Stop the presses! Positive PS3 news!
It's a rare thing nowadays to come upon gems like this, but we take every opportunity to do so when it pops up. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Eidos' Ian Livingstone had some mighty positive things to say about Sony's PlayStation 3.
When asked what he thought of the inclusion of Blu-Ray and the role it played in the PS3's ultimate success, Livingstone had this to say:
It's extraordinary quality, that's the starting point. If people are seeking the ultimate machine, the PS3 is clearly the best spec machine as far as next-gen goes. As with all things in life, you have to pay for quality. It is absolutely beautiful to look at and you are getting virtual interactive cinema in the comfort of your own home. It's a very compelling selling point and Sony just has to educate people that yes, it's a lot of money, but it'll be worth it.
But it wasn't all daisies and lollipops. Livingstone did admit that Sony had a tough road ahead of them when it came to marketing the PS3 to the masses.
... they also appeal to a different consumer. Sony is going to have quite a lot of marketing to have to spend, to let consumers know that the PS3 is not just a games machine but a complete home entertainment system with Blu-ray. To get the consumers to understand exactly what that means, and how that justifies the cost of the hardware -- that's going to be the challenge for them.
Check out the full interview, because Livingstone had some great things to say about Eidos and the other consoles in the next-gen rat race.
[Thanks, HEYYOUTHERE]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ill trooper @ Aug 16th 2006 12:31AM
Cool, but I was already one of the 'idiots' (to paraphrase so, so many Joystiq comments) prepared to buy one at launch...
Fulnelson @ Aug 16th 2006 12:34AM
What the hell does Eidos know about quality
Rare Hare @ Aug 16th 2006 12:35AM
It doesn't really matter if the PlayStation 3 is worth the pricetag Sony is asking for it (it is).
It's whether or not consumers actually care enough about the features (Blu-Ray, I'm looking at you) that it has that are jacking the price up so high.
I, for one, don't intend on purchasing the PS3 until it's at least a couple of years into its life. I can pick up an Xbox 360 for cheaper, and it offers more than I need from a console. If I happen to become interested in HD movies some time down the road, I'll buy the HD-DVD attachment.
T-Bag @ Aug 16th 2006 12:35AM
In other news: Joystiq pleads for redemption.
I'm just messing with you. This is fairly surprising. Then again I've always hated Eidos so they really don't have any credibility in my view.
1up_clock @ Aug 16th 2006 12:37AM
Who wants to bet Darryl will take this and run with it?
Geist @ Aug 16th 2006 12:44AM
1up, I bet he will. 10 bucks says he mentions the word wiitards, 5 bucks says he bashes nintendo in some other manner.
Fish @ Aug 16th 2006 12:45AM
What no one knows, is that Sony's Playstation Division has spent a great deal of money on realistic animatronics, voice replication and pupeteers. If you look realllll carefully, you can see somebody operating this man behind the scenes. Oh wait, no, its just a briefcase full of money courtesy of whatever department is in charge of corporate bribery.
In all seriousness though, it's good to see a glowingly good comment, and not just the generic "Well, it's very powerful, and the potential is there" bullcrap that we're used to getting.
coolyguy3000 @ Aug 16th 2006 12:47AM
i just wanna point sumtin out
100million ppl bought the ps2
now..... if even 5 percent of those ppl buy a ps3 at luanch day (not saying they will) the ps3 will do good
even if 5 percent only buy it this whol holiday season thats still 5million
just my 43 1/2 cents
jason @ Aug 16th 2006 12:48AM
its good to hear good news
but, yes the ps3 is expensive but its is the real deal spec wise.
i plan on getting one at launch.
KawF @ Aug 16th 2006 12:54AM
That bastard is obviously getting paid by Sony to say that!!!1One
Amirire or what! ;)
Tondog @ Aug 16th 2006 1:02AM
STOP THE PRESSES!! JOYSTIQ POSTS SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT THE PS3.
