Howard-Stringer
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Stringer tips hat to Nintendo's 'superior business model'
Sony CEO Howard Stringer has rightfully conceded that Nintendo has executed a winning business plan. "Nintendo makes money with the hardware alone," Stringer observed in a recent interview with WELT Online, adding that the competitor's strategy "may be a superior business model, but the Wii is not succeeding at our expense -- it is not hurting [PlayStation 3]." No, PlayStation 3 is hurting PlayStation 3. When questioned about the possibility of recouping the $3.32 billion loss attributed to the console's launch, Stringer joked, "Not for as long as I live." Wait a sec, was that a joke?[Via Edge Online]
Stringer: Consumers purchasing PS3s faster than we can produce them
In an interview with Die Welt, Sony CEO Howard Stringer tells the German newspaper he believes Sony captured the casual audience before Nintendo did. "We held the same target group with the Singstar karaoke game. But perhaps we neglected to pursue that avenue." He admits that PlayStation titles target hardcore gamers. "Playstation games are rather designed for those who play a lot. Although it's a different strategy, it pays off. We currently have a production bottleneck with the PlayStation 3 ... Consumers are purchasing our PlayStation 3 video game consoles faster than we can produce them." Stringer also doesn't see Nintendo as a rival. "The Wii is not succeeding at our expense – it is not hurting us. We decided years ago to build a game console that offers much greater functionality."Stringer confesses that the $3,000,000,000 spent on the PS3, discounting R&D, will take a long while to recuperate. Though Sony is still losing money on hardware, the CEO informs us that the amount they are making with software is greater than the lost they suffer with hardware. Finally, he doesn't think they will be a price cut for the PS3 before Christmas.With games like the recently announced Eyepet, it seems like Sony at least wants in on some of that casual gamer action that Nintendo has been getting. Another point to ponder is, should Sony reconsider their strategy of selling a system with such huge losses the next time around? Or will the PS3 make back all the money it lost in the beginning, just like the PS2?[Via Maxconsole]
CE-Oh no he didn't! Part LVII: Howard Stringer says the Wii is not 'a competitor'
Further confirming his utter disconnect from reality, Sony head Howard Stringer referred to Nintendo's market-dominating Wii as an "expensive niche game device." Previous to making that statement, Stringer bafflingly said, "I've played a Nintendo Wii, I don't see it as a competitor." Now look -- we're not saying you're in some kind of CEO super-denial, but all signs point to the possibility that you should probably consider the Wii a competitor (since it is... well... a competing system and platform), and perhaps recognize that "niche" is typically not synonymous with "best selling." Of course, you're the guy running Sony, we're just watching the crackup from the sidelines.[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
Sony's CEO: Wii is a game device
Sony Corp. chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer has something to admit: He's played a Wii. Sir Stringer also has something to report about Nintendo's console: it's "an expensive niche game device." According to Bloomberg, Stringer made the statement last week while attending the Allen & Co. media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho ... far away from his home in England, where Wii is obviously going for a lot more than in the US. Actually, it's £179 with Wii Sports. PS3 is £289 and, according to Stringer, is "still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player." (Note: In addition to Blu-ray movies, PS3 also plays games.)[Via Wii Fanboy]
Stringer: Wii is 'expensive niche' console
How does one reply to such a comment? Point out that Stringer is obviously incorrect, or just ignore it and hope it goes away? Unfortunately, big Howie S. won't be going anywhere as head honcho of Sony, appearing last week at the Allen & Co Media Conference.Stringer simply said "I've played a Nintendo Wii," -- betcha he bought one for his grandkids or something -- and he followed that up by stating "I don't see it as a competitor. It's more of an expensive niche game device." Cue inevitable spiel about Blu-ray, and you've got another carbon-copy Sony statement in a nutshell. It's difficult to take anything he says seriously, especially since we've heard it all before.We could explain that the definition of a niche wouldn't have anything to do with the biggest and most popular console on the planet, or point out that the PS3 is still way more expensive (and will be for yonks), but that would make too much sense.[Via Gameindustry.biz]
Stringer: Wii not a competitor
An article published by Bloomberg today concludes that the PS3 "is gaining ground" on the Xbox 360. The article cites the PS3's ability as a Blu-ray player and software exclusives such as Metal Gear Solid 4 and LittleBigPlanet as reasons why it will "hold onto its lead" after outselling the 360 in the first five months of 2008. According to the NPD Group, the PS3 sold 1.2 million units while the 360 sold 1.12 million units. Of course, Microsoft isn't about to give up so easily. When asked about the PS3's dominance over the 360 so far this year, Microsoft spokesperson David Dennis claims the race is "far from over and we are confident that we have a winning strategy." The most controversial comments in the article, however, were made by Sony CEO Howard Stringer at a media conference last week regarding another competitor: "I've played a Nintendo Wii, I don't see it as a competitor. It's more of an expensive niche game device." Nintendo has not responded to Stringer's current statements. The idea of the PS3 and the Wii targeting different markets isn't a new idea though. Back in 2006, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto stated that the PS3 is not in competition with the Revolution (the Wii's former name). What are your thoughts?
