The PS3 in 2005 and now

by Ross Miller { May 22nd 2006 at 8:25PM }

The above slide is taken from Sony's E3 2005 press conference -- boy, what a difference a year makes. A dejected gamer has put together a YouTube video just over a minute long highlighting the promises Sony made last year on the PlayStation 3 that have since changed. Of note, the loss of HDMI outputs (downgraded from 2 to only 1 on the premium console), ethernet ports (now only 1), and controller inputs (from 7 to 4).

What we are wondering is how much the system would have cost if the PlayStation 3 met 2005 specifications. You can view the video by clicking on the "continued reading" link below.

[Thanks, Caleb]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Nic @ May 22nd 2006 8:29PM

Sony always lies and overhypes their consoles.

element4life3 @ May 22nd 2006 8:30PM

I am totally not surprised! I saw this coming from day 1 when they announced specs on the PS3!

360 and Wii for me!!!

Vince @ May 22nd 2006 8:31PM

You will pushed to find a sadder example than that video of whats kids do with their time when they treat electronics companies like role models.
Makes me chuckle.

Night Elve @ May 22nd 2006 8:34PM

Well the specs of a system can dramatically change with the time so the initial specs announced can dramatically change to final ones.

Im pretty sure other gaming consoles their initial specs were not the final ones.

Kenneth Powers @ May 22nd 2006 8:35PM

1.) Standard bluetooth amount: 7. 7 bluetooth devices, but only 4 can be controllers.
2.) System specs change. Nothing can be done about that.
3.) WIFI IS STANDARD. Just because it doesn't come with the cheaper one doesn't mean it's not standard. Not standard means a seperate accessory that must be bought then added on; like the ps2 network adapter.
4.) Just because it missed the first launch estimate (many products have done this, too many to count) doesn't mean it's a lie.
5.) All companies make mistakes and "lie" all the time.

topher @ May 22nd 2006 8:36PM

2nd time seeing that and it's still not changing my mind... sony owns microsoft in gaming platforms... hands down

Kenneth Powers @ May 22nd 2006 8:36PM

At 4.) You mean the other system that had any specs to share. So far the wii doesn't have any.

Tim @ May 22nd 2006 8:40PM

It's better to underpromise and overdeliver than the other way around, Night Elve.

It's sort of like Fable for Xbox 1. Peter Molyneux promised the most amazing open-ended world, where everything you did had consequences. In the end we got an extremely linear game, and the only thing that really made a difference was buying a pre-made "hero" name from some guy outside of town so people would call you by something other than "Chicken Hunter" or whatever the heck it was.
It was a great game, but when I finished it I couldn't look past how terrible it was compared to what I was told I was going to get.

Oh and it took 8 hours to beat.

The point is, filling people with false hope is a douchebag thing to do and a desperate marketing technique that only makes people unhappy in the end.

Michael @ May 22nd 2006 8:40PM

I personally don't consider a "promise" made until I purchase the product in the store.

Marc @ May 22nd 2006 8:44PM

"What we are wondering is how much the system would have cost if the PlayStation 3 met 2005 specifications."

It probably would have gone for upwards of $800-$900.

MarkTAW @ May 22nd 2006 8:47PM

Did anyone else think the 2 HD outputs thing was just stupid? If someone has money to waste on 2 HDTVs, you might as well get two PS3s and network them for some truly killer multiplayer action. Adding a second graphics card is just a waste of money/resources because 99% of your target audience won't use it.

And who needs two ethernert ports? You can get a $40 hub if that's what you want.

I really thought those specs were just stupid, and I'm a PS fanboy. As soon as I heard "2 HD graphics cards" I had to wonder of Sony was off it's rocker.

Kamalot @ May 22nd 2006 8:48PM

Yes. Specs CAN and WILL change. That is why no company should ever announce their specs until they are SURE that is what they can deliver. If they make claims that they are incapable of delivering on, they they turn into filthy scum-sucking LIARS.

al d @ May 22nd 2006 8:51PM

Who the hell was going to hook up two HDTV's anyway? I suppose if your name is Chatswell von Rockefeller III it might be something you consider, but for the average consumer this was never on the radar screen.

