Microsoft pops up at PS3 launch

By Tom Bramwell Published 23 March, 2007

With a few friendly reminders.

Microsoft didn't exactly turn up to wish Sony luck last night, but it did make a few crafty moves to remind everyone that it was doing this over a year ago.

In England, at Sony's Virgin Megastore London launch, friendly men approached people in the queue offering tired bums a seat. Their fold-out chairs bore the words, "Shouldn't have kept you waiting" with a URL, www.shkyw.org. Cheeky!

Microsoft UK also sent journalists 168 cans of lager with a note declaring that there are better way to spend GBP 146 - the difference in price between Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. We were going to take a photograph, but unfortunately they sent them to Eurogamer TV editor Johnny Minkley, and now there are no longer 168.

Meanwhile in Paris, France, the PlayStation 3 launch took place within sight of the river - and guess what happened to be floating along nearby? Why, a massive riverboat bearing the slogan, "Xbox 360 (heart) you", of course.

Nice to see the marketing money getting a good work out, then, even if they should have used it all to make people buy Viva Piņata instead.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (72) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Yossarian #1 5 years ago

    you and your pinatas, bramwell

  • JediMasterMalik #2 5 years ago

    Very clever, and quite funny.

  • nickthegun #3 5 years ago

    Thats quite funny.

    Even though the banner should have read GALAGOOGOOS LOVE YOU!

    No one can resist that little guy....

  • JYM60 #4 5 years ago

    If anyone looked desperate at the ps3 launch it was microsoft.
    Edited by 1 at 23/03/07 @ 09:50

  • JohnnyM Verified , Eurogamer.net #5 5 years ago

    I'll make you a robo-Pinata out of the empties, Tom. Right after I've taken a beer bath.

  • Moz #6 5 years ago

    So it's ok when MS use underhanded tactics?

  • Xerx3s #7 5 years ago

    Didn't they do something similar with the psp launch? Very cheeky.

  • NthSimulachum #8 5 years ago

    Shouldn't it have been "Xbox (heart) vous"? To sate those damn Ecole Francaise-loving Parisians?

  • lennon #9 5 years ago

    Fosters though!!! And I do like the chair thing. Very funny.

  • Nobuo #10 5 years ago

    Wow... that's... pretty pathetic.

    IMO.

  • Latin #11 5 years ago

    @ Moz

    M$ hearts you!

    Embrace their love and make sex juice over their console (which is actually rather good)

    Plus, on a more serious note, they didn't royally screw over the European market.

  • JYM60 #12 5 years ago

    @ Moz

    M$ hearts you!

    Embrace their love and make sex juice over their console (which is actually rather good)

    Plus, on a more serious note, they didn't royally screw over the European market.


    Please say you were talking about the console.

  • Keso #13 5 years ago

    Microsoft hearts money, you're just an inconvenience.

  • Rizzle #14 5 years ago

    Despite not caring too much about these next-gen things (I can afford the new gen, but that's it for the moment...)...

    Highly amusing. More cheap shots delivered in silly ways, please.

  • SBfistfun #15 5 years ago

    I think that was rather crafty and amusing

  • bioreit #16 5 years ago

    You know what, I'm impressed by the Sony London thing (I mean, come ON - a free 46 inch Bravia just for buying a console at midnight?!?!) and I'm also impressed by this stuff from Microsoft.

    Like with any advert - cool stuff and humour are what works.

    It shows that Sony CAN get PR right once in a while and it also shows that Microsoft have a sense of humour.

    Now if only Sony can carry on with this for the next few months and MS can come up with some decent, funny adverts that DON'T get canned before being aired (a la the train station shoot-out one and the cradle-to-grave one), I predict glorious times ahead.

  • Moz #17 5 years ago

    @ManicMinerUK

    I was more refering to the chairs things, As that was in an event, made a dig at Sony, and if i've read the articule corretly didn't actually advertise the X360 but an address to a sight that does.

  • BartonFink #18 5 years ago

    Very funny.

  • Huntcjna #19 5 years ago

    In fairness you can't really blame Microsoft for trying to raise awareness of their competing product at the launch parties of the staunch opposition can you?

