zanzibar]

Marin City, California, Best Buy, 8 60GB PS3s on the shelf, 20 minutes ago. Guy said he didn't know of any of them selling since early Saturday.

[Sloth]

As much as I like to heap on Sony and enjoy their pain, I'd still probably be more likely to get a PS3 than Xbox 360 because of the 360 failure rate. If MS can ever demonstrate that the 360s are stable, I might get one.

[RMan]

Yea, not trying to flame the thing, but I'm actually fairly suprised how well it's selling, because I still see it as a very distant third to it's competition in terms of software. Definately not seeing these stockpiles of PS3s though, my Best Buy had about 50 360s (actually took shelf space in their camera section to handle them) and half a dozen PS3s. Other stores though seemed to have similar supplies for the last couple of weeks (excluding the Wii, of course).

[Siraris]

I understand the news submission is about the PS3. Not to delve off-topic, but I take it you're familiar with the DS vs. PSP, right Phil?

You can't deny that in 2 or 3 years, when HDTV is in many more homes, the Wii is going to look extremely dated. People are going to be playing FFXIII and Gears 2 by then, which are going to just shock and awe our visual cortexes, and they're going to look at the Wii and feel a bit jipped.

The DS can get away with not having the latest tech since it's a handheld system, so less is expected from the technology department.

[lockwoodx]

http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/images/07-minister.jpg

Phil Harrison's latest picture.


LOL!!!!!!!

[Dag-Sabot]

You can't deny that in 2 or 3 years, when HDTV is in many more homes, the Wii is going to look extremely dated. People are going to be playing FFXIII and Gears 2 by then, which are going to just shock and awe our visual cortexes, and they're going to look at the Wii and feel a bit jipped.
That is assuming that "people" in 2 or 3 yrs time will be interested in graphics and not actual gameplay.

[Kamalot]

From what I've seen, people aren't approaching Wii with expectations of it being a graphical powerhouse, therefore they aren't disappointed. If Wii continues to spit out Wii-Sports like graphics, why would people be upset that it isn't a graphical powerhouse?

[Dag-Sabot]

Answer: Cause many "people" aren't graphics whores, much to the shagrin of SONY and others.

[Conductor_Grey]

It's all 'what have you done for me lately' for me. Sony has a ridiculously expensive system out with no great games, or even good games for that matter. That's why it's ridiculously expensive. When they get the ball rolling and actually put out a decent amount of decent games instead of potential, then it becomes reasonably priced to me. Until then like most people who aren't interested in a product that a salesperson pitched to them, I'll spend my money elsewhere.

[RMan]

You can't deny that in 2 or 3 years, when HDTV is in many more homes, the Wii is going to look extremely dated. People are going to be playing FFXIII and Gears 2 by then, which are going to just shock and awe our visual cortexes, and they're going to look at the Wii and feel a bit jipped.
Good luck with that. Gears already looks way beyond what the Wii has from a pure tech graphics POV, why would you assume that PS3/360 games are going to experience some massive improvement in graphics and the Wii won’t? Bottom line is that in 3 years, all of them will look better, the ratio of graphical disparity will not change.

The ratio of HDTVs will also not change, or has just as much chance of going down as up. While assuredly most new TVs will be HDTVs, the people that are buying Wiis and 360/PS3s right now are far more likely to have newer TVs since they’re more likely hardcore gamers.

You can imagine that the landscape will suddenly and dramatically change, but I’m not sure how many times you guys will sing that tune, it’s been said about the Wii since the Revolution was announced by the graphics enthusiasts (but happily, they clearly aren’t the majority).
The DS can get away with not having the latest tech since it's a handheld system, so less is expected from the technology department.
Yea, now that it is whomping the PSP, less technology is clearly expected. The tricky part is that you still can’t show any evidence that the technology is of heavy or greater importance in the console world (the tech has proven over and over again to be of little significance), it’s an assumption with no basis in fact, like every car driver really wants speed and the ability to trick their cars out more than anything else (unless it’s an SUV, or a truck, or a compact, or a sedan, or anything but the sports car I like). How much evidence do you need to see before you admit that YOU might be the exception.

