PlayStation 3: Wait & See

PS3 Feature | The logical, conservative side of the story. How boring, right?

It’s been several months since the extremely underwhelming launch of the PS3 in North America and Japan. The day has finally come for us here in Australia, but the point is – it still really isn’t worth getting, and not by a long shot. You would have thought Sony would use the previous months to get their act together, but, despite having all the chances in the world, they haven’t gotten their own act together – rather, someone elses.

We can begin by discussing the entire point of a video games console – the games. The PlayStation 3 seems to have built up a hefty array of launch titles, but by saying they’ve gotten someone else’s act together, I mean it. These aren’t PS3 exclusive titles, and many have been available on the Xbox 360 for months now. Even if you were to buy them today, they would be much cheaper than the PS3 version. Let’s take a peek – the red games are those available for other consoles.

Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom
Formula One Championship Edition
Genji: Days of the Blade
MotorStorm
Resistance: Fall of Man
Ridge Racer 7
Full Auto 2: Battlelines
Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire
The Godfather: The Don's Edition
Call of Duty 3
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Tony Hawk’s Project 8
Def Jam: Icon
Fight Night Round 3
NBA Street: Homecourt
Need for Speed Carbon
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
Sonic the Hedgehog
Virtua Fighter 5
Virtua Tennis 3
World Snooker Championship 2007
NBA 2K7
NHL 2K7
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Enchanted Arms
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
F.E.A.R.

Let's now cut this list down even further. The Godfather is essentially a revamped port of the original game, with "Something" Edition tacked on to the title. It's the same with every console version, so don't worry about it. If we were to now check out the US ratings for the rest of the games, we're looking at average to outright bad scores for over half of the titles, leaving the best PS3 exclusive games as Ridge Racer 7, MotorStorm and Resistance: Fall of Man. Still. Yes, these titles were the only reasons to have purchased a PS3 in the preceding months overseas, and they're still the only reasons to get one now.

What, are we supposed to sit around playing Resistance until something else good comes out?

So let's get one! Hmmm. Hold on a tic. The man behind the register is asking me for money! What kind of world do we live in where we need to pay money for stuff we want?

Yeah, this is a big problem for Sony. The astronomical $999 price point breaks the budget for many gamers, and bear in mind this is a console price - games, accessories, anything and everything will add hundreds to this price. It's not that the technology is bad, and Sony really are paying out big time to manufacture these units - but the average gamer (well, the cheap PS2 bundle deal kind of casual gamer, the kind who have propelled the PS2 into astronomical sales figures) just doesn't care enough about the potential of the machine to pay out such a hefty chunk of change.

And why should they care? This is untested ground for Sony, and it's clear that they are aiming for Microsoft's jugular with the online functionality and Blu-ray format. Xbox Live features an incredibly intuitive interface, and the numbers of supporters show just how well it works. The PS2 had online capabilities, but it paled in comparison to what Microsoft pulled together. Again, it boils down to the entire point of this article - wait and see, because expecting Sony to hit all the right notes with their untested online and multiformat approach is extremely risky.

And multiformat is truly the name of Sony's game. They won't be content until everyone actually lives inside a Sony console, where your entire life is controlled and displayed in High Definition. It's HDTV people - better resolution than the real world. Yeah, Sony has their Home service - which is again untested ground, despite being a rather neat idea. You can sit around Sony's Home, or you can actually sit in your real home - and it won't cost you $999. Plus subscription fees.

If you can bring people together, why not do it if they have a thousand bucks?

Blu-ray, Blu-ray. Hmmmm. I saw on some video somewhere, some guy (rock-solid objective evidence here) was talking about how the PS3 will be a cheap Blu-ray player.

"There are two successors to the DVD player: the HD DVD player and the Blu-ray Disc player. Neither format is dominant over the other in terms of consumer adoption as of January 2007." -- some Wikipedia article

Man, I can't wait to watch a limited selection of Blu-ray movies I already own in DVD format. DVD was the only real option over the past few years, but now we have two avenues for our HD fix. Don't rush out and pick up Blu-ray this and that, because it's got some fighting to do. Let all the others with too much money on their hands fight these damn format wars, while afterwards you bask in the blood soaked battlefield of cheap standalone units. A Blu-ray player right now might set you back around $1100 (price is based on the sole unit available on eBay Australia. Yeah, that's how mainstream they are). So, if you look at it completely objectively, then yes the PS3 is an affordable player. But, single DVD players were also upwards of this price upon launch, and the PS2 was an extremely terrible DVD player. That's too much of a solidly poor history to assume everything is going to be A-OK this time around.

