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PlayStation (Games) Sony

Ask Sony's Phil Harrison About PS3 and Games 472

Posted by Zonk from the everybody-be-cool dept.
During GDC Sony made an effort to answer questions directly from the gaming community, taking steps to put aside the problems of the past several months. Today, we have a chance to take another step in the right direction with the company. Phil Harrison, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, has been the face of the PlayStation 3 here in the United States since before the machine launched. He's agreed to answer questions from the Slashdot community about the PlayStation 3, the console since launch, and their recent announcements about LittleBigPlanet and Home. I've linked a trio of other interviews he's done recently below, to give you an idea of topics that he's already covered. I'm sure there are plenty of questions we might ask that have yet to be put forward in a public forum. So - feel free to ask away. One question per comment, please, and keep in mind that Mr. Harrison is here to answer questions about the PS3 and games only; any other Sony-related questions are outside the scope of this interview. The highest-rated comments will be passed on, and we'll post his answers as soon as we get them.
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Ask Sony's Phil Harrison About PS3 and Games More

Ask Sony's Phil Harrison About PS3 and Games

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  • Sales (Score:2, Interesting)

    by wframe9109 ( 899486 ) *
    The NPD numbers for the PS3 have not been terribly impressive. Do you have any plans for improving these numbers, apart from staying the course?

  • Retaining PS3 Exclusives (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Sciros ( 986030 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:25PM (#18404061) Journal
    With a number of previously-PS3-exclusive titles having gone multiplatform, are there any efforts to prevent this from occurring further, or is it of little concern to SCE? That is, should we expect to see more PS3-exclusives go multiplatform?

  • Are Sony and MSFT relevant? (Score:4, Insightful)

    by stratjakt ( 596332 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:26PM (#18404071) Journal
    The wii's sales have been meteoric, despite the "superior technology" of the PS3 and XBox 360. My question is, have Sony and MSFT completely underestimated the penetration, and demand for, HDTV, and are you both feeling that now?

    On a standard set Wii titles look better than the last gen, and offer an new, innovative, and most importantly fun experience. On a standard set, a PS3 is a $600 PS2, and a 360 is a $400 Xbox.

    Also, wrt Live, Home, etc: do you really think gamers are so eager to install stores under our TVs?

    Do you have any vision for the online experience, other than as a way to get my credit card number?

    • Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)

      by account_deleted ( 4530225 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:08PM (#18404593)
      Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by brkello ( 642429 )
      While there are legitimate questions in here...this is flamebait and I seriously hope this question isn't asked. At least not in the way stratjakt asked it.

  • Cha-ching (Score:5, Funny)

    by the_nightwulf ( 1003306 ) * on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:28PM (#18404095)
    Where do I sign up to get the $1200 per system sitting on the shelf in January that Jack Tretton promised?

    • mod parent up please (Score:5, Insightful)

      by drinkypoo ( 153816 ) <drink@hyperlogos.org> on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:40PM (#18404259) Homepage Journal

      It's high time we started holding companies accountable for the wild ramblings of their representatives.

      Anyone who believes in fairness and honesty has a moral obligation not to purchase anything from Sony until many helpings of $1200 are released to many people out there. Which of course we know will never happen...

    • mod up (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Unit3 ( 10444 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:05PM (#18404555) Homepage
      I second the request to mod this up. I'd like a straight, non marketting response to the ridiculous showboating Sony's been doing lately. This remark especially emphasizes the idea that Sony thinks consumers are a bunch of morons.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by PoderOmega ( 677170 )
      Along with this question, please include the entire transcript of the speech. If this question does make it, then the answer will be something like "that statement was made out of context..." Then followup with a copy of the speech, requesting what the context was.
  • Are there any plans to start shipping PS3s with longer "charging" cables? That seems to be my biggest annoyance. And yes I realize I can go and get a longer USB cable ($30 for a 12' at the local best buy), but I kind of expected little things like that to not be such an annoyance for my $600.

