Microsoft Boosts Reputation, Sony Fights for Theirs Back

"With Microsoft's new firmware update introducing support for Microsoft's all-new XGD3 DVD format, now available to millions of Xbox 360 owners worldwide, there are a select few left with a console unable to play retail games. Microsft has addressed this issue in a rapid manner to ensure that they keep their customers satisfied and have them back up and running in no time. Meanwhile, Sony is currently wrapping up the restoration process of the PlayStation Network, at least let's hope so, and is now facing a crowd that will be hard to please."

-TheGamerAccess.com

[Nick212004]

I think Microsoft is supporting their loyal customers in a great manner with this issue. I hope Sony can get the PSN back up and running fully soon!

[LOGICWINS]

Yeah, I hope the Store comes back soon as well. I re-bought Warhawk for cheap at Gamestop today...FANTASTIC game. Its good to know that I'll be able to get the DLC for free with my free month of PS Plus =)

[metsgaming]

how do you know you will get the dlc for free with ps plus?

[Achemki]

@metsb
The Warhawk DLC was free before PSN went down. So was WipEout HD, Sackboy's Prehistoric Adventures, the new KZ3 Steel Rain DLC...buncha stuff.

Hopefully that won't change. It might as Stacking was only free for a month I think, but all those others were free before the hack with no notice of removal. Good luck Logic!

[MaxXAttaxX]

When it comes to games and gaming itself, it's actually the opposite of the title :P

Besides, Sony has recently revamped PSN's network security.
So... there's that.

[HolyOrangeCows]

So Microsoft fixing a problem that THEY caused through an update with the DVD formatting and certain models = Reputation Boost

but

Sony fixing an attack on their network and taking a while because they don't want to release anything until the network is secure = "Fighting" for their reputation?

That's the media and Sony/MS for ya.

@XboxRider
That's an AWFUL example. The "Vault" wasn't open....the robbers stole the combination. There's nothing you can really do at that point other than change the combo, which Sony did.

[Dee_91]

@holyorangecow

some people think that sony knew the risk and did nothing to prevent it
So they think its Sony fault this happened to them

But anybody with a bit of common sense would know that Sony didnt know it was that vulnerable

Because 1. if they did know and did nothing about it ,they wouldve more than likely knew the full extent of it prior to the hack and knew they would of been out a lot of money .. 2.Who would purposely sit there and do nothing knowing they could lose so much money ,information, and fans.. Im sorry but it doesnt add up to me ..

And some people should just stop with the "similar scenario stories " (ie the vault or the boat with the holes etc )
because they are terrible examples and have absolutely nothing in common with this situation

[Legion]

@HolyOrangeCows

Did you watch the video? Did you see what Microsoft was offering? Not just to fix the 4 year old Xbox but to replace it completely with a brand new 250GB console and a full year of Xbox Live for free.

Similar to the situation where TV media is going digital and there are still some very old television sets that can't handle the new format. But the government is authorizing free converters for the old TV owners. This would be like the government instead replacing old sets with new 36" HD sets and giving them free cable for a year.

Unheard of support. Not that Microsoft is always as helpful in all situations... but still this issue towers above the way Sony handled their fiasco. And really... what did I say... if Sony gets the system back up and have to bring it right back down for more issues then it would bite them in the ass. Well.... they are feeeling the bite in the ass now.

[dabri5]

Won't you lose access to that dlc once your psn + status runs out?

[MintBerryCrunch]

as far as console hardware...there will always be a question in the back of people's heads due to the RROD fiasco...if MS comes out with a next gen console first like they did last time, then people should be asking them if they are cutting corners again to get on the market first...and with sony will come online security...if the network will be secure from this generation to the next...a lot of questions that will be answered one way or another

[badz149]

It's been known for quite some time now that Nintendo will come out 1st this time around. MS is too busy with Kinect to even think about releasing the next xbox

[Jezuz]

Note "if".

[NoobSessions]

@Nick212004?
How did you get disagrees?

[Gamer_Z]

Lol I dont know weather he is upsetting MS or PS fanboys and why would his comment upset them in the first place xP

[XRider]

It's because he said somthing positive about MS on N4G.

[Greywulf]

No, its because Nick & His site = nothing but flamebait titles.

Then he pretends to not notice. Just like HHG..

[Nick212004]

XRider hit it right on the nail. Whenever I express my opinion on here and it does not involve praising Sony in all perspectives, the hate just rolls in.

[BlackTar187]

god you xbox praisers are such babies come on with this victim stuff it gets old.

[No Way]

Exactly, I don't get it either. It's just stupid. There was no flamebait..
But, you see he's got 76 disagrees. It's cause he talked positive of Microsoft.

@BlackTar187 -
Like the PS Fanboys with their 'everybody hates Sony!' conspiracy theories?

[DragonKnight]

The only eyes that Sony lost any reputation in are the eyes of fanboys and the media that fans their flamewars. Anyone with common sense knows that Sony is not to blame for any of this, so those of us with the aforementioned common sense have not lost any respect for Sony or what they give us.

