Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sony Online Service aims to achieve brand loyalty]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/sony-online-service-aims-to-achieve-brand-loyalty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/sony-online-service-aims-to-achieve-brand-loyalty/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/sony-online-service-aims-to-achieve-brand-loyalty/#commentsIn 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.

JoystiqSony 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convergencekaz-hiraikazhiraipsnsonysony-online-serviceFri, 20 Nov 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayStation boss: making PS3 non-exclusives more 'exclusive']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/playstation-boss-making-ps3-non-exclusives-more-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/playstation-boss-making-ps3-non-exclusives-more-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/03/playstation-boss-making-ps3-non-exclusives-more-exclusive/#commentsFiled under: ,

The UK's "semi-official" PlayStation blog, ThreeSpeech, has posted up an interview with SCEI head honcho Kaz Hirai, covering a range of topics including those little things that make a console stand out to consumers: exclusive games.

Hirai says it's no longer a question of paying publishers for exclusives, but rather whether third-parties can afford to release a game on only one platform, period. Sony's role, according to Hirai, is to work with publishers to make the PS3 releases of their games "more compelling for the consumers than any other version." Hirai says that Blu-ray Disc is the key to this, since its capacity for huge amounts of data makes it perfectly suited for movie-style bonus features and "maybe additional levels."

With third-parties "going wide" with their biggest releases, Hirari believes that internal dev teams will play a pivotal role in defining the overall PlayStation experience with "envelope-pushing, genre-defining content." Bring it on, Kaz.

[Via The Escapist]

JoystiqPlayStation boss: making PS3 non-exclusives more 'exclusive' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu-raykazhiraiplaystation3ps3Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony pushes Home open beta out until fall '08, closed beta extended]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/sony-pushes-home-open-beta-out-until-fall-08-closed-beta-exte/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/sony-pushes-home-open-beta-out-until-fall-08-closed-beta-exte/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/sony-pushes-home-open-beta-out-until-fall-08-closed-beta-exte/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Sony's promise of a true open-world experience with Home has been a continual dot on the horizon for PlayStation 3 owners since it was first announced during former Sony-exec Phil Harrison's GDC keynote last year. This continues to be the case this evening, as Sony just sent word that it plans to extend the service's closed beta phase through the summer season, pushing the eventual open beta launch until sometime in the fall.

According to Sony, the move will allow the company to invite more PS3 users into the closed beta, perhaps to iron out some of the social MMO's failings we heard so much about late last year. Says SCEI president and group CEO Kaz Hirai, the delay will let Sony "refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today," which is business speak for telling us that we'll have to wait a few more months before we can know the joy of throwing virtual televisions down equally virtual stairs.

JoystiqSony pushes Home open beta out until fall '08, closed beta extended originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking-newsbreakingnewshomekaz-hiraikazhiraiPS3sceisonyTue, 22 Apr 2008 01:56:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE to report directly to Kaz Hirai, SCEI]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/soe-to-report-directly-to-kaz-hirai-scei/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/soe-to-report-directly-to-kaz-hirai-scei/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/soe-to-report-directly-to-kaz-hirai-scei/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sony has announced a change in the relationship between two of its, err, Sonys, namely Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Sony Online Entertainment. If we understand the press release correctly -- the pop-up pictures were an immense help -- SOE will be reporting directly to SCEI president and group CEO, Kaz Hirai, as of April 1, 2008. The structural change is "designed to mutually benefit both companies by further accelerating the PlayStation business through SOE's strong online gaming expertise," which ultimately boils down to more "exciting entertainment offerings" to consumers.

SOE will continue to develop said exciting entertainment offerings for the PlayStation 3 and PC, with company president John Smedley reporting to Hirai and making sure he says things like, "We are thrilled to become a part of the incredible team that has made PLAYSTATION 3 the premier platform for next generation online gaming."

SOE is currently hard at work on The Agency, a promising spy-themed MMO shooter for PC and PS3.

JoystiqSOE to report directly to Kaz Hirai, SCEI originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kaz-HiraiKazHiraiPCPS3SCEISOEThe-AgencyTheAgencyThu, 13 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai: PS3 could be profitable next fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/kaz-hirai-ps3-could-be-profitable-next-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/kaz-hirai-ps3-could-be-profitable-next-fiscal-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/kaz-hirai-ps3-could-be-profitable-next-fiscal-year/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sony bigwig Kaz Hirai is hoping that this next fiscal year, which begins in April, will mark a point where the PlayStation 3 loses its money sink status and becomes profitable. Said the president of SCE at the Consumer Electronics Show (via Reuters), "We want to get to the positive side of the equation as quickly as possible," later adding that the company is "going through the budgets right now. That (profitability) is not a definite commitment, but that is what I would like to try to shoot for."

Hirai cites the dropping costs of components used to make the PS3, as well as the removal of chips related to backwards compatibility, as examples of how the console is becoming cheaper to produce (and therefore less of a detriment to the company's bottom line). Hirai noted that the declining cost is "in line with what the company had expected." Not explicitly stated but certainly important are the titles expected next fiscal year: LittleBigPlanet, Home, Final Fantasy XIII, and the still-exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4.

Previously, Sony stated that it had sold 1.2 million PS3s since Black Friday -- NPD figures for December should reveal how that measures up to competitors. Microsoft recently stated its belief that the Xbox 360 is "on track to register the biggest year in video game history," while the Consumer Entertainment Association predicted industry growth to continue, albeit at a slower pace than last year.

JoystiqKaz Hirai: PS3 could be profitable next fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backwards-compatibilitybackwards-compatiblebckaz-hiraikazhirailoss-leaderPS3sceTue, 08 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai 'not satisfied' with current version of Home]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/kaz-hirai-not-satisfied-with-current-version-of-home/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/kaz-hirai-not-satisfied-with-current-version-of-home/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/kaz-hirai-not-satisfied-with-current-version-of-home/#commentsFiled under:

1UP got their mitts on the latest issue of Famitsu Weekly, in which they interviewed Sony's man with the plan, Kaz Hirai. Since we don't have our copy handy just now and our Japanese translator is out sick with a terrible case of invisibility, we'll just have to settle for 1UP's highlight reel, notable for some particularly refreshing bouts of candor from PlayStation's top dog.

When asked about the delay of Home announced at the Tokyo Game Show, Kaz responds, "I personally am not satisfied with the current version of Home. This is a very big project for the PS3 and we want to make sure that we deliver to our hearts content." It should come as no surprise that Kaz isn't happy with where Home's at; otherwise, they wouldn't have made the hard decision to push it back past the holidays.

Also covered is the 40GB model and its absence of backwards compatibility, PS3 price drops, Monster Hunter III, the sale of the Cell processor manufacturing facilities, and the company's plans for the holiday. Most interesting is Kaz's response to the last question: "Returning to Japan, I have done my best in the given limited amount of time. Not everything I envision has turned out 100% but we as a company have worked together towards our goals." How's that for candor?

