New Sony PR guy compares PS3 and Wii
by David Hinkle 
{ Nov 6th 2006 at 3:30PM }
Dave Karraker, recently appointed as Sony's new senior director of corporate communications, took the time to take a knee with Gamasutra and gab gaming. At least, gaming from his company Sony's point of view. Important to people like us GS: A lot of people feel that's Sony's way of taking on all comers – who do you feel is your main competitor right now?
DK: I would say that if you asked any gamer, our main competitor is the Xbox 360, just because the target demographic that we're going after is similar. That being said, I think in regards to Nintendo and the Wii, it's easier for us to go after the hardcore gamer first, as that's kind of always been our target, and if we want to expand from there to the more casual gamer, it's probably easier for us to do than start with the casual gamer, and try to go up to the hardcore gamer. It's an easier message for me to deliver.
GS: Are you worried at all about Nintendo taking any marketshare from the PS3, or do you really feel like people will buy one HD console and the Wii?
DK: Yeah, for us it's apples and oranges when you compare the PS3 with Wii. They've done a great job of saying exactly who they're going after, the casual gamer, the hardcore gamer, and we've said exactly who we're going after. And you can't, when you put the systems side by side technologically, and even price-wise, they just don't compare to each other.
So let's get this straight: by "price-wise" he meant that for a system including a HDD and Blu-ray player, there is no comparrison in cost to the Wii? Well, if we wanted to put a Blu-ray player and HDD into a Wii, we imagine it would cost us a bit more than $600.00. Side-by-side on a retail shelf, however, is a different matter. Besides, who says Nintendo-lovin' gamers aren't hardcore? I killed a shark with my bare hands once!*
* - This is, in fact, a lie.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hardcore Dick @ Nov 6th 2006 3:46PM
I'm interested in the Wii. So I guess that makes me softcore.
mgroves @ Nov 6th 2006 4:03PM
Basic marketing: segmentation, targeting, positioning. But I think Sony might be in danger of positioning themselves right outside the market, which would be a shame. But, we'll see.
Alisha Karabinus @ Nov 6th 2006 4:05PM
Dave, you DO lie! It was a carp! And I think it was plastic. And you chewed on it. While drunk.
Yeah, those are lies, too. We need help.
Dracula Jones @ Nov 6th 2006 4:27PM
"Besides, who says Nintendo-lovin' gamers aren't hardcore?"
"They've done a great job of saying exactly who they're going after, the casual gamer, the hardcore gamer..."
He said we're hardcore!
Doug @ Nov 6th 2006 4:33PM
Wow, these Sony people speak in bullsh*t. I've never heard something that unintelligent before in my life.
Wouter @ Nov 6th 2006 4:40PM
Come on, it's a PR guy.
...but yes, you can compare them. They are both consoles, they are both meant for games. They target different audiences, true, but other than that it's still a gaming console.
I get the distinct feeling Sony is trying to divert attention from the fact that there is a fun and easy to use console launching next to them that costs less than half of their product, and is readily (more so at least) available.
dragonjoe @ Nov 6th 2006 4:49PM
Well, this is the first time I've heard a Sony PR man speak and not think of him as a complete fool. #5 is just kinda a blind fanboy, this new PR man picked his words rather carefully. Sony finally hired someone who has lips that close his mouth when he shouldn't be talking! Yay!
Super-Jesse-mario @ Nov 6th 2006 5:23PM
5. Wow, these Sony people speak in bullsh*t. I've never heard something that unintelligent before in my life.
---------------
Really? Have you been to the Nintendo NSider forums?
Josh @ Nov 6th 2006 5:22PM
I agree, dragonjoe. At least Sony saw it had problems and got a new guy. Jeez...
He's basically saying the same exact thing as Nintendo, though. And really, what he says is true.
Mr. Khan @ Nov 6th 2006 5:27PM
I think the answer lies between #5's and #7s responses
I think Karraker is a fairly smart guy who is making the best of the bullshit that he has to say, being that he, well, kind of works for Sony (me not a sony hater, I just think they're current marketing strategy is bullshit)
Hey, even the top graduate at Le Courdon Bleu couldn't prepare a dog turd and make it tasty, give the guy some credit...
israfel555 @ Nov 6th 2006 5:31PM
@9
I second the motion. Thousands of idiot posts, one good one (somewhere I'm guessing).