[XRider]

You are right Sony isn't to blaim, hackers are. The lack of good security though is Sony's fault.

[Nykamari]

X
How secure are your information? Hackers could get to anything if they want to. Not to bash you, but nobody is safe from thieves.

[DragonKnight]

@XRider: The misconception that Sony had lax security is a common, yet erroneous one. It has been proven that Sony's security was up-to-date. And even disregarding that, everything gets hacked all the time. The Pentagon, which is supposed to have the greatest security ever, was hacked as well. Get over this "it's Sony's fault" crap because it doesn't hold any weight.

[XRider]

I know what you're saying and I agree with most of it. Let me ask you somthing and please be honest. If a criminal robs a bank and steals your money he is to blame right? What if that bank left the vault doors open? Whose to blame to blame there?

[DragonKnight]

Let me answer your question with another one.

Just because a bank vault door is open, does that means someone should walk in and take whatever they want? There is a choice involved, and Sony's "vault" wasn't as wide open as your example.

I have heard, though can't confirm, that the hackers knew how to fool PSN into believing they were a trusted source. No amount of firewalls would have been any help if they had the ability to fake being a developer.

So here's a new question.

If a thief makes a counterfeit security pass that grants him access to the banks vault, is it still the banks fault for the vault opening for what it read as authorized access?

[SixShotCop]

"If a thief makes a counterfeit security pass that grants him access to the banks vault, is it still the banks fault for the vault opening for what it read as authorized access?"

Ummm... YES??! Is that a trick question?

Pretend your a client of the bank in question, who should be held responsible DragonKnight?

Are you going to give the bank a free pass and go after the thief because it's not the banks fault?

Hilarious.

[DragonKnight]

@JerryKurl: I answer your question with experience from my own life.

Last month, my bank account was compromised and "skimmed" for $230.

The way that this was accomplished was that hackers were able to use one of the many debit interac machines I frequently use to read every piece of information about my bank card via the black strip on the back, as well as read what number I pushed in as a PIN.

They then created a counterfeit bank card and then either sold it to someone, or went shopping themselves.

Now, by your logic I should blame the bank for this, but it's not their fault. This is a huge black market business and the hackers know what they're doing. As a client of the bank, I know that the only thing to do was to report it, and they promptly reimbursed me even though it was NOT their fault.

Therefore, LOGIC dictates that if a thief knew enough about how the vault works to make a counterfeit security pass, you can't blame the bank because the thief was smart. You blame the thief, not the victim.

[baodeus]

@dragonknight

So who is to blame in this scenario then:

1. The bank provoke the most notorious thief gangs (Ocean Eleven group with George Clooney, Brat Pitt, Matt Damon, etc...) who know more about the bank's security than the bank.

2. Then the bank negligently left the vault door "slightly" open (since it wasn't as open like u said).

3. Things got stolen, and the people were lock out of their bank access started asking questions.

4. Bank told the people that it is under investigation (but doesn't say what content is being compromised/under investigation) and sometime later that the bank said they didn't know the vault was that vulnerable and customers informations has been stolen.

I mean blaming on Sony alone isn't fair, but i think Sony could have handle it better like:

a. discretly banning hackers (like MS) instead of bullying the top dog that are capable of bitting back. And boy do they left a large wound on Sony back.

b. Eventhough the law said that corporates can keep certain informations (like minor hacks) conseal from public (avoid mass damage to the business at hands), but 77 million isn't consider small if at all. Many people didn't get emails or notices (except if you read n4g's news daily) until sometime later. Sony didn't explain clearly to the public about what had happened and about a week later, they confirmed "your informations have been leaked". I'm not even sure if Sony has even answered the government inquiries yet?

I'm not blaiming on Sony, but like i said, they could have handle things a little bit better.

Can we blame Sony for negligence and bad decisions?

[DragonKnight]

Except that's not how it happened. This is how it happened.

"Ocean's Eleven" group decided they wanted to have full access to every part of the bank and be able to touch all the money they wanted, whenever they wanted.

Bank can't allow this, so the bank took measures to prevent it to protect not only themselves, but the clients of the bank as well.

Group didn't like being told what they can and can't do, so group decided to ruin it for everyone and bust into the bank's CLOSED vault by using counterfeit security cards that made the vault open because it was fooled into believing it was a trusted source.

Group got away with a bit of paperwork on who's part of the bank, but didn't get away with any money because that was behind more locks that can't be opened by the group.

Bank needed to review the security tapes to see exactly what happened, how bad it was, and try to find out who caused it before they could really tell their clients any more than "we were broken into."

Irrational clients, and non-clients, succumbed to mob-mentality and started getting the press involved with a lot of misinformation and erroneous, unproven claims.

The rest is history.

