Sony plays anti-PR card again in new generation. Aims to dismiss Xbox 360
Market leader risks all on brand awareness and a forgetful public
It’s not really a secret that Sony’s message to the public at the dawn of the present generation of home videogame hardware was somewhat disingenuous. It promised performance on a massive scale, advising you to avoid Sega’s Dreamcast and simply wait a few months for a games machine that would exceed your wildest expectations.
It did not deliver on its promises. SCE delivered a limited run of machines, many of which were faulty. The first generation of software also proved to be a massive letdown, not matching the offerings of Sega and its bleeding edge ports of Naomi titles for almost a year. Why did this tactic work? People wanted to believe. They wanted to believe in the power of PlayStation and the brand strength of the world’s largest manufacturer of consumer electronics. Even in a market in which the Sony machine offered little software of any worth, demand for PlayStation 2 hardware far outstripped that of the Sega machine. A lifestyle-driven purchase decision based around a radical design concept saw looks trample content. As we've already stated, this is not a secret. Yet Sony looks set to play the same cards in the new hand of videogaming.
Speaking of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console to Impress PC Watch, SCEI chief Ken Kutaragi said, “The approach of adopting multiple, all-purpose processors will just raise integer calculation capabilities, that will only benefit general applications. This approach will increase the machine's capabilities as an all-purpose computer, but it won't change the type of entertainment,” hinting that the PlayStation 3 has a lot more to offer than gaming in its current state enhanced, much in the same way Nintendo is promising a device that will ‘Revolutionise’ the industry with its input device.
This line echoes the more direct attacks of American SCE CEO Kazuo Hirai, who said, “…the Xbox 360 is more of an Xbox 1.5 than a next generation console.”
Of course, Sony has to play this game and in the emerging generation of hardware, it well may be right to. The generational cycle time from Xbox to Xbox 360 is unprecedented, shaving around two years off Sony’s PlayStation 2 to PS3 upgrade. In an industry in which many argue that the chase of technological strength will yield diminishing returns in content quality, perhaps this time SCE is right to target Microsoft’s somewhat rushed marketplace gun-jumper.
Of course, now it’s up to Sony to deliver a machine that truly does expand the wider expectiations of a home console, rather than promises of synthesizing emotional worlds that turn out to be more of the same but with a few more triangles.
Or perhaps even Nintendo for that matter.
Stick with SPOnG for all things next-gen, right here, as they break. And remember to let us know what you think in the forum below.
It did not deliver on its promises. SCE delivered a limited run of machines, many of which were faulty. The first generation of software also proved to be a massive letdown, not matching the offerings of Sega and its bleeding edge ports of Naomi titles for almost a year. Why did this tactic work? People wanted to believe. They wanted to believe in the power of PlayStation and the brand strength of the world’s largest manufacturer of consumer electronics. Even in a market in which the Sony machine offered little software of any worth, demand for PlayStation 2 hardware far outstripped that of the Sega machine. A lifestyle-driven purchase decision based around a radical design concept saw looks trample content. As we've already stated, this is not a secret. Yet Sony looks set to play the same cards in the new hand of videogaming.
Speaking of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console to Impress PC Watch, SCEI chief Ken Kutaragi said, “The approach of adopting multiple, all-purpose processors will just raise integer calculation capabilities, that will only benefit general applications. This approach will increase the machine's capabilities as an all-purpose computer, but it won't change the type of entertainment,” hinting that the PlayStation 3 has a lot more to offer than gaming in its current state enhanced, much in the same way Nintendo is promising a device that will ‘Revolutionise’ the industry with its input device.
This line echoes the more direct attacks of American SCE CEO Kazuo Hirai, who said, “…the Xbox 360 is more of an Xbox 1.5 than a next generation console.”
Of course, Sony has to play this game and in the emerging generation of hardware, it well may be right to. The generational cycle time from Xbox to Xbox 360 is unprecedented, shaving around two years off Sony’s PlayStation 2 to PS3 upgrade. In an industry in which many argue that the chase of technological strength will yield diminishing returns in content quality, perhaps this time SCE is right to target Microsoft’s somewhat rushed marketplace gun-jumper.
Of course, now it’s up to Sony to deliver a machine that truly does expand the wider expectiations of a home console, rather than promises of synthesizing emotional worlds that turn out to be more of the same but with a few more triangles.
Or perhaps even Nintendo for that matter.
