Kaz sez: "MS copies Sony!"
by Conrad Quilty-Harper 
{ Jun 29th 2006 at 4:55PM }
Sony's Kaz Hirai has let his inner stroppiness out in an interview with PlayStation Magazine, where he moans at Microsoft for copying Sony's strategies and disses Microsoft's plan for an HD-DVD add-on whilst simultaneously bigging up his own company's Blu-ray plan. In a response to the interviewer's leading question/statement "Sony and Microsoft seem to be taking the exact same path...", Kaz responds by saying that "Every time we go down a path, we look behind and they're right there - we just can't shake these guys. I wish that they would come up with some strategies of their own..." It's possible that we'd be more likely to agree with this statement if we knew exactly what he meant, because as it stands this is the PR equivalent of trash talk.
This childish display of "Miss! That kid's copying me!" reminds me of one of my favorite poems as a child called Please Mrs Butler by Allan Ahlberg, summmarized thusly: moan all you want, but don't expect sympathy from anyone. Especially when your complaint sits on very shaky ground.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jody Anthony @ Jun 29th 2006 4:59PM
You forgot the rest of the quote. Let me fill it out.
"Every time we go down a path, we look behind and they're right there - we just can't shake these guys. And every time we look forward, Nintendo is right there! They just can't shake us."
Pancakeshouse @ Jun 29th 2006 5:01PM
Apparently Sony thinks Microsoft can look into the future to copy ideas that they "will" have. Online service, harddrive, exclusive GTA rights, etc...
doubtful @ Jun 29th 2006 5:04PM
Following /= 1 Year in Advance
SONY /= Sane
spoo @ Jun 29th 2006 5:06PM
The arrogance from the Sony executives...
T-Bone @ Jun 29th 2006 5:10PM
wow, I didn't realize how biased the writes were for this website, until I read this forum.....in news, facts count, not fanboy rants joystiq...you're a couple days behind....
cubbiechris @ Jun 29th 2006 5:13PM
When was the last time Sony has made a semi-intelligent statement?
MosquitoControl @ Jun 29th 2006 5:14PM
Yes, Microsoft copied Sony.
Yes, Sony copied Microsoft.
Yes, both copied Nintendo.
Yes, Nintendo copied both.
Much of this was natural evolution, anyway.
And it's idiotic to whine about it.
Azteca_Demon @ Jun 29th 2006 5:15PM
LOL I agree with #1 quote
Sony has copied both MS and the Big N
Copying MS online ideas and copying Nintendo
sensetive motion technology.
Nintendo My be borrowing some MS Online Ideas but they
different and Sony on the other hand thinks they can do whatever they want and get a way with it like, like they had that idea alrady on their minds or some BS like that.
jon again @ Jun 29th 2006 5:16PM
This from the guy that said his reworked motion sensing controller had nothing to do with what the competition was doing.
Of course there are industry trends and people are inspired by others but if you really want to point a finger at someone who is a follower it’s the Playstation brand.
Just tell the truth, “We watch what the competition does, let them have the growing pains, watch them make all the mistakes and then bring out an evolved version of what they do.” I’d be fine with that. So far that strategy has been good for Sony and the consumer. Embrace your copycat nature, don’t deny it.
DBX00 @ Jun 29th 2006 5:16PM
This is just getting out of hand...I'd rather an executive that attempts to use sarcasm and speaks with confidence than someone that doubts their decisions. Sony has chosen their path, consumers will either respond by purchasing a PS3 or not. Any debate before the release is pointless...
sev4 pri1 @ Jun 29th 2006 5:18PM
I totally forgot that Sony had a fully functioning integrated online service years ago. That Sony headset, I mean keyboard is really easy to use!
RazorElite @ Jun 29th 2006 5:18PM
It's amazing how delusional the execs at Sony are. PS3 is now known to be one of the most copy cat systems pretty much ever released by copying both competitors feature for feature. These guys never cease to amaze me.
Amir @ Jun 29th 2006 5:22PM
One kid from my school had to do a transformation of a text into another form for English A-level coursework. Funnily enough, he chose Please Mrs Butler, and transformed into a first-person narrative from the female teacher's perspective, explaining why she was so stroppy (broken up with partner, etc.), and an added expletive ("But don't bloody well ask me!"). Good stuff, just to let you know Conrad.
Subnet6 @ Jun 29th 2006 5:24PM
I actually feel bad for the sony boys out there because they often feel compelled to defend this PR fool. Don't get me wrong, I'm really looking forward to the hardware (at least the gaming portion of it) but the people around it at Sony are just out of control. IMO, Kaz and Ken are sullying what would be a nice piece of hardware if it were allowed to stand on its own. Thankfully, I don't rest my manhood on which console sells more or is perceived as cool. I'm in it for the games. I am really interested in Assassins Creed and Motor Storm.