[baodeus]

But would Ocean Eleven group go to such extent to hack into the vault if the bank didn't provoke them (trying to bust all major key player of the Ocean Eleven peeps, put them in jail, get warrant,etc...when only one of the guy legitly (kinda weird, doesn't really apply to bank situation), showing people how to break in bank vault on TV?

Isn't that how it happens first? If they didn't, the group might not have gang up on them. Like i said, going after them discretly is better than bullying people that knows more about your system than yourself. Like marching your soldiers in masses to fight a group who went for guerilla tactics. It just doesn't work (vietnam war, irag, etc...)

U just don't provoke them and not powering up your defenses.

[killajd]

Whats up with all the disagrees?

[Istanbull]

If MS was supporting their customers, they wouldnt release a console wich they knew had problems BEFORE the console got released, like the RROD!

[Vega75]

And if Sony care about their customers they would have had up to date security to protect it's customers information. In which they knew was outdated since day one.

See what I did there

[MysticStrummer]

Yeah Vega we see what you did there. You replied to a fact with a rumor that's been proven false. Way to go...?

[Vega75]

And how was Sony storing personal info in plain text a rumor?
How was Sony running outdated security software on their servers a rumor?

So I guess the psn didn't get hack cause that was also a rumor too right?

funny how everyone defending sony's incompetence is all of a sudden experts in internet security. when the experts who's job consist of monitoring problems like this even said sony security was weak.

[paintsville]

Any right minded Adult and responsible parents would not get back on PSN or let their kids on it either. Not after this obvious incompetence by Sony. Leave the networking to Microsoft and go back to making TV's or something that you're actually kinda good at. Leave the gaming to Microsoft and Nintendo whom actually know whtat their doing.

[Aarix]

I think a new 2008 console with an extra month of live, or a year if there was problems with mailing, makes up for it

[JayD-1K]

@V75 and PV

But aren't you two doing the same thing for MS? Your defending their incompetence in designing a counsel with KNOWN faults AND releasing it to the consumer?

And for any XBLG subscriber out there, are you telling that MS's network is more secure than Sony's even though, it is a KNOWN fact that you can hack into an individual account and steal MS points?

@DK,
you can't stop stupid people from believing what they want to believe! We build homes with WINDOWS every day and never stop to think that, they are one of the single greatest weaknesses in a homes defense /security.
I'm afraid that the insurance companies with start charging us more for a home with windows because, they make easier for thieves to brake in!

[fullmetal297]

Xbox owners get an entirely new console AND a year worth of gold in the end.

Sony owners get a couple of free games and 30 days or 2 months of PS plus depending on their subscription. However, they still have the looming though of their personal info being held hostage.

Hmm, which one is the better deal to the consumer...

[MetalProxy]

?? entirely new console AND a year worth of gold in the end?
Sorry iam confused, are you talkn about the rrod ordeal? where are you from? when my xbox died I got a refurbished threesixty (with what apearred to be chocolate all over it)and only a month of live :/

[fullmetal297]

Seems like you didn't bother reading the article. Microsoft is also having issues with its latest firmware update. The latest update is giving people with older consoles with disc read errors and Microsoft is giving them brand new Xbox with a year Gold.

[Aarix]

@metal proxy
if your console gets RROD your console is new and in a package.

[fullmetal297]

I don't understand how and why I'm getting disagrees when I'm merely stating facts.

[Legion]

@ many people above....

Yes originally when rrod issue was at hand they attempted to repair some consoles. And other times they determined that replacement of console with new console was needed if repair was not feasible.

As for this deal it is a new situation and Microsfot has learned that image is more important then cost in recent events. (thank you SOny)

now as to comparing the 2 events though... they are different events between what Sony and Microsoft has gone through. So what Sony offered is very good for what occured. That still does not lessen the current issues of security and lack in faith that SOny has any control of the situation.

[Boon Tarkas]

Check out your disagrees man. WTF.
This community doesn't make sense.

[SonyPS360]

Lol at the recycled counter arguments and disagrees. Sony could commit genocide and its nut huggers would still blindly kiss their ass.

At least with my 360 I didn't have to worry about my money being stolen.

[Valk]

You pay for online. Thats the same as stealing. Every other platform does that for free.

[SonyPS360]

Better than having security holes and weeks of downtime I say.

Paying for something willingly and having money stolen aren't the same thing. You're basically a retard for saying otherwise.

[BrianG]

What's funny is I'm watching Attack of The Show, which is a Live gaming show that is supposed to be up to date, etc.. etc...

But they, just as this author, are spreading false information. The Xbox update issue in question is from a PREVIOUS SOFTWARE UPDATE, already cleared up by Microsoft and Major Nelson. (If the sources I've seen are correct)

I mean honestly think about it. If MS knew that this update would harm consumers Xbox's ahead of time, why would they release it? They would simply retool the update so that this issue doesn't happen and release the update at a latter date.

[btk]

After years into the console generation the XB360 can now read a whopping 7.8GB. The media claims victory for MS. Their reputation is boosted. They innovated. They increased their disk size by an amazing 1GB.