    • Re:Controllers (Score:5, Interesting)

      by MBCook ( 132727 ) <foobarsoft@foobarsoft.com> on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:32PM (#18404171) Homepage
      Now there is a question I have. Why is it that it's the year 2007, the PS3 is a "High Definition" system, and costs $500-$600... yet still only includes the same composite video cables people have been using since the NES 22 years ago?

      • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

        by drinkypoo ( 153816 )

        Now there is a question I have. Why is it that it's the year 2007, the PS3 is a "High Definition" system, and costs $500-$600... yet still only includes the same composite video cables people have been using since the NES 22 years ago?

        Because, well, they're on crack over there at Sony.

        Here's what I think the deal is: Sony thinks that stamping the Sony name on a turd will make it sell, and what's more, make it sell more for the turd with the competitor's name on it. For the most part they're right, because

    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Blu-Ray and availability (Score:5, Interesting)

    by drinkypoo ( 153816 ) <drink@hyperlogos.org> on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:28PM (#18404115) Homepage Journal

    The PS3 has three major problems as I see it; lack of software, price, and lack of availability. The latter two of these three issues have been blamed on the fact that the PS3's Blu-Ray drive requires an expensive and scarce blue laser.

    Given the problems that seem to have come with Blu-Ray, does it still look like including the drive in the system was worth it? And if so, was it worth it for the PS3, for the Blu-Ray format, or for both? What steps are being taken to remedy the problems in price and availability?

    • Re: (Score:2, Interesting)

      by Firefly1 ( 251590 )

      The PS3 has three major problems as I see it; lack of software, price, and lack of availability. The latter two of these three issues have been blamed on the fact that the PS3's Blu-Ray drive requires an expensive and scarce blue laser.

      With respect to the first problem cited above: it is my understanding that a major disadvantage for the PS3 is the simple fact of its 'killer apps' - for example, MGS4 - not being available until this summer. Which brings me to my question:
      Between this, and the manufacturi

  • Competing with XBox Live (Score:5, Insightful)

    by MBCook ( 132727 ) <foobarsoft@foobarsoft.com> on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:29PM (#18404121) Homepage

    Do you really think you can compete with XBox Live?

    Last generation, XBox Live really blew people away and has set the standard for console connectivity. It will be 6 years old this November. Microsoft seems to have learned from it and has enhanced it for the 360 (like achievement points), and will be introducing it for Windows. Nintendo, sadly, doesn't seem to have learned and will be using "friend codes" again on the Wii, with reports that each game will use different codes.

    How well do you think your offering will be able to compete with XBox Live? While there is a price associated with XBL, making a service free doesn't make up for what may be lost. From what I know the PS3 doesn't seem to have the same focus and commitment that Microsoft has. And while some of your ideas are quite interesting (like the Home concept), I have to wonder if it will be seen as being as well developed and integrated as XBL is at this point.

    Do you think you can beat XBL this generation, or do you think you might be relegated to playing catchup?

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by nuzak ( 959558 )
      > Do you really think you can compete with XBox Live?

      They bought XFire, and XFire does a VERY good job being the de-facto XBL for the PC game front. Assuming Sony doesn't fuck it up (resume -->here<-- once you've finished laughing), then yes, they have a good chance.

      I predict Home will be a dud though.

      • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

        by sangreal66 ( 740295 )
        Sony did not buy XFire. XFire was purchased some time ago by Viacom/MTV

        You are probably thinking of the rumor going around pre-PS3 launch that the PS3 was going to be using XFire for its online system. It turned out that it was just one game (Untold Legends) using it

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by nuzak ( 959558 )
          Ah, I was duped by the rumor mill, sorry. That would explain the lack of any Sony branding on Xfire's site. Well, if Home is their offering, then well, it's going to be a problem. XBL is infrastructure. Home is an application.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by VJ42 ( 860241 ) *

      Nintendo, sadly, doesn't seem to have learned and will be using "friend codes" again on the Wii, with reports that each game will use different codes.
      They will be using friend codes, but Each Wii has a unique code (IIRC you can find it on the notice board), AFAIK it's not game by game as with the DS. You can already use it to let your Mii's "mingle" on other Wiis.
    • Do you really think you can compete with XBox Live?

