Why the PS3 is called a toy by some people.

El Despairado · 01-17-2008, 03:59 PM

I thought it was time to dedicate a thread to this issue, because it really seems to piss a ton of people off, and I just don't get it. So, this is an attempt to clarify this point, and hopefully put it to rest. We shouldn't have to fight over something so stupid.

The PS3 was purchased and is used by 2 types of consumers:

1. Fans of the Sony Playstation franchise who are video game enthusiasts. These people bought this product because it is the most powerful gaming console on the market. They purchased it for gaming primarily, although obviously they can watch Blu-ray films on it as well, so many do that. Since there are currently more films than games, maybe some even use it more for watching movies at this point.

2. People who wanted a Blu-ray player MAINLY for movie watching, but didn't want to pay the high price for a Blu-ray standalone as prices were really high comparitively on 1st Gen BD players especially.

3. People who purchased the PS3 primarily because it is the most update friendly Blu-ray player on the market, and they wanted to future proof themselves. Some of these people may have preferred a standalone player, but realize that it MAY BE a risk to buy any other player due to profile's not being complete for standalones.

Because most PS3 owners seem to fall into category #1 for PS3 ownership and for the following reasons, the PS3 is considered by many to be a toy:

1. Sony has not marketed this product as a piece of A/V equipment or a Media Center, but PRIMARILY as a gaming console. Gaming console's are generally considered a mature toy by most people.

2. This product is sold in Toys 'R' Us, while no other piece of Blu-ray or HD DVD hardware is. This just reinforces the belief to some that gaming consoles in general are toys, as all are sold in toy stores.

3. This product looks and feels more like a gaming console than a piece of standalone A/V equipment. It looks like a gaming console by design, it says Playstation on it, and you must use a gaming controller to use it or you must purchase a separate controller. Therefore it is clearly separate from what most A/V fans are accustomed to featuring in their home theater.

Basically, the people who referr to it as a toy seem to be people who take their home theater more seriously than others, and who have a very clear distinction as to what is a gaming console and what is a piece of A/V equipment. While the the PS3 is somewhat of a hybrid, the fact that it plays HDM is not enough to override the 3 points above, therefore they see the PS3 PRIMARILY as a gaming console and a mature toy.

That makes perfect sense to me, and I don't really understand the backlash against calling the PS3 as such. I have the perception that PS3 owners are getting angry about this label, as they feel we are using the toy descriptor as some sort of derogetory label. Although, I can understand why some have this perception, I really think they are misjudging what people are meaning. When people say, "I don't want a toy in my home theater", all they mean is that they want a traditional piece of A/V equipment. If it comes across any other way, I think it's just due to the frustration that there is not currently a Blu-ray standalone that can rival the PS3 from a price and feature perspective.

I really hope this thread enlightens some people as to why people call it a toy. Don't take such offense to it.

Qbfinest83 · 01-17-2008, 04:04 PM

I dont think we need threads like this.

El Despairado · 01-17-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qbfinest83

I dont think we need threads like this.

That's your opinion, but if you're going to share your opinion, it would be nice for you to elaborate on why you feel that way. I clearly indicated why I felt this type of thread was necessary.

HD Goofnut · 01-17-2008, 04:10 PM

I think this type of thread is needed as well. I would like to see if there any additional PS3 owners in categories other than ones you listed. I will never buy a gaming console to use as a movie player because I see no point of having two features so that I can only use one.

Bleedgreen71 · 01-17-2008, 04:14 PM

Honestly, my DLP is a Toy, My HD-A3 is a Toy, My Xbox 360 is a Toy, My Computer is a Toy, My Cell Phone is a Toy. I need none of this to get by in life, buts its a hobby and a passion of mine. Therefore they are all nothing more than Toys.

Boats are Toys, Airplanes are Toys, Sports Cars are Toys, ECT.

Things you don't need but want simply for personal amusement are Toys.

Expensive Toys for big kids, but Toys none the less.

Thats my

.

Changeling · 01-17-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Despairado

I thought it was time to dedicate a thread to this issue, because it really seems to piss a ton of people off, and I just don't get it. So, this is an attempt to clarify this point, and hopefully put it to rest. We shouldn't have to fight over something so stupid.