From very early on the PS3 can read 25-50GB on BR disks. Might even increase to 100GB or 200GB. Their reputation is in shatters claims the media.

Makes about sense for the games media this generation.

[LOGICWINS]

@btk- Thats what happens when you launch ur product a year after your competition at a $600 price point. Do this..and the media NEVER forgets. Sad, but true.

But the media bashing isn't as bad as people here make it out to be. All popular tech/games outlets(including G4) acknowledge Uncharted 2 as 2009's GOTY.

Also, the PS3 is currently outselling the Xbox 360 worldwide. With this very fact, I don't see the need to care what the media thinks because consumers worldwide CLEARLY see why the PS3 is worth buying.

[Cardenjs]

I payed 600 bucks for a launch console and havent regretted it since, but everyone forgets that there was a 500 dollar edition with 20 gigs, everyone compares xboxs lowest price with sonys highest price.

Edit: PS3 has not quite outsold the 360 yet, but if you compare numbers with the 360's, the PS3 has been selling faster so its just a matter of time

[Biggest]

I think that is what he means. It is outselling the 360, with selling as the key word.

[Takoulya]

I would honestly hate buying a PS3 at launch, mainly because of the firmware. You couldn't even go on the XMB while playing a game... that would be far too basic for me. I'm mainly a PS3 gamer, but I applaud Microsoft for the 360's software, if nothing else. Smoothly integrated, especially since the 2010 (?) update. It's easy and integrates into everything. PS3's firmware hasn't been lacking either, with many new updates, but I believe that it's time for a real UPDATE for the XMB, give it a good change. Now would be a great time.

[gamingdroid]

If I don't remember wrong, the Xbox 360 OS only occupies 32 MB of space. That is damn small!

You got to give it to MS when it comes to software. Smooth as butter from day one. Hardware was also questionable since day-1 though. That said, Xbox 360 S seems mighty robust and well designed to me.

[a_bro]

yea, i dont think $599 USD will happen ever again next generation.

[Aarix]

It might hath to....if next generation is as big as a jump from ps2 to ps3 then I wouldn't be surprised if it's $999

[aviator189]

You having fun trolling?? Well, your one-bubble explains it.

Anyways, 1 GB may not seem a whole lot to you or to the majority of consumers, but it means tons to developers who want to squeeze in a little bit more content to their games. Yes, ps3 has blu-ray with tons of space, I'm not going to deny that, but this is microsoft trying to improve their hardware in the current gen by working with what they currently have to help out the developers by giving them a little more space to work with. But I'm sure you among others will find ways to bash anything MS related here.

[Biggest]

Looks as if you're trolling his comment. But to be fair, he is a bit off base. Remember the skit "Lowered Expectations" on SNL? This is a case of that very thing. You can definitely say that Microsoft has boosted their reputation by adding a little more space. When the bar is set as low as DVD9(-2), it is not hard to raise it. A boost is a boost.

[Mr Tretton]

I think his point was MS coming off as heroes for adding 1 GB to a DVD is just laughable and biased.

Sure any improvement is an improvement. But there is something called significance.

[Eddie20101]

It's too little too late, is 1 gig of space enough to make a difference, your still going to have probably just as many multi disk games on the Xbox 360 as before.

Just proves that Sony was smart to go with a larger disk format from the beginning.

Oh, that's wright we are not supposed to give Sony any credit for being truely better at something than the Xbox 360 is, else we will be referred to as fanboys.

[aviator189]

@Eddie20101
User, I'm not denying at all the amount of space the blu-ray disc provides to developers and I'm not labeling anyone here as a fanboy of any console. I'm simply trying to convey that, despite this improvement in the 360 hardware, some individuals like btk will find ways to bash MS anyways. It's an improvement, it's not harming anyone, it's simply improving space issues, though it may not be by a considerable amount, for all developers. Why not just appreciate this action and leave it as it is?

But people here will look past what I'm trying to say and go directly back to blasting MS and immediately turn their attention to Sony's blu-ray disc.

[moparful99]

@dk
"This generation, the one-disc 360 games have been just as high quality (in general) as PS3's 25-50GB games."

Want to know where all of that extra space goes on blu-ray discs? How about god of war 3? No loading screens whatsoever and one of the best graphical games of this entire generation.. Uncharted 2 easily one of the highest rated exclusives of this generation... I'm sorry but the 360 struggles to keep up in comparrisson to those two titles alone.. But of course your only argument is game length as if thats the lithmus test for game quality.. Most intelligent people know that game quality is a measure of many factors including graphics, gameplay, story, sound, controls, pacing etc.. But your feeble mind latches onto the one fact that lends any creedance to your argument.. Sigh some people will never learn...

[DJnal05]

Good topic...

