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Sony CEO plays down ‘media hub’ and says PlayStation 4 is for gamers

Sony chief executive Kazuo Hirai said that the PlayStation 4 will differ from Microsoft’s Xbox One, which is being pitched as an all-in-one entertainment box in the living room.

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Snookies123767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

Kaz has really helped turn Sony around. Glad he's focusing more on what a console needs to be about. (Games) That is the primary thing, and always should be the primary thing.

dedicatedtogamers3767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

Thing is, we all know that Playstation 4 is for gamers. Kaz isn't just blowing hot PR air. We've seen Sony's devotion to games day in and day out.

I'm certainly glad they acknowledge the PS4 isn't focused on being a media hub. Now let's just hear some confirmation for no used-game restrictions and optional PS Eye camera and we're golden.

Skips3767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

PlayStation = Built by gamers...

And Sony knows this.

-Mika-3767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

I don't understand why it can't be both. Sony just focusing on gaming is not going to make the ps4 a mainstream product and that a bad thing. Making your console basically an all-in-1 device is alot better than just focusing on gaming. MS is once again going to possibly outsell Sony because the casuals would want that media console that can also play games very well.

Plus I think you guys are underestimating MS. They are not going to 100% focus on media. They already have a bunch of exclusives in development and with all the innovative gaming they added in the 360 overtime. Im not worried about them about the core. They will do a good job at balancing and that will make them a success for core and casuals.

Kyosuke_Sanada3767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

-reads Mika post-

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Sorry I had no choice.

Blastoise3767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

@Mika

It can be both and it will be both, PS3 is the top ranking platform for Netflix right now.

The point he's making is that gaming comes first, I don't understand why you're complaining. More games and a focus on gamers is a good thing. Simple as that

You do actually like games? Right?

raWfodog3767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

@Mika - Since she (I think its a she) obviously didn't take the time to read the article:

"He said Sony would add other entertainment apps, “But that’s after we establish the platform as a video game platform. We want to make sure that we are there for the gamers with our PS4 as well. They will go beyond this, but they’ll definitely start with gamer first."

In other words, they will have other stuff as well besides just games.

..And what makes you think that the 360 'outsold' the PS3?

kneon3767d ago

@-Mika-

The casuals buy less software, and that's where the money is, not in the hardware. So it's fine to get the casuals on board but without the core audience profits will be lower.

Besides the xb1 is competing with set top boxes, TV's , phones and tablets for the casuals so there is certainly no guarantee of success.

SilentNegotiator3767d ago

And it's not like Ps4 won't have media. They'll surely have all of the services available before and probably more.

Even when Ps3 was supposedly "all about media" for simply having a Blu-ray drive, we got games like Uncharted:DF, Heavenly Sword, R&C, etc, etc.

GameSpawn3767d ago

PS3/PS4 - Gaming Console that can also do entertainment

Xbox One - Entertainment Hub that can also do games

It's all perspective, but to who it's going to matter to only one of those perspectives is correct, the other only leads to alienation.

Remember more money is to be made from games+dlc and accessories and their respective licensing than from the actual hardware itself. The games and licensing fees (made from 3rd party developers) is were the gift keeps on giving. You can only sell the console so many times to one individual, but that one individual can buy MANY games, if the console entices them to keep buying them anyway.

If your attach rate is going to end up being low because you didn't focus on gaming as the core or at least what the core gamer wants, you better damn well be making a great profit off the hardware to stay afloat (ie. the Wii).

We'll see what happens. If Microsoft hopes they can ride Nintendo's Wii success, that is their gamble. If you ask me Nintendo's Wii success was a fad that has passed and the WiiU has proved that. The same formula doesn't always work more than once, much less a slightly adapted formula just used by someone else.

I'll just end with this to Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft:
Remember who got you where you are...respect what they want.

Tetsujin3767d ago

@-Mika-

Never go full retard

OT

This just helps further confirms what console I'll be buying at midnight; games first and everything else second.

stage883767d ago

Good ol' Kaz.

