Which is it, Sony? "Blu-ray is dead!" or "Long live Blu-ray!"?
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Oct 3rd 2006 at 6:45PM }
Sony needs to get its story straight.
On the one hand, there's Ken Kutaragi, top chihuahua of Sony Computer Entertainment, who says that the PlayStation 3 has a product life span of 10 years. One full decade! Long live Blu-ray!
On the other hand, there's Jamie MacDonald, VP of SCE Worldwide Studios Europe, who claims that digital distribution will overtake physical media (such as Blu-ray discs) within five years. Blu-ray is dead!
What's going on here? Is Blu-ray a tax on people too thick to subtract five from ten?
Well, SCE's MacDonald backtracked a little bit, explaining to GameDaily, "The thing about Blu-ray discs - and this is the crucial thing - is that not any time soon will you be able to download the amount of content you need for a big triple-A title down a typical 2, 4 meg broadband connection. That's not going to happen now or in the next year."
Tell that to Fios users, MacDonald. 30Mbps downstream will chew thru one of them fancy Blu-ray discs pretty fast. The real question is how long it'll be before the rest of us have access to fiber in the home.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
WUDDERSUP @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:49PM
Okay please never call other websites or magazines biased. Ever.
joe smith @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:51PM
Blu-Ray is just another excuse to shove a Sony format down our throats (like UMD) -- whether it makes sense from a gaming perspective or not. 10 years from now no one will even remember Blu-ray or HD-DVD as anything other than temporary placeholders (like 8-track tape).
Scott @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:51PM
I.Want.100.Mbps.Fiber.Now
Steve2 @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:52PM
Joystiq, how about you stop cranking up your users?
How about you stick to news and go easy on the commentary designed to pit half your readers against the other half?
Stop pretending like you think 5 years from now is the same as today just to start arguments.
MosquitoControl @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:54PM
#1 - it's not a bias you monkey.
It's pointed questions hoping to get discussion and web hits.
They do this with every single company. They make sure there's a spin to their posts partially to make sure people know this is a blog, not a news site, and mostly to assure there's a discussion that takes place in the thread, since this gives them an enormous amount of hits (and a community.)
Every single company gets pelted. Deal with it. Don't just whine about how they make fun of your favorite company. Understand they do it for all.
Armin @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:55PM
Oh come on Joystiq, both of those things were NOT said officially but off the record.
Both Kutaragi and MacDonald were speaking about their personal thoughts on the respective subjects.
Joystiq can turn anything into an anti-Sony rant these days.
Sonic @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:20PM
How about you fire Vladimir. He's obviously not that intelligent.
-This message has been deleted by the administrators request.-
nootau @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:56PM
why do you have to argue? cant people discuss things rationally? the future of a medium? or distribution method? It might even be productive!
? X ? O @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:58PM
I would have to agree with Jamie on this one. Bandwidth for home consumers is doubling every four month or so. I can currently download 10 gigs while getting ready for work in the morning (less than a half-hour [I wasn't at my PC when it finished]). In two years, I should be able to download 50 gigs in even less time than that.
As long as you have a hard drive and a broadband connection, discs are useless. I can't even remember the last time I purchased software for my PC in a brick-and-mortar store. Video games are sure to follow.
*Side Note*
Nintendo,
You better allow people to hook up external hard drives to the Wii. I don’t even care if they’re Nintendo-branded HD’s, as long as I can upgrade my storage by 200 gigs.
kingroach @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:59PM
someone needsto send vlad to mad house.. I think he's trying to be top posterby postingcraps all day..
aZn_1080p @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:02PM
LOL.. too funny... No bias at joystiq HQ. NO SIR-E-BOB!
Just because digital distribution may overtake disc based distribution, does not mean discs will all of a sudden dissappear. Its much more likely that the top-end hidef formats will still be disc based, while DVD quality or slightly lower will be digitally distributed. Much like there is MP3 digitally distributed, but the top end of the market (DVD-Audio, SACD) is still disc based. ITs not that hard to figure out if you think about it for a second, rather than try to think up a breatless sony bashing post.
Joe P @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:03PM
Echoes #4's comments. Another slow news day, Joystiq? This place is fast losing its relevance as a news and information site. Pathetic flame-baiting...
Negativecool @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:05PM
Usually I'm put off by morons saying Joystiq is biased...but lately, as others have pointed out, Vlad has just been ridiculous...Either he is really biased against sony, or he's a whore for high post counts..I hope it's the latter.
BTSavage @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:06PM
Okay, how is it that saying the playstation 3 will last for 10 years is at odds with physical media lasting only 5?
