Sony's biggest enemy: Maddox

by Justin Murray { Nov 13th 2006 at 8:50PM }

Sony's public image hasn't been great lately. DRM, exploding laptop batteries, and some PR gaffes from the PlayStation division certainly haven't helped that image much. Today, Sony was dealt what could be the biggest blow to their image: Maddox.

Maddox is the internet's favorite irate pirate. Each of his rants regularly pull in over a million hits and he has a best selling book on the market. When Maddox talks, people listen. This time, Maddox's sights have been set squarely on Sony. He complains about their DRM (the root kit fiasco), exploding batteries, Lik Sang's demise, and the PSP. He even goes so far as to put things in perspective, demonstrating how anyone who receives a paycheck this year is making more money than Sony's PlayStation division. He then compares the PS3 (not by name) to the Wii and 360 using politically incorrect dating terms.

While Maddox does seem to have great pull over the web, will his dissension really matter? His flowery -- and rare -- promotion of a product (Nintendo Wii) could turn many heads. Given his book sales and the popularity of his site, Sony may have lost many possible customers who would have otherwise been blissfully unaware of the various blunders they've made this past year. All we know is we'd rather not be on Maddox's bad side.

Tags: Maddox, Playstation, Playstation 3, Playstation3, PS3, PSP, Sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

xorzisten @ Nov 13th 2006 3:01PM

Well, I really hope people doesnt listen too this hatefull subjective and stupid rant.
I think its great that maddox favors games like cooking mama and nintendogs, although it is a little ironic when you think about his sites overall "manly" theme.

B33 @ Nov 13th 2006 8:56PM

I don't know or care who maddox is. I form my own opinions without listening to some supposed "genuis" telling me what to think. Think for yourself Maddox and anyone who actually reads his crap.

Jaq @ Nov 13th 2006 8:59PM

Maddox rocks.

Mullinator @ Nov 13th 2006 9:02PM

B33, there is nothing wrong with using other peoples opinions to help form your own.

Don't use Maddox's if you don't want to but you have to understand that many will and there is nothing wrong with that. Beneath his vulgar language he really does have many good points in the posts he makes.

fkfkkk @ Nov 13th 2006 9:03PM

Most of the time I view maddox as nothing but a giant douche, but I have to agree with his opinion on Sony.

Rabish12 @ Nov 13th 2006 9:06PM

"While Maddox does seem to have great pull over the web, will his dissension really matter?"

No. Maddox is popular because he's funny, not because people take what he says seriously. If the stuff he wrote on the internet really mattered, we'd all be beating our wives daily.

Justin @ Nov 13th 2006 9:06PM

The funny thing is we don't ever form our *own* opinions, per se. They are always influenced by some outside source. Be that source Maddox, the New York Times, or Sony's marketing machine, we never fully form our own opinions. It just comes down to whom we chose to listen to.

qbix @ Nov 13th 2006 9:07PM

Young hot sisters and fugly step-sisters FTW!

a robot @ Nov 13th 2006 9:07PM

"I think its great that maddox favors games like cooking mama and nintendogs, although it is a little ironic when you think about his sites overall "manly" theme."

Hi, irony.

Neil @ Nov 13th 2006 9:09PM

Yay for nerds that spend time writing an article on why Sony is bad!!

Yay for me spending time writing a reply on a game site!

Namssorg @ Nov 13th 2006 9:14PM

I wouldn't say this is Sony's worst enemy.. I would say that a LOT of people feel this way about Sony, and it's their doing.

jitty @ Nov 13th 2006 9:18PM

Wow, from what I read from this joystiq article, I thought this guy was going to be at least somewhat respectable and decent. But when I actually read what he said, he was like a typically systemwars.com fanboy! Only with what seems to be slightly more credibility and reason. I still can't believe a grown man with such audacity to right a rant such as that, with such language, can be taken seriously by so many people! I know he may have some good points but there's a thin line between a good argument and a fanboy rant with some good points.

Bet @ Nov 13th 2006 9:21PM

Article said:

He even goes so far as to put things in perspective, demonstrating how anyone who receives a paycheck this year is making more money than Sony's PlayStation division.

