TIME magazine deems PS3 a bust
by Blake Snow 
{ Dec 18th 2006 at 6:50PM }
TIME magazine rounds up the five "phenomena" on the year that captivated the media momentarily before ultimately going bust on the hype. The PS3 shares the not-so spotlight next to Bode Miller, Studio 60, Fox TV's canceled If I Did It program, and Snakes on a Plane as the year's biggest letdowns according to the magazine.From the article's sub-section entitled HOW TO BLOW A HUGE LEAD in video games: "The PS3 is hideously expensive--it goes for up to $600--and Sony manufactured only a piddling few hundred thousand for the U.S., fewer for Japan. Plus it's hard to write games for; the launch titles were lame. You know you're in trouble when you get beat by something called a Wii." Sony would have to try really hard to get anymore negative press for the PS3, not to mention other facets of the company's endeavors. Can an electronics brotha get a break? Maybe a slight one if we didn't run this story...
[Thanks, lk]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Sonic @ Dec 18th 2006 6:57PM
Success!
Andres @ Dec 18th 2006 6:58PM
all i can say is OUCH
Derbeste @ Dec 18th 2006 6:59PM
Wow....this hurts so bad, you'd think the PS3 had testicles.
Platinum @ Dec 18th 2006 7:00PM
That hurts just reading it and I'm not a Sony Fanboy... Anyone that works for SCEA has to be feeling some pressure after that.
raging_evil @ Dec 18th 2006 7:01PM
Big OUCH!
Even though TIME isn't a mag that "hip kids" read, it's should have quite an impact on those who would purchase a console for their kids.
mykie @ Dec 18th 2006 7:01PM
*rubs his eyes*
Blake? Blake Snow? Is that you?!
Man, I can't believe they put Studio 60 in with PS3...I like Studio 60.
reppy @ Dec 18th 2006 7:10PM
I dunno.. I mean.. I liked Snakes on a Plane.
kennethrios @ Dec 18th 2006 7:04PM
This is point where my view of Sony goes from that of wicked scoundrel with thin facial hair to tragic figure licking his wounds.
Poor Sony. You deserve it.
Probot @ Dec 18th 2006 7:03PM
People expected too much from Snakes on a Plane. It just proved what I always say, people on the internet are a very loud, but very small group.
The PS3 did have a bad launch, but most people don't buy game systems on launch anyways. There is just more media hype this time. By next Christmas, we'll have a better idea of everything, and the launches will be completely forgotten.
And though not game related, Studio 60 is a great show, regardless of the ratings.
bobeotm @ Dec 18th 2006 7:04PM
Ouch... Is it me, or is this meme far from running its course. I mean seriously, so many seem to not only dislike sony right now, but actively wanting them to fail. The system JUST LAUNCHED. It being expensive is a valid point, but what system HASNT HAD A LAME LAUNCH. Come to think of it, there is normally only one game worth having on any launch. For the ps3 it was resistance, for the wii it is zelda (i guess you can count the pack in wiisports). And again, what system DOESNT HAVE SHORTAGES? They obviously wanted to get the thing out there as soon as they could, and they only had a few to go around, obviously its going to change eventually. The PS2 also had severe shortages, but it didnt matter at all in the long run. Im just getting tired of the complaints about things that tend to work themselves out anyway.
silkylove @ Dec 18th 2006 7:05PM
Man this hurts. Sony has been getting owned left and right lately. And now the Wii's are making more profit on ebay than the PS3's are even though there are many more Wii's available.
link
IG88 @ Dec 18th 2006 7:06PM
Studio 60 blows hard ass. And this comes from a Sports Night and West Wing fan. The show within a show isn't funny, most of the characters are unlikable and stupid most of the time, and it's even more preachy than most of Sorkin's work (and that's saying something).