Capping off the discussion here is the attitude of Sony themselves. Forums around the world have been up in arms about their corporate behaviour - this includes backpedalling on comments, contradictions, accusations of "copying" Nintendo, lawsuits - the list goes on. The actual PAL launch delay was the fuel, and due to the vagueness of higher management comments, no one was actually sure whether or not it was intentional. It goes to show that they are a little nervous, and aren't starting business with as much of a lead as last time. Losing exclusives to Microsoft is a big problem, including the Virtua Fighter and Grand Theft Auto licenses. You'll be able to get your violence fix elsewhere, and Sony hasn't given much of an incentive for customers to pay almost twice the amount of money for the same gaming experiences.

It can do pretty much everything - we just don't know how well yet.

Sony may have the history of popularity behind them, but that's their strongest playing card this generation. There is no logical reason (beyond the possible demise of Blu-ray - which won't be dependent on the success of the PS3 itself) why Sony can't eventually provide excellent experiences with the PS3. It's the most powerful console out there, and has a strong third-party following - but the tumultuous leadup to this juggernaut launch has set off the anxiety alarm in many a gamer. It's really simple - save your money, wait, and see what's going to happen. I'm hoping it turns out extremely well, because personally, I'd rather enjoy what incredible experiences Sony has to offer than watch an amazing piece of technology steamroll itself into the ground.

Resistance and MotorStorm. Seriously, that's all there is right now. Pick up the pace, PS3!

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Want the other side of the story? Head to PlayStation 3: Buy it Now.

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63 Comments

chrisrochey

5 years ago

Interesting article.

On one end of the scale the PS3 looks great, the other, the price just destroys any glimmer of greatness it had.

I for one won't be getting one until it is on the better side of $300, I can survive with my 360 until then.

As for the Bluray/HDDVD battle, I think the article summed it up perfectly, let the rich battle it out, whilst we sit back and wait for what the future throws our way, for better or worse.

Crestfallen

5 years ago

EDIT: I made a fool of myself. I didn't know the pros were coming up

apologies.

stinger68

5 years ago

Yes I am an "American Gamer" who happens to own this beautiful and powerful system. It never ceases to amaze me every time I turn it on. If you have the money then get one its as simple as that. I have never seen such fervent attacking going on as to sony's reputation and all of the my system is better than your system talk is getting pretty old too. I love my PS3 as I have loved playing my previous playstation systems. Sony did get the system right it's just the pricepoint that you do not like. I did not like it either but I found a way to get one. By the way owning 1 playstation 3 is still cheaper than buying 2-3 Xbox 360's after they break down or " brick" as they call it. Also funny how Microsoft is scurrying to release a new more powerful system. So who really did get it right the first time?

canetoad

5 years ago

stinger68 wrote

Got something to say?
Enter your comment on this article here.

Great then, I will

. Anyway... I agree, I won't be getting a PS3 for a few years, till at least its about $300. When PS2 came out it was about $700 if I remember correctly and it didn't take long before the price dropped. As I am an unemployed 15 year old somehow I don't think I'll be able to afford a PS3 anytime soon.

Qbert

5 years ago

Ahhh, people attacking this article maybe you should try and read the PS3: Buy it now article. There are 2 sides to every story and obviously Phil was showing what many people belive, just like Nev is doing the opposite. PALGN did the same for the 360 launch as well, so I don't see what the big problem is?

My stance at the moment is that I doubt I'll get a PS3 for at least 5 years. The 360's early start and cheaper price point will probably turn me into a Wii/360 owner in the not to distant future.

admeister

5 years ago

chrisrochey wrote

As for the Bluray/HDDVD battle, I think the article summed it up perfectly, let the rich battle it out, whilst we sit back and wait for what the future throws our way, for better or worse.

I guess I'd be considered rich then.

Well, somebody's got to do it, you don't have to be rich. I believe in Blu-Ray as a format, so I support it.

