Let Your Voice Be Heard about PS3!

[Mach]

Are you tired of the constant negative PS3 harping coming from the gaming press? Sick of the constant doom and gloom projected in editorials across the media landscape?

PSInsider.com's here to help. I'd like to do a special feature for the main site www.psinsider.com (also accessable via psinext.com). I'd like to gather a collection of the finest mini-essays declaring why Sony and the PS3 are indeed not down and out. The mini-essays will be provided by....you guys!

Let the people's voice be heard. We wont accept sloppy writing but we're not looking for Pulitzer level either. But the chance to be able to showcase your opinion on a highlighted top story for one of the most reputable independent PS3 sites on the Internet is a unique opportunity. There's never been a better time to stand up and have the opportunity to let your voice be heard.

The mini-essays can be submitted here or if you're more comfortable with it, via PM. Simply include your full name and forum name. We're looking for quality not quantity of words, so keep it at no more than 350 words if possible (if you really need an extension, PM me and we'll talk).

I will gather the 5 best submissions received from this thread and PM's and post them in a mega-counter piece to the over the top negativity found at virtually all the other publications out there. Just remember, this is not a call for fanboyism. Rather, it is an opportunity to articulate the other side of the debate that is rarely heard in the media today.

Join us in bringing balance to the media.

[frosty]

I like this idea. We have a lot of good writers around here.

[CreativeWriter]

We do, where are they?

(stares into space)

No, this sounds like a good idea, though I'm not sure making a rosy picture of PS3 should be the goal. Cutting through spin/PR is fine, but we should aim at truthtelling me thinks. Otherwise we're just an extension of Sony's own PR, which can't be good for the site's reputation. Like good lies, negative PR spin (FUD) begins with a grain of truth. We shouldn't ignore the source/cause of the FUD. Maybe I'll put some real thought into the PS3's current position/where it's going and try to write something coherent, but I'm certain it's not all positive so far. Just my early impressions of the assignment .

[LiquidEagle]

I'm all for this. I'll start writing something. Later.

[masteratt]

This is great stuff, Mach.

Everyone should at least attempt this as I am sure almost 100% of this forums got annoyed at the negative press at one point or another.

Shitty journalism is a topic that annoys me greatly and you can expect my entry within a day or two.

[kaphwan]

Hoo boy, time to waste hours on something that won't get featured.

The hours will mostly be me trying to find other words for "fucking", "bullshit", "wii-ankers" and "elitist cuntwaffles".

edit: any help on these matters would be greatly appreciated

[BahnNZ]

Well, you have to get me when I'm in angry ranting mode, I'm currently at peace with all my household appliances.

[Mach]

All we're offering is a fairly large platform to intelligently articulate and present the points (or counterpoints) that you so often see neglected at virtually every other outlet when it comes to Sony and the PS3.

And, I tell you what, if the fantastic entries go past 5, we'll extend the feature into a series if we have to...As long as the truth is presented from you guys.

[Passive]

i sorta posted my opinion on how the media beats sony down for things here. although its not fit for this thingy. :P i might write something up, a little less angry thant what i wrote in that link oh and not as long XD

[Sephiroth_VII]

It sounds interesting, and I'll probably write something. I was just getting bored.

[makeitlookreal]

This is a good idea.

[TheGreenElf]

I may try to contribute something, although it will be fair towards all consoles if any comparison is done, that is. Any deadline, Mach?

[Jay Gee]

I would probably write about how viral blogging and biased game sites exclaimed that Sony was screwing the European demographic with a higher price point for the PS3, when Microshaft's been giving the same European section ass tulips with an unheard of number of faulty 360s that have to be either fixed or replaced altogether. 10 million units sold worldwide? I wonder how many of those were replacements?

[OmniStalgic]

Sony entered the market with a force debuting it's original Playstation console against Nintendo and Sega, somehow, it seems the media has forgotten the company that literally changed the face of gaming.

