Joystiq

Hirai: Vita sales on 'low end' of expectations

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST

The last couple of years have been interesting for handheld game consoles. The 3DS debuted to lower than expected sales in 2011, only to see Nintendo turn things around with a drastic price cut. Last year, the PlayStation Vita failed to match even the 3DS' pre-price-drop performance in its early months, and the device still has yet to see any price cuts. Sony CEO Kaz Hirai now says that the Vita has been "on the low end of what we expected."

The comment comes from a media reception interview following a CES stage presentation, reports the Wall Street Journal. Still, even with lagging sales, Hirai said the Vita could still be a success, noting that Sony judges the relative success of a product over 5 to 10 years. Said Hirai, "Long term is what is important." Certainly, it took the PlayStation 3 quite some time to build up steam, and now the console is neck and neck with Xbox 360, which had a yearlong head start. Of course, it's worth mentioning that it took the PS3 a few price drops to get there.

Hirai: Vita sales on 'low end' of expectations originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony CEO says Vita meeting targets, but 'trending behind' in some regions

Sinan Kubba — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST

Sony CEO and president Kaz Hirai says the PlayStation Vita is performing near expectations overall, but that it's "maybe trending behind in certain territories." Earlier this month, Sony revealed the Vita hit 2.2 million sales worldwide. Hirai, speaking to Reuters at Berlin's IFA conference, declined to reveal which territories he referred to.

His statement follows news earlier this year of Sony cutting 10,000 jobs, that following a projection for the company's biggest ever yearly loss: $6.4 billion. While the Vita's sales may compare harshly to those of the 3DS, Sony's games division apparently isn't the root of the company's problems.

Sony CEO says Vita meeting targets, but 'trending behind' in some regions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaz Hirai given commemorative PS3

JC Fletcher — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST

There's only one way to get this extremely limited-edition PlayStation 3 system, and that's to be Kaz Hirai. SCE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida tweeted this scene of semi-outgoing Sony Computer Entertainment chairman Kaz Hirai being presented with the unique-looking commemorative item.

This might be the very last photograph of Kaz Hirai holding up a PS3. What will we do now, as a community?

Kaz Hirai given commemorative PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaz Hirai drops some titles at Sony, still president

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 09:50:00 EST

One morning, Sony president and CEO Kaz Hirai woke up and said, "I probably have too many titles." Beyond being the president and CEO of Sony Corporation (the umbrella parent company of PlayStation, Bravia, and many other Sony brands), Hirai is also "representative director" and "chairman" - until today, that is. Hirai is relinquishing his responsibilities and titles for both his positions as representative director and chairman of Sony Corp.

Hirai is dropping both titles and responsibility in today's move, only remaining on Sony's board in a "part-time capacity." He became president and CEO earlier this year, taking over former CEO Howard Stringer's spot in early February. Sony Computer Entertainment president Andrew House is taking over the vacated chairman position, effective this month, and former Sony Corp. head Howard Stringer is also exiting his board seat.

In case the bizarre-looking hierarchy isn't clear enough, this means that Andrew House - the guy who runs the PlayStation brand - is the head of Sony Corp.'s board, followed by eight Japan-based Sony Corp. employees. One of those is his boss, Kaz Hirai. Yup.

Kaz Hirai drops some titles at Sony, still president originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Understanding Sony's lessened focus on 3D at this year's E3

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:15:00 EST

During last year's Sony E3 press conference, the company spent quite a bit of time talking 3D. Several titles were on the horizon with 3D support, including main entries in series like Uncharted and Killzone. Since then, the company toned down its approach to 3D integration.

Sony Senior VP of Product Development and Worldwide Studios Scott Rohde doesn't see the change as so stark. "It's just not necessarily the focus and newsworthy. Last year it was," he told Joystiq during an interview this week. Due to an internal initiative within Sony last year, 3D became a main talking point of its E3 showing - that's simply no longer the case, Rohde said. "A couple years back, even three years ago, because PlayStation is a big pillar in the overall Sony structure, Sony and Kaz [Hirai] came to us and said, 'Hey, we know that you guys can make a big impact by showing a lot of things on 3D.' So we're sort of the fire starter, if you will," Rohde said.

Now that the fire's been started, however, it doesn't look like PlayStation has to keep it going. Beyond God of War: Ascension, Sports Champions 2, and LittleBigPlanet Karting, no other 3D titles have been announced for the PlayStation 3. Rohde chalks that up to Sony's internal development studios having autonomy, despite company-wide initiatives last year. "If it's going to enhance an experience, then absolutely. But if it's not core to the experience, then it's not gonna be a focus," he said.

But if that's the case, and internal studios aren't embracing 3D on their own, it stands to reason that 3D wasn't the success story Sony hoped for. As you might imagine, Rohde doesn't agree. "I don't look at it that way, because it enhances some games better than it does others," he said. Rohde compared it to 3D in film. "I'll show up and I'll watch some in 3D or some not. Honestly, for me, it almost depends on when movie times are. If it's a convenient movie time, I'll go see the 3D one, right? But it's kind of the same thing - the same thing is kind of occurring with games as well."

