Shuhei Yoshida
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NGP battery life likely comparable to PSP
A 1UP report quotes Sony head of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida saying that the NGP handheld will have "about the same [battery life] as the original PSP." The PSP's battery life varies considerably from around 3 hours if the UMD disc drive was whirring away, to much longer if played off flash storage. Sony's official estimate for average PSP operation time is 3-5 hours. Meanwhile, Eurogamer has Sony Europe honcho Andrew House saying the device will have a "good, solid battery life because of two factors." The dual delights of life extension are apparently the card-based media (instead of UMD, which requires moving parts) and the OLED screen. Those potential power savers are joined by energy-sapping features like a four-core CPU, 3G, and other factors, helping explain the PSP-like battery life.
Rumor: Killzone 3 to include split-screen
According to an image from NicaGamerz of an alleged Killzone 3 preview build, the third Helghast murder simulator will allow for split-screen co-op -- a function that previous entries lacked. Sony of Europe gave VG247 an official "no comment" on the possibility, but also didn't deny the rumor. However, earlier this year at E3, president of SCE worldwide studios Shuhei Yoshida spoke to us about Killzone 3's 3D functionality, saying, "We were going to give players two screens anyway, for some mode ... for some gameplay anyway." Split-screen, perhaps? Given that Killzone 3 is a 3D title and its video is already being rendered twice for the 3D effect, the possibility of split-screen is a bit of a given. As for whether the split-screen will allow friends to take the game online together is unknown, but it seems players will at least be able to shoot up yellow-eyed baddies on a couch together. Let's put it this way: we're giving today's news the "rumor" tag, but calling the possibility "very likely."
Sony's Yoshida explains why Move wasn't possible at PS3 launchtime
From a technological perspective, PlayStation Move offers much more than what Nintendo's original Wiimote, and even the subsequent MotionPlus add-on, can provide. However, critics point out that it's taken four years for Sony to develop and market a proper response to Nintendo. Considering Move-like technology was in development at Sony since the PS2 era, why has it taken the company so long to produce something? Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony's Worldwide Studios, offered a reasonable explanation. "We couldn't have made Move when we launched PS3," Yoshida told Wired. "We needed the time to be able to create the performance of Move with the target price that we started out with." (Microsoft has reportedly struggled with balancing technological edge with a reasonable price tag for Kinect, as well.) Still, all these years later, PlayStation Move controllers aren't exactly cheap, and Sony continues to been criticized for being late to the game. Yoshida had his response to that, though: "A 2010 system is what we are launching in 2010. In that sense, I don't think we are late at all." Of course, with sales of Wii hardware and software on the decline, even Sony has to wonder: Has the motion control fad lost its momentum? It'll be interesting to see how Move (and Kinect) answer that question in the months to come.
Sony's Yoshida sees Kinect as healthy competition, 3DTV-exclusive games as nonsensical
Sony and Microsoft may be going head to head this holiday with motion-based gaming peripherals, but SCE Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida doesn't see Microsoft's massive Kinect ad campaign as a problem for PlayStation's Move -- in fact, Sony quite likes the free attention it's getting as a result. Yoshida recently admitted as much to GamesIndustry.biz, saying, "I've always felt like we were lucky that Microsoft made such a big deal with Project Natal. In a broader sense, we are categorized as 'motion gaming' -- if we were just doing Move, we wouldn't have had as much coverage and attention from media and consumers." Also, despite the fact that Sony has been touting 3D functionality in lots of upcoming games -- even updating older releases with the technology -- Yoshida doesn't necessarily believe we'll be seeing 3DTV-exclusive titles anytime soon. "Never say never -- but I don't think that makes sense. Stereoscopic 3D isn't adding something completely different, it's just making it a bit more natural for users to see 3D images. We just don't have to think about making games exclusive to 3DTV," he said. The interview also covers the turbulent trip of the hand-carried PlayStation Move prototype by Richard Marx, not to mention the changes in Sony's structure over the past few years as various major executives have played musical chairs.
Video interview: Sony's Shuhei Yoshida on Team Ico, Insomniac, Move, and more
While at E3, we had a chance to speak with the always affable Shuhei Yoshida, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios. That title means he's the man in charge of Sony's first-party software, which also means he's the man to ask about Team Ico's absence from the show (No Last Guardian? No Ico / Shadow of the Colossus HD remake?), Insomniac's multi-platform future, the responsibility of first-party studios in defining the potential of PlayStation Move, the oft-rumored Warhawk sequel, the new Twisted Metal game, and more.
