P-A on E3: It is very, VERY early to consider one's self a fan of the PlayStation 3

GhaleonEB · (05-22-2006, 09:34 PM)

Originally Posted by Tycho:

I really must stress to online PlayStation 3 partisans the extent to which they were not at E3. Those of you playing "the home game" might have seen a trailer or two and come away with the idea that with grace and pride your grey altar stood high over conquered foes. Ain't the case.

Like Nintendo, they should have kept that price close to the vest. Maybe even buried it inside the vest, or folded it lengthwise and hid it in the sole of their shoe. Because what happens after you hear that price is you traverse their media gauntlet, and with each new game you see, you ask yourself if it is worth six hundred dollars. That game, by itself. Is this Karaoke game, which is, as I understand it, a very good Karaoke game, worth six hundred dollars? Six sixty, if we are using tawdry real numbers? With only thirty songs built in, what is be the price per song I choose to download - which is to say, what is the actual price of the game? Wait, is SingStar even a launch title? God of War, I mean, uh... Heavenly Sword looks cool, but when is it coming out? Do we even know what the launch titles are?

They've gotten a lot of traction differentiating themselves from Microsoft by offering "free online play," which people hear as "free Xbox Live," and I don't know that we can believe anything of the kind. Until it is absolutely verified that we are talking about single sign in, single friends list, unified architecture, and invites across products from different publishers, they are not replicating the competing premium service. The PlayStation 2 has "free online play" as well, and it becomes apparent fairly quickly that it is free (which is to say, $40) because they have given the user nothing, and the developer nothing, and the publisher nothing.

It is in this spirit that I have resolved to give you nothing as well, as much as you want. You might be wondering how you or your friends can get a piece of this nothing that I'm giving away. Just close your eyes. Yes, that's it. Open your right palm. There. Now savor your nothing, to the extent that one is able to savor the void.

The reality is, of course - and this is a dark piece of market wisdom - that if a game good enough or important enough is released, price recedes as the primary factor. Their stable of thrall developers worldwide will eventually necessitate a purchase, a fact I find unpleasant. But I'm not going to pay a premium for games that will be released at some distant point in Earth's future.

It is very, very early to consider one's self a fan of the PlayStation 3.

The comic is on an entirely different subject, sadly.

http://www.penny-arcade.com/

Y2Kev · (05-22-2006, 09:35 PM)

If I remember correctly, they were down on Sony after last year's show too....remember the bullshit pants?

Akia · (05-22-2006, 09:37 PM)

Yes, more anti-Sony properganda!

Keep'em coming GhaleonEB!

Akia · (05-22-2006, 09:37 PM)

SolidSnakex · (05-22-2006, 09:38 PM)

Stick to making unfunny webcomics.

DarienA · (05-22-2006, 09:39 PM)

Penny Arcade is late to the PS3 bashing party.... see me 2 weeks ago dammit!

7Th · (05-22-2006, 09:40 PM)

Just as it was impossible to be 360's fan after last year's unveiling.

Musashi Wins! · (05-22-2006, 09:40 PM)

Someone make me a picture of a spotlight that instead of a Batman logo, shows the silhouette of a giant crab.

xsarien · (05-22-2006, 09:40 PM)

Originally Posted by Akia:

Yes, more anti-Sony properganda!

Keep'em coming GhaleonEB!

When you start labeling "bad" news and/or commentary on your system of choice as propaganda, I think it's a very good sign that your priorities have fallen *slightly* out of whack.

Ghengis Cohen · (05-22-2006, 09:41 PM)

Originally Posted by Goth Girl Poetry:

Just close your eyes. Yes, that's it. Open your right palm. There. Now savor your nothing, to the extent that one is able to savor the void.

Honestly who writes anything like this?

SupaFlySoccerMom · (05-22-2006, 09:41 PM)

Originally Posted by Akia:

"Fuck yes"

DeathbyVolcano · (05-22-2006, 09:41 PM)

Originally Posted by SolidSnakex:

Stick to making unfunny webcomics.

No, VGCats has that already done. PA can continue to make good ones.

Kabuki Waq · (05-22-2006, 09:42 PM)

Originally Posted by SolidSnakex:

Stick to making unfunny webcomics.

heh Solid seems a bit miffed.

Zombie James · (05-22-2006, 09:43 PM)

Quote:

It is very, very early to consider one's self a fan of the PlayStation 3.

It's also very, very early to consider the PS3 a failure. Nice to see Tycho contradict himself.

