PS3 vs. 3DO: Is the Comparison Valid?

At almost one year into its lifecycle, the PlayStation 3 has certainly not sold at the clip Sony would have hoped for, largely because of its steep price. Unless that rumored $399 model reveals itself soon, this holiday is going to be another tough battle for the $499/$599 PS3, competing with a $349 pro SKU Xbox 360 ($279 core) and a $249 Wii.

One anonymous respectable industry veteran told GameDaily BIZ that his company has been referring to the PS3 as the 'PS3DO' for some time now. The 3DO, introduced by EA founder Trip Hawkins back in 1993, sported cutting-edge tech for its time. A steep price ($699) and a lack of any real "killer apps" didn't allow the platform to live out the 32-bit era, however. By 1996 it was officially dead. 3DO's marketing even promoted the platform not as a video game console but more as a high-end audio/visual product. Sound familiar?

[BADBOYEK4]

Hell Yea Its VALID thats What I Call It ,The PS3DO.

[Gizmo_Logix]

But is the comparison to 3DO fair? David Cole of market research firm DFC Intelligence certainly doesn't think so.

"I don't think there is any comparison at all to the PS3 and 3DO," he said. "The main argument would be that they were both priced high at launch. But 3DO was a startup company with a different business model to license their platform to hardware manufacturers who could really have cared less about promoting the platform. They also didn't have software support and thus they didn't have games to drive the platform. With no games, a shoestring marketing budget and no consumer base to start with it sold less than a million units in the time it was on the market."

By contrast, Cole said that the PlayStation brand and strong software support have already made a huge difference for PS3. "The PS3 has all kinds of software support, billions of dollars in backing, a well known brand name, they are able to do marketing and it sold more units in its first few days on the market than the 3DO did in the 3 years or so it was on the market," he continued. "PS3DO sounds cute and catchy, but as an actual basis for comparison it is pretty useless."

Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter agrees. "It's a pretty stupid (and unfair) comparison," he said. "3DO was a new platform, no brand ID, not compatible with legacy software, and with no first or third party support. The PS3 has a great brand, a loyal customer base, is generally backward compatible, has a ton of third party support, and an ever-increasing number of good first party titles. I hope the industry veteran was kidding. If he was serious, he's a fool."

[hazeblaze]

Thanks for setting the fanboys straight! Sounds funny & all, sure... but there's really nothing to compare. The PS3 is actually a good systems with great games... The 3DO was LOL candy.

[stee156]

Yeah...........no

Joke nicknames only work when its actually shorter then the current nickname. So if theyre trying to make this catch on.....just no.

Also the guy criticizing the nickname guy is correct, sony has a huge fanbase as well as deep pockets. Not only that but the ps3 will be getting a huge ass amount of games in November. Anybody who complains about no games for the ps3 after November needs their head checked.

[PimpHandHappy]

you just got owned! I wonder what i would find if i look at your track record? Oh yea total fan boy

hahahahahaha

does your aZZ hurt buddy because Gizmo just raped you with knowledge!

hahahahaahaha

[actionjackson]

I beg to differ . . . First and foremost, the article is more about price than anything. I will even take away Sony's experience in the gaming industry for arguement's sake. The main difference is the 2007 consumer vs. the 1993 consumer. In 1993, $699 was an astronomical figure. In a time when a $200 console seemed like a luxury item, $699 was just way out of everyones league. In today's dollar value, $699 for technology is almost nothing. Now, people are spending thousands on TV's, thousands on computers, hundreds on cell phones/mp3 players, hundreds on pocket thin cameras, hundreds on jeans, hundreds on sunglasses, etc. We live in the MTV/VH1/E! era, where everything is Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana, Diesel, Gucci, Prada, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, etc. In relation to 1993, there is no match. Back then, only the really rich had those products. Today these price points are mainstream america. Consumers nowadays can pay $699. Especially in the US, where cars that are $100K are almost everywhere. $599 for a PS3 doesn't phase them. This comparison, even after discounting Sony's lineage, is absolutely ridiculous.

