Insomniac exec defends PS3, disses Wii

CCO Brian Hastings outlines 10 reasons why Sony's console will be market leader by 2010; says interest in Wii will decline.

Sony and its PlayStation 3 have been the targets of a lot of criticism in the gaming industry, and Insomniac Games chief creative officer Brian Hastings isn't going to take it anymore. The game developer has written a lengthy blog post (registration required) on the Insomniac Games Web site titled "10 Reason Why PS3 Will Win This Console Generation," a rebuttal of what he calls "the sheer volume of negative spin toward Sony from both the mainstream press and the internet community."

"I'll be the first to say that Sony has had a very rough road from last E3 up through this year's GDC," he says. "Some of their wounds have been self-inflicted, but they've also had to face a conspicuously hostile media." Hastings takes exception to some articles written about the PS3, including GameSpot's "Ten Things to Make the PlayStation 3 Worth Buying" feature (which he refers to as "Ten Complaints We Thought Up While Everyone Else Was Watching LittleBigPlanet").

Hastings points out the advantages the PS3 has (free online play, 50GB games, "Major CPU Advantage"), newly announced features and games (Home, LittleBigPlanet), and the popularity of Blu-ray, but one point he makes is likely to ruffle the feathers of Nintendo fanboys.

Under the heading "The Wii Fad Will Fade," Hastings says that interest in the Wii won't last. Likening the Wii to "mainstream fads" such as Tickle Me Elmo and Furbies, he believes that the many nongamers who have helped the Wii become a sales success will eventually let their Wiis gather dust, as "mainstream fads usually run their course within a year."

Hastings does acknowledge that the Wii is "really, really fun" and that "Nintendo has innovated far more than any other company in the industry," but he believes that in the end, consumers will be drawn to "more graphically impressive games on the PS3 and Xbox 360" for their high-definition televisions.

He sums up his thoughts with, "A lot of industry watchers and even a handful of publishers have been quick to write Sony off this generation, and I think that's near-sighted. Sony has made a lot of decisions with the PS3 that may have slowed them down in the short run, but should give them a big advantage in the long run."

In his post, Hastings also provides an e-mail address to which readers can send their comments on--and criticisms of--his top 10 list.

Of course, gamers didn't need to read Hasting's post to determine which side of the fence he sits on. Insomniac Games, though an independent company, has developed exclusively for Sony platforms and produced the PS3's most critically acclaimed game, Resistance: Fall of Man.

1413 Comments

  • king_chapeton15

    Posted Jun 23, 2009 5:31 pm PT

    hell thats happening to the wii right now

  • pukmok

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 8:05 pm PT

    I think the most important thing to remember is all of those kids playing the Wii right now will grow up. Then they will be playing on consoles made by Sony and Microsoft.

  • jacob-goodlich

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 1:29 am PT

    yeah leave sony and ps3 alone cause the 360 is the one that stuffs up!

  • alcheng

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 7:11 pm PT

    Oh, yeah. I've heard about this horrible list. For those of you who wants to listen to a discussion of this list, I urge you to check out IGN's Gamescoop Podcast archives and looks for Episode 31 (Aired March 30th, I think it's still there), and listen towards the end of it. The discussion is fairly long, start with around I guess between 50 to 55 minutes into the podcast. FYI: There are some profanity, but... who cares? LOL (Again, that makes the Gamescoop Podcast freakin' hilarious.) Listen to how these guys attacking this horrible list. SCOOP!

  • xcollector

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 1:56 pm PT

    The wii will only die if fun games for it are not produced. Unless that happens it will live on. PS3 and 360 are not kid friendly. The wii is. There is a big kid market out there. Remember when you were a kid too?


    This guy is in denial about the ps3. There is a sweet spot between features and cost. MS came close to it with the 360. Sony completely missed the mark.

    The ps3 is a failure because it tries to do everything else before playing games. It has psp syndrome. psp syndrome is when one game is released for every 20 UMD movies. Likewise ps3 owners are seing one game for about every 20 BluRay vids.

    BluRay would be the sh*t if it was the only sh*t, but its not because there is a movie format war going on. If it looses the war then it will be as useless as UMD. Right now both HD-DVD and BluRay are litterly performing like sh*t compared to regular DVD.


    I was going to get a ps3. I was so ready to get one too as soon as I heard word about it a year before its release. But then after seeing it for what it really is I don't understand how people can lie to them selfs about it.

