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[Philanthropist]

Never mind...

 

[lupinko]

Dark Mist > Kittonwy

 

[Spike]

What's MS's excuse then since they don't really have anything outside of maybe Too Human hitting right before June?

MS blew their load at the tail end of 2007. But they still have Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, Lost Odyssey, Supreme Commander, Too Human, and Ninja Gaiden 2 as exclusive titles until the early part of June.

Compared to Sony's MLB 08: The Show, HSG5, Haze, and Singstar.

But yes, they're clearly focused on the PS3 being a Blu-Ray player only since games don't sell on it. Like, I mean, Uncharted, Resistance, Motorstorm, CoD4, they didn't sell anywhere near a million copies...

Gamer's Day/E3 is probably going to clear up a lot to people. Winter never was a big time for games on any platform, you had your couple big hits here and there, but Summer/Fall is usually when the onslaught begins, generally around retails more prosperous times.

I didn't say games weren't selling. I said that maybe they were too focused on the battle with HD-DVD and not as focused on the gaming side of things. This will change now.

 

[kevm3]

You got exactly the point. The PS3 is very difficult and expensive to develop for and there is the syndrome N64: few games that comes out very slowly. Maybe great games, but not enough.

And let me say that PS3 will never have an impact on the casual market as the Wii did, simply because every aspect of the console is hardcore-oriented.
Wii, in contrast, has been developed with the casual gaming in mind as main objective.

I agree. You can't just switch the hardcore ps3 into a casual system, and I am grateful that Sony isn't going in that direction, or I may have jumped aboard the 360. I wouldn't mind the lack of releases so much if Sony wasn't being stingy with the media and actually made an effort to keep us in the loop about what's going on.

What are they doing? Are they trying to keep their games secret until they are 'perfect'? By that time, nobody really cares when the game actually comes out. One of the things that really got me hyped about Final Fantasy 7, I remember was the previews that you would see in magazines. Gamefan had that big 7 or so page preview with all that artwork and beautiful screens... This was probably a year before the game actually released. It made the wait for the game VERY hard, which is what a developer wants, and it actually kept me very interested in and talking about the game. With this secrecy strategy, I simply DON'T CARE. I'd love to be hyped about White Knight Story, but I know anything about it... I'd like to really care about Socom, but I don't know any real details about that. It's beneficial keeping gamers up to date on what is going on. This secrecy until we're ready to release the project strategy is retarded. It makes it feel like there's nothing of interest on the horizon.

Here's my strategy:
Why doesn't Sony just make Home a public beta soon so we can have something to talk about, and actually give us BELIEVABLE release dates?

Learn to MARKET your games again. This is what you were really great at during the past two generations. Sony was great at marketing their console in the past. Make sure that people know about your games. How much more would people be interested in Socom if they knew it was going to go back to the gameplay of part 2 with much improved graphics? If gamers could drool over the graphics and the gameplay details, they would be talking about SOMETHING. iIth marketing you want to keep people talking. How much more would people be interested in Killzone if we got a new trailer at GDC and people saw that the graphics are unbeatable and there actually is a promise of great gameplay as well? Waiting until it is close to the release date to show media is retarded, because by that time, Gears of War 2 media will already be coming out. What if media for a game for 360 that we never knew about comes out, that actually has better graphics than Killzone? That hype factor has just been lost. Exploit the level of the game's graphics right now and get people hyped while we're in a dry spell. Keep RPG gamers interested by prodding Level 5 to release more White Knight Story details. Sony, we DON'T WANT PERFECTION. We want something to keep us interested!

- Continue to make an outreach to third party developers. Get their tools up to date to ensure that third party titles are at least AS GOOD, if not better than on 360.

- Honestly WEIGH the choices between investing in a third party title or a first party one. Just because you own the franchise doesn't mean that it's good for you. I know for a fact that GTA helped the PS2 out much more than the Getaway ever did.

 

[Spike]

Uh, what??? Those 4 games have sold more than one million units each. Uncharted has sold well over a million, Resistance and COD4 have sold around 2.5 million copies and MotorStorm has sold around 3 million copies.