[tmanmushroom]

Sony is trying their best to come back from the PSN disaster. The 2 free games are nice, we'll just have to wait and see if we'll get anything else

[L6RD7BLU3]

Not really 360 fans stood by Microsoft with the red rings, and I'm pretty sure ps3 fans will do the same regardless of the situation. So meh, whatever

[ForROME]

@btk

First off no one is saying they innovated, but you really, second off blu ray almost cost SONY the fight with pricing out of the gate being a joke

Dont get ahead of yourself kid

As to the article

Xbox has come a long way since 2002 when people laughed and said Xbox would never compete with SONY, what are they to say now other than they dont like xbox, doesnt take away with MS took some of that pie, and own North America

PS had a good stride hindered by the recent PSN hit, will rebound SONY is a strong brand and has a very loyal core following, this will soon be forgeten and SONY will be back in full stride

[blackburn10]

Microsoft's reputation should have been utterly ruined when the proved themselves inferior by releasing a broken console that took 3 years to fix with half the features that the PS3 had that they claimed wasn't needed and that is so outdated it still has to put games on 3 to 4 discs unlike bluray. But because of the industry sweeping those facts under the rug and the general gullibility of their fanbase they continue to exist this very day.'Look everyone the 360 can read up to 7.8 gigabytes. 'But the PS3 could read up to 50 gigabytes from the beginning. 'Shut up. Sony is last this gen and it has no games'. Ah ignorance IS bliss.

@ ForROME the pricing was never a joke. For the features Sony gave you it was more then worth the price. Rather buy fully loaded solid hardware for hundreds then faulty, bare bones junk for less. Only on my second PS3 by making that choice. My friend is on his fourth 360.

[v1c1ous]

if hardware issues were a death sentence for any console, then the ps2 DRE issues would have meant the end of the PS brand. but it didn't!

[TheGamingArt]

The DRE issue affected less then 10% of owners versus the over 30% affected by the RROD... let alone the disc scratching issue.

[blackburn10]

Didn't I read what I wrote? I the 360 had more then just a slight problem that could be fixed in a short time like the PS2 could. It took two whole weeks to fix a 360 and and 5 years to solve the problem completely. Besides isn't a 360 technically supposed to be more advanced then a PS2? So what are you saying? We should compare a last gen console with a next gen one? That Microsoft couldn't even make a solid console that worked better then a PS2? That I should compare a minor technical problem on a PS2 to a console destroying glitch? If so that is even more pathetic. @ TheGamingArt Exactly. And it was more like 40%

[tordavis]

@thegamingart 10% of 150 million is 15 million. 30% of 50 million is 15 million. You were saying?

[LostDjinn]

@ tordavis: LOL! What?!
By that logic if MS only sold 15 million and none of them worked it'd be same.

Congratulations. You take out "Fanboy dumb-ass of the week". HHG won't be pleased you beat him out but what can you do?

The figures don't equate to the same thing and the fact you try to mislead people with them speaks volumes. You don't perchance work for the bitbag do you? This smacks of their "special reasoning". I believe said reasoning's the kind that affords you a complimentary bus pass.

OT: This article is...questionable. Subjective be damned. Some parts of it are close to outright lies.

[Fallouts]

I see the sony fanatic logic now! Its ok to pay for a broken console within a year as long as its only 10 percent. God forbid its 30 percent and not having to pay a dime for the fix. You sony fanatics are something else. You actualy disgust me with all the bs that your finger tips type.

[LostDjinn]

Fallouts: Your argument doesn't make sense. How long did PS2s have a problem before it was addressed? You make it out to be every console sold for the generation. You also make out that MS had their three year warranty in place at the 360s' time of release. Both of which are BS and you know it. Yet you have the audacity to call others fanatics?

Are you trying to challenge tordavis for this weeks' crown?

[Fallouts]

At lost

Of course I don't make sense to you just look at your responses! Your a moron.. Why the hell would I care if the problem lasts for 2 week or 8 years? My point was I did not have to pay a dime for both my rrod. While I had to pay for dre what ever the hell was wrong with the ps1 that I had to play upside down and dead pixles on my psp. Had you had to pay for all those within a year to fix would it really matter to you if they took care of the problem a day after you paid to fix it?

Don't get all mad at me cause this your first gen and don't know the history. The "audacity" is you thinking that its ok to pay for a manufaturing problem within the first year as long as it doesn't take "years" to correct the problem and its only 10 percent.

I'm not chalenging anyone on anything but you clearly win sony fanatic ignorance of this gen.

[LostDjinn]

Um...Fallouts: "Of course I don't make sense to you just look at your responses! Your a moron.. Why the hell would I care if the problem lasts for 2 week or 8 years? My point was I did not have to pay a dime for both my rrod. While I had to pay for dre what ever the hell was wrong with the ps1 that I had to play upside down and dead pixles on my psp. Had you had to pay for all those within a year to fix would it really matter to you if they took care of the problem a day after you paid to fix it?"

