PlayStation 3 billboard, modified

by Vladimir Cole { Oct 8th 2006 at 10:48PM }

Joystiq reader Smellslikepie sent us his clever adaptation of the PlayStation 3 billboard that you've likely seen circulating about the net. W3've f3atured his l33t cr3ation above.

Seriously, though: Sony's stuck between a rock and a hard place. Remember the flak that Microsoft caught last holiday for advertising their console even as it faced massive shortages? Sony now enjoys the same unenviable position. In a shortage situation, advertising only drives consumer frustration; no amount of advertising at this stage is going to sell another PS3. To spur sales, Sony needs to crank PlayStation 3s out of its factories.

Sony should save its advertising dollars for when those dollars have a chance of making an actual impact. All this advertising is doing right now is driving customers to barren shelves flanked by competitor products.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

LameStation @ Oct 8th 2006 11:04PM

Did you really have to include the modified billboard?

I mean, Sony is fucking up and deserve every bad PR they have gotten, but can you be a bit less biased?

Al @ Oct 8th 2006 11:07PM

I'm agreeing with the guy above me (#1). While the picture is amusing it's a little un-called for. Do you expect Sony NOT to advertise their product?

vc @ Oct 8th 2006 11:08PM

Burnt Meatloaf @ Oct 8th 2006 11:09PM

The starkness! The bold use of negative space! It's... like an Apple ad without the company logo!

Wait... what?

penas @ Oct 8th 2006 11:09PM

"pay beyond!" THE PRICE OF NORMAL GAME W/ SONY! MIRCOTRANSACTION FTW!!!(600 buck for GTHD? no thanks sony)

Blink @ Oct 8th 2006 11:09PM

Hey LameBrai-er, I mean, LameStation, that photoshop is the story itself. The commentary on the bottom adds to the featured picture, giving it a little backstory and reason.

And guys, what's with all the "Joystiq is teh biased!!!" going around? Yes, they seem to report bad news on Sony more often than bad news on Microsoft and Nintendo...but look at the situation. Sony hasn't had one good word come out of their mouth all year it seems, thank goodness the developers are proving them wrong by making the PS3 worth buying.

Hannibal @ Oct 8th 2006 11:09PM

I'm agreeing with the guy above me (#2). While the picture is amusing, it's...called for. ...Expect Sony NOT to advertise their product.

SfGanja @ Oct 8th 2006 11:10PM

It is called an opinion something that will always be biased, stop crying. Get over it Vlad will always write what he wants to say.

Ijustcrashed @ Oct 8th 2006 11:14PM

I don't understand.
"driving customers to barren shelves flanked by competitor products"
Unless there's something I'm missing..isn't the PS3 coming out November 6th or something?
Doesn't it make sense to build up anticipation for their upcoming product despite predicted shortages?
The ad is fine, but the article is kind of ridiculous.
Their advertisements aren't going to frustrate anyone at this point, a month before launch.

Ijustcrashed @ Oct 8th 2006 11:15PM

edit: unless it's frustration in a good way
or sexual frustration

SquirrelPhister @ Oct 8th 2006 11:20PM

Please, for the love of all things holy, please stop wasting space here writing about bias! Why are you all so upset that writers for this site have opinions? How does that affect your life? Do you really think that by Vlad posting this, he's somehow doing damage to Sony's reputation?

They've done that themselves! This post only reflects the frustration that most gamers around the world feel towards Sony right now. If you don't feel that frustration, then why is it a big deal to you that other people do?

Optimus Prime @ Oct 8th 2006 11:22PM

With the launch of PS3 only 5 weeks away, i except more insecure 360 fanbois (like this poster to be) to come out and try to justify their purchase any which way they can.

The insecurity of a new and potentially better console must be driving you guys at joystick nuts.

Seriously, VC, your a$$ would be fired if you proposed to NOT do any advertising.

LameStation @ Oct 8th 2006 11:23PM

LameStation,

If I were as biased as you say I am, do you think I'd have elected to write the article on how Forrester thinks that Blu-ray will win the HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray battle?

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/08/blu-ray-will-beat-hd-dvd-says-forrester-again/

C'mon dude.

For one, Blu-Ray deals with not just gaming, but movie industry. You can believe that BD will win and still show hatred for the PS3.

