Sony: We've Captured The Hardcore

[Doug]

Sony sound increasingly desperate with every press release, just how much money did the TV and MP3 player departments blow last year?

Besides Killzone, Devil May Cry and Ratchet, what PS2 originating franchises have they put on the PS3 so far?

They've been learning speech writing from the last days of Gerbbels and "HowTo: Tell the West they've lost and there are no American troops in Baghdad even when people can hear and see them" from the former Iraqi information minister.

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

Actually, they get it, you don't. The have captured all of us, and you can't escape it. Two words, dude - Team Ico. You cannot not play their next game and still be considered hardcore, you simply cannot do it. Of course, the Pub Fund thing isn't likely to hurt.

Indigo, I've never played a Team Ico game. What the frack does this make me?

Universally agreed to be not a gamer.

Gorramnit! Now I need a new hobby.

 

[llewgriff]

I would say the Xbox 360 caters for the hardcore/frat boy demographic.

 

[cainx10a]

Sony sound increasingly desperate with every press release, just how much money did the TV and MP3 player departments blow last year?

Besides Killzone, Devil May Cry and Ratchet, what PS2 originating franchises have they put on the PS3 so far?

They've been learning speech writing from the last days of Gerbbels and "HowTo: Tell the West they've lost and there are no American troops in Baghdad even when people can hear and see them" from the former Iraqi information minister.

Poor Sony.

To Sony: Monsieur Wii-Wii would like to have a word with you =D

 

[Doug]

Actually, they get it, you don't. The have captured all of us, and you can't escape it. Two words, dude - Team Ico. You cannot not play their next game and still be considered hardcore, you simply cannot do it. Of course, the Pub Fund thing isn't likely to hurt.

Indigo, I've never played a Team Ico game. What the frack does this make me?

Universally agreed to be not a gamer.

That statement proves you aren't a gamer. You're a Sony fanboy brown noser prick. "You don't like what I like, THEREFORE YOU ARE NOT REAL" is from the big book of fundamentalist sayings.

 

[Goldeneye1989]

God of war 3, im regretting buying my 360, should have held out for the ps3 to come into it's own, and trust me it will.....

 

[Doug]

Sony sound increasingly desperate with every press release, just how much money did the TV and MP3 player departments blow last year?

Besides Killzone, Devil May Cry and Ratchet, what PS2 originating franchises have they put on the PS3 so far?

They've been learning speech writing from the last days of Gerbbels and "HowTo: Tell the West they've lost and there are no American troops in Baghdad even when people can hear and see them" from the former Iraqi information minister.

Poor Sony.

To Sony: Monsieur Wii-Wii would like to have a word with you =D

Well, I don't think the PS3 is 'failing' but I think there PR campaign makes it sound like that. But I doubt Sony will even reclaim their costs on the PS3.

 

[GyroCaptain]

So you were able to raise $450, but you couldn't raise $400?

I didn't remotely raise $450. I seized a refurb for $350 (with 2 controllers) from a tax refund back when the PS3 was higher, and am currently spending too much on educational expenses to even get games regularly. I wish I could have grabbed one of the first run of PS3 with the hardware backwards compatibility, but I didn't. Plus which, I don't like PS controls. I'm sorry, but even taking the time to get used to them through marathons of Final Fantasies and playing Gran Turismo and Burnout, I still don't like them. My hands have a very broad palm, but short fingers, this means I grab the controller too tightly and it feels too light. This is not to mention the large used games market I was taking into consideration, which at the time wasn't great for PS3.

 

[Otterpoet]

Again with the useless 'hardcore' and 'casual' labels.

How about trying to capture the market of 'everyone' by making games designed for everyone? Easy accessiblity while still challenging and easy to play in short bursts, yet containing a lot of depth, difficulty and replayability? In theory you'd be profiting more from both groups at once instead of catering to one or the other.

Sony's really having a tough time right now, due to just how they designed their Space Odyssey-esque monolith to be difficult to design games for. And even then, like fix-the-spade said, Sony's relying too much on previous franchises. So in reality they don't have many hardcore PS3 fans, just PS1 ans PS2 fans who've made the jump to PS3 to still play their favorite franchises.

Well put, Ben66.

First thing, I used to be an Xbox fanatic. But Microsoft turned me off so badly with the Xbox360 that I switched to PS3. And I have to admit, I love the system in every regard. I?m anxious to see what they can actually do with this thing. I mean Killzone 2 was so beautiful it made your eyes bleed and only used something like 60% of the system?s capability if memory serves. Plus, I have the 60GB version with backwards capability, so I have access to all the PS2 games. A truly sweet deal for its price, even without mentioning Blu-Ray.