Sarcasm.

 

[Mikewarrior]

I predict he will be jobless in one year & go crawling back to Sony - I'm happy, Sony is far better without the likes of him.

 

[h3ro]

Uh, what??? Those 4 games have sold more than one million units each. Uncharted has sold well over a million, Resistance and COD4 have sold around 2.5 million copies and MotorStorm has sold around 3 million copies.

Your sarcasm meter... I think its broken...

 

[Kittonwy]

Compared to Sony's MLB 08: The Show, HSG5, Haze, and Singstar.

A case of poor management of the software schedule.

I didn't say games weren't selling. I said that maybe they were too focused on the battle with HD-DVD and not as focused on the gaming side of things. This will change now.

Phil wasn't involved in the HD format battle, he has his own job to do, which is software development, games weren't coming out on-time, they couldn't provide games throughout the year.

 

[Spike]

What I don't get is the whole "frustration with Sony Japan" thing, Phil is IN CHARGE OF SCEWW, meaning he has final say over everything in first-party development INCLUDING SCEJ, he can fire whichever producer who's not in line with his way of thinking (except for maybe Kazunori). Seriously if I'm the President of SCEWW, and if someone isn't with the program, you know what? I would just get rid of him, put him in a small cubicle until he either quits or kills himself, or both. It is PHIL's job to get SCEJ, SCEA and SCEE development studios on board with his vision, and if they aren't, then he hasn't done his job.

Sony's first-party development has been plagued with delays, slow transition to PS3 and lack of effective marketing. While you can pin the poor marketing on the marketing side (heads should roll there too), when you allowed a game like Heavenly Sword to be delayed and it didn't exactly turn out to be the great game it was supposed to be, a clear mistake in valuing production value over substance, and you've got a game like LAIR which was a disaster, some heads are going to roll.

Problem is that it isn't that easy. He may have the official title, but he cannot just do whatever he sees fit. In these big organizations, you are always accountable to someone else, and no matter the title you wield, before you can do anything, someone higher up has to approve it. This was most likely the same situation with Phil.

 

[Miniboss1232]

Sony has all of these impressive first party titles, but THEY AREN'T SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT THEM and THEY KEEP GETTING DELAYED. All the while, Sony has lost third party exclusives left and right. It now seems Namco is more keen on 360 than the PS3, and they were a longtime Sony stalwart. Honestly, this current policy of losing third party interest, not showing anything on their third party games except rarely and the continual delayal of third party games reminds me of nintendo during the n64 generation. How am I supposed to get excited about gaming on the PS3 if we hardly ever get any new facts on these games and we don't know when they are coming out? Insomniac has been a life saver for the PS3, honestly. They're one of the few Sony exclusive game creators that STICK TO SCHEDULE.

This is all beginning to sound vaguely familiar...

 

[Spike]

A case of poor management of the software schedule.

Agreed.

Phil wasn't involved in the HD formate battle, he has his own job to do, which is software development, games weren't coming out on-time, they couldn't provide games throughout the year.

They still can't provide games, period. And I don't feel that LBP is going to do much to help them this year. MGS4, Resistance 2, and Killzone 2 will help them sell very well, though.

 

[xaosslug]

I predict he will be jobless in one year & go crawling back to Sony - I'm happy, Sony is far better without the likes of him.

considering your postings over the past few days, I'm shocked you haven't been banned already. :lol

 

[Madman]

Wipeout HD is by Liverpool not London. SOHO has done nothing outside of a tech demo.

HOME is not a retail game.

Are you going to argue that the PSP is a more important platform to Sony?

Actually it's pretty logical given that I'm looking at this as an owner of both the PS3 and PSP, it's clear the PS3 is a more important platform in need of games.

I currently own both Folklore and Genji 2, god helps us if you think they're PS3 games in the same way something like Uncharted is.

They SHOULD give PS3 priority, their main studios should be concentrating on the PS3 and the "in the pipeline" excuse just doesn't cut it. It's year 2, release some games already. People can't play what you have "in the pipeline", they can only play what's out, specifically what's coming out in 08, not 09 or 2010.

