Sony cutting jobs

[Yegolev]

Still hoping for a new Sixaxis... Sevenaxis?

[schild]

Nah, I just want Folklore and Heavenly Sword. My needs are so simple that I can rely on companies like Game Republic and Ninja Theory to fulfill them.

[WindupAtheist]

I think you all are missing the point. The Wii is a fart more powerful than the PS2. The PS2 has better games than the Wii will EVER HAVE. The PS2 has better online capability. The PS2 will have 120M+ installed during this Christmas. A waggle wand on the shelf cheaper than the Wiis. And you can be Damn Sure Sony will be paying people to make cross platform titles. Thereby making the Gamecube 2 the obsolete piece of dogshit it is.

[Margalis]

Paying people to make titles for the console you are trying to replace - brilliant strategy. Maybe Sony should just dump the PS3 entirely...

[schild]

Paying people to make titles for the console you are trying to replace - brilliant strategy. Maybe Sony should just dump the PS3 entirely...

I don't get this logic.

The Wii is quite literally, a rectangular gamecube. All they did was beef it up a couple hundred mhz, increase the disc space, and add a controller that's been good for nothing but mini-games.

And yet, you rag on Sony.

Right.

[Trippy]

The PS2 has better online capability.

Huh? The original design does not have *any* networking capabilities built into it, not even a phone modem.

[schild]

The PS2 has better online capability.

Huh? The original design does not have *any* networking capabilities built into it, not even a phone modem.

I didn't say Anything about the original design.

[Trippy]

The PS2 has better online capability.

Huh? The original design does not have *any* networking capabilities built into it, not even a phone modem.

I didn't say Anything about the original design.

But you keep throwing out the installed base of PS2s. How many of those either are the new design or have the networking adapter?

[schild]

The PS2 has better online capability.

Huh? The original design does not have *any* networking capabilities built into it, not even a phone modem.

I didn't say Anything about the original design.

But you keep throwing out the installed base of PS2s. How many of those either are the new design or have the networking adapter?

Given the reliability of the original - I'd say, more than Enough to Put the Hurt on Nintendo.

[Rasix]

You're reaching.. a bit.  Maybe a lot.  If you're right, I will call you "the Master, Eric Schild" until eternity.

Why does Nintendo market penetration matter that much anyhow? We won't know if it's a positive or negative (to the gamer) for a while.

[schild]

You're right. I always assume the worst with gaming though, it leaves me pleasantly surprised most of the time.

On that same note, I was talking to the manager at my EB today, and he's started getting Wiis traded in from all of his "Gamer" type customers (people like myself). None of them have brought back their PS3. Completely anecdotal bullshit, but it would support what I said nearly a year ago.

[WindupAtheist]

The PS3 is rocketing towards flop status because it's too god damned expensive, and Sony's reaction is to lower the price... of the PS2.  Of course we're ragging them.  It's fucking hilarious.  It's gonna be 2017 and they're gonna be selling the PS2 for seven bucks a pop to people who are using them to prop up coffee tables and as doorstops and shit, while Schild sits in the Furherbunker and crows about how many consoles they're moving.  Meanwhile the PS5 will have sold about three or four units, despite having more processing power than Skynet, because it costs fifty-thousand dollars.

[Yegolev]

It doesn't make any sense to lower the PS3 price until after they get some damn games/applications anyway.  Dumbass early-adopter types like me will get them for $600 anyway.  That might be a lot of money for a PS1/PS2 emulator with integrated BluRay player and music/video streaming... or maybe not.  Not sure what the price on three appliances that did the same thing would cost.  The PS3 only costs $111 more than the 360 if you want wireless capability, and is one penny cheaper if you want the HD-DVD player.  The PS3 also reads CF, SD, USB flash drives, and Memory Sticks while the 360 will, at best, only give you problems with the USB flash drive.  I really don't think the PS3 is overpriced so much as most people would rather drive a Civic than a Cadillac.

The market stratification thing is a proven way to make money, which is why you see seven flavors of Pert on the shelf at the grocery store.  Selling a cheapo console alongside an expensive one is not a bad idea, but I'm not sure about how the overlap affects things.  The GameBoy/DS does not overlap the Cube/Wii, at least now that there is no DS-in-the-Wii functionality.  The problem is more with what you can do with a PS3 that you can't do with a PS2 or 360, and people generally don't realize that MS is going to nickel-and-dime you to death with 360 accessories.  They just see a $400 game console and a $600 game console, and figure Timmy can play Asteroids on the $400 unit just fine.

[Riggswolfe]

  I really don't think the PS3 is overpriced so much as most people would rather drive a Civic than a Cadillac.

