One PS3 store display hides a terrible secret [update 1]
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Feb 15th 2007 at 3:15PM }
You suddenly find yourself inside Harvey Norman. Don't panic -- Harvey Norman is the name of an Australian retailer. Uh, retailer, as in a store. In Australia.
Right, so you're in Harvey Norman and you spot a stunning (albeit strangely two-dimensional) PS3 display, one that exhibits the sort of aristocratic class you'd expect from an inebriated hobo rolling down the stairs in his finest paper bag outfit. Still, it's functional enough and does indeed inform you of the impending arrival of Sony's behemoth. But ... you sense something unusual. Drawn to the vaguely disingenuous vibe emanating from the display, you investigate further. Perhaps it's this -- NO! It just can't be!
That white exterior! You're sure you've seen something like it before.
That's no PS3! Why, if you remove the mask, it's ...
Xbox 360! How? Why?! It would would have gotten away with it too, had it not been for your constant meddling.
[Thanks to Kain for letting us relive his adventure. Check out the Flickr page here.]
[Hilarious update: The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the retailer has removed the display. Whereas a Harvey Norman manager described it as "an innocent mistake," Adrian Christie of Sony Australia thought it was "alarming news." The Xbox 360 was merely being used to play Harvey Norman advertisments. Thanks, Acid.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Circ @ Feb 15th 2007 8:29PM
I bet PGR3 really does run on THIS ps3. lol@whoever for setting this display up. It must be a joke, a rogue employee or something equally stupid.
Mobat555 @ Feb 15th 2007 3:21PM
That’s just precious...
Zertoss @ Feb 15th 2007 3:22PM
Hahaha that's pretty funny. I wonder what that 360 is doing there in the first place.
Dash @ Feb 15th 2007 3:25PM
@ #1
Man, you Sony Fanboys really need to get laid.
Myke @ Feb 15th 2007 3:24PM
I don't care what system you own, that's some funny $H!T right there.
werespaz @ Feb 15th 2007 3:24PM
I don't take this article as fanbois bashing the PS3, it's just a funny story about a store's deception. Maybe you're a little sensitive derrick? Maybe a little be *too* defensive?
Rob @ Feb 15th 2007 3:25PM
hahaha! that's pretty funny. You'd figure a regular 2by4 would do...
CowboyGA @ Feb 15th 2007 3:26PM
That's hilarious! But Derrick, why are you so upset by this? Why are you calling this an evil event by xbox 360 "fanboys"? This is simply a funny prank of a clueless store worker. Don't be so offended.
Myke @ Feb 15th 2007 3:26PM
What game was it displaying?
Phil @ Feb 15th 2007 3:29PM
Yeah, was there a game/demo playing off of it?
i don't see any controllers available to play the thing.
@1, Derrick Gott, yeah, it was a whole big conspiracy thought up by joystiq and a group of xbots, you f*cking twat!
Neil @ Feb 15th 2007 6:11PM
Wow that was really crazy.....of all things to use, why a 360....meh who cares....it gave me a good smile.
flymolo @ Feb 19th 2007 8:46AM
it was probably using the 360 as a dvd player to show a demo.
jaysins @ Feb 15th 2007 3:30PM
This must be the better second revision of the console we were waiting for lol, couldn't resist. Anyways it could have been done simply in spite that Australia hasn't got the PS3 yet. Who knows but it is funny.
Zertoss @ Feb 15th 2007 3:32PM
I didn't even realize it was hooked up. I'd like to know what it was showing, too. If I had to guess, probably a DVD video promo of the PS3.
Vidikron @ Feb 15th 2007 3:32PM
Probably just playing a video disc showing PS3 promos.
Je2037 @ Feb 15th 2007 3:36PM
Id like to meet the genius that came up with this idea. I mean come on, at least fully cover up the thing, damn!
Ironhide @ Feb 15th 2007 3:36PM
This would also be the saddest lash out against a 'sony bashing' article that I have seen to date.
Regardless of opinions from the SDF, this is funny. Only someone with an extremely low sense of self-console-worth would lash out like that.
Crackjaw @ Feb 15th 2007 3:38PM
You guys do blog an unusual amount of negative news concerning Sony.
jake @ Feb 15th 2007 3:38PM
At least the Xbox360 is useful for something....
propping up cardboard displays.
Hiro @ Feb 15th 2007 5:20PM
Also, it probably wasn't showing anything. It's
likely just a display built on top of the 360 display , which is still hooked up but probably no on.
vidGuy @ Feb 15th 2007 3:41PM
How pro-Sony could this be? The 360 has to don a PS3-mask for shame of being a dead 360? The 360 is regulated to stand-up advertising, like a hobo on the corner advertising for Hungry Hobos so he can get some food? The 360 is out of work, on NOES!
: o )
Derbeste @ Feb 15th 2007 3:42PM
Hey look!
That 360 is in DRAG!!!!
Ken @ Feb 15th 2007 3:43PM
Ahh, so that's why the PS3 demos looked so good!
ZING!
REUYL @ Feb 15th 2007 3:44PM
I don't care who you are, that crap is funny.
Metalmurphy @ Feb 15th 2007 3:44PM
Thats clearly something someone just made up in a couple of minutes to bash the PS3. Like anyone is gonna believe that paper printed PS3 to begin with
Derbeste @ Feb 15th 2007 3:45PM
Seriously....how could this be a Sony bashing article?
It's an Xbox TRYING TO BE A PS3!!!!
It's almost like they are saying the 360 is embarrased and wishes it was a PS3!!
The fact that so many of the SDF saw this as a negative Sony add tells me even you guys know the PS3 needs defending.