Understanding Sony's lessened focus on 3D at this year's E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1.8 million Vitas getting covered in fingerprints worldwide

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:30:00 EST

Sony has sold 1.8 million PlayStation Vitas, according to CEO Kaz Hirai. The executive announced the latest tally during the company's fiscal earnings call. Gamasutra reports Hirai thinks this is a "good start," but he did say, "We have to reinforce the software area in order to improve the business, that is the basic line."

Hirai added, "This is a very important product indeed for us, and therefore we still have a very high motivation to develop this further. There is no change."

The latest update we had on Vita sales came in late February, where the company stated the portable gaming device had sold 1.2 million units.

1.8 million Vitas getting covered in fingerprints worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony expects biggest loss ever, 10K laid off; games a pillar for future

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST

Sony announced today it would cut 10,000 jobs, approximately 6 percent of its global workforce, as it projects a loss of $6.4 billion for the fiscal year that ended in March. It will be the fourth straight year of losses for the company, which really needs to turn around its money pit TV business over the next two years.

"Sony will change. I've fully dedicated myself to changing Sony," said new CEO and President Kazuo Hirai to press today, as reported by USA Today.

Part of Hirai's turnaround efforts will be a fiscal pilates regimen, focused on strengthening the core businesses of mobile, digital imaging and gaming. The plan is for these groups to generate 70 percent of total sales for the company and 85 percent of income for the entire electronics business.

On the games front, the company plans to increase sales through PSN subscriptions and downloadable content, along with expanding the PlayStation Suite lineup and its compatible devices. For all of Sony's problems, the games division seems to be the least of its worries.

Sony expects biggest loss ever, 10K laid off; games a pillar for future originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony appoints Kaz Hirai to prez and CEO, replacing Sir Howard Stringer

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:50:00 EST

After a bout of he said / she said earlier this year over the possibility of executive deputy prez Kazuo Hirai becoming president and CEO of Sony Corp., Sony has decided to make the news official this morning. As of April 1, 2012, Kaz will step up to the job of current CEO Sir Howard Stringer, effectively kicking off two months of vacation for Stringer before he becomes chairman of the board of directors in June 2012.

"I look forward to helping Kaz in every way I can so that succession leads inevitably to success," Stringer said in the announcement press release. Kaz was ready with the back patting as well, as he said, "Challenging as times are for Sony now, were it not for the strong leadership of Sir Howard Stringer these past seven years, we would have been in a much more difficult position." Hirai is known for having lead Sony Computer Entertainment through its most successful years, as well as being the guy who says "Riiiiiiiidge Racer!" really enthusiastically.

Stringer's appointment to the board of directors in June awaits final approval during the annual shareholders meeting in June. If confirmed, he will replace retiring chairman Yotaro Kobayashi, though he will in no way match Kobayashi's totally sweet name.

Sony appoints Kaz Hirai to prez and CEO, replacing Sir Howard Stringer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Too soon: No plans for next PlayStation at E3, Hirai says

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST

Kaz Hirai, Sony's... um, let's just call him "Mega EXEC" for now, said the company will not announce the PlayStation 4 at this year's E3. The Wall Street Journal reports Hirai is sticking to the 10-year life cycle for the PlayStation 3 and currently sees no need to replace it.

"Andy (House) is absolutely right in that we are not making any announcements at E3," Hirai said at a CES roundtable with press, referring to statements made by Andrew House that there's no PS4 plan for E3.

Meanwhile, over at the other console manufacturers: Whispers of an Xbox tease at CES never occurred, with current chatter of the next console's details being "rumor and speculation." Nintendo will certainly go big at E3 this year with the Wii U, after revealing the hardware at the prior show, and getting ready for the console's launch later this year.

Too soon: No plans for next PlayStation at E3, Hirai says originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hirai: PlayStation Vita sells 500K, getting Netflix near US / EU launch

Ludwig Kietzmann — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:47:00 EST

Sony's stiff-necked CES presentation has granted another look at PlayStation Vita's commercial impact. Only available in Japan so far, the handheld has now sold 500,000 units, according to Executive Deputy President Kaz Hirai.

If that number is accurate -- and indeed sold, not shipped -- it means we can expect reported Vita sales to be higher this week than the last. During its third week of availability, the Vita had sold just under 43,000 units and fewer than the PSP. If it's reached 500,000 by now, it should have sold approximately 65,000 systems during week four.

In other news, Hirai announced that Netflix's TV and movie streaming service would be accessible through Vita once it launches outside Japan. Netflix is currently working to have it operational in the United States and Europe on "day one."

Hirai: PlayStation Vita sells 500K, getting Netflix near US / EU launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony refutes Hirai promotion, says 'nothing has been determined'

JC Fletcher — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST

Sony does not appreciate websites like us gossiping about Kazuo Hirai, it seems. The corporation issued a statement refuting "certain media reports" made "regarding Sony Corporation officers' appointments."

