Sony's Phil Harrison: Don't judge console by launch titles
by Ross Miller 
{ Jul 2nd 2007 at 1:40PM }
Though pointing out the success of PlayStation 3 launch titles such as Resistance and Motorstorm, Sony executive Phil Harrison told Game Informer magazine (via GI.biz) that "it's always dangerous to judge any system by its launch lineup," while adding, "you only have to go back to the games that launched PlayStation 1 and Playstation 2."Excellent observation! Indeed, if we remember when 1UP compared launch lineup review scores, there is a curious (albeit not stringent) trend: the two consoles on the list with the worst-reviewed launch lineups belong to consoles (Wii and PlayStation One) who have shown great success, whereas the opposite has also proven true (GameCube and Dreamcast had well-received launch titles).
Given the trend, then, we say Sony should embrace the notion of a lackluster PS3 launch. They've got a good statistical probability of pulling out this generation (especially if calls for a price drop don't go unheeded).
Talking about console-exclusive titles, Harrison said that "as long as the games they get are great, [consumers] don't care if they are third-party or first-party," while noting that their first-party developers will "yield the best quality software and the highest quality experiences that are clearly going to be exclusive to the platform."
A smart stance to take, given the higher development costs this generation that are pushing publisher to go multiplatform with their releases. Of course, all the smart stances in the world aren't going to matter if Sony can't jumpstart PS3 sales. It'll be interesting to see what they show at this year's Min-E3.
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
vidGuy @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:44PM
Poor launch titles aren't a death blow, but they certainly aren't something that should be embraced, especially when put together with the launch price. Let's see the stats about $600 consoles' rates of success and failure...
Pretty Obvious @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:48PM
Whatever price drop Sony does for the PS3, Microsoft will counter it with an even bigger price drop. Sony losing all its exclusives doesnt help much either.
Not to mention multiplatform games look and play better on the 360 then they do on Sonys so called "super computer".
Phil Harrison is blowing smoke saying this crap, hes got alot to worry about.
copa @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:49PM
Also, don't judge a system by the titles that come out a year after launch, and run at only 30 frames per second.
copa @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:51PM
"Let's see the stats about $600 consoles' rates of success and failure..."
Here you go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3DO
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_%28console%29
Daryl @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:52PM
Phil Harrison is trying his best, but I'm not buying it.
jsn @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:53PM
It's hard to write off poor launch titles when eight months later you still don't have any A-list exclusive titles and aren't really going to have any until 2008.
antec @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:55PM
Price drop at E3 Phil. Announce it with the Shockaxis and watch the money roll in.
john @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:30PM
I still think the PS3 is going to beat out the wii in the end
Agathos @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:57PM
"Sony losing all it's exclusives"
Uhm... not all, granted some former exclusive have gone multiplatform or solely to 360, Ace Combat and DMC.
But don't forget about Lair, Heavenly Sword, Ratchet and Clank, Drake's Fortune, Warhawk, Little Big Planet, all PS3 exclusives for release this year, with MGS and FF installments on the way.
360 holds Halo, and Blue Dragon.
Most big hits like Assasin's Creed and GTAIV are multiplatform.
Bottom Line: The PS3 still has a good number of exclusives, it's good to own all 3 consoles!
Nate P @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:03PM
Here Sony, let me help you out :)
drop arrogant stance + price drop = profit
JMajiq @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:05PM
Agreed. Even though I don't have a PS3 (waiting on a price drop) the value of having more than one console is always worth it in the end. You can always get the 'best' version of the multiplatform games and you get access to all of the exclusives too.
Boss Tempo @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:05PM
So in other words: "Don't be mad because we're still sucking and refusing to drop the price."
Ghost Box @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:07PM
Look Phil, until you guys start releasing some games the PS3 is going to be look upon as an over glorified media player.
Geo @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:09PM
Come on Sony everybody knows that Xbox360 will win in every game category, !Damn 360 can really match PC capabilites and games now, PS3 may win the movie format but never never in games, its a shame for PS3 but you know Xbox360 its a bad ass console, no doubt about it.........
sheppy @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:11PM
@copa
So let me get this straight. The basis for your PS3 bash there comes from a company who failed to recognize the main mode in their flagship title (Madden) has managed for two years running to bring fatal crashes to the PSP. A company that is notorious for doing just the bare minimum in game quality from their own parties. And a company that has the moral integrity of Dick Cheny, and that's the source of your bash?