This is just a waste of space.

Ijustcrashed @ Oct 8th 2006 11:26PM

"This post only reflects the frustration that most gamers around the world feel towards Sony right now."

Regardless of "most gamers around the world's frustration with sony", it's a fairly crappy post.

msaeger @ Oct 8th 2006 11:30PM

I agree they are wasting their money advertising. With so few units available they will have a sell out on launch day anyway. They should just save their money.

Squeek @ Oct 8th 2006 11:30PM

Didn't the Sony representative himself say "The PS3 would sell out even if it had no games" during one of the E3 posts here?

I mean, that, to me, says "Why bother advertising? The system is going to sell out no matter what we do."

And honestly, after all the horrible press it has received, it only seems to me that each press release is pounding more nails into the board of "people who will not buy a PS3 at launch", so it will most certainly be worth it to see if people buy a console purely based on a name brand after all of this.

Ijustcrashed, as it says on the billboard, it's set to come out 11/17. November 17th.

This is a genius ad, by the way. Took me a good few seconds to realize the characters at the bottom were numbers, then a few more to realize that's the release date (something I knew in advance). What would the average non-videogaming Joe think about this ad?

SquirrelPhister @ Oct 8th 2006 11:32PM

Ijustcrashed:
"I don't understand.
'driving customers to barren shelves flanked by competitor products'
Unless there's something I'm missing..isn't the PS3 coming out November 6th or something?"

November 17th actually, but on the 18th they will all be gone. Why? Because there will only be 400,000 units shipped in the entire country. There is demand for at least a few million right at the start, so the supply will be extremely limited (possibly even more so than with the Xbox 360 unless Sony gets their ass in gear)

If I'm a parent and I walk into Best Buy or Gamestop on black friday this year with the intention of buying a new videogame system for my child, guess what? I'm not gonna be able to buy a PS3. But there will be plenty of Xbox 360s and Wiis on the shelves and they will cost considerably less than I was planning to spend on that PS3.

True, if you absolutely loyal to Sony, then you'll just wait until you can get your hands on one. But let's be realistic here, gamers aren't that loyal to any one company. Gamers will go where the games are, regardless of what company made the machine we're playing them on.

SquirrelPhister @ Oct 8th 2006 11:33PM

Ijustcrashed:
"Regardless of "most gamers around the world's frustration with sony", it's a fairly crappy post."

Wow, I never looked at it that way before! You have really opened my eyes with your insight! I'm humbled by your ability to put together a cohesive, logical argument!

/patronization

Optimus Prime @ Oct 8th 2006 11:37PM

Moo @ Oct 8th 2006 11:38PM

For the most part, this post may be useless; you see the picture, laugh, and move on. What is so offensive about it? Initial adopters of the PS3 are 'paying beyond': beyond the original price of the PS2.

The PS2 was $300 at launch. The PS3 will be $200-300 more. Will this stop any of the 400,000 in the US who will pick the PS3 at launch? No. It will simply cause the others who missed out to wait for the next shipment.

This post is to cause a chuckle and nothing more.

Dave Mendez @ Oct 8th 2006 11:40PM

I never thought I'd say this but the PS3 bashing is getting so tired.

Enough is enough. I'm an xbox 360 owner and have my Wii safely pre-ordered already and guaranteed on launch day.
PS3 isn't even a thought and that's because of the price.

Without a doubt; all the footage of the PS3 that i've seen is beyond impressive for first generation games.

If you do your homework properly; the PS3 is far from overpriced compared to the xbox 360.

Xbox 360 core(299)plus HD-DVD add on (199) = 500.00
Xbox 360 Pro(399)plus HD-DVD add on (199) = 600.00

Xbox 360 wireless adapter = 100.00
This brings the xbox 360 pro system to 700.00 and it still doesn't have triple the memory (60gb) that the PS3 pro system has.

Why haven't I seen Joystiq or Engadget make a real comparison of the prices of both the core and pro systems of both the xbox 360 and PS3 and what you get for your money, feature for feature?

