Sixdust Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 (edited) Source a rumor story on the site about a possible announcement of a new technology coming to Sony's Playstation 3. The Playstation Home, we reported, would be an intriguing blending of the Mii and achievements, allowing gamers to create a virtual world for customized avatars and then decorate that space with items unlocked through game play. What readers couldn't have known was the great lengths we went to to try and pin down the veracity of the rumor before publishing and, when finally deciding to go live with the rumor, to make sure we put it in the correct context. In so doing, Sony asked us not to publish the story, first nicely, then not so much. Sony Computer Entertainment of American representatives reminded us that the story was a rumor and then went on to say that publishing it could harm our professional relationship with them. When I responded that we were going forward with the story and that sometimes news doesn't come from official sources I was told that if we published we would likely be blackballed by the company. Specifically, they said we would be asked to return our debug PS3, uninvited from all meetings scheduled with Sony at GDC, including one on blogger relations and a one-on-one with Phil Harrison, and that they would no longer deal with us. Knowing that, we went forward with the story, choosing not to point out the threats. Shortly after the story ran, and I forwarded it to Dave Karraker, the senior director of corporate communications for Sony Computer Entertainment of America, to point out we did decide to run it. Here was his response: Brian, This is an email I was really hoping I would never have to write, but it is what it is. When I came on board here at Sony, I made every effort to be as inclusive as possible to media and the blogging community in an effort to improve previously damaged relationships. This included getting people access to executives, opening our events to more individuals and personally responding as quickly as possible to inquiries. This was done in good faith with the thought that the people I was working with would operate with the same integrity and courtesy I think I demonstrated when I was a reporter. Basically, I went out on a limb for a lot of people -- people SCEA PR and SCEA management had written off. I caught a lot of flack for it from folks, but I felt strongly it was the right thing to do. I am very disappointed that after trying to work with you as closely as possible and provide you and your team with access and information, you chose to report on this rumor.... I can't defend outlets that can't work cooperatively with us. So, it is for this reason, that we will be canceling all further interviews for Kotaku staff at GDC and will be dis-inviting you to our media event next Tuesday. Until we can find a way to work better together, information provided to your site will only be that found in the public forum. Again, I take absolutely no joy in sending you this note, but given the situation you have put me into, I have no choice. Dave Karraker Sr. Director, Corporate Communications Sony Computer Entertainment America I obviously took no joy in receiving it, though I do believe it adds to the veracity of our initial rumor report. As I told Dave Karraker in reply, this only highlights the differences between what PR people do for a living and what journalists do. Dave, Obviously I disagree with your decision, but it sounds like your mind is made up. I think this only highlights the differences that PR people and journalists have. My interest is not in making sure that Sony has positive news or that the timing of their news is correct, my job only is to inform the readers of news as quickly and accurately as I can. Hopefully, one day this dispute will settle down and you will reopen communication with us. Know this, while I disagree with this decision and think it is a monumental mistake, it will not effect our continuing coverage of Sony and the gaming software and hardware your company makes and supports. Take care, Brian Sony's decision is disappointing, not because of what it means to Kotaku, but because of what it means to the industry. Wow $ony, just wow. I am just baffled by your retarded behavior. How can you rule for two generations and then just continue to load bullets into your machine gun, and fill your self full of lead, here I was thinking that good games could change my mind and everyone elses since competition is good. Sony fans, your feelings? Kotaku is one of the bigger gaming blogs out there. Canceling contacts over a rumor to one of your biggest forms of advertisement and spread of new games is just suicide. And with the Europe launch closing in, negative press continuing to come in, $ony's full of crap attitude, and in general cocky ways is going to lead their blu-ray trojan horse off a cliff. They continue to say they are trying to keep up with demand, even though demand has been met, the things are stacking up in all stores. EVERY gaming store I have walked into has had atleast 3 units in stock, one store (best buy( having a pile of 30, 10 behind glass, and an assload in the back. ( I asked the dude how many they had and he took me to the front of the stock room, just peeking and showed me the 60+ in the back of the store. I am done, things need to change, otherwise $ony is not getting another cent from me. Oh and quoted so there isnt a change in opinion, straight from the P$3 forums I don't feel sorry for them at all. Good riddance....all they did was put a negative spin on any Sony related news they posted so why should they get to go to Sony events? I am glad Kotaku was shown the finger.....it couldn't have happened sooner. - sainraja @ the p$3forums good job sony dont take that bleep from sites like that this is why i like sony they had it coming....once again good job @MMFF Edited March 1, 2007 by Sixdust Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCspeed34 Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 Can you give a link or take a screenshot of those quoted posts? Not that I dont believe them or anything, but just for some concrete facts, ya know And also, I noticed the bullsh*t about demand. EVery time I walk into Target the SAME three PS3's are sitting there gathering dust... while they are out of stock of everything Wii, even display stands... Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4074895 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixdust Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 Can you give a link or take a screenshot of those quoted posts? Not that I dont believe them or anything, but just for some concrete facts, ya know And also, I noticed the bullsh*t about demand. EVery time I walk into Target the SAME three PS3's are sitting there gathering dust... while they are out of stock of everything Wii, even display stands... PS3 forums Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075006 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIP YEK NOD Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 lmfao. "hey, lots of gamers read this site, and we want gamers to buy our ps3, what should we do" "hmm, how about we bully the site for a bit, then sh*t all over them" "brilliant! that will make people love us" Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075117 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixdust Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 (edited) Well it seems that the PR department couldn't stand anymore bullets and SONY APOLOGIZED TO KOTAKU Here It's good to here, and almost earth shattering that Sony actually apologized for something. Let's hope that this good news can keep on rolling such as rumble and the rip off mii/achievements system. We will still remember what occured here though, we won't forget, the internet knows all about it. Step it up, and those stock piles will diminish. Edited March 2, 2007 by Sixdust Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075134 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIP YEK NOD Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 lol, yeah. i just read that on kotaku. 3 hours from blackball to big hug. in the end, sony will likely suffer, and kotakus hits will go up. its a shame it happened in the first place, but its nice to see it was corrected. still, it brings up the question: what the f*ck was karaker thinking? did he think that if he threatened kotaku hard enough they would cave and become sonys slaves? he obviously didn't expect the entire thing to be revealed(for some reason) hence the sudden making up over the phone. boy, what a couple of hours Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075150 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iminicus Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 I am not going to bag on Sony. I am not going to rant about anything, but I would like to say this: 'From the view of a Sony Product Buyer/ Consumer, the actions taken by Sony since the announcement of the Playstation 3 and the following battles with the media, the opposition, and the consumer. I feel betrayed by Sony, as it seems they don't have the best interests of the consumer on their minds.' Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075155 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cran. Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Sony are f*cking idiots. WOW, they posted an article about a rumor, big f*cking deal. I'm not surprised to see them change their minds and kiss 'n make up. I think they've finally got it through their thick f*cking heads that any (i.e. bad) publicity doesn't always mean good publicity. I love how sainraja is acting all hardcore and happy about it, especially now when they've kissed and made up! I'm waiting for him to turn up and try to change his opinion. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075513 Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthYENIK Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Interesting story. I can see both sides, Sony's in that they don't want information leaked at wrong time economically. But I also see the Kotaku side in the freedom of the press. I lean toward the Press' side. Sony shouldn't have been so rash. If I were them I would have asked nicely to not publish, and then promise exclusives on the story later on, but that's just me. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exkabewbikadid Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 I love how sainraja is acting all hardcore and happy about it, especially now when they've kissed and made up! I'm waiting for him to turn up and try to change his opinion. That's all he's ever done and that post he made just reiterates that he will always side with anything Sony does no matter how irrational it may be, which ultimately seats him of the position of eating his own words everytime they backtrack. What a tool. There needs to be a Sony PR massacre so the company has a chance to redeem itself and possibly become the leading innovative company it once was. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075556 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cran. Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 I think they're in too deep now - They've pissed off the most of what was it's fan base, including me. Still wish I had my PS1. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075569 Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRloading Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 lawrd~ whoever's handling their PR be handling it like britney acts all stern and tough and blueballs kotaku, yeah maybe they had the right to do so, but they reacted all paranoid to the situation now they're all kiss-kissy make-up fairly good product, bad marketing... so sad Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4075592 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brutuz Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 fairly good product, bad marketing... so sad Thats exactly whats wrong with the PS3, either they've gotten Arrogant from having two top consoles in a row, or they've got new PR guys. Who can't do PR to save their life. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4076591 Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.A.B. Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I don't feel sorry for them at all. Good riddance....all they did was put a negative spin on any Sony related news they posted so why should they get to go to Sony events? I am glad Kotaku was shown the finger.....it couldn't have happened sooner. - sainraja @ the p$3forums Negative spin? I read the story, there wasn't anything negative about it. God forbid bloggers and the media actually try to do their job. They could've just not commented on it, but this basically confirms the so called "rumor". What Sony is basically trying to do here is control the media and get the stories out whenever the hell they want it to. That's not how journalism works, they don't work for your benefit and how you want them to, they work for the people. About the new feature:I'm hearing it's a rip off of some Nintendo feature? I wouldn't know though, seeing as how I don't own a Wii. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4076607 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixdust Posted March 3, 2007 Author Share Posted March 3, 2007 Ah well, I didn't think Sony was wrong on this one. They told Kotaku what would happen....and Kotaku CHOSE to take that risk. What they posted about the event doesn't really bother me that much other than the fact that Kotaku posted the e-mail between them and Sony. That was just stupid. I guess good for Sony....they stopped it before it got worse. -our biggest fan/sony supporter via ps3forums Wow. Be bullied by the big nasty corporation, or actually just continue to nibble the company cock. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4076721 Share on other sites More sharing options...
_-playero-_ Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Sony commited suicide? A $40B company? Agh, to be honest I don't give a sh*t about PR. Sure this is a problem for them and whatever. To me, I just want to play MGS4.... Which makes me wonder why the hell am I even posting.... back to Stickman! Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4076857 Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.A.B. Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Ah well, I didn't think Sony was wrong on this one. They told Kotaku what would happen....and Kotaku CHOSE to take that risk. What they posted about the event doesn't really bother me that much other than the fact that Kotaku posted the e-mail between them and Sony. That was just stupid. I guess good for Sony....they stopped it before it got worse. -our biggest fan/sony supporter via ps3forums Wow. Be bullied by the big nasty corporation, or actually just continue to nibble the company cock. This isn't the first time they've bullied a smaller company (well...kotaku isn't a company, but you know what I mean). Remember Lik Sang? Link 2 straight out of existence for importing. God forbid PSP's actually begin to sell. Agh, to be honest I don't give a sh*t about PR. Sure this is a problem for them and whatever. To me, I just want to play MGS4.... Which makes me wonder why the hell am I even posting.... This reminds me about the time when I went into a topic about pedophilia in America and screamed I DONT GIVE A sh*t ABOUT THIS TOPIC, I think it really struck a chord with the voters Ah well, I didn't think Sony was wrong on this one. They told Kotaku what would happen....and Kotaku CHOSE to take that risk. I LOVE TO TAKE IT UP THE ASS BY GIANT CORPORATIONS AND GET BULLIED ALSO Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4076964 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tornado Rex Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Here's what I don't get about what Sony did. They've been getting bashed and bashed since they started f*cking up the PS3. Doing nothing right one might say. Now finally they start getting some good news out there. Hell, when this rumor got "leaked" (or whatever you want to call it) there was actually good buzz about Sony going around and people were even thinking the PS3 might make a mini-comeback. Then Sony pulls this bullsh*t and what happens? They lose more customers because of it. I mean sh*t Sony, how many more f*ck ups do you need before you realize something is wrong with your approach? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4076976 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMFF Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 good job sony dont take that bleep from sites like that this is why i like sony they had it coming....once again good job @MMFF Ehh, not me. Just a guy with the same sig. There is quite a few people with this sig floating around the PS forums. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4077524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthYENIK Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Is that an actual quote in your sig, or what? Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4079493 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMFF Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Lol, no. Just kinda sums up Microsoft's campaign. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4079985 Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyman237 Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 Wow, sony just don't get what their doing is stupid, they are just making less and less people want to buy their machine. And then they go and apoligise to them. Thay have messed up lots recently. But still, it's not gonna change my mind about my preordered PS3. Only three more weeks to go now, the games still win me over. Link to comment https://gtaforums.com/topic/268405-ony-commits-suicide/#findComment-4080053 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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