I don't know. Maybe it's just me. But when Bethesda can get PS3 cranking a better version of Oblivion and EA says Madden is too hard to get running, I tend to think in terms of developer laziness. Especially when you look at EA's track record at 360s launch.
Alex K @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:12PM
Sooner than you think PS3 will be approaching the 1 year mark. What did xbox 360 have by that time? all kinds of great games.
the ps3 can barely even keep the xbox 360 at bay in JAPAN for crying out loud! never mind the wii/ds!
Agathos @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:17PM
@Alex K
Are you smoking!? Dude, that's the most blatantly inaccurate statement I've seen, maybe one week 360 sales spiked up close to the PS3.
For intelligent people in reality here are the latest sales numbers:
PlayStation 3 - 9,581 [481,017 total for 07]
Xbox 360 - 3,369 [115,429 total for 07]
Fucking 4 to 1 sales Alex! Moron!
wackyban @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:18PM
360, good games:Year One
Kameo: Elements of Power
Project Gotham Racing 3
Call of Duty 2
Need for Speed Most Wanted
Condemned: Criminal Origins
Fight Night Round 3
Burnout Revenge
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, The
Top Spin 2
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
Final Fantasy XI
Hitman: Blood Money
MotoGP '06
Prey
Dead Rising
Saints Row
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent
Need for Speed Carbon
Gears of War
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
Viva Pinata
Call of Duty 3
PS3, good games: So far
Resistance: Fall of Man
Need for Speed Carbon(on 360)
Call of Duty 3(on 360)
Fight Night Round 3(old 360 title)
MotorStorm
Virtua Tennis 3
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, The(old 360 title)
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent(old 360 title)
Darkness, The(on 360)
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas(old 360 title)
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
tituspullo @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:19PM
so what does dick have to do with this? so now he pull sony's strings too? give up the sad attempt at humor your no denis miller, sheppy!
Nick Stark @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:26PM
SCEE was quoted saying
Q41. How many launch titles do you expect to have ?
A41. We expect the best launch line-up in history.
http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=31849
Oh really?? So why did you say that if launches aren't important?
Sony needs a new PR image badly... and Lies on top of more Lies is not helping one bit.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:29PM
@sheppy
Why you keep defending the PS3??? Just face it, look the reality... the PS3 will not be the winner this gen, and every multiplatform game will be better in the 360. Learn to be a good loser.
sheppy @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:33PM
@tituspullo
"so what does dick have to do with this? so now he pull sony's strings too? give up the sad attempt at humor your no denis miller, sheppy!"
Wow, was this entered on your cellphone or something? Where you at, dawg? Homey G Slice?
I gotta fix that shit before I can even respond.
"So what does Dick have to do with this? So now he's pully Sony's strings as well? Give up the sad attempt at humor. You're no Dennis Miller, sheppy."
Yes, yes, because my bash against EA using Dick Cheney's name is related to Sony how? Oh my. Sometimes I can't help but feel sorry for the community you'll eventually fill with your unloved, inbred retard babies.
n2 @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:33PM
I agree, it's NOT the software that's the problem, it's the pricing. Geez Sony, wake up! Everybody is saying this. Even Sega came out and said, hey the PS3 is too expensive. UBISOFT... hey, the PS3 is too expensive. Consumers... um, have you heard? The PS3 is too expensive.
Jonathan Tran @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:36PM
@21
Let's take bets, dollars to doughnuts.
NintendoFanbot @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:36PM
Hey... I remember a guy at Sony saying they could sell 5 million consoles even without any games.
So what are they at now?
------------------------
"as long as the games they get are great, [consumers] don't care if they are third-party or first-party,"
If the above is true, then why follow up with the next statement:
"while noting that their first-party developers will "yield the best quality software and the highest quality experiences that are clearly going to be exclusive to the platform."
I think he's making a dig at Nintendo or covering their own asses by saying that people don't consider the reputation of Nintendo or other such-and-such company when purchasing a game. That people will ignore the recent Sony disrepute because their product is "excellent".
And also, PS1 and PS2 did not cost $600. EVER.
Phranctoast @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:41PM
i hear sheppy. sometimes reading this shit makes me feel like im in the movie idiocracy.
CrashJak II @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:45PM
@wackyban
There's so much wrong with that list I don't know where to begin.
Phranctoast @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:48PM
Oblivion is a great game, but the only game I could think of that would make people buy the console after a year would be gears. The rest of the list is'nt impressive.
wackyban @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:49PM
@ 26
Enlighten me.
