Well, afters spending a bit of time in the other "Why you don't own a PS3" thread and since I have some time on my hands now, I thought I could elaborate on my earlier post, that might spark some constructive discussion as in the other topic:
Phil said:
Voted "I'm just not interested in the console" and I guess that's as truthful as I can be.
Let me start by saying: If their wasn't a PS3, I probably would own a X360 already. :smile:
So what does the PS3 do so much better in my eyes that makes it more attractive than the overall "cheaper with more games X360"?
1.) marketing / representation
When I look at the PS3, I look at something more than just a console. It's what SCE always marketed it would be. A computer entertainment system. While the X360 could very well be viewed as one as well (given the functionality matches that of the PS3), Microsoft certainly markets its console differently. Everything from how the X360 looks, the gamepad, the whole XMB, the marketing behind it just screams [expensive] toy or console. When I look at the PS3 however, it could just as easily be mistaken for a very expensive sleek... box of some kind. Most people that don't know what the PS3 is would probably mistake one at first glance for something entirely else, certainly not a machine to play games.
The design, while big, is unarguably very sleek. Even if it's placednext to high end equipment or fancy designer racks, it just looks right. It's not just a thing about how the case looks. When hooked up to a beamer or TV, it displays as much elegance as it does just sitting there on its own being powered off. In fact, I'd buy a PS3 even if it were just to use it solely as a standalone BRD player or to stream my contents over a mediaserver or browse the internet occasionally on the big screen. I wouldn't mind turning it on to play background music or videos when I have visitors over that don't play (or look down) at games. In fact, everyone I've showed the PS3 streaming things over my mediaserver and having the great music backgrounds (especially the planet earth/sun stuff) was immediately impressed and stunned. And the best thing is - it's not just the music player that impresses. Everything from the moment you turn it on from the "Sony Computer Entertainment" logo appearing to the sound it makes right up to the whole XMB impresses. Having it run over the projector displaying a screen size of roughly 120inch (diagonal) is great.
When I compare that to the X360 - regardless of console or XMB design, I cringe. It's colourful, bloated, packed with logos, tabs, etc. It's not comparable in any sense. It really looks dated - or simply like a console I guess.
Even the controller looks a bit clumsy (comfortable it very well may be) on the X360 and having it sit there in its grey/white finnish on my glass table draws far too much attention to its presence. Compared that to the sixaxis/dualshock that hardly draws any attention at all and despite it being a game controller, it's as sleek as the whole unit IMO. Maybe it's the size of the controller, or just the colour. It just fits.
Now to all you already wanting to respond, read the whole post first, because what counts is the sum of all factors.
2. pricing / value
While the Xbox360 is certainly cheaper, I don't like their pricing policy at all, not since day 1. I remember clearly when the Xbox360 launched in the US - either a HD less version for $299 or the version with HD and some stuff for $399. If you bought the Arcade version for the lowest price, you would be forced to buy either overpriced memorycards or harddrives at some time in the future. Even if a memorycard is included, it just isn't realistic to expect that to be sufficient over time and a with a handfull of games. When I look at what Microsoft charges for their accessories, I can't feel but being ripped-off.
Sure, you can say that the entry price point to start gaming is a lot lower. On the other hand, anyone that will take his hobby of playing games seriously will absolutely need to buy those expensive accessories - starting with either a harddrive or a larger memorycard. Once they do, those very people will end up spending more than if they had bought the $399 version in the first place.
Still, $399 to $499 for a PS3 is still a difference, but for that $100 you do get a BRD player and free online service included. Include that into the Xbox price plan (just the online service) and difference shrinks.
Even if you have to admit by the end of the day that the "gaming experience" is cheaper on the Xbox360, it's not a very large difference. If we stick to that $100 difference (which amounts to nearly 2 games or 25% more), it's a $100 difference over the course of what, 4 years? So in other words, $100 is $25 a year more or roughly $2 a month. Now how much does a live gold subscription cost over the course of 5 years? Even if you don't need it - having to spend $100 more initially isn't all that much over the period of 5 years IMO to make it a huge difference and favour one console over the other. Especially if you get free BRD thrown in there, not to mention HDMI output and potentially 1080p games.
