@MouseCircus: Meh, you're a bit harsh on Hirai. I don't know a person on earth who could have made a good or great show/conference with what they talked about at E3 06.

Candlejack

Never liked Tretton. He has been more passive lately, but I'm more inclined to believe that he's holding his tongue. I doubt he's changed.

As far as Hirai goes, he seems a bit clueless. Especially when he used to do the keynotes and conferences. Always seemed like a tool. I'm sure we all remember the ridiculous Sony conference of 06.

Kutaragi was arrogant and rigid, but at least he was a visionary.

MouseCircus

@PlayingKarrde: Wow I seriously thought it was still impossible to be done. What is the compatibility percentage though? And what are the specs required (if they are too high it might explain why it is so hard for them to do it on PS3)? And most importantly, we are comparing an illegal thing to a very strictly regulated business. Konami would rather sell MGS3 to an additional PS2 owner than to have a team working on a PS Store "port" for only 15 million PS3 owners (a good portion of which own PS2s and BC PS3s), methinks.

FP_slomo788

@FP_slomo788: Fair enough. I do think the 360 had a rocky start. I mean, back when it launched, nobody I knew cared, really. It just had very little appeal in the first year. I picked it up in March of 07 if I remember correctly. But the thing is that in 2007, the 360 really took off with a number of great exclusives. That made the PS3, competitively, look like a friggin' joke. Thus it wasn't appealing to most gamers. That's what I meant.

Candlejack

It's funny. Ultimately, Kutaragi's been utterly vindicated. The PS3 took a giant dump for a long time, but all of his formerly questioned moves look real strong right now. It's refreshing to see Sony be so-- gasp!-- straight with us. I very much approve.

wild homes has been retconned!

@mcool93:

I don't feel that way. Yes the PS3 was Blu-rays biggest trojan horse, but it's not like they weren't thinking about gaming too when adding it to the console. Sony has always tried to push the envelope a bit as far as mediums are concerned. The PS1 was CD-rom based which wasn't exactly used often (if at all), the PS2 was the first to support DVD (and helped to secure the formats dominance) and the PS3 had blu-ray. To me it seems like an inevitable progression.

LittleBigPlaneteer

I own a PS3 but the lack of an infrared eye makes me really stabby. If sony was trying to fellate the "middle aged multimedia expert" then this should have been there so it really COULD be integrated in to a media room.

I'm sick of excuses Sony.... stop doing things half-assed please. The problems with the HW vs. SW developers in your studios could not matter less to the consumer.

but I'm not bitter or anything.... ;-)

axiomatic

@FP_slomo788: [www.pcsx2.net]

Decide for yourself.

If you ask me Final Fantasy X has never looked better.

PlayingKarrde

@Candlejack: Well they definitely tried something different, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that they took a crap on us. They took a $200 hit on each console sold (well they still do) and they introduced a bunch of new IPs for the PS3. It was not a perfect strategy, but it was not as bad as pushing a defective console out the door just to have a year headstart (imo of course). Both companies seem to have patched most of their shortcomings but both launches were rocky.

FP_slomo788

@LittleBigPlaneteer:
Don't forget the pink and lime green collared shirts!

SpishackCola

@Lazlo: Correction: Ken did. However, I have to say he always made that decision. It just wasn't as apparent. The PS1 had CD as "revolution" and "untested" ground, the PS2 heavily backed DVD and had the Emotion Engine + Graphics Synthesizer which have yet to be 100% software emulated, and the PS3 obviously has Blu-Ray and the Cell, that effectively knocked it into the "WTF are they thinking" area when it came out.

Candlejack

Did anyone ever get their money from Jack Tretton after he offered $1200 per PS3 found on store shelves?
[kotaku.com]
[www.ps3fanboy.com]
[www.penny-arcade.com]
I'm pretty sure His Idiocy still owes us all a few thousand dollars. :P

PenguinJim

@FP_slomo788: Really feels good to see that they are still in touch with gamers.

