PlayStation (1) : PS one :: PlayStation 2 : ?????
If you answered PStwo (Or PSTwo, or PS two, etc.) then you probably aren't Sony.
Yes, despite the collective will of the games journalism community in the weeks leading up to the announcement, Sony's new, slimmed-down version of the PS2 is not officially being called the PStwo. At least not yet. Somewhat surprisingly, much of that same journalism community seems to have picked up on that fact:
- "What's still unclear is whether this unit is the oft-talked about PStwo. ... So far Sony hasn't used the PStwo moniker - which they've trademarked - in connection with this new machine. Instead, it's being referred to by the not-so-sexy handle of PlayStation 2 model SCPH-70011 CB."
-The Edmonton Sun - "Sony has confirmed the wide-held suspicions about the remodelled PS2: which has not yet been officially dubbed PSTwo (and judging by pictures of the box, perhaps it won’t be)"
-Spong - "A remodelled, slimmed down version of the PlayStation 2 - dubbed 'PStwo' by the press, but not yet referred to by that name in Sony's press literature - is due out this November 1st across Europe."
-EuroGamer - "Oh, and another thing, it’s not being called the PStwo. Nope, we’re to refer to the new model as the SCPH-70000(CB). Excited, aren’t you?"
-Joystiq - "But the expected name, PStwo, looks like being ignored. The new version - SCPH-50000, if you must - is simply being referred to as a 'completely new look PlayStation 2.'"
-Games Asylum - "We're all tempted to call this new wonder system, which has a flip-top loading design like the old Turbo Duo, the PStwo. But, Sony Computer Entertainment master Ken Kutaragi would probably get very cross were we to make such a slip. So, we'll have to be content with calling it the new model PS2, or the SCPH-70000. In Japan, the actual model number for the launch version of the system is SCPH-70000CB, with CB standing for Charcoal Black, the color of the system."
-IGN - "The new PlayStation 2 replaces existing models and won't, as rumored, be called the PStwo."
-WindowsITPro
Of course, some of the first reports used the PStwo moniker without comment and probably without knowing any better, and the name was used all over headlines, both with and without quotes.
The PStwo is pretty obviously a great name for the system. It differentiates itself from the original PS2 without signifying a change in underlying hardware, and it matches up historically with the officially-named PS one. But like Driver 3 and Ultra Nintendo Entertainment System, it's a great name that isn't officially supported by the company making the product. So, do we rebel against this latest corporate naming fiat or do we keep writing out "redesigned PlayStation 2" until our poor typing fingers bleed?
Observant readers should be able to tease out my opinion from the preceding words, but observant readers should also know by now that my opinion doesn't matter too much. I am interested to hear what you think, though. Leave your comments on this latest stylistic not-really-a-controversy-but-still-fun-to-whine-about issue using the link below.
I'm going to go with "screw Sony" for the win, Alex. Okay, not really. But if I were writing an editorial on it, I'd ask Sony. And if they had no official comment, I'd say so. And I'd have the the phrase "redesigned Playstation 2, that lacks support for the PS2 harddrive and has a top-loading disc bin as opposed to a convetional disc tray," in my clipboard, that it's just a Ctrl+V away.
ReplyDeleteAnd then I'd point out that the reason I kept calling it a redesigned Playstation 2, that lacks support for the PS2 harddrive and has a top-loading disc bin as opposed to a convetional disc tray, is because while I totally agree with their dropping the HDD support, both it and the loading bin are differences from a conventional Playstation 2 that affect the way the machine can be used by the casual consumer.
(I mention the loading bin because most folks I know have their PS2 in an entertainment center that in a few cases doesn't have room for a top-loading machine. I could be wrong, but it doesn't look thin enough to make up enough of the room needed.)
In short, it's a different product. Sony should give it a different name. Though if I were writing a news story, I'd go with "redesigned Playstation 2" every time.
And kudos on regularly updating for what, a month now? That's forever in blog-time.
I agree with the need of a different name. I would imagine that since Sony has tradmarked the name PStwo, that it is only a matter of time before they cave in and officially name it the PStwo. But to do so would sony have to create a new logo for the system? Current pics show the redesigned Playstation 2 with the original PS2 logo on the top. And I hope that the top loading isn't an indication of the designs for the PS3.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Sony just doesn't like people naming their products for them?
ReplyDeleteThere were fairly constant reports that Sony disliked the public using the name PSX for the original Playstation, even long before the thousand dollar (well, $4-500 now, with all the price cuts done to try to move it) multimedia system was likely even planned. And some even went as far as to speculate that Sony intentionally called that the PSX just to spite (and stop) people calling the Playstation the PSX.
If I'm not mistaken Sony used "PSX" in their initial set of commercials for the Playstation, didn't they? I'd hope that they'd not make the same mistake of promoting a brand/image and then expect people not to follow along. Only this time, it's not a commercial, it's history, and it's just the journalists and hardcore gamers as I don't really see them grabbing the tons of 'new gamers' that they did with the Playstation. But I may be wrong.
ReplyDelete