    After seeing motor storm with no anti-aliasing I was ready to throw up. The graphics look the same as my computer's graphics and I don't even have a gaming rig. For a 600us console every game on it should have anti-aliasing. Anti-aliasing makes the difference of seeing jaggies and not seeing them. We're in the HD era of games and their is still jaggies? What the hell is wrong with sony? The 360 has anti-aliasing.

    Sony was great. They were the best in the PS1 days. They got lucky in the PS2 days because Sega quit (EA didn't support Dreamcast) and they didn't have any competition for a while (from xbox & gamecube) and had time to build up third party support and a fanbase. Thier ass was also partially saved in the beginning by dvd. But now they don't have BluRay to save their ass because it wasn't accepted like DVD and Nintendo and MS are doing a better job at attracting third party developers.


    It isn't entirely about the specs. Mark my words. The console with the most and best games by the end of the generation will be the winner. The console that has the most and best games always wins. That was why the PS1 and PS2 were successful. Sony has seemed to forgotten that little fact.

  • leimeisei

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 12:50 pm PT

    I LOVE THIS GUY! While he may be a tiny bit on the fanboy side, he utters the exact point I have been trying to make for like a trillion years now. And I also love how this guy points out GameSpot's obvious bias toward everything not Sony, by stating, "Of course, gamers didn't need to read Hasting's post to determine which side of the fence he sits on. Insomniac Games, though an independent company, has developed exclusively for Sony platforms and produced the PS3's most critically acclaimed game, Resistance: Fall of Man. " So, I will now say this, knowing that I will probably lose some user level from it or get banned or something. GameSpot, you aren't always right, and you aren't as popular as you think you are. Therefore, I officially give GameSpot my first of many to come of OFFICIAL LEIMEISEI BADGES. They are now nominated for my badge "Websites which should burn in hell"

  • Boy_Man07

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 11:58 am PT

    i think he's right. i have a PS3 and i love it! it is just awesome! i want to buy a Wii, but that's because of Zelda, Mario, Metroid and Super Smash Bros. the end. the funny and good games on the Wii(except for those i said before) are way too easy and, after some time, they become kind of boring. so, i'll stick to my PS3 and its games(like Resistance, Kingdom Hearts, God of War, Lair...) and wait for those games; then, i'll get a Wii just play those games(i played Twilight Princess on the GC).

  • nevershort

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 10:43 am PT

    PS3 will come out on top as always despite its slow start... I'm not worried one bit... now i'll just sit back and take fanboy fire until they all fade into obsolete console owners...

  • DXfan1448

    Posted May 7, 2007 4:17 am PT

    the Wii is for Wii-Tarded People and Allies to jack Thompson's Advice o GORe Indented AND it will fade next year. Brian You Rock! Chocolate1325,Just Keep your mouth Shut!

  • Domen

    Posted Apr 17, 2007 10:39 am PT

    I agree with all of his reasons why the PS3 is great. I just got one and I love the system and the idea that blue ray can hold up to 50 gigs mean that PS3 can come out with bigger games with more and longer levels and still keep the great graphics and not have to cut anything out. That will mean you will get your money worth with the games.

  • nategrantsharpe

    Posted Apr 13, 2007 4:59 pm PT

    But it will have the games, Reasons to get one:

    Ratchet and clank Future!! Resistance, Grand turismo HD is FREE on PSN, Final fantasy 13, Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2, Lair
    Motorstorm, Tekken 6,Saints row, Dead rising, lost planet are all coming to the PS3, God of war 3 Feels like a good piece of machinery Fall 2007 Price Drop!!!

  • dark_enigma

    Posted Apr 8, 2007 5:42 pm PT

    He has a point with the Wii. Though it is admittedly a fun, cheap, good console, there are some things that the Wii cannot provide. Intense visuals, blood & gore, solid action, simply some of the things that you'd be looking for in a 360 or a ps3 and not a Wii. Yeah Wii is fun, period.

    Hmmm, PS3 for 2010?!?!? I think by that time it should be already the stable period of the PS3. Though by that time also, I think a new Xbox would be in the works or already on its way. I give the PS3 only 2 years, if it's still floundering by then, then Sony just wasted a crap load of money. Though I am hopeful

    I think the PS3 will only rule for the next years simply because it has bigger and faster hardware, but the question is will there be enough good games.

  • nategrantsharpe

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 5:23 pm PT

    Shutup chocolate1325!!!! get out here, come on .... let sony have its day PS3 RULES!!!!

