Kaz Hirai confident PlayStation will reclaim lead
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ May 7th 2008 at 3:30PM }
It's not a race, it's a marathon. That's according to Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai, who recently told BBC News that he expects the PlayStation to reclaim its lead in the console ... "marathon." It's the kind of marathon that lasts ten years, as you may heard countless times before, and remains hard to visualize when none of the competitors have any legs. "I am very confident that after the 10-year lifecycle we will have the install base that we are looking for and that is obviously to be in the leadership position," said Hirai. He insisted that Sony has only "begun to scratch the surface" with the PlayStation 3 and that it wouldn't "let [its] consoles go by the wayside after five years."With the PS3 said to have surpassed Xbox 360 sales in Europe and a "whole raft of titles between now and the end of the year" in its lineup, developers have more reason catch up to the system's technology. Said Hirai: "I think they are beginning to embrace the technology and are able to express their creativity on the platform certainly more than they were able to at launch." And to think, that wasn't even two years ago. Time truly is an illusion -- launch time doubly so.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Haggard @ May 7th 2008 3:32PM
Cue fanboy flamewar!
Go White Sox and Go other Team @ May 7th 2008 3:38PM
I do not see what is flameworthy about this thread. The PS3 will sell more consoles than the 360 period, book it, cue up the fat lady.
The 360 IS the console of choice for the hardcore gamer, it was with the Xbox. The Playstation IS the choice for the hardcore/midcore gamer, and later on in it's lifecycle, the casual.
The fact that the PS3 has sold MORE than the 360 in EU despite the 15 month headstart is even more incredible. Also if you think about it, only GTA and a tease of GT have come out for Sony's new baby.
They were expecting to outsell the 360 by the END of summer, now it appears that they were off by 3 months.
FNG @ May 7th 2008 3:42PM
guess what, there is enough money and room for 3 consoles to be successful. All three will be profitable. Gaming has overtaken everything as the entertainment of choice. movies and TV are no longer the top dog.
BIGGEN @ May 7th 2008 3:44PM
^^^soooo, you really don't see what's flameworthy? hm. weird.
Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ May 7th 2008 4:19PM
I can't agree with the baseball guy.
I think the PS3 will not quite beat the 360 and may be viewed as the Xbox of this gen.
And the Xbox owned all. Yeah. That. Just. Happened.
I'm almost positive I will enjoy the PS3 MUCH more than the 360(no offense I love my shooters), just as I loved my Xbox but couldn't care less about my PS2.
Xbox had many more exclusives I liked, the PS3 is shaping up that way also. NOTE: I'm not talking about Haloz
The Xbox had superior multiplatform games, while it doesn't seem as though the PS3 has the advantage, it's not near the gap of Xbox vs PS2.
Also, I do like Sony's quirky games:D
But as long as someone fills the spot in my heart where the Xbox was, I don't care who wins/loses.
el serpiente @ May 7th 2008 4:34PM
Thanks for that Raikage. That was very informative.
Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ May 7th 2008 4:38PM
Your welcome.
arrrgh @ May 7th 2008 4:49PM
you spelled you're wrong
Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ May 7th 2008 4:52PM
PISS! I'm usually the one who catches people...
Oh well, I guess it's just because I woke up...
SEE! I did "it's" right!
4MyFriends @ May 7th 2008 6:17PM
"The PS3 will sell more consoles than the 360 period, book it, cue up the fat lady."
Pretty bold statement for someone who has no proof to back it up with.
kbomb1upc @ May 7th 2008 3:32PM
I wonder what negative spin people will but on this article? Let’s see...
FOXHOUND @ May 7th 2008 4:14PM
Luckily, I stopped holding my breath for the PHANTOM ages ago. ;]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_%28game_system%29
Go White Sox and Go other Team @ May 7th 2008 3:32PM
All they got now is North America. I give it 2 years tops.
No, sorry...the Wiicube does NOT count.
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 3:38PM
You don't count the Wii now... because PS3 will never outsell the Wii. But at the end 2006 and until mid 2007 everyone considered the Wii as competition, but after the Wii kicked the PS3 ass, you Sony fanboys dont considered the Wii as part of this gen.
