In a recent interview with German Magazine—say it with me now—Der Spiegel, Sony Exec Phil Harrison lays down a quote that I’m sure will soon be famous:
“We believe that the PS3 will be the place where our users play games, watch films, browse the Web, and use other computer functions. The PlayStation 3 is a computer. We do not need the PC”
Call it a leap if you will, but I’m guessing that the PS3 won’t include a word processor, photo editor, web editor, or a multitude of other PC functions. Still, I find this continued dismissal of the PS3’s main function disturbing. Not only that, diversifying the PS3 too much will confuse consumers. If people (ie Moms) see the PS3 as a computer, they will have a more complex choice to make. Let’s imagine a little exchange shall we?
Consumer Mom: What is this exactly? My child wants one.
Mr. Sales Guy: Why, it’s a PS3. It’s like having a “Super Computer.”
Consumer Mom: But we already have a computer.
Mr. Sales Guy: But this can play Blu-Ray movies!
Consumer Mom: We already have a DVD player…
Mr. Sales Guy: Exactly! Blu-Ray is like DVD only better. Look at that picture!
Consumer Mom: I can’t tell the difference…
Mr. Sales Guy: Um…Well, it plays games, too!
Consumer Mom: Yes, that’s what little Billy wanted. How much?
Mr. Sales Guy: Five hundred dollars.
Consumer Mom: Gadzooks! Why so much?
Mr. Sales Guy: Well, it’s like a “Super Computer” remember?
Consumer Mom: Okay…do you have anything that just plays games?
And so on and so forth. I know Sony is counting on tech savvy adults to buy this for themselves, but the truth is that a lot of little kids will be wanting a PS3 under the Christmas tree. If Sony wants to sell these things to Mom, they’d better be damned sure to exemplify the PS3’s primary function. Then again, I’m not sure even Sony knows what that is anymore.
—interview quote from Gamasutra
When I read that quote on IGN, I also realized the significance of it. Sony really is being a bunch of huge freaking douchebags anymore, or at least more than normal. Do they honestly believe that the PS3 will replace the PC? Besides the things you said that only PCs (and Macs) can do, can you imagine trying to browse the web with a controller, typing and pointing and clicking? If you’ve ever used the Dreamcast web browser, you’d know it’s definitely not enjoyable, to say the least. Secondly, what about PC games? The PS3 cannot replicate these games. PC controls, for example, in the FPS genre are far superior to anything Sony has put forth so far, and the entire experience is different when playing a PC game as opposed to playing a console game.
So, Sony, I ask you: WTF?
He’s off his rocker. Phil and Peter both lose points today.