Again I am a 360 owner and soon to be wii owner. There isn't money for the PS3 this year;

If I didn't own a 360 already and I had to make a choice this holiday season; I'd definitley go with the PS3 hands down. It's equal if not superior out of the box - for both the core & pro systems.

theburn16 @ Oct 8th 2006 11:40PM

sorry, you people obviously dont know much about business. the more they advertise it while they're sold out, it will make them appear extremely popular to the average person (not someone on here) and will make them want one even more

Vasco @ Oct 8th 2006 11:43PM

I am tired of these fanboys complaining. Guess what I was a huge Sony fan and they are really sticking it to us this time.A 600 dollar system, 60-80 bucks for games plus i have to pay microtransaction just to play an online racer. Its BS. Maybe if you dumbasses would stop supporting stupid decisions like that maybe things would change. Sony is only concerned about developing a new media format they could careless about your gaming experience. Nintendo and Microsoft actually seem to care about the experience you have playing. It amazes me how you blindly swear allegience to a company next your gonna tell me that they didn't drop the ball big time with the PSP. Two years later and I am still playing Lumines and thats sad.

Night Elve @ Oct 8th 2006 11:43PM

Zzz Joystiq Zzz

Ijustcrashed @ Oct 8th 2006 11:44PM

"If I'm a parent and I walk into Best Buy or Gamestop on black friday this year with the intention of buying a new videogame system for my child, guess what? I'm not gonna be able to buy a PS3. But there will be plenty of Xbox 360s and Wiis on the shelves and they will cost considerably less than I was planning to spend on that PS3.

True, if you absolutely loyal to Sony, then you'll just wait until you can get your hands on one. But let's be realistic here, gamers aren't that loyal to any one company. Gamers will go where the games are, regardless of what company made the machine we're playing them on."

While I don't agree with all of that, it has nothing to do with this advertisement. There's hardly any reason for them not to advertise this close to launch. It's meant to promote their product. I'd say there's a much bigger chance of somebody buying a PS3 if they actually know that it exists in the first place. No?

Wow, that is kind of messed up, I didn't even notice that the launch date was on there. What's up with Sony's lame font this time around?

Ijustcrashed @ Oct 8th 2006 11:47PM

"Wow, I never looked at it that way before! You have really opened my eyes with your insight! I'm humbled by your ability to put together a cohesive, logical argument!"

You too, sugarballs. :)
Yes, unfortunately, my post -unlike yours- does not represent the opinion of the entire gaming community.

just me @ Oct 8th 2006 11:53PM

OK fine the PS3 will be expensive haven't we drove this little fact into the ground? I guess that's all people can think of to say bad about the thing. Now I'm no Sony fanboy I do own a Xbox360 and will most likely buy the other 2 systems when they come out. I'm just saying aren't you guys just beating a dead horse?

dsub @ Oct 8th 2006 11:53PM

my god. enough of this biased bullshit. this was a decent article that made a good point. If sony were wise, they would be saving their advertising dollars for next spring. Seriously, everyone who wants one and will be buying one at this point isn't going the be swayed by a billboard driving down the freeway. I think it would be wise for sony to honestly lay as low as possible over the holidays and do as little advertising as possible. Sure, it's cool to have that "hot gift item" but it's kind of pointless to have that status for your product when you already know that every single console you've been able to manufacture is going to sell out instantly to a VERY small number of people.

The big marketing campaign for PS3 should start next spring, when the entire world can/will actually buy one. Myself included.

The H @ Oct 8th 2006 11:53PM

In this case, you're absolutely right, Vladimir. However, they've got to at least try to get the word out that they've got a new console coming, whether consumers can actually buy one or not. Maybe it seems kinda silly to us, because we've all been sitting on the idea that the PS3 would be released since...well...the PS1 came out. But there are those out there that are unaware of the PS3s looming launch. I really do believe that Sony is over-advertising, and under-delivering this launch, though.

dsub @ Oct 8th 2006 11:58PM

also, this way when the PS3 has it's expected technical hiccups (that's right I said when, because this thing is packed so full of new tech it's almost inevitable, and I've NEVER bought a sony console that DIDN'T break within the 1st 6 months) they run less of a risk of stories of broken PS3's making the big time media. Much like CNN did with the defect 360's last winter making it sound as if every 360 purchased was DOA. We all know the media, and there ability to blow things WAY out of proportion. With as much as sony has been getting slammed by the media and shooting themselves in the foot every time they speak, the last thing they need is to continue with this bad PR after the PS3 has finally launched.