  • salo1129

    Posted Apr 7, 2007 1:35 pm PT

    i say this person is right cause he knows his stuff and its quite true that wii will be no more just like game cube common who like to play cheap
    games and after some time it will get boring

  • ejstrup

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 2:25 pm PT

    ps3 owns...

  • chocolate1325

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 4:23 pm PT

    I think dissing the Wii is wrong. They have had a better start than PS3 and the Wii is going to be a great console in the future.

  • onlineps2player

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 4:48 am PT

    the truth is always bitter, isn't it ?!?!

  • xXrebel666Xx

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 2:44 am PT

    Every single one of those reasons is true, ouch to microsoft and gamespot the lovers.

  • saturdaysuze

    Posted Apr 1, 2007 12:23 am PT

    how i agree with you! you are totally unbiassed and simply giving us the benefit of your opinion for no gain, whereas insomniac games have a vested interest in promoting the ps3. i know who i'll be listening to. well done, tim!

  • h3adjunk

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 8:46 am PT

    The main point of this console war will be in 2 to 4 years when developers will finally have the best tools (in a simplified way) to make the games, the real battle of the consoles will be then... right now we have the beggining of it with "Resistance", in October this year it's GTA series with IV one of the all time favorites, it's too early to say who's going to win, but one thing is for sure PS3 has the most potential, i don't need to say that what counts in the end is the lifespan of the console and it's capacity to stay around for years until the next gen, so cutting the crap out...what i mean is that the 360 is here now and dealing the cards, the wii aswell but will soon the put aside, but in the overall Ps3 is the future of gaming, i want to see how MS's going to keep up with Sony in a few years from know, or on this next Christmas.

  • sailingmanuel

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 7:34 am PT

    That is what I think too!! Right on dude.

  • bbdowalt

    Posted Mar 30, 2007 3:26 pm PT

    God Bless Brian! Finally someone stands up and speaks the truth.

  • Suddusa

    Posted Mar 30, 2007 3:03 pm PT

    How can you go on like that. I thought the whole idea of gaming was to have fun. Look, the Wii is more of a family console. The XBox360 is more of a con bat console and the PS3 is for games like Final Fantasy, games with a story. People should be fighting over the good qualities of consoles. And for god sakes...by the time we get to 2010 we'll probably have a whole line of new consoles that are better and cooler anyway. SO STOP WASTING ARE BLOOMING TIME WITH THESE STUPID ARGUMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • LittleYoshi

    Posted Mar 30, 2007 1:33 pm PT

    The PS3 has gameplay and the best graphics! It got everything a gaming system needs.
    Brian you rule!! Its going to be all the PS3 in 2010. Things are going yo heat up and fast with the PS3 and that not a joke if you know what I mean.

  • chocolate1325

    Posted Mar 30, 2007 10:36 am PT

    The graphics don't make a good game it's gameplay. Graphics are been improved on XBox360 and PS3 but in the future Nintendo might have those sorts of graphics for their future consoles and Sony and Microsoft won't be able to push graphics any further maybe after this generation of consoles. Nintendo are gonna be around for a very long time. They have been around before SEGA and they don't make consoles now remember the Dreamcast. Graphics aren't everything N64 didn't have the graphics against Dreamcast but they still sold more consoles than them.

  • nevereathim

    Posted Mar 30, 2007 8:52 am PT

    The Wii will be dead in a few years like the gamecube, and then Nintendo will make a new system

  • xElite_GameRx

    Posted Mar 30, 2007 5:44 am PT

    yes I feel Halo is overrated as well, but comparing the likes of Super Mario Galaxy to a game like Halo 3 or Metal Gear Solid 4 is like comparing the VHS to a DVD player. Doesn't even come close to their level of gaming. Also why should I buy wii for its third party games when I can get them on 360 elite or PS3? Its pretty obvious wii fans or mostly children who are taken by the motion sensing. When they get older, they will realize they have wasted money and sell it to buy a 360 or PS3.

  • joey_bulky

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 8:29 pm PT

    I played the Resistance: Fall of Man during one of the road show and I don't think its graphic is great. Many PCs fps is better especially the recent ones. I will still choose a PS3 over xbox360 when they launch GOW 3. The price should be just about right then.

  • GunnyHath

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 5:14 pm PT

    The Wii will be no different than the N64 or Gamecube in the long run; very popular with kids, a small handful of huge classic franchises, ex: Mario, Zelda, Metroid.. And a lot of filler/fluff/kids games (pokemon?). Each console has at least 2-3 games worth buying it for, Nintendo's has almost always been obvious. Sony has has Metal Gear, etc. Microsoft has Halo *gag*. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Halo, but the arguments that it is "the best game ever" etc.. are just.. well.. you know the score. The bottom line is, PS3 will be fine, so will Wii. The Interest WILL fade off with the Wii, unless you're 12 of course; once we all get our hands on the must-haves like Metroid and Zelda.. etc. -- Sidenote: LittleBigWorld = MS Paint + Excitebike. Instant classic!

