PS3 firmware ambiguities reiterate need for dedicated Sony blog
Why can't Sony blog? That's the question Opposable Thumbs posed this morning as it reluctantly accepted the arrival of a new PlayStation 3 update, described simply as v1.3. Like other curious downloaders, the site turned to internet forums for details, finding only a jumbled mess of threads with contradictory opinions. Eventually, a translation of a Japanese explanation of the Japanese update was uncovered. Phew!So why is Sony making it so hard on us? Why no Major Nelson or Gamerscoresque blog? Certainly the semi-official Three Speech site isn't up to the task -- this morning's posts neglected to mention the update even in passing. There's simply no excuse for not providing the public with a dedicated space on the PlayStation website or elsewhere that provides timely information about firmware updates and other content additions.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
joe smith @ Dec 6th 2006 1:07PM
Maybe because Sony could care less what consumers think, know, or want?
John @ Dec 6th 2006 1:08PM
sony gets enough bad press as it is without running a blog and having every tiny detail of every post scrutinized by everyone!
lol!
an example of this would be if sony had a blog and described the 1.3 firmware of fixing the 1080i issue every microsoft and nintendo fanboy would be over it like a rash calling sony liers and asking whyever they have a blog!
you know what i mean?
lol
Nathan @ Dec 6th 2006 1:17PM
I'm not surprised at all.
They do the same thing with the psp.
Metalmurphy @ Dec 6th 2006 1:22PM
The place exists... it just isn't updated yet... give it a rest geez.
http://www.us.playstation.com/ps3/network/updates
Franky Digital @ Dec 6th 2006 1:23PM
I believe it has to do with the fundamentally different corporate mentalities of the two companies.
Sony is a Japanese titan, but the Japanese market is a very different place than the American one. An outspoken nature and constant, to-the-second updates is something demanded by the North American people: our fast-paced life-styles and constant business-transactions require that we have the latest information at all times to make informed decisions. As for products, there are always plenty of equal-quality alternatives to turn to.
Moreover, Microsoft's face to the public has significantly changed over the last few years: they (corporate level "they") pinpointed their biggest problem in the past - putting on a ruthless, monopolizing, stern face to the public - and remedied it with a community-focused, small-man voice (as symbolized by Major Nelson). This is a reflection of both the blogosphere in the States being extraordinarily strong, especially when compared to other parts of the world (*cough* China *cough*), and also to coincide with Microsoft's new image.
Japanese companies (and many American cmopanies) on the other hand, do not often take this route, as it leads to many problems. Major Nelson is a special case because he's enthustiastic about his job and his employer: you'll notice he's rarely nay-saying his own system. To say that his blog isn't mediated by the corporation would be a lie, but his input rarely veers from the "look what we're doing good, and we're listening to you, too" approach.
Sony and Nintendo both do not have that same friendly face to the public. Nintendo isn't nearly as bad as Sony is - mostly a result of the internet memes and other bad press that have trumpted poor Sony PR from the hilltops - but both really don't have that "small man" prescence that Microsoft has via Major. This may be a reflection of the Japanese phiolosophy of business - a notion further enforced when comparing NOJ's leaders to the outspoken nature, strong rhetoric and socialbility of Nintendo of America's president.
That said, Nintendo hasn't completely forgone the "casual conversation". A series of interviews avaliable on the Wii site is demonstration of at least a slight move towards giving the public a more intimate view of the inside.
Still, Microsoft stands head-and-shoulders above the others in terms of community. Fans ask, and they recieve. This alone will contribute a great deal towards Microsoft's hope of becoming the console king, and frankly, I've got to hand it to them: they have done an outstanding job of changing their market image in almost no time.
Someone on these posts once said "Sony is this generation's Microsoft" and frankly, a more truthful statement has yet to be uttered. Sony may have the brand-recognition, but it only takes one generation for that to change (unless you're Nintendo, then the rules don't apply to you because people were born into your namesake).
the Brayn @ Dec 6th 2006 1:32PM
"The place exists... it just isn't updated yet... give it a rest geez."
It might just be me but I find it slightly ironic that a site that is for listing updates is not updated.
Agent MOO @ Dec 6th 2006 1:36PM
Sony isn't a customer service company, they are a hardware company. Their business model revolves around putting out a big black box people want. If people don't want it, make outrageous claims as to why they need it in their lives.
bus @ Dec 6th 2006 1:39PM
sony has always been like this.. if anyone plays socom (imo sonys best online game on the ps2 to date) they would know exactly how dis-connected sony is with thier fanbase. I am a member of the G.A.P. which i see as nothing more than free marketing research for sony, yet it provides me, the user, with very little tangible information or input into what goes on inseide sonys game division.. sony has never expressed a public want to connect with its consumers in the games division, and i dont see them trying to fix that just because the released a new console..
Stuart Zellman @ Dec 6th 2006 1:41PM
"No, that's just what they'll be expecting us to do."
http://www.gotwavs.com/php/sounds/?id=gog&media=MP3S&type=Movies&movie=Airplane"e=no.txt&file=no.mp3
minus_273 @ Dec 6th 2006 1:51PM
"There's simply no excuse for not providing the public with a dedicated space on the PlayStation website or elsewhere that provides timely information about firmware updates and other content additions."
umm, yeah there is. They are sony. They dont give a shit about you and your like. Honestly, this is your own damn fault so stop complaining about sony. You have no right to complain. You know what kind of company sony is and you bought the system anyway. What were you expecting? unicorns and magical fairies?
