Flamer

Ah, the console wars. Always fun. As are the "I'm not a fanboy and i have ps3 and 360 so im not biased for real tho but ps3 rulez M$ sux ftw" comments on flame threads throughout the internet. Of course, the sheer number of these comments rises exponentially when one of the "Big 3" releases something like the chart above.

In this case, it is Sony telling us that in reality the PS3 is a far cheaper alternative to the 360, and has vastly better features than the Wii. Now, some of this is true. The PS3 has a bigger hard drive, free wi-fi and online gaming out of the box, and Blu-Ray capability. However, the dishonesty in this marketing push comes in two ways. First, by choosing the cheapest Xbox available on the market, it is obvious that more "stuff" will be necessary for it to compete with the PS3. Second, Sony is assuming that everyone wants what the PS3 has to offer. Sure, hardcore gamers and technophiles need Live, big hard drives, and HDMI. But, for people buying a 360 Arcade or a Wii, those bells and whistles are liklely unnecessary.

I was an early 360 adopter and certainly bought peripherals like a wireless router and have a Live supscription. In the end, I have probably paid more for my 360 then I did for my PS3. Of course, I have played my 360 so ridiculously much more that there really is no comparison. This is not to bash the PS3, because the (few) games I have played on it are outstanding. I have just really been won over by Xbox. I used to be a Playstation fanboy. Hated the N64. Laughed at the Xbox. But then I realized something. If you really want to be a gamer, you can't be a fanboy. To ignore a system because you are somehow loyal to an unfeeling corporate giant who couldn't give two shits about you is insane.

The real issue here is, as always, money. But money manifests itself in gaming in ways that aren't seen in nearly any other business. Because consoles and games are so expensive, many people can afford to buy only one system. So, in order to justify their purchase, they attack the other system with zealotry that is usually confined to religion and politics. It is a strange beast, the gaming biz, and its consumers only feed the frenzy. I am lucky enough that I have very few responsibilites and can sink a large amount of my disposable income into my gaming addiction (thank Christ). For the people who can only afford a 360, I feel bad that they don't get to play Metal Gear or Little Big Planet, or Uncharted, or Ratchet and Clank. It's a damn shame.

For those that can afford both and do not own both, however, I have only this to say: Shut the fuck up. Seriously. Just shut up. If you own a PS3 and are jealous of Gears of War, go buy a 360. Don't start flame wars about how Resistance 2 is "the shiznit." And for you 360 owners, give Little Big Planet the respect it deserves and stop pwning n00bs on Halo 3 for two damn minutes. Jesus, people are annoying.

As for Sony's little marketing hit job, I say "bravo". It's good to know you can spend time on things like this than giving us backward compatibility or a new Shadow of the Colossus game. If you want people to buy your console, how about making it is good as your other consoles. How about not lying that motion control and rumble can't work in the same controller because you don't want to settle a lawsuit. How about giving people a console that people can afford to buy during a recession. And how about making more attractive charts? That's always a good start.