+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 12, 2008 Subscriber² Share Posted May 12, 2008 (edited) Sony Computer Entertainment president and CEO Kaz Hirai skips the damage control, and concedes that Sony underwhelmed gamers with the PlayStation 3 in its first year."I think it's fair to say that the first year of PlayStation 3 was somewhat a difficult one," said Hirai at Sony's PlayStation Day in London. "There were some teething problems, success from our competitors, and our customers were a little underwhelmed by the range of titles that were available. "This is something that we're very much aware of, and something we were always confident we could overcome." Microsoft was able to capitalize on PS3's year-one shortcomings, at least in North America and the UK, where Xbox 360 titles like Halo 3, BioShock, Mass Effect and others tore up sales charts and made PS3's otherwise decent lineup look relatively paltry. Hirai said that Christmas 2007 was strong for PS3, and "2008 has gotten off to a fantastic start." He added, "What fills me with even greater pleasure is the knowledge that the year so far has only seen the launch of two of our key titles, Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and Grand Theft Auto IV, with the rest still to come." PS3 will be seeing other important exclusive titles this year, including Metal Gear Solid 4, Resistance 2 and LittleBigPlanet, not to mention the release of the online gaming community PlayStation Home--all very important factors for the gaming giant. Moving forward, Hirai reiterated Sony's plan to make PS3 a console with a decade-long lifespan. "I've always talked about PS3 being a long-term play for us, and that's still the case," said Hirai. "We are very confident PS3 will have at least a 10-year lifespan, and that the power under its casing and the potential for improvement in all areas is simply astonishing." He said that PS3's growth will rely on strengthening relationships with third parties. "Through an increase in dialogue, there's been a greater sharing of knowledge and of developer assets, which has resulted in the rise and number of developers adopting PS3 as their lead platform. We're seeing real steps in quality, sophistication and fun..." He also claimed that PS3 is making core gamers happy, as well as attracting a "whole new consumer base." Hirai noted criticisms by some companies who said Sony's message for the PS3 is confusing: is it for games, movies, media? "PS3 is a platform for digital interactive home entertainment, and we know that the nature of PS3 is multi-faceted," said Hirai. "But last year we positioned it first and foremost as a system for games, games and more games, so that it would be clear to users what they can expect from their PlayStation 3. "Ultimately, it's the games that are defining PlayStation, and games that continue to excite all PlayStation and gaming fans alike. And I think this message resonated well with gamers and has really been taken onboard." Source: http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=c...32&Itemid=2 I know we have that lovely outburst topic from MS criticising the PS3, but it's nice to see some modesty coming from Sony themselves after the prior-to-launch arrogance. No one will lie, the first year has underwhelmed in many areas, the biggest being actual software titles - We expect lows at launch ~ first 6 months or so, but things dragged on a little longer. The delay of MGS4 from 2007, to 2008 was a bit of a bummer, as well as GTA4 getting delayed from 2007 to 2008 (If they hadn't it would mean both of those titles hitting in the PS3s first year). However there were some gems in the first year, just not enough. Although I don't think Sony can complain about 10.5 million hardware sales in the year they've had, and if they done that with an underwhelming year, one can only think what this year could equal with a fair few big titles hitting, and the BR win in the bag early on (Y) Edited May 12, 2008 by Audioboxer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konstanov Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Underwhelmed is an being benign about it, let's just be blunt and say they failed to deliver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 12, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 12, 2008 Underwhelmed is an being benign about it, let's just be blunt and say they failed to deliver. The PS3 has done many good things in it's first year. Unless you're a pessimistic, I don't think you can argue that either. Underwhelmed is suitable IMO, and is backed up with the still decent sales return on hardware. I think if it had genuinely failed, the yearly sales would have been lower, and BR would have struggled a lot more to have become victorious. Sony did "fail" on many promises, but I don't think you can say the whole PS3 brand just failed to deliver. Even the media, who tore the PS3 about 80 new ones, have started this year positively - All the "year of the PS3" hype. I think getting a brighter outlook from the media was crucial. Wading through all the criticism and negative comments was depressing enough for PS3 owners, let alone for Sony seeing their console being torn to shreds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiracyX Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 He added, "What fills me with even greater pleasure is the knowledge that the year so far has only seen the launch of two of our key titles, Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and Grand Theft Auto IV, with the rest still to come." GT5:P was a key title? PS3 will be seeing other important exclusive titles this year, including Metal Gear Solid 4, Resistance 2 and LittleBigPlanet, not to mention the release of the online gaming community PlayStation