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Amadeo Plaza
Editor's Note #0: Don't be so modest
May 23,2006 - So here it is, my first Editor’s Note; essentially my “Letter from the Editor.” It’s something that I’ve had rattling around in my head for some time but never quite got around to putting together. Expect this to be a regular thing from me at the beginning of every month. The reason I started a bit early was because of a certain someone’s tardy review; but I’m not here to name names.

Supposedly these things are supposed to have a focus, and what better focus than the subject that has been irking me since I read the news article this afternoon. Let me be the first to go on record saying Sony is perhaps the most arrogant and egotistical guy on the block right now. If you haven’t already, check out our news article regarding their stance on the PS3’s launch.

Specifically turn your attention to this statement made by SCEE CEO David Reeves: "We have built up a certain brand equity over time since the launch of PlayStation in 1995 and PS2 in 2000 that the first five million are going to buy it, whatever it is, even if it didn't have games."

I said it in friendly conversation with friends before and this comment only confirms my earlier foretelling; Sony is relying heavily on the PlayStation namesake to get the PS3 into every household. And the sad thing is they could be right. “PlayStation” has become synonymous with “gaming” and those 5 million hardcore gamers who undoubtedly exist and swear by Sony will buy their system on launch no matter the price tag.

Sony is in no way a bad company, and PlayStation is definitely not a poor brand, but the fact of the matter is Reeve’s declaration strengthens the fact that Sony has stopped trying. There was once a time where they would pull out every trick in the book and put together ingenious marketing strategies. Now look at what they’ve been reduced to: copping other companies’ inventive ideas and frankly doing a half-assed job at replicating them.

They came up to the level of Xbox Live with their online service's recently announced features, but Microsoft simply proved to be one step ahead at E3 with the unveiling of Live Anywhere. Then Sony had the audacity to incorporate motion sensitivity into their controller which, mind you, is basically the same design they’ve used for the past 11 years.

The point is Sony is lost. They no longer have a niche. Microsoft is taking baby steps toward widening the gaming demographic and bringing online gaming to the forefront, all the while streamlining the entire experience with Windows Vista and Windows Mobile. Nintendo on the other hand is making huge strides in making gaming much more accessible, and affordable, for people who haven’t gamed before.

So where does this leave Sony? Begging for scraps at the end of the table? While that image is highly unlikely, their imprecise stance within this maelstrom of marketing tactics acts as an indication of a very interesting generation to come.

Until next time.

Adios,
Amadeo Plaza
(Editor-In-Chief)

P.S. Fanboys can feel free to forward any hate mail to a.plaza@ampednews.com.
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