Why the Playstation 3 has ruled me for 2 weeks...

I have long been a fan of Microsoft's Xbox 360. And yes, I have had one console die on me. It has always been something about the layout of the software. I always felt it was so easy to use. Looking back, this is what I call the Windows Mindset. But this isn't about Microsoft, the 360, or Windows.

I bought a PS3 with backwards compatibility. Not sure why they did away with it in later models, it is a wonderful feature. But wow, talk about an open platform. My wife and I played a few games when we first got it, but mostly I was dying to push the hardware and software to see how far the package would take me. This processor is supposed to be the future, right?

So I installed Linux. I installed Yellow Dog Linux. Don't be fooled, it isn't easy to do. The cell processor runs on a Power PC architecture and is complicated by having 9 (or 8, depending on if you count the system-reserved one) cores upon which to process data. Sadly, Linux dragged, the PS3 only has 256MB of RAM. I don't really understand why they skimped on that, as it seems important. Of course, some would see that as the Windows Mindset speaking (need at least 3 GB of RAM to run Vista).

So the Linux operating system failed. Yet the PS3 still shone for me, like a beacon as I came out of the Xbox 360 fog. Throughout the installation, the PS3 operating system never fought me and waited patiently as I tried to replace him. I backed up the hard drive several times that day, and never had a problem with my (luckily only one) save game. Never any corruption issues, or strange back-end permissions that keep you from doing what you feel you are entitled to do. Why shouldn't I be able to take my songs, save games, or profiles with me to use on a friend's console? I say that because I once removed the hard drive with all my Rock Band 2 songs, and took them to a friend's house. We couldn't access any of the songs. No explanation, just no. I was able to sign into my profile and everything, but could not play the songs. It was maddening.

Here, in the Playstation 3, lies an open and complete platform. Have an emergency? Backup your data. Want to watch a movie? Which genre? Would you like to buy or rent the movie?

Oh, and lastly, I'm glad I waited this long. When the PS3 first came out, I was disgusted by the original Sixaxis feather-weight controller. I'd forget I was even holding the thing. The Dualshock 2, if you didn't know, is the optimal weight.

My one, and last criticism of the PS3 controller is that the x button doesn't seem as pressure sensitive. I say that because Gran Turismo 4 on PS2 had a nice feel to the x button. It was difficult, but I could feather the throttle around turns a little. In the PS3, its all or nothing. Of course, that could just be because I was emulating. I doubt the controller's sensitivity is tuned exactly the same as the PS2 controllers. Some would say, "Declining to step forward is really a step backward."

Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox console

If you haven't already seen it, I suggest you go look at this:



Tell me that doesnt' look amazing. I'm not a drooling typical fan of Halo 3, but the 4-play coop and this kinda thing is well-placed marketing by Bungie/Microsoft. The coloring and contrast of the console is just dead-on.

Yet, the negative part about this is that its just not... all that great. I was hoping that it would be an elite console painted this nice color, but its actually a downgrade. I took this list from Xbox.com's page of features:

• Halo 3 Special Edition Console
• Halo 3 Special Edition Wireless Controller
• Halo 3 Special Edition 20GB Hard Drive
• Halo 3 Special Edition Wired Headset
• Halo 3 Special Edition Gamer Pics and Theme (Exclusive download via Xbox LIVE)
• Component HD AV Cable
• Ethernet Cable
• HDMI Port
• Play & Charge Kit
• Xbox LIVE Silver Membership
• One-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership
• Halo 3 game not included—sold separately

Compared to the Elite, this just doesn't quite cut it for me. Maybe its the missing 120GB hard drive. Put that on one of these, and you have an instant sale to me, your typical customer.

Why not just do this? Make these things customizable? Upgradeable IN STORE. I mean, why should I buy a whole new hard drive just to have my old one sitting around at home. Seems silly. Make it like a sandwich from Subway. I want cucumbers, please, and hold the onions.

World of Warcraft entering a new status:

Its dumb. Seriously, World of Warcraft is really dumb. In fact, its so dumb, I just looked the word dumb up in the thesaurus to better describe it. I can't say its brainless, but I will say it is ill-advised decision to start playing it. Here's a symptom of its now horrid state:

I once went to this "party" (can barely call it a party as all we did was listen to the hostess whine cause she was a dumb bitch, and there was no alcohol around to help me tell her to shut her stupid mouth.). Anyway, about halfway through, I was sitting on the couch, and this new girl comes in, and so now, there are like 6 people at the party, and ya know what they all start talking about?

They start talking about their World of Warcraft characters.

They seriously started talking about their World of Warcraft characters.

Let me say this one more time:
I WAS AT A PARTY AND THESE PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT WORLD OF WARCRAFT.


Needless to say, I'm not friends with any of those people of those people at that party anymore. The game isn't even that good. But I'm a dork, and you don't find me going off to parties, even ones withOUT alcohol, and discussing World of fucking Warcraft, or Forza Motorsports 2. Don't fucking DISCUSS THEM. I just don't get it, I hope the MMO genre dies, or gets a makeover.

I kinda sympathize with the Chinese government with their, "Hey, if you play too many hours on MMOs, we'll send you to prison." Honestly, I knew this other guy who'd rather play WoW than attend the anime club meetings. And this was why he was treasurer. Get a fucking life, I mean, shouldn't you wake up some day and say, "holy shit, I didn't do anything yesterday at all, including not going to class and missing a test and its because of WoW! Maybe I should curb my habit a little bit."

Nope, they don't do that. They end up moving back in with their parents and having "no life" like the South Park episode (now available on Xbox Live if you're interested). If you like WoW, move to China and get arrested, please.