These statements do not contradict eachother, they simply make different claims. If you're going to make these kind of random connections, go work for the Bush administration.
sracer @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:09PM
There are so many legitimate reasons to bash Sony. They have shown nothing but contempt for consumer and deserve the cr@p that gets dished out.
But trying to prove a contradiction by pointing out two statements by two officials within two separate parts of the company speaking to two different audiences proves nothing. It is standard-operating-procedure for large corporations.
Cage @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:10PM
Sony doesnt know what it wants. They thought they could add the latest optical drive into a new system and call it a day. The Sony brand would carry them...right? Right?
Wrong. They figured out Microsoft has a hell of a product and Wii was on the horizon. "Shit...what do we do now?". We take the lastest and greatest from Wii (controller), say we have a Live killer, say we have a Halo killer, and overhype our new optical drive as "true HD". Why did their PR manager quit again?
Anfhann @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:11PM
Yeah, I'm pretty much done with Vlad. I normally don't read the author's name, but recently when I get half way through a stupid post I just know if I look up and check the name I'll see Vladimir Cole. I wish I could filter his posts out, I still enjoy some of the other posts.
uumai @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:12PM
I dunno about other countries, but uk net speeds pretty much suck ass. ADSL2 gets up to 22mb there about line.. and thats within a very limited distance from the exchange.. over BT phone lines adsl is never gonna be great, as for cable here, it is pretty expensive and not growing in speed as much as it could or as fast as it should.
So given the way the net is in uk, i'd say blu-ray/hd-dvd have a future... digital distribution for files as large as BR games like resistance boasted at 22gb... ouch... Can you imagine a final fantqasy game with all that HD FMV?
It's a nice idea, but then you really don't own the software unless you have the ability to burn... no trade in on games anymore, or selling them when your bored of them. more like what the rumours were of sony saying you basically just have a licence to play it, but it's not yours to do with what you will...
Chris @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:13PM
Blu-Ray is dead, long live Betamax and Laserdisc
Qwerty @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:13PM
Actually, I believe Vlad was being accused of been biased towards Nintendo. This rubbish post that attempts to make a correlation between two statements that in reality does not contradict the other at all is merely an attempt to redeem himself and to comment troll.
Nothing to see here!
? X ? O @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:14PM
I don't know how many times Sony fanboys need to be reminded:
This is NOT a news site. It is a blog site meant for discussion. If you have nothing to add to the discussion, go look for news on Google News. Just type in "Sony" in the search bar and you'll be satisfied with the results.
martin @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:48PM
From the people who brought you 4D entertainment. Now you can download filed to our special BluRay disks and play your games from UMD's that attach to Beta videos. Hell just give us all your money and call it a day!
Love Sony,
page @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:16PM
Sometimes reading this blog is like a baboon butt, it's stupid-ugly. Amazed by how bad Joystiq can portray themselves. I have a feeling they're desolving and grasping at straws because based on what they post these days they're beyond desperate.
? X ? O @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:23PM
So, Vlad, do you *still* think the NDF is more extreme than the SDF? LOL
CV @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:24PM
All of you people complaining about the quality of Joystiq's posts are drama queens. Video games are unimportant enough on their own, but a blog about video games? What were you expecting?
SuicideNinja @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:26PM
Come on. Everyone knows that the disc format is going away. Digital distribution, whether we like it or not, will become "the way". But right now, such things would alienate the masses.
Microsoft knows this already. Sony knows this. Nintendo is thinking about it.
You forgot to mention Phil Harrison's comment about the PS4 not even having a disc drive.
IMO, Blu-ray and HD-DVD are worthless. We don't need them. DVD may not be in HD, but demand to get away from it will need to be built up in the form of HDTV purchases. 5 years may not be enough time for full penetration. DVD for movies still has some life left.
Robotic House Plant @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:27PM
Why download everything at once? How about streaming a fraction of the content while downloading in the background?
Night Elve @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:29PM
Well if there is a debate then the insults should not take place here like:
"On the one hand, there's Ken Kutaragi, top chihuahua of Sony Computer"
Sometimes Joystiq is pretty lame.
WUDDERSUP @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:33PM
Vlad please leave Joystiq. No one likes you.
Jake @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:44PM
Geez here we go. Another stupid Joystiq editor conjuring a non-story out of nothing. Vlad you have joined the ranks of the ultimate in idiotic bloggers now that you are completely twisting words and phrases to mean whatever you want them to mean. "You mean people aren't going to be using Blu-ray discs in 50 years? Oh no, that must mean Blu-ray is dead on arrival!" Idiot. Complete idiot.
