Sony can just go die now

[Mithrandir]

I'd say we'll be dropping the name calling now. Don't degrade to personal insults or judgement calls, please.

[Stephen]

I've noticed alot of bashing each other in this thread...and it's increasing on these boards, lately. Members that are usually calm and rational fly off the chain at the slightest remark. Very Christ-like, my friends.

Can you show me where sarcasm is listed in the Fruits of the Spirit please? No, because it is not there. If you want to shame others, it is better to not be guilty of the transgression that you are pointing out. This is the second post of yours that I have seen, that comes in...with no prior posts, judges everyone...then zips out. If you keep it up with the sarcastic jabs, your posts will be deleted. If it continues, further action will be taken.

[Bobtheduck]

Hmm... I don't want to hear a single N fanboy go off on shutdowns... No, not after the crackdowns Nintendo did on fanfiction and fansites... No, I don't want to hear it at all... And, I've known that Lik Sang was grey market for a long time, I always wondered how they stayed alive, and now I know... It was just their time, finally...

I mean, I think the whole "region" thing is pretty lame, and I probably would have ordered some imports from Lik Sang, but this doesn't surprise me and honestly, Sony is no different than a lot of big companies that have elements of control over massive amounts of intelectual property... That include Nintendo... And Microsoft... And disney, and Warner Brothers, and certain record companies... Does it suck that they're so anal about it? Yes... Can we pick Sony out for it? Not really...

What really sucks for me is not being able to get my USB Dualshock port...

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Hmm... I don't want to hear a single N fanboy go off on shutdowns... No, not after the crackdowns Nintendo did on fanfiction and fansites... No, I don't want to hear it at all... And, I've known that Lik Sang was grey market for a long time, I always wondered how they stayed alive, and now I know... It was just their time, finally...

I think you might be assuming too much. I hold nothing against you though.

If this was Nintendo shutting down Lik-Sang, I would still be mad, even if it was Nintendo.

[Cognitive Gear]

I don't think that people aren't buying a PS3/hate on Sony just because of just this. I think it's just the straw that broke the consumer's back. Sony has really been throwing it's weight around over the last two years. For alot of people, it's just been one frustrating thing after another. I could make a list, but I'd rather not take the time to write it up and most of the people here will know exactly what I mean unless they are "fanboys" of one sort or another.

[Bobtheduck]

Like the 600 dollars thing? Extra money for Bluray and full framerate 1080p games, it's just people don't want bluray... Yeah, see, the next medium is going to either be bluray (which would be better for games because they hold more than HD-DVDs) or HD-DVD... Sony went with Bluray just like they were the first to go with DVDs in PS2 era... Nintendo stuck with Cartridges (because, afterall, loading speed reduction is MUCH more important than more game content) until after PS2 went DVD, Dreamcast tried to make a proprietary format that still wasn't as big and usefull as DVD... Yeah, Sony likes pushing for highest of tech, and they are still the leaders... They beat out Dreamcast as soon as the case for using DVDs was made obvious. They push their weight around because, as someone said, they are always looking for the future... Not for right now... They'll sell the PS3 to a bunch of rich kids who will get their poorer neighbors and friends addicted, so they'll rush to buy it once the price drops below the 300 dollar mark. It will drop, too... The price of Bluray players will go down, the price of the Cell will go down, and Nvidia will have their new graphics cards, so the PS3's price will plummit.

Now, Nintendo is trying for innovation outside of pure power, and that's admirable. Still, I think it will be a close race that balances after about two years, and over half of the purchasers of the PS3 won't even be gamers, but they may become gamers...

Yeah, Sony is the big bad business (hahaha, sucks to be you, MS fans) but they're pretty stinking good at what they do, and SCET has been a catalyst to bring Sony back on top...

[Nate]

Well, I agree with you, to a point. And I think I understand, because Nintendo has done the same thing with Twilight Princess...delay after delay, two versions, and finally the "Gamecube version only available online in Japan" thing caused avid Nintendo fans to finally say "Forget Nintendo, we're not supporting them now." So I understand what you're saying.

I don't deny Sony has had really poor judgement as of late. What I'm finding more disturbing is the spin put on this by the Sony haters. "SONY IS SHUTTING DOWN THE IMPORT MARKET ENTIRELY." No, they're not. They're shutting down Lik Sang, which is completely different from destroying the import business. Play Asia is still alive and well (to which I'm sure someone will say "They're next!" but whatever).