[jadkins555]

My favorite quote:

[Including Blu-ray] will be, I believe, reflected on as the smartest decision we ever made.

[Fartacus]

You can't deny that in 2 or 3 years, when HDTV is in many more homes, the Wii is going to look extremely dated. People are going to be playing FFXIII and Gears 2 by then, which are going to just shock and awe our visual cortexes, and they're going to look at the Wii and feel a bit jipped.

The DS can get away with not having the latest tech since it's a handheld system, so less is expected from the technology department.

PS2 graphics look extremely dated compared to Xbox and GameCube graphics, yet it continues to outsell both the Xbox and the GameCube...

[Deathwave]

I can't say that I see stacks of PS3's, but I have seen stacks of PSP's in my local stores. However, the Wii, and DS are always gone. The 360...never noticed.

[Zanzibar]

Good luck with that. Gears already looks way beyond what the Wii has from a pure tech graphics POV, why would you assume that PS3/360 games are going to experience some massive improvement in graphics and the Wii won’t? Bottom line is that in 3 years, all of them will look better, the ratio of graphical disparity will not change.

I disagree with your assertion that the Wii GPU is only beginning to be utilized fully. The Wii GPU, in essence, has been out since 2001. There are exceptionally few differences between the Wii architecture and that of the Gamecube. Better throughput and more memory, and that's essentially it.

[Mondopest]

....He began to make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark....

[Donut11]

Man, is Phil Harrison turning into Al Gore? By repeating the lies over and over again, he has convinced himself and those around him that he speaks the truth, I guess. Maybe he should film his next power point presentation to the Sony Sales Force and release it to the theaters. I smell 2008 oscar!

[Sloth]

all you have to do is play the wii at a party to see the value of the product.

[Zanzibar]

Man, is Phil Harrison turning into George Bush? By repeating the lies over and over again, he has convinced himself and those around him that he speaks the truth, I guess. Maybe he should present his next State of the Union to the Sony Sales Force and release it to the UN. I smell 2008 re-election!
I normally don't condone this, but this is a special occasion: 'Fixed that for ya.'

[Zanzibar]

all you have to do is play the wii at a party to see the value of the product.
When the hot chicks asked me if they could have a turn, the 'value' fucking skyrocketed.

[RMan]

I disagree with your assertion that the Wii GPU is only beginning to be utilized fully.
That wasn’t my assertion, actually. My assertion is that all the graphics will get better proportionately. I agree that the greater experience with the GPU won’t be much of a factor, but I also don’t think it’ll be much of a factor with the 360 or PS3 either. I think many greatly overestimate the influence of the GPU on how good a game looks. For instance, I’m sure many would agree that Zelda:TP looks considerably better than Z:TWW, even though the GPU isn't dramatically better (or even the GC version of Zelda:TP, where the GPU is the same).

But to compare to the 360, HLSL and the technology of the GPU are also not exactly new (by the standards we’re using), it’s been standard PC tech for some time, so it’s not like 360 devs (or Epic, in the case of GoW) were starting from ground zero when they got their dev kits. Learning the GPU will be less of a factor on this generation than it ever was, and it’s still far less significant to graphics than tool quality and art budget/talent.

[Chris_D]

PS2 graphics look extremely dated compared to Xbox and GameCube graphics, yet it continues to outsell both the Xbox and the GameCube...

I don't know what GC games look particularly better than God of War, FF12 etc.. in fact on average I would say GC games look worse than PS2, particularly cross platform. Also, with the average wii owner not being a graphics whore, I really don't see where this pressure is coming from to "max out" the wii. As someone else said, why push the system when everyone is perfectly happy with wii sports.