All they care is that you buy their consoles and games. They expect you to buy the console even if there are no games on the system (PSP). You've done your part, so accept the fuck you from sony and live with it.
B oeing @ Dec 6th 2006 1:57PM
Sounds like an annoyance? That and it doesn't taste like Chocolate?!
DRock @ Dec 6th 2006 2:23PM
Wow -- A blog about a blog about Sony's lack of a blog?
razer @ Dec 6th 2006 2:40PM
"an example of this would be if sony had a blog and described the 1.3 firmware of fixing the 1080i issue every microsoft and nintendo fanboy would be over it like a rash calling sony liers and asking whyever they have a blog!"
Just like the Sony drones and Wiidiots do whenever MS post details about updates? Yeah, would really hate to see the shoe on the other foot..
Boss Tempo @ Dec 6th 2006 2:44PM
Reasons for this:
Sony executives don't speak Engrish
Sony executives could care less.
Sony Fanboys don't read unless its a ball team logo on their sidways ballcap or their baggy pants labels, yo.
Sony spent too much time and energy blogging the list of virus infected CDs they put out earlier this year.
They started a blog, but their shitty laptop battery blew up and they didn't save it. Oops missed a recall.
They tried to take some photos for the blog, but their shitty camera blew up and they scrapped the idea. Oops missed yet another recall.
They wanted to use the UMD format but couldn't find any stores to sell them.
This is just too easy...
Werbal @ Dec 6th 2006 3:11PM
Well, most consumers don't know what an update is, so why should they care about it?
Jason B @ Dec 6th 2006 3:20PM
OK, I'm sorry to say that Boss Temp has finally finally pushed me over the edge. For heaven sake people, the phrase is "couldn't care less" not "could care less". Could care less implies that you DO CARE and could be convinced to CARE LESS. Couldn't care less (again the the correct way to say it) means that it isn't possible for you to CARE LESS about the subject.
And please don't use "irregardless" in any responses or I am afraid I may spontaneously combust.
DBX00 @ Dec 6th 2006 3:59PM
If you own a PS3, most of you guys don't (and therefore IMO can't complain about firmware release documentation) you can access information about firmware update through the instruction manual section of the XMB. As far as I'm concerned, it has become the cool thing to bash the market leader and even though Sony still offers its consumers as much if not more than the competition in terms of service and reliable hardware people will bash them.
They delivered on giving consumers Linux on the PS3 (do we get any coverage on potential cool things to do with it?), they offer PS1 downloads and instead of getting reviews about how the current features work, we get complaints about not being able to play it on the PS3 (which Sony has already promised in a later update). It's just getting boring that we don't get coverage about the current offering without the majority of the article being complaints about future updates.
Where's the XBOX news? I guess the console just doesn't have anything new to offer. Is it too early to start talking about Gears of War 2 or a new weapon to be included in Halo 3. I know things are pretty dry in your realm, but it's the Wii and PS3 time to shine, so go play some Halo 2 or Gears of War online and leave us PS3 OWNERS to discuss PS3 NEWS. Thanks.
tack @ Dec 6th 2006 7:55PM
Sony doesnt care about its customers. The next gen starts when they say it starts, and you will become "disciplined" and purchase one, even if you need to take on a part time job.
Every company is out to make money, but it really seems like sony wants to make money just from brand name and not by offering quality products and excellent service. Meanwhile Microsoft and Nintendo are converting fed up sony fans at an alarming rate.
Firmware cannot fix the fundamental problems with the system. No resolution scaler, OS takes up too much processing power to be used while playing a game. They didnt put enough ram in the console to run the already ram constrained games with the OS. Sony made a piece. Hopefully they do it right with ps4.
Boss Tempo @ Dec 6th 2006 9:26PM
@16 (Jason "Mr. Grammer" B)
The name is Boss TempO...not Temp. In case you hadn't noticed, I could (or couldn't) care less what you say about me, IRREGARDLESS of what your Engrish teacher says is propper. This aint the newspaper kid. I can say what I want and right now I'm just hoping you hold up your end of the deal and spontaneously combust. You have a PS3 and you're just angry at the world because your system suxxors and you're taking it out on my awesome blogging abilities! It's OK man. The PS3 will get better next year (snicker snicker)...
Mr BoomStick XL @ Dec 7th 2006 7:19AM
Well I think the reason Sony has yet to do anything is because they are waiting for Nintendo or MS to do something so they could copy it!!! WOW, that's a GREAT idea (Sony Exect.)..........COPY THAT!!! Plus Sony could care what the consumers think, they just want our money!!
Jason B @ Dec 7th 2006 9:43AM
Sorry to burst your bubble Boss but I am an XBox 360 owner from launch (stood in line for 12hrs to get it)... Whistler Z71...you can look me up sometime. Anyway, I wasn't picking on you you specifically, merely pointing out that the phrase was and is said incorrectly over and over again and it drives nuts. So in the future, please don't be so defensive. I wasn't calling you dumb or stupid. Your response to my post did that for me.
As for the "kid" comment...I'm 32.
Merry Christmas