Sony focused on Move and 3D, not PS3 price drop
Sony Worldwide Studio President Shuhei Yoshida isn't looking to cut the price of the $299 PS3 this fiscal year. Speaking with IGN, the executive reiterated that the console became profitable this year. "We aren't making huge money from hardware, but we aren't bleeding like we used to," he added. The company is currently focused on getting PS3s on retail shelves, having run into supply issues throughout most of this year. Yoshida noted that Sony is currently "trying to catch up [its] production." With its attention on marketing 3D gaming (and TVs) and the impending Move launch, Yoshida said that Sony is considering additional hardware bundles to appeal to consumers instead of slashing the price of the base PS3 model.
Sony's Yoshida says PS3 is now turning a profit, no plans for a price cut
We'd already seen some evidence that Sony was lowering the manufacturing costs of the PlayStation 3, and it looks like that's now finally starting to pay off -- Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida has confirmed to IGN that the console is at long last actually turning a profit. Of course, that profit is apparently still a fairly small one (and might just be breaking even), with Yoshida only saying that "this year is the first time that we are able to cover the cost of the PlayStation 3," and that "we aren't making huge money from hardware, but we aren't bleeding like we used to." That also unsurprisingly means that Sony still isn't planning a price cut anytime in the near future, with Yoshida instead saying that Sony will focus on more bundles like Move / Sports Champions package announced at E3.
Gran Turismo 5 includes track editor, weather and go-karts
Sony may have dropped a few details about Gran Turismo 5 (like a release date) at its E3 presentation, but it was saving the real news for an even bigger event: Cue random interview on the UK PlayStation site with Sony Worldwide Studios head Shuhei Yoshida. In this interview, Yoshida casually confirms the existence of unannounced elements in the racing sim, including a track editor and go-karts. For every individual driver, Yoshida says there is " a driving experience to suit, whether that is taking on the Top Gear test track, chucking cars around stunt arenas, go-karting, creating and sharing your own track or intense head-to-head races." Elsewhere in the interview (and just as nonchalantly), Yoshida references some " new game-enhancing graphical effects, such as damage, night racing and weather." Damage has already been confirmed and weather rumored. Of course, we aren't totally sure Gran Turismo 5 is a real game yet, and if it is as imaginary as it seems to be, you can say pretty much anything is in it, like: "Gran Turismo 5 will feature Crocodile Mile racing." See? There's as much proof for that feature that we just made up as there is for anything else, and that will be the case until the game is released. [Thanks, P]
God of War II could have been a PS3 launch game
God of War II was almost a PS3 game (at least, before it did become a PS3 game). In an interview with Game Informer, Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida remembered the internal debate over whether to release God of War II as one of the last big games for PS2 or as a headline title for the PS3 launch. "Many people, including marketing, suggested that maybe it should be moved to PS3," Yoshida recalled. Certainly, God of War II would've bolstered an exclusive launch lineup that was limited to Resistance: Fall of Man and very little else. "We had a lot of debates about it, actually. I always firmly stood by keeping it on PS2," Yoshida continued, noting that "the end of a platform is when you see really great games, after developers really begin to understand the hardware." Yoshida's "gamble" paid off, both critically and financially. If God of War II had been a PS3 launch title, more systems would probably have been pushed at launch, but software sales would've undoubtedly suffered compared to the game's success as a PS2 title. Besides, PS3 owners weren't excluded from the action! Back then, PS3s used to have this magical "backwards compatibility" thingy.
