Kids Ken Kutaragi says the
darndest things. Though never easy to opine on your competition to a reporter, the father of the PlayStation had this to say when asked by British trade magazine MCV regarding Sony's next-gen competition (Xbox 360 and Wii): "We don't care." Ironically, this statement was made in the very same interview after admitting to PS3 production problems. "Right now ... we can't manufacture enough blue laser diodes for our PlayStation 3s. But we will resolve that," said the Sony exec.
Maybe Ken was having a bad day. Maybe he's tired of all the unfavorable publicity the PS3 is getting. If not, someone get this man a muzzle. Any businessman that implies an absence of competition seriously needs a reality check.
[Update 1: Linked to original MCV article, that was not sourced by our
Gamespot via link]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Super-Jesse-Mario @ Sep 29th 2006 8:34PM
"We Don't Care"?
Hrm, funny, I forsee a bunch of consumers saying that this holiday season about the PS3's launch.
AssemblyLineHuman @ Sep 29th 2006 8:36PM
OmGz Joystiq is sooo biased. I bet he ddint even rly say thta!!! Joystqi prlly haxed Gamespoot juts to poot up a fake intrvyu.
tmoney @ Sep 29th 2006 8:39PM
I can't imagine that this man is having a fun time launching the PS3. Poor Kenny, thats what you get for breaking my fucking PS2.
In other news, his name is fucking Ken and he's a jap? WTF is that? Shouldn't his name be Hamtaro or something? I had no idea Ken was a jap name.
AssemblyLineHuman @ Sep 29th 2006 8:40PM
Hey, I just noticed something. At the bottom of my email it said:
"P.S.: For future reference, you may avoid these confirmations by using your e-mail and password:
E-mail: email@address.com
Password: password"
With my email address in the email part and some random charactesr in the password part. Is that something that has been implemented that I just haven't noticed yet or what?
rocko @ Sep 29th 2006 8:45PM
You know what this man needs? Some flowers to cheer him up. He has the press up his face 24/7, stock holders want something out of the playstation, Corporate doesn't want to lose 400 million dollars, and internet nerds (like us) yelling at him every damn second about how much the ps3 "suckz0rs". This man needs to have some flowers in his life.
Where are those guys who did the Flowers for Jack crusade? Tell them to forget about the egotistical jerk who didn't even freakin read the note attached to the flowers, and start a new campaign for Ken Kutaragi.
reguy @ Sep 29th 2006 8:45PM
i hope he doesnt care as the competition wipes the
floor with the playstation 3.
see darryl i could have said paystation or teh
suxstation but thats stupid just like saying xbox 1.5 non full hd and its crappy ai
Matt @ Sep 29th 2006 8:50PM
"Poor Kenny, thats what you get for breaking my fucking PS2."
I think millions of gamers agreed, in unison, with your comment, tmoney. ;)
On another note, at least we know that Ken is probably on something. At least I sure damned hope so.
Raynre @ Sep 29th 2006 8:51PM
That should read:
Kutaragi on Sony's customers: "We don't care."
Cage @ Sep 29th 2006 8:57PM
How do they let him out of his cage?
Usedtabe @ Sep 29th 2006 8:58PM
As we don't care about you either, Ken. And they used to say Nintendo's President was a loon, well look who took his place.
Core_12 @ Sep 29th 2006 8:58PM
"We don't care" buahah, every goddamn day I get to laugh at Sony, over and over again :D
gamesarefun @ Sep 29th 2006 8:59PM
da pee es sree will not dominate like the pee es tu did. ken is a jap name. it's short for kentaro likes the dude in mortal kombat ____.
good post joystiq. your sarcasm here is good unlike the last one about nintendo. and no i'm not a nintendo fanboy. i hate all 3 companies equally.
Elrando @ Sep 29th 2006 9:04PM
"but thats stupid just like saying xbox 1.5 non full hd and its crappy ai"
Except apparatly the crowd AI on the 360 version of Assasins Creed is a little better.
Not that it really matters, I just like contradicting trolls with facts.
troc 59 @ Sep 29th 2006 9:06PM
You'd better start caring Ken; a few more rungs down the ladder and you'll be filling mop buckets in the boiler room.
pandafresh @ Sep 29th 2006 9:06PM
if he had a leather jacket and slicked back hair, that comment would be bad-ass and you all know it. Ken needs to look more like Guitar Wolf
P. Femm @ Sep 29th 2006 9:08PM
To #3:"In other news, his name is fucking Ken and he's a jap? WTF is that? Shouldn't his name be Hamtaro or something? I had no idea Ken was a jap name." ~ tmoney
I am going to make myself believe that you are unaware that the term "jap" is an extremely derogatory term for the japanese/asian culture.
It’s like saying the “n” word. I would also hope that you are intelligent enough not to use said word in the same/any context.
