Sony CEO Speaks Out on Future Plans

[fitbabits]

Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net) has posted a rather interesting article (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61581) featuring quotes from a Hollywood Reporter interview with Howard Stringer.

Sony CEO Howard Stringer has revealed the company's plans to dominate the marketplace with a range of high definition products, including forthcoming next generation console the PS3.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Stringer discussed the product range at the heart of Sony's consumer electronics ambitions, confirming that its Cell microprocessor and HD technology would spearhead the next wave of devices.
Some bullish claims in the interview. For a system that's supposed to launch in Spring 2006, there's a worrying lack of hands-on PS3 information coming from Sony.

[The Iron Weasel]

Interesting he said the ps3 will be 300 - 400 dollars, could we have been wrong? And the blueray isn't the only thing that they're taking a loss from. I just spent alot more then that on my damn video card....and soposedly the one in there is better so....

Stringer appears convinced of a victory for Sony in the next generation battle, ending the interview by stating boldly: "Innovation and quality will win the day. Eventually consumers are going to want devices that play everything and everybody's content in the end. And the customer is king. So, I have no doubt that Sony will prevail."

So by his definition Nintendo will win! :)

[Dabombpizza]

I'm still confused by Sony. Either they are more tight lipped than Nintendo on their console plans...or they are extremly stupid, and have no plans. Sony does not seem to be in a good place considering the lack of information on the PS3, the overwhelming hype machine of the X360, and this whole root kit fiasco. Smell that? I think it's a fiscal loss next year.

[Kentor]

Some bullish claims in the interview. For a system that's supposed to launch in Spring 2006, there's a worrying lack of hands-on PS3 information coming from Sony.Clearly a system where all game developers just received their full development tools in October is going to be ready to ship in 4 months.

[Dabombpizza]

Innovation and quality? Is that why we have so many Devil May Cry clones and PS2s break like pinatas?

[see colon]

Innovation and quality? Is that why we have so many Devil May Cry clones and PS2s break like pinatas?
that's just sony's innovative take on the concept of quality.

[Roc Ingersol]

Eventually consumers are going to want devices that play everything and everybody's content in the end.
bwuhahaha.
UMD? MemoryStick? MiniDisc? HiFD? ATRAC3?
Everybody's content.... as long as it comes from Sony.

[Dabombpizza]

that's just sony's innovative take on the concept of quality.

lol! This must be their innovative take on launching a system.

[Zanzibar]

March PS3 launch in Japan?

Heh. Hehehehhehehheheheheh.

Let's do a quick timeline here. X360 hardware was playable HANDS-ON at E3. (Alpha kits, I know, but bear with me here.) E3 was 6 months before the projected November X360 launch. No Microsoft associate demonstrating the levels and carefully avoiding potential crashes; it was 'here's the controller, knock yourself out.'

Tokyo Game Show was in September. That's the same amount of time (6-month window) that is being projected for a PS3 launch in March. What did Sony show at TGS? More prerendered movies. (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6554)

It's all part of a carefully crafted strategy to keep people from buying the X360. 'Just wait,' they say, 'the PS3 will be here shortly. You don't need to buy that other gaming system. It'll be here in March. Honest.' Then March comes, no PS3, then they say 'But it's only another 3 or 4 months. You've waited this long, surely you can wait just another few months for the top-quality you expect of Sony?'

Anyone who passes on the X360 because they're expecting a PS3 to launch in the first half of 2006 is a sucker.

[Schnoogs]

Clearly a system where all game developers just received their full development tools in October is going to be ready to ship in 4 months.

Wasn't that the same for the 360 though...weren't they using G5s and emulators up until summertime which is DAMN close to the launch date.

Just playing devils advocate

[Kentor]

Wasn't that the same for the 360 though...weren't they using G5s and emulators up until summertime which is DAMN close to the launch date.Not having final hardware until late is typical for quite a few fields, but the thing is that MS had full development tools and nearly final platform SDKs available quite early in the 360 development cycle including documentation. Sony didn't ship their full development tools until October.

It's one thing to not have final hardware, it's another thing to not have final hardware and not have solid tools.

[Heretic Machine]

Not buying the PS3, Sony. Sorry kid's, though I planned on buy several of their products in the coming months (SWG, PSP, first party titles... etc) their DRM fiasco has officially made them into the evil corporation everyone likes to pretend that Microsoft is. Besides that, I've seen no reason to be excited about the PS3.

[NoName]

Wasn't that the same for the 360 though...weren't they using G5s and emulators up until summertime which is DAMN close to the launch date.

Just playing devils advocate
But did sony give powerful computers with a PS3 cell emulator before October, or was the October kits the first development kits given...