Besides, this is TAME compared to how Nintendo ran business in the 80s. They were horribly cutthroat and worked up a lot of negative reputation (hence why they had such little third party support in the N64/Gamecube era, due to their actions earlier). And look at Nintendo now, they're doing just fine.

Ultimately, I think, this doesn't even bother me now. After seeing all the internet buzz for Snakes On a Plane and seeing how poorly it did at the box office, I've come to realize what goes on on the internet has no bearing on real life. Sony will come out with the PS3, it'll struggle for the first year like the PS2 did, and then it'll get awesome games and settle comfortably in the market beside Microsoft and Nintendo.

[Cognitive Gear]

I agree with you. Nintendo was VERY cut-throat. I still miss Sega. Curse both Nintendo and Sony for killing those consoles.

As far as Anti-Sony spin, I really like to have a chuckle at it. It's a funny as it is sad. I admit that I have a rather negative view of Sony as of late, due in large part to their frustrating rate of defective new hardware. (not talking specifically about early PS2, I'm talking about all of their hardware that's not televisions. Cause thier TV's are amazing!) I've had far too many bad experiences with Sony products.

As you said, the internet has a relatively small effect on what happens in real life. Sony will still Sell and make billions on PS3 Software, regardless of what they do. The forums on the net are generally filled with hardcore gamers, which sadly make up a very small population of the market.

If the internet and it's many polls held any truth whatsoever, Bush would have had the worst loss in history. (nothing political is meant by that, it's simply an easily seen example)

[Omega Amen]

When I left this thread with my last post, I was honestly hoping the conversation would turn in a different direction... and that people might learn something, see things more holistically, and more importantly, learn to not be so quick to judge and condemn.

The laws that deal with the trade of IPs and the rights to their distribution are complex considering that many parties beyond the consumer are involved, like developers, manufacturers, retailers, investors, employees, politicians etc. Add in the dynamics of international trade with different currency exchange rates, different laws defining the market, different cultural values... and it can get frustrating to the consumer's eyes who just wants to make a simple transaction.

That frustration I can understand.

What I do not understand is where all this venom is coming from considering the background of this conversation is mainly about video games. Video games are supposed to be about fun... happiness... happy in the sense that we can afford to enjoy some entertainment. No one can get their back broken over this considering this is ultimately an unforced luxury item. This is not food, water, or the right to worship God. And no one is getting a gun pointed to their head to make them buy this stuff.

So why the incendiary title? Why the veiled accusatory tone towards each other? Why taking every single little normal action from businesses and litigation so personally? Especially considering they are not our spouses or loved ones, just companies whose only relation to any of us is that we might or might not buy their product.

Maybe we should just step back and count our blessings, including the one we have a life where we can even afford to play games.

There are other things in life to get upset about.

This is not one of them.

[Cognitive Gear]

Well, I think one thing about the gaming industry that makes it unique and truly sets it apart from other forms of entertainment is that all software is proprietary. This combined with the fact that console exclusives are such an important part of the industry itself form a rather interesting problem for the consumer: No one console product is a suitable replacement for another. An Xbox is no replacement for a playstation, and a playstation is no replacement for Nintendo. This creates an environment in which the consumer is given a choice: Choose one side; or spend alot of money and own all three. For those who cannot afford to own all three, or choose to not own all three for whatever reason, will naturally want their company to come out on top, as that will lead to more, better games on that platform.

That is my theory on the source of the fanboy, and why it does not materialize in other luxury hobbies as fiercely as it does in the gaming community.

[Nate]

I agree, and as I've said before, a lot of the Sony hatred is just "sour grapes" from the gaming community. "I can't afford to buy it, therefore it sucks." By that logic, Lamborghinis are the worst cars ever. And 100 room mansions are horrible.

But yeah, I think the sour grapes mentality is what causes such rabid fanboys, people who are bitter they cannot afford the newest stuff and thus feel the need to lash out at the system and other gamers who play that system.

I should know. I used to be a rabid Microsoft hater. And I still am, for their stranglehold on the computer industry, but after a while, I realized how stupid it was for me to hate the Xbox. Granted, there still aren't enough games to warrant my purchase of one, but I don't hate the console. It offers a lot of cool stuff, and XBLA is probably the best idea ever. I just wish it had more games so I would buy one (though with a new Banjo game on the way, plus some traditional turn based RPGs, Microsoft is slowly chipping away my holding out XP).

