Xbox 360 vs. PS3: The Smacktalk Continues
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Microsoft, Sony, Xbox, PlayStation, Console | Themes: Digital Entertainment
In the time we live in, trash talk between rival companies is rarely flamboyant, and usually sprinkled in to larger more broad statements with a never-ending amount of polite jargon. But every once in a while, you see rivals take the gloves off and go for the jugular. Such is the case with Sony and Microsoft as of late.
Right now, in terms of global hardware sales, Microsoft's Xbox 360 is number two, and the PlayStation 3 from Sony is sitting in third (with the Nintendo Wii a very distant number one). Per usual, the companies that are not king of the hill constantly try to spin whatever success they are having. In this day and age, that means Microsoft and Sony are distancing themselves from Nintendo with a lot of "they aren't really our competition" talk, while telling the world why they are superior to each other. As previously stated, this usually boils down to sales figures in different regions, which console has the hottest exclusive software, etc. But now and again, a cat fight ensues.
The most recent bout between Sony and Microsoft started a few days ago, when Kaz Hirai, the head of Sony Computer Entertainment, distanced the PS3 from the Nintendo Wii while saying the Xbox 360 lacks longevity. "It's difficult to talk about Nintendo because we don't look at their console as being competitors. They're a different world and we operate in our world — that's kind of the way I look at things," said Hirai. "And with the Xbox — again, I can't come up with one word to fit. You need a word that describes something that lacks longevity... Last time I checked, they've never had a console that's been on the market for more than four or five years and we've committed to a ten year life cycle, so you do the math."
While what Hirai says is true about Microsoft's console lifespan (the original Xbox lasted four years, and the 360 is now in its fourth year), Microsoft wasn't pleased with the jab nonetheless.
Aaron Greenberg, Director of Product Management for Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE, pointed to innovation and sales numbers when it came time for a response. "This sounds like an old hardware company that’s comfortable with its market position," said Greenberg. "That complacent attitude is out of touch with where the industry and consumer is today. This generation won’t be won over just hardware specs, but who can out-innovate when it comes to online and software. This is the kind of stuff that’s in our DNA, and frankly moves the console war onto our home court."
While the Xbox 360 hasn't seen the same success in Japan compared to other regions, Greenberg was quick to point out that the U.S. is Microsoft's bread and butter. "With a U.S. install base lead now of more than 7 million units (according to NPD), I can’t imagine any scenario where the PS3 can catch up with us. In fact, even if you doubled the current PS3 sales and Xbox 360 remained flat, they couldn’t close the gap until 2014."
Unrelated to the tiff between the consoles is some other choice quotes from Hirai's interview with PlayStation Magazine. After saying the current console war isn't about numbers and that Sony is still the industry leader, Hirai commented on how some developers think the PlayStation 3 is difficult to program for. "We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do, so then the question is what do you do for the rest of the nine-and-a-half years?" said the SCE boss. Evidently, Hirai is not a fan of the XNA Game Studio Express for the 360 then, either.
-
Previous News Article
Ubisoft: New Consoles Coming... -
Next News Article
Capcom Lays Down Cash for...
Fanboys...
Longevity....the long delayed and uber expensive PS3? LOL
Nice Sony, keep trying to avoid your own failures by continuing to sell the PS2 to fill in the GAP of disappointment over the PS3 dismal third place sales.
It's not a bug, it's a feature. LOL...
"We don't provide the 'easy to program for' console that [developers] want, because 'easy to program for' means that anybody will be able to take advantage of pretty much what the hardware can do"
I believe the fact that many PS3 games are only released in Japan/Asia and not outside may have contributed to the perception that PS3 lacks support.
It's like someone copy/pasta'd the last three articles from this site and topic into one and their editor loved it even more!
Is Sony really that full of themselves?? On top of that they purposely made their console hard to program for. I'm now happy I purchased an XBox 360.
im happy i didn't purchase the crashbox 360 as i don't feel like replacing the system under warranty every couple months. hell the 8-bit nintendo hardware was more reliable than MS failure. im glad i spent the extra money for the PS3 to get a console that I know is reliable
I find it odd that people consider the PS3 to be such a failure when they've sold faster than the 360.
~20 million consoles over 2 years (10 million a year) versus ~28 million over 3 years (9 million a year). *source VGChartz*
Wow, to just come out and say that to the media, wow, that dude's got balls.
I bought a PS3 the day it was released here in EDM,Canada…I now own a PS3, 360 and a Wii.
I like PS3 more then the others. To be frank, I don't care who has sold more units or who has a larger Penis.
My Son plays PS3 - 75%, Wii - 20% and only plays the 360 if one of his friends is playing online and he wants in the action..5%
At this point I think people buy the 360 over a PS3 because it is cheaper, and everyone has one. Not because it is actually the better unit… which it is not.
---------------------------------------------
I bet some 360 fanboy places a negative on this comment… even though everything mentioned is 100% opinionated and cannot be incorrect.
Sony has a year less in the market, and the 360 has already been exploited to the maximum with GoW2, so maybe 360ers will see the reality by the end of 2009. PS3 RULES and its gona RULE MORE. BTW I had read The last paragraph 3 times in other articles.
