I recently read an article from PS3 Fanboy stating the reasons PS3 is relevant again. I found this article very interesting since the format war is over. Is the PS3 relevant now? Below is PS3 Fanboy’s reasons as well as what I think.
1) Blu-Ray won the Format War.
PS3 Fanboy
With Blu-Ray having won the format war, the PS3 is looking more and more tempting for AV-philes. Not only is it one of the cheapest Blu-Ray players on the market today, it’s completely future proof with future Blu-Ray profiles…
What I Think
They are right on. The reason I bought the PS3 is because of the Blu-Ray capabilities. Of course I am an avid gamer, but right now I see the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player only. Now that Blu-Ray won the format war more PS3’s will be sold as Blu-Ray only players. Lets face it, it is definitely the best valued Blu-Ray player.
2) High Quality PSN Games
PS3 Fanboy
The quality of games on the PlayStation Network speaks for itself. Sony seeks out the most innovative and experimental content for its downloadable game service such as flOw and Everyday Shooter… Finally, Super Stardust HD remains one of the system’s best titles - not bad for less than 10 dollars.
What I Think
This is where I dissagree. First off the playstation store (PSN) is a joke. It is basically a web page you have to navigate awkwardly with a controller. It is not intuitive nor is it user friendly. That aside lets chat about games. PSN does not have the amount or quality of games that its main competitor has in Xbox Live Arcade. Sure there are come good ones like Calling All Cars, and Everyday Shooter, but the majority of the games can be found on other networks where there are many more game offerings. What I care about is exclusives, and so far the exclusives on Xbox 360 far outweigh those on PS3.
3) Great DLC support for first party titles
PS3 Fanboy
First party PS3 games receive excellent downloadable content. Motorstorm, even a year after its release, still continues to receive updates in the form of new tracks and vehicles. Both Warhawk and Resistance receive free updates and improvements as well as purchasable map packs…
What I Think
Blah Blah Blah. Sounds like company PR to me. Downloadable content, to me, has been a way for publishers/developers to squeeze every last drop of money they can from you. I don’t think any company can really brag about their downloadable content unless it was free. I mean lets look at horse armor. Yeah that went over well. The best downloadable content I think have been the map packs and the additional songs you can download for Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Although I really don’t think these are good reasons why the PS3 is now relevant.
4) DualShock 3
PS3 Fanboy
The DualShock 3 reintroduces rumble to the PlayStation brand. SIXAXIS motion sensing is implemented into most new releases, with developers like Rockstar and Kojima Productions discovering that less is more…
What I Think
The DualShock 3 reintroduces rumble to the PS3, something it should have had from the beginning. Despite the new old rumble, the SIXAXIS control is very cool if it is used sparingly. I recently played through Uncharted, and Heavenly Sword and I thought the use of the SIXAXIS control was used very well. Still I don’t think this technology merits that much acclaim. Until there is a game that is revolutionary enough to take full advantage of the SIXAXIS I don’t it is that credible.
5) Value for money
PS3 Fanboy
Sony lowered the price during 2007 from the ludicrous $600 starting price tag to a much better value $400. The PS3 is one of the cheapest Blu-Ray players on the market and is guaranteed to contain a HDD, built in wifi and a free online service…
What I Think
I agree totally. The PS3 is a great value for any video lover. For the hardcore gamer, the jury is still out for me.
6) Regular firmware updates
PS3 Fanboy
Sony continually updates the system to improve the user experience. Over the last twelve months we’ve been given DivX support, backwards downloading, Remote Start, Folding@Home, themes, Blu-Ray profile 1.1, DVD upscaling and more…
What I Think
I think firmware updates are great, especially when they bring new features. However, PS3 has a long way to go in improving their system update process. When you first start up the system there is no indication that a firmware update is available unless you visit the system update or the Playstation Store. After you manually search and find an update you start the download, which in my experience has taken a very long time. When downloading an update you cannot do anything else on the machine until the download has completed. After the download has completed next the system starts the actual update (remember kids don’t turn off your system). the whole process is cumbersome and time consuming. Also don’t even get me started on the whole cross media bar (it should be scrapped).