We reported last week that Hirai had been promoted to the position of president, following information published by Nikkei. However, Sony said it "has made no announcement in this regard and nothing has been determined at this time." It would appear Nikkei got the story out earlier than Sony expected (wouldn't be the first time!), and Sony's board has yet to approve Hirai's promotion. Or, of course, Nikkei's report could have been inaccurate the first time.

In any case, we hope you haven't ordered too many "Don't blame me, I voted for Howard Stringer" bumper stickers.

Sony refutes Hirai promotion, says 'nothing has been determined' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikkei: Kaz Hirai stepping up as Sony president, Stringer staying on as chairman and CEO

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:35:00 EST

It's unfortunate, but it seems unlikely we'll be hearing Sony Computer Entertainment's current "executive deputy president" Kazuo Hirai regaling us with extended "Riiiiiiiiidge Racer!" shouts much more, as Nikkei is reporting he'll be taking over as president of Sony Corporation in the coming months. Current president, CEO and chairman Sir Howard Stringer will apparently be losing a third of his title to Kaz, and the move is expected "as soon as April," as translated by our bilingual cohorts at Engadget.

When Hirai was promoted to the deputy president role earlier this year, he became the heir apparent to Stringer's job as president, so it's not exactly an enormous surprise to hear this report. Sony had yet to confirm the news as of publishing, but Nikkei isn't exactly known for its false reporting. All the same, we've reached out for confirmation.

Update: Sony tells us it "Doesn't comment on rumor or speculation." Not exactly a denial, but take that as you will.

Nikkei: Kaz Hirai stepping up as Sony president, Stringer staying on as chairman and CEO originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony predicting another year of losses, despite growing games sales

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:01:00 EST

2011 hasn't been the best of years for the electronics manufacturing giant known as Sony. Its not just that the company's television and mobile phone divisions have failed to gain much ground against their competitors, but a string of bad luck -- a major Japanese earthquake, flooding in Thailand, rioters in Britain and hackers in, well, cyberspace -- has affected their ability to supply consumers with their products. Citing these events, Sony is anticipating its fourth unprofitable year in a row.

This news comes from a New York Times report, which says Sony's video game business is rallying due to strong interest in the Vita, and the ever-increasing sales of the PS3. That just goes to show you that ... video games are better than cameras and televisions. We encourage Canon, Nikon and Panasonic to give up their increasingly irrelevant platforms, and start making video game consoles. Actually, wait: We're going to need TVs, still. You guys keep doing what you're doing.

Sony predicting another year of losses, despite growing games sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Vita coming to US, Europe in early 2012

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:18:00 EST

Sony is adjusting its PlayStation Vita launch plans and rolling back to an earlier claim: that the new portable system would be out in "at least one territory" by the end of 2011. According to an AP report, Japan has been selected as 2011's sole recipient of the Vita.

Speaking to the press in Tokyo, SCEI Chairman Kaz Hirai clarified that the PlayStation Vita would miss the holidays in America and Europe, instead rolling out in those regions during early 2012. [Update: Previously, Sony said it would be available in the global market "starting" at the end of 2011.]

Hirai insisted that the launch would not be accompanied by a lowered price, despite Nintendo's hasty and reactionary price drop on the Nintendo 3DS.

"We packed so much into the device and made it very affordable," Hirai said. "There is no need to lower the price just because somebody else that happens to be in the video game business decided that they were going to lower their price."

The PlayStation Vita will start at $249, alongside a 3G-enabled version for $299.

PlayStation Vita coming to US, Europe in early 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:18:00 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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NGP officially named 'PlayStation Vita'

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:24:00 EST

It's not exactly the world's best kept secret, is it? Sony's next handheld officially became the "PlayStation Vita" this afternoon at the company's E3 2011 press conference. And you can stop pronouncing it "Vite-Uh," as Sony Computer Entertainment head Kaz Hirai repeatedly pronounced it "Veeta." Hazaa!

We'll have a ton of hands-on coverage with PlayStation Vita's games as the week progresses, but we'd love to hear your reaction to the new name right now in the comments.

NGP officially named 'PlayStation Vita' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony will stream PlayStation E3 press conference straight to PlayStation Blog

Christopher Grant — Sun, 29 May 2011 17:32:00 EST

Never one to be left out, Sony has finally announced its plans to stream its E3 press conference directly into the PlayStation Blog. This follows in the footsteps of Nintendo, Microsoft and, despite our strenuous pleas to reconsider, even Konami. Make sure to circle June 6th in your Sexy Sony Executive calendar (June is Jack Tretton's month!), because things get going at 5pm PT.

Though Sony has something of a reputation for its press conferences dragging on (and on and on and on), we don't think this year's conference will take up the entire five hour event. Yes, Sony's event on the 6th is five hours long and yes, if it's all press conference we'll kill ourselves too. And that is where suicide pacts come from.

