Sony On PlayStation Promotion: "The Arrogance Is Gone"
See Full ImageThe evolution of marketing and public relations in regards to a particular name-brand is always interesting, isn't it?
Some of you may remember those bizarre PlayStation 3 ads way back towards the end of 2006 when the machine first hit the market. Then there were some crazy baby commercials that...well, it's not worth talking about. Just weird. However, in the recent past, we've seen funny man Kevin Butler help spearhead a much simpler and more straightforward "It Only Does Everything" campaign, which has worked wonderfully so far. Of course, the PS3 has also had the benefit of an ever-expanding Network, excellent exclusives and a big ol' price drop in the past year, so that helps, too. But there has definitely been a reversal of ideas in how to promote the PS3 and PSP this generation, as noted by Senior Vice President of Marketing and the PlayStation Network Peter Dille at yesterday's MI6 conference. As reported by Destructoid, Dille says Sony wants to put the PS3 and PSP at the center of home entertainment "in a unified manner," and it helps that Sony has had good success with the PlayStation brand in the past year.
Dille cited a combined average Metacritic score of SCEA-published titles of 91.3%, which is extremely impressive, and he also reminded us of the future introduction of the PlayStation Move and 3D gaming. But as for the new promotion agenda, Dille says additions like Butler represent a complete 180. He admits that the strange ads - and the $600 price tag - "created an intimidating and arrogant impression on gamers and consumers" but now he says, "the arrogance, I think, has gone away." Anybody else find it a little ironic that when Sony might actually have a reason to be arrogant and cocky, they scale things back...? And back in 2006, there was certainly no call to have a swelled head? It's just a little funny is all.
4/1/2010 8:57:42 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (63 posts)
to_far_apart
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:04:37 PM
You can't blame Sony all to much either, arrogance gets the best of us sometimes. I didn't necessarily get an arrogance about the ads, but more of a confidence. I mean I'm pretty sure Sony felt incredibly confident in the companies abilities for the future of the PS3, since there success with the PS2 which, is the best selling console of all time. It's a little hard to retain that feeling you know? haha But it is nice to see the modesty, yet confident swagger of Sony. It's a sort of "We're back" attitude and it's very much welcomed.
Last edited by to_far_apart on 4/1/2010 10:06:46 PM
13 up, 0 down
tes37
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:34:53 PM
7 up, 0 down
to_far_apart
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 11:26:43 PM
If anything, it's not that PS3 was such a disappointment, which some people assumed was the issue when it first launched, but the hardware costs, and many other variables. I love how Xbox touts there horn also, after an issue still not fixed )correct me if I'm wrong) with the Red ring. another thing that irks One thing that also bugs me is when people bring sales figures into play, that's pretty much irrelevant. How they always mention that Xbox has sold more consoles. I guess people choose to forget that both Wii and PS3 released a year later?That fact is there is a lot more competition in this era of gaming, and that has to due a lot with a more widespread movement into gaming. Wii has done a phenomenal job in that sense, differing from your typical gamer market share and bringing the popularity to casual gamers and even families.
So I don't see why company shouldn't have confidence in an area where that company has been very successful.
5 up, 0 down
Superman915
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 9:44:14 PM
Reply
9 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:12:37 PM
Why do you think Sony even said that????
Sony saw that a lot of people gladly worked OT just to get their hand wrapped around a PS3.
I just think they were proudly showing that point off, vs going for the cheaper xbox.
2 up, 1 down
FullmetalX10
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 5:40:12 AM
1 up, 0 down
Nynja
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 10:10:26 AM
This comment was made before the release of the PS3. It was made at E3 when the price of the PS3 was revealed.
There's no question about it. Sony was very arrogant thinking they would repeat the PS2's success right out of the gate with a $500-600 entry point.
I actually miss the 3rd place Sony from 2007 to late 2009. They worked extra hard to get consumers to pick up a PS3 by adding feature after feature requested by gamers via firmware updates. Now, Sony has been adding features that a majority of gamers don't care about or dislike altogether. Even though it is an understandable reason, they are even removing features now.
This is the part of Sony I don't like.
Last edited by Nynja on 4/2/2010 10:11:37 AM
7 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 9:46:55 PM
Reply
11 up, 2 down
FullmetalX10
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 5:50:04 AM
0 up, 0 down
convergecrew
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 9:53:21 PM
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3 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 9:59:37 PM
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But as far as big heads, I so want to see Sony keep up with the comical commercial trend by even making some light-hearted fun of themselves a bit.
