Are you ready to break-up with Sony?

by Joystiq Staff { Sep 6th 2006 at 10:55AM }

Today's dual nuclear strikes by Sony have apparently tipped some loyalists over the edge, causing them to finally sever that umbilical game cord that's been tattered and barely hanging on since last May. Fanboys have weathered some rough storms as Sony dropped PR bomb after PR bomb, but today may have been the last straw as one such disgruntled man, Angry Gamer, has certainly had all he can take.

In a violently written Dear John letter, Mr. Angry lays down the law in his impassioned break-up note with Mr. Sony. Whether or not he's just burning through the day on pure emotion, his words certainly embody the anger many fans may be feeling at this moment: "Today was the breaking point. Delaying the PlayStation 3 to March 2007 because you couldn't make enough machines in time is the ultimate betrayal."

So, what about you Joystiq Nation? Has this news caused you to re-examine your console loyalty? We all know that Sony fanboys are a rabid bunch, but just how much damage can the Sony ship take before fans just start jumping off in a mass hysteria? Broken promise after broken promise can really add up for those who held complete faith in a company that has been so good to them in the past.

In fact, that seems to be the real problem here. Most may not be upset by delays, they happen, but instead angered over the promises and PR slips that continue to plague Sony and their PS3 launch. It's not about the news. It's about not being honest with your loyal customers.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Brandon @ Sep 6th 2006 11:02AM

Did this morning's news really surprise anyone? Kaz recently declared that the company hadn't started production yet. You knew there'd be shortages - and similarly, a European delay isn't a huge shock.

jc @ Sep 6th 2006 11:05AM

Way to poke the hornets nest with a stick... I suspect you are trolling for another 100+ comments.

Once the big and shiny PS3 is on the shelves, people will lose resentment and life will go on.

Wayne @ Sep 6th 2006 11:05AM

This pleases me as it leaves Nintendo in a better position.

ghostblur @ Sep 6th 2006 11:05AM

It's all about the games. If games look great on the Playstation 3, people will buy it. There are still good games coming out for the Playstation 2. I can wait.

F_N @ Sep 6th 2006 11:06AM

Wow! The price never bothered me *that much* (although expensive), only because theys seemed to offer a lot (especially compared to buying a new video card or Blu-ray player by itself)... But this is pretty bad! I think this will end up being a little like the N64 was: a great system, but never able to penetrate the masses. Good news for MS! :/

AlloyNES @ Sep 6th 2006 11:08AM

Me break-up with Sony? Impossible. Why? Because I never was in a relationship with them. Sure, I had the 1-year fling with PS2. I didn't love the PS2, I was just using it for my own pleasures. I didn't care whether the PS2 thought I loved it or not. Now the PS2 is sitting behind my couch with a stack of its games, waiting to be sold back to Gamestop so I can use the credit to buy more Wii games than before.

I'm about to renew my vows with Nintendo. Wii will have a honeymoon that will last for years.

WhaleMenace @ Sep 6th 2006 11:10AM

I'll still buy one, (MGS4), but Sony is definatley hurting themselves, and I probably wont buy one at launch. Which a year ago I would have told you god himself couldn't stop me. I probably wont be able to GET one at launch even if I tried. It is indeed all about the games, and I'm sure I will buy one for JRPG's alone.

hohoho @ Sep 6th 2006 11:10AM

personally I don't care. I only care for 2 things. MGS4 and whichever system would have the most number of japan made rpgs. I only bought ps2 when mgs2 was released. ps1 for rpgs, snes for rpgs, saturn for obscure j-rpgs. Other sys i owned genesis, nes and last but not the least good ol' atari.

Conclusion? I'm definitely getting ps3 for mgs4 and maybe wii should japanese publishers release bulk of rpgs on wii. :D I might get 360 when sakaguchi's rpgs are out, depending how good they are.

I'm looking forward to playing tentacles-hentai games using wii-mote! muawahahahaha!!

Kevout @ Sep 6th 2006 11:10AM

Guitar Hero 2 will be the last game I buy for a Sony console.

Although I will still probably buy a PS3 and make a 300% eBay profit.

Savok @ Sep 6th 2006 11:11AM

Sony screwing the PAL gamer, I'm shocked, SHOCKED.

I'm consistantly baffled how anyone in a PAL territory can have any love for Sony to begin with, the mind bogling number of times we;ve been screwed, you'd of thought something would have sunk in before now.

Derbeste @ Sep 6th 2006 11:12AM

@jc

It's a blog. Getting people to post is what you're SUPPOSED to do....and I doubt there is much else people want to talk about right now.