7 controllers-- how did this ever make any sense-- 4 makes sense, 6 makes sense, but 7. Whatever, I have enough leeches trying to get at my haze already.

What would the advantage of three ethernet ports? Not trying to be a smartass-- I just can't think of any.

Built in Wi-Fi certainly will be missed on the cheaper model, but then again I've already spent $60 on an ethernet bridge. So that's chill.

du_ma @ May 22nd 2006 8:58PM

the other ethernet ports were supposed to be so u can use the ps3 as a network hub to store all media and act as a tivo device to record television to then stream to your network or psp. it still can do that possibly, but now it has to be done all wirelessly.

Sony is not going to topple as most peole think will happen. they have basically no competition in Japan. the Wii is more of a peripheral than a console and the 360 simply does not exist in the minds of Japanese gamers. Those wanting next gen HD graphics in Japan, as well as exclusive Final Fantasy titles will only have one option, the Playstation 3.

sam @ May 22nd 2006 9:24PM

What is the point for Blu-ray on the base PS3 if HDMI output is not included? Isn't HDMI required to support 1080P resolution?

Do idiots run that company?

I also remember Sony bragging last year that the PS3 could support two 16x9 monitors side-by-side (32x9) video format.

boots @ May 22nd 2006 9:30PM

If joystiq doesn't post this three videos as news, they can't think of themselves as Impartial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFf7AtAOagw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HHsUfConpY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fihZlSQbMPs

Night Elve @ May 22nd 2006 9:48PM

Do idiots run that company?

No they dont. Anyway just a few percent of the gaming people has a Ubber Kick Ass HDTV that support 1080p with a nice HDMI port.

So what is this complain about? the normal people as max they will have a nice HDTV that support 1080i and 720p and well im cool with the 720p so ... meh

Bob @ May 22nd 2006 9:53PM

16.) Only the first of the three videos was any good. The second one only pointed out poor programming on certain features of very specific games. It had nothing to do with the 360 as anyone is capable of programming rain that doesn't bounce off people's heads on any console. The third one was the obvious fact that the jumps between console generations always get smaller and smaller why that speaks worse of the 360 than any other console is beyond me. I mean by that video's logic the Wii is the worst console ever cause it didn't get massively better.

Tim @ May 22nd 2006 10:03PM

"16. If joystiq doesn't post this three videos as news, they can't think of themselves as Impartial..."

That is the funniest video I've ever seen. That someone actually made that blows my mind. I have to assume he's a level-minded guy who was making something for a laugh.

It's like he doesn't know the difference between a game as huge as Oblivion and a tiny game like MGS3.

The reason joystiq wouldn't post something like that is because it's absurd. And the reason they would post it is because it's so absurd it's actually pretty funny.

sam @ May 22nd 2006 10:04PM

Night Elve,

The complaint is that you will be paying for a feature (Blu-ray) on the base PS3 that will not be utilized since HDMI is required for 1080P.

Why pay for something you can't use?

Sony should leave Blu-ray off the base PS3 and lower the price.

the antique @ May 22nd 2006 10:10PM

Who actually thought that 2 HDMI outputs was actually going to happen?

boots @ May 22nd 2006 10:14PM

Bob:

Actually I thought the second video should be contrasted with Peter Moore's "HD Era" bullshit and "Lucid Dreams" hype. You know, it's not like Sony is the only "LIAR" here, as Kamalot would point out.

Also, what you said about "graphics jumps" is an excuse. I don't care if Sony's games look like shit or not, there is no excuse for games to look worse than on PS2. The game MGS2 should be running on 360 at 1080p with higher poly count, all the effects that Oblivion avoided, more shader effects, and then some, because there *is* that advantage. After all, Microsoft hyped the console enough with its "urbanity" and "fashion" marketing campaigns, so that should be reported while showing those videos to the public. The first one is probably old, but it is also worth it as a "history of videogaming lesson".