[Chris_D]

Peter Moore's Wii love is just another marketing trick – albeit one that goes down somewhat better then Sony’s contemptuous remarks. By acknowledging the Wii as a successful family-friendly non-competitor Peter gives several subtle messages:
* That Microsoft are ‘good guys’ who appreciate great games.
* The Wii is great for families, parties and kids, but ‘real’ gamers who want engaging immersive games will want a 360.
* That Sony has nothing to offer. That Xbox does ‘gamer’ games better and ‘Wii’ does party games better.
* That Nintendo and Microsoft are united against an evil Sony.

By being ‘nice’ to the Wii Peter is able to attack Sony and bask in reflected glory from Nintendo, all while appearing to be the good guy.

Absolutely spot on. Sony could learn a lot from the MS approach to the wii.

[TheFlyingOrc]

The DS can get away with not having the latest tech since it's a handheld system, so less is expected from the technology department.

Disagree - the DS gets away with it because if you're not trying to do full 3D, it's beautiful - the shining gems on the DS are mostly 2D games, and there really hasn't ever been a more powerful platform where the management allowed you to make 2D games.

[TheFlyingOrc]

When the hot chicks asked me if they could have a turn, the 'value fucking' skyrocketed.
Fixed that for you, Zanzibar. :)

[Wolvie]

I see the method to Sony's madness. Keep talking like the PS3 is doing well, and people will eventually buy them due to the fake demand! :D

[Shodan2020]

I was in the local Wal-mart the other night. The had no Wiis or 360s at all, and about 6 Gamecubes and 4 60GB PS3s in stock.

That's more or less the situation I've seen everywhere in town here. They almost all have more PS3s in stock than they do 360s. It's ridiculous.

I haven't checked for about a month, but I bet the guy at the Super Walmart down the road will try to sell me a PS3 because they still don't have any Wiis in stock. They had 6 in stock about a month ago. I bet Phil would say if you look at the sun just right it looks like a PS3.

[DaXIthR]

I want to hire Phil Harrison.

[Schnoogs]

Frys has a MOUND of them...I go to Frys daily to kill time and I've never seen anyone near them.

I guess I live in that one area where the demand isn't so unprecedented! ;)

[LordBeatnik]

One of the best things to happen to Nintendo was to get crushed with their console efforts. And this is probably the best thing for sony right now. Arrogance is crippling both for the makers and the gamers.

That's one of the things that came to mind when I saw this in the interview:


SCEA: Sony has the world's largest first party development operation, in effect producing scores of "exclusive" titles for our platforms each year. Because of this, we are not concerned when a competitor pays a huge amount of money to secure a title for their platform.


If Sony truly believes that (Phil can't really be trusted to speak the true thinking of Sony since I don't believe much of anything that a PR hack says) then Sony is heading for a world of hurt. If I look over the 20 or so games I've played in the last year (note played not bought since I replay some of my favorite older games periodically), the only one that is a first-party Sony game is God of War. Almost all of the third-party games are PS2 exclusive as well. Hmmm, I'm sure some of them must be multi-platform but I can't think of a single one that's not PS2 exclusive.

If these games weren't exclusives, the value of the PS2 over the Xbox and GC would have been much less. Would I have liked to have played and owned some of the exclusives on xbox and GC? Hell yes. Could I have afforded to? Yes. But the benefit never justified the cost when I had so many PS2 games to eat up my time.

I don't care how many dev houses Sony controls, they can't match the breadth and diversity of all the 3rd party developers and publishers. Every multi-platform game, every xbox360 or wii exclusive game makes paying 500+ for a PS3 that much harder to justify.

[Chameleo]

I don't know what GC games look particularly better than God of War, FF12 etc.. in fact on average I would say GC games look worse than PS2, particularly cross platform.

but thats exactly it. the PS2 is the WEAKEST machine of the last gen. yet it has the best graphics because it had the most developer support. devs turn the machines into what they are in the end.

nintendo is hoping against all odds that the wii will be this gen's PS2.

[Skyelan]

but thats exactly it. the PS2 is the WEAKEST machine of the last gen. yet it has the best graphics because it had the most developer support. devs turn the machines into what they are in the end.

nintendo is hoping against all odds that the wii will be this gen's PS2.

