MS Shane Kim Discusses PS3 Announcement

[Ben-N1ce]

http://www.oxm.co.uk/articles/featur...ew_-_shane_kim

OXM 360: You mentioned Sony – what are your thoughts on the announcement of the worldwide PS3 launch in November?

I think that it’s great that Sony realise how important Viva Piñata since they had to make their announcement on the same day as us! No, but seriously, I think it’s a good thing that they’re finally starting to reveal more. They’ve made a lot of promises and people want to know what’s happening with PS3. Even though it’s disappointing for people who were expecting PS3 this spring, it’s good that Sony is sharing more information. For us, it doesn’t change anything. We’ve had a very clear strategy for a long time now and we’re not going to change that. We’re not going to react to anything that they do. We know what we’re doing, we’ll be in full supply shortly, we’ve got great content on the way, and we’ve got fantastic third-party support. If Sony happens to stumble – and we know first-hand that there are a lot of challenges in a worldwide launch – then we’ll be in an incredibly strong position to take advantage.

OXM 360: Sony has never done a worldwide launch before. Do you think you forced their hand with the worldwide launch of Xbox 360?

I have a philosophy: Leaders don’t react. I don’t know what went into Sony’s minds. I think we’ll have to see what happens. They said they’ll launch worldwide? We’ll see if they can pull it off. It’s very challenging. It may be they did it because we did it and it may be because it’s what customers want. Hopefully it’s because it’s what customers want.

OXM 360: You’ll have had a year’s head start come November. Are you confident that you’ll have a huge and loyal installed base by then that could damage PS3’s sales?

I am confident that we’ll have a loyal and significant installed base. What I’m less confident about is that we’ll win. I think that’s the kind of call you can only make when the time is right. So we’re going to be maniacally focused on executing out long-term game plan. You can ask me in three or four years whether we’ve won. But I totally believe that people who have bought Xbox 360 and subscribed to Xbox Live are having a great experience and I think we’re going to get a lot of top spin momentum from that.

OXM 360: Sony will be looking to have a huge E3 with the unveiling of the console. Do you have anything planned to take that thunder away?

We’ll have real content, real games that people can go out and get their hands on. Similar to what we had last year. We didn’t want to go out there and show a bunch of rendered videos that wouldn’t necessarily reflect reality. Sony has created that expectation and we’ll have to see if they can deliver on it. For us it’s all about real content this year. We’ve got some great titles launching every week now so at E3 we’ll have some exciting announcements about games we’re working on, and games third-party developers are working on.

OXM 360: Is there a feeling within Microsoft that you need to announce something huge to blow Sony out of the water?

Not really. This may be hard to believe but we’re not really focused on what we do to Sony. We’ve got the game plan and we know what we want to do. Of course, there are strategic announcements in that game plan and if we’ve done it right they’ll have some impact on Sony. But we’re not sitting down and thinking, “okay, what’s the best way to hurt Sony? What’s the best way to hurt PS3?” We’ll do things our way, Sony will do it theirs, and the customers will decide.

[Junox50]

Wow a huge departure from what one would expect from a typical MS employee.

[Luis]

I have a philosophy: Leaders don’t react.

One of the most stupid things I've read in a long while. Has this guy ever heard of the expression "rest on one's laurels"? No wonder why Rare is not what it used to be anymore.

P.S. Use the quote function next time.
P.P.S. Does this really belong to the PS3 section?

[frosty]

Sure it does, they directly discuss PS3 in the article. I think M$ is realising that their cockiness is having a negative effect on gamers, so they are taking a more neutral approach that instills some confidence. Kudos to them for that, I'm tired of the Major Nelson type rhetoric. It's also nice to see them show some humility, by saying they are not sure if they will win the console race. Now they are actually starting to sound realistic. The only comment that made me gag was the "We'll be showing REAL games at E3" crap, of course Sony will have real time playables on the floor by then.

[venomv]

VG What was wrong with that? He is saying that true leaders don't just suddenly change their mind all of the time, they get a plan and stick with it, if the plan seems to be going wrong they think thing through and then make changes, not just suddenly do something.

MS should always have that guy speak for them, he seems smart or at least knows what he's talking about.

[cliffbo]

that is pure arrogance to suggest that the only reason Sony made these anouncements was because of their game. how low can you go. okay he suggested it was a joke but... he knows how sites will report this.

[cliffbo]

VG What was wrong with that? He is saying that true leaders don't just suddenly change their mind all of the time, they get a plan and stick with it, if the plan seems to be going wrong they think thing through and then make changes, not just suddenly do something.