I find it odd that people consider the PS3 to be such a failure when they've sold faster than the 360.~20 million consoles over 2 years (10 million a year) versus ~28 million over 3 years (9 million a year). *source VGChartz*
Lol, someone gave me a -1 for listing sales numbers? Are there than many Xbots on Tom's?
The PS3 is better than the 360, however the 360 is cheaper.
There are tons of features in the PS3 than any other console.
Is there anything more boring than pseudo-politically-correct smacktalk? I want to read about how a Sony CEO calls the 360 community a bunch of fricken noobs who's mothers are slightly less than particular when choosing their bedmates... otherwise, I'm gonna go play some halo
Theoretically, PS3 should have better graphics but I have yet to see it surpass 360 in the graphics department. 360 has a good online service BUT it's not free and for a paid service, it's simply horrible. So I give PS3 an edge in the online department since it's at least free. PS3 also gets an edge since it has better features such as Blu-Ray, built-in Wi-Fi, standard hard drive, etc. 360 has better games, especially multiplayer games, but it's debatable which system has better exclusives. 360 definitely has a better controller. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I'd say PS3 is a better value than the 360. But 360 usually has better and more refined games. PS3 multiplatform games are usually inferior to the 360 versions.
This thread is like deja-vu.
I like Sony but their "smack-talk" smacks of "We're #3, We're #3!!!".
If Sony Stretches the PS3 to a 10 year lifespan then Microsoft will OWN the high end console market and even Nintendo will have a more powerful platform with their next console... the "Wii-wii".
The reason that the 360 sells better is because they have the best games library. The reason the PS3 sold better than the original xbox was again because of games. In the end, the games are what sells the console. Why would I buy a PS3 when there are only a handful of decent games and the 360 has most of them and a whole bunch of much better exclusives? Sure the PS3 is more powerful, but who cares when the games suck. All said, I still play games on my PC about 95+% of the time and rarely touch my console.
If it wasn't for the dreaded RROD, xbox would have blown away Sony. Of course if its wasn't for the included Blu-ray player, Sony might have beaten M$ by being the same price and the more reliable of the 2.
I love a good catfight with video game console executives. It shows how out of touch some of them (specifically SONY) is with the world.
Ack... more fighting words... I own all three systems and have since day one. I own 2 Xbox 360's. Here's the truth as I see it on these systems.
1. PS3 -
Pro's: Blu-Ray movies, Awesome DVD Upconversion, Solid Video processing all around for supported Codecs. Solid 5.1 audio, relatively quiet. Has a few worthwhile exclusives. Built in WI-FI (although I still prefer wired)
Con's: Blu-Ray increases loading time in games. Multi-platform games tend to play & look better on the Xbox. Online multiplayer is poorly implemented. Six Axis controller is crap. Blu-Tooth implementation is stupid, and the lack of IR means you have to buy an IR adapter to use with Universal Remotes. Only supports Fat32 file formats for external devices meaning you can't playback large video files and can't connect your ipod. The user interface is pretty awful. ALL of the add-on apps are poorly done (like the internet browser)
PS3 Wins = HD playback and Upconversion of other Sources.
Xbox 360=
Pro's: Games load faster, more A+ exclusive titles, much better user interface, Multi-platform games play and look better (in general), better controller (in fact, the best in my opinion) Excellent HD-DVD playback (yeah I have that too). Decent playback of supported video files. Support for HFS+ format so you can playback HD quality MP4 movies and connect your iPod (I don't have an iPod) Standard IR receiver that works exceedingly well with universal remotes. Xbox Live, yes it cost's $5 a month, or $3 if you buy a card from amazon. But the service blows away the competition. Netflix streaming video. Awesome integration with Windows Media Center.
Con's:
Reliability? I hear a lot of people have problems but I have never had any problems with either of mine, nor do I know anyone personally that has had a problem. First gen model is noisy. Newest gen is actually quieter than my PS3(gen1). No way to hook up HDMI and Toslink cables without taking the plastic off the adapter casing. Does not upconvert non-HD sources nearly as well as the PS3. Proprietary memory cards. No built in wireless.
Wins: = Streaming Video, Gaming.
Wii:
Pro's: It's small, it's quiet, motion control has some potential. Comes bundled with a good game. Built in Wi-Fi. Uses SD cards for memory. It has a few good games. Nice backlog of downloadable legacy games.
Con's: Hardware is a generation behind, graphics are terrible, most games are worthless, media playback is nonexistent and/or terrible.
Best resolution is 480P. Doesn't come with component cable. Wired sensor that has to sit on top/bottom of TV. Lack of wired Ethernet connection.
Wins: Marketing. Introducing new people to gaming. Making gaming less dorky to outsiders.
PC:
Pro's: PC is still pretty much the God of Gaming.
Con's: Cost's at least twice as much as any other platform. Some console ports have been pretty weak lately (GTA IV).
Wins: Multitasking, Customization, Graphics, Sound.