The PS3 was purchased and is used by 2 types of consumers:

1. Fans of the Sony Playstation franchise who are video game enthusiasts. These people bought this product because it is the most powerful gaming console on the market. They purchased it for gaming primarily, although obviously they can watch Blu-ray films on it as well, so many do that. Since there are currently more films than games, maybe some even use it more for watching movies at this point.

2. People who wanted a Blu-ray player MAINLY for movie watching, but didn't want to pay the high price for a Blu-ray standalone as prices were really high comparitively on 1st Gen BD players especially.

3. People who purchased the PS3 primarily because it is the most update friendly Blu-ray player on the market, and they wanted to future proof themselves. Some of these people may have preferred a standalone player, but realize that it MAY BE a risk to buy any other player due to profile's not being complete for standalones.

Because most PS3 owners seem to fall into category #1 for PS3 ownership and for the following reasons, the PS3 is considered by many to be a toy:

1. Sony has not marketed this product as a piece of A/V equipment or a Media Center, but PRIMARILY as a gaming console. Gaming console's are generally considered a mature toy by most people.

2. This product is sold in Toys 'R' Us, while no other piece of Blu-ray or HD DVD hardware is. This just reinforces the belief to some that gaming consoles in general are toys, as all are sold in toy stores.

3. This product looks and feels more like a gaming console than a piece of standalone A/V equipment. It looks like a gaming console by design, it says Playstation on it, and you must use a gaming controller to use it or you must purchase a separate controller. Therefore it is clearly separate from what most A/V fans are accustomed to featuring in their home theater.

Basically, the people who referr to it as a toy seem to be people who take their home theater more seriously than others, and who have a very clear distinction as to what is a gaming console and what is a piece of A/V equipment. While the the PS3 is somewhat of a hybrid, the fact that it plays HDM is not enough to override the 3 points above, therefore they see the PS3 PRIMARILY as a gaming console and a mature toy.

That makes perfect sense to me, and I don't really understand the backlash against calling the PS3 as such. I have the perception that PS3 owners are getting angry about this label, as they feel we are using the toy descriptor as some sort of derogetory label. Although, I can understand why some have this perception, I really think they are misjudging what people are meaning. When people say, "I don't want a toy in my home theater", all they mean is that they want a traditional piece of A/V equipment. If it comes across any other way, I think it's just due to the frustration that there is not currently a Blu-ray standalone that can rival the PS3 from a price and feature perspective.

I really hope this thread enlightens some people as to why people call it a toy. Don't take such offense to it.

I ask that you look back to some of the threads to where the term is used. It's not simply used...it's spit out (Sometimes in all caps) in a derrogatory fashion. The purpose is to put the "toy" users on a level lower than their own.

When ALL of it. The TV, the player, (regardless of format) the home theatre are ALL toys. They exist in your home to enhance your leisure time. You, in no fashion, NEED them. They are luxuries.

I have zero problem whatsoever with this:

"all they mean is that they want a traditional piece of A/V equipment."

That's totally understandable. Totally relateable. And simply relates an opinion. But if you MEAN that, SAY that.

To spit out "toy" in the manner if often is: in all caps and in the heat of a debate it's clear that it's meant as as an insult, when, as you so artfully point out there were and are legitimate reasons for a non-gamer to select it.

The_Omega_Man · 01-17-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bleedgreen71

Honestly, my DLP is a Toy, My HD-A3 is a Toy, My Xbox 360 is a Toy, My Computer is a Toy, My Cell Phone is a Toy. I need none of this to get by in life, buts its a hobby and a passion of mine. Therefore they are all nothing more than Toys.

Boats are Toys, Airplanes are Toys, Sports Cars are Toys, ECT.

Things you don't need but want simply for personal amusement are Toys.

Expensive Toys for big kids, but Toys none the less.

Thats my

.

I agree in part. But I think that the OP was intending to be more specific.

Changeling · 01-17-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bleedgreen71

Honestly, my DLP is a Toy, My HD-A3 is a Toy, My Xbox 360 is a Toy, My Computer is a Toy, My Cell Phone is a Toy. I need none of this to get by in life, buts its a hobby and a passion of mine. Therefore they are all nothing more than Toys.

Boats are Toys, Airplanes are Toys, Sports Cars are Toys, ECT.

Things you don't need but want simply for personal amusement are Toys.

Expensive Toys for big kids, but Toys none the less.

Thats my

.

