Top 5 PS3 commercials that had us hooked
- Posted November 20th, 2008 at 12:20 EDT by
- 9,089 views
- 27 Comments
When you watch TV, what's the thing you hate the most? Commercials, right? Perhaps other than Super Bowl commercials, TV spots are generally a signal to hit the mute button or fetch a quick snack from the kitchen. However, once in a while an ad comes to the television waves that sparks our interest, leaving us glued to the screen throughout its duration.
Sony Computer Entertainment is a major contributor in this area, having marketed its PlayStation 3 console over the past two years in a plethora unique – and often, bizarre – manners, each designed for specific audiences or designed to convey a certain message. PSU.com has decided to compile some of the platform holder’s most celebrated TV spots, providing a look at the ads that helped sway us into purchasing Sony’s black box, and that continue to put a smile on our face to this day.
5. "Strange Baby"
In this TV spot, a baby doll appears demonically possessed in the presence of a new PlayStation 3, crying tears and spouting mad laughter. An unforgettable, if somewhat ambiguous effort that ranks amongst some of the most bizarre console marketing attempts we’ve seen.
4. "This is Living"
Part of the infamous “This is Living” campaign targeted at European territories, this outlandish TV spot focuses on PS3’s ever updating technology, noting how the Cell processor allows games to stay one step ahead of the pack.
3. "Sketch"
This commercial cements itself a place on our list by way of pure creativity. Through speed drawings and paintings, the ad is able to show off all the PS3's features and functions in a unique and captivating manner.
2. "Smarter"
Probably one of the best videos in the "Play Beyond" series, this viral ad discusses how the PS3's revolutionary Cell processor allows for more intelligently crafted games. Covering everything from A.I. simulation to physics, this was one of the first ads to really explain in layman's terms what Cell is capable of.
1. "Universe of Entertainment"
To kick off the 2007 holiday season, Sony released this TV spot entitled "Universe of Entertainment." Noted for its meticulously crafted CGI to display all the PS3's features and upcoming titles, along with a stellar soundtrack in the form of Ladies and Gentlemen by Saliva, this ranks as our favourite marketing advertisement Sony has released for the PS3 thus far.
Sony is currently running an ad campaign called "Reflections," which uses three 15 second TV spots to build up to the main campaign that'll kick off November 21. Hopefully Sony can carry the tradition and pull off some amazing marketing this holiday season. With titles such as LittleBigPlanet, MotorStorm Pacific Rift, PlayStation Home and Resistance 2 to build off of, we're confident they'll deliver.
Comments
-
joeymetalgear7 |
joeymetalgear777- 12:23pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 1
ye ps3 had some pretty crap ads back then its a shame they dont put so much effort into their ads nowadays god knows ps3 need them
-
-
DemonOfRazgriz07 |
DemonOfRazgriz07- 12:52pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 3
those Play B3yond ones were pretty sweet, but i have to agree, the Universe of Entertainment one is just so "in your face"! lol i love it. when i first saw it on tv, i was like :O lol. Saliva's track really makes it rock to.
-
-
-
-
englishgolfer
- 1:24pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 7
that's the first time i've seen "universe of entertainment ". if sony could churn out more of that i'll be a happy camper! totally in-your-face ad. much better than those reflections ads right now....
-
Perishing_Mind
- 1:48pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 8
@Denali 2
my vote went to Snake ;) (even though I can't deny that I rly like the halo series)
b2 topic: yer the "universe of entertainment" really is a masterpiece in advertising, I just wish they had more such brilliant ideas and not utterly weird ads that absolutely have nothing to do with the console itself. I liked the ad campaign for PS2 though...
-
edward_moffet |
edd- 3:09pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 9
THE UNIVERS OF ENTERTAINMENT ONE NEEEEDS TO COME BACK not only was it one of the best playstation commercials ever but one of the best commercials period
-
MMDs |
MMDs- 3:15pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 10
I loved all of those, including the weird ones. Not so much the crying baby one (well maybe just a little because i like how dark and gloomy/creepy it was), but all of them were superb and i'm speaking from a Motion Graphics Design POV. You all can kiss my *** if you don't like it.