Rob @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:50PM
Agathos
You forgot that 360 also has
Halo3
Blue Dragon
Fable 2
Mass Effect
bioshock
Too Human
Alan Wake
and
Eternal Sonota
So yeah, 360 has it's fair share of exclusives as well.
sheppy @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:50PM
@Fernando Rocker,
Why do you keep bashing it? At this point, what do you really have to gain?
Why do I keep defending it? Why am I constantly thrust into a position where I have to defend it? How come I see news items where Sega is no longer supporting repairs of Dreamcasts and I look over at my 360, a system that averages a lifespan of 4 months each time for me, and I'm honestly concerned about when I get the urge to play Project Silpheed in 2013. Keep in mind, I'm the guy who regularly breaks out both Kabuki Quantum Fighter and Rocket Knight Adventures. I expect longevity for my consoles and 360, sad to say, is about the polar opposite. Not to mention, in order to play over half of my XBLA titles, I have to be signed into Xbox Live despite paying for the games. Who's to say that service will still be available to me in 12 years? Why is it everytime my 360 takes slightly longer to load that usual, I feel a moment of relief at seeing that the system is still working and I won't be playing on my sixth 360?
So yes, when I buy games for my PS3, there is a tradeoff. Because of lazy developers, I usually have an occasional dip in framerate. But because the 360 GPU tends to process images too dark for my tastes and my HDTV, I also get to see details that would normally be hidden. I don't get achievement points for playing through the game but I get the piece of mind knowing my system will be working until the next generational changeover and at that point, my software will continue to work (keep in mind, I still have a working SCPH-1001).
And most of all, everytime there is a thread even remotely related to PS3, 360, or even Wii, I have to read through page after page of the most ignorant console bashes since the Atari Jaguar commercials. And for what? Obviously I'm enjoying my PS3. I keep hearing from everyone about how much it apparently sucks, even from Gabe and Tycho. Even they came around. I went from being the only one in my gaming group that owned a PS3 to suddenly the only person in my gaming group that DOESN'T own one finally upgraded from an N64 to a PS2 last christmas. From most PS3 owners I know, we have no complaints.
And yet here I am, reading yet another thread about how one of my consoles suck so badly. You ask me what my deal is? It's this right here. My 360 rarely gets booted nowadays. My Wii... well hell, what can I play on it? My DS lies dormant until Phantom Hourglass. My PSP gets used damn near daily (spent the weekend learning Traxxpad). When I'm gaming on a console, it tends to be the PS3 or PS2. I have a really hard time complaining about a console that's done alright by me. Which is why I bitch about the 360... which I swear the batteries last longer than the fucking consoles at this point.
LK @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:59PM
There is one console that comes to mind noted specifically for a launch title.
Xbox.
Without Halo, I doubt Xbox could ever had enjoyed such a success. Again, you shouldn't judge a console solely on the launch titles, but a great launch title will make the difference when it counts. This is why you don't discount them altogether.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:03PM
@sheppy
So, in other words, you are a Sony Fanboy who wants to justify the purchase of the PS3. Every multoplatform game (360 and PS3) the 360 version have more value (rumble, better online integration, better framerate and better graphics).
You are mad becasue you are forced to like the your PS3 (a movie player that have an extra, play some games). In the end, the support for the PS3 will be on the 360, and the Wii will have their own exclusive games (I dont care if the good games for the Wii are from Nintend first party... almost every Nintendo gamer likes the first party games).
So, the only one who lose is you.
Kazi @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:07PM
Sony's long term strategy is either really stupid or really smart, we'll see what happens when 5 years are up and Nintendo and Microsoft release a new console while Sony keeps promoting their PS3.
wackyban @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:11PM
@sheppy
What are you playing on PS3 anyways? Ive had my console since launch, average about 3 hours a day on it, and its still running strong. Although I run it in a room that stays below 70F. 5 of my friends have 360s and one of them red ringed this summer in a 85F room turned upright(dunno if that matters). So im sure room temperature and enclosed spaces can have a big impact on failure rates.
But even if my 360 clonked out, Id send it in because I have so many games on it and its my favorite console. The joysticks are easier to reach on the controller and the triggers are great for racing and shooting. And I love FPSers and racing games, so its easily my console of choice.
Phranctoast @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:16PM
@Fernando
Do you have a wii, ps3, and 360?
