Sony: We can't depend on third party exclusives
- Posted October 23rd, 2008 at 11:27 EDT by
- 10,970 views
- 54 Comments
In an interview with Here New Brunswick, Sony Marketing and Public Relations Manager Mark Levitan has commented at length on the PlayStation 3's struggle for exclusives.
Levitan said that the breadth of PS3's software library was integral to its appeal, citing Guitar Hero: World Tour, Grand Theft Auto IV, Singstar, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Buzz! as key titles. "It's important to have a balance and we've always done that very effectively."
He admitted, however, that the manufacturer could no longer rely on third party publishers to make its console offering stand out. "As we've seen in the last couple of years, you can't really depend on third party for exclusives anymore. Fallout 3 is an awesome game and it's going to be awesome on the PS3 but I know it's on the Xbox 360 as well. So is Call of Duty: World at War and other titles."
"You have to have good internal development teams, " Levitan insisted. "We look at some of the franchises we have now like Gran Turismo, God of War, and Resistance - those are some amazing franchises that are among, in my opinion, the best in the industry. I think we have enough product that we develop ourselves that sets us apart."
But even given extensive overlap between all three platforms' release schedules, Levitan is confident that the PlayStation 3's comprehensive feature set will guarantee its success. "There are ton of great games out here like a Prince of Persia or the new Guitar Hero but they are available on all three systems. You have to then decide: is price a factor? I certainly think we've come down to a point where, for $399, the PS3 is certainly affordable."
"Functionality is kind of hand in hand with price - you have to say to yourself, if you've bought an HDTV, 1080p resolution is important to you so maybe you want a Blu-ray player. If that's something you're considering, then obviously you're going to pick a PS3. You can go to any chain store and pick up a Blu-ray player but for an extra 100 bucks, you can get a PS3."
"You get something that not only plays the best games but you can surf the Internet with it, download all your pictures to it, or listen to music," he concluded. "I think that functionality will separate us from our competition."
Comments
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Ballonboy33
- 11:37am BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 2
They dont wanna b bringing out to much stuff despite 3rd parties. i think this may b why alot of the games from microsoft r no good. If they r gonna bring out new games then they need 2 make sure that they r something tottaly new and different and make full use of all the multi media features on the ps3. i.e blu ray dvd drive - games that have alot more to them, longer campaign modes and that
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MikeDizzle
- 11:37am BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 3
Yeah But the 3Sh**ty also has some good inhouse games they make an they are getting the 3rd party exclusives which makes more money for their console.
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appleMan
- 11:43am BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 4
Look, since M$ has entered the gaming arena, no one can compete with their wallet. Firstly, no other company could have endured the $5 billion in losses over 4 years on xbox1. Xbox 2 (360) took a $! billion write off on faulty RRoD hardware which would also bury any other company, not to mention the legal dodging they have done somehow to avoid many class actions suits against their VERY faulty hardware. So with $50 billion in the bank from their illegal Windows monopoly, M$ can basically buy most anything they want to, crushing morals and non xbox gamers at every turn. So Sony has to be smart and let some of these exclusives go to M$ and concentrate on their assets, Sony first party studios. No other studio can really develop the kind of work from any of Sony's internal studios. Sad, but true.
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mixpix7212
- 11:44am BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 5
@ 1
I believe he is saying they cant rely on 3rd party developers anymore like the ps2 did. everyone loved the ps2 and everyone would develop for it exclusively just because they liked working with it so much. now a days the videogame industry is a multi billion dollor industry and with certain companies throwing money around and releasing a system just to release people now like the money and they have been working with the xbox for longer.anywho i dont really care about exclusives just good games so if M$ wants the game to go multi platform then go for it as long as we get a good game. ps3 is superior and people will see that when ms has to put another sytem out just to keep up. because people forget we have not utilized the full potential of the ps3 yet so when they do get it right finally xbox will no longer be what it is. imo
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jake_hammers
- 11:46am BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 6
Its worse than that. Not only can they not rely on 3rd parties for exclusives, they can't rely on them for cross-platforms. If Sony is now banking its success on getting great cross-platform games, its going to continue to be 2nd rate as most developers are releasing games that are at best equal to 360, and sometimes even slightly inferior. its not that Sony's machine cant handle it, its that the developers dont bother to maximize the hardware.
and i dont think the ability to surf the web or download pictures if going to sell more consoles. I dont even think Blu-ray is taking off. The machine is meant for games. games games games games games. Sony is kidding themselves if they think otherwise.
