Washington Post: Wii comes to Thanksgiving, PS3 locked up
Following the thrashing the New York Times gave the PS3, it was only a matter of time before the Washington Post chimed in with their verdict on the new systems. The Washington Post's Mike Musgrove invited a bunch of people over to play both systems. Most hadn't even heard of the Wii and were looking forward to playing the PS3. Turned out the Wii "was the hit of the party."Musgrove gets Washington Post readers up to speed on what the Wii is and keeps going on, and on, and on about it. Eventually when he gets around to talking about the PS3 he writes, "Most of my friends who picked up the PS3's controller ended up frustrated. The typical game for the system requires players to have memorized where all the buttons are, and it's much harder to just pick up a controller and have a good time. Some of the verdicts they offered are unprintable." Ouch. Of course, the PS3 did dominate in the graphics department, however Musgrove points out you have to be pretty sharp to tell the difference between a PS3 and an Xbox 360 game at this point. He also referred to PS3's online sign-up process as a "vale of tears."
It all culminates with Musgrove taking the Wii to his girlfriend's family's house for Thanksgiving because "it's just darn fun" and locking away the PS3 in an "undisclosed location, where it is being guarded by ninjas and feral dogs." A game system being locked away rather then being played, sounds like a sad life for a console.





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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
lukee @ Nov 24th 2006 11:40PM
ouch..
GlitchCog @ Nov 24th 2006 11:42PM
Many of the non-gamers at my in-laws this Thanksgiving who tried out my Wii inquired as to whether or not it was the new PS3.
sev4 pri1 @ Nov 24th 2006 11:43PM
Another article that says the PS3 online capabilites are lacking. I don't get it, they don't have persistant online friends?
obi-wan @ Nov 24th 2006 11:44PM
This is the generation where Sony gives away their lead, the same way Sega and Nintendo did 10 years ago. The internal mandate to include Blu-ray and the focus on graphical prowess has doomed them, and they've forgotten what put them on top to begin with -- great exclusive games that pushed consoles (e.g. the original Resident Evils, Tomb Raiders, etc.).
By snagging companies like Bungie, Ensemble, Lionhead, and Rare, and including PC-compatible APIs, MS can ensure some exclusivity and cross-platform gaming. The Wii is fun for the family, but networked gaming is the future for the older crowd. Hopefully, PS3's free online play will prompt MS to make Live gaming free.
B33 @ Nov 24th 2006 11:53PM
They were way to bias. They rambled on and on about the Wii and barley described the PS3... Plus, their non-gamers. I'll stick with the people who actually know what their talking about.
darko82 @ Nov 24th 2006 11:55PM
@B33, I'll stick with someone who knows how to spell.
B33 @ Nov 24th 2006 11:56PM
"By snagging companies like Bungie, Ensemble, Lionhead, and Rare, and including PC-compatible APIs, MS can ensure some exclusivity and cross-platform gaming. The Wii is fun for the family, but networked gaming is the future for the older crowd. Hopefully, PS3's free online play will prompt MS to make Live gaming free."
Rare sucks. All the games they've put out for the Xbox were either alright or just plain terrible. And the PS3 still has some great exclusive titles. At least we're seeing some new and unique titles this generation from Sony... Instead of pinatas, sequels (Fable, Halo), and timed exclusives (bioshock, splinter cell).
PS9 @ Nov 24th 2006 11:57PM
Note: Exactly what Nintendo was going for, B33: non-gamers.
socrates @ Nov 24th 2006 11:56PM
I made my gramdma and aunt and 3 autistic cousins play the Wii, and they said "fuck this, I'm waiting for Final Fantasy XIII".
Oh, wait, no they didn't. That's because non-gamers aren't really supposed to be capable of understanding what the value of the system is, what good games are in the wings, etc. So "ouch", I guess. But if you're surprised by this, then you're a bigger Sony fanboy than almost anyone else! Of course the Wii is going to be vastly more popular among non-gamers. People who aren't film buffs tend to not like Jim Jarmusch, either.