Home--all very important factors for the gaming giant. Home will not be out until next year sometime, so not this year. (I am not including the Open BETA here) Hirai noted criticisms by some companies who said Sony's message for the PS3 is confusing: is it for games, movies, media? "PS3 is a platform for digital interactive home entertainment, and we know that the nature of PS3 is multi-faceted," said Hirai. "But last year we positioned it first and foremost as a system for games, games and more games, so that it would be clear to users what they can expect from their PlayStation 3. Is this a joke? For the first year, it was all about the Blu-ray capability. Sony pushed and pushed the PS3 PRIMARY as a Blu-ray player first and a Gaming machine second. These games he is talking about from last year......where were they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konstanov Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 The PS3 has done many good things in it's first year. Unless you're a pessimistic, I don't think you can argue that either.Underwhelmed is suitable IMO, and is backed up with the still decent sales return on hardware. I think if it had genuinely failed, the yearly sales would have been lower, and BR would have struggled a lot more to have become victorious. Sony did "fail" on many promises, but I don't think you can say the whole PS3 brand just failed to deliver. Even the media, who tore the PS3 about 80 new ones, have started this year positively - All the "year of the PS3" hype. I think getting a brighter outlook from the media was crucial. Wading through all the criticism and negative comments was depressing enough for PS3 owners, let alone for Sony seeing their console being torn to shreds. I was speaking software-wise, there was huge lack of big blockbuster games in the first of the PS3. The PS3 had a impressive year hardware-wise and I think they need to stop pushing hardware and work on trying to get some studios to put out some great software that would grab my attention than a few weeks at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 12, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 12, 2008 (edited) GT5:P was a key title?Home will not be out until next year sometime, so not this year. (I am not including the Open BETA here) Is this a joke? For the first year, it was all about the Blu-ray capability. Sony pushed and pushed the PS3 PRIMARY as a Blu-ray player first and a Gaming machine second. These games he is talking about from last year......where were they? GT5:P was a key title? It sold 1.5 million units in Europe alone, so yes it's a key title. Home will not be out until next year sometime, so not this year. (I am not including the Open BETA here) The open beta is essentially the release of Home - Sony have said that a few times. Is this a joke? For the first year, it was all about the Blu-ray capability. Sony pushed and pushed the PS3 PRIMARY as a Blu-ray player first and a Gaming machine second. These games he is talking about from last year......where were they? They juggled priorities last year all over the shop. So I do somewhat agree with you - There was good games last year though, just not enough of them. As I said in another BR topic, juggling the way they did setup for a BR win, and now that is in the bag, 2008 will be a lot more about games. Essentially what they done last year could pay off not badly at all in the long run, but going through the juggling sessions wasn't fun for gamers, or the developers/media. I was speaking software-wise, there was huge lack of big blockbuster games in the first of the PS3. The PS3 had a impressive year hardware-wise and I think they need to stop pushing hardware and work on trying to get some studios to put out some great software that would grab my attention than a few weeks at a time. I agree, the software was underwhelming aside from a handful of titles - eg, not enough. Edited May 12, 2008 by Audioboxer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zab Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Man, when i got one my freinds like roasted me for it haha. But I stand by it since I love it and use it for everything but Music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lingwo Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I think it is kind of obvious that the PS3 was underwhelming in its first year. It is picking up now. I still think it needs some proper exclusive titles. Heavy Rain is probably the most exciting. The reason PS3 even sold in its first year was because of the name PlayStation and the other people got it because it had Blu-Ray and i'll admit i wrote Blu-Ray off, how wrong was I :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 12, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 12, 2008 ?PS3 confused third parties?, says HiraiSCE president Kaz Hirai puts launch difficulties down to a lack of understanding in the industryAfter admitting to a packed PlayStation Day audience that PS3?s first year was difficult, Hirai later told MCV that part of the problem was a lack of understanding from Sony?s third party partners. ?I think there was some confusion as to what PS3 was initially ? some of the third parties didn?t understand and they wanted to scale back a little and see how things went before they really put in their resources,? said Hirai. ?But when I re-positioned the PS3 as a video games console at Tokyo Game Show I think everybody got that message loud and clear.? Hirai?s comments came as he also revealed that he does not consider Nintendo or Microsoft to be competition, as Sony is targeting the wider entertainment space with PS3 ? take a look here for his comments in full. Source: http://www.mcvuk.com/news/30519/PS3-confus...ties-sHirai: 'We?re not