You mean *again* in touch with gamers. They basically took a crap on "gamers", as such, by marketing the PS3 to middle aged multimedia experts, including the price point and technology. I guess in one to two years from now we will look back and say "good they did it like that, good they sticked with Blu-Ray", but short-term, all it does is drive prices up of both hard- and software. That really really hurts the gamer and also the reputation.

The spike in sales with the price drop last year and gaining momentum - little, but steady - are living proof of that. I almost think that no matter how many "excellent" exclusive games the PS3 has/will have, it will only take off once the price drops below the 300 mark.

Candlejack

It seems strange to me that Kaz would first try to develop the PS3 to be a supercomputer, and a gaming console secondly. That seems like a very, very poor business strategy. Perhaps when they start turning a profit we'll see how that business model worked for them.

Lazlo

Humble, sticking one's foot in one's mouth.

I prefer this approach over the arrogant stance of the past.

magus00

People don't forget. They don't forget that Sony used us, gamers, to win a home video format war. They almost single handedly sacrificed playstation to win bluray. That's what it is.

mcool93

@SpishackCola:

and Riiiiiiiidge Racer? :D

LittleBigPlaneteer

@lilaliendog: Has any PC ever successfully emulated the PS2 (legitimate question)?

FP_slomo788

@DeathBeforeDishonor: Wow now I just feel like a follower.

DeathBeforeDishonor

@LittleBigPlaneteer: Well they got to make money. I think the same thing about Trentton, he seems like one of the nicer guys in the industry. Back to Kaz though, you have to admit that his help turn around the PlayStation brand. In my opinion hes a mighty fine executive. At least hes not chasing Nintendo's coat tails ;)

DeathBeforeDishonor

@LittleBigPlaneteer: agreed but had they had better management as a whole instead of making a super computer then slapping the software guys in the face perhaps all of what the fans wanted could have still been retained. The ps3 can still attempt BC through software emulation and probably net a better result (increased internal resolution instead of upscaling the low res output), as powerful as the ps3 truly is I can't see why pc elite devs can do it while the ps3 elite devs can't.

lilaliendog

@snakepliskin: Well he used to say inflammatory stuff and that's why he used to be the least regarded PS PR. But now he sounds very, very smart.

FP_slomo788

@LittleBigPlaneteer:
All you need to know is "Giant Kaz Face"

SpishackCola

@lilaliendog: In one week they really showed that they are aware of all the shortcomings of PS3. In another interview they spoke of the lack of PS1 titles on PSN and stuff. Really feels good to see that they are still in touch with gamers.

FP_slomo788

@LittleBigPlaneteer: I didnt like him at first but now that hes got his feet i like the way he carrys himself. He never goes out and says anything inflammatory and he seems very much grounded.

snakepliskin

I f*ckin' love Kutaragi. He's easily the greatest visionary in gaming. He mentioned that with the PS3, or current generation in general, we are only halfway where he envisions gaming should/once will be from the technological standpoint.

Also, the hardware he builds is top notch. You can argue about bottlenecks he created with the PS3 in regards to Cell->RSX->Memory, it still amazes me how Killzone 2 pulls of deferred rendering at that quality level.

However, I think Ken was also part of the "exclusives come from respect"-movement...and since Kaz took over, the platform has definitely improved in all areas. I mean, last year at this point, I was laughing at the PS3 for the lack of quality software. Now it's really competitive with great support from first party and also a certain someone who produced Zone of the Enders...

Candlejack

Another great Jack Tretton interview:

[www.cnbc.com]

DigitalHero

admitting ones owns faults (as a company) is a good thing even though it makes you look vulnerable. It's great to see that Sony now has a firm direction (with the new management) to the gamers regarding their Playstation brand. With the onslaught of upcoming titles from Sony themselves the future looks bright even though it will still be some time before they catch up.

lilaliendog

I initially didn't like Tretton, but he is one of the friendlier execs in the business. I don't know much about Kaz, but I don't think he's all that in touch with what us consumers want. If I'm not mistaken, it was mainly his decision to scrap PS2 BC. Perhaps it looked like a good business decision from his perspective (to sell more PS2's and more PS3 games) but it's not a fan favorite decision.