Sony's Japan Studio urged to create more PS3 games
Japan Studios has had little impact on the PlayStation software library this generation. The platform's greatest hits so far have, instead, come from America and Europe. Titles like Uncharted, Killzone, LittleBigPlanet, Ratchet & Clank, Resistance, God of War, and WipEout all come from various studios at SCEA and SCEE. But what has Japan Studio created thus far? Siren, Trash Panic, and The Eye of Judgment -- noteworthy games perhaps, but hardly a collection of system-selling blockbusters.Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida explained to Gamasutra that "their focus was shifted onto the PSP, which reflects the success of the PSP as a platform in Japan ... It's completely opposite of the way how US and European teams moved onto working on the PS3 and we see the fruits of those efforts, while Japan studios shifted their focus onto the PSP." Of course, handheld owners have much to be thankful for: system-defining hits like Patapon and LocoRoco were created out of Japan Studio's dedication to the platform.However, the next year (and beyond) should be very different for Sony's Japanese developers. With The Last Guardian and Gran Turismo 5 coming from Sony's other Japanese studios, the pressure is on for other developers to follow suit. "We are now re-energizing teams and coming up with new ideas for PS3 development," Yoshida said. "We'll be able to show fruits of this work sometime next year."
Sony said to have seriously considered second analog nub for PSP Go
It's no secret that a second analog nub was one of the biggest demands for what's now known as the PSP Go and, according to Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida, those requests were heard loud and clear during the Go's development. Speaking with Game Informer, Yoshida said that Sony had some "very serious discussion" about adding a second analog nub to the PSP Go, but ultimately decided against it to avoid splitting the PSP market in two. He further elaborated that the PSP Go is "designed to be perfectly compatible with the PSP-3000 and all the games that released before that," adding that "we are talking about the mid-life cycle of this platform" (referring to Sony's ten-year life cycle plan for all of its consoles). In other words, don't bet on one showing up on the inevitable PSP Go Slim 6000 either.[Via Joystiq]
Sony considered second analog nub for PSP Go
Like most PSP owners, we've definitely had our fair share of, "Why isn't there a second analog stick on here?" moments, fiddling in the air with our thumb for the phantom nub. And Sony knows that we want it, according to the most recent issue of Game Informer where Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida confirmed that the company "had a very serious discussion" on the subject, but ultimately decided against it due to worries over splintering the market."The PSP Go is designed to be perfectly compatible with the PSP-3000 and all the games that released before that," Yoshida said. For him, it's not a question of improving future games' controls but keeping parity with previous PSP iterations. "We are talking about the mid-life cycle of this platform," he says. Considering the PSP launched in the US in March of 2005, it appears as though Sony is sticking to its 10-year life cycle plan for the handheld.
Sony wants Xbox 360 to succeed in Japan
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." - Ancient proverb.Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida said in an interview with GI.biz that he'd like the Xbox 360 to succeed in Japan for the sake of pushing HD gaming. Yoshida would like to see the PS3 and Xbox 360 be more successful in Japan and getting consumers moving beyond the Wii's dated technology.Yoshida even goes on to compliment Microsoft's NXE and the Avatars, expressing that he prefers it over the Miis. Although it appears that the Wii will continue to dominate globally, Yoshida believes consumer acceptance of "this generation of gaming" would benefit both Sony and Microsoft.
Sony's Yoshida admits Japan lagging in games technology
The current generation of consoles are more powerful than ever. However, it appears that many Japanese developers are struggling to get the most they can out of the hardware. The real innovators of games technology appear to be coming from non-Japanese studios, from America and Europe. SCE Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida admits the disparity of development between East and West. "The technology base has shifted from Japan to the US and Europe," he told videogaming247.One of the main reasons why Japan has struggled in comparison with the rest of the world comes from the lack of manpower. Studios in other countries can top a hundred, but Japanese studios are still quite small. "That's not the case in Japan. Because they don't have a large base, like the movie industry; there aren't [a lot of people] in the high end of computer graphics. That's making the many great developers in Japan make slow progress."That's not to say great games aren't coming from Japan, of course. Developers like Kojima Productions and Polyphony Digital have created some real graphics powerhouses on the PS3. Upcoming games from Capcom, like Resident Evil 5, and Square Enix look to push Japan's tech further.[Thanks, nirolak!]
