PC World votes PS3 a "screwup"... subscribers cancel
by Nick Doerr 
{ Dec 24th 2006 at 1:00PM }
Okay, subscribers probably didn't cancel when they read this. Most of them, being PC-fanatics, probably shrugged and agreed. People have made the argument many times on this site how comparing a console to the PC isn't a fair comparison, but that's besides the point. Let's just copy and paste what PC World said about the PS3:"When it was announced in spring 2005, the Sony PlayStation 3 was going to be the greatest thing to hit home gaming since a hedgehog named Sonic. Then came the delays. By the time the PS3 arrived, it was six months late, and Nintendo's cheaper and more innovative Wii had stolen much of its thunder. At $599 for the 60GB model, the PS3 is twice the price of the original PlayStation 2, yet research firm iSupply--which describes the PS3 as having supercomputer qualities--estimates that Sony still loses more than $200 per unit.
Thanks to manufacturing delays, Sony shipped an estimated 150,000 units for the North American launch, or less than half the number it had originally planned. And the PS3 was incompatible with more than 200 PlayStation and PS2 games, though Sony is addressing that problem through online updates.
The good news? Game-crazed youth are buying up PS3s and reselling them on eBay for double the asking price. And unlike, say, Sony batteries, they don't catch fire--at least, not yet."
Oh, har, har, har. Since Sonic? That was the pinnacle of gaming they chose to compare it to? Sigh. The "big mistake" was trying to turn a supercomputer into a gaming device and the "bigger" mistake was failing to destroy Nintendo when they had the chance. What do you guys think? Is PC World on the money, or are they jumping to conclusions?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BklynKid @ Dec 24th 2006 1:50PM
The ship is sinking fanboys, jump!
vox @ Dec 24th 2006 1:46PM
they hit the nail on the head pretty much.
Yes, Sony did fail to live up to all their promises and hype, featuring the worst console launch ever.
Now with devs bailing for the 360 and the wii showing a very strong market presence, the PS3 is in a questionable position that those who marketed it would have you believe was impossible a few months ago.
I guess they were too arrogant and underestimated their competition.
Good old Ken never read "The Art of War" I guess.
Cage @ Dec 24th 2006 1:52PM
"The good news? Game-crazed youth are buying up PS3s and reselling them on eBay for double the asking price. And unlike, say, Sony batteries, they don't catch fire--at least, not yet."
Uh...have you logged onto Ebay lately? The only ones selling are $20 to $100 over what people bought them for in stores. The Wii is actually harder to get here in Sacramento, CA.
Extracheeze @ Dec 24th 2006 2:33PM
Cage:
What area of Sacramento are you from? It'd be neat to know a fellow reader!
Jason @ Dec 24th 2006 3:23PM
Sure the launch was a screw up. However, let us compare the PS3 and Xbox 360 launches shall we? MS launched in mid-November 2005. PS3 launched mid-November 2006. MS had 500,000 units at launch for America, Sony had 200,000 units at launch for America. At the end of 2005, MS sold 1.5 million units in the THREE areas it launched in (according to Wiki), including Europe. As of right now, Sony has sold 1.1 million units of the PS3 in the TWO areas it launched in(according to VGcharts.org).
Launch failure? Certainly was, no one can deny that. Sales failure? No way in hell.
@1, I don't see any developers jumping ship. I see more companies hedging their bets by going multiplatform, but not jumping ship. See the N64 and Gamecube for an example of developers jumping ship.
Call me a fanboy all you want, but I only use facts to back up my arguments.
Tristan @ Dec 24th 2006 3:42PM
Microsoft had the same problem when the original Xbox launched now look they have great system, Sony may come out ahead in the end, but will that matter when there is a new xbox out by the time the ps3 catches up?
Tomppa @ Dec 24th 2006 3:40PM
Duh, theres nothing wrong in the ps3 for me. I'm only missing the rumble/shock thingy. Gives a nice feeling in racing games for example... I think, even if PS3 would 'fail', Sony wouldn't go like, "Aww, they don't want our consoles, lets pack our stuff and go home", instead we would have a PSThree or PS4 or something.. Y'know... This isn't the final console from them.
