I am both a gamer, and generally an early adopter of technology. Though I've had the opportunity to do so, I haven't yet found a compelling reason to plop down $600 on a PS3. I actually don't mind the price - for what you're getting, $600 is a steal. But, why set myself back a couple hundred bucks, when the PS3 hasn't yet shown us why its more than the sum of its parts? At the present time, there isn't a system-selling exclusive, and it is generally agreed that every cross-platform game available now is better on the Xbox 360. I love the 360 because it works so well. I like the fact that I can be playing Alien Hominid, and when my friend gets online, he can invite me to play some Gears of War, and I can seamlessly transition from one game to another, or chat with him while I finish out a game of Uno and he plays Ghost Recon. I like the fact that on the 360, I get public recognition for my in-game achievements. Who knew they were going to be so addictive? Honestly, when it comes down to a cross-platform game, I'll choose the 360 version for the potential for achievements, even if the PS3 has an edge in terms of graphics. But, on Tuesday, I will be buying a PS3. Not because there is a compelling game right now (there isn't), but because I want to be able to watch Casino Royale in the highest-definition possible. Generally, I'm opposed to using game systems to watch movies, as I don't want to place non-game-related wear on the disc drive, but right now, the PS3 is the cheapest way to watch Blu-Ray. As much as I tried to resist it, here I am, willing to throw down because James Bond will be on an unproven technology, but one that is superior to DVD. As an added bonus, I get a game system that will one day be necessary, but that's just gravy right now, since I won't be buying any games that day except God of War II. Since the rumors are that Sony won't cut the price until the new Cell manufacture takes over in 2009, I figure there's no reason to wait it out. I recognize, though, that Blu-Ray is unproven, as is HD-DVD. Again, this is an area where I have refused to make a purchase commitment. Blu-Ray may have more backing, but Sony has had terrible luck pushing proprietary formats. Matters aren't helped by the fact that dual-format releases so far have looked better on HD-DVD, which may tip the balance in Toshiba's favor. In the end, though, if Blu-Ray fails (and it may very well fail), with a PS3, I'm not stuck with a piece of useless technology as I would if I were to buy a stand-alone Blu-Ray player. So, Sony, you've done it. You've broken me down. But, don't think it's because of your games or your Cell Processor. Instead, you should give thanks to a British secret agent who after 44 years, many thought was obsolete.
A biig vote to the collective World War II experience. No other wartime era was marked with such an undying sense of patriotism and individual responsibility.
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