Sony getting out of video games hardware? (salt pls)

duk · (11-30-2006, 09:39 PM)

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/f6728ed8-809...0779e2340.html

Quote:

Ken Kutaragi, the maverick Sony engineer behind all three generations of PlayStation games consoles, will on Friday become chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment in a management reshuffle that could foreshadow the company’s exit from video games hardware.
...

Analysts said that Mr Hirai’s promotion to a global role at SCE could mark a critical shift in management thinking, with Sony changing its emphasis so that the current generation of games console will be its last as a hardware manufacturer.

“The appointment of Hirai could be the start of a shift from hardware to software,” said Yuta Sakurai, an analyst at Nomura. “I cannot now imagine a PlayStation4.”

Mr Sakurai said that Mr Hirai’s new global portfolio puts a predominantly software-focused manager in charge of the company, adding that SCE’s future would be shaped by Mr Hirai’s relationship with Phil Harrison, the president of SCE’s worldwide studios.

Analysts argue that while Mr Kutaragi, a brilliant engineer, was the right man to run SCE as a hardware powerhouse, Sony may now see better opportunities as a pure maker of games.

Yeah right, after PS1 and PS2's success.

Vark · (11-30-2006, 09:41 PM)

oh internet. You so crazy!

Defcon · (11-30-2006, 09:41 PM)

Isn't the Playstation brand the only thing keeping Sony afloat?

brocke · (11-30-2006, 09:41 PM)

dude this was posted like 3 times already.

pol's voice · (11-30-2006, 09:42 PM)

If PS3 is a big disappointment, it isn't unforseeable that Sony would pull out of hardware manufacturing.

chespace · (11-30-2006, 09:42 PM)

Sony third party confirmed at last.

pol's voice · (11-30-2006, 09:43 PM)

Originally Posted by Defcon:

Isn't the Playstation brand the only thing keeping Sony afloat?

It's a double-edged sword, because it could end up being the thing that sinks them.

Forsete · (11-30-2006, 09:43 PM)

Originally Posted by Defcon:

Isn't the Playstation brand the only thing keeping Sony afloat?

True... in fanboy land.

Proelite · (11-30-2006, 09:43 PM)

Originally Posted by chespace:

Sony third party confirmed at last.

When is Microsoft going third party? Afterall, their Xbox division is not really in the greenlight either,and they are, at heart, a software company.

CrushDance · (11-30-2006, 09:43 PM)

I'm a N-bot, I call this news as a D-. No way Sony will leave, and even if they did its not like it would suddenly go over well with many people. I see Microsoft leaving before Sony does. The thing though is Sony is basically Nintendo but to a larger degree, Microsoft is a completely different type of company. They do everything while Nintendo and Sony mostly focus on hardware. I admit the lackluster sales of Sony hardware(Not video games) is a bit troublesome but I'm sure Sony will rebound.

TO reiterate, I see MS execs leaving if 360 gets 3d place or doesn't make a big dent/

-edit- To the guy who said the PS brand is the only thing keeping Sony afloat, you really need to take a look at yourself my man. Thats like saying "The only thing keeping Microsoft afloat is Zune"

Vilix · (11-30-2006, 09:43 PM)

LMAO. Oh, this is rich. The Playstation and Sony's financial company are the only things that are keeping Sony afloat.

westical · (11-30-2006, 09:43 PM)

So with Nintendo doomed as well (as per popular belief around here), that just leaves Microsoft!

Shawn · (11-30-2006, 09:44 PM)

lol

Sony getting out of the video game hardware business is not gonna happen.

Stitch · (11-30-2006, 09:45 PM)

it's over! sony is finished!

Branduil · (11-30-2006, 09:45 PM)

SONY IS DOOMED is the new NINTENDO IS DOOMED.

arne · (11-30-2006, 09:45 PM)

I respect the FT quite a bit, but I don't understand where the speculation comes from in the article. They're usually not so prone to making those kinds of jumps in logic iirc even if they are quoting someone else.

pol's voice · (11-30-2006, 09:45 PM)

Sega will never go third party.

