E3 06: Microsoft responds to Sony conference

MGS general manager Shane Kim says press event yielded no big news; "we didn't see anything new or innovative."

LOS ANGELES--It's only Monday of the E3 week, but there have already been plenty of newsworthy events. Sony held its annual pre-E3 conference this afternoon, and two vital pieces of information were divulged. The PlayStation 3 will make its debut on November 11 in Japan, and will also be released in North America, Europe, and Oceania on November 17. The system will come in two iterations: the $499 model that comes with a 20GB hard drive and a $599 model that comes with a 60GB hard drive.

This year's E3 has been hyped as a battle between "The Big Three," but much of the focus has been on the war between Sony and Microsoft, who many believe are competing for the same audience.

Shortly after the Sony conference, GameSpot News spoke with Shane Kim, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios, to get his company's impressions of its rival's media event.

Kim's overall feeling of the event was that he was fairly unimpressed. "There wasn't much news. We didn't see anything really new or innovative," he said. "There's a pretty significant price differential between the two." Currently, the premium Xbox 360 pack, which comes with a 20GB hard drive, is $399, versus Sony's $599 60GB hard drive system.

There was a lot of talk about Microsoft's month-long global launch, which many didn't deem as "successful." Sony will be attempting an even harder task, hitting three major markets in less than a week.

"We know how difficult a global launch is," Kim said. Kim pointed out how Sony will need to launch with an all-new online functionality, and how Microsoft has been working with Xbox Live for more than five years. "There wasn't much talk about their online strategy," he said, reflecting on the conference. "It's going to be difficult for them."

As for the PS3's new motion-sensitive controller? "We tried that five or six years ago with the Freestyle Pro," he said. "It worked well for a few games, but it wasn't a general purpose controller. It seems as though they were taking a page from Nintendo's book [in reference to the Wii's controller], but Nintendo is more innovative."

As for Nintendo, which holds its press conference tomorrow morning, Kim believes that "their strategy and focus marries well into their history. They're looking more at a niche group."

When asked about Microsoft's pre-E3 press conference, Kim wouldn't reveal any secrets, but was giddy with excitement. "You won't want to miss it," he warned.

250 Comments

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Aug 25, 2006 12:47 am PT

    interesting.....

  • spidyyang

    Posted May 23, 2006 11:20 am PT

    OMG (insert console) ROX!!! (insert console) IS LAME, HAXORS etc etc

    does anyone else hear this? or is it just me? iv watched all three conferences, and i thought all three had their unique points. Wii of course being their slick new remote control, 360 for their whole online/mobile integration. Now why didnt i mention ps3? because ps3 was more detail than show. This, to me, really expressed the fact that PS3 is something that you won't appreciate till you can see what it can do. Wii-motion is something thats quite cool...but also not new. Iv seen games that use pointer technology(timecrisis?) and even games more advanced that incorporate body movement. The Microsoft plays on its online capabilities...however my computer can do this? I see many posts around that scream for WoW to be ported to 360...but then tats just porting games from PC, thus having 2 computers isnt it? At the basis, you have to see that Microsoft builds computer software as their streamline, only going into console recently. PS3 indeed copies technology, but so does Wii(lol, microsoft just buys everything >.>). And the price? this is why im starting a job soon, as a PS3 has motivated me into getting a job. Working, believe it or not, is GOOD for u

  • mgsseries4life

    Posted May 13, 2006 4:55 pm PT

    Actually Sony helps us save some money cause instead of buying the Wii for its controller and the Xbox360 for xbox live, now we can buy one wonderful console with all in one and more!! this time, like before, SONY is going to own every other company out there!! ALL HAIL PS3!!!

    .........................................................MGS4 ROCKS!!.............................................

  • mgsseries4life

    Posted May 13, 2006 4:38 pm PT

    Sony owns, PS3 owns.... MGS4 rocks, and also the Sony press confrence.

  • Mantis-A

    Posted May 10, 2006 8:16 am PT

    yeah like sony is some big copy cat right, are you hearing what your saying.