      Online play is almost a non feature for consoles. 6 mil have logged onto the free trial, only fraction have stayed and payed for the service. The Xbox already targetted the online play crowd and the majority of console gamers are not also onlien gamers. Online play only offers anythign to "hardcore" players. Pleayers with enough skill to hold their own or with enough friends online to have private games. Also, they need to be able to pay.

      Given how small the

  • 20gB PS3. (Score:3, Interesting)

    by !ramirez ( 106823 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:29PM (#18404123)
    Why is Best Buy discontinuing sales of the 20gB PS3?

  • Good enough for $600? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by madsheep ( 984404 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:30PM (#18404127) Homepage
    Why should I shell out over $500.00 USD to purchase the PS3 when I can purchase an XBOX 360 and/or Nintendo Wii for the same price? Perhaps even buying the two of them and still paying the price of just the PS3. This is not meant to be a jab, just a legitimate questions.
    • I see your point, but I don't know if you can compare the PS3 to the Wii. I own a Wii and it's hands-down one of my favorite systems ever, but I don't think the PS3 and Wii are aimed at the same types of people. With that steep PS3 price tag, you get a game system that is backwards compatible with almost all previous Sony titles (I know there are some issues, but for the most part you can play a very good majority of PS1 and PS2 titles on a PS3), DVD and Blu-Ray playback, HDTV capability, etc. The Wii is

  • When are we going to see a price drop? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by RyanFenton ( 230700 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:30PM (#18404129)
    I understand the strategy of never announcing price drops until they're imminent, but the PS3 is not even on many people's radar at the moment, because of the staggering price. The Neo Geo consumer hardware followed a similar price model. Are you even considering price drops on the PS3 hardware?

    Ryan Fenton

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by drinkypoo ( 153816 )
      This question has been answered time and again by Sony (answer: no) and by people here on slashdot to whom you should pay attention to. The answer is that if they are considering a price drop, or even if they aren't, the stupidest thing they could do would be to announce it. It will stop people from buying a PS3 until there is a price drop, whether they were planning one or not. In other words, if he says yes here, then they will be forced to drop the price in the VERY near future or sales will slow to a cr
      • Yes, and I noted that in my post. However, like a reporter asking an old question at a press conference - there is importance to forcing the question on something so important to the decisions of so many. The price is staggeringly high - he should hear that, and take that message, at least, back to his colleagues once again. I expect the canned response all the same.

        Ryan Fenton
        • But just like a reporter asking an old question at a press conference, Sony is going to ignore it, because they are so amazingly arrogant. I think that our ten questions would be better spent asking questions that might have new answers, or at least in asking the old questions in new ways that might provoke thought.
          • It seems to me like a lot of questions here pretty much boil down to "why should I buy a PS3" or "why aren't you doing this to make me buy a PS3". I agree with you and I wish that people would ask some deeper questions when given an opportunity like this.
    • I understand the strategy of never announcing price drops until they're imminent, but the PS3 is not even on many people's radar at the moment, because of the staggering price. The Neo Geo consumer hardware followed a similar price model. Are you even considering price drops on the PS3 hardware?

      Ryan Fenton

      In Canada, the PS3 20gb is $50 more then the launch PS2 when you factor inflation. The Neo-Geo was $649.99 USD in 1990. which is about $777.71 CND 1990 money and about $1,109.92 CND right now. The PS3 is $

  • Sprite based 2D games (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:31PM (#18404155)
    @Mr Phil Harrison

    There is this old conviction amongst some that Sony's tried to kill sprite based 2D games and is reluctant to let them be published on Playstation consoles.

    Is there any truth to this?

    Does Sony have a "stance" against on sprite based 2D games on the PS3? Can a game like Odin Sphere be published on the PS3?

  • Linux PS3 3D games dev (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:31PM (#18404165)
    Is there a chance that the policy of restricting access to PS3 graphics hardware (via the hypervisor) could be revised to encourage us homebrew developers?
    • That's another way of saying "when will you stop selling the PS3 at a loss".

      • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

        by Anonymous Coward
        I doubt they would lose much by freeing up the graphics chip for us Linux hackers. If anything, they will gain some much needed public image back by truly supporting Linux instead of just profiting from it.

        It's true that homebrew games go against their business strategy (sell console at loss and make it up in game licensing), but I really doubt it's a serious threat. The potential positive aspects certainly limit the threat.
  • The PS3 has come under a lot of fire for its price tag, especially in the UK where it is £425. Do you think that the price is fair considering the features that the PS3 offers (such as Blu-Ray) or do you think that the machine is, even only slightly, overpriced?

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by VJ42 ( 860241 ) *

      in the UK where it is £425.
      Just to be clear, that's ~$825. £60\week in rent isn't a bad price where I live, is a PS3 really worth almost 2 months rent?

  • I have to ask (Score:5, Funny)

    by stim ( 732091 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:32PM (#18404169) Homepage
    When does the ps4 come out?

  • RSX and Cell development (Score:5, Interesting)

    by maynard ( 3337 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:35PM (#18404203) Journal
    Sir,

    Will Sony be offering up kernel patches and an RSX optimized OpenGL library for PS3/Linux?
  • Is Sony doing anything to promote the development of RPG games by companies other than Square - Enix?

    -GiH
  • First, we are the last to get the region, secondly we are the ones who have to pay mist third, we do not even get the full hardware because the emulation is moved into software, and to the worse it isnt working to well according to first tests in the net. How do you think can Sony be able to keep its customer base here. And no we do not want to get second jobs...

  • Success of Bluray (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Itchyeyes ( 908311 )
    While the PS3 has struggled against the Xbox 360 and the Wii in the gaming arena, its success with Bluray becomes more apparent every day. Sales of Bluray have quickly surged past those of HD-DVD with the PS3 receiving most of the credit. How will the PS3's success with Bluray impact those who want a system purely for games, specifically in terms of cost of ownership?

  • Homebrew (Score:5, Insightful)

    by flitty ( 981864 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:42PM (#18404277)
    If someone manages to get homebrew games running on the PS3, will there be firmware updates to stop this kind of development, to protect your software developers, or is homebrew something you are planning on and even encouraging? How does this strategy differ from your strategy with PSP homebrew?

  • No HDTV, Why Should I Get a PS3 (Score:5, Interesting)

    by _xeno_ ( 155264 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:42PM (#18404283) Homepage Journal

    I was going to go with something snarky about the price of the PS3, but I've decided to instead make a more direct point.

    I don't have an HDTV. As I understand it, the major selling point of the PS3 is its new HD graphics. I currently have no plans on getting an HDTV. So, sell me on why I should get a PS3 given that I have a 13" CRT TV. Would it still be worth it? Will I still be able to play all the same games that HDTV players can? Or will I have to suffer unreadable text or HUD elements that are too small to understand?

    Or, can I hook up the PS3 output to my computer monitor using DVI? Right now I'm more willing to upgrade my computer monitor than my TV, so that might work for me, especially given that my TV is smaller than my computer monitor.

    Honestly, the lack of an HDTV is the largest reason I'm uninterested in the PS3 right now. There are other reasons, of course, but I'm sure that they'll be brought up plenty of times by other trolls. Uh, I mean, other posters. :)

    • At least get a small HD set. The wider screen aspect is great for things like Oblivion and other first person stuff.
      • Even a small HD set seems really overpriced. You can get a 27 or 32 inch CRT for the price of most 15 inch high definition televisions. I find it hard to drop so much money on such a small screen. I don't care how good it looks. I've been looking for a nice small flat panel for my bedroom, and can't find anything to compete with the $100 15 inch CRT you can get. A similarly sized flat panel costs upwards of $400. You can get monitors for cheaper, but they don't have speakers or TV Tuners.

        • You can get monitors for cheaper, but they don't have speakers or TV Tuners.