MS should always have that guy speak for them, he seems smart or at least knows what he's talking about.

world leaders should adjust there tactics to fit in with changing ideologies. it is narrowminded of him to suggest otherwise. it was philosophy like that that got hundreds of American troopes killed in Iraq and is continuing to do so. he just said it to make himself look cool. thought took a back seat on this occasion.

[Luis]

VG What was wrong with that?

Just tell me how much sense does that philosophy make. Consider a console manufacturer that has sold 100+ million units of their two home consoles to date. I can guess they're clever enough to think: "We want to keep being successful, so we'll do our best once again." Then they take a look at the market and say things like:

"There were complaints from the customer end when we made separate launches for our previous consoles. Let's seriously consider a simultaneous launch!"
or
"Our customers would like a full-fledged online service. Let's create one!"
or
"A hard drive could bring a lot of exciting features".

Do you honestly think a true leader would say:
"Let's just rush our console, games and services for an early and flawed single territory launch, and then let's solve the problems on the go while we release it months later in other territories"
or
"We don't need an online platform unlike MS and Nintendo."
or
"There's no point on releasing a hard drive for our console whatsoever."


His "leader's don't react" statement is totally derogative. It's like he wants to make Sony not to seem the leaders when they actually are... and by a wide margin. That's poor FUD in its purest form.

Now, shouldn't the question be: what was right with that?

[woundingchaney]

One of the most stupid things I've read in a long while. Has this guy ever heard of the expression "rest on one's laurels"? No wonder why Rare is not what it used to be anymore.

P.S. Use the quote function next time.
P.S.S. Does this really belong to the PS3 section?

Depends on how you want to look at it. Leaders dont react primarily because they lead, those that react are often followers (hence forth they react to the leaders). I understand your view as well but by no means is the statement stupid.

The world wide launch concerns me primarily because I seriously doubt that was PLAN A. It seems they are in a rush to get the console out before Christmas and a rush is never good in the electronics department. I expect serious shortages on the PS3 this Holiday season for the PS3.
Although I seriously doubt Sony is doing this simply because MS did.

Its good to see MS focusing on MS and shows both maturity and a future in the console industry if they remain strong.

@ Cliff
It was by all means a joke and should be concidered this way. KK has made some of the most arrogant statements in the industry yet we dont hold it against the man, instead we claim him to be misunderstood or the like (I personally think he is a strong leader for Sony and an impressive business man). But holding other spokesmen to conduct we dont hold to everyone is biased.

[overclocked]

Im just tired of hearing quotes from various MS guys speaking on PS3.
I give shit in what they say so i think this is something that shouldnt even be posted cause i dont see the relevance of it, no grinning on the threadstarter but thats just my personal opinion. Sick and tired of it always coming up

[Luis]

Depends on how you want to look at it. Leaders dont react primarily because they lead, those that react are often followers (hence forth they react to the leaders). I understand your view as well but by no means is the statement stupid.

You've got to be kidding. Being a leader is not a coincidental thing. Leaders have to keep up, introduce changes in their politics and take risks in order to remain as leaders. To rely on past achievements and not working to keep a leadership status or achieve a greater one is what he could possibly mean by "leaders don't react", regardless of the context that's in. And that's certainly not how a true leader would behave like.

With that statement, he suggests that this worldwide launch is a triggered sudden decision. No matter how much we heard "Spring 2006", we all knew it would only apply to Japan, if it ever happened. Now they're making sense with a later, but proper revised launch plan for the new hardware, software lineup and services.

It seems they are in a rush to get the console out before Christmas and a rush is never good in the electronics department.

Huh??? A rush would have been a single territory Spring 2006 launch. Releasing in November is just about right.

Sony doesn't really need to release another console so early, so their only concern is to release a new console to remain competitive in every field, and they won't do it in a way that there would be a number of chances that they wouldn't be competitive. They are not rushing their new product.

[Old_Timer!]

VG I totally agree with you, the nature of the battlefield is ever changing one has to adjust, would you continue charging if you see a batallion lined up to take you down. A true leader sees all and makes decision.

[xbdestroya]

I don't see a problem myself with anything Shane said - it all seems very reasoned and reasonable. If I were him I would have taken a very similar approach. Put the focus on yourself, that you're in control of what you're doing and not always watching the other guy. I mean of course they are, and Sony is watching them, but I think Microsoft really is in a place right now where all they have to worry about is executing on the rest of their launch year and getting some games out.

If there's any mystery here for me, it's why Microsoft responded to this announcement *at all.* But that's really more the fault of the gaming media that demands statements and comments after everything.

[venomv]

I depends on how take what he said, depends on how you take the word react. I take it in that context to mean react quickly and instinctivly with no thought involved. If you wanna take react as do anything at all then no it doesn't make sense.