Sony will stream PlayStation E3 press conference straight to PlayStation Blog originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 May 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Network restoration begins, first phase includes online play

Ludwig Kietzmann — Sat, 14 May 2011 20:00:00 EST

Following the release of firmware 3.61, Sony has announced that PlayStation Network and Qriocity restoration will be rolled out in phases, country by country, starting with the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. The first phase, leading up to a "full" return by the end of May, includes the following services:

Sign-in for PlayStation(R)Network and Qriocity services, including the resetting of passwords
Restoration of online game-play across PS3 and PSP
Playback rental video content, if within rental period, of PlayStation Network Video Delivery Service on PS3, PSP and MediaGo
Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity, for current subscribers, on PS3 and PC
Access to 3rd party services such as Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and MLB.tv
'Friends' category on PS3, including Friends List, Chat Functionality, Trophy Comparison, etc
PlayStation Home

When is restoration coming to you? If you're in America, you'll want to keep an eye on Sony's roll-out map -- if your state is highlighted, it means PSN is back on. This is a great way to communicate the PSN's progress, provided it's updated regularly.

While you wait -- Sony adds that some services will take some time to become active in your area -- watch Kaz Hirai announcing the PSN's long-awaited return. (And be sure to change your password once you are able to sign in!)

Continue reading PlayStation Network restoration begins, first phase includes online play

PlayStation Network restoration begins, first phase includes online play originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony responds to Congress with open letter, suggests 'Anonymous' was responsible

JC Fletcher — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:21:00 EST

In response to a letter sent to Sony by the US House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, Sony's Kazuo Hirai sent an open letter detailing Sony's "principles" in dealing with the PSN outage and Sony/SOE data leaks. The full letter has been scanned and placed on Flickr for public view.

A PlayStation Blog post summarizes the content of the letter. According to Hirai, Sony has worked under the following four principles in dealing with the issue: "Act with care and caution, " "Provide relevant information to the public when it has been verified," "Take responsibility for our obligations to our customers," and "Work with law enforcement authorities."

In addition, the letter and post provide a timeline of the attack, including this early clue: "We discovered that the intruders had planted a file on one of our Sony Online Entertainment servers named 'Anonymous' with the words 'We are Legion.'" Despite that evidence, Sony still says it has yet to identify the "individual(s) responsible for the breach." It's unclear if that means Sony does not think the hacking organization known as Anonymous was responsible or, rather, if it hasn't managed to uncover the actual identities of Anonymous' ... err, anonymous contributors.

The "Welcome Back" program was also detailed, through which Sony is offering free downloads, and free PlayStation Plus memberships (and Qriocity access for those subscribers) lasting 30 days plus the length of the PSN outage.

Sony responds to Congress with open letter, suggests 'Anonymous' was responsible originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 May 2011 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSN 'welcome back program' includes a free download, 30 days free PlayStation Plus, Qriocity

JC Fletcher — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:50:00 EST

Notes handed out before a Sony press conference today (timed so conveniently at 1am EDT in the US, and noon on the Sunday of Golden Week in Japan) reveal that Sony plans to offer free downloads of unidentified "content," 30 days of free PlayStation Plus access to new and existing members, and 30 days of free Qriocity service. The paper also says that PSN service will be restored "soon."

Two days ago, a PlayStation Blog Q&A post mentioned that the company was considering a "goodwill gesture" to PSN users (and sure, why not Qriocity users too) put out by the two-week outage. The company will likely have to provide much more dramatic gestures to appease all the government organizations who have taken interest in the case (and, you know, that enormous data leak).

Follow along after the break for pseudo-liveblog coverage of the presentation by Kaz Hirai and other executives.

Continue reading PSN 'welcome back program' includes a free download, 30 days free PlayStation Plus, Qriocity

PSN 'welcome back program' includes a free download, 30 days free PlayStation Plus, Qriocity originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 May 2011 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Congress sends inquiry to Sony about PSN security breach

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST

The list of organizations Sony's going to be answering to about the PlayStation Network security breach is growing with alarming speed. The latest addition to the horde is the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, which sent a letter to executive deputy president Kazuo Hirai yesterday with a number of inquiries about the nature of the breach, as well as the company's response to its consumers' collective exposure.

The letter, which was penned by subcommittee chair and California representative Mary Bono Mack, imposes questions including why the company is unsure whether users' credit card info was taken, as well as what steps Sony's taking to prevent future breaches. We're assuming that the question of "When's the PSN coming back online, because some of us are trying to get some Portal 2 co-op Trophies over here," was omitted, as it was found to not be "governmenty" enough.

Congress sends inquiry to Sony about PSN security breach originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hirai to address PSN security breach at 1 a.m. EDT

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST

Though we've been getting frequent updates from PlayStation Blog on the state of the recently intruded-upon PlayStation Network, one of the massive corporation's higher-ups is now planning to step forward to field some of our questions. According to Reuters, Sony Corp executive deputy president Kazuo Hirai is scheduled to address the media about the PSN outage and security breach in Tokyo tomorrow at 2 p.m. (1 a.m. EDT).

