Wii Online Play IS Free Despite Sony Claims

This chart is just an obvious comparison between the functionality provided out of the box by PS3 and the prices required to gain that functionality for the other two consoles.

Sure, the wording is made suspect by using "requires", but the intent is clear.

In that light, the cost for the Opera browser for the Wii is relevant since the PS3's browser is free at any time.

Also, Sony didn't show the Xbox Live costs over the lifetime of the console, only the first 12 months, so they were being fair in that regard.

but they did say that the 360 "requires" a HD-DVD drive...

they also used a core system as a basis then added wireless and a hd as essential...

yeah they said $299 core package + $50 wireless controller + $100 hard drive, which equals $449, when the premium 360 package includes all those things for $399, so theyre making it sound like more than it actually is

defend that, tyrion

I've read rumblings that MS are looking issue proceedings against Sony for misrepresentation

and saying that the wii has free 'online access' for 6 months is misleading, it implies that connectivity in general rather than just browser functionality will be charged for 6 months down the line

its a bit snide

Here is Sony clearly not doing their homework and misinforming folk to hold out for PS3. MS and Nintendo should be all over them for it.

Give the competition some respect and get your facts right, Sony. This bs is making you look desperate to convince people about PS3.

He can't but he'll likely try...he appears to have a knee-jerk defensive reaction whenever Sony is in distress...notice also they left out the cost for an HD cable which is included with the 360, but by thier own logic it would be an "essential" added expense (since watching movies in HD is considered "essential", *spits), pretty shady stuff, its only 30 bucks but they ommitted anything that didn't spin in their favor...but then they were targeting this at the Sony faithful, I'm sure and they're generally none too bright.

Also although Sony appears to be offering free online service (in a desperate bid to trump LIVE!), they quite obviously, if GTHD is any indication, intend to make that up (and more) on microtransactions...

Hmmm, but it's not as if Microsoft is avoiding that bag of worms.

All of the platform holders and publishers have dollar-signs in their eyes when they think of selling us worthless digital tat.

You can't possibly compare GTHD to ANYTHING currently existing or announced on the MS side. (OK you can, and did, but its ludicrous)

GTHD is planning on creating a new paradigm, a quantum shift away from purchasing "additional" content, toward making microtransactions an essential and unavoidable part of core gameplay.

MS has also provided some free content and phased in "premium" content later for free...judging by GTHD, Sony likely will not feel as compelled to do the same, since they're already giving you free online service.

In that light, the cost for the Opera browser for the Wii is relevant since the PS3's browser is free at any time.

Eh, yeah, but:

Browser =/= online play


...

Not really. Assuming Sony's online gaming service is free, then Sony's really just drawing parallels between their service and Nintendo's Opera browser. That's like saying an Asda orange is cheaper than a Tesco's banana.

Well, by all accounts, the interface for Sony's online offerings, the shops and all, are done in the browser. So Sony's browser is part of their online service, because it's required to run the service.

i hope youre not suggesting that sony are allowed to do what is tantamount to lying about the pricing of nintnedo's entire online service because of the different method(s) of integrating online features into the two consoles

Sony are trying to pull their trump card like they did with there ps2 if you can remember back then they were doing it on graphics agents the dreamcast which was a load of crap coz it tuck 2 years for them to get the ps2 graphics to look as good as the dreamcast