So what happened to the Father of the PlayStation? To say Kutaragi was pushed out because of the PS3 isn't seeing the full picture. Yes, PS3 is costing Sony quite a bit right now (still a far cry from the $5 billion Microsoft has lost on the Xbox platform over the past few years), but you're expected to recoup these costs as hardware prices come down and software sales go up.
No, the real problem was that Kutaragi was a fantastic engineer, not executive. He had little interest in the politics that came with the job. This is why Kaz Hirai took his place.
But in all of this hubbub surrounding his departure, what's perhaps been overlooked is that this may have been what Kutaragi had also wanted. As he once told Newsweek, "We have so many things to create, but unfortunately for me I have a lot of responsibility right now...This was not in my dream."
With the PS3, Kutaragi delivered perhaps the ultimate games and entertainment machine - what remains to be seen is if this is what the world actually wants. But to say that he's ended his career in shame - Kutaragi deserves better than that. He was more than just the father of the PlayStation, he was in a lot of ways the father of modern gaming.
Maybe Kutaragi will actually just take it easy for a change: "My first dream...was to retire when I was 50." Now, six years past the age of 50, he's done this.
The first PlayStation is home to an array of iconic video games that went on to define the sheer significance of this console.
I think from a historical perspective I would change Spyro for Grand Turismo. It's the franchise that made the PS1 look like an absolute unit. Other than that, I can't argue with the rest when it comes to games that defined the PS1.
And to be honest, there should be space for Tekken 3, Wipepout and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater in order to round out the PS1 identity as the machine to own at the time.
With Tomb Raider 2, Silent Hill, Symphony of the Night, Tenchu, and Soul Reaver as backup contenders.
Gary Green said: You’ll be forgiven if you haven’t heard of the Ar Tonelico trilogy. The previous two games arrived so late in the PS2’s life-cycle that they simply went unnoticed. While most were tinkering with their shiny new PS3s, Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia and Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica were being ‘returned to sender’ by your local Game stores. Luckily, you won’t need to have played them to understand and appreciate this third and final chapter, Qoga (pronounced k-yoga) tells the story of a racial war between humans and Reyvateils, a breed of biologically produced female cyborgs capable of reproduction, while still having a digital mind.
Oh my god. I kinda wish this would get a remaster on PS5, it would be awesome. One of my favorite games on PS3.
That and 3D Dot Game Heroes. It's a shame that some stuff is stuck on PS3.
Ar Tonelico 3 is good I still prefer the first AT game. The music is solid in all the games and Akiko Shikata is a very talented singer bringing life to the game. Only annoying part is well I find is Saki I always choose Finnel or Tyria. KOEI so needs to HD remaster the franchise along with Ar Nosurge and Ciel Nosurge since it never came to North America. I would day one the Ar Toneliceo games and Ar Nosurge if they were remastered.
I still have the limited edition of Qoga unopened. Unfortunately it never went up in value like I had hoped all these years.
Used to own all these quirky JRPG on ps3 good times. Wish I would have kept them all
Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.
Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.
Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.
"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."
That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.
for the 500th time.
Aw i love how themart approved this thinking it's a negative article. :) It really is a good read people, don't read my summary...read the actuall thing.
He was a good engineer and dreamer. I think a fatal flaw was letting him be a spokesman that was all. I think a lot of people didn't recognize his genius because of that.
I have to admit, after hearing some of the stuff he said, i did think he was crazy. But he still was a good dude.
But then again, many times a person who revolutionizes something, or creates something isn't always as normal as the average person, and sometimes they do apear to be crazy.
Nice to read something nice about this guy.
Good Article
i thought ken and sony were doing fine !
yes ken went a bit loony tunes with the press but thats not really his job !
yes ps3 has had a slow start !
its not that bad !
playstation will be fine !
i think we all know its not gonna run away with it like last time !
but ninty didnt do too well in there last 2 gen but look at them now !
i say good luck ken !
now back to the games !