Periodical @ Dec 18th 2006 7:05PM
ZOMG joystiq you are so biased, obviously M$ owns you and Time magazine, how else could they write anything bad about PS3. I DEMAND A HORRIBLY FLAWED "MATH" POST TO VALIDATE MY LOVE FOR SONY.
silkylove @ Dec 18th 2006 7:05PM
http://www.news4gamers.com/News-18013.aspx
Groggy @ Dec 18th 2006 7:15PM
LMAO.... probot did you just say *most people don't buy game systems on launch anyways* LOL
Futurus @ Dec 18th 2006 7:11PM
More Armchair analysis from a particulary lazy publication. Its entirely fine to state an opinion on which console "TIME" happen to like best.
But to throw out predictions this early in the so called "WAR" is ridiculous.
The only thing that can be safely said about this article is that TIME doesn't WANT Sony to win (which I admit might not be a bad thing).
But in life what you WANT and what you GET are two different things. (Ask Microsoft in Japan if your confused in any way)
bobeotm @ Dec 18th 2006 7:14PM
Also I think too many journalists are trying to call the horserace before the horses actually clear the gates. They did it with the PSP vs DS race an were ALL WRONG.
Its almost as if sony has some sort of anti-hype surrounding them. Negativity so strong that it reproduces to make more negativity. Its going to take alot to turn it around. Or maybe they will get so buried underneath anti-hype that they acheive scrappy underdog status and become the darlings of the industry again. Either way, its hard to percieve things being worse.
Shagi @ Dec 18th 2006 7:25PM
When the over-hype for Wii wears off and the 360 and PS3 are the only machines where you can get a real gaming experience and the battle is between the 2 giants all of these magazines are gonna look pretty stupid.
Of course no one will remember their BS by then. I'm not saying that Sony isn't doing everything in their power to fumble the PS3 launch, I'm just saying that when your only other competitor is MS (No the Wii isn't competing with Sony or MS) then you can afford to take your time.
If a gamer isn't looking to recapture some kind of mythical magic that they feel gaming has lost (Casual or not) most of them are going to go with the PS3 no matter how long they have to wait for it. MS has to prove to the previous PS2 crowd that the Xbox 360 will provide the prestige and experiences they came to expect from the PS2 (even if the Xbox and gamecube were techinically better). I think there are a lot of people out there all over America who wouldn't even consider and Xbox or a Wii no matter how long they had to wait for the PS3.
Its as idiotic saying that the PS3 is doomed or whatever as it is to claim for the last 2 generations that PC gaming is dead.
I know that there are quite a few people extolling the virtues (cough) of the Wii, but the reason they are so loud is beacuse they don't want the Wii to end up like the Gamecube did last time. I'm afraid that its more likely Nintendo will fumble the Wii ultimately than an established and capable platform like the PS3 will lose the race. Nintendo only wants a platform they can deliver and sell their first party games on and no matter how they try to disguise it thats ultimately how the platform is going to end up.
Saying that the Wii is going to be on top this generation is rediculous, saying the MS is going to be on top is only slightly less rediculous.
The hardcore fans that come here make up such a small sampling of the gaming public that no matter how you agree with your comrades or fight against other fanboys its the Mindshare that will ultimately crown the winner. PS3 and XBOX will only get better, while the Wii will continue to get uglier and uglier every year, and once you get tired of the motion sensing gimick theres very little to keep it going.
Probot @ Dec 18th 2006 7:19PM
Groggy,
Did I make a typo somewhere? Did I mistakenly imply that someone other than people buy them? I don't think so. What's funny then?
The vast majority of console sales are after launch. That's just common sense. Launch totals are usually forgotten after a while, as they aren't really relevant once more games are out.
Stush @ Dec 18th 2006 7:20PM
This just goes to show how important it is to have a good launch. Whether Time is being fair is irrelevant. Once you release a product to the public it is fair game for everyone including the press to pass judgement on.
Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2006 7:25PM
.
yes most launches aren't great, but the PS3 launch was directly compared to those of two other systems. the article is about disappointments, and of the three console launches, the PS3 is by far the biggest.
whatever you thought of their launch games, the wii and even 360 launch at least brought something NEW to the gaming scene. the only new thing the looong awaited PS3 brought with its launch is an expensive, and still questionable movie format.