Digi Smalls @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:17PM
sheppy, honest question.
if the 360 was rock solid in terms of reliability, would it suddenly be your favorite console?
would other PS3 owners change their minds if the biggest singular knock on the 360 was resolved (which it may soon)?
i kind of don't think so.
.
JJ @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:18PM
Fernando... how does he lose? Sheppy, like myself, has all 3 systems. If anything we're the ones winning here.
Sheppy i can understand your pain.. i'm on my 3rd 360 as well, but alas, i have a bunch of games i play on it (mainly smackdown and samurai warriors, yeah their not Games of the year but its what i play, sue me).
In any case it doesnt matter what games are multiplatform or not, if you enjoy them. To be honest i have a grand total of 2...count em, 2 games on my 360 right now (the above games i mentioned) and a total of 3 for my wii (Paper mario, Wii play and wii sports) and 4 for my PS3 (RFOM, Darkness, Motor storm and Virtua Fighter).
sure msot of the games i play are multiplatform, but i still enjoy them. What some of you fanboys forget is, its not always about exclusives to some people. Sure i've played gears and loved it for a while, etc etc. But a VAST majority of the games i get longterm play out of, are usually games most people wouldnt exactly consider system sellers.
and no fernando, those traits don't always cinch a 360 sale for me, case in point the reason i bought darkness on the Ps3 and the reason i bought a bunch of titles on the original xbox or GC or ps2, i like to spread my gaming out amongst my consoles. so neither of them really gets a preference over the other, i like all 3 and would never get rid of any of them, lest i close up an avenue to have fun gaming.
shadow @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:20PM
You'll all very sad people. All 3 systems are going to do fine there isn't going to be a day when every developer says "no we think (enter system here) has won this war, which was made up by very sad and lonely fan boys, and we will only develop for it and all our old titles for the opposite system will be pulled off the shelves"
If you like the games and for a system buy it! If you would rather have a great HD system do that. Either way no one cares if you can't afford to shell out the price of the PS3 so you created a great hate for it in your own little world. Id rather have paid what I did for my PS3 then have to replace my 360 once again (on # 4 right now and have never been more disapointed in a system)
JJ @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:21PM
and as for why i have so few games these days is because i rent a lot rather than buy stuff as most games recently haven't had any long term playability to me.
just wanted to point that out, its not because my Wii or PS3 or 360 aren't any fun, but with games costing 60 bucks now a days... makes you think long and hard what you're gonna drop it on. Especially when there's still a bunch of good games coming out for the PS2 int he 40 dollar range.
BulletToothTony @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:24PM
wow fernando.. i have never seen a dumber answer in my life..
besides all the things that you said.. answer this honestly.. do you really think that the 360 has better graphics and framerates becacuse of the devs did with the 2k8 game??
show me 1 just ONE game for the 360 MADE at 1080p, (not upscaled) and 60 fps.. like the ps3 did AT LAUNCH, (NBA07) if the ps3 was indeed bad it wouldn't be able to do this.. but what you're saying is that is
THERE'S A NEW FERRARI THAT WHEN IT CAME OUT IT WENT 210 MPH.. BUT SINCE THE DRIVER ONLY PUSHES IT TO 50 MPH CAUSE THEY'RE IDIOTS, DOES THAT MEAN THE FERRARI CAN ONLY GO 50 MPH??
anyhow.. the ps3 is not what you think it is.. you have to own one to see why we love it so much
deaftly @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:25PM
so even sony admits the ps3 has no games worth a damn
TonyBlair @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:28PM
"show me 1 just ONE game for the 360 MADE at 1080p, (not upscaled) and 60 fps.."
You must have one huge TV if you can tell the difference between 720p/60fps upscaled to 1080p, and output 1080p.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/12/09/1080p-charted-viewing-distance-to-screen-size/
Digi Smalls @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:36PM
BulletToothTony,
i have a PS3, i haven't seen the 'magic'. do you have a 360?
the vast majority of PS3 games are 720p and don't even upscale to 1080 nicely (look at Rainbow Six). you're looking for a 360 1080p native game? Virtua Tennis.
the fact is, the PS3 and 360 are comparable machines. the difference won't even be as big as PS2 and Xbox1. Xbox1's games ALWAYS looked better than PS2 from the very beginning. unlike now.
if you're gonna be true to your PS2's superiority arguments "it's about the games" then you just can't deny the 360.
.
