Sony Describes DS As Gimmick 453
1up.com has news, via MCVUK, that PSP VP of Studios Phil Harrison has classified Nintendo's entry into the handheld market as 'irrelevant'. From the article: "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." 1up.com's commentary is well seen. From their piece: "Whether or not you fully agree, Nintendo DS can come off as gimmicky, but Sony's commentary is fairly strange." Read on for my own short commentary.
I know that, for the most part, comments like Harrisons are just the marketing version of "my processor is faster than yours" but I'm honestly surprised at the level of arrogance displayed there. Since the PSP's launch, Slashdot Games has posted article after article with titles like PSP Reception Lukewarm in U.S., PSP Not A Sellout Hit, What's Up With The PSP?, and most recently PSP Usage Lower Than Expected. This last article is especially disheartening for Sony execs because those numbers come from Japan, a nation that has traditionally been Sony's bread basket. If it's not doing well here, and it's not doing well there...do they really think that many Europeans are going to buy it when it launches there next week?
they might (Score:4, Interesting)
I think the psp is great, and I will buy one.. I am just waiting for movies I actually LIKE.. I'm more of an indie / forien flick kinda guy. So x-mas will tell me when or if I should buy.
Desperation? (Score:5, Interesting)
I think Sony have missed the point about battery life and original software something which saw the end of the Game Gear and the Atari Lynks(sp?)
Is the PSP technically superior to the DS? Yes, Was the Game Gear technically superior to the Game Boy? Yes. Which console won?
New GP32 with Linux (Score:5, Interesting)
Quite frankly, I think I'd prefer the new GPX2 [gpx2.com] over either of them. It's the successor to the superb GP32, and plays Xvid, Divx Ogg (and others), out of the box, has 128Mb and an SD slot, USB2, 8 hours of battery time for video playback (2xAA batteries), runs Linux, and actually has emulators (MAME etc.) on the feature list!
They highly encourage homebrew software.
When your best game is a gussied up port... (Score:3, Interesting)
I own a PSP and am very disappointed that the only good games were the launch titles, and many of those games were ports (Tony Hawks Underground 2, Darkstalkers). And I didnt buy a Nintendo DS because I thought nobody was releasing games for it. The sad part is that a bunch of interesting games are out right now in Japan, Some RPGS, which the PSP in America has none of, Astonishia Story, Breath of Fire III, although america is getting one in november, that is a while to wait. Also Japan has just seen some other games released such as Star Soldier, Megaman Dash, Taiko No Tatsujin, Sengoku Ace III-Sengoku Cannon, Heaven Key Earth Gate, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Popolocrois ponogatari, Shin Mimi Bukuro, Higanjima. Thats not a complete list, those are just the ones that looked interesting to me!
If sony actually cared about this system, why only release six games in the three months after releasing it? What kind of half-baked strategy is that? Even the prospect of using it for webbrowsing or emulators doesnt seem all that tempting compared to the increasing amount of quality software that seems to be comming out for the nintendo DS, if only the Nintendo DS wasnt the size of a brick I might buy one.
Sony is right, in a way (Score:5, Interesting)
Just play Pac-Pix or Kirby Canvas Curse and you'll see the DS has a future, albeit in its own niche. Furthermore, the touchscreen and the microphone make the DS better suited for Internet gaming than the PSP, however sexy the latter might be. I know the PSP can use external USB devices, but we all know how the market responds to add-ons.
Sony is just jealous that Nintendo's gimmick product is outselling theirs worldwide, and is actually making a profit. Now imagine when Nintendo announces the next-gen Game Boy.
The big N's next-gen handheld could use an architecture similar to the Gamecube (as has been rumored) so that the development environment can be shared between the GCN, the Revolution and the GBA2. Things are not going to get any easier for Sony. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the PSP2 comes with an embedded mic and a touchscreen.
Now don't take me wrong, I have both devices and love them, but Sony trying to make a stupid comparison at this point can only backfire.
