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Tag: Kevin Butler

  • Sony Opens Up Hall of Play For PS3 Gamers

    If you own a PS3, and haven’t taken in a viewing of the “Michael” ad, then I highly recommend watching the video below. Many are saying it’s one of the greatest commercials Sony has released.

    The commercial has done so well that Sony has started an entire marketing campaign based around it. They’re using their Facebook page to allow gamers to gain entry into the “Hall of Play“, like Michael did in the commercial. Here’s a teaser trailer for the Hall of Play, from Kevin Butler, the “VP of Everything” for Sony.

    The premise of the Hall of Play is simple. All that it requires is a connection to a webcam or a photo on your computer. A flash video pops up on Sony’s Facebook page, which walks you through the Hall of Play, including some comedic explanations from Kevin Butler.

    Once your through with that, you will enter the Hall of Play. There are a few things you can click through. The most interesting is the Michael ad will play, and at the end the photo you selected will appear in the frame. Curiously enough, if your name is Michael then they leave it in, otherwise a generic “you” is used instead.

    Starting next week, on Halloween, it looks as though they will feature a specific gamer in the hall, which again is teased by a Kevin Butler video:

    The most interesting aspect of this marketing campaign is all the interactivity is done through Facebook. If you actually visit www.hallofplay.com, you’re taken to Sony’s Facebook page. Proving how many corporations are really starting to invest solely into social media marketing.

  • Sony Shares Jailbreak Code Via Twitter

    Perhaps “laughing stock” is too strong a term here, but after Sony’s strong-arm tactics concerning jailbroken PlayStation 3s — tactics that were upheld via a misguided ruling — the fact that they tweeted the jailbreak code in question, accidentally or no, perhaps it fits.

    That’s right.  Sony’s official spokesperson, Kevin Butler — the guy in all the PS3 commercials — retweeted what was mistakenly perceived as a Battleship attack coordinates.  Instead, the actual tweet contained the necessary code to jailbreak Sony’s flagship console.

    Isn’t it ironic?  Don’tcha think?

    After the ringer George Hotz was put through, courtesy of Sony and its favorable ruling, one can only shake their head in disbelief after discovering Sony’s Twitter gaffe.  Naturally, the offending tweet was removed, but again, good luck on getting that genie back in the bottle.

    Jailbreak Tweet
    Image courtesy

    After the tweet was removed, Butler’s account resumed its silly narrative, completely ignoring the jailbreak tweet goof.

    Considering the terms of the Hotz’ ruling, shouldn’t Sony have to turn all their computers and literature concerning PS3 jailbreaks over to the proper authorities?  Hotz had to turn his over to Sony, so maybe now, Sony should have to follow suit by giving up some more trade secrets — or at least they should have to return Hotz’ materials.

    It’s funny how a person like Hotz is vilified by Sony and anti-piracy types for documenting the steps necessary to jailbreak a PS3, but when Sony erroneously follows suit, the intial ruling is not commuted.  Granted, it wasn’t Hotz that violated the jailbreak dissemination restraining order, but the fact that Sony publicized the very information it was trying to block should render Hotz’s punishment null and void.

    If Kevin Butler operated in the world of college athletics, he would have their Twitter privileges removed for making such an amazing mistake.  Considering the disdain his offending tweet showed the Hotz restraining order, perhaps that’s not such a bad thing.

    In a just world, one where the rights of the citizens and entertainment industry are equal, that would likely be the result of Sony’s/Kevin Butler’s ignorance.   What’s good for the goose (Hotz), is certainly good for the gander (in this case, Sony).