Peripherals the Key to Console Longevity?
SCEE squares up to Nintendo for current-gen showdown!
SCEE President David Reeves announced today that the PS2 was nowhere near the end of its life cycle. Apparently, he hopes that Sony can extend the PS2 userbase far beyond its current demographic, specifically suggesting that non-gamers will be a new target audience. SCEE has already taken a step in this direction with its London studio’s EyeToy creations, and it’s thought that such a peripheral-driven strategy could be key to continuing PS2 sales, more important even than a straightforward price cut (the approach favoured by Sony America).
There have been no specific indications as to how SCEE’s plans will manifest themselves, but if the focus is to be placed on peripherals, then Sony will be watching Nintendo’s next moves extremely closely. To reach Reeves’ sales targets of 45 million units by 2008 (from the present figure of 22.5 million) something fairly dramatic would be called for. The move into eastern European and Middle Eastern markets will provide some scope, but again, the need to entice non-gamers would still be prevalent.
At this stage, it’s difficult to assess if this announcement is a merely a knee-jerk reaction to Nintendo’s freshly revealed peripheral-based Gamecube plans. Sony would inevitably want to cast shadows over any talk of revolutionary gameplay ideals. The company will also be trying to temporarily divert the public’s attention from the prospect of the PS3, which could potentially stop possible PS2 owners from digging into their pockets right here, right now.
Regardless of motivation, Reeves’ speech is proper fighting talk. Nintendo has been getting justifiably cocky since their E3 revelations, and Sony aren’t about to take that lying down. PR spiel and peripherals at the ready? Then let battle commence!
There have been no specific indications as to how SCEE’s plans will manifest themselves, but if the focus is to be placed on peripherals, then Sony will be watching Nintendo’s next moves extremely closely. To reach Reeves’ sales targets of 45 million units by 2008 (from the present figure of 22.5 million) something fairly dramatic would be called for. The move into eastern European and Middle Eastern markets will provide some scope, but again, the need to entice non-gamers would still be prevalent.
At this stage, it’s difficult to assess if this announcement is a merely a knee-jerk reaction to Nintendo’s freshly revealed peripheral-based Gamecube plans. Sony would inevitably want to cast shadows over any talk of revolutionary gameplay ideals. The company will also be trying to temporarily divert the public’s attention from the prospect of the PS3, which could potentially stop possible PS2 owners from digging into their pockets right here, right now.
Regardless of motivation, Reeves’ speech is proper fighting talk. Nintendo has been getting justifiably cocky since their E3 revelations, and Sony aren’t about to take that lying down. PR spiel and peripherals at the ready? Then let battle commence!
Read More Like This
Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 21.
ohms 10 Jun 2004 11:17
2/21
The multi-tap was the Sony peripheral that never should have been, can't believe what a piss take it was releasing the PS2 with only 2 controller ports. 2!!! I remember seeing a Dreamcast prototype that had 6 ports on it ffs !!!
That said, the eyetoy is fab.
That said, the eyetoy is fab.
Joji 10 Jun 2004 11:32
3/21
I find it insulting that Sony even tried to sell the PSX with two pad ports, in this day and age. If PS3 comes with the same I might skip PS3, cause it will looks like Sony is only concern with making bucks on hardware when the games should be priority one.
As someone said the hardware is reaching it's technological peak, I think Sony are a little scared because they will now longer have this mask this hide behind soon, when it all comes down to the games they have to match Nintendo now, and without 3rd party suck butt quick buck support that holds up their tent, they are more or less dead in the water. We'll see anyway. It's like Nintendo actually asking Sony straght out what games do Sony actually make? Sony don't really have an answer to the question.
As someone said the hardware is reaching it's technological peak, I think Sony are a little scared because they will now longer have this mask this hide behind soon, when it all comes down to the games they have to match Nintendo now, and without 3rd party suck butt quick buck support that holds up their tent, they are more or less dead in the water. We'll see anyway. It's like Nintendo actually asking Sony straght out what games do Sony actually make? Sony don't really have an answer to the question.
more comments below our sponsor's message
Brown Force 10 Jun 2004 14:18
4/21
Couldn't agree more. When it comes to games development Nintendo are by far the best games developers ever. And the fact that they don't need much if any 3rd party support to have a very good console has to be worrying to its competitors.
No matter what anyone says Nintendo are pretty much indestructable in the games department. Meaning I doubt they will ever be forced to stop making hardware like Sega. Mainly because when graphics stop being important and people eventually start looking for innovation and Gameplay theres only one place there going to go.