[Citizen Philip]

Not buying the PS3, Sony. Sorry kid's, though I planned on buy several of their products in the coming months (SWG, PSP, first party titles... etc) their DRM fiasco has officially made them into the evil corporation everyone likes to pretend that Microsoft is. Besides that, I've seen no reason to be excited about the PS3.

Oh cmon, now. They both suck, but not about the same things. Picking Microsoft or Sony is like deciding which eyeball you want plucked by a Raven: either way you aren't going to be happy.

[Kentor]

Oh cmon, now. They both suck, but not about the same things. Picking Microsoft or Sony is like deciding which eyeball you want plucked by a Raven: either way you aren't going to be happy.Isn't the solution then not to get either until there is say.... I dunno, a reason to buy one?

[fitbabits]

Isn't the solution then not to get either until there is say.... I dunno, a reason to buy one?
Or, you could buy a Revolution!

[Hg-203]

Anyone know what the status of the PS 3 dev kits are? I know MS had the beta kits out a month or two ago. If Sony plans on pushing out the PS 3's by March shouldn't there be at least an alpha kit for the dev's yet?

[Heretic Machine]

Oh cmon, now. They both suck, but not about the same things. Picking Microsoft or Sony is like deciding which eyeball you want plucked by a Raven: either way you aren't going to be happy.

I'm actually quite unhappy with all of the first-party companies right now, but there is a big difference between pissing me off with a crappy product and infuriating me by distributing viruses under the guise of copyright protection. And have no doubt, Sony's DRM is malicious software, and should be considered a virus, therefore illegal in many countries.

[Zanzibar]

Anyone know what the status of the PS 3 dev kits are? I know MS had the beta kits out a month or two ago. If Sony plans on pushing out the PS 3's by March shouldn't there be at least an alpha kit for the dev's yet?

I had that same question. Anyone?

BTW, X360 Beta boxes were out right after E3. The final hardware boxes were the ones that arrived a month or two ago.

[Dracula-X]

Anyone know what the status of the PS 3 dev kits are? I know MS had the beta kits out a month or two ago. If Sony plans on pushing out the PS 3's by March shouldn't there be at least an alpha kit for the dev's yet?
They had over 100 early development kits out to developers in June. Production of devkits was supposed to ramp up to 3000 per month as of October.

[CrysDark]

March PS3 launch in Japan?

Heh. Hehehehhehehheheheheh.

Let's do a quick timeline here. X360 hardware was playable HANDS-ON at E3. (Alpha kits, I know, but bear with me here.) E3 was 6 months before the projected November X360 launch. No Microsoft associate demonstrating the levels and carefully avoiding potential crashes; it was 'here's the controller, knock yourself out.'

Tokyo Game Show was in September. That's the same amount of time (6-month window) that is being projected for a PS3 launch in March. What did Sony show at TGS? More prerendered movies. (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6554)

It's all part of a carefully crafted strategy to keep people from buying the X360. 'Just wait,' they say, 'the PS3 will be here shortly. You don't need to buy that other gaming system. It'll be here in March. Honest.' Then March comes, no PS3, then they say 'But it's only another 3 or 4 months. You've waited this long, surely you can wait just another few months for the top-quality you expect of Sony?'

Anyone who passes on the X360 because they're expecting a PS3 to launch in the first half of 2006 is a sucker.


I am passing, because in 6-9 months when the ps3 ships the x-360 will cut thier price, and I'll get mine for 50-100 dollars less than the early adopters. I don't think that makes me a sucker.

[fitbabits]

I am passing, because in 6-9 months when the ps3 ships the x-360 will cut thier price, and I'll get mine for 50-100 dollars less than the early adopters. I don't think that makes me a sucker.
All the while you'll have missed between 6 and 9 months of quality gaming. You'll never get those months back and all the next generation excitement will have waned by then. It will be 0ld n00z, or something. :rolleyes:

[Citizen Philip]

I'm actually quite unhappy with all of the first-party companies right now, but there is a big difference between pissing me off with a crappy product and infuriating me by distributing viruses under the guise of copyright protection. And have no doubt, Sony's DRM is malicious software, and should be considered a virus, therefore illegal in many countries.

When someone says crappy software, monopoly, cut-throat business tactics at the expensive of product development and innovation, only one company comes to mind, for me, at least.

As much as Sony and Microsoft like molesting each other in the electronic game market, they both totally have their boots under the same bed in other areas.

I don't recall the previous and on-going problems with Microsoft Internet Explorer or Windows Media Player being any better than malware.

[Rakael]

Hell, I still have many months of quality gaming on the current systems. There seems to be a ton of RPG's that I missed out on this gen, and those alone will take up a few months of solid play, not to mention the other genre's I have to catch up on.