PistolPete01 @ Dec 24th 2006 4:19PM
Yeah, except the Xbox had this one game that everybody seemed to like a lot....I can't quite remember what it was called....ohhhhhh yeah....maybe....HALO...and PS3 has nothing at all....Believe me I want a PS3 bad, but the games right now and for the forseeable future downright suck. Resistance is decent but it isn't the groundbreaking future by any stretch that Sony predicted.
For one thing it doesn't look as good as say Gears of War.
I understand that developers aren't as familiar with the hardware yet, and I hope that developers won't bail before they get to know the hardware. Hopefully all this will be fixed and the gaming community will be set right, but for right now 360 has the best games by far and Wii has the innovation that really hasn't been seen in gaming for awhile, and the PS3 has well nothing...
360 Fanbot @ Dec 24th 2006 4:25PM
This is a little song I made for the 360!
We are the champions my friend *dun dun* and well keep on fighting till the end *dun dun dun*(pun intended)
theburn16 @ Dec 24th 2006 4:38PM
yep, the 360 is the champion....that's why even after a year of being on the market and having had what like 3 launches in japan they're already 3rd over there with the ps3 and wii only being a lil over a month old....can't be the champion if you cant finish at least 2nd in japan. so i dont wanna hear how japan doesn't even matter because it does...now go back to your 360 fanboy page
Dasgooch @ Dec 24th 2006 5:11PM
@theburn16
Last time I checked the PS3 still doesn't have a killer app and there isn't one on the calendar. The 360 has sold almost 10 million consoles worldwide before the PS3 has even launched in Europe. And lastly, by this time last year 360's were selling for double or more on Ebay, the most I have seen a PS3 selling for (actual completed listings not inflated buy it now prices) is $750. That would seem to indicated a lack of interest in your beloved Hypeware. So lets summerize shall we? No games, smaller library of Blu-Ray titles than HD-DVD titles (Where are the 100+ Phil Harrison promised?), lack of HD hardware scaler, Blu-Ray playback problems, half assed online service that doesn't even have a unified messaging system. Gee where do i go to sip from the Sony Kool-Aid punch bowl again?
Colin @ Dec 24th 2006 5:42PM
Dasgooch:
360s *only* sold at a higher premium because there were LESS available.The 360 did not get major replenishment shipments until February/March. Go talk to your local EBGames/Gamestop guys if you don't believe me.The PS3 has been getting HUGE shipments EVERY single
week since launch. (This has ben backed up by all the videogame stores I've visited and all the couple best buy managers I've talked to).
It's true that the PS3 launched with about half the units the 360 did, but the PS3 has already far surpassed the number of 360s available during the 2005 holiday season.
Oh, also there are way more than 100 titles available for blu-ray. Amazon has about 230. And there are massive amounts of blu-ray movies launching in the next 3
months (again, go look this up for yourself just to see how wrong you are).
So to sum up, you're wrong and pretty much all your points are just BS that you pulled out of some 360 fanboy forum. Feel free to try to argue these points, because you can't.
I've never understood why 360 fanboys visit a PS3 fansite. Is your console really that pathetic
that you have to spend all the time trying to make yourself feel better by slagging on the competitors?
Nice.
BTW, I have a 360 also. Fun console.
-Colin
truth @ Dec 24th 2006 6:18PM
"I've never understood why 360 fanboys visit a PS3 fansite. Is your console really that pathetic
that you have to spend all the time trying to make yourself feel better by slagging on the competitors?"
As if you 'tards didn't behave in exactly the same way any time Sony was at the top of the heap. You reap what you sow. Smug little haters that you were, now you get some of what you dished out to everyone else.
jasonb @ Dec 24th 2006 7:24PM
I'm a 360fb and guess what, you guys are ALL a bunch of little cry babies.
