We approve of the recent TV advertisements for the PlayStation 3; the swift shift from the disturbingly surreal to the relatively marketable is a breath of fresh air. However, we can't say we're huge fans of Sony's apparent new theme song, which resembles a P.O.D. track as sung by a nightmarish circus ringmaster. Still, we imagine these new ads will interest a larger group of consumers than ads that involve watching some girl take a dump. That's a pretty niche target audience.
Reader Comments (53)
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 1:51PM DBuckEye said
It would seem to me that Metal Gear Solid 4 isn't coming all that soon, but hey, that's what you get when relative terms are open season for publishers.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 3:57PM (Unverified) said
Good thing you're not in the industry. It's a god-send when publishers say "Oh don't worry about the release date."
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Posted: Nov 18th 2007 8:01PM (Unverified) said
"we can't say we're huge fans of Sony's apparent new theme song, which resembles a P.O.D. track as sung by a nightmarish circus ringmaster."
band is called saliva jackass
probably the best commercial sony's ever had, joystiq writers = on drugs.
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band is called saliva jackass
probably the best commercial sony's ever had, joystiq writers = on drugs.
Posted: Nov 19th 2007 12:09AM KiraXD said
uhg i never even listened to Saliva before and hate the style of music (i like punk) but for some reason after seeing that commercial i had to download the song... its actually really really cook, and on top of that if Joystiq actually listened to the WORDS of the song, they would then realize how relevant it is when speaking about the PS3.
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Posted: Nov 18th 2007 1:52PM (Unverified) said
Nice job Sony! With the lower price tag, a good lineup of games and these awesome ads I think that the PS3 while, it may not be the top selling console it will have pretty good sales escpecially compared to last year.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 7:40PM Cash9007 said
Yes... well done Sony. You've managed to come up with an ad campaign that is more exciting and entertaining then any of your actual games. Well done indeed.
I'm sure this will do wonders for your blue ray movie sales. Seeing how you've already gimped the thing down to the point of no backwards compatibility etc, why not just pull the gaming aspect completely, knock another 100 bucks off the pricetag, and market it as the best damn BD playing video streaming set top box around?
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I'm sure this will do wonders for your blue ray movie sales. Seeing how you've already gimped the thing down to the point of no backwards compatibility etc, why not just pull the gaming aspect completely, knock another 100 bucks off the pricetag, and market it as the best damn BD playing video streaming set top box around?
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:04PM (Unverified) said
I have seen the new ads, they are all over some stations on DirecTV. I have to say, they are very well done. It's about time we are seeing PS3 actually care about marketing. For the last year it's almost like the PS3 wasn't in existance due to their poor marketing.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:07PM copa said
Really? The only currently available PS3 exclusive to be featured in these ads is Time Crisis 4? I'm guessing that the guy who decided not to use Ratchet and Clank in these commercials is the same one who featured his scatological fetishes in the previous ads.
Sorry, dudes, everybody who was going to be suckered in by that 'Coming Soon' crap already bought their $600 Blu-Ray player last year.
Sorry, dudes, everybody who was going to be suckered in by that 'Coming Soon' crap already bought their $600 Blu-Ray player last year.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:15PM ummhello said
actually I bought my PS3 last year so I could play all my PS2 games (although I did buy R:FoM immediately). My brother moved out so I didn't have a PS2 to play my games anymore. Worked out nicely because I was able to finish FFIX and rent BluRay movies until WarHawk and R&C came out.
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Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:08PM ummhello said
yeah, nice ads but how many of those were "coming soon" as in "not until 2008"....also, couldn't help thinking how much MGS4 and Assassin'sCreed falls into that "all the new graphics are brown/grey" that everybody complained about last year (ie- not enough "shiny/colorful" games like Ratchet&Clank or SuperMarioGalaxy)....but maybe that was just me.regardless, the ads look like they could convince people to buy a PS3.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:09PM Mr Khan said
The two ad campaigns (in North America at least) have continuity somewhat, the first ad campaign was kind of freaky, but in a manner to suggest that the machine itself was "freaky powerful."
Now that they have established that its scary powerful, they go on to show what can be done with that power
Although them putting MGS4 in this commercial is only a few notches lower on the silly scale than Metroid Prime 3 showing up in a Wii launch window commercial
Now that they have established that its scary powerful, they go on to show what can be done with that power
Although them putting MGS4 in this commercial is only a few notches lower on the silly scale than Metroid Prime 3 showing up in a Wii launch window commercial
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:10PM (Unverified) said
The song is actually "Ladies and Gentlemen" by Saliva. Just an FYI.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:23PM (Unverified) said
Those are really from Sony?, Where is the spooky baby or the stupid statements or the naked people shouting “your life is meaningless without a PS3” and what happened to the girl in the toilet?
Now in a serious tone those ads are great.
Now in a serious tone those ads are great.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:28PM zeoverlord said
These are pretty good, at least compared to the European ads, they actually feature a "nightmarish circus ringmaster".
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:35PM Crazy Goat said
Is the voice at the end... Charlie Sheen?
