Following Sony's PS3 bundle announcement (which SPOnG broke on Wednesday) David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, has expressed surprise that people are buying the PlayStation 3 at the £425 price tag it’s had since launch.
Surprise Purchase
Responding to a question about whether – regardless of what's included - £425 is perceived as just too much for a console, Reeves said “It is, but surprisingly, people are paying that amount of money for it.”
Cheap Storage
He then proceeded, flippantly, to dismiss the fact that we might have liked the extra 20Gb of hard disk space that the U.S. is getting with the 80Gb PS3.
Basically, then, the extra 20GB of memory is unnecessary because it's so cheap to include?
Justification
Reeves then attempted to justify his decision, saying,
Bearing in mind the minuscule price difference between the two different-sized SATA drives and the fact that Sony's production process wouldn't be altered by its inclusion, SPOnG fails to see why supply of the 60GB model should be any more plentiful than that of the 80GB.
Emotion Envy
The reason the U.S. is getting a better model, Reeves explains, is because its PS3 was better to start with – although he doesn’t mention to Emotion Engine Chip by name.
On PSP
On to the PSP, asked about the recent ‘redesign’, Reeves says, “It's setting itself up. It needed to be lighter and slimmer to make it portable. To solve the problem, if there is a problem with PSP, is to have better and more original games.”
Yes, we read, “To make it portable” as well…
Nintendo
Surprisingly, Reeves heaps praise on Nintendo’s role in the industry over the last two years, saying:
It's funny, but SPOnG could have sworn that it was Sony's own PS2 that's been keeping the games industry going for the last few years. If SCEE's president tells us otherwise, however, who are we to argue?
No PlayStation 4
Maintaining Sony's standard line on the PS3’s lifespan, Reeves says he expects ten years out of it. Its replacement, however, might come before then and won't be a PS4 apparently. “I don't think it will be a PlayStation 4; it will be something completely different” Reeves said.
Dead U.S. PS3
Reeves also confirmed what SPOnG told you on Tuesday: the 60Gb PS3 is on its way out in the US. “All they're doing is taking their stock in trade that they've got at the moment of the 60GB model, marking the price down and it will all be gone by the end of July”, Reeves said.
See the full interview here.
Surprise Purchase
Responding to a question about whether – regardless of what's included - £425 is perceived as just too much for a console, Reeves said “It is, but surprisingly, people are paying that amount of money for it.”
Cheap Storage
He then proceeded, flippantly, to dismiss the fact that we might have liked the extra 20Gb of hard disk space that the U.S. is getting with the 80Gb PS3.
“The difference between 60GB and 80GB is not really necessary. The difference in cost between a 60 and 80 is just Euro cents; it's nothing, because the cost of memory is so small.”
Basically, then, the extra 20GB of memory is unnecessary because it's so cheap to include?
Justification
Reeves then attempted to justify his decision, saying,
“Probably we could have gone for 80GB, but does it really make any difference? We just know that we get a better supply on the 60GB than we will on the 80GB. So, we chose to continue with the 60GB until we find that we can get something better, maybe lower cost. It just didn't seem necessary to us.”
Bearing in mind the minuscule price difference between the two different-sized SATA drives and the fact that Sony's production process wouldn't be altered by its inclusion, SPOnG fails to see why supply of the 60GB model should be any more plentiful than that of the 80GB.
Emotion Envy
The reason the U.S. is getting a better model, Reeves explains, is because its PS3 was better to start with – although he doesn’t mention to Emotion Engine Chip by name.
“The difference is that the 60GB we have now has about 88 per cent backwards compatibility. The 60GB they had had 100 per cent backwards compatibility. They felt that by going down for 100 to 88, for example, that they'd have to add something in - and that's what they did.”
On PSP
On to the PSP, asked about the recent ‘redesign’, Reeves says, “It's setting itself up. It needed to be lighter and slimmer to make it portable. To solve the problem, if there is a problem with PSP, is to have better and more original games.”
Yes, we read, “To make it portable” as well…
Nintendo
Surprisingly, Reeves heaps praise on Nintendo’s role in the industry over the last two years, saying:
“We owe a debt to Nintendo for keeping the industry going in the last couple of years; they're the ones who have kept it going.”
It's funny, but SPOnG could have sworn that it was Sony's own PS2 that's been keeping the games industry going for the last few years. If SCEE's president tells us otherwise, however, who are we to argue?
No PlayStation 4
Maintaining Sony's standard line on the PS3’s lifespan, Reeves says he expects ten years out of it. Its replacement, however, might come before then and won't be a PS4 apparently. “I don't think it will be a PlayStation 4; it will be something completely different” Reeves said.
Dead U.S. PS3
Reeves also confirmed what SPOnG told you on Tuesday: the 60Gb PS3 is on its way out in the US. “All they're doing is taking their stock in trade that they've got at the moment of the 60GB model, marking the price down and it will all be gone by the end of July”, Reeves said.
See the full interview here.
Read More Like This
Comments
ultimateassmonkey 13 Jul 2007 12:55
1/5
I've heard some are fuming over the 60gig model being on its way out. They were really pissed!
But anyway, as I have been saying... Sony could have priced the ps3 at £500 (or even more) and people would still have bought it!!
"Surprised?" You knew you could get away with it Sony... Don't act all surprised for nothing... You'll be pissing a load of people off due to being "surprised"
But anyway, as I have been saying... Sony could have priced the ps3 at £500 (or even more) and people would still have bought it!!
