360/PS3 Dual-Console Owners Most Annoyed About Red Ring, But Favoring Microsoft (Unofficial MP poll)

Yesterday I asked readers of this site who own both a PlayStation 3 and an Xbox 360 what makes them play one console versus the other.

The response was terrific. It was insightful, entertaining, and -- brace yourselves -- tilted toward the 360.

I read through the posts and have tallied the count. I've also collected the most common explanations and some provocative quotes.

• Did you know there's someone out there who plays their 360 more than their PS3 because they prefer custom soundtracks?

• Did you know that there's a trend among multi-console gamers who buy PS3 versions of multi-platform games because they are afraid of their 360 Red Ringing?

Of the 54 people who identified themselves as owning both consoles, 27 people said they're playing their Xbox 360 more, 22 are leaning to the PlayStation 3 and five say their time is spent evenly.

And now for the fun stuff I pulled out of your responses…

Multiplayer's Informal PS3-360 Dual-Console Owners' Poll

All of the following comments and stats come from 54 Multiplayer commenters who say they own a PS3 and a 360 (in a couple of cases, two 360s). Notice how many items are split evenly between the two systems.

• Number of people who say Achievements compel them to spend more time on their 360 -- 7
• Number of people who expect to be hooked by Home -- 2

• Number of people who say they lean toward their 360 because most of their gamer friends are there -- 9

Multiplayer reader Danh: The Xbox community is very social, like hanging out with friends on the weekend. The PS3 friend’s list is like the guy in high school I only talk to when I need to borrow a pencil.

• Number of people who say that the Red Ring of Death or other 360 hardware issues shifted their time to PS3 -- 14
• Number of people who say that PS3 hardware issues shifted their time to the 360 -- 2

Multiplayer reader Jim: I buy all multiplats on PS3, partly due to controller preference and partly because I got the Red Ring of Death twice in 1 year, so it’s a pointless risk getting the 360 versions.

• Number of people who expressed a preference for the 360 controller -- 4
• Number of people who expressed a preference for the PS3 controller -- 5

Multiplayer reader Royce: It’s the controller. Seriously. I just want to pick up "Rainbow Six Vegas 2" for 360 because I really enjoy the feel of having the triggers for a shooter, and I despise the feel of the shoulder buttons-masquerading-as-triggers on the PS3 controller. When I went to buy "Call of Duty 4," I chose it for the PC (ha! a third option!) because after playing a rental version on 360, I just wanted that slightly more precise aiming ability that the mouse offers. Then when it comes to other game types, like a "Grand Theft Auto IV," I think the PS3 offers the best controller in terms of feel and ease of use.

• Number of people who say the noisiness of the 360's disc drive is a factor -- 4

• Number of people who say the 360's online service is better enough to make a difference -- 6
• Number of people who say the PS3's online service is better enough to make a difference -- 6

Multiplayer reader beautifulraven: Custom soundtracks. After I beat a game it’s the only reason I come back. I get to relax and listen to my music. I have played through most 360 games multiple times. I can even stand playing bad games like "CoD 4" (not a bad game necessarily but not my type of game) Once the PS3 supports them I will come back to some of my ps3 games. Actually it’s the only reason I would buy the Xbox version over the PS3.

• Number of people who say the 360 gets more play because it has better games -- 5
• Number of people who say the PS3 gets more play because it has better games -- 6

• Number of people who say their PS3 is primarily their movie player -- 5

Multiplayer reader Bill: PS3 gets used mostly as a movie player, which it is very good at, although it will not work with my Harmony remote. I do imagine - and hope, that Sony will finally concentrate on games now that its virtues as the “next” disc format are all but guaranteed. I really expected everybody would drift away from the Xbox when we got the other consoles - Especially the Wii, but it just has not happened. Everyone wants to use the 360, The Wii only gets used when company comes over. We had to get another 360 so we all get a chance to use it in different rooms.

• Number of people who say the fact that they owned a 360 first is a factor -- 1
• Number of people who say their gaming time is spent more on their 360 than their PS3: 27
• Number of people who say their gaming time is spent more on their PS3 than their 360: 22
• Number of people who say their gaming time is spent evenly between their PS3 and 360: 5

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There are plenty more great comments and ideas in the original thread. So check it out.

And thanks again, Multiplayer readers, for proving that there's ways to talk about multiple game consoles without engaging in a system war.