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MS and Sony clash over TV deal News
Xbox 360 PlayStation 3 News by Tom Bramwell
Microsoft and Sony have started slagging each other off again - this time because Xbox 360 will soon play host to TV and film downloads.
Microsoft's Shane Kim told GameSpot, "This really highlights the difference between us and Sony."
"Sony has a very hardware-centric approach. You have to buy the Blu-ray drive whether you want it or not," he complained.
"The fact that we're a software company gives an enormous competitive advantage, because we can add capabilities like this. This is totally integrated seamlessly for our users."
But of course Sony has hit back, with a spokesperson telling Next-Gen.biz, "PlayStation 3's content is designed for everyone to enjoy right out of the box, no matter which configuration you purchase."
Continuing to jab Microsoft for its decision to split 360s between Core systems, which lack hard disks, and premium boxes which have them, the spokesperson said Sony "would never segregate or shut out any of our consumers from our entertainment experience because they didn't buy the top of the line system."
"Both PlayStation 3 versions available on November 17 include hard drives for downloading content," the spokesperson concluded.
All of which raises a very important question: who would win out of a fight between Phil Harrison and Peter Moore?
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ProtoformX
07/11/06 @ 07:40
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I think the real reason Nintendo took the "new generation" route and developed the Wii is because they couldn't be arsed/don't like getting involved in all this slagging. Thios stuff really is pointless. The vasty majority of gamers will have already made their mind up as to which next-gen console(s) they're getting and so this won't influence them one bit. The people MS and Sony need to persuade are the average Joes on the high street who aren't massively into gaming. But then because they're not seriously into it, they're not gonna be trawling the internet looking for press releases and all that. I would like one manufacturer to come up with something that would completely destroy the opposition and see what the opposition said about it. For example, and this is a hideously exaggerated example, MS said that 360s would be free.
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Although the Sony marketing puke has a point about the core system nonsense I think the MS whiner's comment is more relevant.
We've seen MS deliver the Live service for a while now and I'll bet the structure to deliver the films etc has already been in place as MS have been talking about this kind of thing for years (not necessarily on consoles). Sony will have the slight (some might say monopolistic) advantage that they will likely get exclusive access to all the Sony films. as a side note Sony say they - "would never segregate or shut out any of our consumers from our entertainment experience because they didn't buy the top of the line system." uh huh, and this is maybe true but guys, why don't you address your treatment of European customers first before getting on your high horse there? |
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SlackMaster
07/11/06 @ 07:46
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"would never segregate or shut out any of our consumers from our entertainment experience because they didn't buy the top of the line system."
*Cough* HDMI *Cough* |
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SlackMaster
07/11/06 @ 07:48
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The Core and Premium argument is a non issue anyway... lets face it, it's opened up the opertunity for people to buy the system at a lower price and then buy the HDD later if they want to go online or whatever... like I said, a non issue.
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most recently on 07/11/06 @ 07:49
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@Slackmaster:
All PS3 Versions have a HDMI port now. Besides, if you want to use this new feature, but only have a core package, just go into a store and buy the HDD. It's really simple. But carefully neglected by Sony. What do you do if you buy a "core" PS3 and decide later that you want to use WiFi? Oh, yeah. Right. You can't. |
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'it's opened up the opertunity for people to buy the system at a lower price and then buy the HDD later'
Sony seem to be completely ignoring this point. They talk about the Core system as if you cannot upgrade it. This tactic is similar to that sheet everyone was up in arms over last month with the system comparisons. I'd be pretty worried if your marketing department has to resort to twisting the facts about competitors rather than using the positives of your own product. Reminds me of Scottish politicians! |
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"Ah... I'm sooo tired of people bitching about blu-ray. If you don't see the advantage blu-ray give GAMES, then you are so in denial. Probably a 360 owner who want to make sure he has done the right choice. And the only way to do that is to bash the competition."
I haven't even seen a game on a Blu-Ray disk yet, have you? Have you actually 'seen' the advantages? Or have you just been sold on an 'idea' of something that isn't actually implemented yet? Denial, you say? ;) |
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"I've seen quite a few people on the forums, teenagers mostly, who are quite happy that they bought the Core version, and are now looking forward to getting some 360 peripherals, including 20GB HDD, for Xmas."
Similar for me but i am on the wrong side of my teens and live alone in a 3 bedroom house which the price is sky rocketing, so i'm paying a mortgage which is near crippling but all worth it when i make a 300% profit in a few years. Only bought a HDD back in june after buying my core system on day of release from my local woolies, the handy thing was i had a number of HDD's to borrow off my brother and a few mates so didnt miss out on any demo's :P
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most recently on 07/11/06 @ 09:01
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@morris
"Ah... I'm sooo tired of people bitching about blu-ray. If you don't see the advantage blu-ray give GAMES, then you are so in denial. Probably a 360 owner who want to make sure he has done the right choice. And the only way to do that is to bash the competition." I haven't even seen a game on a Blu-Ray disk yet, have you? Have you actually 'seen' the advantages? Or have you just been sold on an 'idea' of something that isn't actually implemented yet? Denial, you say? ;) ----------------- Let me ask you something; have you heard ANY developer say "no, we're ok with dvd9, blu-ray is not needed", I sure haven't, but I've heard plenty developers say they sure will use what blu-ray can offer. And not just first party, even third party and cross platform developers. (I would link you up, but don't have the time) Sure they can always fit a game in some form or another on a dvd9, but that does mean sacrifices compared to blu-ray. And by the way, all games for PS3 are on blu-ray, and a game like resistance is 22 GB.