The predicament must be weighing heavy upon Hirai, who was promoted last month to a position meant to groom him for possibly inheriting the CEO seat from Howard Stringer. Then again, this might be the perfect opportunity for Hirai to set himself apart from the other contenders: If he singlehandedly manages to fix these problems using the ol' Hirai charms, he's a lock for the job.

Hirai to address PSN security breach at 1 a.m. EDT originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaz Hirai promoted, next in line for Sony CEO spot

Christopher Grant — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 06:30:00 EST

Kaz Hirai is a familiar name for anyone following the gaming sector. The one-time head of Sony Computer Entertainment America has been making headlines since the days of the original PlayStation. After returning to Japan to replace Ken Kutaragi as President of Sony Computer Entertainment, things have been looking up for Hirai. This morning, it's being reported that a corporate realignment will have Hirai acting as "executive deputy president," heading up Sony's consumer products unit, one of two core post-realignment groups.

"This is an opportunity for the board to watch Hirai san and judge his performance," current CEO Howard Stringer said. "There may be other candidates, but he has a leadership position." That leadership position is due in no small part to "the turnaround of the games business," which was singled out.

Hirai's promotion takes effect on April 1 and, while it's not a joke, his ascension to CEO is far from guaranteed. "The board and I have talked about succession planning and this is the first step," Stringer said. "We have not made a final decision." The other potential candidate? Hiroshi Yoshioka, who will head up Sony's other core division, "covering business to business areas such as semiconductors, batteries and other key components." While that may sound really boring, Stringer notes, "Yoshioka san has an opportunity to make a lot of money in his group, so the race isn't over."

Kaz Hirai promoted, next in line for Sony CEO spot originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony open to expanding PlayStation Suite to additional platforms

JC Fletcher — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST

Sony's PlayStation Suite service will have somewhat humble beginnings as a delivery system for PSOne Classics on Android and will, of course, be supported on the NGP, but Sony is looking to cast a wide net with the program over time. The first step to bringing the PlayStation brand out into the world is to open it up to as many Android users as possible.

"We have a completely open stance," Hirai said (translated by Andriasang), "With carriers and with handset makers." Which means it's not just phones like Sony Ericsson's ephemeral Xperia Play that will benefit from the PlayStation Suite, but other, buttonless Android phones that people ... probably shouldn't try to play PlayStation games on.

After Android phones, Hirai is looking to move to Android tablets. Following that, he said, "We're not ruling out PSS even on products like Sony Internet TV Powered by Google (Google TV) if adoption rate increases, or if it will help push adoption greatly." Sony is "focusing first" on Android, with an eye toward other operating systems including iOS and Windows at a later date, because "we don't have the resources to make it compatible with everything from the start."

That's a lot of things that aren't PlayStations running PlayStation games!

Sony open to expanding PlayStation Suite to additional platforms originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Suite brings 'PlayStation content' to Android, including early PSone titles

JC Fletcher — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:20:00 EST

It's not the PlayStation Phone, but it is PlayStation on phones. Sony's Kaz Hirai just announced "PlayStation Suite," which "provides PlayStation content to other devices" including Android devices.

What kind of PlayStation content? According to Hirai, "We will first emulate the first generation PSP titles to be available on PS Suite devices." All the titles shown so far are actually PSone games, including Cool Boarders 2, Syphon Filter, Rally Cross, WIld Arms, and MediEvil. In addition, Sony intends PlayStation Suite to be used as a framework for the development of all-new games for mobile platforms. PlayStation Suite is due by the end of this calendar year.

Update: It looks like there may have been a translation error. The official press release, pasted after the break, is pretty clear that the service will be "starting with original PlayStation games (PSone classics)." We're hopeful that PSP games will make their way to Android as well ... after all, there aren't a whole lot of PSone titles available digitally on this side of the planet.

Continue reading PlayStation Suite brings 'PlayStation content' to Android, including early PSone titles

PlayStation Suite brings 'PlayStation content' to Android, including early PSone titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaz teases the PlayStation Phone (and tablet?) during CES keynote

Christopher Grant — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:10:00 EST

Hopes were high that Sony Computer Entertainment head honcho Kaz Hirai would unveil the not-so-secret PlayStation Phone during Sony's CES keynote; however, instead of pulling the portable out of his pocket, he gave us the next best thing ... a tease. Hirai teased that Sony's "strategy encompasses driving the development of a variety of new strategic products and services including tablets currently in development as well as smartphones, all the while of course integrating the know-how and the assets that we've accumulated from our PlayStation business."

What does that mean? It sounds like the PlayStation Phone is just part of the plan to leverage the PlayStation branding and games for Sony's other products. He continued, "In 2011, you will start to see an implementation of a strategy we've developed and continually refined over the past 18 months. And you will see this strategy executed in the form of great new products and services coming to market that leverage Sony's strongest assets. In addition to launching a line of Sony tablets, we'll be building upon the video, music, game and book offerings on our Qriocity and our PlayStation Network services to deliver a compelling, unique experience for Sony across a wide range of consumer electronic devices."