Now as to the article:

article wrote

Yes, these titles (Ridge Racer, Motorstorm and Resistance) were the only reasons to have purchased a PS3 in the preceding months overseas, and they're still the only reasons to get one now.

Not true. I couldn't agree less, I myself am a case in point. I'm getting a PS3, but I didn't get even one of those games. As the list at the start of the article demonstrates, there are more PS3 exclusive games than just those 3. I got Genji and Full Auto 2 (the games which most appealed to me). They're both PS3 exclusive, just like the others.

article wrote

bear in mind this is a console price - games, accessories, anything and everything will add hundreds to this price

Only if you buy one locally. I do get tired of promoting importing sometimes, but in response to a statement like that, I just have to quote it. If things like that worry you, do what I did. I didn't pay hundreds for games and accessories, only $135, to be exact. For that amount I got Genji, Full Auto and a second PS3 controller. The games are both the U.S version, and came brand new. My PS3 is also the premium U.S version, I got it for $700 (all amounts are in AUD).

In summary, I got a premium PS3, 2 games and a second controller for less than the RRP of just the console in Australia (my total came to $835 for the lot). The PS3 is quite affordable if you know what you're doing.

article wrote

A Blu-ray player right now might set you back around $1100 (price is based on the sole unit available on eBay Australia. Yeah, that's how mainstream they are).

Not the last time I checked (today), I saw quite few Blu-Ray players on there, some going for as little as $400 AUD! Or maybe you were just looking at Blu-Ray players that were being sold in Australia.

Qbert: I know what you're saying. I'm just trying to correct some of the awfully incorrect statements in the article.

Nev

5 years ago

Qbert wrote

Phil was showing what many people belive, just like Nev is doing the opposite.

Meaning... I'm showing what everybody doesn't believe?

j/k

You're absolutely right. We're playing devil's advocate here, trying to show the two sides of the story, in terms of those who'll find value in the system, and those who won't.

Different strokes for different folks.

Nice article, Phil.

Souless

5 years ago

To be honest i dont fully agree on the article.
But then i dont think the article was made for people who have made up there mind. But it is a rather negative side of it. I look at these articles as peoples opinons, a blog type thing judging the console. Nothing that should be argued because it is simply there point of view. I dont exactly agree 100% with it but i also have to take in kind it isnt my opinion.

Frozencry

5 years ago

I don't agree on the article, but that doesn't mean Phil's not allowed to express his opinion on the subject matter, just as Nev is expressing his.

Twas an interesting read, and although I do disagree on many points you still pack a hell of a punch with your arguement

thebigm

5 years ago

stinger68 wrote

WTF?

Also, don't double post please.

admeister wrote

chrisrochey wrote

As for the Bluray/HDDVD battle, I think the article summed it up perfectly, let the rich battle it out, whilst we sit back and wait for what the future throws our way, for better or worse.

I guess I'd be considered rich then.

Well, somebody's got to do it, you don't have to be rich. I believe in Blu-Ray as a format, so I support it.

Now as to the article:

article wrote

Yes, these titles (Ridge Racer, Motorstorm and Resistance) were the only reasons to have purchased a PS3 in the preceding months overseas, and they're still the only reasons to get one now.

Not True. Can you explain to me why you were willing to sell of Genji 2 if it appealed to you so much? And the article makes mention of games that are really worth mention owning, not something that an individual, like yourself, who seems to be in a minority, buying games, that are despised by critics.

The Brett

5 years ago

I would have preferred and actual counter-article. The pro-PS3 feature raises some interesting points in favour of the PS3, but this article acts more like an anti-PS3 flame. I would have much preferred a balanced argument.

Nova Prime

5 years ago

I know this article's supposed to be purposely one-sided, but honestly I don't think it is at all. Right now, at the very least, buying a PS3 is nothing short of actually being ...unbelievably foolish and highly unintelligent, unless you need to watch movies in HD so desperately you're willing to buy into a format that still has every chance of losing. For close to the same SRP, you can get a 360 and a Wii, which anyone whose opinion and taste isn't tainted by fanboyism would find more fulfilling and enjoyable, with currently a bigger and better range of games, more exclusives, more exclusives on the way, and non-exclusives with less framerate issues; as well as a console that does the whole motion control thing properly, and more. I can't understand how anyone in their right mind would buy a PS3 now. Sure, maybe in the future with AAA exclusives like FF and MGS (if and only if it's had a pricedrop by then), but you're only lying to yourself if you think your money is being well spent.