"Poking the hornet's nest" seems a bit appropriate in that regard.

I wish I had much else to add, but I've never been much of a Sony fan and have never been "on the ship" in the first place.

However, I am VERY anxious to see the reactions of several of my friends later on today. I'll post the reactions with as little bias (despite whatever satisfaction I may be feeling) as I can. Because fan or not....it's fun to talk about.

gizmondo_hater @ Sep 6th 2006 11:12AM

ummm i think so... it's been said
this article doesn't feel right

The Dude @ Sep 6th 2006 11:13AM

Oh crap... SERIOUSLY?? There ANOTHER DELAY???! L.M.F.A.O.!
This is what happens when you tout too much.

hohoho @ Sep 6th 2006 11:13AM

i always forgot about good ol' gamecube.

Drew @ Sep 6th 2006 11:13AM

I was never really into the Playstation brand. I've enjoyed their consoles but when I have to sell something for a little extra money they are the first to go. I was going to buy a PS3 at launch but I'm not going to play the waiting game for a 600 dollar console with production issues. I waited in line for the Xbox 360 but that got old in hour 2 of the 8 hour wait time. I'll still buy it but not at launch.
Besides, we know they are having production issues with this diode. Hardware companies NEVER EVER use slightly lower quality parts to meet demand if the high end stuff is delayed /sarcasm. I'm betting Sony will throw in a few bad diodes that will work well enough for the warranty to expire.

Raynre @ Sep 6th 2006 11:14AM

I lost interest in the console when Krazy Ken started spewing such wonderments as "The PS3 can connect up to seven wireless controllers!" and "The PS3 can push over 120 fps!" and "The PS3 will exist in the FOURTH DEMENSION!! O_O" Such blatent lies from the head honchos at Sony. At least Microsoft and Nintendo have the courage to step foreward at tell us that, yes, their consoles will in fact have limitations.

The price just ensured that I wont be buying one until it drops below the magical $300 limit.

Its funny... I was going into this gen thinking that the 360 was the biggest mistake in the videogame industry and drooling over the RE5 and MGS4 vids. Poor Sony... my first generation that I could actually afford multiple consoles and you go and pull stunts like this..

Rich Cutter @ Sep 6th 2006 11:14AM

I'm amazed at how Sony can get up in front of everyone at E3 and make such bold promises, only to break them several months later. I don't respect the Sony Playstation division at all. They're lazy in their game innovation, they overpromise all the time, and they're constantly lying to their fanboys. The Killzone "footage" a year or ago really burned me inside. I mean, to actually create a CGI movie that "looks like gameplay" is really low-down. It was something to just keep all the fanboys in their camp a little longer. Really lost respect with me. These people don't care about gaming. It's all about making a buck and pushing their Blu-Ray movie business. Why people just don't invest in the 360 blows my mind. Those people care about gaming and care about the gamer...something Sony is far from doing.

Sony Fanboy @ Sep 6th 2006 11:16AM

Who cares? I still can play Guitar Hero's and 360 owners not.

Nmaster @ Sep 6th 2006 11:17AM

I think Sony must be secretly in league with Nintendo to just make them look better.

While I was driving my GF home the other day after speaking with some GameStop employees/ex-Sony lovers (I should note, my GF is a Final Fantasy Fangirl too), she gave the greatest quote ever on the matter...

Me: "Wow, it seems a lot of Sony fans are moving to Nintendo."
My GF: "Whadda ya mean?"
Me: "Well, after E3 it seems everyone who kept drooling over the PS3 now wants a Wii. What happened to all that consumer loyalty?"
My GF: "Loyalty stops at 600 f***ing dollars."

I think I started crying with laughter. It was made so much better by the fact my girlfriend never curses, and she practically yelled that at me. Damn I love her.

JimmyHACK @ Sep 6th 2006 11:18AM

typical post from Rob,

10 weeks away, bring it on

Nodnetni @ Sep 6th 2006 11:18AM

These fanboy break ups mean only one thing and that is that there are only going to be rabid fanboys in line to get one come this november. Which means I am probably going to get my ass kicked when I wait in line to get one, only to sell it on ebay for a large profit.

makattack @ Sep 6th 2006 11:19AM

That's why I don't jump in bed with the first woman who smiles at me after a night of drinking. You're bound to be disappointed in the morning. I'm patient and will wait and get to know a few of the gals (360, wii, ps3) a little more. Maybe the chubby one (ps3) will slim down a bit and be less demanding ($$$) before I commit.

