Is 2008 the Year of the PlayStation 3?

MSNBC writes:

"While the beleaguered PlayStation 3 still faces an uphill battle, Sony believes the console is spring-loaded for a turnaround.

Why? The success of Blu-ray, an upcoming slate of much-needed exclusive games and new numbers from the NPD Group showing that the console bested Microsoft's Xbox 360 for the first time in January."

[niall77]

outsold the 360 in america
Blu Ray won the HD format war
and got a good mutliplat game from EA (burnout)

Id say its shaping up to be one heck of a year for the PS3

[Xeikon]

The 360 outnumbers the PS3 3 to 1 in the US.
The HD war is not yet over.
The PS3 got a good multiplatform title from developer and middleware company Criterion.

[blacsheep]

crap in the woods

[SurferDude]

THE HD WAR IS OVER.
You have to be blind to think it isnt, or just a fanboy.
The 360 last month got outsold by the ps3 worldwide by about 250,000 units.
The ps3 has way better games coming out.
They have the next movie format BUILT IN

This year and next year and the year after that are the years of the ps3.

[season007]

The HD War is not over and there is one AGREE...

Hooray for crazy fanboy(singular)!

[deeznuts]

As long as it stays close in the US, PS3 is doing good. They are outselling the 360 basically everywhere else. But even in the US I believe 360 will saturate their market, giving the PS3 a chance.

[MikeGdaGod]

Xeikon i wasn't sure about you. but with that post i found out all i need to know.

[Dudeson42]

I finally took the plunge...

I bought a PS3 last night to go along with my 360 and Wii, and every other console of the last three generations... =)

ADD ME!!!!

DeltaP42, I need some people to play games with!!!

[zane_7849]

Let's see Xeikon + ignore button = better world. Enjoy the tool-shed!

[iMad]

This story tells us what PS3 will not success its hype in 2008 mainly because people think PS3 is a cheap BR player and will not buy software. Plus GFX capabilities of PS3 is lower so it will always loose is GFX to XBOX 360 exclusives coming in 2008.

[Reggie Fils-Aime]

How old are you?

[mintaro]

how many articles about this has there been this year?

[kewlkat007]

a "Is 2008 Ps3's year" article...look for one last week then you know everyone will be repeating the same BS. As with the numbers articles.

http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News...
http://www.n4g.com/industry...

I think I answered this question like 2 weeks ago, well look at here, it's only FEB 2008, not much have changed.

[InMyOpinion]

The answer to all these BS articles is easy, "We'll have to wait and see.". Won't we?

Same goes for that Halo killer article about Resistance 2, Killzone 2 and RB 6: Vegas 2. Wait and see.

[kewlkat007]

calm down bro, it' s only a piece of plastic.

Always amusing, this site.

[DADO]

By the end of the year the PS3 will be outselling the Wii!! Enough said.

[pwnsause]

oh snap!!!! Teh Mod God Gods shot lightning all up ur a##, anyway, lets just wait and see if the crazyiness for the wii is over.

[SUP3R]

LOL
I don't don't think I've ever seen that much deletes in one shot since I've joined this site.

[jams_shop]

it has been since January 1st

[HCS]

The contest is for second place right now. And Microsoft just has too much of a head start on Sony to make 2008 a reversal of fortune, leaving Sony again holding the bronze over a console that was supposed to deliver the gold.

[Mr PS3]

YES

[Mr PS3]

Does a bear sh!t in the woods
Does an xbox RROD as soon as you switch it on
Are xbots a bit thick
Of coures 2008 is the year of the Playstation

[DarkSniper]

2008 isnt just the year of PLAYSTATION® 3, 2008 spells a long tenure of console dominance. Sony will trample over the weak and incapable competition known to you as XBOX 360, Dark Sniper knows it as dumpster juice 360. Consumers across the globe are now aware that XBOX 360 is worthless than the dog shiet on the bottom of his shoe.

With a plethora of AAA exclusives lined up for 2008, no one can argue that Sony has donned the costume of Santa Clause and is surely giving presents to all PLAYSTATION® 3 owners all year around. Only PLAYSTATION® 3 buyers get to experience this treat because they are the nice, all XBOX 360 owners are the naughty.

