Sony struggles to define the PS3 in the appliance and console wars

17 July 2006

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Posted by:Ferry

Kotaku reporter Ashcraft-san has gotten wind of some very interesting internal Sony debates regarding the PS3. Confusion between Sony’s officers and their director Ken Kutaragi clearly resonates with that of gamers and electronic fantatics in “What is the PlayStation 3 really?” Game console, Blu-ray player, Media center or Computer…

To quote the rumblings: “Kutaragi is interested only in consoles and technology. He does not care about the market. Some SCE officers disagree with his approach, feeling that the company should be more market sensitive. Kutaragi does not care. Nintendo has shown that it isn’t only about powerful technology and graphics, but the PS3 isn’t geared for that market at all and is intended for a very specific customer.

Within Sony, the different divisions have discordant views on what the PlayStation 3 actually is. Some divisions view the machine as a game machine, while other divisions view it as a home electronic device (like a TV or a video player). Some SCE officers are worried about hitting the console’s target consumer. As a game machine, it’s very expensive for many players and not exactly something parents would buy for their children. As an electronic device, the inclusion of a game player could be off-turn for those only interested in electronics and Blu-ray. There’s concern within Sony that both groups could be alienated.

It’s not possible for most developers to calculate the cost of making PS3 games. And it doesn’t help that even last month, Sony kept delaying development tools. Many small and medium-sized developers are not making PS3 games, because costs are astronomical. Instead, they are switching to the Wii, the DS and the Xbox 360. Everyone sees developing for the PlayStation 3 as a risk.”