Slashdot Mirror
Sony Describes DS As Gimmick
1up.com has news, via MCVUK, that PSP VP of Studios Phil Harrison has classified Nintendo's entry into the handheld market as 'irrelevant'. From the article: "The idea of a handheld rivalry with Nintendo is an irrelevance...Those formats don't appear in our planning. It's not a fair comparison; not fair on them, I should stress. That sounds arrogant, maybe, but it's the truth." 1up.com's commentary is well seen. From their piece: "Whether or not you fully agree, Nintendo DS can come off as gimmicky, but Sony's commentary is fairly strange." Read on for my own short commentary.
I know that, for the most part, comments like Harrisons are just the marketing version of "my processor is faster than yours" but I'm honestly surprised at the level of arrogance displayed there. Since the PSP's launch, Slashdot Games has posted article after article with titles like PSP Reception Lukewarm in U.S., PSP Not A Sellout Hit, What's Up With The PSP?, and most recently PSP Usage Lower Than Expected. This last article is especially disheartening for Sony execs because those numbers come from Japan, a nation that has traditionally been Sony's bread basket. If it's not doing well here, and it's not doing well there...do they really think that many Europeans are going to buy it when it launches there next week?
That is right; the PSP must be a superior product. The DS is a stupid toy gimmick for only blind mutes. We should put them in cereal boxes for those people who ride the short bus. I bet they will like that.
How about we take the DS and put little messages on them and drop them over the starving children in Africa, with gimmicky statements like "cheer up! just try not to think about food!"
I think Sony might be on to something here. On the other hand, the PSP is just a boring old game system. Maybe if they had made it a little more gimmicky they could even outsell the DS: http://news.punchjump.com/article.php?id=1223
This is part of his problem. Nintendo and their deveolpers make fun games for all ages (and some are not suitable for children). Sony is ignoring the youth market and saying the markets are entirely different. But ignoring the "safe for youngsters" market doesn't put you in a wholy different market. It simply narrows your scope.
Thus far it looks a lot like their gaming market is the same as Apple's. That is for people who enjoy playing the same games they played five or six years ago on another platform.
Platform advocacy is like choosing a favorite severely developmentally disabled child.
I know that, for the most part, comments like Harrisons are just the marketing version of "my processor is faster than yours" but I'm honestly surprised at the level of arrogance displayed there. Since the PSP's launch, Slashdot Games has posted article after article with titles like PSP Reception Lukewarm in U.S., PSP Not A Sellout Hit, What's Up With The PSP?, and most recently PSP Usage Lower Than Expected. This last article is especially disheartening for Sony execs because those numbers come from Japan, a nation that has traditionally been Sony's bread basket. If it's not doing well here, and it's not doing well there...do they really think that many Europeans are going to buy it when it launches there next week?
I wonder, and I'm being very sincere here - when the last time Zonk ever partook in sexual intercourse.
I know some of you will crap in your nintendo undies when you read this, but hear me out...
DS is old technology. It's a portable N64 going for $150. WTF?
For $100 more, you can have a portable PS2. THINK ABOUT IT for just a minute. When you compare dollar by dollar to the technology you're paying for, you are paying too much for the DS.
Which is the better deal... hmmm...
DS has the stylus, and while many might think otherwise for a second, it IS a gimmick. Oh, it's not, you say?
PLEASE tell me how it's not. I will admittedly shut my mouth and admit fault if you can tell me how the stylus and dual screens alone are "innovative" as opposed to the "wow" gimmick factor. I challenge you.
Nintendo in recent years has been notorious for gimmicks. An immediate one off the top of my head was... Metroid Prime. Anyone, anyone? Oooh, plug your GBA in with Metroid Fusion and play with SPECIAL SAMUS!!! *cream* Hah.
What about the Final Fantasy chronicles? Plug your GBA in, get special stuff that other people cannot. Oooh.
What about paying for Mario all over again just because it's portable? or $20 for the "classics" series - The Legend of Zelda. Hah. That shit should come on ONE disc with 20 other games for $20.
C'mon.. where are the supposed hit games? Mario 64? Yeah, I played that 9 years ago. Give me something new.
Nintendo needs to get their shit together.
We have secretly replaced these Slashdot mods' sense of humor with a rusty nail. Let's see if they notice!!
dhamsaic: Which PSP games support infrastructure wireless co-op or VS play?
yammosk: Ummm... What is Twisted Metal a PSP launch title?
Umm... "games" is plural. Which other leading PSP titles with infrastructure multiplayer did you have in mind?