  • chrisj

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 3:16 pm PT

    The wii is a gimmick and my friends who have them are getting board, and want to come round and play on my ps3....oh and by the by ps3 is so much better than the xbox 180... i mean 360.

  • couchpotatoe387

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 2:28 pm PT

    For all those who continue to bash the Wii for the lack of third party support, take a look at this link and look at the second column of the table. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_games

    That's right, more than 90% of Nintendo games are from third party developers.

  • risi37

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 2:25 pm PT

    yeah they are right

  • Cash2200

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 2:05 pm PT

    g-master

    YA DUDE!! You're so right! Who wouldnt wanna pay 250 bucks just so you can buy overpriced 10 year old games! Cmon, its about the now. I've been playing those games on my computer for free for years. Games now are what matters. And nintendo's library still can't compete w/xbox lives market place. sony too for that matter (now at least). Things come and go, Nintendo is trying to change the game model and kudos to them. but don't use stupid arguements, it makes you and your nintendo fanboys look retarded.

  • chocolate1325

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 1:26 pm PT

    Every consoles gonna have it's big games. I agree Nintendo can't compete with PS3 and XBox360 for Graphics but it's the games that matter and all three will have top quality titles. Nintendo has Mario Galaxy, Sony has Metal Gear Solid 4 and XBox360 Halo 3. What is gonna happen in the next few years no can predict which console will outsell the other but it's going to be a close thing between the 3 of them.

  • dhghunter

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 1:21 pm PT

    Ironic that he uses the Internet to put his ideas out there, which was also labeled a fad at one point... =)

  • Sexy_Yofu

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 1:20 pm PT

    dmastor.....you noob. How can you call yourself a gamer when you don't even know how old the PS2 is? 8 years old? So the PS2 was released in 1998? Wow. That's news to me!
    And you clearly don't even respect the classics!
    GTFO idiot.

  • g-master999

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 1:16 pm PT

    *sigh* So he's basically saying the Wii will fail because it's as worthless as Furbies and real gamers are graphics whores?
    I doubt many mainstream fads have an effin' LIBRARY OF 20+ YEARS WORTH OF GAMES for download. (Just to name one of it's features.
    And I'm sure Twilight Princess or Wii Sports are gonna be worthless in a year while others will be experiencing load screens in HD.

  • xElite_GameRx

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 1:11 pm PT

    whats wrong with going back to classics if your bored of the wii? I have played zelda and wii sports and yet I went and bought a PS3. I also plan on getting an xbox360 elite just in time for Halo3 beta. I don't know how long wii's 15 minutes of fame will lasts, but the number of people buying HDTV's is growing and so will the number buying 360 or PS3

  • dmastor

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:52 pm PT

    @ funky_muzic can i get a group of people to tell him shut-up your next system is going to be an PS2? an 8 year old system wow u a real gamer and u still play an nintendo 64

  • funky_muzic

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:46 pm PT

    I know it's not the first time you've heard it, competition between consoles is GOOD for gamers...hey, that's us! So before you hate on your PS3 because it cost $600 and there's only one good game out, or your XBox 360 because it broke, again...and this is the second one you've purchased in 18 months, remember that the competition is good for us. Wait, did that sound biased?? Sorry, just trying to be funny. I've been saying this since Nintendo announce the Gamecube 2.0 (or Wii), but everything comes down to the games. In fact, I can pretty much narrow it down to one or two games as the reason for every console I've ever puchased (killer apps!).
    NES - Baseball Stars (along with Metroid, Zelda, Super Mario Bros.)
    Super NES - Super Mario World
    N64 - Mario 64
    PS1 - Resident Evil
    Gamecube - The Anticipation of the new Zelda & Mario games
    Wii - Zelda TP
    I would bet that the next console I purchase is not a PS3 or an XBox 360, but a PS2. If I had the money (and time for online play), then I'd probably buy a 360. But, I want to get a PS2 for the many killer apps (some of which are bargain priced now): GTA 3, GTA San Andreas, Silent Hill 2, God of War (1 & 2)...I think that would be enough to tide me over for now. What do you think?