+10

El Despairado · 01-17-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bleedgreen71

Honestly, my DLP is a Toy, My HD-A3 is a Toy, My Xbox 360 is a Toy, My Computer is a Toy, My Cell Phone is a Toy. I need none of this to get by in life, buts its a hobby and a passion of mine. Therefore they are all nothing more than Toys.

Boats are Toys, Airplanes are Toys, Sports Cars are Toys, ECT.

Things you don't need but want simply for personal amusement are Toys.

Expensive Toys for big kids, but Toys none the less.

Thats my

.

I pretty much agree with you to a certain extent. However, I guess I don't feel that everything that gives you enjoyment is merely a toy. I guess I view gaming in more of a toy sense because of the fact that you are actually playing games, and jamming buttons on a controller. I think boats, motorcycles, etc are on a completely different level.

The point of this thread wasn't to point out that the PS3 is a toy, or to suggest the machine isn't a worthy BD player. The point was just to try and not let this arguement continue to get out of hand. Lately, I've seen tons of Blu-ray supporters taking offense to this notion, so I thought it could use some sort of clarification.

Hitachi65SWX20B · 01-17-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qbfinest83

I dont think we need threads like this.

I disagree with you, I just had to apologize to a fellow member for getting into a posting fight with him about this very same topic. when I was calling the ps3 a toy, I didn't mean it to come off as I was calling it a piece of junk or that I was too good for it. To me, It wasn't designed to part of my AV rack in my home theater. If it was it would have had the same footprint and be stackable as all AV equipment is. It would have a Factory built in IR remote, The after market one is ok I guess but I keep hearing problems with it or Glitches I should say. I look at the ps3 just like I look at the x360, Its a game machine. I had a hard enough time trying to figure out how I was going to fit my 360 in my rack because it has the same problems I listed with the footprint and being stackable, Now that I have found a way to make it fit, there is no way to put Another non-stackable odd footprint device in there.

awol · 01-17-2008, 04:28 PM

No offense taken, but here's a different point of view. And mind you that while this is how I feel, I understand that unfortunately, it's the state of affairs we live in.

I do not appreciate the PS3, or ANY console for that matter, being considered a TOY. The term is generally understood as a noun for possessions of a child. And while children may own them, gaming consoles are largely owned and used by people aged 18+.

Implying that it is a TOY is implying that ONLY children use it. Which, as I've already pointed out, is not true. But because there are so many games of a mature nature, that are produced for the mature majority, legislators feel that there is a need to CENSOR the content that is going to be used with a TOY, because only CHILDREN play with TOYS.

Many children have DVD players and TVs in their possession. But they are not considered toys. And the government is not doing ANYTHING to regulate the movies/shows that can be played. The movie/TV industry is SELF governed. The gaming industry is also. But while shows have generally become more loosely rated (things that were rated "PG" 20 years ago, would likely earn a "G" rating today) game ratings have actually become more stringent due to pressure from legislators. The government doesn't dictate or spout rhetoric about movies/TV, but they sure do like to harp on games. If it continues, it's possible that they could actually LIMIT the content of a game that is perfectly suitable for me, but not for a child. They don't do that to a movie!

Ok, off my soap box now.

Hitachi65SWX20B · 01-17-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bleedgreen71

Honestly, my DLP is a Toy, My HD-A3 is a Toy, My Xbox 360 is a Toy, My Computer is a Toy, My Cell Phone is a Toy. I need none of this to get by in life, buts its a hobby and a passion of mine. Therefore they are all nothing more than Toys.

Boats are Toys, Airplanes are Toys, Sports Cars are Toys, ECT.

Things you don't need but want simply for personal amusement are Toys.

Expensive Toys for big kids, but Toys none the less.

Thats my

.

HA HA my wife is a toy then

Changeling · 01-17-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Despairado

I pretty much agree with you to a certain extent. However, I guess I don't feel that everything that gives you enjoyment is merely a toy. I guess I view gaming in more of a toy sense because of the fact that you are actually playing games, and jamming buttons on a controller. I think boats, motorcycles, etc are on a completely different level.

Possibly because they require you to be a more active participant in the activity? More "real" in that sense? If so, there really isn't any debating that. They are a more active an immersive leisure activity.