Morbid Angel · (11-30-2006, 09:45 PM)

Originally Posted by Shawn:

lol

Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft getting out of the video game hardware business is not gonna happen.

Fixt :)

chespace · (11-30-2006, 09:46 PM)

Originally Posted by Proelite:

When is Microsoft going third party? Afterall, their Xbox division is not really in the greenlight either,and they are, at heart, a software company.

Stay on topic!

You love software companies. Love 'em.

Cheeto · (11-30-2006, 09:46 PM)

Dreamcast 2 confirmed.

Milhouse31 · (11-30-2006, 09:46 PM)

hahaha crazy analyst

BlueTsunami · (11-30-2006, 09:46 PM)

Its like swatting flies!

Karma Kramer · (11-30-2006, 09:46 PM)

Wait wtf is going on here?

Bebpo · (11-30-2006, 09:46 PM)

Sony + MS merger FTW!

One technology-pushing system that's released under the Xbox brand in the US and the PS brand in Japan!

CrushDance · (11-30-2006, 09:46 PM)

Originally Posted by Branduil:

SONY IS DOOMED is the new NINTENDO IS DOOMED.

Vyer · (11-30-2006, 09:48 PM)

Originally Posted by Branduil:

SONY IS DOOMED is the new NINTENDO IS DOOMED.

It's all come full circle.

BulletSmoke · (11-30-2006, 09:48 PM)

Won't happen, there's just too much money there to walk away from. They surely wouldn't leave and let MS and Nintendo reap the rewards.

Not a Sony fanboy but if your last 2 systems sell 200+ mil combined, why would you leave?

BlueTsunami · (11-30-2006, 09:49 PM)

Originally Posted by Bebpo:

Sony + MS merger FTW!

One technology-pushing system that's released under the Xbox brand in the US and the PS brand in Japan!

I actually wouldn't mind MS and Sony working on a joint venture when it comes too consoles. Not at all

Graf Nudu · (11-30-2006, 09:49 PM)

newspaper-guy: "Time to to confuse the nerds" *typing* "..a management reshuffle that could foreshadow the company’s exit from video games hardware." YEAH THAT WILL WORK!!

Methodis · (11-30-2006, 09:52 PM)

As soon as Casino Royale get's those Oscars that are pretty much promised to it (Unless we get another 90% + movie this year) then Sony's reliance on the PS3 (Which was never true) is going to be minimal. Sony got VERY LUCKY with Casino Royale.

gth · (11-30-2006, 09:53 PM)

Originally Posted by Defcon:

Isn't the Playstation brand the only thing keeping Sony afloat?

No.

rubso · (11-30-2006, 09:53 PM)

:O BELIEVE!

PistolGrip · (11-30-2006, 09:54 PM)

This just in Toyota to get out of the car making business and just sell parts to GM

PkunkFury · (11-30-2006, 09:54 PM)

Perhaps if they really did shuffle Kutaragi out and Kaz in because of Kaz strength in the software department, it is not because they are going third party, which is obviously not happening, but because they are realising a strong software approach may be the key to wining consumers in this market. The PSP and PS3 were both hardware powerhouse machines, and getting them to market invovled a lot of pain. In the meantime, Sony are watching the DS sell boat loads on brain games, Microsoft ride the success of thier online approach, and the Wii win people over with simple sports games.

Perhaps Sony have decided to shift focus from hardware to software, particulalry now that they have two almost future proof hardware devices on the market

Defcon · (11-30-2006, 09:54 PM)

Originally Posted by Methodis:

As soon as Casino Royale get's those Oscars that are pretty much promised to it (Unless we get another 90% + movie this year) then Sony's reliance on the PS3 (Which was never true) is going to be minimal. Sony got VERY LUCKY with Casino Royale.

Films don't recieve Oscars based on their Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Bebpo · (11-30-2006, 09:54 PM)

Originally Posted by BlueTsunami:

I actually wouldn't mind MS and Sony working on a joint venture when it comes too consoles. Not at all

Yeah, I think 3 systems + 2 handhelds is just a bit overboard for the industry. Since Sony and MS basically think the same and have the same goals it'd make sense for them to throw off their pride and work together for a single console. Nintendo can never merge with either of them because Nintendo's vision is a 180 from Sony or MS.

