The people who market the PS3 should be slapped in the face. Repeatedly.

I just want to start out by saying that I'm a fairly hardcore gamer and I own a PS3. Basically, when I purchased my PS3, this is what went through my mind:

• I can watch blu-ray movies, which I'm going to need once I get around to buying an HDTV (working on it, almost there)
• There are some fantastic exclusive games that I'm looking forward to -- Heavenly Sword, Uncharted, FFXIII, MGS4, LBP, WKS, GOW3, etc.
• Free online means that over the course of owning the system, the price difference between the 360 and PS3 would equalize (and with the addition of a blu-ray player, the value of the ps3 would be greater)

I realize the last point is debatable (PSN is worse than XBL, ok ok -- though I feel like its good enough for just playing), but for now just bear with me.

Most every non-fanboy hardcore gamer understands and appreciates these 3 points I have outlined. Now, as we all know, the general populace is pretty clueless about game releases (besides madden and halo), and system features. So WHY isn't Sony on a marketing BLITZ to showcase these obvious selling points? Right about now, the PS3 could really use some good ads -- and I'm not talking about an abstract commercial with a floating ps3 that's 'smarter' than you. I'm talking about actually appealing to regular, casual gamers who don't go on gamespot every day.

I'm talking about some simple commercials highlighting the reasons why the PS3 is a good buy. In the commercial, Sony shouldn't hold back -- they should say that if you have an HDTV, it's the obvious next step to purchasea next-gen movie player, and what better choice than the ps3? They should have a trailer featuring all the great upcoming games with some exciting music in the background. They should do SOMETHING to show people that, hey, we know it's expensive, but THIS is what you're getting for it. Get people excited (I'm talking mostly casuals). The Wii has all the positive press from places like CNN Tech and other mainstream media outlets to sell itself. Nintendo doesn't need to put on ad after ad because all they've really gotten is positive press.

And for what it's worth, at least Nintendo has ads which get across the point: here is a game, look people are having fun playing it, it's on the Wii, go buy one.

It just confuses the hell out of me how such a gigantic company such as Sony could fail so miserably in marketing their next generation system.

I agree with you man, I'm a pretty avid gamer, and right now I own both the 360 and the Wii... and it took me a while to decide about the PS3, but after finally playing my friend's PS3, I really want to get one now.

But if It wasn't for him letting me try out his PS3, I don't know if I would have bought one. The ads for the PS3 were **** horrible, a floating Playstation 3, with some trippy/creepy music while a baby doll is crying beside it. Why the **** would this make me want to buy a PS3?

Where areas the Xbox 360 and Wii had commercials that emphasisized how fun you can have playing their systems.

The commercials for the Wii showed you how your whole family can join in on the gaming fun, while the 360 commercials showed how fun and easy their online play is.

"It's Good to Play Together"

"Wii Would Like To Play"

Short, simple slogans that can really sell products, If PS3 want to catch up to these systems in the upcoming war, they better think of some new marketing ideas for this Holiday season.

Think back guys. Think way back.

When you first saw the PS1/PS2 ads weren't they completely weird to you? I remember a PS2 ad were all these people were just jumping on top of each other for some reason and at the end of it the "PS2" logo came up.

It's just weird, but it gets people talking, and they learn more on their own, and then buy it.

Sony cut most of its marketing team pior to the ps3 launch due to the lost it was seeing in the gaming department. That would explain why their comercials sux. The Mlb one was alright.Jhung207

Actually, I want to shoot the people that made those wii commercials. God, they are so annoying. I mean I like the wii, but I don't want to buy one just to spite that marketing team.sonicare

Sony cut most of its marketing team pior to the ps3 launch due to the lost it was seeing in the gaming department. That would explain why their comercials sux. The Mlb one was alright.Jhung207

I saw a PS2 commercial fom a few years back. It featured thousands of people trying to climb on top of eachother, making an incredibly tall human mountain, with people fighting for the top. The PS2 was mentioned for about half a second at the very end.

[QUOTE="sonicare"]Actually, I want to shoot the people that made those wii commercials. God, they are so annoying. I mean I like the wii, but I don't want to buy one just to spite that marketing team.Dualshockin

Versus what, kids with bad acne sitting on a couch in a darkened basement seemingly comatose?

[QUOTE="Jhung207"]Sony cut most of its marketing team pior to the ps3 launch due to the lost it was seeing in the gaming department. That would explain why their comercials sux. The Mlb one was alright.Dualshockin

Mind working... Well, it was that.

[QUOTE="Dualshockin"][QUOTE="sonicare"]Actually, I want to shoot the people that made those wii commercials. God, they are so annoying. I mean I like the wii, but I don't want to buy one just to spite that marketing team.Tylendal

Versus what, kids with bad acne sitting on a couch in a darkened basement seemingly comatose?

Look, as much as you may like the PS3 commercial style, you have to agree, it doesn't really sell the product. Right now, the PS3 isn't something you think "oh cool, I'll go out and get one". It costs a lot of money, 500-600 isn't a small investment. For the system to really sell in large numbers, you need to prove to the consumer that it's worth the cash. The Wii doesn't need to so much, because well, in comparison to 360 and PS3, the Wii is cheap.

For a casual gamer to drop 500-600 on a gaming console? Sorry, but a floating PS3 and a doll aren't going to cut it.