B33 @ Nov 24th 2006 11:58PM
"@B33, I'll stick with some who knows how to spell."
Why don't you get your head out of your ass. Two words were incorrectly spelled. Not that big of a deal.
B33 @ Nov 25th 2006 12:02AM
"Note: Exactly what Nintendo was going for, B33: non-gamers."
Too bad most of their sales come from gamers.
FinalDelerium @ Nov 25th 2006 12:04AM
I like reading B33's comments. Makes me mindful of a petulant child who's been told by someone that their favourite toy isn't cool, and no one else likes it.
Anyways, Re the article, it was not "bias", it was a test to see which one was preferable between the two. And it's becoming pretty obvious. Not just Joystiq, but just most gaming sites on the net are all reporting on how good and how much fun the wii is, with very few saying much about the ps3.
Lets face it, ps3 is another xbox 360. sure, a bit more powerful, different games, but more of the same that we've been playing for the past decade. Nothing wrong with that, it's been a great decade, and if that's what you like, then more power to you.
Myself, i can't wait til December 7 to get my hands on the Wii. Looks like a lot of fun.
Senshida @ Nov 25th 2006 12:07AM
@B33
How old are you? 10?
Should rephrase that..
What old are you maturity-wise? 10?
--
Its great that non-gamers like the Wii. More people = More fun (multiplayer)
nabisco @ Nov 25th 2006 12:07AM
B33, why do insist on being such an idiot. The Washington Post liked the Wii and you bash them. You are obviosly in no position to call others biased.
Oh, and if you mispelled the word "too", it is a big deal.
FinalDelerium @ Nov 25th 2006 12:10AM
"Too bad most of their sales come from gamers."
Coz they're excited about the system and are willing to line up.
When they dont have to line for it, it'll be interesting to see how many non-gamers do actually snap this up.
Lono @ Nov 25th 2006 12:09AM
Actually B33, I'll go ahead and edit your statement for you, with the original mistakes in the brackets
"They were way too[to] biased[bias]. They rambled on and on about the Wii and barely[barley] described the PS3... Plus, they're[their] non-gamers. I'll stick with the people who actually know what they're[their] talking about."
If you're going to be pompous about "non-gamers," why can't Darko be pompous about people with no communication skills?
DG @ Nov 25th 2006 12:10AM
So it's working. Nintendo wanted to build mainstream buzz for its console, and this is how it happens. You get the Washington freaking Post to go on and on about how fun the Wii is. You don't think that translates into yuppies with extra cash buying one of those fun machines for their next wine and cheese party?
Absolutely it does. Nintendo has to be beyond ecstatic.
DraGooN001 @ Nov 25th 2006 12:47AM
"Too bad most of their sales come from gamers."
How curious, and perhaps quite true in a sense.
Do tell, what is your definition of a gamer, if the individuals discussed do not seem to fall under that? Since they had time to play both PS3 and the Wii, wouldn't that make them 'gamers' too?
Riz @ Nov 25th 2006 12:17AM
As with any console the first generation of games is never that great (i.e. XB360 last year). The Wii is a novelty item right now. Over time people will realize that they are still playing Mario and Zelda, viewing inferior graphics, and will quickly lose interest in the Wii. As the PS3, its games and PS online mature, we will see which is the better, more compelling system.
Ryuukuro @ Nov 25th 2006 9:51AM
Is it just me or is all of this PS3 bashing just wishful thinking on the behalf of a society that loves to hunt its own lions?
I'm a Nintendo guy, by the way. I've seen this happen before.
B33 @ Nov 25th 2006 12:14AM
"I like reading B33's comments. Makes me mindful of a petulant child who's been told by someone that their favourite toy isn't cool, and no one else likes it."
I plan on buying all three consoles at some point during this generation... But I do not think it's right how the Washington Post concentrated all on the Wii... And then just shook the PS3 off.
"B33, why do insist on being such an idiot. The Washington Post liked the Wii and you bash them. You are obviosly in no position to call others biased.