Infil @ Aug 16th 2006 1:02AM
Like #3 said, the PS3 might actually be a bargain as far as what you're getting (a Blu-ray player), but Sony has to realize that the vast majority of people who have bought their consoles in the past have been gamers. It will be very hard to sell a system, to gamers, that is a lot more expensive because it does more than play games.
People want to play games on this thing.
They had the same mindset, in general, with the PSP, and again, in general, those who are happy with the purchase are those who use it for many non-gaming functions. Fantastic. As far as games go, though, Sony didn't deliver, and as far as gamers go, the system has widely considered to have flunked.
Note to Sony: people want games on a gaming console!
dredub @ Aug 16th 2006 1:02AM
I think Sony needs to do a better job explaining why Blu-ray is in the PS3. Right now the public perception (fueled by poor press events and anti-sony fan boys) is that Blu-ray is there just for the movies and the PS3 is just a way to shoehorn it into people’s living rooms. Really the gaming benefits of Blu-ray are awesome and people should be happy that its there instead of wishing that it just used DVDs. Bigger disks mean developers don’t need to cut stuff out to fit on a DVD. The games can have all the audio and video on one disk for all regions, instead of only having the option of English in the US. Having all languages on one disk saves the developers the cost of creating different versions for all regions. Blu-ray is also supposed to have a better coating than DVDs to prevent scratches. Blu-ray ahs the capacity to see the console though the next 5-10 years while DVDs fit the bill now but will soon be handcuffing developers. The point is that Sony should be also talking up the gaming aspects of Blu-ray in addition to letting people know it’s a bitchin’ movie player.
RazorElite @ Aug 16th 2006 1:03AM
Anything should look high quality in Eidos eyes.
vakerorokero @ Aug 16th 2006 1:06AM
I don't think its fare to say that if Someone says Sony product is good, that is bribery. Most companies are staying neutral about it, but After EA disses the PSP and Approves the DS, someone had to come out and Show their Support towards the company, It's the law of the politics, and Eidos owes Sony everything it is now...
JPRacer @ Aug 16th 2006 1:09AM
This guy's a businessman, not a programmer. I prefer to believe what programmers and actual developers are saying and that's not too positive.
Infil @ Aug 16th 2006 1:21AM
@ dredub
Developers haven't even really come close to filling up a DVD yet, in all honesty; those who have are using horrible compression and are lazy. That's not necessarily a bad thing if the space is there, but don't think that any game in the next 5 years won't be able to fit on a DVD (dual-layer, if need be) with proper compression and resource management.
Blu-ray may let you get away with lots more movies and voiceovers... without compression. Again, the extra space isn't bad, but it's very far from required in the next several years.
And due to the cost of printing Blu-ray discs, you can bet that few (if any) developers will be using them for their games, especially in the first couple of years when DVDs will still amply suffice.
Make no mistake; the Blu-ray is in the PS3 solely to get market share in the HD-DVD war. Its gaming applications are minimal, and are not going to be required for at least another generation of game consoles.
Fortyseven @ Aug 16th 2006 1:29AM
The PS3 could shit magic rainbows for all I care, that price absolutely guarentees I won't buy it until it drops dramatically.
Mike @ Aug 16th 2006 1:33AM
Blu-Ray (or hd-dvd) is necessary for next-gen games.
A year from now, when practically every 360 game is coming on at least 2 DVDs, remember you heard it here (and elsewhere).
bounchfx @ Aug 16th 2006 1:37AM
THANKS I DONT REALLY NEED ANOTHER 'HOME ENTERTAINMENT CENTER'
I thought they were just starting to tout it as a 'computer', now its a home entertainment center? make up your minds.
too bad I, and not many other people, want to spend 600+ dollars on it considering most of us already have computers and dvd players (blu ray? LOL), and I'm in the market to buy a VIDEO GAME MACHINE/console/system.
not this 30 lb. piece of technology that does everything. gee. didnt psp do everything? and it did it like CRAP.
Danno @ Aug 16th 2006 1:41AM
For the PS3 or HD-DVD add on for the 360 to be a bargain, don't you have to buy in that either movie formats are worth a damn?
