text:
PlayStation 3: Beyond tomorrow
August 23, 2006
Tall poppy syndrome obviously isn't unique to Australia. Ever since Sony revealed PlayStation 3's price at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, cynics around the world have pronounced it is "Game Over" for Sony's domination of the home console market.
It's a bold prediction for countless reasons, but particularly because Sony has managed to sell over 200 million PlayStation-branded consoles in the last decade, often against the odds.
Sony was initially given no chance of beating Nintendo and Sega at their own game, and has since dominated two console generations, including beating Microsoft into a pulp in round one of what is certainly to be a lengthy bout.
Yes, the price tag for PS3 of $829 or $999 for the (recommended) premium bundle is an unprecedented high price for a games console. While it can be argued that the price represents good value for the cost of the individual components and the machine's PC-like functionality, Sony must expect that its rivals will enjoy a big early lead in the next-generation battle because the PS3's initial price is beyond many consumers.
However, like its predecessors, PS3's price will fall over time, and its installed base will
rise accordingly.
Sony has been instrumental in the growth of the video game industry. Using astute marketing and relevant games, Sony has helped make gaming "cool" and attracted millions of new players, opening up the young adult market which was virtually untapped a decade ago.
Many critics forget that PlayStation 2 was launched locally in November 2000 for a whopping $749. Sales were initially slow, but PS2 slowly built momentum and eventually commanded a 75 per cent market share against the technologically superior Xbox and GameCube in Australia and Europe. Of course Sega, market leader a decade ago, now no longer even makes consoles after being muscled out.
Six years later, PS2 is still selling in huge numbers, and big-name exclusives like Yakuza, Final Fantasy XII, Okami, God of War and Guitar Hero II are yet to come. Sony's brand equity and track record in keeping its consumers happy will prove invaluable when consumers shop for a next-gen console.
Sony sold over 100 million PS2s around the world because it satisfied hardcore gamers while providing innovative new experiences to widen console gaming's reach far beyond the traditional adolescent male audience.
Sony's record of software innovation from its internal studios is impressive, with titles like SingStar, EyeToy, Buzz and Gran Turismo attracting millions of new console owners. And third-parties naturally followed suit - there is a reason why Guitar Hero is a PS2 game and not (yet) on Xbox.
History tells us that to dismiss Sony is a serious mistake. It's also strange given there is almost widespread agreement among game developers and industry analysts that PlayStation 3 is the most powerful and flexible of the three next-generation consoles.
Due in Australia on November 17, PlayStation 3 offers astonishing computing power and formidable multimedia capabilities.
Sony will build on the success of its big-name franchises, but has also wisely shown a commitment to introducing new games for the upcoming console. Sony's PS3 version of the popular SingStar karaoke game shows the company is still acutely aware of digital entertainment trends, with online MySpace-style pages where users can upload videos of their performances.
But Sony must remain mindful that it needs to continue to innovate to attract new players,
reinvigorate aging franchises and keep hardcore fans keen. Too many gamers see Sony as arrogant and smug: a perception it must humbly address.
Sony's third-party developer support remains the envy of its competitors, including system-sellers like Metal Gear Solid and Grand Theft Auto, and PS3 also enjoys the best support from gaming behemoth Electronic Arts. Developers always want to make games for the most powerful systems available to let their imaginations run free.
PS3 purchasers would have confidence that they are buying a system which will enjoy a wide range of titles to suit every taste, even if most games made for both 360 and PS3 will be identical.
The PS3 controller has been lambasted for mimicking Nintendo's Wii, but adding tilt-sensing capabilities to a refined, wireless version of its supremely comfortable and popular joypad was a pragmatic decision.
Developers can take advantage of (albeit more basic than Wii) motion-sensing capabilities when appropriate to add to the game experience, but stick to traditional joypad controls when it would be an unwelcome gimmick. And for the full wave-your-arms-like-you-just-don't-care experience, a higher resolution PS3 EyeToy camera will no doubt offer greater precision than the primitive (yet still entertaining) original.
The omission of rumble support from the (now rather inappropriately named) Dual Shock controller is disappointing, and seems to have a lot more to do with legal issues than technological reasons. It is a situation that should be addressed - games like Gran Turismo feel strangely sterile without the rumble feedback.
Sony has shown an admirable commitment to backward compatibility that preserves consumers investment in PSone and PS2 software and encourages loyalty to the brand. Microsoft's half-baked software solution backfired, but stable hardware-based backward compatibility to reliably play the hundreds of millions of PSone and PS2 titles sold around the world is good PR, even if it is not a console selling point.
So, given PS3's price will eventually fall, Sony software should offer wide appeal and third-party support is very strong - why wouldn't PS3 succeed?
Online could be one major reason. The PS2 network was a debacle, despite Sony's insistence that more people played PS2 online than Xbox. And in the next generation, online support will be a lot more important, as 360's Live penetration clearly illustrates.
Consumers might like the sound of a free PS3 online network, but letting third-parties run (and potentially charge for) their own online gaming services while still trying to offer the benefits of a unified Xbox Live-style system (one identity, one friends list, chat, player rankings, etc) will be extremely difficult to implement and potentially confusing.
Screen Play has always thought Sony should just swallow its pride and mimic Xbox Live. It appears that many of Live's best features will be aped, but whether Sony can produce a system that is as easy to use and reliable as Microsoft's remains to be seen.
Another cause of trouble might be that PS3's price doesn't fall quickly enough, giving its opposition unstoppable momentum. Third-party developers want to sell to the biggest possible audience, so big-name exclusives are likely to dry up if 360 and Wii get a big early lead. Already Sony has to share Grand Theft Auto IV with Microsoft - it won't want to rely on its internal studios alone for all of its exclusives.
PS3's range of launch titles will not be enough to tempt many gamers to part with such a significant wad of cash, despite alluring titles like Call of Duty 3, SingStar, Heavenly Sword, Splinter Cell Double Agent and the promise of MotorStorm and Warhawk. It will require the release of many giants like Grand Theft Auto IV, Assassins Creed, Resident Evil 5, Final Fantasy XIII, Gran Turismo and Metal Gear Solid 4 before significant PS3 sales are garnered.
While it gets the headlines, the benefits of the Blu-ray disc format are uncertain. It could be a major selling point for PS3 if enough consumers want a high-definition movie player. Most standalone Blu-ray disc players are likely to cost around $1000, so PS3 gives you a great games machine as a bonus.
But it is difficult to imagine most consumers are dissatisfied with the quality of DVD or willing to upgrade their movie collection, even if they've just spent thousands on a new plasma or LCD.
The bottom line is that Blu-ray is significantly adding to the cost of the machine (and possibly also to the price of games) so if the only benefit to gamers is that titles don't have to be shipped on multiple discs, its value is questionable.
The benefits of PS3's 1080p resolution are also suspect.
If the PS3 does have the computing muscle to shift games at a progressive scan 1920 x 1080 resolution as Sony claims, the results will be incredible, although certainly not as striking as the initial jump from standard definition to 720p output.
But the problem for Sony is that most initial titles will not support 1080p and most HD panels currently sold in Australia don't offer it either.
And finally, there is also a question mark over how difficult the PS3 is as a development platform. Many developers suggest that the machine's complexity will ensure PS3's full power is not utilised for many years. This might be a problem for Sony when trying to convince shoppers to pay a premium for PS3 over 360, even if Sony's track record on software is superior.
As difficult as it is to imagine many consumers shelling out $1000 for a games console, it is also difficult to imagine PS3 not commanding a sizeable audience as it becomes more affordable. PS3 is powerful hardware that will undoubtedly be backed by compelling, highly desirable new software.
How big will PS3's market share be? Screen Play will leave its bold predictions for our final Battle Stations installment on Friday.
Tomorrow: Playing for keeps - Screen Play looks at the wider battle to control how consumers access all their digital entertainment.
Post a comment
Comments Terms & Conditions
When posting comments on our blogs, you agree to be bound by our terms and conditions. Comments that are offensive, defamatory, unsuitable or that breach any aspects of the terms and conditions will be deleted.
Recent comments
- Joaby
- August 23, 2006
It is interesting to note the sheer volume of people who have forgetten that the PS2 started at $849 and still managed to dominate the market... Some how breaking the 4 digit price point makes it untouchable to all those except the elite.
- Awesome Wells
- August 23, 2006
Riiiiiiiiiiidge Raaaaaaaaaacer!
Well...somebody had to say it...
To me, the price isn't the only stumbling block. At the moment, the games just don't appear to be there. GTA is coming out on the 360 at the same time, and it's a pretty safe bet that Assasins Creed and Resi Evil 5 will not be PS3 exclusives. I'm excited by Resistence and the new FF, but apart from that there's really not much on the horizon to wet the appetite.
I also don't see why I should pay a premium price simply for a BluRay drive I simply don't (a)want or (b)need. I suspect quite a few people want feel that way tho and the thing will sell out within minutes at lauch (it probably has already sold out, with pre-orders alone). I'd be interested to know when the PS3 is expected to hit these shores. Kaz Hirai was reported on Eurogamer as stating that they haven't even started manufacturing the thing yet. Priority will no doubt be given to the US and Japanese markets, so where does this leave Australia (and Europe)?
- kermit
- August 23, 2006
Remember the PS2 launch? Ridge Racer V, Tekken Tag Tournament and Fantavision. Who'd thought it would end up dominating?
I wonder if the PS3 price will actually fall if nobody buys the PS3 at its launch price? Surely the price will only fall if Sony can get economies of scale on the parts, which won't happen unless the console starts selling in big numbers, which probably won't happen until the price drops.
- Marlor
- August 23, 2006
The PS2 may have initially sold at a high price, but that price dropped within weeks of the launch. Also, the PS2 was released more than a year before its rivals, so the price had naturally dropped by the time it had any real competitors.
This time, it looks like Sony will be launching their console after both Microsoft and Nintendo, and will undoubtedly have the highest price of the three major consoles. It will not have a year with the market to itself, and Sony will not be able to drop the price as quickly as with the PS2 (since they are already selling the hardware at a massive loss).
