Latest news |
---|
Microsoft crashes PS3's Euro launchLethal_B @ Mar 23, 2007 16:30 | 32 comments Today's European launch of Sony's eagerly-awaited Playstation 3 console has not only seen flocks of ardent gamers queue into the small hours awaiting its release, but also several publicity stunts by rivals Microsoft in an attempt to upstage the event.
At the Virgin Megastore in London's Oxford Street, the software maker handed out chairs to those queuing which had a web address to an Xbox 360 branded-site printed on them. The site "welcomes" Sony to the next generation, and ribs the Japanese entertainment company for being "late" in comparison to the 360's 2005 launch.
The launch was met with mixed feelings throughout Europe. Despite the fact several stores were kept open late especially, few French gamers took the opportunity to get their hands on one. Sony had moored a boat by the Eiffel Tower to act as a temporary base to make sales but gamers were crowded out by the media. Meanwhile, Microsoft drove its own boat covered in Xbox 360 logos in and around the area in an attempt to distract people's attentions away from the launch.
At an electronics store in Berlin, Germany, gamers who smashed their 360's off of a wall were rewarded with a free PS3.
Sony believes that the PS3's high-definition Blu-Ray DVD player, online capabilities and gaming powered by the Cell processor will persuade gamers to fork out £425 (599 Euros) on the machine. "High definition is very important to people," said Ray Maguire, head of Sony Computer Entertainment in the UK. "A lot of people have bought flat panel TVs and they want content to go on it and PlayStation 3 is one of the few places they can get that kind of experience."
Source: |
|
Comment by: cashman91 (Mar 23, 2007 19:04) M$ is being weak |
Comment by: Unfocused (Mar 23, 2007 19:07) This is pretty childish on Microsoft’s part. All the companies have taken little stabs at each other over the years, but this is getting to be a little escalated.
|
Comment by: ZippyDSM (Mar 23, 2007 19:12) Originally posted by Unfocused: and makeign a killing on selling it 300+ in other countries. |
Comment by: tehjoker (Mar 23, 2007 20:18) Lol, this is really childish on Microsoft's part. |
Comment by: snowlock (Mar 23, 2007 23:14) Microsoft's moves might be cocky and childish, but:
|
Comment by: rihgt682 (Mar 24, 2007 00:53) gotta give props for crashing the lanuch. |
Comment by: WierdName (Mar 24, 2007 01:09) Originally posted by rihgt682: Your joking right? I mean, ya microsoft actually succeded at something but it was pretty childish. |
Comment by: Ragnarok8 (Mar 24, 2007 01:26) Wait, what did microsoft achieve? |
Comment by: Dela (Mar 24, 2007 02:13) I was delighted to see this, this is just all in good fun as far as I'm concerned. It was like a nice little hint from Microsoft to Sony to tell them that they already have an established next-gen machine in Europe and that Sony is late. It also doesn't hurt to have Microsoft display themselves a s cocky enough to crash such a high profile launch of a rival's product, for the past few months all Microsoft has been reading is Sony's claims that they havbe the most powerful console and constantly hyping up the European launch. This little "response" from M$ would hurt more.
|
Comment by: gozilla (Mar 24, 2007 02:50) how rich Microsoft accusing Sony of being late. how many years behind schedule was Vista? |
Comment by: WierdName (Mar 24, 2007 02:56) Originally posted by gozilla: ROFL, I CANT BREATH! Excellent point! |
Comment by: Dela (Mar 24, 2007 02:59) I don't think you can compare a software operating system release to a release of a next-gen piece of hardware. There is a very big difference in both markets. Microsoft dominates the operating system market flat out, so it can afford to take its time. In the case of the PS3, when it first launched Microsoft was approaching the 10 million mark, thats quite a head start to have when you consider there are now 3 next gen systems out. Microsoft tis just poking fun while it can I think, although the PS3's lateness will have a ripple effect for maybe 2 years I'd imagine, in about 2009 it will be gone (the effect i mean, not the console ;-) ) |
Comment by: WierdName (Mar 24, 2007 03:06) Originally posted by Dela: Er, I think you can when you consider how hypocritical it is of microsoft. They are to completely different fields but its still the same point. Neither could stay on track. Then microsoft bashes sony cause they released late.
