Sony Downplays Influence of GTA Series
Loss of exclusivity not detrimental to PS3's success?
SPOnG remembers actual gasps of astonishment at Microsoft’s pre-E3 media briefing, when Peter Moore unveiled his now famous GTA IV tattoo and announced the simultaneous Xbox 360 and PS3 release of the next version of one of the most popular games on the planet.
Many have commented that the runaway success of Sony’s PS2 is in large part down to the company’s exclusivity deals with Rockstar and its crime-em-up. Whilst this is perhaps taking things a little too far, it cannot be stressed how important that exclusivity deal was, and the fact that it no longer exists is dreadful news for Sony. Hence Moore and his daft tattoo, which SPOnG still does not believe to be real – so prove it to us Peter!
With all this in mind, it’s interesting to note that SCEA's co-Chief Operating Officer Jack Tretton recently stated that he believes the loss of the Rockstar/Playstation exclusivity agreement will not be detrimental to Sony's next-gen success. Stretton told website TheStreet.com "There's no question that having the Grand Theft Auto franchise helped us a lot and helped us sell some units, but I don't think the battle would be any different with or without Grand Theft Auto." About the lack of a GTAIV exclusive, he went on to say "No, I don't think it hurts us. No, I really don't."
Speaking about the PS3’s controversially high price point, Tretton continued "Well, I guess if price is the only consideration, then we've won the war, because we've got a $129 PlayStation 2 that outsells the Xbox 360 today." Whilst all the above is the type of thing a co-COO is employed to say to journalists, it is, to put it lightly, a big bag of unqualified PR horseshit.
However, Tretton did make some salient points regarding Microsoft’s plan to sell 10 million Xbox 360s before the PS3 launches in November, noting that "Well, we've never been first to market in any generation. We weren't first when we debuted the original PlayStation. We weren't first with PlayStation 2... It ultimately came down to the system and what consumers preferred." We're not so sure the consumers prefered Playstation, so much being bamboozled by hype into believing the Sony product would be a many times better than the first to market products.
Bringing his own astronomical figures to the party, Trenton added "At the end of the day, what you do in the first year, and whether you do 6 or 10 million units does not determine whether you're successful or not. We're looking to sell 100 million-plus worldwide. We're looking to sell 50 million plus in North America. So, if a competitor gets to 6 to 10 million worldwide, I would not consider that to be a significant advantage or a significant disadvantage as far as we're concerned."
Crikey! That’s a lot of PlayStation 3s. More willy waving antics as we get them.
Many have commented that the runaway success of Sony’s PS2 is in large part down to the company’s exclusivity deals with Rockstar and its crime-em-up. Whilst this is perhaps taking things a little too far, it cannot be stressed how important that exclusivity deal was, and the fact that it no longer exists is dreadful news for Sony. Hence Moore and his daft tattoo, which SPOnG still does not believe to be real – so prove it to us Peter!
With all this in mind, it’s interesting to note that SCEA's co-Chief Operating Officer Jack Tretton recently stated that he believes the loss of the Rockstar/Playstation exclusivity agreement will not be detrimental to Sony's next-gen success. Stretton told website TheStreet.com "There's no question that having the Grand Theft Auto franchise helped us a lot and helped us sell some units, but I don't think the battle would be any different with or without Grand Theft Auto." About the lack of a GTAIV exclusive, he went on to say "No, I don't think it hurts us. No, I really don't."
Speaking about the PS3’s controversially high price point, Tretton continued "Well, I guess if price is the only consideration, then we've won the war, because we've got a $129 PlayStation 2 that outsells the Xbox 360 today." Whilst all the above is the type of thing a co-COO is employed to say to journalists, it is, to put it lightly, a big bag of unqualified PR horseshit.
However, Tretton did make some salient points regarding Microsoft’s plan to sell 10 million Xbox 360s before the PS3 launches in November, noting that "Well, we've never been first to market in any generation. We weren't first when we debuted the original PlayStation. We weren't first with PlayStation 2... It ultimately came down to the system and what consumers preferred." We're not so sure the consumers prefered Playstation, so much being bamboozled by hype into believing the Sony product would be a many times better than the first to market products.
Bringing his own astronomical figures to the party, Trenton added "At the end of the day, what you do in the first year, and whether you do 6 or 10 million units does not determine whether you're successful or not. We're looking to sell 100 million-plus worldwide. We're looking to sell 50 million plus in North America. So, if a competitor gets to 6 to 10 million worldwide, I would not consider that to be a significant advantage or a significant disadvantage as far as we're concerned."
Crikey! That’s a lot of PlayStation 3s. More willy waving antics as we get them.
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Comments
SorelissLarethian 21 Jun 2006 21:55
1/5
100 million ps3s HA-HA-HA!!!
oh and btw HA!!!
If they sell over their ps2 numbers i swear i'll eat my hat for people complaining being poor and throwing $600 for a game machine ^^
oh and btw HA!!!
If they sell over their ps2 numbers i swear i'll eat my hat for people complaining being poor and throwing $600 for a game machine ^^
ohms 22 Jun 2006 10:58
2/5
most people I know didn't buy their PS1s or PS2s till the price dropped below £200, and I'm sure the case will be the same this time.
having the first potential threat to their market dominance, in the form of micro$oft, might make Sony drop the price quicker this time.
especially when they realise, come 2007, that all the chavs who bought GTA on PS2, would rather buy the cheaper 360 to play GTA4 on this time.
having the first potential threat to their market dominance, in the form of micro$oft, might make Sony drop the price quicker this time.
especially when they realise, come 2007, that all the chavs who bought GTA on PS2, would rather buy the cheaper 360 to play GTA4 on this time.
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soanso 22 Jun 2006 18:45
3/5
ohms wrote:
most people I know didn't buy their PS1s or PS2s till the price dropped below £200, and I'm sure the case will be the same this time.
Same here.
They also used it as a dvd player too. But now all of them seem to have 'proper' dvd players.
The 360 just looks better to me. game for game it has more appealing titles. It's nicely thought out and it's almost affordable.
The PS3 will have hype but I still don't think sony know what the hell they are doing this time around.
config 23 Jun 2006 12:35
4/5
I bought my PS2 just as soon as there were three titles I just had to have, and that weren't available on a platform I already owned. Can't recall that they were, but GTA3 was prolly one of 'em.
You'd think that would be a pretty safe bet, but I've been stung more time than not. Sega canned the DC two months after I bought mine, and the GC has never really taken off.
If I were a Ninty or Sega fanboy, I'd prolly blame Sony for my woes, but I'm far more realistic - I squarely blame Nintendo and Sega for being proper s**t at pimping their machines. Bastards.
You'd think that would be a pretty safe bet, but I've been stung more time than not. Sega canned the DC two months after I bought mine, and the GC has never really taken off.
If I were a Ninty or Sega fanboy, I'd prolly blame Sony for my woes, but I'm far more realistic - I squarely blame Nintendo and Sega for being proper s**t at pimping their machines. Bastards.
The Hero of Time 24 Jun 2006 23:02
5/5
This guy is full of s**t.
But, do you expect Sony to say "yeah, it's really bad news for us." Nope, not at all. Saving face, ftw!
Sony need to take a closer look at what it was that made the PS2 so successful. If they dont think GTA was a part of that, well, what can you say?
Arrogance, Sony be thy name.
But, do you expect Sony to say "yeah, it's really bad news for us." Nope, not at all. Saving face, ftw!
Sony need to take a closer look at what it was that made the PS2 so successful. If they dont think GTA was a part of that, well, what can you say?
Arrogance, Sony be thy name.