Sony on brink of upheaval as analysts back British chief

Parapraxis - 357 days 2 hours ago

http://www.thestreet.com/st...
lol

Agree(5) | Disagree(3) | Report

Bird Dawg - 357 days 2 hours ago

You are about to lose your job Nathan.

Agree(5) | Disagree(4) | Report

Israfel - 357 days 2 hours ago

I certainly feel like SCE has been making stupid decisions, especially regarding European prospects. I really hope the Restructure the gaming division. And put in people, that actually have an Eye for business.

Agree(1) | Disagree(3) | Report

Bird Dawg - 357 days 2 hours ago

A restructuring is a must, and it's also a big red flag. When a company is forced to abandon the things that made their legacy is never a good sign. I don't know their plan, but the fate of the current Playstation brands are likely in the hands of Microsoft and Nintendo. A few chess moves and it could be checkmate for every Playstation brand platform on the market.

Agree(4) | Disagree(4) | Report

TrustyBrew - 357 days 1 hour ago

get ready to avoid 3 stories from separate amateur websites claiming this a conspiracy, and or not true.

On topic, something about the ps3 will be on the chopping block. There are alot more hdtv,movie goers, and blu-ray owners than ps3 owners. Sales for the playstation brand are down across the board. I just wonder what it will be, a hardware revision, loss of exclusives and 3rd party support, or just canning the ps3 all together?

Agree(9) | Disagree(8) | Report

gaffyh - 356 days 22 hours ago

Lol at the doom and gloom article. I seriously doubt things are as bad as these guys are making out.

Agree(3) | Disagree(1) | Report

gw4k - 356 days 21 hours ago

Is in serious trouble. With Sony going in the red and their games not selling well, a lot of money is being lost.

MS 360 is looking better and better!

Agree(8) | Disagree(11) | Report

liquidsnake - 356 days 18 hours ago

Full of BS. People seems to not understand what the hell they are talking about. First of all, the Playstation division is making money. The PS division is also the most profitable devision of Sony so I have a hard time seeing that they will can this all together. Second, Sony does not contain only of the PS division, they are involved in movies, music, telephones, cameras, TV's you name it. Has anyone ever thought that perhaps any of these companies, like columbia pictures is getting canned? No you haven't.

Agree(5) | Disagree(8) | Report

BoBo33 - 356 days 17 hours ago

Like someone mentioned above, there are alot more hdtv owners, and movie goers than PS3 owners. I doubt they will touch those divisions. I would say their camera and playstation divisions will take the brunt of this restructuring. The PS3 would seem like a likely target, due to it's smaller install base and the fact that it isn't profitable.

Agree(3) | Disagree(4) | Report

Mozilla89 - 356 days 15 hours ago

Whatever makes Sony more efficient and ruthless. Communication between Sony's different branches is non existent. Like Sony Pictures made movies appearing on Live and not on the PSN and crap like that. They obviously didn't handle the launch of the PS3 very well either.

But if you think that they're gonna abandon the PS3 you're wrong. Launching a console is a huge investment and it would be a waste to just stop supporting it. Its not like the gaming division is killing them anyways. Saying that Sony won't make another console (they will just not soon) would make more sense than saying they'll stop supporting the PS3.

Agree(4) | Disagree(0) | Report

acedoh - 356 days 8 hours ago

and totally misinterpret it. It's unfortunate that the poor economy will probably have a determental effect on companies like SONY. Although trying to act like they are going to let their gaming division go shows ignorance. The Playstation division is one of the most succesful divisons for SONY. If they were in a desperate situation we have already seen a price drop which is always a sign of a console failing. SONY is banking on 2009 being a great year for the Playstation brand. SONY has invested a lot into some major games. Despite high profile games like Resistance 2 and Little Big Planet not exploding with sales does not mean they are not profitable. Although game development is more expensive than it was in the past it can still me more profitable that other entertainment divsions... I think this is only the beginning for the PS3

Agree(1) | Disagree(1) | Report

fenix1300 - 356 days 7 hours ago

how everyone and their grandmother thinks they know whats best for sony!!!! has anyone ever stopped to think and asked themselves how they know better than Multi billion dollar company which can hire enough analysts to decided whats good or bad for them?!?!?