So, it pains me that Sony can?t seem to figure out a marketing campaign to save its freakin' life! They keep redesigning the hardware and shooting themselves in the foot while doing so. Designers aren't too clear on what to do with it, either. Now we're moving into these labels of 'casual' and 'hardcore,' trying to appease the masses. Sure, Nintendo made money hand-over-fist appealing to the masses, but now their sales are seriously declining. Why would Sony want to follow them? I just don't get it. It's like they're suffering from schizophrenia. The only positive sign is the rising numbers of units bought in Japan. Otherwise, it's getting pretty grim for my poor PS3.

 

[Doug]

So you were able to raise $450, but you couldn't raise $400?

I didn't remotely raise $450. I seized a refurb for $350 (with 2 controllers) from a tax refund back when the PS3 was higher, and am currently spending too much on educational expenses to even get games regularly. I wish I could have grabbed one of the first run of PS3 with the hardware backwards compatibility, but I didn't. Plus which, I don't like PS controls. I'm sorry, but even taking the time to get used to them through marathons of Final Fantasies and playing Gran Turismo and Burnout, I still don't like them. My hands have a very broad palm, but short fingers, this means I grab the controller too tightly and it feels too light. This is not to mention the large used games market I was taking into consideration, which at the time wasn't great for PS3.

To be honest, I find I can't really get use to console controllers either. I have relativity small hands, and add to that I'm a lefty, well, I've yet to see a left-handed controller on offer from Microsoft or Sony - I suppose the Wii is ambidexerous, but can't test that one out.

 

[Doug]

That statement proves you aren't a gamer. You're a Sony fanboy brown noser prick. "You don't like what I like, THEREFORE YOU ARE NOT REAL" is from the big book of fundamentalist sayings.

Have you ever played a Team Ico game?
Clearly after making that comment you haven't & just want to jump on the "let's insult to make up for a lack of argument" bandwagon.

Did you read Indigo's statement? "You're not a gamer if you haven't played/don't like this Team!" was the sum totallity of his arguement. How would you prepose to counter that? "No its not" is about it.

Or do you have some idea of how to respond to that projection of personal opinion onto the world?

 

[cainx10a]

Sony sound increasingly desperate with every press release, just how much money did the TV and MP3 player departments blow last year?

Besides Killzone, Devil May Cry and Ratchet, what PS2 originating franchises have they put on the PS3 so far?

They've been learning speech writing from the last days of Gerbbels and "HowTo: Tell the West they've lost and there are no American troops in Baghdad even when people can hear and see them" from the former Iraqi information minister.

Poor Sony.

To Sony: Monsieur Wii-Wii would like to have a word with you =D

Well, I don't think the PS3 is 'failing' but I think there PR campaign makes it sound like that. But I doubt Sony will even reclaim their costs on the PS3.

The thing is, I am a PSP Fanboy, and Koller last attempt [http://blog.wired.com/games/2009/04/sonys-ludicrous.html](ok, GameWire's Kohler can be quite the DS Fangurl ;p) to downplay the DSi and Nintendo for still being aimed at little kids rather than say, promote the PSP hardware capabilities and assets (Monster Hunter is awesome), is really pathetic. And I couldn't agree more that he is an awful PR.

Even the PS3 has some decent games on it, but Sony need to start promoting their assets (Games) a little bit more, and use that damn resource they have to secure better exclusives and dlc rights.

 

[Pumpkin_Eater]

Within the context of the console market perhaps, but PCs have the vast majority of all hardcore gamers. Japanophile is the only market that I'd say the PS3 really has cornered and that's ignoring the fact that most of them own DS's.

 

[magnumopus]

I would say the Xbox 360 caters for the hardcore/frat boy demographic.

UFF is a fundamental evil.

Anyway about the PS3 taking the hardcore demographic it seems to me like they are just boasting through insecurity. Sony gaming is dead, and should stay dead. PC gaming has a monopoly on hardcore gaming.

 

[Jumplion]

The thing is, I am a PSP Fanboy, and Koller last attempt [http://blog.wired.com/games/2009/04/sonys-ludicrous.html](ok, GameWire's Kohler can be quite the DS Fangurl ;p) to downplay the DSi and Nintendo for still being aimed at little kids rather than say, promote the PSP hardware capabilities and assets (Monster Hunter is awesome), is really pathetic. And I couldn't agree more that he is an awful PR.