Elrando @ Sep 29th 2006 9:18PM
@15
If they could use Guitar Wolf to sell the PS3, I may show some interest.
Hatchetforce @ Sep 29th 2006 9:18PM
Well #16, go live in Japan like I did and you'll meet the largest group of xenophobes ever. I have a few Japanese friends and have long been a student of the Sengoku Jidai. But to many Japanese, we are just filty gaijin. On the whole, they are far more racist than we have ever been.
Ken is just like Phil Harrison and the rest of those arrogant bastards at 3dFx, er, I mean Sony.
Moe A @ Sep 29th 2006 9:19PM
Can you leave the man alone? This is the 500th post I've seen about "Crazy" Ken Kutaragi. He works for Sony. What exactly do you expect him to say? By rule of thumb, all the company talking heads scoff at the competition. Do you expect them to divulge their company's worries to the public? Don't Nintendo officials always say that they aren't in competition with the others even though it is PAINFULLY obvious that they are. Doesn't Microsoft talk about how it will sell X million number of units, even if it is completely unrealistic?
"If not, someone get this man a muzzle."
Is this how you would speak to people you met in person? How about conducting an interview with him, bringing a muzzle, and telling him all these things face to face rather than these backhanded insults. If you can do that, then by all means, feel free to insult all you want. Just because he works for Sony, doesn't mean he's not a person.
Rod Oracheski @ Sep 29th 2006 9:21PM
Every time he doesn't say something that's a total copy of his PS2 speech, he gets in trouble.
Maybe he really should just stick with them. Examples:
http://gaming-edge.blogspot.com/2006/09/wait-its-2006-right.html
http://gaming-edge.blogspot.com/2006/09/sony-continues-three-rs-reduce-reuse.html
They're almost shameless in their recycling of the same promises, many phrased exactly the same way, from the PS2 launch. I don't think they believe consumers will ever really question them, which is what happened to Nintendo as well.
Elrando @ Sep 29th 2006 9:24PM
@19
Actually, popular theory has it that Ken is indeed a robot.
Vlad @ Sep 29th 2006 9:24PM
I don't think I can remember another time when fanboy loyalties have ever run so rabid. Ever post I see on here, or kotaku, or 1up, or gamestop, or anywhere...there's always people saying "oh man, you guys are so biased". I think there's some degree of truth to this, especially from individuals within some of the sites (is there any denying that Shane at 1up is a Sony fanboy and that Luke is a M$ fanboy?), but...for the case of this article, I gotta agree. Kutaragi and Sony in general are making it soooooo hard to like them lately, especially with all the good news from X06. Sony better thank its lucky stars that the Japanese 3rd parties are still behind them, because if they lose them...they're toast.
oh, also, all the Sony vs. M$ gnashing of teeth just makes me like Nintendo even more.
Matt @ Sep 29th 2006 9:24PM
Moe has a point... if any of us were unfortunate enough to work for Sony, we would all be idiots too... for not quitting our jobs. :)
Dave @ Sep 29th 2006 9:29PM
This is news? As opposed to that price cut in Japan (and hopefully in the other territories as well), the HDMI components being included in all models, Sony telling Immersion to shove it with a rumble-free controller, and an actual halfway decent lineup would be what I thought passes for news these days. Guess it just must be a slow day. :P
sracer @ Sep 29th 2006 9:33PM
Why SHOULDN'T he say, "We don't care."?!?! The entire gaming industry has given Sony a pass on all of their lies and deceptions. Spring 06 launch?! yeah... right. Motion-sensing controllers WEREN'T a last minute add-on?! Any objective person looking at the outright lies would be totally turned off of Sony and the PS3.
But gaming blogs, news sites, and a large group of loyal Sony fans, continue to accept Sony's official (and not so official) statements.
So Mr. Kutaragi and the rest of his associates are justified in sending the public a big F. U. (knowing full well that the media and fans will continue to go along for the ride).
Jeff @ Sep 29th 2006 9:35PM
"But to many Japanese, we are just filty gaijin. On the whole, they are far more racist than we have ever been. "
Act like a filthy gaijin and you'll be treated like one. As you should be. And from your post, I can only imagine that this is how you acted while you were there.
Act like a civilized person (something many Americans wouldn't even know how to start doing) and you'll be treated like a king. Let me tell you from experience that for such a "racist" country, they sure don't seem to have much of a problem with interracial relationships.
As for "Ken", yes, it is a Japanese name. Sheesh. Can be short for "Kenji" or just "Ken."
Anyway, I really hope you guys who love to rag on Sony and the PS3 so much stay home on launch day so I won't have any trouble picking one up. You'll be doing me a big favor. So thanks in advance if that's your plan.
Caps Lock @ Sep 29th 2006 9:37PM
Dave,
Everything you mention has been posted days ago. So yes, it's a slow news day.