Akia · (05-22-2006, 09:44 PM)

Originally Posted by xsarien:

When you start labeling "bad" news and/or commentary on your system of choice as propaganda, I think it's a very good sign that your priorities have fallen *slightly* out of whack.

my system of choice

so all this Sony am d00med talk is not getting old to anyone else

Vibri · (05-22-2006, 09:44 PM)

Wait until Penny-Arcade does a content deal on PS3 online for shitloads of money to release a custom XBL skin like they did from Microsoft, then we'll see where their editorials take them.

Count Chocula · (05-22-2006, 09:45 PM)

no real information here so...I'll just add that find the PS2 online service to be sufficient for my purpose.
I would not pay $50 if they offered a version with a single username across all games.

Draft · (05-22-2006, 09:45 PM)

Originally Posted by _leech_:

It's also very, very early to consider the PS3 a failure. Nice to see Tycho contradict himself.

I don't see him refer to it as a failure. He does point out (aptly so) that there's still a lot in the dark about PS3, and Sony fans are more than willing to fill in the gaps in as positive a light as they can muster.

AZ Greg · (05-22-2006, 09:46 PM)

Originally Posted by _leech_:

It's also very, very early to consider the PS3 a failure. Nice to see Tycho contradict himself.

Does he call it a failure? In fact he even says that he sees a point in the future where he will buy one.

DeathbyVolcano · (05-22-2006, 09:46 PM)

Originally Posted by Draft:

I don't see him refer to it as a failure. He does point out (aptly so) that there's still a lot in the dark about PS3, and Sony fans are more than willing to fill in the gaps in as positive a light as they can muster.

It's _leech_.

Fishie flop oog · (05-22-2006, 09:46 PM)

Originally Posted by Y2Kevbug11:

If I remember correctly, they were down on Sony after last year's show too....remember the bullshit pants?

And they were right innit

meltpotato · (05-22-2006, 09:46 PM)

Originally Posted by Akia:

okay im defitnely not a PA fan but that last panel just had me rolling.

Baron Aloha · (05-22-2006, 09:48 PM)

This is all well and good, but unlike the Xbox 360, you can make due with the less expensive configuration of the PS3. I don't get why people are so eager to write off the $500 version.

Zombie James · (05-22-2006, 09:48 PM)

Originally Posted by AZ Greg:

Does he call it a failure?

The tone is very clearly, "Sony can't compete with Microsoft. Look, a void." I agree that it's very early to call oneself a PS3 fan for the exact same reason it's too early to call yourself a hater. Unless you're biased to begin with, of course.

SolidSnakex · (05-22-2006, 09:49 PM)

Originally Posted by Baron Aloha:

I don't get why people are so eager to write off the $500 version.

Because they don't actually look to see what comes with the 500 model.

Dante · (05-22-2006, 09:51 PM)

I just read that as if this fellow was reading it.

Suikoguy · (05-22-2006, 09:51 PM)

Originally Posted by SolidSnakex:

Because they don't actually look to see what comes with the 500 model.

Naw, I think it's closer that they were really xbots and nbots before all this started, and it's therefore easier to ignore the $500 pack.

Cause at the end of the day, the PS3 is really only $100 more then the 360, plus comes with a HD Movie player.

If you want HDMI, wireless (which you pay an extra 100 for on the 360), and built in media ports (which the 360 does not have) then you can get the upgraded pack.

Ponn01 · (05-22-2006, 09:52 PM)

Time to take it to the limit.

Yes, yes it is time to take it to the limit

GhaleonEB · (05-22-2006, 09:52 PM)

Originally Posted by Akia:

Yes, more anti-Sony properganda!

Keep'em coming GhaleonEB!

I put zero commentary in there of my own. I actually think they are mistaken on a few points. Such as:

Quote:

Until it is absolutely verified that we are talking about single sign in, single friends list, unified architecture, and invites across products from different publishers, they are not replicating the competing premium service.

I thought a good chunk of that HAD been confirmed by Sony; perhaps they missed it. But by deciding not to comment on the merits of THEIR words, and instead attacking ME for posting it, you sure don't help the conversation.

kaching · (05-22-2006, 09:52 PM)

Originally Posted by Musashi Wins!:

Someone make me a picture of a spotlight that instead of a Batman logo, shows the silhouette of a giant crab.

