Microsoft and Nintendo talk trash about Sony delay

Actually, the headline that would more accurately reflect the situation would read something like "Microsoft talks trash about Sony delay; Nintendo respectfully reinforces its own launch goals," but headlines like those don't sell RSS subscriptions. After hearing about Sony's weak launch quantity and global delays, Microsoft came out woodwork with a bit of backhanded sympathy (laced, of course, with some low blows): "We know how challenging it is to pull off a global launch, so it's not surprising that Sony has backed away from their previously announced launch plan, due to the unproven technology they are trying to pack in to their console." The MS types also made sure everybody knew how much they care for the global gamer: "Europe remains a priority for us. That is why gamers have been able to experience Xbox 360 from day one, and why we're confident we're going to have a great Christmas - regardless of what competitors are or are not in the market." Zing! Nintendo, however, merely reiterated their launch goals: "Wii is on track to ship in Q4, Nintendo plans to ship 6 million systems to retailers around the world between its launch in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2007." Nary a dis for Sony, but we're sure they'll catch the drift all the same.

[Thanks, AJ]

Read - Microsoft talks trash
Read - Nintendo respectfully reinforces

[tallfella @ Sep 7th 2006 12:26AM]

If you replace "Sony" with "Microsoft" and "Global" to "Vista", it
could very well been said by Apple

[Eurotard @ Sep 7th 2006 12:27AM]

I love Microsoft now.

[Greg @ Sep 7th 2006 12:33AM]

thanks for reminding me, trash goes out on friday morning.

[Panther_V @ Sep 7th 2006 12:38AM]

Well anyone that has been keep on the gaming industry since 1990 to now will know that Sony says something and does something else. For instance look at E3 2005 Sony press-conference, then look at E3 2006 Sony press-conference, and now looks at how many things have been takeout today. Again Sony says something and doesn’t something else. They just know that hyping it to max to start and slowly take out feature and lie about console launch date. Imagine if Sony showed non-cgi movies , PS3 20GBnon-hdmi/60withHdmi models, Price announcement , Real launch date announcement , Real spec with final features. Sony would have nothing to really hype about then and you guys would loose interest.

They been saying so much about virtual console for almost 2 years and still psp has no virtual console content. When ps2 was announced Sony had the most awesome plan for online gameplay and look at today and its no where what they told us back in 1999.

[neil @ Sep 7th 2006 12:44AM]

The Wii should have a good share of the Christmas market now. All Nintendo has to do is advertise it well to the parents.

I think Sony will be pushing their PS2 this Christmas season probably underneath the Wii price point.

[meshgiath @ Sep 7th 2006 12:46AM]

Nintendo talking trash? Ha! They simply took the opportunity to remind/reinforce that they set goals and meet them or beat them.

Sony, on the other hand, well... they must be using some new type of experimental street drug. I don't know wtf has happened to them in the last 2 years regarding PS3. Yeesh.

[Rick @ Sep 7th 2006 12:55AM]

R.I.P. Sony 2007

[webonics @ Sep 7th 2006 1:01AM]

I find it rather ironic that Microsoft would make a cut on any company announcing a product launch delay, especially considering the recent outcries over Vista and Office delays.

I'll still buy a PS3 but I'll also wait at least six months for the product to be out. Waiting another six months will allow for any unexpected bugs to be corrected, which are inevitable for almost any product (see XBox 360 launch). Sometimes, good things come those who wait. I'm hopeful.

P.S. I am a supporter and user of Microsoft/Windows, Sony, Apple, etc. So, I have no bias against any.

[Rob @ Sep 7th 2006 1:15AM]

the new facebook sucks.. write a post about that.. not a gadget but still pretty big news

[seamus bartlett @ Sep 7th 2006 1:43AM]

Hahaha

Rob, that was only funny because of it being amazingly off-topic.

But I guess Engadget could do a post about it's spy-like, easy-to-stalk interface. They love doing posts about technology, and how it will one day intrude every nook and cranny of our personal lives, until we feel so uncomfortable that we burn all our tv sets, computers, phones, ipods, and other various robots.

I, for one, welcome our new facebook overlords.

[Matt @ Sep 7th 2006 1:44AM]

R.I.P. Sony 2007

[tony2x @ Sep 7th 2006 1:55AM]

R.I.P. Sony 2007

[Wes @ Sep 7th 2006 1:59AM]

wow microsoft is my hero for being such basterd's about the world launch and giving a good pimp slap to the massive sony ego

[Aus 360 Owner @ Sep 7th 2006 2:11AM]

"Sony is goin down, they've screwed up royally" Blah, blah, blah...

FFS! Its truly depressing just how quickly all of you anti-Sony w@nkers forget about the complete debacle of the 360 launch.

Sheesh!

