I also want to add how Sony absolutely sucks at molding their public image. Despite Microsoft having a history of being seen as an "Evil Empire" and a powerful monopoly, somehow Sony got the label of being the "Evil Empire". It might be because of the success of the PS2, or maybe how the PS3 was designed. I say that the main reason was Sony's cockiness, or rather the people representing Sony's cockiness. Although Aaron Greenberg isn't exactly giving Microsoft the best image as well, he pales in comparison to the likes of Kaz Hirai, and whoever else was presenting at E3.
The "Ridge Racer", and "Giant Crab" blunders don't help Sony's image. If I didn't mention it already, what the fuck was up with the PSP and PS3 commercials? The exploding rubic cube, and that baby commercial? Why the fuck would consumers buy a PS3 because they see that? Don't get me started on the PSP commercial... (It's a nut... you can play... outside): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSESkml_Kt4
If you take a look at the 360's Japanese ads, they show a slick, modern image, with Japanese people playing with Americans. Nintendo did the converse with the Wii.
The 360 teamed up with Wall Mart and showed a mom playing Guitar Hero with her children. The Wii showed grandma easily playing Wii golf. Where were the Little Big Planet ads? Why not advertise the Sixaxis use with "Flow" and "Flower"?
You see Microsoft using a full CG ad with Halo 3, that gets people pumped up for the game. Sony does a full CG trailer and make the mistake of claiming its gameplay and get flak, and they can't come up with a single tv commercial when they have Brian Cox doing a simply AMAZING job voicing Visari.
Microsoft advertises Netflix, while Sony barely features Bluray in one of their better ads (The one where they showcase a medley of games with "Ladies and Gentlemen" playing in the background... which again, if you listen to the lyrics adds to their cockiness and incumbent image".
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Like another poster said, I'm sick of having to advertise Killzone 2 myself. You might ask me why I care so much about Sony doing well, and I already stated in my OP why I'm disliking Microsoft more and more. You have to realize though that Microsoft managed to get FANS on their side, when they're absolutely being killed by Apple in their public image.
I wonder how many 360 fanboys, especially those composed of college kids, own iPods and Macs, and laugh at Microsoft in the Apple commercials. How can such a hated company get so much loyalty after backstabing their consumers so many times?
It's because Microsoft is smart, appologizes heavily to those who get RROD, extend their warranty, and fixes their Xbox or even gives them a brand new one absolutely free. It's because they pay for the scratched disks. It's because they say that they "respect Sony", and say that the faulty hardware was unintentional, when it was clearly a result of rushing a product.
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I feel sorry for the employees of Sony who worked tirelessly to make the PS3, when their CEO's, Presidents, Vice Presidents, and marketing department absolutely fuck everything up.
They need to get people who can actually speak English at E3. They need to stop openly bashing Microsoft and looking like assholes. They need to start advertising the games that they want to succeed. They need to step it up, NOW.
They have an absolutely huge chance to step up against Microsoft in 2009 and early 2010, and bring attention to their console and games. And I think that this is also their LAST chance to stay in the game competitively. Either they really are simply giving up on the PS3, or overestimating Killzone 2's knowledge in the general public.
*catches breath*....
/rant
