Analyst: PS3 Is Sony’s Last Console

01 Dec

Posted by Darren Stevens as Articles, Business, Hardware

There has been no shortage of bad Sony news over the past months, everything from arrogant statements to console delays, and as a consequence, PlayStation creator Ken Kutaragi has been removed as SCE president. He now holds a “higher” rank, as SCE chairman, meaning he won’t make any big decisions anymore. Analyst Yuta Sakurai from Nomura Securities predicts that the PS3 will be Sony’s last console,

“The appointment of Hirai could be the start of a shift from hardware to software. I cannot now imagine a PlayStation 4. Hirai’s new global portfolio puts a predominantly software-focused manager in charge of the company.”

Sega went down the same path a few years ago, when the Dreamcast failed and the company became a software publisher. But that’s not the case with Sony, according to company PR chief Dave Karakker, who told GameSpot,

“Following the launch of the PlayStation 3 just a few weeks ago, and witnessing the huge consumer demand for the product, I think it would be rather short-sighted for anyone to predict there might not be a next generation of PlayStation product”

So there you go, everything is apparently alright at Sony. Despite receiving rather negative reviews, the PS3 has sold out in both Japan and North America.

Read (Financial Times)

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Tags: Articles, Business, Hardware

35 Responses

Anuban

December 1st, 2006 at 2:22 pm
1

Personally after all they went through (cell techology, Blu-ray, shipping a year later than the 360) I just can’t imagine they would just give up so easily and basically give the crown to Microsoft. The only way I could even remotely see that happening is if blu-ray failed and developers never got the hang of how to unlock the full potential of the cell processor. But life is stranger than fiction so who knows … but wow Microsoft would just be the outright king of the HD gaming console experience and that seems a bit much to believe.
Zac

December 1st, 2006 at 2:51 pm
2

I’m doubting it as well.
Anuban

December 1st, 2006 at 3:01 pm
3

Yeah man … it just flies in the face of all logic … but heck … stranger things have happened. Maybe Sony wants to get back to concentrating on HDTVs, Laptops, HTS, batteries, other electronic/hi-tech gadgets and restore their name as a top innovator in those fields. As it is they are about number four or five when it comes to HDTVs … and that market is exploding now. Also maybe they want to focuse on pure Blu-ray players and get more of profit from all their R&D. Could be they were somewhat influenced by the fact that each Wii sold actually makes Nintendo money right off the back.
dominant

December 1st, 2006 at 6:23 pm
4

whether or not you believe the analyst, its still incredible the amount of negative talk about the ps3. you know that sony is hurting when people are talking about their demise in the console hardware industry… especially when you are hearing this 3 weeks after the console was released.
Anuban

December 1st, 2006 at 8:18 pm
5

One good thing about this if it is true is that games like God of War 2 and God of War 3 may actually one day have a chance of being available on the 360 platform. Now that would be great so in a way I really do hope it is true. Also Killzone 2 and 3 would likely be on the 360 one day as well. This is great news if it is true (great news for us Wii360 owners that is). Still I have to adopt my usual wait and see attitude. In this case we may not know with any meaningful certainty for 3-4 years (although if there is no more R&D going on for further consoles that would be about the best indicator you can get in the short term).
Quartecks

December 2nd, 2006 at 1:22 am
6

I’m not kidding at all when I say: You could make a GameCube with a different look and controller and as long as it has the brandname of nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft, it will 100% sell out in the first days. Just because the PS3 sold out doesn’t mean there’s a large demand for it.
Flame sucks

December 2nd, 2006 at 6:44 am
7

Am I the only one that sort of feels bad for Sony?
Zac

December 2nd, 2006 at 8:57 am
8

“Am I the only one that sort of feels bad for Sony?”

Yes.

But when looking at that picture up top… The guy on the left just looks so damn happy. I couldn’t stand to see him see his company fall down the stairs… Poor guy.. And what about his kids? It’s all so sad.
Monarky

December 2nd, 2006 at 1:00 pm
9

What a bunch of morons! None of you or anyone else understands corporate structuring or get that the CEO of any corporate enity is the boss brains of the outfit! The president is just a figurehead. Kutaragi is just handing over one Title to make it look like he has officially bowed out.

The reality is he will continue to run SCE as always. Even Sony has said that!

No corporation in it’s right mind has the power to displace the Chairman of the Board or even would, you idiots! Not only that, but this guy is a genius and makes the retired Microsoft CEO look like Steve “Monkey Man” Balmer’s autistic twin brother! Do you know who Bill Gates is? Now him and Balmer are a hellof a lot more embarrassing than ken any day.

In the end Ken Kutaragi will go down in history as not only the father of the “Playstation”, but the father and mind behind the creation of a generation leap in the brains behind the “Cell BDE” processor! Not since Berners Lee set the World Wide Web into action has computer technology taken such a leap! Yet you worthless morons who’ve contributed nothing sit in his judgement before his day has even arrived!