Remember the two weeks that the PS3 outsold the Wii on November 2007? You guys were making a party. And every time the numbers appear, and if the PS3 sales are high and Wii low, you guys always say: Almost beat the Wii.
So, yes, it counts.
Besides, the 360 is still 8 million ahead than the PS3. If the PS3 keeps outselling the 360 at this rate from the past months, it will still take the PS3 more than 3 years to catch the 360.
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 3:41PM
Typo: 360 is 6 million ahead. Every month, the PS3 sells like 200,000 more than the 360 since the beggining of this year.
At that rate, its still a long way for the PS3 to catch the 360.
noskillbassist @ May 7th 2008 3:44PM
Do you find it ironic how 360 owners claim the Wii's massive install base as their own victory, even though it's kicking both 360 and PS3 ass? I seem to see more 360 owners than Wii owners saying, "The Wii kicked your ass!" to PS3 owners. Well, the Wii kicked yours too. >_>
The Sound @ May 7th 2008 3:44PM
Can we all stop this 'Wii is included' bull? We all know that Nintendo wins anyway.
I wish more people would realize that it's no longer Wii vs. 360 vs. PS3. It's now just 360 vs. PS3 for second place and larger marketshare.
And Fernando, the 360 is only ahead by around 6 million, with all of the 6 million basically coming from it's American lead.
FrankTheCrank @ May 7th 2008 3:49PM
6 Million? That's it? That's not much. Wow...I didn't think it was that close.
Curtis the Claw:XBL - supapaypamawio @ May 7th 2008 3:49PM
I would also like to know why the Wii doesn't count now. PS3 and 360 fanboys counted it as next gen back when it was coming out and still considered it next gen until they started seeing it selling out constantly. Then all the sudden it was no longer next gen. If the PS3 or 360 starts constantly outselling the Wii will you start calling them last gen? I'm not a fanboy of any system, I have all 3 as well as a gaming PC. I just want to know why the Wii was considered next gen for so long and then suddenly considered last gen.
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 3:49PM
Yeah, its 6 million ahead worlwide. It doesnt matter the region.
What matter is, the PS3 is selling 200,000 more than the 360 worlwide per month. At this rate it will take years to catch the 360.
FrankTheCrank @ May 7th 2008 3:54PM
This generation has been won by a 480P game system.
Woooo!!! 480P graphics for the next 5 years. Thanks Wii.
HD? Why bother? It will only drive the price up.
Cue Starfox Wii version please.
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 3:55PM
"I just want to know why the Wii was considered next gen for so long and then suddenly considered last gen."
Wii is only apart of the current gen when it's convenient for PS3 fans.
When the Wii is kickin' ass -- "Wii is not competing with PS3"
When Wii sales drop every so often, like when the PS3 outsold the Wii in Japan for the first time ever that one week last year in November, all we heard from PS3 fans was -- "IT BEGINS, THE WII FAD IS OVER!"
The hypocrisy of all the PS3 fans is duly noted.
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/17/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-5-nov-11-twice-in-a-lifecycle/#comments
FrankTheCrank @ May 7th 2008 3:56PM
But Fernando, you're not taking into account 360 sales declining at some point, which will happen once market penetration has reached it's ceiling, and the Bluray effect.
I think it might be sooner than three years.
BIGGEN @ May 7th 2008 3:58PM
@curtis
see, i think alot of people think of next gen in terms of what could not be done on the old system. the ps3 and 360 both do MANY things that their predecessors just couldn't. the wii, not so much, at all.
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 3:59PM
Frank
It may be 3 years. The minimun would be 2 years. But that time,like in 2010, Microsoft will announce a new console for 2011.
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 4:01PM
Biggen
The Wii can do a lot of things that their predecesors can't.
It has better graphics capabilities than PS2, Gamecube and Xbox, it has integrated WiFi, it has download games, online, messages, bluetooh.
FrankTheCrank @ May 7th 2008 4:04PM
I have no doubts XBOX 3.0 is coming. I think it will be an online based game system with no optical drive at all. You will do everything via XBL. Perhaps a monthly all you can eat model where you can have whatever game you want for a monthly fee.
I just hate to see XBOX gamers in the lurch again, like with XBOX 1. They dropped that like a hot potato.
