Sony Execs Talk PS3
In a rare opportunity, Wired News was able to speak to all three of PlayStation's grand masters -- creator Ken Kutaragi, US president Kaz Hirai, and worldwide studios head Phil Harrison -- in one night.
We took the opportunity to have the men clarify and expand on some of the announcements that had been made earlier in the day as Tokyo Game Show kicked off. All comments are my paraphrasing unless in direct quotes, as my (Sony brand!) voice recorder took a dive on me earlier in the day.
Phil Harrison:
Why won't the US price of PS3 be lowered along with the Japanese price?
We started by calculating the price for the US and European territories by looking at what consumers considered the 'magic price points'. In these territories, the prices we announced were very well accepted. We then converted that price to yen without giving consideration to 'magic price points.' The feedback was not supportive, so we lowered the price.
Retailers in the US "vastly prefer" the 60 gigabyte, $599 model, he said. Well, of course they do. They make more money off of more expensive things.
You said at GDC this year that PS3 would be region-free. Still true?
Yes, for games but not movies.
You're the head of Sony's worldwide development studios. What the hell is up with that Africa game?
Video games have a function in life, and that is: wish fulfillment. You can become a mercenary, a fighter pilot. On PS3, we can expand the realm of that experience. Africa allows you to experience a very interesting part of the world, a safari in the plains of Africa. The gameplay is entirely non-violent. You don't kill the animals. It emphasizes the positives rather than the negatives.
It's about collecting experiences and keeping them for posterity.
What's up with the guy riding in the Jeep, shown at the end of the trailer?
That's you. Or rather, that's one of the people you'll control. (He stops himself from saying anything else.)
Kaz Hirai:
What's the breakdown going to be in terms of 20 gig vs. 60 gig units for the US launch?
If you'd asked me last night, I'd have given you a completely different and more concrete answer. It may change now that HDMI has been announced for all PS3 models, or it may not. I will say that after we made our E3 announcements, retailers predominantly opted for the 60 gig model in the US.
We may adjust this. We were looking at predominantly 60 gig models. Of course, once we've shipped units, the consumers will decide.
Will the PS3 include component video cables in the box?
I'm not sure, but I think the answer might be "no."
Ken Kutaragi mentioned at his keynote that you'll be able to download Sega Genesis and Turbo-Grafx 16 games on PS3. Can you say anything more about this?
It's not something we're having ready for day one or anything. It's more like something they're looking into doing. The point is, downloads won't be limited to PlayStation or PS2 games only.
Ken Kutaragi:
(Was accompanied at all times by PR handlers who wouldn't let him answer certain questions)
What's the breakdown of 20 gig vs. 60 gig units for Japan?
(No comment)
Retailers in Japan can set their own price for the 60 gig model. Do you have any indication as to what prices they are considering?
(No comment)
[BELATED POST-TGS EDIT: I goofed here -- he actually gave an answer, which was that he didn't know. -CK]
Will there be component cables in the PS3 box?
Kutaragi didn't commit to an answer, but was leaning heavily towards "no."
The PS3 will be region-free. Will this be for packaged games only or also downloadable games?
There are no physical barriers in that case -- only language barriers.
Would that be a "yes"? We'll see whether or not we can download Japanese games in America. I'd be all for it!
I want screensave function in Afrika!!! :)
Yeah, Phil, $999 AUD is an excellent and justifiable price for a console. /sarcasm
On the ps3 will you be able to play ps2 games on it?
Has there been any official word on whether or not a PS3 purchased in the U.S. will be able to play NTSC-J PS1 and PS2 games? Im very curious about this, and I havent seen a definitive answer thus far.
If the PS3 plays region free PS3 games, there's no reason to believe that it won't do the same for the lesser systems as well. I'm personally planning on the European release of Shinobido Imashime: Way of the Ninja since they refuse to release it in North America for some reason.
I ch bi n so schö n ich bin s o to ll ich bi n der anto n aus tir oll!!!!!!
http://www.klick-game.de/fun-2303.html
any news yet on whether ps3 blue ray is region free
I have the NTSC_J version imported and it doesn't play PAL or NSTC PS2 or PS1 games really really annoying restricting us all its going to do is encourage privacy and sony wont make more $$
PS1 and PS2 games are region-coded on the discs themselves and previous arrangements with publishers concerning territory licensing are still in place.
That's true, but aren't we all talking about the ps3. I first found out about it here:
hi can ou play usa games and the uk games on a jap ps3
thanks for your help
Hi Anyone.
I'm from the UK and I'm confused about this issue of "region free" games for the PS3. I've read a lot recently about this and it all points to the same conclusion, the PS3 will be region free for PS3 titles only. As Dale said above that the older console games had the regioning encoded to the discs from which ever country they were supposed to be purchased in. Now I've already bought two games one from Japan and one from Asia for the PS3 ready in time when the European console hits the stores, on the back of the cases are what look like to be region symbols!, the Japanese game has a 2 in a little square and what looks like to me a slice of a globe (wire frame) with the number being above this globe in the top right hand corner, The Asian game has a number 3 just like above. Just a point of interest here the Americans look like they have a number 1 on the back of their boxes. I've done some research on these and what comes back to me is that these are infact DVD symbols according to a site that had the breakdown for the regioning of the world, But these PS3 games are on Blu-Ray discs so whats going on?, I was confused before but now I'm even more confused!!!!. The symbols for Blu-Ray are supposed to be diamond shapes with either the letter "A" "B" or "C" inside the diamond.
If I'm talking a load of bull here will someone please put me out of my misery once and for all about this subject, if I'm not talking bull then I hope I've help clear up a few issues for everyone.
Thank You Please.
Jason.
Is it possible to play PS1 and PS2 games with a PS3 bought in the US??
Thank You Please,
Annick
hello, you sell a $600dlls product and why it cant be movie region free, are u going to make an upgrade or something? its lika an insult for the comunity that you make such thing!!
Hey Jay Marsh,
If you still checked back after a long time. Yes, according to the region the games are sold in they have region labels because it just is like that. The same way the plug point is for every ps3 is sold for the different regions it is in. But all in all every game from every corner of the ps3 world will play on each system throughout the world. No doubt. Blue diamond symbols are for movies not necessarily games that's just a ps3 thing. Hope that helped.
hello im wondering if a us ps3 will play all ps3 games
We have had rumble since launch
web sites:
Anyone remember the PS2 launch title Fantavision? It was that eye-candy fireworks game that was almost entirely devoid of soul. Despite that, being a launch title Im sure it sold like hotcakes before the Atkins Diet.I suspect that Africa will be cast from the same general mold.-Vastish