Kutaragi interview in Newsweek (informative!)

[Crossbar]

Great read!!!

Interview: The Father of PlayStation

Nov. 20, 2006 issue - On the eve of the Play-Station 3 launch, Ken Kutaragi, the head of Sony Computer Entertainment and the creator of all three generations of the hit game console, took time off to give a rare interview to NEWSWEEK's Steven Levy, via phone from Tokyo.

LEVY: You believe that when game developers learn the system, PS3 games will be superior. When will we see the difference?
KUTARAGI: Maybe within a year. Many of the launch titles already have some of the graphics and the power there. But [titles like] MotorStorm and Ridge Racer and Gran Turismo are going to be released within a year, and that quality is exciting.

Why did you need Blu-ray HD drives for this?
Everyone will soon have elegant flat displays for HD content—PS3 and the high-definition movie media. The Blu-ray has 50-gigabyte capacity, and many studios and other DVD makers are now supporting Blu-ray format.

Didn't adopting Blu-ray cause you delays?
Yes, that's right, because the PS3 contained the latest technology—Blu-ray, Cell, Sixaxis and many things. The Blu-ray had the manufacturing problem. As the father of the PlayStation, I have to apologize to all of the users and the readers who are waiting for PS3. But everything is fixed.

Are you worried about the high cost of PS3—$500 and $600?
I don't think so, because the PS2 was originally $299 in the United States. But the hard-disk drive was another $200. So the total price was almost equal to PS3's initial pricing.

What will be the impact of PS3 on Sony?
It will be significant not only for Sony, but for other [electronics] manufacturers who sell flat displays. And also content developers.

After Howard Stringer took over Sony in 2004, you were relieved of some general Sony corporate duties and returned full time to your division. What was your attitude toward that change?
I still am an engineer and a designer, so being the creator is my happiness. I've dedicated 120 percent of my life and passion [to PlayStation], so it was very happy timing. And Howard Stringer leads the management team, and now they are taking care of day-to-day issues so we could concentrate on the PlayStation.

Do you envision people using PS3 as a home-media server, like a giant TiVo for people's movies, TV shows, music and personal content?
Yes. Maybe in the near future, either from Sony or maybe from third parties, we will release a network storage system that contains multi-terabyte capacity.


So it could be the hub of the media center in the house.
The media tree. That was my dream, so the dream has come true. They sent out one of the PlayStation 3s to my home, so I happened to realize [my family members] are watching their photos and they are ripping music, and the experience is quite elegant, quite fast and comfortable. I have no idea how to use the current PC for that kind of application.

What's the best way to get a PS3 if you're not on the list?
The best way is waiting, but maybe you have some lucky friend who can get the Play-Station 3. So please visit your friend's home to share and enjoy future entertainment.

[makeitlookreal]

Plus Rep. Good article.

[Garfunkel]

great read man, interesting when he talks about the "multi-terabyte" capacity" storage solution.

[version]

"In August Terra Soft completed the construction of a 3000 sq-ft supercomputing facility for Sony Computer "

[kaphwan]

^Ha.

This has been a good read indeed.

[Pumpkin Head]

nice

[jaxmkii]

The 3nd Is Nigh!

[Kiosko]

It's good to see that they still are trying to implement the cell storage.

[Sypher]

Kutaragi is a liar. How are supposed to believe the man that envisioned nearly a decade of technological advances has no idea how to use the PC for video, music and photo playback. He could atleast have said "Its too complicated on PC/too many options(programs)"

[cliffbo]

Kutaragi is a liar. How are supposed to believe the man that envisioned nearly a decade of technological advances has no idea how to use the PC for video, music and photo playback. He could atleast have said "Its too complicated on PC/too many options(programs)"

fella, you really have to understand 'tongue in cheek' humour if your ever going to get the KK vibe.

[Domination]

A form of Tivo compatibility or some type of DVR feature is all I would like to have. :angelgrin

[curryking1]

Someone's gotta ask the guy what the difference between 1000 and 35 is. (not at all to hate on the PS3s power though, we know only the least of it's power to also as of yet, it's already amazing and gonna get a lot better in time).

I mean, he is a visionary, but even a visionary has to be reasonable sometimes.

Nice read though, TiVo is a feature of the PS3 though? That is certainly good.

[Hrama]

Someone's gotta ask the guy what the difference between 1000 and 35 is. (not at all to hate on the PS3s power though, we know only the least of it's power to also as of yet, it's already amazing and gonna get a lot better in time).

I mean, he is a visionary, but even a visionary has to be reasonable sometimes.

Nice read though, TiVo is a feature of the PS3 though? That is certainly good.

No, he said:

Yes. Maybe in the near future, either from Sony or maybe from third parties, we will release a network storage system that contains multi-terabyte capacity.

TiVo is not currently a feature of the PS3, but he admits that it might be added later, either by Sony themselves, or a third party. I would love to see that myself.

[BahnNZ]

Yup, I'd be onto that like a shot. Sony TV server in your living room sucking up TV programs and your DVD collection, all viewable from your den on your PS3, or anywhere from your PSP. Very freaking cool.

[EvilTaru]

Didn't adopting Blu-ray cause you delays?
Yes, that's right, because the PS3 contained the latest technology—Blu-ray, Cell, Sixaxis and many things. The Blu-ray had the manufacturing problem. As the father of the PlayStation, I have to apologize to all of the users and the readers who are waiting for PS3. But everything is fixed.

I hope so. >_<

[Z]

nice quick interview. I always was interested in the network storage approach. I think it would be great for a media hub/console. gamers and users world over could share all of their media and footage with everyone else. it would be like a specialized YouTube of some sorts, only it has more than just media. it would have apps, saves, guides, cheats, radio, etc.

It would be great to have a one stop user-supported PS3 destination.

[Z]

I wonder what is the initial production capacity of PS3s? will we see weekly or monthly shipments? and how much would they be able to ship constantly?

[CrumCon]

Are you worried about the high cost of PS3—$500 and $600?
I don't think so, because the PS2 was originally $299 in the United States. But the hard-disk drive was another $200. So the total price was almost equal to PS3's initial pricing.

this one is reallly dump from Ken actually. since there werent many people bought the PS2 HDD.

With PS2, people had the choice to go the cheap $299 and not buying the HDD.
But with PS3, everything is included, people dont have the choice to buy standalone PS3 with no HDD.

PS3 is great, but Ken's answers is not that smart.

[OmniStalgic]

If they didn't make HDD standard, then developers would be complaining and it wouldve just been a bad move every year the console was out. Just look at how the Hdd is already being used to shave load times off already. THe price does suck as a result, but it's a price that will be easier to swallow with the more content that becomes available and then the price drop happens.

[masteratt]

The HDD, Cell, Blu-ray...All this IS the PS3.

What the hell is everyone talking about "I dont need this or that" Well those things ARE PS3.

Jeez, Microsoft seemed to have brainwashed people with this "choice" crap.
Did people complain "omg wtf, i dont want the EE!!" When PS2 came out? lol