A wide range, eh? Tablets, smartphones ... maybe PSP 2s. What else?

Kaz teases the PlayStation Phone (and tablet?) during CES keynote originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's Hirai: PlayStation Network not yet profitable

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST

Sony has yet to make the free-to-use PlayStation Network profitable, Sony's Kazuo Hirai told Reuters Japan. However, he expects the PSN to start making money in the following fiscal year. According to the report, PSN sales nearly doubled in the closing fiscal year, reaching 36 billion yen. Looking forward three years, Hirai expects revenue to increase nearly tenfold, to 300 billion yen.

In addition to increased game and video sales, it's likely PlayStation Plus -- Sony's premium content subscription service -- will contribute greatly to the overall profitability of the network. (Undoubtedly, Sony will want to closely replicate the success of Microsoft's competing Xbox Live service.) Sony has been monetizing the service in other ways as well, such as the extensive advertising partnerships featured in its original video programming.

Sony's Hirai: PlayStation Network not yet profitable originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's Hirai on the challenges of differentiating a PlayStation Phone and PSP 2

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:30:00 EST

Based on the rumors circulating on this here internet, Sony supposedly intends to release two handheld devices in 2011: the PlayStation Phone and the PSP2. Although both are multi-function gaming devices, the two seem to be taking very different approaches, which have many confused about the direction Sony intends on going. Even PlayStation's Kazuo Hirai admits this is a challenge, telling the New York Times that ''we don't want gamers to be asking, what's the difference between that and a PSP ... We have to come up with a message that users will understand." Of course, "that" being the rumored PlayStation Phone (Xperia Play?). While Hirai didn't offer an official confirmation of its existence, he did add that "it would have to be a product that keeps the PlayStation's strengths intact."

The chat also touched upon the successor to the PSP, and Hirai's candid comments seem to give light to what Sony has planned for its next-generation device. Most importantly, and unsurprisingly, it seems a touch mechanic will be implemented with Hirai admitting that "there are [games] where you can play perfectly well with a touch panel. But you can definitely play immersive games better with physical buttons and pads. I think there could be games where you're able to use both in combination.''

Earlier rumors suggested that PSP2 would feature some kind of touch-based "trackpad," and Hirai's comments seem to further cement that possibility. Could the next system really offer "early PS3 graphics"? And if so, what will the slogan be? "It Only Does Everything on the Go ... Except Make Calls, Which is What the PlayStation Phone Does Instead"?

Sony's Hirai on the challenges of differentiating a PlayStation Phone and PSP 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Sony looking for a new president, Hirai being considered

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:25:00 EST

According to Bloomberg, Sony Corp. is looking for a new heir apparent for its consumer electronics kingdom, and a familiar name is in the running. According to inside sources cited by the report, Sony is hoping to install a president to lighten the work load of (and eventually replace) acting CEO Howard Stringer; one of the names on the rumored short list is Sony Computer Entertainment president and CEO Kazuo Hirai. A Sony representative refused to comment on the story, but Stringer has stated his intent to stay on as CEO until March 2013.

According to the report, another potential replacement is current executive deputy president Hiroshi Yoshioka -- but we hope that if Sony does have to decide between these two parties, they take all the important factors into consideration. You know, factors like "which of these two guys does Joystiq have more memes prepared for?" Using that metric, the choice is crystal clear.

Report: Sony looking for a new president, Hirai being considered originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaz Hirai: Price 'perhaps' an issue with PSP Go

Justin McElroy — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

In what can only be described as a triumph of understatement, PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai has admitted to MCV that the $250 pricing could "perhaps" be blamed for the PSP Go's unimpressive sales thus far. "I think we need to make sure we have as many titles available to download as possible, to make the experience as easy as possible. But also pricing is perhaps an issue. Because of the cost reductions we've been able to do over the years, the traditional PSP has benefited. But the PSP Go is a completely different design, so the cost trend is different." To put it another way, when Sony took out the part that makes it play all the PSP games you already own, it made it very expensive. Or to put it even simpler: They only hit you because they love you so much.

If Sony really wanted to capture the situation, it'd make an ad where Kevin Butler puts a PSP Go in a slingshot, fires it out a window at a passing explosion and says, "Win some, lose some, I guess." We understand why this level of corporate honesty is not an option, but can we at least get something better than "perhaps"? Like ... say ... a price cut?

Kaz Hirai: Price 'perhaps' an issue with PSP Go originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SCEE president alludes to upcoming paid PSN subscription option

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:00:00 EST

Even though Sony officially "won't comment on rumors or speculation" regarding a paid PSN offering in the near future, Sony Europe president Andrew House gave a bit more substantial answer in a recent Q&A on the UK PlayStation site. When asked outright, "Will PlayStation Network become a paying service?", House responded, "Kaz Hirai stated a few months ago that we were looking at a premium service to sit alongside the current free service and that objective has not changed. You'll learn more about it very soon."

