First Microsoft, now Sony: Fake Applause During Japan’s PlayStation 4 Launch EventJapan finally has the PlayStation 4, and no longer has to wait for greatness. Present and hosting the event were Sony Computer Entertainment president and group CEO Andrew House, SCE Japan Asia president Hiroshi Kawano and SCE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida. It’s no doubt that the event itself was spectacular, and it’s fantastic that Japanese gamers finally have their hands on the console that’s taking the world by storm.
But one nagging fact remains – the large majority of cheering and applause during the event was quite obviously fake.
(See approximately 4:30 into video for best example)
It’s not uncommon for companies at press events to use a pre-recorded applause soundtrack, but with the way Microsoft was persecuted for it at their console reveal, you’d think it was a mortal sin. And now that Sony has used a similar method of hyping the audience, what does this mean? Does it mean that it’s ok?
There are multiple stances concerning what’s known as ‘canned applause’.
On one hand it helps the company, in this case Sony, stimulate hype within the audience by assisting them with the applause, similar to a laugh track in a sitcom – when others laugh (or clap), it’s contagious. Not only that, but it pads out what would otherwise be awkward silences or gaps in the presentation (like if you get too excited for when announcing Peggle 2).
On the other hand it implies dishonesty from the company (as many pointed out after Microsoft’s Xbox One reveal), as good as the intentions are behind it. Further, it makes members of the audience uncomfortable, and negates the need for them to applaud at all, even if they are encouraged by the recordings. It also makes it awkward and cringe-worthy to listen to, especially with the really obvious cutoffs, loops, and volume changes.
So is all this a bad thing? Closer to the point, is it bad that Sony used canned applause? It was certainly bad when Microsoft did it, even if both companies had the same reason for doing so. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Still not as bad as when Sony used Nintendo music for a PS3 Launch Event.