Have you all forgotten about the $1000US (and up) price tags for 360's on eBay etc following the 'launch'. (More of a sneak-peak, really. Its hard to call the introduction of a new product a 'launch' if nobody is actually able to purchase said product - even in M$' own backyard!!!! )

Get off your uncle-sam band-wagons and wake up!
This is no better or worse than the M$ console launch...

[Rudimentary @ Sep 7th 2006 2:41AM]

Ryan, you're a loser. Just thought you'd like to know.
Your just as off point as Rob and I!

[Jeff B @ Sep 7th 2006 2:49AM]

"(More of a sneak-peak, really. Its hard to call the introduction of a new product a 'launch' if nobody is actually able to purchase said product - even in M$' own backyard!!!! ) "

They all sold to someone. Its unfortunate that some decided to be greedy and sell to turn a few hundred dollar profit, but they still bought it same as everyone else. It sold out, and demand outstripped supply. It happens every holiday with something.

Sony is being condemned right now because everything about this launch seems to indicate they have no idea what they're doing. Say what you will about the faults of Microsoft's (which, you sure proved how smart you were by replacing the S with a dollar sign. Corporations earn money, deal with it or just keep raging against the machine MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!) global launch, but they at least succeeded in launching in all 3 territories. The same can now no longer be said about PS3.

[Tek @ Sep 7th 2006 3:14AM]

I had no idea the PS3 was this large. This is bigger than any computer I own. Seriously. Is this a doctored image? Watching YouTube videos hasn't given me a good idea of how large this thing is...

I don't mind Sony's delay. It might help me sell one on Ebay. =X

[Play Games @ Sep 7th 2006 3:17AM]

Game consoles aren't worth a damn. Why waste any money on junk? Spend some of that free time earning something rewarding. Most gamers that are above the age of 20 are high as holy hell or worse, total pussy.
Pay hundreds of dollars to push buttons that have real use at all. I admit, I spent hundreds to push the buttons to type this, but hopefully, someone will read this and decide that they don't won't to grow up to be a fat, lazy, pussy that sits on his/her ass smoking weed and pushing controller keys. What challenge is presented by simulating a fight? Car jacking? Race?
Much better to do than not.

[bermuDa @ Sep 7th 2006 5:10AM]

The PS3 will be approximately 18x24x13", and will weigh forty pounds. The actual cost at launch will about the same as the first CD-players in the 80's. It will actually be powered by four separate X-box 360's that will fit inside, with room to spare for a Wii that will give tilt-sensitivity to the controllers. When yours finally arrives in 2009, don't try to open it up to see this amazing conglomeration of competitors' working products: removing the cover will void the warranty just before detonating the thermite explosive which will incinerate all evidence of its existence, along with your house, you, and everyone you ever loved.

[MacroEQ @ Sep 7th 2006 5:14AM]

Microsoft's launch of the Xbox 360 was launched worldwide at roughly the same time and whilst they did not have a lot of units available, we have to give Microsoft credit for that.

On the otherhand, Sony takes away European PSPs for the U.S market and delays the launch. The PS3 is delayed for Europe when we all know that not only will we get it last but we will also be paying the most.

Sony lied and took us for granted and it has certianly lost me as a customer. I am going to buy an Xbox 360 for Xmas now.

[3:16AM @ Sep 7th 2006 5:20AM]

So plays games, I take it you have a son, or daughter over the age of 20 huh? Possibly your mother or father still likes to pick up the old joystick eh?

[Oddmanout @ Sep 7th 2006 5:27AM]

Well...sans vitriol I agree with 'Play Games' that some gamers do get a bit to far into that particular hoby, but is it really worse than say...being a gear-head that eventually crashes his/her musclecar into a mini-van full of kids at 140mph ?

Video games in moderation are not a bad thing.

This line however...

"Spend some of that free time earning something rewarding."

Excellent advice...for everone...

Gotta say thanks to 'Jeff B' though. A good post. I have heard people complain about MS regarding the gouging done on eBay at the 360's launch and I don't understand it. MS got none of that money...and I'm sure they would have been more than happy to sell a 360 at retail prices to every one of those people who bought them second hand at a mark up. They simply didn't have enough units. So they chose to have people complain about a shortage as opposed to having people complain about them pushing back the launch date so they could build more units. It was a business decision. It might have been a cut-throat decision, considering all the havok, but as Jeff B alluded to, business IS cut-throat and profit driven.

And at that, is it really microsofts fault if people can't line up and purchse retail merchandise in an orderly fashion? It's not like they put crack in the water, addicted everyone, and then doled out the drugs at a mark up and in such a way as to cause rioting. It was a game console for crying out loud. Nobody blamed Apple when there was a near riot over some cheap used Powerbooks.

http://www.tuaw.com/2005/08/16/50-ibooks-cause-stampede/


And what COULD they blame Apple for ? Turning out an appealing product and making it available to a populace that cannot control it's greed and brutality ?

