New Ken Kutaragi interview (1) @ PC Watch

[Docwiz]

Good luck with that.

Had MS launched xbox360 later this year instead of Nov 2005, would it have been actually better than to rush the launch only so that it would be first.

xbox360 launched with good games, but are they enough to keep up the momentum beyond the usually games dry season of summer up to November 2007 when PS3 launches. It's as if after the "launch period" there has been not much games launched, and not much scheduled until late this year/early next year.

I already hear people say "Where are the new games for xbox360?", and while there certainly are good games scheduled later this year, they'll compete for attention with the PS3, and it really is not a good signal to the mainstream gamers if there's a long empty season before the competition launches. It can unintentionally give a false bad image.
There's already a dip in xbox 360 sales due to the summer (Xbox 360: 221,000 ( -25%) ), how will it rise from there in the autumn months when it has heavy competition?

One could always argue "But people will look at the cheaper xbox360 with a much larger library of games and compare it with the more expensive PS3 and the limited launch library. The xbox360 must look like a sure bet, and with GTA4 no longer exclusive and Halo3 they choose the xbox360 if they have any sense!"

But it does not go that way. We're talking of a hundred dollar difference here, not thousands of dollars. It's not that big an investment really.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=140302&skip=yes

Good luck with all of those tons of launch titles. The Xbox 360 will be superior this christmas no doubt about it.

 

[liolio]

I agree with ThechefO, I don't think 4 cells, would be enought for Ps4.
When I look to the improvement in the new Intel processors and when I see
amd buying i can't remenber the name co-processor terchnologie, I think cell architecture has a lot to prove.
But I don't think Sony is stupid when they try to sell the ps3 as a computer, at this time they just haven't the software to back up such claims (sorry nor the ram...).
Ms is a very different situaion if xobx do well, it 's good for them. but Ms also see Vista as a leading gaming plateform.
they think in sofware not matter what hardware is the better they bring the software, and actually the convergence on the pc-media center-gaming plateform is more a software thing.
By 2010 I expect pc hardware to be amazing, what will be the cost to to design hardware as competitive as intel/amd and ati/Nvidia, and develop an Os that is hugely supported by developers?
Not a problem for mS they can sell Windows on this hardware or put some parts together and go on nicely.
Sony is still not a software compagny assumind dev cost for both hardware and sofware is huge when you aiming media/gaming device.
To me Sony is trying to redefine is bizness plan, I don't think they really want ps to be a computer (exept KK), they want sell media device and content and sell content on BR should be a jackpot.
But they don't to want to become Intel or Amd, this time they can't keep up with hardware design they ned IBM toshiba help.
Next time will they ever take part to the hardware design...I don't think so, this time they have opportunity to help BR with ps3 so they try.[edit they still can manufacture theirs products ]
Next time they will put others parts together, if Ms don't have still accomplished is goal not with Xbox360 but with is software Vista (or the next windows) IE the software that run your do It all pc like device (between 2010 and 2015 I think technology will be good enought do do all good enought).
So sony try to stop Ms imposing do it all pc.
Ms to want let the video game market to Sony and impose their view of media center device.
Ms has the edge in this war software rule the convergence of different technology.
The years to come are fuckin' interesting.

Sorry for my awfull english

 

[rabidrabbit]

Good luck with all of those tons of launch titles. The Xbox 360 will be superior this christmas no doubt about it.

Who said anything about tons of launch titles???

the more expensive PS3 and the limited launch library.

 

[PiNkY]

IMHO, the "ps3 is a computer" preaching is just to evade EU import tariffs on entertainment devices. The same pr talk happend with ps2's release, which as far as I remember also shipped with a basic like language on the launch units' demo cd for exactly this reason (at least in the EU).

Link to EU court ruling 10/2003 that PS2 is a computer

 

[Nesh]

IMHO, the "ps3 is a computer" preaching is just to evade EU import tariffs on entertainment devices. The same pr talk happend with ps2's release, which as far as I remember also shipped with a basic like language on the launch units' demo cd for exactly this reason (at least in the EU).

Link to EU court ruling 10/2003 that PS2 is a computer

That was mainly to avoid taxes and you are right

 

[_phil_]

IMHO, the "ps3 is a computer" preaching is just to evade EU import tariffs on entertainment devices. The same pr talk happend with ps2's release, which as far as I remember also shipped with a basic like language on the launch units' demo cd for exactly this reason (at least in the EU).

Link to EU court ruling 10/2003 that PS2 is a computer

PS1 too i believe.Helped with yaroze.