Gareth Jones @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:50PM
Jesus Christ Joystiq is getting worse and worse. Vlad, just what the fuck are you smoking? Please quit.
I'd like to start a list of alternative sites:
Eurogamer - biased towards Nintendo and forums populated by the most stupid people alive, but informative news and pretty up-to-date.
kikizo.com - I love this site. Hi-def images, movies and seemingly impartial news (so far!) mean that this site will most probably be replacing Joystiq as my favourite place for gaming news.
Does anyone have any others? Preferably with RSS feeds?
Jok3r @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:49PM
We will still need physical media to store stuff, this is not hard to figure out
_habit_ @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:56PM
I guess since we disagree with something someone says we should get uber-pissed at them huh?
If you don't like his posts, you can at least say so politely, or don't read them, I think it's as simple as that.
tcc3 @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:56PM
Don't let the morons get you down Vlad.
Kestrel @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:50PM
OMG JOYSTIQ MAKES A LEGITIMATE POINT!!!1 SOO BI4S3D!!!111!11SEVENTEEN!
Doomstalk @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:54PM
"Triple-A title" is one of the most annoying phrases in history. What does it mean?
Kestrel @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:55PM
Seriously. I dunno what the hell is up with Joystiq commenters lately. Now every post Joystiq makes is received as bad and biased, regardless of content.
Clay @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:58PM
Ok i read joystiq all the time and people who say it's biased are always just fanboys and junk... joystiq reports the news they don't create it.
However
I think you puttin a little too much stock into this. I would argue that Digital distribution of music with itunes/napster/insert one of 100 other services here has surpassed CD distribution. but you dont see the death of the CD (the mortal wound maybe... but not the death) Even microsoft has said Digital will pass current medias... of course they're not forcing you to use a "next-gen" format eaither...
Concerned @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:00PM
clay basically hit the head of the nail
people who keep crying "BIAS" are just fanboys who keep trying to make everyone look bad
Seriously, if you don't like the news, then just keep a stiff upper lip
not bitch like a bunch of 10 year olds
man for the love of shit people
Have you know strength to suck it up?
Hiro Protagonist @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:06PM
Most of these posts are by the same couple people under different emails obviously.
Proof: None of them follow the 'Read' link even thought it's telling them to frigin READ it.
They all make the same, unfounded, points with different wording.
They all pretty much write the same way.
Keep it up Vlad, I just love reading these comments. Oh, tell Summa to post stuff more often, he kinda slowed down (died) after the whole UBER HYPE incident.
I liked his posts too. Cheers.
Toby @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:22PM
Gareth Jones: I read EuroGamer as well, also, I recommend GameSpot.com (News), Kotaku.com and DigitalBattle.com
Count Chocula @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:20PM
Cole bashes equally.
If memory serves correctly, he made fun of Reggie for his announcement that he would be in line in New York for a Wii on launch day. Cole also has praised the PS3 in certain articles. However, he does seem to be a 360 fanboy, the fucker.
It is pretty hard to not hate on Sony right now anyway.
dish @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:22PM
@ aZn_1080p
does sony pay you?
[-Z-] @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:25PM
@40, The way you think amazes me. Just because there are people who don't like vlad's unnesassary name calling and poor sense of humor, you made it so they are like all came from one person. Bravo my friend, have you been watching colbert report lately. You and him think alike, nonsense but funny.
cone @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:34PM
And what are you going to store all this on?
Blu-Ray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me again @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:37PM
I personally am going to love blu-ray games and movies !!! Who has the storage needed to dl full games and movies onto their hdd anyways ??!!
taliesin-nine @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:38PM
Vlad, opinionated/controversial posts are interesting and crucial to a blog, don't stop doing them cause of some blockheads. However, you might want to tone it down a little and at least not do it as often as you have in the past few days. This will cause people to stop reading you and start ignoring you and your opinions. If that happens, what's the point of posting anything?
MosquitoControl @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:43PM
Bottom line - Vlad posts get some of the most comments.
Does this make him awful, or does it make him successful?
Stanley Steamer @ Oct 4th 2006 1:58AM
Wow, thanks for another idiotic article Joystiq! You rock!
SpottedNigel @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:47PM
This is a news blog, right? Meaning whoever posts news can slant it whichever they want with whatever bias they want.
Personally, im in the camp that thinks Nintendo is doing many good things, while Sony has thier head stuck up thier ass.
I'm pretty sure I'm right, too. Maybe thats why I like Joystiq, since they seem to have common sense.