[Rakael]

BTW, if you haven't played SMT: Nocturne, do yourself a huge favor and pick this puppy up.

[Dabombpizza]

I don't recall the previous and on-going problems with Microsoft Internet Explorer or Windows Media Player being any better than malware.

Except for the fact you knew that Windows Media Player or IE are explicitly installed, and if you read up on it you know the potential security risks. Sony installs software on your computer without your permission or any traces that it exists. Not even an uninstaller! This goes far beyond anything *** has done, especially the whole opening up the door to shit your AV and Spysweeper can't even see. Not to mention creating a method for hackers and cheaters to fuck up MMOs.

EDIT: In addition, when Windows fucks up, it's microsoft creating a crappy product. When you play an audio cd, that shouldn't be installing software, and it fucks your system up, that's Sony creating a product that breaks Microsofts crappy product. Poor analogy, likening Media Player to rootkits does not apply.

[alienchild]

ok, I'm gonna be totally honest here... there's a first for everything; I love to hate Sony. I love to hate Microsoft. I love to love the outsider, Nintendo. But I hate most games that have been released on Gamecube, and I love the ones on the two other consoles... and, I have bought all consoles except the Atari Jaguar since the NES/Sega fight.

Now, I was planning on buying all three consoles this time but waiting with the Revolution until I saw that developers that I like were backing it up with more than 1 game. But honestly - after that Sony DRM I am so insanely angry to a point where I want to take my PS1 and PSOne (same system, but I gotta catch'em all!) and PS2 outside and vomit on them before I set them on fire. Might be hard to light it on fire with vomit all over it, but thats nothing gasoline wouldnt fix. Now, I'm passing up PS3. Thanks Sony, but fuck you. We aren't allowed to play CDs at my workplace anymore unless we bring like a boomblaster or something. That is because of you. Fuck your products and fuck your politics. The only time I have pirated music was when it was some obscure shit I couldnt get hold of, not even on ebay, and although thats not an excuse - I'm now gonna fucking share all my Sony CDs on Kazaa. I'm sure this 10mb connection pumping out your stuff will cost ya a couple of bucks.

No PS3. I'm boycotting Sony. Hail Xbox360 and perhaps a lil hail to the Revolution too.

And yes, I know this post was immature and porely written, but Im just so fucking frustrated by the fact that this shit has actually altered 8 hours of my normal days. I cant fucking afford a boomblaster, I just bought speakers for my computer. And now I cant listen to the music I PAYED for because the assholes I payed stabbed me in the FUCKING BACK!

[Maskatron]

I am passing, because in 6-9 months when the ps3 ships the x-360 will cut thier price, and I'll get mine for 50-100 dollars less than the early adopters. I don't think that makes me a sucker.

Doing the same. There's nothing in the X360 launch line-up that seems worth the expense yet (IMO), especially since I'm still getting a lot of mileage out of the current gen.

Although personally I don't think PS3 will be out for another year.

[fitbabits]

ok, I'm gonna be totally honest here... there's a first for everything; I love to hate Sony. I love to hate Microsoft. I love to love the outsider, Nintendo. But I hate most games that have been released on Gamecube, and I love the ones on the two other consoles... and, I have bought all consoles except the Atari Jaguar since the NES/Sega fight.

Now, I was planning on buying all three consoles this time but waiting with the Revolution until I saw that developers that I like were backing it up with more than 1 game. But honestly - after that Sony DRM I am so insanely angry to a point where I want to take my PS1 and PSOne (same system, but I gotta catch'em all!) and PS2 outside and vomit on them before I set them on fire. Might be hard to light it on fire with vomit all over it, but thats nothing gasoline wouldnt fix. Now, I'm passing up PS3. Thanks Sony, but fuck you. We aren't allowed to play CDs at my workplace anymore unless we bring like a boomblaster or something. That is because of you. Fuck your products and fuck your politics. The only time I have pirated music was when it was some obscure shit I couldnt get hold of, not even on ebay, and although thats not an excuse - I'm now gonna fucking share all my Sony CDs on Kazaa. I'm sure this 10mb connection pumping out your stuff will cost ya a couple of bucks.

No PS3. I'm boycotting Sony. Hail Xbox360 and perhaps a lil hail to the Revolution too.

And yes, I know this post was immature and porely written, but Im just so fucking frustrated by the fact that this shit has actually altered 8 hours of my normal days. I cant fucking afford a boomblaster, I just bought speakers for my computer. And now I cant listen to the music I PAYED for because the assholes I payed stabbed me in the FUCKING BACK!
And....breathe! :D

[Dabombpizza]

And yes, I know this post was immature and porely written, but Im just so fucking frustrated by the fact that this shit has actually altered 8 hours of my normal days. I cant fucking afford a boomblaster, I just bought speakers for my computer. And now I cant listen to the music I PAYED for because the assholes I payed stabbed me in the FUCKING BACK!

