How does one reply to such a comment? Point out that Stringer is obviously incorrect, or just ignore it and hope it goes away? Unfortunately, big Howie S. won't be going anywhere as head honcho of Sony, appearing last week at the Allen & Co Media Conference.Stringer simply said "I've played a Nintendo Wii," -- betcha he bought one for his grandkids or something -- and he followed that up by stating "I don't see it as a competitor. It's more of an expensive niche game device." Cue inevitable spiel about Blu-ray, and you've got another carbon-copy Sony statement in a nutshell. It's difficult to take anything he says seriously, especially since we've heard it all before.
We could explain that the definition of a niche wouldn't have anything to do with the biggest and most popular console on the planet, or point out that the PS3 is still way more expensive (and will be for yonks), but that would make too much sense.
[Via Gameindustry.biz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-14-2008 @ 2:51PM
Stratticus said...
How? I'm a PSWii owner. On Nintendo's side of things, a price-drop wouldn't make any sense. However, being the poor-ass consumer I am, (because I DO buy so much) the Wii is probably the worst hardware-value ratio you can buy save maybe a Macbook. For $120 more than the Wii, you get a WORLD of difference.
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7-14-2008 @ 3:05PM
fco said...
I agree. Seeing it in relative terms, the PS3 is a pretty cheap blue ray player.
Also, the Wii is not a niche product. In fact every other console out there is focused on a niche (gamers), while the Wii is the first massive market oriented console. For better or worse...
7-14-2008 @ 3:20PM
Mr Khan said...
I'm sorry, but shouldn't it be PS3 as an expensive niche console?
I kinda get what he's trying to say, but how he said it applies exactly to his own device
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7-14-2008 @ 4:25PM
Mr Khan said...
And while we're here, i was thinking of playing "Connect the Dots of Rumor"
Ok. We have MotionPlus for more accurate, 1:1 style play. We have talks about the possibilities of first person Zelda. We have rumors of Retro Studios working on a Zelda spin-off
What do these rumors, put together, suggest?
7-14-2008 @ 3:22PM
J rod said...
Words from a struggling game company.
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7-14-2008 @ 3:31PM
Santos L. Halper said...
What a douchebag. Does he think bashing the Wii is gonna bring PS3 sales up?
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7-14-2008 @ 3:43PM
Lijik said...
I'm guessing he bought every periphial released for the Wii as well and is using his Wii-mote in a plastic frying pan shell for a game like Mario Galaxy and going "I don't get this."
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7-14-2008 @ 4:01PM
Brittany said...
You should read the comments on PS3 Fanboy, they completely agree that it's a niche product... but they seem to be confused on it's definition... even when they define it correctly within their posts.. hah
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7-14-2008 @ 4:12PM
Spencer said...
Hmm, as much as I love my PS3, it's a bit of a nich console isn't it? Only things it really does well are shooters and racers... seems rather nich to me!
Of course, I use it more then i use my "seldom used wii" statistically speaking, because the PS3 is by far the best UPnPAV/DLNA Client available ...though that's not saying much.
In terms of gaming, it's split equally among the three for the most part. I've got a lot of games that I don't have enough time to enjoy on all three consoles.
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7-14-2008 @ 5:00PM
Brittany said...
I have a PSWII60...
I use my wii most by far, then 360, then ps3.
I have 14 Games for my wii (not including wii sports / I don't own wii play), about 5 for my 360, and 1 for ps3...
Then again, I'm not everybody - did that study not too long ago say most people don't buy that many wii games?
7-14-2008 @ 5:40PM
Spencer said...
the "low wii attach rate" is a myth. All three systems are relatively equal, 360's got the highest, but it's also 30% older so that makes logical sense. Wii's is slightly lower then the other two overall, but it regularly trades second/first place with 360 owners/ps3s on a month to month basis.
7-14-2008 @ 4:17PM
Shaq-Fu said...
Wait, the PS3 is $400, the Wii is 250. Which is more expensive for a niche (Blu-ray, Family) market?
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7-14-2008 @ 4:38PM
AWade said...
Each time some idiot at Sony says something like this, I think, "Wow, nothing would shock me" then they go ahead and do it again.
Sony knows all about niche - that's why you can still find MiniDiscs for sale in stores, ROFL. Although some of their products are quality, it's no mystery that Sony overall is a mess of a company on so many levels. That this guy's supposed "ultimate" gaming machine of the PS3 is so weak on sales they need to bash the #1 console, it says a lot.
Seriously, someone needs to give this guy a dictionary - a niche is a small side thing that only appeals to a small segment of people, which is pretty much the textbook definition of the PS3. Sony and the PS3 did nothing to bring more players into games, just catered to the dwindling number of "hardcore" players who are satisfied as long as the pictures get more pretty and could give a crap about gameplay and innvoation.
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7-14-2008 @ 4:39PM
Roto13 said...
A Sony exec calling the Wii expensive? How blaringly hypocritical can you get?
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7-14-2008 @ 4:46PM
Kenology said...
He's just mad that his camp lost FFXIII exclusivity!
7-14-2008 @ 4:41PM
Lionp696 said...
The final fantasy news is probably karma for this guys statement.
Nintendo and Sony unite.
Japan vs America
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7-14-2008 @ 4:56PM
Ethan said...
What on earth does that make the ps3?
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7-14-2008 @ 5:07PM
NutMac said...
Howard is sort of correct in that yes, Wii is a gaming device. If niche means family-oriented, yes, it is even a "niche gaming" device since PS3 and Xbox 360 don't offer as many appealing family-oriented games. Unfortunately for Howard, family-oriented games represent the majority of the overall video gaming market. I guess Howard is happy with PS3 being #1 in "video gaming console with Blu-Ray drive" niche.
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7-14-2008 @ 5:33PM
Morning Toast said...
I'd have to agree with the first comment, for better or for worse. The game value-to-price ratio is not in the Wii's favor.
The only now-gen console I have is the Wii. I don't have the cash to toss around and made my choice early. Not that I've dumped my Wii or anything, but as time has gone on there's been a few times I've regretted my choice, but almost only when it comes to DLC.
But since the Wii is still nuts popular I'm willing to bet game makers will come around soon enough...at least I hope so.
Nonetheless, I wouldn't call the Wii a nice device any more than I'd call a PS3 or Xbox a nice device. They all do the same thing just in different way. The Wii has filled what little gaming time I have anymore nicely.
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7-15-2008 @ 9:00AM
Ihar `Philips` Filipau said...
> The game value-to-price ratio is not in the Wii's favor.
I'd say all console games are overpriced. Esp. in Europe. I have forgotten when last time I was paying >50€ for a PC game - normally you can always find something interesting (not necessarily new) below €25.
60€ for PS3 game - for a game!!! god sake - is just overboard expensive.
Wii in that respect even worse, becase 60€ for a Wii game is totally insane.
7-14-2008 @ 7:26PM
James Madley said...
So then I guess that makes the PS3 an expensive grill designed for watching HD movies.
How many people would buy that?
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7-14-2008 @ 7:26PM
ManekiNeko said...
That's Sony for you. When you're first place in the console wars, brag constantly. When you're dead last, dismiss and marginalize your competitors. These guys have turned poor sportsmanship into a fine art.
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7-15-2008 @ 3:53PM
dan said...
Yah maybe because Wii games are all generic and for little kids. PS3 has more adult games so they aren't a competitor to PS3
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