They are all under one banner, are they not?

It is not a retail game, but it is important nonetheless. The benefit it will bring to games like Warhawk makes it a big name, game or not.

I am arguing that it is at least nearly as important.

And they are making them. Look at how many first/second party PS3 games are coming this year, and look at the amount of PSP games.

How many other games from the first party, Ratchet and Resistance included, are like Uncharted? Genji does better with characters on screen, and Folklore

My whole point is the games are being broken down with a heavy favor towards the PS3. And despite what others are saying, it will have a solid amount of titles throughout the year. They have first party studios making games so they will have a solid amount of content this year. While all their studios won't have games coming this year, I would say they have a sufficient amount of content lined up.

 

[Philanthropist]

Sarcasm.

Your sarcasm meter... I think its broken...

More like I took it out of context as I just really didn't read the post Sorry.

 

[JudgeN]

So what we want is for Sony to just rush out games that aren't ready? I'm all for delays if they are needed to help the game. But I don't want Sony to rush out games because they need to "Pump up" PS3 development. And hell with the way the gaming media is even perfect PS3 games like Uncharted can't even crack a 90% game ranking like they do on other consoles. What do you think rushed games will get?

 

[Mikewarrior]

considering your postings over the past few days, I'm shocked you haven't been banned already. :lol

Yes, because my opinion is so threatening.:lol

 

[Amir0x]

oh jesus, probably one of the lone sane heads at Sony

abandon ship *jumps onto liferaft*

 

[Ghost]

So he slags off SCEI, and rightly implies that he's been trying to push social gaming for years and they've just ignored him, then 2 days later the head of SCEI has his job and he's out on his ass? That's pretty shitty. Hope it works out for Phil, last of the British rulers of gaming :'(

 

[Kagari]

So what we want is for Sony to just rush out games that aren't ready? I'm all for delays if they are needed to help the game. But I don't want Sony to rush out games because they need to "Pump up" PS3 development. And hell with the way the gaming media is even perfect PS3 games like Uncharted can't even crack a 90% game ranking like they do on other consoles. What do you think rushed games will get?

You, sir, speak truth.

 

[Nightz]

So what we want is for Sony to just rush out games that aren't ready? Alright lets do that then, i'm all for delays if they are needed to help the game. But I don't want Sony to rush out games because they need to "Pump up" PS3 development. And hell with the way the gaming media is even perfect PS3 games like Uncharted can't even crack a 90% game ranking like they do on other consoles. What do you think rushed games will get?

Of course games shouldn't be rushed. The thing that would be nice is if Sony actually gave us some info about what's happening with their games. The wait for the games would be so much more bearable if they gave us something (a screenshot, a progress report, a video, whatever) to keep our hype levels up...something that tells us "Hey, we know you want the game now, but we're still working hard on it. Here's something to keep you interested!" or even, "This title is still alive, don't worry!" IMO, as it stands right now, the silence policy about all their projects is hurting them more than it's helping.

 

[SupahBlah]

Liverpool: F1 06 on PSP and PS2, F1: CE on PS3

WipEout Pure and WipEout Pulse (both PSP)

What's up with the new title switching to Infogrames? (yes I know they where old atari)

 

[ROFL]

SCE's heirarchy is not as simplistic as you're speculating, Kitton.
Worldwide can't simply tell what SCEA or SCEJ to do. Worldwide sits kind of parallel with them, not lording over them. Phil probably had more clout at SCEE since it was his "home" but you're simply guessing at how things operate within a such large corporation.

 

[BeeDog]

Of course games shouldn't be rushed. The thing that would be nice is if Sony actually gave us some info about what's happening with their games. The wait for the games would be so much more bearable if they gave us something (a screenshot, a progress report, a video, whatever) to keep our hype levels up...something that tells us "Hey, we know you want the game, but we're still working hard on it. Here's something to keep you interested!" IMO, as it stands right now, the silence policy about all their projects is hurting them more than it's helping.

