The recent success of the PlayStation 3, fueled by great software and a massive marketing blitz, has generated a definite stir, even amongst mainstream consumers. This is why today, I fielded a question that should've made me laugh but didn't for these reasons: 1. I don't like to offend nice girls, and 2. with quick reflection, I realized that such ads were making their mark, and even those who have never picked up a controller are considering a purchase.
The following is an exact exchange of dialogue between me and said person, who didn't exactly ask, "what's a PlayStation 3," but asked for details. Please bear in mind that she follows games the way I follow farming. It exists but beyond hoeing and tractors, I'm at a loss. If prompted, I'd probably give details that are 20 years old…which is exactly the point.
Nice girl: "So, just tell me about it. I saw some crazy commercial last night."
Me: "You really want to know? Or are you just being polite now that you know about my job?"
Nice girl: "Honestly? A little of both. But whatever they were showing looked pretty insane and I've heard that games are like movies now."
Me: "Okay, well…first of all, it's a Blu-Ray player. That might interest you most if you like movies."
Nice girl: "Oh, I always thought Blu-Ray players were like really expensive. The PS3 is only $299, right?"
Aside- who said ads don't work?
Me: "Yup. And Blu-Ray players have come way down. If you want true high-def, it's the only way to go. Do you have a HDTV?"
Nice girl: "Yeah. But I only just found out I'm not actually watching any real high-def movies on it because I'm only using DVD."
Me: "A Blu-Ray player…that's what you need. Brilliant high-def. And oh yeah…all the games are high-def, too."
Nice girl: "They are ?!"
Me: "Yes. All the games are on BD format, so…"
Nice girl: "Woah…and it's like a computer, right? It goes online?"
Me: "Yeah. More games on there, and those might interest you the most right off the bat. They're smaller and simpler (no offense). And you can also get Netflix through the Network, so-"
Nice girl: "Oh, I do Netflix! …wait, I don't get it. You mean you can just rent the movies using the PS3, right?"
Me: "Rent and play. You just download them directly to the machine. No disc, no having to return it, no waiting to get it etc."
Nice girl: "Yeah, but don't these things always break? I've been hearing something about that…"
Me: "That's the Xbox 360. It dies constantly. Sorry, but it's a piece of sh** in terms of reliability. The PS3 can fail, too, of course, but it's way more reliable. Trust me on that.
Nice girl: "…you're gonna tell me there's more, aren't you?
Me: "Um…free online play?"
Nice girl: "No fees?"
Me: "Nope."
Nice girl: "Jesus…"
Me: "Well, as they say, 'it only does-'"
Nice girl: "Everything. Yeah, I see. 'laughs'"
It took a little longer to convince her that she was seeing a game and not a movie when they showed Uncharted 2: Among Thieves on TV, but before the conversation was over, she decided she needed a PS3 in her house. She didn't know what a PS3 was as of several months ago – she had only heard the name in passing – and the last game played was "something in the arcades" back in the '80s. And remember, this wasn't prompted by me; this was prompted by the ads . This is exactly why we've been screaming at Sony to promote the PS3 more and now that they've finally listened , random consumers are starting to ask questions like, "so…what's a PS3 all about?"
If you want living proof that their campaign is working, it's right here. Just thought I'd share.
so… did you score?
lol…thats what we really want to know. 😀
Yes, Ben, I sense some real chemistry between the two of you. This could be the start of a new column for you. "Ben's evening with Blondie."
Arnold has his car column, and Ben has a dating column. You and Arnold seem to want to broaden the scope and reach of PSX.
Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 12/2/2009 12:40:31 AM
Yea Myworstnightmare, maybe they want to turn the nerds here to playaz or pimps, its a good thing from PSXE though.
everyone's a comedian!
@Superman: Damnnn, you beat me to it!!! 🙂 The last paragraph where Ben says, they say that "it only does…" and then the girl says "Everything", that's where the "scoring" part hit me! 🙂
@MyWorstNightmar
there wasn't much chemistry from what i can tell. its just a conversation 😛
Thats all great but has anyone else noticed how Best Buy, Walmart and all the other larger retailers have been advertising for the XBOX 360 and MW2 and other games. When will SONY wake up and start advertising more. It does not matter what the sales are know, they need to put this matter to rest once and for all, step on MS's neck know when you have the chance.
