PS3 A “Sinking Ship”

In which I will narrowly avoid a rant and talk about economic problems. Again.

Published 13/12/2008 at 17:43.
By Peter C [ColossalBlue].

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Bloody doom and gloom: Why did those stupid US financiers have to throw money at jobless homeowners? Now we’re all going to suffer because banks are greedy sods and our governments won’t just let them die like any other business would. I’ll stop there because I’m in serious danger of just posting another rant and I think I’m supposed to have the odd proper story in amongst my ranting and the close eye I’ve been keeping on Woolworths demise…

Anyway, to the point:

CNN Money has posted a story by a gentleman by the name of Eric Krangel about how the PS3 is a sinking ship and Sony is in danger of drowning with it if they don’t sort themselves out. In amongst a largely derogatory and fairly petulant article (quite unprofessional in my opinion) they point out that the NPD figures are bad and that Sony’s current flagship is being outsold in a big way by its competitors (he counts the Wii, I wouldn’t really). Eric Krangel also shows that he has no love for Sackboy, doesn’t think Home is going to be a big thing and is about as stupid as mud when it comes to HD entertainment. I’ll quote him here so you can see how stupid he is without having to suffer the rest of his simplistic dross.

The differences between Blu-Ray and DVD are hard to see on a TV less than 50″

Yes, Eric, they are. If you’re blind and don’t have a decent sound system.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I think he makes some valid points (well, one valid point) but I also think that if you’re going to write an article in which you’re basically showing your lack of knowledge of a subject mixed with some pretty partisan points of view then at least try to make it funny. Like I do.

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kamiboy | 13/12/2008 17:51
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He is right about everything he says unfortunately. In fact just a few hours ago I was saying the same things in one of our comments sections.
- colossalblue | 13/12/2008 18:11
  Team TSA: Editor
  2112 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
  
  At the risk of a huge exchange like the recent one’s you’ve been having with CC all over the place:
  
  In what way is he right about anything? Other than the obvious need for a price cut everything he says that is his own opinion and not just figures is either totally misjudged or stated far too early to be judged at all.
  
  That thing about Blu-Ray being hard to distinguish from DVD on anything but a huge TV is so wrong it’s laughable. The statements he made about LBP and Home not being “game-changers” are impossible to justify without a time machine and an afternoon in 2012 to see if they have actually changed the game. I know he’s stating opinion, like the rest of us but he states it as fact even though he has no grounding for it.
  
  If he /thinks/ LBP and Home will make no difference then fair enough, I’ll just disagree with him but if he states it (as he has) as a current fact then in my opinion he comes off as another victim of (or possibly agent for) the industry-crushing MS publicity machine. I don’t like that.
  - kamiboy | 13/12/2008 19:36
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    He is just saying what everyone is thinking. LBP and Home are not game changers because they both fell short of SONY’s expectations and flopped. Things that flop rarely have the power to change things. Blu-ray being indistinguishable from DVD is maybe laughable to you and certain videophiles of which I am a member, but that is a tiny fraction of movie disc buying public and so don’t have the power to change much. Regular DVD buyers (the guys happily watching moving through the yellow coaxal cable that came with their player) won’t see a big difference, I can guarantee you that, and they are the ones who have to be convinced to make Blu-ray DVD’s sucessor. Even if they do see a small difference it won’t be enough for them to justify upgrading, Blu-ray does not have huge adcantages over DVD like DVD had over VHS, that is what he was trying to say in fewer words.
    
    The man is an analyst so it is his job predict things, given the state of things I have hard time believing anyone carefully going over the body of evidence could reach a different conclusion. The PS3 is a sinking ship and he nails most of the reasons why that is so at the moment. He could have have fleshed his opinions out some more, but he writes for CNN, not some gaming related outlet, so people don’t care and would get bored if he did, doesn’t make him wrong for doing so though.
  - colossalblue | 13/12/2008 20:06
    Team TSA: Editor
    2112 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    You’re absolutely and fundamentally wrong, it is way too early in their prospective life-cycles to say that LBP or Home have flopped. That’s like saying this year’s X-Factor was a failure, you have absolutely no way of knowing because it is still in the process of selling, influencing and seeing out its profitability. I would agree that LBP hasn’t lived up to the PS3 press’s expectations because most of us hyped it and wanted it to be our messiah, so far it has not done that but it is absolutely nowhere near finished yet and I wouldn’t agree that it has failed to live up to Sony’s expectations because I don’t know what their expectations are for it, everything from them seems like they are largely happy with the way it has performed so far and expect it to continue shifting units for a time to come. They might be right, they might be wrong. Neither of us know so neither of us (or Eric Krangel) can make that statement.
    
