Ken Kutaragi Makes Interesting PSP Play Prediction
Portable for home use vision envisaged.
PlayStation godfather Ken Kutaragi, now comfortable in his new role at Sony as godfather of everything, has made some interesting comments relating to how he sees the PSP to be used by consumers.
When asked about the scope of the machine at a recent briefing to Japanese press, Kutaragi-san said, “The place I'm imagining for use of the system is the home. People don't play games while walking around.” Which is true, though they do play them when they get to where they are walking to, or if they are travelling in passive transport for instance.
In a way, he does have a point, with Game Boy usage seeing many an hour at home. Though to state that this is his perception for the majority of the PSP’s role has been viewed as something of a gaffe to say the least, particularly at this crucial point in the portable PR battle with Nintendo.
When asked about the scope of the machine at a recent briefing to Japanese press, Kutaragi-san said, “The place I'm imagining for use of the system is the home. People don't play games while walking around.” Which is true, though they do play them when they get to where they are walking to, or if they are travelling in passive transport for instance.
In a way, he does have a point, with Game Boy usage seeing many an hour at home. Though to state that this is his perception for the majority of the PSP’s role has been viewed as something of a gaffe to say the least, particularly at this crucial point in the portable PR battle with Nintendo.
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Comments
Joji 24 May 2004 17:52
1/11
I hear what Mr. Kutaragi saying but that's not necessaryly true. At the moment some folk do play there GBASPs while walking because of the size, and the fact you can fit it in your jeans with ease, changes things quite a bit.
Also because you can tilt the screen back almost 180 this makes it easy to use if walking, playing and still see where you are going.
I seen two people doing this within the last two weeks. Even more bizarre is the two chaps were both male adults, and not kids. I admit I've done this myself, while walkin to a mates gaff I'd kick arse on Advance Wars 2.
Playin GBA on a long journey is a life saver. I wonder if PSP will fit in my pocket, without becaming a pain?
Also because you can tilt the screen back almost 180 this makes it easy to use if walking, playing and still see where you are going.
I seen two people doing this within the last two weeks. Even more bizarre is the two chaps were both male adults, and not kids. I admit I've done this myself, while walkin to a mates gaff I'd kick arse on Advance Wars 2.
Playin GBA on a long journey is a life saver. I wonder if PSP will fit in my pocket, without becaming a pain?
almondVanHelsing 24 May 2004 18:04
2/11
I would have problems playing as I walk, as I always seem to walk through crowded streets.
I could play easilly on the train and underground though.
What I am also interested in ths what Sony were saying about playing the same game on PS2 and PSP. How do you transfer game saves?
I could see two good ways, memory stick reader for PS2, or upload game save via USB cable.
I hope they don't insist on PSP being controller for PS2!! That would be bad.
Anyway, memory stick readers for PS2 would let people send photos from their Sony cameras through eyeToy: Chat. I think Sony should go for this option.
I could play easilly on the train and underground though.
What I am also interested in ths what Sony were saying about playing the same game on PS2 and PSP. How do you transfer game saves?
I could see two good ways, memory stick reader for PS2, or upload game save via USB cable.
I hope they don't insist on PSP being controller for PS2!! That would be bad.
Anyway, memory stick readers for PS2 would let people send photos from their Sony cameras through eyeToy: Chat. I think Sony should go for this option.
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fluffstardx 24 May 2004 19:27
3/11
Well gee, i can see why they made it portable...
Seriously, what IS the point in that? Why would i play games on a tiny screen at home when i have my consoles on the telly? Why would i use this mammoth system on the move, when it is a stupendously stealable unit? Why the hell would i want to play games as long as Gran Turismo and Final Fantasy on the move, especially with all that FMV making it impossible to play due to the fact that i'd have to switch it off mid-video? And what is the point of media playback if i'm never leaving home, where i have my DVD player, PC, VCR, and so on?
I'm beginning to think the PSP is a multimedia Atari Lynx- it sure looks like one, and it sounds like it's as good as one.
Plus, the idea that people won't take it out and about is pure rubbish. If he's so right, why do i see people playing games on mobiles, N-Gages and GBA SPs on buses, the underground, planes, trains and cars? Heck, i only used to use my GBA on the car journey into work for 1-on-1 mario kart races.
I get the feeling this might also be an excuse to make up for the lack of portability and battery life. It seems that the PSP is going to be the new PS2 Network Play- a good idea poorly realised by a company that simply have NO IDEA about that aspect of the games industry. That parody at the XBox E3 conference is becoming painfully true- Sony just DON'T LISTEN TO GAMERS.
Seriously, what IS the point in that? Why would i play games on a tiny screen at home when i have my consoles on the telly? Why would i use this mammoth system on the move, when it is a stupendously stealable unit? Why the hell would i want to play games as long as Gran Turismo and Final Fantasy on the move, especially with all that FMV making it impossible to play due to the fact that i'd have to switch it off mid-video? And what is the point of media playback if i'm never leaving home, where i have my DVD player, PC, VCR, and so on?
I'm beginning to think the PSP is a multimedia Atari Lynx- it sure looks like one, and it sounds like it's as good as one.