competing with Microsoft or Nintendo'osWider entertainment market is the real target for PS3, says SCE presidentS3, says SCE president Forget Microsoft and Nintendo ? PS3?s content can take on movies, TV and the web in the battle for the wider entertainment space. That was the message from SCE president Kaz Hirai as he spoke to MCV at this week?s PlayStation Day, at which the platform holder revealed a string of triple-A titles and online community projects. After SCEE president David Reeves confidently emphasised that PS3 had now overtaken its main rival Xbox 360 in SCEE territories with five million sales since its launch, Hirai sat down with MCV to elaborate further on Sony?s vision for PS3. ?I think that PS3, PS2 and PSP are all entertainment platforms so I feel that our competition is not Microsoft or Nintendo, but basically any form of entertainment that is competing for the consumers? attention,? said Hirai. ?So we need to make sure we offer the most compelling entertainment ? not videogame entertainment but in entertainment in general. I can?t speak for their strategy but I like to think that we?ve got a very well balanced portfolio with PS3, PSP and you can?t discount the PS2.? Source: http://www.mcvuk.com/news/30512/Hirai-Were...oft-or-Nintendo[/url: Not sure about the second article :/ :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sethos Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Not only the first year, but up to this point it has underwhelmed pretty much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REM2000 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I think the BR platform is struggling a little at the moment. I think like laserdisk it will be around for the dedicated home theatre people. However DVD still delivers a great picture for the average person, it seems that disk based movies are reaching the end of the line and that the online space is now coming into peoples home. Here in the UK we have Virgin and BT both pushing the online space for movies and other forms of media. Really i think Sony should concentrate on the PS3 as a games console. They need to get the titles flooding in, if it means more help to third parties with the dev kit or a bigger marketing push. I understand that both the PS2 and the PS3 offered/offers the movie experience but ive always felt it was a bolt on to what essentially is a games console. There is a lot of untapped power in the PS3 and sony really does need to help the third parties to untap it. However it's great that we have all this compeition in the games arena. I personally own an Xbox360, but i don't think for it to succeed it needs to get rid of the PS3 or the Wii. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 12, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 12, 2008 PlayStation 'will reclaim lead' PlayStation 3 will help Sony reclaim its position as the leading games console maker, the head of the firm's console division has said. Speaking to BBC News, Kaz Hirai said the machine would overhaul rivals Nintendo and Microsoft within its 10-year lifecycle. PlayStation 3 sales have outstripped those of Microsoft Xbox 360 in Europe but it lags behind in North America. Nintendo's Wii console is the number one next-generation machine globally. Mr Hirai said Sony was engaged in a "marathon" race with Nintendo and Microsoft. More than 10.5 million PlayStation 3s were sold worldwide by the end of 2007. To date, in Europe more than five million PS3s have been sold. Nintendo had shipped more than 25 million Wiis worldwide by April this year, while Microsoft reported 19 million 360s shipped by the same period. Both firms have reported production supply problems in the past year. Mr Hirai said: "We've only really begun to scratch the surface with PlayStation 3 but I am confident that given the long life-cycle we have planned for the machine we are going to have a very good install base in all of the major territories. "I am very confident that after the 10-year lifecycle we will have the install base that we are looking for and that is obviously to be in the leadership position." 'Fuel growth' Mr Hirai said Sony continued to look into the future development of consoles beyond the PlayStation 3. He said that while new PlayStation hardware had been introduced five years into the lifecycle of the last two generations of machines, it was difficult to predict when a new PlayStation platform would emerge. "It's very difficult to say at this point in time. "We need to take a look at advances in technology in various areas, such as semiconductors, graphics chips, output devices, mainly TV and monitors, to see where we would like to benchmark our next generation product." He said that Sony's investment in future console hardware technology remained important. "And you can make the investments, for example, to the tune of the investments we made with previous consoles, because we look at this business as a 10-year lifecycle. We don't let our consoles go by the wayside after five years. Network gaming "By managing a portfolio of consoles that we have - PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 - we are able to look at the business in totality." Mr Hirai said the company had begun investigation of pure network gaming, without the need for a dedicated console. "It's something we would look at. We have had a lot of discussion internally about where the road map will take us. "[With network gaming] we're also dependent on the network infrastructure available in all the territories we do business in. "Some have faster broadband access than others. When you consider that content that plays on PlayStation 3 can go as high as 50GB it's going to be very difficult to deliver 50GB to consumers in some parts of the world in a timely fashion." Because of the limitations, he said Blu-ray discs remained the "best and most efficient way to deliver content". He said sales of PlayStation 3 would continue to be driven by games and by the line-up of titles this year. "If you look at line-up coming out this year - Metal Gear Solid 4, Resistance 2, Motorstorm: Pacific Rift , Little Big Planet, there is a whole raft of titles between now and the end of the year which will really help fuel growth of the install base." Mr Hirai described the launch of PlayStation 3 as "difficult" and affected by "teething problems". 