Koei's Kenji Matsuhara speaks on Next gen consoles

[barnak]

Regarding the 360, Matsuhara pointed out that the system has good features like a hard disk as standard, Online support via Xbox Live, voice chat, messaging and matching services. However, Microsoft's sell-through is causing some worries, and Matsuhara expects it to be some time before the system hits a critical mass.

Matsuhara seems to know very little about the PS3 at this point -- or, at least, he wasn't willing to get into details at the event. Regarding the system's supposed Spring launch, he commented jokingly, "Spring is being said, but it will likely be an extremely hot Spring." Matsuhara stated that he's been asking for a hard disk to be included with the system as standard, but he's not sure what will happen. Despite the lack of solid details from Sony, though, he seems excited about the PS3, finishing off with, "I'm placing a lot of hope in it becoming a force in the spread of Online games."

As for the Revolution, Matsuhara seemed to express some disappointment in Nintendo's use of flash memory instead of a hard disk, noting that "a full 3D MMORPG (massively multiplayer Online RPG) may not fit." Regarding the company's Online plan, while Nintendo has yet to announce details, Matsuhara suggested that the DS Online plan could be a possible hint at what we can expect from the Rev.

Full article: http://ps3.ign.com/articles/687/687670p1.html

 

[3roxor]

K..so he had nothing interesting to say.

 

[barnak]

Well, I found it intresting that he says that Ps3 is what is gonna spread online gaming instead of Xbox 360 which is more focused on online. But than again we know very little about Ps3 and its online plan.

 

[Carl B]

Well, I found it intresting that he says that Ps3 is what is gonna spread online gaming instead of Xbox 360 which is more focused on online. But than again we know very little about Ps3 and its online plan.

I think he's refering simply to PS3 expected to be 'strong' online, not any sort of confirmation that it will be stronger. IMO his use of PS3 there instead of 360 has probably more to do with those Japanese sell-through numbers he refered to in his first quoted statement, not any doubts in Microsoft's online abilities.

 

[therealskywolf]

Koei primary development platform is PS3. Obviouslly....Now they want to make their games focus on online, and since Xbox 360 is "weak" market for them, since all they sell is freaking Dynasty Warriors, they need the Ps3 to have a better Online plan than last time.

That's what they are hoping....they are like "360 has this and that....but our games won't sell shit on it, so we don't care."

 

[eDoshin]

Assuming that PS3 achieves a smiliar level of success as their previous consoles, If Sony makes a dedicated push for online delivery and achieves some measure of success, then its impact will be far greater due to sheer numbers alone. It that Catch 22 where content is not available b/c of low numbers, and numbers are low because there is no content. PS3 delivering hi user numbers will ensure more content, more content will mean more people adopting online.

 

[GB123]

He is obviously refering to the japanese market though.

Nobody can say the 360 has done badly considering all the systems have sold out.