The Wii is outselling PS3 around the world
Much of the malaise started when angry British bloggers began undermining the reputation of the final next generation console the day it was announced that we'd get the PS3 three months after all other regions.
Unfortunately this has backfired for the publisher, as software reviews from our North American and Japanese counterparts have revealed that there's not a star in the launch line-up.
Even more telling is that the Nintendo Wii, once the underdog, is currently out-selling the PS3 by almost twice as many units. Eek.
"The 'Emotion Engine' is being removed from our PS3s to support price cuts."
To add further insult to injury, reports are being thrown around that we'll be paying two times more for less-powerful PS3 consoles.
The 'Emotion Engine', a bit of tech included in the machine and used to play PS1 and PS2 on the new console, is being removed from our PS3s to support price cuts for the already months-old hardware in Japan and North America.
On the other hand, interesting creative types are lining up to share the spotlight with the PS3 brand, creating viral products and events that make Sony look extremely cool.
This veneer should be enough to help the PlayStation3 campaign break even, but the bad taste in the mouths of the European gamer contingent may thwart the hopes for continued market leadership.
Are we witnessing the toppling of one of gaming's most powerful players?
Published 27th February 2007
Our monthly columnist Aleks Krotoski has had enough of orcs and elves. Will there be a fairy tale ending?
The PS3 launch has raised the console wars to the next level. Tell us which one gets your vote.