While I'm at it, as for my post the other day getting deleted for only containing a quote about the PS3 at launch potentially selling more than Wii with a one-acronym-response from me ('lol'), I thought it was fairly obvious that I was implying much of what I've just written above, and that using a single word (or acronym) response was much more cohesive, less rambling, and more precisely to the point, but apparently not. Or (more likely

) whichever mod deleted it is either a Sony fanboy, idiot in the strictest sense of the word, or a combination (which most people fitting into the former are anyway).

Luke

5 years ago

^ I didn't delete your post but one word posts are considered spam.

I would also advise you to edit the beginning of your post "mentally retarded" is far from acceptable on this board.

admeister

5 years ago

admeister wrote

chrisrochey wrote

As for the Bluray/HDDVD battle, I think the article summed it up perfectly, let the rich battle it out, whilst we sit back and wait for what the future throws our way, for better or worse.

I guess I'd be considered rich then.

Well, somebody's got to do it, you don't have to be rich. I believe in Blu-Ray as a format, so I support it.

Now as to the article:

article wrote

Yes, these titles (Ridge Racer, Motorstorm and Resistance) were the only reasons to have purchased a PS3 in the preceding months overseas, and they're still the only reasons to get one now.

Quote

Easily. I was was only trying to to sell it because I needed more money to go towards my PS3, as my funds were coming up short, not because I wanted to. Happy?

You say they are "games that are really worth mention owning", but once again that is just an opinion. Do you think I care about critics? If they don't like a game, well too bad for them. I am capable of making my own choices/having my own tastes, just because every critic doesn't recommend them doesn't mean they're not worth owning.

Stinger was talking about the "Elite" X360, btw.

Spanca

5 years ago

Yes it's obvious that Stinger was referring to the Elite, but the "WTF" comment was regarding his description of it as a scrambled attempt at a more powerful console. It's not, and it's not intended to be. It's just a few more features, just like the DSlite, PSone, PSTwo etc.

I'd also question the validity of Stinger's discrediting the expense of the PS3, given that large cost he had to deal with was only $750, which isn't anywhere near as hard to swallow, just as he suggested. For those of us in Australia, $999 is considerably harder.

admeister

5 years ago

Spanca wrote

True. I meant to say that at the end of my posts, looks like I forgot.

It's not a fair comment, they've clearly been planning it for some time, but still you can't help but wonder if the PS3 doesn't have anything to do with it..

Maikii

5 years ago

The 2 highest selling games by miles for the PAL launch will be Resistance & MotorStorm - THese are exclusives - What I'm saying is we'd take these 2 without the other 15 or so multiplatformers (but then they'd say PS3 dosen't have many launch games

Nova Prime

5 years ago

Luke wrote

^ I didn't delete your post but one word posts are considered spam.

I would also advise you to edit the beginning of your post "mentally retarded" is far from acceptable on this board.

My mistake for the first point, and as for the second: I was trying to use it in a literal sense as opposed to a pejorative one, but I guess given the tone of my post it was kind of unavoidable. Point taken, and edited.

Crestfallen

5 years ago

Nova Prime wrote

Wow, isn't it funny how opinion works? You think this, and I disagree.

There's really no need for personal attacks, man.
--------------

That pic of Resistance nearly made me wet my pants. And since when was a launch with Resistance, Motorstorm, F1, Virtua Fighter, Tekken5 and fl0w a weak lineup??

Nova Prime

5 years ago

crestfallen wrote

Wow, isn't it funny how opinion works? You think this, and I disagree.

There's really no need for personal attacks, man.

In the particular phrase you put in bold, I meant in terms of the 360 providing the same basic experience by and large, with the added bonus of the Wii experience alongside it.

Quote

That pic of Resistance nearly made me wet my pants. And since when was a launch with Resistance, Motorstorm, F1, Virtua Fighter, Tekken5 and fl0w a weak lineup??