          You can get a 15" flat panel monitor for $100, but not only does it lack a TV tuner (might or might not have some crap little speakers) but it also only goes up to 1024x768 resolution and will require a TV to VGA converter box to hook up an ordinary video source.

          The highest resolution 15" panel I've ever seen is 1600x1200. There's one in my Thinkpad A21p. It's 133ppi, which is finer than you need for FMV. It's also not full-HD res

          • I've found that for the price of a 15 LCD TV, it's almost worth my money to get a cheap notebook with wifi, and watch stuff that I've recorded using my TV Tuner, or DVDs which are also playable with a laptop. I would normally just use the bedroom tv for DVDs anyway, so I don't think this would be a disadvantage.
      • Not great advice for people who have perfectly good LCD monitors already.

        I have a 23" monitor that does 1920x1200. Not only does it seem like a waste to get a small HDTV, but I've got no place to put it.
      • "Is there any reason to buy a PS3 if I don't also buy an HD tv set?"

        "Buy an HD tv set, even a small one."

        Which, to answer the first question directly, means "no".
    • Comment removed based on user account deletion

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by brkello ( 642429 )
      13"? I'd hardly see the reason to get any console with a TV that small.

  • Long Term (Score:3, Interesting)

    by MeanderingMind ( 884641 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:42PM (#18404287) Homepage Journal
    It has been stated many times that the PS3 is meant to last a full 10 years before being replaced with a new iteration of the Playstation brand. With the rate at which technology advances, how realistic is this plan?

    While the adoption of HDTVs is on the rise, the current market penetration is still a small fraction. Many aren't inclined or perhaps capable of acquiring an HDTV, which is required for the full PS3 experience. What reason is there to choose the PS3 for an SDTV when the visual difference from the competition is negligible?

    The PS3 is expensive, and at the same time is purportedly sold for less than it costs to make. Beyond the frequent debates over price drops and the formidable barrier $500-$600 presents to many gamers is a concern that the PS3 is ultimately doing more harm to Sony, specifically their bank accounts, than good. Is Sony prepared for the possibility that at the end of the console's lifetime, the PS3 will constitute a net loss?

    All three systems are currently in a drought when it comes to top-class titles. Whoever pulls out of it first might gain significant momentum. Does Sony plan to try to capitalize on the situation, or do they feel it is better to let the games come out "when they're done"?

    Many are concerned that while an interesting idea, Home will ultimately obfuscate the streamlined processes seen in other online services. How is Home addressing this concern?

    Killzone made another appearance at the GDC, after having been mysteriously absent from E3 2006. Why is news for this title so rare, especially after having been so crucial to the presentation at E3 2005?

    Those are my questions.
  • Was there ever a point when you or anyone at Sony releasing a DVD based PS3 *and* a Blu-Ray based DVD instead of ones with different hard drives and other features?

  • Rumble (Score:5, Interesting)

    by SuperCharlie ( 1068072 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:45PM (#18404329)
    How long till there is a first party controller with "last-gen" rumble?
  • Comment removed based on user account deletion

  • Oblig: Rootkit (Score:5, Funny)

    by Qfour20 ( 181633 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:49PM (#18404369)
    How can I be certain that putting a PS3 on my home network won't cause a rootkit to be installed on the other devices?

    -q
  • Much has been made of the potential impact of Home and Little Big Planet on the public perception of the PS3. However, both titles are far from ready for public release. Likewise, few expect the PS3's most high profile titles, Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4, to make it to US shores by the end of the year. Meanwhile, both Microsoft and Nintendo have some very high profile titles slated for release throughout 2007. What does Sony plan on focusing on as the PS3's main strength in the face of suc

  • Full GPU access for homebrew (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Tikiman ( 468059 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:54PM (#18404423)
    Is there any possibility of letting an 'OtherOS' have full access to the GPU, allowing accelerated and 3D graphics for homebrew developers?

  • I don't think this has been asked yet... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Gothic_Walrus ( 692125 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:54PM (#18404425) Journal
    People on the internet and in the tech media in general have been raking the PS3 and Sony over the coals for probably a good year now, with a noticeable backlash directed towards Sony's PR department. You've taken a lot of fire as one of the main figures in Sony's PR campaign, and I can't count how many times I've seen your name brought up here or on Digg in a negative light. The consensus seems to be that Sony's got a lot of work to do to win over the gaming public.