But on their most basic levels they are no different.

drock912001 · 01-17-2008, 04:31 PM

I was a Playstation fan at 1 point,and consider any model Playstation a toy.I bought my 10 year sold a Wii because it was the least expensive of the 3 toys.My cousin got his son a PS3 because the Wii was sold out at the toy store.KB to be exact.I remember when I bought th PS2 when it was released as my intro into dvd's.Reality was it looked out of place in my home theater set-up and the PS3 is no exception to that rule.SONY fanboys hate the term and even seen some try to say the PS2 pushed dvd to the mases,because they see things thru special glasses.

The_Omega_Man · 01-17-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awol

No offense taken, but here's a different point of view. And mind you that while this is how I feel, I understand that unfortunately, it's the state of affairs we live in.

I do not appreciate the PS3, or ANY console for that matter, being considered a TOY. The term is generally understood as a noun for possessions of a child. And while children may own them, gaming consoles are largely owned and used by people aged 18+.

Implying that it is a TOY is implying that ONLY children use it. Which, as I've already pointed out, is not true. But because there are so many games of a mature nature, that are produced for the mature majority, legislators feel that there is a need to CENSOR the content that is going to be used with a TOY, because only CHILDREN play with TOYS.

Many children have DVD players and TVs in their possession. But they are not considered toys. And the government is not doing ANYTHING to regulate the movies/shows that can be played. The movie/TV industry is SELF governed. The gaming industry is also. But while shows have generally become more loosely rated (things that were rated "PG" 20 years ago, would likely earn a "G" rating today) game ratings have actually become more stringent due to pressure from legislators. The government doesn't dictate or spout rhetoric about movies/TV, but they sure do like to harp on games. If it continues, it's possible that they could actually LIMIT the content of a game that is perfectly suitable for me, but not for a child. They don't do that to a movie!

Ok, off my soap box now.

Interesting! Because the primary user of my PS3 is my 6 year old child! And he does NOT watch movies on it!

01-17-2008, 04:10 PM	#4
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,855	I think this type of thread is needed as well. I would like to see if there any additional PS3 owners in categories other than ones you listed. I will never buy a gaming console to use as a movie player because I see no point of having two features so that I can only use one. __________________ My Review Setup Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System LG BH200 Super Blu Toshiba HD-A20 Sony 40 GB PS3 (With Netflix Streaming!) 156~206~My Movie Collection Latest Review: *The Day the Earth Stood Still*

01-17-2008, 04:14 PM	#5
Bleedgreen71 HD Addict Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Virginia Age: 27 Posts: 1,151	Honestly, my DLP is a Toy, My HD-A3 is a Toy, My Xbox 360 is a Toy, My Computer is a Toy, My Cell Phone is a Toy. I need none of this to get by in life, buts its a hobby and a passion of mine. Therefore they are all nothing more than Toys. Boats are Toys, Airplanes are Toys, Sports Cars are Toys, ECT. Things you don't need but want simply for personal amusement are Toys. Expensive Toys for big kids, but Toys none the less. Thats my . __________________ Equipment: - 42" Toshiba 42HM66 DLP - Toshiba HD-A3 (43 HD-DVD) - Xbox-360 (live tag: BleedGreen71) - No sound equip for a while since im still in an apt.

01-17-2008, 04:31 PM	#14
drock912001 NFL in HD nothing else Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 1,570	I was a Playstation fan at 1 point,and consider any model Playstation a toy.I bought my 10 year sold a Wii because it was the least expensive of the 3 toys.My cousin got his son a PS3 because the Wii was sold out at the toy store.KB to be exact.I remember when I bought th PS2 when it was released as my intro into dvd's.Reality was it looked out of place in my home theater set-up and the PS3 is no exception to that rule.SONY fanboys hate the term and even seen some try to say the PS2 pushed dvd to the mases,because they see things thru special glasses. __________________ Samsung HL-R5667W Toshiba HD-XA1 Directv HR12-100S IXOS audio & video connectors Monster Power HTS2500 HD DVD 58? Mover's hustled most of my collection last year!

