Kutaragi on the offensive again over rivals

PS3 News | Sony tells us what he really means.

Even with a console launch a piffling three weeks away, SCE president Ken Kutaragi has once again insisted that Sony couldn't give a monkey's about the performance of Microsoft's Xbox 360 or Nintendo's Wii. During a brief interview with the company's new Three Speech blog, Kutaragi was asked how he thought the PlayStation 3 would manage against its rivals. Quoth Ken: "We don't care."

But that's not quite the end of the story. Concerned that the company could be seen as arrogant and out of touch thanks to Kutaragi's candid views, the blog immediately contacted Sony itself for an explanation of the comment, and a reply was swift. "[Sony] told us that what Ken will have meant is that, while they have a great deal of respect for the 'competition', they have always worked to their own business plan," said the blog. "In essence, regardless of what anyone else does, they'll be sticking to their original plan where PS3 is concerned and won't be changing things, just because company A does this, or company B does that."

Of course, it's not the first time that the Sony boss has been so dismissive of the competition, and it appears that Kutaragi is just as apathetic when it comes to the negative press that has shadowed the PS3 since E3. "It always happens," reflected Kutaragi when asked by Three Speech to comment on the downbeat news stories of the last five months. "When we released the PlayStation and even the PlayStation 2, I didn't see any favourable articles. "Press coverage always said 'PlayStation will fail,' or 'We have lost our momentum,' and blah blah blah. But we have lots of passion and confidence in both the PlayStation 3 hardware, and the software titles being produced for it."

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13 Comments

admeister

5 years ago

"But we have lots of passion and confidence in both the PlayStation 3 hardware, and the software titles being produced for it."

We shall see Kutaragi, we shall see.

Ellegarden

5 years ago

admeister wrote

"But we have lots of passion and confidence in both the PlayStation 3 hardware, and the software titles being produced for it."

We shall see Kutaragi, we shall see.

Considering Famitsu and other analyst are going for sony as shocking as it sounds, I'm kinda believer it'll do well, only if they make the price cut.

5 years ago

Perceived value of the PS3 does not match its stated price. The cost is high AU$1,000 and $120 per game means that if I buy 10 games my average cost is $220 per game - which is a bit rich particularly if there is a few dogs in there. So if I buy 30 games over the life of the PS3 The average becomes a more bearable $153 per game (if they are really really really good). But I've just spent near $5,000. OK I can talk myself into this if I spend this amount over 5 years - but the real problem is will a PS3 last that long? I don't think so and nor does Sony.

Personally, my concern is that Sony has taken a lot of risky component choices with Cell and Blu-ray and is only offering a 12 month warranty (which would be OK for a sub $100 toy). Sony also does not have a good name for making reliable consoles (or batteries, or cameras) so they need to start putting their money where their mouth is and provide a 3 Year Warranty. Particularly if they expect us to spend so much money on a console and games.

Anyhoo That's just my 500,000 cents worth!

5 years ago

I reserve the right to correct myself.

$153 per game is not bearable - I have too many other things to spend hard earned money on. I want a reliable fun console and expect 30 games to average out at $65 - $70 MAX!

mqphu1

5 years ago

WTF $120 per game for 10 games = $220 per game

Man, my 5 years old nephew can do a better average.

Adding $1000 to the average is not valid.

WTF $153 per game average. HAHAHHAHA
You're joking right???

DancesInUnderwear

5 years ago

I don't see how that figure is all that invalid, really. Sice the majority of us would only buy a console for its gaming features (you might use the DVD / BR playback or web browser or whatever, but you probably wouldn't buy a console for it specifically), it makes sense to factor the console price into the average.

rodvcpetrie

5 years ago

The only reason I want to buy a games console is to play games. I don't care about it playing other forms of media as there are other products that cater for that.

One of the main reasons I'm going for the Wii first is because it meets my criteria. I don't care if its graphics aren't as great as the PS3 or X-Box360 (which I will be getting as my second console - PS3 will come third) I just want to play games using that cool wii-mote.

Thats all I ask for and all I need.

Echo

5 years ago

rodvcpetrie wrote

The only reason I want to buy a games console is to play games.

I don't care if its graphics aren't as great as the PS3 or X-Box360

Excatly. I think that graphics are important but nowhere near as important as having a fun game. And i consoles should be consoles i reckon, if you want a dvd player, go buy one..

5 years ago

mqphu1 wrote

I'm not offended by your comment. I understand that everyone makes up their own mind as to the "perceived value" of goods or services.

My perception of PS3 (until changed) is that it is a game console - that is what I am buying (If I purchased it). Your perception of PS3 is obviously different and hence you value it differently and you justify the expenditure differently. I wish you luck with your purchase.

For me Wii looks the better option. It looks like it will deliver the fun. Everything I have seen from Nintendo in the past indicate that Wii will be reliable. If I only need purchase a single $400 console plus $200 in options over the next 5 years of game play then the only question for me is the likelihood of procuring good quality games at $50 each (averaged) over the period. If that means that I'm more or less relegated to 2nd hand titles then I'll still be happy. Just look for me in the Game Trade forum!

mqphu1

5 years ago

Cookie wrote

mqphu1 wrote

I do respect your opinion. True.

If you like Ninty games then Wii is definitely for you. Go for it.
However, don't buy the Wii because you think it is the cheaper alternative
to the PS3.
It is not ! believe me or not.

I like the PS3 because it is a complete package.
Gameplay, graphic, sound, Entertainment, Features and Value for money.

IF gameplay is all you ever wanted then go for the Wii. PERIOD.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

^ I actually did a price comparision in another thread. The Wii is cheaper, by a good $200 USD, plus it has cheaper games as well.

However, the PS3 verses Wii arguement completely stupid until 29? days, when both consoles are out in the wild.

Nev

5 years ago

The thing to remember about pricing - whether it be hardware or software - is that it's never constant.

If the price is putting you off the PS3, then by all means, don't buy one for a year or two. By then, the system will be cheaper, and the better launch titles (Lair, Resistance, Oblivion) will be available for $30-$50, along with a huge line-up of games that take advantage of the hardware and are WORTH the money, or are priced more competitively due to the stronger user base (not many new PS2 titles are released at $100 anymore).

ObsoletE

5 years ago

another thing to throw into the "value-o-matic" is the online service.

especially compared to the XBox 360 and XBox Live.

through the american price scheme, it's only a 4 year lifespan before an XBox 360 + $50/yr Live subscription bridges the gap to the PS3 and it's free Sony Network service.

(yes, i read Penny Arcade, in case you're wondering why you've seen this recently before.)

this obviously won't appease everyone, and won't be enough immediate value for a lot, myself included, but i found it to be an interesting point.

and, of course, it remains to be seen if the Sony Network is all it's cracked up to be, or if it's worth it's "free" tag.

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