The PS2 and PS3 launches are very different, so you can't use the former to predict the success of the latter. However, the Playstation brand is very strong, so the PS3 will sell well, but it is not a given that it will come out on top.
- Dan
- August 23, 2006
The PS3 has some pretty good looking games, however even at half the price it seems too high to pay for a video game console, I can't see many people (besides the hardcore) forking out that much money on one item at christmas with all the rising interest rates, petrol prices (and don't forget those bananas!).
I found it a bit disturbing when Kaz Hirai mentioned they weren't in production yet: http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/psp/sony-prez-well-win-next-gen-ps-ps3s-not-in-production-195351.php as sony really can't afford a shortage at christmas (especially with the wii being (reportedly) so cheap and the 360 readily available with a decent-ish lineup of titles)
- Hero Mike
- August 23, 2006
I reckon the fact that PS2 whallopped the Xbox and GameCube despite having inferior (older) technology just highlights that its only really the games that matter. And that's why I think PS3 will beat Microsoft easily in the end, MS just don't have a lot beyond Halo, Gotham and Fable. But if Nintendo can add to their excellent family-friendly games with some more mature titles to tempt adults to try Wii, look out.
- chris
- August 23, 2006
Hero Mike has a valid point. Alot of the consumers won't really care about the quality of the machine, to them it's more about brand image, whether it is "cool", and whether the games are good.
However i have to disagree on microsoft's lineup. The number of games that are exclusive to playstation is dwindling fast. To be honest, most of the elite current crop of games are available on both systems. Except for Halo of course!
However, i am holding out for the wii.. If it's going to be that cheap.. and with the level of innovation.. could be a silent killer.
- Tom
- August 23, 2006
What people are forgetting are the specs of the PS3. It has wireless ethernet built in. XBOX 360 does not and has to be bought for $100. It has high def video built in. XBOX 360 does not and projected cost of the HD-DVD player will be around $300. Add those 2 items and you are looking at the XBOX 360 potentially being over $1000 after you get a "complete" system. More expensive than the PS3.
PS3 HDD will come with Linux installed for the Cell processor. This automatically gives it a tech edge over XBOX 360 and gives Linux programmers the ability to port software over to the PS3 to make it almost computer like.
Blu Ray player will be backwards compatible with all DVD's and CD's. So i don't see a problem with having to get rid of your DVD collection.
It has memory card readers. So your memory stick, compactflash and SD cards will be able to read from the unit. Handy for transferring images, linux software, patches etc.
It is a far better all around unit, and you get bang for your buck. It is a better unit than a lot of high end PC's and you get it for less than $1000.
- Anthony
- August 23, 2006
I like this Screen Play blog. I'm unsure of whether this will be recurrent but I certainly hope it is. I can't see myself buying a PS3 initially but when the price comes down and GTAIV and Gran Turismo come out I might reconsider. I'm a big fan of The Age's Screen Play so keep it up.
- Awesome Wells
- August 23, 2006
Re: the release date. I really hope that is the case Jason, but seeing as it's not even in production yet I really am doubtful that Sony will be able to put meaningful numbers on Australian shelves in November.
Re: Tom's post (August 23, 2006 11:43 AM ) the following occurs to me. Not having a wireless network at home, why should I have to pay a premium for it to be included in the PS3? Having no interest in BluRay (or HD-DVD for that matter), why should I have to pay a premium for it be included in the PS3?
Furthermore, why does the PS3 having Linux installed give it a tech edge? MS have just released XNA for people to develop games for the 360. And as for the memory card reader? Honestly, I'm struggling to see any point in the inclusion of these from a gaming perspective.
There's no doubt that technically the PS3 is an awesome bit of kit....if those things really matter to you. But I'm not sure they do to Joe Gamer. When it finally comes out at $999 (plus the additional money for something to play on it) you can get a Core 360+Gears of War for $600. Or a Wii plus a couple of games for even less. Madness says I.
Sony are targeting tech-head gamers weak-spots for massive wallet damage ;)
- Awesome Wells
- August 23, 2006
P.S. Have Sony announced what they are doing for online yet (apart from ripping off Live? ;) Or will we have to wait for TGS for that accounement? (and will you be there to report for us Jason?).
- Sam
- August 23, 2006
An important point to note for consumers seeking to buy a PS3 for its Blu-Ray movie playback abilities: the base model of the console does not have a HDMI output. So what does this mean in practice? One of the insidious new pieces of DRM on Blu-ray (and HD-DVD) movies is the Image Constraint Token. This allows movie studios to limit video output over analog connections such as component video to 960x540 resolution if they so choose. Studios have indicated that they will not be enforcing it initially, but there is no guarantee they won't in the future. If you want to be guaranteed HD movie playback in the future, you'll have to cough up $999 for the upscale model.
In short, Sony has basically made the base model of its trojan horse for Blu-ray movie penetration potentially incapable of playing those movies back at a resolution higher than DVD. Nice one Sony!
- Anthony
- August 23, 2006
Pleased to hear you will be at the Tokyo Game Show. We can at last get an Australian perspective without having to buy a specialty gaming magazine. Keep it up.
- Craig
- August 23, 2006
I've owned both the prior Playstation consoles (purchased the PS2 in the first week after launch) and already have a PS3 on pre-order. The one thing that has bought me back to Sony's consoles every time is Gran Tursimo. While it's never been a launch title, I've always enjoyed playing it.
I totally agree with Hero Mike on the XBox titles. There's yet to be an XBox title that makes me want to buy the console. If I didn't build Linux based HTPCs in my spare time, I might get a first gen one for a media centre. Other than that, it's a doorstop for me.
The Wii on the other hand will be an interesting beast. I suspect Nintendo will win this round hands down with simple novelty factor. I'm already considering getting one as a 2nd console.
- Brett
- August 23, 2006
Im really just sick of Sony's propaganda machine. This whole HD whirlwind is pathetic. They have lured so many companies etc in by promises of better technology and have so far not kept those promises.Instead they release discs with subpar transfers,old codecs(mpeg2)and standard Dolby Digital audio.
Now we have so much confusion over codecs,output resolutions and new audio formats. I dont know how this was allowed to happen. If the quality of the ps3 blue-ray is not as good as a stand alone player, then why should enthusiasts have to buy both? Surely if you want a HD player, you have lashed out on a HD capable tv and want the best you can get. IF you dont want a HD player, then your paying a higher price for something your not going to use. Atleast with xbox 360 you have a choice.
Well thats my mid day rant :)
- Tom
- August 23, 2006
Re Awesome Wells: If you were going to buy it as a pure gaming machine, i couldn't agree with you more. I'd rather buy a Wii for gaming. But as an all around media centre device, it is doing a hell of a lot more than the 360 is doing and for a much cheaper price.
Having said all that, Sony will DRM the hell out of it, so it may only end up being a glorified paper weight.
They will be releasing their games region free though. So i suppose that's a bonus.
It's all conjecture anyway. We won't know a thing until it's released. But looking at the specs. It is looking good.
- Barry
- August 23, 2006
I will be buying a PS3 for several reasons.
Blu-Ray DVD; HDMI; dual screen support; motion sensing in the controller; built in Wi-fi and blu-tooth; bigger HDD than Xbox; more powerful specs on paper than Xbox. And of course... Gran Turismo (sorry, neither Forza nor Gotham compare in my opinion). Not all of those features appeal to everybody, but every single one of them will be used and appreciated by me.
PS3 has many advantages and the only key disadvantage that I'm aware of is price. For me, those advantages are worth the price.
- Game developer
- August 23, 2006
PS3 is definately the worst console from a developers view.
Past machines have had 1 processor and 1 graphics co processor. Some even just had 1 processor and a maths co processor.
The 360 has 3 main processors, but they're all equal, so its easy to share load among them
The PS3 has 1 main processor which is used to drive 7 weak co-processors. The main processor and the sub-processors execute different types of code, so code cant be unified to by dynamically balanced. Everything has to be split up into little 'tasks' that the main core hands out to the others, and then sits around monitring whats going on.
Basically, we have NEVER had to deal with anything this complicated.
In my view, the fact that the Cell processor is so hard to learn how to use makes Sony the worst for 3rd party support.
You say N is bad, but I could program a game-cube in my sleep compared to the 11-hour-a-day-crunch-time-nightmare that is PS3 development!
- Joaby
- August 23, 2006
"When it finally comes out at $999 (plus the additional money for something to play on it) you can get a Core 360+Gears of War for $600."
That's a bullshit comparison, and you know it. It's like saying a PSP is overpriced because you can buy a Gameboy Colour and a game for less. The Core 360 is a hunk of crap. At least compare it the PS3 version of a hunk of crap, which is, of course still cheaper, but still.
- Phillo
- August 23, 2006
The only thing i can see that sony is really gambling on with this console is BLU-RAY.
This console war will have nothing to do with gaming capabilities, it will be a Disc war.
When the PS2 Came out... DVD was emerging into the mainstream. You got a DVD player PLUS a console for only a couple of hundred dollars more. It help spread the benefits of DVD.
NOW... sony are hoping to do the same thing with BLU-RAY. The only problem is that BLU-RAY/HD-DVD is potentially going to be the VHS/BETA wars of the 80's.
SO... if you buy a HD-DVD XBOX or a PS3.... you both have equally the potential to have a brick at your door step in a couple of years.
Thats going to be sony's REAL concern.
- stvbee
- August 23, 2006
Blu-ray, cell tech, etc - to me it?s not the main thing. The only reason I have a PS2 is because its software library is so large it caters to "niche" areas like strategy RPGs, Japanese horror survival, and other stuff. Xbox has pretty much none of this. Racing and shooting do not interest me much. So long as Sony supports diversity (as it so far has) I will support it.
- Rob
- August 23, 2006
$1K for PS3 + GT5 can't wait.
- AshVsAOD
- August 23, 2006
Sony did not sell 100 Million PS2's world wide. That is the number shipped. Not only that but Sony count replacement consoles in that number AND PS2's that are still in the warehouse.
Personally I think Sony should be ashamed of themselves. They have no respect for gamers in general and are just pushing the PS3 as their Blu-Ray device.
