Sony creates Gamer Advisory Panel

Sony officially unveiled today its Gamer Advisory Panel, a group of gamers around the nation that will give Sony insight into the mind of the video game player which will help them plan new products and innovative marketing. The members in return get privileges such as exclusive information, special merchandise, a members-only message board, and the satisfaction of helping a billion-dollar electronic corporation.

"We realize that our most important assets are the PlayStation consumers and loyal fans," said Marilyn Weyant, vice president, loyalty and channel marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "The Gamer Advisory Panel gives us a vehicle to open dialog with our most passionate consumers so we can address their gaming experiences and desires. Our gamers have a voice within the company that will influence the future of PlayStation gaming."

Only registered members of the PlayStation Underground who demonstrated passion for and skill in gaming were invited (a few of which are members of our very own TNL forums), and represent less than 1 percent of the total U.S. PlayStation consumer base.

The whole thing just seems like a big marketing gimmick to me. I don't think anything will really come out of it.

we voted on a cover art for a game already...so I guess something will come out of it, but don't really know what else will come after that. Take a lot of surveys and polls and get rewards for it. :)

You had better see Mark of Kri make it through to series completion!

They haven't asked us anything like that yet...

Though we did get nifty organizers with Playstation stationary, game/manual holders and memory card slots... :D

Meh. I was invited.
Twice.
Every time I got an invite, it arrived two days after the closing date for registration.
Thanks, Sony.

This isn't news.

Just more market research.

i just want more free things.

They sent me a little binder thing with a palnner, Playstation pen, and same PS2 game holder sleeves, so whatever you wanna call it, they are keeping me happy unless I am paying for it in soem other way. Oh wait, my PSX had to be turned upside down, and my PS2 gets disk read errors...oh man, I'm getting ripped!

Quote:

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Originally posted by Lhadatt
They haven't asked us anything like that yet...

Though we did get nifty organizers with Playstation stationary, game/manual holders and memory card slots... :D

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They can ask me all the questions they want, as long as they keep the promo goods flowin. This little binder is the best one I've ever had.

So, I went to Sony's little website...


And I do believe I'm not going to bother with it as much as I visit TNL, Gaming Age or some other sites.

It's set up a bit like Slashdot. Users send in stories or discussion topics that some phantom mystery moderators approve for publication on the site. I don't really like this approach -- while you do get filtered topics (so no stupidity like "Which game is best to play while wearing a moomoo?"), the general "community" feel isn't as prevailent as it is in a setup like TNL's or Gaming Age.

Although, the general vibe on the GAP right now is "wow this is cool they're asking our opinion HEY FREE CRAP W00T" -- i.e. it's still relatively positive, and the topics are somewhat interesting. It might be interesting to see what comes of this -- or if it blows up in Sony's face... :D