[quote name='xmbri']We can all sit here and speculate, but that is what it all is- speculation. The video game industry since the beginning has been a guessing game. There has been ups and downs and I think Sony will weather this, but it will definitely be a different company after this incident and the way they approach online. People are going to be fans of Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony, regardless of what is put out. This will eventually blow over after everything has been up and running.
I remember back in the days where the NES had a shortage on cartridges and it cause many places to go without product for a couple of months. I remember when the Nintendo 64 and Wii sold out everywhere and people were getting crazy. That too died down. I remember the whole PS2 debacle with the DRE's and all the shit that went with that. Then the 360's RROD debacle. People still bought the units, the games, and whatever.
So this with people spelling Sony's doom and demise need to take a look at history. Simply put, the PS3 will be back on eventually, this too will pass. Then they will look into the future. I personally have enjoyed playing offline in campaigns and single player modes. It has made me appreciate the game and system. Plus using a media server on it helps ease the pain too.
The whole connectivity thing between systems have never been fully utilized in mass, so the NGP and PS3 idea sounds great in theory, but reeks of the old GBA and Gamecube connectivity thing, which never caught on. Niche gamers might take it up, but not in mass gaming groups.
Look at the 3DS, it is not selling as well as I thought at this point. Reason: people are strapped financially, got big backlogs on games, and quite frankly, there really isn't too many compelling games. I also think people are satisfied with what they have on the DS. The Ipod and Ipad right now are big players in the portable scene and it will be hard for NGP to crack that. I would like to see them do it, but it simply is not realistic . The NGP will hold its own in the long run, but not at the level of DS and PSP.
Go ahead and sell your PS3, swear up and down at them. At the end of the day, we will
still be playing games, and SONY will still be a corporation. Simple as that. In the end, it is the big consumer who will decide what happens, not hardcore gamers like ourselves. The whole idea that they will scrap plans for the future is simply ludicrous. There is too much money to be had in it. You can't say they are not planning something new, even with this happening. If they stopped at big controversies and mishaps, they should have bowed out long ago. But they are still here.
I know I game on the PS3, but to say that morale is hurt by this incident and that backlash has been massive is simply exaggerated. I have many friends that play PS3 that while the online portion is offline, simply doesn't mean they are not playing games or watching movies on the unit or streaming their movies. None of my friends are that shallow to think that this will last for months or years. People have blown this situation way out of proportion. Simply put, if you feel that Sony has let you down and you can't handle the fact they are trying to work on the situation and you can't handle being offline, get rid of the thing and buy something else. There are other choices out there. Good ones.
The whole online thing bugs me too. Everyone beats up on them, but no one has no qualms about putting their personal bullshit on Facebook and pics of their one night rager. You never have privacy online. Once you put yourself out there, that is it. Apparently it is out there for many years. Once you open a window in your browser, get on Live or PSN, play online against strangers, chat online, and buy anything, your privacy goes out the window. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. Stop playing the victim and expect everything to be Sony's fault when it is not only theirs but yours as well. It is a two way street. Be honest with yourself and the way you conduct yourself online and take precautions and you will be fine.[/QUOTE]
^This was truly, and I'm not kidding, a phenomenal post! It's certainly one of the best posts I've read all year on a forum and definitely the best one of the last few weeks. It was very respectful and well thought out. I know some dislike "Walls of text" but I think it's worth people's time to read.
I totally agree, when this is all said and done Sony will get through this. I truly believe it but I guarantee he's right-they will be a vastly different company than the one they are now. I imagine there's going to be some firings/suspensions internally or at the very least some really uncomfortable meetings regarding their IT team that's for sure. Hopefully one piece of the aftermath for the sake of those who play online daily is the best security money can buy. It best be rock solid because they cannot afford another outage on this scale. Another piece of the outcome will hopefully be Sony communicating much more frequently with it's customers and better PR.
I too remember the days of the NES cartridge shortages..kinda eerily similar to what happened about 20 years later with the Wii. But his point was excellent in that all these companies have come back stronger than ever and eventually get back to what they do best-making games.
Yes, the industry surely has been speculation during it's life, since the early days even. Nothing's for sure until the companies come out and say "This is our definite plans" and it's not concrete till they say "This will be the release date of the product". Speculation is interesting and can lead to very good discussion if it's done right. I see people go way overboard though and just get into unrealistic territory. The key is to take what you've read/heard and try to speculate realistically within that and see what happens.
At the end of the day, we're all fans of games and are gamers. There was a time I disliked Genesis quite a bit, and even though I felt the Super NES/Super Famicom was technically superior I eventually did sit down with a Genesis and found some games I did appreciate. Same with Microsoft-wasn't crazy about them but I do give them kudos for Live..they have the right idea there. I am a fan of all 3 companies, they each have their pluses and minuses but in the end they all try to bring their unique perspectives/views to their games and systems.
Again that was an excellent post!
ing december.