- TheMaster
- August 23, 2006
X-Box certainly has more games than Halo and the awful Gotham and Fable.
- Andrew Black
- August 23, 2006
I think it is politicians trying to take over the world. What happen to peace and unity? I love tree's
- dave
- August 23, 2006
Linux is well known to be a much faster, more efficient OS than Windows. That's one reason why Windows is gradually getting booted off mobile phones and replaced with Linux. Because Linux is completely open, manufacturers are able to get hold of the source and optimize it for practically any purpose.
Personally, I own a 360 and won't be switching to a PS3 unless there are three or four games I want that aren't on XBox. But I'll be the first to acknowledge the technical superiority of the PS3, and indeed Linux, over anything Microsoft has to offer.
- Ben
- August 23, 2006
I purchased the PS2, Xbox, xbox360 all at launch.. Xbox was a mistake :( .. I don't think im going to buy a PS3 at launch.. But as soon as Gran Turismo is released I'll be lining up :) :) :)
- Voo
- August 23, 2006
Ive got my PS3 on order.
i still play all of my PSX and PS2 games.
Everything from Harvest Moon to FF7. Playstation is without a doubt superior in every way compared to every system.
might play my girlfriends xbox 360, but i doubt it.
- funny
- August 23, 2006
LOL at AshVsAOD. Yeah mate, I'm sure Sony has 99 million PS2s sitting in a warehouse somewhere. They dominated this gen, get over it.
- Brett
- August 23, 2006
THis is quite a risk for Sony. They are trying to win a console war and a DVD format war all in one go. IF they lose one, they will most likely lose the other. How cocky is that?
Whats more a shame is that film studios have chosen to pick sides isntead of giving each a fair chance. That is just plain unfair.
It works a little differently with games i guess, but still the same result. Its the quality of the movies and the games released that will decide the battle.
- orcy
- August 23, 2006
it annoys me that consoles have moved beyond simple gaming. thats why i always brought nintendo. they did gaming and they did it well. esp the old cartridge based machines. no loading time is the biggest factor in whether i bother with a game long term or not
I already have a high end PC, a dvd, a stereo, all that other stuff, why on earth do I need a console that only replicates everything i have badly? perhaps i should just get a better controller for my PC and leave the consoles all together. 1000 dollars buys a hell of a lot of upgrades to my PC.
PS. can someone at the age please set up the tab order on this page? it pisses me off when i try to tab to teh next piece of information and i get taken somewhere non-sensical.
- Will
- August 23, 2006
As a sometime gamer for the last decade I have been through a number of consoles usually purchasing a year or two after the launch of each generation. Started with the SuperNes, N64 then switched to Xbox.
If many casual gamers are like me then two years from a number of issues will be affecting my decision:
1. Will the Wii still be good value or will its novelty factor have died and it becomes a cheap machine with limited graphics and game titles?
2. Will the prices of the X360 and PS3 be similar by then (as was pretty much the case with Xbox and Ps2). Then it is really the games on offer.
All the little extras you get with the PS3 sound great if you actually plan on using them. To the casual gamer, I can't see the point in a number of these and probably won't spend enough time with it to even find out how to use them.
Btw Love this blog, has properly formed arguments for/against.
- Awesome Wells
- August 23, 2006
"That's a bullshit comparison, and you know it" said Joaby.
I wasn't trying to do a cost v's content comparison of the PS3 and the 360. What I am trying (and obviously failing) to illustrate is when the two go side to side, most people will see the Core (even Premium) 360 as a good deal compared to the PS3. Is Average Joe going to be able to tell the difference between a GoW screenshot and a Resistence one? I suspect they'll both look equally Next-Gen. And is Average Joe going to know/care about Wifi, BluRay, Cell, HDMI etc? They certainly didn't care about a Hard Drive and Built-in-networking when choosing a PS2 over a Xbox. Lets try putting it this way: Next Gen Console plus Gears of War @ $600 v's Next Gen Console plus A Game @ $1100. And when you factor in the Wii, the PS3s price will look incredibly bloated.
The Core 360 is only a 'hunk of crap' to us enthusiasts. Gears of War will be the same experience (apart from possibly longer load times) on a Core as on a Premium. Same graphics, same sounds, same gameplay.
- Cameron
- August 23, 2006
Personally I think the race will be won by the console that hackers can get to play pirated games on.
It's a sad reality that most people don't want to pay $100- to $140 per game. But are happy to use a blank disc to copy somebody else's game for their gaming. Is it not just too coincidental that Xbox's sales only started taking off when hackers learned to by-pass the bios when loading the games.
It's wrong I know. But if it's going to boil down to people possibly save $1000's on games for the life of their consoles, then that'll win them the sales.
- Nick
- August 23, 2006
Gran Turismo is the reason I've been a Playstation user as well, although I have to say the idea of not having the 'dual shock' rumble doesn't sound that great - it really adds to the experience without shelling out for an expensive steering wheel.
- Sphynx
- August 23, 2006
okay, not an xbox fanboy, but i had both the xbox and now the 360. berfore i got an xbox, i had a ps2, and before that a ps.
firstly, backwards compatability. what's up with that? did i just fork out $1K for the ultimate gaming machine so i can play the original Gran turismo? don't think so.
secondly, people say "blu-ray = redo my DVD collection" and other say "why?". reason: sure blu-ray enables "HDDVD" or equvalent, but it means nothing if you dont have the software (ie: Blu-ray DVD's).
third, i will admit the ps3 has a tech advantage over xbox360 and Wii, but like people say, its all about games. ps3 has how many games set up for launch? xbox360 has 380 games in the pipeline due from now till christmas. even if only half make the cut, that's 190 games plus whats on the shelves now. and lets face it, the only exclusive titles for all three consoles are almost clones or not that special anyway.
- Brett
- August 23, 2006
I agree orcy. Gone are the days of devices doing what they were made for, now they must incorporate every bell and whistle and many things people dont want. Just look at mobile phones!..half of phone owners wouldnt have a clue what their phone can do :)
Thats whey the Wii will do great business and the ps3 will struggle.
Can you imagine the looks on parents faces when their child asks for a ps3 for xmas and they ask how much it is?
GE credit will be doing great sales on these baby's :)
- adam
- August 23, 2006
By all accounts Microsoft's 360 is doing well. But I'm skeptical of sales figures - because from memory Sega's Dreamcast set sales records when it was first released and then bombed. Now Sega releases inferior Sonic games... very sad.
I think Sony will once again dominate the console market. It's interesting that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are all attempting to capture different markets.
Sony comes from the entertainment angle and will therefore offer a full and complete entertainment package and use PS3 as a weapon to inroduce the 'bluray' HD standard.
Microsoft comes from the computer 'geek' angle. The 360 will attract gaming enthusiasts who like to incorporate their consoles with all their computer gadgets.
Nintendo is limiting it's scope to pure gaming - whilst also dangerously trying to do what Sega now does - reliving past glories and releasing old favourites. I like some of the ideas of their new console and the new gadgets but this is highly risky.
I still think Sony has the right marketing ideas. There is a perception that Sony accomadates all people, kids, women, men and the typical gamers.
3.Nintendo, on the path to join Sega in making crap games
- d-man
- August 23, 2006
lest we forget to put this in perspective. it's $1000 we are talking about. 15 of these new consoles will get us a small car, or pay for countless numbers of families in destitute countries. yet Sony would distract us from all this and tell us to part with $1000 to be 'cool' and 'hardcore'. what a joke. social justice is dead in first world countries.
sorry for being a party pooper, just having a bad day.
- Sid
- August 23, 2006
As an avid/hardcore gamer, i feel the only downside of getting a PS3 is the price......and are we forgetting this is a one off investment!
Look at the additional features you are getting for that price ($999)high def video built in, wireless ethernet...list goes on....
XBOX 360 is gonna launch a HD drive at $169-$189, add that to the list of add ons for the XBOX 360 to get into a sniffing distnace of the PS3. The cost of games are going to be about the same for the 360 and PS3.
PS3 is the way to go!!!!!!!
- Joaby
- August 23, 2006
"I wasn't trying to do a cost v's content comparison of the PS3 and the 360. What I am trying (and obviously failing) to illustrate is when the two go side to side, most people will see the Core (even Premium) 360 as a good deal compared to the PS3. Is Average Joe going to be able to tell the difference between a GoW screenshot and a Resistence one? I suspect they'll both look equally Next-Gen. And is Average Joe going to know/care about Wifi, BluRay, Cell, HDMI etc? They certainly didn't care about a Hard Drive and Built-in-networking when choosing a PS2 over a Xbox. Lets try putting it this way: Next Gen Console plus Gears of War @ $600 v's Next Gen Console plus A Game @ $1100. And when you factor in the Wii, the PS3s price will look incredibly bloated.
The Core 360 is only a 'hunk of crap' to us enthusiasts. Gears of War will be the same experience (apart from possibly longer load times) on a Core as on a Premium. Same graphics, same sounds, same gameplay."
Cost vs content comparison wasn't my point. I was talking about comparing the core Xbox 360 and the premium PS3. Premium Xbox and Premium 360 is a fair comparison however.
And i would slap anyone i knew who bought a Core 360.
- Rob Harrison
- August 23, 2006
The price is irrelevant. I'll be there on Day 1 with a gorilla of the folding, frothing at the mouth and eagerly awaiting prying that bad boy out of the box.
- max
- August 23, 2006
My brother and a mate both have an xbox 360. Apart from oblivion every other game looks and plays as if it was on the original xbox. I know the games will get better but it shits me that the microsoft marketing department pushed for an early release to dominate sony and nintendo and gave gamers nothing decent to play for the first 18 months.
- Sphynx
- August 23, 2006
"it shits me that the microsoft marketing department pushed for an early release to dominate sony and nintendo and gave gamers nothing decent to play for the first 18 months."
i bought a 360 on launch day and have happily spent every day playing since. granted i do it around work, but i have played almost every game available (try RENTING games for a pc).
i'm not bored in the least.