Just use Keven Butler to introduce all the Sony executives as a bunch of giant bobble-heads that are mobbing his desk & office, his apartment, his car, the restaurants he goes to, etc, etc, and then he's shadowed by them everywhere he go's.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/1/2010 10:05:32 PM
2 up, 0 down
FullmetalX10
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 5:51:14 AM
0 up, 0 down
kokoro
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 7:54:41 AM
Everytime I see your display pic I cannot help but laugh. Demonic drugged dog...lol
2 up, 0 down
Kowhoho
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:04:48 PM
Reply
13 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:19:35 PM
6 up, 0 down
Alienange
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 1:54:46 AM
2 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Sunday, April 04, 2010 @ 12:11:40 AM
"Demon Dog" isn't any ole drugged out pooch.
No, no, no, he' a demonic, but highly trained, assassin Hitdog!
BTW, that Liquid Draino-filled syringe isn't just for show!!!
Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/4/2010 12:13:45 AM
0 up, 0 down
SmokeyPSD
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:05:15 PM
Reply
0 up, 7 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:22:12 PM
10 up, 0 down
SmokeyPSD
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 11:24:45 PM
0 up, 2 down
BikerSaint
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:06:08 PM
Reply
IMO, the best commercial PS commercial Sony ever made was actually during the beginning of the PS2's own era.
It was where they showed off what they thought the PS of the future year 2078 would be like......
"The PS-9"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcmtDAVM-3A
2 up, 0 down
Kai200X
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:15:37 PM
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2 up, 2 down
Qubex
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:17:51 PM
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Now to enjoy 3D gaming and Move I have to update and lose my Linux access which I use everyday for general computer work, typing up documents and browsing on Firefox...
It is very sad...
I will admit it, I still want Sony to succeed and bury the x-Bot, but my enthusiasm and joy has subsided somewhat... I may even descend into the "not caring realm" anymore...
Q!
"make.disbelief"
Last edited by Qubex on 4/1/2010 10:18:17 PM
7 up, 5 down
fluffer nutter
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:21:28 PM
3 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 4:57:39 AM
Whether people agree or not, they have a right to protect themselves in a situation like this. That doesn't make them arrogant at all. I feel a lil sorry for for the thousands of people who really did use linux on their ps3s but at the end of the day if sony thinks its for the good of protecting their flagship system, good for them
6 up, 2 down
Arvis
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 9:52:53 AM
Try telling THIS guy: http://www.gametrawler.com/2010/04/ps3-other-os-removal-why/
-Arvis
0 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:20:22 PM
Reply
Last edited by fluffer nutter on 4/1/2010 10:21:46 PM
4 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 10:26:14 PM
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But those days are gone and it's time to swagger around and tousle the hair of the fools crying over broken consoles made out of cheaper stuff than legos and games that rarely if ever get away from the same 2 genres. I dare say consoles sold are equal to and probably greater than 360, even with its year head start due to RROD, banned systems, and every other problem known to tech-kind.
Best games+best tech=best system, hows that for arrogance?
6 up, 0 down
FullmetalX10
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 5:54:22 AM
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 12:39:22 AM
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Thank goodness sony woke up and realized that just because they are sony doesn't mean they don't need to advertise and advertise well.
8 up, 1 down
Robochic
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 1:20:21 AM
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4 up, 1 down
Scarecrow
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 1:28:51 AM
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"we're trying not to make the ps3 look too next-gen on the outside. Since we've realized that the Western audience just wants something that looks average/cheap. Kinda like that RROD box over there. So we made the Slim with that point in mind."
I have both the Slim and the 60GB
And just looking at both side by side, the 60GB model truly gives you that sense of "next-gen gaming." The Slim just gives you that "it plays" games feel. Not saying it's bad (or a bad design).
Other than that, I never saw any arrogance. They showed off the ps3 power back in the day just like they do now. But now it's delivered better, I agree.
4 up, 0 down
___________
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 1:32:07 AM
what the hell did those people do to their ps3s, finger it all day?
i had mine for over 2 years and i never cleaned it and it looked brand spanking new when i traded it in for a slim.