And if anyone wants to know why 360 multiplats sell better on the 360, look at any circular (EBGames, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Toys R' US), it doesn't matter, and you'll see the 360 cover art for the game most of the time with a little strip of barely visible text stating "Also on PS3."
For the uninitiated, and 360 fanboys, the PS3 version doesn't even exist.
Yeah I agree, those MFW2 commercials that only advertise for the 360 only are annoying, Sony needs to do the same thing, c'mon man!!!
Playstation 3 era is upon us
Kinda like 1997 when games like Resident Evil(1) and Final Fantasy VII pushed Playstation1 into everyone's faces
This year it was Uncharted 2, Killzone2, Demon's Souls, LittleBigplanet (yes this game will always be in our faces), etc.
The ads help too
Love how she'd heard 'bout the horrible quality of HD consoles (and we all know which console that is)
I want to know what Microsoft is thinking right now. No seriously. Are they scared? Frightened? Or maybe confident that their system will stay superior. (Haa)
''I want to know what Microsoft is thinking right now.''
Betting everything on Natal and their famous multiplats adds trying to make the people believe those games are only for 360.
That is an epic conversation! I've been hoping to have an exchange like that for AGES! You know, fill in the blanks for a curious "outsider." I think I'll print this and mount it over my fireplace.
"she follows games the way I follow farming"
It's articles like this that remind me that us gamers are so very much alike. Thanks for the laugh.
She probably just want to know YOU better personally. It's a conversation starter. I'm pretty sure the majority of the girls/casual gamers even know the web browser on the Wii even existed, less likely they'll purchase the high end PS3 for online capabilities. They will most likely get it for high def movies.
Lol being a girl and an avid gamer it's things like these that make me laugh. I swear that there is no greater joy than the look on a guy's face when he starts talking about games and i'm two steps ahead of him in every direction.
Then again, there's always those guys who know nothing of games and that's a totally different story.
Pretzels may bring you greater joy. 😉
Ohh snap, look at you Ben, being all flirty.
Thoroughly enjoyed this.
Love the way the conversation starts. "just tell me about it." That's girl talk for "I like the sound of your voice."
Pics or it didn't happen . 🙂
O ben please dont tell the companies commercials work, i have to put up with enough of them as it is.
even qore has them now.
WTF?
im paying 5 bucks to watch a series of 2 or 3 5 minute movies but before i do that i have to watch a add?
i was always reluctant to buy qore because its so bloody big, and 99.999999% of the time theres nothing there i want to watch.
but thanks sony, you now made my choice allot easier.
i still dont use blurays because there so fu***ng expensive!
the dark knight on DVD $20 the dark knight on bluray $50.
just not worth it, and my local video stores have a crappy selection of bluray titles so renting them is out the window also.
not to mention the blank disks and burners are still through the roof.
500 bucks for a burner and 10 bucks per blank disk.
10 bucks for 1 bloomin disk!
Um…they are NOT that expensive. Yeah, BD's are at a premium but $50…no. I kinda agree about Qore. I only buy the ones that interest me. Cheapest blu ray burner on Best Buy is $129. Sooo get your fact straight…
Not sure where this guy lives, but I just got Dark Knight on BD for 12.99 from Amazon. If you're paying 50 you're a damn wonker that needs to get new glasses.
Or just buy the blu-ray/dvd combo packs that most movies come with now. Can usually pick those up from around $20-30 bucks. And you get both versions. And usually a digital copy thrown in as well.
I got Dark Knight for $11 after coupon during release week. Most blu-rays that I get are between $10 and $16 and that's either release week or a month after. No idea where you're seeing such bad prices but you being as that you're on a computer, you should really learn to use the internet.
These are Australian prices. Or a price from another country.
Here in Australia, Blu-ray movies normally sell for about $40-$50. Some places like JB Hifi sell them for about $30-$40 new release. Other older Blu-ray titles sell for $20-$30.
In U.S. things are about half the price of Australia. Just thought I'd clear that up.
That totally slip my mind. Thanks Dance and sorry no name. But the blu ray drive is still cheaper than 500.
not drive, burner there still bloody expensive.
Gawd damn! What do you guys pay for a footlong Subway sandwich down under? $25? Geez. What's your weekly pay, hope it's relative to what sh** costs. No flippin way I'd pay that much in US Dollars.