- Will
- August 23, 2006
Re: Jaoby
How many PS3's do you intend to purchase?
Success will come down to who can shift the most consoles. The mainstream market being the largest is unlikely to fork out the $1K for a bunch of side dishes they know nothing about, or have no interest in ever using.
also, other than house games, most titles will be identical across the 360 and PS3 meaning cost point becomes the decisive factor. Unless Sony can find a way to drop the price or launch a skeleton system me thinks they in for a pounding.
- Awesome Wells
- August 23, 2006
@ Joaby. The comparison may not be 'fair', but that is exactly what people will be doing when everything is on the shelves.
I too would like to see the Core killed off asap, but I can totally understand MS's reasons for maintaining it. I think you'll see quite a few sold this Christmas.
P.S. Anyone else think that Rob (August 23, 2006 04:26 PM ) is possibly related to Phil? /nerd humour
- Sphynx
- August 23, 2006
"it shits me that the microsoft marketing department pushed for an early release to dominate sony and nintendo and gave gamers nothing decent to play for the first 18 months."
oh, and they arent the only ones, look at the PSP...
- seriph
- August 23, 2006
I paid $649 for a Playstation One in 1996, with only 1 controller and no games were available on launch only a collection of demo games.. hight price then.. did that hurt the franchise.. it crushed SEGA though, remember them.
- Scott
- August 23, 2006
Sure, the PS3 is expensive but all the extras, blu-ray, cell, HDMI and the high resolution is pretty good plus the games only playstation has like ratchet and clank, gran turismo, singstar, eyetoy microsoft and nintendo havent even bothered to clone thwese games. ALl you people should stop complaining about the price, if you don't want it, don't get it.
- Shiraj
- August 23, 2006
I got an xbox 360 @ the original price of $649 - have been playing it ever since. after a while you realise that the graphics arent the major driving force behind the game - it is the gameplay. that is why Sony triuphed in the last round. However, i cant see microsoft falling behind - with games like viva pinata, microsoft is tring to branch out to a market that is dominated by Sony. on the contrary, Sony has fallen behind Nintendo on the handheld front with the PSP. the PSP (which i also own) is technically far superior to the DS - but Nintendo has a wider range of games which is driving the massive popularity of the Ds and also the main reason for the DS lite. I plan to get a PS3 only ehen the price comes down. the DVD generation isnt iver yet - I believe that there are still a couple of more years before it becomes a second choice of media behind either the HD DVD or the Blu ray disc. therefore, getting a PS3 just for Blu Ray doesnt make sense. Sony made a blunder with the UMD format for movies, who can say that the Blu ray wont be the same.
- MrLefty
- August 23, 2006
Is the PS3 finally going to let us play overseas PS2 games, then?
I just put together a new PC for less than $1000, and it kicks the PS3's specifications. Consoles are only attractive when they're much cheaper than a PC - for Sony to want to charge as much as for a PC, well, they're dreaming.
And Sony's not invincible in the entertainment arena. Look at the expensive farce that was UMD video.
As long as Sony's (very competent) electronics arm is shackled by its (very greedy) movie/music arm, it's going to keep making these mistakes.
- Adam
- August 23, 2006
Please replace previous post of a few minutes ago with this one with fewer spelling errors !!!
I have put off buying a PS2 to replace a broken one as I thought I'd wait for PS3 to come out. Then the price dropped to $ 186 odd for the basic console. Of course you do have to buy a memory card, another controller, a steering wheel if you are into car games etc etc but at this price it is looking very attractive given the game range out there.
Have looked and thought about buying a XBox 360 and wasn't really impressed - its graphics and games don't appear much better than the old Xbox console and they were never better than a well equipped PC. When the original XBox came out we were told by Microsoft and many of the games developers that due to the much higher tech specs of the XBox and its architecture being much closer to a PC than Playstation's, the games were going to rock our sox against the PS2. Buy any dual platform release games today and I challenge you to find any really noticeable difference between the games !
Sony is presently in a precarious financial position - the success of the PS2 has been propping up its other businesses for some time. This is mostly Sony's fault - they get products to market far too late in comparison to its competitors. When they do get them out there they try to do what Apple does with its ITunes, and lock its purchasers into proprietary hardware and software. Result ? People go elsewhere especially as Sony products usually start somewhat more expensive than the competition in the first place. Now once upon a time this was acceptable to the discerning consumer due to the better long-life and quality you were getting. These days however in the disposable society in which we live no-one under the age of 50 seriously expects to see their electronic products as part of the lounge room scenery and still going strong more than five years down the track. If Sony aren't careful with the PS3 they will miss the boat again. Blu-Ray and HDMI - who really needs it now and how much does it add to the cost of the PS3 ? It could also easily go the way of the Betamax dinosaur. How many of us yet have high definition displays capable of doing it justice ? I'm stuffed if I am going to go and chuck my DVD recorder/player away anytime soon. Hey I am still watching my movies ion a 51cm Dick Smith rebadged $ 179 flat screen AWA telly. I ain't about to shell out many more $K's so that my Playstation 3 games look cool (unless those 6 numbers come up that is !).
Yeah there'll still be the techno-wankers who will line up at Harvey Norman at midnight on the PS3's release to be filmed by the local news cameras as they cart their $ 1000 plus purchases home. These people will be recognisable as the same ones grizzling, whining and bleating in the PS3 related forums a few months later when the price for the PS3 suddenly drops $ 300 odd and/or the adopted technology shifts to HD-DVD leaving them with the technological equivalent of the Dodo.
Its all so clear and we've been there before....!
- August 23, 2006
PEOPLE- In 1995,the Playstation ONE was released in Europe (1994 in Japan/US) In Australia,if we wanted one of these units,you could buy them at Gameworx or similar for AU$1200.00
AND People PAID IT! When we eventually got them for retail here,we were paying $799 without any games. $1200 was a LOT more back then than it is now. THINK about it
- Hasan
- August 23, 2006
Hi, I'm IT pro and an old gamer, been around for thirty years and used all the consoles.
There is one small but important, fundamental historical fact that is at the root of why the Sony Playstation is, and has always been better than Xbox.
This fact also explains why most talk about comparisons does not include Nintendo, to which Playstation has more in common with.
I'm talking about dosh, money.
Microsoft saw there was money in Gaming consoles and produced Xbox.
Like the Internet, only when Bill Gates realised his mistake about the web did he rush to cash in on it.
Read the history of how the first Playstation came about and you'll see that there was a passion for creativity and play(ability).
Some of these messages hint at this: qualitative difference between the two, diversity of games on PS, risking innovation on behalf of better gaming.
So don't slag off Sony for working for a multi entertainment machine that delivers a win-win situation for gamers and the Playstation side of the business.
And don't fall for the Microsoft negative propoganda machine that's been spinning mis-information through third-parties for quite some time now. I've been following the news from both sides. There's been a sub-plot propaganda skirmish between the two for some months now. this has clearly influenced formal news and review sites and bloggers and has clouded the debate. OK Somy have been 'bigging up' their news on the PS3 but this is nowhere as bad as the dirty tricks Microsft has been up to by using 'independent' pundits.
I know a lot of gamers who have not bought Xbox's and are waiting to buy both the the PS3 amd Wii.
- Chris
- August 23, 2006
Look, there are a lot of people here heavily in favour of one side or the other. I have to admit, I am a Sony man through and through, bought both PSX (paid ~$450 for it and 4 games a fair while after release) and PS2 (at launch, for $750), and I will get the PS3 as well. I have never considered XBOX or 360, in fact I've only ever played an XBOX once, and wasn't that impressed to be honest.
Nonetheless, the way I see it is this: The PS3 is a more expenisve machine, no doubt about that, but you do get a lot of extra features, in-built BLU-RAY, HDMI, wireless ethernet etc. Incidentally, once you add on the cost of MS's equivalent add-ons, the price points are very similar. However, the one difference is that with the 360 you have the *option* of these add ons, they are not something you get with the product, and have to pay for, whether you need it or not.
I think that the PS3 itself is and will be a superior machine, however, XBOX, at least initially, offers more choice with regards to how you set up the console, and does not force things on you. The PS3 provides so many more features, but the problem is this is only worth it if you will use those features. For instance, I myself have no need for the wireless ethernet or the BLU-RAY (at least initially). However, given that I would buy Sony anyway, I consider the BLU-RAY capability to be very useful in allowing me to delay any decision on BLU-RAY/HD-DVD until a winner is clear, because I can merely hire BLU-RAY if I wish, and wait for a winner on that score.
All that said, I will be waiting to buy the PS3 until there are a couple of games that I really want on it, and for the price to drop, also, I would prefer for Sony to be in a 3rd or 4th production run, so any kinks can have been worked out.
One final thing to leave off with, and that is for people to note: games intially may cost more for PS3 than for 360, up to $150 a game, because of the higher costs of BLU-RAY technology. Something to note anyway.
- chris
- August 23, 2006
i want to get a ps3 and have a projector with native resoulution of 800x 600 and 1280 x 1024 compressed. it supports 750p and 1080i.
what is the max resolution my ps3 will be displayed on the screen, and whats the max frame rate? max sync rate is 120hz x 91khz if this is any help? hahah i dont know much but any help would be appreciated
when i play a dvd it goes in 576i mode, is this the best quality my projector is capable of and what does this mean? will this be the same quality as what my ps3's quality will display on my set up?
- Godzilla
- August 23, 2006
Who says Linux is superior and faster than Windows? Who says the mobility market is now kicking Windows out and replacing them with Linux? Look around you and please compare how many Windows CE powered PDAs there are vs Linux powered ones?
Yes, Windows was a bit crappy before, but they are constantly improving and are far easier to install and configure than Linux... I support the open source stuff but general users want the ease of use
- Steve Prideaux
- August 23, 2006
How quickly we forget...
CD Based games were launched in 1995 as the dawn of 32 bit Hardware.
The original Playstation launched in early 1995 for $699. The Sega Saturn for $799 and the 3DO for also $799.
Convert those prices to todays prices, and then convert the difference in hardware, functionality, and non game play components and you will quickly see how great this new hardware is. At $649 and wireless Xbox 360 is the best value hardware money can buy. Add Blu-Ray to a PS3 and the price does no look scary to me.