Personally I really think in a generation or perhaps two Sony are going to topple big time. It might seem ludricrous at the moment. But no company can stay at the top forever and periferals and hardware can only go so far...
No matter what anyone says Nintendo are pretty much indestructable in the games department. Meaning I doubt they will ever be forced to stop making hardware like Sega. Mainly because when graphics stop being important and people eventually start looking for innovation and Gameplay theres only one place there going to go.
Personally I really think in a generation or perhaps two Sony are going to topple big time. It might seem ludricrous at the moment. But no company can stay at the top forever and periferals and hardware can only go so far...
SPInGSPOnG 10 Jun 2004 16:17
5/21
Joji wrote:
>I find it insulting that Sony even tried to sell
>the PSX with two pad ports, in this day and age.
THis day and age, 10 years ago, you mean. PSX was launched in 1994 in Japan.
>It's
>like Nintendo actually asking Sony straght out
>what games do Sony actually make? Sony don't
>really have an answer to the question.
Well there's Getaway, and Get Further Away. And... em. Uh, mmmmm.
OK you're right.
But as for selling the PS2 to non-games, SOny are ontop a wiunner. If they take all those expensive electronical insides out of the PS2, and replace them with concrete, it would make a nice door step. Or they could fill it with ice cream, and make the outside out of chocolate, and it would be a refreshing desert forr these hot sommer days.
>I find it insulting that Sony even tried to sell
>the PSX with two pad ports, in this day and age.
THis day and age, 10 years ago, you mean. PSX was launched in 1994 in Japan.
>It's
>like Nintendo actually asking Sony straght out
>what games do Sony actually make? Sony don't
>really have an answer to the question.
Well there's Getaway, and Get Further Away. And... em. Uh, mmmmm.
OK you're right.
But as for selling the PS2 to non-games, SOny are ontop a wiunner. If they take all those expensive electronical insides out of the PS2, and replace them with concrete, it would make a nice door step. Or they could fill it with ice cream, and make the outside out of chocolate, and it would be a refreshing desert forr these hot sommer days.
Joji 10 Jun 2004 17:54
6/21
When I say PSX I mean the bloody dvd thing they recently put out in japan, not PSone. Doh!
Don't insult me man. It's only yanks that call PSone, the PSX, when that was only a working title for PSone ages before it came out. PSX is the DVD/TVtuner/thing that was released in the last few months.
As for periphs prongling a consoles life they could be onto something, since I'm sure theres a lot of people still playing DDR on PSone, and Samba on DC.
I'm bagging a DDR mat and games shortly.
Don't insult me man. It's only yanks that call PSone, the PSX, when that was only a working title for PSone ages before it came out. PSX is the DVD/TVtuner/thing that was released in the last few months.
As for periphs prongling a consoles life they could be onto something, since I'm sure theres a lot of people still playing DDR on PSone, and Samba on DC.
I'm bagging a DDR mat and games shortly.
choi 10 Jun 2004 18:04
7/21
Sony used to do lots of games when they still used the psygnosis developer they owned. Then they changed the name to "Sony studio ABC" and closed a lot of them down. They did a lot of games like Wipeout, Blast Radius ,Colony Wars and G-Police and now they are doing Getaway and iToy games. HA!
Viclo 10 Jun 2004 18:14
8/21
Am I the only person that thinks the Eye Toy is incredibly stupid? I've seen it, messed with it, played a game or two...and then wanted to set it on fire and drop-kick it out the window...it's ridiculously stupid, in my opinion...
And most casual gamers don't load up on peripherals to begin with, so I'm not sure how successful this plan of theirs is going to be. Also, I also find it obsurd that a console be released with on two controller ports...I refuse to ever buy a multi-tap...especially for a PS2/PS/PSX. And Especially because there are...what...four...five games that actually support the multi-tap function for the PS2...
Damn Sony has pissed me off to no end...
And most casual gamers don't load up on peripherals to begin with, so I'm not sure how successful this plan of theirs is going to be. Also, I also find it obsurd that a console be released with on two controller ports...I refuse to ever buy a multi-tap...especially for a PS2/PS/PSX. And Especially because there are...what...four...five games that actually support the multi-tap function for the PS2...
Damn Sony has pissed me off to no end...
almondVanHelsing 10 Jun 2004 19:18
9/21
Yes true, much better to buy DS fishing rod, GCN Bongo drums or even DS maraccas!