Steve Jobs...you are going to hell.


Which probably has nothing to do with that particular incident but I think the point is made.


As for the PS3 launch...I think it comes with a built in control. With a base price over $500 I think it has crossed that magic line wherein even people who are buying on credit will realize that they DO eventually have to pay for this item at some point. I'm sure people spent over $500 on the 360's in base unit, games and accessories, but when it's nickel and dime like that, it's easy to inadvertantly spend an extra $100 - $200. With the PS3, you know from the git that you are dropping over $500.

Interest is high, but I think demand will be low (though particularly given the launch volume cut they will likely still sell out..).

Just MHO...

[Evan @ Sep 7th 2006 8:14AM]

Oddmanout: Exactly! $500-$600 up front is a lot more painful than $300-$400 up front with an additional $100-$200 spread over time.

On-topic, I think Nintendo's response is the best. It implies so much in so little words.

[aic007 @ Sep 7th 2006 8:15AM]

Oddmanout,

great post and many great points as such as what Jeff B posted. How many of these people posting on this board are using a windows OS or IE? I got my 360 on day one, pre-ordered it online from EB and it was there noon on my doorstep.

Sure the worldwide launch wasn't the greatest idea but they said "you know what we will reduce shippment across the board to accomodate every region like we said we would do."

Din't Sony continously say they would launch in March 06 when there was no way in hell it would happen? Now everyone gets one in Nov and sure enough they screwed up again. I would love to see 2mil systems by dec 31. Ain't gonna happen. Especially if there are problems with the system, which are bound to happen and people need theirs replaced. Sure the 360 had its problems and I had my 360 replaced cause lightning hit my house and fried the ethernet port but within 5 days I had a new system waiting for me when I got home plus the warranty was extended to a year.

Sony's attitude for the PS3 is what is turning me off to the company. This whole you will work overtime for the best piece of electronic equiptment ever created. We can do no wrong, you need BD, games have to be 30gigs to be great and all that crap.

Hopefully MS can take advantage and if they can get the die to 65nm they can prob drop price atleast 50 bucks in March to make it look even more tempting.

[Alan Erickson @ Sep 7th 2006 8:17AM]

Tek, it's a doctor'd picture. Here's another shot of it on Engadget.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/06/playstation-3-launch-delayed-for-europe-and-others/#comments

[Bill @ Sep 7th 2006 9:05AM]

Wasn't the PS3 originally supposed to launch last Christmas with the 360. Then it was delayed till spring. Then it was November. Then they got really close to the launch date and STILL hadn't begun production or distributed final developers kits. Then they ran into a laser shortage and reduced their shipping estimates.

I'm no Microsoft fanboy, but Sony is having MUCH bigger problems than Microsoft did launching their game system. And they are over a year behind, and counting. Developers must be getting really frustrated, and that's one thing that can kill a console.

I'm off to enjoy my 360 now with its great library of games. Later...

[Perrey Z. @ Sep 7th 2006 9:44AM]

Yey!!!! Let the bar fight begin! I don't blame ANYONE who talk trash about Sony, after all they deserve it.

Sony Like. No. Other... Piece of crap.

[p-diddy @ Sep 7th 2006 9:52AM]

on to facebook for a second: there is nothing new or stalkerish about the new interface. People are completely over-reacting. All the info that is available now was available before, it just took more clicks to get there. AND you always can change your privacy settings.

Teenagers overreacting. Who'da thunk?

On topic: It's going to take a year for the "good games" to come out anyway, so a delay isn't that big of a deal. It just looks bad. I bought the 360 recently and was pretty disappointed how after CoD2, Oblivion, GRAW and PGR3, there wasn't much I wanted except Street Fighter and Geometry wars. This November? Well, that's a different story. But like I said, wait a year anyway.

-p-

[Ryan @ Sep 7th 2006 10:06AM]

Rob, you're a loser. Just thought you'd like to know.

[THOR-501 @ Sep 7th 2006 10:39AM]

Long Live the Wii! Wii will rock this holiday season!

R.I.P Sony, and be sure to give nintendo your game rights on the way out.

[Chris @ Sep 7th 2006 11:09AM]

Are you guys idiots?

360 had 1.5 million Q4 2006.
SOny will have 2million Q4. 2006.

360 had 5 million by the end of their fiscal year.
Wii AND sony will have 6 million.

::goes to the local game stores and sees 360's on the shelves and chuckles.::

[Chris @ Sep 7th 2006 11:11AM]

Q4 2005*

[Rob @ Sep 7th 2006 11:37AM]

I'd like to thank Ryan for the heads up on my coolness.. but its funny because people actually addressed it in a such a dumb place. So Ryan, I feel as though I won. But the real winner here is facebook, obviously.