___________________

It costs money to make money. Did Xbox360, Xbox, and PS2 make money in thier first few months of selling the hardware? No.

Ultimately it comes down to software selling the hardware.

Sony is pushing for Blu-Ray to become the new standard format. HD-DVD's first chance out of the gate is with the Xbox360, and it is a $200 after-thought.

Either way you want to come down to it, each next-gen gaming console *will* cost you at least $600 + tax. Nintendo's novelty will wear off in a few months. I'll get a Wii so I can play old Nintendo and Sega games when I am at home and not using my PSP.

Wait a few months, go get a Playstation3 or go buy the add-on for the Xbox360.

jarod @ Nov 13th 2006 9:24PM

maddox rules our faces. read back into his earlier posts, he did a review of ikaruga that made me realize hes pretty much always right. (especially the cracks at madden and tekken, two astoundingly shitty franchises, and how games have no soul anymore).

Young hot sisters and fugly step-sisters INDEED FTW!

mgroves @ Nov 13th 2006 9:25PM

Maddox is a douchebag. If he has influence on anyone, it is the weak-minded.

Which isn't to say he's wrong in this case either.

Leto @ Nov 13th 2006 9:29PM

No one takes him seriously, they just read his stuff for laughs.

deathneo @ Nov 13th 2006 9:34PM

I never even heard of the guy till today. How is this a big blow to Sony?

Lem-Lem @ Nov 13th 2006 9:36PM

It's funny, after Cole's idiotic rant the other day, it seems all the PS3 and 360 fanboys are sitting around Joystiq now. Me, I plan on getting all three at some point. Although, I am getting the Wii first 1. Because of Zelda and 2. Because it is cheaper.

I'm only getting the other two consoles because I like having all of them. I'm going to wait until both prices go quite lower then they are now, though. Both are far too pricy for my liking.

tung lashor @ Nov 13th 2006 9:40PM

This is the first Maddox post I've ever read that wasn't actually funny. Previously his whole "I'm a genius and not just some frustrated nobody" schtick was done with irony but I think he's actually starting to believe that he's some kind of influential activist whose opinions really matter. Pity cuz he was damn funny in his day.

Lex @ Nov 13th 2006 9:50PM

All Maddox's rant did was make me want a PS3 even more and want a Dreamcast I mean Wii even less.

gordynyc @ Nov 13th 2006 9:55PM

I don't understand when getting great, new technology started to suck for people. Quit complaining about Sony. If you can't afford it then don't buy it, but quit hating on it.

Gabe @ Nov 13th 2006 9:58PM

I plan on buying a PS3 at some point, but I agreed with him completely. (PSP is the only system I ever regretted buying. Even the N64 and Gamecube had a 7 or 8 games that justified the >$100 I spent on them.)
Too bad the article is not funny at all. His Ikaruga and Contra articles were great. "10 reasons why the xbox can suck it" was gold, too.

${v_o}$

{v_o} @ Nov 13th 2006 10:08PM

Lex is just saying that because he read Maddox's article and actually thinks Sony will take a shit on him if he support them.
He loves it. That hot, steamy turd slowly rolling over his face. He can't fucking wait.

Seemoneh @ Nov 13th 2006 10:21PM

"He loves it. That hot, steamy turd slowly rolling over his face. He can't fucking wait."

Gold!

wako @ Nov 13th 2006 10:33PM

Maddox definitely has a point on the Sony company itself. However, I dont think it will sway alot of potential buyers. Sure the company has failing lately and overall sucks, however, he mentions no good points on why not to buy the PS3.

As for people saying Maddox has no influence, you are dead wrong. Last time some travel agency pissed him off (I think expedia) and he told people to stay away from it. People did and Expedia came back to apologize.

Me @ Nov 13th 2006 10:35PM

WTF !!!! I check all kinds of websites all the time (about games and electronics) and i have never heard of this dumbass !!!
His opinion means shit to me !!! He obviously doesnt know shit if he doesnt know why somebody would choose the PS3 over the xbox.....playstation is for hardcore gamers.....xbox doesnt even have any good rpg's....i only see somebody as a hardcore gamer if they play games atleast like 10+ hours a day, which would most likely be an rpg.

hoo-haa @ Nov 13th 2006 10:45PM

To reinforce #8:

FTW!!!!