Dale @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:40PM
@Phranctoast
I am living proof that you are wrong. I gave up waiting to get a Wii and decided to get an Xbox 360 based on currently available games including:
- Burnout Revenge
- Crackdown*
- Dead Rising*
- Gears Of War*
- Guitar Hero II
- Viva Piñata*
And games coming soon including:
- Bioshock
- Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars**
- Eternal Sonata
- Grand Theft Auto IV
- Mass Effect*
- Overlord**
- Too Human
* system exclusive.
** now available, not at time of system purchase.
I am not the typical Xbox gamer (I hate the FPS genre) but there are enough games available on the system, and that's not even including the various XBLA titles I want.
Neebs @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:46PM
@antec (WAAAY UP THAr)
Except, the money won't. Because there isn't any profit being made.
Phranctoast @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:02PM
@dale.
how many of those games came out in the 1st year of the 360's life?
VP and gears came out about a year after the launch. GH2 and Burnout arent exclusive. Dead rising is the only one you caught me on.
I dont see the harm in giving the ps3 the same time to come out with the killer titles when we did so for the 360.
Tukulito-Zakayama @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:06PM
sheepy + jj= togheter forever
sheppy @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:16PM
@Fernando
Honestly, don't know why the hell I am doing this. Because no matter what I say, it will all equate to "PS3 is teh Phail..LOLz." I swear, I haven't faced off against idiocy of your magnatude since I finally left Geocities chatrooms way back in 95.
Normally, I'd be all about the Nintendo first party but they haven't exactly been batting a thousand lately. Each new release seems another pitiful project all elading up towards the holy trinity. It's a hell of a lot of pressure to throw on some developers. Especially since the last few drops have been anything but good Nintendo games.
And by the way, not EVERY game netween the 360 and PS3 have remained better on 360. It just takes time and work to make up the difference. Bethesda proved it point blank. Now if you're expecting the extra time and work from companies like THQ, Activision, and EA, well, let's just say you have bigger problems than blind faith. But the Catch 22 of that remains in the fact that, with a smaller install base, you have companies having to JUSTIFY the extra time and work and for most, why bother? I mean, even if they accomplish it, it will go unnoticed as fanboys point out the latest Need For Speed shitfest as validation of better hardware.
And in the end, what am I, the PS3 owner, left with? Frankly speaking.... a lot. Because here is the factor people tend to ignore time and time again. Sony, as a developer studio and even publisher, remains a force to be reckoned with. Some of my favorite PS2 games have not come from other parties but instead Sony. And even I was like "the ruined Warhawk" until I got into the Beta and managed to enjoy nearly a hundred matches on a title I was writing off as a piece of shit. More and more games keep being announced from Sony and they actually look good. If all I got this holiday season was Ratchet & Clank, I'd consider it worth the price and just keep waiting for the backup. But Sony is dropping major bombs this holiday season and the only thing I keep eyeballing on 360 are the RPGs. Wii, well.... SMG has my complete and undivided attention on that console. But Sony is dropping a wide variety of software and they've proven in the past that they can make a damn good game. And tragically, Sony games are not going anywhere else.
@wackyban
This was the setup in November...
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c237/sheppyboy2000/game%20collection/Livingroomconsoles.jpg
Since then, I have removed the gamecube from that rack and given the 360 it's own shelf. The systems all get dustings every two weeks and I try to keep that area under 80 degrees. PS3 tends to ruin those plans during BluRay playback though. Only systems that suffer from console crowding are my classics. Pre N64, in essence.
@Digi Smalls
Interesting question. It would definately influence my game purchasing habits, that's for certain. As for being the favorite console, would be hard to say. Currently my favorite console is the PSP. Although I'm excessively disappointed with the lack of expandability within Traxxpad right now (it's a HUGE stepdown from Orion Platinum... in fact, I have a feeling my only use for Traxxpad will be for the times I'm far away from Orion...) but then I don't know everything about the software yet.
I will say this, though. 360 will get the most love from me this holiday season. Long term, don't know. I honestly can't say my PS3 is the preferred console, merely the one I'm playing the most of right now.
lawrence @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:28PM
but wackyban all the 360 good games year one is the same as ps3so whats your point about 360 year one compared to ps3 year 1and wacky ban by the way this ps3 year one so in any case shut the fuck up you bill ass kisser.ps3 always has better games than 360
+developers are gonna lose oney in japan like capcom which profits went down for selling 360 games only in japan and rockstar shares went straight down just for supporting microsoft because nly hard core gamers are just idiots that are but all the games rockstar made for 360 .ps3 is gonna run sales up in japan and every where because not only geeks play the system