[Slayermayer @ Sep 7th 2006 12:21PM]

I'm tired of hearing people complaining about M$ talking a little trash. What was Sony saying when M$ launched? What were they saying about the world wide launch in general? Sony talked their fair share of trash and M$ is simply returning the favor. It's called Karma and it has Sony by the balls right now!

[Slayermayer @ Sep 7th 2006 12:30PM]

Are you guys idiots?

360 had 1.5 million Q4 2006.
SOny will have 2million Q4. 2006.

360 had 5 million by the end of their fiscal year.
Wii AND sony will have 6 million.

Okay, first of all you are very wrong on your shipment details buddy...at launch the Xbox 360 had over 350,000 units in North America, 300,000 units in Europe, and 159,000 in Japan. Sony is expected to ship 400,000 units to North America and around 100,000 to Japan. You do the math and tell me who's having the better launch...idiot

[sinjinn @ Sep 7th 2006 1:29PM]

Who cares if its delayed anyway, all it means is we get more choice of games when it does hit the shelves. metal gear solid may be out , gran turismo HD maybe out...there'll be 50 games out atleast by the time we get it here so we wont have to buy mediocre games from the start.
ok, so i have a 360 and i'll get call of duty 3 and gears of war till i get my hands on a ps3. infact i may not even get one till next christmas, because then there'll be plenty of second hand games out thier at reasonable prices, not this 50 pound a game crap that you cant get around when a new system launches.

[suffah @ Sep 7th 2006 1:31PM]

Chris,

Congratulations on calling us idiots! Your logical ability is tremendous, especially when you consider that half your post comprises of projected statistics.

Since you seem to smoke a lot of crack, I have some advice for you: When you go to the game store and chuckle at the 360's, make sure they aren't display cases and the actual consoles. I see how something like that might confuse someone of your genius.

[JJ @ Sep 7th 2006 2:20PM]

I'm Glad Europe is an important place for someone. WTF is wrong with Sony? Is Europe not big enough??? I have a Ps 1 & 2 but i'm not getting a 3. An Xbox 360 is the christmas order.

[Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Sep 7th 2006 3:01PM]

@ Slayermayer

Excellent post dood!

[dob bole @ Sep 7th 2006 4:23PM]

At Playgames: So all gamers are pussies, ok, so that includes all military men overseas that spend our free time playing videogames? are you sure?

[aaron @ Sep 7th 2006 4:48PM]

god. i love that photo.

[hydrogen_wv @ Sep 7th 2006 5:32PM]

@ Play Games:

Sounds like someone's mommy wouldn't buy him a console... But, let's see...

I'm a college student. I play video games (along with most of the people here on campus). I know people that have 4.0 GPAs in law school and still play video games. Personally, I play video games and have a 3.0 GPA. It would be higher, but my first semester here at college was a killer. I'll be graduating in a few months and will likely be working as a personal trainer, and i'll still play video games.

And on the subjest of spending money, I drive a 1990 subaru legacy that I paid $1000 for, and it gets me around just fine. So, the same argument could be made for anyone driving a car that costs more than $30,000.

And the challenge part... Video games help your hand eye coordination, and with the Wii, it'll be to an even greater extent. Video games promote thought (you think your brain is dormant while playing strategy games?) and, with the onslaught of online gaming, they promote cooperation and teamwork.

Heck, the middle school in my hometown just bought a few Xboxes and DDR for kids to use during recess. As an Exercise Physiology major, I think that anything that will get kids more active is priceless. You can't put a value on fitness.

[timbobsteve @ Sep 7th 2006 8:12PM]

---------------------------------------
Are you guys idiots?

360 had 1.5 million Q4 2006.
SOny will have 2million Q4. 2006.

360 had 5 million by the end of their fiscal year.
Wii AND sony will have 6 million.
Chris
---------------------------------------

Okay, first of all you are very wrong on your shipment details buddy...at launch the Xbox 360 had over 350,000 units in North America, 300,000 units in Europe, and 159,000 in Japan. Sony is expected to ship 400,000 units to North America and around 100,000 to Japan. You do the math and tell me who's having the better launch...idiot

Slayermayer.
------------------------------------------------------

ZING!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA.
For the record, Slayermayer is right. You are an idiot chris.

[Shadyman @ Sep 7th 2006 10:10PM]

Is it just me, or is that one BIG PS3?

And by BIG i mean HUGE

[Arjun @ Sep 19th 2006 6:03PM]

Hmmm, shall we focus on the issue for a moment? The speicifications of the PS3 amd it's parts are of a much higher quality than that of Microsoft's Xbox 360. The Variety of games for the PS3 are greater than that of the Xbox 360. Mainly the 360 has really good first-person shooters and sports games. Oddly enough, the PS3 has amazing RPGs, Strategy Games, Sci-Fi Games, and overall their games have a storyline. Basically what I'm saying its, "Shut Up"