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Denver, 7:55 PM
Sat Nov 7
35 posts in the last 24 hours
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10/30/09
10/30/09
I've noticed no deterioration in profitability in the game business and VAIO PCs are just been priced out of the market.
Sonys problems with the PSP can be solved with increased marketing of both the games on the system and the system/s itself, in otherwords, take a page out of Nintendo's book.
PS2 should not be looked at for profitability at this point now, instead they should offer (for a price) a software emulator for the PS3 and start getting PS2 games up on PSN.
As far as the PS3 goes, they've just got to keep and expand on the strong exclusive line-up they have this Q4.
I love hearing excuses! #ps3
10/30/09
10/30/09
The strong yen has wrecked a lot of stuff (including my bank account. owww.) and really cannot be forgotten.
As for VAIOs, on Buzz Out Loud they were discussing that last quarter the only type of PC that had growth was the netbook, everything else was reporting lower earnings. VAIO clearly needs to be turned into a cheaper netbook line! Sure some VAIO PCs are the size of the netbook but the cost... yeesh. #ps3
10/30/09
VAIO does need to be dropped in prices. Their charging Apple pricess when they don't have an Apple following. #ps3
10/30/09
@forgecat: The strong yen has had an effect on things but it doesn't change the fact that much of what Sony told the stockholders was twisted words and lies intended to get the stockholders to keep their shares.
@Ryan_the_D: The VAIO does need to be dopped in price as can be seen in this report, it ain't selling and it ain't selling because it's priced out of it's intended market. Sony aren't trying to compete with Apple with the VAIO, Apple are targeting the young, fasionable and artisitc markets while Sony is targeting the business consumer and media-lovers. When HP and Dell have cheaper options that offer just as much if not more (minus bluray) then Sony has a problem. Forgecat hit the button when he said "VAIO clearly needs to be turned into a cheaper netbook line".
@catterwall: We can only hope and dream.
10/30/09
I am not saying you are wrong in anyway, just kind of saying Sony isn't as super crazy as we sometimes think they are. ... okay well the are but I hope you get what I mean! #ps3
10/30/09
Like I said, I love hearing excuses. It's funny to hear some of the stuff that people concoct to explain themselves. My comment was merely about some of my opinions on what it all really meant. #ps3
10/30/09
PS2 will obviously see a downward slope, it's just dying out right now, let's face it, it had it's extremely long glamor years.
As for VAIO products, i don't get sony. Why charge for VAIO products more than HP or DELL, when EVERYONE knows they are better when it comes to pc/notebooks in EVERY way (it's not like with LCDS, where sony truthfully came out better in on all level than samsung in certain tests, and it deserves to be more expensive) ?
I mean (i'm from EU) I got my HP Pavillion for about 860 euros, now it's about 750 euros, and there's a new vaio that has less HDD, less RAM (i have 3 it has 2 gb) and a slightly slower GPU, than I have, but indeed has a slow BluRay burner drive, and it costs 900 euros!!!
They are offering a product which with pluses and minuses offers the same thing as one of it's competitor but costs 150 euros (that's like 223 dollars) more?
And i had a vaio and the main problem is the warranty/service system. While HP and DELL (and others) use localised licensed pc service companies to do their jobs (ex: my hp brakes down, i take it to company X, which is licensed by HP among others, and they carry the repair for me, order components from hp, etc), Sony has the most retarded system ever.
Apparently there are 2-3 service centers in Europe. When it brakes down, you have to call the service center which is apparently in Ireland (regardless of the country you are in). There, you talk with someone who tries to repair your computer through you, and also diagnose it (so you have to have the pc with you, you can't tell them it's broken). After about 40 minutes on average, when the operator realizes the problem can not be fixed over the phone, he sends a DHL/FedEx (depending on the country) to your house for you to send the pc to them, and after 3 weeks or so they send it back.
Now imagine if they didn't get it right, how frustrating it is to send it back again, compared to other companies which use local service companies, where you can just go and yell and they get it all done 3 times faster due to the fact that you didn't send yout pc 400000 miles away. #ps3
10/30/09
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it's about time..
oh, and ps2 games for download on the psn. #ps3
10/30/09
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A software emulator and PS2 titles on PSN would be profitable, the only reason it hasn't happened yet is because the PS2 although it's dying is still alive. #ps3
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I don't think they sell PS2s in Japan anymore. I know nowhere in UK stocks em apart from online. #ps3
10/30/09
10/30/09
PS2s still sell in Japan. Many times close to Xbox 360 numbers and, not long ago, still manages to outsell the 360.
And yet how is it you achieved that star is beyond me. #ps3
10/30/09
Yes I'm aware they still sell PS2's in Japan.
