Sony’s GDC Keynote and Little Big Planet
Poking through the contents of Sony’s GDC keynote, I didn’t expect anything nearly as cool as Little Big Planet. I don’t think I’ve been this wowed by a preview since Valve demoed HL2’s Source technology. It put a huge smile on my face, and so far it’s the first PS3-exclusive content that makes the console look really attractive. Video can be found in all the usual places, so if you haven’t seen it, go find it now.
I’m unexcited about Home, as I expect most serious gamers will be. Russ predicts failure. He may be right.
I’ll give Sony this: their Second-Life-like virtual community seems ideally poised to capture the attention of the vast demographic that keeps Sims titles moving. Unfortunately for Sony, this demographic isn’t buying the PS3. Instead, they’re buying Nintendo’s hardware. And I doubt that Home’s appeal is going to overcome the aversion consumers have to the PS3’s $600 price tag. It’s going to take a major price drop, or a sea change in consumer attitudes, before the PS3’s appeal expands beyond the gamer and technophile crowds.