The problem is not that Oblivion looks that way, it is the fact that Oblivion is considered one of the best games when it comes to graphics on the 360. Again, as I said, "graphics jumps from generation to generation are smaller each time" is no excuse. If it is, then why even bother with delivering a system like that? We're paying for a 400 bucks console, not for a PS2 or a Gamecube. We're paying 60 dollars for a fine assed game, not a half-assed game like X-men for 360, only with improved resolution and lighting effects (which come almost free on 360, so they didn't bother in anything; they did copy paste and expected a cash flow. Well, not from me).

Of all the videos I have seen for PS3 (the ones that aren't CGI), only one looks like a PS2/Xbox game, and it's an MMO (I don't know how it's called). Hell, the advancement on Motorstorm from GDC to E32006 was impressive, even when the dev kits have barely been finalized (if they have). Look at Unreal, Lair, Heavy Rain, Motorstorm, Warhawk. To me they look better than anything on the 360 Kiosks, which are already finished games, as opposed to dev kit games. I'm not bashing Microsoft, I'm saying Sony isn't the only "liar" here.

It's also worth noting that there are already several games running at 1080p for PS3. That should also be contrasted with Microsoft's: "1080p? That's impossible!". Why don't Microsoft fans just admit that Microsoft is as great as a marketer as Sony, for starters.

Anyway, Nintendo has also lied. Iwata once said in 2003 "Gamers don't want online gaming", and look at how vibrant Nintendo Wi-Fi is right now. I have yet to see reports on Microsoft's lies, and the proof is above, so joystiq can start whenever they feel like it.

All three companies (more like, almost every developer) are "liars". Learn about marketing, or at least report *equally* on their lies, not subjectively nor partially.

Daniel D @ May 22nd 2006 10:16PM

"If joystiq doesn't post this three videos as news, they can't think of themselves as Impartial"

you sir are a moron for even posting these videos they take BETA versions of Fable and put them against MGS3 which is the peak of the PS2. Its almost laughable how one sided these videos are. Also the game compares the most ridiculous things like "Rain bouncing off players" but the ps2 game seems to change to pick the best one for it whereas the Xbox version has the same game across all tests. The PS2 even incriminates itself unintentionaly many times. You are a jackass and I don't know know how you got that star, all these videos do is spread mis-information.

JJ @ May 22nd 2006 10:16PM

Well #20 from everything i heard you can still watch blu ray disks, just not in 1080p.

Not a big loss there, as 1080p is still hard to come by.

thing @ May 22nd 2006 10:19PM

Sony already said that the 7 controllers was the maximum number of BLUETOOTH DEVICES that can be connected to the Bluetooth reciever in the PS3 at one time. They said that even though there were only 6 USB ports that technically up to 7 controllers can be used depending on weather or not the developers support it. Just because there are only numbers 1 - 4 on the back of the DS3 doesn't mean they are limited either-- they could always light more than one light up to indicate a higher player number.

Love how Joystiq always hides key information to benefit their Nintendo campaign.

whatever @ May 22nd 2006 10:22PM

16) Much of the video is made out of context. For streaming game from dvd, he specifically said it for specific game, not apply to all games. He didn't say all games will stream from DVD. 8 seconds bootup was refering to the OS, after that MS has no control in what the users will experience. If you're going to link to some anti-xbox stuff...at least link to some decent content, this is all junk.

Tim @ May 22nd 2006 10:27PM

boots,

Oblivion would've looked the same on any capable platform. To make "every blade of grass 3d" or whatever that guy was demanding in a game where there's millions of things is just stupid.

You have to stop expecting so much. When PS3 comes out I could make a video exactly as retarded as those, comparing good-looking games on one platform to bad-looking games on another, pointing out the initial long load times on certain PS3 games and ignoring how seamless it is in other situations, but I'm just too lazy.

boots @ May 22nd 2006 10:29PM

"It's like he doesn't know the difference between a game as huge as Oblivion and a tiny game like MGS3."

There is no excuse for the game to look like that, but take it as you wish. Even if it's all about gameplay, RPG lovers and Xbox 360 fanboys that were waiting for this game to get it at 400 + 60 + Tax should be wondering why this game looks worse than a 30 buck game on a 130 console + Tax.