LittleBigPlaneteer

autonomous not antonymous perhaps (for both instances of the word)?

sirsri

I like the way this man speaks, very down to earth and straightforward. I'm not a fan of those politician way of talking. Ask a question and hear your question as an answer.

UltimateIdiot

I think I like the cut of this guy's gib.

Tale

I like Jack. A lot. I think he did great at the keynote with what was quite middle-of-the-road content.

DelSource

@LittleBigPlaneteer: I am talking solely about launch games...

Candlejack

@Candlejack:

I'm wondering, what exclusives are you referring to from 2007 that made the PS3 look like a "friggin' joke"? I see around 3-4 that are above average exclusives, but nothing that makes the PS3 a joke.

LittleBigPlaneteer

when sony stops promising game that are almost 2 years away, ill start using my ps3

deathtastic

@Candlejack: Nothing to counter that. As a game console, and althought the quality was there at launch, the quantity was not. And if you bought it *just* for the games and not for the bigger package, you might have felt cheated. Still now when my friends ask me, I say if you want a better game console and save a few bucks in the short term, don't hesitate and get a 360. But if you want more bang for your buck and you plan on using it for more than just games, get a PS3. If you want to enjoy all the best games, just buy both.

FP_slomo788

@FP_slomo788: Compatability is roughly 50% afaik right now. Couldn't give you any definite numbers though. Since it's an open source project compatability will always be improved though. In terms of specs, yes it requires a meaty PC, but it's not that bad for your typical PC gamer. I think if you're a console gamer and just have a PC for regular internet usage then you won't have much luck.

The legalities I think are more of a grey area than stricly illegal. The idea of emulation isn't technically illegal, which is why you can download it from their site. Obtaining and running a sony bios though is illegal. So a shade of white and a shade of black give you grey.

But alas you're right. Trying to constantly fix emulation issues for the PS3 isn't the best use of the PSN team's time if you ask me. If you ask me there is more chance of the PS3 firmware getting hacked and a PS2 emulator being released for it.

PlayingKarrde

dang and I just thought Tretton was just a bumbling fool. I guess hes a better exec than a public speaker and thats a good thing.
Kaz was an amazing presenter and in that I believed that he would lead PS3 to glory but I think we are going to to better off with Tretton.

"Jaaaaaack Trettonnnn!"

Devil240Z

@Candlejack:
Thanks for the correction. It was Ken indeed.

Lazlo

I know there were fans of mmmmmm that tall slick guy with the bald head that liked inviting people to his "HOME" to play MotorStorm with Daxter ears, and that other guy that had the IV tattoo and was very quiet around incomplete red circles... but neither of them struck me as genuine as this guy does.

Just teasing about Harrison and Moore, but I do like Jack.

Ehardergardens

@FP_slomo788: Okay, that's your opinion, and it is true that launch games were compared to second gen 360 games. But besides Resistance and maaaaaybe Motorstorm, nothing else is considered a good game by me. At least nowhere near $500 to $600 good (and those two weren't either).

Candlejack

@Candlejack: 2008 is to the PS3 what 2007 was to the 360. If you compare the PS3 in March 07 to the 360 in March 06 you'll see that PS3 actually had much better games. 360 took off with R6V and Gears. They were compared to Resistance and CoD3, launch games. To me that's where PS3 showed lots and lots of promise, where out the door games were already comparable to a console that's been there for a year. Everybody wanted to believe that Sony fucked up because they didn't really want to shell out $600 for a console. But it was never as bad as they made it sound.

FP_slomo788

Yeah, I like him too. He seemed pretty down to earth at E3. Maybe that's why Brian didn't give him those red pupils that Kotaku gives to executives. Hmm....

shak_0

I wonder what he meant by trying to distance the PS3 from the idea that it is a super computer. From what I remember with the PS3 launch I can't really say they did much to put the PS3 focus on games mainly because the system only launched with one decent title.

By the time they tried to distance it was too little too late. Any efforts they made were undercut by Ken Kutaragi crazy remarks.

