Sony Fails At E3
I know that what I’m about to say will offend many a Sony fanboy. Then again, it’s nothing that the title of this post hasn’t said already; and that is this: Sony lost this year’s E3. Now, before any Sony fans read this and start rallying against me, I don’t want you to think that I, an admitted Xbox 360 fanboy, am claiming a sweeping victory for Bill Gates’ cabal, because I’m not. I think Nintendo had a great show. But Nintendo’s really in their own category at this point. I’m talking about the “Clash of the Titans” here. I’m talking about Microsoft throwing down the gauntlet and really taking Sony to task at this year’s E3.
Do I think that Microsoft defeated Sony? Yes. Most certainly. Why, you ask? Well, first, I think asking people to pay $599 for a console is a bit ludicrous. Oh, get the $499 version, you say? Why would I want to do that? So I can get a smaller hard-drive, a wired controller, no slots for memory cards and a Blu-Ray drive that I can’t even use on account of no HDMI outputs? What a bargain. Thanks, Sony! Where do I sign up for that? And please say it comes with a free kick in the groin followed by a swift shot of pepper spray to the face.
Even Solid Snake thinks it’s too much…
The price tags on both packages are enough to piss me off. To think that Sony is so confident in the power of namesake that they can extort such a sum from gamers sickens me to no end. They certainly can’t tout hardware. Blu-Ray has been delayed yet again and remains largely unproven. Performance specs on the PS3 don’t present a substantial enough leg up to warrant paying $200 more than you would for an Xbox360. And that’s just on the hardware side.
In terms of software, there really hasn’t been a single game for the PS3 that I’ve seen that’s made me want to forego a month’s rent just to get a PS3. Metal Gear Solid 4 never did really grab a hold of me. It was graphically impressive, but I think the transformation of the virile, seasoned Snake into the one-eyed, pedophile that graces this latest entry in the saga has really kind of hit me like an undeserved slap to the face. Of course, Final Fantasy XIII looks nice, as expected; but it’s still just another Final Fantasy game, and the 13th one at that. Microsoft, on the other hand, has some great software that I’m genuinely excited about. Call me a tool, but Viva Pinata actually looks incredibly entertaining. It also represents a marked departure from the Xbox’s usual library. I was also thrilled to hear that Shadowrun will be re-imagined exclusively on the 360. As one of my favorite RPGs of all time on the SNES, I can’t wait to see the next-gen version of it.
However, the real coup for Microsoft in the software arena is the time exclusive release of Grand Theft Auto IV; plus an exclusive agreement to bring episodic content to the Xbox Live Marketplace. I know a few Sony fans that will do their best to shrug this bit of news off as inconsequential, quickly forgetting the relish they took in dangling the Grand Theft Auto franchise in front of us Xboxers, as well as the number of PS2’s that the series sold; but we all know how huge it really is.
All in all, between Sony and Microsoft, I just think Microsoft really reached out to the gaming community this time around. Everything about their presentation has been concrete, with real in-game assets to show for it. What’s more, with their “Bringing It Home” campaign, Microsoft has given the gaming community a rare glimpse into the Shanghrila of the industry that is E3. By giving us mere mortals access to content from E3, Microsoft has, unlike Sony, put their promises directly to the people, putting it out there for every one of us to download and watch/play; for every one of us to pass judgment on. No longer filtered and dilluted by jaded and often biased gaming journalists, this content comes directly under the scrutiny of the gamers themselves.
This, along with some truly stellar announcements made in their press conference (original Contra, with online co-op, anyone??), demonstrates a very strong sense of confidence not in their name, but in the product itself. They’re not foisting empty promises on us. They’re not just telling us that they’ve got the best product on the market, but rather showing us how they’re making it the best. All in all, I think this E3 has been a huge success for Microsoft, and I, for one, am thrilled at what’s in store for me.
