Sony has finally restored all Playstation Network services after a data breach forced them to shut it down in late April. The estimated damages to Sony from this PSN hacking is said to be roughly $171 million USD, or 14 billion yen, and it begs the questions:
Do the recent Playstation Network complications leave Microsoft and Nintendo at an advantage?
Although the recent chain of hacks and security issues have left Sony $171 million USD short, the company states that it estimates to be back in the range of profitability before the end of next year. Shareholders seem to have the same beliefs- Sony stock value has risen 2.5% since their apology over the security issues.
In the end, however, what really matters is what the customers think. It’s up to you to decide: does Sony deserve another chance, or would this server downtime and personal information scare push you towards PlayStation’s top competitors, Microsoft’s Xbox or the Nintendo Wii? We might just be able to help you make that decision…
PlayStation 3. So you know about the recent Playstation Network hacks, and, if you have no knowledge of the PlayStation prior to reading this article, you’re probably wondering why anyone would want a PlayStation 3 in the first place. Rest assured, there’s good reason. Released just 8 days before the ever-popular Nintendo Wii on November 11th of 2006, The PlayStation 3 takes pride in not only being a gaming console, but a home media unit all in all. With a built-in Blu-ray player, live chat, picture & music storage & playback, and tons of games to choose from, your PlayStation 3 is sure to get daily use. Albeit the recent PSN problems may leave its users in doubt, Sony truly is dedicated to bringing the best 1-stop media console possible to its users. A great advantage of the PlayStation 3 is that the Playstation Network is completely free.
Xbox 360. From the company that brings us Windows, the Operating System on which you’re most likely reading this article, comes the ever-improving Xbox 360. Released in November of 2005, this system has been out almost a year longer than its competing consoles. Although apart from the lower price of the Xbox 360, differences between the PS3 and Xbox 360 may seem miniscule. It’s been said, however, that the devil is in the detail. The Xbox 360 offers users access to Live Chat even when not playing a game, although Xbox Live requires a paid subscription (unlike PSN, which is free).
Nintendo Wii. Sitting pretty in the console market next to the gaming bad boys, the Nintendo Wii swept in seemingly out of thin air in November of 2006. Amazingly, this tiny white system, even now in 2011, is the best-selling console on the market, easily beating out the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. I’m sure that anyone who bought (or tried to buy) a Wii for that Christmas in 2006 will always remember just how impossible such a purchase was- the console was literally sold out before it hit store shelves. But what are the greatest contributing factors to the Wii’s success? There are 2 obvious factors here: the Wii’s infinitesimal price, and its unique appeal.
Before 2006, the gaming world had never seen such flawless controls using actual human movement. Enter Wii. This console offers something that most consoles still don’t offer today: fun for the whole family. Games for the Wii are typically far more family friendly and interactive than games for other TV connecting consoles offered today. However, with the PlayStation Move and the Xbox’s Kinect, the Wii might be given a run for its money. Another important con for the Wii that all gamers should consider is its inadequate graphics.
One of the greatest differences between these 3 consoles is their games, which, in the end, are what the consoles are built for. Although some games are available on all 3, the consoles are probably most widely recognized for their exclusive games. Here are some of the most popular games for each console:
PlayStation 3 (over 315 million games sold to date): LittleBigPlanet, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & Black Ops, Gran Turismo 5, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction & A Crack in Time.
Xbox 360 (over 353.8 million games sold to date): Halo 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & Black Ops, Gears of War 1 & 2, Grand Theft Auto IV.
Wii (over 716.09 million games sold to date): Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Fit.
The hard-core gamers will probably always go head to head on which is the best console. Despite the many persuasions you may have been exposed to, the best console is definitely arguable.
We’d love to hear your comments on the issue- whether you’re a PlayStation diehard, an Xbox fan, a Wii owner, or even simply have an opinion. Will the recent PSN complications push you towards Xbox, or will you stick with the free PSN service over costly Xbox Live membership fees? Let us know- comment below, find us on Facebook or share with us on Twitter.
-Kaylie Benner
Related posts:
