The Official PS3 thread!

[Winnow]

The pain! The pain!

GTA IV episodic content exclusive to 360, confirms Take-Two

Mark Androvich 23:05 (BST) 15/06/2007

A Take-Two spokesperson has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that the episodic content planned for Grand Theft Auto IV will be exclusively released for the Xbox 360.

Talk of an exclusive deal began following the release of Take-Two's Q2 financial report on Tuesday. The report stated that the episodic content would be released on 360 during the 2008 fiscal year - with no mention of PlayStation 3.

Now a company representative has told GI.biz, "The Grand Theft Auto IV episodic content is exclusive to Xbox 360."

The financial report also stated that fellow Take-Two title LA Noire is due out in fiscal 2008. The spokesperson suggested that both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 releases are likely, stating, "LA Noire is being developed for next-generation systems."

GTA IV will launch on both consoles on October 19.

[vn_Tanc]

I'll settle for it being good again. I haven't completed a GTA game since GTA3 vanilla due to tedium.

It will be very interesting to see how this episodic content develops in terms of cost vs. quality.

[Winnow]

Sony's Greatest Quotes!

http://next-generationsystems.blogspot. ... uotes.html

Here are some of Sony's greatest quotes. Most of them are about their gaming division and the competition, but there a couple other gems in there, too.

"Most people, I think, don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care about it?"
- Thomas Hesse, Sony BMG's president of global digital business, responding to the outcry over Sony's DRM Rootkit spyware uncovered on its music CDs


"You can look at the software that they sell. All their licensed kid stuff. So, what we're doing with the PlayStation Portable is really establishing a new marketplace, and establishing, frankly, a new beachhead."
- Peter Dille, Sony US Senior Vice President of Marketing, on comparing PSP to DS


“The idea of a handheld rivalry with Nintendo is an irrelevance. Those formats don't appear in our planning. It's not a fair comparison; not fair on them, I should stress. That sounds arrogant, maybe, but it's the truth. With the DS , it's fair to say that Nintendo stepped out of the technical race and went for a feature differentiation with the touch screen. But I fear that it won't have a lasting impact beyond that of a gimmick - so the long-lasting appeal of the platform is at peril as a direct result of that."
- Phil Harrison, president of Sony Worldwide Studios, on comparing PSP to DS in an interview with MCV


"It’s probably too cheap…"
– Ken Kutaragi, Regarding the $499 to $599 price point


"(the PS3) is not a game machine…"
- Ken Kutaragi, Regarding the machine’s beefy hardware architecture


"The name of the game is not market share, it’s how fast we (Sony) can grow the industry."
– Ken Kutaragi, regarding competition from Microsoft and Nintendo


"…for consumers to think to themselves ‘I will work more hours to buy one’. We want people to feel that they want it, irrespective of anything else."
– Ken Kutaragi, explaining their marketing goals for the PS3


"We do not care."
– Kaz Hirai, current President of Computer Entertainment, regarding competition from Microsoft and Nintendo


"I don't think the battle would be any different with or without Grand Theft Auto... I don't think it (losing Grand Theft Auto would) hurts us. No, I really don't."
- Jack Tretton, Sony Computer Entertainment America president and CEO


"If you can find a PS3 anywhere in North America that's been on shelves for more than five minutes, I'll give you 1200 bucks for it."
- Jack Tretton, Sony Computer Entertainment America president and CEO


"The first five million are going to buy it (PS3), whatever it is, even [if] it didn't have games."
- David Reeves, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO


"Microsoft does not concern us. Microsoft is not a technology company."
- Nobuyuki Idei, Sony chief corporate adviser in an interview with BBC NEWS


"A bit pricey."
- Michael Ephraim, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia, speaking about Nintendo Wii in an interview with the age.com.au


"We have a lot of respect for Nintendo, but with a December launch, how much stock are they going to get at a AU$400 price point? What is the consumer offering? So I don't think anyone will do more units than a PS2 this (Christmas)."
- Michael Ephraim, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia, regarding the launch of Nintendo Wii


