Happy Birthday lil guy!
Two years old today! Congratulations to the sleek black box. I remember fondly the speculation, intrigue, and anticipation that the internet was abuzz with leading up to the release of the mystery machine. Early on, we heard speculation about the amazing “Cell” CPU and how Cell would enable the PS3 to be at the center of a home hub of infotainment appliances. Cells in your toaster! Cells in your fridge! Cells in your alarm clock!
Turns out the Playstation 3 was actually just another game system, with a nice Blu-ray player and the Playstation Network behind it. At launch, there wasn’t a lot of compelling content, and the pundits predicted doom and gloom. For the first few months, even I became a doubter. The breakaway success of the Wii, the ever-growing library and fan base of the Xbox 360, and a dearth of games combined with high cost ensured that the PS3 was languishing on the holiday shelves while people beat and mugged each other for Nintendo Wii and DS systems. The only compelling title was Resistance: Fall of Man. By the time E3 2007 rolled around, hopes were pinned on two AAA titles that were going to be system sellers: Lair and Heavenly Sword.
I think we all remember what happened with those two. The death knell sounded as soon as the horrendous reviews started pouring in for the ill-fated Lair. When Heavenly Sword came out later, it was another flop. “This is it? That’s all there is?” reviewers asked. We wanted the PS3 to succeed, but SCE (Sony Computer Enertainment) and their lack of good content were making it difficult.
The PS3 did not die, however. People realized that… hey, it looks like Blu-Ray is winning the format war. Oh, and they noticed that the upscaling DVD playback on the PS3 was basically the best out there. Then the games started to trickle in. Playstation Network started carrying some originals. Super Stardust HD came, then Pixeljunk Monsters arrived—a 1080p extremely awesome co-op game that was family friendly. Then Echochrome, then Eden. You get the idea. Content! Some reviewers took notice when Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune was released. It’s as if the system was shaken from its lethargy; “Drake’s Fortune is a really good game!” they shouted from the rooftops. Finally, there was some really compelling first party content.
Then the bomb dropped. Metal Gear Solid 4. Need I say more? SCE finally had their system seller.
Over the years, SCE has refined the system. As they say in their birthday blog post, the system you bought at launch is not the same system today. Numerous software updates have made the PS3 blossom. XMB in-game integration, Trophy support, remote play via PSP, Folding@Home, and BD-Live support all came through software updates. The PS3 gets more and more use at ICHQ the more time goes on. After playing the Mirror’s Edge demo and Valkyria Chronicles the other day, I realized with a start that I was gaming on the PS3—something I’ve not done since hours spent with my kids in Pixeljunk Monsters. I’m so used to all the good games being on the 360 that it was somewhat startling to realize that I would indeed go out and buy these games for PS3.
It seemed like a close call—the PS3 almost became nothing more than a media player for us here at ICHQ. Perhaps all the strides SCE has made in the first two years are signs of more good things to come. I know I’m looking forward to Playstation Home.
Congratulations, Playstation. You’ve turned a doubter into a fan. I hope that’s a sufficient birthday gift.
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