    How, then, is Sony going to go about changing this mindset? There's still plenty of time to go from being viewed as the last place console to being a legitimate contender, if not the forerunner, but there's lots of ground to cover to do that. Are there any plans for this you'd be able to share with us, and any ideas on how long it might take before we see the PS3 in a stronger position than it is now?

    On another note entirely, God of War 2 seems to be getting a more favorable reaction than any of the PS3 titles released thus far. Any thoughts on why that might be?
    • Agreed. Most of the pointed questions in this thread seem to underscore a problem with Sony's public relations. I wonder if Sony doesn't even recognize the PR problem, or if they simply consider good PR a priority.
  • In paticular, the Wii and the Xbox 360. As we all know sales of these two consoles have been above the PS3 in terms of numbers. As a gamer yourself (I hope) have you played either of these consoles and if so, what do you think about them? Anything they're doing right that Sony should adopt? Thoughts on where they're going in relation to your own console?

  • Philosophy of gaming... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by 7Prime ( 871679 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @02:59PM (#18404483) Homepage Journal
    What is your personal philosophy regarding the future of videogames as a genre? For example, where do you see games, in terms of social and cultural identification, 20 years from now, and how do you think the nature of the PS3 plays into the culmination of this overall vision?

  • What inspired Sony to alienate Europe? (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Ant P. ( 974313 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:00PM (#18404497)
    Why does Sony consider it a good business move to alienate Europe with a half-year delay and neutered hardware, and why do you still charge more for this inferior product than the US or Japanese consoles?

  • Mistakes (Score:5, Insightful)

    by mothlos ( 832302 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:01PM (#18404503)
    Now that you have a few months with PS3s in the hands of consumers and plenty of reviews to pour over, what mistakes did Sony make in the design of the system?

  • Who is the PS3's target? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by kinglink ( 195330 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:01PM (#18404505)
    The PS3 has been identified by many in the industry as not being overly friendly to the developers. For instance the Ps3 takes up approximately 50 more megs than the Xbox 360, while containing weaker tools. The cell processor with it's independent memory has only stymied developers instead of made their life easier. At the same time this causes the consumers to have less games or weaker games available. The consumers are being asked to pay more for a similar system with more games available on it and the same as another system with their HD video attachment.

    Who exactly are you aiming the PS3 for? The Developers are having a hard time with it, the consumers are asked to pay a higher price for a machine that has been proven to be on the same level as the 360?

    In addition was there any consideration for developer buy-in before shipping the system?

    Finally will there be any work made to bridging the gap between what the consumer ultimately wants and are getting? The buyer of a PS3 wants backwards compatibility which is being removed from the European release and possibly future American release. The buyer wants unique games, they don't exactly demand PS Home, they don't need Blu-ray movies, why is the PS3's target goals so different than the PS3's target consumer's goals.

  • Where's the Innovation and Fun? (Score:4, Interesting)

    by molrak ( 541582 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:03PM (#18404535) Homepage
    I spent $170 to play Katamari Damacy on the PS2. One of the strongest points of the Playstation platform has been some of the quirky and innovative games available on the PS1 and PS2. Some of the games I still play on PS1 and PS2 are those that focused on gameplay over story or random shooting (Bust a Groove, Hot Shots Golf, Katamari, Guitar Hero, Okami). Where are the unique, fun, creative games on the new Playstation platforms, and why don't companies take risks by creating low-budget, creative, and fun titles at a new system's launch?

  • Gaming System (Score:5, Interesting)

    by sqlrob ( 173498 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:08PM (#18404595)
    What are you doing to support the people that want a gaming system, not a home hub, something never to be plugged into a network?

  • 8 processors, limited functionality (Score:5, Interesting)

    by iplayfast ( 166447 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:09PM (#18404605)
    I was pleasently surprised at all the different things a PS3 can do. It can play music, show videos, show pictures, play games.