Yoshida interested in getting Wii consumers to stay with PS3
When Nintendo dominates the NPD charts month after month, it's unsurprising that competitors (like Sony) would want to follow suit. Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida notes that the Wii has been incredibly successful in capturing the casual gamer -- a demographic that used to be PS2's bread and butter. "[Social gaming] has been massive on PS2 as you know," he tells IGN UK. "Nintendo Wii's success is really helping that, as is the success of music games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero -- they're bringing in these people, creating the style of playing games with your parents, and that continues to be important for the success of the PS3 as well."While Wii has been doing a great job of introducing gaming to a new audience, Yoshida is hoping that some of the Wii audience will learn to move on to other platforms, such as the PS3. "After they've played a Wii and played some of the games, some of those consumers might try something else. I'm really interested to try and convince those consumers to stay with us."How will Yoshida be able to capture that audience? He points to the SIXAXIS as just a small part of the strategy: "[it's] really important to us to create a new experience. And that was what we've been doing with the EyeToy camera, the SingStar mic and the Buzz controller. We always look for a new way to give users interaction with games." As for a brand new "dedicated motion controller" ... well, "that's a possibility."
Yoshida really, really disappointed by lack of third party support
Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida recently lamented the state of PSP in an interview with IGN UK. He notes that third party support for Sony's handheld has been "really, really disappointing," calling the current sitation "a lost opportunity for the third parties." He's echoed this sentiment before."They should look at what the PSP can do for their titles and the potential for the business that their IP has," he says, pointing out Sony's first-party support of the handheld through titles like God of War, Resistance and Buzz!. Of course, Yoshida's job is to convince third party developers to support the platform. His strategy? "We have to show by examples. What's happening in Japan is interesting - because of the massive success of Monster Hunter, Japanese publishers realise, 'here's a resource'. Lots of people are playing PSP in groups of fours and when you go to Japan it's hard to find a train or a bar where you don't see some people playing a PSP. So other publishers in Japan are seeing these consumers, and thinking, 'Wow, we can make games for those consumers'."
Sony's Yoshida wants more third-party action on PSP
Despite teasing "many more games that we haven't announced for next year," Sony's Head of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, has coveted third-party IPs, expressing a desire to see more of them winding up on the PlayStation Portable. "What we'd like to see more is for third parties also – there is so much great IP that they have," Yoshida told IGN. The PSP has enjoyed brisk sales both in North America and Japan for quite some time now, but its lineup has failed to keep pace. It's "really, really disappointing and it's a lost opportunity for the third parties," notes Yoshida, suggesting that developers "look at what the PSP can do for their titles and the potential." Don't believe him? Just ask that Monster Hunter game.
Yoshida says PS3 hardware, cost, pricing 'coming together'
With head held high and a twinkle in his eye, president of SCE Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida continues to beat the drum of PlayStation positive thinking. "All the things are now coming together in terms of the right hardware, cost and pricing," said Yoshida to Videogaming247. He refers, of course, to the increased hard disk space in the new PS3s which will retail for the same value of previous, lesser gig-happy SKUs. It's interesting to take note of his comment on "cost," which tells us that producing PS3 is becoming more cost-efficient ... possibly due to unpublicized hardware revision. As any head of a company would, Yoshida assures that this year is a strong year for PS3 and that 2009 will be just the same holding scores of new titles both announced and unannounced.
Sony's Choice: EyePet beat out Eight Days
It's harder to single out Nintendo for overlooking its "core audience" when you find out things like this. Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Shuhei Yoshida, Sony's head of worldwide studios, revealed that the company chose to fund development of a desktop toy virtual pet – EyePet – over a promising core audience action title, Eight Days.When asked about the effect that canceling London Studio projects The Getaway 3 and Eight Days had on other titles, Yoshida responded, "There are so many things that we want to do, more than we can do with the resources. So when London Studio was looking at the early work on EyePet and the prototype of Eight Days, they knew they couldn't do all of them." So ... EyePet it was.Granted, we don't know with any certainty that Eight Days was going to be any good, but an original action IP on a still very core audience console would seem like something worth investing more time in over a ... virtual pet.Yohshida also said regarding the London Studio, "There are even more things they're working on at early concept stage." Tip for the staff there: If you don't want your big games canned, don't mention your "pet" projects to Shuhei the next time he pops in for a visit.
Team ICO's next game may be shown soon
It's been a long time coming, but VG247 quotes Sony Worldwide Studio head Shuhei Yoshida as saying Team ICO's next project may be revealed "soon." The anticipated next project by the team behind Shadow of the Colossus and Ico has merely been teased with some nondescript screenshots.Yoshida tells the site that plans for the Tokyo Game Show have not been finalized -- presumably, the show would be the last major opportunity this year to reveal the project. It's about time this game made its public appearance, don't you think?