If you visited the forums you'd know I have a 360. I bought my first late 2006. My second at the start of 2007 because the first went down to a RROD in four and a half months. It originally came with a three month warranty. I just put it down to bad luck. The second has been replaced three times (under the three year warranty plan). Twice in 2007 and once in 2009. So another argument of yours is flawed.

"Don't get all mad at me cause this your first gen and don't know the history. The "audacity" that you think its ok to pay for a manufaturing problem within the first year as long as it doesn't take "years" to correct the proble"

At this point you've contradicted your own argument and seem to become quite angry. The fact you try and label me as new to gaming is amusing. It's nothing more than a poor attempt to detract from the validity of my comment. Add to that the fact your comment is riddled with errors (both grammar and spelling related) and I think it's plain to see who's "mad" here.

"I'm not chalenging anyone on anything but you clearly win sony fanatic ignorance of this gen."

That's good because I don't know what "chalenging" is. I will say bravo on a well put together retort though.

It made me laugh.

Edit: I've already quoted you and you edit your comment? Classy.

[ForROME]

The pricing was indeed a joke, who cares what features it has, Devs had a hard time with it, Jack Tren. said himself software and hardware did not work together.

The price was way out of market, nice hardware or not, SONYs goal isnt to have the best hardware its to have the largest install base in each region generating royalties from games to pay for that nice hardware.

Your a gamer, you buy things before any other, you only make up 10-15% of total sales, its the regular folks that provide the PROFIT for SONY

So Yes, PRICE matters, very much.

[blackburn10]

Sorry if all you look at is price you will always buy junk. I would rather buy something for the price it is worth then buy something for less and watch it fall apart in my hands e.g. a 360. Also the hardware being hard to work with was irrelevant. Look at the wonders it creates e.g. GOW3, Last Guardian, UC3, Infamous 2, while the 360 barely does multiplats better then the PS3 and can't even look as good as a PC.'Look everyone the 360 can make multiplats look 2% better then the PS3. Wow!' /s

@ aviator189 Microsoft is used to giving out glitchy broken things e.g.their operating systems.. Of course they are ready to fix it. They probably already knew it might break from the start. Theit not fools. They most likely calculated the risk of it breaking down before handing it out. Doesn't make them quicker just more used to their things breaking.

[ForROME]

@blackburn10

Sorry its all I look at? Thats funny, its what SONY looks at as well.

If you like them so much send them some money, just dont use your credit card, email address, billing address or anything that is worth storing on a server.

But hey, good story bro. Get over your blind loyalty, its a business, not your family member.

[BlackTar187]

this comment reaks of blind loyalty

[kickerz]

My mate is on his first 360 and so is my other mate and my other mate.. Oh wait they all have 360s and all very happy wit them including myself so :P

[SlyFoxC]

sweet now go kiss your mom goodnight and tomorrow night and tomorrow night.

[moparful99]

HOly crap a guy who knows 3 people that are in the % of people that didnt have the RROD!! Ohhh My Gosh you deserve a medal!!!!! /s

[kickerz]

Nah mate I kissed your mum goodnight

[Godmars290]

How is MS boosting their rep when this update will supposedly mess up certain disc drives? Even though they're already in front of the problem and can even detect it, how does this not reinforce their inability with hardware?

Any other company, lacking the cash cow that is Windows, wouldn't be able to support reversed oversight such as this, much less what was done to make up for RRoD.

@ForROME:
If you look at MS they haven't really made that much of an improvement since the Xbox1. They dominate the American market, are dead in Japan and are losing ground in Europe.

I don't think anyone said that they couldn't compete with Sony, not with the money MS has, but for all the time they've been in the console industry they haven't grown past their initial rep.

@Below:
MS is reacting to something they had forewarning of because of a beta which was months in advance. Sony got it on the spot.

MS might be able to crow about this instance, compare it to PSN going down, but the truth is they aren't similar. Similar is XBL going down during the holidays because of server overload. An emergency they don't have time to step in front of.

[aviator189]

I think the author is emphasizing the way microsoft is able to swiftly handle and communicate the error that very few beta testers are experiencing and how they are able to quickly provide a solution to the problem. Here, it's by providing a free xbox 360 replacement console. Also, beta testers were warned prior to giving their consent for the 360 to accept the preview update that certain errors, some unforeseen, could surface.

The author is trying to compare the manner in which each company, both MS and Sony, handles errors related to their respective console.

For example, the author states how Microsoft "has addressed this issue in a rapid manner to ensure that they keep their customers satisfied and have them back up and running in no time."

Now, you can compare that to the manner in which Sony handled the PSN outage.

[MrBeatdown]

Seems dumb for the author to compare them in the first place, considering this Xbox thing affects such a small number of people, while the PSN thing affects millions.