I am not inclined towards either belief.
james f. @ Aug 16th 2006 1:43AM
Just to chime in: This seems to be much less news than propaganda. Which is at least something right as even the sony propaganda has been rather poor. So good for Sony on getting someone, evn though not on the payroll, to crank out some non-mockable propaganda finally.
On a side note $600 is a good price for a bluray player. Is it a good price for a blue laser player? After seeing blue-ray versus hd-dvd on hd monitors for the first time this past weekend im sorry to say, nope.
Michael @ Aug 16th 2006 1:43AM
i'm concurring about the filling up the dvds i mean come on 9 gb right now dual layer. and then god forbid having to change to say another 9gb disc...ahhhh the horror, in a movie yeah that sucks but in a game, it doesn't bother me any but then again i liked ff7, ff8, and ff9
also to say about the ps3, it will sell a shitload we all know it will, unfortunately for sony that won't be until about 2008-2009. and to number #8 if they sell 5 million this holiday season then i'll wonder when kutaragi has to pay his soul to the devil for working his unholy ps3 building magic.
Shaymus22 @ Aug 16th 2006 1:45AM
-999 + 1 < 360
CUBS RULE BEARS RULE @ Aug 16th 2006 1:57AM
WHY the fu*k do i want a computer when i just but a new gateway pc and laptop a year ago. i want a wii and 360 cuz wii is fun and 360 is not $600 and gives u choices for when u descide to buy a hdtv with hdmi and i have a computer/laptop to store pictures, videos, movies, and browse the internet. ps3 i guess would be good for a person who doesn't own a ps3. people who say ps3 price = 360 and hd dvd drive price but i look at it like 360 and Wii = price of ps3. plus no halo 3 on ps3
CUBS RULE BEARS RULE @ Aug 16th 2006 2:00AM
#21 360 said they would sell 5million buy the end of last year that didn't happen ps2 was the same way wot makes ps3 any differ. if anything Wii will sell the most easier to make. also my 4 of friends who bought a ps2 at launch said they wouldn't buy a ps3 cuz its $600
CUBS RULE BEARS RULE BULLS RULE @ Aug 16th 2006 2:05AM
360 and Wii or just one ps3(or computer)
CUBS RULE BEARS RULE BULLS RULE @ Aug 16th 2006 2:16AM
psp vs nintendo ds
psp plays movies, videos, music, web browser, and shitty games we wanted fun games not something trying to be an ipod or ds fun game and buy and adapter to play music videos and pictures and web browser.
DS WINS - PSP LOSES
THIS SOUNDS LIKE 360 VS PS3 ADAPTERS FOR WIRELESS INTERNET AND HD DVD ADD ON SO THIS MEANS...
360 AND Wii will win- PS3 LOSES
Bloo @ Aug 16th 2006 2:22AM
"i just wanna point sumtin out 100million ppl bought the ps2"
I just want to point out that about 80 million of those people paid $150 for the machine, 10 million $200, and 10 million $300. $600 is a whole different story. Heck, it's a whole different library. Sony will still be getting my $600 but I'll still feel like I'm buying the equivalent of a $400 cell phone with a required $200 super-sticker to magically increase reception.
Darth Pixel @ Aug 16th 2006 2:35AM
I'll buy one at launch...the most powerful console this turn, how could I pass? I am a sucker for the platform that offers the most potential. That's how I bought my Xbox.
The more platforms you own, the more good games come to you...
Pal @ Aug 16th 2006 2:41AM
Sony has to convince people to buy the PS3 for next-gen games, the importance/neatness of Blu-Ray and to buy an HDTV to enjoy it all (preferably a Sony brand, of course).
High cost game systems = more violence involving game consoles! If someone murders someone over an Xbox, imagine what they will do for a PS3. Add price to shortage of systems (which can be expected), and bam! Pandemonium!
Uber Soldat @ Aug 16th 2006 3:12AM
@ Darth Pixel
If you're after the platform that offers the most potential (and as long as cost isn't a factor) then buy a Gaming PC. You won't regret it!
phipscube @ Aug 16th 2006 3:15AM
HAHAHA!!