7) Remote Play
PS3 Fanboy
PSP owners can interact with their PS3s even when they’re in a different room (or country) thanks to Remote Play. Once your PSP is synced up to your PS3 you can turn it on and off from anywhere with wifi access…
What I Think
Unfortunately I do not own a PSP so I cannot comment on that. However I do think that if you are a PSP fan, the PS3 ties in very nicely with that lifestyle. For me, my portable gaming device will be the iPhone.
8 ) Metal Gear Solid 4
PS3 Fanboy
The final chapter in the Metal Gear Solid saga is arguably the most anticipated PlayStation 3 title this year. Sony recently announced a worldwide June 12 release date for the game…
What I Think
While I am totally stoked for Metel Gear Solid 4, and even more excited for Killzone, I think that Sony need to secure more exclusives to make it relevant. Don’t get me wrong, those games are system sellers, however so are the dozens of blockbuster exclusive titles that have already been released on Xbox 360. Anyone ever heard of Halo 3? Just look at my list of top games, there is only one PS3 exclusive game. Most of the top games are on 360. Bottom line exclusives sell systems.
9) LittleBigPlanet
PS3 Fanboy
Originally shown off at GDC 2006, LittleBigPlanet captured gamers’ imaginations with its adorable characters and innovative gameplay. The biggest draw of the game, which sees its release later this year…
What I Think
I am not that excited about LittleBigPlanet. I think it looks like a fun game, but it is certainly not a system seller. I cannot imagine anyone going into BestBuy and saying ,”I’m gonna buy a PS3 to play LittleBigPlanet.” Seems to me LittleBigPlanet is more suited for the Wii audience. However I’ll reserve my final judgements until it comes out.
10) Home
PS3 Fanboy
Sony’s ambitious answer to Xbox Live is coming on in leaps and bounds recently. With news that first party titles will receive their own Home spaces, complete with mini games…
What I Think
If I wanted to play the Sims, I’d play the Sims. Home is a poor excuse for an Xbox Live competitor. I want to quickly jump online see if my friends are on and jump into a game. I am busy with work and home life, and I barely have enough time to jump into a long online game. I don’t need to waist any time. Here is what Sony should have done do have a decent competitor; re think your cross media bar , look at what Xbox has done, copy it, and make it better.
The bottom line is that Sony needs to secure more exclusive titles for it to become relevant. Right now I just see mine as a Blu-Ray player, that may one day will become a great gaming system. If a game is released for both systems I snatch up the Xbox version for the gamer points (I know mine is low but I still like them). Sony first party needs to step it up and produce some blockbuster games in a hurry.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
[…] Loot Ninja wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt I recently read an article from PS3 Fanboy stating the reasons PS3 is relevant again. I found this article very interesting since the format war is over. Is the PS3 relevant now? Below is PS3 Fanboy’s reasons as well as what I think. 1) Blu-Ray won the Format War. PS3 Fanboy With Blu-Ray having won the format war, the PS3 is looking more and more tempting for AV-philes. Not only is it one of the cheapest Blu-Ray players on the market today, it’s completely future proof with future Blu-Ray p […]
March 27th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I pretty much agree with you completely. Right now, and since it’s release, the only real reason to buy a PS3 is for Blu-Ray. That being said, after looking that the price of Blu-Rays at Best Buy, I can’t help but wonder if this technology is already obsolete with on-demand services and downloadable movies becoming more and more prevalent. I bought the PS3 when it first came out so that I could have Hi-Def movies AND next gen games worth playing. While, I paid significantly lower for the ability to watch the movies, I really don’t feel like I got my money’s worth in the gaming department. I wonder if microsoft and toshiba had bundled the HD-DVD player with the 360 at launch how the format war might have changed. Me thinks Sony would be in some predicament. As it is, their gamble has paid off… if consumers don’t leap frop Blu-Ray for downloadable content.
March 27th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Barnabas, you could be right about optical discs being dead. Now that the 360 and AppleTV allow you to rent and buy movies in HD, we may see sales of Blu-Ray players not take off like its predecessor DVD. If Apple or Microsoft came up with an all you can eat package for HD downloads I would be very compelled to ditch My Netflix account and go all digital.
March 27th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
[…] stumbled across this article and I was glad to see that author shared a lot of the same opinions as me. The article […]