Anyway, I'm not here to start a discussion. It's only fair to show these in contrast to every one of Microsoft rep's comments. Hell, some of those comments do get as far as convincing casuals to actually get a system as opposed to another one; I've asked some friends of mine: "Why did you get an Xbox instead of a PS2?" and they ironically replied: "L-O-A-D-I-N-G", in spite of what you just saw.

Take it as you wish.

DetoX @ May 22nd 2006 10:31PM

people are going to complain no matter what
if sony hadn't taken away some of those features
than the ps3 could have possibly been an $700+ monster

boots @ May 22nd 2006 10:33PM

Ironically Daniel D, I'm not the moron here, but anyway, that video is not "Fable", it's Oblivion. You don't know how I have a star, but it's also ironic that you mention it since you have -1 stars. If it's such a stupid video, then why are you even offended?

boots @ May 22nd 2006 10:40PM

Tim, even the first games running on dev kits look better than that. I'm not criticising the 360, I'm criticising the lies. This goes against Peter Moore's "HD Era" and "Lucid Dream", or J. Allard's "Human Powered console" or "Ant Colony" or whatever other buzzwords.

And yes, please do it about PS3 too. Maybe that will force Sony and Microsoft to actually make developers deliver some quality, instead of simply delivering "HD visuals" and being "LIVE aware". If developers can't do games that look as good as Gears of War, MGS4 or whatever other game you come up to, then Nintendo probably had a point in making revolution "underpowered".

Andir @ May 22nd 2006 10:49PM

"HDMI is required for 1080P."

Hmm,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video
"Component video is capable of producing signals such as 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p"

This is the 4th or 5th time someone has posted this lie. HDMI is not REQUIRED for 1080p. I know for a fact that one of the Sony BluRay players on the market won't convert the digital signal in 1080p to the analog signal required for component video, but that doesn't mean that the PS3, which is released more than 6 months later won't. Nobody has posted that the PS3 will not push 1080p out the components. On the contrary, it has been posted several places that it will support 1080p over component:
"Both versions will support 1080p."
http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=55089

Here's a DVD player that will push 1080p through component: http://www.dvdtalk.com/features/004850.html

So why does everyone say it's impossible? Sure it's not likely to be the best quality (60Hz) but it is possible. All this is really pointless though since very few of you have 1080p capable TVs anway.

bladestar @ May 22nd 2006 10:56PM

27. I know is very dificult to explain to people like you but I will give it a shot.

I) These videos are ehh not HD and therefore the quality is very poor. It is simply stupid to compare 2 video/graphic quality based on images taking with a web camera. god.. I shouldn’t have to tell you this...

II) Also, these videos are not only comparing the graphics and physics of a game made by two different companies, heck even two different genders. Why don't you compare Ghost recon advance fighter, Lost Planet or Gears of War against MGS and you even your momma will slap you for being so ignorant. (Next time don't use a web camera video and then try to compare HD content)

III) Is ok to be a console fanboy such as yourself; but don’t imply that is the XBOX 360 fault or that it lacks the ability to create similar/better effects such as rain and fog just because 1 game developer didn’t want to spend resources on details such as rain. It simply makes you look like an idiot.

bladestar @ May 22nd 2006 10:59PM

My post was intended for boots; I guess the post index number is dynamic and can change Sorry(Tim).

dsub @ May 22nd 2006 10:59PM

the one I knew would never make it was the built in router.

I read a nice piece a while back describing the PS3 as it was in 2005 as vaporware. It was a long essay like writing about how Sony just needed to jumble some crazy specs together to make the 360 look puny and weak in comparison to the PS3, and how a year later the majority of these functions, like a built in router or two HDMI ports would never happen. Well, the guy was right on most accounts. The only one he didn't nail was built in wi-fi. He estimated that they would opt to not include wi-fi, but enable use of any USB WiFi interface.

Pecson @ May 22nd 2006 11:07PM

Thank you Sony, my hopes were as high as a kite, and now they have come crashing down. I was beginning to become a Sony fanboy, (From being a Big N fanboy, to MS, to Sony, and back to The Big N) to a major Nintendo fan. And did people really by that the PS3 would have seven player, Sony's a liar, and an optimist! 500$ for a system thats' main function is basically worthless without another hundred bucks (regarding HDMI). Sony is giving us a choice between Hell and Porgutory.