Really guys... Me thinks thou dost protest too much.
Miniboss @ Feb 15th 2007 3:46PM
So many good insults from both sides.
Kilraven @ Feb 16th 2007 6:48AM
Are you sure this isn't the store owner's way of hiding the red ring of death?
Michael Le @ Feb 15th 2007 3:47PM
what a waste of a xbox360
shase @ Feb 15th 2007 3:47PM
I see it as the store cant sell its 360s so might as well be a cardboard (expensive one no less) holder. I prefer paper weight but the paper might catch on fire
Vidikron @ Feb 15th 2007 3:48PM
@17
It's all about current public opinion. Because you're right, this actually could be spun in favor of Sony and would be if it was currently popular to bash MS. But it's not so this bit of news is spun against Sony.
The reality is that the 360 was likely the most convenient DVD player they had at the store and used it as such. It means nothing. Though they clearly should have hidden the 360 under the shelf or something.
Neal @ Feb 19th 2007 4:18PM
seems very doubtful that this is either of whateveryone is saying.
Its not bashing the 360, its not bashing the PS3.
This is most likely just a display that has video of a game or demo (probably avaliable for the PS3) and they have it playing on a 360 cause its the next closest thing to a PS3. We all knw they're not going to have a SNES behind there (although SNES was probably the best system ever if you ask me)
I would take my SNES over my PS3, Wii or a 360 if I had one.
/comments
Cyrix_0 @ Feb 16th 2007 5:04AM
You know this is in AUSTRAILIA
THE PS3 is NOT OUT THERE....
So you can see why they have put a 360 behind it...play some of Multiplatformers coming to the PS3 aswell...
This post is rather intentional to feed all the sheeps in this place...
You daily feed people enjoy...
B @ Feb 15th 2007 3:58PM
That was a good laugh,thanks.
Korova @ Feb 15th 2007 4:02PM
This is exactly the kind of intel I come to Joystiq for. PS3 fanboys notwithstanding.
Sizer @ Feb 15th 2007 4:08PM
> You guys do blog an unusual amount of negative news concerning Sony.
Have you also noticed that Consumerist does an unusual amount of negative stuff about corporations that screw their customers over regularly due to stupidity and arrogance? WHERE IS THE PRO-STUPIDITY AND ARROGANCE REPORTING?!?!!1!?
Sony has created their own image problems.
Jake @ Feb 15th 2007 4:08PM
If you are looking any deeper into this than it being a lighthearted jest by some dude, then you are retarded. Count em' up 1 tard, 2 tard, 3 tard, ...
mcloki @ Feb 16th 2007 9:27AM
At least the store is getting some use from their 360. Next stop door opener. ha. It's like the sune boxes being used to prop up a display of iPods. Or maybe with the rumoured HDMI port and the HD DVD expansion and the change to black this is what the 360 aspires to be one day in the near future. Keep dreamin 360 keep dreaming.
Karl @ Feb 15th 2007 8:56PM
They found a use for all those XBox360s with the dreaded 3 red lights
kuri @ Feb 15th 2007 4:17PM
Classic!
Blake @ Feb 15th 2007 5:45PM
Hi guys ,
I'm from Aus and my local Harvey Norman has a REAL PS3 unit playing REAL games , I am guessing this is a hilarious joke by some Harvey Norman employees...Not really newsworthy, must be a slow day huh joystiq????
The Bear @ Feb 15th 2007 4:28PM
Mother, the emperor is naked! Within the sleek visuals of a PS3 is the soul of a 360. Fan b0is 0H N03S!
Hoffy @ Feb 15th 2007 7:43PM
Props on the Scooby Doo reference
Rod Munch @ Feb 15th 2007 4:30PM
Thats the most I've wanted a PS3 ever!
Hilarious @ Feb 15th 2007 4:34PM
I thought it was negative to the PS3...at least thats what I was hoping.
forsho @ Feb 15th 2007 4:39PM
remember the incident with forza sport and gran turismo? why is it microsoft is tryin to copy sony now? they have to hide the 360 in the back of ps3 cardboard so people can play it..lmao..microsoft is gettin desperate to beat sony..
Noshino @ Feb 15th 2007 4:42PM
"26. @17
It's all about current public opinion. Because you're right, this actually could be spun in favor of Sony and would be if it was currently popular to bash MS. But it's not so this bit of news is spun against Sony.
The reality is that the 360 was likely the most convenient DVD player they had at the store and used it as such. It means nothing. Though they clearly should have hidden the 360 under the shelf or something."
rofl, yeah, the most covenient DVD player, guess they couldn't find a better dvd player, so they used their 360 :)
Matt B @ Feb 15th 2007 4:48PM
That is funny stuff.
I'm sure that it was running a PS3 demo disc because Sony didn't send an actual unit to do it. What would be even funnier is if Sony's marketing dept. approved such a display.:D
Michael @ Feb 15th 2007 4:55PM
I think this is great. It just shows me that ingenuity is still alive and well. Can't get a display model. . . make your own, I love that stuff. I will say this though, they couldn't cover it up anymore or it would have exploded in flames and gotten the death ring. I love my 360 but that f'er is hot.
and if you think Joystiq is bias or any other for that matter go outside, and do not return until you have taken 20 deep breaths
The only thing I hate more than "fanboys" defending or hating on a console because they bought the other is the term fanboy. All of us tech geeks, smartasses, and college grads on the internet and the best we can come up with is FANBOY!!! It drives me nuts does it bother anyway else?
joe smith @ Feb 16th 2007 11:59AM
OK - that was a good laugh for the day!