Sony: PS3 for the next 10 years

Sharmai · 05-14-2007, 10:31 AM

Sony's big ongoing statment these days is the PS3 is for the next 10 years. That the system is designed to last for the long haul and that the immedate impact of sales right now aren't very important.

See Link: Sony committed to PS3 "for 10 years and beyond" // GamesIndustry.biz

Quote:

"We didn't get into PS3 for the first six months of 2007 - we're into this for the next 10 years and beyond," said Tretton.

"A million units one way or another at this point isn't going to worry us."

My questions is, "is planning for the next 10 years truly viable in this industry?"
The PS1/2 were absolute hits but were they planned for 10 years or did they just happen to last that long?

Is building a system that will not feasibly take off for 1-2 years espically in light of increasnig competiton, a wise idea?

Can sony really predict the market in 4-5 years and know that its competiton will not be releasing a new competive system then?

Can they really afford to take such market share lose by starting off extremely slow as compared to their competition?

Is there market research on long term planning success for consoles?

RiskyChris · 05-14-2007, 10:38 AM

I've always been flabbergasted by Sony supporters who say it doesn't matter now how PS3 performs because it has 10 years to kick ass.

Sony PS3 will NOT last 10 years. Yes, if it was the dominant console like PS1 and PS2, there would've been a likely chance for this to happen. There's a reason that 360 came out and cut the PS2 generation so short -- when you're not market leader, there's no incentive to stretch out a generation.

Tatiana · 05-14-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

A new mainstream press story on Sony's PlayStation 3, this time from the Los Angeles Times, has quoted a Japanese representative from the IGDA who suggests that many studios may be shifting their focus to the Wii and away from Sony’s console.

The article quotes Kyoshi Shin of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) in Japan as saying, "When people talk about the PS3 on chat forums they say it's like going to a very expensive restaurant and not getting anything to eat," perhaps a reference to Ken Kutaragi’s famous quote given to IT Media in reference to the console's high price -- “Is it not nonsense to compare the charge for dinner at the company cafeteria with dinner at a fine restaurant?”

From Gamasutra - LA Times: Japanese Dev Shift From PS3 To Wii?

If this is true it should kill any chance for the PS3 to last 10 years as a relevant console.

Szlia · 05-14-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiskyChris

There's a reason that 360 came out and cut the PS2 generation so short -- when you're not market leader, there's no incentive to stretch out a generation.

Can you explain what you are trying to say because I don't get it. Are you saying that the release of the 360 made the PS2 sales plumet and that it forces Sony to make a fast transition to PS3? Because if it's what you are saying I would like to know in what fantasy world you saw that.

RiskyChris · 05-14-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Szlia

Can you explain what you are trying to say because I don't get it. Are you saying that the release of the 360 made the PS2 sales plumet and that it forces Sony to make a fast transition to PS3? Because if it's what you are saying I would like to know in what fantasy world you saw that.

No, I'm saying MS had incentive (and essentially no other choice) to start the 7th generation earlier than normal to try to get a strong foothold in the next-generation before Sony could. It wasn't to curtail PS2 sales, but rather the goal was to fuck up PS3 sales. Some say it worked.

DeBo · 05-14-2007, 11:29 AM

Well, the first gen games of a system never show the true power of the system. The next couple of rounds can generally show off quite a bit. It's the last few blockbuster games on a system that truly show what a console is capable of. Games like GoW2 that pull every ounce of power out of the system. By that point a new console is around the corner and the 6-7 year cycle begins once again.

Today though, it seems there are higher demands for better hardware. Xbox 360 showed that jumping the gun can work. There is no way PS3 would last 10 years. No console will, unless they make upgradable ones. Then you might as well be using a PC.

Soygen · 05-14-2007, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeBo

No console will, unless they make upgradable ones.

Be careful. You may invoke the spirit of the 32X and doom us all!!!

Akileese · 05-14-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soygen

Be careful. You may invoke the spirit of the 32X and doom us all!!!

Don't forget the Nintendo 64DD.

woqqqa · 05-14-2007, 12:45 PM

Yay, it looks like another example of future-proofing, except instead of an MMO, this time a console makers doing it. After all, we saw how well it worked for Sigil and SOE with Vanguard and EQ2's graphics engines...it can't fail, I'm sure.

RiskyChris · 05-14-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woqqqa

Yay, it looks like another example of future-proofing, except instead of an MMO, this time a console makers doing it. After all, we saw how well it worked for Sigil and SOE with Vanguard and EQ2's graphics engines...it can't fail, I'm sure.