"Sorry you didn't have the opportunity to buy a PS3 this year, but I'm sure it beats lining up in a queue for hours on end only to be told the store has sold out."
- Michael Ephraim, Managing Director of Sony Australia in an interview with the age.com.au


"There’s this sort of misunderstanding that the Blu-ray disc player for movies is somehow burdening the console with unnecessary cost. That is completely not true... Once we had that storage capacity on Blu-ray Disc, adding the movie playback functionality was extremely cost-effective, [the cost] is actually non-existent."
- Phil Harrison, regarding the wholesale cost of the system’s Blu-ray player


"Nobody will ever use 100% of PS3's capability"
- Phil Harrison, president of Sony Computer Entertainment's Worldwide Studios speaking with MTV news.


"The PlayStation 3 is a computer. We do not need the PC."
- Phil Harrison, president of Sony Worldwide Studios, in an interview with GameSpot


"I have no concerns about the competition."
- Phil Harrison, president of Sony Worldwide Studios speaking at the Game Developer Conference


"I don’t think we’re arrogant."
– Phil Harrison, regarding consumer perception of Sony

"We're certainly not interested in Gimmicks."
- Kaz Hirai0 E32k6, right before showing off Eye of Judgement.

"Nintendo knows its target audience, because it has really narrowed that down; and it’s pretty much defined by a boy or girl’s ability to admire Pokemon."
- Phil Harrison, president of Sony Computer Entertainment's Worldwide Studios

"But I fear that it won't have a lasting impact beyond that of a gimmick."
- Sony executive Phil Harrison cuts to the chase with his incisive analysis of the Nintendo DS in gaming paper MCV.

"Consider the US with its massive land and cheap people. Then you look at the UK - a little island where rent and rates are at an absolute premium, and the cost of people is a lot more."
- Sony's take on the consumers, as told by UK Managing Director Ray Maguire to website gamesindustry.biz

[Fash]

"It’s probably too cheap…"
– Ken Kutaragi, Regarding the $499 to $599 price point

It definitely is, considering you can't even get a standalone blu ray player for that cheap!

"The name of the game is not market share, it’s how fast we (Sony) can grow the industry."
– Ken Kutaragi, regarding competition from Microsoft and Nintendo

... what?

"…for consumers to think to themselves ‘I will work more hours to buy one’. We want people to feel that they want it, irrespective of anything else."
– Ken Kutaragi, explaining their marketing goals for the PS3

Irrespective of anything else, including it being worth it. This is an absolutely criminal marketing division.

"The first five million are going to buy it (PS3), whatever it is, even [if] it didn't have games."
- David Reeves, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO

Yeah, god damn lemmings! buy our shit!! HAHA!

"Microsoft does not concern us. Microsoft is not a technology company."
- Nobuyuki Idei, Sony chief corporate adviser in an interview with BBC NEWS

........

"A bit pricey."
- Michael Ephraim, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia, speaking about Nintendo Wii in an interview with the age.com.au

the wii is pricey at 250 and the ps3 is cheap at 600... is he seeing things upside-down from the down-under?

"We have a lot of respect for Nintendo, but with a December launch, how much stock are they going to get at a AU$400 price point? What is the consumer offering? So I don't think anyone will do more units than a PS2 this (Christmas)."
- Michael Ephraim, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia, regarding the launch of Nintendo Wii

hah, nobody... except almost everybody... the 360, the ds, the psp, and the wii all outperformed the ps2 over christmas.

"There’s this sort of misunderstanding that the Blu-ray disc player for movies is somehow burdening the console with unnecessary cost. That is completely not true... Once we had that storage capacity on Blu-ray Disc, adding the movie playback functionality was extremely cost-effective, [the cost] is actually non-existent."
- Phil Harrison, regarding the wholesale cost of the system’s Blu-ray player

lol... "once we got the blu ray drive in there" ... wait fucker, we're talking about the cost of the blu ray drive, not the software that plays the fucking movies... you fucking assfucking fuckstick! way to change the subject!