    As for the differences between DVD and Blu-Ray, they are not a matter of opinion, they are measurable. HD TV is taking America by storm at the moment, it’s a huge thing which is massively supported by broadcasters, manufacturers and consumers. The user base is there and they’re not as ignorant as you seem to think. They’re just one step away from upgrading their DVD player to Blu-Ray. I think this is probably because of the massive libraries of DVDs people have in their homes and the still extortionate price of Blu-Ray media. When the media prices come down it is most likely that the next upgrade that the huge HDTV owning base will make is to Blu-Ray because it has massively, noticeably and measurably better picture and sound quality.
    
    As for Mr. Krangel’s credentials as an analyst, I’m sure he gets paid more than I do to post his opinion on the internet (it wouldn’t be hard would it?!) and I’m sure he’s an expert in the world of finance but that doesn’t change the fact that this piece was misjudged, misinformed and ignorantly biased. It also featured no prediction, just some NPD figures the world has had for a few days and a series of, at best, highly debatable claims about a subject that he clearly hasn’t got the first idea about.
    
    So much for not wanting a lengthy exchange!
  - kamiboy | 13/12/2008 20:10
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    Analysts are most often idiots who talk out of their arse, I agree. I happen to agree with what this guy says, you don’t, lets wait a year and see who was right.
  - theshockwave | 13/12/2008 20:20
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    2806 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
    
    Sorry, gotta back Cb on this one.
  - colossalblue | 13/12/2008 20:24
    Team TSA: Editor
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    Absolutely, it’s an opinion and an interpretation issue.
  - benny boy | 13/12/2008 23:57
    Member
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    You may support this guy’s opinion all you want. Most people here would disagree with you though.
    
    What you shouldn’t be supporting is the fact that he is masquerading a very biased opinion as a fact.
  - djhsecondnature | 14/12/2008 01:59
    Kicking It
    1699 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    Got to back blue on this one. If the guy from CNN didn’t portray his ‘opinions’ as facts then we’d probably be having a different discussion. To say that it is hard to tell the difference on a TV smaller that 50″ is just plain wrong. Most retailers and companies agree that a TV over the size of 32″ will show significant differences between DVD and Blu-ray and with the expected average TV size to be 60″ by 2015 this will become something that everyone will take note of.
  - Gamoc | 13/12/2008 23:16
    Member
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    Woah, hold on, how much they sell has nothing to do with how much they change the industry. You can already see social things appearing on other consoles, so Home and Sony’s previous social/party stuff (Singstar) is clearly changing things – just look at NXE for christ’s sake.
    
    And there is no chance that LBP won’t change things. It’s too good. The community aspect is going to spread like wildfire, for a start.
  - Mentality | 14/12/2008 08:19
    Member
    48 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
    
    I can tell the difference on my 27″ TV in my bedroom, and I’m no videophile. If the differences where not noticable on smaller screens then it really would not be justifiyable to make them at all and they would only offer HD on the larger scale screens. Where then they probably would be at a loss.
    
    I’m with CB
  - Gamoc | 14/12/2008 11:34
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    1304 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    Agreed, I had a 19″ SDTV when I first got my PS3. I got a 19″ HDTV for christmas last year, and the difference between the two was staggering. It’s definitely noticeable on small TVs, this guy needs punching. Hard. In the cock. He needs a cock-punch.
  - seedaripper1973 | 14/12/2008 13:11
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    *laughs hard*
SteveTheSkorie | 13/12/2008 17:52
Team TSA: Writer
1521 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

To be honest though, Americans are known for their stupidity and ability to read the news then go around and tell people what they read as if it’s their own opinion in order to sound smart. This article could be dangerous.
Don’t worry though people! I am NOT saying that all Americans are like that. One of my best friends is American and every time I have visited the country I have always been delighted with it’s people! :D I’ve also heard that Canada is the nice version of America, and from the standard that the Americans have set for me, I look forward to when I can meet my first Canadian!

Back on point though, Sony will hopefully learn from this and actually start advertising to get back the name they deserve!
Also, they might want to drop the price.
thelastguy | 13/12/2008 17:52
Member
0 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

It is my belief that the article you refer to in this piece is part of an orchestrated psychic campaign by Microsoft to coincide with the launch of HOME. There have been several bought and paid for anti-PS3 articles in the mainstream news agencies that I monitor, especially America, home of the evil empire of Microsoft.
The Microsoft viral marketeers have also been “activated” on all global gaming forums.
- colossalblue | 13/12/2008 18:17
  Team TSA: Editor
  2112 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
  
  oooh, a conspiracy theory? Somebody call Mulder and Scully.
  
  On a more serious note, I think that there are an awful lot of Microsoft supporters working in the conservative media in America, largely due to the MS lobby’s power within the Republican movement. I wouldn’t go so far as to say they’ve bought and paid for articles from the mainstream media though. At least not without seeking legal advice first…
SonOfAPeeg | 13/12/2008 17:58
Member
193 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008

Thanks for the link.

It seems normal that the cheaper options will outsell the more expensive when on the face of it they’re designed to do pretty much the same thing -play games.