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01-17-2008, 03:59 PM	#1
El Despairado HD DVD: Still the best! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: North Dakota Age: 32 Posts: 903	Why the PS3 is called a toy by some people. I thought it was time to dedicate a thread to this issue, because it really seems to piss a ton of people off, and I just don't get it. So, this is an attempt to clarify this point, and hopefully put it to rest. We shouldn't have to fight over something so stupid. The PS3 was purchased and is used by 2 types of consumers: 1. Fans of the Sony Playstation franchise who are video game enthusiasts. These people bought this product because it is the most powerful gaming console on the market. They purchased it for gaming primarily, although obviously they can watch Blu-ray films on it as well, so many do that. Since there are currently more films than games, maybe some even use it more for watching movies at this point. 2. People who wanted a Blu-ray player MAINLY for movie watching, but didn't want to pay the high price for a Blu-ray standalone as prices were really high comparitively on 1st Gen BD players especially. 3. People who purchased the PS3 primarily because it is the most update friendly Blu-ray player on the market, and they wanted to future proof themselves. Some of these people may have preferred a standalone player, but realize that it MAY BE a risk to buy any other player due to profile's not being complete for standalones. Because most PS3 owners seem to fall into category #1 for PS3 ownership and for the following reasons, the PS3 is considered by many to be a toy: 1. Sony has not marketed this product as a piece of A/V equipment or a Media Center, but PRIMARILY as a gaming console. Gaming console's are generally considered a mature toy by most people. 2. This product is sold in Toys 'R' Us, while no other piece of Blu-ray or HD DVD hardware is. This just reinforces the belief to some that gaming consoles in general are toys, as all are sold in toy stores. 3. This product looks and feels more like a gaming console than a piece of standalone A/V equipment. It looks like a gaming console by design, it says Playstation on it, and you must use a gaming controller to use it or you must purchase a separate controller. Therefore it is clearly separate from what most A/V fans are accustomed to featuring in their home theater. Basically, the people who referr to it as a toy seem to be people who take their home theater more seriously than others, and who have a very clear distinction as to what is a gaming console and what is a piece of A/V equipment. While the the PS3 is somewhat of a hybrid, the fact that it plays HDM is not enough to override the 3 points above, therefore they see the PS3 PRIMARILY as a gaming console and a mature toy. That makes perfect sense to me, and I don't really understand the backlash against calling the PS3 as such. I have the perception that PS3 owners are getting angry about this label, as they feel we are using the toy descriptor as some sort of derogetory label. Although, I can understand why some have this perception, I really think they are misjudging what people are meaning. When people say, "I don't want a toy in my home theater", all they mean is that they want a traditional piece of A/V equipment. If it comes across any other way, I think it's just due to the frustration that there is not currently a Blu-ray standalone that can rival the PS3 from a price and feature perspective. I really hope this thread enlightens some people as to why people call it a toy. Don't take such offense to it. __________________ Consumers did not choose the winner of the format war, the movie studios did, and now consumers are stuck with the decision. Samsung HL-S6187W Yamaha RX-V2700 Toshiba HD-XA2 RF/LF-Polk Audio RTi8 Center-Polk Audio CSi3 SL/SR-Polk Audio RTi6 LFE-Polk Audio P505 300watt self amplified. Xbox 360 Administrator of Horns Up International hornsupinternational.freeforums.org

01-17-2008, 04:04 PM	#2
Qbfinest83 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 511	I dont think we need threads like this.

01-17-2008, 04:28 PM	#11
awol I'm Fabulous. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,661	No offense taken, but here's a different point of view. And mind you that while this is how I feel, I understand that unfortunately, it's the state of affairs we live in. I do not appreciate the PS3, or ANY console for that matter, being considered a TOY. The term is generally understood as a noun for possessions of a child. And while children may own them, gaming consoles are largely owned and used by people aged 18+. Implying that it is a TOY is implying that ONLY children use it. Which, as I've already pointed out, is not true. But because there are so many games of a mature nature, that are produced for the mature majority, legislators feel that there is a need to CENSOR the content that is going to be used with a TOY, because only CHILDREN play with TOYS. Many children have DVD players and TVs in their possession. But they are not considered toys. And the government is not doing ANYTHING to regulate the movies/shows that can be played. The movie/TV industry is SELF governed. The gaming industry is also. But while shows have generally become more loosely rated (things that were rated "PG" 20 years ago, would likely earn a "G" rating today) game ratings have actually become more stringent due to pressure from legislators. The government doesn't dictate or spout rhetoric about movies/TV, but they sure do like to harp on games. If it continues, it's possible that they could actually LIMIT the content of a game that is perfectly suitable for me, but not for a child. They don't do that to a movie! Ok, off my soap box now.