[Greysturm]

This is just flamebait..

Its one guys opinion discredited by others.

[Xbox is the BEST]

did not sell 5 million worldwide and no one buys games for our system. By comparison 11 moths in the 360 had 9 games selling more than a million each. PS3 has 2

[hazeblaze]

#1- The PS3 has over 5 million dollar sellers

#2- The 360 did not

[djt23]

lol lol lol
that is just worry

[rbanke]

Isnt the ps3 selling about the same as the ps2 did in its first year (a bit less but not much, and the ps2 had less competition). And also selling similarly to what the 360 did in its first year? I dont really see where all the 'amagad ps3 is dieing' is coming from. its not blowing the doors of sales charts,but its by no means a non seller.

[goodganja]

PS3 sold more units in 10 months than the 3D0 did in it's entire lifecycle.

if anything, the original XBOX was more 3DO'ish cause it didnt have anything except for one game.

The Playstation 3 will become the next Playstation 2 when it comes to sales and that's all that matters.

[Bathyj]

Why do they keep saying its not selling?

Its selling as fast as the Xbox did (and is) and its doing it with the high price, no games for most of the year, all the bad press you can handle and actual competition from both sides.

Xbox had no competition, lower price, more games thanks to being to only next gen machine and games media that continues to suck up despite the fact they release poorly constructed (admittedly fun) products. All this in their favour, Xbox should be ahead about 5:1 when in facts its closer to 2:1.

So please dont tell me PS3 isn't selling.

[gerrard]

Exactly to Compare Sonys (so called) demise to 3DO's at such an early stage is extremely premature and with the future looking so promising (with great games, dualshock 3 and price drop on the way this fall)it is stupid at this stage to compare the two 3DO didn't have any of these and took 3 years to sell as many as PS3 did in a space of a month. What makes me laugh is that xbots writing off PS3 from the start when actually its doing well (5m) in its first year and may well catch up to the 360, so don't count your chicken's yet.

[AllroundGamer]

i don't think the 3DO had a fanbase right from the beginning like it is with the PS3. Probably every gamer, that had a PS2 or PS1 will buy PS3 also.

[hotshot1237]

the ps3 doesnt have killer apps? im pretty sure 360 got its only killer app a year later. ps3 has so many in the future, these articles are so stupid. i cant believe he said ps3 has no killer apps. halo3 almost 2 years later and bioshock almost 2 years later. you know what this console war is teaching me. its that just because i see an article on the computer doesnt mean they know anything at all. im startin to get tired of n4g. i probably will no longer defend ps3 in 2008 because it will defend it self...........maybe i'll come on every once in a while and say...................I TOLD YA SO AND LOOK FOR SOME OLD COMMENTS OF 360 FANBOYS AND RUB IT IN THERE FACES. 360 ONLY HAS AMERICA. IN UK PS3 AND 360 ARE JUST ABOUT EVEN..........ONE BEING ALMOST 200 DOLLARS MORE. JAPAN.....360 CAN FORGET IT. AMERICA, PS3 WILL GET ONCE 2008 COMES. SPAIN IS SONY LAND. HMMMMMMMMMM I GUESS SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO BE BABIES AND SEE EVERYTHING BEFORE THEY BELIEVE BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE BRAINS TO THINK BUT ONLY EYES TO SEE.

IF PEOPLE WANNA CALL OUT NAMES THEN 360 IS DREAMCAST 2

[ReBurn]

I think that it's pretty clear to see why you only have one bubble. Kill the caps, dude.

[Ps3Fanboy777]

Thats all..

[nirwanda]

super street fighter 2 turbo, fifa(when it was the best football game), road rash, need for speed, killing time, immercenary, samurai showdown all great games it didn't sell because it was too expensive and didn't embrace 3D

[kn]

Don't forget Space Hulk (EA Games)-- a genre that needs to be re-examined, The finest Madden by far at that time, NBA Jam, and Return Fire...

I LOVED my 3DO...