For the asking price, yes. Personally, Resistance is by far the most appealing of those to me, but forking out $1100 to play it is absurd.

thebigm

5 years ago

admeister wrote

chrisrochey wrote

As for the Bluray/HDDVD battle, I think the article summed it up perfectly, let the rich battle it out, whilst we sit back and wait for what the future throws our way, for better or worse.

I guess I'd be considered rich then.

Well, somebody's got to do it, you don't have to be rich. I believe in Blu-Ray as a format, so I support it.

Now as to the article:

article wrote

Yes, these titles (Ridge Racer, Motorstorm and Resistance) were the only reasons to have purchased a PS3 in the preceding months overseas, and they're still the only reasons to get one now.

Quote

Which is why my post was structured the way it was towards you, you see, you passed on your own opinion as fact as well.

admeister wrote

Qbert: I know what you're saying. I'm just trying to correct some of the awfully incorrect statements in the article.

admeister

5 years ago

thebigm wrote

admeister wrote

chrisrochey wrote

As for the Bluray/HDDVD battle, I think the article summed it up perfectly, let the rich battle it out, whilst we sit back and wait for what the future throws our way, for better or worse.

I guess I'd be considered rich then.

Well, somebody's got to do it, you don't have to be rich. I believe in Blu-Ray as a format, so I support it.

Now as to the article:

article wrote

Yes, these titles (Ridge Racer, Motorstorm and Resistance) were the only reasons to have purchased a PS3 in the preceding months overseas, and they're still the only reasons to get one now.

Quote

Which is why my post was structured the way it was towards you, you see, you passed on your own opinion as fact as well.

Well, a fair bit of what I said is fact, especially the part about how much I paid for all of it, as well as the Blu-Ray players that I've seen. I also thought it was rather short sighted to think that the only games worth owning are the ones that are super popular. That is always a good sign of course, but it gives people the wrong impression when you say the others aren't worth owning. I'm not claiming any facts in there, just trying be logical and fair, all games should have an equal opportunity, rather than just being written off like that. Some of the unpopular ones can be some of the better games, sometimes.

Jim Dash

5 years ago

Instead of realising that the super-popular games are like that for a reason - they're the only good exclusives.

Lets face it Ads, you were selling Genji becuase you know its crap more than needing the cash. If it was a 8 or 9/10 game, you wouldn't have tried to pawn the POS off. Full Auto 2..what were you thinking? Why buy crap games? Why not buy the killer-apps, the games that are actually SELLING the $1000 console? I'd say (arguably) the PS3 has a much better launch lineup than the 360 did, exclusives wise. All the others are more than a bonus. There are some bloody quality titles there.

At least the PS3 has some killer games at launch. What did 360 have? We were lucky to get Oblivion, only becuase PAL gets the late launch. Imagine if we had Gears of War at launch. Resistance may not be Gears, but its a awesome title. Resistance and Motorstorm are system sellers, no doubt.

Instead of experiencing the killer Motorstorm, Resistance, and Virtua Fighter though, you got the piddly-crap games!

That's a waste of $1000 if you ask me, mate. Oh, but you 'know what you're doing'.

And non-exclusives wise, nearly every game is better than Full Auto 2. Nearly every bloody one. And now he becomes a Sony fanboy. Tsk, tsk.

Googol

5 years ago

^^ I remember reading somewhere that admeister really likes the Full Auto series, Vigilante 8/2nd Offense and all that jazz. If you like that style of game, and hate (note: this is conceptual) FPSs or racing games, then of course you'll like Full Auto 2 better than, say, Resistance and MotorStorm simply by virtue of your likes and dislikes. Even if Resistance and MotorStorm are better games, some WILL like others (even - GOSH - the not-so-popular games) better. Also, note that although Virtua Fighter 5 is considered (by and large) better than both the aforementioned games, it doesn't garner anywhere NEAR the publicity nor the sales. Sometimes, not-so-super-popular games can be better.

Nova Prime wrote

While I'm at it, as for my post the other day getting deleted for only containing a quote about the PS3 at launch potentially selling more than Wii with a one-acronym-response from me ('lol'),

I didn't like the majority of your post, what with the inane "OMG u must be fanboi!!!!" comments throughout, but HOLY GOD did someone really say that? Jesus... 'lol' would almost be an appropriate response in that case. Almost.

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