Sony owns up to deceptive marketing blog

I think this was deceitful of sony and the apoligy isn't worth much. I think Sony would be wise to stay off shocking or viral adds, Who bought a PSP because of the White Is Superior ads or the obviciously fake grafiti PSP ads.

However I don't think the PS3 will necessirly be a failure, The PS2 was released a long time after the dreamcast and had supply shortages at start but it still was a great success.

I would not by one though as I don't ahve a TV(let alone a HD TV) but if I did I might, though to be honest the Wii seems a lot funner and it doesn't need an expensive new TV or having to purchase an expensive inbuilt Blueray drive

@39, pixelator,

"...the PSP has... outsold ALL other non-Nintendo handhelds ever produced..."

All of which were horrible flops. As was the Xbox launch.
What's your point, man? That the PSP is only a miserable failure, not the MOST miserable failure?

While it's awesome that you can own about $6,000 worth of video game equiptment, most gamers aren't so lucky and have to make a choice about which platforms they're going to play on. Unfortunately for SONY their recent marketing blunders are making it easier and easier for consumers to pick anyone BUT them as their gaming brand of choice.

@39 pixelator

How many games are coming out on the PSP that you are excited about? That new Final Fantasy game looks pretty good, however thats a re-hash so I guess you are not looking forward to that. For games that are already released I guess your not playing Loco-Roco because that it too "kiddie". Vice City would be pretty adult, but thats just a port. Lumines is pretty sweet, although we can now play it on the 360. Haven't played Metal Gear Acid so I can't comment but I hope to next year. The PSP can't do RPG's because the developers don't take the time to address load times, (Don't get me started on the load times). If the PSP had achieved the success Sony had hoped, we wouldn't have seen this ad. Maybe I am wrong and there will be a flood of great games for the PSP in 2007. However, bad load times, crappy ports and a viral campaign that made me throw up a little, yes thats a sub-par system. I will enjoy the few good games that are out, and will come out for it. However, I pick up my DS twice as often as I pick up my PSP and I doubt that will ever change.

So perhaps the reason why alliwantforxmasisapsp.com was so mind-numbingly stupid was because Sony was targeting their core audience of mind-numbingly stupid users like > here...

--R.J.

Sony is killing themselves. I used to be a fan of this company, and have bought many units from them including the PSP. Not anymore. I will have a hard time buying anything from a company that lies to the public, and tries bullshit like this. How deperate can you get. This is just wrong, and very bad biz.

Bye Bye Sony. Never again.

It's just great that the leaked internal memo said it was all going as planned and Sony was ok with it... then there was the "we're too clever" cat out of the bag (which was as obnoxious as the site.)

So... Zipatoni had to pull a 180 on that one...

Now let's see Microsoft step up and come clean on all their bogus Zune "fan blogs." *holds breath*

All this Sony BS is making me want to buy another 360 or a Wii.

Aww... nutz. They took down the video... PLEASE! Someone tell me you got a copy of that rap. PLEASE!

Anyone that thought that this was a good advertisement probably also thinks that standing outside a bowling alley firing a shotgun in the air would be a good marketing technique.

OK let us tear this mother apart---

Dear Zippers Everywhere,

"Our clients are aware and unfazed." = Sony is unapologetic, could not care any less about their gamers and have decided to continue acting like arrogant a-holes.

"Their (Sony's) response, "you have to take the good with the bad." = sorry swelled heads but Sony's days of getting "good" press have blatantly come to an end.

"Please know, we did NOT try to hide the fact that we created it...we purchased the domain name outright."
= All those who thought their might possibly have been a tongue in cheek aspect to their site (where the readers would know full well the premise was a farce) are proven wrong, Zipadumbass did not intend for the website's visitors to know this was not a genuine kids fan site, it was intended to be viewed as for real.

"Also, please know that we approached the client initially with this scenario and they said "who cares if people find out? As long as it is funny, WE DO THIS STUFF ALL THE TIME." = This is not the first time Sony has attempted to trick consumers into purchasing their product.

Karen Sauder
President
ZIPATONI

Anyone who believes Sony did this is dense. This was clearly done by someone who hates Sony to spread some more anti-Sony hate. "maybe our speech was a little too funky fresh??" WTF is that? Also, Sony reps always sign their name as well as use the "Sony Rep" designation, rather than use "Sony Computer Entertainment America".

"Except that the PSP has outsold the Gamecube and XBOX at this respective stage in their lives, and has outsold ALL other non-Nintendo handhelds ever produced, combines, worldwide. So... Yeah. I don't think so."

Not exactly. You're forgetting that Sony ONLY reports the number of units shipped. No one knows exactly how many PSPs have been sold, but as far as I can tell, the thing is the biggest dud in the handheld arena this side of the Lynx. The few people I know who do actually own one have told me they regret purchasing it and are now trying to hauk it off on eBay. Sorry, but the PSP is a dud. I seriously doubt the PSP will survive past 2007. And I say this as someone who has been a fan of Sony's products in the past.

The last PSP commercial I saw was pushing the memory stick crap. "Hey look, you can listen to MP3s and watch videos on your PSP!" Yeah, but what about games Sony? *sigh*

despite my feelings that Sony is really screwing themselves (and customers) over lately, I can't help but appreciate the honesty of them admitting the stupidity of this move.

Doesn't that pictre remnd you of Clockwork Orange

"61. Anyone who believes Sony did this is dense. This was clearly done by someone who hates Sony to spread some more anti-Sony hate. "maybe our speech was a little too funky fresh??" WTF is that? Also, Sony reps always sign their name as well as use the "Sony Rep" designation, rather than use "Sony Computer Entertainment America"."

Well, if Sony didn't do this, then it doesn't make much sense that a) Zipatoni is a well known marketing firm b) Sony is listed on zipatoni.com as a client c) Sony hasn't come out to publicly deny their involvement with the website d) http://waffleimages.gbsfm.info/files/eb/ebb8e700fde396877bdf0be8b665cdcdf60ab5a7.jpg

I know! The most devious mastermind in the world has staged this elaborate ploy to ruin Sony's already shoddy public image, and tied up Sony's corporate leaders so they can't respond! Brilliant!

Viral marketing is a double-edged sword. But really, it was obvious the site was a marketing tool. You knew it, so why give them so much flak?

For every Wii (excuse me, I meant GC with a remote) sold I will kill a newborn child.

now how does that sound?

I am so sick of you guys.

Quote from ">"

"For every Wii (excuse me, I meant GC with a remote) sold I will kill a newborn child.

now how does that sound?"

Well, I mean, wow. Just wow. I, and everybody else already suspected you of being a complete dickhead, now we all know you are a FUCKING SICK DICKHEAD. I mean, really, where the hell do you get off making comments like that? Before you were just plain annoying, now you have become downright offensive.
Please Joystiq staff, ban this horrible, sick minded little troll for good.

Once again, ebay proves that it is worth it's weight in gold. The wii is selling for nearly 200% of its retail value, despite having shipped almost twice the units of the PS3. PS3, however, is selling for no more than 110-120% of its retail value. Even in flat, unadjusted, nonpercentage dollars the wii is a bigger success, selling for $250 over retail, with the ps3 going for $100. While I'm a little upset that I waited in line for 24 hours to sell this piece of crap for $100 profit, I'm proud of the console I did open -- my wii. > can spit fire all he wants, right now the numbers don't lie.
I'm sure in three years this story will be different, but 2006 was by no means a banner year for Sony.

DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS

"I am so sick of you guys."

Right back at you.

Now take a fucking hike and don't come back. I think it's clear that nobody here - and that includes fanboys of ALL systems - want you here.

Seriously, get lost.