Zeal
09-30-2005, 06:23 PM
Next-Generation has posted a recent Famitsu interview with Masatsuka Saeki of Sony. Topics discussed include PS3 pricing, TGS, third-party support and an upcoming secret event.
Speaking to Famitsu Weekly, SCE exec Masatsuka Saeki is quoted as stating that pricing is a hot button issue within the company, and is still being debated. He would not be drawn on a likely release date, assumed to be spring of next year.
The exec also said that playable versions of games will be shown to Japanese consumers in a special to-be-announced event in February. He claimed that the company could have shown playable games at TGS, but felt it would be inappropriate to do so, this being the machine's first Japanese showing.
Here's a translation of the interview's highlights...
On non-playable games at TGS...
To be honest, before the TGS, we had very intense meetings inside the company. Some said 'If we can make it running, why not let people experience it?' But then I realized it was the very first time the Japanese public would see the PS3. So I decided that demos would not be appropriate for such a first occasion.
When we unveiled our machine at E3, game creators and the media have heavily relayed the idea that'these are the games which will run on the next generation of consoles!' I figure out that people, at least in the industry, knew what to expect in terms of impact, environments and pricing. My objective was that the public experience the shock of the next generation PlayStation and makes it own idea.
While we were preparing the TGS, I was thinking that our presentation would be very similar to E3 with a large focus on Kill Zone 2. But at the end of August I got MGS4. Watching the video I received, my reaction was 'What the hell!?
On third parties...
Tools are not finalized but we are putting all our effort in providing them to the game makers. Even if they are not complete yet, they allow the creation of videos such as MGS4 or Koei’s Ni-Oh. My objective was that the public feel that the PlayStation 3 is really going to bring something different.
On pricing...
Concerning PS3 price tag, I believe we will keep having meetings about it until the very last moment.
On February event
It is a secret but you can be assured it is going to be very, very original, a super big surprise.
Scource: Next-Generation (http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1185&Itemid=2) / Famitsu Weekly
Speaking to Famitsu Weekly, SCE exec Masatsuka Saeki is quoted as stating that pricing is a hot button issue within the company, and is still being debated. He would not be drawn on a likely release date, assumed to be spring of next year.
The exec also said that playable versions of games will be shown to Japanese consumers in a special to-be-announced event in February. He claimed that the company could have shown playable games at TGS, but felt it would be inappropriate to do so, this being the machine's first Japanese showing.
Here's a translation of the interview's highlights...
On non-playable games at TGS...
To be honest, before the TGS, we had very intense meetings inside the company. Some said 'If we can make it running, why not let people experience it?' But then I realized it was the very first time the Japanese public would see the PS3. So I decided that demos would not be appropriate for such a first occasion.
When we unveiled our machine at E3, game creators and the media have heavily relayed the idea that'these are the games which will run on the next generation of consoles!' I figure out that people, at least in the industry, knew what to expect in terms of impact, environments and pricing. My objective was that the public experience the shock of the next generation PlayStation and makes it own idea.
While we were preparing the TGS, I was thinking that our presentation would be very similar to E3 with a large focus on Kill Zone 2. But at the end of August I got MGS4. Watching the video I received, my reaction was 'What the hell!?
On third parties...
Tools are not finalized but we are putting all our effort in providing them to the game makers. Even if they are not complete yet, they allow the creation of videos such as MGS4 or Koei’s Ni-Oh. My objective was that the public feel that the PlayStation 3 is really going to bring something different.
On pricing...
Concerning PS3 price tag, I believe we will keep having meetings about it until the very last moment.
On February event
It is a secret but you can be assured it is going to be very, very original, a super big surprise.
Scource: Next-Generation (http://next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1185&Itemid=2) / Famitsu Weekly