Giving gamers what they want.

brave27heart3767d ago

Its a business strategy. Early adopters are almost exclusively gamers (with a few techies thrown in). Make the console about gaming then add apps and entertainment features to broaden the scope once you've got the solid user base.

Its what the 360 did. It was all about the games first half of its life, then look at the last few years.

morganfell3767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

Kaz Hirai is a Yakuza boss. After the two analysts (ha ha ha - worthless pinheads) finish talking the interview with Hirai begins. He should be running Japan and not just Sony. Here is the interview from today.

http://video.cnbc.com/galle...

Conzul3767d ago

Um...guys, Mika's actually right for once.

MysticStrummer3767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

@Mika -

"Making your console basically an all-in-1 device is alot better than just focusing on gaming."

Requiring your console to be online, even periodically, means a huge chunk of sales you got last gen won't happen again.

"MS is once again going to possibly outsell Sony"

For something to happen once again it has to happen at least once before.

"Plus I think you guys are underestimating MS. They are not going to 100% focus on media."

Of course not, but a comparison of the specs shows that PS4 will outperform One with games. Even Epic... you know the Gears of War devs who favored the 360? Yeah, them. They said PS4 outperformed One while running Unreal Engine 4. You'd think devs, and Epic in particular, would know about the power of the cloud.

http://www.tekrevue.com/201...

Neither console runs UE4 to Epic's satisfaction, but...

"Microsoft’s latest console will be able to drive even less performance than the PS4, dashing Epic’s hopes for this generation of consoles."

The_KELRaTH3767d ago

I didn't buy a Sky TV box for games - BUT there are games available on it. I won't be buying a games system for TV/music/photos - but it will likely all be there as we've seen with the PS3

MS promoting the Xbox One as a media hub is also quite misleading as from what I've read, the TV channels/recording features will only work in the USA.

Army_of_Darkness3767d ago

Respect. How can any gamer disagree or even hate on Sony's PS4??

maddfoxx3767d ago

@mika
"MS is once again going to possibly outsell Sony".

Can you name a Microsoft console that outsold a console by Sony? Because I know I can't.

KiLLeRCLaM3767d ago

@Mika -

"Making your console basically an all-in-1 device is alot better than just focusing on gaming."

What are PC's and Mac's?

NumOnePS3FanBoy3767d ago

@mika My goodness do you hear yourself. You are a pathetic excuse of a gamer if that's how you think.

DAS6923767d ago

@-Mika-
You have simply f&@!?ed up ;)

Gimmemorebubblez3767d ago

@edonus
"enjoy your kinect sensor"
............................. .-_-
enjoy your eyetoy.

+ Show (18) more repliesLast reply 3767d ago
duli143767d ago

Bubbles for you, not like you need anymore lol

Snookies123767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

The disagrees thought I needed more? o_o

Lol thank you, I do agree though I have plenty as is!

abzdine3767d ago (Edited 3767d ago )

Kaz is the best CEO

EDIT: I enjoyed his presentation at last CEO, it really shows how committed he is to the Sony brand in general.

Here is the CES conference for those who are interested: http://www.youtube.com/watc...

travelguy2k3767d ago

Irony, This is kinda the opposite of the Ps3 launch, They were trying to position the PS3 as a all in one media box.

After all... it only does everything...

Conzul3767d ago

The problem with the PS3 wasn't it's paradigm, it was the difficult hardware.

I rather like the "it only does everything" paradigm.

travelguy2k3767d ago

I agree, i just think the all hate for the Xbone is unnecessary. I more "next gen" devices strived to offer so many improvements upon the last... as i look at my iphone 5...

abzdine3766d ago

At least it did gaming when it first came out

3767d ago
3767d ago Replies(17)
Arai3767d ago

He's somewhat of an iconic figure, as he's been with us PlayStation fans since the beginning of it all.
This is a good watch for anyone that likes the PS brand, it also tells you a bit what to expect from him as CEO.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

In some ways he's like the Michael for the loyal fans, hence the crazy following of Kaz.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Thantalas3767d ago

Thank you.