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TGS '07 Q&A: Sony's Phil Harrison

By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UKPosted Sep 19, 2007 12:57 pm PT

President of Sony Worldwide Studios talks up the new PSP, discusses the PS3 press furore, and ponders the future of the PlayStation brand.

TOKYO--On the fourth floor of Sony's Japanese offices in the posh district of Minato-ku, the PlayStation 3 maker held a party Wednesday night to show off 30 of the PS3's upcoming games to an audience of international journalists.

Phil Harrison, briefly not praising MotorStorm.

The company remained tight-lipped about what to expect in tomorrow's Sony Computer Entertainment keynote address, which starts at 10:30 a.m. Tokyo time on Thursday (2:30 a.m. BST Thursday, 6:30 p.m. PDT Wednesday). However, speculation is widespread that SCEI CEO Kaz Hirai will use his presentation to unveil a rumble-enabled Dual Shock 3 for the PS3, amongst other announcements.

At tonight's event, though, the atmosphere was informal. Informal enough, in fact, for GameSpot to corner Sony Worldwide Studios president and World's number one MotorStorm fan Phil Harrison over a cold drink. He politely discussed the constant comparisons of the PS3 and Wii, and how Sony plans to move on from the negative press the company has attracted over its latest console's bumpy ride at retail.

GameSpot UK: So can you talk to us about what's going to be announced during Kaz Hirai's keynote tomorrow?

Phil Harrison: No. And I wouldn't remember anyway. [Laughs.]

GS UK: We keep seeing stories from Japan about the Wii outselling the PlayStation 3 here 3-to-1 or 5-to-1 or whatever. Does that worry you?

PH: I'm not worried about it, no. Obviously I would like it to be the other way round, but it's not really fair to compare two products that serve different markets and are at different price points. So, it's not something that concerns me when you look around at a place like this and see the depth and quality of talent in games we've got coming through, so I'm pretty happy, actually.

GS UK: So you think it's unfair that people keep comparing the Wii and the PS3 when the Wii is so much cheaper?

PH: Yes. I don't know what the analogy is. If I make an analogy I'll probably make an unreasonable analogy, so I won't bother.

GS UK: Let's talk about the new PlayStation Portable. Why was this launched this summer?

PH: Constant improvement and innovation in design is what drives us, so why wouldn't we pass on to the gamer the advantages we can have in terms of making something smaller and lighter. In a handheld device, something that is smaller and lighter is a pretty highly regarded feature, and people seem to like it, so I think it's cool. Have you actually held one?

GS UK: Yes.

PH: People at E3 were going, "Is there anything in this? Is this just a mock-up or is this the final one?" Yep, it's the real one.

GS UK: Nintendo's strategy right now seems to be to widen the gaming audience and bring more widely appealing things to the market like educational games, and even non-game software. Any plans to do something similar?

PH: Since you are UK-based, you will know how influential games like EyeToy and SingStar and Buzz are, not just [to] the PlayStation 2 format, but growing the market generally cross-category. So, we're continuing to work on those for the PlayStation 2, we're bringing them all to PlayStation 3 in new, networked, innovative ways, which you saw at [the Leipzig] Games Convention with SingStar on the PlayStation 3 and Buzz! TV--which is going to be phenomenal with the ability of user-generated content for quizzes.

GS UK: I've been wondering about that. What if someone puts the wrong answer in?

PH: Then there will be a way to complain about that and rank it lower, which will then push it down in the recommendation engine to a lower ranking. It's all about the community. And I think there's going to be a button where you can actually challenge an answer.

GS UK: For the PS3, would you say it makes more sense to you to just focus on the hardcore gaming market?

PH: I think if you look back at the history of our platforms, they will all follow very similar trends where your initial audience is very different to the audience you have buying into the console seven, eight, or nine years later. So, we try to make software which is slightly ahead of that trend, software that enables younger users or new users to come in. I think what characterises PlayStation 3 is there's actually more variety and [a] more diverse genre mix that's available on the PS3 earlier in the life cycle than we saw on PS2 or PSone. So I think we're pushing into new areas more quickly than we've done before.