Stick with SPOnG for all things next-gen, right here, as they break. And remember to let us know what you think in the forum below.
People:
Ken Kutaragi
Read More Like This
Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 52.
config 27 May 2005 15:59
33/52
TwoADay wrote:
config wrote:
An entertainment hub able to monitor and indeed dictate what you watch. I'm sure games will feature in there somewhere, but it's hardly "all about the games"
...snip!...
I'm certain Sony would do the same. But the point is, Microsoft said Xbox was all about games, when in fact it's all about controlling the media you ingest - and getting the biggest, fattest cut for it.
...snip!...
I'm certain Sony would do the same. But the point is, Microsoft said Xbox was all about games, when in fact it's all about controlling the media you ingest - and getting the biggest, fattest cut for it.
And is there any proof to this, or is it just a theory? No offense, but it seems a little too "conspiracy theory" for me.
do Sony and Microsoft want to be the center hub for your living room? Sure. But do they want to "dictate the media you ingest?" I think that's a stretch.
It's the nature of business. Why waste bandwidth on niche programming with a very small audience potential when you can have millions paying to for the privilege of watching cheap dross - and have advertisers falling over themselves to get their latest hip campaign aligned with it. The shareholders simply wouldn't approve. Think of the dividends!
Think quality drama versus reality TV. Think independant cinema versus hollywood blockbuster. Think garage bands versus Pop Idol fallout.
Think EA's unstoppable sequel frenzy versus the startup-and-collapse developers trying to get a publisher for original ideas.
Sure you can Google for stuff more to your tastes, but when your media hub "postalizes" and sandboxes the Internet, only letting you search for content provided by the highest bidder, its suddenly less useful.
Having media delivered and under the control of one outlet is not a good thing.
TwoADay 27 May 2005 16:39
34/52
config wrote:
It's the nature of business. Why waste bandwidth on niche programming with a very small audience potential when you can have millions paying to for the privilege of watching cheap dross - and have advertisers falling over themselves to get their latest hip campaign aligned with it. The shareholders simply wouldn't approve. Think of the dividends!
Think quality drama versus reality TV. Think independant cinema versus hollywood blockbuster. Think garage bands versus Pop Idol fallout.
Think EA's unstoppable sequel frenzy versus the startup-and-collapse developers trying to get a publisher for original ideas.
Sure you can Google for stuff more to your tastes, but when your media hub "postalizes" and sandboxes the Internet, only letting you search for content provided by the highest bidder, its suddenly less useful.
Having media delivered and under the control of one outlet is not a good thing.
Okay, you made your point about TV programming, but I still don't see what it has to do with the Xbox or PS2, or Xbox 360 and PS3.
As we know (or should know, seeing we're on a games board) videogames are big business. with big business comes the potential for big bucks. That's the reason MS and Sony got involved. If they can tie in some of their other products (Media Center, PSPs, whatever) they'll do that, but controlling the media? seems a little out of reach for both these companies, to put it mildly.
If Time Warner, Comcast, or NewCorp got involved with set-top boxes, then I would be concerned....
more comments below our sponsor's message
DaPistolPat 27 May 2005 17:05
35/52
Ahh the next generation games and consoles, in America we have G4 which is a channel about video games and technology. During E3 i watched this show and encountered some talk about the next consoles and the main statement i heard was it looks so damn good; and that type of talk makes me sad. Because it sure seems to me that alot of people are back to square one in terms of what games are all about and i am not just saying this talking about that one show multiple videogame associations meaning magazines and websites seem to all be back to square one also. All i can say about these events is i sure hope most idiot consumers don't buy into this crap.
Oh wait that was really off the point, does anyone ever wonder what sony might have shown and the e3 conference if they m$ would not have shown their xbox 360 early. Personally i think the ps3 specs would have been sufficiently lower and some features that sony said in there conference(example: yeah were going to have blaablaa you know double whatever M$ has, oh m$ has full media capabillitties and has signed netflix and others on to their services, yeah will have some form of that stuff.).
But if you think this is some bash on Sony because i am a X360 fan, you are completely wrong. I my friend appreciate Nintendo above all others. But, i do have to say that M$ is the only one right now that hasn't completely eaten its words lately and i don't think they will either, later next year or maybe some time this year(iexpect it to be next GDC or E3) whenever sony comes out and says yeah some of that stuff we said we are gonna have, yeah thats not gonna happen cause we just didn't want you to buy an X360.