He went on to console potentially upset readers with the knowledge that "the current PSN as you know it will remain a free service." That said, it seems like times are a-changin' for Sony's online network, and some (if not all) of the claims in our recent report on a "PSN+" service may come to pass in the not so distant future (cross-game chat, anyone?). If we were bettin' folks, we'd bet that not so distant future will start around the time of E3.

[Via 1UP]

SCEE president alludes to upcoming paid PSN subscription option originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony reorganization shuffles names, but doesn't mess with the games

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:55:00 EST

You ready? Okay -- follow along: Sony announced today that the Sony Computer Entertainment subsidiary will change its name to SNE Platform (or "SNEP"), and then transfer its video game operations to a new subsidiary, named -- surprise! -- Sony Computer Entertainment. On April 1, SNEP, which will be primarily operating Sony's network services and business as a wholly-owned subsidiary, will merge with Sony, and then promptly dissolve into the parent company. Since Sony already owns all shares of SNEP, there's not going to be any market action (issuance of new shares, share capital increases or cash payments) upon the merger.

So, wait, what's happening? Essentially, Sony is moving its network business out from under the gaming wing and bringing it up to the parent company level. This is a different path than the one laid out a year ago, which suggested SCE, as then operator of the network business (think: PSN), would begin to play a larger role in the unification of the company as it pertains to an online strategy. Instead, the "new" Sony Computer Entertainment will have a slightly more narrow focus, "mainly consisting of the planning, development, manufacturing and sales of home-use/portable game consoles and software," according to the reorganization announcement; and Sony Online Service, including the proposed expansion of PSN IDs to non-gaming Sony devices, will seemingly be handled by a new division (but possibly the same personnel) within the Sony parent company.

Though listed as the "Representative Director" of the short-lived SNEP subsidiary, Kaz Hirai will presumably remain in charge of the PlayStation division now and after the April 1 merger. Sub-divisions SCEA and SCEE are unaffected by the reorganziation.

Sony reorganization shuffles names, but doesn't mess with the games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Motion Controller's release date moves to fall 2010

JC Fletcher — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:44:00 EST

Sony has just announced that the still-unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller won't hit its targeted spring 2010 release date -- it's now slated for a worldwide release this fall. In a press release, SCEI president Kaz Hirai cited a desire to "offer an exciting and varied line-up of software titles that will deliver the new entertainment experience to PS3 users" as the reason for the delay, and indicated that Sony will be revealing the launch software lineup soon, including first-party games and games from other companies, "whom we have been working closely with."

The good news is that Sony now has more time not only to line up third party support for the peripheral, but come up with a name as well. The bad news is that Sony is dropping whatever advantage an earlier release would have given the device over the much more publicized Xbox 360 motion controller, Project Natal.

[Update: The motion controller has been officially named "PlayStation Move." Yes, really.]

PlayStation Motion Controller's release date moves to fall 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony confirms expansion of PlayStation Network ID, wallet to other Sony devices

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:11:00 EST

Chances are you represent one (or 12) members of the 38 million-strong PlayStation Network community. At CES in Las Vegas, Kaz Hirai confirmed Sony's intention to expand the PSN well beyond the PS3 and PSP. As the above slide shows, Sony's premium video offerings will expand to some of Sony's other products, including Bravia televisions and VAIO laptops. Taking a page from Microsoft's Live Anywhere philosophy, a single user ID and password will work across all Sony products and services. Going a step further, the PSN virtual wallet can be used universally across Sony's services.

To help facilitate the cross-proliferation of content across Sony's multiple devices, Hirai also announced the creation of a new division within Sony: the not-very-creatively named Sony Network Entertainment, Inc. With this new initiative, expect the PSN logo to be far more ubiquitous than ever before.

Sony confirms expansion of PlayStation Network ID, wallet to other Sony devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Online Service aims to achieve brand loyalty

JC Fletcher — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST

In an AP interview, Sony executive VP Kaz Hirai declared the upcoming Sony Online Service, which adds PSN-like features (possibly including game, music and movie downloads) to a wide variety of Sony devices, a major selling point. "That's the kind of combination that I think is not seen anywhere else," Hirai said. "That I think is where our core competence lies, and that's a differentiator for Sony."

Additionally, Hirai told Business Week that Sony hopes to get the service into other devices next year and, "Earlier in the year would be a lot more preferable." In the interview, Hirai said that the Sony Online Service would take the iTunes-like approach of registering users as soon as the device is powered on, to register their accounts immediately. Once invested in such an account, the implication is that users will be more likely to continue purchasing media on that same account and buy more Sony devices to get additional use out of it -- much like iTunes users are driven to continue buying iPods to play iTunes Store's AAC-format music.

Hirai also looked to social networking elements, along with the cross-device connectivity, to push Sony's future offerings. "What are your friends watching right now? There's a screen that says all the programming that's available. It highlights all the things that your friends are watching, for example. It's a community experience."

As for sharing the actual content (not just the experience), Hirai wasn't so sure. He concluded that the "debate is still going on" about how many devices will be able to share content.