Perhaps you could bring a mem stick with some mp3s on it into work? Just a suggestion to help your plight.

[bean19]

Can one of you editor types add the most interesting quote from this story:


"The reason Sony has suddenly gained support for Blu-ray is simple," the executive said.

PS3 is a subsidised Blu-Ray play that will sell 20 million units. The first HD player will be on the market for USD 1,000. PS3 could be at USD 300 or USD 400. Sony will be selling them at a loss the first six months to a year just to get Blu-Ray players out in the market."

That's a Sony exec saying that they might take a loss on the PS3 and sell at $300 to $400 with the marketing strategy of selling the Blu-Ray device. They are looking to make their money from HD Blu-Ray movies and are willing to sell the PS3 at a loss to entrench support for Blu-Ray.

That's huge news considering it is from the mouth of a Sony exec.

[fitbabits]

Can one of you editor types add the most interesting quote from this story:

That's a Sony exec saying that they might take a loss on the PS3 and sell at $300 to $400 with the marketing strategy of selling the Blu-Ray device. They are looking to make their money from HD Blu-Ray movies and are willing to sell the PS3 at a loss to entrench support for Blu-Ray.

That's huge news considering it is from the mouth of a Sony exec.
Little point given that it's in the main article and you also just quoted it. The purpose of putting links in news posts is so that people can go read them for themselves.

It is huge news, though.

[Heretic Machine]

When someone says crappy software, monopoly, cut-throat business tactics at the expensive of product development and innovation, only one company comes to mind, for me, at least.


Nintendo?

Oh, let me guess, you were one of those people who slept through the 16-bit era and don't realize that the beloved Nintendo was slaughtering the game industry with their licensing fees and their back-seat developing.

[bapenguin]

I will be very happy if the PS3 comes out at 400 bucks. I just don't see it happening...unless it's some sort of stripped down version or something.

[Dabombpizza]

Nintendo?

Oh, let me guess, you were one of those people who slept through the 16-bit era and don't realize that the beloved Nintendo was slaughtering the game industry with their licensing fees and their back-seat developing.

Yes, and the Germans were Nazis in WW2. Can we concentrate on what's going on?

[RMan]

All the while you'll have missed between 6 and 9 months of quality gaming. You'll never get those months back and all the next generation excitement will have waned by then. It will be 0ld n00z, or something. :rolleyes:
Hehe, maybe he's one of those crazy gamers that doesn't rate a game's quality based on the hype surrounding it. So far the games that will be avilable are just not impressive unless you just automatically love all things new, waiting seems like the best way to save money and valuable time (time otherwise spent on weak launch titles).

[fitbabits]

I will be very happy if the PS3 comes out at 400 bucks. I just don't see it happening...unless it's some sort of stripped down version or something.
The whole $400 thing strikes me as Sony back peddling now that the Xbox 360 is so close to release. It's interesting that Sony have gone from a very bullish 'you'll want to work extra just to afford the PS3' to 'but look, we'll sell it for $400 - and it will be better than the Xbox 360 - look, it's got Blu-Ray - and it may even play some PS2 games - and it's SONY, dammit'

There's a power shift happening and Sony are too proud and ignorant to even realize it.

[RMan]

I will be very happy if the PS3 comes out at 400 bucks. I just don't see it happening...unless it's some sort of stripped down version or something.
I'm not sure why this is unreasonable, I mean, the Xbox started selling at a high loss, why would Sony not be willing to do the same? I think they both know what's at stake, and the idea that the PS3 will sell at substantially more than the 360 is, well, wrong.

[fitbabits]

Hehe, maybe he's one of those crazy gamers that doesn't rate a game's quality based on the hype surrounding it. So far the games that will be avilable are just not impressive unless you just automatically love all things new, waiting seems like the best way to save money and valuable time (time otherwise spent on weak launch titles).
But I love all things new and shiny! Because as a gamer I'm part of the industry and I want it to succeed. And J. Allard is hotter than the devil's crotch. :rolleyes:

[Achilles]

I will be very happy if the PS3 comes out at 400 bucks. I just don't see it happening...unless it's some sort of stripped down version or something.I can see $400. Think of it this way, the 360 at $400 comes with a wireless controller, headset, Ethernet cable, Universal Remote, 30 day Live trial, and hard drive. The PS3 at $400 would only have to come with what they’ve shown so far, which is a wireless controller. That’s got to be saving them at least $80 which I imagine is more than the price of the Blu-ray drive and the 8 zillion useless plugs.