"Nobody will ever use 100% of PS3's capability"
- Phil Harrison, president of Sony Computer Entertainment's Worldwide Studios speaking with MTV news.

Spoken to a crowd who barely use 10% of their brain.

[Funkmasterr]

Yeah someone at work sent me that earlier this morning. Seriously, Sony needs to shut these fucking people up cause those quotes are beyond stupid. How can someone thats a higher up person in a huge company and is making hundreds of thousands if not millions a year be such a fucking moron?

[Animalor]

I would've loved to be at Sony HQ the day Harold Stringer finally decided to see what the hell Kutaragi was up to and actually look into what they were doing with the PS3.

[Sabek]

That sound you hear is Winnow having a spontaneous orgasm.

Looks like it is official now.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech/06 ... index.html

TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- The chief architect of Sony's PlayStation game console stepped down on Tuesday as the Japanese company struggles to defend its dominance in the video game industry and revive its reputation as an electronics pioneer.

Ken Kutaragi, 56, stepped down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s chairman and group chief executive, the gaming unit said Tuesday. The unit is now headed by Kazuo Hirai, SCE's former president and chief operating officer.

Kutaragi had already been relieved of day-to-day responsibilities as president last year but stayed on as its chief executive and chairman.

[Winnow]

This is interesting as well:

Microsoft Sues Immersion for Contract Breach Following Sony Deal

While Immersion may have closed its books on its legal battle with Sony over the patent rights to force feedback controllers, its chapters with Microsoft on the matter are about to be reopened. Microsoft said on Monday that has filed suit against Immersion for contract breach as a result of the Immersion-Sony settlement.

During 2002 to 2003, Immersion was in legal battles with Microsoft and Sony over its vibrating controllers. While Sony fought and eventually lost the case (and later came to an agreement), Microsoft negotiated a royalty payment program with Immersion. As part of Microsoft's deal, Immersion will pay Microsoft should a settlement with Sony be reached.

The lawsuit (PDF), as noted by Seattle P-I's Microsoft blog, details Immersion's financial commitment:

"In particular, it provides that if Immersion settles the Sony Lawsuit ... for an amount up to $100,000,000, Immersion shall pay Microsoft the sum of $15,000,000. If Immersion settles the Sony Lawsuit for an amount between $100,000,000 and $150,000,000, Immersion shall pay Microsoft an additional amount equal to 25% of the amount of the settlement in excess of $100,000,000. If Immersion Settles the Sony Lawsuit for an amount in excess of $150,000,000, Immersion shall pay Microsoft an additional amount equal to 17.5% of the amount of the settlement in excess of $150,000,000."

Microsoft was smart enough to buy into Immersion after settling so they could get some of Sony's money later!

[miir]

hah, nobody... except almost everybody... the 360, the ds, the psp, and the wii all outperformed the ps2 over christmas.

Ummm, the PS2 quite handily outsold every single one of those... except maybe the DS.

[Aslanna]

Nice surge for the 360. Getting close to outselling the PS3. Could just be a freak occurrence though. Will see next week! PS3 continuing with it's rather weak showing. Consistently been under 10k a week for awhile now.

Latest weekly hardware sales for Japan

Nintendo DS Lite - 118,684
Wii - 65,521
PSP - 33,359
PlayStation 2 - 11,974
PLAYSTATION 3 - 9,481
Xbox 360 - 7,583
Game Boy Advance SP - 472
Game Boy micro - 371

Wii kicking both their behinds though. For a 'fad' it sure is lasting a long time!