Re:Sour grapes (Score:3, Interesting)
Japanese hardware sales for August 15 - August 21:
System - Weekly sales (2005 sales)
1. DS: 80,945 (1,462,984)
2. PS2: 33,292 (1,322,678)
3. PSP: 23,923 (1,150,150)
4. GBASP: 16,721 (483,335)
5. GC: 3,960 (148,345)
6. GBA: 822 (17,219)
7. Xbox: 263 (9,458)
It *was* a tough decision... (Score:1, Interesting)
But then Sony started playing hardball with the hackers out there, with every firmware upgrade trying to lock hackers out of their precious, perfect PSP. (I apologize for alliteration, it was assuredly accidental)
Fine, Sony. I won't hack your hardware to do crazy things like install linux or watch movies. I'll buy a DS instead (go DSLinux!)
It's a very effective strategy, guys!
Re:Gameboy (Score:5, Interesting)
None, right? Which PSP games support infrastructure wireless co-op or VS play?
Re:New GP32 with Linux (Score:1, Interesting)
also the Archos PMA 400 [archos.com], usb/mp3/mpg/divX/Xvid mplayer etc uses Linux and has an SDK so hack away
Re:As a DS owner (Score:5, Interesting)
That said, I also have a DS. For the DS I've been addicted to Mr. Driller (doesn't use the touch screen well, but the extra vertical height does help), Yoshi's Touch and Go for a long time (tons of fun once you get the hang of it. Can get very tough), Kirby Curse Canvas (amazing use of the pen). I played Meteos for a while (just isn't the same without the pen), I'm playing Advanced Wars now (doesn't really need the touch functionality) and Nintendogs.
I can't wait to try that surgery game (can't remember the name right now), the new Castlevania (though the touch screen looks like a gimmick there), Animal Crossing (pen would help A LOT, the GC version had me addicted for months), and many more. Lost in blue looks quite interesting too.
The good DS games can be classified in two ways: Those that use the 2nd screen well (Castlevania for the map, Advanced Wars for the second front/status info, Mr. Driller for the extra height), and those that just wouldn't work the same without the pen (Yoshi, Animal Crossing, Nintendogs, etc.)
The PSP looks better. No question. But so far I've enjoyed my DS FAR more than my PSP. Right now, the DS is the clear winner in my mind.
To be fair, there are many things (Burnout: Legends, GTA: Liberty City Stories, and more) that I think will bring the PSP into being a force. But the fact is that it has been stalled for a few months. I have no doubt it will pick up TONS of steam, but it sure took it a long time to get out of 1st gear (not that the DS was a speed demon there either).
Re:Sony Describes DS As Gimmick (Score:1, Interesting)
Now I'm not saying that the PS3 will not be successful but more that there was a time where everyone thought that the only portable CD player worth owning was the Discman, and that the only TV worth owning was a Trinitron; the plague of poor management decisions that has infested Sony will eventually hit their gaming division (and may already have) and it will go downhill too.
Re:Emulation on the GBA (Score:3, Interesting)
The red DSs that were just released in China and Japan have an updated firmware that disables older hacks, but those have already been worked around.
Re:Hmmm.. (Score:2, Interesting)
I couldn't agree with you more, agraupe. I love my DS. In fact, I received it as a gift, somewhat ignorant about its features. I immediately fell in love with it, beating the included Super Mario 64 in about a week after playing it non-stop. I loved how game-centric Nintendo seemed, and I have always admired that about the company. They don't make PDAs and they don't make home entertainment systems (although playing DVDs would be just a little helpful on GC); Nintendo makes systems to play games.
When I saw the PSP, I laughed my ass off. They cut their prime customers by including only one joystick! I recall saying, "Sony, say goodbye to -shooters!" Critics, of course, argue that DS is no more fit to handle shooters, but I disagree. Having played Metroid Prime: First Hunt on DS, the touch screen is perhaps the best addition to a handheld system that is possible. Not only does it provide extra information, but interface is extremely good. I think Sony is just a sad company now. They used to make such good stuff, and some of their stuff is still. I have a VAIO, and it works like a tramp (although I'm looking for an open source TV Tuner driver for the included "GigaPocket" hardware.) A lot of Sony's systems, though, do include gimmicks. Even when I got this computer, I thought the included TV tuner was somewhat of a gimmick, although it turns out now that almost all computers come standard (I got this one long before this was the case).