Well, for me and alot of gamers I know it is more like, they're both Civics, but one has chrome everywhere and a 5 disc changer in the trunk that only plays CDs of a format I'm not ready to commit to until I know if it or the other new CD type wins.

They just see a $400 game console and a $600 game console, and figure Timmy can play Asteroids on the $400 unit just fine.

Don't forget that the $400 console has you know...games. And a larger installed base. All my friends who game have 360s. (Except one and he's sort of becoming too lazy and anti-social to game.). None has a PS3. One has a Wii and two more of us will get one when we can find it.

[schild]

One has a Wii and two more of us will get one when we can find it.

Why?

I honestly want to know what would drive you to get one after you just said the PS3 has no games.

[Sairon]

I have access to and used all 3 consoles, the PS3 gets more use than the other 2 together easily, even if mostly as a PS2 emulator. The difference in quality between the PS3 and the 360 is enormous, the Wii doesn't even deserve a mention. It's apparent that while MS has tried to save $$$ on all components the PS3 is built for quality first and $$$ secondly. Yes it's expensive if you compare it to the competition, but as said before, you certainly get more bang for the buck hardware wise with the PS3.

Also, I can't see how someone intrested enough in games to hang on this board can bitch about the price unless he's unemployed/student. If I had worked on McD the price tag would still be affordable, it's all about prioritizing and $600 isn't a lot for a grown up.

[murdoc]

One has a Wii and two more of us will get one when we can find it.

Why?

I honestly want to know what would drive you to get one after you just said the PS3 has no games.

I'm curious about this too. I've had the opportunity to try out a Wii quite a few times, and I've been very underwhelmed. Maybe if I didn't have my 360 I'd be more interested.

[Yegolev]

Well, for me and alot of gamers I know it is more like, they're both Civics, but one has chrome everywhere and a 5 disc changer in the trunk that only plays CDs of a format I'm not ready to commit to until I know if it or the other new CD type wins.

I am suspicious that you have neither played a PS3 nor driven a Cadillac.  Your format argument is valid, as is the games complaint (in my opinion), but then you ruin that my saying you are going to buy a Wii.  Unless you like party games that much or have lots of non-gamer friends.  My friends use my Wii more than I do.

[Murgos]

All my friends who game have 360s. (Except one and he's sort of becoming too lazy and anti-social to game.).

Too lazy and anti-social to sit on his couch and put and a headset and game?  Like not even MMO anti-social?

For some reason I'm disturbed by this.  Or, is this code for 'he got a girlfriend and found something better than to do on Friday night than the guitar hero cheeto challenge!!!"?

[Riggswolfe]

One has a Wii and two more of us will get one when we can find it.

Why?

I honestly want to know what would drive you to get one after you just said the PS3 has no games.

Because it is like the gamecube, a fun party machine for when friends are over, but with the wiimote it gets even more interesting. See my answer to Yeg below for more details.

I am suspicious that you have neither played a PS3 nor driven a Cadillac.  Your format argument is valid, as is the games complaint (in my opinion), but then you ruin that my saying you are going to buy a Wii.  Unless you like party games that much or have lots of non-gamer friends.  My friends use my Wii more than I do.

Actually, all of my friends are gamers from very, very hard core to casual (due to money/time issues.). And like most gamers we enjoy variety. The 360 is great for hard core gamers, the Wii is great for taking a break and acting silly and having fun. Besides, my girlfriend is convinced it'll be good excersize for us to play Wii sports. I have played a PS3, not for hours mind you, about 30 minutes, and the difference wasn't big enough at first blush for me to want to spend $600. Combine that with no games and the PS3 is a losing option. Even one of my friends who is a hardcore Sony guy, who hated the XBOX and loved the PS2 is leaning towards the 360 now. (he still hasn't commited to a next-gen console yet.)

 I will probably get a PS3 if Blu-ray wins the format wars, since it is much easier for me to justify the price then. Before I do I have other things to upgrade however, like my home theater reciever and (eventually) satellite speakers.

[Riggswolfe]

All my friends who game have 360s. (Except one and he's sort of becoming too lazy and anti-social to game.).

Too lazy and anti-social to sit on his couch and put and a headset and game?  Like not even MMO anti-social?

For some reason I'm disturbed by this.  Or, is this code for 'he got a girlfriend and found something better than to do on Friday night than the guitar hero cheeto challenge!!!"?