'Some challenges' "We had some challenges when we launched the PlayStation 3 in major territories. We were not able to supply North America and Japan with enough units. "There was also some concern in the media and from customers about the lack of titles available at launch." Kaz Hirai's full interview with Darren Waters, including the 10 year plan that incorporates the virtual world Home. He added: "That situation has been remedied to the satisfaction of consumers. The software line-up is looking good for this year and certainly for the holiday period." He said the technology inside the PlayStation 3 had been a steep learning curve for developers. "I think they are beginning to embrace the technology and are able to express their creativity on the platform certainly more than they were able to at launch." Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7387628.stm The interview is also done in video (2 mins clip at top of page, and 20 min at bottom) - If you can be bothered sitting through it :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiracyX Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Not only the first year, but up to this point it has underwhelmed pretty much. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popisdead uk Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 +1 How can you say that when you don't own one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted May 12, 2008 Veteran Share Posted May 12, 2008 "But last year we positioned it first and foremost as a system for games, games and more games, so that it would be clear to users what they can expect from their PlayStation 3. Ha, like hell they did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiracyX Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 How can you say that when you don't own one? I have to own one to understand that there hasn't been many good games for the entire first year and still not really many worth mentioning? If this was the other way round and the games were there, then i would of brought one ages ago. I stated another opinion further up the thread. You know people give there opinions all the time about the XBOX360 (most negative) and they don't even own one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popisdead uk Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I have plenty of games to play. I'm still not sure where all this 'the PS3 has no good games' is coming from? I have both, and both consoles have their pro's and con's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lingwo Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 How can you say that when you don't own one? That's the reason why. Reason i don't own one yet is because it has underwhelmed me. MGS4 is a must and i will own one then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popisdead uk Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 That's the reason why.Reason i don't own one yet is because it has underwhelmed me. MGS4 is a must and i will own one then. Fair enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacer Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 GTA IV is not a key title for the PS3 because it's not an exclusive. Also, Sony was always talking about Blu-ray first and games second. I don't agree with the statement that the PS3 has been touted as a gaming machine first and foremost. If anything, Sony has always referred to it as a "media center" type of device. Other than that, I agree with most of the stuff said in the article. The PS3 was totally underwhelming (and definitely not worth the price IMO) in the first year. But, it does have serious potential and a lot of good stuff coming up in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 12, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted May 12, 2008 GTA IV is not a key title for the PS3 because it's not an exclusive. Also, Sony was always talking about Blu-ray first and games second. I don't agree with the statement that the PS3 has been touted as a gaming machine first and foremost. If anything, Sony has always referred to it as a "media center" type of device.Other than that, I agree with most of the stuff said in the article. The PS3 was totally underwhelming (and definitely not worth the price IMO) in the first year. But, it does have serious potential and a lot of good stuff coming up in the near future. Because a game isn't an exclusive it isn't a key title? :blink: GTA4 will help shift a lot of PS3 hardware, more so than any other title on the PS3 so far. Do you also share the view that is isn't a key title for the 360 either then? MS paid 50 mils for exclusive DLC, I think they treat it as a key title as much as Sony do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popisdead uk Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 GTA IV is not a key title for the PS3 because it's not an exclusive. Best line of the day :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahhell Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Bravo Sony! For once, you don't sound like a bunch of arrogant jackasses. *clap* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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