 

[Yeptastic]

Well Mr. Kutaragi is a bit of a nutcase, but all great visionaries supposed to have been quite nuts.
Mr. Kutaragi do have some interesting thoughts and ideas about leading the industry instead of having the industry lead you.
Sometimes it´s required with a good stir to stir around the pawns that has settled for the usual grind of things.
You can not always evolve an industry by looking backwards nor looking forwards in small steps, sometimes it´s required to take bigger leaps in terms of ideas and drive.
So yes, a bit of what some would call madness is sometimes needed and with that a price.

As for the comments on PS3 being a computer, well it is.
With the PS3 Sony takes on a more open approach to accessories etc.
What works on a PC in terms of external devices using USB (in the launch versions of the PS3) will work on the PS3.
Other connector ports might be added on later versions of the PS3.
As Mr. Kutaragi have said in previous interviews, the basic main core functions of the PS3 will not change much in functions.
But other new functionalities might be added later.
Like PS3s with BD recorder functions, which will most likely involve a much larger HDD as well.
With media input jacks other than USB and card readers. How about firewire or anything new that arrives on the market?.

PS1 too i believe.Helped with yaroze.

Ah, Net Yarozee.
Terra Incognito anyone?, one of the better Net Yarozee RPGs made.

 

[TheChefO]

Had MS launched xbox360 later this year instead of Nov 2005, would it have been actually better than to rush the launch only so that it would be first.

xbox360 launched with good games, but are they enough to keep up the momentum beyond the usually games dry season of summer up to November 2007 when PS3 launches. It's as if after the "launch period" there has been not much games launched, and not much scheduled until late this year/early next year.

I already hear people say "Where are the new games for xbox360?", and while there certainly are good games scheduled later this year, they'll compete for attention with the PS3, and it really is not a good signal to the mainstream gamers if there's a long empty season before the competition launches. It can unintentionally give a false bad image.
There's already a dip in xbox 360 sales due to the summer (Xbox 360: 221,000 ( -25%) ), how will it rise from there in the autumn months when it has heavy competition?

One could always argue "But people will look at the cheaper xbox360 with a much larger library of games and compare it with the more expensive PS3 and the limited launch library. The xbox360 must look like a sure bet, and with GTA4 no longer exclusive and Halo3 they choose the xbox360 if they have any sense!"

But it does not go that way. We're talking of a hundred dollar difference here, not thousands of dollars. It's not that big an investment really.

Agreed it would have been a much stronger lineup for 360 to launch this year instead of last. Would have had much more impact and hopefully streaming of quality games from this fall onward.

But then one could make the same argument for ps3 to launch in 2007 too yes?

By launching last year they will have a 10million headstart. That will have an influence on future games available for the platform which will have an influence on the userbase and the snowball continues. Launching a year early was the smartest move MS could have done. The only thing that would have been better would have been to have even more, quality titles, and more units available earlier.

 

[scooby_dooby]

Exactly, 360 will get more games than it would have otherwise in 2007, 2008 and beyond because it launched in 2005 and built up that userbase. That's an advantage that's very hard to quantify, yet it is a major advantage.

 

[rabidrabbit]

But then one could make the same argument for ps3 to launch in 2007 too yes?

No, the PS3 launches to a diffferent market climate.

The summer draught can be very damaging to the xbox360 because there's little new games to keep up the momentum from Nov 2005 launch beyond summer and up to PS3 launch.
Gears Of War (is that a 2006 title? I thought it'd come in 2007 though I must have old info), what else is there to compete the PS3 come November 2006, the (old in general public view) launch period games and some insignificant summer titles?

There might be enough, I really am not that much in the know of what's scheduled for xb360. Please enlighten me.

 

[rabidrabbit]

Exactly, 360 will get more games than it would have otherwise in 2007, 2008 and beyond because it launched in 2005 and built up that userbase. That's an advantage that's very hard to quantify, yet it is a major advantage.

The back catalog matters fairly little, especially as there is yet to be a Halo like system seller but mostly multiplatform titles.
The hot launch titles will soon enter the "Classics" period when they'll be selling at a reduced price, and old titles hardly are system sellers any more, especially when a new strong competitor is entering the market.
They can't rely mainly on back catalog quantity, if there's been discouragement in form of new titles appearing sparsely just in the time period when the new insecure console buyers are evaluating the situation.

 

[TheChefO]

No, the PS3 launches to a diffferent market climate.

The summer draught can be very damaging to the xbox360 because there's little new games to keep up the momentum from Nov 2005 launch beyond summer and up to PS3 launch.
Gears Of War (is that a 2006 title? I thought it'd come in 2007 though I must have old info), what else is there to compete the PS3 come November 2006, the (old in general public view) launch period games and some insignificant summer titles?