And for that matter, I'd also like to mention that, much as Sony likes to half-mention, PS2 is selling over the graphical powerhouse systems. The worst of the last gen outselling the best of this gen?

The key is that power was never part of the equation. You could make the least powerful system in a gen which is hard to develope for, and the moment you start getting the clear majority of customers, you start getting the clear majority of games, and game library is what attracts customers in the first place.

The PS2 is still a hot item not because of its build quality or power, but because of three points on library.

1: It's got a huge library. Yeah the majority, as in any library, is crap, but it's a good selling point to advertise you have.
2: The good games it has are large in number. Dozens and dozens all worth your time.
3: The genre variety is great. Sure both GC and Xbox have game selections worth purchasing into, but the PS2, I bet, you could find 5 exclusive titles in any genre that are among the best in said genre.

Where was I going with this... Ah yes.

I'm not saying that this guarentees the Wii a success, but to count on a short lifespan just because of power is mind-bogglingly stupid. There's never been any proof to that...

On that note, yes, I've heard the 'HD WILL SOON TAKE OFF!' song and dance for five years now. Each super bowl rolls around when surely everyone and their dog will have one, and it never happens.

I've gotten three notices by our cable company that we need to adjust or order a special part, because by the end of the year they're switching up to digital content only (Or some shit, I forget the exact wording) because of the coming HD 'craze', and it never goes through.

HD TVs will not take off, I think, until there is one, single, unified type (Watch Joe Sixpack turn and walk away when he has to decide between five or six different power levels which he can't tell the difference between of TVs and instead just grab a really big non-HD!), and there are a handful of choices at a more reasonable price. I highly doubt the average person sees any value in them when they can pay one fourth the price for a basic non-HD television set that's the same size (or bigger) than the fancy HD ones.

I know this sounds a bit off of topic, but it just endlessly amuses me how people are so sure that HD will take off 'just around the corner!' when it has so many factors seperating it from the common consumer. :p

[Dirty Harry]

Heh - you apparently don't know who you're talking to. I'm not a Halo fan(Unreal 2K4 is WAY better), but if you think any game on that list has the selling power of Halo, you have caught "teh stupid".
No i was asking you if the game really should garner the hype it receives. Halo 1 and 2 were blips on my radar in comparison to other fps.

[DreamSlider]

Actually I agree with the assessment that the Wii is probably a shorter-lifecycle platform than 360 or PS3 by design. But unlike Smokey McCrack, I think that's exactly what Nintendo needed, to recoup lost buzz and marketshare from the Gamecube days, and put themselves in position to be able to chance a higher-risk (i.e. more technology, hurrrrrr) replacement platform just as MS and Sony's consoles are starting to feel a little... old.

Holy Jeebus man... do you work for Nintendo? Because this is pure genius... not the cuddly, awesome, Nintendo genius that I think they would do, but pure Microsoft or Sony (EVIL bastards that I love so... I am such a whore :D ) genius...

[Rook34]

It seems Phil didn't call out specific gamestop store managers so I'll go on record for him.

I have had 3 ps3's for over 2 weeks. Unprecedented... People must be busy working harder so they can save up to buy one is all. :D

[Evil Avnovice]

Actually I agree with the assessment that the Wii is probably a shorter-lifecycle platform than 360 or PS3 by design. But unlike Smokey McCrack, I think that's exactly what Nintendo needed, to recoup lost buzz and marketshare from the Gamecube days, and put themselves in position to be able to chance a higher-risk (i.e. more technology, hurrrrrr) replacement platform just as MS and Sony's consoles are starting to feel a little... old.

You can't deny that in 2 or 3 years, when HDTV is in many more homes, the Wii is going to look extremely dated. People are going to be playing FFXIII and Gears 2 by then, which are going to just shock and awe our visual cortexes, and they're going to look at the Wii and feel a bit jipped.

The DS can get away with not having the latest tech since it's a handheld system, so less is expected from the technology department.