Obviously the responses have to be drastically different. MS has to resolve an issue for a very small number of people that was created and possibly even foreseen internally, and Sony has to deal with millions of people affected by something brought on by outside factors. If MS and Sony were in eachother's shoes, I doubt they would handle the situations all that differently. MS would fumble with a disaster like Sony has, and Sony would resolve a small hardware problem without much issue. Take a look at the RROD thing for an example of how spectacularly Microsoft can screw something up. The trouble for them was the scope of the issue, so like Sony, they had trouble cleaning up the mess.

@below

I gotcha. I know you're not arguing one way or the other... just clarifying what the author said. Just seemed like a good spot to throw in my two cents.

[aviator189]

@MrBeatdown
Yes, I agree with you with what you're saying. The author should have mentioned that the scope and manner of the issue should have a profound effect on how a company is able to readily handle the issue and communicate the problem to their customers.

At above, yes, I understand that too. I'm not trying to take sides here, I'm just simply trying to convey what the author is attempting to communicate to the online community because so many individuals on this website are looking at the title and commenting the first thing that comes to their mind..

[beavis4play]

then the author is wrong - microsofts handling (and initial denial of the existance) of the RRoD fiasco was terrible.

[aviator189]

@beavis4play
The author is talking about the speedy and satisfying manner in which MS is currently handling the errors that are disrupting the few users who have downloaded the preview firmware update, not the "RRoD fiasco."

Did you even watch the video or read the comments in depth? Yes, MS's handling of the rrod situation was mediocre, but that's not what the author is discussing here.

[beavis4play]

aviator - i was responding to your posts -

you said: The author is trying to compare the manner in which each company, both MS and Sony, handles errors related to their respective console."
and the author IS wrong - he's subjectively hand-picking these problems to prove his skewed view of these companies.

yes - i did listen, and what subjective rubbish it was - but i was responding to YOUR post and in particular the quote above......sorry i didn't put your comment in my first response - i didn't think i had to......you posted it and a just figured you'd remember - i guess not.

[Valk]

@beavis, He is comparing 2 current problems, not one current and one 4 years old like you are trying to do. Seems you are thbe one doing what you are accusing the author of.

If it is so wrong why do you feel the need to do it and then try to justify it?

[killajd]

I think with the mistake that Microsoft is making with this update is bad. But they are trying to turn it around by making it free to fix this problem with the update to the disc drive. Now that being said why do they feel they need to release it and make those certain people with these systems wait to have their system fixed when MS could just hold off a bit and fix it so all of their fans can play!

[OC_MurphysLaw]

@killajd... just stop. They are makind a disc format change that is good for the xbox developement and updated security of the discs. They identified an issue immediately and out of the gate they are in front of it contacting owners and giving them a new console to replace the old one. Plus its not the 4GB version, its their 250GB version. And have you thought that maybe the disc drives that are faulty are just not fixable via firmware? They know this and thus why the program is in place.

[moparful99]

No once again they are rectifying a hardware issue that arose due to lack of vision on microsofts part.. They threw together a console that was cheap, simple, and marginally better then anything that was on the market at the time and now they are paying to fix the issues from such an archaic design.. Hence why they had to do a complete console revision and add in all the features that should have been standard as well as fix major hardware issues like the rrod, disc scratching, and overheating... But its ok keep making excuses for microsoft you'll be rewarded one day..

[evilunklebud]

Swings and roundabouts.....

They are both pretty even in the end.

And both did a pretty good job dealing with their respective "issues". I've had one RROD and 28 days of no PSN and felt satisfied with the outcome of both.

I have no complaints.

[MIDDLE_FINGER_U]

1 word SURE

[lochdoun]

My oh my how the tables have turned. ;]

[diehardgamer1000]

a boost of 1Gig...lgig??? lmfao!!! oh wow,wat was tht again abt bluray being unnecessary?? god-damn the media sure has selective memory,MS is being praised for an upgrade of 1gig SMFH

[AngryEnglish]

Gotta love all this Xbox crap this and PS3 crap that...

the xbox is just as good as the ps3, the ps3 is just as good as the 360.... brand loyalty as a gamer is retarded, seriously, all brand loyalty does is STOP YOU PLAYING GOOD GAMES...

as a GAMER you play games, you have a love for games... not for the machine you play it on

buy both, i dont include the Wii as its last gen with motion controls

and here is one that will cause some people to shit, i still have and use my 2005 360 that never RROD once, i also have my launch 60gb PS3 that YLOD 3 times... just one of thise things...that got fixed for FREE, and becuase i owned both consoles it didnt effect me as i dont have BRAND LOYALTY

[SlyFoxC]

how the hell do you get disagrees....lol....

Fanboyism-ruining gaming till the end

p.s.
disagrees on N4G are like crabs, just put some lotion on them and deal with them lol!

[digimau]

Hummm

PS3 MId April/Mid May Sales

USA + 13%
Jap: + 5%
EU: + 3%

Really PSN DOWN have compromised Sony...?

Hummm

[MysticStrummer]

Don't confuse the issue with facts. Some people prefer to repeat the same old BS in the hope that it becomes reality.