Microslaves are personally offended by the gospel that Dark Sniper has spread across the eyes of each and every N4G reader who blindly supports the green sinking ship. He speaks the truth within every post and through each and every comment, Dark Sniper's words depletes the living soul and spirit in each and every Microslave.

$niper

[rushbd]

It can be more apparent that MS is doing Damage Control via their own news site

[vloeistof]

resistance 2 , mgs4 ,gt5 prologue, eight days ,heavy rain, littlebigplanet ,blu-ray home.
yes

[Rayko]

what is so good with this year except for little big adventure and HOME? The rest is just old, boring games that are not interesting anymore (Metal gear and GT). Killzone 2 looks like eyecandy but the game is just a normal boring FPS, what makes that game special?

[Xeikon]

Fable 2 and Alan Wake if it comes out this year.

[NO_PUDding]

SO by your logic.

Fable 2, part of a franchise, so it's old and boring. Played it already before thanks and Alan Wake, won't come otu this year, but by the same logic it is boring and just walkign around.

This is undeniably the year peopel can afford to move over to PS3 despite the recession. This article talks about the 360 price dropping, and it will, becuase the PS3 is s atrtign to brign forth the end of 360. And this site makes otu like PS3 can't afford to drop as much as 360. Well Cell prices have been cut in half, and if they don't cut soemthign out of the price dropped 360's or start losing money on sales, then PS3 has way more legroom to drop price.

These's a slurry of exclusives, and more to come in the future. I just want to see what Microsoft actually releases this year, becuase you can pretty much bet it won't be exclusive whatever it is.

[SUP3R]

On top of the Cell manufacturing cost being decreased the RSX(PS3 GPU) is also cheaper to produce, however this we expected.
I think the redesigned version of the PS3, which will be cheaper, smaller and lighter, will increase consumer appeal of the console and boost sales greatly.

[belal]

havent u guys said enough allready ? ps3 outsold 360 in january !!! man im still shocked
!! i dindt realise that ps3 would outsell the 360 so early in NA. if this keeps going with no big games YET the ps3 will kill 360 in sales when mgs4 and even GTA4 comes ;)

[Kaz Hirai]

Here is the plan of attack:

I, King Kaz, will take my brave Sony Soldiers on a direct charge to the gates of Nazisoft HQ for the final showdown! Meanwhile, Field Marshal Phil Harrison will prepare the artillery and Captain Tretton will commence the aerial bombardment! DarkSniper and his Sony Sniper squad will head to the mountains to snipe the Xbot SWINE from afar!
After this, Emperor Kutagari will launch the SuperSony Death Ray directly onto Nazisoft HQ, obliterating thousands of PIGS at once!

To finish off Nazisoft once and for all, Lord Stringer will descend from Sony Heaven and crush the PIGS with his Iron Fist!

Sony Soldiers- CHARGE!!!!!

MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!

[Mr PS3]

King Kaz oh Great One
Let Crush All Xbox Pigs

[The Warmonger]

He has invited you to inspect your legions of loyal sony soldiers, they are awaiting your command, sire.

The world is changing. Who now has the strength to stand against the armies of Sony and Playstation? To stand against the might of Blu Ray and Playstation and the union of the two towers? Together, Lord Sony, we shall rule this Earth. The old enemy Microsoft will burn in the fires of industry. Forests will fall. A new order will rise. We will drive the machinery of war with the sword and the spear and the iron fist of Lord Stringer . We have only to remove those who oppose us.

NOW BOW BEFORE YOUR KING, KAZ HIRAI, YOU WRETCHED XBOX PIGS, BOW!

[darkside]

Playbeyond!!!

[Fat Bastard]

Ok commander. I will be sure to jizz on the remains of the pigs contorted and grotesque bodies. And then pinch a loaf right on microsoft's doorstep.

-As fatman says it will be done, it will be done

[saprano]

this artical was written buy msnbc what did you exspect them to say? the bottom line is sony has a great line up for 2008.