[Animalor]

Trusty Bell/Eternal Sonata came out in Japan this week.
Games sold close to 50k copies to an install base of about 350k and came in #2 for the week in Japan, outselling Ninja Gaiden Sigma that came out this week as well.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/media-create/s ... 270787.php

01. DS Observation Training (DS) - 63,439 / 220,810
02. Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream (360) - 49,334 / NEW
03. Ninja Gaiden Sigma (PS3) - 46,307 / NEW
04. Wii Sports (Wii) - 34,223 / 1,721,611
05. More Brain Age (DS) - 24,901 / 4,374,525
06. Wii Play (Wii) - 22,161 / 1,399,060
07. New Super Mario Bros. (DS) - 19,297 / 4,539,176
08. Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii: Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2 (DS) - 16,879 / 156,867
09. More English Training (DS) - 15,855 / 288,570
10. Brain Age (DS) - 15,405 / 3,467,764

[Aslanna]

That explains it. Figured there must have been some new game to come out. Now I know!

[miir]

Nice surge for the 360. Getting close to outselling the PS3. Could just be a freak occurrence though. Will see next week! PS3 continuing with it's rather weak showing. Consistently been under 10k a week for awhile now.

The PS3 outsold the 360 (total sales) in Japan within the first month.


The Wii is putting up some fantastic sales figures.
Month after month selling more than the PS3 and 360 combined.
Pretty embarrassing that Microsoft and Sony so badly misjudged the console market.

[Funkmasterr]

Japan != the console market. I realize the wii is also doing better here, and I own it as well, but the 360 is where I play the bulk of my games and I don't see that changing. The wii is a good system for multiplayer stuff and is cheap which is (I think) the big reason it's doing so well, but I don't think Microsoft made a mistake by not appealing to the market of people who rarely ever play video games, you can't really have both in one.

And the Japan market is irrelevant to what is going on here, they like a totally different genre of stuff than most people here do so comparing the two is retarded (no surprise it happens here so much.)

[Aslanna]

1) I realize the PS3 has outsold the 360 in Japan. Since pretty much always. That wasn't the point of my post. I was simply pointing out, for at least last week, 360 sales had increased a rather large amount from their usual sales of <2k.

2) Japan is every much a part of the console market as the US. Not to mention I don't see anyone here 'comparing the two'.

3) Funkmasterr is retarded.

[miir]

Japan != the console market. I realize the wii is also doing better here, and I own it as well, but the 360 is where I play the bulk of my games and I don't see that changing. The wii is a good system for multiplayer stuff and is cheap which is (I think) the big reason it's doing so well, but I don't think Microsoft made a mistake by not appealing to the market of people who rarely ever play video games, you can't really have both in one.

And the Japan market is irrelevant to what is going on here, they like a totally different genre of stuff than most people here do so comparing the two is retarded (no surprise it happens here so much.)

The number 1 and number 2 console makers are Japanese companies...
Japanese sales are sure as fuck NOT irrelevant to Nintendo and Sony.


Japan's population is 25% of North America.
Nintendo and Sony console sales in Japan are 75% of North America.

The Japanese are much more avid games than North Americans.
You're an idiot if you think Japanese market share is irrelevant to any console manufacturer... including Microsoft.

1) I realize the PS3 has outsold the 360 in Japan. Since pretty much always. That wasn't the point of my post. I was simply pointing out, for at least last week, 360 sales had increased a rather large amount from their usual sales of <2k.

2) Japan is every much a part of the console market as the US. Not to mention I don't see anyone here 'comparing the two'.

3) Funkmasterr is retarded.

1) Yea, I was just throwing out numbers. I was actually very surprised at how poorly the 360 sold in Japan. I had no idea it was that big of a failure.

2) When comparing sales figures, I usually look at the big picture... NA, EU and Asia. That gives a better representation on what people are really buying. Obviously the 360 fanboys are going to quote NA sales only. The 360 hasn't made much impact in any markets outside of the US. I personally don't have any bias to any console except maybe the PS2 (which is the only one I own).

3) Really?

[Funkmasterr]

I am not saying that japanese sales aren't relevant to the companies making the shit, but they are not relevant to me. What I care about is what goes on in the U.S., and what other people like me buy - and that just happens to NOT be the PS3 (and will continue that way.)