Stringer of Sony: game profits are on top of our list
The Chairman of the Sony Corp., Howard Stringer, stated today at a shareholder meeting in Tokyo that their top management priority is "to restore profitability in our television and game businesses." This comes after Sony's game division predicted profit for for the first time in three years, due to reduced cost of producing the PS3 and broadened game software lineup. Sony's game division has lost over 3.4 billion dollars the past two years under his leadership, so it isn't surprising profits in that area are in Stringer's (and obviously, Sony's) best interest. Stringer also feels that "we are not No.1 in my mind yet," and with the Wii projected to sell 25 million units this fiscal year while the PS3 is predicted to sell 10 million, we can see why Stringer would feel such a sentiment. [Via Joystiq]
Sony CEO: PlayStation profitability is top priority
Sony's CEO Sir Howard Stringer told shareholders today that the company's top priority is to "to restore profitability in our television and game businesses," reports Bloomberg. The games division saw a profit during the last holiday season, and Sony expects PlayStation HQ to report an annual profit for the fiscal year ending March 2009, as well as at least 10 million in PS3 unit sales. While PS2 sales are in slow decline, Sony said lower production costs and AAA titles (like this one, and this one, too) will help boost the division.
PS3 was on 'life support,' admits Sony CEO
Walt Mossberg managed to pull a mighty fun quote from Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer. During an on-stage interview at D6, Stringer said that the PlayStation 3 "was on life support for awhile," a pretty honest statement from the top executive of a multibillion dollar corporation about one of its flagship products. Of course, that bit of honesty was just a preface to how the PS3 is in good shape now, with special kudos given to Grand Theft Auto IV and upcoming games sure to give the console a boost (Snake, you there?). Somewhat peripheral to gaming, but our favorite line from the writeup is when Stringer "notes that if it had lost the format war, his gravestone would have read "Betamax 2." Video of Sir Stringer's interview after the break.
Stringer: PS3 no longer on life support
Sometimes it's interesting to get a peek behind the curtain at some of your favorite multinational conglomerates -- in this case, Sony. In a fit of honesty, Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer commented that while Sony is not yet out of market troubles, it is on the right track. After commenting on closing their 5% margins, Stringer described the situation as "... a sort of sense of, we're climbing up the mountain. We're nowhere near the top, but we're halfway up... The level of competence is growing, which is the main thing."The PS3 was quoted as "sort of on life support before" but things have changed considerably thanks to Blu-ray and the PlayStation Network. Stringer knows that Sony is also supporting digital distribution, but doesn't see optical media being tossed aside for another ten years. To close with an analogy of the PS3 and Sony's current standing, Stringer said that it is "a giant department store competing with companies that are really skillful boutiques." Sounds fair enough. Good to know the PS3 is doing better in Sony's eyes, but what about yours?[via Gamasutra]
Live from D: Howard Stringer
Seeing Howard Stringer out and about -- let alone interviewed live -- is kind of like seeing a unicorn. Live coverage after the break.
Sony's Howard Stringer to show off new OLED TVs at D
The D conference is in full swing, and the next heavy hitter on deck is Sony CEO Howard Stringer, who's rumored to have a new Sony OLED display for Unkie Walt to play with. We're assuming it'll be a little bit bigger than the XEL-1, but Silicon Alley Insider says it'll come in at just .3mm thick, which is only slightly beefier than a playing card. We're guessing it'll be more like the XEL-1's 3mm, but we'll see what Howie has in store for us -- we wouldn't be opposed to hearing some more about those "slim PS3" rumors, ourselves.
Stringer urges Sony to "get mad," baffle with metaphors
Sony has certainly captured our attention under the command of Sir Howard Stringer. Prior to his March 7th 2005 appointment to the CEO position, it was hard to imagine the beleaguered consumer electronics giant having the guts to take on such aggressive risk taking adventures as Blu-ray, OLED TVs, and in its own small way, the Rolly. Now, after completing his planned turnaround and tripling Sony's profits, Stringer has reportedly let loose with a fire and brimstone speech meant to compel the thousand-strong Sony managers gathered in a closed-door session into action. Urging them to avoid complacency, Stringer said, "I'm asking you to get mad" and be more "energetic," "bold," and "imaginative" at running the business. To sum things up, British-born Stringer slapped up a slide showing a fork in the road. At which point, the Japanese management team whispered, "what's a fork?"