You guys are arguing over video games. Seriously, you're getting pissed at words online and actually hating on each other over .... games.....
If you haven't noticed, it's Christmas.
theburn16 @ Dec 24th 2006 7:41PM
dasgooch:
there have been more like 7 million 360's sold in a lil over a year. and yes 360's were going for more, but there was no other next gen competition at the time...ps3 launched at a time where people already had the 360 for a year and the Wii was launching in the same weekend. funny you spout off about the ps3 not having a killer app, but i remember last year at the 360's launch when i got one that there wasn't anything even close to a killer app and gears of war is the only thing that's even close imo that has come out in over a year. also funny you fail to realize how amazing it is that the ps3 has sold more units in japan in 1 month than MS has in 13! wake up, MS may have a huge lead here in the states right now but nintendo is going to quickly catch up and dont expect the ps3 to be far behind
Tristan @ Dec 24th 2006 7:46PM
There's actually about 100 to 120 blu ray movies out there. There's only been about 526,000 ps3s sold now. I don't think Sony is going to reach their 1 million mark for the US. Microsoft did have about the same amount of 360s last year so there must be another reason they didn't do that well on ebay. The shortages are going to stop after xmas Walmart.com has had ps3s in for the past 3 days and they haven't sold out. Want to know why? It's because people won't get them before xmas. Shortages will stop it happened with 360 the week after xmas you could walk into Costco and get one with no problem. I'm planning on getting my ps3 in January since my mom wasn't able to get my sister and I anything for xmas. So the ps3 will be my belated xmas gift.
Tristan @ Dec 24th 2006 7:51PM
Call of Duty 2 was the 360s killer app for launch it wasn't intended to be, but it ended up being it. They messed up PDZ which is still a really great game for its multiplayer. I'm sure resistance will be a game that will run with the playstation brand for a long time as Halo has with the xbox. Even though Halo 3 will be the last Halo it really isn't because they are making a lot of spinoff games that I think will do well. They have Peter Jackson making a game, which I'm waiting to see is about. Halo Wars looks like it will turn out to be a great game.
360 Fanbot @ Dec 24th 2006 8:00PM
I have a little song for theburn16
You are a douchebag little girl and quit bitchin about your worthless console *dun dun dun* etc. ect....
Quit getting so defensive over a little comment I made and go jerk off to your PS3 (yes I am acting immature but I don't give a **** it's christmas and I've had a little to much eggnog)
Oh and Merry Christmas everyone except theburn16! Yes no one likes you so go sit on your little stool in the corner and cry.
Pulse @ Dec 24th 2006 8:14PM
I don't think that the lack of sales of higly expensive PS3s on eBay has anything to do with it not being popular, I said this before they started selling and I'll say it again, people not buying thier resold PS3s are being taught a lesson, don't go and be stupid taking up places that wanters of a PS3 want and expect to sell them easily, I am glad noone is as stupid as the Xbox 360 fanboys who paid $1000 dollars or more to pick thier 360s up, the PS3 is already expensive without some dick going and selling it for double that expensive price.
I like many others want a PS3 but are not about to pay any eediot on eBay selling it for those high prices, in the end they loose out, so lmao at them, they waited in the cold and got little or probably no sleep to resell and now they'll pay for it by having to either keep it or sell it cheaper then they had intended. lol.
Any smart person willing enough to get thier hands on a PS3 will gladly wait for more to become available in stock, its not going to kill you if you don't get a console on time, jeez.
Tristan @ Dec 24th 2006 8:37PM
Christmas Cheer you give the people that have a 360 a bad name.
Benny @ Dec 24th 2006 9:12PM
This is to Colin
I work at Gamestop and honestly we have not received "huge" shipments of PS3's it took us a month and a half to finish filling our 15 reserves that we had and then up until now all we got was like 3 shipments of just 2 systems each time so thats about 6 people leaving our store with PS3's. I was also reading that the PS3's might be in shorty supply like they are all the way until 2008.