Ive Been Jipped @ Sep 6th 2006 11:20AM

As someone else said, this is poking the hornet's nest and a weak excuse for some Joystiq editorial. There's plenty enough comments in the other two news stories to keep us going, this third story says nothing bar some random website no-one's heard of before being slightly miffed with Sony. No shit Sherlock. Check the comments on the other two news stories and you'll find 100+ people miffed with Sony right now.

Derbeste @ Sep 6th 2006 11:25AM

@Jipped

"Check the comments on the other two news stories and you'll find 100+ people miffed with Sony right now."

Summa didn't ask if you're miffed. That much seems obvious by the last two sony articles.

He asked if people were miffed ENOUGH now to part ways with Sony. It's a more focused question that the previous entries don't really address.......which is.....the RESULT.

I do have one criticism though....this really should be joystiq poll based on all this. It's time for a recount.

Zertoss @ Sep 6th 2006 11:25AM

Wasn't the PS2's shipments cut just before its launch and its Euro release delayed? If so, does Sony not learn from past mistakes? I'm not trying to rag on the PS3, but come on! We've done this before.

SuicideNinja @ Sep 6th 2006 11:26AM

"If games look great on the Playstation 3, people will buy it."

Games looked great on the Xbox and Gamecube. Better than the PS2 in several cases. It didn't change anything.

I don't need to break up with Sony. I ousted that low-quality-product-producing-money-pit long ago. Much before the PS3 and it's associated fiascos; try DRE's, rootkits, and failing proprietary formats (*cough* minidisc! *cough*). With short-lived amps, failing DVD players, and slow proprietary PCs to boot.

Sure, their Playstation daughter is fun to hang out with from time to time, but that's as far as our relationship will ever go at this point: We're just friends.

robmc @ Sep 6th 2006 11:26AM

People are going to buy the 360 or the wii instead of waiting untill after Christmas. Parents are going to place one of the available selling systems under juniors tree. And with the current lead the 360 enjoys, Sony will have almost no chance of surpassing Microsoft in this generation.
Any chance of Sony surpassing Microsoft or Nintindo just went Bye Bye with this announcement.

jaysins @ Sep 6th 2006 11:28AM

@Nmaster

She got a sister :)

Phranctoast @ Sep 6th 2006 11:28AM

lol at the stick and the hornets nest comment.

im still buying one. I may pick up a wii first though if i cant get it for the holiday season.

The Dude @ Sep 6th 2006 11:29AM

I wonder where the $onyfanbot are hiding now with this news~ ^_^ No Daryl,etc? No one to try to use damage control?? C'mon. lol, where are you people?? I would LOVE to see what you have to say about the news without trying to put a spin to it. Theres already damage control going on in there forums as I type with them telling eachother "Don't worry, don't worry- Everything will be ok...its'll be just fine!" **them rocking in there chair back and forth holding there arms devastated** $ony just now made Mirco and Ninty look SO much better. ESPECIALLY for the holiday season~

Scott @ Sep 6th 2006 11:29AM

I'd have to have a relationship with sony to need to break up with them. I will still get a ps3 when the price halves, or drops even further, as long as they can maintain FFXIII and DMC 4 as exclusive...otherwise i will stick only with the WII

Negativecool @ Sep 6th 2006 11:33AM

Sony is more screwed than they've ever been in their history.
Sony has shot themselves in the face.

No one can argue now that the 360 or the Wii will be ahead of the class this generation, it would be a mathematical impossibility for PS3 to be #1.

So if Europe gets the PS3 in March, that means we probably won't see a PS3 price drop in our lifetime. The number of PS3's sold DEPENDED on the PS3 price drop because even some fanboys were going to wait a year for the PRICE to go down.

Congratulations Ken and the entire PS hardware department, you just single handedly bankrupted Sony.

Dammit! And I really wanted a rival to the 360's graphical prowess without going PC...looks like I'll have to pic up a 360.

Ive Been Jipped @ Sep 6th 2006 11:33AM

I think we can figure out for ourselves the current mood from the comments in the previous two news stories (which - surprise! - is the primary purpose of reading through a comments section anyway).

Even a quick poll, as you suggested, would have at least allowed us to put things in proportion and ensured this 'news' story served some purpose (and if this story wasn't supposed to be presented as news, Summa should have left out that entirely pointless second paragraph). As it is, this has spread out the Sony discussion across THREE comment sections, rather than two. If anything, it's counter-productive.

I look forward to the inevitable follow-up story - "Now Sony have pissed you off, are you going to buy a Wii?!"

skr1lls @ Sep 6th 2006 11:34AM

Am I ready to break up with Sony?

