Ah, baseball analogies. They're kind of lost on nerdy videogame types like myself, but Sony Computer Entertainment America's CEO Jack Tretton does manage to throw out some good ones that explain Sony's uphill struggle with the PS3.
“The first year is important,” says Tretton, “but it’s the first inning of a nine-inning baseball game. You’re not going to win many baseball games if you panic when you’re down 1-0 in the first inning."
Tretton confesses to some "missteps" early on in the game, but he doesn't seem too worried about past mistakes.
"I think the biggest miss for us was the launch, in that we had easily a million consumers in North America alone that wanted to get their hands on a PlayStation 3 … and we had roughly 200,000 units to take advantage of that demand."
Sony likes to talk about the "long term" when it comes to console successes, and Tretton reminds us of that: "I think if you have that long-term perspective, while I fully admit we’d like to have sold more units, it’s hardly cause for panic."
Finally, MSNBC brings up past charges of arrogance on Sony's part. Tretton says that bloggers and press had more to do with that than consumers, but he does make an admission of sorts.
"I think the arrogance claim comes with a leadership position and being unwilling to admit that you’re failing."
Read the full interview with Jack Tretton on MSNBC.
Contest:
11:19 AM on 12.04.2007
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I'm going to be more willing to get the PS3 if they start making games I actually want.
For instance, SH5 is coming out. If it were Ps3 only, I'd be way motivated to buy the PS3.
I really can't see Sony winning this race any more, not in any sense whatsoever. I can, however, see it coming in a solid 3rd, much like the GameCube was last gen. I predict a few great games that are worth having the system for, but the real gaming meat for the next few years will be on the 360.
Similar precedent was set last gen with the less powerful but more popular PS2. The Xbox came out a year later and look how much good that did it!
Did Penny Arcade ever receive their cash?
Tretton's assertion: "I think the biggest miss for us was the launch, in that we had easily a million consumers in North America alone that wanted to get their hands on a PlayStation 3 … and we had roughly 200,000 units to take advantage of that demand."
And that's simply not true. If there really were a million customers waiting with hard-ons and fat wads of cash, they would've gotten consoles in the glut that hit after the first of the year. The fact remains that they didn't. Consoles were readily available in January of '07, and they just sat on shelves while Sony fenagled with the price.
Assertion of demand does not demand make. If they had good games, they'd be selling consoles. And Sony's assertion that the PS3 will last 9 years is ridiculous, because microsoft WILL release a new console by then, and it will be exactly what gamers and developers want. Microsoft has been in the software game for a while, and as much as we like to hate them, they know how to support their developers. Plus, I'd imagine that Microsoft's next console release will be carefully calculated to force Sony into R&D before they're ready. Sony WILL be releasing a new console before 9 years is up. I guarantee it.
Tretton's assertion: "I think the biggest miss for us was the launch, in that we had easily a million consumers in North America alone that wanted to get their hands on a PlayStation 3 … and we had roughly 200,000 units to take advantage of that demand."
And that's simply not true. If there really were a million customers waiting with hard-ons and fat wads of cash, they would've gotten consoles in the glut that hit after the first of the year. The fact remains that they didn't. Consoles were readily available in January of '07, and they just sat on shelves while Sony fenagled with the price.
Assertion of demand does not demand make. If they had good games, they'd be selling consoles. And Sony's assertion that the PS3 will last 9 years is ridiculous, because microsoft WILL release a new console by then, and it will be exactly what gamers and developers want. Microsoft has been in the software game for a while, and as much as we like to hate them, they know how to support their developers. Plus, I'd imagine that Microsoft's next console release will be carefully calculated to force Sony into R&D before they're ready. Sony WILL be releasing a new console before 9 years is up. I guarantee it.
its in its first year.there is no way you can have the forsight to know whats going to happen in the coming years. regular PR cleanup that should of came right after kaz was "let go".
Of course, consoles these days are getting pretty powerful, and by the time the xbox 720 comes out the PS3 will probably have a decent line up and cost significantly less than it does now. It's a pretty solid piece of hardware, how much more processing power could you legitimately ask for? If it expects to live even halfway through the 8th generation, consumers might begin to see it as a bargain buy. Well, then I might ask what's the point of buying the 720? Yeah, so it looks like Sony isn't in as deep as they seem for now, but these things are impossible to predict.
"Finally, MSNBC brings up past charges of arrogance on Sony's part. Tretton says that bloggers and press had more to do with that than consumers, but he does make an admission of sorts."
Dont attack blogs on this they are probably the most direct link to the news that consumers have. In alot of ways its really news by the people for the people. Sure in the old days when alot of people didnt have the internet you could get by with just magazines etc and it was easier to control PR. But making flying breakfast car remarks and false claims on availibility to better informed consumers is not wise.
OMG yes. It had nothing to do with the 600 dollar price tag. I was so ready to fork over nearly 700 dollars (The tax and game you'd be buying with that PS3)for a console. If onLy there had been more PS3s. Damn, you're right that's the biggest miss for you guys at launch. 'rolls eyes' Sony never admits the price was too much. That wasn't it. It has bluray for petesake. Gamers are willing to pay millions for a console. It's so justified. F u Sony!
Sony's a little closer to the mark, there. It's a start. I really don't see them coming out on top during this generation, though. They're too far behind and no number of Metal Gear Solids is going to magically hoist them into the successful territory. Frankly, I'd say we're in the second inning, at least.
Naturally after a minute most questions became geared towards which platform he preferred. Admittedly he declared the XBOX his favorite because it was as easy to program for as a computer. However, on the other hand the PS3 has ridiculous amounts of processing power, and I can see in the future that the PS3 will be able to support some insane looking games, and at that point the Wii and the 360 will be toast, but there is also a chance that by the time anyone manages to develop games that those other consoles just aren't good enough to support that they'll have released another one.
But yeah, the PS3 is definitely going to be able to hang for a while.