@Jody Anthony
Thats a good one. And alongside your implication that Nintendo is "leading the way" so to speak, I find it interesting that the interviewer would even make a comment like, "Sony and Microsoft seem to be taking the exact same path...". This is nearly word for word whats coming out of the Nintendo PR camp talking points. This tells me that whether or not you like Nintendo, they have successfully framed the debate to make sony and MS appear less original and carbon copies of each other, even though they really aren't.
Admittedly, they are targeting a similar audience which is going to mean they make similar decisions but I see each console as having a unique footprint in my life with regard to gaming.
T-Bone @ Jun 29th 2006 5:26PM
copying is the highest form of complimetn....what's the deal? If we win in the end, if we get a better product, why are you complaining....?
Zo K. @ Jun 29th 2006 5:29PM
Excuse me? Excuuuse me, Mr. Pot? Yes... sir? Mr. Kettle is on the phone for you.
He says you might just be black.
SuicideNinja @ Jun 29th 2006 5:29PM
So Sony said they will utitilize a hard drive, an online service, and media features with the PS2.
Microsoft actually utilized a hard drive, an online service, and media features with the Xbox. No shame in actually making ideas work as opposed to causing hype about them, poorly executing them, and then dropping support for them.
Is he suggesting that Microsoft should be ashamed that they could execute those things more effectively than Sony?
T-Bone @ Jun 29th 2006 5:33PM
Like #12 said, man I'm in it for the games....warhawk, heavenly sword, lair, killing day, motostorm, ffXIII...games are everything....if xbox 1.5 had better games, then I would be getting an xbox 1.5...it's all about games...
Jitty @ Jun 29th 2006 5:41PM
It amazes me how some people can get so angry about sony have a unified online like MS. Yes they are using the same idea but what are they suppose to do? Not have online? The ipod was the first mp3 player to have video. Then zen came out with video. Do you see people winning about that and insulting the zen? How fanboys can overstate using an idea from another company is very annoying. It's like "one company comes out with a slim mp3 but oh no! Another company comes out with a slim mp3 player later on! OMG they're copying. They're not contributing anything to mp3 players, they're just copying!! They don't inovate!!!"
Baboon @ Jun 29th 2006 5:50PM
Jitty-
It is not really that people are upset that their are copying the features, at least not in this context. The reason people think he is crazy is because he is saying Microsoft coppied THEM. I don't think Sony's buisness strategy of taking the things that work from other platforms is necesarily a bad thing (like how the Roman Empire adopted the best aspects of every culture they conquered). But to say that another company is copying them is just plan wrong.
Enzo @ Jun 29th 2006 5:53PM
Oblivion, Full Auto, PGR3, Call of Duty, and Condemned are pretty good in my book. Worth the $400 price of admission, and I haven't paid $60 for any of the games since they dropped pretty quick. I won't be getting a PS3 until the games I want drop below $50, cuz if they're gonna be like $70-80 each, what am I gonna buy, 1 game every two months? Come on.
Stevie @ Jun 29th 2006 5:54PM
This is getting ridiculous. There isn't a week that we're left without an idiotic Sony comment. I wonder what drugs Kaz, Phil Harrison and Kutaragi are on, but it looks like it's a long lasting effect!
What did Microsoft copy exactly? The only thing that springs in my mind is the Xbox Vision camera, but other than that? Isn't it the other way round? I suspect at this pace they'll start claiming they were already working on an online fully-fledged service years before Live was launched with the original Xbox :p
How about showing us some games that justify shelling out $600 for the PS3? Or details about the "XBL killer" Sony is preaching about? I'm stunned at the fact that they still manage to have so many fanboys drooling around empty promises of an ill-fated console.
Raynre @ Jun 29th 2006 5:55PM
-This- is why Nintendo dropped out of the pissing race. Its only going to get more ugly as we come up on Mov. 17th... -_-;
SuicideNinja @ Jun 29th 2006 5:57PM
T-Bone, the fact that you refer to the XBox 360 as a 1.5 just shows you aren't all about the games. 1.5-callers just haven't played in HD most of the time. The PS3 will look like crap in SD, too.
Gears of War, Crackdown, Mass Effect, Fable 2, Lost Planet, Too Human, and Dead Rising all look promising, so it's a bit snide to suggest that the 360 isn't getting any good exclusives.