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Micro$oft and Nintendo FTW!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060511/tc_nm/expo_microsoft_dc
I agree to the whole NINTENDO E3 thing. They can not compete with the big boys anymore, so they go in a whole new direction. Understood, I think I like that new direction and the E3 show made me think about maybe buying a system when they were never on my list. Now to the PS3 vs. the Box. I am a huge XBOX fan, the XBOX has brought me alot of joy and friends that can only be found on Xbox Live. The reason I liked the Xbox so much was the fact that it was not the PS2. It was everything the PS2 wasn’t. Better graphics, better online play, and hands down the better built system. When news of the 360 came I was excited about Microsoft puting out a new system. Now they can do things biger and better. They then released a system that is all promise and no delevery. Example… After 7 months out, how many games are worth spending 60 bucks on maybe one or two at the most. My friends and I are more excited about UNO and what is coming on the Live Arcade, they promised 100% backward play from Xbox to 360. Not every game is backward play after 7 months we still have to wait and see. So sorry to the few who traded there xbox in to get a 360 and wish they could play some of the new xbox stuff that has been released. No offense but Quote the ICE the PS3 will blow away the 360. Sorry I am a true fan and now have to wash my mouth out but it is the truth. The facts are this…. Sony has to make a stand now and shock the world, the main reason xbox was so hot was the xbox live.. which sony is stealing, sony has been in the game a little longer then microsoft when it comes to consoles. There last system PS2 lasted 7 years seen xbox come, the 360 come and is still here with decent games. The system has brought everthing it has promised with 100% backward play from the begining. So on Ps3 release date it will agian have a bigger release then any other console on the market because is also will be 100% backward play. I guess to close this up with one statement is. (Microsoft had a chance to place a permant mark in my heart and all it has done was place a empty spot in my wallet).. Quote Ice The Man.. Sony’s time is now..
Wow Ice, harsh words. It hurts me - just a little - on the inside.
I don’t know, Ice. You talk about empty promises, and Sony’s just chock full of them. I mean, look at what was promised by them at last year’s E3. Dual HDMI outputs? Gone. What about their stance on selling two separate packages? Suddenly they think it’s a good idea to sell a n00b pack, for more money, with fewer features, and, oh, it’s not even upgradeable in many respects (a lot of good that BluRay drive’ll do me when the n00b version doesn’t even have the HDMI outputs required for High Def playback of BluRay movies). As far as games, the 360 has a promising future. Gears of War, Splinter Cell Double Agent, Rainbow Six Vegas, Cell Factor, GTA4, plus a bunch of other ones make me happy. Sure, I’ve gotta wait, but I love the games I have now, and the Xbox Live Arcade is great.
Ok ice sorry bro but i gotta do it. Xbox is king and will remain king. Im not going to get into blue ray vs hd or backwards compatability or who promised what and deliverd. I’m going to talk about the one thing that most gamers (average age 16 to 32 I belive last I read) care about PRICE!!!! How many 16 to 32 year olds have $500 to $600 to spend on a concole, verry few. The 360 was conciderd steep by most ppls standard I have friends still waiting to get the money for it. I simply dont belive the majority of gamers will spend that kind of dough on a system even if better, wich I think the PS3 might be but not by much when they can have a system of just as good a quality at a cheeper price. Thats the streets 2 cents and you just got it for free. Now thats a deal.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6151425.html?tag=nl.e513
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Agree with most of this article…I still believe that Sony’s guns are not exposed, I unlike most people are hardcore gamer.. that likes to play all games and experience all forms of gaming… I also have an insight that Sony is not actually asking a lot of $ compared to the technology that is involved in this system.. HD dvd, Blue Ray,, I see this as not only a gaming system but a 7 year investment as my ps2 was. The article was right there is no exclusive license like HALO…or GTA.. they do have a God of War 2 which the first is the best game I played in a long time.. (and like they are not going to get any of the other titles that you metion) I think that the exclusivity will come soon enough the only thing I am scared of is are they pushing the system out too soon to stop the growth of Microsoft and Nintendo.. because as a gamer that is not good… Look at Microsoft with the 360 push last year.. (and there rediculus two systems, which for any real gamer is a joke, the only reason they do it is to please the old dumb parent who knows no better) It did not help them in my eyes as a hardcore gamer, but in the eyes of a business man it was a good idea to get the jump on Sony and Nintendo.. I think the 360 run will go for about another year due to the systems already head start but by this time next year SONY will be number 1 and carry us into the future. Here is a quote from that article… “Hardcore video junkies may go for the PS3’s Blu-ray capabilities, as $600 is cheap for a new high-end technology like Blu-ray,” …………. I am spending $600 on a system that will last another 6 or 7 years. .while I will have to by the next Microsoft system in 2 years.. and spend another $400.00…… I am a huge fan of XBOX I love what they have brought to my home.. But I know gaming I have been doing it for over 23 years picking up a controller since I was five. Trust the Ice.. compared for what I got for 400.00 I think I would be getting a bargin for sonys 600.00…