OXM 360: Sony has never done a worldwide launch before. Do you think you forced their hand with the worldwide launch of Xbox 360?

I have a philosophy: Leaders don’t react. I don’t know what went into Sony’s minds. I think we’ll have to see what happens. They said they’ll launch worldwide? We’ll see if they can pull it off. It’s very challenging. It may be they did it because we did it and it may be because it’s what customers want. Hopefully it’s because it’s what customers want.

That seems like a positive statement, it looks like he is saying he doesn't think Sony is doing just because MS did. But you can read into what you want since he didn't really say anything.

[Infernal]

Damn, you guys are so harsh on anything Microsoft says. I mean they could say 'Well PS3 Wins" and everyone would go "WTF is Microsoft doing, their being sarcastic and trying to trick consumers!" I mean they arent pure evil you know, the only thing I dont really understand is why they always feel the need to respond when the competition does something.

[Nameless]

I was impressed with Microsoft's statements and the responses were very professional and realistic. I agree MS should take credit for puting console online gaming on the map. If MS Live was not so successful we may not see the robust multimedia tools being built into the PS3. (Can't believe we will get the services for free...) I want to see both companies have marketshare and success, someone needs to keep Sony on their toes. Also, it's good to see North America have some influence in the gaming world. Long live MS & Sony, peace...

[woundingchaney]

You've got to be kidding. Being a leader is not a coincidental thing. Leaders have to keep up, introduce changes in their politics and take risks in order to remain as leaders. To rely on past achievements and not working to keep a leadership status or achieve a greater one is what he could possibly mean by "leaders don't react", regardless of the context that's in. And that's certainly not how a true leader would behave like.

With that statement, he suggests that this worldwide launch is a triggered sudden decision. No matter how much we heard "Spring 2006", we all knew it would only apply to Japan, if it ever happened. Now they're making sense with a later, but proper revised launch plan for the new hardware, software lineup and services.

Huh??? A rush would have been a single territory Spring 2006 launch. Releasing in November is just about right.

Sony doesn't really need to release another console so early, so their only concern is to release a new console to remain competitive in every field, and they won't do it in a way that there would be a number of chances that they wouldn't be competitive. They are not rushing their new product.

The worldwide launch is plan B and I personally dont see as to how anyone couldnt recognize that. Ever since E3 we have been hearing spring and internet rumor speculating against it. Well after Sony spokesmen have responded in varying degrees even to the point of refuting each other (everything from PS3 is on track to there is a potential delay),we are now confirmed for a world wide November launch. This is not what Sony initially had planned. Is it a rush, yeah Im going to say it is, just wait till this holiday season everyone everywhere is going to play hell getting a PS3. You had better believe it is a rush to get the holiday market. Now concider if Sony doesnt meet their "intended" product supply here.

Becoming a leader is very much a coincidental thing. Look at Sony's entrance into the console world, can one really doubt that they climbed so high due to both Sega and Nin dropping the ball during the 32 bit era, Im not belittle their progress but irregardless much of their dominance is the result of poor management of the other companies which for Sony was in part coincidence. However, remaining a leader is based primarily upon the decisions and strategys put into use. Looking throughout history leadership follows coincidence throughout wars and revolutions. Once again it depends on your view point as to how you wish to interpret his statements, simply belittling them is unfair.

This spokesman has been very fair and straightforward with respectable statements regarding the issue. MS isnt going to beat Sony, MS is trying to put themselves in a position to usurp Sony if Sony beats themselves. There is a difference in strategies here.

[woundingchaney]

Damn, you guys are so harsh on anything Microsoft says. I mean they could say 'Well PS3 Wins" and everyone would go "WTF is Microsoft doing, their being sarcastic and trying to trick consumers!" I mean they arent pure evil you know, the only thing I dont really understand is why they always feel the need to respond when the competition does something.

Well they were proabaly questioned

Although I have no idea if they requested an interview or not

[Coded-Dude]

MS is not pure evil, but they are about as close as you can get to pure evil.........(IMHO)

[Viano]

Becoming a leader is very much a coincidental thing. Look at Sony's entrance into the console world, can one really doubt that they climbed so high due to both Sega and Nin dropping the ball during the 32 bit era, Im not belittle their progress but irregardless much of their dominance is the result of poor management of the other companies which for Sony was in part coincidence. However, remaining a leader is based primarily upon the decisions and strategys put into use. Looking throughout history leadership follows coincidence throughout wars and revolutions. Once again it depends on your view point as to how you wish to interpret his statements, simply belittling them is unfair.

coincidental, lmao.