The wii really isn't the same thing as the PS3 or the 360, the wii has a lot of gimmicky games, and some good multiplayer stuff and really is more of a party console (I have not played any wii games single player beside zelda- always with others) the 360 and the PS3 are the consoles for the hardcore gamers that play more involved games with better graphics and gameplay (for the most part) which is why I kind of consider them in a different category. It's also a perfectly logical explanation as to why the wii is outselling the others - the casual market... We all played EQ, and we all know that's not for casual people.

In the same respect if all of the consoles went the way the wii did and aimed more for the casual market, I think I would play a lot less video games, so I am glad it's that way, and I don't think that MS made a mistake. Sony is a different story.

[Aslanna]

I apologize for posting a message that had no relevance to you. I'll try to do better in the future.

[Funkmasterr]

I apologize for posting a message that had no relevance to you. I'll try to do better in the future.

Har har. By all means do what you want, i'm just sick of hearing about how much stuff is doing in japan. When the PS3 is outselling the 360 in the U.S., I'll be the first to want to hear about it.

[Aslanna]

My post was really about how much better the 360 had done the past week than it had the week(s) before. It had nothing to do with the PS3 (still) outselling the 360. Don't get so defensive, fan boi. If anything one would have thought you'd find it good news!


Oh, and I forgot to comment on the DS in my original post. Can there really be anyone left in Japan that does not own one? Crazy that they keep selling 100k+ week after week after week.

[Funkmasterr]

I wonder that about the DS too.. Someone not as lazy as myself should compare the estimated population of japan to the estimated DS sales.

[Animalor]

I own a DS and I enjoy playing that little thing. Looking forward to Revenant Wing and Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

[Aslanna]

Nice surge for the 360. Getting close to outselling the PS3. Could just be a freak occurrence though. Will see next week!

Latest weekly hardware sales for Japan

Nintendo DS Lite - 118,684
Wii - 65,521
PSP - 33,359
PlayStation 2 - 11,974
PLAYSTATION 3 - 9,481
Xbox 360 - 7,583
Game Boy Advance SP - 472
Game Boy micro - 371

Latest week sales (Japan)

Nintendo DS Lite - 163,888
Wii - 65,582
PSP - 32,984
PlayStation 2 - 11,962
PLAYSTATION 3 - 9,581
Xbox 360 - 3,369
Game Boy micro - 284
Game Boy Advance SP - 130

Yeah, temporary surge just due to that game. 360 back down!

Interesting how consistent those numbers are for the Wii, PSP, PS2 and PS3. Almost exactly what they were the previous week! DS got a big jump though. Must have been a good game come out. Brain Training 2 perhaps.

[Kluden]

Lots of talk about crappy 360 reliability going around lately...made me change my mind on buying a console again.

http://www.360-gamer.com/news.asp?id=1143

edit: pointing out that the latest amount of "media" attention to the quality of craftsmanship may be a cause of dropped sales.

[Aslanna]

Yeah I personally wouldn't buy a 360 at this time. I'd wait for the 65nm change (or whatever) and see if that improves machine reliability before making that purchase. Way too many reports of the red ring of doom for my liking.

MS claiming the problem doesn't exist wouldn't fill me with confidence either.

[Winnow]

No time to find the article but Sony is adding the rumble to their controllers. Best time to buy a PS3 is Feb-March of 2008 when you'll get a cheaper PS3 with rumble controller and some worthy games will also be available and rolling in.

Of course, that will be a good time to buy a cheaper, quieter, cooler 360 as well that will already have a ton of good games out from the 07 holiday season.

[Niffoni]

In terms of hardware reliability, I have no confidence whatsoever in purchasing PS3 or 360. Nearly every friend I have who owns a 360 has had it fail AT LEAST once, and while I only know 2 people with PS3s, word from them is that they both run uncomfortably hot. Anecdotal evidence > fact!

Compare that to last generation where the only hardware failure I can recall was some tool who pretty much admits he left his XBox in the sun.

