Sony's Yoshida: Mobile has 'shifted our way of thinking'
Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida notes that the iOS App Store and Google Play have "totally shifted our way of thinking," detailing the company's plans for mobile cross-promotion in a recent interview with GamesIndustry International.
"Lots of people don't seek out game-specific info -- they're busy," Yoshida explains. "But because they use social network services, App Stores... Let's push our info to them. That's why we are creating the hook, releasing the official PlayStation apps on Android and iOS at the launch of PS4."
Yoshida cites specific plans the company has in mind for the PlayStation 4 launch title Knack.
"We're releasing a puzzle game themed around Knack that you can play for free," Yoshida said. "It's fun, and by playing the game you earn some items that you can use on PS4. People might be motivated, because they've already unlocked some items, to take a look at what this Knack game on the PS4 is all about."
Yoshida also addresses the issue of mobile devices competing with the PlayStation Vita, admitting that smartphones have hurt portable consoles "quite badly." He explains that Sony will focus on promoting its products based on their own unique features, rather than competing with the mobile market head-on.
"The important thing is to continue to provide great games and game experiences," Yoshida said. "The games can come not only from PS Vita's dedicated games - Vita and PS4 are designed with each other in mind, to connect to each other. If you own a PS4, you can play PS4 games via remote play, and once we start the Gaikai service, you'll be able to play PS3 games on PS Vita."
Yoshida continued: "We continue to add our services on PlayStation, and for PS Vita, the enjoyment and the sources of games will expand, not just from PS Vita dedicated games. Those are the strengths that we have on PS Vita compared to other products - it's a device that you can use to enjoy PlayStation content from different sources."
