GDC 07: Phil Harrison says it's all about software now...
The challenges of the PS3's first few months are in the past. The age of bashing Sony is coming to an end as they get the ball rolling on the right side of the mountain (the side that, arguably, goes downward... imagine a 2D mountain. The right side is downhill, so it's easier to roll a ball. They've been pushing the ball up the left side... that's hard. Get it?) and start busting out some great ideas and some even greater games. Games are the emphasis now, Phil Harrison said. "It's all about software now, it's not about hardware. It's all about services, it's about the way the industry is changing and the way we hope to be taking a leadership position in that change."
Phil also responded to his own fantastic keynote address: "We're taking some pretty giant steps forward... The keynote here at GDC was a very, very significant moment for the evolution of PlayStation 3." He also talked about why he titled his speech "Game 3.0" and what it means for the industry: "It's something that as a platform holder we have a responsibility to grow the market, and to try and push the market. What I wanted to do here at GDC was paint a picture for where this industry should, I believe, move - which is to empower the user with user-created content. That's what I was referring to with the Game 3.0 aspect to my presentation. I hope the industry debates it and challenges it and takes it to another level beyond what we have imagined. We're just trying to kick off the debate; we're not trying to own it or control it."
Well said, Philly H. User-created content is going to be huge this console cycle, what with the internet taking over the universe in the guise of SkyNet and Time magazine labeling the collective "You" as person of the year... it's important to be narcissistic this year. What do you guys think? Is this where the industry is headed? Or should they concentrate on making fun toys instead?