Diamond Blade @ Dec 24th 2006 9:39PM
I really don't give a flying **** what a PS3 fanboy thinks. They already believe every word of hype out of Ken's mouth. PS3 is a flop. If you have consoles on shelves, waiting to be sold this soon after launch....AND this close to Christmas...
...you fail.
Tristan @ Dec 24th 2006 9:22PM
Funny since I posted there is now over 786,000 ps3s sold. That is the fastest increase I have seen for them ever.
Sonyguy @ Dec 24th 2006 10:03PM
I was hyped for the PS3 since it was announced even though all the bed press put a salty taste in my mouth sometimes. I must admit though that the drastic decrease in demand is a bad omen for all of us. I was at best buy last week and they were getting a shipment of Wii's in the next morning and there were at least 30 people with tents outside ready to stay the night to get one. I went back the next morning and there were 2 PS3s sitting there the manager said they had been there since they opened. I picked up another controller and when checking out I was behind two people buying 360s. Then to top it all off there were 3 people waiting to play the 360 and the ps3 was turned off!! I asked the manager wtf? and he said the BD drive was screwed up and they were waiting for a replacment demo unit. All in all I am getting less optamistic that it will make it.
Klip @ Dec 24th 2006 10:51PM
PS3 = one giant black anchor of crap
Sony peaked a couple years agowith insane PS2 sales and they now have nowhere to go but down... or at least go the Sony route and make only games. Overhyped. Under delivered. And now nobody give 2 sh*ts about the PS3.
And I'm happy to see it. Arrogant pricks.
Klip @ Dec 24th 2006 10:55PM
... oops, I meant "go the Sega route..."
Michael @ Dec 24th 2006 11:04PM
One thing PC World was right on the money is that SONY could have killed off Nintendo's console business had they shipped on time. Or at least could have seriously crippled Nintendo. Those who can afford a $500 or $600 console would have bought a PS3. Others would have bought a PS2 (it's still the best selling console in the US btw http://www.vgcharts.com/page3.html ; in November it outsold 360 by a comfortable margin; I'm sure in big part because of its low price and huge game library).
With ship dates as they ended up - of course Wiis are selling like hot cakes. They are down right cheap compared to PS3 and there are more of them available (again - PS2 is still selling more units than Wii). PS3 doesn't even target the same market segment as Wii (Wii is competing with PS2 - not PS3; hardware generations non withstanding).
What will be interesting is to watch whether more games that actually take advantage of the innovative controller will come on the market. Or if the Wii Sports will end up as the best implementation of the new control method... In that case - after a month or 2, ppl will get board.
I have never owned a game console before and I am definitely buying a PS3. Been a PC gamer for years but now that console hardware is finally able to output 1080p HD resolution - I'm done with PC and will buy my first ever console around March. I'm sure one or 2 good games will be out by then or coming real soon (current lineup includes one single title I'd spend any time with; and I ain't paying $600 to play just one game).
If more long time PC gamers like myself decide that consoles are powerful enough now - then PS3 has a bright future. Because a $600 gaming PC replacement that can also output 1080p from BluRay is a steal. BTW - I will get a PS3 and not 360 simply because it has more computing power. I have a funny feeling SONY will not easily give up on the PS3 - so I'm not concerned about them declaring it a flop and pulling out any time soon. Partly because there is a ton of cash to be made from games sales - so they will cut hardware prices sooner than they'd normally do before they ever simply abandon the market (since they make money on games and not on hardware any way). And partly because they are so darn stubborn (just look up the history of Mini-Disc on Wikipedia to see what I mean).
Oh - and yes, I do realize that PC hardware will outperform PS3 in a year from now or sooner. But I'm ditching PS and switching to PS3 because I find it plenty good enough. With graphics looking as good as they already do - it's plenty enough for me. Will be interesting to see the kind of games developers will put out a year or 2 from now...