    -sony was the first console that used cd for games
    -sony was the first console to put dvd players in there consoles
    -sony was the first console to have great Peripherals such as eyetoy and singstar
    -now sony is the first console to use blue-ray discs.

    oh yeah your right sony is a copycat (sarcastic voice)

    your nothing but an xbox fanboy spreading your poison

  • Mantis-A

    Posted May 10, 2006 7:26 am PT

    the same thing could be said about the 360

  • passentry

    Posted May 10, 2006 5:58 am PT

    Kim's right about one thing though... Sony's plagiarism shows us that they (Sony) have the technology but not the ideas.

  • KingKrisis

    Posted May 10, 2006 2:40 am PT

    and really , i keep hearing. copy and no originality from alot of 360 fanatics. so i propose this question to them , whats so new about the 360? , whats so original about the 360?

  • KingKrisis

    Posted May 10, 2006 2:32 am PT

    again with the whole PS3 controller thing , well no duh..really... its not suppose to be the Nintendo Wii's controller. its just a add on function , its suppose to be a gaming controller and that is exactly what it is..sheesh some people are really thick.

    and thank you for the people who agree on the PS3 price thing , basic package is $500. You can make over $800 in a couple of weeks..rather then sitting around all summer , get a job and work for it. It's called the way of life.

  • GeeverTidus

    Posted May 10, 2006 2:28 am PT

    its not surprising shane commented negatively on PS3's conference...he had to do it... coz xBOX360 is very far behind the capabilities of this "TRULY NEXT GEN CONSOLE" w/c is the PS3 offcourse.... and i greatly believe SONY will still lead coz fanbase alone will make them be on top... I'm a PS fanboy bcoz they deserve my respect. CONGRATS inadvance for SonY still the Leader in Console Industry.

  • The_Code

    Posted May 10, 2006 2:00 am PT

    Im seeing sony try to counter there opponents by coping them and then adding one detail that makes it more interesting such as PS3 only being like live but free thats calld copying where there controller is like the Wii controller but et isnt a complete change making it good but not Revolutionary but none the less is close enought to copying there opponents. The PS3 has yet to show me anythin new and original that makes it better than the others all they have done is take both the Wii and 360s biggest points and use them in there system i want to see originality sony not copies.

  • satherial

    Posted May 10, 2006 1:13 am PT

    sony announced price, controller(which is pimp), and some pretty sweet franchises. new FF, MGS4, and a buncha new titles like heavenly sword. innovations? i know that eyetoy card game looks cheesey, but the eyetoy in itself is one of the most innovative pieces of tech. it's simple, but clean. nintendo's only impressive(my opinion, so dun kill me), is Zelda..and Microsoft had Halo3..i think overall, this E3 was lackluster. we got some little bits of info, but nothing Killzone(of last year) worthy. eh, tokyo game show, here we come.

  • mgsseries4life

    Posted May 9, 2006 10:30 pm PT

    PS3 owns!!! it's not that expensive considering all it's funtionalities!!! it's hot, and i'm gonna get rid of my 360 and get a PS3!! Sony here i come!!

  • goclippers89

    Posted May 9, 2006 10:07 pm PT

    Seriously, guys who are complaining about the price of the ps3, don't buy it then. Let people who have hd systems and are smart enough to save money to buy it. Spare us your idotic, general remarks. This bashing/name-calling of alll systems is really annoying. Also it's really annoying when people say "omg sony is copying microsoft and nintendo!!! omgomgomgomg " That's like saying toyota and honda are dumb because they copied the model T, i mean why can't they be original a make a floating car......

    please read this and you'll see that the price isn't "OUTRAGEOUS"

    http://www.gamespot.com/forums/show_msgs.php?board_id=909102863&topic_id=24604913

  • gamer3320022002

    Posted May 9, 2006 8:56 pm PT

    I think Sony has made a mistake by making the PS3 so expensive if you think about it how and the world do they expect people to pay $500 or $600 then buy a game thats going to probably be $60+TAX, where looking at a pretty penny there. Most gamers like myself don't have that much money to spend all at once. I think they may have gave Microsoft and maybe even Nintendo a fighting chance to stay on top of there game.

  • jthechosenone

    Posted May 9, 2006 8:47 pm PT

    Wutever MS and Nintendo people, MS and Nintendo. Sony failed. I saw all 3 and Sony was really boring. MS and Wii had good stuff. All i saw from Sony was unfinished games and an expesive system. And a controller with a useless function.