[Funkmasterr]

I understand that the issues with the 360 are a pain in the ass, but what I don't understand is how that stops people from buying one.

Here is how it works;

1- Buy the 360 at Best Buy

2- Spend 50 dollars on the warranty (steep, I know)

3- If it does break, you bring it in, get your hard drive switched over (I have heard of maybe 1 case of someone losing everything on their hard drive) pay another 50 dollars for another 3 years of warranty (if you want) and walk out all in a matter of 10 minutes.

Yes this is not the optimal situation, but I just really don't see it as a big deal for the amount of entertainment I am getting from it.

[Kluden]

I figure with Sony openly talking about a price drop, and the 360 having the silicon figured out for the 65nm process..they both will probably come down in price in November, and be better manufacturing processes by then. I'm kind of hoping MS ditches the core system, drops the premium to 299, and puts the elite at 399...right around when sony drops the PS3 single model to 499 or so.

I need to play more PS3 though, because I don't remember it getting that hot or being that loud at my friends. His 360 sounds like a fuggen vacuum cleaner though.

[Aslanna]

I understand that the issues with the 360 are a pain in the ass, but what I don't understand is how that stops people from buying one.

Here is how it works;

1- Buy the 360 at Best Buy

2- Spend 50 dollars on the warranty (steep, I know)

3- If it does break, you bring it in, get your hard drive switched over (I have heard of maybe 1 case of someone losing everything on their hard drive) pay another 50 dollars for another 3 years of warranty (if you want) and walk out all in a matter of 10 minutes.

Yes this is not the optimal situation, but I just really don't see it as a big deal for the amount of entertainment I am getting from it.

Surely you're not serious?

[Funkmasterr]

I understand that the issues with the 360 are a pain in the ass, but what I don't understand is how that stops people from buying one.

Here is how it works;

1- Buy the 360 at Best Buy

2- Spend 50 dollars on the warranty (steep, I know)

3- If it does break, you bring it in, get your hard drive switched over (I have heard of maybe 1 case of someone losing everything on their hard drive) pay another 50 dollars for another 3 years of warranty (if you want) and walk out all in a matter of 10 minutes.

Yes this is not the optimal situation, but I just really don't see it as a big deal for the amount of entertainment I am getting from it.

Surely you're not serious?

Why is that such a inconvenience? The reward i've got from playing it is well worth the 100 dollars I have spent on warranty over the past year and a half. I guess if 50 dollars is a big deal to you, that could be a reason to avoid it but I don't see it as this huge deal to avoid the system over.

[Drinsic Darkwood]

Because system failure should not be the standard. It should be an unexpected occurrance, to a reasonable degree. Obviously if you have a system that gets heavy use for 4 or 5 years, I could expect some issues, but when everyone I know that owns a 360 has issues already, that's a problem that should not be shrugged off with $100 dollars worth of warranty payments.

I have to agree with Niffoni about the generation comparisons... I still have the PS2 I received for Christmas during its initial release and the only problem I have ever had is a disc read error on a copy of Twisted Metal 2 that a PS1 could read fine. As far as I know my roommate's Xbox has never had any problems either.

[Funkmasterr]

I didn't say it should be the standard, I didn't say I liked it, I said exactly the opposite.

However, It isn't a problem enough for me to not buy the system.

[Boogahz]

I didn't even have to touch my "extended warranty" on the 360 when it failed. It was replaced by the vendor during the normal 1 year warranty. I have had ps1 and ps2 issues before. I think I went through 3-4 ps2's before I gave up on them. The only systems I remember no issues with were my XBox, and a Sega system...genesis I think.

[Funkmasterr]

I had 3 or 4 PS2's as well, and that was just in the first two years it was out.

[Truant]

Funny a couple of you mention ps2 issues (and somehow draw conclusions from that as to why the 360 is sex, but anyways)


I have an intial release ps2 that still runs beautifully. I'm talking I bought it off a guy who stood in line opening night. It has been my primary dvd player in addition to getting the crap played out of it (including falling asleep playing games and leaving it on all night many times).