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The_Sorrow_Gamer |
The_Sorrow_Gamer- 11:47am BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 7
I dont blame Sony crap box three fix me pays 4 third party to look better
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Psydistix
- 11:53am BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 8
This is part of Sony's problem now. They are still focusing on this system as a multimedia massive feature rather than FOCUSING ON THE GAMES. Yes, the PS3 is affordable for all that you get with it, but first and foremost, it needs to be a videogame system and showcased as the best VIDEO GAME system.
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Viperseven |
Viper7- 12:14pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 9
I think they are going in right direction with this, if you look at Nintendo and Microsoft, even if they would combine their studios sony would probably have more inhouse gaming studios.
Now if sony manages to publish new games like Littlebigplanet for example, theres no way for microsoft to get the game other than buy it from sony.
Even tough ps3 has lost some ps2 exlusives look at ms, they have already lost bioshock, lostplanet and probably soon they will loose Mass effect2, and even Bungees future products are insecure as it has become 2nd/3rd party developer.
When all 3rd party devs focus on multiplatforming their games, what console will have the most exclusives? the one with the most inhouse developers ofcourse.
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Tonic99 |
Tonic99- 12:17pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 10
I'm just glad Sony finaly realised that third party exclusives are athing of the past ,Tekken 6 is just another example,you will still find third party devs who will stay true to there word but less often than not! I know Sony has first party devs that are more than able to fill the void so thats where there attention must be,Im not saying to forget about third parties I'm just saying first parties must be there priority!
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ryuken
- 12:51pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 14
I'm just going to sit back and support Sony by Buying all the games I want! yaaaaaa Sony! as for blu-ray I'll netflix that sh it but I'm not buying until DVDs are gone. Sonys machine is classy and slick while 360 is just a plastic box thats all green like a pre-teen kids toy, I'm not sorry their style sucks!
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Staticneuron |
Staticneuron- 12:57pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 15
@ 4
I must echo the sentiment and applaud how you explained the situation.
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Denali2 |
NEJI64- 1:46pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 17
now for what have happen this year with all of PS2 old exclusive going multiplat i dont even care know more. the only third party exclusive Sony have to keep is MGS and kojima prodout focus on there console. but yea they cant depen on third party exclusive look at Nintendo they dont depen on third party exclue. Nintendo do for them no matter how many ways they use mario and company. plus they come up with different ways to use there system and its working for them. so as long as they can make there own in house game and be orginal and show what your system can do. third parties will come
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FatherOfOne
- 2:40pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 19
"You have to then decide: is price a factor? I certainly think we've come down to a point where, for $399, the PS3 is certainly affordable."
Ok guy, have you seen the financial market? I am sorry but $400 this year in the U.S.A is like $800 from two years ago. Yes there will be some people buy, but for the love of God man act now and get the box down to $300 ASAP. At $400 expect to get killed this Christmas compared to the 360 and Wii. Can anyone say it any more clear. GET THE BOX DOWN TO $300
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Free_Agent
- 2:55pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 21
Well, they can't rely on these 3rd party developers, but they still need them. Sony need to stop shifting blame away from themselves. They are the ones who chose this architecture, and that was a risk they took. It just so happens that their choice hasn't paid off, and has been more of a burden than anything. Sony needs the people from Microsoft to show them how to make business decisions.
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Apollyon
- 3:18pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 22
Sony gives me headaches ...
Ofc they can no longer depend on 3rd party exclusives ... because there are just a handful left, and imo just a feeeew of them look like they could turn out as systemsellers (not saying games like resistance 2 are bad, damn im totally hyped about it, but i really don't think it will affect the system sales).
And obviously price is a factor when buying a console and 399 bucks are certainly affordable, but the 360 ist still cheaper and has the upper hand on games ... customers don't care if you think its a fair price - they want proof that it is worth the money.
I really do think that the majority of gamers are interested in a pure console and not into a multimedia system - and imo it is no suprise that they prefer the 360 over the ps3. Sony really needs more (exclusive) games in order to make the ps3 more appealing and if they can't rely on 3rd party anymore they'll need more 1st party games. -
xVxSMOKExVx
- 3:41pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 23
Nobody has the 1st party line up sony does. I think 1st party makes your console and 3rd party accents it. Except for when those 3rd party devs focus there energy on one console. Like say Insomniac, or Kojima Productions. Then some of them complain about money so they make the game multiplat. So I focus on 1st party cause too many of the games I loved sold out. I still bought them, but was dissappointed. I mean they were good, but pale in comparison to what they could have been being exclusive to ps3.
