Sony: Nintendo Handhelds Aren't for Self-Respecting Adults

[Electrogecko]

Translation: "You'll be able to pull off mad headshotz on teh NGP.......EXTREME!!!"

This has essentially been Sony's attempted image for the last several years. I've actually heard the argument that Sony is responsible for making video games "cool" when Nintendo failed to do so for decades. Oh yea? What'd they do, paint their console black? Release plenty of shooters? Market toward the so-called "hardcore" gamer?

They're marketing toward insecurity and being extremely condescending simultaneously. It's also not the best idea considering how many kids will be receiving a handheld from a parent/grandparent this year. I actually would prefer to own a PS3 over my current 360, and I'm very interested in the NGP, but these types of comments were the reason (as a Nintendo fan) for my grudge against Sony and they're really not doing their image to any secure adult any favors.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

but no self-respecting twenty-something is going to be sitting on an airplane with one of those," Tretton said. "He's too old for that."

I think Tretton really means "but no insecure CoD loving (and only because it's popular, not because he actually likes it!) 13 year old wannabe cool kid who is too afraid of being called *insert insult here* to be seen with a nintendo product that isn't oozing blood and tits is going to be sitting on an airplane with anything made by nintendo. He's too insecure for that"

I'm a 22 year old guy. I play my DS in public all the time. Hell, I will publicly admit I liked "Bakugan battle brawlers" despite being 22, and not even liking the stupid franchise (long story behind how I ended up playing that game). I also happen to enjoy "hardcore" games like TF2, Mass Effect and Halo.

An "grown up" will do what they enjoy, and will not give a damn if society thinks it's childish. Didn't someone once say "When I grew up, I left behind childish things, including the desire to not be childish"?

 

[Jumplion]

He's obviously never experienced the pure greatness of Proffesor Layton, Phoenix Wright, or the Elite Beat Agents.

And for that, I pity him.

Seriously, Elite Beat Agents was the best fuck-mothering DS game of all fucking time! Fuckin' loved EBA.

Screw you iNiS for not putting out EBA2!!! Instead they went with some random karaoke game [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lips_%28video_game%29] for the 360 that nobody has heard from since!

Anyway, on topic; I would be more inclined to agree with him if he didn't come off as overtly hostile to the competition. I see his point, Nintendo's consoles are more geared towards the younger audience. This doesn't mean that adults don't enjoy them, but Nintendo's focus isn't really on them. Compared to the Playstation brand, they target more of the mid-aged, young adult kind of demographic, those who want a "sophisticated" experience that the Wii doesn't really provide.

Still, them's fighting words. Put your money where your mouth is and show us what you got.

 

[Zing]

Honestly, he's right, at least from my point of view. I'd feel childish using a gameboy outside of my house and that's why I don't own one, and none of my friends would use theirs outside of their house. I'd probably get a 3DS to play at home if it wasn't unreasonbly expensive but it is so I won't.

Not like it's any different for Sony's hand held though.

 

[Ocelano]

Shows what6 this guy knows I'm 26 and spend the majority of my flights messing with my ds I would do it too with my 3ds but I haven't flown since I got one. and the great thing about handhelds is that as long as you have headphones you could be playing my little magical ponie adventure and nobody could mock you for your tastes, personally I spend more time grinding through the pokemon games but hey whatever floats your boat.

Oh and BTW Pheonix wright(probably my favorite DS game) is no bleeding babysitting tool. trust me I've tried it and no 4 year old will tolerate that much text.

 

[Jumplion]

Translation: "You'll be able to pull off mad headshotz on teh NGP.......EXTREME!!!"

This has essentially been Sony's attempted image for the last several years. I've actually heard the argument that Sony is responsible for making video games "cool" when Nintendo failed to do so for decades. Oh yea? What'd they do, paint their console black? Release plenty of shooters? Market toward the so-called "hardcore" gamer?

Actually, if you look back through history, back in the PS1 vs. N64 era, Sony did, at the time, market towards the "cool" mainstream crowd while Nintendo went for their core fanbase, and coupled with Nintendo's restrictive game publishing process, Sony allowed for a quicker, more diverse set of games to come out for the system. Now it's reversed, funnily enough, as Nintendo are marketing more towards the general mainstream crowd while pumping out a glorious amount of shovelware, and Sony is looking at a more specific demographic while being extremely paranoid about people's access to their console.

[sup]Also, 9000th post! Finally![/sup]

 

[Squigie]

Seems like Sony has decided to go with the N-Gage marketing strategy. Remember how well that turned out, everybody?