  • Cash2200

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:39 pm PT

    gravidtron-

    No dude. Its actually the opposite. If your a horny pre-puberty 12 year old and you see how GOW or Oblivion or Resistance looks vs. looking at wii sports or red steel, you dont have to be a video game "hobbyist" to kno which games look better.

  • CaptainCrazy

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:38 pm PT

    I think this guy is dead wrong about the Wii. He just doesn't want to accept the fact that Nintendo came up with the secret formula of success for the system. It's a runaway hit because yes it is innovative, it is very fun and it's cheap! I'll admit that graphics suck but the mainstream or non-gamers don't necessarily know what their missing on the other systems so it's not a big deal for Nintendo.

  • packernation31

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:38 pm PT

    i couldnt agree more. The wii is basically a fad and no more. It is the most innovative and "coolest" console out there, that being the reason why it will not last. If it had quality games and graphics, maybe it could last a little bit longer

  • BILLNYE6983

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:38 pm PT

    Fisher-Price,

    "I will say with all my heart that Wii's are very, very fun (and for those that say they aren't, I suggest they go play Wario Ware Smooth Moves now). However, I too am starting to see them more as a fad than a proper console. I blame this mostly on the lack of really good games. By trying to appeal to non-gamers with it's crazy motion sensored controller, Nintendo has actually taken a step backwards and this is shown by the few classic games on the console. The GameCube may have not sold well, but at least It was trying to improve it's already fantastic formulas. Only Nintendo would have been as daring as to completely change a tried and tested control scheme for something completely different, and in some respects I applaud them, after all the Wii is fun to play. However, lets just say thatI'll be sticking to the Xbox 360, a console that has improved in everyway andis near faultless (in my opinion) and it's wide range of game that truly feel 'next-gen'. "

    I totally agree with your Wii comments, it's like they turned their back on the fan base (that I WAS a part of). However calling the 360 flawless (the word I think you were looking for) is far from the truth, you should never just settle and think something is amazing cause you think something is isn't. Regardless of whatever you like, none of you people here are experts, Hastings is a game developer and he gave actual reasons to why the PS3, in his opinion, will come out on top and be the best console. It's fine if you don't agree but he still makes good, valid points so don't act like he's making stuff up. One thing I want to stop hearing is that PSN isn't good, I heard someone trying to say it's slow and it lags which if you have actually played a game on PSN you would know that that is false, I know the PS3 has bad points but at least pick the right ones...

  • raziellich

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:26 pm PT

    Basicacly. The next Ratchet game is a ps3 exclusive. I'll be getting a ps3

  • couchpotatoe387

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:22 pm PT

    For those who say that third party development is weak for the Wii or that one or more of the consoles doesn't and will not have any good upcoming titles take a look at the following links.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_games
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360_games
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ps3_games

  • DrCLos

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:14 pm PT

    I should say that I have converted ALL my friends to buying a Wii and ditching the PS3 by doing one thing only... Letting them play it. Now those same friends want to come over all the time to play Wii Sports since they can't find a Wii. They get really excited. Just play the Wii. You WILL be converted.

  • couchpotatoe387

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 12:10 pm PT

    Several assumtions are being made about all three of the consoles and I find it more than a little disheartening. It's okay to predict what will happen to the three consoles but to arrogantly dismiss any of them is bordering on fanboy hysteria. The bottom line is don't dismiss any console without looking at the future releases because the most important factor in the success of a console is its games. Looking at the upcoming games for all three consoles one can only help but realize that all three will have incredible games. Looks to me that no matter what system we gamers choose, we all win. ESPECIALLY if you're looking to the future.

    So before you diss Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft go check out the upcoming games because it is in the games where a systems greatness lies.

  • Fisher-Price

    Posted Mar 29, 2007 11:36 am PT

    I will say with all my heart that Wii's are very, very fun (and for those that say they aren't, I suggest they go play Wario Ware Smooth Moves now). However, I too am starting to see them more as a fad than a proper console. I blame this mostly on the lack of really good games. By trying to appeal to non-gamers with it's crazy motion sensored controller, Nintendo has actually taken a step backwards and this is shown by the few classic games on the console. The GameCube may have not sold well, but at least It was trying to improve it's already fantastic formulas. Only Nintendo would have been as daring as to completely change a tried and tested control scheme for something completely different, and in some respects I applaud them, after all the Wii is fun to play. However, lets just say thatI'll be sticking to the Xbox 360, a console that has improved in everyway andis near faultless (in my opinion) and it's wide range of game that truly feel 'next-gen'.

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