I realize that it looks like Sony has no plan, not for online and not for a launch lineup or getting developer support, other than just being Sony. Their killer apps are MGS4 and DMC2, neither of which I’m particularly interested in, and they don’t even have confirmed support from NIS and Squeenix. But they’re the only console that will support my TV’s full definition… darnit.

[bean19]

The whole $400 thing strikes me as Sony back peddling now that the Xbox 360 is so close to release. It's interesting that Sony have gone from a very bullish 'you'll want to work extra just to afford the PS3' to 'but look, we'll sell it for $400 - and it will be better than the Xbox 360 - look, it's got Blu-Ray - and it may even play some PS2 games - and it's SONY, dammit'

There's a power shift happening and Sony are too proud and ignorant to even realize it.

Or it could be motivated by exactly what they are saying. There is probably huge money to be made with HD video. If they take a dollar from every Blu-Ray HD video made, that would create truck loads of money for them. Plus, they get money from the sale of stand-alone Blue-Ray players and for computer Blu-Ray players. Additionally, it has the potential of sticking around for 10 to 20 years as they can expand up to 100 MB/disc, perhaps more.

Of course, that is only if they can get their data transfer rate up too. It wont' be much of a gaming device if it can only play DVD games due to the (currently) poor transfer rate of the Blu-Ray. . . well, not unless they really change things by always having a hard-drive to install the game portion of games onto (read the game from the hard drive and the high definition movies from the Blu-Ray).

[agentgray]

But I love all things new and shiny! Because as a gamer I'm part of the industry and I want it to succeed. And J. Allard is hotter than the devil's crotch. :rolleyes:
You know this, firsthand?

Pun intended.

:D

Back on topic. This news is non-event for me in light of recent Sony events. The screams of BOYCOTT! BOYCOT! seem to have a lot more punch behind them. In regards to the PS3 sony is dropping the ball. Once again, an exec is blowing smoke. They push standards and make all content universal. WHAT? Everything they use is proprietary.

I've talked with quite a few peers in my field who are getting rid of anything Sony right and left. I've never seen anything like it. This mass number of people I know that are doing this.

The scary thing is that we are all checking other copy-protected media that we use in office. Why? If one music publisher is doing it...

[Dabombpizza]

I believe the PS2 was such a hot seller initially because it offered the convergence of a DVD player and a gaming system right out of the box, something neither MS or Nintendo could offer. Not only that, but it was around the same price as regular DVD players. It seems that Sony may be trying this tactic again if Blu-Ray players are launching at $1000 and a PS3 can be purchased for $400. Just like the PSP launched with the guise of a video game machine and then turned into a UMD player, we may be looking at the same fate for the PS3: Multimedia first, gaming second.

[Kelegacy]

All the while you'll have missed between 6 and 9 months of quality gaming. You'll never get those months back and all the next generation excitement will have waned by then. It will be 0ld n00z, or something. :rolleyes:

No, we wont have missed anything. We wont have to play the waiting game for new games, because we'll have a huge amount of discounted titles to choose from. Plus, there is always the PS2 and Xbox to satiate our hunger until the new systems arrive.

Me, I always think the early adopters are the suckers.

[Dabombpizza]

Me, I always think the early adopters are the suckers.

Only if you hate amazingly shitty and short games and consoles that break two weeks after purchase.

Eternal Ring 4ever! Oh wait..I can't play it because I have an I/O error...

[Kelegacy]

I think Sony should take the cheap way out and make PS2 games that are highly anticipated like FF12 PS3 launch titles. MS did it with PDZ and Kameo, so why can't Sony follow their example? I know that FF12 would decimate any sales numbers that the Xbox 360 launch titles have managed.

Also, this way they could release the console earlier. I wouldn't give a shit that FF12 and other highly anticipated titles were developed for the PS2 and the graphics weren't completely next-gen...because I'd finally get to play them!

[Rakael]

I was an early adopter of the PS2, and while I did have a little bit of fun, it wasn't until years later that I really got the most out of my purchase. I have to agree with Kel here, early adopters are the suckers, especially this gen with all the smoke and mirrors.

[Roc Ingersol]

The PS2's DVD player didn't require you to have an expensive new TV to appreciate it.
Any average 19" in a dorm room got the benefits of digital DVD media improvements over the analog VHS.

Sure, the people with HD TVs might pick up the ps2 as a blu ray player - but they aren't as big a chunk of the market this go-round.

[fitbabits]

No, we wont have missed anything. We wont have to play the waiting game for new games, because we'll have a huge amount of discounted titles to choose from. Plus, there is always the PS2 and Xbox to satiate our hunger until the new systems arrive.

Me, I always think the early adopters are the suckers.
Excuse my sarcasm. :eek:

[bean19]

Me, I always think the early adopters are the suckers.

Yeah, but that's because you are poor. Do you eat pot pie?

