It's Not You... It's Sony
If there is ever a certainty in life it is that people change. Over time a person's needs, views, and desires will undoubtedly change to reflect the events that have taken place throughout the course of his or her life. What was once important a year ago may be seen as trivial today.
Changes like this occur all the time in business (especially in the SEM industry), and it's not always for the good. If there ever comes a time when your company feels that they no longer need a certain resource, manufacturer, or business partner then its best that you cut your losses as soon as possible. Otherwise you'll be responsible for dragging both parties through a long, ongoing, and messy separation.
Take my recent fall out with PSM (PlayStation Magazine) for instance. Their magazine was easily my favorite monthly read a year ago (and to be honest years before that). It seemed that I was always waiting for the next issue to be delivered and when it was, I usually had it read front-to-back in a day or two.
Over the past year my feelings toward the Sony PlayStation brand have changed greatly, and sadly, this also means that my feelings towards the PSM magazine have changed as well. I no-longer find myself dying to get my hands on the next issue, and to be honest it's gotten to the point where I actually could care less if I even receive the next issue.
Just for kicks... here is the email that I sent to PSM informing them that I no longer wished to receive their magazine, and that I (jokingly) wanted them to refund me for my unused issues. I wonder if I'll even get a response. Better yet, I wonder if they'll address my email in their next issue. Should be interesting.
Title: It's Not You... It's Sony
Dear PSM ~
There comes a time in every gamer's life when he (or she) must stop, put down his controller, and re-evaluate his priorities on gaming. This week was my time. Today I made the single most difficult decision of my gaming life. Today, I officially turned my back on Sony and the PlayStation brand.
To be honest... I've been tossing this decision back and forth in my head from as far back as last November when Sony tanked the launch of its own PS3 console. That day, it was made very clear to me (and apparently other readers of your magazine) that Sony isn't focused on doing right by gamers, but rather out to claim an even bigger stake in the future of the movie entertainment industry. Why else would they launch a $600 videogame console in November with 2 million consoles shy of what was originally planned and with only one quality launch game to boot? It's beyond me!
In any case, before the mistake that was the PS3 launch, I went ahead and signed up in advance to receive your magazine up-and-to April of 2009. At the time, I was dead set on getting a PS3 (there was no reason not to) and I knew you guys would have the better PS3 coverage (previews, reviews, and commentary) that I've come to love. It was a simple no-brainer. However, with this recent change in my gaming lifestyle, one that is free of all things Sony, I really no longer see the need to carry on my subscription with PSM magazine.
So with that being said... what I propose is that you consider ending my subscription starting immediately and refund me for the remaining two years that I have left. What do you say... sound like a plan?
Finished laughing? It's ok... I'll wait.
If that is something that you're not up to doing than may I propose that you give the remaining two years of my subscription away to a fellow loyal reader... maybe as a prize to a contest? After all, it's not PSM that betrayed me... it is Sony, and unlike Sony I'm willing to give back to gamers!
To the great staff at PSM I'm sorry you had been caught in the middle. It's not you... its Sony!
Thanks for the memories.
Karl Ribas
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posted by Karl Ribas Thursday, May 17, 2007 Read Comments (16) | Post a Comment | Subscribe  
 
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16 Comments:
Take it Sony! Take it like the money-grubbing WHORE you are!
No qualms with PSM here
By
dubz, at May 17, 2007 2:00 PM
This is hilarious.
And this post is long overdue, as last year, I can remember very well how you mocked me for my purchase of a Nintendo DS. Now here you are 1 year later, going on about how Playstation sucks, and now you OWN a Nintendo DS. RECOGNIZE IT'S GREATNESS MALITAS!
Additionally, Sony does give back to people - they do that cancer number crunching thing, remember?
By
Jessica Guadiana, at May 17, 2007 4:13 PM
A bit obsessive don't you think? I really don't understand how you gamers rush out to buy the new game and spend hours and hours in front of the tv. Sony, Nintendo, Atari, blah, blah, blah. It's all the same stuff!! You call it a hobby, I call it a bad habit.
You want a hobby? Do what I do. I collect computer mice. This is a fascinating hobby and very educational for you and the whole family! I have a 1998 Logitech. This was one of the first models to introduce the scrolling wheel. Absolutely fascinating!!!