EA predicts PS3 will outsell Xbox 360 in 2008
Following the release of its latest financial results, EA has shared its estimates for predicted console hardware sales in North America and Europe in 2008. Though the Wii's continued domination seems obvious in even the murkiest of crystal balls, the publisher sides with Sir Howard Stringer's recent observation that the PlayStation 3 has departed the woods and setsEA sees the PlayStation 3 selling between 9.5 million and 11.5 million units, compared to the Xbox 360's 6 to 8 million units. Sony's system would take the lead in Europe (a view shared by SCEE chief David Reeves), where it's expected to sell between 5 million and 6 million, well over the Xbox 360's 1.5 million to 2.5 million. Towering above both would be Nintendo's Wii, with estimates placing its sales between 12 million and 14 million units.Only time will tell how accurate EA's predictions are and whether the PS3 will start contributing more heavily to the publisher's bottom line.
Sony, Activision CEOs skeptical of in-game advertising
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick and Sony Group CEO Howard Stringer have expressed doubts over the marketable future of in-game advertising, arguing against the assumption that this new form of advertising is the solution to the industry's monetary needs.Stringer reasons that advertisers' pockets are not as deep as everyone hopes, adding to this the fact that "young people don't like advertising very much." A bold statement, to be sure. For his part, Kotick states "I wouldn't go in that direction myself," causing us to look back at the heavy product placement in the Activision-published Guitar Hero III and Tony Hawk's Proving Ground.These comments come in direct opposition to companies like IGA, who quite recently boasted about their upcoming integration of ads into the EA-published Burnout Paradise. We'll have to side with Stringer and Kotick on this one; we young people don't like advertising very much.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Stringer: PS3 is 'out of the woods'
If a PS3 falls in a forest and no one is around to play it, does it still make a sound? It's a vexing philosophical conundrum to be sure, but thankfully one that's easily resolved simply by paying attention to Sir Howard Stringer. Speaking to Reuters, the Sony CEO provided assurances that PlayStation 3 sales are improving, thus surrounding the system with players and removing it entirely from the metaphorical thicket. It's also a very quiet system, you know."PS3 has now gone past Xbox on the Christmas market," said Stringer. "It's moving into its own as it gets into higher bandwidth ... PS3 is out of the woods and beginning to hold its own." While the black (and possibly white) monolith still lags far behind competitors in the United States, there is a steadily tightening grip on the own in both Japan and -- according to SCEE chief David Reeves -- the European region. [Via Eurogamer]
Sir Howard Stringer expresses concern over the yen
Sir Howard Stringer, the lord of lords over at Sony, has recently come out to express his concern over the strengthening power of the Japanese Yen. He assures people that Sony as a company is doing great -- so no, this isn't a complaint about declining profits or something -- but the impact of the strengthening yen may have an adverse affect on business, namely exports. He said at the World Economic Forum, "There is always an impact on exports. The yen is volatile...We watch it with some anxiety."See, if the yen is stronger, and Sony chiefly profits from exports, this could bode for bad times as other countries will have to pay more for Sony's stuff as imports. Stringer said that the consumer electronics division, especially the PlayStation branch, are holding up just fine, noting the powerful performance of the PS3 as of late: "It's moving into its own as it gets into higher bandwidth ... PS3 is out of the woods and beginning to hold its own." We'll have to watch the world economy a little more closely, too, we guess.
PS3 games more fun than Wii games
Fact.Just kidding, really, so put the Nintendo Wii Fanboy voodoo dolls away, please. Sony's CEO Sir Howard Stringer, however, seems to believe it. Said the chairman, "The PlayStation 3 will come into its own because its [high-end games] are infinitely more fun, demanding and exciting [than the Wii's]."Before you rant away at Mr. Stringer, keep in mind it's his job to say things like this. Of course, that doesn't mean we have to agree with it. While both systems have their merits, to make such a general statement like that is a bit presumptuous, although expected.[Via Games Industry]
Stringer says PS3 games "infinitely more fun" than Wii
We love Sony - you know we do - but sometimes the company's figureheads will come out with the most ridiculous things when a microphone is pressed against their faces. We're not going to reel off a list of previous atrocities, in order to prevent some peoples' blushes (Phil Harrison and Ken Kutaragi, we're looking at you). Instead, we'll look at the latest batch of hilarious sound-bytes-in-text-form, this time from Sony CEO Howard Stringer. He suggests that PS3 games are infinitely more fun than than the Wii's. We're perfectly happy to believe Stringer when he says this, but without clear proof (preferably on lined paper, worked out with a 2B pencil with the answer underlined) we're not going to be satisfied. PS3 and Wii games are very different, yes - but is one system more fun than the other? That's down to personal taste, surely. It's a shame, really, because everything else Stringer said in the article we've linked to below makes a decent amount of sense. Let's stay away from the "I" word from now on and we'll all be much happier.[Via Joystiq]
Sony's Stringer: PS3 games "infinitely more fun" than Wii
Joystiq just noted a peach of a sound-bite from Sony's quip hero, Sir Howard Stringer. In an interview with The Guardian he started by saying, "I'm happy the Wii seems to be running a bit short of hardware." He then chest-thumped a prediction that the PS3, "will come into its own because its [high-end games] are infinitely more fun, demanding and exciting." A theory to be known henceforth as Stringer's Bloated Hyperbole Postulate. [Via Joystiq]