[avacadosnorkel]

now I know why Universal stuck with HD-DVD

[titntin]

An article from a Microsoft site? Are we supposed to believe this is an unbiased assesment of the facts... it was horribly biased!!
As with almost any US based site, it simply concerned itself with the US, as if the rest of the world did not exist!
If you simply look at US figures, the futuire is indeed still rosy for the 360 even if the PS3 is improving. Its only by opening your eyes to the worldwide market that you get a real picture of where this gen seems to be moving.

[Silellak]

Well, the US is still by-far the most important market for the 360.

It has to beat the PS3 here before the rest of the world will take it seriously. If Microsoft can't hold off Sony on its "home turf", then there's no chance of success.

The US is also the largest video game market, and thus the biggest prize of the console war. There's a reason a large majority of games on the market are aimed squarely at American customers.

It's pretty much assured at this point that the PS3 has won Europe and Japan. But if the 360 can win a victory in the US, then Microsoft's next console would have the potential to be that much more successful.

[Exhaust]

Gamers SHOULD care more about their own region because (shocker) that is what will affect them personally.

Only fanboys care about the global market. Its not arrogance its what affects me so I care more about it.

If your console selling a few thousand more globally gets your rocks off then good for you. I don't care I'm looking at what Sony and MS are bringing to MY market because that is where I'll be buying games.

[SurferDude]

There is no way that sales figures effect you at all anyways, unless a system is doing so bad that the console is in danger of completely failing.

When you speak of sales figures YOU OUGHT TO SPEAK OF ALL OF THEM. Not the ones that best suits your console of choice. To do so is fanboish in the first place.

[Exhaust]

Sales figures don't effect anyone but you should look at global sales... Which is it?

Oh like you said its the one that favors your console... Which in your case is global sales for PS3.

Pick an opinion and stick with it...

[InYourMom]

2 things.

1. 14.4 owned 14.3!
2. The year of the Playstation 3? NO.

[Darkiewonder]

Now all NIS has to do is localize Disgaea 3 and I'll be happy <3

[Evil Zhuk]

Yes it is! It sure as hell isnt wii's with only one good game 9we all know what it is) and it isnt 360 since halo came out last year.

[Says you]

a trillion times have they seen the news on whats been happening lately?? are these guys like a broken record that can never be fix and cant talk any thing except for this!?.

[whengeeksgobad]

Seriously. This is ridiculous. Bring on the RRoD, surfer girl comments and my hd-dvd is still dead reminders and we'll have all the articles for the day/week/year.

Not only is this speculative but its the same stupid speculation we get to read every single day. Congrats to the dingus who went out of his way to submit the same crap we read every day. your e-penis has grown significantly while mine has softened from all the repetitive garbage.
News for lamers strikes again!

[Silellak]

Did you know the 360 has a large failure rate? And that Blu-ray won the format war?

I know! Crazy! Who would have thought?

[bumnut]

360 is already successful, i don't care how well the ps3 does because im happy with my 360.

i may get a ps3 in the future, but i have not seen a game that impresses me enough to make me want to buy one yet.

[prunchess]

If you haven't seen a game that impresses you yet on the PS3 then I doubt that you ever will see a game that does or buy a PS3.

[whengeeksgobad]

the ps3 is a great console, if only even as a blu ray player that wont get rendered obsolete by updates to the BR standard. I don't know that I disagree with your statement about the lack of games, but I mostly bought my for its BR capabilities anyway.

[NO_PUDding]

Very well...

IS your job well payed? Becuase I woudl save up for the months nearing becuase you will be buying the PS3. Only people who aren't impressed by MGS4, are in denial. And if not MGS4 there are a ton of games.. once this year is through, if you truly do stand by your statement that nothign has imoressed you yet, then you will ahve a PS3 before the countdown of New Year.

[InYourMom]

nutters above me trying to justify their PS3 purchases thru this guy.

He is happy with the 360, what don't you understand about that?? You are like used car salesmen. He is saying NO THANK YOU to the PS3 and I sure as hell don't blame him.

[kingjkv]

I just love how all editorials and all people love to see sony win and knows the potential it has. They al expect sony to be number one

[prunchess]

Trawling the net, looking for any negative spin on the PS3. Give it up boy, you are really scraping the bottom of the barrel with articles from a Microsoft site!

