Sony Computer Entertainment America's SVP of marketing talks about his company's gelling scheme for its looming next-gen console launch.
Last week, Sony held a Gamers' Day in San Francisco to show off the PlayStation 3. As part of the proceedings, executives for the company showed off the next-generation console and its various bells and whistles. Foremost among these were the console's Sixaxis controller, which will translate players' physical motions into in-game actions for various titles. For example, turning the controller like a steering wheel will actually steer in-game cars in MotorStorm, the off-roading game from Sony-owned Evolution Studios.
Another key aspect of the PlayStation 3 launch is the PlayStation Network Platform. The service will launch alongside the PS3 and is tailor-made to counter the online components of the console's competitors--Xbox Live and WiiConect24--with a variety of features, such as game downloads. Another major cornerstone of the service is its price--or, more correctly, the fact it doesn't have one. Unlike Xbox Live Gold, the PlayStation Network Platform will support free online gameplay out of the box and will (presumably) continue to do so ad infinitum.
However, the PS3's November 17 launch in the US has been plagued by problems. Foremost among them is day-one supply of the console, which Sony drastically reduced last month from 2 million units to just 400,000. How is the electronics giant, whose PlayStation 2 is the undisputed leader in the console game, coping with consumers' doubts about its next-generation plans? GameSpot recently sat down with Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing for Sony Computer Entertainment America, to find out how the US PS3 launch is shaping up.
When the PS5 and the Xbox Series X/S first launched all the way back in 2020, console sales were not what either platform manufacturer wanted them to be. The pandemic slowed things down more than ever before, even though in the case of each next-gen console, all the units that were manufactured, sold.
Of course that didn’t last, and soon manufacturing limitations on the consoles were a thing of the past, and sales started to leap forward. For one next-gen console platform, at least.
I can see why Microsoft is putting their games on PlayStation with these numbers
Imagine how many copies of future games like Elder Scrolls VI, Blade, Indiana Jones and more they could sell if they went fully multiplatform.
Companies, particularly public companies like Microsoft, need to grow.
i mean its pretty simple, they spent close to 30 billion in acquiring activision, they thought they'd make it bk no problem, and that didnt happen.
its just shit that because of MS's miscalculation alot of people lost their jobs.
They are going to use AI for a large portion of the game development process. Upper management need bonuses and the shareholders need more money. So, people will lose their jobs.
They shouldn't have bought any studios. Some is okay...but they went on a shopping spree...stupid
The better question is why did Microsoft buy publishers for a service they were subsidizing they knew couldn't support.
And why are so many websites trying to make people feel sorry for Microsoft instead of truly criticizing the fact they are closing studios and killing jobs that would have been fine if Microsoft themselves hadn't gotten involved.
Quit feeling sorry for Microsoft and start feeling sorry for the industry and the all the gamers who are actually losing out.
THIS IS MICROSOFTS FAULT.
The first thing that happens after any major acquisition or merger is a consolidation of the whole new portfolio, which includes cutting any excess, bloat or portfolios that don't fit the larger MO of the big boy. So far, it's been par for the course with Microsoft and that's why gamers have been so against this acquisition. Tango Gameworks is the beginning. You think Microsoft wants to pay to keep small timers like Ninja Theory in business?
There is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that Microsoft will improve any of these studios, but plenty to suggest that they will get rid of what they don't need and hold onto the IP. The real agenda of the acquisition was always to acquire The Elder Scrolls, Diablo, Fallout, Call of Duty, Candy Crush etc. that will create millions in passive revenue stream for Microsoft regardless of where the games release. Microsoft simply wants their cut.
Because of Games Pass Microsoft has no interest in investing in new IP which is risky and requires creative talent they can neither nurture nor manage. Game Pass has also not grown in the way Microsoft expected it to, even post acquisitions. Therefore the logical thing to do, without serious money makers to release, is to cut as much cost as possible.
Backward compatibility works for many games on newer consoles, but titles such as The Simpsons: Hit and Run have been left out.
He takes a couple of shots at Microsoft, namely regarding the months-long XBLA drought and the preponderance of classic arcade titles in the XBLA.
What I find interesting is that Sony is not picking up on the potential for integration between the PS3 and PSP. I know that Sony likes to play "hands-off" when it comes to development guidance for their consoles, but this is an area where they could really do well by playing a stronger hand. Microsoft requires that every game have some online functionality. Sony could benefit from "encouraging" developers to include PSP functionality in their games. This could take the form of an MMOG that is played on the PS3 in a first or third person perspective and the more strategic/mundane parts could be played on-the-go on the PSP. Fighting/exploring takes place on the home console, crafting/dialogue/farming etc. takes place on the PSP. An example of a classic game with this kind of play style is X-Com. That game involves base management, research and development of technology, manufacture of weapons and vehicles, etc. from a fairly simple interface. This interface is also used to control your attempts to intercept alien vehicles and crash sites. However, the game switched to an isometric view-point when your squad of soldiers investigated a crash site. In such a game, either an MMO, or just a game that allows you to access a server from your handheld, or even a game in which you pass saved game information back and forth between the PSP and PS3, you could run the base management portion of the game from the PSP and take care of the crash site investigation on the PS3. This, of course, is only a low-tech example, as X-Com is an older PC game. But this could work with a version of a game like Mass Effect, where exploration and dialogue are handled by the PSP and instanced fights are handled on the PS3.
I think I have probably been both repetitive and redundant in stating my point, so I think you get the idea. I just see this as much more engaging than using your PSP as a rear-view mirror in a racing game.
Did he really say that the PS3's Technology is leaps and bounds ahead of there competitors?!?! Really?? If it is, where???? Because as a consumer, the reason I bought a Xbox 360 this time is because I'm getting the same technology for a cheaper price! And better games!! Wow, Sony never stops amazing me!!! LOL
I think they did not learn their lesson from past PR issues. But thats O.K. when we get our hands on it we see 1st hand. They still are abusing thier customer brand loyalty.
Pimps like to keep the #o's in check. So belive that S#!t if you want too.
1. HD drive that can be utilized for both movies and games.
PS3 = Yes 360 = No
2. HDMI 1.3 out.
PS3 = Yes 360 = No
3. Hard drive in every system.
PS3 = Yes 360 = No
4. Native 1080p games
PS3 = Yes 360 = No
5. Free Online multiplayer gaming
PS3 = Yes 360 = No
6. Able to web surf.
PS3 = Yes 360 = No
7. Able to run a OS (ie be a computer)
PS3 = Yes 360 = No
Yes its abundantly clear the 360 offers the same technology at a cheaper price.
8.built in wifi in premium system
ps3=yes 360=no
9.built in memory stick/sd reader(premium)
ps3=yes 360=no
10.FULL BACKWARDS COMPATABILITY(both systems)
ps3=yes 360=no
11.links to portable system
ps3=yes 360=no
12.no regional lockout
ps3=yes 360=no
13.built in media player for music and photos
ps3=yes 360=no
14.system comes in two parts
ps3=no 360=yes
15.wireless(rechargeable)contr oller in both
ps3=yes 360=no
16.built in controller tracking
ps3=yes 360=no
if you look at the features that are built in thammer,i think that the system is leaps and bounds better out of the box.we're not talking games because ps3 has yet to prove itself.i have yet to play the games.and even then it's subjective.but out of the box.yep.leaps ahead.just like the xbox system was to the ps2 system.