Not me Mr. Harrison, someone who can throw away there money, but not me.

boots @ May 22nd 2006 11:27PM

"I) These videos are ehh not HD and therefore the quality is very poor. It is simply stupid to compare 2 video/graphic quality based on images taking with a web camera. god.. I shouldn’t have to tell you this..."

Evidently, I should be the one telling you this videos don't come from webcams. And "ehh...", you shouldn't need an HDTV to realize which is better if they are completely different gen videos.

"II) Also, these videos are not only comparing the graphics and physics of a game made by two different companies, heck even two different genders."

No excuse.

"Why don't you compare Ghost recon advance fighter, Lost Planet or Gears of War against MGS and you even your momma will slap you for being so ignorant. (Next time don't use a web camera video and then try to compare HD content)"

So, do you think Lair will look worse than Metal Gear Solid 2 on an SDTV, but it will look much better on an HDTV? And I thought you were explaining ME, but your "explanation" doesn't even make sense. By the way, how am I supposed to record on "Lost Planet" if it's not even out? *sigh*

No game on Xbox 360 should look worse than PS2, and you just admitted it does.

"III) Is ok to be a console fanboy such as yourself; but don’t imply that is the XBOX 360 fault or that it lacks the ability to create similar/better effects such as rain and fog just because 1 game developer didn’t want to spend resources on details such as rain. It simply makes you look like an idiot."

Evidently, I also said that an MMO (I think it's Untold Legends) looks like shit on PS3, but you completely disregarded that. Furthermore, just because you disagree that doesn't convert me in a fanboy; even if I was, it's not necessary to be one to notice how Microsoft lied. Or are you the typical Xbox fanboy that believes that only Sony can lie?

Anyway, don't call me an idiot if you can't make a decent argument. When and where did I imply that the Xbox 360 can't render fog and bells and whistles? There is no excuse for programmers to make a game that looks worse than MGS3. There is no excuse, no matter how good you think it is, whether it is the developer (I thought Bethesda was pretty good), the "next-gen jump getting smaller", the "take in mind which kind of game it is", etcetera.

If a developer can't make a game look good, then they better scrap their engine and buy one instead. I've heard Unreal and Square make pretty good engines and it would be cheaper for them. So where is the Lucid Dream that Microsoft promissed? LIES, ALL LIES!!

Wait... it's marketing, not lies. All companies do it, so quit bitching Xbox fanboys.

Andir @ May 22nd 2006 11:27PM

"Sony's a liar, and an optimist! 500$ for a system thats' main function is basically worthless without another hundred bucks (regarding HDMI)."

-- Again, from the research that I have seriously dug for on this. 1080p is possible over component. Sony has declared that both versions will output 1080p.

What is yet to be determined is:

If I throw in a BluRay movie. Will I be able to view it at 1080p over component video?

As far as gaming is concerned. There is no reason to say that the PS3 won't push 1900x1080 at 60fps over component. The cable can handle it. The real concern you should have is if the DAC included in the PS3 will convert the digital 1080p signal from the BluRay movie to the analog Component video. This is currently unknown at this time. To say it's impossible is wrong. There are several TVs out there now that support 1080p over component. Most 1080p TVs are quite expensive though (in terms of HD TVs on the market) and most videophiles will tell you that you won't notice the difference in a movie since they are mostly filmed at 24 frames per second so the real question you need to ask is "Do I really need it?"

zaksheskyman @ May 22nd 2006 11:34PM

Yeah, I'm going to greatly enjoy my wii60.

jo @ May 22nd 2006 11:41PM

No it was low on Sony’s part, I remember people claiming that Sony outclassed Microsoft with their ps3. In all reality, Sony lied about specs AND release date to make people hold off from buying an Xbox 360 for Christmas. Sony is like one of those people who talk trash about thier best friends so they can sleep with thier girlfriends.