No issues.

at all.



Lesson to be learned from this?


You clowns fucking suck.



saavy?

[Boogahz]

Funny a couple of you mention ps2 issues (and somehow draw conclusions from that as to why the 360 is sex, but anyways)


I have an intial release ps2 that still runs beautifully. I'm talking I bought it off a guy who stood in line opening night. It has been my primary dvd player in addition to getting the crap played out of it (including falling asleep playing games and leaving it on all night many times).


No issues.

at all.



Lesson to be learned from this?


You clowns fucking suck.



saavy?

I just brought up the ps2 because I had that system fail as well as my 360, ps1, nintendo, n64, and one other I cannot remember the name of

and I am chasing you around the board!

[miir]

I've had the same PS2 for 3+ years now.

[Animalor]

I've had the same PS2 for 3 years as well. However, I've hardly played it and it mostly collects dust.

[Jice Virago]

Funny a couple of you mention ps2 issues (and somehow draw conclusions from that as to why the 360 is sex, but anyways)


I have an intial release ps2 that still runs beautifully. I'm talking I bought it off a guy who stood in line opening night. It has been my primary dvd player in addition to getting the crap played out of it (including falling asleep playing games and leaving it on all night many times).


No issues.

at all.



Lesson to be learned from this?


You clowns fucking suck.



saavy?

I just brought up the ps2 because I had that system fail as well as my 360, ps1, nintendo, n64, and one other I cannot remember the name of

and I am chasing you around the board!

In all likelyhood, you are having a power issue. Either not enough power or its fluctuating. This will kill small electronics all the time. The only consoles I have owned that have died were my original PS2 (after 6 years and lots of road miles), my wife's original PS2 (similar lifetime), and the first Xbox we got (which died within a week of us buying it). None of our other consoles has ever failed, though the 360 gets buggy video periodically. Incidentally, we keep all our good consolues on surge protectors.

[Boogahz]

In all likelyhood, you are having a power issue. Either not enough power or its fluctuating. This will kill small electronics all the time. The only consoles I have owned that have died were my original PS2 (after 6 years and lots of road miles), my wife's original PS2 (similar lifetime), and the first Xbox we got (which died within a week of us buying it). None of our other consoles has ever failed, though the 360 gets buggy video periodically. Incidentally, we keep all our good consolues on surge protectors.

They didn't all die in the same home

I am almost positive that my first 360 died due to lightning though. I remember at least one of the PS2's died due to a surge too.

[Kluden]

I keep all my electronics on a power conditioner. Makes the voltage clean and protects against surges, obviously.

I have never had a console die on me. PS2 gets the most use, 5 years and running...I think I got it 6 months after release...its been a long time. Have other older systems, no failures.

Working in the electrical construction business...dirty power is very common in residential areas...if you don't have one, I would highly suggest one for your A/V equipment. The problem is, they are butt expensive now for something that is very cheap to construct. Its a shame really.

edit: The larger UPS units will have voltage regulators built in as well...that's usually the cheapest way to do it...and get back up power at the same time. The cheapest route is just a voltage regulator, it looks like a UPS outlet strip, but will have no battery backup, just the voltage regulating equipment inside.

edit2: I was also thinking, the power BRICK that comes with the 360 should be its own voltage regulator. If its a transformer to go from 120v to 12v (I don't know the voltage the 360 runs at), then it should do its own voltage regulating. Transformers inherently can handle some fluctuations in voltage, just not fluctuations that are for a longer periods of time.

[Chidoro]

I understand that the issues with the 360 are a pain in the ass, but what I don't understand is how that stops people from buying one.

Here is how it works;

1- Buy the 360 at Best Buy

2- Spend 50 dollars on the warranty (steep, I know)

3- If it does break, you bring it in, get your hard drive switched over (I have heard of maybe 1 case of someone losing everything on their hard drive) pay another 50 dollars for another 3 years of warranty (if you want) and walk out all in a matter of 10 minutes.