However, without being too much of a fanboy about it, I bought a PS3 assuming it could do more than just play games – like be a media dump so I can watch downloaded stuff on a big screen or run Linux for retrogaming. My suspicion is that the PS3 is a more popular purchase among older tech-heads (except for those who buy all three systems) and the sales of the other two are much more family-driven. And I reckon that when Mum or Dad are buying for Little Jimmy they don’t actually compare the games libraries or the tech spec.

And the other reason I plumped for a PS3 (not that anybody asked, but what the hell) was brand loyalty. The last telly I had was a Sony and it lasted for 19 years. Anybody else remember the Walkman and the Discman? Sony’s hardware is and always has been bloody reliable. I fully expect my PS3 to still be alive and kicking in five years, and still doing all the extra bits even if for whatever reason I’m not gaming on it.

That said, I do wish to hell I could play Fable 2.
SonOfAPeeg | 13/12/2008 18:03
Member
193 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008

Steve, go to Canada. We’re bloody lovely. And we have good bacon, unlike the weird dyed-purple Frazzle-like pseudopig tat they give you in the US.
legalisemurder | 13/12/2008 18:05
Member
320 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008

Lets not forget that PS3 is winning in Europe and the other pal territories and that millions of PS2 owners have yet to upgrade.When the rpgs start flowing sony will dominate as japan,korea and large numbers of westerners jump aboard.For an intelligent forecast you just have to compare each consoles 09 titles.
cc_star | 13/12/2008 18:34
Team TSA: Writer
12632 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

I have a 42″ plasma (soon to be 40″ LCD) and I watch Blu-rays all the time, at least 2-3 a week, thanks to LoveFilm. And they are amazing they are as different to DVD as DVDs were to VHS. anyone who says otherwise shouldn’t have brought their flatscreen from a supermarket! And don’t get me started on the sound it is in a different league.

And what the majority of America knows about the PS3 you can write on a postage stamp (TSA visitors excluded)
- SteveTheSkorie | 13/12/2008 22:57
  Team TSA: Writer
  1521 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
  
  Exactly.
  My Mam HATES my PS3. She’d smash it with a hammer if she could.
  But the other day she realised she wanted to watch one of my Blurays in the living room and she couldn’t because the PS3 isn’t allowed in there.
  So she asked if getting a Bluray player would be worth it.
  I told her No. A PS3 would be worth it.
  I went on to explain about the futureproofness of the bluray with firmware updates. Then I told her about PlayTV and Life with Playstation, then Buzz and Singstar, then the ability to put her pictures on it and finally about the video rental downloads that should get here eventually.
  Suddenly the PS3 wasn’t such a bad thing.
  Now why won’t Sony get their fingers out and start showing the world what the PS3 can do!!! It really is the perfect all in one system!
LiquescentShadow | 13/12/2008 18:51
Member
1623 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008

I think it’s a very ‘in’ thing to slate the PS3 at the moment. Articles such as this are being released left, right and centre. Many people are having a pop at LBP’s ‘bad’ sales numbers (how is a million copies sold in 5 weeks bad!?), and the rocky start that Home had.

I think it’s about time that there was a fully independent look at every aspect of the gaming industry, and not just some idiot taking all the bad aspects (true or false, doesn’t matter to them) of one console and then forming a totally misinformed article on it.

As for comparing Wii sales to PS3, you just can’t do it. I don’t see the Wii as a direct competitor with the PS3 (or 360) as it’s target consumer is totally different. It isn’t exactly ‘next gen’ technology at work, either.

It was only the other day that I played a DVD on my 22″ HD telly. It was a noticeably worse picture than a blu ray produces, so I don’t even know if he’s actually spent any time with a PS3 or blu-ray film at all.
- djhsecondnature | 14/12/2008 02:02
  Kicking It
  1699 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
  
  Very good point about slagging the PS3 atm.
seedaripper1973 | 13/12/2008 18:54
Member
2443 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

Eric Krangel, is absolutely right! I’ve been saying for ages now, that it is a ‘sinking ship’ due to the fact that the ‘PS3 [is] flopping so badly’ I’ve mentioned to ‘Tell yourself the PS3 has superior graphics if it makes you feel better’ and that the ‘mediocre game library simply cannot compete against an Xbox 360′*

*yes i DID bang my head this morning.

Words cannot express my dismay towards this piece of ‘journalistic’ tripe, its biased, unresearched hyperbole. The author should hang his head in shame (but I’m sure the wedges of cash can keep it up)
PROPER HORROR SHOW!
:(
GamerRiley | 13/12/2008 19:12
Member
888 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008

I did start to read this article by Eric Krangel this morning I think but as soon as he mention the 50″ tv thing that you have pointed out Cb, I thought I wouldn’t bother. Anybody who makes a statement like that I haven’t got the time for, the guy obviously doesn’t know what he’s talking about.