There might be enough, I really am not that much in the know of what's scheduled for xb360. Please enlighten me.

Your tone is one of unrealistic optimism. I'm not sure what specific games MS will have available this XMAS, but I'm pretty sure they won't have a problem trumping the ps3 launch games. Maybe I'm misinterpriting your post. Are you saying ps3 launch games will thoroughly outclass 360 games this year?

 

[rabidrabbit]

Not at all, the PS3 games library will not match that of xbox360 games library this year, or most of the year 2007.
But it's not just the back catalogue games that sell a system.

Sure, those who've bought the xbox360 already have little to worry about, I'm talking about theose who've yet to invest on a next gen system.

People son't look much at what's already arrived for the console months or years ago, they look at what's hot, in, hip then when they buy it. They're not going to buy tens of older titles with the console, they're buying the console and 2.4 titles with it, preferably brand new titles that are fresh, not "yesterdays news" no matter how classy the old games are.
There's plenty to choose from for the average customer, even in a list of launch titles.
new=good, old=meh

 

[TheChefO]

Not at all, the PS3 games library will not match that of xbox360 games library this year, or most of the year 2007.
But it's not just the back catalogue games that sell a system.

Sure, those who've bought the xbox360 already have little to worry about, I'm talking about theose who've yet to invest on a next gen system.

People son't look much at what's already arrived for the console months or years ago, they look at what's hot, in, hip then when they buy it. They're not going to buy tens of older titles with the console, they're buying the console and 2.4 titles with it, preferably brand new titles that are fresh, not "yesterdays news" no matter how classy the old games are.
There's plenty to choose from for the average customer, even in a list of launch titles.
new=good, old=meh

Agreed - on that note I see where you're coming from and they should do their best to get quality games to the market this summer. However, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of people picking up the system for the back catelog of quality games on the market now and preorder the games that interest them for later. Also, while the concensus is that 360 will be readily available, I wouldn't count on it. The way things are shaping up it looks as though they will be flooding the market very late in the year with AAA titles. This will create a demand spike that may leave many gamers without a system. In other words, buy now to ensure you got the system before the holiday rush.

 

[Docwiz]

No, the PS3 launches to a diffferent market climate.

The summer draught can be very damaging to the xbox360 because there's little new games to keep up the momentum from Nov 2005 launch beyond summer and up to PS3 launch.
Gears Of War (is that a 2006 title? I thought it'd come in 2007 though I must have old info), what else is there to compete the PS3 come November 2006, the (old in general public view) launch period games and some insignificant summer titles?

There might be enough, I really am not that much in the know of what's scheduled for xb360. Please enlighten me.

Nobody cares about consoles much during the summer (have you ever owned a console or a computer before? This is nothing new). Fall and Winter is the time console games are bigger than any other time of the year. That is why I was talking about the terrible PS3 launch (there is hardly anything coming this year, it is all next year).

The Xbox 360 has Forza 2 and has Gears Of War around the PS3 launch and also will have Madden 2007 in August.

Playstation 3 has maybe Warhawk (maybe not) and that other first person shooter game with 30 frames per second with aliens (Resistance).

 

[LunchBox]

1. They were obsessed with Cell and wasted time trying to make a Cell GPU with Toshiba

I agree with them going bonkers over Cell, but I think Toshiba deliberately delayed the Cell GPU in hopes to delay mass Blu-Ray sales through PS3 and get their HD-DVD technology in a better position... this plus the AACS board.

 

[PiNkY]

In kind of related news (to my last post), the EU finally decided that PS2 is no computer...

However this also states, that there haven't been any tariffs on video game systems since 2004, so I was obviously wrong, arguing that the PS3 is a computer talk was just a repetition of six years ago...

link

 

[mckmas8808]

However this also states, that there haven't been any tariffs on video game systems since 2004, so I was obviously wrong, arguing that the PS3 is a computer talk was just a repetition of six years ago...

link

Which I and everyone else here should have known by now. But of course everybody will act like Ken has just started to talk this way and this is why Sony will lose next-gen.

The man has always done this kinda stuff.

 

[RobertR1]

The announcement of Samsung's Unvisersal player and if it's followed up by other CE manufacturers, basically puts an end to format war. This hurts Sony the most since the PS3 is now harder to market as an entertainment hub as it can only play a certain media while standalone players need not worry about such limitations.

Something to consider, especially with the way Blu Ray has fumbled out of the starting gates.

 

[Serenity Painted Death]

I'm still waiting for the first shred of evidence to suggest that FFXIII is a 2008 release (at least in Japan).