Plus, the idea that people won't take it out and about is pure rubbish. If he's so right, why do i see people playing games on mobiles, N-Gages and GBA SPs on buses, the underground, planes, trains and cars? Heck, i only used to use my GBA on the car journey into work for 1-on-1 mario kart races.
I get the feeling this might also be an excuse to make up for the lack of portability and battery life. It seems that the PSP is going to be the new PS2 Network Play- a good idea poorly realised by a company that simply have NO IDEA about that aspect of the games industry. That parody at the XBox E3 conference is becoming painfully true- Sony just DON'T LISTEN TO GAMERS.
acidviper 24 May 2004 21:01
4/11
Why would anyone want to watch movies on a console, especially if battery lasts only 2 hours?
The turn-based, strategy Metal Gear Solid looks stupid.
Who is this machine for? Sony fanboys will already have a PS2, so why would they want another one. Is this just for jackholes with so much money that they do not know what to spend it on?
The turn-based, strategy Metal Gear Solid looks stupid.
Who is this machine for? Sony fanboys will already have a PS2, so why would they want another one. Is this just for jackholes with so much money that they do not know what to spend it on?
cubedman990 24 May 2004 23:33
5/11
what a pathetic old man! i ALWAYS play my GBA SP when im going somewhere, yes, sometimes when im walking....
in fact, i rarley play it at my house....
dumb sony
in fact, i rarley play it at my house....
dumb sony
PsychoWiLL 25 May 2004 04:39
6/11
It seems the tables have turned. When once Miyamoto, Yaumauchi and Iwata were crazy men, it's now Sony's head Honcho.
Is it at portable or not? Make up your mind!
Is it at portable or not? Make up your mind!
TigerUppercut 25 May 2004 09:19
7/11
One point on the PSP: Don't drop it!
I think that Kutaragi was perhaps hinting that it might be better to use at home given that the PSP looks like the most breakable thing ever. Having a screen that large unprotected is a recipe for disaster.
I think that Kutaragi was perhaps hinting that it might be better to use at home given that the PSP looks like the most breakable thing ever. Having a screen that large unprotected is a recipe for disaster.
Joji 25 May 2004 10:12
8/11
Is playing and walking becoming a trend with the GBASP? I would seem so, I think this also due to the SP's design and the fact you dont have to hold the screen half to play it.
Once upon a time with the original GB you'd never have seen adults doing this. A good sign of gaming becoming more accepted. Result.
Yes, all version of GB can take a wack or fall, a still work ok but will this be the same with PSP? If not I could understand why Mr Kuturagi wants you to use it at home. PSP should surely have some anti shock tech in it, otherwise returns might be high, especially with young kids who don't look after their stuff.
Once upon a time with the original GB you'd never have seen adults doing this. A good sign of gaming becoming more accepted. Result.
Yes, all version of GB can take a wack or fall, a still work ok but will this be the same with PSP? If not I could understand why Mr Kuturagi wants you to use it at home. PSP should surely have some anti shock tech in it, otherwise returns might be high, especially with young kids who don't look after their stuff.
Cubeforever 26 May 2004 02:34
9/11
I dont know how to start, but.....here i go
This guy is completely nuts, the PSP is portable or not?! i think it is, and in this case, this means that we can carry it wherever we want, in otherwise why sould thay call it an handeheld device?!
To play at home i have my GC and my pc, that have a much better quality that that s****
Crazy, crazy people........
This guy is completely nuts, the PSP is portable or not?! i think it is, and in this case, this means that we can carry it wherever we want, in otherwise why sould thay call it an handeheld device?!
To play at home i have my GC and my pc, that have a much better quality that that s****
Crazy, crazy people........
SPInGSPOnG 26 May 2004 11:57
10/11
TigerUppercut wrote:
>I think that Kutaragi was perhaps hinting that it
>might be better to use at home given that the PSP
>looks like the most breakable thing ever.
B******s. It looks no more breakable than any number of portable devices, early walksmen, md players, ipods. All of 'em are f**ked if you drop them onto concrete.
The only solution is to keep a large (say 1.5m x 2m) pad of polyurethane foam with you at all times, and kick it along in front of you as you walk. This has the added advantage that if you trip over because you were playing a f**king video game instead of WATCHING WHERE YOU WERE WALKING, you will have something comfortable to stumble onto.
>I think that Kutaragi was perhaps hinting that it
>might be better to use at home given that the PSP
>looks like the most breakable thing ever.
B******s. It looks no more breakable than any number of portable devices, early walksmen, md players, ipods. All of 'em are f**ked if you drop them onto concrete.
The only solution is to keep a large (say 1.5m x 2m) pad of polyurethane foam with you at all times, and kick it along in front of you as you walk. This has the added advantage that if you trip over because you were playing a f**king video game instead of WATCHING WHERE YOU WERE WALKING, you will have something comfortable to stumble onto.
SPInGSPOnG 26 May 2004 11:58
11/11
acidviper wrote:
>Why would anyone want to watch movies on a
>console, especially if battery lasts only 2
>hours?
The same sad bastards who want to video stuff on their telephones.
>Why would anyone want to watch movies on a
>console, especially if battery lasts only 2
>hours?
The same sad bastards who want to video stuff on their telephones.