DrkMatter @ Nov 13th 2006 10:48PM

Anyone calling Maddox a dumbass has either:
A) Not read most of his work
B) A very poor grasp of satire

Maddox owns.

kelekod @ Nov 13th 2006 10:54PM

I sent this in.. I guess I don't deserve any credit for it. Ah well, it was a good read this morning. I found it funny, especially with the picture at the top.

nucknards @ Nov 13th 2006 10:55PM

Jesus, you guys are giving Maddox way too much credit. News Flash: HE HAS NO POWER IN THE MYSTICAL REALM KNOWN AS "REAL LIFE". Oh yeah, he sure showed Orbitz who's boss! He stopped being relevent years ago.

Ayamikojima5 @ Nov 13th 2006 10:58PM

First of all, Maddox is pure satire (IMO his satire used to be much better and now has gotten stale). That post may reflect his opinions or he may just think Sony is being stupid and will get a PS3 anyways.

What is true is that his opinion (whether he is all that serious about it, or whether it is just seems in line with his style of over-the-top, irreverant, ranting humor) will have an affect on the mindsets of his fans...and oh there are alot of them. Also, I'm willing to bet that most of his big fans are young teens or preteens who
1. may or may not get that his entire site is an over-the-top satire and
2.are a pretty substantial market for video games

I think he is kind of funny (but has lost his edge) and despite the fact that Sony currently pisses me off too, I'm not about to take one of his posts as Gospel. The old Xbox article is great (and IMO a pretty accurate description of sucky points of the original Xbox at the time) and I like his taste in games (Ikaruga, Contra, Castlevania) but he's lost some of the ascerbic wit that made him funny years ago. However, there are still alot of people who will hang on every word he posts, and even more will at least take his words into consideration.

For the kids whose bookmarks are their email, maddox, and ebaum's world - Sony just took a substantial hit.

T-Bag @ Nov 13th 2006 11:12PM

Maddox, who?

GFG

Optimus Prime @ Nov 13th 2006 11:20PM

"Maddox" has no more influence in reality than the hordes of fanbois and fangrlz who frolic on joystiq.

Yea, im talking aboot you!

dum dum @ Nov 13th 2006 11:40PM

In your face, fanboys!

Venz @ Nov 13th 2006 11:49PM

I think the guy is a retard. Yes, Maddox is a retard.

Anthony @ Nov 14th 2006 12:00AM

LOL @ the fanboys and fangirls crying at a Maddox rant. I love it!

refinedsugar @ Nov 14th 2006 12:37AM

Lay on the self indulgent brand of cheese please.

ahtheirony @ Nov 14th 2006 12:40AM

Maddox is not right about everything, so considering him your idol makes you an idiot, unless you were him or like him, which would make you an asshole.

Yes, Maddox is very funny most of the time, and I do have his book, he's a cool guy (he signed me an autograph when he was in LA), but this last post is his worst post ever. He didn't come off as manly; he didn't come off as funny; neither as witty. He came off as whiny. Look at the admiration signs in that rant... "idiots!!!" ; "assholes!!". He had never used those signs to insult somebody, or hell, for anything unless he was mocking someone. He would usually call them (the mocked ones) "dipshits", and sound witty, but no, he simply criticized without having any funny bullet points. Sure, the shitting over the fans animation is funny, but his rant is pointless. Being "tired" about something that doesn't even remotely affect you is stupid. He started to c

And by the way Joystiq, you should remove the "IQ" in joystiq by now. Every day your quality decays. Considering maddox Sony's new enemy demonstrates how ignorant your writers are. Even when his last rant is stupid, you'd know he ain't a fanboy of anything if you have ever read Maddox, especially his gaming related rants. If it was true that he was Sony's worst enemy, then he also "hated" the first Xbox, but that's not true since he got it for playing Metal Slug, among a few other games.