In favor of innovating, Sony has taken the Microshaft approach: "we'll call you names if you don't fall down, bend over, and take our big-money, Viagra-hungry chode in the ass." I'm tired of this big-time corporate-rhetoric shit. There is no reason for it. It's more interesting to watch little kids with this type of thing because a) they come up with better reasons and b) they're actually developing in the process (you can tell the child that his or her actions were completely inappropriate, and take further action if necessary). Fortunately we can beat Sony (and Microshaft) with a switch too; Andrew Jacksons have a very sharp sting when used as switches. And about the aforementioned innovation, Nintendo included many interesting interfaces with the DS. Not only did they include the separate screen, but the built in mic, with the optional headset port, as well as the Ni-Fi|Wi-Fi, GBA cartridge slot, touch sensitive enabled screen, and dual processors. Alternatively, Sony included the WiFi, huge screen (terrible for batteries), ONE joystick, the proprietary and utterly shitty MemoryStick, and the stupid (also proprietary) UMD format to accomadate movies as well as games! On the small screen! Tell me that is not a gimmick. Now they're selling shoddy games that have full web browsers included. Tell me that is not a gimmick. We are gamers, not friggin PDA users.
So much high-octane hardware is in PSP that Sony loses sight of innovation. Even though it's so turbocharged with huge LCD screen and yada yada, DS is still a more powerful system. This seems counterintuitive, but think about this: earlier this week, a few days ago a game called "Nintendogs" was announced for release in the US. At first I thought they had to be kidding. This game sounded like Pokemon all over again, just much lamer. You basically take care of a dog. But then I looked at this game. I saw the screen shots and I read the review, both of the game and the functionality. I am actually considering this game, since I have no time nor space for a dog, and since it is so intriguing. I love the idea of using my voice to command the dog, the touchscreen to "interact" with the dog, and the ability to direct my own play. It's genius. No gimmick there. A better gaming experience is what I get. Despite the lackluster performance on their last console system, Nintendo is clearly following a much better business model, adapting and innovating; it is clearly an example of the best of capitalism.
I would also like to mention that Zonk's posting style was superb. Post the facts, then the opinions. I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with www.stratfor.com, but they follow this same approach: facts, then analysis/opinion. Good work, Zonk.
Finally, what is Japanese for "go fuck yourself?"
Re:Corpses in the wake of the big N (Score:1, Interesting)
I know what many people think
Re:As a DS owner (Score:3, Interesting)
Sony fails to realize that a portable system has different potentials and liabilities compared to a home console. Nintendo has always realized it to a degree, and they really leaned on it with the DS, adding features that work much better on a portable than they would on a console. That's why there are better games. And as developers become more comfortable with the dual screens/touch screen, we should find plenty of other cool stuff on the shelves.
The PSP is never going to have a game that's anything more than what the PS2 can do, plus some multiplayer functions. And that's why the DS won out for me. Having the ability to play the same games to go is only appealing if I can't have new games to go instead. I can always play more GTA3 when I get back to my house. I'd rather spend my money on something unique. Who cares which handheld Tony Hawk looks best on, cause it's still going to look better in your living room. I think a lot of people are going to feel that too, if only subconsciously.
Really, the only thing special that the PSP is offering a gamer is portability. The DS offers much more, and for a cheaper too. Unless Sony does a huge about face on something like their stance on homebrew software, they're just selling a smaller version of the PS2. And the PS2 stopped being exciting years ago.
Re:Sorny doesn't like the DS? (Score:5, Interesting)
Editors aside, articles like this one are written for one thing and one thing only: to generate hits. Why do you think fuckin' Dvorak is still writing a column this late in the game? Because his flamebait, trolling articles generate hits. I'm sure he gets absolutely pounded by email each time he takes the wrong side of a hard line on issues, and that pays the bills. His expertise in the industry is quickly fading into irrelevance. An old man in an industry moving this quickly has a very hard time making insightful observations, but drive-by criticisms and fanciful, pulled-out-of-his-ass predictions are a no brainer.
To avoid calling the kettle black, I'll state for the record that my post just might be stupid, redundant, and uninformative.
Sony getting a taste of its own medicine (Score:3, Interesting)
No kidding.