Specifically as an example, I was saying that while the DS isn't a powerful system, that hasn't stopped developers from supporting it (handheld or otherwise).

Based on what I quoted from Phil Harrison with my first post in this thread, I was replying that for a technically inferior system in terms of specs, over two years have passed since that time, and for what people are dismissing as a gimmick, it's doing well enough, which is where I was trying to tie that response with Phil's remark towards the Wii and its lack of "HD oomph".

Guess I should have been more specific. :o

[Karmakin]

When it comes to graphics, art design is way more important than graphical horsepower. Now, more power may give you a bigger canvas or more colors to work with, but for some design styles, it's going to add very little.

Personally, I'd rather a game with a unique art style, especially a more animated one than a hyper-realistic game. It impresses me more. I'm expecting those games to be on the Wii, thus I own one.

I'm not expecting too many of those games on the 360 or the PS3, because it's a waste of the power of those systems.

[Shodan2020]

I want to hire Phil Harrison.

Why, you got a company you want to drive into the ground with delusions of granduer? :)

[saulob]

Not sure how many Wiis we got in, but they lasted less than an hour. 11 360s were sold (that I know of).

Impressive.

That's Impressive.... it's amazing to see the truth.. thanks fitbabits :)

[sol740]

Lets get this out of the way. I do not plan on purchasing a PS3 until the price/must-have-game ratio hits the sweet spot for me.

That said, anyone calling this guy "crazy" probably doesn't have a job where

1. You have to speak in a public forum about your company, and you actually CARE if you retain your position or not.

and

2. You get paid 6 figures or more for it, specifically for your ability to rep bullshit.

When I oversaw project management/sales for my company, I had to try to make things sound good, that weren't nessesarily so. Its called SPIN. Politicians do it every day to help add a little fuel to the homebase fire. He's given all the Sony fanboys a new buzz-sentance weapon to use. RIIIIIIIIIGHT, I can hear it now.

" Xbox live SUX because its unified. How stupid is *** !!! They don't give their developers FREEDOM like Super_Sony ! "

This guy knows Xbox Live is superior, if for no more reason than because its had time to mature. Though his job is to make that which may not be so good, seem fantasic to the potential buyer.

The hardcore camps (fan-fags) will not be convinced either way, so they're a loss. The enlightened gamer, already knows what he wants and why, and may want a little bit of column B or column C at a later date. Its the more casual gamer that could hear this rubbish and possibly swallow it. That demographic is quite large, and needs to hear this kind of non-sense to make a decision.

[RorschachCCCLX]

the system is selling OK from a GameStop stand point..
even casual gamers have no issue plunking down the cash.
I'm just amazed that Sony was able to play so well a card microsoft couldn't... when the XBOX had better graphics the PS2, It didn't phase the mass market... I got excuses like "I don't like the controler"
But now, the average consumer thinks the PS3 is untouchable.

[Chameleo]

HD TVs will not take off, I think, until there is one, single, unified type (Watch Joe Sixpack turn and walk away when he has to decide between five or six different power levels which he can't tell the difference between of TVs and instead just grab a really big non-HD!), and there are a handful of choices at a more reasonable price. I highly doubt the average person sees any value in them when they can pay one fourth the price for a basic non-HD television set that's the same size (or bigger) than the fancy HD ones.

I know this sounds a bit off of topic, but it just endlessly amuses me how people are so sure that HD will take off 'just around the corner!' when it has so many factors seperating it from the common consumer. :p

i'm in agreement here; though i am very out-of-touch with your average family. I've lived on my own for the past 3 years and just have a small circle of friends - none of which are interested in HDTVs.

I think the HDTV adoption rate will have a lot to do with the format war. HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray. Once there is a clear winner/choice between them, people will start to upgrade their DVD players to HD-DVD or Blu-Ray. Once they've done that, they'll start to read up on HDTVs, the different resolutions, the different types of screens and all that jazz.

I don't think HDTV has really taken off yet; I was in a video store today (for the first time in AGES) and i didnt see an "HD" section. they still have VHS for chrissakes!