"Surprised?" You knew you could get away with it Sony... Don't act all surprised for nothing... You'll be pissing a load of people off due to being "surprised"
Rutabaga 13 Jul 2007 15:44
2/5
This Reeves fellow sounds like an aloof idiot!
more comments below our sponsor's message
realvictory 13 Jul 2007 21:27
3/5
If 80GB is so cheap, what's the big deal with including one? It's stupid not to - it would increase sales, at a small cost, which is what they need.
Taking the Emotion Engine out of the PS3 in the first place is also a thick idea. People know about it, and get pissed off because it's not fully backwards compatible, plus you get less for your money - at least cut the cost. Americans get compensation (for no EEC), why don't we? Do they think we're thick or something? They should have waited until they had 100% compatibility. What happened to common sense? If it's lasting for 10 years, what difference does a few quid make either? Not much to a big company, but a lot (at least, more difference) to the typical person who's going to buy a PS3.
Anyway, speaking of which, yes, it probably will last 10 years, but if they think we're believing there'll be no PS4 within that time, they must be doubly silly.
Not his fault, but instead of simply denying PS4, actually make PS3 desirable, and not only to people with far too much money to spend. Everyone wants one, it's just that there's no way they're paying £400 for it, especially when it's an inferior version.
I think that if the PS4 isn't a straight sequel, it will be because if it was powerful enough, etc., to be "the new version," it would cost even more, and even fewer people would buy one.
Here's what they should have done:
Properly cut the cost of the PS3 over here, given us and the US the same versions, not bothered redesigning the PSP, but spent time making more games, and just cut the cost of the PSP. They know what people want, they're just not doing it - trying to fool them into changing their minds or something, by distracting them with different versions and bundles. Do what people want, then you'll be successful!
Everyone but Microsoft these days doesn't seem to realise, the world is a proper community now (e.g. internet, worldwide communication). The only people (members of the public) who are stuck in the past are idiots - and yes - they are a core audience, however it doesn't give much credibility to your companies when you base technology around and rely on people who don't even know who your company is or what they do.
Taking the Emotion Engine out of the PS3 in the first place is also a thick idea. People know about it, and get pissed off because it's not fully backwards compatible, plus you get less for your money - at least cut the cost. Americans get compensation (for no EEC), why don't we? Do they think we're thick or something? They should have waited until they had 100% compatibility. What happened to common sense? If it's lasting for 10 years, what difference does a few quid make either? Not much to a big company, but a lot (at least, more difference) to the typical person who's going to buy a PS3.
Anyway, speaking of which, yes, it probably will last 10 years, but if they think we're believing there'll be no PS4 within that time, they must be doubly silly.
Not his fault, but instead of simply denying PS4, actually make PS3 desirable, and not only to people with far too much money to spend. Everyone wants one, it's just that there's no way they're paying £400 for it, especially when it's an inferior version.
I think that if the PS4 isn't a straight sequel, it will be because if it was powerful enough, etc., to be "the new version," it would cost even more, and even fewer people would buy one.
Here's what they should have done:
Properly cut the cost of the PS3 over here, given us and the US the same versions, not bothered redesigning the PSP, but spent time making more games, and just cut the cost of the PSP. They know what people want, they're just not doing it - trying to fool them into changing their minds or something, by distracting them with different versions and bundles. Do what people want, then you'll be successful!
Everyone but Microsoft these days doesn't seem to realise, the world is a proper community now (e.g. internet, worldwide communication). The only people (members of the public) who are stuck in the past are idiots - and yes - they are a core audience, however it doesn't give much credibility to your companies when you base technology around and rely on people who don't even know who your company is or what they do.
Joji 15 Jul 2007 19:07
4/5
Another Sony mess up! What was that about 'making the PSP portable'? Lol.
I really don't know how on earth Sony have managed to mess up PS3. First 20gb then 60 and now 80gb. Why the hell don't they just match MS and do a PS3 with 120gb and be done with it, if memory is that cheap? This occasional changing up of 20gb space is stupid and makes them look like they aren't sure what they are doing.
What PS3 needs is a heftier price cut (£50 for us isn't enough), but Sony are too greedy and stubborn to do this convincingly, to set developer/publishers and gamers minds and wallets at ease. Backwards compatibility is not freaking rocket science either.
I find it amazing they redesigned the PSP, when all it really needed was a better battery and cheaper larger memory card. Hooking your PSP up to you tv is a nice option, (but who did that first?) but I noticed in the conference Sony never bothered to show a PSP game running on it, but a UMD movie. I'm sorry, isn't E3 a games show? Makes me wonder if a PSP game hooked to your tv will actually look any good.
Well, 360 Elite is gonna kick some, to little too late Sony. You've had your chance and you've blown it.
I really don't know how on earth Sony have managed to mess up PS3. First 20gb then 60 and now 80gb. Why the hell don't they just match MS and do a PS3 with 120gb and be done with it, if memory is that cheap? This occasional changing up of 20gb space is stupid and makes them look like they aren't sure what they are doing.
What PS3 needs is a heftier price cut (£50 for us isn't enough), but Sony are too greedy and stubborn to do this convincingly, to set developer/publishers and gamers minds and wallets at ease. Backwards compatibility is not freaking rocket science either.
I find it amazing they redesigned the PSP, when all it really needed was a better battery and cheaper larger memory card. Hooking your PSP up to you tv is a nice option, (but who did that first?) but I noticed in the conference Sony never bothered to show a PSP game running on it, but a UMD movie. I'm sorry, isn't E3 a games show? Makes me wonder if a PSP game hooked to your tv will actually look any good.
Well, 360 Elite is gonna kick some, to little too late Sony. You've had your chance and you've blown it.
config 16 Jul 2007 08:24
5/5
Joji wrote:
Backwards compatibility is not freaking rocket science either.
ZOMG, Joji. I think you might have just set the new standard for "most clueless comment"