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Punisher99
- 4:26pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 24
@4 appleman. I've been saying the very same thing for quite somtime. I agree with pretty much all you have said. And I especially agree with your last part of your paragraph. You are a very inteligent person.
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terminator12259 |
tacitassassin25- 5:23pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 27
i dont think the need third party exclusives, besides MGS4 they all suck anyways. sony has done a really good job at making first party exclusives, GOW3, Resistance 2, Killzone 2, the Agency (yah i will probably be big), the Gran Turismo 5, i dont know what MAG and SOCOM or LBP are, i think first party. Sony is making the best games there are, i dont what anyone says, Sony first party games are the best, hands down. all microsoft can do is buy out companies hoping for some decent games and copy what Sony is doing
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edward_moffet |
edd- 6:24pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 28
THEY CAN RELY ON THEIR FIRST PARTY, SONY IS WHAT DEFINES SONY
how many times does it need to be said! 360 isnt getting 3rd party exclusives either, we get all of the third party games that 360 gets and vice versa (except for a few exceptions) but then WE get sonys first party line up which is MASSIVE i can't understand why people can't get it throught their thick skulls sony has a HUGE party of developers (there game studios are far greater than MS and Nintendo's combined) that develop exclusive titles that the competition will NEVER get and this is on top of all the third party games which are all for the most part multiplat i don't care if one or two 3rd party games is on the 360 a few months earlier because at the end of the day i get that game AND all of the first party content
MS is capitalizing off of peoples ignorance, they are capitalizing on the people that don't understand this simple fact, and the only main exclusives MS has in their first party is Geow and Halo those are the only two that hold really any weight im not going to list sonys exclusives AGAIN because i have listed it a hundred times before. people NEED TO PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR A%!ES and realize who is the top dog here, sales numbers don't hold any weight to which is the better console (that would be like saying wii is better than ps3, or ps2 for that matter) you need to look at whos got the software, and it is an undeniable fact SONY HAS THE SOFTWARE do you know why MS dropped the price to 199? because they had nothing else to really compete with sony in the future, MS is trying to gain ground through propaganda and low cost, NOT A QUALITY PRODUCT
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Psycho_Analytic
- 8:25pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 30
In Reply to Versus:
The reason he says that statement is because up until now, no third party has shown any kind of open love Sony, It seems like the moment PS3 released everybody, who were making good games for PS2 only suddeny jumped the gun, mind you it is completely understandable being expensive programming, low install base, not to mention the shoddy piece of Ps3 ports of games, which, while are getting better are still inferior to 360 version. even worse those Japanese companies which were ps3 exclusive suddenly jumped ship, perhaps the best example would be Ace Combat 6 which name still hasn't brought on PS3 considering that the series was born on PS consoles and saw its rise as the premiere Combat Flight Sim. So naturally it's up to Sony who has to show other lazy devs tht you can do awesome games for PS3. That's why he said that, Not to mention Sony has some of the best internal studios in the industry which in my opinion is the biggest strength of Sony and the bigegst weakness of Microsoft, which just dissolved Ensemble and let Bungie guys go.
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ladellb
- 8:29pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 31
More PR spin from Sony. If they want to appeal to a broad audience, they need to reduce the price. If they are depending on internal studios, then they need to invest "heavily" in making it much bigger, hiring the best talent, and producing more "new" IPs. Sony is simply not focused.
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Iownboth360andps3
- 8:43pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 32
The whole "functionality" setting you apart is not working so far now is it? Did he forget about the economic crisis? who wants to browse web on a ps3 anyways? its a blu-ray player that plays games. The games are not selling this console, the blu-ray player is.
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CSZ002
- 9:25pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 33
i love sony and my ps3, ps2, but wtf are they talkin about? Sony gave away GTAIV, Assassin's Creed, Devil May Cry, and many other previous games that were supposed to be exclusive to the ps3 that were SUPPOSED TO HELP DEFINE AND GIVE THE PS3 an IDENTITY!!. I just hate looking at games like GTAIV and Assassin's Creed and go like, "man imagine if those were still exclusive to ps3, it would've sold alot more ps3 consoles", and i mean cmon GTAIV was HYPED SO MUCH LIKE F^^^, everyone, even kids knew of that game! Now i believe in all players to getting to play the same game for all consoles, but how in da f%%% can the PS3 sell if M$ keeps coming after PS3's 3rd party exclusive games? I dont get it.