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most recently on 07/11/06 @ 09:20
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"Let me ask you something; have you heard ANY developer say "no, we're ok with dvd9, blu-ray is not needed", I sure haven't, but I've heard plenty developers say they sure will use what blu-ray can offer. And not just first party, even third party and cross platform developers. (I would link you up, but don't have the time) Sure they can always fit a game in some form or another on a dvd9, but that does mean sacrifices compared to blu-ray."
Theory, theory, theory. BORING! I'll believe it 'when' and 'if' I see it. Like Jesus. :)
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most recently on 07/11/06 @ 09:13
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So the statement that blu-ray is not good for gaming is not a theory? I belive THAT when I see it. These comments is like in the old-old computer days when people said that they never would need more that xx kb of ram. And any developer that used more than that would be accused of bad programming.
Just like developers that use the space on blu-ray is beeing accused of now (like insomniac with resistance)
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most recently on 07/11/06 @ 09:25
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'both playstation 3 versions...'
At their nonsense price point. MS does things like this to give people with less income the ability to play 3rd gen games. Not everyone can afford a premuim system or a stupidly priced ps3, and believe it or not, not everyone who has a 360 has broadband or wants to go online with their console. |
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@manlord: you're still guessing. There might be a basis for what you're saying, but atm. you don't know any better than anyone else here.
Put it this way: Until there's a co-platform release where the PS3 version comletely pwns the 360 version and this is all down to the fact that devs have got so much extra disk space, then I'll believe it. Until then, it sounds like Sony wanting you to buy a PS3 with a Blu-Ray player in it. :) |
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crazyhorse174
07/11/06 @ 10:32
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I reckon they should put Phil and Peter in the ring, Royal Rumble style with Uwe Boll for his next fight...
...then bomb the arena! :) |
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It is funny to see that the Pro ppl think that only disk size matters (note: i'm not saying that it doesn't). If that is the case, then why is HDDVD kicking BRD's arse in terms of quality?
The most important innovation is compression. I.e. in 2000 we could do a 2:1 compression with the standards then. Now we can do stuff like 5:1 and more with better image quality. I think that the DVD will become too small in 2 or 3 years. However, this doesn't stop games from fitting on 2 disc's, will also affect the size of PS3 multi platform games and by that time the XB3 will be announced. And you seem to forget that developers always nag for more space while usually making exactly the same game as they would with half the space. Things will just be less optimised so that they can release it earlier. |
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"Have you seen Harrison? He's about 11 foot tall!"
But Peter Moore is actually Satan himself, so I don't think being tall would help t'other guy. ;-) EEEEEEEEEEEVIL! |
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KillahSouljah
07/11/06 @ 11:16
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Harrison would stamp on Moore's little wrinkly arse.
Moore the Microsoft Whore! |
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Psychotext
07/11/06 @ 11:22
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Anyone got any vital statistics on the two? I want to see a clean fight... =)
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The_Programmer
07/11/06 @ 11:24
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Are Sony capable of running any type of decent service? I mean they have Movie & Music companies and still let Apple shaft them.
As for the stupid Blu-ray makes better games comment. Blu-ray is a storage medium and doesn't make better games. According to Sony, and Microsoft, discs will be irrelevant in the near future as everything will be downloaded. |
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"Sony has a very hardware-centric approach. You have to buy the Blu-ray drive whether you want it or not," he complained.
Now, now Tom - don't be using your journalistic influences to sway readers, the above doesn't sound like a complaint, rather a statement of fact. Spokesperson said Sony "would only segregate or shut out our consumers from our entertainment experience because they couldn't afford the top of the line system." Fixed. |
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I think someone forgot to tell Sony htat the only reason why both systems come with a hard is because a hard drive is required for PS3 games, not because their being nice or anything. For instance Ridge Racer 7 PS3 installs to 5GB on the PS3 hard drive.
Which leads to the question what exactly is the benefit of Blu Ray if PS3 games require Hard Disc space? I'm not toally blind, I understand that more game content is a good thing when compared to less. Then again, crap game + loads of content due to size of blu ray = big crap game. |
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crazyhorse174
07/11/06 @ 12:04
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To hell with "Halo Wars"...they should make a game called "Console Wars"...an RTS based on the "Next-Gen Console War", where everyone is actually confused as to what "Next-Gen" actually means...
You could have Phil and Peter as "Heroes" for each team, with armies of Fanboys fighting each other over various terrain. Also included are the Bill (Gates) and Ken (Kuturagi) heroes! (No, not Bill and Ted...although that does bring up some possibilities for a movie spin-off...just imagine it...Bill and Kens Bogus Journeys...)
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most recently on 07/11/06 @ 12:06
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I think that Sony should have the lead here, what with all their Entertainment divisions. It will be easier for Sony to populate their Sony Store with films and TV. But Msoft could negate this with selected deals with the appropriate studios.
It's gonna it a bit silly though to have some films on your Xbox, and some on your PS3. Bit like having a VHS and Betamax... Wow, good analogy. Reggie FTW! |
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WhyMeeeeee
07/11/06 @ 12:18
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Continuing to jab Microsoft for its decision to split 360s between Core systems, which lack hard disks, and premium boxes which have them, the spokesperson said Sony "would never segregate or shut out any of our consumers from our entertainment experience because they didn't buy the top of the line system."
so sony are not selling a 20gb and a 60gb version now? |
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