That's a pretty big difference in price even in Aussie money. You walk into a BestBuy here even and the difference between the same movie on DVD and BD is a few dollars. Online you can get em even cheaper.
On a side note, I want to spit in the faces of people who say Blu-ray will die out because the discs cost so much. They just don't know where to shop, they're probably the same people who buy all their cables at brick n mortar stores. Thinking that 5 feet of HDMI Monster brand cable for $80 is a good deal. lol
well here it would be.
monster cables, 3M i think it was 200 bucks.
only because monster are top of the line, standard HDMI cables are 20 bucks or less depending if you want gold plated or not.
It really is amazing how many people who are oblivious to the machine. It really has you covered on so many fronts. I recently had to convince a wife of a friend that wanted one. She was even interested by the time I was done with then.
It only does everything, been watching youtube using my OWN PS3.
Transferred some videos, pictures and musics into my PS3.
Played the heck out of Uncharted 2.
But still haven't go PSN because I haven't update it and not planning to.
Dude, your machine will be fine. Get over your fear. It's an official update, Sony is not out to get you.
i know right! i cant believe people are honestly doing this!
See thats why i ahte articles like the one Ben posted a week or so ago. people take it and run with it! i downloaded it day one as for the rest of the updates and i have not had one problem! for those of you who have its the first ive heard. I/we have 5 PS3 in the house 2 original 60 gb, 2 new 80 gb, and an older 80 gb w/ b/c and each one of them is absolutely fine!
Sony isnt trying to secretly ruin your machine! Bottom line updates and firmware are a part of a better experience and a part of life, get over it and if there is a problem Sony would have fixed it by now!
I kept thinking that at the end of the story you would say, "and then the Director said Cut and then the Girl said glad that's over"
Last edited by WelcomeOblivion on 12/2/2009 12:29:15 AM
1,000 thumbs up for the article.
Love it, Ben. Keep up the great work!
Before I go to bed, I'll clear up a few things:
1. No, no score. I doubt she even likes me, to be honest.
2. I won't be doing any of those personal editorials anymore (haven't done any in almost a year); although the majority liked them, a vocal minority didn't.
3. Any time people who don't know anything about gaming is willing to learn, I find that amazing. That's why this was written, along with the overriding goal of proving that Sony's marketing is having a definite effect.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 12/2/2009 12:53:05 AM
Ben, you're 31 already, it's time to make a move!!!
You have my support and hopefully from the rest of PSXExtreme.
Hey Ben,
<<<<<although the majority liked them, a vocal minority didn't.>>>>>
Huh? Since when does the small minority rule???
It should be the other way around, and I for one that stands in the majority, certainly welcomed your editorials.
Agree with Mr. Saint, Democracies are not based on the wishes of the minority.
I personally would love to see the personal editorial back.
Where have you two been, small minority opinions rule. The second a small but vocal group is offended or doesn't like something its changed or apologized for.
I like this article though, good job spreading the word!
Last edited by G8GTdriver on 12/2/2009 9:29:46 AM
Ben,
When you provide stories such as these that involve the game industry – it belongs here. You have clearly stated the purpose of the article which is how well the new advertising is working.
In my humble opinion; if it involves the games industry, it should be permitted on PSXE.
On that note, I enjoy coming here not just for news but the take and opinion of Ben Dutka (you too Arnold). Don't change.
Last edited by Nynja on 12/2/2009 12:07:13 PM
I'm aware of that, Nynja. That's why I'm not doing them anymore, like I said.
Ben, I only thumbs down the last comment because like the majority I liked 'em. They were a bit of a change to the monotony of gaming like what Arnold's car review is going to do. This became my website of choice not only for games but for a lil fun and entertainment….
oh well. That is your choice. B'sides I'm sure it can be a little odd knowing that thousands know whats goin on in the world of Ben D.
It really only does everything!!!!!!!!!
and no one that was so annoyed with the two dudes kissing avatar is remotely offended by a tween Stephanie getting molested by pedobear…yeah, the only thing that annoyed you was the age thing….right.
(I am amused by it, just hate hypocrisy)
That avatar is STILL hilarious and awesome in a funny way haha
But yes, ps3 is a beast!
Yeah I remember the guy of the bully avatar he got a bunch of big reply's.
dunno chuck you have the same age problems step being also underage getting molested by pedobear that isn't too much different of the bully avatar .. I think people who complained about that were homophobic .