Honestly, he's right, at least from my point of view. I'd feel childish using a gameboy outside of my house and that's why I don't own one, and none of my friends would use theirs outside of their house. I'd probably get a 3DS to play at home if it wasn't unreasonbly expensive but it is so I won't.

Not like it's any different for Sony's hand held though.

They have pills for that.

 

[jpoon]

Haha, pretty funny. This guy is probably right though. I could see myself owning an NGP before owning a 3ds personally. But damn the draw of Zelda is a powerful powerful force!!!

 

[Kakashi on crack]

I question how the NGP will somehow magically be "for adults" simply because of its improved internal components. Sony can bash Nintendo all it wants, but it shouldn't bash millions of gamers, and its audience, at the same time.

Heheheh, its for adults cause of "internal components"

Alright, being serious here, this sony guy seems a bit like a prick overall. The 3ds sees use from all ages for all purpouses. (and yes, I mean that too, feel free to snicker)


EDIT: In response to posts saying people wouldn't take it out of the house: I have about three friends (one of them is a senior in highschool) who bring their DS to school on a daily basis.

 

[joshthor]

i would argue dedicated hand held video games are not for self respecting adults. the iphone is one thing, but if i see someone with a psp or ds, and they are either at college, or at work, or eating at a restaurant, i think "man child". hand held video games will stop being lame when they stop being "hand held gaming devices" and start being "personal media player... that happens to play games" something the iphone is ALMOST getting (needs more AAA games)

 

[Balimaar]

I am 20+ yrs old and I regularly play my DS. very good for long trips where I am not the driver

 

[Cain_Zeros]

No self-respecting twenty-something would own a DS, eh? Well, I'm 20 and I just bought on on Tuesday... And I kinda doubt I'm "the exception that proves the rule".

 

[Doctor Glocktor]

I'll play a PSP when it has games other than JRPGs and racing games.

Until then, I'll stick with my DS, thank you.

 

[JWAN]

Cough* CEO blowhard Cough*

The DS kicked the PSP's ass and the DS wasn't even built to compete with it. He lost the footrace to someone in the fucking stands.

 

[Atmos Duality]

...not only because the 3DS' failure opened the door for competitors...

Isn't it a bit too soon to claim that the 3DS failed?

EDIT: Oh fine, I'll bite at the topic itself.
I haven't used my PSP in months. Why? I don't give a toss about what's been released, the controls suck nuts, and now there's new product on the horizon. Your bragging is not selling me on the concept; it's only making me feel like a tool for even considering your product.

Sony,
If you want my dollars, you have to earn them. Really. Fucking. Earn them.

 

[chanceisshane]

Why does almost every major company always have at least one idiot in a high enough position to be heard that ruins the image of an entire company with their stupid opinions? Sony needs to silence this guy.

 

[MadCapMunchkin]

Seriously? Really? Sony's pulling out the "big kids don't play with that" guns? Geez, it's like primary school all over again...

 

[valkeminator]

Well this is disappointing... Sorry Sony, but you probably won't be getting my money on NGP. For the record I even passed out on PS3.

This is just... dirty fighting, very disappointing.

Right... This is the same Jack Tretton who back in 2007 said

If you can find a PS3 anywhere in North America that's been on shelves for more than five minutes, I'll give you 1,200 bucks for it.

and led Penny Arcade to post this?:

[link]http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/2/12/[/link]

Mr. Tretton, this is Mr. Kottick. I have an innovative suggestion for raising both your companies' stock prices. Bob, place your foot inside Jack's mouth until no sound emerges. Jack, do the same for Bob.

and wow... I really should have known that ... Disappointing, Sony.

Is it just me or SCEA is just really dropping the balls these days? I dont blame Sony Japan though, as to me it looks like Sony AMERICA is the one who's to blame.

In fact, I'm starting to think Sony Japan is probably also upset on Sony America's disappointing acts... Bear in mind these are made in Japan, and what America is doing can possibly harm the Japanese parent company as well indirectly, whereas they probably have nothing to do with the bad publicity (unless someone can show me a proof) and I mean ONLY the publicity/PR stunts.

Seriously, playing dirty with your competition is not the way to go, its better to show people why they want your product and what makes it special without taking shots at your competitors... I guess gaming industry needs to kick back a bit and stop treating it like serious business for a bit and consider the artistic value of games as well as opposed to simply milking them off.

I also would agree with the idea that Extra Credit should probably go for an episode relating to these trends..