Dear Sony: Please. Stop. Talking.
Look, it’s not like I hate Sony: I love my PS2, and my PSP is fun to take on trips. I don’t even like kicking people when they’re down. But when a person or group consistently screws up and then makes a series of ludicrous statements, asking me not to make fun of them is like asking an alcoholic to bartend.
So, who do we have being a moron today? Oh, look, it’s Sony VP Jamie MacDonald. GamesIndustry.biz conducted a lengthy interview with MacDonald and asked some really good questions. The second half of the the interviews starts strongly enough:
GamesIndustry.biz: Were you disappointed to learn that the PS3 is going to be delayed in Europe?
Jamie MacDonald: I was gutted. Absolutely gutted. Like many people, I was looking forward to having a PlayStation 3 under the Christmas tree. But, you know, that’s a privilege that the people in the United States and Japan are going to have. It’s just unfortunate we couldn’t do that in Europe. So yes, of course I’m disappointed.
OK so far. Then he shoots himself in the foot.
Look, it’s not like I hate Sony: I love my PS2, and my PSP is fun to take on trips. I don’t even like kicking people when they’re down. But when a person or group consistently screws up and then makes a series of ludicrous statements, asking me not to make fun of them is like asking an alcoholic to bartend.
So, who do we have being a moron today? Oh, look, it’s Sony VP Jamie MacDonald. GamesIndustry.biz conducted a lengthy interview with MacDonald and asked some really good questions. The second half of the the interviews starts strongly enough:
GamesIndustry.biz: Were you disappointed to learn that the PS3 is going to be delayed in Europe?
Jamie MacDonald: I was gutted. Absolutely gutted. Like many people, I was looking forward to having a PlayStation 3 under the Christmas tree. But, you know, that’s a privilege that the people in the United States and Japan are going to have. It’s just unfortunate we couldn’t do that in Europe. So yes, of course I’m disappointed.
OK so far. Then he shoots himself in the foot.
GamesIndustry.biz: What would you say to consumers who like Sony and want to buy your products, but perhaps feel that because they’re in Europe they’re always last in line?
Jamie MacDonald: European consumers have shown that historically they don’t mind that, because they end up buying as many PlayStations, if not more, than the US and Japan. In Europe, it doesn’t seem that the release of our platforms after the US and Japan – in the long run – affects how consumers feel.
And then there was the final little landmine he stepped on.
GamesIndustry.biz: Do you think the delay will make much difference to your chances of winning the next-gen battle?
Jamie MacDonald: If we were sitting here in five years’ time, I don’t think we’d really think about or notice that PlayStation 3 was four or five months later in Europe. I think in the long run, PlayStation 3 will succeed because of the great product it is and the great software we make for it.
This is ridiculous: don’t these guys realize how moronic they sound when they say this stuff?! It’s no wonder that Sony’s shareholders aren’t happy these days.
Boy of Tomorrow
Posted to on 6 October 2006
· Comments (9)
Other stuff like this: Delays, Europe, Jamie MacDonald, PS3, Sony
Sadly, it’s true. Game developers could really give two shits about the European market because the US and Japan is where the money is at.
In all honesty, it’s stupid gamers that take this PR statements and spin it like so, when the reality is, is that PR talk is all worthless.
Boy of Tomorrow, I know you’re new, but try to be a bit less biased in reporting. Make it worthwhile to read, because I could go anywhere and read people shitting on Sony and their PR. Why should I read your statement as well?
Not trying to be mean, just offering some critical advice.
I gotta stick up for my boy. It’s hard as FUDGE to write anything noncritical of Sony these days without either lying or being a total milquetoast. Agreed, PR is pretty rank, but that doesn’t make it go away. The same can be said for news, for that matter. If only it were that easy!
I didn’t think Boy of Tomorrow was being biased. Seriously, with the kind of stuff Sony has pulled, he was being kind. Then again, I might be biased as I’m still waiting on the pix of him modeling the Bonus Stage undies. =D
As much as I hate to say it, I agree with Lardy McNerd of Sony.
No one WILL care or even remember the farcial launch of the console in a year’s time!
Sad, but true. People will only care about the quality of the games.
Hey Karis, you’re talkin’ about what happened with the PS2 amirite? :D
Hey there. I’m talking about every console – but especially Sony and their rubbish Euro releases. Like everything in the world, no one ever learns.
It’s a huge issue, but we always get screwed in Europe. More expensive consoles and games, and everything’s hugely delayed. Yet we allow it to continue, probably because we have no choice.
grumbles
Hey Kris, I appreciate where you’re coming from and think your comments have some merit, but I feel like I should point something out:
Some of the news posts we put together are really just commentary on news that’s posted at other sites (hence the two links at the beginning of the article). In cases like this, especially since GayGamer.net is essentially a gaming news blog, it’s pretty much impossible not to let our opinions into our writing. If we didn’t state our views, the posts would simply be akin to saying, “hey, look, Kotaku has a link about this story: here’s a repeat of what they’re saying.”
I’d like to think that people come to our site because they like to hear our opinions on these subjects, as is the case with sites like Kotaku, Joystiq, and Destructoid.
Now, I totally understand that we all have different opinions about how reporting is supposed to be done; so please don’t take these words as an attack on either you or your philosophy.
Best,
BoT
Hey BoT. Are you talking to me?
Because my comments weren’t dismissive of yours in any way, nor was I disagreeing with you.
I was merely saying that all of Sony’s flaws will be ignored when the console comes out.
Which is a bit sad, as so long as we do nothing, companies will continue with to treat we in Europe as third class gamers.
Nothing else :)
K
Hey Karis,
Sorry about that: my ADD kicked in and I meant to write “William” instead of yours. Seriously, my apologies.