Roll on the next generation!
- neil busacca
- August 23, 2006
I will be buying a ps3 and have one on order from ebgames - i can afford it! yes 999 bux is a bit pricey and its dodgy that sony wont brelease the 20 gig model.
yes im sure there will be some hidden problems too.
dealing with sony getting support for ps2 online was a nightmare. i hope they improve that.
also i hope they dont copy microsofts sneaky trap with xbox live.......
on xbox live u can suscribe monthly with a credit card which repeatedly charges you BUT CANNOT UNSUBSCRIBR as u can with normal online games like warcraft etc.
You have to search the web and phone microsoft, be put on hold for 20 minutes etc.
sould be illegal !
- Owen "loopy" McRae
- August 23, 2006
"So here's this giant enemy crab"
at the Sony press conference has to be one of my favorite quotes, along with:
"The internet is not a big truck, its a series of tubes"
"I heard theres... ah... rumors, on the internets"
Seriously though, I'm going to hold off deciding on (read: criticising) one system or another till they are all out).
I have previously stated that I will not play any console until they provide keyboard/mouse support. However, the Wii is looking awful tempting.
- Harp
- August 23, 2006
The price will go down eventually but due to it's higher specifications, the PS3 will outlast the 360.
More consoles are sold towards the last two years of its lifespan.
Look at Dreamcast vs PS2. Dreamcast came out first, sold a crapload of consoles then soon as the PS2 came out, slowly started dying.
Everyone complaining about the $1000 price tag, don't buy it. If you don't someone else will. I doubt it'll even be easy to find a console before they're sold out.
The price of the PS3 will drop, but the specs of the Xbox 360 will not get better.
- Bob
- August 23, 2006
Why are people complaining about not wanting the Blu-Ray drive on the PS3? We are already reaching the limitations of dual-layer DVDs. Future next gen games will have much more assets of higher quality, which means - more storage. Having Blu-Ray on the PS3 is the right way to go IMHO.
- Aceyducey
- August 23, 2006
As the famous line goes, "It's all about the gameplay stupid"
I'm an avid gamer, however I don't feel a need to be an early adopter. I'm happy waiting 6, 12, 18 months + to determine if a console has enough of the games I want to play available before I buy it (while I pick up cheap games for my older console).
Last round, Microsoft's first round, Sony had the edge - but Microsoft did surprisingly well for a beginner.
This time Microsoft has been first out of the gate, is blooded, working with many more developers and understands that it needs good games to drive the market.
Sony should know all of this already, but has shown a real lack of application or ability to work constructively with game developers and customers alike.
I'd like to see Sony do well, and I'd be happy to buy a PSX3 - however if Sony can't deliver the gameplay I don't care how good the console is.
And if we're just seeing the same games on both systems, it will be safety and pricepoint that wins out - so the most efficient manufacturer (and the company prepared to bear the greatest losses) will win.
- Brett
- August 24, 2006
The article seems to have omitted the point that PS2 beat Xbox as it was first out of the gate. With Xbox360 out first, MS will surely drop the price of a 360 when the PS3 launches, making the 360 that much more attractive. Especially when you can own both a 360 and Wii for under $1000.
- TOPgun
- August 24, 2006
since when was ps3 going to be 1000 dollars. i heard from all other sources that it will be $600. by the way the system sounds alsome. might by it after 2 years, wait for some good games to come out like final fantasy and .... final fant..a..sy?
- objective
- August 24, 2006
Microsoft got a huge head-start and their xbox live system is already a big success.
Sony dug their own grave when they forced the blu-ray DVD player on everyone. There wont be a big demand for High Def. DVDs until the end of the PS3's life cycle, and most likely eveyone will be buying HD DVDs not Blu-ray.
All Sony accomplished was to price themselves out of the market. Mark my words, Sony is going downhill fast.
Nintendo will be 2nd in marketshare this time around.
I predict Xbox 360 for the win though with slightly more marketshare than Nintendo.
I'm not a big MS fan, but this is just my opinion based on the history of Sony(betamax anyone?) as well as the problems they are having recently. That combined with the poor success record of consoles costing $500+ and US economic issues smells like trouble to me.
- Landon
- August 24, 2006
The PS3's price will definitely impact its sales and it is my belief that it will be crushed by Nintendo and Sony.
The article seems to think that Sony has the most exclusive games when in fact Nintendo has tons of exclusives from Mario Kart to Metroid to Super Smash Bros and Excite Truck. I think it is time Nintendo retook the market since Sony and Microsoft have forgotten what innovation is.
- Cj
- August 24, 2006
- Sam
- August 24, 2006
Sony has really been rubbing me the wrong way these last few months. From their arrogant interviews to their blatant disregard for the average working class gamer. I cant afford to spend $999 on a gaming console, and even if I could I still wouldnt buy a PS3. I would buy a Wii and an Xbox 360 for the same price. In every interview that Sony has given regarding the PS3 they claim that the price is justified and their competition doesnt stand a chance. They say that Nintendo is insane for simply going next-gen with innovations and not graphics, and Microsoft doesnt have the power to compete with them. However, if you look at the current portable war between the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS, you can see that Nintendo is winning because of innovation. Microsoft on the other hand has Gears of War and Halo 3, both of which, when combined with the Wii, stole the show from Sony at this years E3. If history can be any guide for whats to come, I think that we can expect an innovative, entertaining Wii, and the comparatively cheap Xbox 360 to dominate a smug Sony and its PS3.
- Paul-Michael Barraza
- August 24, 2006
$999 - Personally I think it is a small price to pay. Value for money I say! XBOX and Wii are cheap. As they say you get what you pay for!!!!
- Crikey
- August 24, 2006
Adam's comment:
3.Nintendo, on the path to join Sega in making crap games"
Good grief!!! Have you ever played computer or videogames? It's industry wide recognised that Nintendo make great games. Ask virtually any game developer...
Nintendo would still sell a truckload of games on either xbox or PS and I have no doubt that Microsoft or Sony would fall over themselves to have Nintendo as a second party developer ala Bungie or Rare.
I assume given the pro Sony rant that preceeded this that you actually dismissed Nintendo (and possibly Microsoft) before you played anything from them...
Just because it isn't GTA, GT or MGS doesn't mean it is no good.
Your loss though mate.
Looking forward to all of them - Assassin's Creed and Smash Bros Brawl look particularly nice.
PS3 is a little out of my price range though - maybe in a few years when us regular mortgaged peoples can afford them...
As for all those who spoke about the original pricings of the current gen machines - mainstream gamers will not pay those kinds of prices. $1000 for what is essentially a toy is only for the hardcore or fabulously wealthy.
- Awesome Wells
- August 24, 2006
I strolled by EB on my way to work this morning and I noticed that they are now throwing in a free game with the Premium 360. Interesting times ahead.
- Joaby
- August 24, 2006
"Re: Jaoby
How many PS3's do you intend to purchase?
Success will come down to who can shift the most consoles. The mainstream market being the largest is unlikely to fork out the $1K for a bunch of side dishes they know nothing about, or have no interest in ever using.
also, other than house games, most titles will be identical across the 360 and PS3 meaning cost point becomes the decisive factor. Unless Sony can find a way to drop the price or launch a skeleton system me thinks they in for a pounding."
Just the one. I'm not sure why you addressed that to me personally either. Also the PS3 does have a barebones system.
"@ Joaby. The comparison may not be 'fair', but that is exactly what people will be doing when everything is on the shelves.
I too would like to see the Core killed off asap, but I can totally understand MS's reasons for maintaining it. I think you'll see quite a few sold this Christmas."
Yeah, i understand what you're getting at, Wells. My statement still stands though, that's a bullshit comparison.
And it pains me to think that people will buy a core 360, only to find out very soon that they'll pretty much NEED the premium additions.
The core 360 is like buying a car without an engine. Sure it looks good in your garage, but pretty soon you're gonna want to actually do something with it, and you'll find you need to pay a pretty penny for the honour.
- Awesome Wells
- August 24, 2006
Things have now got *even* more interesting. FIFA 07 and Pro Evo 6 are Next Gen Exclusives on the 360 for one year. Ouch! May not be that big for the Australian market, but this could have quite an impact in Europe.
@Joaby. I think you car engine analogy is a little off. You can still 'drive' the Core, but it doesn't have power-steering or 'in car entertainment'.
- Joaby
- August 24, 2006
I actually gave this analogy some extensive thought. With the core, you can roll the car down the hill, but when you find yourself needing to go somewhere, you'll find you haven't got the power to do it.
- Joaby
- August 24, 2006
Broken analogies aside, will either soccer game be be making it to the PC? Because it would blow if they didn't.
- SnakesOnAEmmfingPlane
- August 24, 2006
I have a solution: get them all. Wii, XB360, and yes, the PS3. They're great machines, and all three have something to offer. "But" splutters Generation Gimme: "We don't all work at Macquarie Bank! (And even if we did, the PS3 is almost 20 minutes' pay!)" For once, y'all do have a point. The solution is elegant and simple: get them all, JUST NOT NOW. Not in the near future either, in fact. Wait, until they are mature products with established game franchises behind them; until the victor of HDDVD v BluRay is conclusively, and consistent with our above philosophy, irrelevantly clear; until they are modded and hacked wide open, and most importantly, until their prices drop to a respectable level and the hardware is used as bait advertising by certain nefarious and publicly listed retail chains, who don't give a tinker's cuss for the struggling gamer ... (but, I digress).
What does one do for the next 6 years then? Well, live in the here and now. Complete your current or older generation console collection, on your salary of 2 years ago! Enjoy, without being on an investment banker's bonus, the greatest software ever released as at today, without sacrificing other luxuries, such as fresh fruit and soap! The going rate for a PS2 is about $120 at any Aceben. Xboxes purport to sell for $99 at your local hi-fi store (anyone know anyone who ACTUALLY managed to get one of these?). Gamecubes will plummet shortly, but even now, $70 or so, including postage on Ebay. Still beyond your non-Macquarie means? Well, how about a PS1 for about $30 just about anywhere? Go back further in time, and it's all basically (if not legally) free. Emulate that SNES or Genesis that sits unloved in your hallway cupboard, just like Woody after Buzz arrived. Or play C64 games in your browser - finally finish Paradroid or Neuromancer - and reclaim those hours (for you can now claim there were merely spent training!) you were forced away from your silicon first love in early puberty, and made to do meaningless stuff like study for the HSC, so you could get a job at Macquarie Bank.
