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Still A Rough Road Ahead for the PlayStation 3
TobyToadstool writes "Despite the good news out of GDC last week, it still seems like Sony's new console has some image management to do. CNET says that the PlayStation 3 is 'the most unwanted console in recent memory' and asks 'why is the PS3 so undesirable?' They specifically question the company's wisdom in emphasizing the power of the console. Their impression is that this invites developers to neglect gameplay, in favour of investing in graphics. Likewise, Gamespot is running a piece suggesting ten ways to make the PS3 worth buying. A lower price is just one of the suggestions with exclusives, and the need for online standardization, following close behind. Looks like Sony still has its work cut out."
No one thing is killing the PS3. Sony has screwed up on multiple fronts:
* no games. Can anyone who doesn't have a PS3 name two games currently available for it not available anywhere else?
* halfhearted online/multiplayer. The 360, MS device or no, has set the bar, and whether or not you think it's high enough, the PS3 doesn't come close to it.
* bad word of mouth. Hardcore gamers are turned off due to the lack of games and crappy multiplayer.
* marketing. What the HELL is with the PS3 ads? Sony thinks no one will ever use the full power of the console? Even to non-gamers, they sound clueless.
* nothing new. While the PS3 is technically the same generation as the 360 and Wii, what is it offering that they don't? The 360 does HD (which doesn't only mean 1080p, so don't start) and has solid online chops. The Wii is retro, uses a new controller scheme, and is accessible for non-gamers. The only thing the PS3 does well so far is HD, and the difference between it and the 360's HD is practically subjective.
The price, frankly, is retardedly high. Without anything new or awesome games, a console that's 50% higher than its nearest competitor isn't going to sell.
However, this isn't necessarily how it's always going to be. Sony can still save their baby by correcting these screwups, and gamers want the PS3 to be cool because they want awesome games. Maybe in two years we'll all own PS3s and laugh at the thought that one day we openly scorned the chunky thing.
"Honey, it's not working out; I think we should make our relationship open-source."
I think you've hit the nail on the head here. It's the games that make the console, not the other way around (although more power can mean better games!)
I think Sony should offer to pay for or at least split the development costs for some heavy hitter games. If Sony could team up with Blizzard, for example, to make a PS3 version of WOW that shares the online world with PC's, it may go a long way toward selling consoles.
There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
So, your narrowed your options down to Nintendo, the good company, whose fine business practices have never done anything to hurt the games industry? In seriousness though, I don't think making choices based on company image will get you very far. Your impression of a company is a tug of war between their PR team, other PR teams, and the media, and not particularly reliable in my opinion. I actually want to buy a Wii more than any of the other two, but that's because it's cool, not because Nintendo is supposedly less evil.
Just a note: Most people don't care a bit about the root kit, lik sang, or the inclusion of blu-ray. only the price and the lack of games would cross the mind of any non geek.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."