Love the owl pic. Thats a fab way to express sheer suprise! Nice to see a bit of positive Sony news as well.
Some comments (Of course!):-
PS3 has more than just Blu-Ray as "Value" in the price. If you took out Blu-Ray and looked at the other extra things only (comparing both Premium packs)....
1. Wifi built in ($100 on Xbox 360)
2. Bluetooth (no option in Xbox 360, but say $50)
3. GENERIC media card reader (no option on Xbox 360, but say $20). And memory, 1GB MS pro duo = approx $40 now. 64MB CUSTOM Memory card for Xbox 360 = $40 (How much do you think the 256MB will be?) dear me.
4. 40 GB more hdd space (Not an option on Xbox 360 but probably will be soon and at the price of the 20GB your looking at $200 for 40GB)
5. Play and charge with a simple USB cable (Xbox 360 need extra kit $35)
Ok to be fair $200 is unfair to compare, but i'm just showing you guys how much MS are charging for a piffly 20 Gig (and even then 7 vanishes somewhere??)
So even ignoring the HDD you got $205 you would need to spend in THEORY to make Xbox 360 Premium the SAME as PS3 Premium. ADD HDD space cost and you're looking at over $400!!! AND THATS NOT EVEN INCLUDING THE BLU-RAY DRIVE.
MS didn't choose the "Upgrade" options to make it cheaper and "More flexible" for you guys. They did it so they could make an INCREDIBLE markup on convenient "Addons". Sony offer it all in one so it seems expensive. But just do the math! Are people REALLY that stupid?
So all you people saying "I don't want to pay $200 extra for Blu-Ray thanks" then think again about the OTHER extras you get that people completely ignore and what you have to BUY for Xbox 360.
If we did bring into play the extra HDD space, the bonus of being able to swap out the HDD and use a STANDARD PC drive (Unlike MS's drastically inflated price CUSTOM HDD) AND the Blu-Ray drive... then PS3 is incredibly good value.
Looking like this you could say the Blu-Ray and extra HDD space has been given to you.
Sony are using STANDARD interfaces now... something they have been criticised for not doing before, no credit seems to be given given now they are using: -
STANDARD SATA HDD interface thats uses STANDARD PC HDD.
STANDARD Memory cards (INCLUDING SD and CF!! not just MS pro).
STANDARD Bluetooth for connection. (no need to wait for a custom keyboard and mouse, just use PC stuff)
STANDARD USB cables for Controller connection.
Of course all you Sony haters will just call me a stupid fanboy. AND nit pick AND ignore all the points completely. You crack me up guys.
fumar @ Aug 16th 2006 3:18AM
I really see no point in buying a PS3 for atleast a year:
1.Most of the launch games for PS3 will be 1st generation 3rd party which can be got on 360, while 360 is on its second gen games and will prolly be sharper than PS3's games.
2.Wii has an insane library of launch games, Zelda and Metroid!
3.No Gears of War for PS3 (not yet atleast)
4.Did I mention insane price?
5.The PS3 will suck as a computer unless there is a cheap keyboard attachment (or if it works with USB keyboards)
6.The first run of PS3's will run hot like the Xbox360's (don't tell me a 7 core cpu confined to that space wont't run hot)
29. I totally agree with you about the PS3 launch. There will be riots at Best Buys and Toys R US's when little Johnny doesn't get his PS3 because Sony only made 2 million for Christmas. I bet Detoit lights on fire , again!
Dave @ Aug 16th 2006 3:40AM
To #27's point, how many people bought more than one PS2?
fumar @ Aug 16th 2006 3:42AM
31. Do you know for sure that PS3 uses SATA? Or just ATA?
I really like the idea of being able to swap internal harddrives with regular componants, but how would you transfeer your data 2 years later when the 60gig is full and you buy a 200gig. O and SATA isnt really standard, its the future standard for all PC HDD that is used for OEM and higher end drives, ATA is still the standard used by most PC's.