  • stephbm6

    Posted May 9, 2006 8:17 pm PT

    freaky then don't buy a ps3! thats one more for me to get $600.00 it's that much GET A JOB!!! if $600.00 is too much go back to school and get a better job

  • IsmirZone

    Posted May 9, 2006 8:13 pm PT

    freaky_dallas14 - 10% of us can see things that clearly.

  • NeoJedi

    Posted May 9, 2006 8:13 pm PT

    Can you just feel how Microsoft is jealous of Sony?

  • freaky_dallas14

    Posted May 9, 2006 8:04 pm PT

    "No, in fact the x360 doesnt even require the use of the hd-dvd add-on. Eventually people will purchase either blu-ray or hd-dvd drives for there pc's, in which media can be streamed Via the media center capabilties.So who has the advantage now?"

    yes, the people who buy the 399$ 360 AND the 599$ HD-DVD player are much better off than the people who only had to buy a 599$ ps3

  • gizmo_logix

    Posted May 9, 2006 6:43 pm PT

    The xternal HD drive for the 360 sounds like a good idea now. But having Blu-Ray built-in will pay off later.

    Do any of you xbox fan boys think that the PS3 will cost $599.00 forever? Nope! Come late 2007, expect a price drop. And as the price gets cheaper, the value gets better.

    Sony already said that they would work to get component cost down after the release. Jan 2008, the PS3 will cost below 399.00. And if the 360 is at 299.00 or at 249.00. So what? The PS3 will still give you better value. And I'm talking about the HDMI/60GB version will cost 399.00. The 20GB version will even cost less.

  • Devilwillcry

    Posted May 9, 2006 6:38 pm PT

    like M$ did anything that great. they were the crappiest press confrence. lets see what happens when the PS3 and Wii crush the 360 in sales in japan......micrososft...geez.....what a bunch of pathetic loosers.

  • XAF1

    Posted May 9, 2006 6:36 pm PT

    I'm sorry guys but I agree with Shane Kim aswell. When it comes down to it the press conference wasn't all that impressive last night considering how long it lasted. It's all about the games and mainly we saw a great deal of video footage of works in progress and a few playable games that looked like they had some issues. Also the controller seemed a little clumsy. My other question was why did Sony even offer a 20GB hard drive when clearly they could have done better when I look at the $100 bucks I footed for the 40GB PS2 Hard Drive. As far as Nintendo goes everyone in the industry ---except maybe Sony--- has always had a great deal of respect for the Big N's creativity. It is just that Nintendo's methods of reaching their goals sometime are somewhat unique. Sony really didn't say anything about their online structure that helped one to understand what they are trying to do. It spent more time talking about the other things it will be trying to sell you. Also the Blu-Ray is a neat feature to consider, but I'd rather not have my movie money cutting into my gaming money. Blu-Ray movies are not going to be cheap and you can bet that the games on Blu-Ray disc won't be either. The Ps3 will be a success considering that Sony is basically giving it away looking at a long term earning plan. At a loss of about $300 to $500 on each system they have to pray that people will buy the sysem. Microsoft's idea of an external HD-DVD drive isn't too bad at least 360 gamers get a choice. To be honest I just want great games and I believe excellent developers who know what they are doing can deliver without wasting disc space. I will really hold my full conclusion until Sony has released the system and lets it prove its self.

  • gizmo_logix

    Posted May 9, 2006 6:31 pm PT

    The reason that M$ complemented Nintendo is becaues they are NOT a THREAT! Wake up! they are not "being nice" or "friendly." They are playing politics! It's all PR bunk!

    If Nintendo ever threatend M$ like Sony is doing they would bash them faster than you can shake a Wii controller.

    For all you xbox fan boys! Just wait...come November, 17th 2006. You will all be crying like Billy Boy babies because PS3s will be flying off the shelves and the games will be 6 more months improved due to development tool updates and fine tuning.

  • gizmo_logix

    Posted May 9, 2006 6:25 pm PT

    Krimson316, would you pull your head out of your posterior...you keep saying that no one in Japan or US or EUROPE will pay $499 or $599....

    Please stop telling us what we will and wont do.

    If you don't want to get a PS3 (xbox fan boy?), good. Get out of here!