HDTVs will eventually replace our current 480i sets; but it'll take a lot longer than many of the "hardcore" think/expect. (my parents' TV is older than me... [i'm 24 for reference])

thats why i think nintendo has gone the right route with the Wii. the other two consoles are in a race to be the "most bleeding edge"; *Right Now*; so you have some games that support 1080p (actually only 1 game) and most others in some HD-limbo between 480p and 1080p. i doubt the current processing power of the two big consoles could run all games at 1080p; the consoles are compatible but the power just isnt there... (see comments made by the devs on resistance as to why it isn't 1080p).

in the next gen; when we have the PS4, the 720 and the Wii2, we'll probably see enough processing power to put all games into 1080p - and by then the HD adoption rate might be close to 50% of homes. Hopefully Nintendo makes enough this round to put out a powerhouse machine then, and we get 1080p zelda, mario and metroid by christmas 2012...

[easi]

This interview is like a barrel full of fish.

With no water.

[civil_dead]

I normally don't condone this, but this is a special occasion: 'Fixed that for ya.'
Thank you.

[civil_dead]

Gah! Every time I try and read this article I can't get past this paragraph (emphasis mine):


BIZ: A lot of gamers, including myself, enjoy the controller's motion sensing at times, but we still miss rumble. If gamers want it and are vocal enough, will Sony reintroduce the force feedback at some point?

PH: We have no plans to do so in the standard controller that ships with PlayStation 3. I believe that the Sixaxis controller offers game designers and developers far more opportunity for future innovation than rumble ever did. Now, rumble I think was the last generation feature; it's not the next-generation feature. I think motion sensitivity is. And we don't see the need to do that. Having said that, there will be specific game function controllers, potentially like steering wheels that do include vibration or feedback function—not from us but from third parties.
You dumkoff! Not having rumble is last-last generation feature! Do you have any idea what it feels like (or doesn't feel like) to play MotorStorm without any rumble? It sucks ass. Great big sloppy donkey ass!

::Goes off mubling to himself::

Stupid dumbass motherfucker...

[Chris_D]

Lets get this out of the way. I do not plan on purchasing a PS3 until the price/must-have-game ratio hits the sweet spot for me.

That said, anyone calling this guy "crazy" probably doesn't have a job ......

When I oversaw project management/sales for my company, I had to try to make things sound good, that weren't nessesarily so. Its called SPIN.

The problem with your argument is that the Sony PR guys have just really sucked at spin lately. I mean, even when you're trying to spin things in a more positive light you need to remain credible. For example, the success of the wii, currently outselling the 360 by quite a bit, is not necessarily a great thing for Microsoft. But instead of trying to deny that success and look foolish doing so, they've spun it such that somehow a successful wii helps their business. Now I'm pretty sure that they don't 100% believe that, but at least they don't come off like Sony's weak rebuttals "imbulse buy", "not relevant" etc.

[drakkarim]

From a personal, first-hand point of view, the Best Buy I'm based at has over 70 PS3s in stock and hasn't sold any in the last week. Unprecedented, indeed.


which is exactly why they can say its unprecedented with a straight face, they're not lying, they're just not specifying WHY its unprecedented and/or to who.

that aside, i do believe in the fact that long term they do stand quite a good chance of wiping the floor with both the 360 and wii. they're probably sitting on another ps2 equivalent product in the future, once prices go down. so perhaps 5 years from now when MS is putting out a new xbox, the ps3 will have a vast library of titles, lower price, and 5 more years of sound developer support.

they're investing for the long term, which is admirable. i'm still not going to buy one within the next 5 years, but i'm sure many more are.

[Fartacus]

I don't know what GC games look particularly better than God of War, FF12 etc.. in fact on average I would say GC games look worse than PS2, particularly cross platform.

