PS3 is Copping a Beating

Not only is the PS3 copping a beating when it comes to console sales. Recent sales figures released in the US show that the PS3 is the worst performing next gen console for sales. But another industry heavy weight developer has come out and criticized Sony and the PS3. This time it is John Carmack who has joined ranks with Gabe Newell to lay the smack down on Sony. As much as two nerds can possibly lay the smack down on anyone. John is far more diplomatic than Gabe. Gabe just came out and said, "I'd say, even at this late date, they should just cancel it [PS3] and do a 'do over'."

John Carmack is far more civil in his appraisal of the PS3. He says, "I do intend to do a simultaneous release on it. But the honest truth is that Microsoft dev tools are so much better than Sony's ... I suspect they are not going to overwhelmingly crush the marketplace this time, which wasn't clear a year ago. A lot of people were thinking it's going to be a rerun of the last generation, and it's now looking like it might not be. I've been pulling for Microsoft, because I think they've done a better job for development support, and I think they have made somewhat smarter decisions on the platform."

And back to Gabe Newell ... "The PS3 is a total disaster on so many levels, I think it's really clear that Sony lost track of what customers and what developers wanted ... Just say, 'This [the PS3] was a horrible disaster and we're sorry and we're going to stop selling this and stop trying to convince people to develop for it'." Well, tell us what you really think Gabe. So, it is no great surprise that the big announcements have just been made that Half Life 2 (developed by Gabe and his company Valve) in a special box set will be released on the Xbox 360. Let the love-in begin. Just as nerds can lay the smack down so can they brown nose as much as anyone. Is it any surprise that Gabe's comments come with announcement of the Half Life 2 packs on the Xbox 360. Further to this Gabe has announced that the Half Life 2 engine will be available for developers to use as a software development tool for the Xbox 360. There you go. It all kind of fits in to place. Microsoft and Xbox 360 are in and the Sony PS3 is out down at Valve.