Oh, and if you mispelled the word "too", it is a big deal."
Read my previous response... Do you really need to be that anal?
"How old are you? 10?
Should rephrase that..
What old are you maturity-wise? 10?"
Instead of writing up a rebuttal you just insult my maturity?
B33 @ Nov 25th 2006 12:19AM
""They were way too[to] biased[bias]. They rambled on and on about the Wii and barely[barley] described the PS3... Plus, they're[their] non-gamers. I'll stick with the people who actually know what they're[their] talking about.""
"to" and "barley" were from typing very fast without going back and correcting any mistakes left behind. It was not because I did not know how to spell them. Anyone could have made that mistake.
"their" could also be used in place of "they're".
FinalDelerium @ Nov 25th 2006 12:20AM
B33, did you read the REST of my comment?
I'll refresh your memory
"Anyways, Re the article, it was not "bias", it was a test to see which one was preferable between the two. And it's becoming pretty obvious. Not just Joystiq, but just most gaming sites on the net are all reporting on how good and how much fun the wii is, with very few saying much about the ps3."
Recap, not a review of each system, test to see how the everyday man/woman/child/albino in the street responds to each system. More reaction to the Wii means more written about the Wii.
Nuff said.
FinalDelerium @ Nov 25th 2006 12:23AM
Also, 'their' implys ownership. 'They're' is the contraction of "They are".
And yes, when spelling seems to be becoming an option rather than a requirement within any written text nowadays, it is something of a big deal.
Jasmine @ Nov 25th 2006 11:41AM
Lono, you completely messed up B33's paragraph... apparently, you don't know how to spell or grammatical rules.
nabisco @ Nov 25th 2006 12:25AM
B33, in my opinion, you getting all three consoles doesn't make you any less of a fanboy. For some strange, stupid reason you want the ps3 to be #1 and when something comes out that makes it seem less likely, it offends you.
serb @ Nov 25th 2006 12:34AM
13. B33, why do insist on being such an idiot. The Washington Post liked the Wii and you bash them. You are obviosly in no position to call others biased.
Oh, and if you mispelled the word "too", it is a big deal.
o ya but when the nintendo fanbitches on this site go crazy on v.cole cuz he doesnt like the wii, thats ok rite......?
nabisco @ Nov 25th 2006 12:41AM
@serb
No, it wasn't. In fact I made a comment back there saying the exact same thing.
B33 @ Nov 25th 2006 12:44AM
"B33, in my opinion, you getting all three consoles doesn't make you any less of a fanboy. For some strange, stupid reason you want the ps3 to be #1 and when something comes out that makes it seem less likely, it offends you."
I support all three... I don't however support the useless bashing.
"1.) First off, how the fuck did you get "new and unique" from Final Fantasy THIRTEEN, Metal Gear Solid FOUR, and Biohazard FIVE?
2.) Second, these are not from Sony, but third party developers.
3.) Get off your damn knees and wipe the cum off your face, your fanboism is showing."
1. Have you forgotten Resistance Fall of Man, Motorstorm, Heavenly Sword, Lair, Untold Legends,Warhawk, White Knight Story, and many more? Notice that all of the titles listed are not sequels and will be published by Sony?
2.There are exclusive first-party titles out there.
3. Quit trying to pull out the crappy "your a fanboy!" card to discredit my statements. Especially when you don't even know what it means or when to use it.
Riz @ Nov 25th 2006 12:48AM
... The Wii's success is predicated on one thing--the motion sensing controller. Lest we forget, the PS3 also has motion sensing, and with finer precison. That combined with Blu-ray, superior graphics, a large, replaceable hard drive, and free online play should settle the discussion. As a blogger posted on this very site said, you can't even review the Wii in the same category as the PS3 and the XB360 because its just a GameCube with a new controller.