I don't think I can properly respond to the current emergency without this. Somebody please build it so I can punch in.

typhonsentra · (05-22-2006, 09:53 PM)

Actually, they had plenty of praise for Microsoft last year. Gabe even damage controlled the MTV event.

damisa · (05-22-2006, 09:54 PM)

you act like $500 is cheap? that's still WAY to expensive. I paid $200 for my PS2 and it came with 3 games, an extra controller, a memory card, and the dvd remote.

Oblivion · (05-22-2006, 09:55 PM)

Originally Posted by BrandNew:

No, VGCats has that already done. PA can continue to make good ones.

No, he was right the first time.

Draft · (05-22-2006, 09:55 PM)

Originally Posted by _leech_:

The tone is very clearly, "Sony can't compete with Microsoft. Look, a void." I agree that it's very early to call oneself a PS3 fan for the exact same reason it's too early to call yourself a hater. Unless you're biased to begin with, of course.

I don't think that's his tone at all. What he's saying is that PS2 has no online service. It has the capability to go online- from that point forward, online functionality is entirely game dependent.

Furthermore, all that we know about PS3's online service has come from bulletpoints in powerpoint presentations. Sony has yet to show anything substantial, so it's certainly premature to assume their service will be better, or equal, to Xbox Live. Based upon their previous online efforts, it's much easier to assume it will be worse. So in fact, one really needs a bias in favor of Sony to look forward to their online service- giving them the benefit of the doubt, so to speak. A completely nuetral person, possessing the facts about Sony's previous online effort, would no doubt find, "I'll believe it when I see it" an apt response.

typhonsentra · (05-22-2006, 09:56 PM)

Quote:

So how about that Xbox 360? I am assuming that everyone watched the MTV show last night and I am also assuming that we all agree it was garbage. The important thing to understand here is that, much like Twisp and Catsby that show was not for us. When I say us I am referring to the hardcore. The sorts of people who perhaps downloaded a torrent of last nights MTV show. The sorts of people who had to call their cable company to find out what channel MTV was on. The sorts of people who had their Tivo or media PC grab the show for them so that they could watch it at their leisure. Last nights unveiling of the Xbox 360 was not for us it was for the people who were already watching MTV. It's true, there are human beings out there who watch MTV in the same way your mom might watch ABC. Sitting through show after show and watching as rides are pimped and celebrities are punked. Last nights show was for them and when you look at it that way I have to say I think the show was a success. I cannot imagine those sorts of people not being entertained for the entire 30 minutes by the flashing lights and famous people. Gaming is cool now. Isn't that awesome.

-Gabe out :o:

So Gabe's mom is a fan of Pimp My Ride and The Killers?

Suikoguy · (05-22-2006, 09:56 PM)

Originally Posted by damisa:

you act like $500 is cheap? that's still WAY to expensive. I paid $200 for my PS2 and it came with 3 games, an extra controller, a memory card, and the dvd remote.

Wow, you bought at launch for that price?
What secret place did you buy it?

SolidSnakex · (05-22-2006, 09:56 PM)

Originally Posted by damisa:

you act like $500 is cheap? that's still WAY to expensive. I paid $200 for my PS2 and it came with 3 games, an extra controller, a memory card, and the dvd remote.

No one is saying its cheap. 400, 500, 600 ect its all expensive. But some are acting like there's only 1 model for the PS3 and that's not the case. If you're only getting it for gaming, or that's your main priority with it then there's nothing wrong with the 500 model. That's the model i'm getting.

GhaleonEB · (05-22-2006, 09:57 PM)

Originally Posted by typhonsentra:

So Gabe's mom is a fan of Pimp My Ride and The Killers?

Now post their E3 impressions from last year. :p

DarienA · (05-22-2006, 09:58 PM)

Originally Posted by damisa:

you act like $500 is cheap? that's still WAY to expensive. I paid $200 for my PS2 and it came with 3 games, an extra controller, a memory card, and the dvd remote.

No $500 is not cheap, but can we compare apples to apples? I find it hard to believe you paid $200 for a brand new PS2 with 3 games, etc., etc.

Campster · (05-22-2006, 09:58 PM)

Originally Posted by SolidSnakex:

No one is saying its cheap. 400, 500, 600 ect its all expensive. But some are acting like there's only 1 model for the PS3 and that's not the case. If you're only getting it for gaming, or that's your main priority with it then there's nothing wrong with the 500 model. That's the model i'm getting.

Aside from the non-upgradable HDMI port, which becomes a serious issue.

Baron Aloha · (05-22-2006, 09:59 PM)

Originally Posted by damisa:

you act like $500 is cheap? that's still WAY to expensive. I paid $200 for my PS2 and it came with 3 games, an extra controller, a memory card, and the dvd remote.