[DJ]

When a journalist has to try THIS hard to still make a console look like it's still in bad shape, you know things are lookin' up. =]

[Ru]

Unless you can follow the guidelines set forth dont post in the GamerZone.
No Excuses.
Members will be banned from posting in the GamerZone.
And when it becomes a continuous problem members will be banned permanently.

[whengeeksgobad]

Then please do your part and keep the same flaimbait repetitive articles from showing up. Or perhaps creating a "sticky" subsection where ALL of the same articles can be tacked up: Could be helpful for all the peeps that want to read the same article all over again.
Your stickies could be:
2008 for Sony
2008 for MS
2008 for wii
Surfer girl:
Your HD-DVD is dead reminder
Ridiculous exclusivity rumors

After that, I'd be glad to sift through the remaining 4 or so articles a day that don't fall under those categories. Your points system rewards people for putting news that isn't really news at all.

[ScottEFresh]

MSNBC = JOKE when it comes to gaming news. But why is that Scott? Because you see kiddies MSNBC is owned by Microsoft. What do you think they are going to say about the PS3? I remember watching MSNBC one night with that panel they have that closes out the day and the dumb-ass bald dude was talking "no one buys the PS3", that thing is "never going to make it". What a joke, what a pathetic bald joke. I guess he's eating his words now even though I doubt he even believed his own words, just doing what MR. M$ tells him to do.

[TheWickedOne]

Really how many of these 2008 the year of sony articles are going to be posted. Seems one everyday or so.

[BardockS30Z]

Will Blu-Ray keep exclusives on the platform?

Dont forget the Uncharted Sequel.
Naughty Dog said PS3 is the only platform they see that can handle their game.

I'm super excited for this year

[InYourMom]

how Naughty Dog pitched Uncharted to the 360 first and they turned it down. Yea, it's the only console that can handle it.. sure OK, whatever.

[ApocalypseShadow]

to attack ps3.and to gather more posts to win more money.what are you trying to buy this time?

anyway,the amount of content sony has this year is undeniable.microsoft had it's best 2nd year as all consoles do.why should this change?sony's big guns are coming in it's second year.and one final fantasy will end this quickly.2 is just overkill.

HOME
PSeye
exclusive games
remote play
rumble returning(mine will arrive shortly from play-asia)

but not only what was stated above.sony future proofed the system.being a hardware maker gives them that edge microsoft lacks.

FACT
the hard drive is upgradeable.and doesn't void your warranty.
FACT
the disc medium is upgradeable.from 25-50-100 or more in the future.
FACT
the firmware is upgradeable.upscaling,divx,tic ker,etc.

and what is creeping just around the corner?feb. 17 2009.when all televisions have to go digital.and at the same time,hd tvs will be cheap.and again,sony was ready for that too.those tvs will have hdmi in most of them.

most products will either be bluetooth and wifi capable.ps3 supports that again as standard.and the 20gig launch system can still do it.

sony would really have to drop the ball to lose this year to microsoft.they got high def movies on lock,a reliable system,games on disc and from the PS store,psp connection.

megaton.......just........jus t.megaton............

[Lew_Ijgee]

Than to read an article about the PS3 written and posted on the MicrosoftNBC website.

Once again, this is nothing more that MS using their damage control tatics.

[IzKyD1331]

the guy who wrote that article was so misinformed, he said assassin's creed used to be a Playstation exclusive, and that Home will be available for the PSP, he also mentions how games do better on the 360 but ONLY mentioned north american sales numbers, as if the rest of the world doesnt count (everyone seems to forget that the PS3 dominates the 360 in japan and most of europe)

[bootsielon]

I've never read such a biased article before.

"So will 2008 be the breakout year for the PS3? Probably not."

I love how deep of a response he gives to his own question. "Probably not". Wow, I'm impressed.

"The changing tastes of the market are not on Sony’s side"

LOL, "changing tastes"? So whose sides are they, sh1t stain?

"...one month of besting the Xbox 360 — in a month where none of the systems sold more than 300,000 units — doesn't necessarily signal a turnaround."