Oh wait that was really off the point, does anyone ever wonder what sony might have shown and the e3 conference if they m$ would not have shown their xbox 360 early. Personally i think the ps3 specs would have been sufficiently lower and some features that sony said in there conference(example: yeah were going to have blaablaa you know double whatever M$ has, oh m$ has full media capabillitties and has signed netflix and others on to their services, yeah will have some form of that stuff.).
But if you think this is some bash on Sony because i am a X360 fan, you are completely wrong. I my friend appreciate Nintendo above all others. But, i do have to say that M$ is the only one right now that hasn't completely eaten its words lately and i don't think they will either, later next year or maybe some time this year(iexpect it to be next GDC or E3) whenever sony comes out and says yeah some of that stuff we said we are gonna have, yeah thats not gonna happen cause we just didn't want you to buy an X360.
TwoADay 27 May 2005 17:17
36/52
Pistol-Pat wrote:
Ahh the next generation games and consoles, in America we have G4 which is a channel about video games and technology. During E3 i watched this show and encountered some talk about the next consoles and the main statement i heard was it looks so damn good; and that type of talk makes me sad. Because it sure seems to me that alot of people are back to square one in terms of what games are all about and i am not just saying this talking about that one show multiple videogame associations meaning magazines and websites seem to all be back to square one also. All i can say about these events is i sure hope most idiot consumers don't buy into this crap.
...snip...
But if you think this is some bash on Sony because i am a X360 fan, you are completely wrong. I my friend appreciate Nintendo above all others. But, i do have to say that M$ is the only one right now that hasn't completely eaten its words lately and i don't think they will either, later next year or maybe some time this year(iexpect it to be next GDC or E3) whenever sony comes out and says yeah some of that stuff we said we are gonna have, yeah thats not gonna happen cause we just didn't want you to buy an X360.
...snip...
But if you think this is some bash on Sony because i am a X360 fan, you are completely wrong. I my friend appreciate Nintendo above all others. But, i do have to say that M$ is the only one right now that hasn't completely eaten its words lately and i don't think they will either, later next year or maybe some time this year(iexpect it to be next GDC or E3) whenever sony comes out and says yeah some of that stuff we said we are gonna have, yeah thats not gonna happen cause we just didn't want you to buy an X360.
Allow me to be the first to say:
What?
DaPistolPat 27 May 2005 17:25
37/52
exactly what indeed, what indeed.
man there is some good stuff in there how dare you edit it and then repost it.
man there is some good stuff in there how dare you edit it and then repost it.
TwoADay 27 May 2005 17:36
38/52
Pistol-Pat wrote:
man there is some good stuff in there how dare you edit it and then repost it.
I hope you're joking. If people want to try to decode what you said, it's as easy as looking at your original post.
PEN15, I too have heard the argument for Halo being the reason for an xbox, but I think it has merit. It's not the sole reason one buys a system, but there is a "tipping point" of sorts, which I think Halo was able to provide.
There are a bunch of games for PS2 that I wouldn't mind playing, but none of them (or even all combined) are enough to make me go out and get the system. The early "Killer App" for these systems helps the system move, but it's not the only reason it moves. Halo, I believe, was the primary reason to buy an Xbox.
DaPistolPat 27 May 2005 17:59
39/52
TwoADay wrote:
Hi i am gay and proud and thinks every one is dumbs compared to me although that Pistol-Pat guys post had a point all i will say instead of arguing a realy point is that he is dumb.
dude that was totally uncalled for now if you realy do plan on arguing a point instead of saying that it doesn't make sense and further saying that you did not read it but looked for some thing negative toward Sony and reacted.
TwoADay 27 May 2005 18:08
40/52
Pistol-Pat wrote:
TwoADay wrote:
Hi i am gay and proud and thinks every one is dumbs compared to me although that Pistol-Pat guys post had a point all i will say instead of arguing a realy point is that he is dumb.
dude that was totally uncalled for now if you realy do plan on arguing a point instead of saying that it doesn't make sense and further saying that you did not read it but looked for some thing negative toward Sony and reacted.
You do realize that no one would think I said that, because I generally follow standard english conventions (i.e. grammar, spelling, subject-verb agreement) and thus make coherant statements, rather than appearing as though a monkey were attempting to type.
Please don't attempt to misquote me again. I deleted some of your original post for the sake of saving space, and did not modify any part of the text presented. To do so, I feel, only highlights that one is a fool who cannot make their point without childish games.