Its not cheap, but neither is $400 for most people. Its $100 more. People like to pretend that the $500 version is garbage therefore you must buy the $600 version so they can try and push the $200 difference on you. If you are going to compare the pricepoints of the Xbox 360 and PS3 what you should compare is the premium 360 sku against the regular PS3 sku because the regular PS3 sku has everything that the premium 360 has and more. If you want even more than that, then you would go for the $600 version.

Suikoguy · (05-22-2006, 09:59 PM)

Originally Posted by Campster:

Aside from the non-upgradable HDMI port, which becomes a serious issue.

Really?
How?

If it's going to take 4 years (if ever) for the ICT flag to be enforced, at which point Blu-Ray players will be 150 standalone most likely.

Miburou · (05-22-2006, 09:59 PM)

Metal Gear and Final Fantasy are probably my favorite series, so as long as they're exclusive to the PS3, I will consider myself a PS3 fan.

BTW, shouldn't it be "oneself" and not "one's self"? Or am I mistaken? (English isn't my first language, yadda, yadda, yadda).

Shalomi · (05-22-2006, 09:59 PM)

Originally Posted by Billy Rygar:

Honestly who writes anything like this?

Well, obviously not people on messageboards.

I happen to like the way Tycho delivers his dry wit.

Campster · (05-22-2006, 10:01 PM)

Originally Posted by Suikoguy:

Really?
How?

If it's going to take 4 years (if ever) for the ICT flag to be enforced, at which point Blu-Ray players will be 150 standalone most likely.

If I'm going to spend $500 for what is nothing more than a graphical upgrade (and given every title I've seen announced for it, it is), then I'm going to damn well enjoy it in HD, because the differences between a PS3 and PS2 on an SD TV will be negligible. Percievable, maybe, but not worth $500.

Suikoguy · (05-22-2006, 10:02 PM)

Originally Posted by Campster:

If I'm going to spend $500 for what is nothing more than a graphical upgrade (and given every title I've seen announced for it, it is), then I'm going to damn well enjoy it in HD, because the differences between a PS3 and PS2 on an SD TV will be negligible. Percievable, maybe, but not worth $500.

Wow, just wow

This just in Folks, the 500 dollar PS3 does not do HD

damisa · (05-22-2006, 10:04 PM)

Originally Posted by SolidSnakex:

No one is saying its cheap. 400, 500, 600 ect its all expensive. But some are acting like there's only 1 model for the PS3 and that's not the case. If you're only getting it for gaming, or that's your main priority with it then there's nothing wrong with the 500 model. That's the model i'm getting.

ok i agree then. It's the model I'll probably eventually get too since I have zero interest in blu-ray. I actually bought the ps2 forom my roomate who played it for 3 months and didn't like it and sold it to me cheap.

Speevy · (05-22-2006, 10:05 PM)

I think it's very, very early to consider yourself a fan of anything, including the Xbox 360. As soon as the PS3 launches, software support will spread like wildfire across all three console platforms. Then you decide the kind of games you like.

Ponn01 · (05-22-2006, 10:05 PM)

Originally Posted by Campster:

If I'm going to spend $500 for what is nothing more than a graphical upgrade (and given every title I've seen announced for it, it is), then I'm going to damn well enjoy it in HD, because the differences between a PS3 and PS2 on an SD TV will be negligible. Percievable, maybe, but not worth $500.

WTF dude?!

typhonsentra · (05-22-2006, 10:07 PM)

Note: before this,m Tycho does call the MTV event an "Abortion", but only after he previously defended how the game looked in motion during the show:

Quote:

The only console-exclusive I saw running and playable that really struck me as a next-generation experience was Epic's Gears of War. I'm not "putting my weight" behind the 360, I'm saying that at this particular show, it's the only system that I consider to have been truly "launched." Nintendo's system has been introduced, in the vaguest sense, but without seeing what they intend to accomplish with their controllers we don't actually know why it would hail a Revolution. Sony showed some movie trailers in HD, said that their console could create "artificial life" and expected us to swear fealty to their system's now dynastic lineage. They even showed the intro from Final Fantasy VII in "Real Time(!!!!)," but I can't possibly be the only person who remembers they trotted out a "Real Time" dance scene from VIII when they launched the PS2 - can I? You ever see shit like that on your Playstation 2?

I dunno. Do you guys think the PS2 ever surpassed this level of detail?