  • KingKrisis

    Posted May 9, 2006 6:24 pm PT

    i completely agree , get over the price thing. all these people boo hoo'ing about the price , and why do I keep hearing $700?? thats the premium packedge!

    compare the 360s premium to the basic PS3 , you get alot more out of hte basic PS3.
    Next-Gen gaming console + Blu-Ray player? + same size HD as the 360's premium + free online system.

    And quite frankly the 360 was a real let down for me , i mean..im not trying to bash it or anything. but whats so great about it? I mean i would really like a straight up answer whats so great about the 360?

    I personally enjoyed the PS conference , i enjoyed the fact i will be able to download old PSone games on to my PSP. the connectivity between PSP and PS3 is huge. the potentcial for the eyetoy is very big as well.

    Sony's really pushing out some great stuff and all most you can do is moop about price. The MS conference wasn't that impressive either , couple of flashy games and what else? that was it .

  • riskbreaker419

    Posted May 9, 2006 6:02 pm PT

    Everyone really needs to get over this price thing. Seriously, think about it.

    If, for instance, you were to build a computer with those same specs it would cost in the thousands! PS3 for $500 is a steal; I don't doubt Sony's going to be feeling the hit also with every console sale starting out but the consoles aren't where the companies make the profits.

  • Kwzy

    Posted May 9, 2006 6:01 pm PT

    SONY conference was great!!!
    microsoft is afraid of what SONY is bringing....
    and please, Nintendo, stop crying... if you stop crying and start to make good games... things will change!! but until there... SONY RULES

  • riskbreaker419

    Posted May 9, 2006 5:59 pm PT

    You know, Microsoft was right. No new news. PS2 continues to be the top selling console every week.

  • WEIRDEXPONENT

    Posted May 9, 2006 5:27 pm PT

    Hmmm... THE PRI*CE will be this at first... minimum $500, plus 2 games, and a controller.... that's over $700 bucks if you want one right away! MGS... looks cool, but damn... I'm not feeling anything else.

  • Dark_Link657

    Posted May 9, 2006 4:34 pm PT

    Quite frankly, I think he's right in a couple of ways. First off, SONY's conference was a disappointment. Other than MGS4, it was bare. Oh thanks SONY, I have to either pay $500-$600 or wait like 2 years for your console that does imitate its competitors. Sorry for venting, but Microsoft has a point. However, point well taken about innovation. Microsoft didn't really show any "innovation". I tip off my hat towards NIntendo.

  • ultimate_zero

    Posted May 9, 2006 4:16 pm PT

    Some people are retarded, they think eveything is copying... think of it this way... its like someone baking a chocolate cookie for the first time, its good and people like it, so someone else finds a recipe and starts makin it him/her selves, theres nothin wrong wit that. and that guy is stupid, I don't care what he thinks about Sony, the only reason why i bet he said it is cause he's competing with them, if he was working for sony, it woulda been different.... Microsoft Conference had nothin either, atleast Sony had good information...like the ps3 price point, now i know how much i should save.

  • troakun

    Posted May 9, 2006 4:03 pm PT

    Why must bigwigs hate each other so... It sets such a bad example to the impressionable fanboys.

  • Mindphaser

    Posted May 9, 2006 3:47 pm PT

    UMCP you are a moron and your Apple logo PROVES IT!

  • chinesehaohot

    Posted May 9, 2006 3:22 pm PT

    Wow microsoft's presentation really rocked! They showed Halo3.....footage.....HD-DVD.......oh and GTA 4...............................and.........................Wait a minute, I throught they said innovation. Where are all the good new stuff? LOL talking about a boring presentation. Well at least they did better than last E3 (OUCH)

  • Pablo620

    Posted May 9, 2006 3:19 pm PT

    What do you expect a M$ guy to say about Sony

  • eddiephlash

    Posted May 9, 2006 3:02 pm PT

    "There wasn't much news. We didn't see anything really new or innovative" regarding ps3?

    talk about some awesome irony there. cause halo is new, and yay we get gta!!! (so does ps3....)

  • ocdog45

    Posted May 9, 2006 2:47 pm PT

    drinking that haterade huh

  • edub30

    Posted May 9, 2006 2:35 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • henry4th

    Posted May 9, 2006 2:32 pm PT

    Heck... didn't microsoft take a page from sony and nintendo about the console gaming business in the first place?

