Yet Another Web Comic

Consider this an open letter to Sony Computer Entertainment. I have been a raving PlayStation fan since the first one hit the shelves. Despite the hardware problems from both generations (which, thankfully, I have never experienced in all my hours of console abuse), the lack of all kinds of support and catering to consumer desires, and Sony`s plain old arrogance, I have staunchly stood by them, handing over my hard-earned cash as if Sony were my wife. It was a devoted love, and I had no desire to cheat. Ever.

It ends here. It started to die when the PS3 got pushed back. And the XBox 360 actually looked cool. And I had to admit that, despite the hardware issues, it was more reliable than the PS2 at launch. More delays. Awesome games hit XBox 360. Price fears. Wiimotes get playtime. Greater price fears. Outright arrogance as Ken Kutaragi tells consumers what they want, and that they`ll work overtime to get it. Features I can`t afford to exercise, especially after dropping such bank on the PS3. Outdated computer. More free time and no way to play new games. More delays.

And I must say, I`m no Microsoft fanboy, but their 360 is a solid system. I raved hardcore about how bad it would be for so long, but it`s really good. And at $400, it happened to be at the top of my interactive entertainment price range. More than that, and I`m in the range of a new computer…A machine which will do so many things that playing games seems to be an afterthought. Oh, and it`ll be upgradeable.

Now, I eagerly anticipate the release of the Wii. I can hit the back catalog of games, and play them with sound: A backwards compatibility feature that our good friend Kenny seems to think is overrated and unnecessary for some gamers. Probably true…I`m sure the deaf do game. I wouldn`t want to make that my target market, though. Seems a bit…niche.

But of all the things, I eagerly anticipate the Wiimote. Yes, I know that`s what everyone who`s interested is looking at, but I am really genuinely psyched about a new way to interact with the computer. I haven`t been this excited about an innovation in gaming since point-and-click verbiage in the Sierra adventure games, which was only more exciting than the context-based actions they introduced to follow it. Seriously. Yes, I`m that pathetic. The truth is, I haven`t felt there has been a true innovation in terms of interaction in a loooong time. I enjoy the FPS genre as much as the next person, but there hasn`t really been a true innovation since the analog joystick (which was actually a callback, but I digress) or the mouse/keyboard combination. Really, since then, all the innovation has been in graphics and…well, really graphics. I have enjoyed the ride, but the car can only remain stylish so long. Fins went out, and it`s time to try something novel.
I don`t know if it`s fair to compare the Wiimote to no fins, but I hope the point is still kinda clear. Less murky, how about that?

Wiimote vs. Sixaxis? Can one even compare the two? The Sixaxis is like the bastard stepchild of the awesomeness the Wiimote will visit upon us all…Especially since it doesn`t have vibration. I honestly wonder why they even bothered.

Since I have waxed and waned…philosophical is probably incorrect, but how about tiresome? Since I have babbled incoherently this long, I would like to grant everyone reprieve. Sony? Not gonna happen. Your arrogance and ridiculously high pedestal upon which your golden calf sits have divested me of my interest in your brand of “interactive electronic entertainment” (that`s what we`re calling it now). I`d like to say I`m sorry for jumping ship and cheating on you with both Microsoft and Nintendo…But honestly? I`m not. You did this to yourself. Don`t let the door hit you on the way out.