I would like to hear if Sony actually still considers the PS3 as a successor to the PS2, it has been a year and a half since the PS3 was released and it looks like the PS2 is still going to be around for a long time. That would explain why they took out BC.

NullsRevenge

When Kaz has done a good job to this point, I'm more interested in what comes after this generation. Though he runs the day by day things now the PS3 is still Ken's baby. I want to see what the PS4 will come to fruition as under Kaz

Sparx

Sony should certainly give J.T. more face time. He's so likable. He seems like the kind of guy you could go to the bar and shoot the shit with.
Plus, he a Bostonian, which means after he's had a few Sam Adams he's likely to pahk the cah at Hahvid yahd.

Artful Dodger

@Artful Dodger:

WICKED PISSAH!

Agree with ya!

EnigmaNemesis

Tretton seems very real. Yeah, the presser speeches were all scripted, but compared to the words Reggie and the MS guy were spewing, Tretton seemed to add some life to his speech.

everybest

The question is not whether the ps3 can emulate the ps2, it can probably do it easily, but Sony don't want ps3 owners buying ps2 games. They want to sell ps3 games. I don't see the problem though because even though I want ps2 backward compatibility and even got the original 60gb one, I hardly play ps2 games or have I bought a ps2 game since. I still have my ps2 and I'm not even using that either.

karateka

@karateka:

Amen to that. I get the feeling a lot people that have the BC ps3 hardly ever use them for ps2. I know I dont, I had a bunch of ps3 games right before i got my ps3 and a 2 months later i hardly ever played them. actually i was relive when somebody stole all my ps2 games.

Servant_of_Jashin

It was almost purely Kaz who kept the boat floating when Ken kept punching holes in it

Cueil

I don't understand how Kaz's focus (or refocus) on games is better than Sony putting in the effort to actually achieve the goals that Ken was aiming for. Is the PlayStation name that important that they were willing to sacrifice features and renege on promises? Imagine what it would have been like if they managed to provide a full-featured Linux PC, HD movie player, home server, AND a next-gen PlayStation in one box? Would you pay $700 for that?

With Kaz in charge, they're now taking out all the pieces that they won't support until all that's left is essentially a machine that plays games and movies. In other words, a PS2. Now, is that progress?

boopadoo

Aaargh! Extreme close-up Captain Kirk! Oh wait,it's just Tretton.

Protector one

So basicaly, Kutaragi had lost touch with reality and needed someone who was still grounded.

Bricked

*golf clap

RaepGoblin

I still like Kutaragi. When it came to the PS1, he was the kind of the guy with the brains and vision to come up with an idea for a product, push it and have it rejected, then wait for the right moment to push it AGAIN (don't question the boss' decisions!) then basically sit down and build it for them.

Even as a promotion, it's a shame how they took him out of the picture. It reminds me so much of Gunpei Yokoi.

"PSST. We've been watching what you've been doing lately and we think you'd be better suited to working over here."

"But I just came up with a new idea for a-"

"That's nice. Over here please."

"Uh, okay... What do I, you know, DO here?"

"Don't worry about it. You're still with the company, right?"

"WHAT? Oh... I see... I'll just uh... show myself the way out then."

"See that you do."

In this industry it seems that one minute you can be the saviour of a company, in the cases I mentioned, saving the whole company or even making a new brand, but as soon as the miracles stop flowing, you're put out to pasture where you can't disturb anything that you built.

The PS3 may be a supercomputer for the home, but just maybe that's because it takes a supercomputer to play a modern game or movie disc? It'll be interesting to see if the next one is cheap and underpowered...

fuchikoma

@PlayingKarrde:

But, the point you're missing is that even though many PS2 games will "run" on a PC through emulation, the framerates are atrocious, even with an insane gaming PC (e.g. a PC that is much more powerful than the PS3). So, with that said, you'll never see a straight-up software PS2 emulator for PS3. If, for whatever reason, a developer decided to do a custom build of a PS2 title recompiled to run on the PS3 natively, then you might see a downloadable PS2 game, but that would take too much development time/money to be worthwhile.

meatee