PS3 isn't without it's cons, there are many features, services, and software that could be much better on the system. It's quite difficult to distinguish software for PS3 and X360 as well, (which holds a far cheaper price-tag) but already, titles are being revealed that showcase the hardware and it's advantages over the competition. Despite these announcements of future software and service, it seems the media almost wants Sony to fail this generation of gaming? As history shows, the best software comes 4-5 years into a console's life and PS3 has yet to have it's first birthday. With so many slanted and biased interviews, blogs, and 100% false claims, you have to wonder, just what consoles were people playing for the past 10 years to lose faith in Sony so quickly?

Instead of releasing an upgraded PS2, Sony has invested millions in R&D to produce their new platform. A platform that may challenge developers to think outside the norm of PC architecture. A platform whose titles will improve with every year as devs learn the intricacies of Cell and RSX, and most importantly, a cutting-edge, technologically advanced platform, that will born some amazing software bearing the right creators support. Sony's approach to content in the forms of PSN, Playstation Eye, and motion-supported software are the types of ideas that will progress the industry. Already, were seeing how fun and creative motion control in video games can be with the success of Wii and PSN titles. New ideas are forming on just what gaming can become with social interactive software like Singstar and little Big Planet. So,why not give the company (that's hands down produced some of the best gaming entertainment through their Playstation consoles) a chance to have there strategy come into fruition?

If PS3's barrier of admission is too high, (Price) or if features are missing that consumers would like to have, (Matured online service) there's always alternatives. (Wii, X360, PS2, DS, etc...) Bashing a company that's been the market leader (through compelling software) for two generations this early in it's console's life cycle is not only ignorant, but I'd say, it's even disrespectful to past accomplishments. PS3 is loaded with possibilities, (Home) and has more potential than any current system on the market, and I for one, would like to see most of that potential and possibility become a reality.

There are thousands and maybe millions of consumers out there who faithfully game as a hobby and reflect on the industry as a true form of entertainment. This type of acceptance and consensus will never reach the mainstream audience if gaming's own media displays such a lack of professionalism and maturity. And Sony is currently in the limelight of the media's "journalism".

Too long?

Cool, not too long judging by later post

EDIT

[Mach]

Everything's looking good so far. Feel free to make editing suggestions for each others' entries...clearly marked of course.

We'll probably publish the feature in the coming week or so.

[Kronz]

Ever since Sony announced its hefty price tag for the PlayStation 3, lifelong fans have severed all ties with the PlayStation brand, blazoning their grievances through every mean available to them. MySpace, Blogger, YouTube—you name it. Couple that with the company’s underwhelming showing at E3 last year and its unrelenting arrogance, and it’s natural to wonder whether they were poised for failure since then, even before their new console had seen the light of day. That of course is no excuse for the scathing criticism Sony has received over the course of the past year. Disgruntled gamers everywhere have raved groundlessly and to no end about the company’s dismal future. In this short article, I will tell you why the PlayStation 3 will not be a failure.

Name recognition has to be factored in before anything else. Sony has dominated not only the console market, but by and large the electronics market as well. Indeed, for seven straight years, Sony has come in number one in the best brand poll conducted annually by Harris interactive. Who doesn’t know what a Vaio is? How about a Walkman? Both are Sony brands. Nintendo was once synonymous with gaming; it’s got its own entry in the dictionary, even. Now, so does the PlayStation. This breeds a familiarity and customer loyalty that’s difficult to break through. Customers who owned a PlayStation 2 will likely purchase a PlayStation 3 being how, generally speaking, they had a good experience with the console and therefore have reason to believe that the PlayStation 3 will be an equally good experience, if not better.