Shame on all you and in the end you will all have to eat your words as Kutaragi laughs at your ignorance when Sony PS3 tacks up a 3Peat (which has never been done before in gaming)! Mwaa… ha…. ha…. heehee
Anuban

December 2nd, 2006 at 6:52 pm
10

Hey man calling people “worthless morons” around these parts gets you totally ignored for the rest of your time around this place. You may not agree with what people say but since you can’t see into the future your opinion is just that … an opinion and doesn’t give you the right to call people out of their names. You need to apologize or get lost. Your choice. And buddy there are those of us who have worked in the corporate world int he hi tech field for 20 years and have a much better grasp on business of all sorts that you.
greenthumb

December 2nd, 2006 at 9:55 pm
11

if games like God of War or Devil May Cry or well if Sony would fail which I dont believe for one bit lol , I think all the negative talk is going to haunt all the critics in the long run but . I dont like the 360’s controller and I will never buy it because of that . I only would buy it for First person shooters not adventure games or platformers . I feel at home with the size and shape of the Ps2/Ps3 controller since I like those type of games and Fighting games. I think when games start to pick up next year the Ps3 will start too . Right now its Microsofts world since they have the best games for being out a year earlier . I just cant see myself playin Tekken on a huge controller
Anuban

December 2nd, 2006 at 10:05 pm
12

Again that is just you … and you are more welcome to make that choice. Just don’t expect other people like myself to follow your. Personally I love the 360 controller and feel it is a lot more comfortable that the PS/2 one. But again that is just my opinion and personal taste. I play DOA4 quite well with that controller … and I do mean Quite Well.
Zac

December 3rd, 2006 at 12:44 am
13

And I do play Smash Bros Quite Well with my GC controller.
Monarky

December 3rd, 2006 at 1:22 am
14

Anuban? Just admit your an Xbot fan, paid to flap your jaws in a negative way about Sony and the PS3. Microselfish is just doing their typical “Get the Facts” propaganda hype they ran against “Linux” (that failed btw)!

This is not the first time they’ve played dirty against the competition even after putting out highly defective products like X360! Your the one that needs to take a hike, because of your obvious fanboyism. And even if you don’t, you can come back in a few years to these blog posts (after you bought your 5th he-Xbox 360 after they all die before their time) and we’ll be witnessing that Sony 3Peat I mentioned.

Why believe this? Well only one professional business forcaster says different and they have been heavily invested in by Microsoft. Me? I’m voting 3Peat like the majority of the World. No way can Microselfish swing the needed gamers from the sum 100+ million PS2 users to that defective plaqued heat monster X360 (highest defect rate ever for a console). Sony owns the console World and both you and Microsoft know it! Coming in 2nd is no better than last in this race.

As you remember your owner/boss claimed back in May that the Xbox 360 would sell 10 million by the time the PS3 launched! Well? I don’t call 7 million even close to his prediction. Unless you can’t count that’s nearly 30% off the mark. That means They’ll be lucky to break 10 million by the PS3 Europe launch. If you were trully unpwned by M$ you’ld analyze all the data! Like the fact that now the available buyers in the market for X360, have been cut to a third with the entrance of the Wii and PS3 into the fray.

So to a savy Las Vegas Bookie (now that we have some other horses in the race), we’re spreading the field and the odds of the favorite PS3 losing are cut dramatically. That’s why I’ll bet my money on a 3Peat along with the majority of the world!

Does that make me a fanboy? Maybe, but I’m not one of that 100+ million former PS2 (or even PS1 Owners either). In fact I’ve now owned the orginal Xbox and two Xbox 360’s. So I’ve become a very disatisfied M$ customer and I think there will be many others like me to follow! ;D

P.S. Oh and about the 360 controller? It Suks! PS3 will have keyboard mouse support in FPS games like UT2007 with PC to PS3 online play. Another reason for me to buy a PS3! Just love those FPS games on a computer with mouse and keyboard support. Don’t you?
Zac

December 3rd, 2006 at 1:27 am
15

Ooooooh *sences a large scale battle brewing, surging forth from a darkening horizon*

*waits for the Anuban Army to come marching into battle*
greenthumb

December 3rd, 2006 at 7:06 am
16

Lol wow ! thats a hell of a breakdown but I just dont like the 360 controller Idk some people love it though but I just couldnt see myself playin the games I love from the Ps3 with that stick! I love beat ass games I’m a fightin fan mainly , and platform ,adventure lover . Oh and I’m great at Tekken . I do like it for first person shooter though , but I will say this Sony is jumpin on the First person shooter bandwagon this time around look at what they launch with ? Resistance . I think they are goin to sell more consoles because they are gonna brang fans into the market that love those shoot em up games.
Anuban

December 3rd, 2006 at 9:22 am
17

“*waits for the Anuban Army to come marching into battle*

Nah … not even worth a response. When people are saying stuff just to get a rise out of me and are waaaay off base there is no point in any discussion or debate. My 360 is over a year old and it’s running fine. The same couldn’t be said about the first two PS2s I bought. I said what I had to say on the matter … I just won a Wii that I am looking forward to very much so what do I really have to prove to anyone at this point? Nothing. Oh one thing though … as Mr. Blonde said “I don’t have a boss.”
Zac

December 3rd, 2006 at 9:41 am
18

Aww… But your army is so majestic and fearless.