Dr. Kitty Muffins · (11-30-2006, 09:54 PM)

Man this article is really a reach.

Sony would be stupid to try a 3DO style business model (which is what would be the most likely hardware "exit" strategy come PS4 time). A total withdrawal would be even worse IMO.

Sony is not leaving the hardware business anytime soon.

DarienA · (11-30-2006, 09:55 PM)

No one can f'n search around here... it's incredible... absolutely incredible...

cartman414 · (11-30-2006, 09:55 PM)

Originally Posted by BulletSmoke:

Won't happen, there's just too much money there to walk away from. They surely wouldn't leave and let MS and Nintendo reap the rewards.

Not a Sony fanboy but if your last 2 systems sell 200+ mil combined, why would you leave?

If you lose too much money to continue in said industry. Not to say that that's guaranteed to happen

seattle6418 · (11-30-2006, 09:58 PM)

so microsoft went to japan and not only bought a few developers, but also those smart "videogame analysts"?

BenjaminBirdie · (11-30-2006, 09:58 PM)

Originally Posted by Methodis:

As soon as Casino Royale get's those Oscars that are pretty much promised to it (Unless we get another 90% + movie this year) then Sony's reliance on the PS3 (Which was never true) is going to be minimal. Sony got VERY LUCKY with Casino Royale.

Wow, I quite enjoyed sitting on the sidelines of your posts today but this one I've just got to stand up and gawp at.

It's Scorcese's year. And if it's not, than it's the Fresh Prince...OF OSCAR. (Or Bobby.) No way no how is Casino effing Royale getting Best Picture Of The Year.

(But then....Crash won last year...yikes.)

koam · (11-30-2006, 09:58 PM)

Why on earth would the market leader leave the market? This news is plain retarded.

allegate · (11-30-2006, 09:59 PM)

Originally Posted by Methodis:

As soon as Casino Royale get's those Oscars that are pretty much promised to it (Unless we get another 90% + movie this year) then Sony's reliance on the PS3 (Which was never true) is going to be minimal. Sony got VERY LUCKY with Casino Royale.

...

what?

citrus lump · (11-30-2006, 09:59 PM)

Originally Posted by CrushDance:

-edit- To the guy who said the PS brand is the only thing keeping Sony afloat, you really need to take a look at yourself my man. Thats like saying "The only thing keeping Microsoft afloat is Zune"

I was under the impression the PS division was the only one in the black.

PistolGrip · (11-30-2006, 10:00 PM)

Why would the leader of an industry with the number one brand in world stop making it's products? I guess Apple is getting out of the MP3 player business since it has new compeititon.

Raistlin · (11-30-2006, 10:00 PM)

Originally Posted by PkunkFury:

Perhaps Sony have decided to shift focus from hardware to software, particulalry now that they have two almost future proof hardware devices on the market

That is my guess as well.

Methodis · (11-30-2006, 10:01 PM)

Originally Posted by BenjaminBirdie:

Wow, I quite enjoyed sitting on the sidelines of your posts today but this one I've just got to stand up and gawp at.

It's Scorcese's year. And if it's not, than it's the Fresh Prince...OF OSCAR. (Or Bobby.) No way no how is Casino effing Royale getting Best Picture Of The Year.

(But then....Crash won last year...yikes.)

Bobby has been getting bad reviews across the board; sorry. And The Departed won't win. The academy won't give Scorcese a oscar for a remake of a korean film.

Casino Royale is in the best position to take home MANY catergory's. Best Actor, Best Film, Best Sound whatever.

LOCK · (11-30-2006, 10:03 PM)

I love Gaf

brocke · (11-30-2006, 10:04 PM)

Originally Posted by DarienA:

No one can f'n search around here... it's incredible... absolutely incredible...

yeah this thread had about 2 incarnations already that both got locked.

MickeyKnox · (11-30-2006, 10:04 PM)

didn't we just have this thread?