31. harddrive space is dirt cheap. I can buy 160 for $70 at newegg.com. The 7 gig goes to the crappy MS operating system. Atleast PS3 has Linux embedded in a seperate drive. You are correct on all your points about the 360, but you have forgotten that Wii has all those features except the harddrive for 1/3 the cost at best and Wii works with external HDD's and Flash Drives (which have flooded the market). Dont write off Wii yet just because its not HD (which most people dont have)
If Sony comes out with an HDMI to VGA and 3 3.5mm jacks, sign me up for a PS3 so I can use it in all its glory as a PC replacement. (something MS should do but hasnt as a/v isnt used for PC speakers)
JJ @ Aug 16th 2006 4:03AM
still fumar there's going to be more PS3's available during its launch IF sony can keep up with their own numbers, than 360's available thus meaning if they do sell out, they're numbers at launch will be better than MS's numbers at launch.
But that's if they can keep up with their 6 million by march number. how many 360's were available by march? I think like 4-5mil or something along that lines.
Questworld @ Aug 16th 2006 4:04AM
I don't need the salesman's pitch and be told what a deal I'm getting. I want to spend $200 for a system and that's it. $300, maybe. All I want are the relevant components to make a sufficiently powerful next-gen PS3 system. If you can do that with a smaller hard drive, cheaper processor, and an ordinary DVD drive, then so be it. If the 360 managed to do that sans hard drive and still managed a $300 price tag then I don't see what that extra $200 is for that'll make a system better for gaming in the next-gen.
You can tell me we're getting a Porsche that plays next-gen games at a steal price of $5000, I still can't and won't buy it for that price. What's so hard to understand? People complained about stores like EB or Best Buy allowing buyers to buy only bundles of the 360 even when the customers only wanted the system and the games they wanted, so how is this any different? If it was cheaper, no problem, but at this price, and due to the additional features, you might as well consider it as a bundle where you really can't do anything outside of waiting for price drops. Honestly, it's like here's a PS1 but you can't have it by itself unless you buy it bundled with this DVD player, and back then that was pretty expensive.
mark @ Aug 16th 2006 4:20AM
"I'll buy one at launch...the most powerful console this turn, how could I pass?"
Not meaning to rip into your statement. But we havent actually seen enough to know that. If you want to talk specs..yeah looks great. but so were the specs on the ps2 which in my opinion was beaten bloody by an 'off the self' p3 processor in the xbox.
CaptainFoley @ Aug 16th 2006 4:40AM
Infil, excellent comments. The thing only has 256Megs of local video memory so if a BD is going to be filled up on a PS3 title, it sure as heck ain't going to be textures. I can see maybe a need for HD-DVD/BD capacity in PC's when video cards are 1Gig memory standard (I would love those sharp textures in Max Payne 2 with normal & specular maps), but the PS3 has a static amount of RAM (unless it will indeed be upgradeable like a PC, which would be a larger mistake than throwing in a BluRay drive and hoping the masses eat those 600 bones). I don't plan on watching 2+ hours of HD cutscenes in games, and I don't think anyone does either.
Gamer G @ Aug 16th 2006 4:41AM
With all this good PS3 news i'm feeling a bit giddy!!
Omegasquash @ Aug 16th 2006 5:37AM
My issue with Sony and pricing stems from 1) the frequency at which the first run models of the PS1/2 had issues (yes, they were plentiful, and 2) the quality of the DVD player in the original PS2. I have both the original and slim models of the PS2 in my own home, and I can say, without a doubt, that my $99 Panasonic 5 disc DVD player has better A/V quality than either of my PS2's. Before you say anything, yes, they're both running off of an old S-Video connection and the audio hookups are standard.
So shelling out extra dough for Blu-Ray I can understand. Shelling out extra dough for a sub-par Blu-Ray is a pill that I can't swallow. Sony hardware has screwed me in the past, and that's my bust. It just won't happen again until I have about a year and a half's worth of reliable information about the product. And even then, it won't make the pill easy to swallow.
KawF @ Aug 16th 2006 6:31AM
@CaptainFoley
I hope I am missunderstanding you, but are you saying that you believe that every texture in the game will be loaded at once and never removed from VRAM?
Because that's quite wrong. Of course, a shoddy $2 programmer might do some fatal mistake like that, but the rest, yeah, they won't.