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 4:04PM
Biggen
Sure, it doesnt have HD graphics, but what else can do the PS3 and 360 respect gaming things that the Wii cant?
So, 360 is in another category because it doesnt have blueetooth or a modern disc slot like the Wii or Ps3?
Or does the PS3 and 360 have pointer capabilities?
xFenixKnightx @ May 7th 2008 4:06PM
Fernando is correct. At that rate it would take approximatley 2 1/2 years to catch up starting now. LIVE, GTAIV, Gears 2, etc isnt going to help the PS3 either. Soooooo by 2011 Kaz? I'll be welcoming the new Xbox720 by then. I ultimatly dont care anymore since I have all of em. =/
Flame on fanboys!
*Grabs Cheetos because I'm tired of popcorn
Curtis the Claw:XBL - supapaypamawio @ May 7th 2008 4:13PM
@BIGGEN
Well if the Wii doesn't count for those reasons, which I don't entirely agree with, then why did it count as next gen for so long? We all knew what the graphics looked like on the Wii before it came out.
FrankTheCrank @ May 7th 2008 4:13PM
I seriously doubt that Sony believes this will be the only console that carries them for 10 years. NO WAY.
Sony will have another system in 2012 or 2013. It all depends on what the other guy is doing. If Microsoft tries to launch another system, Sony will have no choice but to counter. Technically, the PS3 could sell for 10 years, but with the advancements in technology not everyone will want it for 10 years.
Granted the PS2 has been around for 8 years now and it could probably sell for two more years. Development will be thin to none though...but back catalog will be HUGE.
I will laugh though the day I see a PS3 in the stores for $129...as they launch PS4.
BIGGEN @ May 7th 2008 4:14PM
@fernando
1. media (and i'm not talking about a pic viewer)
2. mass storage of said media
3. movie rental, tv service
4. reliable online service
5. no pointer? not yet
6. HD (has to be included)
7. i'm sure there's more but i'm tired
xFenixKnightx @ May 7th 2008 4:15PM
"you're not taking into account 360 sales declining at some point"
Thats what price drops are for.
FOXHOUND @ May 7th 2008 4:16PM
Fernando---
...the Wii has bluetooth? o_o? -srsly asking this-
BIGGEN @ May 7th 2008 4:18PM
@curtis
dude, i don't know why it counted. maybe because it's a new system? maybe people thought of it as next gen before they actually played it? i don't know. ask the millions of others who don't see it as next gen. i simply stated a possibility of why. that is all.
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 4:18PM
mmm yes it has Blueetooth, the Remotes and the WiiFit Board works with Blueetooth.
And it also has this disc drive slot like the PS3.
FOXHOUND @ May 7th 2008 4:18PM
wait, wait... N/m. I forgot about the Wii remote connectivity via Bluetooth. My mistake.
Mr Khan @ May 7th 2008 4:19PM
@ Biggen
What are you listing features for? A video game console or some sort of media center PC?
BIGGEN @ May 7th 2008 4:24PM
@Mr Khan
apparently some sort of mediacenterpcgameconsole
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 4:31PM
BIGGEN and others: This is from today.
“Just as when you see two top football teams playing, the margin of error [is so small], the difference between Xbox and ourselves and Wii is so little, that you’ve got to have these little things like PlayTV on PS3 or GoExplore on PSP to make the difference, so the consumer says, "I'll have that one, please,"
SCEE President David Reeves
http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/05/07/difference-between-ps3-xbox-360-and-wii-is-so-little-says-scee-president/
el serpiente @ May 7th 2008 4:37PM
Fernando is typing up a STORM.
Go outside, güey, get some air. You're gonna hurt yourself.
LameDuck @ May 7th 2008 4:39PM
And I would responde, "Yea, but I want a game console and not a set-top box or GPS." I think I'm a minority in that, though.
I do got a question though, has the PS3 shown a profit yet? I think the Wii and 360 has.