Retrofied @ Nov 25th 2006 12:48AM
"At least we're seeing some new and unique titles this generation from Sony"
Seems like most people wanting a PS3 could care less about new ip's and want MSG4, DMC4, FFXIII, TEKKEN 6, RE 5,... shall I go on? Good titles but it severly ruins your logic.
DraGooN001 @ Nov 25th 2006 12:56AM
"Lest we forget, the PS3 also has motion sensing, and with finer precison."
Any way you're going to objectively prove this, articles or something? Or do you post this as opinion?
Eagle @ Nov 25th 2006 12:52AM
Wow SkillCoil, you really didn't come off as a fanboy right there...but you did give me a good laugh, at least.
On topic:
B33 is right...this guy did give an unfair amount of coverage to the Wii, and I can pretty much guarantee the whole story's made up. In fact, there's no doubt it was...He's a journalist talking about a personal experience; chances are slim to none that it actually happened.
Also, journalists can rarely think for themselves anymore anyways, and as soon as they see one editorial (NYT) cover some topic (such as praising the Wii), it's pretty much standard fare that you'll see identical articles elsewhere, especially between these two editorials...I see it ALL the time, moreso in politics, but essentially everywhere else too. After all, the Washington Post basically is a wannabe New York Times; same goes for Time magazine.
Now why they seem to be giving so much credit to the Wii, who knows? By some small chance or miracle, maybe they actually DO enjoy it(I couldn't play it for more than 5 minutes)? Or maybe continued Sony dominance just doesn't make good news anymore...I'll go with the latter; Why do you think Apple gets so much coverage in the media these days?
Either way, this really doesn't matter...most people have made up their mind about the next gen, and as much as non-gamers will be impressed by this new system, I doubt many will actually go out and buy one...there's parallels in the electronics industry all the time, and in the end the same people end up buying the products anyway.
And before I get flamed by those who might not like the truth presented here, I guess I'll say this...As I was standing in line this morning to pick up a PS3 at Gamestop(I was unsuccessful), I noticed something peculiar about the 20 or so other people there for the 3 Wiis that the store eventually received...Those 20 people were 10 parents bringing their 10 6-7 year old kids to the local Gamestop to pick up the new Nintendo system they knew nothing about beforehand...and that's how it'll always be for them.
Don't kid yourself...Nintendo will forever sell to the same demographic, the one that lost them 2 straight generations and will inevitably lose them a third.
hudson922 @ Nov 25th 2006 1:02AM
Both Untold Legends and Warhawk are sequals.
cronotrigger913 @ Nov 25th 2006 1:03AM
It's getting interesting to read people's comments on video games in general now. The comment about not knowing which buttons to push seems weird to me. Have they stopped playing games when PS1 came out or something? It's essentially the same controller It just seems odd to bash something that video games have had since forever.
It sounds to me that the Wii, by creating a controller that mimics real movement, is starting to show how complicated video games have become. If the Wii wasn't in the picture, would those reporters give the PS3 the same criticism? Probably not. And this has been happening for awhile now. It's just interesting to see what an effect the Wii has had in the video game scene, from the development and journalism side.
stiill @ Nov 25th 2006 1:08AM
"Musgrove points out you have to be pretty sharp to tell the difference between a PS3 and an Xbox 360 game at this point."
Not really. The PS3 game runs at 15fps and crashes. Woo!
SkillCoil @ Nov 25th 2006 1:11AM
"
1. Have you forgotten Resistance Fall of Man, Motorstorm, Heavenly Sword, Lair, Untold Legends,Warhawk, White Knight Story, and many more? Notice that all of the titles listed are not sequels and will be published by Sony?
2.There are exclusive first-party titles out there.
3. Quit trying to pull out the crappy "your a fanboy!" card to discredit my statements. Especially when you don't even know what it means or when to use it."
1.) Warhawk is a sequal (original one came out on the psone), there were 2 PSP untold legends games. The rest you've listed are generic copies of popular titles (resistance = generic shooter, HS = generic GoW clone) save White Knight (the only interesting title you've listed that isn't a sequel).