Sony Online Service aims to achieve brand loyalty originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hirai: PS3 Slim sold at a loss, but business profitable overall

David Hinkle — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:30:00 EST

Speaking to the UK's Times Online during last week's GamesCom event, Sony boss Kaz Hirai provided some insight into the ramifications following the introduction of the smaller, cheaper PS3 Slim. Hirai noted that while the system itself would be sold at a loss, it would be buoyed by other elements of the PlayStation platform.

"If you look at the growth of the installed base, it is slower than the PS2 was but it's pretty much on track with the growth that we had with the original PlayStation," Hirai said. Responding to the issue of selling the redesigned PS3 at a loss, Hirai explained, "I don't actually know that that's the true nature of the business that we're all in, whether it's PlayStation, Xbox or the Wii. I think the better indicator is to look at the business as a whole platform, to ask: are you profitable in terms of the hardware, software and peripherals. And the answer to that question is yes on a gross profit level since the last fiscal year."

If Sony's price-cutting measures have their intended effect and lift the whole PlayStation platform, Hirai might just be in a position next year to boast about profits so plentiful ... it's gross.

[Via Edge]

Hirai: PS3 Slim sold at a loss, but business profitable overall originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PLAYSTATION 3 logo replaced due to 'visibility' issues

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:30:00 EST

The system wasn't the only thing that got smaller when Sony officially unveiled the slimmer PS3. The entire PlayStation branding has been reworked: the system is no longer PLAYSTATION 3 (all caps), it's PlayStation 3. The logo no longer uses the Spider-Man font to spell out the entire system name. Instead, marketing materials now feature three simple characters: "PS3."

Kaz Hirai explained the meaning behind the change to Times Online. The new logo represents a "reset" of sorts. Hirai explains that he wanted it to represent "going back to our roots."

There are practical applications to a revised logo, as well. "When you have PlayStation 3 spelt out, the aspect ratio was such that if you wanted it on a billboard it became tiny. It didn't work in terms of visibility," he admitted. We took a look back to this Call of Duty 4 TV ad to emphasize the difference: the Xbox 360 logo is more than twice as large as the now-outdated PLAYSTATION 3 logo. If you watched this ad on a SDTV, you probably wouldn't even notice the PS3 logo at all! While we're not entirely sure the new logo will have an effect on sales, we (and other games bloggers) are glad to finally give our CAPS LOCK keys a break. Thanks, Sony.

PLAYSTATION 3 logo replaced due to 'visibility' issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaz Hirai keynoting Tokyo Game Show 2009

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:44:00 EST

Riiiiiiiidge Racer! ...

... Phew. Now that we got that out of our system, we can calmly inform you that Sony CEO Kaz Hirai will be delivering a keynote speech at this year's Tokyo Game Show. The title of his address: "New Tactics for 2009." Considering the reveal of the PSP Go and its download-only business model, we're looking at "digital distribution" as a big part of those new tactics. But what about old tactics? You know, slimming and trimming in an effort to reverse the recent sales slide.

Additionally, a panel discussion will help fill out the Sony exec's two-hour time slot, featuring bigwigs from Capcom, Sony, Bandai Namco, and Square Enix. Other TGS speakers have yet to be confirmed.

Kaz Hirai keynoting Tokyo Game Show 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony slashing PSP development costs by 80%

David Hinkle — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:48:00 EST

Sony's Kaz Hirai took the stage at the Sony E3 keynote to reveal the new PSP Go!, but he also had some things to say about longterm development for the PSP platform. Kaz mentioned that Sony would be making it easier for developers to create titles for the handheld by cutting the cost of PSP development 80%. Hopefully, that will mean more developers flocking to the system making great games for us to play.

Sony slashing PSP development costs by 80% originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hirai aiming to 'quickly' break-even on PlayStation hardware, looking to double PSN sales

Majed Athab — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:30:00 EST

President and CEO of SCEI, Kaz Hirai, knows all too well the financial troubles plaguing Sony's Computer Entertainment division. SCEI posted an operating loss of ¥58.5 billion ($612 million) for fiscal 2008 and Sony admits it doesn't expect to turn a profit any time soon. But that's not going to stop Hirai from trying to change things. No, according to what he told Japan Today, it sounds like he already has a plan: "We need to quickly bring our PlayStation business on a break-even level and later to profitability."

So, he's laid out a set of milestones to accomplish, but how's SCEI going to get there? Hirai said Sony needs "a strategy where buying a [sic] hardware is not the endpoint but instead a starting point that can offer new experiences." This includes, according to him, bringing the PlayStation Network to traditionally non-gaming electronics like televisions and digital cameras -- shades of what Howard Stringer said weeks before. And speaking of PSN, part of the strategy is aimed at boosting digital sales from ¥20 billion ($209 million) last year, to ¥50 billion ($523 million). We guess this means expect a lot more content spread across a lot more devices.

[Via Kotaku]

Hirai aiming to 'quickly' break-even on PlayStation hardware, looking to double PSN sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 May 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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