Come to think of it, there is no need to actually buy anything for the moment: why not just play all those "backups" you've accumulated over the years?
- Awesome Wells
- August 24, 2006
Dunno about FIFA on the PC to be honest. I'd imagine it still would appear. It's only the 'Next Gen' versions, so I think it's still coming out on the PS2. Which means you can still play it on the PS3. So...er....meh?
- Darren
- August 24, 2006
The PS2 was $750, but that was without a game, a second controller AND a memory card, add all of that up and its easily over a grand and yes, I got it on launch date. I also spent $400 to get the PSone.
This happens at the beginning of every console launch, specualtion.
I'll be buying one cos I hate XBox, as with the first console, its still an ugly looking box. Atleast the PS series has some style to it and look like it belongs in a lounge, not a teenagers bedroom.
Bring it on!
- kermit
- August 24, 2006
Insomniac are saying their launch title, Resistance Fall of Man will consume about 22 Gigabytes of the Blu-ray disc. That would mean it would need 4 DVDs and wouldn't even fit on a HD DVD.
The game will have support for 40 player online matches, and motion-sensing functions will allow you to rifle butt aliens by jabbing out one side of the PS3 controller, which sounds cool.
- Joaby
- August 24, 2006
Sounds like a halo killer
- dude
- August 24, 2006
"but i have played almost every game available (try RENTING games for a pc)"
Heh, thats what bit-torrent is for...
I 'rent' them for free from the net, then buy them if they're any good (which most games arnt, it seems the only games that get added to my shelf these days are the "cant wait!" games like oblivion, and the impulse buy bargain bin games...)
- Nat
- August 24, 2006
Alot of people are quick to mention how previous gen consoles cost this much at launch. However, they became cheap because at the launch price they were making money off them (not losing), but this gen even at the high launch prices Microsoft and Sony are losing money.. so I cant see any hude price drop really.
- Itsumishi
- August 24, 2006
"The price is irrelevant. I'll be there on Day 1 with a gorilla of the folding, frothing at the mouth and eagerly awaiting prying that bad boy out of the box."
Haha, you need to get out more.
Honestly though, predicting how this 'console war' will go is pretty trickey. Both companies have the potential to sell the consoles at a loss for a very long time, IF it means taking over the market and making long term profits.
I tend to think that Sony3 will outlast the XBox360..(and since when has initial price dictated a consoles sucsess? I think initial price is a lot more about First months profits! If you can sell out all the initial orders at $1000 a pop, why the hell not!)
Although the Wii is definatly the most inovative console straight off the shelf Sony does seem to have a habit of figuring out ways to get the most out of their technology. With EyeToy, guitar hero, etc making my point.
I also think that the Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD will have less effect on the selling point of the console than everyone seems to think. Unless of course it means one is easier to pirate. I buy a console to play games, if it plays a movie, bonus! And honestly do standard DVD's look bad to anyone? I'd be a lot more impressed by Movie technology that CAN'T BE SCRATCHED AND RUINED than looking any better. My TV certainly is the bottleneck of my visual experiance.
- Sphynx
- August 24, 2006
"the PS series has some style to it and look like it belongs in a lounge, not a teenagers bedroom"
excuse me? granted the xbox was chunky and the xb0x360 isnt the epitme of style, but my main fear with the $1000.00 ps3 is that my gf will try to cook my tea in it thinking it's the new george Foreman grill. sorry, but i dont want crumbed schnitzel all over my copy of Final fantasy infinity non returns plus one.
- very itchy indeed
- August 24, 2006
It's just come to light that Pro Evo 6 and Fifa 2007 Next Gen are exclusive to the 360 for the next 12 mths. There are gonna be alot of unhappy sony fans out there.
- Damo
- August 24, 2006
If Sony can get Gran Turismo online playable in an acceptably user freindly fashion, then I'll be purchasing a PS3 no two ways about it. If not, my next console will be an XBOX 360.
I have hardly played with my PS2 for two years because Ive become good enough with GT and MotoGP that its boring to play the computer. Sony promised early on that the PS2 would become online playable, but they didn't mention it would only be with crap games. Online gaming adds a whole new dimension to gaming and I'm sick of missing out on it.
- andrew
- August 24, 2006
meh.. bunch of whingers.. i paid $1200 for the PS2 at launch with the addons and what not. $999 is fine with the Blu ray drive... for all the knockers.. I don't care if it doesn't win the format wars.. it's still 30 GB of game data developers can count on as standard.
I want to see Xbox 360 do well but i can't bring myself to buy a system the PS3 will kick. I've had gameboys ever since they were first released as black and white bricks but im still going to get a PSP when i get around to it because of the better technology + Wipeout Pure and Locoroco have seen to that.
I'll probably end up getting a Wii for the office and a ps3 for home.
- Joaby
- August 24, 2006
"excuse me? granted the xbox was chunky and the xb0x360 isnt the epitme of style, but my main fear with the $1000.00 ps3 is that my gf will try to cook my tea in it thinking it's the new george Foreman grill. sorry, but i dont want crumbed schnitzel all over my copy of Final fantasy infinity non returns plus one."
This just in, the Geneva Convention has sanctioned the use of .50 caliber weapons on people who still use lame grill and boomerang references when questioned about the PS3. Also included under the sanction is any reference to urine or the phallic design of the controller in regards to the Wii, and titanic size when mentioning the 360.
"Heh, thats what bit-torrent is for..." That and the 7 day guarantee from EB ;) FREE RENTAL.
- Jay
- August 24, 2006
UMD, Mini-disk, Betamax, Memory Stick.....remember any of them? ...now Blue Ray..Here is why this format will be a challenge. It is more expensive than HD-DVD, does not have the backing of Toshiba, There is little content availale (and none for Australia at the launch of PS3) and so far HD-DVD has one the comparison tests in the US. On the PS3 it will be a cheap Blue Ray DVD player not a good blue ray DVD player.
I think the interesting thing here is all the talk of a winner who is not yet on the starting line. why don't we all wait until all 3 platforms are out and the games are available.
Heritage in this industry means little - look at Sega.
This race will be won on a number of things. Price, Content, Exclusives (no high def soccer on PS3 for 12 months, GTA on Xbox 360), Online (need we talk to Xbox Lives success), Stock availability, Peripherals, Developer Support.
Until such time as we see who wins in each of these spaces all of this talk means little.
- Ong-Bak
- August 24, 2006
Who cares! 360, ps3, wii, there all good systems in there own way. each system will suit a different person to another. I will most likly be getting the ps3 but no its not cheap. its O/P is Linux which to anyone who knows, knows this is a very good thing as linux is open source. I read it supports 2 screens does this mean instead of split-screen multiplayer its now two Tv outputs to a system and if so my mind is made up on the ps3 on that basis alone. Spec wise there is basically bugger all difference powerwise if anything maybe xbox by a bit but not going to make much if any difference gameplay wise it will be a case of who can code a game to run better with the system its running on rather than hardware power. It just sounds to me like everyones making a million excuses why the ps3 is shyt and its only becuase of one and thats the price. Think about it realistically though you pay an extra $350 whats that like 1-2 days work max! for something that will last you at least 2 years! The game companies have played you all for fools and have made you believe the best system will come down to the winner being the one with the highest hardware configurations but we a all know a beast of a console with no desent games is next to useless really. What i'm saying is dont be dumb,go for a system thats right for you rather than let some d!ck fanboy confince you to get a so and so becuase thats what hes been using since 1984 which is also when he probally last got laid.
- dan
- August 24, 2006
"it shits me that the microsoft marketing department pushed for an early release to dominate sony and nintendo and gave gamers nothing decent to play for the first 18 months."
oh, and they arent the only ones, look at the PSP...
Hence why you take a risk when running out and getting a new system straight away. not only that but if theres problems hardware or software wise on the system, hence why Pc gamers always wait at least a month or two before purchasing the lastest video card thats come out (if there smart). Unfortuanatly I had the money spare and took a risk getting the psp day one and what a joke it has been, a year later it only just starting to get desent games. Its always been that way though so learn for next time.
- Solid Snake
- August 25, 2006
I think we have too much discussion about this subject fellas, just buy what you will and look back at this forum in 5 years' time!
I think PS3 will be off to a slow start initially but will be dominant eventually.
A few comments:
1. BD WILL CERTAINLY END UP LIKE UMD - No one knows which format will be triumphant, HD-DVD or BD, but please, use your common sense here and don't compare UMD to BD/HD-DVD. It has a movie library bigger than HD-DVD, so my better judgement tells me it will eventually come out on top.
2. WHO NEEDS BD/HDMI/WIFI - Who needed DVDs in 2001? VHS was fine. Who needed microwaves in 1970? Who needed a VCR in 1900? Who needs plasma TVs/LCD TVs/ SED TVs? Who? Initially, no one. Eventually we all adopt new technology. Not now. You don't need BD now. No one is accusing you that you need HDMI and BD now. But in a couple of years time you will probably need it. If I were making a next-gen console, I would incorporate it now than to redesign/remanufacture/release an add-on later, making your console unnecessarily complicated with numerous add on accessories, wifi, hd-dvd, bd, what not. Your next-gen console might look like those slim laptops with attach-on dvd players, attach-on floppies, attach on-keyboard, etc. No finesse.
3. PRICE - How many people remember that PS2 was $800 at launch with crap launch titles? How many? Not a good indication of success, people. Not good.
Sources tell me that BD will be hard to pirate, whereas Xbox360 is being cracked as the DVD format is not as restrictive/protective, so people who are gaming because of cheap pirated games (admittedly me, I own 70 PS2 games at a cost of AUD2 each no regrets there).