[kuroukage]

All I've got to say is: this guy makes an excellent salesman for Microsoft! Hope they hire you buddy!

[ZBlacktt]

Look who still has all the best exclusive's by far. Gamers go were the games are. So don't think for a second Sony is going to go down here. I own both consoles. The PS3 exclusive's are just to good to go over and play the other one often at all. That and it's still free to play online.

Plus, look at this video in the story. That's a freakin Wii now. Like I said, I own that console as well. A Kinect in fact. The kids here love it. The live set up is just like a Wii. Same cute little people and cute little sounds the Wii has.

[krazykombatant]

Question, I've heard that the PSN won't be free in the near future? Not trolling this is an actual question. Due to the fact that Sony lost money with the PS store being down and all.

Or is it just ppl making up B.S that Sony will start to charge for online.

[PirateThom]

Making up BS.... I mean, Sony have talked about potentially charging for PSN in the past, but not for a few years now. Sony, as it stands, couldn't take the PR hit to now start charging for online after the scale of the data breach.

[Mr_Luke]

Wait... Microsoft makes a mistake and ppl can't play games... but all is ok, boost of reputation, they're fixing, they're superb, whatever...
Hackers attack Sony, you can't play online but everything else works and they reprogrammed the whole PSN for security improvement and so... and Sony is DOOOMED?

Sorry, i can't follow the logic... i see only 2 companies that got problems, and 1 seems worse to me.... at least in my ps3 i could play single player games, in the 360 not even those.... bah... i can be wrong, the tons of disagrees will show me that ;)

[Legion]

You do realise that the current issue has only effected a very few owners and not the vast majority that the PSN effected. And they are getting a brand new 250gb system and 1 year Xbox Live in replacement for their 4 year old console.

[Mr_Luke]

I was just saying that both the companies started working about a solution.
What happened to Sony could happen to Microsoft as well and viceversa.
But since the Microsoft fanboys are super active lately, this seemed another stupid article pro M$ and against Sony.
In both the cases i don't care a lot about them, since i like single player games (so i was ok with my PS3) and i didn't get any problem with the 360. Both the problems didn't touch me.

[Firstkn1ghT]

Microsoft's 360 is having their best run in sales in its lifetime thanks to Kinect. With huge games like Forza 4 and Gears 3 on the horizon. It's only looking better.

Sony's PS3 on the other hand is having their worst year yet. Numerous exclusives flopping in ratings like DC Universe, SOCOM, Motorstorm. Other sequels failing to sell initially as well as their predecessors; LBP2 and KZ3. And of course, the mess that is the PSN.

[Valk]

true, less than 5% of PS3 owners boyught Killzone and it was called the greatest FPS ever to exist by Sony fans. They talk about how important exclusives are yet those exclusives arent even reaching 10% of PS3 users. COD damn sure is though

[MeNoRasta]

"I think Microsoft is supporting their loyal customers in a great manner with this issue. I hope Sony can get the PSN back up and running fully soon!" - Nick212004 -21h ago= 70 disagrees.

C'om the iq of ps3 fanboys on this site are so low.
he said MS is supporting their loyal customers and he gets 70 disagrees but if he said that about Sony i bet he will get 70 agrees.
Stop with the ps3 fanboyism on this site ffs.

[iNFAMOUZ1]

"looks at author" OK GOOD its not HHG :) THIS ARTICLE IS SAFE TO CLICK ON :)

[Legion]

Ha... it is the white version of HippityHop though. This guy does a similar pause and think routine when trying to report news. At least he didn't pretend like he had cred.

[Mikey Mike]

The reason XBOX 360 has such great service, class action lawsuit. The Federal government would have been all over MS for a faulty product.

[liviticus]

If microsoft want to boost their reputation piss off kinect and go back to making great games, not kiddie shovelware

[Hozi89]

Now I really wish I didn't let my friend mod my 360. lol....oh well. Thats karma for me I guess.

[SuperSaiyan4]

I spoke to Microsoft directly in the UK and they said that with the fall update and even with this one if it causes your 360 to not function correctly then they offer a 360 S AND 1 year of xbox live for free.

I think Microsoft has a better deal to be honest given the fact that our details were stolen on the PS3 and about a month with no PSN and the store is still down...

[LolololRumz]

Sony give you free online for life, You don't need to have a new console for the PSN downtime. Microsofts problem is it's stopping your console from working 100%.

People rely on online gaming way too much no a days. Both companies are sorting out both problems, the who microsoft getting a better rep and sony fighting for theirs is bull.

No wonder you have one bubble.

[Senden]

To be fair, ever since E3 last year Microsoft have been fighting for their own reputation. This is a little boost like but nothing of substance seeing how much disc space is now offered in comparison to Blu Ray.

Sony can fight and win their reputation back at E3 with all their great exclusive games to look forward to while Microsoft will probably be showing off their latest selection of shovelware, dlc timed exclusives and a few exclusives we already know about.

[chrisin3]

People are so entitled these days.