Seriously though, I tend to agree with you even though I'm one of the suckers. However, I've also been on the other end of this. . . It really sucks when there are great games that you want to play, but can't play them because you don't own the system.

Don't try to tell me that you won't feel the hurt when ES: Oblivion comes out, or when you can't play Enchant Arm, or [insert cool new X360 title here]. There is enough stuff coming out in the first 2 months of the X360 release that virtually EVERY gamer will have something that they wish they could play.

Also, while I'd like to wait for a price drop, the reality is that I don't think there will be an X360 price drop until shortly before the PS3 launch, and that it won't be more than $100. I'd totally pay $100 to get to play the new system for that 4 to 12 months (I don't think a spring release is going to happen for the PS3, and if it did happen, I'd be very worried about the technology).

Karma may find you playing some killer game at a store kiosk after the system is released, but *gasp* you won't be able to find one to purchase, and you'll go surfing ebay only to frown and NOT be able to buy one for $600 as you can't get past what a ripoff that is. :)

Then you'll go to the shower and watch your tears being swept away with the soapy water and your dreams into the drain.

[Kelegacy]

Hell, I still have many months of quality gaming on the current systems. There seems to be a ton of RPG's that I missed out on this gen, and those alone will take up a few months of solid play, not to mention the other genre's I have to catch up on.
Ditto ditto ditto! I'll love the lull in the PS2/Xbox era...if there is much of one. I'll still be busy with the current gen for a long time. I have lots I haven't had time for, what with having a life and all.

BTW, if you haven't played SMT: Nocturne, do yourself a huge favor and pick this puppy up. And I convert another! But remember, I am just a messenger from Gaming Heaven, bearing the gift of euphoric gaming. Do not confuse me for Digital Yaweh himself. That would be blasphemy and you'd be smited.

[Kentor]

They had over 100 early development kits out to developers in June. Production of devkits was supposed to ramp up to 3000 per month as of October.Those June evalkits are hardly what I would call devkits.

[CrysDark]

Yeah, but that's because you are poor. Do you eat pot pie?

Seriously though, I tend to agree with you even though I'm one of the suckers. However, I've also been on the other end of this. . . It really sucks when there are great games that you want to play, but can't play them because you don't own the system.

Don't try to tell me that you won't feel the hurt when ES: Oblivion comes out, or when you can't play Enchant Arm, or [insert cool new X360 title here]. There is enough stuff coming out in the first 2 months of the X360 release that virtually EVERY gamer will have something that they wish they could play.

Also, while I'd like to wait for a price drop, the reality is that I don't think there will be an X360 price drop until shortly before the PS3 launch, and that it won't be more than $100. I'd totally pay $100 to get to play the new system for that 4 to 12 months (I don't think a spring release is going to happen for the PS3, and if it did happen, I'd be very worried about the technology).

Karma may find you playing some killer game at a store kiosk after the system is released, but *gasp* you won't be able to find one to purchase, and you'll go surfing ebay only to frown and NOT be able to buy one for $600 as you can't get past what a ripoff that is. :)

Then you'll go to the shower and watch your tears being swept away with the soapy water and your dreams into the drain.


Mistwalkers games are not comming out until next Christmass, DoAX-2 won't be out till around the same time. Other than those two games nothing on the release time line interests me. I can wait.

The only thing I am interested in, is the media-center extender, so I can stream movies from my PC to my nice TV. I can wait for that too.

[Kelegacy]

Excuse my sarcasm. :eek:
But you guys perform a valuable service to gamers everywhere by purchasing launch systems. You guys are like the gaming marines: the first ones in, the first to battle, but you guys also pay the highest price by suffering the largest casualties.

I tip my hat to you brother.

Sincerely,

Kelegacy
Sergeant 3rd Class
69th Adventure/RPG division

[Citizen Philip]

Except for the fact you knew that Windows Media Player or IE are explicitly installed, and if you read up on it you know the potential security risks. Sony installs software on your computer without your permission or any traces that it exists. Not even an uninstaller! This goes far beyond anything *** has done, especially the whole opening up the door to shit your AV and Spysweeper can't even see. Not to mention creating a method for hackers and cheaters to fuck up MMOs.

EDIT: In addition, when Windows fucks up, it's microsoft creating a crappy product. When you play an audio cd, that shouldn't be installing software, and it fucks your system up, that's Sony creating a product that breaks Microsofts crappy product. Poor analogy, likening Media Player to rootkits does not apply.

If you feel the need to describe how the distinct smell of one pile of crap over another, feel free.

It stinks, I don't need to know the specifics.

[Rakael]

Kelegacy
Sergeant 3rd Class
69th Adventure/RPG division



That should be your sig man.