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BlueDragoon0 |
Lionheart0- 11:11pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 34
#34
The reason why Sony aren't going after third party exclusives anymore is because of the fact that third party developers are wanting them to be released as multiplatform so that instead of risking profit, they sell more copies on more consoles meaning that the third party developers will earn more profit.
Not only this but they realize that last-gen third party exclsuives aren't going to help them much if their not truly "next-gene" or if they're just the same rehashed game with minor differences here and there. Sony are wanting to develope new and fresh exclsuives titles from their strong first party support.
Not only this but since third party exclusives are quickly dying to go over to multiplatform or timed at best. But since Microsoft as a fact are needing to go after last-gene exclusives to even stay competing AND the fact that their first party support is highly weak. Its not going to do anything to Sony.
What I mean is that since third party developers are making more and more games multiplatform and since Sony have a huge first party support where as Microsoft don't, Sony aren't going to be screwed over in the long run.
To sum up what I mean:
Microsoft: Having to focus on last-gene third party exclsuives because they need to do so in order to compete and considering they have crap all first party support. Not only this but as third party developers make their games multiplatform, they won't have any exclsuive titles from their own studios to make their console stand out in the long run.
Sony: Focusing heavily on their own first party titles, being very orginal unlike Microsoft bringing new and fresh titles for their system. Not only this but because most third party developers are making their games go multiplatform. Sony won't only have ever mutiplatform title, but titles from their own studios making them stand out unlike Microsoft.
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Punisher99
- 11:27pm BST - October 23rd, 2008
- 35
@ 29. you need to keep posting your paragraph over and over because some people just dont get it. Me? I was glad when Sony broke the news to people a few months ago. When they said they were not going to pay for 3rd party exclusives and instead put even more money into 1st party. This is the way to go now since 3rd party devs are not going to be doing exclusive games for anyone. SONY IS PUTTING THERE MONEY INTO 1ST PARTY DEVELOPMENT AND ARE MAKING GAMES THAT M.S. CANT TOUCH, This is the way to go! period
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MysticStrummer |
MysticStrummer- 12:03am BST - October 24th, 2008
- 36
@36 The sentence you have bolded is exactly right. Sony needs to show what the PS3 can really do, because no one else is going to step up. Sony pulled a risky move with the Cell, and most devs aren't going to take the time to max it's potential while the PS3 is in third place. If Sony can display some amazing first party results, they can sell more consoles and maybe get a few third parties to really push themselves to show what they can do with it. Right now though, Sony needs to bite the damn bullet and lower the damn price before the holidays.
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Punisher99
- 12:34am BST - October 24th, 2008
- 37
Lets see... my list of great 1st party games as well as the anticipated ones. Gran Turismo 5 prologue and Gran Turismo 5, God Of War 3, Socom, Massive Action Game (MAG), LBP, RFOM, Resistance 2, Killzone 2, DC Universe Online, Ratchet and clank, Siren, MLB 09, Infamous, Motorstorm, Motorstorm 2: Pacific Rift. Looks to me Sony's studios are doing a great job. Just need to mix in a few more RPGs.
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ramageddon
- 1:38am BST - October 24th, 2008
- 38
Sony need to invest more on developing games themselves, like GOW and Shadow of the Colossus. They also need to consider buying developers like they did with EVOLUTION STUDIOS. The competition is other gaming consoles, and that's what gamers look for when they seek to purchase a video game console - not really that other stuff - despite how much these other features make PS3 stand out.
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chubacca
- 6:32am BST - October 24th, 2008
- 39
No one really cares about bluray so they need to quit pushing that story because it clearly isnt working. What people want is an affordable console with lots of games to choose from. High quality exclusives are very important.
I also think people stopped listening to Sony because they promissed too much and never deliver. They lost credibilty and gained a reputation for hype and little substance. They should therefore work extra hard in delivering a consistent stream of high grade exclusives and start winning over the PS2 users by offering BC and attractive PS2 to PS3 trade-in promotions.
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BlueDragoon0 |
Lionheart0- 7:26am BST - October 24th, 2008
- 40
Or lowering the price for the holiday period by just a bit.
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PS3sR2DEAR
- 5:03pm BST - October 24th, 2008
- 41
Exclusiveness is General is utter BS!