Too bad, Maddox could have made an anti-Sony rant funnier, considering his first Xbox rant. Then again, he probably had no factual material this time (who would?, and instead was repeating verbatim what he has heard on the net. Disappointing.

Phil @ Nov 14th 2006 12:47AM

Hey guys, let's all take a Maddox article seriously!

Yeah.

*coughs*

RetroJunkie @ Nov 14th 2006 12:53AM

AND THE SONY FANBOYS START-A-WHINING

"NINTENDO'S MOTION SENZ0RS ARE A NOVELTY BUT TEH Ps3's IS TEH REVVULUTSIZONZ"
"SONYZ TEH SUXX0RRSZ"
"NUH UHGZ"

SHUT THE FUCK UP

ALL OF YOU

I'LL CUT YOU ALL

Chris @ Nov 14th 2006 12:55AM

RE: jitty #12

"I still can't believe a grown man with such audacity to right a rant such as that, with such language, can be taken seriously by so many people!"

Hi, and welcome to The Internet! You must be new around here!

Pince @ Nov 14th 2006 1:00AM

"Maddox is not right about everything, so considering him your idol makes you an idiot, unless you were him or like him, which would make you an asshole."

I beg to differ. He is very likely not an asshole. He is a pretty good satirist who has some very well-thought-out world views that he can back up with a good deal of both logic and humor even if his way of doing so is to act like a dick; hey, its what people find funny.

He has become lazy with his site over the past couple of years and his posts arent really funny anymore because he obviously doesnt care for them so much anymore. He was busy writing and promoting a book and his site is now more there for the archive of good stuff that he has written.

The PS3 piece was obviously a little exercise in blowing-off-steam for him, and I say he's allowed to do that. The site is basically his personal blog, so he is not required to try to entertain the reader at all times.

He's a pretty funny guy and based on what I have seen of his gaming preferences, his loyalty is towards games before consoles (which is how it should be) so wherever games like metal slug and castlevania go, he will go.

With that said, I still think you guys are underestimating how impressionable his fan base can be. Just from readin through his hatemail, you can see that there are many people who take him way too seriously, fans included.

RetroJunkie @ Nov 14th 2006 1:00AM

I'AM SERIOUS
I'LL CUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU FANBOYS MAY IT BE NINTENDO SONY MICROSOFT I DON'T CARE

THEY ALL BLEED THE SAME

MWAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH

ARRAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

jitty @ Nov 14th 2006 1:03AM

RE: chris #41

The interweb is confusing :(

(jk)

Eggman @ Nov 14th 2006 1:27AM

B33, people use other opinions all the time to make purchasing decisions in their life. You couldn't honestly have made every purchase decision in your life having full information about everything. No one has full knowledge of everything, so for those who aren't so attuned to the video game industry, their purchases will be based upon friends referrals, things they hear in the media, etc.

Hearing this guys "rant" on the ps3 may not be a dealbreaker for most, but it sure puts that negative impression in the back of someones mind.

Grundler @ Nov 14th 2006 1:41AM

@26

Only people who play games at least 10 hours/day are hardcore? There's only 24 hours in a day, who has that much time to devote to video games? Assuming at least 6 hours of sleep/day that only leaves another 8 hours for school, work, friends, family, etc. I mean wow, I like video games and all but, wow, I don't even know what else to say to that. Wow.

d12 @ Nov 14th 2006 1:43AM

Maddox on Hot Coffee:
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=ticket_to_hell
se.net/c.cgi?u=video_games

Ikaruga review:
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=ikaruga

XBOX can suck it:
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=xbox_suckit

Kyou @ Nov 14th 2006 1:58AM

What sucks the most is that the PS2 was the best console of the last generation. Let's face it. The gc had no games except for some first party ones which kept it going... and the controller sucked. The xbox had no games at all and the controller sucked even more. What kept it going was xbox live. The PS2 had the best controller by far and the biggest library. Shit, they're still releasing incredible games now.

The PS3 probably won't fail, but it will fall in third place with all the third party support Sony has lost. This time Nintendo will win and ms will be second again. Though... I do plan to buy a ps3 because I'm a MG and FF fanboy. X(