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:40PM (Unverified) said
Nice job on advertising games that
A) Are not out yet
B) Are not exclusives
C) Are completely avarage
D) Suck
A) Are not out yet
B) Are not exclusives
C) Are completely avarage
D) Suck
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:54PM blueskyv201 said
Kassu,
yeah you're right Assassins Creed, Haze, Killzone 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, MotorStorm, they all suck.
You know, you don't have to be jealous anymore,
- "starting at $399 . . ."
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yeah you're right Assassins Creed, Haze, Killzone 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, MotorStorm, they all suck.
You know, you don't have to be jealous anymore,
- "starting at $399 . . ."
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 5:11PM (Unverified) said
Yes, Slazi, that was exactly what i meant.
Nice job on reading, whoever downhearted me though :D
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Nice job on reading, whoever downhearted me though :D
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 8:35PM Vidikron said
You're a dumbass. You can't advertise cross platform games now? Of course they should advertise those... in most cases they are as just a good a reason to buy a PS3 as as a 360 and the bulk aren't on the Wii. They would be stupid to not advertise them.
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Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:48PM (Unverified) said
I think some people forgot the whole "third party" aspect of these commercials... It's okay. It's easy to miss, what with it being in the video title and all. It's well hidden at the top of that window.
And oh yeah, while we're bashing Sony for showing off non-AAA games, let's take a look at this particular gem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J69llfgaNi4
Bragging about Shrek 3, spiderman 3, and Pirates 3 games on your system is roughly the same as bragging that your system hosts three different strains of herpes.
And oh yeah, while we're bashing Sony for showing off non-AAA games, let's take a look at this particular gem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J69llfgaNi4
Bragging about Shrek 3, spiderman 3, and Pirates 3 games on your system is roughly the same as bragging that your system hosts three different strains of herpes.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:58PM (Unverified) said
Look who is here... the "Mr. I know everything" guy.
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Posted: Nov 18th 2007 3:09PM (Unverified) said
Boy, did I get zinged there. I tells ya, that smarts. Ugh, guess I'm going back to Bryyo.... I'll check back in later to see if you redeem yourself after that comment.
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Posted: Nov 18th 2007 3:22PM (Unverified) said
Well, I love the first two sections. Kinda torn on Bryyo. Here's my issues so far.
1. Far too many times you're backtracking to the ship to move to another section of the planet. This is me knowing where I need to go, just imagine how much backtracking if I got lost. I mean, it's really getting patently ridiculous. I just got the ship upgrade so I'm certain I have at least another two ship trips before I'm done with this planet.
2. Some boss battles are taking far too long. The Ridley wasn't so bad but the Mundas took forever. The challenge of this boss wasn't figuring it out but more like trying to stay interested for the constant widdling. I hope this is an isolated incident because I remember being excessively pissed off at the 30+ minute end boss battle in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.
Now I don't mind some backtracking and I'm a huge fan of 2D metroids, but it seems like the 3D metroids that I've played fall far too much of a victim to it.
I's hate to render final judgement based on the first true planet though given the fact that I enjoyed the hell out of the first two sequences. I hope it returns to that style pacing instead of Bryyo. Also, there's a rush to beat this game since both Rock Band and Unreal Tournament 3 will be entering my collection on Tuesday.
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1. Far too many times you're backtracking to the ship to move to another section of the planet. This is me knowing where I need to go, just imagine how much backtracking if I got lost. I mean, it's really getting patently ridiculous. I just got the ship upgrade so I'm certain I have at least another two ship trips before I'm done with this planet.
2. Some boss battles are taking far too long. The Ridley wasn't so bad but the Mundas took forever. The challenge of this boss wasn't figuring it out but more like trying to stay interested for the constant widdling. I hope this is an isolated incident because I remember being excessively pissed off at the 30+ minute end boss battle in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.
Now I don't mind some backtracking and I'm a huge fan of 2D metroids, but it seems like the 3D metroids that I've played fall far too much of a victim to it.
I's hate to render final judgement based on the first true planet though given the fact that I enjoyed the hell out of the first two sequences. I hope it returns to that style pacing instead of Bryyo. Also, there's a rush to beat this game since both Rock Band and Unreal Tournament 3 will be entering my collection on Tuesday.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 5:20PM (Unverified) said
so that's where sony got their morphing ps3 idea, from a 360 commercial...
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Posted: Nov 18th 2007 6:41PM (Unverified) said
Yes, that's exactly where Sony stole this idea. From a 360 ad. Or, of course, the not so well hidden research route leads one to realize these ads were commissioned out to an art team named Superfad.
http://superfad.com/index.php
If these PS3 ads seem familiar, possible close to some X-games, Target, or even Honda commercials? There's a reason. But no.... this is totally Sony stealing ideas again....
Jesus hates you, Gonk. Jesus Hates You.
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http://superfad.com/index.php
If these PS3 ads seem familiar, possible close to some X-games, Target, or even Honda commercials? There's a reason. But no.... this is totally Sony stealing ideas again....
Jesus hates you, Gonk. Jesus Hates You.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 8:24PM heypaul said
"Look who is here... the 'Mr. I know everything' guy."