    Sony offered not much of surprise, nor will xbox 360 though. Let's see, halo 3.. not a surprise, HD drive, not a surprise. More games.. doh.. of course. If Xbox 360 bet everything on Halo 3, that'd be a big mistake. After all, the first two halos didn't get xbox to out sell PS2. I don't see how Halo 3 will do it...

  • edub30

    Posted May 9, 2006 2:27 pm PT

    So one thing I have to say about Sony press conference yesterday in regards to many people feeling underwhelmed is that people have to remember where each console's strenghts come from. Shane Kim is head of MGS, which is Microsoft's in-house programming company. Microsoft's hottest property, Halo, is a first-party game that is licensed by the company itself. The reason that Sony didn't have all that great a showing is that it gets its from third-party contributors. Case in point is that fact that they couldn't show off much of the big name titles like the new FFXIII or MGS4 because both SquareEnix and Konami were having press conferences of there own where they would be showing them off. I think that Sony's press conference was a success even if the only major news we got was the release date of the two iterations of PS3, as well as the final design of the controller. And I don't really care if Sony IS copying Nintendo's Wii controller with its motion senors; I've gotten used to the dual analog controller and I'm happy to see that the design is still pretty much the same. Plus, you can't complain with WiFi.

  • Zoidster

    Posted May 9, 2006 2:24 pm PT

    Hmmm, isnt it interesting how Microsofts demos were mainly pre-rendered and they also showed a lack of innovation!

  • pepechidoone

    Posted May 9, 2006 2:16 pm PT


    LinkErdrich
    I loved Nintendo's comments about Sony's controller offering six-degrees, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flatery"
    The gaming industry's been imitating Nintendo for 20 years now from controller design, d-pads, shoulder buttons, analog sticks, rumble features, now motion sensitivity.
    STill I feel like MS does about Sony's press confrence: underwhelmed
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    i'm agree wiith U

  • _Sora_777

    Posted May 9, 2006 1:54 pm PT

    As much as I believe (along with a big portion of the gaming community) that Sony is being stupid with its copycat like ways, you can't deny that the new controller is better than a boomerang. I'd rather have a cheap imitation job than a controller that doesn't even fit in my hands.

    Plus, sometimes you need to mimic to surpass, and if it works, it works. Great.

  • Rtisan

    Posted May 9, 2006 1:53 pm PT

    Sony needs online functionality to compete!

  • TooDamnRaw

    Posted May 9, 2006 1:47 pm PT

    Microsoft to me had the best presentation, and believe me, I'm no fan boy. The 360 is also going to be cheaper, get a bigger hard drive, not to mention they're getting Halo and GTA...and I don't even like Halo, and I know that's pretty big. I say if you have the bread(money) than you're going to be in good shape if you already have a 360 and decide to get the Rev.Wii, or PS3. If I decide to get either, It'll have to be the cheaper Rev.Wii, before all else. When the new SKU 360's come out, and they're devoid of all glitches and defects I might consider getting one. However, if the PS3 drops in price before than(unlikely, but still), I might get a PS3. It all depends on my taste for gaming though, because I've been bitter with gaming for the last year or so.

  • Xanog1

    Posted May 9, 2006 12:14 pm PT

    lol, he probably just read a summary and called them up.

    and since when is MS the deciding company on innovation?

  • morganafr

    Posted May 9, 2006 12:14 pm PT

    I see there is a lot of talk price. New tech is always expensive and drops with time. If you want it first, you will pay it's call marketing. Look at how much XBOX 360 dropped in price over the last few months in the UK and I will put my life on the line that it will even drop more before the launch of PS3.
    Anyway, both platforms are great!!! Yes XBOX 360 was first and is ahead of the game, at the moment. Will I buy PS3 with launch, probably not. But until then, I shall still enjoy my PS2 and drool over PS3 every time I see a demo station. And if you wait a while, there is a bigger variety of games to choose from and better value for money.

  • Link_026

    Posted May 9, 2006 12:07 pm PT

    I bet if nintendo put a built in toaster into the next system sony would too

  • anamnawshad

    Posted May 9, 2006 12:02 pm PT

    ^ Don't worry it's just another N00b COW!

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