cyberfrog @ Oct 9th 2006 12:00AM

There is a reason that sony bashing has become popular. Look at sony's track record for the last year. Music root kit, rude and illegal. Their initial response to the allegations were less then apologetic. Sony batteries exploding due to poor quality control. Initial response were to engage in denials before a recall, made possible in part by the publicity these events gained from such "sony bashing" blogs as this one. PSP, a fantastic piece of sexy hardware, is released with a proprietary format which increase game load times and eats away at battery life. Only once the movie format is given up by major distrubitors does sony relax it's grip to allow movies to the masses in an easier format. At the same time, a fruitless battle with the homebrew community continues. The price of PS3 is announced and is clearly outrageous. Sony's initial responses are that people should be willing to work two jobs to get it. Part of the higher cost is clearly the result of sony attempting use the PS3 as a format to increase adoption of blue-ray. They reduce the cost of the low-end package that pleases some fans, but clearly leaves business analysts questioning their practices. Removal of the rumble feature from their joystiq due to a losing patent case, yet lying to the public as to the reasons as to why they removed the rumble feature and added tilt sensors at the last minute.

I honestly don't understand sony fanboys. All business are greedy at heart, ninty, microsoft, etc and care about making profit. Sony's behavior, however, shows a pattern of behavior that seems to be guided by a distrust of it's consumers (hence the various proprietary formats, rootkits, and everchanging firmware versions that don't really have an effect) and perhaps an overzealous desire to create an all-in-one machine that will lure consumers to their one golden product. If such a thing happened, it would be good for sony. The fact of the matter is, that it merely increases the cost for the consumer with features that the majority of consumers do not seem to want to pay for in a gaming rig. When you see a large portion of the consumer population and game-related journals and blogs saying the same things, it's not sony bashing. It's an increasing wave of criticisms directed at a company that was at the top of its game a few years ago but does appear to have the interests of its consumers at it's heart.

Enycma @ Oct 9th 2006 12:02AM

I thought vc was being critized for being Anti-Nintendo... Now he's Sony biased?

MAKE UP YOUR MINDS!!!

hey alex @ Oct 9th 2006 12:04AM

That's a little cruel. For a second there, I thought that was the actual billboard. I mean, you never know with Sony.

Anyway, of they're going to advertise. It's irrelevant whether or not you can meet demand this year. You're launching a new product. No advertising simply because you cannot meet demand would be stupid. You have to let people know you have a new product.

Anthony @ Oct 9th 2006 12:28AM

Im The Juggernaut Bitch!!! Im The Juggernaut Bitch!!!

Why do people fight over consoles?? why? Why argue, its like fighting with a retarded kid. Both consoles are good, and if you can afford it buy them both, if you cant get Wii or 360. Simple as that, no more fighting!......And just remember

Im The Juggernaut Bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lung @ Oct 9th 2006 12:28AM

I do have to add: Vlad, this is way better than those lame, uninspired graphs.

azesino @ Oct 9th 2006 12:30AM

It is a waste of money.... they should of save it for next spring and not drive their fan base on black friday to the stores thinking they are going to be able to walk off with a PS3, because no fan is loyal to no game company, when a gamer, heck more so a casual games have money on their pockets for a console and dont find it they will cheat like any man would on a strip club if a stripper gets friendly like a domestic cat.

Turo @ Oct 9th 2006 12:35AM

Biased this biased that, wow why is it so hard to understand that this is a BLOG site with OPINIONS and NOT a news-only site. sony fanboys puh-lease, enough with the crying already, all consoles get their fair share of criticism and praise. its not the end of the world.

Me again @ Oct 9th 2006 12:36AM

Pay Beyond.....Seriously your gay.....If you can't afford it then you don't deserve to play games....atleast not any of the good games. xbox and nintendo sux !!!

Efren @ Oct 9th 2006 12:36AM

Sweet christ.. what is it with you chuckleheads constantly bitching that joystiq is biased?

Were NONE of you around before the 360 launch, where fun crap like this was posted DAILY and there were a million idiots like you commenting saying, "OMG I BET THEY WONT DO THIS WHEN PS3 COMES OUT!"