,
Mick @ Dec 18th 2006 7:25PM
Does anybody believe the Wii will be the system to buy a year from now? We are at the very beginnig of a 5-8 year console cycle with 3 dogs in the fight. I am not bashing, just asking.
DBX00 @ Dec 18th 2006 7:26PM
eh...They deem it a failure because of a lack of supply. I'd be concerned if there was a lack of demand, which Ebay shows their still remains a high demand for the machine even at the launch price. It's way too early to declare anyone the winner of the next generation. Nintendo still has to come out with a steady flow of games, Microsoft has to keep its headstart, and Sony has to show that they can sell to the masses at the current price or quickly reduce the price. Anyone claiming a console a failure a month after it launches simply is a joke.
mr_joneses @ Dec 18th 2006 7:26PM
Entertaining Show about SNL-like Show = 30 Rock
Not Entertaining Show about SNL-like Show = Studio 60
Half the number and ten times more entertaining.
Alex @ Dec 18th 2006 7:32PM
Pshhh. Snakes on a Plane may have been a financial bust, but it was by far one of the best "crappy action/horror" movies I've ever seen. You go into the theater expecting Snakes on a Plane, and you come out with SO MUCH MORE.
JohnQAnonymous @ Dec 18th 2006 7:28PM
Know what's probably the biggest "bust" of the year? Naming everyone in the world Person of the Year.
Ben @ Dec 18th 2006 7:42PM
bobeotm says "It being expensive is a valid point, but what system HASNT HAD A LAME LAUNCH."
Ummmm Wii?
cos @ Dec 18th 2006 7:45PM
"most of them are going to go with the PS3 no matter how long they have to wait for it."
Yeah - there's a word for those kind of people.
It's FANBOYS.
Only fanboys blindly support their "magical" system no matter what. Only fanboys will screw themselves over, pay ridiculously more, wait ridiculously longer, etc etc all in the name of blind faith their system is somehow magically better. Fanboys will put themselves out, all to support their beloved company.
However - fanboys make up a very tiny percentage of the consumer market... You really think little Johnny's parents look at the $599 price tag and have no thoughts of a $250 Wii or a $299/$399 Xbox 360???? Most kids do not get $599 TOTAL for Christmas, much less a console sans games... A Wii or Xbox 360 isn't out of the question for most, though....
hyperion @ Dec 19th 2006 5:13PM
"You know you're in trouble when you get beat by something called a Wii."
thats funny, but not a fair statement. the wii is selling to the largest market possible, the non gamer. they look at the wii as the hot new "toy" and not the hot new game console. basically the wii is this years razor scooter or tickle me elmo. I cant tell you how many times someone has asked me "whats a w-i-i?"
LordMinogue @ Dec 18th 2006 7:47PM
My friends and I brought little rubber snakes into the theater and threw them during the "bomb" scene. It added so much value to the film.
SquirrelPhister @ Dec 18th 2006 7:47PM
13. IG88:
"Studio 60 blows hard ass. And this comes from a Sports Night and West Wing fan. The show within a show isn't funny, most of the characters are unlikable and stupid most of the time, and it's even more preachy than most of Sorkin's work (and that's saying something)."
I agree with you on each point, but I still want to like the show. it's gotten better with the addition of Mark McKinney, but that ain't gonna save it. definitely could do without most of the characters (even nate cordry has nothing to do) and you are right on about how preachy the show is. i'm about as liberal as it gets, but I can't stand it when one of the characters just starts ranting out of nowhere about gay marriage in massachusetts or something
sorkin has always been bad about hitting you over the head with political commentary, but this show takes that to new levels
oh, this is a gaming blog? uh.... playstation 3 is a waste of money. there we go
Brian O'lyaryz @ Dec 18th 2006 7:53PM
yea, Studio 60 does blow. Very disappointed. And the PS3 was a bad idea from the beginning. I understand people buy the systems for the games, but the PS3 is not offering anything superior or differenet from any other (cheaper) system.
