Nintendo and Microsoft Point Fingers Calling Sony a Copycat

Not to be outdone by Sony’s unveiling of their social network and avatar creation system dubbed Home, Nintendo and Microsoft chime in with their take on the well received and ambitious PlayStation network. In short, they dub the PS3 world a copycat and non-relevant pursuit.

Game Daily writes:

“The reaction from the rest of the industry has been generally positive, and while the fundamental idea of Home can be seen in other web programs like Habbo and Second Life, its scope has never really been explored before in the console space. Nintendo, however, is both unamused and unfazed by Home. ‘This is an example of Sony’s ‘Mii-too’ approach,’ said a Nintendo spokesperson to CVG. ‘But as Mr. Miyamoto states, Nintendo years ago considered and rejected the type of approach Sony is now taking.'”

Even though PS3’s Home appears much more robust and customizable than Nintendo Miis, the company predictably reaffirmed their strategic choice for dumbed-down yet accessible user-created content. “Miis have become a cultural phenomenon in their own right, appealing well beyond the traditional core gamer audience, and the process of populating them across the Wii universe is just beginning,” continued the spokesperson.

For his part, Chris Satchell of Microsoft’s Games dismissed Home as “not a very game-centric approach” to community. “I think they’ve definitely taken some concepts that we originated like achievements,” he said. However, if one console manufacturer isn’t getting the concept of user-generated game content, it’s Microsoft. Satchell continues by detailing the upcoming Forza Motorsport 2, “You’re able to take a car out, completely paint it, completely mod it, tune it and you’re able to auction it online, take the funds from that and reimburse them in the game to do whatever you want.”

Uh… that’s called customization, Chris. User-created content holds significant value for others using the content…

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