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) | Report

acedoh - 356 days 6 hours ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

The criticism of Pete Carroll became louder when Carroll's first USC team opened the 2001 season going 2–5, with some sportswriters writing off the once-dominant Trojans, who were the only Pac-10 football team to never finish in the national top 10 during the previous decade, as a dying program.[21][16] However, after the slow start, Carroll's teams proceeded to go 67–7 over the next 74 games, winning two national championships and bringing USC back to college football prominence.

So I can only think that naysayers are not always correct...

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) | Report

Saint Sony - 356 days 5 hours ago

PS3 could have been great, but Sony made so many mistakes in so many levels that it's doomed now and current situation of the world economy does not help at all...

Well, there's always other choices for gamers.

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) | Report

xwabbit - 357 days 4 hours ago

Y does it need to be doing a lot better, im sorry but i have to say that you are one of those people who dk about the history of hardware sales. Xbox had 13mil in 23 months while PS3 got 17 mil in 23 months so ? How can it be doing bad ? Its even selling more software than xbox is in many companies and u don't have to take my word for it. Google it and you'll see it.

Agree(12) | Disagree(10) | Report

GrandTheftStreetcar - 357 days 4 hours ago

...oh, wait...

Agree(10) | Disagree(6) | Report

ultimolu - 357 days 4 hours ago

Maybe they should put you in charge...since Sony is on the verge of collasping. You could probably save it from teh impending doom and gloomz.

Agree(6) | Disagree(9) | Report

ultimolu - 357 days 3 hours ago

First of all, know your damn facts. Sony did not lay off 15,000 people...from what I read. They laid off 8,000 workers. I wish I could use a capitalization thing here but I can't so let me point to an article.

http://www.belfasttelegraph...

They could lay off more because of the economic turndown but let's just see what happens.

Second of all, this article is reiterating what the other articles JUST MENTIONED about Sony's restructuring plans. This is not new. People know about this already and there HAS been some restructuring going on.

http://www.reuters.com/arti...

This was reported on December 9, 2008. Your article was late in delivering the news. No one knows which divisions would be cut but I HIGHLY doubt Sony would cut the gaming division, especially when it's being profitable.

360 fans want the PS3 to fail so badly and for Sony to drop out of the gaming industry that they hold on to every single negative thread tightly.

It's basic common sense to see what you people actually want to occur.

And as usual, the cowards bark the loudest as they slam the disagree buttons repeatedly.

Agree(22) | Disagree(10) | Report

GrandTheftStreetcar - 357 days 3 hours ago

This smells of FUD: the only named analysts talk about what Sony DID and what Sony SHOULD do:

"Koya Tabata, a Credit Suisse analyst, recently warned investors that the restructuring of Sony is perilously overdue and must be radical."
"Deutsche Bank analysts described the restructuring plans as “insufficient in scope and scale”"

Apart from that it's "Company sources" or "many analysts" that tell what Sony WILL do ("job cuts and sweeping changes", "to be announced early next month"). Can we have names?

Anyway the article gives some time frame:

"The restructuring is expected to be unveiled after this month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas."

Let's wait and see.

Agree(6) | Disagree(7) | Report

LeonSKennedy4Life - 357 days 3 hours ago

His new avatar is Hancock.

Do we really have to acknowledge that he still exists? Hancock was, quite possibly, Will Smith's worst movie. It took old premises', unmemorable music, and "meh" special effects...blended them up...and it came out looking like Hancock.

I don't think you should be able to talk anymore.

Agree(5) | Disagree(3) | Report

GrandTheftStreetcar - 357 days 3 hours ago

Where did you get that Sony lost 15 billion in one quarter? I just checked Wikipedia they say Sony's profit for 2008 is 3.694 Billion.

Agree(8) | Disagree(6) | Report

Bird Dawg - 357 days 2 hours ago

The Playstation brand is about to go under. I just wonder if it will immediately be cut, or if it will linger on for a couple more years. I guess it will be up to Nintendo and Microsoft whether or not they want to strike the fatal blow.

Agree(6) | Disagree(14) | Report

darkpower - 356 days 23 hours ago

Why would you WANT something like that to happen?

