Three Speech presses Harrison about PS3 porn
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Mar 22nd 2007 at 1:00AM }
We still can't make heads or tails of the anonymous writers at the "semi-official" Sony blog Three Speech. In an interview with Phil Harrison, which took place at GDC, they laid on the porn questions with the Sony bigwig pretty thick. It appears the "semi-official" blog was trying to semi-irritate Harrison.The interviewer asks if Home will allow for "adult content" between the avatars? Harrison dismisses that. Then the interviewer presses by asking if players will be allowed to upload porn and invite people into their private space to watch. Harrison tries to end the line of questioning, "I'm disappointed that you would use those as the first questions. I think Home should be used for a much wider and more beneficial scope than that, but I think that people can express their creativity inside Home in a wide variety of ways and it's not necessarily for us to dictate what that should be. However, if somebody feels uncomfortable about an encounter on Home, it's very easy for them to ban that person from their friends list"
Well, the semi-official blog certainly got away with asking some very off-message questions. Although, for all we know, it's some strange twist in Sony's European PS3 marketing to plant the idea of porn in people's minds. We do know that a majority of Three Speech's information is Euro based, but our requests for the name of their editor and a list of their writers have been ignored. We still have no idea who Three Speech is and what they represent. These porn questions would certainly not be the most bizarre tactic we've seen implemented in the European campaign.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jebb @ Mar 22nd 2007 1:07AM
That image is AWESOME!
samfish @ Mar 22nd 2007 1:09AM
Why you think the net was born?
PORN! PORN! PORN!
Sly @ Mar 22nd 2007 1:27AM
Home is going to be one big fucking orgy! Cool!
Arno @ Mar 22nd 2007 1:52AM
Guess it's official: there will be tons of porn parties in Home.
AssemblyLineHuman @ Mar 22nd 2007 2:09AM
Hah, I bet Sony told them to ask those questions so people would consider the possibility (without telling Harrison, of course).
Chris @ Mar 22nd 2007 2:12AM
Cool, porn... it's not easy enough already to get porn... people need a video game to distribute it... and that's their main concern...I love American culture, let me tell ya.
Gu-Ja-Blog @ Mar 22nd 2007 2:33AM
people can express their creativity inside Home in a wide variety of ways and it's not necessarily for us to dictate what that should be
Good job, so now we will have porn available at Home. Why wouldn't he just say, "Yes!"
Grog @ Mar 22nd 2007 2:59AM
"Cool, porn... it's not easy enough already to get porn... people need a video game to distribute it... and that's their main concern... I love American culture, let me tell ya."
Err... Phil Harrison is British. Three Speech is run by Europeans. Where exactly do you get the idea that this has to do specifically with American culture?
Tom @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:01AM
Pshh lame. $600 is enough for 3 or 4 hookers
Noxat @ Mar 22nd 2007 3:44AM
Lets face it deep down inside I think they really want there to be some serious porn going on. For several reason:
1. More users obviously. And its limited to private spaces anyway, hopefully in completely consensual situations. More users means more advertisement views means more profits (allegedly).
2. Since said porn has to go through Sony's internet tubes, they get to collect all that porn for themselves! COME ON! Thats awesome! Why scour the net for the best porn when you can bring the best porn right to you??
Dave @ Mar 22nd 2007 4:19AM
Finally, they get it. They should have just sold the PS3 as a porn-box from the beginning.
Jon @ Mar 22nd 2007 5:35AM
Isn't ThreeSpeech run by Shine, the PR company?
Shunnabunich @ Mar 22nd 2007 7:22AM
@7:
"Good job, so now we will have porn available at Home. Why wouldn't he just say, 'Yes!'"
Because then he would've ended up as another CE-Oh No He Didn't! feature on Engadget. :P People in his position have to cover their asses to avoid letting their jobs get on shaky ground; in all likelihood, it's not like he has the freedom to say whatever he wants about the PS3.
Fioter @ Mar 22nd 2007 7:28AM
lol @ NintenBots ... hope you guys enjoy your friend codes on the 3 games that will ever be playable online (i mean multiplayer, not that elebits crap).
Its easy, if you want to be treated like a 10 year old or a pedophile priest.. then the Wii is the obvious choice. Go for it.
If you want to be treated like an adult where sex IS part of your life (no matter which way YOU choose to enjoy it.. legally of course), then go to Home. This irrational paranoia from Nintendo proves that the Wii is for children.
Jake @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:03AM
Personally, I don't have the urge to watch porn with dudes I don't know in a virtual apartment. You guys go ahead though.
DrXym @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:13AM
This is yet another of those meaningless pieces of FUD which Sony appears to attract so easily. A user's private Home space is akin to a web site. In theory anything illegal you could do with a web site or any other form of communication, you could do in Home.