BTW, the price cut does not extend to other territories.
darryl @ Sep 29th 2006 9:40PM
Seriously... why would he care. The PS3 will crush the competition, that's very obvious. Don't rip on the guy for telling the truth.
darryl @ Sep 29th 2006 9:43PM
I need a hug.
Ethan @ Sep 29th 2006 9:44PM
hey, i wouldnt be too concerned either if I outsold the competition by over 70,000 units in the previous generation, and continue to outsell the only next gen console, with 6 year old technology.
n8dogg @ Sep 29th 2006 9:45PM
Nintendo: "We are no longer competing with our competitors... err, I mean, other... game companies... who are our competitors... We launch a few days after the PS3!"
Yeah.
Usedtabe @ Sep 29th 2006 9:47PM
Wow...this Darryl guy is a trip. I don't think I've ever seen such blind fanboism. Well, ME is pretty bad too.
Coming from someone who has all 3 last-gen systems and a 360, I have to say I'm happy with what MS and Nintendo are doing, and their "seemingly" mutual repsect for their competitors. But Sony, or Ken, just comes off as an ignorant retard. And his fans seem to follow suit.
I liked the PS2, but I can't say for sure if I will get a PS3
shase @ Sep 29th 2006 9:50PM
I read another article quoting him saying " i dont care" but it was in response to "how do you feel about the critics". So either Joystique misquoted or the article i read mis quoted or it happened both times. Anyway, what's the problem? Action speaks for words..even if he says "we care" thats not going to do anything. Getting better games and more service will show how he/sony cares. White Knight story, MGS4, DMC4, Resistance... those titles for Sony shows that Sony CARES and bothers to keep those as exclusives (thus far) and coming only for Sony fans. So do people "care" what others do by speaking and no action or action?
Bodah @ Sep 29th 2006 9:53PM
Yo Jeff,
"something many Americans wouldn't even know how to start doing"
So your going to jump on that guy about predjudice statments then you have this hum-dinger to hurl?
What ever. I don't see how anyone can take you seriously.
I'm sure the Japanese sure appreciate you defending them and when you get your PS3 you'll be that much more japanese and that much less giajin.
But really, this double standard shite towards Americans is old.
pandafresh @ Sep 29th 2006 10:00PM
Guitar Wolf should def. be in Guitar Hero.
Fanboys, chill the eff out seriously. Every system is gunna be good. sheez, i dunno, do people nowadays think they cant like more than one thing?
playclever @ Sep 29th 2006 10:04PM
This does appear to have been taken somewhat out of context. According to what seems to be the source of the news (http://www.mcvuk.com/newsitem.php?id=24458) this was in response to the suggestion that PS3 sales might not exceed those of the other consoles. In this context, "We don't care" is no more than an admission that there simply won't be many PS3s out there, thanks to those pesky blue laser diodes.
SquirrelPhister @ Sep 29th 2006 10:04PM
18. Hatchetforce:
"Well #16, go live in Japan like I did and you'll meet the largest group of xenophobes ever. On the whole, they are far more racist than we have ever been."
so, you feel a need to compete and prove yourself a better racist?
Bob @ Sep 29th 2006 10:05PM
Hey ethan out of all the units that sony has shipped how many of them are returns for broken ones. I am not trying to crush your dream of sony world domination, but they are not the most honest company in the world, and i am sure at least fifty million of the consoles sony has shipped have been replacements.
jakedasnake @ Sep 29th 2006 10:08PM
@16
I hate the goddamn japs.
Your all just jealous your not rich enough to be apathetic about microsoft and nintendo.
Pulse @ Sep 29th 2006 10:10PM
It is his job to be honest to care, but then, if he did care, that would only mean more trouble, I don't particually care about Microsoft's Xbox either, I didnt like it before, and I have no reason to suddenly like it now because it has been released earlier and has better gfx, i dont much like the games either, but then thats my opinion, (excluding Nintendo, love em ^^) but then, I'm not in his position, just because people like a console and it's games does not mean they are all iddiots and sheep of the creator, if I were to say that all MS people were as dorky as Bill, that would only make me look stupid, so why say it, Ken does make some rather pointless statements, but keep the fans of the consoles out of it, there is no reason to insult them.
What I think Ken meant is that he is rather fed up with hearing about what the competition is doing, arrogance maybe bad, but you have to admit, It put Sony where it is now, Ken is no more arrogant then he was when PS first came on the scene, and if we bought then, what difference does his arrogance make now? Obviousl he needs to care to a certain extent because what Microsoft and Nintendo do effects his company, so this comment is rather basic and unexplained.