|
Comment by: BobbyBlu (Mar 24, 2007 07:37) Quote: Where did Sony do anything wrong hell its there launch not M$.The question should be did Sony do this to them during there launch...That would be H.E.L.L. no so the next person that brings up M$ name with class really need to get there head checked. |
Comment by: muccione (Mar 24, 2007 07:38) Originally posted by Dela:
|
Comment by: nohm (Mar 24, 2007 10:36) What's PS3's equivalent of the Xbox's blue screen of death?? |
Comment by: Dela (Mar 24, 2007 12:19) Quote: You really shouldn't take it that seriously. Even if they did crash the event in a few different countries, so what? Nobody died and shit.. Sony handed out 46" LCD TVs..... giving someone a chair or telling them that Xbox 360 loves them doesn't exactly come close ;-) Quote: That "Wii-Wii" just happens to be kicking ass and yes it is Next-gen but Nintendo decided to go down different road instead of making their stuff faster or packing in a HD disc player or whatever, and probably because they would have lost a battle to try to create a more powerful machine. Either way, Wii is on top right now so they are doing something right, even if its just the price, once they establish a huge base of Wii-owners, then they can pretty much guarantee successful software sales, and I think we can all agree that Xbox 360 and PS3 wont be at $250 for quite some time yet.
|
Comment by: WierdName (Mar 24, 2007 14:42) Originally posted by "Dela": I would only say that its doing good because they targetted it towards a more family based consumer. A hardcore gamer really would'nt buy it. But there are a lot of families that will get it just to play some virtual tennis or whatever. |
Comment by: muccione (Mar 24, 2007 15:29) Quote:Originally posted by "Dela": yes I agree... |
Comment by: Dela (Mar 25, 2007 06:48) Quote: I have to disagree with some of what you said, and agree with some. Firstly, yes it is a machine targeted at the family audience, but it is Nintendo so that's not surprising. However, saying a "hardcore gamer" wouldn't buy one I think is a bold statement, I think the queues at last year's E3 and the sales figures beg to differ, I'm 100% sure it's not just family members who are buying Wii.
|
Comment by: WierdName (Mar 25, 2007 15:13) Point taken but when I say "hardcore gamer" I mean someone who likes the graphic intensive, action packed gaming. One that wouldnt be to interested in picking up a "wii-mote", or whatever its called, and try to hit a home run. However, it seems that nowadays more "hard core" gamers are beginning to buy and play these smaller platforms. I think the reason its selling so many consles is because there are a lot of families that will buy the consles. But I think there are also a lot of "hard core" gamers starting to expand and play on more consles. Even if its not the most high end. |
Comment by: ZippyDSM (Mar 25, 2007 16:53) Quote:Originally posted by "Dela": Uummm..there are 2 types of "hardcore" gamer the hard core sheeple that buy the most shiniest console because they are told from high to buy it and there are hardcore gamers that will buy all the systems just because its relvent to being a gamer. |
Comment by: snowlock (Mar 25, 2007 20:58) Originally posted by muccione: See, Nintendo has next-gen controls, while PS3's next-gen graphics look blurry on the Sony HD monitor I played on in stores. Also, I was mad that I didn't get to tilt or move the sixaxis at all in the game I played, considering how that makes Wii next-gen to me.
|
Comment by: muccione (Mar 26, 2007 07:58) See, Nintendo has next-gen controls, while PS3's next-gen graphics look blurry on the Sony HD monitor I played on in stores. Also, I was mad that I didn't get to tilt or move the sixaxis at all in the game I played, considering how that makes Wii next-gen to me.
|
Comment by: ZippyDSM (Mar 26, 2007 08:15) muccione
|