[Via GameDaily]

JoystiqKaz Hirai 'not satisfied' with current version of Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FamitsuKazHiraiPS3SCEIWed, 07 Nov 2007 21:31:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS07: PlayStation Store coming to PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/tgs07-playstation-store-coming-to-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/tgs07-playstation-store-coming-to-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/tgs07-playstation-store-coming-to-pc/#comments
In addition to becoming the PlayStation 3's power button of choice, the PSP has made relations with the PC. At the Tokyo Game Show press conference, Kaz Hirai announced that the PS Store will soon be accessible via the computer.

According to Hirai, you will be able to purchase and download PSP content without using the PS3 as a middle-man. The service is reportedly available now in Japan; no word on when it will be coming elsewhere.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqTGS07: PlayStation Store coming to PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kazhiraipcplaystationstorepsstoretgs07Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:20:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS07: PlayStation Store coming to PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/tgs07-playstation-store-coming-to-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/tgs07-playstation-store-coming-to-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/tgs07-playstation-store-coming-to-pc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In addition to becoming the PlayStation 3's power button of choice, the PSP has made relations with the PC. At the Tokyo Game Show press conference, Kaz Hirai announced that the PS Store will soon be accessible via the computer.

According to Hirai, you will be able to purchase and download PSP content without using the PS3 as a middle-man. The service is reportedly available now in Japan; no word on when it will be coming elsewhere.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqTGS07: PlayStation Store coming to PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewskazhiraiPCPS3PSPremoteplaysonyTGStgs07Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS07: DualShock 3 unveiled, PS3 learns to shake, rattle and roll]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/tgs07-dualshock-3-unveiled-ps3-learns-to-shake-rattle-and-rol/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/tgs07-dualshock-3-unveiled-ps3-learns-to-shake-rattle-and-rol/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/tgs07-dualshock-3-unveiled-ps3-learns-to-shake-rattle-and-rol/#commentsFiled under:

At their Tokyo Game Show press conference today, Sony finally revealed how the PS3 got its groove back. Kaz Hirai announced that the DualShock 3 -- a Sixaxis controller with rumble -- will be out this November in Japan and Spring 2008 everywhere else.

Future games, such as Metal Gear Solid 4, will incorporate rumble technology, while older titles can enable rumble through software updates. No price has been given, nor was there any discussion on whether the Sixaxis would be phased out.

JoystiqTGS07: DualShock 3 unveiled, PS3 learns to shake, rattle and roll originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 23:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dualshockdualshock3immersionkazhirairumblesixaxistgs07Wed, 19 Sep 2007 23:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Hirai says: six years until PS3 games use full system potential]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/03/hirai-says-six-years-until-ps3-games-use-full-system-potential/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/03/hirai-says-six-years-until-ps3-games-use-full-system-potential/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/03/hirai-says-six-years-until-ps3-games-use-full-system-potential/#commentsFiled under: ,

It seems like Kaz Hirai is making his interview rounds today, as this next bit comes from the latest issue of the Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM if you're acronymically inclined). It's been said before that the PS3 isn't going to let developers squeeze all of the power from it for a while, but Hirai finally put a fairly specific (we mean generally vague) date on this optimization of the PS3's potential. "The power that we've packed into PS3 will really manifest itself in software titles that come up four, five or six years down the line."

That's a long time! But looking at the most recent PS2 releases, we can't say Hirai is really straying far from what history tells us. Games now look oodles and boodles better than when the PS2 launched, so the same should be true for the PS3.

In fact, keeping the parallel with the PS2 alive, Hirai mentioned the difficulty developers are having coding for the PS3: "If you look back at the commentary we received when we launched PS2, there was a lot of talk to the effect that 'It's very difficult to program for' and 'It's easier on a Dreamcast'. It's happened before." He goes on to say that if people said it was easy to program the PS3, he'd be worried. That wouldn't be pushing the envelope for technological development, he explains. What do you guys think? Is Sony showing a bit of their trademark arrogance, or are they totally right in saying these things, because as Hirai said, it has all happened before?

JoystiqHirai says: six years until PS3 games use full system potential originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kazhiraiMon, 03 Sep 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai says PS3-exclusive content adds extra flavor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/03/kaz-hirai-says-ps3-exclusive-content-adds-extra-flavor/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/03/kaz-hirai-says-ps3-exclusive-content-adds-extra-flavor/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/03/kaz-hirai-says-ps3-exclusive-content-adds-extra-flavor/#commentsFiled under: ,

One of the big heads of the hydra known as Sony, Kaz Hirai, sat down with an interview recently with Japanese site ITMedia to discuss what makes the PS3 so special and why multiplatform developers should add a little spice to the recipe when utilizing Sony's new console. He said that developers should focus their activity around the PS3 and move the games to everything else afterwards -- asking developers, essentially, to make the PS3 their leading platform.

He doesn't deny the importance of many devs moving to the multiplatform arena, saying, "When you consider the cost of developing on today's platforms, I think it's a logical progression that they're all thinking of making their games cross-platform ... But I think it's important that third parties use the unique characteristics of the platform to add a little bit of extra flavour to their games. For example, with the PS3, you've got the Sixaxis controller, or you could utilise the extra capacity provided by Blu-ray to add more levels, put on interviews with the developers or have your videos able to play in 1080p."

These ideas are a positive step if they catch on, but they're starting to pop up already. For the fans of Heavenly Sword, extra content has spread like a virus throughout the PlayStation Store over the past months. The Blu-ray edition of Warhawk has a ton of extra stuff packed into it. Stranglehold has a full HD movie packaged on the same disc as the game. Folklore has downloadable content planned for months to come after its release. The only thing missing are for multiplatform companies to jump on board and see how much stuff those Blu-ray discs can handle. Do you guys think this scenario will ever unfold, or would the entire industry have to support Blu-ray before it became the norm?

[via ThreeSpeech]

JoystiqKaz Hirai says PS3-exclusive content adds extra flavor originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kazhiraiMon, 03 Sep 2007 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Celebrating ten years of FFVII]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/31/celebrating-ten-years-of-ffvii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/31/celebrating-ten-years-of-ffvii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/31/celebrating-ten-years-of-ffvii/#commentsFiled under:


Kaz Hirai attended Square Enix's 10 year anniversary party for Final Fantasy VII, leaving a note saying "the best is yet to come." Is he alluding to Crisis Core? Or the oft-rumored Final Fantasy VII remake? Regardless, it looks like Square is far from milking this milestone RPG.

You must check out Kotaku's gallery from the event, which shows some memorabilia on display, such as the Final Fantasy VII limited edition PSP. Our heart yearns for it ... even if our wallets shy away.