Oh come on, companies downplay other companies products all the time! Microsoft is nowhere [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/90352-Microsoft-Rep-Slams-PS3-and-Killzone-2] near [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.100274?page=1] from innocent and if I cared enough, I'd look for Nintendo bashing (maybe this [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.106528#1746429] counts?)

I will admit, Sony's PR is horrid at times, but people act as if Sony is the only baby bawling here. In fact, usually when Sony bashes another company, they're not even that aggressive, they just state what everyone else already knows (like Nintendo catering to "casuals"). Please do not tell me that Sony's bashing the DSi in that article is worse than Greenburg's attack [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/90352-Microsoft-Rep-Slams-PS3-and-Killzone-2].

 

[duchaked]

I own all 3 consoles and have been gaming for most of my life and I don't like Sony at the moment. They can't attract casual gamers, the PS2 is on its last legs and the PS3 is to expensive and cumbersome for casual gamers to even consider it.

The PS2 had a good run, but the Wii has got the casual gamers down pat.

Most PS3 owners I know (okay, almost all) had their parents (or parents' job company) purchase the system for them, whilst 360 chose it specifically (and Wii owners are anyone who loves SSBB)...at least in my experience and I'm sure it varies.

 

[NezumiiroKitsune]

Screw casual gamers. Screw family friendly games. Screw compensating for the masses. Grow a pair Sony, I don't want my console becoming the Wii. Also whats all this crap about capturing hardcore gamers. 360 and PS3 are both equally endowed with a strong base of hardcore gamers, so stop generalising bollocks and get round to XMB in game voice chat. We don't give a fuck about your pathetic attempts at giving everyone a hug, listen to your customers, do what we say not what you think would be nice. AND FIX HOME! Sony are beginning to piss me off, the PS3s a good console, stop messing everything up with brain dead marketing ideas.

Saying all that I loathe 360s PRs more, and their pointless stabs at their opponents have been much more underhanded and desprate. They are all such unlikeable, arrogant fucks I just can't bare to watch them be complete morons on stage and be condescending to the audience.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Actually, they get it, you don't. The have captured all of us, and you can't escape it. Two words, dude - Team Ico. You cannot not play their next game and still be considered hardcore, you simply cannot do it. Of course, the Pub Fund thing isn't likely to hurt.

As for the casual gamers, all these things have a rudimentary balance issue. A casual gamer is looking at the benefit they get from an object with a single function - see the success of the Iphone. So, they need something so unbelievably cute that it actively forces people to buy the Ps3.

Like this:

...*scratches head* Okay, Team Ico has made, Ico, Shadow of the Collusus, and...?

...I'm drawing a blank.

Can't we all just agree that ALL the major companies are oblivious and run by coporate dipshits who see gaming as a commodity to pump money out of people? Sony is arrogant, self assured, and oblivious. Microsoft is arrogant, self assured, and as mature at the averag XBL player. Nintendo are oblivious sellouts whose master plan is running out of time because they forgot to make GAMES.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

I played ICO and didn't like it. There's a difference between being hardcore and being pretentious. Okami is a better example.

Also, it depends on your definition of "hardcore". I'd argue that if you've never set foot inside an arcade you can't begin to qualify as "hardcore".

Sony have some great games out on the PS3, but they don't appeal to everyone and it is insulting of them to, by inference, label those who have not bought the console as not hardcore. It's like the Australian Government labelling people who don't like Vegemite un-Australian. The two things are totally unrelated.

 

[Woe Is You]

I'm thinking Koller really should just shut his trap.

Did you read Indigo's statement? "You're not a gamer if you haven't played/don't like this Team!" was the sum totallity of his arguement. How would you prepose to counter that? "No its not" is about it.

Or do you have some idea of how to respond to that projection of personal opinion onto the world?

Well have you ever played a Team Ico game? Clearly not. Considering popular consensus, you need to show how Team Ico are bad, or how someone can call themself a gamer without playing their games considering how revolutionary they are. It would be like saying you are a FPS veteran with never having played an id software game.

Well, have you ever played an Infocom game? What about Dune 2? Or Monkey Islands? Or Adventure on the Atari 2600? The original Final Fantasy? Ikaruga?

For the record, I liked Ico's minimalism and thought Shadow of the Colossus merely fails in many ways Ico doesn't but this is just silly. We can have a huge pile of arbitrary requirements to what it means to be a gamer but in the end, it really won't do anyone any good. Get off your high horse, will you?