You must not check kotaku very often huh? or you might know how I got my star ;) #ps3
10/30/09
There's a new sheriff in town, huh? Well, he was just correcting you on an untrue claim of yours. No need to get defensive.
That star is proof you've made constructive points in the past. It's not a Mensa diploma, my friend. #ps3
10/30/09
What difference does the star, or lack of it, make in my comment?
Edit: also it wasn't an untrue claim. "I don't think they sell PS2s" I never said "they don't sell PS2's in Japan" I was never stating a fact.
10/30/09
By the way, you should try to get some rest. Even if you can't go to sleep, try at least to get away from the screen and shut your eyes for 15 minutes. It's not good for the brain to go a night without sleep.
Just a tiny break and some shut-eye will do you good. You'll feel better! #ps3
10/30/09
I have a rule that if I can't get to sleep by 4am I just don't bother, cos I only end up getting up late if I do.
I'll just grab 40 winks after I've done my lectures for the day. #ps3
10/30/09
10/30/09
Most I've ever had before is like 2.5-3 days.
But yeah, 5-6 days leads to brain damage, 7+ death.
But I'd be in hospital before that happened. #ps3
10/30/09
Dean my man, get some rest as soon as you can, sleep is on your brain. #ps3
10/30/09
Just found out due to timetabling errors (woot for uni changing over practically everything, new logos, email system, VLE, OS's etc) that I'm lecture free today. so I may do that.
[open.spotify.com]
10/30/09
Theres only room on this website for one moron and thats me! #ps3
10/30/09
that sounds like trying to be a smartass. there is nothing insightful about that comment.
when did he flex his muscle? i think it is you who are being defensive no apparent reason.
better luck next time. #ps3
10/30/09
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10/30/09
@deanbmmv: I'm sorry, I see now that you didn't bring up your star. I apologize.
@Alex_Mexico: Bringing up that star was one step too far. Man up and keep your rude remarks to yourself next time. #ps3
10/30/09
10/30/09
Sony as a whole isn't even making a profit right now, Microsoft on the other hand? They make BILLIONS as in 10's of Billions of US dollars a year... your comment is just ridiculous. #ps3
10/30/09
You know, even with it's hefty pricetag, the PS3 was outselling the 360 month after month for a long time upon release, it's actually pretty much in line with what the 360 has done in the same length of time.
Also,What's with calling the PSPGo "stupid"? Is it stupid because you can't afford it? Is it stupid because of it's very small size and high portability? Is it stupid because it's the first console that's download only (offering first what is an inevitable change in the industry)?
I just don't get it.
I see that. #ps3
10/30/09
-Market Capitalisation (in millions)-
-Sony: 2,797,631.000
-MSFT: 251,811.900
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Anyway, my bad. #ps3
10/30/09
10/30/09
there is really no room for experimental titles other than xbla and other downloadable storefronts. #ps3
10/30/09
PS2 has been an amazing console. An amazing array of games.
But yes, I don't think we'll see a console like it for a while. And as I've been lamenting with Mitsuki we won't see such a variety. Brown 'photo-realistic' shooters from here on out. :( #ps3
10/30/09
As far as I see it (and maybe you're talking about software developers?) this generation has led to the greatest amount of competition to date, and as far as I can tell, it's been good to consumers.
Like $300 PS3s, Netflix integration, media integration, expanded social services, ramped up networking services, XBLA/PSN/WiiWare, etc. #ps3
10/30/09
And no, PCs don't count here. #ps3
10/30/09
The increased focus on the mass market this generation just means that next generation will be even LESS creative, smaller publishers and devs will continue to die, and pretty soon it'll just be Activision, Microsoft and Nintendo slinging shit in every direction. I'd rather quit gaming than deal with a world like that.
I don't wanna sound like I'm pissed at you or anything (I'm not), but I hear a lot of people excusing the slow bleeding-out of the industry by saying "it's just business" or "it's just the way things are".
Unfortunately? Saying "it's just the way things are" or "it's just business" doesn't make it any less painful to watch, and it doesn't make me any less angry about it. It just makes it worse, really. It feels like people have just given up.
10/30/09
Beyond online none of them are really pushing games forward are they?
Sure the consoles are getting more useful, but broadband, Netflix, Facebook n twitter didn't really exist when 6th gen kicked in.
I'd say the main issue is that developers looked at the amount of polys they can do n realised they could do photo realistic. And so they went with photo realistic, no more abstract looking games.
If Crash Bandicoot had been made this gen he'd of looked like a bandicoot. No silly bright orange thing that was made because games just couldn't push pixels. Compare FFVII style of characters to XIII.
This style of games is going. Even GTA in PS2 to GTA IV.