    Its a sales battle for gods sake and Sony have pissed on European consumers so much over the past two years I hope there sales do suffer at the expense of the xbox.

  • Latin #20 5 years ago

    I don't think Sony can continue to give away 46 inch TVs with every PS3.

    What they could do however (totally unrealistic) is give away a copy of Spiderman 3 before it's in the cinema. That would be cool. I know it wouldn't persuade many people (anyone?) to buy a PS3 but it would be a nice gesture considering the fact we're getting our pants pulled down.

  • neil_likes_bums #21 5 years ago

    haha, that made me smile. unlike my PS3 which has made me poor :D

  • Putty-Man #22 5 years ago

    The beer thing sounded good, tho Im dissapointed the people who bought their console (ok just me) didnt get any free beer tho.

  • RexRunti #23 5 years ago

    Speaking of adverts, has anyone seen that crazy advert where the guy in the pink suit's dog picks up a grenade which is then thrown away and kicked onto the roof while a woman with way too much lipstick laughs manically on the floor before grabbing some bloke who walks into the room and the greande rolls down the gutter and explodes next to a big bag of money that was brought by an angry attractive couple?

    That's an advert for the PS3...

    PS Full stops purposly omitted to try and convey the advert authentically.

  • Skooch #24 5 years ago

    MS do have some moves after all - pretty funny :D

  • AcidSnake #25 5 years ago

    Class!
    Very nice move from the MS marketing department...

  • septimus #26 5 years ago

    @Rex - yeah it's the worst advert I've ever seen in trying to communicate a product.

    Wtf are Sony marketeers thinking with this crap?

  • neil_likes_bums #27 5 years ago

    Holy crap, some people need to stop being OBSESSED with the brand of their machines! it's about the games people, hello? I now own all three CURRENT-gen consoles, and I wouldn't be without any of them!

    A hip hip hooray for games!

  • RexRunti #28 5 years ago

    At first I thought it was a very strage advert for living tv because of the "this is living" tag at the end, it finally clicked when the gave the dat 23.03.2007 at the end. I mean that crazy MS advert with the guy fighting monsters in the street was bad, but at least it made you think games machine and you knew what it was for.

  • matrim83 #29 5 years ago

    This made me chuckle. Unlike a lot of other advertising aimed towards gamers that usually makes me cringe.

    Go MS. :)

  • neil_likes_bums #30 5 years ago

    I think the fact that you noticed, and are discussing the ad prove it's probably doing it's job.. adverts that are instantly forgotten are the worst for marketing :) Mind you I haven't noticed it :|

  • MARKIV #31 5 years ago

    What a load of crap M$. You should be spending more time in game development than cheap stunts like this. I've just watched a video of Forza 2 and the collision physics are almost non existent, yet in Motorstorm there everywhere!

  • neil_likes_bums #32 5 years ago

    Wow you're bright aren't you :D

    (comparing a non-finished simulation game with a finished arcady thrash-athon)

    ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!
    Edited by 2 at 23/03/07 @ 10:57

  • simo #33 5 years ago

    Ha ha, splemdid work by Microsoft! Bitchy catfights via press releases ftl. Humourous PR stunts ftw!

  • brainbird #34 5 years ago

    This is getting dirty.

  • Lov3 #35 5 years ago

    Funny, but sad.

  • UncleLou #36 5 years ago

    How about less expensive marketing crap and cheaper games instead?

  • GamesConnoisseur #37 5 years ago

    If an advert generates thinking and discussons then yes it is successful!

    Seconds neil_likes_bum that it should be all about the games and loyalities to brand is weak and childish. Dissing Forza 2? That game clearly going to do well based on the previous title and will get it, I also intend to purchase Motorstorm for it new style when I get PS3 at reasonable price.

  • reality_cheque #38 5 years ago

    Hee hee hee, that did make me chuckle :D

    And this comments thread has introduced me to 2 people I want to ignore, so \o/

    Keep coming with the 'OMG M$ ARE EVIL' comments guys, I just love feeling more intelligent than people on the intarwub. It makes me sexy.