DaPistolPat 27 May 2005 18:21
41/52
HAHAHHAHAH DUDE WHAT oh sorry caps every one knows you said those stupid things there is no need to lie and there is no need to act like you are intelligent in any way either. Just in case you are wonder the answer is yes indeed i have owned you and you ask how how did i get so owned, then i simply explain to you that the truth is in the pudding and i have eaten the pudding so you will never know. OWNED!!!!??!!!!!
TwoADay 27 May 2005 18:42
42/52
Pistol-Pat wrote:
HAHAHHAHAH DUDE WHAT oh sorry caps every one knows you said those stupid things there is no need to lie and there is no need to act like you are intelligent in any way either. Just in case you are wonder the answer is yes indeed i have owned you and you ask how how did i get so owned, then i simply explain to you that the truth is in the pudding and i have eaten the pudding so you will never know. OWNED!!!!??!!!!!
yes..."in case i are wonder."
sentences like that show that you are incapable of owning anything, especially a command of the english language.
They DO still teach English in your part of the U.S., don't they?
I tire of this. Go up from your basement and tell your mom that you "owned" me. I'm sure she'll pretend to be proud of you, then realize why you don't have a girlfriend/boyfirend/whatever your preference is.
DaPistolPat 27 May 2005 19:12
43/52
again i see that you are one of those people who instead of having a point corrects so one grammar. ok if you want to be some sort of teacher, then i need help teach hold my dick i have to go piss.
alright now i just have to know do you have a opinion about this article because i originally posted here trying to get in a discussion about videogames preferably the article i wrote which you severly disliked for whatever reason which you never really explained, other then it what to many words in a row cannot decipher what it says. but, seriously i wanted an actual statement about it.
also you quoted me: "in case i are wonder.." which is out of context it actually says: "in case you are wonder" which is still bad grammar because i forgot the ing on wondering my only guess to what happened would have to be that i thought it and did not type it.
alright now i just have to know do you have a opinion about this article because i originally posted here trying to get in a discussion about videogames preferably the article i wrote which you severly disliked for whatever reason which you never really explained, other then it what to many words in a row cannot decipher what it says. but, seriously i wanted an actual statement about it.
also you quoted me: "in case i are wonder.." which is out of context it actually says: "in case you are wonder" which is still bad grammar because i forgot the ing on wondering my only guess to what happened would have to be that i thought it and did not type it.
LUPOS 27 May 2005 20:17
44/52
listen i cant type for s**t, and i barely spell check when posting on here... cause really, i just dont think its neccesary.
Pat. you my freind, need to spend atleast a little time working on the phrasing and structure, i can get your meaning, but its more work than it should be, and the reward is minimal.
Two, i completley agree with you, and im not trying to be an instigator, but the whole "it would seem one is an idiot" sort of writting does make you seem liek your trying to hard to sound smart, unless you have traveled forward in time i doubt you actually talk liek that, and if you do... well... i hope peopel dont reacvt violentley towards to you to often.
cheers!
____________
Pat. you my freind, need to spend atleast a little time working on the phrasing and structure, i can get your meaning, but its more work than it should be, and the reward is minimal.
Two, i completley agree with you, and im not trying to be an instigator, but the whole "it would seem one is an idiot" sort of writting does make you seem liek your trying to hard to sound smart, unless you have traveled forward in time i doubt you actually talk liek that, and if you do... well... i hope peopel dont reacvt violentley towards to you to often.
cheers!
____________
DaPistolPat 27 May 2005 20:49
45/52
So ends the battle of the ages it twas rightfully so an atrocious event that day coming to be known as The Confrontation No Veneer, and one thinks to him what that exactly means, and when asked what that means one man only knows to reply to that statement and utter exactly my friend, exactly.
In the end it seems that the man baring name LUPOS has stolen the thunder once again; so in the imortal words of Yoda one must say "I have failed and must go into exile." So with thunder stolen and pride renounced i must go with one thought in my head and that is atleast i was right, atleast iii waasssss riggghhhtta.
In the end it seems that the man baring name LUPOS has stolen the thunder once again; so in the imortal words of Yoda one must say "I have failed and must go into exile." So with thunder stolen and pride renounced i must go with one thought in my head and that is atleast i was right, atleast iii waasssss riggghhhtta.
vault 13 28 May 2005 00:21
46/52
Pistol-Pat wrote:
So with thunder stolen and pride renounced i must go with one thought in my head and that is atleast i was right, atleast iii waasssss riggghhhtta.