Me @ Sep 29th 2006 10:11PM
Maybe he doesn't give a damn because for this holiday season Sony has a total of three products that will do very very well......PS2, PSP, AND PS3 !!! Sony will deffinately sell out of every PS3 come november while PS2 will most likely sell more than the 360 and wii combined this holiday season(because of its low price and very large selection of very good games). Then there is the PSP which will do well because of the price drop and of course since its badass. Now if that's not a good enough reason to shrug off the competition, then nothing is !!!! Nintendo is just trying to play catchup, much like what xbox is trying to do, but Nintendo has much more ground to regain just to catch up with xbox at this point in time. Sony need not worry about the competition because they have a future proof system and the games needed to remain the top dog once again !!!! END OF STORY !!!
Just for anyone who tries to respond negatively to this, and of course so i don't have to respond to somebody's response to my post......Your efforts are futile....save your breath...wait i mean...your finger strength....i know what im saying and i only speak the truth...you suck and get over it man !!!! sony freakin rocks and will continue to dominate the gaming industry which is a very very good thing !!!!! lmao :)
tmoney @ Sep 29th 2006 10:11PM
Japs are all racist nationalistic assholes, its old news. And now, I'm a gagin or some stupid shit? Hamtaro can take his PS3 and shove it up his fat, whitey hating ass.
David @ Sep 29th 2006 10:16PM
Nintendo didn't care about Sony when they dropped the SNES CD. Look where that went.
Pulse @ Sep 29th 2006 10:19PM
Japs are just as much loyal to thier home built consoles as you are to Xbox, so keep you racist comments to yourself as none wants to hear it.
Dont like the PS3? Tough, dont buy, go and get Xbox instead. You're just upset that Japanese had no interest in Xbox what-so-ever, and I would expect them to be like that after comments like what you made Tmoney.
introvert @ Sep 29th 2006 10:21PM
I find it amazing how personal all of you are getting, on either side of the fence. It's business. It's a game machine. Deal with it.
I think Sony has chosen a very poor way to handle the press and the public this time around. I think their entire PR team should be fired. I think their execs have dropped a few really stupid lines lately. But am I going to sit around and rip on them? No.
I'm going to wait until a piece of software I want is released for the machine, and then I'm going to buy it. If there is no such piece of software, then I won't buy it.
Speak with your wallets. Stop flaming game industry executives on a web forum. If he doesn't care about his competition, then he sure as hell doesn't care what YOU think.
And, speaking to the racist remarks, saying crap like that proves how ignorant and uneducated you are. I don't care if the Japanese ARE xenophobic, don't be a bigoted pimple-faced jackass about it. Be a better person, set an example, lead a happy life.
Me @ Sep 29th 2006 10:22PM
One more thing just for BOB.....Guess what man....You wanna bring up the story of broken shit...my PS2 IS ALMOST 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS.....then there is the 360..... almost all of microsofts launch 360's have broken including mine...i just shipped it out yesterday for repairs....every system has something wrong with it at some point because there are moving parts and alot of heat generated generally. Your trying to make a point about half of the PS2's sold were replacments...yeah right....some of the launch systems had problems yeah, but thats way in the past. But your wrong... I doubt after somebody's PS2 broke, they would just go out and buy a new one instead of just getting the one they already had repaired...think about shit before you talk man.
Brian Sexton @ Sep 29th 2006 10:27PM
I do not know the exact original context of Mr. Kutaragi's comment, but in some ways, it makes perfect sense to say that Sony does not care about the competition: regardless of what the competition is doing, he and his company have a system to release.
Blake Snow wrote for Joystiq:
"Any businessman that implies an absence of competition seriously needs a reality check."
Perhaps you need a reality check because that claim is both absurd and irrelevant. It is absurd because many businesses have thrived due to the absence of competition (hence, the concepts of monopoly and patent) and it is irrelevant because neither you nor the GameSpot article you referenced* presented any reason to believe that Mr. Kutaragi implied that at all.
* I use the term "referenced" loosely since your article does not even mention that it was taken from GameSpot except for the presence of the "Read" link at the end. Perhaps "plagiarized" would be more accurate.
Pulse @ Sep 29th 2006 10:30PM
Its Ironic you can be so racist towards Japanese Tmoney when it was a large quantity of them that helped get Xbox to where it is now, them and Halo the legendary Xbox seller, if you look at the Xbox production team, a lot of them are of Japanese or Chinese heritage. Even the very games you get, a lot of the decent ones have had a Japanese person behind it, I think you should think before making rather braindead statements like that...
Enigma @ Sep 29th 2006 10:31PM
Brian Sexton just owned the comments section.
Bob @ Sep 29th 2006 10:32PM
TO ME:
Lets take a look at some facts dumbass. 360 had a defect rate of about 5 to 6 percent of the initial launch units to which they are repairing for free.(I like to see sony do that) and anytime sony ships a unit out to a store like walmart it gets marked as a unit shipped. I have gone through a ps2 slimline and a first launched ps2 in a 6 year span. I have a 360 from 2005 and have had no problems, so in closing you are the one who needs to think before you speak.