[rbanke]

Some other information on this.

"What cost $699.00 in 1995 would cost $916.92 in 2006.
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2006 and 1995,
they would cost you $699.00 and $532.87 respectively. "

courtesy of the inflation calculator http://www.westegg.com/infl...

[mcgrawgamer]

now this crap is getting out of hand. 3d0 and ps3 aren't even in the same gaming era. This is foolish and I urge every gamer on this site to not get caught up in this mess...

[Dannagar]

I'm mentioned this before. There are many similarities between Sega Saturn and Playstation 3. No one could deny that the Sega Genesis was a successful system for it's time. The transition from 16-bit to 32-bit wasn't easy for Sega. The Sega Saturn was released at a very High Price point; $399.99 compared to the Playstation that was released at $299. Sega claimed that the Sega Saturn was more powerful than the PSone due to it's two 32-Bit processors.

It was very complicated to program for the Sega Saturn. It received most of it's Multi-platform games much later than N64 and PSone. Nearly all Multi-platform games looked better on Playstation one because it was an easier system to program for. At the time, Sony bought many of it's exclusives such as Tomb Raider 2 and Mortal Kombat 3.

Although Sega had some fantastic games for their system, there high profile titles weren't enough. The Sega Saturn found itself a distant 3rd place behind N64 and Playstation. It died after 3 years in the market.

So if you compare Sega Saturn to Playstation 3. You will see that there are many similarities.

[felman87]

Sega had 3 transitions into the 32bit era. Sega CD, 32X and Sega Saturn. It didn't jump from Genesis (highly successful) to Saturn (only successful in Japan). In fact, your comparison could be rendered invalid due to the dreamcast/Ps2 fight where the exact same thing happened. (dreamcast was cheaper, multi-plat games were better, easier to program for, etc)

[Dannagar]

The Sega CD was a 16-bit ad on to the Sega Genesis as well as the 32x. Both assessories/add-on's where intended to extend the life of the Genesis. My comparison is between the Sega Saturn, Playstation and N64.

However it's true that Sega tarnished their brand by the Saturn and Dreamcast era. The negative press and media is doing a good job tarnishing Sony's name at the moment. Sega was also in the red for years. Could that be the fate of Sony? I don't think so but I personally see Sony in the same situation I saw Sega in (with the Saturn) so many years ago.

[gerrard]

Thats a totaly different situation, but if you want to compare eggs with eggs then saturn was out before ps1 and dreamcast was out before ps2 and both got beaten because they didnt offer value for money and Sega's bad marketing, this is completly different, when two competitors go head to head it takes at least 2 years to see where the markets going and believe me Sony will respond wether it will catch up remains to be seen

[MK_Red]

While it's a not really unvalid, one must not forget about MGS4, GT5, Killzone 2 and FFXIII, each of which is bigger and more hyped than all of 3DO games combined.

[Bazookajoe_83]

That 3do was a kick@ss console =)

[xg-ei8ht]

u could also throw in the dreamcast, pissed over any system,i know the newer xbox and ps2 had more polys per sec etc/, but sega's crap advertising made the thing die.

Had nice games, the first pgr game.

Was a shame if u ask me.

and the graphics were awsome for the time.

[Xbox is the BEST]

the PS3 outsold the 360 worldwide 1 month and that was July. Now consider this the 360 U.S. numbers alone was crushing the worldwide sales of the PS3 until July and now it's back to normal. PS3 isn't selling well

[xg-ei8ht]

All the ps3 needs for north america is a price drop and a big fps type game. Thats what the americans love, come on admit it,lol.

[FF7numba1]

is it suppose to sell well. and i'm supose to believe your a cow becuase your name is sony rep?