I think eyeToy and Sing Star are rubbish ideas, but what do I know? Many of people have bough eyeToy and I bet many buy Sing Star too.
Just because Sony aims towards the mass market, most game snobs here and on other boards attack them.
There would not be as big a console games market today if Playstation had not aimed at the mass market.
I think eyeToy and Sing Star are rubbish ideas, but what do I know? Many of people have bough eyeToy and I bet many buy Sing Star too.
Just because Sony aims towards the mass market, most game snobs here and on other boards attack them.
There would not be as big a console games market today if Playstation had not aimed at the mass market.
Joji 10 Jun 2004 19:34
10/21
I'm aware of Sony's achievements, but whos to say how it would have turned out, if they had not entered the market? It's easy to say stuff in hindsight, but we don't really know.
Deviluck 10 Jun 2004 19:58
11/21
im not a fan of the eyetoy series either but what the hell does that compare with DS. Grow up man! the DS looks s**t! PSP all the way. btw im no fan boy, im a multi format gamer. i do want the next nintendo console and the ps3.
Atleast the psp looks nice, and is a media system as well.
Atleast the psp looks nice, and is a media system as well.
animegt 10 Jun 2004 20:11
12/21
Exactly !!! - Sony... ur just like a dog followin ur master and tryin to do stuff that he does.... by master i mean Nintendo, i mean come on !!!! -why cant sony do somethin like... for the first time unique ?? - somethin that actually isnt already out ?? -and why is everythin that they make have to be somethin that Nintendo already invented ??
Face it sony, i am not buyin none of ur crappy systems, not ever !!!! - and like that dude up there said.... "I'm not buying your s**tty
>periperals that only work for 1 crappy game...."
Face it sony, i am not buyin none of ur crappy systems, not ever !!!! - and like that dude up there said.... "I'm not buying your s**tty
>periperals that only work for 1 crappy game...."
animegt 10 Jun 2004 20:39
13/21
Deviluck wrote:
>im not a fan of the eyetoy series either but what
>the hell does that compare with DS. Grow up man!
>the DS looks s**t! PSP all the way. btw im no fan
>boy, im a multi format gamer. i do want the next
>nintendo console and the ps3.
>
>Atleast the psp looks nice, and is a media system
>as well.
OH MY GOD !!!- have u pissed me off... what are u talkin about "grow up" "DS looks s**t" !?!? - The DS is like the most advanced technologic device you will ever see till Nintendo Revolution comes out ! - Sony is not even close to bein like Nintendo, nintendo is simply superior, and like ur geek ass said... DS ALL THE WAY !!!!
>im not a fan of the eyetoy series either but what
>the hell does that compare with DS. Grow up man!
>the DS looks s**t! PSP all the way. btw im no fan
>boy, im a multi format gamer. i do want the next
>nintendo console and the ps3.
>
>Atleast the psp looks nice, and is a media system
>as well.
OH MY GOD !!!- have u pissed me off... what are u talkin about "grow up" "DS looks s**t" !?!? - The DS is like the most advanced technologic device you will ever see till Nintendo Revolution comes out ! - Sony is not even close to bein like Nintendo, nintendo is simply superior, and like ur geek ass said... DS ALL THE WAY !!!!
Deviluck 10 Jun 2004 22:20
14/21
er...your just wrong. Superior? there is nothing such.
the DS is s**t because it has not alot going for it. yeh there are cool games i admit, but its nothing compard to the psp. shut your ass.
im interested in all the handhelds that are coming out, including the gizmondo. PSP has to be the most attractive.
the DS is s**t because it has not alot going for it. yeh there are cool games i admit, but its nothing compard to the psp. shut your ass.
im interested in all the handhelds that are coming out, including the gizmondo. PSP has to be the most attractive.
DoctorDee 11 Jun 2004 07:52
15/21
Joji wrote:
>When I say PSX I mean the bloody dvd thing they
>recently put out in japan, not PSone. Doh!
>
>Don't insult me man. It's only yanks that call
>PSone, the PSX, when that was only a working
>title for PSone ages before it came out.
I'm afraid that's simply not true. PSX was used by the entire industry for years. In fact, we process sales reports for many companies, and most of them STILL use PSX as the short-code for PlayStation One.
Most developers still use PSX as verbal shorthand for the original PlayStation.
The PSOoe name was unknown by ANYONE until about 2000, so it hasn't even been in use for as long as the PSX name has, and the PSTiVo was never released in the UK, so there is no reason for anyone to assume that you are referring to that hardware when you say PSX.