Spartacus @ May 22nd 2006 11:51PM

This just makes me chuckle. Especially seeing boots (formly bd, formerly b) here vehemently defending his favorite console manufacturer. Why is this funny? Because for the longest time he was raving about how much better the PS3 was than the 360 because of the dual HDMI (which I said would never happen as the anandtech article over a year ago made quite clear) and the 7 controllers (which I thought was pointless). He'd spout off some nonsense about Madden or FIFA and how awesome it would be to have 7 friends playing the same game in the same room (I've done that on XBOX 1 for years now). Then he made fun of MS for their dual sku pricing. Now, after Sony has made all of the same moves (dual sku) AND cut nearly all the features that made it any different than the 360, he still believes that spending $200 more (that's if the 360 doesn't get a price drop this year) on similar hardware is well worth it. Props to you man, props to you... You have managed to swallow your hopes and dreams and STILL remain a loyal robot. No wonder Sony can make such ridiculous claims as "Even if the PS3 sucked, cost $1000, had no software and verbally insulted your mother, people would still buy it."

The ZeroCorpse @ May 22nd 2006 11:51PM

boots, bd, sushiboots, whatever the hell your name is-- You have got to be the most annoying fanboy on the Internet. Your videos are low-quality hack-jobs, and I could just as easily slap together one that shows how superior the graphics are between Oblivion and Final Fantasy VII. It wouldn't prove anything, though, just like your comparisons.

Why you hate anything that isn't Sony SOOOO much as to waste hours upon hours making videos, posting against other consoles, and generally making an ass of yourself is beyond me. It's guys like you that make me want to avoid Sony like the plague. All this slamming the other guys is actually driving people away from Sony, not earning you any converts. It makes me think that Sony is the console for jackasses who can't deal with the idea that some people enjoy different things.

If the console's so great, the people will decide. What I'm seeing in retail, though, is a lot of people turning away from Sony because of a lot of empty promises, a lot of bad formats, and a price that is ridiculous and insulting.

But don't let me stop you from preaching for the Church of Sony, reverend Boots. Just realize you sound like a nutcase zealot and don't take issue when people call you on it.

idioteraser @ May 22nd 2006 11:56PM

Iwata's comment about online gaming if you take in context isn't so outrageus.

In 2003 Japan wasn't known for online gaming. Look at the xbox less then ten percent took it online. PS2 very few people did as well.

Nintendo had several consoles including the Famicon that had online.

Hell they even had a console online service in which you could download games and at certain times you would even hear live streamed audio in which guides would talk to you about the games. This was on the SNES. But it didn't take off and make a profit for Nintendo.

Nintendo even then said they would only do online if they could it cheap, free for the consumer and make a profit.

everybody! @ May 23rd 2006 12:08AM

eh, what's the point of this video? everyone should know by now, you should only believe 75% of what Microsoft says and 50% of what Sony says.

bladestar @ May 23rd 2006 12:20AM

boots, "Lost Planet if it's not even out? *sigh*".. here is an example of someone probably don’t have access to a xbox 360. Isnt the demo (which you can download from xbox live since E3) enough to compare it. remember you are implying that microsoft lied about the power of the 360, "to notice how Microsoft lied.". what is this lie? You are using these video to prove that microsoft lied about the system power and that it cant even do some of the things that the PS2 does which is simply ignorant.

I never owned an original xbox cause I though the PS2 simply have more options.

I own a PS1, PS2, XBOX 360, PSP, DS, GC and will buy a wii and guess what a PS3 too. I am one of those that work hard to get the toys I want (I have a job). Stop acting like a kid criticizing one console over another like if Sony is paying you to do it. If you are planning to make any intelligent comparison do it when you own both, so you dont have to make comments like this, "I've heard Unreal and Square make pretty good engines and it would be cheaper for them. So where is the Lucid Dream that Microsoft promissed? LIES, ALL LIES!!" ...... here is a link http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1281/Unreal-Engine-3-and-the-Xbox-360-Hard-Drive/p1/
talks about how the 360 uses the Unreal Engine 3.
Also, have you heard about DirectX? The 360 have an even more advance DirectX library. You will be surprise to know that most pc games (including unreal tournament games requires DirectX version 9.0+ .. which is uhhh made by Microsoft.)

