The first time Kris Graft met Shahid Ahmad, He was on a train about to depart from Chicago’s Union Station to head to Emeryville, California for the inaugural make-a-game-on-a-train event, Train Jam. He was there to observe, report, and eat the huge bag of raw almonds that he brought. Ahmad was there to make a video game, along with a few dozen indie devs.
Shahid Ahmad spent a decade at Sony Interactive Entertainment, most recently in the role of director for strategic content, where he played a large part in the indie push on PS Vita and PS4, ahead of his departure in 2015.
Thankfully PS4 turned out to be a major success. If my only choice was Xbox I’d give up gaming.
Thank god and the universe the ps4 was a super successful console gaming would probably be dead or almost dead if Microsoft was the only ones making traditional consoles.
Of course, it didn't hurt the PS4 that Xbox shot itself in the foot leading up to launch. Also, this just confirms that Sony had alot of trouble in the beginning with the PS3. Which also helped them to change for the better.
I look at it as growth and maturity.
PS1- Gawl
Sony had the gawl to challenge Nintendo and Sega. No one thought an electronics giant could be a videogame company. Or even threaten Nintendo's grip. Crash was outside the gate ready to crash the party. The child was born.
PS2- Confidence
With the success of PS1, Sony was confident that they could make lighting strike twice. Turned into a thunder storm with PS2. The preteen becomes big headed.
PS3- Arrogance
With Ken Kutaragi at the helm, and although a genius engineer, he lead with that idea that nothing can top a Sony console or his technical prowess. They became arrogant. Cocky. Like a teenager.
PS4 - Humility
Returning to the confidence they had with a successful rebrand of the console, and the shedding of the old guard that became arrogant, their humility even with a powerful console and advanced game engines, Sony with PS4 dominated in all areas from games, awards, sales and add-ons like with VR. It was a return to form. When many thought their competitor would run away with the win. Like Pachter.
Sony matured. Grew up. They have the hardware know how. They have the software. And, they have the humility of a console maker with 25 years of experience in the industry.
Just as a boy becomes a man. So did Sony.
Chimea Zero “is not you daddy’s Chimera”.
Sounds like another ex-employee of a large company who wants to get back to his roots. So many get tired and burnt out in the AAA game development.
Waypoint: After PlayStation's presentation left indies on the sidelines, devs assure us that they're not "less relevant now."
They had a lot of stuff shown before and after their main presentation and stuff. Loads of games as not all of them could be part of their main press conference.
The stupid narrative that Sony was "losing its grip" on the indie market was never going anywhere.
PS4 has more indie games released on PS4 every week by far than the competition as it normally does, and just over 6 months ago, Sony chose to hold an optional high-profile event at their own expense which showcased the works of over 80 indie developers, and housed plenty of great indie announcements. That event was known as the PlayStation Experience 2016 and will be held again this December.
E3 was just so packed with first-party content of their own that they wanted to show that, there was just no other alternative in that show.
For me the Vita is integral to the next gen experience! I can honestly say taking a dump has no longer interrupted my gaming sessions and made my pee and doo doo bucket redundant!
Honestly Vita needs to do a lot more before it becomes relevant in the gaming landscape, and I love the device. Second or third place in Japan, and dead last in every other region is not exactly what I would call "relevant".
Sony basically dropped all first party support of Vita, and is on record saying they see it more of a PS4 peripheral than its own handheld. That is why I think such a great device has not spread more.
I wasn't too thrilled with the Indie direction at first, but i've really started to enjoy a lot of these titles. having spelunky and fez on the go is awesome.
The VITA needs a system seller title, like a Pokemon X/Y for the 3DS for it to compete in the handheld space in terms of sales.
The Vita is decent but the 3DS blows it out of the water. And its not even close. I wish Sony would put as much effort into the Vita as Nintendo does the 3DS. The 3DS might be one of the best Nintendo platforms ever, and the best console out. I just can't see myself paying 200 for the vita and those overpriced memory cards just to play a bunch of indies. Both the Vita and 3DS lineups look weak this year. Especially the Vita's. Hopefully Nintendo and Sony show a lot of stuff for their handhelds at E3. Zelda Majora's Mask and Metroid for 3DS and some big new triple A for the Vita.