Yes this is not the optimal situation, but I just really don't see it as a big deal for the amount of entertainment I am getting from it.

Based off of your backup, you should really just leave your statement at "I understand that the issues with the 360 are a pain in the ass, but what I don't understand is how that would stop me from buying one." You are obviously enjoying your system and is willing to put up with the headaches of early adoption. I used to as well but problems with this new gen of systems have really seem to go beyond internet bitching loudmouths. Why should I expect to be inconvenienced? It is supposed to be entertainment after all. Not everyone has the time to fuck around w/ best buy employees or pissing away $50 on a warranty that shouldn't be necessary.

I am not purchasing a 360 until the new internal architecture comes out. I am enjoying the previous generation games and since Sony hasn't completely abandoned their old system like MS has, new games are still being released for it. Just because you have the money, doesn't mean you need to toss it down the toilet. Maybe that's why someone who approaches things as such has the money to begin with.

[Winnow]

The PS3 now costs less than an iPhone!

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/archives/1 ... uly-12.php

At the very least, the PS3 will be $100 cheaper at Circuit City from 7/15 to 7/21 (according to their Sunday Ad) , but this is a pretty good indication that there will be a price drop (announced at E3) at retailers across the USA. Stay tuned to CAG, especially Speedy1961's Sunday Ad thread) to see if other retailers follow suit. Is the PS3 now a good deal at $500 with 5 free Blu-ray movies? A big thanks to Speedy1961 for the scoop!

UPDATE: GameDaily says they have confirmed the price drop will be retail-wide starting 7/12, after speaking with a "merchandising manager (who wished to remain anonymous) at one of the world's biggest retailers".

[Aslanna]

I don't know. I still think it's a rumor. I don't think Sony will announce a price increase at this time.

[Animalor]

*edit* Clarification-- The 3 years covers consoles that have failed with General Hardware Faults or the "Red Ring of Death". For any other type of failures (aka DVD failures etc), the 1 year warrenty still applies.

Move good news for gamers.

MS expands the warrenty on the 360 to 3 years!

http://kotaku.com/gaming/no-brainer/mic ... 275370.php

People that have paid for repairs will be reimbursed.

[Aslanna]

Ryoji Chubachi of Sony has told Reuters that Sony currently has no plans to cut the price of the PS3, despite rumors yesterday indicating that the price is to be cut by $100 in the U.S. market. Further to this, Chubachi also said that Sony was on track to meet its target of a 5 percent operating profit for the end of the fiscal year.

[Aslanna]

Sony may have today denied any plans for an 'immediate' price cut, but once it again it looks like they are in denial for whatever reason. Following yesterday's news from a Circuit City employee, GD also received confirmation from their sources that a PS3 price cut was imminent. And now, internet reports suggest Best Buy and Target 'moles' have confirmed a price drop is on the cards. Further to this, a Target insider says that the PS3 60GB is showing up at a price of $499.99 on their systems, and that a new Best Buy ad has the PS3 at this new price too.

Who to believe!

I'm curious that if it is true how many people plan to run out and buy one? Were a lot of people holding out simply for $100? I'm a bit pessimistic that this will ignite sales by any significant amount. Time will tell!

[Boogahz]

My guess is that they (Sony) just want to be the party to announce the price cuts rather than the retailers. Maybe someone forgot to save their super-powerpoint presentation that they were going to give last week, and that person is still busy trying to recreated it while cursing their own foolishness.

[Winnow]

I'm curious that if it is true how many people plan to run out and buy one? Were a lot of people holding out simply for $100? I'm a bit pessimistic that this will ignite sales by any significant amount. Time will tell!

I doubt the price would go back up. The only incentive to run out and buy is if the 5 free Blu Ray movie offer ends at some point.

I would guess waiting until the rumble controllers are part of the package would be a good idea unless there are games that look interesting between now and next March.

A good hack for the PS3 would motivate me!