I did three years ago. The rest of you who stuck around as believers must enjoy abusive relationships.

never fell for that psp thing either.

hohoho @ Sep 6th 2006 11:35AM

Dudes.. good chaps... chill, mates! lots of grumpy and cranky blokes with dodgy reasoning. end of day, it's a bloody console. Have some sex or go have a wank. Whichever system ultimately comes 1st, none of the profits, coolness and whatever would ever drip onto your shoulder or bank account.

leojsoap @ Sep 6th 2006 11:35AM

"…will survive on the backs of fanboys and fanboys alone" -T-Bag

So this is what he was talking about…

The Intangible Fact @ Sep 6th 2006 11:36AM

Here we go again....$600 for FFXIII, DMC 4, & MGS.(not worth it)
First of all splinter cell better,
Second, FFXIII & DMC 4 will most likely be ported to the 360 and all other exclusive games because lack of userbase.
Third, PS3 is not getting Halo.

Jojo @ Sep 6th 2006 11:37AM

I love this. Not because I don't like Sony, but its fun to watch. Its fun to sit back and watch the business of video games and how both sides of the isle get worked up. This just makes it that much more interesting. Just think how boring it is when all the consoles are out and all there is to talk about is games.

I was hoping to get a PS3, but the price is keeping me away, seeing how I already have a 360. I'm curious about the Wii though. I'll get a PS3 eventually, but when the price drops and a back-library of exclusive PS3 games exists.

Buckshot @ Sep 6th 2006 11:38AM

TV's are the only sony products I will still buy. The Grand Wega pwns all!!

rjg @ Sep 6th 2006 11:41AM

I don't really get why people are so attached to a particular brand. This is the case with Apple too and for a while I use to think that way about computers (my Amiga is so much cooler than your Atari ST!!!). One day I realized I don't really care what brand microwave I have or cordless phone, so why get so attached to a 'brand' on certain products?

I own a ps1 and ps2, and now an xbox360. I might buy a Wii or a ps3, nothings been decided and this latest news doesn't make a different to me at all (like many I have no intention of shelling out 600+ for a ps3). This is just more bad news and bad planning from Sony - get over it. It's not the end of the world. A year from now none of this will matter.

Psaakyrn @ Sep 6th 2006 11:42AM

The sad thing is, if assuming that the Playstation customer base has dropped, Sony probably wouldn't realise it until at least mid-2007 (unless they somehow don't sell out their 500,000 units, which is unlikely, but sadly not improbable).

iceatcs @ Sep 6th 2006 11:43AM

nah, I'm still holding for PS3. Suppose good timing for me, as I can saving up much more than I wasn't able to afford some games after the PS3 if out on Nov.

Jeff @ Sep 6th 2006 11:44AM

"Second, FFXIII & DMC 4 will most likely be ported to the 360 and all other exclusive games because lack of userbase."

(points at Japanese hardware sales charts)

Lack of userbase? Who has a lack of userbase?

You're talking about Japanese developers creating games just as, if not more popular in Japan than here. Why would they port to the 360?

They'll port to the *PS2* before they port these games to the 360.

32_Footsteps @ Sep 6th 2006 11:45AM

Man, the N64 taught me to let go of console loyalty. The companies don't care about me. They care about my money. I'm just a source of income for them, and they could care less about me. Why give them my loyalty?

The only thing that determines if I get a console is the games, and the only thing that determines when is the price. Given that there aren't any games worth the while for the PS3 anytime soon, it's a moot point, as with the Wii. The 360 has some I'm interested in, but I'm waiting for a price drop.

Sometimes, it's really good to be a video gaming free agent.

James @ Sep 6th 2006 11:45AM

it makes me wonder how reliable this blu ray lasers will be if they can't produce them to meet demand...

people who manage to snage one of the 500,000 may end up with PS3 lasers that don't last anyway. What a shame.

LaughingTarget @ Sep 6th 2006 11:48AM

32 -

I think that is called "sleeping around". Which is what everyone should do...in console terms anyway.

32_Footsteps @ Sep 6th 2006 11:50AM

Well, LT, if you want to use Joystiq's metaphor, you're probably right. However, I personally don't want to sound like I'm trolling for the video gaming equivalent of an STD.

The Intangible Fact @ Sep 6th 2006 11:52AM

@ Jeff

Why would a developer make a game exclusive for a console that will take years before it could reestablish the userbase of the previous generation?

By porting it to the 360, yes it will hurt the sells on the PS3 but also it would increase profit because more people can buy it that don't own a PS3. Heres an idea. Make that game so that it has different content for each system. (like Soul Caliber 2 did for GC, XBOX, PS2, remember they had special characters.