jaybleezy @ Dec 18th 2006 7:54PM
@Shagi
Shagi we will see if your predicitions hold up or not. A lot was said about the DS, and don't try and say that it's not the same since it's not a console. The same principle plays. A gimmick vs a super high tech piece of equipment. That's where I'm going with this. I remember telling all my friends when the DS and PSP had there launch battles, how eventually the DS will win. Nobody wanted to believe the DS a less inferior graphical device could outshine the almighty PSP. So keep calling the Wii a gimmick and how it's going to die and how Nintendo will never bring out another console. I think it's all funny, which makes me also wonder how old you are. You probably wasn't around before 1985 so you probably aren't aware of anything about how the past has a way of repeating itself.
Holla at me when you get your Wii.
Ocho @ Dec 18th 2006 7:54PM
I'm a little surprised at the vitriol for Studio 60, it's one of the few television shows I'll actually stop playing games to watch.
Though I have to agree with JohnQAnonymous, naming "You" as the Person of Year kind of removes any credibility I ever gave Time in the first place.
disguised @ Dec 18th 2006 8:06PM
#24. Look closely at how much people are willing to pay for a PS3 versus the Wii. The 60GB ones are sold for barely over $700. If the seller paid for the tax, he'd be lucky to get $50 out of this. If that's what you called "high demand", then what do you call a Wii selling for $500+ with a profit margin of some $200?
jman @ Dec 18th 2006 8:10PM
snakes on a plane a letdown??? How can something be a let down when you dont expect anything out of it??? I mean really the only good thing about that movie was Samuel L Jackson the whole plot basis was just ridiculusly stupid...
Blazur @ Dec 18th 2006 8:22PM
Sony would have to try really hard to get anymore negative press for the PS3
On the contrary, they've been garnering bad publicity since well before the launch of this console. At this point it almost seems to be coming easy to them.
I can't help but wonder what morale is like at SONY headquarters right now...
notu @ Dec 18th 2006 8:31PM
Sony will win because of Blu-Ray. It's obvious dummies.
Sony has made more money than any other movie studio in three of the last five years. Now they break their own record in raking in the most money ever at the U.S. and Canada box office in one year:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=a4w4L4fcKEAg&refer=muse
What does that mean for Blu-ray (as well as the PS3)? It further cements the fact that as far as next-gen movie playback formats go, Blu-ray has a brighter future than HD-DVD. All of these 2006 movies are Blu-ray exclusives in the future, meaning anyone wanting them in HD will HAVE to get a Blu-ray player (or a PS3). Consider these other facts (props to theforce8686 for finding some of this info):
- All movie studios except Universal are commited to Blu-Ray. A number of them are not making any HD-DVD versions at all, like box office leader Sony (Spiderman 3 in '07-woohoo!), Fox (Star Wars, Aliens, and Die Hard franchises), and Disney (including Pixar's awesome flicks and Pirates 1-3). Only Universal is exclusive to HD-DVD, and they have been averaging near the bottom half of all of the big movie studios in how well their pictures do over the past few years.
- Of the top 25 highest grossing films of all time (translated, the most popular films), 16 are by companies that are exclusive to Blu-ray, and 8 others are on both formats. Only 2 are exclusive to HD-DVD.
- Next year, there are currently more than four times as many Blu-ray movies listed for release than HD-DVD
- Average price of a Blu-ray movie (about $23 on Amazon.com) is less than the HD-DVD average price
DeezNuts420 @ Dec 18th 2006 8:31PM
PS3 for the LOSS!!!!!