I said PS2 graphics look dated compared to GC, not the artwork. Great artwork can distract from the fact that the graphics capability of the platform is weak, and there are several games like GOW and FF12 with great artwork on PS2. But for Resident Evil 4 looks better than the previously 2 mentioned games on GC, and looks better on the GC than on PS2. Where PS2 is particularly weak is lighting. Just about every game for PS2 uses lighting baked into vertices (not even lightmaps), or dynamic vertex lighting, which looks like ass.

Also, with the average wii owner not being a graphics whore, I really don't see where this pressure is coming from to "max out" the wii. As someone else said, why push the system when everyone is perfectly happy with wii sports.

I agree 100%. I expect fun from Wii, and as long as the games deliver I'll be happy with it. I am a graphics whore as far as PC and 360 goes, but I have to have fun along with the shiny graphics.

[Chris_D]

I said PS2 graphics look dated compared to GC, not the artwork. Great artwork can distract from the fact that the graphics capability of the platform is weak, and there are several games like GOW and FF12 with great artwork on PS2. But for Resident Evil 4
.

RE4 is one gamecube game. And I know that FF12 etc. have great art, but they are amazing technically also. The expansive areas in FF12 are so impressive and beautiful, I didn't think it was possible on the ps2 previously. So the GC might be able to crunch more numbers/polygons on paper, but in the end, the games aren't really there to show it, to any great extent.

[TyphoidMarty]

Gah! Every time I try and read this article I can't get past this paragraph (emphasis mine):



You dumkoff! Not having rumble is last-last generation feature! Do you have any idea what it feels like (or doesn't feel like) to play MotorStorm without any rumble? It sucks ass. Great big sloppy donkey ass!

::Goes off mubling to himself::

Stupid dumbass motherfucker...
Hahahahaha don't make me spit coffee out my nose!

[KingGorilla]

http://www.pearsonified.com/images/entries/bitch_slap.jpg

Where's my fuckin' money Phil? Where's my motherfucking money?

[DangerousDaze]

Lol, it's more like:

http://shockingbird.com/glomer2/members/upload/wheres_my_money.jpg

[easi]

We are in dire need of a Joe Pesci gif!

[Evil Avatar]

Has this man even looked in a store before opening his large hole?

I'm sure they do know about the supply and demand issue (tons of supply and almost zero demand) and you can bet that behind the scenes that Sony is just in a full out panic over the slow sales.

This is a company that expected to sell out every launch system, then sell out every system made for 6 months - and still only manage to put about 6 Million system on the store shelves in six months.

They expected to have huge supply problems all the way until May 2007.

Instead they started having excess systems just sitting on store shelves the second week in January and returns from people hoping to scalp systems on Ebay were adding up to almost as many systems as Sony was shipping.

That is a huge problem and the only solution would be to either lower the price or get some "Must Have" title on the shelf.

I'll bet they are regretting putting God of War II on the PS2 right about now. Heh.

The behind-the-scenes memos and meetings going on at Sony must be comedy gold right now.

[sol740]

The problem with your argument is that the Sony PR guys have just really sucked at spin lately. I mean, even when you're trying to spin things in a more positive light you need to remain credible. For example, the success of the wii, currently outselling the 360 by quite a bit, is not necessarily a great thing for Microsoft. But instead of trying to deny that success and look foolish doing so, they've spun it such that somehow a successful wii helps their business. Now I'm pretty sure that they don't 100% believe that, but at least they don't come off like Sony's weak rebuttals "imbulse buy", "not relevant" etc.

I agree with you that Sony's PR is out of touch. Though credibilty still isn't a factor to someone that doesn't even know who he is. Again, hes just trying to put out an argument that the fanboys can use, while still portraying his company's strategy in positive light. I don't think this is the last time we'll hear about the "freedom" Sony's online offering provides to developers.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

It does seem we hear very little about PS3 hardware problems other than the Sixaxis blue tooth connection drops. I can't remember when the 360's starting dying, but it seems like I can't remember a time when they weren't.

Although, my launch day two 360 is still running... **knocks on wood**
Im not so lucky...my launch 360 died and was exchanged with my Gamestop warranty. Now the replacement 360 (after several months) is starting to get louder than hell.