GS UK: Peripherals seem to be increasingly important. Have you guys got any plans to make any innovative new peripherals for the PS3?

PH: We have a research and development group that looks at new human interface designs as part of our core group, so there's a few interesting things that are lying around--literally--but there's a lot of innovation that doesn't ever make it to retail shelves, because of either creative or commercial or other considerations, so we'll continue to invest in that, and hopefully something along the lines of Buzz! or Eye Toy will come along. But I have nothing to share with you today.

GS UK: There seem to have been quite a lot of negative PS3 stories and criticism of Sony in general in the media. How do you intend to get past this?

PH: I think you're surrounded by the answer to that question, which is a tremendous lineup of really great games. We'll let the games do the talking.

GS UK: Thanks for your time, and enjoy the party.

219 Comments

  • hordaak

    Posted Oct 17, 2007 7:16 pm PT

    paradigm. Not paradime. People will judge you by your spelling errors. Trust me. (unless you really don't know how to spell it properly).

  • U-Kahn

    Posted Oct 13, 2007 11:10 pm PT

    It's more fair to compare Sony with the 360 because they are competing for the same fanbase. Wii is excluded, it's not even fair to say better games are on ps3/360 vs. The Wii, since Launch the Wii has been just, different, and it's ignorant to make claims that Nintendo is gonna lose when they are pratically leading the pack. Nintendo is creating a Paradime Shift in gaming weather you like it or not, it won't stop people from playing Halo and playing Cooking Mama, but don't be suprised when future moms10 years from now are playing Wii 2 vs. Playstation Xtream or something like that. In the gaming industry it's not where we at now but where we are going. Always look on both sides fo the fence. I mean for now if you like the PS3 play it. don't worry about what Microsoft or Nintendo is doing, if you like Nintendogs, play it. If your a Halo nut, Play it till Master Chief says no more. Just enjoy what you got, because if you want a new game system your gonna buy it anyways.

  • Nintendoes

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 6:27 pm PT

    "In a handheld device, something that is smaller and lighter is a pretty highly regarded feature, and people seem to like it..."
    O RLY?

  • dynomitemasta

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 6:34 am PT

    Oh, and robdaman111, it's closer to the Wii and 360 at 12 million and the PS3 at 5 million.

  • dynomitemasta

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 6:31 am PT

    Qoai_chang_kain, I agree partly with you. These companies would walk over your bleeding body in the street and not even bother to look down.They just don't care about the individual consumer. This guy practically said, Screw the people who initially buy the system because the makeup of fanbase will be different down the road. That's a pretty crappy way of looking at it, dismissing the hardcore gamers who waited online to get a PS3. N ever again! Even though I have all 3 consoles now, I feel the " games " are on the 360, and the PS3 provides occasional entertainment. Man. I hate Giant companies. My Uncle works for a big company, and his mindset just completely disturbs me and we get into arguments all the time. I would care about the little people, he does not, . . . I guess that's why he is filthy rich, and i am not.

  • Quai_chang_kain

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 10:17 pm PT

    personally im not loyale to any system, all i care about are games, that being said, at the momment the system that has more of the games i wanna play right now is the ps3, if the wii or the 360 get those games or games i think are better then i will get them. its dumb to take sides with a faceless company that doesnt really give 2 **** about you! (thats all 3 of them)

  • HXCDEW

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 5:50 pm PT

    Nice interview. You can't deny there's a lot more new and cool franchises coming to the PS3. It may be expensive and take a little time to get going, but ultimately it has the games to show for it. Just look at the 2008 lineup, and many not even officially announced yet.

    Unfortunately I can't say the same about the Wii. Mario, Zelda, Metroid are cool, but that's not enough for hardcore gamers. Wii is too focused on sports, training and mini games. Even though it's selling like hotcakes, I have yet to see any strong 3rd party backing for it. To gamers it shouldn't matter who sells the most consoles, as long as it has compelling games and variety.

    Anyway, I'm just stating my observation.