Wow, damage control FTW. It doesn't signal a turnaround; what signals a turnaround is everything else, including the fact that the ratio of sales of Xbox 360 to PS3 is diminishing quickly.

"...even though the PS3’s sales looked anemic in comparison with its competitors "

Seriously, it has outsold 360 worldwide, what the hell?

"...But high-def hasn't caught on like DVD did"

There was a report citing how HD has grown faster than DVD, in spite of the format war. Do they even do research before they write?

" For a new generation, physical media is just so *yesterday*. "

I love it how they put emphasis on the word *yesterday*. Is that why Blu-ray sales have been steadily growing? How is physical media so yesterday when it's the dominant media after all?

"Apple recently announced the launch of HD movie rentals via its Apple TV box, mirroring something Xbox 360 owners have been able to do for a year"

And while they're at it, why not bash Apple a little? This is amusing. Speaking about "yesterday", doesn't taking more time than the movie lasts to download a movie is like, from the dial-up era? Seriously, call me when I can watch the movie streamed directly from Microsh1t servers in real-time, moron.

"let's face it — for a large number of consumers, DVD is simply good enough."

Well duh, because most consumers don't have an HDTV-yet.

"Another problem that the PS3 must conquer in 2008? Its lack of exclusive releases."

lolololo0lolol, how about directing that to Xbox 360 in 2008, that'll do.

"Konami's anticipated "Metal Gear Solid 4" and Square Enix's "Final Fantasy XIII" — as long as these games remain PS3 exclusives."

How many times does it have to be stated. There are two reasons why these games will remain for this generation as PS3 exclusives:

1. They're impossible without Blu-ray
2. Sony is willing to pay a lot more for these two than any other franchises.

"Capcom's "Devil May Cry 4" and Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed."
What’s more, these games repeatedly sell better on the Xbox 360."

Devil May Cry 4 attach rates are much higher on PS3 than on 360. Assassin's creed is one of the best sellign titles of PS3, and it's selling well considering its install base.

"leaving Sony again holding the bronze over a console that was supposed to deliver the gold."

Whoever wrote all of this is full of sh1t, lacks any sort of periodistic integrity, and I hope that gets tortured before being shot to death

[Honor_in_Armor]

Heck, It'll be MY year to own a PS3, all in good time.

[IzKyD1331]

the guy who wrote that article was so misinformed, he said assassin's creed used to be a Playstation exclusive, and that Home will be available for the PSP, he also mentions how games do better on the 360 but ONLY mentioned north american sales numbers, as if the rest of the world doesnt count (everyone seems to forget that the PS3 dominates the 360 in japan and most of europe)

[HarryEtTubMan]

ps3 WILL DO BETTER THAN THE CRAPBOX THIS YEAR... BUT THE PS3 WILL HAVE MUCHHHH BETTER YEARS THAN 2008. 2009 WILL EXPLODE FOR THE PS3.

[omodis420]

I like my PS3 and that is all that matters,

[Salvadore]

Was the author directly threatened when writing the article?

[jinn]

zzzz.zzz.zzzz.zzzz

[level 360]

Very much so.

The PS3 has started to pick-up in games which is the important thing.

Pricewise it has still got a few more hurdles in some countries.

New hardwares/add-ons are soon to be released worldwide ( like dualshock3 { which can only be ordered from Japan and some websites } and force-feedback steering wheel ) and a few third party control pads with "rumble" built-in.

A very good and lucky year for the PS3 indeed.

[Harry190]

wow.great job microsoft.youmanaged to look even more pathetic.seriously,i never thought they would stoop so low.well,these guys must have a very unique sense of dignity if they believe in their poo-poo.i'm talking of microsoft's seemingly desperate attempts,don't get me wrong

[Harry190]

seems to me that the tide is turning,sony's reaching for the top,and common sense and logic govern each and everyone to make a valid prognosis on the xbox360's ultimate,inevitable and impending demise,or if you prefer:downfall.lots of people are going to be flustered.

[DFresh]

HAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
People still don't get the PS3 is the future and it already outsold the 360 and none of it's big titles haven't even came out yet.
Nothing but Fire from Sony from here on.
SONY FTW!!!!!!!!