BIGGEN @ May 7th 2008 4:41PM
@fernando
ooook. don't you know david reeves is NOT next gen? he doesn't count.
seriously, i applaud your defense of the wii machine. you seriously care alot about it and i'm glad you like it. millions of others seem to as well. i, personally, did not and sold mine for more than i paid for it (much more actually).
so with that $$, i bought a ps3 to go along with my 360 and i'll have one of those and one of those please. now, i'm very tired, been at work since 4:30 and i'm going to go take a nap now. this has been quite intriguing, but thoroughly exhausting. bye for now my 'Stiq-mates.
Jhongerkong @ May 7th 2008 4:46PM
In before flame wa... damn it.
Seriously though, this guys inbox is getting flooded.
D_Average @ May 7th 2008 4:49PM
All I gotta say is "Wii Fit, is it!!"
samfish @ May 7th 2008 4:59PM
"Technically, the PS3 could sell for 10 years, but with the advancements in technology not everyone will want it for 10 years. "
That is true, but it's not the point. The question is, "will Sony support it for 10 years?"
The answer is either "Yes, if it's the market leader by a considerable margin, like the PS2 is"
or
"No, not if it's not the market leader, there is no point in supporting it and they'll drop it like MS dropped the Xbox."
Most likely, given the situation with the Wii absolutely dominating everything, the answer will be the latter of the two.
And yes, the Wii IS in competition with the PS3 and 360, no matter what anyone says.
Jake @ May 7th 2008 5:15PM
Fernando, you logic is idiot logic, there has been a marked acceleration of PS3 sales, and a drastic slowdown of 360 sales over the last 6 months.
Give it another 12 months, and 360's global sales lead will have evaporated, and the wii will be dead an buried (it died the day GTA IV shipped, and mass market consumers saw what the wii really is, a jumped up Gamecube/overpriced PS2)
Myke @ May 7th 2008 5:19PM
I agree w/ Go White Sox but the Wii has to be respected too.
Boy, Kaz is very optimistic, huh?
I see this: The 360 is a great system but mainly caters to 1 type of genre. They are trying to go outside the box but the system's failure rate is hurting it big time. I say this, if the 360's failure rate wasnt/isnt as bad, it would of taken off better. The US is literally carrying the 360 right now but it needs more than the US to still contend. The Wii caters to the causal market and is still kicking ass. I mean, I bought my sibling 1. Fernando, I believe that Wii's innovation will end after this year. Wii Fit is the only thing thats left for it. The causal gamer will eventually want to upgrade to a PS3 or/and 360 or just stop supporting gaming all together. The PS3 has ONLY scratched the surface. The premiere titles from the previous genertaions are starting to release, more functionality is coming, and there are still the 100 mill PS2 owners that are itching to convert over to a PS3. Blu-ray is important to some (NOT me though) but it maybe the case as was DVD. Bottom-line, all 3 companies will be successful after its said and done. Its just reliablity issues w/ 1 console and the other console's "gimmick" is fading, the PS3 should win by the default. ONLY Sony can hurt themselves at this point and B3YOND!
P.S. Sorry about the B3YOND joke. At least I didn't use "M$"!!!
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 5:20PM
"... the wii will be dead an buried (it died the day GTA IV shipped"
Dude, did you saw the pla that Nintendo did two days earlier than GTA launch? Every store, absolutely every retailer had Wii's in stock, Gamestop, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, circuit City.
Mario Kart sold almost the same as the PS3 version of GTA, and GTA is going to be the best selling PS3 title this year.
And last week, the week of GTA, Nintendo managed to sell the impresive quantity of 400,000 Wii's in one week here in USA, against 140,000 PS3's last week, even with GTA.
http://vgchartz.com/aweekly.php
*Check almost at the bottom for hardware sales. But if you want, wait two more weeks until NPD numbers: even with GTA, Wii WILL outsell the PS3 this month.
Fernando Rocker @ May 7th 2008 5:24PM
" Its just reliablity issues w/ 1 console and the other console's "gimmick" is fading... "
Again with the Wii Fad?
Please, tell me, what are you going to say when the NPD data show that the Wii outsell the PS3 even with the release of GTA? Are you still going to say the Wii is a fad?
And WiiFit is the last game? So, Nintendo sudenly stoped making videogames? One thin is that Nintendo don't announce a lot of future games like Sony. You say that Sony has a lot of games to come, but think about it: those are the same games announced way before the PS3 launch!
You are very wrong with your post.