3. Launch timing and the games
Before the PS3 launched, I was a PS2 owner so that certainly helped lure me back to Sony's console. Being of the gamers that loved the games associated with the Sony brand, I wasn't even going to consider the X360. Among my most played games on PS2, were the Final Fantasy series, Gran Turismo, Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, Metal Gear Solid, WipEout, GTA3, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil. Most of these games are not exclusive to the Sony brand anymore (some never were, like GTA), but at the time, getting those on a future PS3 was the best bet. I happen to love Japanese games too with the Xbox failing in Japan, the PS3 would be surely hard to beat.
Adding to that, that the PS2 was still giving me heaps of play time with new games such as Final Fantasy XII, I wasn't really interested in already upgrading.
Perhaps if I ignore my PS2 background and assume I'm in the market for a console today and without much gaming history, I think I would still buy the PS3 for the games. The exclusives interest me a lot more than the games that are exclusive to the Xbox360. While multiplatform games may be better on Microsofts console, the truth of the matter is, that multiplatform games haven't been my focus. At least the more popular 'high caliber' games that happen to be multiplatform have achieved more or less parity on both consoles, so there's neither an advantage or disadvantage in my eyes. The area where the PS3 still excels is with games such as Metal Gear Solid (part 4 was exclusive, or still is anyway), the new Final Fantasy was to be exclusive and if you may, the 1st and 2nd party titles such as Gran Turismo, WipEout and KillZone and anything from Naughty Dog / Insomniac (two devs I loved during the PS2 days).
Even if I ignore the PS3 game library, the only games that could get me interested in a Xbox would have to be Forza and perhaps Halo. All other games are either multiplatform or exclusive to the PS3. What else is there that could get a gamer with Sony history excited?
Then there's something that can not be overlooked: For the most part, I get the feeling Sony exclusive devs seem to try a lot more to get more out of their console than devs generally try on the Xbox. Maybe that's down to dev talent, maybe it's down to higher budgets - maybe it's down to Sony sharing more tech across the board that helps everyone more. What ever it is, I just get the sense that there are a lot more games that push the limits than on the X360. Namely KillZone2, Uncharted 2, Metal Gear Solid 4 (huge production values!).
Forza3 is a good step in the right direction though.
summary
Maybe this post is a bit pro PS3 but it does the things I value most so much better than the X360, that it had to be said. If I turn around and tackle this from a different angle, i.e. "what would Microsoft have to change to get you interested in a X360 or future console" - it would be along the lines "copy the direction Sony is taking and do it better".
- I want a sleak console that doesn't look like one but more like a high tech expensive entertainment system
- I want a sleak XMB, minimalistic in design that reaks of style and impresses when you turn it on
- I want great technology packed in there that will last at least 6 years
- It should be quiet enough to use in the living room
- I want japanese 3rd party support, family friendly games, great FPS and exclusives from team that try to get the most out of the console
- lots of Sony exclusive franchises (they should get Sony to sell them Guerrilla and Naughty Dog)
- no propriatery accessories - hd free of choice would be great, as well as memory cards as well as free online service (i'd happily pay more for the console to justify this)
), but I didn't own a 360 for the same reason (except I had a big TV, but it wasn't an HDTV). But then I left the UK last year and I didn't have a PC any more, but my cousins and a couple of their friends had 360s, and there was generally a spare HDTV or monitor knocking around, and the Oz dollar was 1:1 with the US dollar, so I grabbed myself a cheap 20GB 360. And it's not been terrible. Wireless for an extra $30 (modified WRT54G) too. Just moved into a place with a 1080P HDTV and it's been useful for media as well as games, and I don't have any regret whatsoever over the purchase. I picked up two rechargeable battery packs for $12 and a $60 120GB hard drive too (I like to install all my games for speed/silence) - I dunno how people like fallguy are conned into paying high prices for everything, but I'm extremely tight with my money. 