[ApocalypseShadow]

3DO was not that powerful,didn't have a fanbase,didn't have dev support,cost too much,most games that were exclusive were mediocre and the vcr of "everybody can build one and put their name on it" was good in theory,but not in execution.

ps3 is powerful
has a fanbase
has dev support
still cost less than 3DO at launch,has great games and more coming
sony builds it and has their name on it.doesn't say "hitachi playstation 3".or "reebok playstation 3."

there is just no comparison.the fanboys like PS3DO.but when ps3 in a couple of years hits that 100 million again(barring any surprise advance in technology),the 360 fanboys (with their ps3 they bought) will shut their mouths.

the tech alone assures that it will be around for a long time.

mag lev....................

[felman87]

That's exactly what they said in the article

[ApocalypseShadow]

just want to make sure gamers know by posting "MY" opinion.truthfully i didn't need to read it.i went through every game console launch there was.so i know what's going on.i didn't need patcher to tell me or fanboys or historians.

i know when the consoles came out and why they didn't last.and why 360 will have trouble lasting.nintendo will actually do fine.

but I "SEEN" it all.and know a comparison is invalid.

mag lev...................

[greed]

regardless of all these articals that come out and describe the system as dead or a product of the past that never made it there is no comparison of those consoles to ps3 one thing 3DO was new playstation isn't and also people keep forgetting the fanbase which is the largest really the only people who are picking up a 360 right now are the same people who had xbox' there not really stealing anyone new i believe if they were then they would have a lot more units sold then what they do now;

people or lets say fantards and it seems a lot of americans may refer to this console as being dead but if that was the case what did you say for xbox and gamecube.....i mean...DAMN!!people should think about it like that
but more power to you its great that there is a new system on top i mean it would be kind of sad that the playstation dominated gaming once again but also we don't konw what the future holds wii may look seem like a fad then again it just may dominiate and then again everyone just better hope sony doesn't give the ps3 a more competitive price anytime soon because no matter what system has what or all the AAA's a reasonable price will speak louder don't underestimate the sony fanboys!!!! meaning fanboys not fantards just to clarify.

[Jandre02]

the PS3 dies, gaming dies as we know it. The XBox will never be the PS2, but if it does become the leading real console, there are only going to be innovative enough to get by.

Even though I have 90% certain the PS3 is going to completely demolish the xbox all through next year (at that 399 price), I would MUCH rather see a Dreamcast 2 than see Xbox be the leader in gaming.

4 years of games like Halo being the best that will come out? No thank you. I'd rather go back to the PS2 even.

[Dannagar]

If the Playstation 3 died, than guess what! You'd still get Final Fantasy and Metal Gear because they are created by third Parties. Nearly all of the titles that Playstation Fanboys uses as a battle cry were made by Third parties and not Sony.

However Microsoft needs competition as does Sony. I too would be unhappy if the market only had Nintendo and Microsoft. Without Competition, we wouldn't see price drops or get Spectacular 1st party games.

[PimpHandHappy]

just look at the track record of TnS and look at the storys he aproves! The kid is just like Bladestar.

bladestar once said "i wont buy a ps3 because of the fan boys"! Thats rich coming from him!

same thing

just a kid looking at blogs and finds a fellow 360guy who thinks the SONY Playstation 3 is the same as a launch system for a start up company! They dont see track record they just want to make there own truths are own and i wont bite!

btw does this number look familar

33%
33%
33%

yea peace

[Frances-the-Mute]

the ps3 has a loyal fan base, while the 3DO never established a fan base, plus the playstation brought gaming into the mainstream, 3DO didn't do shiz whatsoever IMO

[jackdoe]

Well, PS3 has the brand name behind it so I don't think it will end up like the 3D0. Also, the fact that the PS3 has actual good games helps to distinguish the two.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

I thought to put some memorabilia like games in the grave but I couldn't find any, so... I just threw in some Blu-Ray movies and went and played my 360, PC and Wii. We will (wont) miss you PS3 but we will kindly take God of War off your hands sinse the 360 has taken or will take everything anyway.

[ALMIGHTYPS3]

and go back to playin your scratched h3<640> on your rrod.

PLAYIN B3YOND ><h3><

[tomfoolery]

it isn't going to happen.Too many Playstation loyalist and MS haters.........oh yeah,and Japans console xenophobia.