Secondly, it must be pointed out that the system is a steal. *A symphony of gasps* Well, maybe not when juxtaposed to its competitors, but let’s not forget that the PlayStation 3 is offering cutting edge technology at what is considered for the market a bargain price. The console is not only a Blu-ray player, but it is also a PlayStation 2. No matter what games you own, regardless of whether they were popular or not, the PlayStation 3 will play them. That’s real backwards compatibility, not the faux backwards compatibility Microsoft pretends to with its Xbox 360, which only plays select Xbox games. Who picks them? Who knows? Certainly, it isn’t the gamer. Six-hundred dollars for a machine that can play games both new and old, Blu-ray movies, music and go online when standalone Blu-ray players are going for nearly a thousand dollars? Sounds like quite the bargain to me.

Furthermore, while HD-DVD may be the cheaper format, Blu-ray has the support of a large majority of the major Hollywood studios. You’re not going to see Spider-man 3 on HD-DVD—you’re going to see it on Blu-ray. Disney’s even registered the brand “Disney Blu-ray,” as they did with the DVD. Doesn’t that make a resounding statement as to which format will prevail? All of this coupled with the fact that Sony is using it as its game format could easily and quickly usher in the Blu-ray era, leaving DVD/HD-DVD players and the systems that utilize them in the dust.

To finish this off, both Sony and Microsoft are betting that superior graphics will play a monumental role in the console war. If it turns out to be the defining one, Sony’s already the winner. Can you honestly take one look at games like Resistance: The Fall of Man or Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (or even Killzone 2, which was conspicuously absent from last year’s E3) and tell me they don’t make you want to go out and get a system that can pull off something that impressive?

I rest my case.

[Hisham]

I'll write something later.

*Gasp*

Yes I am a PS3 supporter guys (probably didn't really give that image in the Ted Price thread) but I want to see it succeed as much as the rest of you guys.

I have a question tho Mach. Do you want us to do our own sorta spin, because I don't like spins. I'd rather do, why Sony stumbled in the beginning and how they can come back from all the negativity because half of it is bullshit. Or do you want it all strictly positive?

[qzak]

Late last year, the introduction of the PS3 came amidst much fanfare, excitement, and expectation. But after the launch, many things people expected were missing from the console, and few games were available, much less games that fulfilled the promise of "Next Generation." For many, the attitude shifted. Whether or not Sony released the console before the support was ready (or failed to plan for that support early enough), the perception amongst the public was damaged significantly. In fact, many people are already assuming that the PS3 is a failure. This perception is a powerful thing: it may be more damaging to the console’s future than any competitor. Perception like that can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy as third party support wanes.

But consumers are notoriously fickle, as is press coverage. And, perhaps unknown to the naysayers, the PS3 has started to fulfill some of its lofty promises of old. With firmware updates, the console has become much of the media hub it was purported to be. The general public hasn’t realized this – yet. And Sony has begun to lift the lid on games that hold incredible promise. Any one of these may define what the console is, just like some games have defined past consoles. And once that happens, many pundits may be blindsided by the speed at which the landscape shifts. And let's face it: many of them will blow with the new wind when it appears.

A situation that takes months to develop may also reverse itself in that time. Moreover, and more importantly, perception of the situation can change even more quickly. By no means is the console race decided today. Instead, the real race is for Sony to prove that it will deliver on its promises, before things progress too far down the path on which they now travel. Yet if Sony manages to do that, they will reach a tipping point, from which the acceleration is downhill rather than up. The sooner this happens, the more likely they again dominate what is only a growing marketplace.

[OmniStalgic]

OK...had a chance to Edit...Some criticism would be nice

[Mach]

I'll write something later.

*Gasp*

Yes I am a PS3 supporter guys (probably didn't really give that image in the Ted Price thread) but I want to see it succeed as much as the rest of you guys.

I have a question tho Mach. Do you want us to do our own sorta spin, because I don't like spins. I'd rather do, why Sony stumbled in the beginning and how they can come back from all the negativity because half of it is bullshit. Or do you want it all strictly positive?

Well, you are free to give your perspective and point of view. But if you're more into an objective even-handed analysis of the situation that you think is missing in the game media, feel free to take that approach also.