  • robdaman111

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 4:14 pm PT

    to b fair this whole crap about who's gonna win this console war is aload of sh** neither console is goin to win the supposed war bull sh** ps3 has got a 10 year plan untill the next one cms out , 360 will b around for a few years still so sayin that just because one console dose'nt have good games (in ur opinion not mine) is stupid specially when people say a console is dead, all the consoles have sold loads i saw on a sight the other day wiis at 9million units, 360's at 8 million ,units an ps3 at 4 million unit, thats not bad when u think about it since in its 1st year it has sold as many units as the 360 did in its respective 1st year look it up . bottome line is u cant say a console has lost in its 1st year specially when its gonna b around for a long time simple as that.

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 1:54 pm PT

    Whoo hoo! Dualshock 3!

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 4:25 am PT

    I should try the new PSP >_>

  • chamber303

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 9:30 pm PT

    Phil is one cool dude.

  • Jaziel

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 1:04 pm PT

    Some of you people have no idea what you're talking about. Sony has great games coming and it has great games out already. I don't care what no one says, Resistance is a great game, especially for a launch title. Heavenly Sword is one of the best games I've ever played and it's not as short as they make it out to be plus it has great replayablity value. As to the games that are coming out, who can argue that Uncharted will be a great game or Haze and how about UT3, and that's just this year. Feb. 2 2008 Killzone 2 ( got mine preordered at Gamestop) then White Knight Story FFXIII and VS , MGS4 and so on and so forth. What the hell does MS have after Halo 3? Mass Effect and that's about it.

  • XanderZane

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 11:50 am PT

    Sony has been saying wait and see for awhile. Phil obviously thinks they have a great lineup for 2007, but it really isn't. Sure they have a few solid titles like Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted, GT5 Prologue, Hot Shots Golf 5 & Folklore on the way, but the reallly meaty titles like MGS4, DMC4, FFXIII, the real GT5, Killzone 2, Socom, etc.. won't see the light of day until next year. If Sony does what they are suppose to do, once 2009 gets here Sony should be on the road to success. I love my Wii & XBox 360, but I'm a true pure gamer and still want a PS3 as well.

  • icarus212001

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 11:27 am PT

    (yaaawwwn) well...that was...uh...informative. That interview felt like Phil was at a bathroom stall and GS decided to waltz in and play 20 questions while Phil was trying to throw them out. That or it seems the folks at GS and Phil were bored to high heaven so the just decided to make a random interview.

  • Frost71

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 9:15 am PT

    That had to be the worst interview on GS ever hands down. I think I fell asleep half way through reading it.

  • Jagzthebest

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 8:09 am PT

    i agree with bozanimal the ps2as so good but i really don't know how they got so hated in such a short time it was so sudden and the last answer was a bit bad. when he said we'll let the games do the talking i got reminded of lair (4.5) and heavenly sword (8.1)

  • Bozanimal

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 7:45 am PT

    It's really sad that Sony - a company with so many excellent engineers and products - is hampered by poor management, marketing, and press control.

  • Jermwarfare

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 7:02 am PT

    gwds-

    motion sensing thats actucally worth a s***?

    i love the idea,but so far in practice its been less than stellar to say the least imo.

    lucky-coins-

    not sure if this is also linked to a ps3 board?but many commenting(including myself) are doing so in the news section.

  • gwds

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 6:11 am PT

    "Innovation" is the key word. Anyone out there want to speculate on what will be some of the innovations for the future generation of consoles? It can't just be tighter graphics.

  • lord-of-gamers

    Posted Sep 20, 2007 6:10 am PT

    lol jsut reading the comments and again - as usual - loads of fanboys from both MS and Sony.

    the sony fanboys are saying look at the 360 didnt have any good games in it's first year either!

    and the 360 fans are going yes we did!

    truth is, how long has it taken for halo 3 to come out after the 360? two years. that is the truth right? im not making this up... we all know that gears of war was fun but come on that was like the only game i would have goten a 360 for....

    and now the "most anticipated" game of all time - halo 3 - is coming out 2 years after the console - so everyone just stop bickering and look at the facts...

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