As far as I've seen, FFXIII is the only reason to buy a PS3 thus far. Unless Resistance: FoM is actually fun to play (it doesn't look it unfortunately). I'm not a fan of MGS, DMC, Killzone, or Gran Turismo as I've found more enjoyable alternatives (Splinter Cell, Ninja Gaiden, Halo, and Burnout respectively).
Baboon @ Jun 29th 2006 5:57PM
Raynre-
This is why Nintendo transcended the pissing race. :P
T-Bone @ Jun 29th 2006 6:21PM
the fact that I refer to xbox 1.5 reveals exactly what I said, it's all about games. Xbox1.5 has not showed us anything amazing that would warrant all the hype it gets games wise...they have, what, maybe 1, 2 good games out....c'mon dude. Quit tryin to start flames and just agree with me, it's all...about...the games...
mrk @ Jun 29th 2006 6:27PM
"The ipod was the first mp3 player to have video."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Seriously. You need to do some damn research before saying things like that. Everybody thinks that the iPod was the first this, or the best that. News: it wasn't, and it still isn't.
T-Bone @ Jun 29th 2006 6:37PM
And just because you aren't a fan of MGS, DMC, Killzone, or Gran Turismo, doesn't mean they're not good, it just means you don't like them....99% of everyone else does, now while I don't base my opinion on every1 elses, I also don't ignore the obvious....
Jaerock @ Jun 29th 2006 6:40PM
SuicideNinja's got it right on the money.
It is all about the games... The 360's got 'em and $ony doesn't. The exclusive list for the 360 is more impressive... no question.
This Kaz character needs his head examined... I think it's just total damage control... gone horribly wrong.
fakiu @ Jun 29th 2006 6:46PM
maybe he forgot that they copied Nintendo (cough*Wii*cough)
but remember he's just trying to get paid!!!
Madikai @ Jun 29th 2006 6:50PM
And that is why I'm starting to dislike Sony more and more. They have what may be a great piece of hardware, but, they can't help but make comments against their main contender in terms of processing power. So far, the only snipe I've heard officially (Keep in mind, this is WHAT I'VE HEARD, if I've missed a couple attacks from the big M, so be it) is, to paraphrase, go for the Wii60 combo rather than the PS3. Microsoft is showing confidence, while Sony looks like they are starting to panic.
If nothing else, the comments are just that, comments. I've got my own predictions as to how the battle will go for next gen supremacy this round, and the impact that will be had on the industry, but, we'll know in due time what the reality turns out to be.
PaleGringo @ Jun 29th 2006 6:51PM
With respect, T-Bone, you're sounding about as convincing as Hirai or Kutaragi is. You're making a valid point, yes, games are important. You're going about it all wrong.
The term "XBox 1.5" was coined by Ken Kutaragi following E3 2005, where he tried to discredit his competition by saying that the console wasn't producing content that he considered at next-generation level. To a point, he was correct - E3 05 was no more impressive for Microsoft than E3 06 was for Sony - and you know what? Microsoft released some very good quality content later in '05, and I'm certain that Sony will show big with content later this year.
But by adopting Kutaragi's derrogative term, you're showing that you don't support your own arguments very well at all. Do you agree with the other things Kutaragi has said? About how people should "work more hours to get one" (July '05) or how the price is "too cheap" (just recently)?
If you have a problem with specific games, be specific. I'll give you an example - in my own opine, not that of a corporate big-wig.
XB360:
PDZ is weak, it has the next-gen "shiny" look but otherwise sucks as a FPS (when compared to other, established FPS games) and has a lousy story.
PS3:
Genji looks like a Dynasty Warriors rip off and the presentation for it at E3 06 did it no justice. "Real-time weapon change" has been around for years, and I'm not so sure that whole "historic" crab battle thing actually happened.
See how much more convincing arguments and opinions sound when backed up by specifics? SuicideNinja gives specifics and I'm willing to guess that the general consensus of him is less "fanboy" than you come across.
I don't think that anybody is trying to flame anybody here, but there's a big difference between coming off with a logical argument (The reasons that it will be a good idea to get a PS3 are...) and a fanboy clone (... just agree with me...).
Back to the topic, why does it sound like Kaz is whining to his subsidized magazine? I think MosquitoControl hit the nail on the head.
daniel @ Jun 29th 2006 6:53PM
well right now i am threw with video gane systens my xbox 360 crashed on me and thats the second one ive bought so i dont care who copies who
lord thanatos @ Jun 29th 2006 6:55PM
"21. -This- is why Nintendo dropped out of the pissing race. Its only going to get more ugly as we come up on Mov. 17th... -_-;
Posted at 5:55PM on Jun 29th 2006 by Raynre"
HOLY SH*T!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WHAT THE HELL IS MOV. 17TH!?!?!?!?!?