Nope. He had a girlfriend, he was head over heels with her, and then she dumped him and moved to another state. (She was cool but also a wee bit insane, in a mostly fun way. She had huge commitment/relationship issues.) After she left he sort of withdrew. He is playing a little LOTRO right now but is mostly soloing and barely talks in Kinship chat. In fact, out of our gaming group he is the only one who is not married or at least has a girlfriend. Actually, one of our other friends just dumped his girlfriend but he'll have another in about a month or so knowing him.

Ironically, out of all of us, he has the most money, since he makes about 30k more a year than the next highest earner among us, but he has the least impressive electronic equipment. (other than his home theater system which I'm intensely jealous of, though it's wasted when combined with his 32" TV.)

[Rasix]

Besides, my girlfriend is convinced it'll be good excersize for us to play Wii sports.

Did you smack her upside the head and send her off the gym when she said that? 

[Riggswolfe]

Besides, my girlfriend is convinced it'll be good excersize for us to play Wii sports.

Did you smack her upside the head and send her off the gym when she said that? 

Nah, her other idea was Dance Dance Revolution. Heh. Besides, I have a girlfriend who played co-op Gears of War/Halo/Rainbow Six Vegas/Dynasty Warriors/etc etc with me. If she wants to use a video game to excersize rather than forcing me to the gym I just need to be thankful for her existence.

[Yegolev]

I will probably get a PS3 if Blu-ray wins the format wars, since it is much easier for me to justify the price then.

Maybe you don't realize that an Original Recipe 360 plus HD-DVD unit will cost you $600?

[schild]

So, really, the Wii does just make people stupid. That's what it is. It's poison in the village well.

Obviously, we know who's behind it now:

[Riggswolfe]

I will probably get a PS3 if Blu-ray wins the format wars, since it is much easier for me to justify the price then.

Maybe you don't realize that an Original Recipe 360 plus HD-DVD unit will cost you $600?

I do realize that. And I haven't bought the HD-DVD unit so I'm not sure where you're going with this other than I didn't have to spend $600 and I didn't.

[Yegolev]

I'm not going anywhere with anything.  I'm genuinely curious.

[WayAbvPar]

The PS3 is rocketing towards flop status because it's too god damned expensive, and Sony's reaction is to lower the price... of the PS2.  Of course we're ragging them.  It's fucking hilarious.  It's gonna be 2017 and they're gonna be selling the PS2 for seven bucks a pop to people who are using them to prop up coffee tables and as doorstops and shit, while Schild sits in the Furherbunker and crows about how many consoles they're moving.  Meanwhile the PS5 will have sold about three or four units, despite having more processing power than Skynet, because it costs fifty-thousand dollars.

This is quality work here. Well played.

[Kageru]

The continuing sales of the PS2 is not something Sony is likely to be happy about, there's no money in it and it reduces one of the PS3's few strengths, the huge list of PS2 games. Encouraging new development for the console (re. the waggle stick) sounds like a desperation move.

Still, it really is amusing that we are having this discussion. Nintendo was destined to be the also-ran for this console generation, largely ignored by developers.

[Margalis]

Sony is the odd man out of this generation right now. The PS3 doesn't do anything that the 360 doesn't do, and the 360 has the bigger and better library. A lot of games that formerly might have been PS3 exclusives are now coming to the 360 as well.

The PS3 looks like it may end up as the N64/Gamecube of this generation - a system with a few exclusive 1st and 2nd party games and little else.

Really the problem for Sony and the PS3 is not Nintendo, it is MS. MS is their direct competitor. If you aren't interested in waggle controls and casual games you *still* don't buy a PS3.

[Righ]

The PS3 also reads ... Memory Sticks

Which is only marginally more useful than reading UMD discs, Minidiscs or fish sticks.

[WindupAtheist]

Maybe you don't realize that an Original Recipe 360 plus HD-DVD unit will cost you $600?

If there were a cheaper version of the PS3 sans Blu-Ray, Sony probably wouldn't be getting stomped this hard.

[Velorath]

Also, I can't see how someone intrested enough in games to hang on this board can bitch about the price unless he's unemployed/student. If I had worked on McD the price tag would still be affordable, it's all about prioritizing and $600 isn't a lot for a grown up.

It's amazing how you could be so close to answering your own question, and yet be so far off.

[Merusk]

We don't really want to do a break-down of the 'average' household to explain why $600 really IS a lot, do we?  Didn't think so.

Keep in mind median household income in the US is around $46k before you say "it's not a lot."

[Murgos]

The continuing sales of the PS2 is not something Sony is likely to be happy about, there's no money in it and it reduces one of the PS3's few strengths, the huge list of PS2 games. Encouraging new development for the console (re. the waggle stick) sounds like a desperation move.

This is, quite possibly, one of the most senseless things I have ever read.