Honestly, believe me, to a man, when anyone in the industry says PSX, they mean the original PlayStation.
And for these reasons, I think it was absolutely stupid of Sony to name the PSTivo as the PSX... but they knew it was a cool name, and that they'd f**ked up by NOT calling the PSOne "PSX", and that Microsoft were trying to claim the cool "x" letter as their own... So they did it anyway.
>When I say PSX I mean the bloody dvd thing they
>recently put out in japan, not PSone. Doh!
>
>Don't insult me man. It's only yanks that call
>PSone, the PSX, when that was only a working
>title for PSone ages before it came out.
I'm afraid that's simply not true. PSX was used by the entire industry for years. In fact, we process sales reports for many companies, and most of them STILL use PSX as the short-code for PlayStation One.
Most developers still use PSX as verbal shorthand for the original PlayStation.
The PSOoe name was unknown by ANYONE until about 2000, so it hasn't even been in use for as long as the PSX name has, and the PSTiVo was never released in the UK, so there is no reason for anyone to assume that you are referring to that hardware when you say PSX.
Honestly, believe me, to a man, when anyone in the industry says PSX, they mean the original PlayStation.
And for these reasons, I think it was absolutely stupid of Sony to name the PSTivo as the PSX... but they knew it was a cool name, and that they'd f**ked up by NOT calling the PSOne "PSX", and that Microsoft were trying to claim the cool "x" letter as their own... So they did it anyway.
Joji 11 Jun 2004 12:05
16/21
We'll if you are right go and confirm that from a Sony rep , you lot do have the contacts after all. Ask them why they are confusing people with their names? And also ask them which one is PSX for real?
almondVanHelsing 11 Jun 2004 12:13
17/21
Akk, my mistake. I meant DC (Dreamcast) for the fisning rod and maraccas.
Posting at work, must be quick. No time to chat.
Posting at work, must be quick. No time to chat.
Joji 11 Jun 2004 13:42
18/21
Whether it looks crap or not is not the point. Xbox is a ugly as fook but that doesn't mean I won't buy it, cause as much as I detest MS it still has good games on it. Xbox no matter how ugly it is happens to be doing well. The same extends to PSP and DS. If the games are there, I'll be there. I trying to paint it how I see it, and I ain't no fanboy. With the looks of anything you get immune to it once you have it anyway. Be it a car in a showroom or PSP or DS at Game. I've taken the piss out of my mates video size Xbox for ages, but the games silence me and my bull talk, and that's what I like, that's why I'm here and why I want to own every machine regardless of which I slate or cheer, because of the games.
Be it an Xbox a DS or a bloody Skoda car, ugly stuff can sell too if they perform the task correctly and well.
Be it an Xbox a DS or a bloody Skoda car, ugly stuff can sell too if they perform the task correctly and well.
fluffstardx 11 Jun 2004 14:30
19/21
DON'T TALK CONSOLE LOOKS.
So far, EVERY sony console has been ugly. The PS1, a pizza box with grills and circles. PS2, the industrial fan. And now... PSP. The makeup mirror.
XBox is big, but it's only as ugly as PS2.
And please, don't talk in txt. It's reserved for morons.
I actually believe the DS will get redesigned- look at Ultra 64 and the Dolphin; what they showed was not what they released.
Sony will work hard for my money. PSP does not work hard. 2 hours of battery life for watching films is crap. Especially seeing as i can buy a creative PMC soon. If you want a longer film battery life, you wear a spare battery on your wrist. It's crap.
The announced battery life, by the way is in EDGE. 10 hours gaming, 5 music, 2 film.
As for "multimedia"- don't make me laugh. Portable DVD players are now £130, and have good battery life. I am not paying the expected pricepoint of £25 for a disc i can only play on a £250-300 handheld, no matter what games it can play.
So far, EVERY sony console has been ugly. The PS1, a pizza box with grills and circles. PS2, the industrial fan. And now... PSP. The makeup mirror.
XBox is big, but it's only as ugly as PS2.
And please, don't talk in txt. It's reserved for morons.
I actually believe the DS will get redesigned- look at Ultra 64 and the Dolphin; what they showed was not what they released.
Sony will work hard for my money. PSP does not work hard. 2 hours of battery life for watching films is crap. Especially seeing as i can buy a creative PMC soon. If you want a longer film battery life, you wear a spare battery on your wrist. It's crap.
The announced battery life, by the way is in EDGE. 10 hours gaming, 5 music, 2 film.