I need to know!!!
hhahhha son yis a bunch of fools that will still selll millions- go micro!!!!!!!!
Jake @ Jun 29th 2006 7:14PM
Jeez, chill out people. He was probably just being sarcastic. Text of the words coming out of his head don't capture the little grins and giggles that probably came out with them.
Sony has thrived off of taking what works from other systems and copying it, often with improvement. They aren't really an innovator, but they are extremely good at what they do. They give you the best of both worlds whenever possible. Motion control is a slight attempt at that; trying to offer what Nintendo brings to the table while hopefully trumping MS as well.
Think about it, dual analog, dual rumble, dual shoulder buttons, bigger hard drive, the list goes on...Almost everything they have ever done is by just one-upping others' successes. They avoid risk that way, and all of their "new" ideas are proven to be successful on consoles. And they are simply the best when it comes to advertising and acquiring top 3rd party support.
I challenge anyone to give an example of a truly innovative thing that they have come out with that has been very popular and subsequently became an industry standard. It isn't that they can't, it is just that they are more successful doing it the way that they do it.
Don't hate the playa, hate the game.
Jesper @ Jun 29th 2006 7:39PM
/sigh
Companies copying each other has been going on since the beginning, which everyone knows. What amazes me the most is how Nintendo have successfully sculpted their image so that they appear as "The Innovators".
Throughout all of this, Nintendo have won, it seems. One could make the analogy of a cat (Nintendo) watching two dogs fight (Sony and Microsoft).
T-Bone @ Jun 29th 2006 7:44PM
Touchee #30...I understand where you come from, and I do agree w/ you, and I was not aware who coined the phrase "xbox 1.5", and I am all about the games. I just don't think xbox 360 has provided us w/ much in that area, that's why I was referring to it as xbox 1.5, not b/c a sony exec said so....sorry for the mixup.....
matt @ Jun 29th 2006 7:51PM
i didnt know it was possible to copy a systems marketing and hardware plan for something that isnt even released as of yet...wow, it is now officially confirmed: microsoft has broken all barriers of time and can travel back and forth thru various dimensions at whim.
matjet @ Jun 29th 2006 8:33PM
Actually kaz is right. Notice nintendo seems to be standing out separate from sony and microsoft? also note that nintendo and sony were separate before microsoft came into this business.
now that microsoft has entered the console gaming business, they employ there usual tactics; buy out the competion or destroy them. they are opting for destroy any competion they have in the market. first step; take out the biggest (sony), then annililate the rest (nintendo).
so they try and take sony's audience away by adopting their business plans and strategy. whatever it is that makes them successful, do it. sony went the path of making the ps2 more media centric while nintendo went for pure console gaming.
where did microsoft go? they went right ahead with dvd playback and took up anything that sony had planned to do including hard drive and computer-like online options.
clee @ Jun 29th 2006 8:37PM
T-Bone, if you really really care only about 'the games', then why are you supporting Sony?
They are the ones who are forcing a new standard using their Playstation Brand, hoping the gamers will give Blu ray a boost. This medium has very little to do with games. It is all about movies.
They are even refusing to call the PS3 a gaming device, but an entertainment device or some jibberish close to that.
They are spending a vast amount of their resources making sure the Online system will be up and running. And you know what? Their priority isn't in making sure the online gaming environment is up to scratch, it is to make sure it is possible for us to pay for downloads of Sony movies, and Sony music, and Sony electronics. I am not saying this is good or bad, but if you are really only into 'games' then Sony is not for you.
This system is the least 'gaming' of all the consoles that have ever been released. If you really only care about games, get a Wii. And don't say there's no games on it that interest you, because obviously from the list that you gave to the games you like, it is apparent you have only ever played Sony games and you need to broaden your horizons.
Basheron @ Jun 29th 2006 9:36PM
Widge Wacer. WIIIDGE WAAACER!
These Sony PRs are killing themselves with their arrogance. XBox Live, hard drive, media extentions, yeah... do the math.
Greg @ Jun 29th 2006 9:56PM
THIS IS ALL NINTENDO's FAULT........Let me explain, had nintendo honored that long ago deal the had with the original 'playstation' (not the sony playstation} the joint venture between them and sony, in which nintendo left them holding the bag. Had they (NIN) never done that they're wouldnt be a sony PS3 right now. But sony as entire company is coming blank...TV's DVD Players, Walkmen.....One could say they are coping samsung if you want to go that far. They are nervous and they're wearing it on their sleve right now.......this is where that cocky ish will get you.....
