Kutaragi: “What will in fact enter the home is a Cell-based computer”

SCE show complete transparency on PlayStation 3 planning.

Posted by Staff
The Getaway PlayStation 3
The Getaway PlayStation 3
The head of all things PlayStation, Ken Kutaragi, has made some more than interesting comments regarding how SCE views the launch of the Cell-powered PlayStation 3 console, underlining again that the deployment of the machine heralds much more than the release of a new games console.

Speaking in an interview with Electronic Engineering Times Asia, Kutaragi-san said of the PlayStation 3, “Though sold as a game console, what will in fact enter the home is a Cell-based computer.”

He continued, “The model image for the Cell-based network may be the Internet: servers around the world form one virtual 'computer,' and each PC accesses it. Application programs can no longer directly access the hardware; instead they will have to be written in high-level, object-oriented language. The Cell processor will completely change the concept of programming. I am sure that a technology revolution is about to occur, not only within Sony but throughout the digital consumer electronics industry.”

Crikey. It’s like living in the future, only it’s happening right now. SPOnG must admit, however, that the idea of our office fridge containing a chip that somehow powers the polygons in a game of Gran Turismo 5 somewhere in Osaka is highly appealing.

More oddball processor claims as we get them. And as ever, let us know what you think in the forum below.
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Comments

YenRug 19 Jul 2005 13:30
1/8
I personally think Sony are mad if they truly believe people are going to go out and buy a Cell powered fridge and are going to be willing to plug it into a network, so that some stranger can use its processing power. People are going to want to know what they're going to get out of someone else using the electricity they're paying for, when powering the Cell processor. Wake up, Sony, and smell the roses; this isn't some futuristic communist collective you're going to be making here!
Joji 19 Jul 2005 13:45
2/8
That sounds totally weird. Why the hell would I want to power so other monkey's game with my damn PS3? This kind of hive mentalityKutaragi has for PS3 is just weird, as though having the thing online like 360 and Rev isn't enough for him. Why would you need to do this?

Sorry but this strange thinking is getting lost in translation, or perhaps he's just going bonkers. All those late nights spent at Sony like Dr Frankenstein, get a grip man.
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Nosce 19 Jul 2005 15:12
3/8
Skynet, anyone?
Hank 19 Jul 2005 16:30
4/8
It seems that once again the folks (or that guy) from Sony are over hyping their new console with facts, figures and powers that don't exist or won't be used by 80 percent of the people who actually buy their machine. It would also be a nightmare for developers who have to learn a whole know way of programming, skyrocketing costs at the same time.
BustyKrusty 19 Jul 2005 17:49
5/8
Yes,that's where i think we're going. Actually, all this might seem crazy at first glance but we're probably into some sort of less controlled awfully powerful AI system nothing like Revolution or Xbox360 will ever have.A little creepy though but a little power from say,Nosce's Cell chip wouldn't hurt, but enhance things overall, i think.

This just might be PS3's best feature to date!!
OptimusP 19 Jul 2005 17:55
6/8
A cell-based computer...but the Hard-drive is sold seperatetly, now that's a computer!
An all-new of programming, yes indeed, even more hard-ass then the PS2 and it will take 4-5 years to actually fully understand the thing. That is IF the publishers want to pay their programmers that long to figure it out. In todays gamemarket...no chance in hell...not with another next-gen console waiting after 5 years.
Oh yes, the PSX bombed like a bloody 5000 megaton nuke, the PSP primary use is watching porn on toilets (and sucking Sony almost-empty wallet up dry) and now the PS3 who has more power then God... Ken, get a reality check...fast!
Here i was thinking that Iwata and Miyamoto were the only ones constantly on crack. What the hell is this guy on.
Mickus 19 Jul 2005 18:35
7/8
OptimusP wrote:
A cell-based computer...but the Hard-drive is sold seperatetly, now that's a computer!
An all-new of programming, yes indeed, even more hard-ass then the PS2 and it will take 4-5 years to actually fully understand the thing. That is IF the publishers want to pay their programmers that long to figure it out. In todays gamemarket...no chance in hell...not with another next-gen console waiting after 5 years.
Oh yes, the PSX bombed like a bloody 5000 megaton nuke, the PSP primary use is watching porn on toilets (and sucking Sony almost-empty wallet up dry) and now the PS3 who has more power then God... Ken, get a reality check...fast!
Here i was thinking that Iwata and Miyamoto were the only ones constantly on crack. What the hell is this guy on.


As Ken once said to me...'In Japan, we dream...then we make it a reality....More mushroom tea?"

Actually, I think he's trying to make grid computing a reality - and to have 100 million PS3 isn't a bad start....
LUPOS 25 Jul 2005 22:41
8/8
The_Bush wrote:
It seems that once again the folks (or that guy) from Sony are over hyping their new console with facts, figures and powers that don't exist or won't be used by 80 percent of the people who actually buy their machine. It would also be a nightmare for developers who have to learn a whole know way of programming, skyrocketing costs at the same time.


80% arent you an optomist... the best periferal sony has going is the eyetoy whch i believe has sold a record 6 millions units world wide (not positive that numebr is acurate but i think tis close), considering there are over 80 millions ps2's in existence that 7.5%... and im prettty sure there are 6 million hard drive owners out there in total...the best selling ps3 accesory or ability is going to be the psp, sony shoudl stick with what its good at, ripping of nintendos ideas and makign them shinier and more adult so more people by them. Trying to one up Live! by turnign the planet into some weird ass ps3 renderfarm is absurd.
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