    Why is it with 8 processors, it can only do these things one at a time.

    I'd like to start it playing music and display a series of pictures and/or videos. It would be useful at parties.
    I'd like to start it playing background music, turn off the music in a game and play a game, without listening to "call to battle" or whatever the track is, over and over and over.

  • Is it true that yours is a name that a shame never has been connected with?
    Oh. Harrison, not Harrigan!

    Oi'll be goin' now.
  • I recently heard that the price of a development system was on the order of $25,000. Is this correct? Why would you price the development system so high unless you're actively trying to discourage game developers?

  • "Alternative" gameplay controls (Score:5, Interesting)

    by RyoShin ( 610051 ) <<tukaro> <at> <gmail.com>> on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:12PM (#18404633) Homepage Journal
    One of the big things Sony touted with the SIXAXIS controller is the motion sensing technology (though I haven't seen it mentioned much in commercials). The debate over whether that was reactionary to Nintendo's Wiimote is a long debate, but it makes me curious- what other kinds of alternative gameplay mechanics have Sony toyed with for the PS3 controllers?
  • I live in te UK and consider myself an early adopter, when the PSP was announced in the uk I was first in line and still consider it a bargin (even if the whole UMD film side is a joke) but I have seen the Wii's sales, as well as played a Xbox360 while paitently waiting for a PS3.

    Why is the PS3 worth twice the price of a Wii?

    With many of the PS exclusive games going to Xbox what are Sony doing, atm three of my five favorite series will be available on Xbox and PS3 so what is my incentive to spend almost tw

  • What is your connection to games (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Itchyeyes ( 908311 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:14PM (#18404677) Homepage
    No offense intended, but for someone of your age and with your career, I don't expect that you play many videogames yourself. If I am correct, then what do you draw on to make decisions regarding the direction of the PS3, a product directed at customers who are notoriously passionate about their hobby?
  • When I bought my Wii I bought it knowing that the graphics would be bad, but the system was somewhat revolutionary due to the controller design. My question to you is why does the Wii need to be the only system with a innovative controller? Are you considering building an additional controller setup for the PS3 integrating those same (or similar) motion controlled features into your system? Granted this would be an added expense, but at least would offer the best of both worlds. And dont tell me the PS3

  • plans for a Europe EE version of the console? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by garlicbready ( 846542 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @03:30PM (#18404859)
    Do you envisige a Euro version of the console that includes the EE processor?
    From some of the rumours I've been hearing (BBC radio 1) quite a lot of individuals have canceled they're orders in the UK and instead opted for an American imports including the EE processor
    to avoid any conflicts with some of the older PS2 game titles
    (and yes I am aware that Sony will be punishing those individuals that choose to follow this course of action)

    personally I'm holding off for the time being until some form of comparison can be made between the 2 different versions of the console in terms of compatibility for the PS2 (and I'm pretty sure someone on a website - probably linked to from slashdot, will be running with this eventually)

    at the very least I would have liked to have seen some form of optional add-in board, even if it had increased the cost
    e.g. release the minimal version of the PS3 without the board
    and the max version of the PS3 (larger HD) with the board
    (although at the moment only the max version of the PS3 will be released in the UK I believe)
  • As a hobby, I like to follow the video game industry (who doesn't?). I have been very intrigued by the very fabric of the video game console war in this generation.

    There is a lot at stake for Sony, and a lot of ground to try to gain by Microsoft and Nintendo with their offerings in overall marketshare. Sony announced it's PS3 and Cell platform earlier than Microsoft did with it's XBox 360. Microsoft decided to go on the offensive this generation with the XBox 360. MS seems to have made some calculated c
  • Sony is a huge company with virtually limitless pockets. During the entire time you were developing the PS3, were there any Sony insiders who had any hesitations regarding the high price point of the PS3? In light of the vast difference between PS2 vs PS3 adoption world-wide, do you see anything you could do about that, or are you pretty much set in the price point? I think it's silly that a company your size would not have had departments devoted to simply researching the best price-point the market wou

  • Ask 1996-Phil (Score:5, Interesting)

    by The-Bus ( 138060 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @06:39PM (#18407319)
    (I believe Mr. Harrison first joined Sony's SCEA branch in 1996).