Just so everyone is aware, PS3 is REGION-FREE FOR GAMES SO THIS MEANS YOU CAN BUY CHEAP NTSC GAMES FROM EBAY (US) INSTEAD OF PAYING STUPID AUD$100 PRICES FOR A NEW GAME, DID YOU KNOW THE GENUINE NTSC VERSIONS ARE ONLY USD$20-40 EACH FOR A NEW GAME. WE ARE ALL GETTING SCREWED HERE IN OZ. Most of my original PS2 games were purchased from the US on holiday, NTSC versions, brand new, usually at Best Buy, for USD$30. Xbox360 games are typically more than AUD$110, but in the US they are only around USD$50. Do the maths.
- Common sense
- August 25, 2006
"I buy a console to play games, if it plays a movie, bonus! And honestly do standard DVD's look bad to anyone? "
Yes, compared to BD or HDDVD it will. Try running your pc monitor at half the resolution. Something only looks bad when there is something better in comparison. When you have no basis for comparison, don't compare it please, it is embarassing for yourself.
- Solid Snake
- August 25, 2006
"It's just come to light that Pro Evo 6 and Fifa 2007 Next Gen are exclusive to the 360 for the next 12 mths. There are gonna be alot of unhappy sony fans out there."
There will be plenty of other soccer games for PS3, no worries.
'Sony fans' (not me) typically prefer Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy, God of War, Shadow of Colossus, maybe MGS, etc. over Fifa I believe. In any case does anyone believe there won't be a soccer game out on PS3? Sheesh.
- Solid Snake
- August 25, 2006
"This race will be won on a number of things. Price, Content, Exclusives (no high def soccer on PS3 for 12 months, GTA on Xbox 360), Online (need we talk to Xbox Lives success), Stock availability, Peripherals, Developer Support. "
Absolutely true.
One thing I would like to add - ability to play pirate games/ability for games to be pirated. PS2 took a couple of years to be cracked properly if I remember correctly. First couple of mod chips were not too good.
- guts
- August 27, 2006
damn that was a lot of reading... one thing is conclusive; it must suck to be an Aussie, lol, i've heard of another US price drop down to $399, looks like our friends at sony are are finally gonna bite that bullet.
- I'm Sorry
- August 27, 2006
Ok but I'm sorry i just had to add my 2 cents ...
1. For Xbox live you DO pay like $20 a month correct? meaning $240 a year??? (after a year alone the Xbox has cost more than the PS3)
2. This is a next gen console, meaning its the console for the next couple of YEARS ... the games for PS3 might be similar now but within a year or 2 they will blow the Xbox out of the water
3. After playing the Xbox 360 and then going back and playin on the Gamecube i became disgunted at the fluidness of the Gamecube's game (i dont place all emphasis on graphics but gameplay is important) ... i really became sick of gamecube after seeing what the 360 could do, so the Wii bein a dressed up Gamecube will really only have the option of bein a second console (not a direct competitor) ... although i was still goin to get the Wii at launch cause i wanted to play Naruto online or something, after hearing that 3rd party developers wont even get the CODES for online play until next year, it is over for the Wii for atleast a year, they should just push the launch back ...
3. PS3 free online gameplay - essentially the only reason i want a next gen console, to play friends at home while i'm away at school or in another country, that and to just play other people online when i'm bored ... i ABHOR (hate x infinity) paying BILLS, and that is why i'll never get the Xbox 360 or any other service where i have to pay each month
Basically, playin online with an Xbox 360 will cause u to spend more money than you would have on the PS3, the PS3 will ONLY get better, the Wii is just a side console (with no online gameplay, essentially), and since i was goin to get a computer i think i'll just get the PS3 and use that
p.s. i hope The Movies comes out for PS3 AND Xbox, cause that'll be CRAZY (and i'll probably just get the system with the best Naruto game, region free means Japanese games for MEEEEEEEEEE)
- Evan
- August 27, 2006
It comes down to how much you like your gaming. From the begining when Sony introduced Playstation - we were able to play cds as well as play games on their console.
Now they have introduced the ability to also watch Blu-Ray movies and DVD movies, as well as play CDs, and play ALL other playstation games on their new ps3 system. This system has HDMI capabilities, memory card capabilities, and digital sound. This will be, by far, the best system out there. People who want the best will buy a Playstation. They have a good name (if not, the best) for having the best games..
I don't have to really mention what games Playstation has come out with over the past years to remind you why it is a popular brand (Resident Evil anyone? Metal Gear Solid?....)
Lets just say Playstation is the leader of the pack. There is no denying this. Their use of innovation is by far, the best.
I am a huge fan of Sony Playstation. They have come out with quality titles for many years.
All's xbox seems to do is invent queer-titled games that don't live up to the hype. I give xbox a chance however, because they haven't been out aslong as Playstation and yeah they have had some cool titles like Doom 3. However, experience doesn't seem to be the thing that wins these wars (nintendo for example has also been around for years but Playstation kicks their butt).
- Chistopher (thin-hax)
- August 27, 2006
though it looks like the PS3 is going to cost 1,000 dollars... i still want it, the visuals are amazeing the Specs are out of this world and to top it off it looks sooooo nice... i just dont like the fact of loseing the vibration in the controler... thats kinda bad... i wonder how it will effect things with high action.. it might make the entire game a little more dull.. you know.. but anyways its specs are higher end than what the XBOX (360) has and the XBOX (360) has and the XBOX botched the system when they came out becuse they didnt work the thing out and rushed the release i think it may not be such a bad thing for the PS3 to wait, the public will act like one large ass but in the end if they dont have to wait to long and get a better quality from the Console then i think the public wont really mind.
but pfft 1000, for a system that can play my music go online wireless has wireless controlls and High Def visuals, a system of linux and is reverse compatable... thats well worth the money!
- Itsumishi
- August 29, 2006
"Yes, compared to BD or HDDVD it will. Try running your pc monitor at half the resolution. Something only looks bad when there is something better in comparison. When you have no basis for comparison, don't compare it please, it is embarassing for yourself."
"My TV certainly is the bottleneck of my visual experiance."
Unless you're using a 40" LCD T.V you bought for close to $3000 you won't be able to tell the difference. And remember how long it took for DVD players to become the dominate medium? It wasn't a short period. It was over the course of years. I think people will be even less inclined to upgrade from DVD to BluRay or HD DVD then they were from VHS to DVD. The cost of upgrading, re-stocking movie collections etc simply won't be worth justifying.
- Downunder in Japan
- August 29, 2006
Can somone please clarify how M$ beat Sony to it by releasing the XBox360?
I think Sony led that one too with their PSX being the media centre (aka not just a gaming console). M$ just wokred on that with some more.
We still use the PSX for recording TV shows and the like. Having the additional functionality of card readers is great. I like the way the generations are going. These are media centres....if you don't like it you can keep the previous model that is...jsut a gaming console.
- Downunder in Japan
- August 29, 2006
oh....on another thought....You have to remember Sony is a Japanese company and the Japanese market does differ greatly to Australian.
6 times the population here kind of guarantees them a certain amount of sales. Especially when the play the xxx number of units only available for first wave of sales game.
TV Broadcasting here is going to change. They've already released HD broadcasting and expect to have it as the standard in 2010 (nationwide) I think it is.
Japanese apartments are mere rabbit hutches compared to our grand homes back in Aus. So kids with each console available takes up a lot of physical space. hence the move to "media centres" rather than, console game machine, video player, music mixer, digital photos etc.
TVs available in stores now are all flatpanel. First was plasma, now LCD more than 40" in size. 1080i isn't so unheard of.
Making functionality that may be "useless" now isn't such a bad thing. How would technology progress if it kept building things for the "now".
Jason, be good to catch up with you at the Games Show...Like Tokyo Disneyland, it's not actually in Tokyo :)
- Jack
- September 13, 2006
I have a couple things to say. The first is Sony is not stupid. They know the price is crazy but they also know that they've done this before and that they know what they're doing. The PS1 was the most expensive console of the time and it dominated the market. The PS2 was also the most expensive console of the time and guess what? It owned 75% of the market. The PS3 will be the exact same story. If your complaining about there not being too many killer games on it well think again. This is a list of great games that are coming out for the PS3. Note: these are all exclusives. Devil May Cry 4, Tekken 6, Killzone 2, Heavenly Sword, Warhawk, Resistance: Fall of man, Singstar, Gran Turismo, Genji, Eye of Judgement, and theres probably plenty more im forgetting. Second order of buisness is that if you compare what the PS3 comes with and what you'd have to buy for the 360 to equal it the 360 would turn out to be waaaaay more expensive.Note: im gonna compare the PS3 premium to the 360 Premium. The PS3 comes with built in Blu-ray playback, and with the 360 your gonna need to buy a $300-500 adapter to play HD-DVD. With the PS3 you have built in Wi-Fi with the 360 you have to pay an $100 for wireless internet. The PS3 has 4 USB ports, the 360 has none. The PS3 online service is free, 360 you have to pay. PS3 has memory card readers, 360 doesn't. PS3 has 60gb hard drive, 360 has 15-20. PS3 can have up to 7 wireless controllers + up to 3 PSPs all playing at once... thats 10 PLAYERS AT ONCE, 360 has 4. Blu-ray which is the PS3's format has 10x more companies backing it/ hollywood support than HD-DVD which is the 360's format. And above all, the PS3 is made by one of the most reliable companys: Sony, and the 360 is made by a company that has a history of lying and having defective products: microsoft.
P.S. I have a 360 and it is an amazing console, its just that when its compared to the PS3, its crap.
- Sean
- September 13, 2006
Jack, you haven't got a clue what you're talking about. Granted, the 360 doesn't have a blue ray DVD - but to suggest that that format has 10x the backing from Hollywood that HD DVD does is ridiculous. Most companies are quite plainly sitting on the fence at this point and have yet to 'throw their lot in' with either system.
You can hardly compare the price either - as the 360 is currently $350 cheaper than the PS3 - and by the time the PS3 comes out - next March!! the price differential will be even bigger. (Which should nicely offset the cost of a HD DVD - if required)
Games wise the PS3 does look impressive - and so it should - but I'd hesitate to claim that the games are any better than thoses on the 360.