[Citizen Philip]

Nintendo?

Oh, let me guess, you were one of those people who slept through the 16-bit era and don't realize that the beloved Nintendo was slaughtering the game industry with their licensing fees and their back-seat developing.

I'm not going to worry about 16-bit right now. I'm going to worry about what I want to purchase in the next 6-12 months. The companies suck, they suck for different reasons. Is Microsoft not like Nintendo, back in the 80s?

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Nintendo?

Oh, let me guess, you were one of those people who slept through the 16-bit era and don't realize that the beloved Nintendo was slaughtering the game industry with their licensing fees and their back-seat developing.


Jesus dude, let it go. That was 12-15 years ago. We're talking about today, and Sony's shit pile is definitely the highest. I'd say MS' is easily the second highest, though they've calmed down a bit since the 90s. Nintendo's shit pile is easily the lowest these days. Hard to stir up much shit when you have the smallest shovel.


I will be very happy if the PS3 comes out at 400 bucks. I just don't see it happening...unless it's some sort of stripped down version or something.

I really don't get this notion that the PS3 is somehow going to come out with a $700 or similar pricetag. Sure Ken said it, but Ken's not exactly living on ol' planet Earth. Sony knows that pricing the console any higher than $400 would be suicide.


Then you'll go to the shower and watch your tears being swept away with the soapy water and your dreams into the drain.

Don't forget semen. Plenty of that sailing down the shower drain. ;)

[Kelegacy]

Yeah, but that's because you are poor. Do you eat pot pie?

While I'd like to eat pot pie, I'd only eat homemade stuff, because the things you buy in stores are filled with crazy amounts of fat. And no, I'm not poor. But I am the type that beats a game in a weekend and then is hungry for something new. I don't want to be playing Halo 2 on my Xbox 360 after beating Kameo and PDZ. Those are the only two titles worth buying right now, and PDZ is a FPS...meaning I'll beat it in a day or a tiny bit more. If I wait, I can't lose. I have great willpower. I was always an impulsive lad in my younger days, needing the newest stuff as soon as possible, but as an adult I know that patience is a virtue. Also, when I finally got around to buying my PS2, I bought about 10 games or so with it, for about 60-70 bucks. Now THAT's a lot of gaming for a tiny bit of cash.

EDIT: And I hope that the PS3 really is all that and more. The PS2 is far and away my favorite console this round, but I'm still not buying a PS3 at launch. I'm a fan, not a fanboy. Plus, I'm not really a huge DVD buyer, so the BR thing wont benefit me for a little bit, so I don't need it right away. I hope all 3 companies battle fervently this round and the consumer wins in spades.

[Kelegacy]

Another question: is the 60+ dollar price tag for games a thing that MS is trying out, or is it console worldwide? I think Sony could bagtag MS a bit if they release games for a normal 50 bucks rather than MS's attempts to inflate the price of games, after no increases for nearly 30 years. It would definitely force MS to bring the price of games back down, that's for damn sure.

Then again, is it even up to MS and Sony? Is it just the publishers doing this?

[Dracula-X]

Those June evalkits are hardly what I would call devkits.
Based on what exactly? They're referred to as 'development kits' in every article I've read.

They're the same kits Epic must have used to get Unreal Engine 3 running in realtime on real hardware (Sweeney's words) back in march through may.

If you've the skinny otherwise, fill us in.

[Rakael]

If $60+ is the new norm, I'll be buying a shitload more used/reduced price games.

[Achilles]

Another question: is the 60+ dollar price tag for games a thing that MS is trying out, or is it console worldwide? I think Sony could bagtag MS a bit if they release games for a normal 50 bucks rather than MS's attempts to inflate the price of games, after no increases for nearly 30 years. It would definitely force MS to bring the price of games back down, that's for damn sure.

Then again, is it even up to MS and Sony? Is it just the publishers doing this?The publishers can set the price of their games. I believe that MS first party games will still be $50, not sure if that jives with what EB is saying, but that's what I hear.

Actually it does jive:
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/258818.asp
MS is giving you more when asking for the extra $10 in the form of a special edition. I think this is a great idea.

[total]

Sony seems to be pushing the media more than the games this round. I know my PSP has a pretty fucking ugly catalog of games to look at, but plenty of UMD movies to watch. As a gamer, this hasn't exactly kept me very happy, as the system has so much potential and such a lackluster catalog. I bought it to play games, not to watch movies.

You have to remember that Sony is a media empire, not a game company. Microsoft has put themselves in the same boat recently, but seem to anchor their game console to, well games (and putting gamers from around the world in the same room via TEH INTRAWEB). Sony seems to be pushing their movie division with their gaming division, which (for the PSP at least) seems to dilute the games coming out for the system. Don't get me wrong, I love my PS2, but my PSP has been one of the worst purchases I've made in gaming.

