Was the best thing to happen to the Xbox the tarnishing of the PS brand?

[xman]

Let me start by saying I do not want to start a PS3 bashing thread especially since I am going to be taking the plunge and buying a PS3 in the next few weeks (come on PRICE CUT or maybe a nice KZ2 bundle in America).   We all know both MS and Sony made mistakes this generation and I would argue that Sony made more and bigger ones but I think the bigeest issue for Sony long term is now is not just prices, its image.

At the start of the generation all my fruends and me said we are getting a PS3, I have watched as more and more peeled away from the PS3 to either xbox (most) and WII (many). Even in the last 12 months if you would have asked a 100 people which system they would want I would say 60% would have said PS3. This was to do with perception, people thought it was better and would have the better games at some stage.

I do think the PS3 is finally hitting stride this year hence why I will get one once the price cut comes.    My argument is  at one time the Playstation brand was untouchable, and after these past three years I have watched in go from reverance down to on par with the Xbox.  

Do you think long term the mistakes the PS made will hurt them next gen?  I prsonally do!

I think next gen people will not say like I did this gen, "I am getting a PS4" they will say lets look to see what xbox and Nintendo will look like cause the PS brand is no longer what it was?

Your thoughts?