PS3 - It's not looking good.

Filed in archive Console Wars on July 17, 2006

Brian Ashcroft, an editor at Kotaku, spoke with somebody who has worked in the gaming industry in Japan for many years. The source "recounted an off-the-record conversation that he recently had with Sony Computer Entertainment management." Here's what he had to say:

"Kutaragi is interested only in consoles and technology. He does not care about the market. Some SCE officers disagree with his approach, feeling that the company should be more market sensitive. Kutaragi does not care. Nintendo has shown that it isn't only about powerful technology and graphics, but the PS3 isn't geared for that market at all and is intended for a very specific customer.

Within Sony, the different divisions have discordant views on what the PlayStation 3 actually is. Some divisions view the machine as a game machine, while other divisions view it as a home electronic device (like a TV or a video player). Some SCE officers are worried about hitting the console's target consumer. As a game machine, it's very expensive for many players and not exactly something parents would buy for their children. As an electronic device, the inclusion of a game player could be off-turn for those only interested in electronics and Blu-ray. There's concern within Sony that both groups could be alienated.

It's not possible for most developers to calculate the cost of making PS3 games. And it doesn't help that even last month, Sony kept delaying development tools. Many small and medium-sized developers are not making PS3 games, because costs are astronomical. Instead, they are switching to the Wii, the DS and the Xbox 360. Everyone sees developing for the PlayStation 3 as a risk."

Ashcroft insists that his source is very trustworthy, and I believe it.

But about the information - All that for a console that is due out in November? I don't think the future looks very good for the PS3.

What do you guys think?