Agree(2) | Disagree(4) | Report

Bird Dawg - 356 days 20 hours ago

I didn't say I wanted that to happen. But I'm not a fanboy in denial either. Sony is in trouble. And in their weakened state, Nintendo or Microsoft could end Sony's run in the console war if they chose to do so. It's not want or wish, it's truth.

Agree(4) | Disagree(5) | Report

hate_me - 356 days 19 hours ago

in denial much?

Agree(3) | Disagree(3) | Report

Dannagar - 357 days 3 hours ago

Japanese Pride... It helped bring Sega Down. They need to let Sir Howard do what's best for the company. Don't worry, It's not their gaming division that's bringing them down, it's every other division. Though Sony looses money off each PS3, sales of PSP's and PS2's make up that money. So they break in even there. For those that want to support Sony, just buy their games. Those numbers count.

There is always the danger that 1st party games that are in development could get the axe due to poor sales of some of their heavy hitters this past Christmas. I'd imagine that's the only thing to worry about.

Agree(4) | Disagree(0) | Report

ultimolu - 357 days 3 hours ago

Yeah, the 1st party could be a major concern. Hopefully it doesn't come down to that.

Reorganization would be the step in the right direction so their company could survive this rollercoaster.

But one should never hope for Sony's demise in the gaming industry.

Agree(3) | Disagree(2) | Report

Death - 357 days 2 hours ago

It's not in danger though since losses have been reduced to the point they should start to atleast break even and start profitting soon. I'm a little confused by his call to focus on software though. WHile it's nice to have a robust first party, doing so also alienates third party support to a degree. Sony has always produced great products but they lost their way awhile back. The Walkman was the portable to have. Once cassettes died out they never recaptured their market with CD or MP3 players. They don't even have a line of MP3 players as good as the Zune and that's not exactly saying alot when you compare it to ipod sales.

-Death

Agree(3) | Disagree(3) | Report

cherrypie - 356 days 23 hours ago

"here we go again"

Yes. Another top-flight, world-class news outlet tells you that Sony is in deep trouble.

Next thing you know, Wall Street Journal will tell you the PS3 has failed at market.

Sheesh, wow. Now, lets see if we can find some bottom-basement wordpress, blorge or kombo article to tart-up some BS about MS... boy, who wants news from the UK Times when we can publish some 12-year-old's semi-literate rant about how much "MS suxors1!1one!" eh?

I suppose your going to tell us that the UK Times is a part of the vast anti-Sony consipracy with Gametrailers.com, joystiq.com, 1up.com, gamasutra.com and the rest who've told you the same thing?

PS3 has failed at market. Sony is spiralling down the toilet as better competitors over-take it in every market. It's reality. Accept it.

When the December world-wide numbers arrive, this place is going to need therapy.

Agree(5) | Disagree(7) | Report

Terabo - 356 days 16 hours ago

The whimpering from N4G's members homemade websites has already started. It will be a full blown day care center here when Dec numbers are released.

Agree(2) | Disagree(1) | Report

macalatus - 357 days 3 hours ago

Cherrypie, calling N4G members a derogatory name like "retarded" is not allowed in the gamerzone.

To all respectable N4G members, please report Cherrypie's comments as offensive! If he replies to this post, please report it as spam as more than likely he would regurgitate the same thing!

@below,
It's still spelled "retarded", so it doesn't change anything.

Agree(4) | Disagree(5) | Report

McDaygo - 357 days 3 hours ago

he did say clinically. Like Brick from Anchorman. Loud noises.

Agree(1) | Disagree(2) | Report

power of Green - 357 days 2 hours ago

There is simply not enough of us to work on yours:)

As if that is some sort of privilege when you guys abuse/control the system with numbers three or four times greater lol.

Agree(2) | Disagree(10) | Report

cherrypie - 357 days 2 hours ago

Gang-mentality censorship.

"Cherrypie, calling N4G members a derogatory name like "retarded" is not allowed in the gamerzone. To all respectable N4G members, please report Cherrypie's comments as offensive!"

Wonderful.

Clearly, I wasnt calling any individual retarded, I was speaking about a world-view that I elaborated.