-
-
-
-
just8
- 5:47pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 14
1 was definatly the most effective: killer visuals + killer sound track = good advert!!
but 4 was defo my fav! sooo unique and different but it got the right messages across in a quirky way too. tho i can see why it would'nt be suitable for everyone!
Justin pinter: why wasn't the hotel ad shown? thats was massive in the early days, and very very bizarre! - still it was the reason i bought my ps3!
-
KillerInst2129
- 6:07pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 15
yeah i remember those ads, i liked No 2. "Smarter" lol, anybody notice that the rubics cube at the end melted into the four colours of Microsofts Windows Flag colours ? , yes Sony and the PS3 is Smarter, also the 1. "Universe of Entertainment", that track from Saliva, called Ladies and Gentlemen is right now on my PS3 what an awsome song and fits in well with the ad, maybe Sony should bring that ad back
-
tristan88888888 |
Tristan88888888- 6:09pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 16
lol home in a 2007 ad. sad really. hopefully it will at least show up this holiday.
-
BirdPlayer |
BirdPlayer- 7:26pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 17
@16 thanks ive been looking for that song for a while now... :D PSN ID:BirdPlayer
-
hvnlyswrd08
- 8:54pm GMT - November 20th, 2008
- 18
Definetly "Universe Of Entertainment" Awesome Music!! And Very Creative...Everytime That One Would Pop Out I Always Waited For The Heavenly Sword Part..They Should Have Done More Comercials Like That In My Opinion... These Days Its A Miracle To Even See A Pure Ps3 Commercial Not A Game But The Console Its Self
-
-
-
enfamous
- 6:51pm GMT - November 22nd, 2008
- 21
theyre all really good ads, no surprise theyre top 5.
I really liked the baby one, its just so darn freaky, and it gives the PS3 a great image of just being this wicked machine. It just gives me this eerie feeling, especially with the reverse tears in the end, and if an ad strikes emotion on the viewer, then its a done deal.
Sketch was great because of how it builds itselft up from a few lines (genious). Visually, its very creative and keeps you watching (I didnt even realize it was 4.5 minutes long!)
And Smarter, well the message is simply brilliant (loved the "simple shower vs tempest storm" comparison) and the narrator is perfect for the ad - its like some physics professor and you cant help but believe him.
Universe, well, need I say more? Thats just Ad-Gold. I didnt have a ps3 at the time, but that got me to start setting money aside for it. The visuals are phenomenal, but the song is what makes it shine. Its just such a "bad ass" ad, its not even fair.
Now, people are criticizing the current 15 sec ads, theyre simple as can be, but the point is just to remind people of the brand - basically to cause some buildup to the full campaign which is mentioned. Its said to launch the 21'st, I havent seen them; and while its gonna be tough to top the "Universe" campaign, I'm sure it wont dissappoint.
-
-
netherdragon |
netherdragon- 7:18pm GMT - November 23rd, 2008
- 23
The universe of entertainment ad was sooooooooooo good. y dont they just stick to that type of add and maybe throw in a few more explicit details about games and features and they would be sorted. none of this new reflections stuff that is so hard to even figure out what they are trying to put across if just an average consumer and not a gaming nut...
-
zbamf
- 11:02pm GMT - November 23rd, 2008
- 24
Universe of Entertainment wasn't only just a great TV ad was was good to watch, it also was a PS3 ad that showed a glimpse of its games. Playbeyond was good with that guys vioce who I think is Lance Henrikson who plays Bishop in Aliens, cool voice. The other ads just plain suck, what were they advertising.
With SOy's PS3 campaigns who have to have a PS3 just to understand what the ads mean and thats no good as the ads are targeted at non PS3 owners.
-
-
-
Advertisement