I know I can say that I won't be purchasing a PS3 until I can get it damn cheap with my PS2 trade in. I don't see anything that I must have for the X360. The media extender doesn't impress me in the slightest as my Xbox can already do it. XBMC is one of the best pieces of software ever made for the Xbox, and if you haven't modded your box to use it you are really missing out. Being able to pull movies, videos, or mp3s from my server or off the web is an awesome feature that no Xbox owner should miss out on.

So in the end, the current gen is keeping me plenty happy. Sony isn't winning me over with any of their media capabilities, so they better start focusing on the gaming side of the system. With everything Sony has against them, it is going to be tough to pull me back as a customer.

[Zanzibar]

I was an early adopter of the PS2, and while I did have a little bit of fun, it wasn't until years later that I really got the most out of my purchase. I have to agree with Kel here, early adopters are the suckers, especially this gen with all the smoke and mirrors.

I was a launch-day Xbox owner, with Halo, Munch's Odyssee, Project Gotham Racing, and Air Force Delta Storm. Best fucking gaming experience I ever had. I was USELESS at work for about 2 weeks from being bleary-eyed. Yeah, over Christmas I got a few crappy titles (Cel Damage, anyone?) but overall I'm glad I dove in.

Granted, apart from Kameo, PDZ and COD2, there's not much for the 360, so I can understand people's hesitance this time around.

[Kelegacy]

The publishers can set the price of their games. I believe that MS first party games will still be $50, not sure if that jives with what EB is saying, but that's what I hear.

Actually it does jive:
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/258818.asp
MS is giving you more when asking for the extra $10 in the form of a special edition. I think this is a great idea.

Extras? I can do without t-shirts and mugs, or whatever other gaming swag they give away. I just want the game, so I'll never buy a "special edition" unless it comes with a blowjob. Or gives me something more than the standard "special case" or crap I'll never use.

[Achilles]

Extras? I can do without t-shirts and mugs, or whatever other gaming swag they give away. I just want the game, so I'll never buy a "special edition" unless it comes with a blowjob. Or gives me something more than the standard "special case" or crap I'll never use.Um, well maybe they should just do what the other companies do and not give you an option; just sell you the non-special edition at $60. Would that be better?

What I'm saying is that it's cool they at least give you a special case for your extra $10, because the other guys aren't doing that. And if you don't want it, which you clearly don't, than you don't have to buy it. You can still get the game for $50, but the people who do like special cases help subsidize the increased production costs in the same way as everyone is forced to when buying from a publisher that charges $60.

[agentgray]

Sony seems to be pushing the media more than the games this round. I know my PSP has a pretty fucking ugly catalog of games to look at, but plenty of UMD movies to watch.
Exactly. The reason I traded it in. The DRM was the last straw. (I had already done it). Using the PSP as a game player has become a loss.

They're gonna do the same with Blue-ray. I honestly think Sony helped push the DVD market with the PS2. They do it with all thier products.

I'ts gonna be like betamax all over again.

[The Iron Weasel]

If $60+ is the new norm, I'll be buying a shitload more used/reduced price games.

Welcome to canadian game prices motha fucka! :)

[alienchild]

I appreciate the help but my boss thinks that mp3 == illegal. Yet another product of corporate propaganda. If it hadn't been for that I could just save my music on my HD at work :(

[Wonka]

I have also heard that the $60 pricepoint is something that the big publishers like EA have been pushing for.

My best guess is that MS, Nintendo and Sony will try to price their games at $50 initially in an effort to not piss off new customers. (Rumor has it that this is already the way things will generally go, with MS offering a $50 normal version and a $60 deluxe version of their 1st party 360 games).

Anyhow I expect that later, when these 1st party companies have a 1st party title that they know everyone REALLY REALLY wants (like a Mario, Halo or GT) they will charge $60 for it, and then never go back...

[Morratut]

All the while you'll have missed between 6 and 9 months of quality gaming. You'll never get those months back and all the next generation excitement will have waned by then. It will be 0ld n00z, or something. :rolleyes:

Very true Fitbabits. You don't get the whoo hoo hype. Saving £50 just isn't worth missing out on all the 1st day goodness :D

Sony have lost me too as a customer. I'm very very dissapointed with the lack of online strategy for the PS3.

[bjornbarspingvinen]

The PS1 was a great piece of hardware, but the ps2 was not that great, and the whole emotion engine "movielike gfx" was pure BS. I think sony has a great PR machine,and like EA, they can sell shit in a box and people would still buy it. Let´s see how great the PS3 actually is, but I doubt it will be in quality like the prerendered games they have shown. But who knows, maybe it will impress me like the ps1 did.