Ameen @ Jun 29th 2006 10:09PM
@ # 37 clee
Sony does have games my friend from where do Assassin's Creed, Heavy Rain, Monster Madness, Motor Storm, Silent Hill 5,MGS4, Killzone, Heavenly Sword, Warhawk,etc have Sprung up. There are nearly 230 PS3 GAmes in development and the Wii may have Games, but not Serious Games, beleive me, can you play Mario Adventure for 12 hours straight.
Indepth @ Jun 29th 2006 10:29PM
Sounds like Sony is realizing they're not the only game in town anymore. Basically they're saying that a competitor is using the same strategy they're using, and they're tired of it. They want to be the only one using the strategy. I'm sure GM, Ford, and Chrysler all hate that about each other too.
Jinn @ Jun 29th 2006 10:51PM
@40, actually I would rather play Super Mario Galaxy than any games coming out for ps3 (sans Assassins Creed-which is coming for the 360 anyway.) But to each his own.
[-Z-] @ Jun 29th 2006 11:05PM
I think what Kaz Hirai said was misinterpreted, for the at least the ambiguity on his comment. I looked at it as Sony are acknowledging the present and persistent threat of Microsoft XBOX 360. I think saying "MS copied Sony" is over simplified. As usual persistent competitor will definitely frustrated any company. Well Microsoft did what it does best, acknowledging the under delivered of PS2 Network capabilities, M$ went ahead and came out with XBOX Live. However, the Single Sign-On for XBOX Live might be part of the reason to kill off orignal XBOX. As EA Sport pulled out online capabilities for XBOX. Sony actually had online gaming exclusive EA for a year. When EA gave in, XBOX Live pulled ahead. Now Sony promises a live experience on PS3 as well. If it wasn't M$, we might not get free online gaming at all. The "in your face" strategy definitely annoyed Sony. But just that they're on the same path, doesn't mean that They will perform better. Crash will occur and there can be only one. I'm no psychic man, I can't see the future but I really think this war wouldn't end at the next generation. If you picked XBOX 360 or PS3, you'll be just fine. HD-DVD vs Bluray is another story though.
The ZeroCorpse @ Jun 30th 2006 12:06AM
The only reason I ever got the PS2 was to play Smackdown games (especially Smackdown vs RAW) and GTA games. I don't like Japanese role-players. I don't like 3D hack-n-slash platformers like God of War and Devil May Cry. I'm not into Japanese-style sneaking games, like MGS, either. Everything else that I wanted, I could get on the Xbox, so it was my primary console.
Now, the same applies, except that the 360 is getting Smackdown vs. RAW and GTA IV, so there's really nothing left on the PS3 for me to bother with it. Why blow $600 on a console that brings NOTHING to me that I can't already get on my 360?
Ooh, yeah. "What about Blu-Ray?!?!" I wasn't going to support Blu-Ray anyway, so that is no big loss. I'll grab the HD-DVD add-on if I really, really want HD movies. At this point, seeing what's coming out on HD, I'm not all that impressed.
Insomnia Bob @ Jun 30th 2006 12:43AM
I think Kaz Hirai is rapidly exceeding even the like of Uwe Boll for sheer, nonsensical rhetoric and madness.
Uwe: "I decided one thing we needed to have in Bloodrayne was whores."
Kaz: "RIIIIIIDGE RACER!"
And honestly, how much 'innovation' have we REALLY seen in the industry in the last 5 years? Both Sony and MS launched online services, but that was about it. I hate to play into Nintendo's corner AGAIN, but they shook stuff up with the DS, had a proprietary wireless controller, and interactivity between the GameCube and GBA that was REALLY cool, if only in a few games.
Sony and MS, in this last console run, introduced...er...well, the online thing. And Sony's online system sucked. Big time. AH! The EYE TOY! HA! SUCK ON THAT, MICRO$OFT!!!1five
Seriously, folks, if 'innovation' means supporting a new digital media format that most people could frankly care less about (blu-ray, HD-DVD, take your pick. most people don't even know what these ARE.) then I'll sign up for the caveman days of when game consoles played games and didn't cost more that $200s.
Insomnia Bob @ Jun 30th 2006 12:51AM
@40, whoooooa, there, skippy. Slow your roll. The SNES days were some of my fondest gaming memories. Zelda, Super Mario Forld, F-Zero, Final Fantasy III, Chrono Trigger...
I could play old school nintendo titles for DAYS. Never diss the old school. No school like the old school.
Bruce @ Jun 30th 2006 2:37AM
ameen
Maybe not Mario Adventures but Smash Brothers for 12 hours sounds very very doable. I think that is a serious game.
Really this exec talk is stupid they should be hiding this type of stuff, not talking in front of reporters. It really makes a person seem like a moron.