Y'know, there's one thing that the PS3 and the 360 have in common: They're both struggling in Japan.
Pretty harsh title there--unnecessary, really.
I agree, tho, that this is a bad idea. Cell phones are so ubiquitous as to make something like this completely redundant. Bad idea, Sony: That's money far better spent on longer battery life, better games, etc--the things the PSP really needs instead of an awkward phone interface.
The service needs a better variety of movies and shows. I know that MS needs to concentrate on whatever the 360's primary demograph (teens and young adults) wants, be it MTV shows or Comedy Central fare. Once the service matures, hopefully we'll see a greater diversity of films and shows.
At least they used fake poo.
Perhaps they're being--dare I say it--"fecetious."
(Couldn't resist)
Goat sacrifice?
Fake PSP fansite?
Strange, avant-garde commercials?
Racist overtones?
And now this, which in light of the violence and death that surrounded the PS3's launch seems grossly inappropriate. (The violence was not Sony's fault, I know, but they should be sensitive to such things).
What's next? "PS3: You'll kill for it."
Seriously, Sony should fire their whole PR/ad department.
Hurts both 360 and PS3 this holiday season. They were counting on it, as were gamers.
Wow...I'll be broke come Christmas...but I'll be a happy gamer.
Very nicely-done article. No fanboyism, no incoherent rants--just a few solid points accompanied by informed analysis. They--like me--believe that Sony is capable of turning the PS3 around...but will they do what's necessary to spark that turnaround?
Price cut? Better marketing? Admitting mistakes?
It's up to Sony to win the consumer back. But will they? That's the question.
Also: Make it possible for posters to be silenced by being reduced to zero bubbles. That would keep some of the fanboys quiet.
One problem with that, tho: Some people hold pretty deep grudges against some posters...they might deliberately reduce bubbles in order to eliminate someone's commenting ability, even when that person makes a valid point.
I mean, how many of you would try to silence TheMart even if he made a valid comment? Let's be honest here.
...
Darn it Violater, you took my response. Oh well. It needed to be said.
That Camel car (2nd pic) is sharp. Nice job.
For stupid flamebaiting fanboys.
What's funny is that in addition to myself, I know about 20 other 360 owners at work, and strangely enough, most of them still have their launch systems. BUT, those of us who bought them after April/May of last year have gone through multiple systems.
Odd, huh?
Interesting that alsef and I both got negative votes for joking comments that were intended in good fun. I bear no particular ill will towards the PS3...I just remember the funny pics that circulated the Net of the PS3 as a George Foreman-type grill. All in good fun.
Hell hath no fury like a fanboy scorned, I suppose.
This is just a fanboy's wet dream. Again, WAIT FOR THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! (If it happens at all).
I don't think this will decide the war in HD-DVDs favor...but it may be the first step towards a compromise, which would help avoid another costly and frustrating format war. A win for the consumer...though if both formats are supported, then remembering what title is on which format will be a pain.
Based on what I see at work: 30%. Maybe higher.
I've gone through 3 since October. Thank God for Best Buy replacement plans. Got a new system, and got to keep my old HD.
This is the large red elephant in the room that MS refuses to (fully) acknowledge. Increasing the warranty was a good first step, but MS needs to own up to this problem, fix it, and then work hard to win gamers back.
I have many, many friends and co-workers who are technology geeks, always wanting the latest and greatest. And not one of them has bought a Zune. I know only one person who owns one, and he won it from a promo contest.
A million sold? Where?
This is a little off-topic, but related. BB is offering two free HD-DVDs with the purchase of the 360 HD drive and one of the Matrix HD packs.
Now, is that a desperate move to push the drive and format, as some people see the Toshiba promo? Or just a great offer?
I've heard the same thing about Japan...a small but fiercely loyal group of 360 fans in Japan. Definitely a hardcore crowd, probably not many of the casual gamers that everyone covets. But success in gaming seems to start with the hardcore group before moving to the mainstream. Maybe that happens in Japan with MS (and maybe not).