You still don't know what your talking about, so your right in that respect.
Can we get back to the console fanboyism again? Isn't that what these forums are for?!
Now I know Microsoft has stated on numerous occasions, especially in a number of news stories posted HERE, on Spong, that they want the 360 to be THE ALL IN ONE media centre hub thing. They WANT you to be able to micro-pay for EVERYTHING through their machine. As for the PS3, I haven't yet heard in those words that they want to be a media centre hub, but it looks like with all the neat "features" that are being put into it, one would only assume that their going to take after Microsoft and follow their lead. Cellphone companies have been doing it for years, $1.99 for a half-naked Jenny McCarthy, $5.99 for Pac-Man, $2.99 for Fight For Your Right (To Party) in MIDI form might I add! It is going to be, it's a good model, one I don't really agree with, but we're all gonna have to embrace it if we want to extend the life of our games. Just because Nintendo hasn't spoken a word of it, doesn't mean there not going to employ said model. We don't even know what the online gaming aspects are going to be! Hell we haven't even seen the PS3 online dashboard and we're telling others what it's going to be like! We need to stop rampant uninformed posts and start saying insightful things like I and Lupos say.
LUPOS 28 May 2005 15:12
47/52
vault 13 wrote:
start saying insightful things like I and Lupos say.
i dont really think lumping the two of us together is helping me "rep" any. Specially since we disagree on damn near everything.
________
DaPistolPat 30 May 2005 02:21
48/52
So it does seem that some vaults, aaa i mean people, think it is essential to associate themselves with LUPOS, aa i mean other people, in order to feel like they are special.
On another note i am wondering if vault 13 talking about me when he makes the statement about some peoples uniformed ranting in the forums. If he was talking about me, and claiming that i rant uninformed about things i would have to say exactly, no but for real i never rant and claim untrue things at all. I only base things on fact or some times i express my opinion which when i do i let people know that it is my opinion.
On another note i am wondering if vault 13 talking about me when he makes the statement about some peoples uniformed ranting in the forums. If he was talking about me, and claiming that i rant uninformed about things i would have to say exactly, no but for real i never rant and claim untrue things at all. I only base things on fact or some times i express my opinion which when i do i let people know that it is my opinion.
Ditto 30 May 2005 08:47
49/52
I'm confused.
We're all best buds on the SPoNG forums, are we not? :D
We're all best buds on the SPoNG forums, are we not? :D
DaPistolPat 30 May 2005 18:16
50/52
friends friends, huh friends with everyone but you adam lol. no but for real i hate you, i hate you worse then that wort on my left nut.
NO BUT SERIOUSLY OFCOURSE WE ALL ARE FRIENDS; WE ALL LOVE VIDEOGAMES.
NO BUT SERIOUSLY OFCOURSE WE ALL ARE FRIENDS; WE ALL LOVE VIDEOGAMES.
vault 13 30 May 2005 23:53
51/52
Pistol-Pat wrote:
friends friends, huh friends with everyone but you adam lol. no but for real i hate you, i hate you worse then that wort on my left nut.
NO BUT SERIOUSLY OFCOURSE WE ALL ARE FRIENDS; WE ALL LOVE VIDEOGAMES.
NO BUT SERIOUSLY OFCOURSE WE ALL ARE FRIENDS; WE ALL LOVE VIDEOGAMES.
Hmm I dunno about that..., I don't take to well to uninformed fanboy posts, though I do find them quite funny. Not pointing fingers at anyone.
LUPOS 31 May 2005 21:58
52/52
Adam M wrote:
I'm confused.
We're all best buds on the SPoNG forums, are we not? :D
We're all best buds on the SPoNG forums, are we not? :D
almost...there is one key ingrediant that all internet groupsrequire to trully be real internet buddies... we have to act liek we are trying to arrange a tiem and place for all of us to meet in person and be even better friends... this will fo course never heppen... but its the fake half assed planning that is important... the long pointless debates about weather it should be in las vegas which is more pron to sexorz!... or perhaps japan... the birthplace of modern videogames!
and then years from now... when only like one person who posts on here now is still posting... and is still planning this trip with and entirely new group of people... we will all look fondly on the "Sony plays anti-PR card again in new generation. Aims to dismiss Xbox 360" thread, and remember all the good tiems we didnt have when we didnt meet each other in some rediculous place.
such is the magic of the internet... and internet friends :)
______