5 up, 1 down
___________
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 1:29:50 AM
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i seriously can not believe sony removed the other OS feature, there lucky i sold my 60GB for a slim otherwise id be seeing them in court!
what they are doing is illegal, go ask any layer.
i wont be surprised if we see a FW update giving us back the feature, otherwise sony are going to be spending a lot of time in courts!
what about the air force who bought thousands of ps3s to build a cheap supercomputer?
im sure they are not going to be happy about this!
sure you dont need to download it, but than you loose access to the PSN and all the other features.
the more time passes, the more sony are turning into M$
im glad i upgraded my PC not so long ago, because by the looks of it its going to be getting a lot more use soon.
only sony would remove a feature I PAID FOR!
whats next?
removing wifi?
0 up, 7 down
johnld
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 2:42:49 AM
Ohh, i doubt that the air force cares about this. as you said, they bought their ps3s to build supercomputers. I doubt that they even connect it to psn. Its not like they bought it to have it act like a supercomputer as its secondary function. my guess is that it is just completely a supercomputer and no gaming is done on it.
I just find it funny that you're complaining about a feature that you dont have because you have a slim. which means that you arent using the otherOS feature anyway. As for me, i bought my 60gb to play games so this doesnt concern me at all. It seems like you're just trying to find faults in anything you comment about. I distinctly remember you complaining about the cover button in uncharted 2 while noone else found any problem with it.
9 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 3:23:50 AM
It was nice to have the option there, but lets be serious. Not very many people used it. it wasn't worth the risk.
9 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 5:04:04 AM
Like i said earlier, i kinda feel bad for those that really used it but they aren't gonna risk it, so get over it
Last edited by aaronisbla on 4/2/2010 5:05:59 AM
7 up, 1 down
___________
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 8:19:01 AM
sony should of seen this coming, there has been rumors of people hacking the ps3 through other OS since mid 07 it took them a while but they finally did it.
its like you go and buy a car, than the manufacture turns up to your door and removes air con.
sure you dont need it, but its something you paid for.
you cant advertise your product to do certain features than remove them.
oh yes you would get far, by law you can sue sony for compensation.
yous are totally missing the point, if we lay down and let sony remove features where does it end?
its like M$ with their HDDs they charge you a arm and a leg for a HDD and people still buy them.
as the saying goes a company will do anything they can get away with, so if sony removes this and nothing happens there going tot test the water and see what else they can get away with.
its about time people grew some balls and stood up for their rights, instead of laying down like a mat.
Last edited by ___________ on 4/2/2010 8:22:44 AM
0 up, 2 down
Nynja
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 11:26:15 AM
Sorry to say, but you gave up that feature already when you ditched your old console and replaced it with the Slim.
People who "hack" systems directly don't bother me, only those who decide to engage in criminal activity utilizing these "hacks" to play pirated games. I am upset of the feature removal, yet I fully understand the necessity and nature of the firmware update. I only wish Sony had found an alternate method of locking down the system, which I fully understand would probably get broken into eventually anyways.
Arvis listed a very nice blog entry that sums up my thoughts about what Sony has been doing over the past several years and how this has made my launch 60GB PS3 so important to me.
1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 11:45:59 AM
Last edited by Jawknee on 4/2/2010 11:47:35 AM
2 up, 3 down
Nynja
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 3:30:42 PM
Playing devil's advocate... A memory refresh of features that were once available at the launch of the PS3 that are no longer available;
- Memory Card Readers
- 4 USB ports
- PS2 backwards compatibility
- Install Other OS functionality
Some items listed are understandable in order to lower manufacturing costs. Though, the point remains. This is not the first feature Sony has removed.
3 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Saturday, April 03, 2010 @ 3:36:06 AM
@nynja
Out of that list you posted, the only thing that would be of importance to a lot of gamers would be the ps2BC, which wasn't taken away from all ps3s, just models made after the originals and the first 80gb. In fact all those features still work except the other os feature
Last edited by aaronisbla on 4/3/2010 3:42:43 AM
1 up, 0 down
___________
Saturday, April 03, 2010 @ 8:11:23 AM
ill say it again.
yous are totally missing the point, if we lay down and let sony remove features where does it end?
its like M$ with their HDDs they charge you a arm and a leg for a HDD and people still buy them.
as the saying goes a company will do anything they can get away with, so if sony removes this and nothing happens there going tot test the water and see what else they can get away with.
its about time people grew some balls and stood up for their rights, instead of laying down like a mat.
is that enough?
need it explained again?
or maybe with flashing neon lights next time?
how about some visual aids to go along with it?
0 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Saturday, April 03, 2010 @ 11:56:34 AM
they removed a feature that only a small minority of ps3 users took advantage of because of security issues. Like Jawknee said, im willing the bet a lot of the "linux users" weren't users to begin with, but just complainers looking for something to complain about.