So what? I'm sure Sony will be able to drop by as invisible avatars to follow-up complaints and anybody stupid enough to host port or harass other people will soon find themselves kicked in no time.
Jake @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:18AM
It would be cool if Sony had to go into Second Life as avatars wearing police uniforms to investigate complaints. They bust down your door, see you watching porn, then execute you on the spot. That would be frikken sweet. I'd buy a PS3 and harass people just to see that happen.
Jack of No Trades @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:19AM
Using sex to sell a console.
x876543 @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:20AM
@ Fioter, wow are you 12? You are saying sex is appropriate everywhere? Like say... a public train, network TV, or restaurants?
Personally I enjoy having sex more than watching it. And I only want to watch it at specific times. I bet when you grow up you'll get arrest for jerking off in a public area with a porno mag in your lap.
Myke @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:21AM
Well first there was that christian station throwing stories everywhere about people using the Wii for porn, and now this shows up too. It's just pointless BS, IMO. Do these people not realize that the systems have f*cking internet browsers? It's like they think that the PS3 and Wii have special Porn channels or something.
Jake - Yeah, that was my first thought too. Who wants to invite virtual avatars of people you've never met over to watch porn? If that's the main reason that ANY person gets a PS3, well, I really don't have a witty insult, it's just kinda sad all out on it's own.
Fioter @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:31AM
This isnt an issue ofshowing sex on your virtual tv in your virtual apt. OR the morality around it (so long as it is legal).
Its about being able to do what you want to do in your own private space (real or virtual). If you want to show videos of your latest orgy, then so be it. If you'd rather have Nintendo patronise you like you are some pedophile magnet, then so be it. But, dont go around being a Nintendo apologist.
Rubang B @ Mar 22nd 2007 8:53AM
Fioter, you're not showing anybody videos of your latest orgy. Shut up. Your virtual apartment will have no furniture, wall to wall posters of naked women, and a dartboard with Mario's face on it.
Zsavior @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:00AM
Strange why would he be so offended by the questioning if the Sony PS3 is supposed to be the adult friendly console. Adults don't like sex?
sheppy @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:12AM
I think the biggest issue is the fact that all the consoles are coming under fire as pedofarms. If Porn remains an unspoken problem on Home (and it will be a problem. Random people inviting others to their apartment just to make them try and throw up with shit), Sony is in the clear. But considering Fox news exposed PSP as a porn device, it's rather unlikely Sony will avoid the ensuing shitstorm.
32_Footsteps @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:23AM
This thread reminds me of something I said before on Joystiq.... thank heavens the Internet has porn; otherwise, it'd be completely worthless.
As for video games and porn, remember the rule - there is porn of it, no exception. No matter how hard companies might try, there will be porn for each online-capable system. Those of us who have seen various sexual organs as avatars on Mario Kart DS know exactly what I'm talking about.
Phil @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:24AM
I can take pictures of my genitalia and send it to random cell phones......maybe we should ban cell phones!
A little too much concern over what people want to do in their virtual world. I mean, i can have porn playing in my house when I invite my friends over, should we look at houses as being a bad thing too?
Neal @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:25AM
I can't believe some of the ignorance in some of these responses.
I hardly consider this using "sex" to sell a syatem. They didn't mention doing shit like that, people jsut brought it up and they basically said "well... uhhh... you can do what you want". Even if it WAS some sony guy who brought that up intentionally, who cares, its a good way to sell a system probably. Sex does sell.
Finally, if you want porn, who would bother trying to use a PS3, or any console for that matter. Go grab your laptop, and get busy.
Best idea here would be stop playing video games and raise your game at trying to get a GF.
Chocolate Starfish @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:53AM
I live in Milwaukee, and I'm calling Fox 6.
Goiter @ Mar 22nd 2007 9:52AM
Foiter, enjoy your PS3 orgies. After that hilariously dorky rant, it's very clear that you'll never even touch a girl in real life.
The Wii has a browser, so it's as pornoriffic as the PS3 is. Heck, the Wii's browser is better, even.
x876543 @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:01AM
Neal, well put. Booyah! Better outlets of porn are on the internet, DVDs, magazines. For those really desperate like Fioter will be in the foreseeable future there is the peep shows on 8th Ave in New York City.
Myke @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:03AM
Chocolate Starfish - I live in Fond Du Lac, so I'll be looking forward to the story!!! =)
Wort @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:11AM
You guys completely missed the point of Foiter's rant. Its not up to you to decide what is appropriate, cool, mainstream, etc. Maybe he is a orgy maniac or perhaps a virgn..who cares; its not for you to judge.
You wouldnt tolerate someone going into your private home and preaching stuff like that to you. So, what would you tolerate it in an online environment?
