Joystiq

Sony Euro boss: Japanese Vita sales not indicative of international reception

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST

Sony Europe president and CEO Jim Ryan isn't worried about the success of PlayStation Vita the US or Europe, despite quickly dwindling sales in Japan, reports MCV. Judging the potential international success of any product based on Japanese reception is difficult, said Ryan. Specifically in regards to PlayStation hardware, Ryan believes it is "dangerous to the point of impossible to take any experience from the Japanese market and try and extrapolate it, and propose upon what will happen in Europe or North America."

The various international markets are simply too different, said Ryan, and they are "diverging to a greater extent than they were different in the past - if that's even possible." Ryan makes a good point, but it's worth noting that Japan has long been one of the most enthusiastic markets for the PSP, the Vita's predecessor. It will be interesting to see the reaction in Europe and North America, where the reception of Sony's handhelds has been somewhat cooler.

For now, Ryan and Sony are chiefly concerned with preparing for the Vita's European launch on February 22. The Vita will release in North America on the same day.

Sony Euro boss: Japanese Vita sales not indicative of international reception originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's new WiFi-free PSP is targeting teens

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST

Watch out, teenagers of Europe -- Sony's new, less costly PlayStation Portable is coming for you! So says Sony Computer Entertainment of Europe head Jim Ryan in an interview with MCV, pointing to the lower price barrier as aimed at a "younger" crowd.

"It's all for the audience. If we are going to take PSP very young -- teens and much younger -- they are happy to just play the game," he explains. "If taking Wi-Fi out is the price to pay, we're happy to." Ryan also believes that the price point will give the console a much-needed sales bump, especially during the upcoming holiday season. "At €99/£89 it will make a great Christmas gift."

The latest iteration of Sony's PlayStation Portable handheld console, dubbed the E-1000, was unveiled last month in Germany at Gamescom 2011. It should be arriving exclusively in Europe "this fall."

Sony's new WiFi-free PSP is targeting teens originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hirai promoted to Chairman of SCEI, House becomes CEO

JC Fletcher — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST

Just one day after announcing a new board member, Sony revealed a bit more corporate shuffling, this time at Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Kazuo Hirai, formerly President and Group CEO (and chief apologizer), has been promoted to Chairman, effective September 1. SCEE president Andrew House will take over as Group CEO of SCEI, with SCEE Executive Vice President Jim Ryan taking over his old job at SCEE.

While this may seem like an inopportune time to reward executives with promotions, the shifts were prompted by the retirement of current Chairman Akira Sato effective August 31. Also retiring: Ken Kutaragi, who left his role as Honorary Chairman of SCEI yesterday, presumably finding the honorary demands of the position too honorarily strenuous. He will remain at Sony Corporation as "senior technology advisor."

Hirai promoted to Chairman of SCEI, House becomes CEO originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony denies PlayStation Phone ... again

Ross Miller — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PSP, Mobile

Just as quickly as Sony Computer Entertainment co-COO Jim Ryan reignited rumors of a PlayStation Phone has Sony come forward with a denial (via CVG). "Jim Ryan was in fact misquoted by the Economic Times of India about this issue," according to a company spokesperson. "We do have talks with other arms of the Sony family about various topics but I can confirm we are not currently working together on the creation of a PlayStation Phone."

The original (mis)quote had Ryan quoted as saying, "The PlayStation is a proven success and so is Sony Ericsson. Convergence with the two arms working together is definitely plausible." How Ryan was misquoted or mistranslated is unclear.

[Via Engadget]

Sony denies PlayStation Phone ... again originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony exec flirts with PlayStation phone ... again

Christopher Grant — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PSP, Mobile

Has it been a year already? The rumors that Sony Computer Entertainment - the PlayStation folks to you or I - and Sony Ericsson - those are the cellphone folks - are teaming up to make a PlayStation phone are just as "seductive" today as they were back then. This time, it's SCE co-chief operating officer Jim Ryan giving India's Economic Times the following rather noncomittal tease: "The PlayStation is a proven success and so is Sony Ericsson. Convergence with the two arms working together is definitely plausible."

We would say it's as plausible now as it was last year when they first teased it ... or in June when Sony Ericsson filed for that PSP-esque gaming phone patent ... or in August when Sony Ericsson said they were "obviously" looking at a PlayStation-branded phone (just not this one). Regardless of how "seductive" the premise is to Sony, Ryan told the Times "it could be a while before a commercial launch of such a device happens... ." So, we'll see you same time next year then, PSP phone rumors?

[Via Engadget]

Sony exec flirts with PlayStation phone ... again originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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