So to all you gamers out there, Get a real hobby!!
By
Michael Roebuck, at May 18, 2007 8:33 AM
That was good.
Michael, if you spend as much time enjoying your "hobby" as much as we do, well.... that's a little scary.
Plus, do your mice save cancer?! Because Playstation does that cancer number crunching thing, remember?
By
Jessica Guadiana, at May 18, 2007 8:45 AM
agree with both Dubz and Jessica. However this situation saddens me so because I know how much the PS3 meant to Karl. It was the next big thing and it turned out to be the next big dud. Let downs of this magnitude often leave scars for life. And gaming scars, from what I understand run deep. I know that he is totally through with this situation and moved on because not only did he buy a Nintendo DS for himself he bought me one as well so I can play too!
By
Jackie, at May 18, 2007 8:46 AM
That's awesome Jackie! We need to get together again for a couple of rounds of MarioKart again. :D
Too bad though, our DS's don't do that cancer number crunching thing.
By
Jessica Guadiana, at May 18, 2007 9:16 AM
Collect computer mice? A 1998 Logitech? Whoa... that's a little techy (aka nerdy) for me. I'll stick to my games.
Besides playing video games is a great way to help get your mind off of work. There's nothing like coming home from work, picking up my controller, and putting 2 chrome bullets into the heads of zombie-like beings that thirst for my blood. Not sure what you can do with a Logitech mouse with a scrolling wheel.
Game on!
By
Karl Ribas, at May 18, 2007 10:53 AM
It's great that the PS3 is doing the cancer number-crunching thing, but soon enough the Xbox 360 will be able to do the same thing...
...for $200 cheaper!
By
dubz, at May 18, 2007 11:24 AM
True that dubz. It's great that Xbox will also be a cancer number crunching thing. Kudos to you Microsoft for putting in the Xbox and your PC's to work!
It's just what the world needs, more cancer number crunching things
Now if only Nintendo will start participating - maybe we could download a cancer number crunching Channel!
By
Jessica Guadiana, at May 18, 2007 11:35 AM
Jessica... why are you spamming my blog, and why of all things are you spamming my blog for "Cancer Number Crunching thing" and linking to the Washington post?
In about a week's time this post is so going to rank for the term: "Cancer Number Crunching Thing".
SPAMMER!
By
Karl Ribas, at May 18, 2007 12:36 PM
I don't think you get the whole cancer number crunching thing Karl.
Cancer number crunching things are great because this is our (gamers) chance to give back to the world by doing our part to help cure this deadly disease. Without this cancer number crunching thing, it would take FOREVER for scientists to get any research done (they're probably using Macs - so it'll take forever anyway).
Either way, I'm all for cancer number crunching things.
By
dubz, at May 18, 2007 12:58 PM
First off, I told you you should get a 360. I'm sure if you had a problem with it the wonderfully talented Mr. Bill Gates would refund you. Second, sony can go ahead and cure cancer because i'm the real threat. I've killed more people than cancer. And third, who collects computer mice? I guess they would come in handy if you seen an attractive girl and needed something to fill up a pillow case with. You know what i'm talking about. OH!! Anyways kudos on the letter and damn sony.
By
Greg, at May 18, 2007 1:36 PM
I'm going to have to agree with Greg on this one.....he has killed more people than cancer. But, what's the pillow case full of computer mice for?
By
dubz, at May 18, 2007 1:53 PM
I agree, Karl, you aren't getting the jist of the cancer number crunching thing. As gamers we are literaly helping those in need by allowing our systems to take part in this whole cancer number crunching thing. It is our duty to our fellow man to participate in a world-wide action against disease. With the power of cancer number crunching things all over the world, we can eradicate this and more.
Also, I'd like to note, that if you filled a pillow case with calculators and whacked a girl or guy with cancer over the head with it, then that pillow case would be a ">CANCER NUMBER CRUNCHING THING
By
Jessica Guadiana, at May 18, 2007 1:58 PM
Sorry, that last line was supposed to read:
..... a CANCER NUMBER CRUNCHING THING
By
Jessica Guadiana, at May 18, 2007 2:01 PM
CANCER NUMBER CRUNCHING THINGS ROCK!
By
dubz, at May 18, 2007 4:23 PM
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