JoystiqCelebrating ten years of FFVII originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffviifinalfantasykazhiraiFri, 31 Aug 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hirai says more Sixaxis iterations on the way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/hirai-says-more-sixaxis-itterations-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/hirai-says-more-sixaxis-itterations-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/20/hirai-says-more-sixaxis-itterations-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In an interview with Kikizo, Sony global president Kaz Hirai alludes to future iterations of the Sixaxis controller. Hirai says that they're "obviously looking" at what do do with the Sixaxis now that they've come to an agreement with Immersion. He says they're actually looking at a variety of things they can put into the controller and they'll say something when they're ready to.

Hirai points out about the controller, "I mean, as you know, that's also an evolving peripheral, if you will, in that we started out with the original PS1 controller with no analogue, and it's come all the way to this point, so obviously, as we go forward, it's not the final model for a PS3 controller, so we'll see what comes down the road." It is impressive to think that the same controller, with minor tweaks every few years, has been a staple of the PlayStation going on 15 years. So, when will we finally hear about what's going into the next Sixaxis? There's still plenty of conventions left this year.

JoystiqHirai says more Sixaxis iterations on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hiraiitterationkazhiraips3rumblesixaxisFri, 20 Jul 2007 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[TGS07: Kaz Hirai to headline Tokyo Game Show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/tgs07-kaz-hirai-to-headline-tokyo-game-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/tgs07-kaz-hirai-to-headline-tokyo-game-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/tgs07-kaz-hirai-to-headline-tokyo-game-show/#commentsFiled under: ,

Now that all that pesky E3 business is behind us we can start talking Tokyo Game Show! The newly lengthened TGS has just announced the keynote speaker ... none other than Ken Kutaragi's successor, Kaz Hirai. Of course, Kutaragi delivered last year's (baffling) TGS keynote, so it's only fitting that Kaz take the baton this year.

Let's just hope he doesn't go all E3 '06 on us, with dry charts and boring numbers; we'd love to see some sex appeal from the new Pres of SCEI. Now, what's the name of his speech? "The Expanding PlayStation World, Business Strategy For New Growth." Well, charts are cool we suppose ...

JoystiqTGS07: Kaz Hirai to headline Tokyo Game Show originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>JapanKazHiraiPS3SCEITGSTGS07Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai headlining Tokyo Game Show]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/kaz-hirai-headlining-tokyo-game-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/kaz-hirai-headlining-tokyo-game-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/19/kaz-hirai-headlining-tokyo-game-show/#commentsThe successor to Ken Kutaragi, the man behind the curtain, the Phantom of the Opera, Sony Computer Entertainment Kaz Hirai will be leading the keynote speech at Tokyo Game Show this September. His topic of choice? Flavorful dessert dishes for every season and occasion. Just kidding -- the future of PlayStation, naturally. To be more specific, Hirai has titled the speech "The expanding PlayStation world, business strategy for new growth."

We think that's a comma splice, but it's a title so conventional rules don't exactly apply. What do you guys think he'll discuss? Will he reveal any important bits of PS3 news, or will he lull the audience into a nap with statistics and a business market analysis?

JoystiqKaz Hirai headlining Tokyo Game Show originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kaz hiraiKazHiraisonytokyo game showTokyoGameShowThu, 19 Jul 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SingStar: providing unique PlayStation media]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/singstar-providing-unique-playstation-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/singstar-providing-unique-playstation-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/singstar-providing-unique-playstation-media/#commentsFiled under: ,


Why is there no video download service yet for PSP and PS3? In a recent interview with Joystiq, Engadget and PS Fanboy, Kaz Hirai noted that they need to provide a unique experience for PlayStation fans to interact with media. "I want to make sure that we are able to put a unique, PlayStation-esque way of presenting the music content, for example, to the PlayStation 3 users. Otherwise, we're just one of them," he commented.

"But its a part of the overall SingStar experience that you're downloading the music that so that is a kind of different experience than you would have for downloading music that's specific to the PS3 experience that you can't get anywhere else. That's the kind of thing i'm talking about, and therefore, in conjunction with Singstar, there is going to be music download obviously because we find something that's very PlayStation-esque. So I want to try to come up with something that has the same kind of different PlayStation experience for music downloads, if we're going to expand it to the PlayStation Network Store and also for video downloads as well."

Sony is waiting for a "unique" way of providing video downloads, but we adamantly believe that consumers will love to have standard video service, akin to the one available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Isn't providing downloadable 1080p video differentiating enough? We think so. Read our complete interview at Joystiq.

JoystiqSingStar: providing unique PlayStation media originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kazkaz hiraiKazHiraisingstarMon, 16 Jul 2007 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget & Joystiq interview: Kaz Hirai and Jack Tretton, Presidents, Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc., and America]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/engadget-and-joystiq-interview-kaz-hirai-and-jack-tretton-presid/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/engadget-and-joystiq-interview-kaz-hirai-and-jack-tretton-presid/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/13/engadget-and-joystiq-interview-kaz-hirai-and-jack-tretton-presid/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We got a rare chance to sit down and talk shop with recently-named Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. President Kaz Hirai, and his US successor, Jack Tretton. These two had a lot to say, and we were more than happy to let them talk about where the PS3's going in terms of hardware, software, and services, why Sony's E3 presence this year is so radically different than last year, even a little bit about how things have been at PlayStation HQ post-Kutaragi -- check it out!

So out of all the three press conferences we've been writing up, we're giving each one a grade based on a new highly scientific Mega Man ranking system. Sony is our last one, but chronologically so we haven't gotten there yet. But this press conference had a much different tone then let's say last year's E3 press conference. How much did you guys look at last year's, how should we say, performance, and decide that you needed to do something different? What kind of decision making process was that?

Jack: Well obviously I was not as intimately involved in planning last year's press conference as I was in this one, but it's funny now that you look at that perspective and you see some of the other press conferences and how people are conducting themselves. I think companies are very proud of their success and they want to tell everybody how successful you are. But what you realize is that everybody already knows that and no one really cares. They want to know how you are going to be successful going forward. And so we've certainly taken our fair share of heat about, you know, the performance of PlayStation 3 in the first six to eight months, and I guess we wanted to focus our message on really telling you why PlayStation 3 is going to be successful going forward.

And its all about content, its about games, and I think going through that experience, you know, the light bulb goes off, and you go oh, wait a minute, its really all about the content and what we're going to do going forward to keep our platforms relevant. Its not about what we did 10 years ago, its not about how many units we've sold here or there. So clearly I think for points of reference and perspective we wanted to point some things out that we really wanted that press conference geared towards why people are going to want to buy games and buy our platforms and that was kind of the theme and the central message. I give Dave [Karraker, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, SCEA] a lot of credit for building off of that theme and coordinating tremendous amounts of presentations and content through the whole thing. But hopefully we've stayed on message and we've gotten the point across.

So why no word about rumble?

