Microsoft spoils Sony's European PS3 Launch

[Wenis]

Quote:It's pretty common knowledge that the PS3 is a bit more expensive than a Xbox 360. In Europe the difference in price is around £146, something Microsoft really wanted to hit home with their latest generous offering. This afternoon, over at the CVG offices, they received a special delivery of £146 worth of Fosters beer, rolled in by beer couriers, and sent to them by none other than Microsoft. Perplexed by Microsoft's sudden generosity, they opened the attached note which read;

"What would you purchase for £146...? (The price difference between an Xbox 360 and a PlayStaion 3) Well, for a start we thought you might like £146 worth of beer to kick start your weekend early."

What a great point Microsoft, we would have never thought to purchase beer with all of the money we've saved. But why you didn't share the beer love with Fanboy Towers? We're still a little confused to exactly how much beer one could purchase with the savings in US currency, so we'd welcome the knowledge. Lucky CVG writers ... they get all the drunken fun on Microsoft's tab.

Source

Quote:With the Playstation 3's Europe launch underway Microsoft had to get creative with various ways to spoil Sony's launch fun. So, during the PS3 launch festivities in France, those who lined up to purchase a PS3 were surprised to see a message from the Xbox team. Microsoft hired a boat to cruise the river near the PS3 launch party with a banner on its side reading "Xbox 360 Loves You". You can see the commotion the boat created in the French video embedded after the break. Between this and the beer delivery we're not sure what has gotten into the Xbox 360 marketing team ... but we definitely like it. Remember gamers, the 360 will love you for who you are and not for how much you spend on it.

Source

Quote:Microsoft had one goal in mind for the European Playstation 3 launch ... be annoying. The Xbox marketing team did everything in their power to humiliate, taunt, and make fun of Sony's launch, all with a smile and a devilish whit. We mentioned France's love boat and the Foster's beer delivery, but there were a few more incidents we didn't acknowledge.

-During the PS3 launch in France, the Xbox team sent out text messages to anyone who'd accept them wishing everyone great night.

-More beer was delivered.

-If you were a waiting in line for a PS3 in the UK, the Xbox team handed out chairs to sit on with a URL on the back. The website, toolate, taunts the PS3 by saying "Xbox welcomes PS3 to the next generation. Sony ... you're late! Let the games begin."

-There were also reports that Microsoft employees were standing on nearby rooftops blowing whistles to drown out Sony's press conference talk.

Whether you find these acts hilarious, creative, immature, or evil there's no doubt Microsoft stirred up some negative PR for Sony's European launch. This is the time when we ask ... can't we all just get along?

Source

Well seeing as I'm not much of a fan of either, I found this pretty funny. I can see how alot of Sony fans would be p*ssed off about this, and Microsoft fans would find it hilarious.

(I wasn't sure if i should post this in xbox or ps3 forums, so i went ahead and posted it here, but you can move it if it needs to be)

[Kindrik]

If I was a huge PS3 fan, or if this happened while I was in line for Wii I wouldn't have really cared. I probably would've laughed.

[Irony]

I love microsoft europe.

They are role models for us all

[Cypher]

Being in Media, i would say that the creative minds at Microsoft were smart...  Pure evil, satanic, sadistic, but still smart

*starts filling out application to Microsoft PR dept.*

u=o

[LemonManX]

I laughed when I saw this picture, mostly because its Microsoft advertising at the PS3 launch.

[Wii_Rulez]

lol, I also read a G4 article about Sony giving away HD tvs to the first hundred people who bought one somewhere in Europe and also how in france hardly anyone bought one.

[ManaBurnX]

Funny thing to do on Microsoft's part. I really laughed when I saw the pictures.

[gft77]

So what does 146 cans of beer say to the 13 year old buying an Xbox 360? Maybe they should have had the equivalent to $146 worth of condoms in a box too

[pizzaturdell]

Yea but its Fosters, that stuff is like drinking cold piss...If it were Leffe or Delerium, then maybe I'd commend whoever took the pic...very classy...

[gft77]

lol This is how long you can have this hooker for $146....maybe they could have a cage beside the system with that sign

[Count]

Microsoft is smart, but im sure they angered the cub Sony, and the Lion in this case is Microsoft.

[gft77]

Microsoft is smart? Wasn't there a huge issue at getting their systems at launch, and if I remember correctly, haven't people had tons of issue with the systems having to send them back? Maybe I just heard wrong and the friends and relatives who have send their 360's back to microsoft 3X plus must have been flukes

[greaserlee]

yep. this thread definitely belongs here.

[Count]

greenfrogthing77 Wrote:Microsoft is smart? Wasn't there a huge issue at getting their systems at launch, and if I remember correctly, haven't people had tons of issue with the systems having to send them back? Maybe I just heard wrong and the friends and relatives who have send their 360's back to microsoft 3X plus must have been flukes

Meh, One console is selling and the other one isn't. To make it easier for you to understand the 360 is selling

[gft77]

Let's all remember that the PS3 was launched in November 2006 and the Xbox was in 2005. I don't think there's much microsoft can do to spoil any Sony success. I think if Sony is gonna blunder, it will be on their heads.

[«Hammy»]

cool stuff, and a nice move on Microsoft's part

[Count]

greenfrogthing77 Wrote:Let's all remember that the PS3 was launched in November 2006 and the Xbox was in 2005. I don't think there's much microsoft can do to spoil any Sony success. I think if Sony is gonna blunder, it will be on their heads.

I dont hate Sony, And I dont care if they succeed or not, but Sony isn't going anywhere this year, until they get there GOOD Games out, that arent going to the 360.

[gft77]

Cloud Wrote:The normal price was $659.99 For a ps3 and the price went up majorly, thats why I complain.

Either way, the PS3 is already a failure.

At least you've gone back a little on the statement above...So now you think the PS3 might be decent once a couple good exclusive games come out.  

I do agree though with you Cloud, I think it'll take a couple good games, because why would anyone by a game for the PS3 when they could spend less and play it on the Xbox 360