What do you guys make of this post on N'gai Croal's Level Up Blog:

"Despite the PlayStation 2's utter dominance during the previous console cycle, we began to notice a trend emerging from casual conversations with developers: many of them were doing the bulk of their gaming on the Xbox. When asked, said game makers cited a variety of reasons, including better graphics, a wider selection of first-person shooters, and, of course, the superior online functionality of Xbox Live. This developer gap has only become more pronounced with the Xbox 360's yearlong head start and Sony's shockingly un-integrated Playstation Network feature set. We've spoken with a number of developers who don't even own PS3s; among those who do, several use it as nothing more than a Blu-Ray player. What's more, we've been to countless press events where third-party publishers are demonstrating their multiplatform games with nary a PS3 in the house. And when inquiries are made about its absence, we're greeted with a look that's either sheepish or knowing, as if it's now simply taken for granted that the PS3 version is of course lagging behind its Xbox 360 counterpart. Such is the state of PS3 development among third parties today.

We bring this up because, in our persistent state of naivete, we made yesterday what we thought was a simple request of Harmonix's PR firm. Having observed that all of the screenshots of the just-announced Rock Band in-game music store were taken from the Xbox 360 version, we inquired as to whether we could also obtain some screens of the PS3 version. Whereupon we were informed that no such screenshots existed, and that if we still wanted them, we'd have to wait until this morning. To which we replied, "For real? No-one on the team pulled screenshots for the PS3 version? Wow." Still, sensing the opportunity for a scoop, albeit a minor one, we nevertheless requested that said screens be sent our way.

As it turns out, the folks at Harmonix went into their lair much sooner than we'd been led to believe and procured four screenshots for us yesterday evening, one which you saw above, and three that will follow at the conclusion of this post. But we recount this tale to demonstrate the ways, both large and small, in which the PS3 remains an afterthought among game developers. And while the improved sales of PS3 in North America should ameliorate this situation--along with a European market in which the PS3 appears poised to regain its dominance--the fact remains that as much as Sony has lost market share among gamers, it has lost far more mind share among third party developers, publishers and even PR people, all of whom say that Microsoft is more responsive to their needs. We'll just add this to the list of problems that Sony will have to fix if it wants to reclaim its throne."

Stuff like this pisses me off, but it is true. Easier and more money is hard to argue with. Functionality is something needed out of the gate. I hate Microsoft's "cheating" ways, but its worked. They released less powerful, more unreliable hardware, but did it quickly and with a fully functional online interface.

In no way is the Xbox360 better than the PS3 hardware-wise, I stand by that. But its just the quickest, easiest, and most reliable way to game at the moment. Third party seems to be completely comfortable with the hardware, and games are selling. Also, Xbox Live provides game developers with ways to KEEP making money after the game is released.

I still think the PS3 will beat out the 360 this generation because of the many people out there who hated the Xbox, and still hate the 360. Also games and features will push the PS3 out of the 360's reach. Microsoft still had a huge impact this generation, and has been feeding off of Sony to hype up their own console. They are an anchor on this whole generation, but from a corporate standpoint they have done an amazing job. Because of them, however, I doubt we will ever see the limits of what the PS3 can do.

Sucks for PS3.

-Edited by mod

They're tellin' me!  Ugh...*too* wide would be the understatement of Sony-dominated '08.  ;)

Anyway, it all makes sense.  360 had a one-year headstart and the processor was easier to develop for out of the gate.  "Better graphics" though....LOL!  Orange Box PS3 didn't even use the SPE's, I don't think.  But now EA and others have in many cases made PS3 lead platform.  Didn't the CoD4 guys say they thought the PS3 version was better?

Tides have turned. 

 No but Gamepro did...

I don't really care about this as long as we are getting the games..which we are now

The Xbox 360 is the top HD platform for practically all multiplatform third parties.  So third parties favoring it doesn't come as any surprise.  It not only brings in more money for third parties but it's also easier and quicker to develop for. 
I'm sure some people will come in and talk about the power of the Cell but that's nothing but a headache and another needless expense for third parties.  And for those bringing up Europe as the great equalizer, well I have serious doubts about that when every multiplatform third party financial report I see shows the 360 well ahead of the PS3.

 The article clearly states that nothing has turned... Sony dropped the ball with 3rd parties this genetration and Sony fans have to pay the price... 

None of that really surprises me :P The 360 is easier to develop for, which obviously turns into being easier to add features xD And the PSN isn't as functional as XBL YET. There will be a day when it surpasses it (because I believe open-net is much better than closed circuit lol) but that day certainly isn't now, and until Sony figures out where it needs to go with it's PSN this type of thing might just stay common :P

The article neglects the facts.  What does a Newsweek guy know?  EA and I think Ubi have moved to using PS3 as lead in a lot of cases.  So there will be a difference between what we've seen (360 edge), what we've seen more recently (more equal w/ PS3 edge in a number of cases), and what we will see (PS3 edge)

@ Legend: the only real headache is to figure out Cell once, and move sh*tty old legacy code onto it efficiently.  Yes, the first time necessitates some work.  Once a dev has learned Cell,  they'll be able to competently program for it in the future more effectively.  And yeah, Cell is a lot more powerful than Xenon.  Of COURSE a 360 fan doesn't want to hear about Cell......