No matter. No amount of censorship can change the fact that Sony's mistakes have taken the entire company into a death-spiral.

More 1st party PS3 titles will see the axe to save cash.

Agree(3) | Disagree(8) | Report

Zeevious - 356 days 12 hours ago

From posting outdated spec. information as current facts to applying one standard to Sony and ignoring that same standard for Microsoft...your lack of credibility invalidates your opinion.

Sony is reported to lay off 8,000 out of 180,500 or 4.4% *

...and this is what you call a Death spiral & "More 1st party PS3 titles will see the axe to save cash." (NO 1st party titles have been reported getting the axe AT ALL)

So if that's a death spiral...by your own logic, how do we apply this to Microsoft?

Microsoft is reported to lay off 17,000 out of 91,000 or 18.7% *

The truth is both are cutting back due to the economy, but if your calling a 4% cutback a death spiral what do you call a cutback almost 5 times greater? Death itself?

I simply can't recognize you as a credible source until you start posting information that has at least a sliver of credibility.

Don't worry. I won't hold my breath.
.

* Employee numbers are as reported by Forbes Financial Services JAN 05, 2009.

Agree(1) | Disagree(1) | Report

Death - 357 days 2 hours ago

Apple owns the portable MP3 platey market. They are the ones to beat. Nintendo owns the console market with the Wii this gen and the handheld market with the DS. These two are the companies to beat this gen like SOny was the last 2 gens with the Playstation brand. That is why you see so many comparisons with the PS3. It is an achievement to beat the market leader. At the rate things are going next gen it will be the Wii everyone targets for sales goals.

-Death

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) | Report

ultimolu - 357 days 3 hours ago

Lol, don't you love how the disagree fairies are out on full force too? I remembered this story was first introduced last year. There *has* been some restructuring going on.

They're a bit late.

Agree(7) | Disagree(9) | Report

GiantEnemyLobster - 357 days 2 hours ago

Sorry droids, but the cell isn't any good when the PS3 is dead.

Agree(4) | Disagree(6) | Report

DragonSoul - 356 days 16 hours ago

Why do people still think the PS3 is going somewhere?

Agree(0) | Disagree(0) | Report

GrandTheftStreetcar - 357 days 2 hours ago

http://www.georgeforemancoo...

Agree(4) | Disagree(3) | Report

PirateThom - 357 days 2 hours ago

Does this site have any age restrictions?

Are you trying to say Microsoft and Nintendo aren't full of hypocrites and liars?

Agree(5) | Disagree(2) | Report

GiantEnemyLobster - 357 days 2 hours ago

http://www.bornrich.org/ima...

Agree(2) | Disagree(2) | Report

b777conehead - 356 days 15 hours ago

so because you are a Sony hater. you want to leave the gaming to the wii and the 360. so that would leave you with a choice of a kids console. are a console that breaks at a 33 percent rate. i like having that 3rd choice the ps3 .

Agree(2) | Disagree(0) | Report

Jason 360 - 356 days 8 hours ago

At least the 360 and Wii arn't last

Agree(0) | Disagree(1) | Report

Marty8370 - 356 days 20 hours ago

Just look where Microsofts 10,000+ job cuts are coming from. They have a smaller workforce of 90,000 and some of the cuts are in the games division as well.

Sony has over 180,000 workforce, so 15,000 don't seem that many. Games division is'nt affected.

7,000 job cuts were from 1 factory in france shutting that produced blank VHS tapes, which clearly had run it course. The market has moved on to DVD/Blu-rays, who the hell buys blank VHS tapes.
.

Agree(4) | Disagree(0) | Report

Oner - 356 days 19 hours ago

@ Marty ~ "Just look where Microsofts 10,000+ job cuts are coming from. They have a smaller workforce of 90,000 and some of the cuts are in the games division as well.

Sony has over 180,000 workforce, so 15,000 don't seem that many. Games division is'nt affected.

7,000 job cuts were from 1 factory in france shutting that produced blank VHS tapes, which clearly had run it course. The market has moved on to DVD/Blu-rays, who the hell buys blank VHS tapes."

You won't see "certain types" commenting on that bit of factual information...I wonder why ;)

Agree(1) | Disagree(0) | Report