Sony regains her swagger

She's the mother of the first portable music device the Walkman. She gave birth to the gaming console that would go on to revolutionize the way were played when the Playstation was born. She's also the mother of the PS2 which is, the best selling games console of all time. She's lead the way in innovating the industry, and some of the best games call her platforms home. The PSP was her first entry into the handheld arena, and since then, she's up the ante again with the PSPgo. Sony has truly been a leader. But the moment she entered this new generation of consoles with the Playstation 3, some mistakes were made, mistakes which left her scrambling for answers and direction. The Media said she was doomed to fail, and that, the Xbox 360 would be left alone to dominate. Journalists were like wolves after their prey; their prey being Sony and her endless fopas.

And although it was difficult to bare, she had to stand, stand for her platforms, stand for her employees, and most of all, stand for her fans. Well ladies and Gentlemen, I am here to announce that ever since the PS3 Slim was launched on September 1st 2009, Sony's been making all the good moves. The price is finally right for consumers to purchase a PS3, advertisements are dominating TV screens the world over, and the holiday season is Sony's to lose with games like, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Rachet and Clank: A Crack In Time, Final Fantasy 13, and all the great multiplats, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and Assassins Creed 2. There's no way to go around it, Sony's got her swagger back.

Verdict: PSPgo Will weather the storm

When the PSPgo was officially revealed at E3, it was hailed as the next step in the evolution and enhancement of how gamers buy and play there portable games. And although for now, the PSPgo is the one platform that demands its users purchase all games available via digital download, it certainly won't be the last. In fact, the PSPgo is where the future leads; not only for handhelds, but inevitably, for all the home consoles.

So when I heard retail chains from Europe to Australia are boycotting the PSPgo, I was a bit weary, not surprised but weary. First it was the Dutch retailer Nedgame, now EB Australia has joined the fray. They've decided not to house the handheld, giving various reasons for their refusal, ranging from pricing and the fact that they won't be able to sell games for the portable device. But what the retailers fail to realize is that history will repeat itself.

The music industry is the perfect target to draw comparisons from. It was a nasty war being fought, ironically, a war Sony Music was also a part of, a war, they, and all the other Record labels lost, because they were on the wrong side. Everything was racing down the digital path. iTunes was coming into it's own, rhapsody came to life, and so, brick and mortar outlets began closing down. See, these companies should know by now the consumer is King, and they love convenience, and naturally gravitate towards the medium that saves them the most time and money.

Dutch retailer Nedgame, and EB Australia will face identical results if they don't find ways to innovate their frail business and stay ahead of the curve. Instead of boycotting the PSPgo, said retailers should work with Sony, looking for ways to make everyone happy. Unsurprisingly, they chose the losing path, and, will end up paying a hefty price. In the words of industry analyst Michael Patcher:

"Consumer electric stores sell refrigerators and not food, everyone sells iPods and not the music for them, this position is just ridiculous."

You're right Patcher, I feel the very same way.

09/23/09 Ernice Gilbert

The Naughty Dogs are Advertising their Killer App across the States

If you haven't heard about Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, then you must'v been living underneath a rock in Alaska, because since E3, U2 has been the talk of the gaming media. But just in case you do live underneath a rock in Alaska, uh, maybe not Alaska, let's say anywhere on the mainland, albeit underneath a rock, fear not, the Naughty Dogs are on their way to enlighten you.

See this monstrous machine we call a truck above? Yeah, keep your eyes open and you might just be in for a treat. The 1st party Sony developers have paired up with Best Buy for a promo package dubbed "The Best Buy Entertainment Holiday Kickoff," and will be touring the country promoting UC2 and other Sony games. First stop: Kansas City. Next stop: Might be at your doorstep, no kidding. Keep your eyes open.

The hotly anticipated game Uncharted 2: Among Thieves will be on store shelves in the US on October 13th 2009, around the world soon after. And will be available exclusively for the PS3.

09/22/09 Ernice Gilbert

Why is it that the PS3 price cut is leaked early, but not Xbox 360's? Suspicions...

Months ago, before Sony ever gave a hint that a price cut was incoming, the rumors had already saturated the web. Bloggers and so-called competent websites alike were making so much noise about the elusive PS3 Slim and price cut that even if you were dead, you would've known about it. So obviously if you're aware of an inevitable price drop of what ever it is you want, if you have the patience, you will wait. It's that simple, no one would deny the fact. And then came this fake video that was presumably captured somewhere in the Philippines showing the PS3 Slim in action. Some anonymous gametrailers employee then says, "Sony can't keep leaks, this PS3 Slim is real."

The rumors have been deafening; and yet still, they won't stop coming. But with the recent rumor that Microsoft is set to drop the price of the Xbox 360 elite to $299 by the end of August to preempt Sony's own price cut, you wonder, did any body knew about this earlier, but because of whatever reason, failed to release the info. Seriously, is Sony this LOUSY at keeping secrets, or are there other aspects in play?

These are just my opinions, and yours may vary, go ahead share your thoughts.

08/12/09 Ernice Gilbert