I love how people believe the PS3 is more reliable. The main reason most people get the RROD on the 360 is due to poor ventilation. As the newer 360s hit the shelves, people are seeing less RROD issues than the previous editions... The one thing I do admire from MS is their enhancements have bettered the system and have made the prices lower in comparison to Sony who continues to remove features from their system and keep the prices the same...
it's a general rule to not poke the bear, but what happens when the bears poke each other?
They eat porridge?
@noahjwhite
That sums it up nicely. I've said this in another post, but to paraphrase: ps3 = great htpc, xbox = best gaming console, wii = interesting gimmick that will bring new users to gaming.
Lol, someone gave me a -1 for listing sales numbers? Are there than many Xbots on Tom's?
Actually, the biggest fanboy I've seen in this thread is you. =P
I didn't rate you down but i guess that consoles sales slow down with time so you should compare the first two years of xbox compared to the first 2 years of ps3.
Actually, the biggest fanboy I've seen in this thread is you. =P
Really? Did you miss this little message then?
Sony has a year less in the market, and the 360 has already been exploited to the maximum with GoW2, so maybe 360ers will see the reality by the end of 2009. PS3 RULES and its gona RULE MORE. BTW I had read The last paragraph 3 times in other articles.
I had an obligation as a decent human being to -1 this person.
I didn't rate you down but i guess that consoles sales slow down with time so you should compare the first two years of xbox compared to the first 2 years of ps3.
That would be unfair, the 360 had a whole year without competition.
However, the PS3 is still selling faster:
http://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php
I don't understand how anyone can call me a fanboy. I'm not pretending like the PS3 is some sort of godsend, and I haven't said anything derogatory about the 360.
I own all 3 systems. I never use the Wii (hardcore gamer). Most of the games for the PS3 still run in 720P. It's so irritating to buy this expensive hardware and a 1080p television and they still can't offer a majority of the games in the correct resolution (my PS3 is relegated to a Blu-ray player). I'm assuming it boils down to the difficulties of porting the games over from a predominantly PC platform (360) to the cell processor architecture. I like the PS3, but I buy all of my games reluctantly for the 360. I definitely don't like Microsoft, but how can Sony brag about better hardware when most of the games run in a lower resolution? Nearly ALL 360 games run in 1080p. I won't play anything in 720p. Has Sony addressed this issue? What was their excuse?
I own all 3 systems. I never use the Wii (hardcore gamer). Most of the games for the PS3 still run in 720P. It's so irritating to buy this expensive hardware and a 1080p television and they still can't offer a majority of the games in the correct resolution (my PS3 is relegated to a Blu-ray player).
[citation][nom]DavidGBailey[/nom]I'm assuming it boils down to the difficulties of porting the games over from a predominantly PC platform (360) to the cell processor architecture.
Neither have PC parts, neither are 8086. In fact, both are PowerPC based.
And, as of late, quite a few crossplat games have started looking better on the PS3, because of the difficulty of porting to the PS3, they've started porting from it.
Nearly ALL 360 games run in 1080p. I won't play anything in 720p. Has Sony addressed this issue? What was their excuse?
You may want to read this:
http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20070721/4652/
And you can't blame Sony, it's the developers that decide what their games do, and don't do. But I only own a few games that refuse to play at 1080p (like Rock Band), so I can't say much from my own experience.
I am sorry but I stopped comparing consoles and getting into pointless arguements about consoles when I grew up.
Who really gives a sh**?
Why do I care how many consoles sony moves compared to nintendo, or msoft?
For the most part all of the consoles on the market are damn fine pieces of equipment. It's just unfortunate how expensive it is for games and hardware.
I porbably lean more towards sony but I don't have the PS3 because of the cost and the fact that I now play more PC games than console games.
But there is nothing worng with owning the other two, who really cares?
there is nothing worng with owning the other two, who really cares?
The people who bought them. While it's easy to say it doesn't matter which one does better, it's bullshit. A console with a higher install base, and with better developer support, is going to get the better games 9 times out of 10. Winning matter to the people with an investment.
I haven't seem that much rampant fanboyism in this thread. Although Noahjwhite does make some very inaccurate comments.
Surely, I couldn't be the only one who knew this kind of stuff would happen ever since that terrible E3 conference Sony had...
I love how people believe the PS3 is more reliable. The main reason most people get the RROD on the 360 is due to poor ventilation. As the newer 360s hit the shelves, people are seeing less RROD issues than the previous editions... The one thing I do admire from MS is their enhancements have bettered the system and have made the prices lower in comparison to Sony who continues to remove features from their system and keep the prices the same...
I bought my 360 a few months after its release and a few months later I heard about the RROD so I put a 12 inch fan on the front of the unit (on high) every time I turned it on. After looking at the airflow determined that was the the best way to keep it cool. 2 years later I got the RROD but microsoft had me another unit in a couple of weeks.
As far as the ps3 is conserned it simply costs too much. After the price cuts it will be better but at this point in time the xbox 360 has the better multiplayer. In my experience multiplayer is everything with consoles and why the xbox is doing better. Also the why the wii does so well. I personally would prefer a cross between a wii and a 360 as my next console. BTW if sony is going to wait 7-8 more years to realse the ps4 they are screwed.