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.]

Tags: Australia, PS3 display, Ps3Display

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

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.

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?

Dash @ Feb 15th 2007 3:25PM

@ #1
Man, you Sony Fanboys really need to get laid.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, ...

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.

kuri @ Feb 15th 2007 4:17PM

Classic!

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!

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?

RUSKULL @ Feb 15th 2007 4:56PM

"16. At least the Xbox360 is useful for something...."

Making the PS3 look like it's actually doing something for what it's worth? I agree, the 360 is worth it! ;)

Poisoned Al @ Feb 15th 2007 5:02PM

As a PC gamer, I have far less bias when it comes to consoles seeing how I view console owners are low-class scum :D Anyway, the reason there is a lot of Sony bashing going on is because Sony are being a bunch of greedy, arrogant f**k-ups that DESERVE ridicule. This generation, Sony are the arseholes. Before it was Saga. Before that it was Nintendo. Microsoft is forever on-going with bloody Windows. My point is that every one of these company's have smelled success at one point, and thought it was a licence to be utter douche-bags! They are all faceless multinational companies churning out soulless electronic equipment. Get over it already!

LJKelley @ Feb 15th 2007 5:18PM

Quite funny... if they were using the 360 to play a video for the PS3 don't you think they would have used a regular DVD Players instead? So strange...

http://www.startblue.net/tech/articles/console-wars.htm

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.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 15th 2007 5:28PM

Pretty damn funny. Whats even funnier is the Sony fanboy comments bashing the 360 for this - man you guys must have great dreams at night. (Being grounded in reality sux for the rest of us.) I'm looking at you comment 35!

Knoxximus @ Feb 15th 2007 5:31PM

Cmon guys! This shyt is pure comedy gold....RICH!!

Rubang B @ Feb 15th 2007 5:35PM

I bet that display was designed to fit on a PS3, but they don't have any PS3s yet, because they don't actually exist (have you seen one?). So they put it on a 360.

Wait, why would they cover a PS3 with a picture of a PS3? I'm gonna go wear a myself disguise to work an see if anybody can tell the difference.

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????

Tesley @ Feb 15th 2007 5:53PM

Finally, a useful xbox 360

BrotherEstapol @ Feb 15th 2007 5:54PM

Hehehe, that's Harvey Norman for you...bunch of dolts they are. :P

It's funny, they don't actually sell any Wii's cause of a dispute over the cost price with Nintendo Australia, and the fact that they pulled GCN and GBA support years ago, and never supported the DS.
Apparentally they were fuming at not getting the Wii for christmas, and were very pissed cause they had a PS3 pre-order campagin in full swing for November release dow here. Of course it was delayed till March. :P

Sorry, went off topic there.