2.) Yes, there are first party games from Sony. Yes, they lack compared to Nintendo first party games. Yes, this generation Sony will be forced to pay money to keep exclusives if they want a shot at #1.
3.) Dude, there is no way you've kept a straight face when you said this. Anyone with half a brain can tell you have an obsession with the Playstation brand name. Lying about it is just a waste of your time.
arch @ Nov 25th 2006 1:11AM
"Of course, the PS3 did dominate in the graphics department, however Musgrove points out you have to be pretty sharp to tell the difference between a PS3 and an Xbox 360 game at this point"
WTF?! has sony TOTALLY FUCKED with everybodys minds? the best looking PS3 game out right now is Resistance and that looks worse than PDZ. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE FAVOR OF THE 360 YOU IGNORANT MORONS.
gameclu @ Nov 25th 2006 1:16AM
I have tried, really tried, to get my friends and family interested in the Xbox 360, without success. The Wii on the other hand sells itself. My dad, brother, brother-in-law, and a friend are all planning on buying a wii after playing with mine this week. And I'm pretty sure they will then introduce the wii to friends in their own social circles.
B33 @ Nov 25th 2006 1:21AM
"Not really. The PS3 game runs at 15fps and crashes. Woo!"
PS3 games run 30-60 fps... I haven't had a game crash on me yet...
"WTF?! has sony TOTALLY FUCKED with everybodys minds? the best looking PS3 game out right now is Resistance and that looks worse than PDZ. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE FAVOR OF THE 360 YOU IGNORANT MORONS."
Not really. Resistance is more comparable to Gears of War... And to be honest, Gears of War does look better then Resistance. But superior graphics were expected with GoW since it was in development for a long time.
Both systems are too close right now to tell. We'll have a better idea in a year or two, once developers begin to use the 360 and the PS3's full potential.
"3.) Dude, there is no way you've kept a straight face when you said this. Anyone with half a brain can tell you have an obsession with the Playstation brand name. Lying about it is just a waste of your time."
I'll admit that I do favor the Playstation since it seemed to always provide the better amount of games. But I didn't shut out the other consoles. And I have no plans on sticking to just one console this generation either.
FinalDelerium @ Nov 25th 2006 1:21AM
"The Wii's success is predicated on one thing--the motion sensing controller."
Actually, i think it's more the ability to pick up and play without having to memorize which buttons do what, or even more so, non gamers to play without ever having to look to find the x, y, a, b, z, l1, l2, r1, r2, l3, r3, start, select, dpad, analogue stick all are.
rather, they swing their arm, tilt the remote, with minimal buttons.
They're marketing simplicity. Which may not be for everyone, but you can't really market something for everyone.
Also- eagle "and I can pretty much guarantee the whole story's made up. In fact, there's no doubt it was..."
no doubt? guarantee? do you know this guy? do you monitor his activities on a regular basis? It seems to me like a fairly simple thing to achieve. It's not like he's saying he took them both into deep space to see if the worked well under zero gravity conditions. Getting a few people together to play two different consoles seems like it would be a pretty easy thing to achieve. So why are you so doubtful?
DraGooN001 @ Nov 25th 2006 1:27AM
@ 34, by cronotrigger913:
Well it sort of depends on what games you're talking about too.
Like for Katamari Damacy (which I admit I haven't played), you roll a ball around that sticks stuff to itself and have it gain enough mass or whatever to fulfill some objective. Not too much of a learning curve I think (but I wouldn't be too sure since I haven't played it).
Then you have games like the Street Fighter series, where you push the controller/joystick in certain manners with certain buttons in order to either have a special effect (like Hadoken) or to pull off a combo.
Then we have games like Final Fantasy XII. While most of the action is either automated (gambits, percent chance of block/evade) or menu-driven, you also have the license system.