  • PatriotGun #39 5 years ago

    I think that was funny and welcome.

    It may be all about the games, but sony is saying all the time that the others aren`t even on the same level, that the PS3 is on an upper level than the 360.

    If that`s the truth then sony shouldn`t be bothered with this.

    It`s a fight between Microsoft and Nintendo `cause Sony is on another level!

    STUPID GUYS WHO CAN`T KEEP THEIR MOUTH SHUT.

  • deaner #40 5 years ago

    Sony's return fire:

    [link url=http://gamevideo s.com/video/id/10182
    ]http://gamevideo s.com/video/id/10182
    [/link]

    Or what other would call "betterness".

  • Mr_Brown #41 5 years ago

    lol those MS boys are crazy.

    Pretty good advertising though. Doubt it will be mega effective but least MS have a sense of humour. Anything that rubs PS3 owners noses in it is fine with me as i can`t afford one :o[ still happy with my Xbox 360 and Wii tho

  • crazyhorse174 #42 5 years ago

    I'm having a shit day at work but this made me smile!

  • zozart #43 5 years ago

    "Sony's return fire:

    [link url=http://gamevideo s.com/video/id/10182
    ]http://gamevideo s.com/video/id/10182
    [/link]

    Or what other would call "betterness"."

    Er, yes. Because comparing Xbox with PS3 is fair.

    Might as well contrast the upcoming Mass Effect (360) with Final Fantasy XII (PS2).

  • bauhaus #44 5 years ago

    My 360 makes its noisy way up into the attic today.

  • thinktank #45 5 years ago

    bauhaus your either an idiot, an obsessed fanboy, or a lier (with regards to owning a 360)

    which is it?

  • CannonAnBall #46 5 years ago

    As said, it proves MS have a sense of humour and that some people round here haven't. Desperate, certainly not, funny, definitely!

    The PS3 is bigger more powerful than you can possibly imagine and you know what I'm gonna do? Kick start my old megadrive! Streets of Rage 2 here I come.

  • neil_likes_bums #47 5 years ago

    blaze is hot!

  • CannonAnBall #48 5 years ago

    The guy on the skates is annoying though! (Is he called Skates??)

  • neil_likes_bums #49 5 years ago

    He's called Skate I think, or Sammy in the original Japanese Bare Knuckle 2.. ahhh. Now I want to play that :D

  • CannonAnBall #50 5 years ago

    The big wrestler dude is good!

  • YoJimbo #51 5 years ago

    Lol...class, nice one MS

    Thats almost as funny as listening to all these idiotic Sony fanboys bitchin about it ;)

    Oh how they make me laugh, i knew this would turn out to be one of the funniest days of the year (Cheers Sony)

  • reality_cheque #52 5 years ago

    @CannonAnBall: Now you've made me a sad panda as I can't find SORII anywhere :(

  • CannonAnBall #53 5 years ago

    I kept my Megadrive solely for Streets of Rage 2. Even with all the next gen graphics around and shiny new consoles, it remains one of my fave games of all time!

    I think I still have Fifa 95, Desert Strike and Aliens lying around somewhere!

  • Xerx3s #54 5 years ago

    Wow...just wow. Comparing a next gen game with a previous gen game. Let's compare Halo 3 to Wolvenstein and gloat about how much better it looks.

    EDIT: Wasn't the xbox also capable of doing HD stuff? Failed to turn that on then?
    Edited by 1 at 23/03/07 @ 15:03

  • Triggerhappytel #55 5 years ago

    JYM60 - "If anyone looked desperate at the ps3 launch it was microsoft. "

    Moz - "So it's ok when MS use underhanded tactics?"

    Agreed. Surely there are better ways to spend the advertising budget -- like actually publicising the fucking games?!

    I hate all this corporate cock-jousting. Bunch of tossers.

  • Antoine48 #56 5 years ago

    LMAO This is the greatest ever thing, ever!

  • sanctusmortis #57 5 years ago

    They hardly went "why are you people here? BUY OUR MACHINE!" Instead they said "wow, Sony's late to the party. Catch up!" in reference to Sony's little "the next generation starts when we say" thing. It's just a little light humour, and people should loosen up.