As for "multimedia"- don't make me laugh. Portable DVD players are now £130, and have good battery life. I am not paying the expected pricepoint of £25 for a disc i can only play on a £250-300 handheld, no matter what games it can play.
Joji 12 Jun 2004 14:15
20/21
I agree with you, Fluff. Sony marketing PSP as a media device isn't such a good idea. It's nice to have the option but is unlikely to take off, as much as the gaming part. I feel if anything these are extras that are nice, but not necessary. Makes you wonder if they actually want PSP to sell for games, or just on the back of movies like PS2 did. I'd say the latter.
How many films in your dvd collection have you bought twice? For me I have one copy of everything, and I just don't see folk buying films for PSP a second time, when you can watch them in a surround sound living room set up on dvd. I'm sure anyone with sense would by a dvd film instead of PSP one, any kids that do get a PSP I'm sure would rather take the games because once you buy and watch a film it goes on the shelf, not to be watched for ages. Cost also comes into that equation.
Like you also said dvd players are dirt cheap now, the cheapest home dvd at 35-40 quid, so what's the fooking point in PSP movies?
I have Edge 138, and I read the PSP article. Like I said ages ago I feel Edge has jumped into Sony's camp even before E3 to focus on it. Instead of the DS and PSP on the cover they focus on just PSP, yes they are new to hand helds, but DS is also due out and deserves equal coverage, or perhaps more so consider the E3 buz for it. If you read further you get the impression the PSP is the only sytem there. Anything that is said about DS is kind of negative stuff, for something the could change the way we play games. Five hours for music is cheesey, since most normal mmp3 players can do more. Two hours for movies is really bad, no chance of Star Wars Trilogy on the long car drive to Liverpool then.
As for the price of PSP games I read about 40 quid in Edge. I think this is too much for a hand held game. A GBA style price of 30 quid a game would be nicer. 40 quid would make you wanna buy the home version, and not another for PSP. Should be interesting to see how the DS games are priced, but 30 quid would be nice.
Lastly on the point of this topic, I think the best peripherals come from Konami (DDR/Dancing Stage/Martial Beat/Bemani). DDR and dance mats are cool, and dancing like music is something every nation can relate to.
How many films in your dvd collection have you bought twice? For me I have one copy of everything, and I just don't see folk buying films for PSP a second time, when you can watch them in a surround sound living room set up on dvd. I'm sure anyone with sense would by a dvd film instead of PSP one, any kids that do get a PSP I'm sure would rather take the games because once you buy and watch a film it goes on the shelf, not to be watched for ages. Cost also comes into that equation.
Like you also said dvd players are dirt cheap now, the cheapest home dvd at 35-40 quid, so what's the fooking point in PSP movies?
I have Edge 138, and I read the PSP article. Like I said ages ago I feel Edge has jumped into Sony's camp even before E3 to focus on it. Instead of the DS and PSP on the cover they focus on just PSP, yes they are new to hand helds, but DS is also due out and deserves equal coverage, or perhaps more so consider the E3 buz for it. If you read further you get the impression the PSP is the only sytem there. Anything that is said about DS is kind of negative stuff, for something the could change the way we play games. Five hours for music is cheesey, since most normal mmp3 players can do more. Two hours for movies is really bad, no chance of Star Wars Trilogy on the long car drive to Liverpool then.
As for the price of PSP games I read about 40 quid in Edge. I think this is too much for a hand held game. A GBA style price of 30 quid a game would be nicer. 40 quid would make you wanna buy the home version, and not another for PSP. Should be interesting to see how the DS games are priced, but 30 quid would be nice.
Lastly on the point of this topic, I think the best peripherals come from Konami (DDR/Dancing Stage/Martial Beat/Bemani). DDR and dance mats are cool, and dancing like music is something every nation can relate to.
crafty bison 12 Jun 2004 15:11
21/21
I agree about Edge; it was extremely unfair to focus so much on PSP.
I reckon PSP games will be £40 and DS games £35, with GBA games dropping to £25. However I think fairer price points would be £30 for DS and £20 for GBA, because handheld games have very short development times and the current prices are rip-offs. In the days of GBC and N64, GBC games were less than half the price of N64 games, but now GBA games are 3/4 of the price of GCN games.
I reckon PSP games will be £40 and DS games £35, with GBA games dropping to £25. However I think fairer price points would be £30 for DS and £20 for GBA, because handheld games have very short development times and the current prices are rip-offs. In the days of GBC and N64, GBC games were less than half the price of N64 games, but now GBA games are 3/4 of the price of GCN games.