Exactly what I'm thinking too. For fuck's sake, share some info about GoWIII, the new Syphon Filter, Motorstorm 2, the Heavy Rain(-based) game, etc. etc. Apparently there's so much going on in the background, but at this point, it almost feels like all those apparently awesome projects will be stuck in penumbra.

 

[Raist]

I predict he will be jobless in one year & go crawling back to Sony - I'm happy, Sony is far better without the likes of him.

gtfo

 

[Kittonwy]

They are all under one banner, are they not?

It is not a retail game, but it is important nonetheless. The benefit it will bring to games like Warhawk makes it a big name, game or not.

I am arguing that it is at least nearly as important.

And they are making them. Look at how many first/second party PS3 games are coming this year, and look at the amount of PSP games.

How many other games from the first party, Ratchet and Resistance included, are like Uncharted? Genji does better with characters on screen, and Folklore

My whole point is the games are being broken down with a heavy favor towards the PS3. And despite what others are saying, it will have a solid amount of titles throughout the year. They have first party studios making games so they will have a solid amount of content this year. While all their studios won't have games coming this year, I would say they have a sufficient amount of content lined up.

Liverpool is a different studio than London and they're already doing their second game, Soho and Team Singstar are under the London label, still given the two teams work on completely different games, I don't think I would describe Soho as "busy with Singstar".

I'm not dismissing HOME, but they were supposed to be working on the Getaway and Eight Days, what happened to those games?

Sony's gaming division is still very much based on their home console experience, it's not like PSP is lacking first-party support at this point with GOWCOO, but it's a fact that many of the studios you've listed still haven't produced a single PS3 game.

I think the point is for first-party studios to outdo each other instead of having the idea that "hey we'll never be as good as Uncharted".

I hope they have sufficient content lined-up, and I hope games like Infamous make it this year, they need to start showing some of these games soon.

 

[Kagari]

I predict he will be jobless in one year & go crawling back to Sony - I'm happy, Sony is far better without the likes of him.

Wha... jesus, junior :/ Troll much?

 

[JudgeN]

Of course games shouldn't be rushed. The thing that would be nice is if Sony actually gave us some info about what's happening with their games. The wait for the games would be so much more bearable if they gave us something (a screenshot, a progress report, a video, whatever) to keep our hype levels up...something that tells us "Hey, we know you want the game now, but we're still working hard on it. Here's something to keep you interested!" or even, "This title is still alive, don't worry!" IMO, as it stands right now, the silence policy about all their projects is hurting them more than it's helping.

I understand what your saying but again think about how the gaming media is doing the PS3 right now. You show something that still in the alpha stage and you see a nice write up on gamespot about how GoWIII looks like GoWII, slaming the shit out of the game. Shit I can kinda understand the silent treatment but hey what you going to do. But maybe its just me but i bought maybe 12-13 PS3 games in its first year and i haven't had time to play them all. I welcome these slow times so i can finish some games, most of them were 1st party.

Eye of judgement anyone?

 

[Nizz]

A case of poor management of the software schedule.



Phil wasn't involved in the HD formate battle, he has his own job to do, which is software development, games weren't coming out on-time, they couldn't provide games throughout the year.

This I can agree with. Yes, there are great titles to play on PS3. Could there be more? Of course, there can never be enough games. One thing that bothered me was Phil's seeming indifference in support of third parties. Like when the whole Madden 60fps on 360 vs. 30fps on PS3. When asked about this, his response was to the effect of "Well, we did it" (meaning Sony themselves had accomplished 60fps on their sports title). If you're head of SCEWWS, shouldn't you also be responsive to third party devs' needs in regards to development on PS3. Last year particularly was an absolute joke with many third party releases coming weeks, sometimes months, after the other versions. To top it off, many of those delayed titles often ran worse on the PS3. For fuckin' shame Of the few exclusive titles right now, I've picked up and am enjoying Uncharted. First party games are well done and very enjoyable, but we could use more quality first party titles....

 

[duk]

oh jesus, probably one of the lone sane heads at Sony

abandon ship *jumps onto liferaft*

he jumped into a sinking liferaft? lol

 

[davepoobond]

what the? i dont understand.