Its a shame Wii isn't that great as some of their games are the best looking. #ps3
10/30/09
Not longest run yet. PS1 lasted 11 years till it was discontinued, The NES lasted around 10 years (though working knock-offs are still being made) Whereas PS2 is only 9 years old, so a few years to beat its dad. #ps3
10/30/09
With graphics becoming more and more realistic then, it will be interesting to see how the surreal realm is approached.. shall it be like a realistic Salvador Dali painting?
And what of next-gen mega man types? I think we can still expect to see our beloved cartoony style, just with greater depth/sheen/flair..
Not to mention, game developers couldn't possibly leave behind the audience that made them successful, for a newer one that only craves shooters and gtas. They would lose lots of money and the developers behind the games would, I'm sure, feel a creative stagnancy that would eventually lead them to express such creativity in another abstract/surreal game. #ps3
10/30/09
And unfourtnaetly its the publishers, the businessmen that control the flow of cash in the industry, they pretty much have the games industry by the balls.
Just soon they'll squeeze to hard n castrate it, and it'll end up bad for everyone, if they haven't already. #ps3
10/30/09
Now, I didnt have a ps2, I had a cube, (and up until now i've never had enough financial ability to own more than one console per gen) but I can relate to what your saying through my experience of ps1.
I remember going to work, picking up cash in hand (I was young, worked on a market) and heading straight to pick up some random ass games i'd never heard anything about.
Good or Bad, I was experiencing the lot. #ps3
10/30/09
PS2 brought gaming into the mainstream.
It may be difficult for you to accept, but it happens every so often. #ps3
10/30/09
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Not had one since 1984.
Just sucks it all had to go in the shitter before that could happen. #ps3
10/30/09
It sounds to me like the only consideration you're taking in is that you don't quite appreciate the visual style of modern games. That's your opinion, and you can keep it. I do agree that the push for realistic games has taken some of the creativity out of the visual style of many games. Your totally right on that issue, and it is most unfortunate.
But just because you may not see the value in modern features doesn't mean other people don't.
Here's what I would contend: how likely were you to get a 256 multiplayer game on the PS1? How many Demon's Souls would you see on the NES (the multiplayer function of that game is amazing)?
Although, I do agree that the industry is in trouble - but not in a shit can. Many developers, not established as big time businesses, are forced to mimic other successful developers who have entrenched their positions in the marketplace. This does have the function of diluting some of the ingenuity in game development. But I also think these are all necessary growing pains in an industry that hasn't even come close to maturity. #ps3
10/30/09
thanks for reading my first line.
The rest are features you see tied to TV's nowadays in them yahoo widgets, and with set-top boxes.
But yes, many devlopers are just mimicking each other, there's very few big developers (because yes, inidies may innovate, but that has no impact on the main juggernauts of industry) that are breaking molds and taking nice leaps forward much anymore.
8th gen has a chance to be amazing, become a hulking shining beast from the teething pains of 7th gens leap into new controllers, on-line connectivity and HD.
But it could just shamble in doom from lessons not learnt. #ps3
10/30/09
So thanks for reading my next comment. :P
Keep in mind though that the current generation is hardly at its end, and there's still a lot of potential yet to be seen. #ps3
10/30/09
And you could of maybe edited your own post?
You replied within a minute, the edit lasts for quarter of an hour.
There is potential, but the time is dwindling fast. Next year I think will at least see music games being dropped, so that leaves a void to be filled. #ps3
10/30/09
10/30/09
Sooner the PS2 dies the faster the PS3 will possibly get PS2 emulation back with up-scaling goodness (crosses finger). #ps3
10/30/09
10/30/09
Come on, I don't hear people complaining about PSOne games so why the hate for the PS2? #ps3
10/26/09
Please please please please make the draw distance more than 10 feet this time. I'd love to be able to get up on a roof and still be able to see who's directly below me. Thanks.
*scowls at Tenchu PSP* #tenchu
10/26/09
The AI of the enemies was not that hot, but in a way it helped in providing what most if not all other infiltration games fail to provide: the feeling of being the hunter, not the hunted. #tenchu
10/20/09
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Not because PSP sales are generally horrific (GT only squeezed 350k according to VGChartz)
Not because it was a port of a PS3 game with remote play.
Not because it costs twice the price of the PS3 version.
No, it is because it is on torrent sites and every single download constitutes an otherwise guaranteed physical sale that is now lost.
Congratulations Q games on the transition from cool inovative indie developer, to souless money grabbing corporation.
Your blinkered and ignorant viewpoint has just guaranteed I'll never be making a purchase of one of your games.
(and no, I won't be torrenting them either) #dylancuthbert