Sony's managed to out-hype and out-market 2 of its game platform competitors now, with a somewhat (or majorly) inferior product.
Depending on how you look at it, the PS1 demolished both the N64 and Dreamcast - and really, it wasn't superior to either. Whether it was load times or sheer graphic capabilities, the PS1 was a pretty dreadful platform except for the fact that everyone had one, and it had thousands of mediocre games released.
The PS2 was the final nail in the Dreamcast coffin, and at the time most DC games looked and played far better than PS2 fare. The PS2 is still leading the Xbox and Gamecube in sales.
Maybe Sony's just finally getting a taste of their own medicine.
Re:Yeah, it's a gimmick! (Score:3, Interesting)
The thing that makes the PSP expensive to operate is the use of Sony's memory format. A Memory Stick Pro Duo seems to cost (on average) about twice as much as a comparitively sized CF or SD card. While that's not a big deal on its own, the PSP's disc-based design forces consumers to buy memory cards in order to save games. In addition, since the PSP is being touted as a multimedia machine, it can be expected that many people will want bigger memory cards to store movies and music.
The DS, on the other hand, has free save space included with each game. If people want to use the multimedia features of the GBA Movie Player or Play-Yan, they can use the cheaper (and more standard) SD and CF cards. So while batteries may not be a big issue, the PSP introduces a new problem that may be even more expensive, depending on the case.
Re:ROFL! Is this a joke? (Score:3, Interesting)
I disagree. I think it's a well-placed shot at the low-end and cell phone game playing crowd. It's cheap, it's small, it looks pretty slick, and it's got a HUGE library of games. Let's face it: for most people the PSP and the DS are big and expensive. And if you just want something to fill that 10 minute gap before the subway comes, neither system's games don't have enough pick up and play value. The GBA fits the bill perfectly.
Re:I think they're BOTH right. (Score:2, Interesting)
SNES > GameCube > Dual Shock > NES > N64 >> XBox-s >>>> Xbox
SNES: Small and confortable, pretty simple but has enough buttons.
Gamecube: Big A button gives easy access to both B and Y buttons without having to move your thumb much. Comfy overall and I like the little C-stick.
Dual Shock: The sticks are a unconfortable for me, but the digital pad is great for most games and the layout is easy to understand.
N64: I didn't like how most games forced use of the stick, making the third prong annoying deadweight. The sticks wore out pretty badly after a while.
XBox S: A bit big, I don't really like how the triggers are behind the controller, it interferes with how I grip the controller. The buttons are way too small and bulbous for me.
XBox: Before the Xbox launch, Ed Fries (or someone else form MS) said "this controller tested perfectly in focus groups and we're not going to change it or make another one" or something similar. It's seriously one of the reasons I leaned away from the XBox (which was a good decision because since launch the console has been offering great games in genres I don't like).
Re:Yeah, it's a gimmick! (Score:2, Interesting)
I'm usually quite busy, so I have too little time for my consoles and the DS fits the gap very well. If I'm going somewhere for a week I'll charge it and don't have to worry about bringing the charger, because it will have enough power. Heck, it can even have a couple of anime episodes on the movie advance if I feel like it, even though I'd rather watch movies on a laptop or a TV (which is also a reason why the PSP isn't all that interesting for me even if the screen is super sweet when you find one without dead pixels).
The SEGA Nomad was one sexy piece of hardware (even if more than a tad on the big side), but since the games for it were just Genesis/MegaDrive games, it wasn't very practical to have on the road - even if you ignore the ridiculous battery consumption on it. It seems to me a lot of the games that are touted for the PSP fall into the same category: Ridge Racers, Wipeout, Grand Theft Auto. I'm sure they're all fine games like their PS2 brethren, but they aren't particularly well suited for a quick pick-up-and-play imho. I have a couple of racing games on the DS, and I usually have to race a couple of laps to get "into the groove" before I can take on the higher levels, so it's more than just the time to actually finish a race that's required. Therefore I usually take other games with me if I'm on the go, but where are those pick-up-and-play games on the PSP right now? Or even in the near future?
Re:Sony getting a taste of its own medicine (Score:2, Interesting)