There's a decent chance Sony will have the last laugh. It'll be quite hilarious to find out the specs for PS4 are nearly identical to the PS3.

ValkyrieIsAboutToDie · 05-14-2007, 12:51 PM

Now if only they could design a console that could physically last for 10 years. Today's hardware is so fucking fragile.

Soriak · 05-14-2007, 12:53 PM

I think they have to say that to keep consumers from abandoning them - what they should do is release a PS4 3-4 years from now. Same pricepoint as the PS3 but with a game library prepared (they can pump out some good 1st party games) and with improved hardware. Replace the cell with an actual Intel Quad-Core, double pipelines on the video card - essentially make a system, that'll compete with high-end PCs of 2010. That'd once again put pressure on MS, because by then the 360's graphics should be quite lacking compared to what we'll be used to. (720p should be standard in many homes then, 1080p should even be fairly well adapted then)

Might even force MS to release their system earlier than they expected (maybe they're shooting for 2012?) and that might give Sony once again the upperhand. They'd have to keep development of the PS4 quite though, so as to not tip off MS or stop people from buying the PS3.

Vinen · 05-14-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValkyrieIsAboutToDie

Now if only they could design a console that could physically last for 10 years. Today's hardware is so fucking fragile.

Seriously, anything using Disk Drives... makes you miss carts eh?

foddon · 05-14-2007, 01:04 PM

Am I the only one that sees the irony of Sony emphasizing the importance of having the latest and best technology, while at the same time saying the PS3 is going to be around for 10 years? Their spin train is out of control.

ValkyrieIsAboutToDie · 05-14-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinen

Seriously, anything using Disk Drives... makes you miss carts eh?

Yeah. I wax nostalgic for the days when you could dropkick and drown your SNES then follow it up with a ten hour co-op Donkey Kong Country session.

05-14-2007, 12:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
woqqqa Is really a cow. Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,159 -24 Internets	Yay, it looks like another example of future-proofing, except instead of an MMO, this time a console makers doing it. After all, we saw how well it worked for Sigil and SOE with Vanguard and EQ2's graphics engines...it can't fail, I'm sure. __________________ It's turtles all the way down.

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05-14-2007, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
RiskyChris Safety Dance Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Lafayette Posts: 5,702 -1 Internets	I've always been flabbergasted by Sony supporters who say it doesn't matter now how PS3 performs because it has 10 years to kick ass. Sony PS3 will NOT last 10 years. Yes, if it was the dominant console like PS1 and PS2, there would've been a likely chance for this to happen. There's a reason that 360 came out and cut the PS2 generation so short -- when you're not market leader, there's no incentive to stretch out a generation.

05-14-2007, 11:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
DeBo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 127 +0 Internets	Well, the first gen games of a system never show the true power of the system. The next couple of rounds can generally show off quite a bit. It's the last few blockbuster games on a system that truly show what a console is capable of. Games like GoW2 that pull every ounce of power out of the system. By that point a new console is around the corner and the 6-7 year cycle begins once again. Today though, it seems there are higher demands for better hardware. Xbox 360 showed that jumping the gun can work. There is no way PS3 would last 10 years. No console will, unless they make upgradable ones. Then you might as well be using a PC.

05-14-2007, 12:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
ValkyrieIsAboutToDie Needs food badly Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,549 +38 Internets	Now if only they could design a console that could physically last for 10 years. Today's hardware is so fucking fragile.

05-14-2007, 12:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
Soriak Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 5,800 +53 Internets	I think they have to say that to keep consumers from abandoning them - what they should do is release a PS4 3-4 years from now. Same pricepoint as the PS3 but with a game library prepared (they can pump out some good 1st party games) and with improved hardware. Replace the cell with an actual Intel Quad-Core, double pipelines on the video card - essentially make a system, that'll compete with high-end PCs of 2010. That'd once again put pressure on MS, because by then the 360's graphics should be quite lacking compared to what we'll be used to. (720p should be standard in many homes then, 1080p should even be fairly well adapted then) Might even force MS to release their system earlier than they expected (maybe they're shooting for 2012?) and that might give Sony once again the upperhand. They'd have to keep development of the PS4 quite though, so as to not tip off MS or stop people from buying the PS3.

05-14-2007, 01:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
foddon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 447 +0 Internets	Am I the only one that sees the irony of Sony emphasizing the importance of having the latest and best technology, while at the same time saying the PS3 is going to be around for 10 years? Their spin train is out of control.