GWolf @ May 23rd 2006 12:21AM

TO #37

You don't have to be a fanboy to resent being lied to. If Sony lied about these things what other whoppers may they have told. I will be waiting for the feedback on PS3 launch day. Multicore processing is new to the software industries. No one ever needed to know how to do it until now. From what I have seen in GRAW and some of the titles coming up, they are starting to get the hang of it. I for one, don’t have blind faith in anyone MS, Sony or Nintendo. I believe what I see and so far MS and Nintendo have shown something tangible. Sony has really big dev kits and it appears they haven’t finished designing the thing. Enjoy your very expensive DVD player.

Urm0m @ May 23rd 2006 12:22AM

I think the most important part of those videos is when it says that it's the games, in fact, that make the console. MGS2, MGS3, and Shadow of the Colossus (all shown in the video) are some of the finest games ever made. As one who owns both a PS2 and an XBOX, I must say, I haven't found any XBOX games that come across as great. You could go ahead and say that Halo is great, but I wouldn't know because I just can't play FPS games with a controller. I played Half-life 2 on the XBOX because my PC was too outdated to run it, and let me tell you, I just couldn't do it with a controller. Keyboard+mouse all the way! It seems Halo is the most pushed game by Microsoft, but I think there's a lot of people out there like me who can't enjoy FPS on console systems. For my money, some of the best games in all genres are on PS2, including Bombastic (sequel to Devil Dice), the Final Fantasy Series, MGS series (i know MGS2 was released on XBOX, but what's the point when it was available on the PS2 first), Shadow of the Colossus, God of War, Disgaea, Guitar Hero... i can go on and on. What XBOX games can compare to those? If you know any, seriously, let me know. XBMC (XBOX Media Center) and emulators are the only reason my XBOX was replaced after it was stolen. The system is great for watching movies streamed over a network and playing classic console games.

Oozer @ May 23rd 2006 12:23AM

boots, you are clever little man. Those videos were bad to the point of being funny on purpose. Seriously, bravo man, you are one funny dude. I mean, it's quite obvious no sane human being beyond the age of 11 could put those things together and believe them. Using one game as a stand in for every game ever made for Xbox, even those that don't share any common attributes of the once you chose! And then you did the same thing with the consoles themselves. I mean, since the one specific Xbox and the one specific 360 you picked took longer to boot than the Microsoft official said, obviously that means that every Xbox and 360 will take that long to boot! Well done man. I have to ask, since you're so good at indirectly making Sony look bad and Microsoft look good, are you J Allard? Maybe Peter Moore?

Charlie @ May 23rd 2006 12:31AM

Heres the deal... Both Sony and MS lie... cant argue... of the two companys however I think that Sony is the worse as far as business ethics go. If a company can make itself look worse than MS in business ethics that is a problem.

To Boots,
regarding the first video... most of those werent lies... I dont know what all that stuff about the controller was... as far as the turning on in 8 second s... Bill clearly said "just press eject and put in the game and you will have the game in 8 seconds" however both videos you presented were before either xbox was turned on... Bill did not mention turning on an xbox and loading a game within 8 seconds.

Im not really sure what the 3rd video was about other than to say that the jump on the console is not significant enough... well thats to bad since the PS3 looks the same (or maybe slightly better than the 360) so that is what we are stuck with for this generation... I mean go back and look at the SNES and the N64 and the jump is obviously huge cause it incoporates 3D play that is much bigger a jump than PS1 to PS2

As far as the second video goes... if you want to run an accurate experiment you need to limit your variables... for instance comparing not only 2 different games but 2 entirely different genres of games does not prove anything. For instance if you compared GRAW on the 360 to GRAW on the PS2 then it would be a valid experiment. And to say that all games should be exactly the same quality when Obviously Oblivions quality is not in graphical power per say (though it does look quite nice for a game its size) but in its pure size.

And regarding the 1080p issue... yes you dont have to have HDMI to support 1080p however... with Hollywoods new antipiracy format for next gen movie discs anything not being put through in HDMI will be downconverted and display in 540p (basically the quality of an upconverted DVD) standard Definition is 480p