Now Sony is takin' their lumps and you guys are bitching about that too?

How about staying the hell away if you hate joystiq and you think they're so biased?

Or better yet, LIGHTEN THE HELL UP! No one slapped your mama here.

Turo @ Oct 9th 2006 12:37AM

oh and by the way vlad, love the insightful graphs =D. u guys rule, and people need to grow up and quit being assholes.

CONFUSEDgam3r @ Oct 9th 2006 12:37AM

There is always problems with consoles around launch time. The XBOX 360 had less units then Sony has for the PS3 and they still advertised, the PS2 had the same amount and they still advertised then. There will always be advertisements, if not for more money but for the anticipation and excitement in the loyalists.

I love ads, it tells me that the company is getting ready for the release, that we are not that far away from the launch, that I better start saving my money, giving blood, and selling my PS2.

for all of you XBOX and Wii fanboys, my above staement is all I have to say.

SquirrelPhister @ Oct 9th 2006 1:02AM

@32. Cyberfrog

thank god someone else here has some common sense

prepare for a ton of irrational post about how you are a 'ninty fangirl' and an 'M$ bitch' and other colorful misspelled nonsense

Turo @ Oct 9th 2006 1:06AM

wow what a great defense to those claims Me Again, LOL. First of all, there are people who work hard for a living, yet actually can't afford $600 for "the better games" of which you speak of. Secondly, tons of the best games of all time are fractions of the price of these new ones, wow wtf is wrong with u. Oh, and Xbox and Nintendo suck? try telling that to the successful people who have made millions from quality stuff that people all over the nation are enjoying as we speak. LOL pwnt

smellslikepie @ Oct 9th 2006 1:15AM

Glad to see I cause such a fuss!

Seriously though, it's a joke. Why do you need ro be so offended by it. The Xbox 360 got this kind of 'abuse' when it launched. Infact, I'm sure someone has called Joystiq Sony Fanboys before because of that. And I KNOW that they have been called Nintendo Fanboys.

I personally don't like this advertising, especially the ///[I]7[/I] . The average person who hasn't spent much time on the internet wouldn't know that this is the release date. 11 / 17.. It could even be misread as 1 / 11 / 7 (the seven being 2007)

cone @ Oct 9th 2006 1:19AM

Another stupid thing from this site.

PS3 IS A DEAL!! IF YOU CANT SEE THAT YOUR RETARDED

Tom @ Oct 9th 2006 1:21AM

Ummm... "Pay Beyond" is kind of a stupid pun.

nllx @ Oct 9th 2006 1:27AM

"Why haven't I seen Joystiq or Engadget make a real comparison of the prices of both the core and pro systems of both the xbox 360 and PS3 and what you get for your money, feature for feature?"

Because the 360 has OPTIONS. No one is forcing HD-DVD down your throat. And using the wireless adapter arguement is getting used too often. You can just buy a 3rd party one for the 360's usb.

Turo @ Oct 9th 2006 1:31AM

46. "42. oh and by the way vlad, love the insightful graphs =D. u guys rule, and people need to grow up and quit being assholes."

I haven't seen this much ass kissing since....erm...running a blank here.

Tell me, how does "it" taste, while you are on your knees?

wow my test worked exactly as i expected it. people sure can dish out criticism but not take it LOL

MidnightPlatinum @ Oct 9th 2006 1:32AM

WOW! I can't believe no one gets it. I am pretty objective and clear headed, though a bit frustrated by Sony. The ad is funny as hell though... 31117... any1 get it now? IT STANDS FOR SH**!

And this is a good point worth having an intelligent journalist report: advertising intensely for a sold-out product frustrates consumers. They'll be okay if they stick with neutral, announcement-oriented ads like simple billboards and store signs but if they do commercials and high-publicity "cool" ad campaigns then they will just piss people off. Especially, since we know no one getting theirs through Gamestop preorders is getting theirs before mid-to-late spring. And everywhere is going to be selling these in only 2k+ bundles.

Tom @ Oct 9th 2006 1:33AM

@nllx: "And using the wireless adapter arguement is getting used too often. You can just buy a 3rd party one for the 360's usb."

I bought a D-Link usb wireless adapter and it doesn't work on my Xbox 360. Can you give me a brand/model that you know will work?

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