Last edited by aaronisbla on 4/3/2010 12:02:27 PM
0 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Saturday, April 03, 2010 @ 12:18:54 PM
If you look at the TOS read no. 9, good luck with your case. You can google it and it pops up
The very first TOS that we all agreed to when we sign up for psn pretty much covers them in this. So whether downloaded the update or not, there isn't much one can do about it.
If you really wanted to stick it to them, use your wallet.
Last edited by aaronisbla on 4/3/2010 12:25:08 PM
0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 2:01:31 AM
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Sony assumed that all those PS2 owners were simply going to turn around and buy PS3s. They were very wrong. If anything, the market has busted wide open with multiple demographics buying/playing different kinds of games and using all kinds of different platforms.
I think it is smart of Sony to make themselves look like a fun company. It's more attractive.
7 up, 0 down
FullmetalX10
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 6:01:13 AM
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Still, that baby commercial freaked me out, hate dolls -_-
I just love my PS3, the weather just changed and now sun is shining through my window, it's just so nice and shiny with that 60gig trademark reflecting metal edge thingy, so nice.
1 up, 0 down
ChronowerX_GT
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 6:26:25 AM
Reply
2 up, 2 down
Scarecrow
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 6:33:18 AM
If one used one's ps3 mostly for Linux, one really has to re-evaluate why one even bought a *video-game* console for
Last edited by Scarecrow on 4/2/2010 6:34:55 AM
1 up, 3 down
ChronowerX_GT
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 11:43:38 AM
I got the PS3 for all the extra things it offers. Blu Ray, Card Readers, Linux, built in wi-fi. Now the PS3 isn't just a *video game* console as ONE might say. ONE might say that it was also designed to pretty much take the place of a media centre PC.
Now, no one said I use it mostly for Linux but it was a selling point. Sure I could get another box to fit under the TV but that's not the point. It's nice to have it in one. Especially when it's possible.
Also not every one who uses Linux is a hacker. I'd use Windows on it if I could.
Last edited by ChronowerX_GT on 4/2/2010 11:44:26 AM
1 up, 1 down
LightShow
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 6:48:10 AM
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0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 7:05:39 AM
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The new commercials are pretty good, though they still focus more on humor than on actually showing the product.
0 up, 0 down
Irievibes
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 9:05:27 AM
0 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Sunday, April 04, 2010 @ 1:50:53 AM
0 up, 0 down
IDnightwalker85
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 10:04:02 AM
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0 up, 1 down
just2skillf00l
Friday, April 02, 2010 @ 3:08:56 PM
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Just look at it like this though. If someone claimed they poisoned all the beef in the world, would you want the government to laugh at the claim or would you want them to withdraw all of the food products to ensure a future with the least amount of public damage. Sure, we wouldn't have beef in the markets anymore but at least the product's safety that are available for purchase for the consumer wouldn't be knowingly compromised. Right?
1 up, 1 down
RebelJD
Sunday, April 04, 2010 @ 1:00:37 AM
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Playstation's latest ads featuring Kevin Butler show a lot of confidence and humility and everyone loves them, random viewers and fans alike. When something hits the bulls eye dead on there's nothing you can do but be proud of it. No matter how hard you try and how much you market something, if it's whack, it's whack. Just look up Microsoft ads on youtube to see what people and I are talking about.
Sony/Playstation, just continue being confident in your products and send the right message to your consumers the first time around...that way you don't have to go playing catch up later on.
0 up, 0 down
wizzardofozzy
Sunday, April 04, 2010 @ 7:17:48 PM
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Aside from playing games on the ps3,remote play has got to be the best features.I think its awesome that you can basically use the psp as a portable screen/controller for the ps3.Using remote play you can play the music(and movies/photos)on the ps3 using the psp and you either set it to play through the psp's speakers,or your home stereo if you have one...i mean come on that is awesome sony...you dont even have to touch your ps3,in fact you dont even have to be at your house,in the same state or in the same country for that matter.if theyre both connected to the internet you can access the ps3 remotely,hence the term "remote play".
Those are the features sony really needs to be advertising,that swould get a lot of people interested who otherwise would not have had a clue about remote play.
Last edited by wizzardofozzy on 4/4/2010 7:19:27 PM
1 up, 0 down
DeathOfChaos
Monday, April 05, 2010 @ 8:33:10 AM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcmtDAVM-3A
0 up, 0 down
tes37
Reply
Thursday, April 01, 2010 @ 9:19:57 PM