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More PS3 Words From the Horse's Mouth
Game|Life had the chance to sit down with Ken Kutaragi, Phil Harrison, and Kaz Hirai; Chris Kohler has some details on things left unsaid at the PS3 conference. From the article: "Q: You're the head of Sony's worldwide development studios. What the hell is up with that Africa game? A: 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."
Mr. Ed is Sony's new spokesperson?!?
Figures.
BTW, does this article remind anyone else of the Chief of Police scene in TMNT 2?
"Is there anything else you'd like to not tell me, Mr Kutaragi?"
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
Seriously, this doesn't really seem like a Sony game here. But I don't really know who's developing it either. So what if they want to make a game that's pure exploration. It'll probably look great, have descent controls, and very little need for AI in anything. I'm sure some one will enjoy it. But I don't see a lot of parents buying it for the kids (60-80 bucks).
This sig isn't original enough, it's time to come up with something witty...
Straight from the horse's mouth as long as you can bypass the "PR handlers"; Ken Kutaragi only answered one of the four questions presented to him and that was with a distinct "maybe".
My favorite comment was from Phil Harrison:
"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."
I would really like to see these consumers who accepted the $500-$600 price points well. People that I've talked to, including staunch PlayStation supporters, have said that they don't plan on buying a PS3 because of the high price point.
They keep putting the wrong end up to the podium...
You're there with the key top brass of the PS3 crew, the guru, the really big cheese, and the best question is "what's up with that Africa game"?
Who the heck cares about a game nobody has even heard of. Or wants to hear of. Or could even remotely consider buying.
How about new sequels of already very much loved games? How about asking 'bout the damn cables? How about BluRay and what about the rumor that you can't "lend" discs because they're being "tied" with your box somehow as soon as you put them in the first time?
Or was that the only question that guru was able/allowed/willing to answer?
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
From the article:
"Will the PS3 include component video cables in the box?
I'm not sure, but I think the answer might be "no."
We know it doesn't come with HDMI cables. So how do you connect it to your TV? Is it really composite only? That's remarkable. So out of the box, it will look like poo no matter what television you have.
They are adding HDMI to all the PS3s now, but they aren't including a decent cable to connect with. Strange.
For the same price as a PS3, you could go on a real safari!
...and that wraps up your weekend forcast. Back to you Tom.
Thank you Mary Ann. Tonights top story, the Sony Runaway Trial. Shortly after noon in San Diego the lawyers representing Fathers Against Runaway Teens opened the court proceedings with hefty accusations against Sony. They charge that Sony has been negligent in its review of computer games and their affects on teenagers. This case originated when Brandon Hill, a runaway teen sixteen years old, was found in Africa three months later. When questioned, he admitted to playing the game Africa on Sony's Play Station Three.
Mark Hill, Brandon's father said, "My son never expressed any interest in any other countries or continents before playing that game. It obviously seduced him into leaving home and traveling to Africa in order to watch lions and hippos. We all know that teenagers cannot think for them selves and only walk around life as a mimicry of what they play on computers and game consoles. Sony should have known better than to release that game."
Sony, denies any wrong doing. However, Mr. Hill believes they are only trying to duck responsibility. "My son was almost killed because of that game. Its non-violent approach convinced him he could walk right out into the savana and approach these animals without any type of weapon for protection. Not only did he try to follow a zebra herd around, he also tried to pet a baby elephant." Brandon, who is recovering from a cracked skull, damaged vertebre, four cracked ribs, and multiple contusions was unavailable for comment.
In a preemptive move, Walmart has already removed all games from its shelves. Stan Grissom, a Walmart spokesman, stated this action was only temporary. The games will return after they have been labeled with both NCA and RRP ratings. These two new ratings have been promoted by many game distributers for the last several years but, until now, have not been used. The new ratings stand for "Not for California" and "Requires Responsible Parents". Though Mr. Hill applauds this action, he feels it is too little too late. "If Sony had required that labeling at the start we wouldn't be here today. I would be suing someone else for my son's problems instead."
Stay with us. After the break we will show you the latest on how life can cause cancer and what you can do about it.
The Horse's Mouth? You sure you don't have that horse backwards on this one?