I haven't seen a bad Ps3 commercial yet,Dualshockin

When I think of the many thingsSony's marketing team needs to be slapped for, that is not one of them.

Nintendo doesn't need to put on ad after ad because all they've really gotten is positive press.

tskeeve

I would wager that most of this "spontaneous" positive press is payed for and executed by Nintendo. Not that it matters really, but most of these tv shows and whatnot have no reason to advertise Wii if it isn't for the money.

I agree with your other points for the most part though. I doubt much of the public knows what a BluRay is, or why they would want it. They definitely wouldn't know that Live Gold costs 50 a month and PSN is free. I do think that alot of people are turned off by a high sticker price no matter if it's "worth it" or not. Just the way some people are.

[QUOTE="Tylendal"]

[QUOTE="Dualshockin"][QUOTE="sonicare"]Actually, I want to shoot the people that made those wii commercials. God, they are so annoying. I mean I like the wii, but I don't want to buy one just to spite that marketing team.Dualshockin

Versus what, kids with bad acne sitting on a couch in a darkened basement seemingly comatose?

I can assure you from experiance, during a heated boss battle, jumping from your seat is really common. The motion really gets you into the action, even if it's only a little motion.

b)Hire non-gamers to try and achieve it(Refer to all Wii ads in current circulation).

And of course they're non-gamers, that's the point. They're bringing it to people who have never played games before. And if they're playing games like TP, MP3, and Red Steel, like they are in the commercials, than that's a very good thing.

I agree entirely.

While I personally don't want to buy a PS3, I feel that Sony really dropped the ball on getting the info/perks of the system out there to consumers.

The other day i went to vist somebody that had a PS3, and he just bought 300 on DVD. So i asked him, "why didn't you buy it on blu-ray?" He gave me two reasons

1) He doesn't have an HDTV, to which i said "but you will within a year or two... you'll just end up buying the movie again on a HD format later" A thought that didn't occur to him.

2) He didn't know that PS3 was a Blu-ray player.

EVERYBODY that owns a PS3 should know this, it's one of the big selling points. And since only about 1/2 know, that's a really big f-up.

Why blame the marketers? After all, they can only work with what the product offers.

Why blame the marketers? After all, they can only work with what the product offers.

Riverwolf007

It offers HDTV compatability, Blu-Ray video playback, and online wireless connectivity. Many owners have never heard of this, and some good commercials could change this.

I just want to start out by saying that I'm a fairly hardcore gamer and I own a PS3. Basically, when I purchased my PS3, this is what went through my mind:

• I can watch blu-ray movies, which I'm going to need once I get around to buying an HDTV (working on it, almost there)
• There are some fantastic exclusive games that I'm looking forward to -- Heavenly Sword, Uncharted, FFXIII, MGS4, LBP, WKS, GOW3, etc.
• Free online means that over the course of owning the system, the price difference between the 360 and PS3 would equalize (and with the addition of a blu-ray player, the value of the ps3 would be greater)

I realize the last point is debatable (PSN is worse than XBL, ok ok -- though I feel like its good enough for just playing), but for now just bear with me.

Most every non-fanboy hardcore gamer understands and appreciates these 3 points I have outlined. Now, as we all know, the general populace is pretty clueless about game releases (besides madden and halo), and system features. So WHY isn't Sony on a marketing BLITZ to showcase these obvious selling points? Right about now, the PS3 could really use some good ads -- and I'm not talking about an abstract commercial with a floating ps3 that's 'smarter' than you. I'm talking about actually appealing to regular, casual gamers who don't go on gamespot every day.

I'm talking about some simple commercials highlighting the reasons why the PS3 is a good buy. In the commercial, Sony shouldn't hold back -- they should say that if you have an HDTV, it's the obvious next step to purchasea next-gen movie player, and what better choice than the ps3? They should have a trailer featuring all the great upcoming games with some exciting music in the background. They should do SOMETHING to show people that, hey, we know it's expensive, but THIS is what you're getting for it. Get people excited (I'm talking mostly casuals). The Wii has all the positive press from places like CNN Tech and other mainstream media outlets to sell itself. Nintendo doesn't need to put on ad after ad because all they've really gotten is positive press.

And for what it's worth, at least Nintendo has ads which get across the point: here is a game, look people are having fun playing it, it's on the Wii, go buy one.

It just confuses the hell out of me how such a gigantic company such as Sony could fail so miserably in marketing their next generation system.

tskeeve

I dont think Sony wants to RISK making ads anymore. They dont have such a good track record with that.... Racist Squirrels FTW

• Free online means that over the course of owning the system, the price difference between the 360 and PS3 would equalize (and with the addition of a blu-ray player, the value of the ps3 would be greater)

tskeeve

No..

DO NOT ADD THE PRICE OF XBL TO THE PRICE OF 360.

Smh. If your going to add price of XBL, add the price of games you will be buying.

You know what adding the price of XBL is like? Making the PS3 seem cheaper by adding the additional add-ons to the 360 to make it have the same features as the PS3.

I'm not using XBL, personally if I want to play online I'll setup my PS2 and play Socom which is free, and way more fun than anything on the 360.

I payed about $415 with tax. If I wanted to buy a PS3 right now it would be about $520 with tax. 360 is cheaper..get over it.

Other than that, you had somewhat of a legit argument, but what I quoted made me not want to read anymore.