Rob @ Dec 18th 2006 8:37PM
I am not a Sony fanboy. Actually, I used to be the complete opposite...a Sony hater. I could usually come up with many good reasons why someone should avoid Sony. The fact of the matter is that Sony makes a great product - good digital cameras, great LCD HDTV's, nice computers, clock radios, you name it...etc. SOny just tried way too hard to stretch a well established product and brand beyond it's core competency of gaming. Sony will pay the price in the short-term, and it will be painful. But, developers won't abondon the platform so quick. Life will not end for the Playstation brand. It will have an adverse effect by bringing attention to the Sony brand. In the long run, games will be developed to take advantage of the Playstation 3 capabilites and Sony will be able to differentiate the platform from competitors and focus on marketing the value in the Sony, more specifically the Playstation brand. I am a M$ fanboy. But, I can't help but notice the good products coming out of Sony recently (within the last 2-4 years). Sony still hasn't quite grabbed ahold of the digital media market, but they may be ready to break into the digital media world by leveraging an already established brand - Playstation. Time will tell.
SparhawkJC @ Dec 18th 2006 8:41PM
No one else is happy that we're all Persons of the Year?
MasterFramer @ Dec 18th 2006 8:57PM
If anyone can remember this time last year a 360 was commanding around $1000-$1200 for the premium. That's a $600-$800 profit margin. Way more than the Wii and PS3 plus there were as many 360s as Wiis and way more 360s than the PS3 in the market place. Only a little more than 100,000 units and the PS3 can barely pull $100 more than its retail price. What a joke.
Optimus Prime @ Dec 18th 2006 8:49PM
"If anyone can remember this time last year a 360 was commanding around $1000-$1200 for the premium. That's a $600-$800 profit margin. Way more than the Wii and PS3 plus there were as many 360s as Wiis and way more 360s than the PS3 in the market place. Only a little more than 100,000 units and the PS3 can barely pull $100 more than its retail price. What a joke."
Maybe because xbots are morons for paying that mark-up?
luigi193 @ Dec 19th 2006 10:40PM
"The hardcore fans that come here make up such a small sampling of the gaming public that no matter how you agree with your comrades or fight against other fanboys its the Mindshare that will ultimately crown the winner. PS3 and XBOX will only get better, while the Wii will continue to get uglier and uglier every year, and once you get tired of the motion sensing gimick theres very little to keep it going."
-------------------------------
Did you just contradict yourself??? Accusing people of fanboyism and then writing that??? The Wii will get uglier and uglier...Thats not fanboyism to me!!! Face it, nintendo has done something right when my friends mom is getting one for christmas...And my pastor wants one...It may not win, but i think itll do better then the Cube.
MasterFramer @ Dec 18th 2006 8:58PM
Optimus Prime - name calling does nothing to disprove demand. The 360 was and still is a superior product as well as the Wii. The writing is on the wall... the demand for the PS3 right now is down the toilet. Microsoft and Nintendo will reap the benefits for months to come.
Camperton @ Dec 19th 2006 10:44AM
jman
you paid to go see a movie called SNAKES ON A PLANE and then have the nerve to call the plot "ridiculusly stupid"!?!
Like you didn't know what you were getting into.
Foil @ Dec 18th 2006 9:07PM
@38.
Sony said the same thing with Betamax.
Later with music and the mini disc.
Again with portable movies on UMD.
Whats your point, or are you seriously that retarded?
Master Kwan @ Dec 18th 2006 9:09PM
Just because Time magazine says something is best, or something is the worst of the year, people give the magazine so much credit. It's just a bunch of people giving their opinion like any other shmuck.
Optimus Prime @ Dec 18th 2006 9:13PM
Master: apologies for the xbot comment.
Now, 360 has had an entire to reap the benefits of:
- only next gen system on market, meaning next exclusives like GRAW, PDZ, GoW, etc..
- improved production such that supply is no longer an issue
- an entire year of Sony bad press (exploding batteries and such)
- etc..
What do they have to show for it? They arent going to come close to their 10 million sold projection for end of 2006. They are non-existent in Japan. They have been outsold by the 6 year old PS2 for all but one month. All their top games are FPSs, etc, etc ... yea, the writing is on the wall indeed, whatever.
Foil @ Dec 18th 2006 9:13PM
# 38. again.
Before you even say it I am going to catch you at it. Sony is a member of the RIAA and has MP3 players out, yet they put their artists on itunes after the MP3 players didn't take off as well as they had thought. So your future argument is again retarded.