Jack: Well, I guess at this point the SIXAXIS controller is something that we're comfortable with and we've certainly settled our differences with Immersion. Is it something that can happen down the road? Absolutely. But the bottom line is we haven't made that decision and we didn't have anything to announce or introduce. Will we down the road? Possibly, but it's unbeknownst to me if we have a rumble controller coming out.

Oh I think you'd know before anyone!

[laughter] Well, you'd be surprised! It's a big company...

Continue reading Engadget & Joystiq interview: Kaz Hirai and Jack Tretton, Presidents, Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc., and America

JoystiqEngadget & Joystiq interview: Kaz Hirai and Jack Tretton, Presidents, Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc., and America originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3interviewjack trettonJackTrettonjoystiqfeatureskaz hiraiKazHiraiPS2PS3PSPsonyFri, 13 Jul 2007 11:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony clarifies 380 PS3 games comment; 145 for US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/sony-clarifies-380-ps3-games-comment-145-for-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/sony-clarifies-380-ps3-games-comment-145-for-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/sony-clarifies-380-ps3-games-comment-145-for-us/#commentsFiled under: ,


After yesterday's announcement that 380 new games would be available for the PlayStation 3 this fiscal year, more than a few of us quickly ran out of fingers trying to make the math work out. Lucky for us, the fine folks at Sony stopped GamesIndustry.biz before they got their shoes off (it was too late for us), explaining that Sony's Kaz Hirai was "citing international figures" and that "at least 145 titles are on the way to the US," with 105 of those being retail offerings. That makes a lot more sense ... but we're still left wondering one thing. Does Warhawk count as both a retail and PlayStation Network title?

JoystiqSony clarifies 380 PS3 games comment; 145 for US originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clarificationKazHiraimoargamesPS3SonyFri, 22 Jun 2007 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony clarifies "380 games" statement - 145 games for the US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/sony-clarifies-380-games-statement-145-games-for-the-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/sony-clarifies-380-games-statement-145-games-for-the-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/sony-clarifies-380-games-statement-145-games-for-the-us/#commentsFiled under:


Gamesindustry.biz is reporting that Sony have clarified their "380 game released by March '08" statement. It seems Kaz Hirai was citing international figures, whereas the true number of games released to the US market is to be at least 145 during this fiscal year. That doesn't include games which have already been released since last March.

The number breaks down further to 105+ boxed games and 40 PSN games. It is unclear whether games such as Warhawk, which will be released in both formats, will count as boxed games or not. 15 first party titles are slated for the pre-March window, including Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Heavenly Sword and Little Big Planet. Most, if not all, of which should be out before the year's end.

There is no word on how many games are to be released to European regions. However with the heavy emphasis on worldwide releases this generation, plus the fact that some of the big games are being developed in Europe, it's fairly safe to say that we can expect a similar number as the Americans.

JoystiqSony clarifies "380 games" statement - 145 games for the US originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiscal year 2007FiscalYear2007Kaz HiraiKazHiraisonyFri, 22 Jun 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 to have 380 games by March 08 says Kaz Hirai]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/ps3-to-have-380-games-by-march-08-says-kaz-hirai/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/ps3-to-have-380-games-by-march-08-says-kaz-hirai/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/ps3-to-have-380-games-by-march-08-says-kaz-hirai/#commentsFiled under: ,

Reuters is reporting that the president of Sony Computer Entertainment, Kaz Hirai, has stated that by March 2008 the PlayStation 3 will have a total catalgue of 380 games. This will be a solution to the current slump in sales the PS3 is currently seeing worldwide. Apparently Kaz only just realised that having actual games to play might persuade more people to pick up a system.

The current plan is for the release of 200 titles in shops and 180 downloadable from the PlayStation store. Hirai states that there are currently 60 titles in stores and 50 downloadable. If the software library really does almost quadruple in less than a year, then the PS3 will have no problems selling worldwide. The games drought has been hard on early adopters of the console, but with the release of Rainbow Six: Vegas, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, The Darkness and Super Stardust HD all in the next two weeks, the drought looks to be almost over.

So start saving those pennies. Before long there will be so many games vying for your attention, you won't know where to start.

[Via Gameindustry.biz]

JoystiqPS3 to have 380 games by March 08 says Kaz Hirai originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamesHiraiKaz HiraiKazHirailots of themLotsOfThemReutersThu, 21 Jun 2007 06:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ken Kutaragi officially throws in the towel, retires from SCE]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/ken-kutaragi-officially-throws-in-the-towel-retires-from-sce/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/ken-kutaragi-officially-throws-in-the-towel-retires-from-sce/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/19/ken-kutaragi-officially-throws-in-the-towel-retires-from-sce/#commentsThe father of the PlayStation, Ken Kutaragi, has officially retired from Sony Computer Entertainment. Previously, following a corporate re-shuffle, Mr. Kutaragi stepped down as CEO of SCE, replaced by Kaz Hirai. Now, Ken Kutaragi is relinquishing his Sony duties further, stepping down as SCE's Chairman and Group Chief Executive while remaining on board with SCE in an advisory role. Perhaps Sir Howard Stringer can assist with Ken Kutaragi's early retirement by quickly issuing restraining orders against him on all things Sony PlayStation-related. After all, earlier reports show "Krazy Ken" Kutaragi clearly doesn't know "when to say when" as he proceeded to inflate the PS3's budget until it exploded in everyone's collective faces, causing fallout from a few layoffs to a huge quarterly loss. Except now without Kutaragi in the limelight, how are we going to get such beautiful mock-ups of the PlayStation grill?

JoystiqKen Kutaragi officially throws in the towel, retires from SCE originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kaz hiraiKazHiraiken kutaragiKenKutaragikrazy kenKrazyKenplaystationscesir howard stringerSirHowardStringersony computer entertainmentSonyComputerEntertainmentTue, 19 Jun 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What we should expect from Kaz Hirai]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/01/what-we-should-expect-from-kaz-hirai/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/01/what-we-should-expect-from-kaz-hirai/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/01/what-we-should-expect-from-kaz-hirai/#commentsAlready being hailed as the anti-Kutaragi (not against-Kutaragi, but antithesis-Kutaragi), Kaz Hirai has some big shoes to fill as the new CEO later this year -- big shoes to take some big steps towards success with the PlayStation 3. We'll highlight some of what's expected from Hirai from this impressively competent article from Business Week.

  • He's affable and articulate -- he's expected to shift Sony from a Japanese empire to a global organization.
  • He's great at getting ties with distributors, game developers, etc. Hopefully he can score some exclusive titles with his... personality.
  • Kutaragi demanded to be in complete control, wanted to answer everything himself. Hirai is set up to be a better listener and be more pleasurable to work with.
  • Hirai isn't as technologically savvy as Kutaragi and hasn't even dealt with the main Japan office that much. He's a stranger to many at Sony. As Business Week said, "that's both an opportunity and a risk".
  • Hirai recently said "that he had separated strategic planning from daily decision-making and had given regional heads more responsibility over console shipments, inventories, and new game titles." Hopefully this will keep people in-touch and not alienate anyone from the PlayStation 3's progress.

Will Kaz be able to bridge the gap between the PS3 and the competition? We'll find out in due time, but as smart and influential as Kutaragi was, it is a different business model nowadays and Hirai seems to more accurately and appropriately reflect that. Let's just hope the world is ready for a new leader behind Sony.

JoystiqWhat we should expect from Kaz Hirai originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kaz HiraiKazHiraiPlayStation 3Playstation3PS3SonyTue, 01 May 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai speaks about the shaky PS3 launch at CES]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/kaz-hirai-speaks-about-the-shaky-ps3-launch-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/kaz-hirai-speaks-about-the-shaky-ps3-launch-at-ces/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/kaz-hirai-speaks-about-the-shaky-ps3-launch-at-ces/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For those of you who think that Sony always rolls with the punches, spins negative into positive, or act like they meant to catch laptops on fire, you may be interested in some of the things Kaz Hirai spoke about at CES 2007. Yeah, most of it is just that, but he did admit that the PS3 has had a bumpy start. Before we go more into that, though, here are some of the flowery things he said:

  • "I have heard many people say our competitors' systems are just as powerful as the PS3. That simply is not true. No other next generation entertainment system pushes the envelope on advanced technology like PS3."
  • "I have heard people say that a high-capacity game delivery vehicle like Blu-ray isn't necessary in a next generation computer entertainment system. You just can't expect that 9GBs of storage capacity found on today's DVDs are going to have enough space to hold tomorrow's games."

We've actually heard that all before, but words are just words until we see the promises in action -- if a picture is worth a thousand words, think how many words a video game fulfilling a promise is worth! Anyway, Kaz also talked about the launch of the PS3. He admitted it was rough, also saying, "I don't think anyone could have foreseen the difficulties we encountered in the production of the blue laser diode for the PlayStation 3, which ultimately delayed the launch of PlayStation 3." As a final note, he said that if Sony had gone the route of Nintendo, with a mild upgrade in capabilities, the launch would have gone down a lot smoother and a lot sooner. But, he says with his infamous grin, "if we did that every time, we wouldn't be Sony."

JoystiqKaz Hirai speaks about the shaky PS3 launch at CES originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayCESKaz HiraiKazHiraiPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyTue, 09 Jan 2007 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz takes stab at Nintendo, we laugh hard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/kaz-takes-stab-at-nintendo-we-laugh-hard/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/kaz-takes-stab-at-nintendo-we-laugh-hard/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/09/kaz-takes-stab-at-nintendo-we-laugh-hard/#commentsFiled under:

Sony's own Kaz Hirai (Riiiiiiidge Raaaacerrrrr!) recently spoke with IGN during CES 2007 about the PS3 and Blu-ray in general. Of course, most of his time spent with the IGN folk was to talk up his hardware, however he did take a moment to speak his mind on the incredibly popular Wii by saying "a worldwide launch for any console is quite ambitious. In fact, it has never been done before. I suppose if we had simply done a mild upgrade to the PS2 and not pushed the envelope so hard, it would have been easier on ourselves. However, if we did that every time, we wouldn't be Sony."

Isn't he hilarious guys? Look Kaz, we're sorry your company decided to manufacture a system that is so expensive as to exclude the common consumer and has no fun launch games. Face it, the only reason anyone is considering buying a PS3 is for Metal Gear Solid 4. Don't be a sore loser, guy!

JoystiqKaz takes stab at Nintendo, we laugh hard originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kazkazhirainintendonintendowiiplaystationplaystation3ps3pspsonywiiTue, 09 Jan 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai talks about supply and demand issues with the PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/04/kaz-hirai-talks-about-supply-and-demand-issues-with-the-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/04/kaz-hirai-talks-about-supply-and-demand-issues-with-the-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/04/kaz-hirai-talks-about-supply-and-demand-issues-with-the-ps3/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sony has an interesting "strategy": low supply creates high demand. Ah, the wonders of basic economics concerning luxury goods. In any case, Kaz Hirai recently sat down to an interview and discussed the whole PS3 supply/demand issue, among other things. Let's highlight the big points, shall we?

  • To compensate for the limited supply, Kaz says that Sony is chartering flights to bring systems to North America faster -- normally, items of PS3 size/weight are sent via boat. Production is ramping up also, but still... chartering flights is way more expensive than boats. Thanks, we guess?
  • Shipments would like to be weekly to keep up with demand, but that's up to consumers. As for grabbing one off of a retail shelf casually, that's also up to the demand of consumers and Kaz has no idea when the surplus will kick in.
  • Kaz says that Sony does not favor one retailer over another, so if your pre-order falls through due to unit allocation, it's the store's fault... not Sony's.
  • No price cut in North America for the 20GB model. Oh well, who wants that one anyway?
  • The bottleneck in production came from the blue laser diodes, but that's been fixed. Even so, says Kaz, "you do have a ramp-up period. You suddenly can't go from zero one day to 100,000 units the next day."
  • Support for the PS2 will continue for some time -- unlike other console companies who drop an old console overnight.
  • Kaz assures us that PS2 and PSOne titles that have compatibility issues will be ironed out with firmware updates. That's the beauty with the PS3!

Overall, it was a good interview. Nothing necessarily groundbreaking was revealed, but it's always nice to be reassured that things are okay, even if they're not. If your dog died, you'd want a hug from your mom and not a silent crying session... or something. The point is, being told nice things is nice. How can you possibly disagree?

JoystiqKaz Hirai talks about supply and demand issues with the PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kaz HiraiKazHiraiPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyMon, 04 Dec 2006 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gran Turismo HD goes free as focus shifts to GT5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/gran-turismo-hd-goes-free-as-focus-shifts-to-gt5/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/gran-turismo-hd-goes-free-as-focus-shifts-to-gt5/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/gran-turismo-hd-goes-free-as-focus-shifts-to-gt5/#commentsFiled under: ,


Gran Turismo HD on the PlayStation 3 is no more. The game, which was due for release in Japan this month, has officially been cancelled, leaving developer Polyphony Digital to focus its energy on the completion of Gran Turismo 5. All is not lost, however, as what was Gran Turismo HD will now be offered through the PlayStation Store as Gran Turismo HD Concept -- essentially a playable preview of Gran Turismo 5.

GTHD Concept will be free to download and becomes available in Japan on December 24. There is currently no confirmation of a worldwide release date (what a nice holiday treat though!). This free business has us wondering what happened to that dubious rumor about Gran Turismo's excessive microtransactioning?

It appears that there will be no online elements in GTHD Concept (apart from the very act of downloading it), with SCEI's new Mr. Big, Kaz Hirai, explaining in an open letter released this morning: "For the genuine implementation of 'Online Car Life Simulation', please wait for Gran Turismo 5."

That we will do.

JoystiqGran Turismo HD goes free as focus shifts to GT5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gran TurismoGranTurismoGT ConceptGtConceptHDKaz HiraiKazHiraiPS3Fri, 01 Dec 2006 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Kutaragi gets shoved in Sony reshuffling]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/kutaragi-gets-shoved-in-sony-reshuffling/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/kutaragi-gets-shoved-in-sony-reshuffling/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/kutaragi-gets-shoved-in-sony-reshuffling/#commentsFiled under:

You can expect to see more from SCEA's chief Kaz Hirai (of Riiidge Racer fame), as he's moved on up on the corporate ladder. He'll be replacing "you-can-experience-4D" Ken Kutargai, who's been criticized by his rivals as being too "arrogant." There's been speculation that the slow sales of PSP, the disastrously delayed PS3 launch, and the loss of potential PS3 exclusives, like Grand Theft Auto IV and Assassin's Creed, are behind this shuffling.

Regardless, Kutaragi will remain in Sony's corporate arms as chairman and group CEO. While this theoretically is a promotion, it will certainly free up Kaz and new SCEA chief Jack Tretton from correcting the mistakes of a potentially senile leader. Hey, it worked for Nintendo when they got rid of even-more-insane Yamauchi.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqKutaragi gets shoved in Sony reshuffling originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jack trettonJackTrettonkaz hiraiKazHiraiken kutaragiKenKutaragikutaragiplaystation 3Playstation3ps3sceasonyFri, 01 Dec 2006 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony recreates Management Team -- here comes Krazy Kaz!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/30/sony-recreates-management-team-here-comes-krazy-kaz/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/30/sony-recreates-management-team-here-comes-krazy-kaz/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/30/sony-recreates-management-team-here-comes-krazy-kaz/#commentsFiled under:

Our two favorite people, Ken Kutaragi and Kaz Hirai, Krazy Kaz and Ken if I may, have moved up in the world! Maybe not the world as a whole, but the world of Sony. The two men, who have a tough time not making fools of themselves (a few exceptions, but they elude me), have indeed garnered new seats in Sony. Kutaragi, formerly the President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., is now the Chairman and Group CEO. Kaz Hirai was formerly President and CEO of SCE America is now President and COO of SCE Inc. At least he's not in charge of Sony America anymore? Whatever. You can check out other managerial movements if you'd like, but really, it's interesting how people more or less mocked by the public continue to move up in the world.

JoystiqSony recreates Management Team -- here comes Krazy Kaz! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kaz HiraiKazHiraiKen KutaragiKenKutaragiPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SCEASCEISonyThu, 30 Nov 2006 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai makes himself comfortable with US PS3 price, still]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/13/kaz-hirai-makes-himself-comfortable-with-us-ps3-price-still/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/13/kaz-hirai-makes-himself-comfortable-with-us-ps3-price-still/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/13/kaz-hirai-makes-himself-comfortable-with-us-ps3-price-still/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sorry guys, no last minute price changes for the North American PS3 release. As you may have heard, Kaz Hirai is "very comfortable with the pricing we have announced." He also claims there has been tremendous support by retailers for their pricing also, which is probably true. What store wouldn't want to guarantee selling out of a $600 machine? Also of note, which we already know but it bears repeating, all 20GB models in all regions have HDMI support -- not just the special price-cut PS3's in Japan. For some reason, a little bit of confusion surrounded that. Hopefully none of our well-read readers had such an issue (we know you're smarter than the average bear). That's really about it. Good luck, everyone! If you're camping out, be sure to take pictures and send them in as tips. We'd love to toss a few of them up in lieu of our generally boring pictures.

JoystiqKaz Hirai makes himself comfortable with US PS3 price, still originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kaz HiraiKazHiraiPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyMon, 13 Nov 2006 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Journalist's kid gets a PS3, Sony boss's kid doesn't]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/06/journalists-kid-gets-a-ps3-sony-bosss-kid-doesnt/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/06/journalists-kid-gets-a-ps3-sony-bosss-kid-doesnt/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/06/journalists-kid-gets-a-ps3-sony-bosss-kid-doesnt/#commentsFiled under: ,


File this one in the delicious irony department: the same day Kotaku's Brian Crecente posts a video of his son playing a brand new demo unit of the PS3, SCEA boss Kaz Hirai tells the Associated Press that his 12-year-old son doesn't yet have a system. Despite the younger Hirai's begging, Kaz said that his son "hasn't touched one and he hasn't seen one ... that's only fair for everybody."

Can this possibly true? Do members of the press now rank higher in the battle for new Sony hardware than the president of the company? Or was Hirai's quote a Steve-Ballmer-style "I feel your pain" PR feint designed to mollify gamers hurt by expected shortages? We report ... you decide.

[AP story via VideoGamesBlogger]

JoystiqJournalist's kid gets a PS3, Sony boss's kid doesn't originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hiraiKaz hiraiKazHiraiPS3riiiidgeracerMon, 06 Nov 2006 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Surviving Sony Gamer's Day]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/surviving-sony-gamers-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/surviving-sony-gamers-day/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/surviving-sony-gamers-day/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I set my alarm yesterday morning. I had a date with Sony Gamer's Day, 2006. And yes, Grammar Rodeo champions, that apostrophe means that it was just for me. Also, about 100 to 200 other journalists and analysts showed up, but I let them stay.

Sony's annual all-day press event held few surprises. Instead, it was the last big event before the PS3 retail launch, and we reporters got to play more games, eat fancy hors d'oeuvres, and talk to Sony executives.

In the late morning, I attended a lunch that was supposed to be with developers but occurred without them; a roundtable discussion had been canceled. Instead, I got to listen to analysts at my table spout lots of semi-confidential numbers off-the-record. Numbers like "40%," and "5,000,000." (Yes, commenters, those are completely out of context; don't start any rumors.) After eating fancy food that may have been prepared entirely by a team of Cell processors -- it was that good -- I headed to San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood for the presentations.

Continue reading Surviving Sony Gamer's Day

JoystiqSurviving Sony Gamer's Day originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Gamer's DayGamer'sDayGamers DayGamersDayJack TrettonJackTrettonKaz HiraiKazHiraiLudacrisPS3PS3 launchPs3LaunchRidge RacerRidgeRacerSCEASony-Computer-Entertainment-AmericaFri, 20 Oct 2006 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony says no, Immersion says yes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/05/sony-says-no-immersion-says-yes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/05/sony-says-no-immersion-says-yes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/05/sony-says-no-immersion-says-yes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Our colleagues at GameDaily BIZ spoke with Victor Viegas, CEO of force feedback patent holder Immersion, about Sony VP Kaz Hirai's recent comments on the PS3 controller's lack of rumble. Hirai told Kikizo in a taped interview, "If we have to come up with technology ... to isolate the vibration from the sensing, but if that means that the controllers are going to be so expensive, then we're doing the consumer a huge disservice by coming up with a controller that is not very affordable."

Viegas responded that his company "knew how to technically solve their problems" and they now "know how to do it without adding any incremental cost." He even cited a third party PS2 controller, the G-Pad Pro, that "incorporates both motion sensing and vibration and goes for the retail price of just $29.95." That's only $5 more than a Dual Shock.

We can't help but be shaken, rumbled even, by the irony of proclaiming cost sensitivity as the purported rationale for excising the controller's force feedback functionality when the console it will wirelessly communicate with has been criticized, by most everyone below the 35% tax bracket, for being extravagantly expensive. Note to Sony: We're pretty sure anyone ponying up $500-$600 for a PS3 would be more than willing to shell out an extra $5 for force feedback.

With Nintendo's rumbling, motion-sensing controller combo going for a princely $60, and Microsoft's rumbling, motion-free 360 gamepad going for a steep $50, how should Sony price their lightweight, rumble-free Sixaxis? They've already said it's got to be affordable.

Other peripheral pricing:
PS3: Dual Shake is dead, long live Sixaxis

Read - Hirai: No Rumble in PS3 Controller Due to Cost
Read - Immersion CEO: Rumble + Motion Not Cost Prohibitive

JoystiqSony says no, Immersion says yes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Oct 2006 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Force FeedbackForceFeedbackImmersionKaz HiraiKazHiraiPS3RumbleSixaxisSonyVictor ViegasVictorViegasThu, 05 Oct 2006 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai video interview! No giant crabs, no massive damage...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/02/kaz-hirai-video-interview-no-giant-crabs-no-massive-damage/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/02/kaz-hirai-video-interview-no-giant-crabs-no-massive-damage/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/02/kaz-hirai-video-interview-no-giant-crabs-no-massive-damage/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kikizo had the rare opportunity to conduct a video interview with Kaz Hirai, one of the biggest of men at Sony. It's a fairly lengthy one, so we'll give you a teaser of what to expect.

  • Sony after E3 -- what changed?
  • Showing PS3 off to consumers for the first time, reactions
  • PlayStation profitability - "making huge contributions"
  • Losing IP exclusivity on titles like Assassin's Creed
  • PS3 as a completely different entertainment experience
  • Why's all the Rum(ble) gone?
  • If HD-DVD prevails what will become of Sony and Blu-ray?
  • SCEA not concerned with Blu-Ray, but establishing PS3
  • Launch supplies and ramping up production for Holidays
  • Strategic delay of the European launch
  • Strong platform six or seven years from now
That's really about it. Kikizo covered the main points to check out pretty well. All that's left is to download the interview and watch the spin machine on a heavy cycle!

JoystiqKaz Hirai video interview! No giant crabs, no massive damage... originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phil Harrison... Kaz Hirai... Ken Kutaragi... no, they do not comprise the three heads of the mythical Cerberus, but they do comprise the three heads of a real-life corporation that rivals such mythical beasts: Sony. Game|Life got to interview them all in one night and a couple of interesting tidbits came out. Here they are:

  • Phil Harrison believes there's no North American price drop because the $599 is a "magic price point". Basically, it's the price people will buy at that gives Sony the greatest marginal profit (or if manufacturing costs are still more than the price, the lowest marginal loss).
  • The Playstation 3 is region free for games, but not movies. So you can grab a PS3 from Japan if you really, really want, but you'll have trouble playing local movies. This is also good news for import junkies, especially among fighting game fanatics (less translation to deal with). Oh, this also includes downloadable games.
  • Kaz Hirai and Ken Kutaragi both leaned towards "no" as to the inclusion of component cables in the box.
Alone, each point is kind of "meh", but add them together and you've got a bevy of PS3 common knowledge. It's surprising how these more common points are overlooked, so while many may have heard these, there will be some who were wondering about these and, well, now they know.

[FYI: if the link to Game|Life doesn't work, just hit refresh. That worked for me!]

JoystiqThe three heads of Sony speak -- region free PS3! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kaz HiraiKazHiraiKen KutaragiKenKutaragiPhil HarrisonPhilHarrisonPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3TGSTokyo Game ShowTokyoGameShowMon, 25 Sep 2006 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Kaz Hirai interview to amuse us]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/30/another-kaz-hirai-interview-to-amuse-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/30/another-kaz-hirai-interview-to-amuse-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/30/another-kaz-hirai-interview-to-amuse-us/#commentsFiled under: ,

This guy is practically the entire Sony marketing division! At least, he's appearing everywhere for interviews the past week or so. While this interview from cNet tells pretty much the same ol' stuff, Kaz does mention the Wii -- the console that doesn't quite get talked about too often on here. First off, the pricing of the Wii.

cNet asked if the price would affect the PS3, to which Kaz responded: "The pricing that we announced for the PlayStation 3 is a price that ultimately offers fantastic value to the consumers." Yeah, but what about in relation to the Wii, Kaz? "I think at $599 we're offering a very good value to the consumers." Darn! Close, but not really answering them, Mr. Hirai. One more chance! "Some consumers will compare features or software offerings and decide that they may want to go with a different console...I don't think price is the only determining factor when consumers make a choice in looking at their console purchase decisions." Good, if only you said that in the first place. It is about software.

It doesn't seem Krazy Kaz is taking the Wii too seriously as competition and that may come back to bite him. Then again, it may not, since Nintendo isn't actively participating in this so-called "war". Nintendo is Nintendo and they'll always make incredibly fun first-party titles. Even so, at least someone interviewing Kaz tried to get his take on the Wii. It's too Sony vs. Microsoft for the most part.

JoystiqAnother Kaz Hirai interview to amuse us originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kaz HiraiKazHiraiPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyWed, 30 Aug 2006 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: Lack of innovation = value]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/30/hirai-lack-of-innovation-value/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/30/hirai-lack-of-innovation-value/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/30/hirai-lack-of-innovation-value/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sony Entertainment President Kaz "Riiiidge Racer" Hirai says the $600 PS3 is a "very good value." Why? Because, thanks to Sony's geological approach to console development, it only costs you $60 per year of faithful service (This is the only answer he came up with):

I think that we are offering a very good value for the consumers. We look at our products having a 10-year life cycle, which we've proven with the PlayStation. Therefore, the PlayStation 3 is going to be a console that's going to be with you again for 10 years. We're not going to ask the consumers to suddenly buy another PlayStation console in five years time, and basically have their investment go by the wayside. So for all those reasons, I think at $599 we're offering a very good value to the consumers.

To put this in perspective, by the time you take home a PS4, your girlfriend's breasts will be three inches lower and that illegitimate glint in your eye will be in the 3rd grade. But it explains alot. Sony thinks their lack of innovation is actually a plus for the consumer. By this logic, why not stretch the cycle out to 30 years. That way, PS3 fanboys could still be dusting off their super-duper value in 2036 while our grandkids play with their "Xbox Classic" Home Holodecks.

The world is just turning a little too fast for Kaz these days.

[Thanks KingOfGods]

JoystiqSony: Lack of innovation = value originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console warsConsoleWarsdevelopment cycleDevelopmentCyclekaz hiraiKazHiraips3sonyWed, 30 Aug 2006 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Thumbs up to Kaz Hirai, reassuring Sony fans worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/thumbs-up-to-kaz-hirai-reassuring-sony-fans-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/thumbs-up-to-kaz-hirai-reassuring-sony-fans-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/thumbs-up-to-kaz-hirai-reassuring-sony-fans-worldwide/#commentsFiled under: ,

In the past, when Kaz Hirai opened his mouth, eyes would roll. Lately, his comments have been slightly more understandable and subdued. In an interview with Mercury News, Hirai responded to the comparison of the PS3's production to the Xbox 360's production shortage, saying Sony has "tighter control on manufacturing." Hirai also went over a little of their marketing strategy, saying Sony has met with retailers to pitch the value of the PS3. Other divisions of Sony are working together, stringing in digital TV sales with the PS3 console. Or trying to. Sales are tough.

Marketing, schmarketing. What of the Playstation 3? Hirai commented on the size of many of the games that will get shown at the Tokyo Game Show -- many are around 20GB, proof that Blu-ray is doing great things for developers. Hirai said: "You'll see the difference in the game play. In things like the number of levels, the lines of dialogue, the AI." It's nice to see he isn't completely focused on graphics, as AI is a bit more important than particle physics or advanced textures to many gamers.

Overall, cool. Hirai recognizes the criticisms of Sony fans, especially after seeing the posts made on YouTube about Dell computers catching fire and probably a few of Microsoft's creations (in fact, you could probably find any console getting whacked on that site). Let's take a different angle to end on... if your PS3 malfunctioned and you had to toss it (for some odd reason) and you put it on YouTube, what sort of destruction would you wreak on it? Or say what you think could go wrong with the PS3 to make it on there (overheating, red circle of death, whatever). We're not condoning PS3 destruction, but if it had to be put out of its misery, be creative, right?

JoystiqThumbs up to Kaz Hirai, reassuring Sony fans worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kaz HiraiKazHiraiPlaystation 3Playstation3PS3SonyTue, 29 Aug 2006 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz says Blu-ray is the best choice for gamers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/kaz-says-blu-ray-is-the-best-choice-for-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/kaz-says-blu-ray-is-the-best-choice-for-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/29/kaz-says-blu-ray-is-the-best-choice-for-gamers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In a rather bland interview with Cnet, Sony's Kaz Hirai proclaims that the Blu-ray format is the best choice for gamers when compared to the capacity in its fiercest competitor, the Xbox 360. He told Cnet:

Our decision to include the Blu-ray player ... in all of our PlayStation 3s was the right decision. Look at the massive amounts of data that's required to provide a truly immersive gaming experience in true HD. If you only have a DVD ROM drive, which can only go up to about 9GB or so, you're going to end up with a game that's going to have two or possibly even three discs. And then you're going to have to ask consumers to swap discs out or cache all the game onto the hard drive which I think is an inconvenience -- not to mention the fact that you're going to fill up a 20GB hard drive very quickly with some of these games. So trying to go without a Blu-ray drive in the PlayStation 3 really is a nonstarter.

Pretty much a diss to the 360 and its capabilities, Hirai believes that the Blu-ray is key to the PS3's ultimate success. Considering how massive a game like Oblivion is on one disc, does the extra storage capability of the Blu-ray disc even matter?

On a another note, Kaz still says that production of the PS3 has yet to start.

[Thanks, KingOfGods]

JoystiqKaz says Blu-ray is the best choice for gamers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Kaz HiraiKazHiraiPS3Xbox-360Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Crazy Japanese video of the week: PSP video calms my nervous spirit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/24/crazy-japanese-video-of-the-week-psp-video-calms-my-nervous-spi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/24/crazy-japanese-video-of-the-week-psp-video-calms-my-nervous-spi/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/24/crazy-japanese-video-of-the-week-psp-video-calms-my-nervous-spi/#commentsFiled under:

Ya know, there comes a time in a young man's life where he experiences something that forever changes him. Something so important, it triggers feelings and emotions he never thought he had before. Today, I had one of those experiences with this video, and I present it to you now.

I don't know what it is exactly. The strange music in the video, which evokes both a state of sadness and joy in me at the same time, most definitely has something to do with it, but clips of people speeding along on a country rode having a wonderful time with their PSP or of our good buddy Kaz heroicly raising the PSP into the air like a viking would his sword after just defeating his enemy certainly adds to my newly found state of nirvana.

After watching this video, I can't help but have a feeling of confidence going forward that the PSP is here to stay. I mean, if people have that much fun just riding along with a PSP, how can it not be successful, right? And while I can't ensure you'll have the same experience I did, I'm sure it will touch each of you in a different way. Be blessed my fellow fanboys.

JoystiqCrazy Japanese video of the week: PSP video calms my nervous spirit originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Japanese videoKaz HiraiKazHiraiPSPThu, 24 Aug 2006 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai misspoke -- Sony clarifies launch plans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/23/kaz-hirai-misspoke-sony-clarifies-launch-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/23/kaz-hirai-misspoke-sony-clarifies-launch-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/23/kaz-hirai-misspoke-sony-clarifies-launch-plans/#commentsFiled under:

Recently, Kaz Hirai spoke about the Playstation 3 launch in an interview over at gamespot. It was a really fun read and all, but there were a few foreboding moments. These moments, like shortages of the console upon launch, aren't uncommon, but still need to be addressed. A Sony spokesman had the nerve (and the common sense) to correct Kaz Hirai in regards to his statements in the interview. The spokesman said: "We are still on schedule to ship 2 million units for our mid-November 2006 launch and additional 2 million units by the end of the year for a total of 4 million units." Isn't that worse?

With the production (or just assembly) not yet underway, doubling the number as quoted by Kaz is scary! Maybe 4 million units won't sell by years end, but producing that many is a daunting task. Would Sony (not to mention Nintendo and Microsoft as well) do this on purpose? Have shortages? It may lower risk and they won't have a million sitting in a warehouse somewhere, but is it a part of their plan to say "no, we'll definitely have them ready for you" and then... not? Does a shortage really increase demand and boost sales? It's all speculation, but the facts remain the same: Sony is planning on 4 million units by the end of the year. Good luck, Sony.

JoystiqKaz Hirai misspoke -- Sony clarifies launch plans originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Aug 2006 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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