Game Companys cannot possibly make as much money from under the table deals with M$.....and dont forget about 50% or more of the Game Players and Customers your pissing off by doing so. This equates to future losses !
One great thing to remember is that every game can be re-made by the 'other-side', bigger, better and on the game console that WE ALREADY own.
Theres no reason to go M$ a all. M$ you have screwed 99% of your customer base since day 1.
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zxcvzxcv
- 1:35am BST - October 25th, 2008
- 42
sony games are great, actually I am playing GENJI: Days of the Blade and it's really awesome. eye of judgment is also a new gaming experience making use of playstation eye. also I think Final Fantasy XIII will have better graphics than the Xbox360 version. I have high hopes for my console
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Stubacca |
Stubacca- 12:22pm BST - October 25th, 2008
- 43
I'm not really bothered about exclusives. I just hate it when we get a crappy port from the 360. Mind you, Sony exclusives are phenomenal: GOW, MGS4, HS, Uncharted, Resistance, Motorstorm, GT5P, Warhawk and WipeoutHD. But let's not forget how awesome Shadow of Colossus & GOW2 for PS2 were. Therefore, I agree backwards compatibility is an obvious gamer market Sony threw away!
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Crono
- 6:55pm BST - October 25th, 2008
- 44
Firstly, if you don't want to use the multimedia features of the PS3 then fair play. But at the least, be considerate & don't degrade or underrate that aspect of the hardware; many of us use the PlayStation as an integral component of our home cinema systems and we hope they keep releasing improved features in that regard.
And secondly, in my opinion Sony have the best in-house studios in the business. One can maybe make an argument for Nintendo (but their best stuff undoubtedly appeals to niche audiences) but Microsoft? Don't make me laugh, Lionhead...Rare (at their unarguable worst)... and those guys who did Forza and Flight Simulator.
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X-Man
- 9:12pm BST - October 25th, 2008
- 45
lol... Anybody who thinks Sony still has a chance are DUMB!!! lol.. Losing games like Devil May Cry, GTA, Tekken, Final Fantasy and Assassin's Creed (just to name a few) put XBox on top for good. We all know Gears 2 will triple the sales of Resistance 2. Sony sucks!!! lol get mad you idiots! lol.. you know its true.
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MysticStrummer |
MysticStrummer- 10:37pm BST - October 25th, 2008
- 46
A chance at what, X-Man? Second place for this generation? As a company, Sony is doing just fine. They lowered their profit expectaions and will still make a ****load of money. The PS2 is still selling well and the PS3 numbers really aren't that bad. If both consoles had released at the same time, the PS3 would be crowing about second place. Go ahead and give your money to a company that made an inferior operating system standard on PCs and abandoned the XBOX as soon as the RRoD finished beta. Support a company that represents much of what is wrong with the corporate world if you want to, but calling PS3 owners idiots is just projecting.
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X-Man
- 11:59pm BST - October 25th, 2008
- 47
lol.. You guys are idiots!!! lol The 360 will beat the ps3 badly this holiday season. Even with the chance of getting the RROD, the consumer will still choose the XBox over the PS3. Gears 2 will outsell Resistance and Little Big Planet combined. XBox will also outsell the PS3 on every multi-platform game. lol. You know it's true, get mad idiots. lol.. Sony has movie rentals... Ok, it just defeats the purpose of buying a blu-ray movie. lol..Wow! you guys are idiots!! The PS2 buyers aren't idiots, they just know there's no reason to "upgrade" to a ps3. lol
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BlueDragoon0 |
Lionheart0- 12:59am BST - October 26th, 2008
- 48
I'd never imagine a person so foolish enough to even bother trolling an actual PlayStation site. Well done moron, you just showed how much a low life tosser you are.
Read comment 35, I bet you'll love. In for a real treat idiot.
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X-Man
- 1:30am GMT - October 26th, 2008
- 49
lol..idiots!! lol.. We'll see how much this helps Sony in the long run. Like I said before "Xbox will outsell ps3 every year!" lol. Deep down inside, you idiots know I'm right. It took Sony a looooong time to release in game xmb, only a few games support the trophy system and "Home"... lol who knows when that trash will come out. Sony is waaaay behind Xbox!!! lol... Face the facts idiots!!!
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BlueDragoon0 |
Lionheart0- 4:10am GMT - October 26th, 2008
- 50
Whats fact is that you're sad little idiot, having to troll this topic because you got nothing else important in life to do. God thinks "by god, how f****** drunk was I" when he looks at you.
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