Erik

Did anyone actually read this stuff, or just go on Joystiq and 1UP's word? Note keywords like "at launch" and "still undefined." It just means that all the content won't be immediately available. This isn't "it's been downgraded for PS3, end of story." That's like claiming VF5 won't release for Xbox 360, while casually ignoring that its release date is simply later than the PS3 version.

From the Shacknews interview:
Pete Hines: The caveat is that on PS3, the downloadable content plans are still undefined. We're not sure yet how many we're going to offer, which ones we're going to offer.

Shack: So there will be no downloadable PS3 content at launch?

Pete Hines: I don't think so, no. Any one of those we could probably release [for PS3] and be okay, but we have to make sure everything's going to work together with memory requirements and other factors and so forth. It's just going to take us a little while to figure out.

The remarks by the Joystiq contributor are what I find snobby, not the GS article itself. Posts like this are why this site lacks any credibility with me beyond a glance and a shrug.

I think the key here is that the gameplay is very solid, but it's only enjoyable in a very specific context. Sort of like Tetris or ChuChu Rocket! types of video games.

JJ hit the nail on the head. Games will always be what determines the overall success of a console. Right now, the PS3 and Wii don't have enough games available that interest me. In 6-12 months, they might, at which point I might check them out. So far, for my gaming dollar, they're not even on the radar.

Taking the consoles on their own merits, I already have a 360, plan to buy a PS3, but am still uninterested in the Wii. While Nintendo is pushing gameplay over graphics, I don't see things as that black and white. Gameplay is obviously important, but why at the expense of graphics? The two work in tandem, with graphics enhancing the gameplay and vice-versa. My other issue is that i'm not sure that the Wiimote would adapt well to certain types of games. Without games that I want to play, why would I shell out cash to find out if it works well with games that I don't want to play?

Until the dust settles and more games come out that help give each system a certain distinct "flavor," everyone is in competition.

beaker, the car comparison doesn't quite work. On a truck, it's unlikely the tires would have anything to do with the engine. On the PS3? If you bent a pin on the cable, there's a possibility of the whole system taking a hit. Not saying you did, but the cause of the failure is more difficult to ascertain. That aside, if it's a case of the cable having no involvement with the problem, how can you be sure? If you are, why did the topic of cables even come up?

Having previously been a CSR at various companies, if i'd received your call, I might have reacted the same way the Sony rep did. What would convince me to give you the benefit of the doubt, or at least explore another option, is your behavior during the call. Every rep differs though, so why not call until you could reach a more sympathetic rep?

I had one of the launch day PS2's that developed DRE issues. My Xbox 360, received on Christmas, will cost me $50 to ship to Microsoft if I want them fixed. I do empathize with you - but c'mon, this kind of BS is the order of the day, with virtually every company.

beaker, you are aware of what licensed means, right? All it basically means is that Sony won't sue Monster Cable for putting out products designed for the PlayStation. Specifications and the like have nothing to do with it - for example, video card manufacturers like Asus may use the reference card from Nvidia as a basis for their product, but may use a wildly different cooler and overclock it. Nvidia doesn't have to OK this, doesn't review it, doesn't do anything but provide the basic spec. S-Video being a common type of cable, Sony doesn't do anything but receive a licensing fee from Monster. If the product causes a problem, you talk to Asus, not Nvidia. Same issue here.

"Buyer beware" is Joystiq's interpretation of this? The official word basically states that if you use a third-party product with the PS3, which results in damage to the PS3, they are not liable. This is pretty standard stuff.

Hell, AMD and Intel void the warranty if you use a third-party cooler on one of their CPUs. This kind of thing is not uncommon, certainly not enough to act like this is some kind of plot on the part of Sony to screw everyone over.

Am I the only one who smells a little quid pro quo somewhere?

To quote one of my HS English teachers, "Just because it's popular, doesn't mean it's good."

Putting aside a few exceptions, all this list really tells me is that people really will buy anything.

Frankly, I've found the Dual Shock more comfortable than any other controller. In fact, one of the reasons I never bought an N64 was because its controller was so uncomfortable and awkward by comparison. I like the 360 and GameCube, but there are little quirks about them that keep the Dual Shock as my favorite.

In any case, some of you might want to read the posting on Hydrapinion more closely. Two different people from NATAS gave conflicting responses. In the response from Christine Chin, it's also noted that, "Chrstine also said she will clarify this with Sony."

This tells me that NATAS wasn't clear with Sony about the specific product being awarded, nor was it clear to the countless media outlets who reported on the story.
Given that it's 2007, it doesn't make sense to give an award like this to older tech, so the only natural conclusion is that it's for a more recent product. Sony might have made a false assumption, but had NATAS provided better information, they wouldn't have had to.

If anything, NATAS is to blame for being overly vague with both the public and the companies being awarded. That's assuming that the information posted is actually a real, accurate response from NATAS representatives, who apparently provide direct information to bloggers, but not major news sites.

Final Fantasy VI (III on the original U.S. release). You go through world destruction, Kefka going insane, and a ripped thumb from executing Sabin's blitz attack...and all you get is a couple pictures and a "thanks for playing!" type of ending.