Ben Hobbs @ Aug 16th 2006 6:34AM
"Virtual Interactive Cinema"
LOL, sounds like he's basing his views from some Sony press releases, what exactly is a Virtual Interactive Cinema and how does a slight jump in resolution, sound quality etc... become "Virtual Interactive Cinema" - I'm doubting someone playing on a 21" CRT is gonna be experiencing "Virtual Interactive Cinema".
Sony made Eidos successful, so its not likely that they would return the favour by saying bad things about it.
I personally think the PS3 will break Sony, I don't see what it offers over the 360 with its proven online experience, downloadable content. Sure I want a HD DVD player but I'll buy a standalone unit thanks.
KawF @ Aug 16th 2006 6:43AM
The guy playing a PS3 on a 21" CRT won't experience any games of a quality as good as Lucid Dreams either... oh, that was some other company that claimed that...
My bad... yeah...
And quite frigging honestly, if you are buying a Xbox 360 or PS3, what the hell do you have a POS tv like that for? You might just as well be playing Xbox (1) or PS2... well.. not the first one perhaps since it's fully dropped off of all commercial support...
And I promised myself that I wouldn't make fun of "that company" *cough*MS*cough*...
Gazbin @ Aug 16th 2006 7:04AM
Its good to see a few people remember their lines correctly. It also sounds like he may have delivered that statement with some conviction. Well done Ian.
"It's extraordinary quality", "As with all things in life, you have to pay for quality", "you are getting virtual interactive cinema in the comfort of your own home", "it's a lot of money, but it'll be worth it".
Ian you delivered that sales pitch with all the key points tightly wrapped together. That new Sony PR lass is really working out!
Super Duper Moron @ Aug 16th 2006 7:10AM
*Cough* *KwaF* *cough* *fanboy*
James Sorensen @ Aug 16th 2006 7:42AM
its simple, you get what you pay for..
people never flipped about $400 ipods, hell i preorded one.
honestly, if you can afford a 360 for $400 bux you can easily afford $500-600.
I will buy one at launch no matter if i have to wait all night at best buy or something silly. I will also get a Wii, just well cause i buy every lil gadget that comes along.
I can definately see people say oh they don't care about blu-ray, but then i see people all excited over the 360's hd-dvd addon, so i am just glad that the blu-ray is at least built in. I also like to see blu-ray as something that when dev's grow in knowledge of ps3, instead of porting, they can work on making excellent games and not have to waste one bit of time worrying about compression.
One other thing that has been ironic, how ps2, having its great game library, was always bashed on ya its the least powerful and graphics aren't as good as gc/xbox1... yet now they have given you the powerhouse but people expected it to be free.. people are so fickle.
i do understand why people will not buy it. if it's financial reasons, well these people will never save any money in their life no mater what they make in salaries. Or if they are just waiting some months to see what happens with the system (price, games, etc.) i understand.
Just to recap there are other crazy expensive products (60 5g ipod) noone complains about price, you are definately getting what you pay for, remember lastgen everyone cried about ps2's power (now you are getting a powerhouse).
Hey everyone has the option to get a free ps3 if they just buy two at launch, and sell one on ebay nov 17 for at least double retail. ($600 bux for preorders or sitting on your ass a few hours isn't bad pay)
KawF @ Aug 16th 2006 7:43AM
I bet it hurts when your arguments bite back huh?
Lucid Dreams man!
The best launch lineup EVER!
mmmkay... :)
ChrisRX @ Aug 16th 2006 8:03AM
I personally am tired of sony telling everyone what they want in their new console instead of actually adressing what people want.
I mean all they have to do is look at the ds/psp war to see how fun and innovation is selling massively more than "better graphics"
I mean I already have a dvd player and hifi and that suits me fine. I don't need another one, and I definitely don't need one which is integrated into a games console.
When the time comes and there are enough bluray disks for sale then maybe I would consider buying a bluray player and when the price drops I would consider buying a hdtv. At the moment neither is true so neither of the ps3s "major selling points" appeal to me