    Phil, if you could go back in time and give professional advice to your 1996 self, what would you say?
    If you were to give professional advice to people interested in entering the industry today, what would it be?

  • Rumble (Score:3, Interesting)

    by MaverickUW ( 177871 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @07:06PM (#18407679)
    Rumble has been defined as a "Last Generation Feature" and that rumble and motion sensing do not work together by SCE (despite the existance of the Wii Remote). Now with the settlement of the patent infringement issue with Immersion, it seems set to have a SIXAXIS controller with rumble. If this does happen, how are you going to get past the perception that SCE cannot make up its mind about what it wants? Customers wanting rumble so adding it in for their sake can't be used as a valid answer since the impression has been given that customers don't care about rumble. Also, if you're going to do this, what about every PS3 owner who has a rumbleless SIXAXIS-- Will you offer a program allowing them to trade-up for the better controller?

  • Regioning and Emulated Backwards Compatibility (Score:5, Insightful)

    by atomicstrawberry ( 955148 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @07:58PM (#18408301)
    As a PAL gamer frustrated by the lack of availability of more niche titles, I have a large library of both PAL and NTSC-US PS2 games. With the removal of the Emotion Engine from the PAL PS3 and the move to software emulation, is there any possibility that Sony might be able relax region restrictions on PS1 and PS2 games? The inability to play half of my game collection on such an expensive piece of hardware is a significant barrier to entry for me.

  • 3rd Generation Game Companies (Score:3, Insightful)

    by vell0cet ( 1055494 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @09:53PM (#18409285)
    I was just wondering if you saw any parallels to Sony in it's third generation and Nintendo in it's third generation. It seems that you marketing strategies have sort of become the same and that Sony is suffering the same accusations of hubris that Nintendo did. Nintendo in their third generation stuck with a proprietary media format, assumed that their brand loyalty would carry them to the lead in the console war. This as you know allowed Sony to take the lead with thier innovative marketing strategies (which seem to have all but disappeared). Nintendo was just coming off losing market share to the genesis, just as Sony has just come off losing market share to the Xbox. If you do see parallels, how do you intend to avoid the beating that Nintendo took in their third generation? If you don't see an parallels, how do you explain the similarities that I described above?

  • As a Gaming Industry Executive (Score:3, Funny)

    by MrCopilot ( 871878 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @10:56PM (#18409797) Homepage Journal
    Any idea where I can pick up a Nintendo Wii?

    I can't seem to find any on the store shelves, and I check weekly.

    Have you played it?

  • Open Source Inititiative (Score:4, Interesting)

    by euxneks ( 516538 ) on Monday March 19, 2007 @11:42PM (#18410177)
    Obviously Sony places a great deal of value on the Open Source community at large, I mean, you (You as in Sony) are answering questions from people at Slashdot, and you've also worked closely with the Yellow Dog Linux group to create a stable release that runs natively on PS3 architecture.

    I'm just wondering what other sort of OSS initiatives are in the works? Can we see a scaled down graphics library with YellowDog for Homebrew Games? I think there is a huge amount of interest in being able to program your own games - I realize that Sony needs to protect it's interests and the interests of the larger developers out there, but don't you think the innovation with a smaller scaled down system would increase demand?

    An answer not combed through with marketing and PR speak would be preferable ;P

  • Changing stance on emulated back compatability (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Sockatume ( 732728 ) on Tuesday March 20, 2007 @09:49AM (#18413387)
    Last year, you (Phil Harrison) stated that regarding the Xbox 360's emulated back compatability, updated through firmware updates, you "don't believe that was backwards compatibility" [gamepro.com]. Now the PS3 is being redesigned with emulated back compatability [next-gen.biz], which will be updated through firmware updates [presscentre.com]. What has changed Sony's attitude to software backwards compatability in the past year?

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