I think the other thing that causes fanboys is the "next gen" thing going on. Some people feel "Oh, improving graphics/sound isn't next gen, it's playing games a different way!" Obviously, this is how Nintendo feels about it, and many of the rabid Nintendo fanboys feel Nintendo should be on top because they are changing gaming as opposed to Sony and Microsoft who are just improving system specs.

These people want Sony (and MS, to a lesser extent) to fail simply because they believe the direction those two companies are going is leading to failure whereas Nintendo's is a recipe for success. They buy into the hype that Reggie gave at E3 about those two companies being a "dead end" for gaming and soon becoming stagnant.

While I don't agree with that point of view, I can certainly understand why they feel that way, and why they feel the need to spread negative press about the other companies. I just wish they wouldn't.

[Shinja]

eh im not really pro any particular brand i love my ps2 and my nintendo DS i am disapointed in sony mostly becuase they seem to have no reguard for their customers by the way they have crafted theyre current business model. but reguardless they will stand of fall becuase of it and if they fall perhaps Sega will return to the console market^^. i was really looking at getting the wii the day they come out but ill probaly wait since i just used that money on a rifle

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I don't deny Sony has had really poor judgement as of late. What I'm finding more disturbing is the spin put on this by the Sony haters. "SONY IS SHUTTING DOWN THE IMPORT MARKET ENTIRELY." No, they're not. They're shutting down Lik Sang, which is completely different from destroying the import business. Play Asia is still alive and well (to which I'm sure someone will say "They're next!" but whatever).

I agree. Although I would assume it would be likely that Sony would target other importers.

Ultimately, I think, this doesn't even bother me now. After seeing all the internet buzz for Snakes On a Plane and seeing how poorly it did at the box office, I've come to realize what goes on on the internet has no bearing on real life. Sony will come out with the PS3, it'll struggle for the first year like the PS2 did, and then it'll get awesome games and settle comfortably in the market beside Microsoft and Nintendo.

You're right. I've cooled down some. And yeah, the internet doesn't have much bearing at all. Seeing as your average soccermom will go to walmart and pick up a ps3 or whatever.

What I do not understand is where all this venom is coming from considering the background of this conversation is mainly about video games. Video games are supposed to be about fun... happiness... happy in the sense that we can afford to enjoy some entertainment. No one can get their back broken over this considering this is ultimately an unforced luxury item. This is not food, water, or the right to worship God. And no one is getting a gun pointed to their head to make them buy this stuff.

So why the incendiary title? Why the veiled accusatory tone towards each other? Why taking every single little normal action from businesses and litigation so personally? Especially considering they are not our spouses or loved ones, just companies whose only relation to any of us is that we might or might not buy their product.

True that the title is a bit too strong. My apologies (I guess I was caught up at the moment). But I think that you might be thinking that some people are more disappointed than in reality. Am I disappointed at Sony? Yes I am. I love importing games. I have a lot of respect for lik-sang. But In my perspective, I see that the thread is cooling down in general, and becoming more rational.

I should know. I used to be a rabid Microsoft hater. And I still am, for their stranglehold on the computer industry, but after a while, I realized how stupid it was for me to hate the Xbox. Granted, there still aren't enough games to warrant my purchase of one, but I don't hate the console. It offers a lot of cool stuff, and XBLA is probably the best idea ever. I just wish it had more games so I would buy one (though with a new Banjo game on the way, plus some traditional turn based RPGs, Microsoft is slowly chipping away my holding out XP).

Oh I'm right with you there buddy. I used to be all "Anti microsoft anti windows blah blah blah" In the end... what does it really matter? I mean no I won't be buying an xbox360 or anything. But it's childish to spew out "xbox sucks" all the time.

[Myoti]

I agree. Although I would assume it would be likely that Sony would target other importers.

Kindly go back and read Nate's earlier posts again. =o


And I'm in agreement again with Nate's "sour-grapes" statement. It doesn't make me want to go out and buy one yet, but I've found it's typically not that great to bash something simply because you're "not on their side"/can't afford it.

Of course, doesn't stop us from mocking each side for truly stupid things (like the recent PS3 ads XD; ).

Do note, I just mentioned that as it's the first thing that came to mind. The N does have some mock-worthy stuff as well, yes. The thing about the ads just still seems pretty funny to me. =p

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Kindly go back and read Nate's earlier posts again. =o

What do you mean? I read it.