 

[Kittonwy]

So he slags off SCEI, and rightly implies that he's been trying to push social gaming for years and they've just ignored him, then 2 days later the head of SCEI has his job and he's out on his ass? That's pretty shitty. Hope it works out for Phil, last of the British rulers of gaming :'(

He is in charge of all development within Sony which means he should have power over every producer even the ones in Japan, he's supposed to work with these producers to push whatever vision he has, it's not like someone can completely ignore Phil.

 

[kevm3]

Exactly what I'm thinking too. For fuck's sake, share some info about GoWIII, the new Syphon Filter, Motorstorm 2, the Heavy Rain(-based) game, etc. etc. Apparently there's so much going on in the background, but at this point, it almost feels like all those apparently awesome projects will be stuck in penumbra.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way. There are so many projects being worked on, but I can't say that I'm excited about them because I don't know anything about them. This is disappointing. Sony is really shooting themselves in the foot with this strategyof secrecy. Not only are gamers being rather apathetic about the games coming out, but they are missing out on a VERY CHEAP way to advertise their machines. Imagine how many more people would be talking about PS3 and even purchasing them right now if they could say, "MAN, I can't wait for that Socom Confrontations! It's going to be Socom 2 with much better graphics and more guns! Wow, I can't believe how good Killzone 2 just looked at GDC. PS3 is a beast! White Knight Story is one of the best looking rpgs I've ever seen!" Instead, when they do choose to release media about the game months on down the line, it may not matter because there may be newer games shown on the 360 that have graphics or gameplay features that are comparable, if not better than those aforementioned titles. SHOW US THE GAMES NOW SONY! We're tired of the waiting game.

 

[belvedere]

Phil should go work at Insomniac.

I hear they treat their people well.

 

[Kittonwy]

This I can agree with. Yes, there are great titles to play on PS3. Could there be more? Of course, there can never be enough games. One thing that bothered me was Phil's seeming indifference in support of third parties. Like when the whole Madden 60fps on 360 vs. 30fps on PS3. When asked about this, his response was to the effect of "Well, we did it" (meaning Sony themselves had accomplished 60fps on their sports title). If you're head of SCEWWS, shouldn't you also be responsive to third party devs' needs in regards to development on PS3. Last year particularly was an absolute joke with many third party releases coming weeks, sometimes months, after the other versions. To top it off, many of those delayed titles often ran worse on the PS3. For fuckin' shame Of the few exclusive titles right now, I've picked up and am enjoying Uncharted. First party games are well done and very enjoyable, but we could use more quality first party titles....

Phil is not in charge of third-party relations AT ALL.

 

[Kagari]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way. There are so many projects being worked on, but I can't say that I'm excited about them because I don't know anything about them. This is disappointing. Sony is really shooting themselves in the foot with this strategyof secrecy. Not only are gamers being rather apathetic about the games coming out, but they are missing out on a VERY CHEAP way to advertise their machines. Imagine how many more people would be talking about PS3 and even purchasing them right now if they could say, "MAN, I can't wait for that Socom Confrontations! It's going to be Socom 2 with much better graphics and more guns! Wow, I can't believe how good Killzone 2 just looked at GDC. PS3 is a beast! White Knight Story is one of the best looking rpgs I've ever seen!" Instead, when they do choose to release media about the game months on down the line, it may not matter because there may be newer games shown on the 360 that have graphics or gameplay features that are comparable, if not better than those aforementioned titles. SHOW US THE GAMES NOW SONY! We're tired of the waiting game.

I'd like to see more on the upcoming games too... but the question is, when are they going to show/announce them? Sony Gamer Day? But when is that?

 

[Lightning]

I predict he will be jobless in one year & go crawling back to Sony - I'm happy, Sony is far better without the likes of him.

WTF? That has to be one of the dumbest posts ever....

Phil Harrison deserves the respect of every Playstation gamer as he has earned it. He is the one mature level headed figure at Sony who was genuinely connected with gamers. This news sucks for Sony.... totally SUCKS!

