Cita:
Friday, 22 September 2006
Sony Execs Talk PS3
Topic: Japan

In a rare opportunity, Wired News was able to speak to all three of PlayStation's grand masters -- creator Ken Kutaragi, US president Kaz Hirai, and worldwide studios head Phil Harrison -- in one night.

We took the opportunity to have the men clarify and expand on some of the announcements that had been made earlier in the day as Tokyo Game Show kicked off. All comments are my paraphrasing unless in direct quotes, as my (Sony brand!) voice recorder took a dive on me earlier in the day.

Phil Harrison:


Why won't the US price of PS3 be lowered along with the Japanese price?

We started by calculating the price for the US and European territories by looking at what consumers considered the 'magic price points'. In these territories, the prices we announced were very well accepted. We then converted that price to yen without giving consideration to 'magic price points.' The feedback was not supportive, so we lowered the price.

Retailers in the US "vastly prefer" the 60 gigabyte, $599 model, he said. Well, of course they do. They make more money off of more expensive things.

You said at GDC this year that PS3 would be region-free. Still true?

Yes, for games but not movies.

You're the head of Sony's worldwide development studios. What the hell is up with that Africa game?

Video games have a function in life, and that is: wish fulfillment. You can become a mercenary, a fighter pilot. On PS3, we can expand the realm of that experience. Africa allows you to experience a very interesting part of the world, a safari in the plains of Africa. The gameplay is entirely non-violent. You don't kill the animals. It emphasizes the positives rather than the negatives.

It's about collecting experiences and keeping them for posterity.

What's up with the guy riding in the Jeep, shown at the end of the trailer?

That's you. Or rather, that's one of the people you'll control. (He stops himself from saying anything else.)

Kaz Hirai:

What's the breakdown going to be in terms of 20 gig vs. 60 gig units for the US launch?

If you'd asked me last night, I'd have given you a completely different and more concrete answer. It may change now that HDMI has been announced for all PS3 models, or it may not. I will say that after we made our E3 announcements, retailers predominantly opted for the 60 gig model in the US.

We may adjust this. We were looking at predominantly 60 gig models. Of course, once we've shipped units, the consumers will decide.

Will the PS3 include component video cables in the box?

I'm not sure, but I think the answer might be "no."

Ken Kutaragi mentioned at his keynote that you'll be able to download Sega Genesis and Turbo-Grafx 16 games on PS3. Can you say anything more about this?

It's not something we're having ready for day one or anything. It's more like something they're looking into doing. The point is, downloads won't be limited to PlayStation or PS2 games only.

Ken Kutaragi:

(Was accompanied at all times by PR handlers who wouldn't let him answer certain questions)

What's the breakdown of 20 gig vs. 60 gig units for Japan?

(No comment)

Retailers in Japan can set their own price for the 60 gig model. Do you have any indication as to what prices they are considering?

(No comment)

Will there be component cables in the PS3 box?

Kutaragi didn't commit to an answer, but was leaning heavily towards "no."

The PS3 will be region-free. Will this be for packaged games only or also downloadable games?

There are no physical barriers in that case -- only language barriers.

Would that be a "yes"? We'll see whether or not we can download Japanese games in America. I'd be all for it!