Stringer on Sony's difficult migration to digital tech

British-born CEO comments on creating a "software mentality" at electronics giant.

PlayStation 3 is part of a "new digital strategy to try and create a new software mentality" at Sony, according to the firm's CEO Sir Howard Stringer, who admits that the transition to digital has been tough for the firm.

Speaking to Walt Mossberg in an on-stage interview at the Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital conference, Stringer - the first westerner to become the head of Sony - gave some insight into the firm's broader strategy surrounding the console.

"The reason it's expensive [is that] instead of concentrating on just the games player, which would have been done in the past, PlayStation 3 is designed to go somewhere else, where it's the centre of the living room," he explained.

"It's part of the new digital strategy to try and create a new software mentality in Tokyo, because it's quite clear that we've been an analog company migrating to digital with some difficulty," concluded the Welsh-born executive.

Stringer also revealed that the PlayStation 3 is one of the devices which Sony has chosen to focus its efforts on, after significant cutbacks in terms of the number of projects which the firm has in development.

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gamesindustry.biz
Chronical6623d ago

I quote "The reason it's expensive [is that] instead of concentrating on just the games player, which would have been done in the past, PlayStation 3 is designed to go somewhere else, where it's the centre of the living room," he explained.

"It's part of the new digital strategy to TRY and create a new software mentality in Tokyo"

Look what happend to the PSX. it did not do very well in Japan. and notice he said TRY and create. the thing is that they already did and it failed. the PS3 is now in the same situation and the out come might be the same.

Bill Nye6623d ago

I thought the same thing. But PSX was more expensive: 79,800 yen and 99,800 yen. The PS3 in Japan is 62,790 yen and probably about 73,000 yen.

I think it's going to be tough to get people to view a PlayStation as more than a game console. So until they do change the general view on PS, they're also going to have a tough time selling it at the higher price.

Islandkiwi6623d ago

In Japan the ps3 will be sold for market rate...as in merchants can charge what they want. That sounds ominous to me, especially early on.

slugg6623d ago

Of more corporate backpedaling. Then, if they don't sell as many unit as the 360 or Wii, they can claim they are not in competition with such devices, because they are only game machines while the P$3 is so much more. Did Sony ask any of us million upon million PS2 owners if this is what we wanted? Hell no. They just assume we will buy it because it says "Playstation" on it.

achira6622d ago

did sony say you you should buy it ??? obviously no so shut up. there are many other people who wants to buy it.

joemutt6622d ago

And they also said you should work more hours to be able to afford one. You dont remember Ken's famous speech? And you call yourself a fanboy!

110°

Mortal Kombat 9 Is Still NetherRealm's Best Game 13 Years Later

Salman from Tech4Gamers writes "Mortal Kombat 9 revived the series from a low point after bringing it back to 2D combat. It marked a new high-point for the franchise due to its incredible roster, exciting cinematic story mode, and high-octane combat."

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tech4gamers.com
Sonyslave320h ago

I like which ever one, Raiden was speed blasting muthafkers.

monkey6023h ago

I agree. 9 was awesome

Shaolin Monks next please

vTuro243h ago

Shaolin Monks is a forgotten gem. I would love to see a new one, or a remake of the old.

vTuro243h ago

That game was actually goated. It was the first time ever that I actually tried to get good at a fighting game. Unfortunately the online connection was so dogshit it made it hard to enjoy and eventually I gave up. Haven't really played much fighting games since.

90°

World of Warcraft developers form wall-to-wall union at Blizzard Entertainment

The new unit comprises over 500 developers representing the entire World of Warcraft development team.

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gamedeveloper.com
2d ago
XiNatsuDragnel1d 17h ago

Unions in gaming are necessary fr fr

montebristo1d 6h ago

I used to be anti-union, it kills productivity, investment and turns product mediocre. Their games suck anyways though so what was lost? Might as well get their people paid until they are dissolved.

shinoff21831d 5h ago

Unions are necessary regardless of how you feel. You know how fked the working class would be without them. As if we're not already.

montebristo1d 4h ago

No they aren’t, regardless of how you feel. Unions make zero sense for skill based labor. They are for people who press a button every 10 seconds on an assembly line. “working class” is a made up term. I don’t care about corporations or developers, I just want good games lol. Killing your incentives to appease the lowest common denominator doesn’t lead to great games imo

montebristo23h ago(Edited 23h ago)

I wasn’t trying to be offensive if I came off that way. The Union is an old mentality and I can see their usefulness but also the danger. We’re in the age of AI and robots and skill based labor. Unions can be dangerous these days. You could replace your entire workforce in one move. Checkmate. Look to the kiosk replacing workers in the 20 dollar minimum wage era.

Well run businesses don’t need unions. If you need a Union that business won’t survive anyway. Unless it’s propped up by the government with corporate welfare (which is the real issue). If you’re not going to spend some on your workers (Amazon, Google) then your welfare is cut off. No tax breaks. All you put together don’t match their wealth and resources, the union is a traditional memory at this point and counterproductive with this new enemy we face. They need a flying elbow from the top ropes. And by “working class is a made up term” I just mean we’re not a class system and even CEO Bobby Kotick puts in a days work lol. Or did.. It’s just a vague term that doesn’t mean anything no offense lol. People say “middle class” but that can change quick right? Up or down. That’s not a “class system”.

60°

Playback: Outland

Taking a trip back to Housemarque's forgotten platformer.

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thesixthaxis.com