Recently a friend of mine brought FFXII over to a friend's house to play, but that guy got turned off immediately because of the license system. He described it as a sort of "elaborate book keeping" that he would rather do without, and what caught me most is this: "When I stop to go back into the license system and invest my points into abilities, it sort of kills the immersion. Like I'm fighting bad guys and having a great time, then I would have to stop and spend time, out of the battle, trying to decide how I should be investing into my abilities, and whether or not a particular ability is useful or not. If I have to further go to something like Gamefaqs or something for more information, that just detracts even more from the experience.". Not complete word for word, but the idea is there.
Xippy Xippo @ Nov 25th 2006 6:56AM
Here's a thought. The new Castlevania for the DS is awesome. I can't believe how good it is.
Love,
Xippy
Lefty @ Nov 25th 2006 1:37AM
socrates
ok help me out. bioshock has been announced exclusive for the xbox 360 and pc's. could you please show me where it was said it was a timed exclusive casue the press release from the publisher says its exclusive period
http://www.2kgames.com/index.php?p=news&ID=213
maybe its hard to understand but MS has made some good relationships with tis money and alot of hot new ip's are exclyusive to the xbox 360 and pc platforms. mainly to due with xna and GAMES FOR WINDOWS BRANDING.
Alan wake, huxley, too human, bioshock, shadowrun and on and on.
Please stop trying to wish a game to come to say the ps3. it aint goign to happen. and this is far from the assassins creed issue. that game was first demoed at on a 360 as project assassin at x05 and every one new that was going to the 360. it was never announced exclusive. 2kgames has announced bioshokc is EXCLUSIVE TO THE XBOX 360 AND PC PLATFORMS. so please show me your facts. once again press release from 2k
http://www.2kgames.com/index.php?p=news&ID=213
can a brother get a star or what
B33 @ Nov 25th 2006 1:41AM
@Lefty:
The developers working Bioshock mentioned porting it over to the PS3... Then Microsoft announced a that it was a exclusive... But many believe that it's merely a timed exclusive. There's a good chance that Bioshock will come to the PS3 a year or two after it is initially released for the 360... If not, then it's just one more reason to buy a 360.
socrates @ Nov 25th 2006 1:47AM
"First off, how the fuck did you get "new and unique" from Final Fantasy THIRTEEN, Metal Gear Solid FOUR, and Biohazard FIVE?"
No one has pointed out the two obvious responses to this:
1. Numbers, even if you CAPITALIZE THEM (so dynamic!), do not mean that there is no innovation. FF11 was nothing like FF10, and FF12 is nothing like any of the other ones either. Good sequels are not the problem, bad games are. Many sequels are bad, many original IPs are bad.
2. If #1 were not true, then Nintendo would be in waaaay bigger trouble than the 360/PS3. Since Zelda, Mario, Metriod Prime, Smash Bros, the Rabbits game, etc. etc. etc. are all not-new IPs (or does it only count if you leave the number in the title?). Aside from Red Steel, what Wii games are new IPs? Both the 360 and PS3 has far more of genuinely new IPs coming out.
Lefty @ Nov 25th 2006 1:49AM
sorry my post should be directed at b33 no socrates. too much to drink
socrates @ Nov 25th 2006 1:50AM
Lefty -
Uh...huh? I didn't say anything about Bioshock, and I've never made any claims about its exclusivity or lack thereof.
Maaaaybe that's why brother doesn't have a star (but I'm sure open begging for one will help).
PS: Isn't saying "x game is exclusive to the 360 and the PC" kind of like saying "I'm having a monogomous relationship with Tracy...and also with Jessica".
Lefty @ Nov 25th 2006 1:52AM
B33
once again post to said talk of porting? as i already did i posted the link tot he official press release from 2kgames
its up to the publisher not the devs. 2kgames is the pubslisher and have stated its exclusive for the xbox 360 and GAMES FOR WINDOWS platforms
and splinbter cell is going to be xbox 360 period not timed xbox 360 only.
you make statements with no facts making yourself look ignorant. facts man facts
socrates @ Nov 25th 2006 1:53AM
Ah-ha. Retract my reprimand above, then. I should hope that he and I aren't tough to distinguish, though.