Was that the Mr. Blonde from Perfect Dark?
Anuban

December 3rd, 2006 at 9:57 am
19

Nah man … Mr. Blonde from Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. Rent it if you haven’t already seen it. To me it is among the Top three films of all time. Tarantino was never able to match the utter genius of that film.
Zac

December 3rd, 2006 at 10:37 am
20

Aye, perhaps I will if I get the chance.
Ryudo

December 3rd, 2006 at 12:14 pm
21

It could be sony’s last console, but i have a feeling that sony might go dormant in the video games industry and focus back on their electronic sales. Then in a few yrs time they’ll come out with something amazing, just like nintendo; Concentrate on the handhelds and then integrate it into something better. You never know. Although Nintendo were able to multi-task better, if you catch my drift.
Kaiser Soze

December 3rd, 2006 at 7:10 pm
22

If the PS3 continues to flop the way it does now, there would be no business in making a 4 playstation
greenthumb

December 3rd, 2006 at 9:29 pm
23

I just dont see it happening , period with them flopping all consoles have a rocky start. I have read sites that state 360’s crashing overheating the whole nine , and saw that the Wii has had problems with updates crashin the system . I just see it as people hate on Sony because they sold the most ,haters come a dime a dozen when you hold the crown. That is proven and really I bet if Microsoft won for the past 10 years then the focus of all the hate would be on them lol or Nintendo vice versa. people love to hate on you and wish to see you fail when you are sucessful and on top. I agree with Ryu ,I think Sony could take a break from maken console for a year or two , return and still rise to the Top. just because they have a big fanbase . well kinda how Rappers like Jay-Z how they say they are retired and bam they back!
Anuban

December 3rd, 2006 at 9:40 pm
24

“people love to hate on you and wish to see you fail when you are successful and on top.”

Wow … well said.
greenthumb

December 3rd, 2006 at 10:02 pm
25

yeah lol I know, it would be the same say if Microsoft were in Sonys shoes for ten years then all the threads and News scripts would be full of hate with more focus on say Microsoft. but idk maybe its just me ! its a crazy world though lol
B34C0N

December 3rd, 2006 at 10:59 pm
26

Speaking of the PS3 (or the Personal Supercomputer 3):

Supercomputers make very poor gaming platforms.
STD

December 3rd, 2006 at 11:42 pm
27

Can you guys really see video games as a whole going in the next generation after PS3 and 360. Think about it. What else can they do? If they produce a console with just better graphics I don’t that alone would help. The Wii has a nice concept of looking away towards other means of playing video games but the Wii’s controls are not exactly accurate.
Ryudo

December 4th, 2006 at 12:42 am
28

Well depending on the response of the wii, it’s logical that competing companies will make *similar* motion detection in their consoles. Even if the wii has had update problems, other companies may look at it and say they can handle it better, but with the better graphics. So IMO if sony fail, nintendo is totally open to the HD era with motion sensing while micro is open to motion sensing. That’s what i believe is in the future, unless VR takes over.
hasbro

December 4th, 2006 at 3:09 am
29

i think that sony should lower the prices of all its consoles. Then more peeps will buy it. DUH
Anuban

December 4th, 2006 at 3:48 am
30

I don’t think people understood quite what I was saying … it had NOTHING to do with Sony or MS.
greenthumb

December 4th, 2006 at 6:55 am
31

I agree I think they need a price drop too but we all know they are too greedy for that lol and really it is worth it to me for what is inside but I think alot of people would love a price drop since it would show they care about there fans instead of being looked at as greedy basturds with suits and ties lol all in all . they are all greedy well not Nintendo
Anuban

December 4th, 2006 at 7:27 am
32

Sony is already losing between $250-$340 bucks (depending on who listen to and believe) on each console … how can anyone expect for them to lower the price any more? No matter what the situation may be that would be complete financial suicide. They just have to do as MS did and ride this first year out … perhaps 2008 will be the year of the PS3.
doom

December 13th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
33

Oh man that’s funny, Anuban gets thouroughly owned by an anonymous (monarky) poster and then replies with the very frail: I won’t touch this. Wahah, ooh yesss indeed, you can’t touch this.
PsyOp

December 16th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
34

@9 lol looks like you fell off the fanboy wagon just this morning.
Zac

December 17th, 2006 at 5:13 am
35

Hahaha