[mephixto]

If Ps3 vs 3DO is a valid comparison then this one should be valid too:

XBOX 360 VS DREAMCAST

[Adamalicious]

360 launch reminds me more of the Genesis/Megadrive actually.

[cartman313]

Nah, you may have seen this before, but it's actually kind of funny.

http://www.1up.com/do/featu...

Compares the 360 to the Dreamcast. It's more of a joke thing really.

[sly777]

a 3DO. Everyone needs to calm down. If anything you can compare the PS3 to being the SNES of this generation. The SNES when introduced had a lot of ground to catch up against Sega's Genesis which had a ton of games and support.

It was only when Nintendo secured the rights to Street Fighter II (which was really a timed exclusive) did the SNES eventually catch up and overtake the Genesis.

Well, with MGS4, FF13, KZ on the horizon...We will see the PS3 catch up and surpass the 360 within the next two years. This is what the analysts have been saying and this is how it will play out.

Games in the future will require more and more space...more and more cpu power...but it will take time for developers to envision content that will raise the bar, hence, raise the need for such things as Blueray discs and Cell processors.

[Adamalicious]

If you're trying to compare the PS3 to the 3DO you must have a really poor memory, or have been born to late to remember or have played a 3DO.

It's a seriously flawed, to the point of being completely invalid, comparison. The ONLY similarity is the they were/are both expensive - and if you adjust the 3DOs launch price to 2007 dollars it's was a LOT more expensive than even the PS3. My friend's dad got him one for, I believe, $700 14 YEARS AGO. According to the internets that's in the vicinity of $1000-$1300 in 2006 dollars (can't find 2007 dollars, oh well).

If you're going to compare the PS3 to any other console(s) the only logical choice is another Playstation. Sony has been VERY consistent with their strategy since they decided to launch the original Playstation independently (Thanks Nintendo!). They have always stressed advancing technology, leveraging new media formats, expanded (beyond strictly gaming) media features, making a system that has room to grow - lot's of potential for development (not "easy" to develop for). They have really held to their strategy from day one and it has put them at the top of the heap for a decade now.

I'm always mystified as to why people are so willing to, as Ted Price put it, "fill them full or arrows" nowadays. A few PR mistakes here and there? As though they are alone in that. The truth is that people are buying what the media is selling and the media can't sell headlines like "Sony, still really good at stuff". No, we want headlines like "Oh how the mighty have fallen".

Don't think I'm some fanboy, I own/play all the systems - but if you've had a PS2, you know what I'm talking about - Sony really brought it with that one - and, to me, the PS3 is just the further extension of all the things that made us love the PS2 (and PS before that) so much. I for one think it's one dead sexy piece of hardware, and while I may not have dozens of great games for it yet - well, check back in a years time and ask me again.

/tangent :)

[xc7x]

err,internet is one big soup of gossip

[NeonSkull]

3DO Total sales 2 million
PS3 total sale so far 4.28 million and still growing

PS3 still has not had a holiday season with a console in all the three terrorories plus its biggest titles have yet to be released.

3DO was a major flop.
PS3 is just getting started.

Q) Is the comparison valid?
A) No I think it is not.

[N4GayFanturds]

http://boardsus.playstation...

[kewlkat007]

I guess this is similar to fnaboys pointing out the demise of the 360 once Sony's "nextgen don't start till we say so" statement actually materialize..

When will that be, 6 years from now?

Anyhow 3D0 was over-priced. I remember going over to this rich kids house and saw it sitting there, knowing I could never afford it.

Since I work hard for my money now, I wonder if there is a kid that was in my shoes today as it was a couple of years ago, saying the same?

[Cat]

"PS3 vs. 3DO: Is the Comparison Valid?" no.

[khellendros1]

This is stupid. The PS3 has sold as much as the 360 did in it's first year and that's with competition. I don't think the 3DO sold 5 million units in it's entire life cycle.

[skynidas]

stupid article just stupid!!