Virtua Fanboy @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:19AM
And you idiots say that people on Live have no life...
Chocolate Starfish @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:46AM
This week's Penny Arcade comic might as well just link to a news aggregator on the topic.
You hear that, PA guys? We all see this one coming a mile away.
Vidikron @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:29AM
@28
[The Wii has a browser, so it's as pornoriffic as the PS3 is. Heck, the Wii's browser is better, even.]
Debateable. Maybe from a technical standpoint it is better. The PS3's browser is pretty damn slow. BUT when talking about porn we have to talk resolution. On the Wii you are limited to 480p, so to see any high resolution porn in full detail you are going to have to zoom in on one boob at a time. The PS3 can deliver my porn in full 1080p glory :-)
Derbeste @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:31AM
Grab your dick and double click for PRON PRON PRON!
Myke @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:32AM
Wow Vid, I don't know whether to laugh at that comment or not, seriously. Please, PLEASE don't tell me that was a selling point for you. I'll assume it's not, but you can never be too sure here on the stiq. I can't wait for Shagi to jump on here and go " MY p$3's porns capabilities allowed m3 to see partz of teh Vachina that I DidN't Ev3n know Existedz!!!!!1111"
sheppy @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:42AM
@Virtua Fanboy
I don't recall people ever saying anything like that.... feeling a tad insecure?
Todd @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:44AM
If the management over at Sony believe that porn isn't going to be a big factor for Home, or that people are disinterested in such content, they those executives are living in a dream world. I can't understand this line of thinking, since sex is apart of the Japanese culture. However, since Sony refuses to let the porn industry utilize Blu-ray, I doubt Home will allow for adult content. Sony sucks.
jan_halmes @ Mar 22nd 2007 10:49AM
I think this could kill the PS3.
Pedophiles are going to go ape-shit over the opportunity to annonimously attempt to seduce children into watching porn with them. Or maybe worse, people will accedently seduce children on Home that are posing as adults. Either way, shit will hit the fan and the PS3, or at least the Home aspect of it, and it will not be welcome in a lot of familes.
Then Sony will likely have to make things less annonimous, especially if they are sued for aiding pedophiles in their crimes, which they likely will be. Then once peoples behaviors on Home are monitored and potentially reportable, people afraid of being narced on for what they do in Home. But it will be too late to win back the families who already bought the Wii or the 360. Anyone with half a brain will turn quickly to the PC for any avatar based social networking they may be interested in. Home.
I can't believe how bad Sony has screwed up this time. Every step they attempt to take forward just turns into two steps back. If they weren't such a rich company, I'd feel bad for them.
Shagittarius @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:05AM
Whats a Vachina? Was that the third boss in Super Metroid?
Virtua Fanboy @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:13AM
@ Sheppy
Trust me Shep, if I need reasurance I wont come lookin for it from you, lol.
Myke @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:13AM
Hahaha, no, Vachina is the village you destroy in mission 4 of Nuclear Strike for PS1.
Vidikron @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:17AM
@Myke
Haha.. no, it's not an actual selling point for me. I didn't even realize the PS3 had a browser until I had the system. I just was just making an amusing observation about his comment that Wii browser was better than the PS3's.
Ken @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:20AM
@Shagi and Myke
You're both wrong.
It's the last boss on Contra. Duh.
Murphy @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:29AM
The feds will be all over this new venue of distribution of porn to minors. Be careful guys...
Myke @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:30AM
Vid - Yeah, the Wii's browser is definetly lacking some key features. Do you have a Wii? I can't remember...anyway, on my TV the browser actually shows up crooked. And as of right now (The trial version of the browser, final should be out april I think...) there is no way to adjust it. All my games and other programs are fine but my browser is tilted to one side and doesnt fit the screen like it should. That always pisses me off.
TwistedOtaku @ Mar 22nd 2007 11:33AM
@9
600 bucks may be enough for a few prostitutes but common, you can keep these prostitutes on your system for as long as you want... Neither could you invite your friends over to watch them do their... >>;;; well I guess if you really wanted to you could invite your friends but then they'd probably charge extra : /
Poisoned Al @ Mar 22nd 2007 12:10PM
I'm glad we have this new technology... FOR PORN!
32_Footsteps @ Mar 22nd 2007 12:35PM
"I can't wait for Shagi to jump on here and go " MY p$3's porns capabilities allowed m3 to see partz of teh Vachina that I DidN't Ev3n know Existedz!!!!!1111""
I'm fully expecting someone will one day be able to say that they discovered the clitoris thanks to the PS3.
"This week's Penny Arcade comic might as well just link to a news aggregator on the topic.
You hear that, PA guys? We all see this one coming a mile away."
You know, you could say that about 50-75% of PA comics.