Interview with Phil Harrsion on Famitsu
my translation:
Q: Tell us about the current status of software development in the Worldwide Studios.
Harrison: I am constantly holding the task and looking out on software development. Especially before launching a new system, -as you know- there are various problems. But now, I think you’ll understand, if you’re watching the state of things at this game-show, I think that the software development teams did a extremely great job.
Q: In comparison to [the launch of] Playstation 2, we feel that the software has been really well developed.
H: Well, in the PS2 era, the only title that was developed by SCE during the launch time was “Fantavisionâ€. It was a splendid title, but it was what you would call a small-scale title. This time however, we carried out “sharing of technology†with all teams right from the initial stage of development and we were able to set-up a development structure so that we could make good use of the PS3 system. Due to that sharing everyone could integrate various creative ideas and creating very unique titles became possible. Regarding the creation of games, sharing technologies between the teams is an important trend.
Q: But so far it was common sense in the game industry, things like technology should never leave one’s hands…
H: I agree
Q: But on Playstation 3 it’s not like that?
H: During the PS2 era, a single developer was alone responsible for graphics, sound, etc. all in the form of vertical integration. But with PS3 possibilities have multiplied (literal: spread out), it’s a different era. In the time of vertical [integration] we’ve accept vertical [integration] on PS2. The computer chips in the PS2 were very complicated and difficult to handle (literal: treat). But since PS3’s cell processor has so many universal applications, we want to greatly contribute to software with so-called divisions (sections, parts). {this sentence is definitely fuzzy, but I did my best… no guarantee on this sentence}
Q: In the Worldwide Studios there’re various work-teams, but after removing those hedges (non-literal: boundaries) software development can be very efficient.
H: Yes. Akasaka’s SCE office, London studios, America’s studios, each has its own distinctive technologies on its floors. In the past it was like that, but the present is a time in which there aren’t single offices, but in which techniques and creative ideas are shared in the whole world across the borders of countries. Because of so-called international trends, we really succeed in supporting of skills. The virtualization of games, which are not restricted to specific locations, but which are shared within a network, is a very logical conclusion, as far as our business is concerned.
Q: The role of the Worldwide Studios is the unification of studios?
H: It’s not that simple. It’s different from unifying [the studios]. SCE develops in various places in Japan, America and Europe very unique titles. SCE is probably the only company [that does so]. If these were to be unified (integrated), it’d possible to lose the creativity that created the success in each of those places. That’s why we believe that it’s good if that happens in all studios by sharing ideas, visions and technologies, but we also want to make customer relations (client relations) and distinctive culture important. It’s not like we want to create [something like] Hollywood. Hollywood distributes content, which it created in a single location, to the world. It is not the case that we want to create [something like] Hollywood.
Q: The PS3 titles displayed in the currently SCE are all surely unique.
H: Yes.
Q: From those unique titles, which titles are you recommending?
H: That’s a hard question – bitter smile – For example, “Resistanceâ€. This has especially gathered attention in the West. Special quality of hardware, functions, network, 3d, etc., it’s a title comprised of all those things. Moreover, Level 5’s “White Knight’s Taleâ€. It’s title that not only getting noticed in Japan, but also worldwide. Don’t you agree?
Q: Personally, I am really anxious about “Africaâ€. –smile-
H: You have your eye in the right place. –smile – You could call “Africa†a good example where we show things that combine real and virtual things. (literal: cross real and virtual things).
Q: How many titles are approximately in development at Worldwide Studios?
H: Counting PS3, PS2 and PSP, about 190 titles.
Q: How many titles of that are for PS3?
H: Ca. 100 are for PS3. Of course, there are some roughly close to completion like “Resistance†and some that haven’t even started. There still some vertical motion {i.e. the number is still pending}, but basically that number is increasing. Look forward to it.