    Are you people honestly telling me if Sony had done the same thing, it wouldn't be funny?

  • ronuds #58 5 years ago

    I like it! Why the hell wouldn't you try to undermine one of the biggest days for your competitor? It's a pretty good move if you ask me. Unfortunately, like the ps3 launch... nobody was there to see it!

    Ha!

  • Ihya #59 5 years ago

    Bit insecure eh MS?

  • Barry619 #60 5 years ago

    Keso - "Microsoft hearts money, you're just an inconvenience."

    Ah, and for a second there i forgot Sony where a non-profit organization who directly crams all of it's huge profits into the fists of starving 3rd world familys.

  • mike_mgoblue #61 5 years ago

    That is cool the way Microsoft reminds the Playstation 3 people that the Xbox 360 is far superior!

    * There are WAY more exclusive games on the Xbox 360.

    * Playstation 3 has very few exclusive games--and the ones it does have are very poorly rated and low-quality.

    * All third-party released on both systems are superior on the Xbox 360 in terms of overall graphics and online play.

    * Look how many Playstation 3 versions of games like Call of Duty 3, Ridge Racer, all the EA Sports games, all the 2K Sports games, and so many other third party PS3 games don't even include Online Voice Chat

    * All the Xbox 360 third-party games include Online Voice Chat.

    Microsot did a GREAT job of marketing!!!

    The Playstation 3 is off to a terrible start in Europe. Just look at the way it is doing so poorly in Itally where the system launched early. It is having the same negative impact as the Sega Saturn when it launched early. All across Europe there are PLENTY of Playstation 3 systems sitting there, ready to purchase, but noboyd is interested...and there were only one-million systems shipped to Europe!

    Playstation 3 is in BIG trouble!

  • EmiliasHorse #62 5 years ago

    Well it's been a funny old day. People getting angry at MS having a good natured and funny dig at a friendly rival. Yellowtruck certain the 360's end is just around the corner and bauhaus is shoving his 360 in the attic to make room for the enormous PS3 (You could try ebaying the 360, might get more than a PS3).

    Work was boring today, EG has been brilliant. Thanks guys

  • Amazing Bryan #63 5 years ago

    Haha - I love Microsoft.

  • Xerx3s #64 5 years ago

    mike_mgoblue: Give it a rest, will you?

  • CitizenGeek #65 5 years ago

    I agree with JYM60 - pretty desperate of Microsoft.

  • thinktank #66 5 years ago

    And MS loves your money bryan

  • Redeye #67 5 years ago

    Amusing - just like all the fanboy whining (regardless of affiliation).

    *goes back to playing Gradius Collection*

  • Dirtie #68 5 years ago

    Not only UK ;)
    http://www.nzgam er.com/news-all-1668

  • eurocloak #69 5 years ago

    And yet Viva Pinata is a real acheivement while this cheeky article makes me retch.

  • effinwooly #70 5 years ago

    class ! lol

  • Calgon #71 5 years ago

    :D that was quite funny... and they had every right to do it when you think back to Sony's E3 comments.

    "Next gen starts when we say it does" ect... MS and Ninty were thinking - "wtf? hang on a minute Ken your talking crap there mate"

    So they just reminded them in a humorous way, it wasnt that bitchy just "You're late... Welcome to the Next-Gen guys", makes alot more sense in Europe too.
    Edited by 1 at 24/03/07 @ 18:02

  • DocTep #72 5 years ago

    Far better than some clueless exec-speak, and it actually raised a smile instead of the usual eye-rolling. It was also quite polite, instead of screaming "We're better because... [insert fanboy-ish rubbish here]" they simply welcomed Sony to the party.

    If anyone took offence at that then they might want to consider if they're being perhaps just a little too precious about whichever multinational company they're feeling the need to defend.

    Oh, and I somehow think that there was more than the cost of a few crates of larger standing between Viva Piņata and sales success (sadly).

  • Jas315 #73 5 years ago

    Now all we have to do is wait for Sony to sneak up during the Elite 360 launch

    Hehe... yes, its happening boys & girls...

    Let the battle begin.