Michael
Andrew @ Dec 24th 2006 11:11PM
I totally agree with #28. I've always been a pc gamer, never owned anything in last generation, ps2, xbox, gc . . . nothing. I played the best games on the pc. But I'm really impressed by the ps3. Otherwise, totally in agreement with #28.
DLbeast @ Dec 24th 2006 11:39PM
I was in a local Walmart 30 minutes prior to closing on Xmas Eve and i saw 6 60-GB PS3 systems sitting behind the case. People were walking right on by as if no big deal.
I was shocked.
juggy @ Dec 25th 2006 4:54AM
to micheal,
just to let you kno, you can have all the computing power in the world in the ps3, but ask yourself where do you do your computing? where will you do in the future? do you really think the ps3 can replace a pc? i dont think so. that right there tells you that theres no sense in buying a product for its computing power if your not going to compute on it. do you buy a bicycle if you have no legs? didnt think so. and again the apps. its all in the apps. look at 2007's lineup and theres no need to bother with it just yet. compare it to 360's and you may see something you like. if your a pc fan there is no doubt you could possibly be interested in lost planet, obviously oblivion, forza looks great, and not to mention gow. and just for the record to whoever said that sony has "sold" 1.1 mil. units, your wrong. they have "produced" that amount which is completely different. so much for your facts. trust me i was a ps fan all the way. socom, ff, kingdom hearts, but theres nothing good right now or the near future. so again i ask why bother now. pick up the wii60 now and get the ps3 a yr from now when games are good, when you have money in your pocket to buy the good games and only then will you enjoy a full hd gaming experience. why drop the money now and kill yourself getting one when theres no reason to get it now.
just my logic going crazy i guess...
Thomas @ Dec 25th 2006 9:16AM
I just don't feel that there's anything wrong with the PS3, I think next year when they're doing their analysis of the systems, and ps3s are in full production... all these media outlets will be singing a different tune. The PS3 isn't ready for todays, market, but it is ready to tomorrow market, which is an HD market. The only true weakness of the system, was it's production issues.
luigi193 @ Dec 25th 2006 11:05AM
LOL@ SONY!!!!
Dutch @ Dec 25th 2006 11:10AM
@ 5
Lets just wait for the ''official''numbers to be announced.
VGcharts.org say one thing.
http://nexgenwars.com say something else.
according to Wiki:PS3 North America: 197,000(as of the end of November 2006),Japan: 238,007(as of December 10, 2006).I'm not saying it didn't sell 1.1 mil, i just mean these sites(VGcharts.org,http://nexgenwars.com)could be wrong for all we know.
mike @ Dec 25th 2006 11:26AM
There is a reason the 360 sucks in Japan: target market.
Sony has always catered to the Japanese market with more RPG games than any other console. Xbox 360 in my opinion, has none. I don't play RPGs at all, but I think Oblivion was the only successful one for 360. Xbox will not win with Gears of War and Halo in Japan, sure Americans like those games, but not the Asian market.
Also, I am not surprised Playstation sold 1.1 million units so far, because it was over hyped and many were bought by idiots who feel the technologically superior console is superior, which of course is yet to be proven.
I know the cell is really powerful, but sony has done very little to maximize its use currently. same can be said for backwards compatibility graphics issues. and stupid sixaxis controller gimmick. and its tedious online service. and its controller's internal batteries which will leave ur controller useless should the battery die.
lots of problems for sony, and they will be hard to overcome with the current attitude they have and the market already hating them.
Cage @ Dec 25th 2006 2:56PM
"If more long time PC gamers like myself decide that consoles are powerful enough now - then PS3 has a bright future."
Haha...like you are the "large" demographic Sony was looking for. One of the dumbest comments I have seen.
And Extracheese...Natomas.
jm6k @ Dec 26th 2006 9:47AM
@Jason,
Sony sold 1.1 million? Dude, where are you getting your info? Sony is about 400,000 shy of that figure, and it's PAST christmas. Check the figures out here if you want to get schooled : http://www.nexgenwars.com/