 

[Mikewarrior]

he jumped into a sinking liferaft? lol

lol, exactly - Atari is in a no win situation to stay afloat.

 

[Kittonwy]

SCE's heirarchy is not as simplistic as you're speculating, Kitton.
Worldwide can't simply tell what SCEA or SCEJ to do. Worldwide sits kind of parallel with them, not lording over them. Phil probably had more clout at SCEE since it was his "home" but you're simply guessing at how things operate within a such large corporation.

Well then who should I blame? Heads need to roll. Should I start calling for the head of Allan Becker? Who's the producer for Sony London? Let me sharpen my axe.

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO1!!!!

Well this sucks, one less person i will actually be able to understand at E3, not cool.

Poor old Kaz isgonna have a MASSIVE work load now.

 

[Nightz]

Phil should go work at Insomniac.

I hear they treat their people well.

Having Phil on the Full Moon Show, or even seeing him singing and dancing in a recruitment video would be awesome. :lol

 

[Nizz]

Phil is not in charge of third-party relations AT ALL.

He has nothing to do with third party relations?

 

[SupahBlah]

T One thing that bothered me was Phil's seeming indifference in support of third parties. Like when the whole Madden 60fps on 360 vs. 30fps on PS3. When asked about this, his response was to the effect of "Well, we did it" (meaning Sony themselves had accomplished 60fps on their sports title). If you're head of SCEWWS, shouldn't you also be responsive to third party devs' needs in regards to development on PS3.

Being head of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, IE head of internal development means he wasn't in charge of third party relations so its not like any of this was his problem. :lol

 

[Kagari]

He has nothing to do with third party relations?

No.

 

[Mikewarrior]

Phil Harrison deserves the respect of every Playstation gamer as he has earned it. He is the one mature level headed figure at Sony who was genuinely connected with gamers. This news sucks for Sony.... totally SUCKS!

I remember him directly lying to his fans "purposely" about real time gameplay when it wasn't. I can't respect that.

 

[Kittonwy]

He has nothing to do with third party relations?

No, he's only in charge of FIRST-PARTY development, which means he's not even supposed to give a fuck what framerate Madden runs at on the PS3.

 

[Madman]

Liverpool is a different studio than London and they're already doing their second game, Soho and Team Singstar are under the London label, still given the two teams work on completely different games, I don't think I would describe Soho as "busy with Singstar".

I'm not dismissing HOME, but they were supposed to be working on the Getaway and Eight Days, what happened to those games?

Sony's gaming division is still very much based on their home console experience, it's not like PSP is lacking first-party support at this point with GOWCOO, but it's a fact that many of the studios you've listed still haven't produced a single PS3 game.

I think the point is for first-party studios to outdo each other instead of having the idea that "hey we'll never be as good as Uncharted".

I hope they have sufficient content lined-up, and I hope games like Infamous make it this year, they need to start showing some of these games soon.

If I didn't lump studios together, it would get very confusing. Then I would have to start breaking it down with stuff like Insomniac Ratchet team and Insomniac Resistance team.

According to Surfer Girl, G3 is coming this year and Eight Days next. But I thought 8 Days was a different studio...

4 if you say that Cambridge hasn't. Many more have released titles and Killzone is supposedly coming this year.

I would say that Folklore was definitely a great game. It's longer then Uncharted.

I agree. We'll just have to wait and see.

I'm going to dowload/play the Lego UT3 map, so I'll drop out here.

 

[WinFonda]

Damn it, Phil. Will miss ya buddy.

 

[duk]

I remember him directly lying to his fans "purposely" about real time gameplay when it wasn't. I can't respect that.

Wasn't that on G4 TV E2005 coverage in an interview?

 

[Kittonwy]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO1!!!!

Well this sucks, one less person i will actually be able to understand at E3, not cool.

Poor old Kaz isgonna have a MASSIVE work load now.

I suspect people like Shuhei Yoshida/Connie Booth do a lot of the day-to-day work.

 

[Brianemone]

There have beena few big moves in the last few months but considering the amount of time he has been at Sony this is the most notable.

To go to Atari would be madness