If you have a 360 as you claim, you should also have realised that it does indeed have USB ports, perhaps its glasses you need. (Hoho - joke)
It would be better if the 360 had a bigger HD - and no doubt that will come eventually. 8 controllers - compared to four - fair enough, but pick one game where you can have 8 players at once, on the same TV screen..there are none, so thats pretty irrelevant.
The Live play is where the PS3 really need to pull its finger out - the PS2 live was an absolute shambles in comparison to Xbox Live. The 360 has taken this a step further now, the old live set up was clunky in comparison to the one we have now. I'll gladly pay $70 a year for a streamlined system we have now in comparison to something we may or may not see in 6 months time.
And finally, why you slagging Microsft? - if it wasn't for them, there'd be no competition. It can only be good for gamers that we have at least two comparable systems.
- Lawrence van Rijn
- September 13, 2006
There are many sides to consider. The two two immediate issues (price aside) are games and release date. With the PS3 already delayed to March, chances are that Playstation will now suffer in the market because of it. Still, it will remain a huge contender for any console. The big winner this year will be Nintendo. Gamers are suffering from the half-truths and broken promises of Microsoft and this will not aid them this coming christmas. The Nintendo Wii, which is 47% cheaper then the XBox 360 and 60% cheaper then the PSX3 will become very interesting to the budget driven population here. Ad to that some major game innovations, and the fact that Nintendo has always been there for the younger player, and it will support the Gamecube games, this all means that you can get heaps of gaming fun.
Playstation will have a hard time with this. Their only salvation will be top ranged games (original games that are not transferred to other consoles) to make that difference.
Simply put, Microsoft is through, Playstation will have a hard year and Nintendo has two major points a a leading edge.
So long and good night Sony!
- Random Thoughts
- September 13, 2006
Ok there are a few things here that bring questions to mind.
1. Will the two tv support allow the PS3 to have seperate monitors for multiplayer off the same system, or is it purely along the lines of supreme commander, or the DS?
2. Is it not true that the reason that it is hard to see any difference between cross console games is the fact that (generally) developers dont push the limitations on either console, just do what can be done on both with minimal, outlay/effort? (I think that makes sense)
3. I agree that the whole HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray thing is a mute point. This is something that will be decided over the next 5/10 yrs, not the next 1 or 2!
4. The games debate will fairly much be decided by the hardline franchises for each system. Halo, Gotham, Fable etc for the 360. FF, GT for the PS. Almost every third party developer will produce cross console games as this is how they will make the most money, especially now that Microsoft has learned from its first console and is much wiser, and better placed to broaden its gaming horizons.
4.Finally the only other thing I have to say is that whoever it was that said that Nintento would go the way of sega become a 2nd rate game manafacturer is non-sensical. Nintendo are one of the worlds most highly regarded developeers, producing consistently high quality games across a variety of platforms. It occurs to me that if they wanted to they could quite happily and succesfully just go into games development exclusively.
Well thats my (rather late) 2c
- jack
- September 14, 2006
I have a few things to say. 1# Yeah I forgot about the two usb ports in the front.....PS3 STILL HAS DOUBLE. 2# Sean it is YOU who doesnt have a clue about what your talking about. PS3 is gonna have something that is just as good as XB live and so is the Wii and guess what? THEY'RE BOTH GONNA BE FREE.....and furthermore their both gonna have wireless internet out of the box. guess what system doesnt....XBOX 360. what a surprise. Yet again Microsoft manages to brainwash people with their lies. Oh and for the record, there would be tons of competition between Sony and Nintendo if Microlie wasnt in the industry. And that competition would be good clean competiton that doesnt involve lies right left and center. And about the games, XB360 has amazing games, such as Halo 3, Gears of War, Mass Effect, Call of Duty 2 etc. but when compared to games such as Metal Gear Solid 4, Tekken 6, Devil May Cry 4, and Killzone 2. If you compare the 360 lineup i mentioned and the PS3 lineup, There isnt really much of a difference, since both have amazing games. BUT DONT GO ON SAYING THAT THE 360 HAS BETTER GAMES THAN THE PS3. Thats what you call a lie. Lastly, Lets not have a bunch of Microsoft fanboys going against every last single word in my post. If your gonna argue, do it in a friendly way, NOT the microlie way.
- jack
- November 17, 2006
*theres a usb port in the back....I forgot ):
Comments Terms & Conditions
When posting comments on our blogs, you agree to be bound by our terms and conditions. Comments that are offensive, defamatory, unsuitable or that breach any aspects of the terms and conditions will be deleted.
Video games are the new pop. Australians now spend more money on shooters and sims than hip hop and punk rock. Debate the latest news and trends in interactive entertainment with award-winning games writer Jason Hill.
Recent Entries
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006


text:
Locally Owned for 40 Years
Lawn Doctor has been handling Denver's earwig removal needs since 1972. By 1979, we had brought our quality services to Colorado Springs, followed by establishing our Pueblo operation in 1985. Now you can find our exterminators all over the entire Denver area in cities like Lakewood, Aurora, Littleton, and more. The experienced technicians at Lawn Doctor live here and love Denver with the same passion that you do. We'll strive to bring quality and holistic practices to all earwig control services that we provide.
Stop Damage to Your Denver Property
Earwigs work their way into Denver homes, seeking damp areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements to wreak their havoc. Despite the prevailing myth, these insects won't crawl into your ear, but they will cause damage to plants, books, and papers around your property. Lawn Doctor will eliminate any insects in your home with minimum treatments. Instead, our earwig control focuses on prevention, so you don't see them again. A pleasant cedar and peppermint oil is sprayed along the border of your property, creating a barrier that bugs can't pass. At Denver's Lawn Doctor, we stand by our insect control services and if one of your treatments is ineffective, we come back until you are satisfied.
Professionals Helping You Keep Earwigs Away
Get the confidence that your home and yard in Denver are safe from earwigs when you choose Lawn Doctor's extensive pest control treatments. Scientists believe earwigs release a scent that attracts larger numbers to them which means that if you see one bug, there are likely others hiding undetected. Our comprehensive earwig removal services handles any bugs in your home stops more from coming. Don't let even a single earwig past your perimeter with our 4-Service Yard Armor Program. An exterminator will spray your Denver property every season for continued insect control the whole year.
Contact Lawn Doctor Today
Be sure to give us a call here at Lawn Doctor for all your lawn care and pest control needs. We believe that every residential and commercial property should have the best care available to them, which is why we provide year-round service to the Denver area. We have made it our mission to provide premium landscape services throughout Colorado. No job is too big or too small. So, if you are looking for naturally-based lawn pest control treatments or wanting an entirely new lawn, talk to us today!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
[This article contains SPOILERS from seasons 1 and 2 of The 100.]
Lately, The CW has become synonymous for producing high-octane genre-based programming with their breakout hits Arrow and The Flash. Even their more mainstream shows like the Golden Globe winning Jane the Virgin has been garnering high praise from critics and fans alike. With all of this success, why has the network's The 100 fallen so far under the radar?
Well, in terms of numbers, the series hasn't been doing poorly and was thankfully given a green-light for season 3. With all the talk of comic book franchises lately, perhaps The 100's lack of superheroes is somehow detracting from what has become one of the more entertaining shows currently running on television. So, why haven't you given this show a try?
Ok, so maybe that was a little too presumptuous of a statement to make, and perhaps you have given The 100 a fair shot. Sadly, the first couple of episodes of the series are its weakest. The characters lack any sense of chemistry and everything from the setting to the obstacles our heroes face feel contrived, or unoriginal. Through its first few hours, The 100 is not much to look at. Even the creators of the series have admitted as much; however, if you can make it past episode 4, you might be surprised by what you discover.
For those of you who are unaware, The 100 takes place 97-years after a nuclear war destroyed most of the life found on earth. The survivors from countries around the world form a larger space station from their many vessels, calling it "The Ark". The large structure housed what many thought to be the last remnants of the human race until 100 incarcerated teens were sent down to earth for the first time in almost a century. The adults in control of The Ark had no idea if the kids would live, or die.
Shortly upon their arrival, the group of misfits led by Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor) and Bellamy Blake (Bob Morely), discover they are not alone. So far, we know of two other major groups inhabiting the planet. The most prominent of the two is a group labeled simply as "the grounders". To call theses grounders primitive, would be doing a disservice to them. While they may not possess the most sophisticated weapons and technology, they are still extremely intelligent and resourceful.
As the series progresses, a few of the grounders form personal relationships with the band of teenage criminals. Recently, their lovely commander Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) has become a prominent figure. She is a fearless warrior, but behind all of that ferocity lies a desire for peace. Lexa is what you might call a "progressive grounder". Alongside Clarke and the rest of The Ark's fighters, they hope to defeat their common enemy who resides in the Mount Weather installation.
Oh yes, there are mountain people who have also survived the nuclear war; but unlike the grounders, they can only survive within the confines of their base, or else they die within minutes of any kind of exposure to the outside world. Inside the base, the doctors are performing horrific experiments, which they hope will lead to a cure, so they can live out in the open. If you decide to give this series a chance, you will learn more about Mount Weather and all of its secrets.
In terms of tone, The 100 is The CW's darkest show. Sure, Arrow can brood just as good as the next conflicted superhero, but the diverse ensemble of this dystopian future constantly wades through the muck and mire of difficult and morally ambiguous choices that can mean life or death in each episode. In a way, creator and executive producer Jason Rothenberg has beautifully crafted a show more akin to Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead than anything else the network has to offer. That comparison may be blasphemous to some, but just give the first half of season 2 a chance and surely you'll be impressed.
The CW may have a long way to go before its prestige is a high as a network like HBO or AMC, but The 100's unflinching dark-toned march towards action and adventure is deserving of more praise than it has previously received. Is this lunacy, or do you think that more series like this should be developed?
The 100 returns with 'Remember Me' on Wednesday, January 21st @9pm on The CW. Check out a preview below: