I just got back from a very different kind of event with Sony. Well, maybe event is a strong word, it was more of a sit down with just a few of us gaming journos and some of the biggest names in Sony -- Phil Harrison, David Karraker and others.
It was an incredible discussion because we were allowed to be as open as possible and ask whatever we wanted. Sony, especially Phil, was very honest with us -- or as honest as they could be. Like I have been, I want to break down all the big news in a series of points. Hit the jump for the full disclosure.
As far as dealing with the community and negative reactions, Sony is aware and they are working hard to change it.
Key points:
• Brian Crecente sat right in between David and Phil and looked like about as uncomfortable at first as possible. After a while, the ice slowly melted away.
• A developer for Warhawk gave Crecente a pair of brass balls.
• Phil said that your avatar in Home may be used in the future in PS3 games.
• The reason for Game 3.0 was simply to give a label to what is happening in the industry. Phil hopes that Game 3.0 will start a great debate. He wants to establish an idea and unify thinking.
• Sony is taking parental controls in Home very seriously. Users will be able to block out certain people, voice chat and the screen.
• Sony will have moderators within Home to keep the peace, so to speak.
• As far as public spaces within Home, there will be soft and hard caps, much like in chat rooms.
• For the arcades inside Home, Sony had originally planned to have them be Java-based.
• There are three basic revenue channels for Home: object and item sales; advertising; B2B.
• Phil said that he believe Home will sell PS3 consoles. He says it's another reason to use and sell the console.
• Their job is to make the interface within Home as accessible as possible.
• Phil said Second Life and Home are not the same, far from it.
• Sony says they have over 500,000 registered players online and have sold through more than one million PS3 units.
• They do not know how big a download Home will be.
• There will be no collision between avatars in home. But, players will be able to, according to Phil, surf down stairs with a couch.
• You will be able to buy not only places to live and things inside those places, but also environments. Phil used the example of ducks flying in a "V" outside your window or a sunset.
• Sony says they can overcome negative press by being innovative and offering the best they can. Phil says what really matters are sales, not headlines.
• Phil says the reason you see PS3s in stores is because their production level is high, not because demand is low. He says the PS3 has outsold the PS One, PS2, and Xbox 360 during the same time.
• Commenting on the claim Blu-ray has been hacked: Phil clearly stated it has not been hacked and that there was no evidence whatsoever that suggested it had.
• On the loss of exclusives: Phil says Sony's focus has shifted to making sure there was enough money in first-party development. They've drastically increased the budget for this.
• Phil said having GTA come out for the PS3 and 360 at the same time wasn't a big deal.
• With respect to only having the 60GB PS3 for the U.K. and Euro launch: Phil said that was a request from retailers.
• David Karraker calls booth babes, "hostitutes."
• Sony said this will be a big year for the PSP and that the design will stay the same, but that the way it interacts with the consumer will change.
• The Warhawk people don't think that the game should be full price (it's downloadable now).
• There are discussions about a Warhawk beta taking place.
Contest:
9:09 PM on 03.08.2007 | 
Or was it cool my warm heart with a....
it would come with a completed "home" app, FREE online (best qoute on this post="And remember this kids, playstation network is FREE, as in free beer")
a bluray dvd play, and probably 100 dollars less.
there would have been enough systems at launch and they would hve been able to polish the cell technology to perfection.
also the eyetoy would be fully functional and the sixaxis would have vibration (dispute would be over)
and yes, this rising appeal is killing me, but it was going to happen sooner or later, sony has become the videogame equivalent to Satan, but i think it just got its wings. sony didn't get it right in the beginning beut after some time, the wrinkles will smooth out, and thier system should live up to its promises....because, come on, these guys made ps2! i guess thats worth something.
(and yes, i double posted)
sony isn't necessarily satan, Microsoft has done equally bad stuff, albeit not in the gaming world.
even if home doesnt turn out to be all that and a bag of chips I'm more than willing to have a giant dtoid house party every week on home. hell I'll even buy one of those premium pads for it. I am hoping that the ps3 will pick up sales (they technically sold more ps3's worldwide this last week than the 360 did, but not by much, go check that previous posting of the wii sales numbers, look at the data, and then go look at the data now.)
microsoft and nintendo will probably have counter killer apps to home so you can expect stuff to just get better and better. compatition is a good thing. the future looks bright. I'm glad sony is turning their rep around, assholes are never fun.
03/08/2007 22:17
Zecahrai-
No, its warmed your cold heart with a cool island song!
Fuck it, we'll figure this out after we Free Hat McCullough. "
damn my memory what is that from again?
And, yes, my bitterness might be due to visions of myself a year from now dropping $5 on microtransations for drapes to match my wallpaper in my apartment.
Well, as long as Summa's doing it, I'm in!
-Nice touch... but he doesn't need those ;)
"The reason for Game 3.0 was simply to give a label to what is happening in the industry. Phil hopes that Game 3.0 will start a great debate. He wants to establish an idea and unify thinking."
-Because talk is cheap... but the ps3 isn't. ha HA! Take that you dead horse.
"Phil said Second Life and Home are not the same, far from it."
-This is good. SL has user created content... and the internet spawns great evil... and furries. *shudder*
Wait? Does that mean they are not Java-based anymore? Or that they are? I'm hoping for the later, because that is an excellent way to get community support, supporting indie developers with a language that is free to use.
"Sony said this will be a big year for the PSP and that the design will stay the same, but that the way it interacts with the consumer will change."
Color me excited.
Get some good games on it first then we'll start talking of a purchase.
PSP
I find it hard to believe that it can dethrone the DS when most of its games are ports. Lower the price and MAYBE we'll talk.
i would advise you as of this instant to take you "hunk of junk " ps3 and give it to some poverty stricken young child who would readily appreciate it. this will hopefully prevent you from repeatedly shitting all over it, and summa for giving it a chance. now go play with your vibrating wiimote. that wasn't an insult, i play with mine all the time.
What the h-e-double-hockeysticks does that mean?
agreed. I couldn't give two shits about these things like Home, Wii Weather, etc. I'll look at buying a PS3 when there's more to play than Resistance. And unfortunately, Sony's always gonna be trailing the 360 as far as games are concerned.
Brandon says, "Phil is lying through his teeth. This is complete bullshit because hardcore gamers (his audience at the moment) hate Second Life, but in reality this is exactly what they have created. Third Life TM."
but hey, if you think a 3D chat saves your 600 doorstop, and possibly 3 other games, go right ahead.
This is why I hate sony. Not becuase they have a bad product, or because they cant make good games. Its because they lie out their asses and the normal everyday gamer doesnt know any better, because their to be sucking the asshole of sony to hear what their really saying.
Yes sony will have kick ass games, jesus its sony! but home is not one of the; if I wanted to play sims Id pop in my sims cd on my PC.
I cant wait for someone to hack the HOME application and have either porn sprays everywhere or make naked skins. Good times. And you know the worse part? Your still going to be stuck playing with idiot 14 yearolds... sigh
None of the other points you mention are exclusive of sony there will be a sims game for the Wii and both Wii and 360 feature avatars, if they invented a Mii talk channel who exactly do you think you will be talking with, Harvard Scholars?
-Resistance
-Virtua Fighter 5
-Motorstorm (which has great online play in the Us version)
Tekken 5: Dark is not exclusive, but pretty good anyway
Ps network
Fl0w
Tekken 5
The PS3 is no longer a Paper Weight at least.
In the NEAR future things are looking pretty neat this year in order of appearence. (possible)
-Oblivion
-Warhawk (battlefield 2 (pc) for the ps3)
-Calling all cars.
-Tekken 6
-Killzone 2 (Black with multiplayer and vehicles)
-Metal gear Solid 4
-Final Fantasy XIII (Japan)
Not to mention a bunch of MultiPlatform titles such as:
-Assasins creed
-Star Wars force unleashed
-Darkness
Etc.
However, they're starting to win me over. They still need to work on their PR, but they're finally starting to do things that are interesting and potentially worth buying a PS3 for. Unlike most Nintendo/Microsoft fanboys, I want Sony to convert me. Come on, Sony. Prove me wrong. Please?
Not being able to buy all three consoles because you lack the funds is excusable. Those who can but choose not to because they think a certain system is better than the other should think twice. All current consoles have their strong points and their weak points, but most important, all three have amazing exclusive game software for each. Not buying a certain console means you are depriving yourself of some good games, no matter which console you decide to skip.
Harvard scholars are overrated UNAM FTW!! =P
PS3 is getting better, but not its not for me yet, i don't like racing games or fighters that much.
(not really but is my school -sigh-)
Devil May Cry 4
The entire Final Fantasy series
Possibly more Dragon Quest titles
God of War 3
Burnout 6
Virtua Fighter series
and many many more games are sure to be coming to the PS3. It's time to stop looking in the past and realizing what will come in the future.