Actually, I'd say Sheppy really is one of the most knowledgeable guys here. He's one of the people I always scroll down in the comments section to read the opinions of. Then again, I also read Fernando's, since the blatant bias in those is often hilarious.
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Actually, I'd say Sheppy really is one of the most knowledgeable guys here. He's one of the people I always scroll down in the comments section to read the opinions of. Then again, I also read Fernando's, since the blatant bias in those is often hilarious.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 2:55PM pukegreenuniform said
Well they finally came out with real ads. I still don't want enough exclusive games to buy one but these ads should help them.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 3:11PM Rax Dakkar said
The song isn't Mad World, but it isn't that bad and is definetly catchy and memorable. I think it's odd to highlight 3rd party games being that we can get them for 100$ less on a certain competing console (except of course MGS4) and the reason I'll buy a PS3 is for games I can only get on that console.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 4:17PM (Unverified) said
If those ads don't sell PS3s, I don't know what will.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 4:18PM megapenguinx said
The new ads are much better IMO.
They make me want to go buy a PS3
They make me want to go buy a PS3
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 4:47PM Shignami said
No more rubiks cubes or crying doll babies?
I find these revelations disturbing.
I find these revelations disturbing.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 4:47PM Vegeta has a ps3 said
Well it's about time they advertised MGS4, though honestly the commercial isn't going to get new gamers hooked onto MGS4 since it's got two major things going against it:
1. It's a sequel
2. It's a stealth game (niche!!!)
Now before you go screaming, BUT WHAT ABOUT SPLINTER CELL??? EVERYONE BUYS SPLINTER CELL!!!!!, keep in mind that Splinter Cell has something going for it and that's the Tom Clancy name attatched to it.
1. It's a sequel
2. It's a stealth game (niche!!!)
Now before you go screaming, BUT WHAT ABOUT SPLINTER CELL??? EVERYONE BUYS SPLINTER CELL!!!!!, keep in mind that Splinter Cell has something going for it and that's the Tom Clancy name attatched to it.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 5:24PM (Unverified) said
i still haven't played a splinter cell game. mgs just really turned me off on the stealth games, since it sucked. then i was gonna try that new one, but heard it wasn't really stealthy and ppl didnt like it
oh well
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oh well
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 4:50PM (Unverified) said
Background: I am a die-hard Ninty fan. The only two consoles I bought in the last generation were Gamecube and Wii. Also, my main criticism of other gamers' opinions is "you're such a gfx whore."
Now that you know that, these ads made me REALLY want a PS3.
Now that you know that, these ads made me REALLY want a PS3.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 11:10PM ummhello said
I grew up on Commodore64/Atari2600/NES and have owned just about every gaming console made...it's time to branch out though and embrace Sony and MS--both the PS and Xbox platforms have great games. Granted MS has the majority of them right now, but it's pretty much a win-win-win-lose situation (the losing part is your wallet)...
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Posted: Nov 18th 2007 4:54PM (Unverified) said
These ads are definately alot better than the ones with the crying baby, rolling eggs, rubricks cube, and the birds splattering into walls.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 6:10PM DrXym said
Sony Europe really has to dump the "This is Living" ads. Sure they were interesting and possibly the best way to advertise the PS3 when it launched. But now there are plenty of games and the ads really need to highlight what an amazing and all round machine it is.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 7:45PM Cash9007 said
Or, you know, no buzz or word of mouth at all thanks to the ungodly high price and complete lack of any games that were worth a damn. But yeah... lets totally blame the lack of advertising because lord knows we haven't seen enough racial stereotypical dust bunnies and squirrels + crying plastic babies on TV yet.
Lo and behold, knock a few hundred off the pricetag so it's competitively priced with the other consoles on the market, put out some games people actually want, and you've got some sales. I'm so shocked I think I just wet myself.
Lo and behold, knock a few hundred off the pricetag so it's competitively priced with the other consoles on the market, put out some games people actually want, and you've got some sales. I'm so shocked I think I just wet myself.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 8:15PM (Unverified) said
I read somewhere that if Sony didn't run these style of ads the next one would have taken place in an abortion clinic for an extra creepy effect.
Wait, I didn't read that I just made it up.
Once again, Kudos to Sony for changing their advertising directing into something less laughable, and more attention grabbing.
Wait, I didn't read that I just made it up.
Once again, Kudos to Sony for changing their advertising directing into something less laughable, and more attention grabbing.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 8:20PM Vegeta has a ps3 said
Now if only SCEE could get on board with this, then sony would be set.
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 9:10PM (Unverified) said
sony its about time...the old comercials were creepy and the baby one was...um...what was that about!?
but good job sony your almost halfway there...just dont screw it up...like usual...
but good job sony your almost halfway there...just dont screw it up...like usual...
Posted: Nov 18th 2007 10:03PM FIREPROOFsoul25 said
the song is also the theme song for 'Last One Standing'. Its a TV show on Discovery about tribal fighting styles. Amazing show, amazing song, and a horrible console. (if i had enough money i would buy it... but the 360 owns my heart)
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