Edge of Blade @ Nov 6th 2006 8:51PM
Ya. This Sony PR man actually comes accross as humble, honest, and not a japanese business asshole. Could this be the start of a better, less-bullshit-shoveling Sony?
manuel @ Nov 6th 2006 6:00PM
1. I'm interested in the Wii. So I guess that makes me softcore.
Me too. It seems I'm softcore, too. Well, I only played videogames for a bare 22 years...
Daniel DeWitt @ Nov 6th 2006 6:27PM
In my own personal view I think that the ps3 has a lot of waisted techno on it. Why do you need a blue ray player? Do the plan on making games that have 50gb of info on them? A dvd player is all you need for a game console, because it will never be totally utilized and it's a waist of consumers money. And how is the Wii not for hardcore gamers? I'm an extremely hardcore gamer and I want the Wii way to bad. The Wii will create a whole new type of gamer if you ask me. Especially when it comes to First person shooters. When y9ur playing these types of games on the Wii it's like your actually in the situation so it makes the experience a whole lot better no matter what the graphics look like. I will never play a fps on another console when the Wii comes out cause you'll never get the same experience out of it. Not even on a computer. Personally I think that the only thing that the ps3 and the xbox 360 is good for is fighting, racing, sandbox, flight, and rpg's. The Wii will be good for all types of games but mostly fps's. I mean I'll buy the ps3, but only so I can officially say it sucks @$$.
Josh @ Nov 6th 2006 7:12PM
"I mean I'll buy the ps3, but only so I can officially say it sucks @$$."
WTF
Hackzor @ Nov 7th 2006 7:40AM
"I mean I'll buy the ps3, but only so I can officially say it sucks @$$."
QFT
Wasted crap that isn't really needed right now... pluss... The graphics for the Wii are good enough.
Anticrawl @ Nov 6th 2006 9:04PM
Wait... did that guy even say anything? I'm confused. He may not come across as an ignorant asshole but come on, he said nothing at all. It’s a large filler statement with extra filler and a side of filler. He fed us a bunch of bullshit; now don't get me wrong, the bullshit was cleverly disguised in a bowl of chili. I could barely detect it.
Anticrawl
Also, to #10, well put.
PR Expert @ Nov 6th 2006 9:11PM
In my expert opinion Dave Karraker’s performance was noteworthy, but far from excellent. He has a great deal of work ahead of him if he wants to live up to the Sony name. To put it simply he has his grunting and drooling nearly perfected, but his moaning and twitching left much to be desired.
The Expert
WedgeTalon @ Nov 7th 2006 2:37PM
I made this post on Joystiq back on Oct 5th... It is comparing the costs of different setups between the Wii, PS3, and 360.
Bottom line, the best thing you can do if you want games AND HD movies, but don't have an HDTV, wait until HDDVD (or Bluray) player prices hit sub-500.
************
1) "Just the games please!"
A[Wii]) $250(console) + $60(extra controller set) + $50(one game) = $360.
B[360]) $300-$400(console) + $50(extra controller) + $60(one game) = $410-$510
C[PS3]) $500-$600(console) + $50*(extra controller) + $60(one game) = $610-$710
1b) "But I need a HDTV for my system to look next-gen!"
A) Not needed = same, $360
B) above + $500-$1000 (for 30" or below with 1080p) = $910-$1510
C) above + $500-$1000 (for 30" or below with 1080p) = $1110-$1710
2) "I want HD movies!!"**
A) Probably would wait until the dust of the format war settles, but let's say they adopt early.
A1) HD-DVD: $500(player) + $500-$1000(tv) = $860-$1360
A2) BluRay: $500(player***) + $500-$1000(tv) = $860-$1360
B) HD-DVD addon: $200 = $1110-$1710
C) No addon required = same, $1110-$1710
That's funny, it looks like the Wii is STILL actually cheaper to own than either of the others. [...]owning a Wii could be $250-$350 cheaper! That's between FIVE and SEVEN extra games! w00t!
*$42 price was announced in Japan. Extrapolated that Sony would match MS's US controller price.
**Actual movie prices not factored in as the titles' prices vary too widely on both platforms.
***Other players can't compete at $1000 when the PS3 does the same at $500. Either prices will drop, most anyone will buy a ps3 instead, or bluray will lose (most likely IMO)
jimjimbaja @ Nov 19th 2006 9:17AM
ok so as I see it all of these systems are awesome, but to be honest the nintedo along with all it's gamers is gay. You sick bas*ards. Why would you play this old sh*t, instead of getting a ps3 or 360? In my opinion ps3 just sucks balls, because the only good game is call of duty 3 and it can play the same games as ps2 and ps1.So your best bet is a 360! So, go and buy one!!!!