Sony bigwigs bigup PS3 for 2009

By Ellie Gibson Published 6 January, 2009

Say it's 'important to start making money'.

Sony's top executives have been speaking to PlayStation.com about what they're looking forward to in 2009.

"The most important thing for us as a company in the very short term is for us to start making money," said SCEE boss David Reeves, who gets the big bucks for that kind of sharp economic thinking.

"This is a pledge that was made last March and is something that we are still very much on target to achieve. Once we have achieved this, I think it will be a very exciting time for PlayStation. Once we have alleviated that specific pressure, we can move forward at a rate of knots."

According to Reeves 2009 will be "a very exciting year for PS3", what with the likes of Heavy Rain and Killzone 2 coming out. Then there's the music and video download service arriving at the end of the year, plus "some great games coming out" for PSP. In short, "2009 will be a prime example of PlayStation at its very best."

Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida agrees, unsurprisingly. He reckons this will be "the year of big exclusive PS3 titles", citing EyePet and MAG as examples. And Heavy Rain and Killzone 2. There are "some more big titles that we have not even announced yet", too.

"On PSP, we have new titles and innovations that will connect and expand the PlayStation experiences," added Yoshida.

The artist formerly known as Sony Worldwide Studios boss, Phil Harrison, also chipped in. He's most looking forward to "large scale MMOs coming to PlayStation 3", complete with "innovative business and service models". But what about Heavy Rain and Killzone 2, Phil?

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (62) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • DFawkes #1 3 years ago

    i think they bigged it up so much they broke the article with over-hype. Whoops :p

  • mcbi4kh2 #2 3 years ago

    Nice article again EG. Broken.

  • X201 #3 3 years ago

    I can't even see what I'm typing in the comments box.

    Who's turn is it to take the blame this time?
    Mouse or Craigy?

  • Dizzy #4 3 years ago

    The year of?

  • seasidebaz #5 3 years ago

    Wow, HOME has leaked into the comments thread! Must be a sign!
    Edited by 1 at 06/01/09 @ 09:27

  • Bealsy #6 3 years ago

    This type of article seems to be becoming quite popular. Certainly helps improve your imagination.

    +1 EG

  • menage #7 3 years ago

    yada yada yada

  • the_dudefather #8 3 years ago

    its not the article really matters

    SONY SUX OMG

  • Eraysor #9 3 years ago

    Hahahahahaha. Possibly the best line by executives ever.

  • mcbi4kh2 #10 3 years ago

    The only games Im looking forward to are KZ2, The Agency, MAG and GOW3. Besides KZ2 are any of the others even coming out this year?

    I also seriously doubt Sony has some major exlusice up its sleeve that is going to be released this year that they haven't bothered to tell anyone about.

  • Widge #11 3 years ago

    I want to hear Ushiro is coming to Europe PSPs

  • PearOfAnguish #12 3 years ago

    So their business plan is to...make money? Round of applause, chaps.

  • X201 #13 3 years ago

    Isn't L.A Noire due this year?
    Edited by 2 at 06/01/09 @ 09:49

  • CaptainScarlet #14 3 years ago

    "Sony bigwigs screwup PS3 for 2009"


    Fixed!

  • PanStre #15 3 years ago

    Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida agrees, unsurprisingly. He reckons this will be "the year of big exclusive PS3 titles", citing EyePet and MAG as examples.

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha..........

    Shuhei ought to KNOW what 'big exclusive PS3 titles' are (after all, the dev team behind one of them embarrassed him royally last year) and Eyepet & MAG aren't anywhere close.

  • Les #16 3 years ago

    "I want to hear Ushiro is coming to Europe PSPs"

    Or at least the US... ;)

  • Vanmunt #17 3 years ago

    At least sony are saying whats in the pipeline for 09... where as MS are being a bit quiet, personally I am looking forward to the line up on the PS3 alot more than my 360...

    Killzone2, GOW3 etc compaired to Halo wars and some other 4 hour halo game...

  • mcbi4kh2 #18 3 years ago

    Good to see you keeping up your anti-ps3 campaign into the new year fart.
    Edited by 1 at 06/01/09 @ 10:22

  • mcbi4kh2 #19 3 years ago

    Im curious and I'm sure I'll regret asking, but what doesn't make it a worthwhile platform?

  • Vanmunt #20 3 years ago

    When it becomes a worthwhile platform I'll put my full support behind it

    bet they cant wait, farticus endorses ps3... sony can't keep up with demand...

    'We tried so hard to impress some sad fanboy on EG, now we can move forward' Says sony exec...

    Fart puts arm around ps3, sipping galss of milk staring at sunset....

  • bratmandu #21 3 years ago

    What about the small wigs?

  • mazzl #22 3 years ago

    @vorlon-man i agree mostly exept about the price cut, that won't happen, like the man said, they need to make a profit....
    so i expect more bundles, but not a price cut perse

  • Thunderbolt #23 3 years ago

    But theres the much rumoured PS3 price-cut around March.

    It has to go below £199 to reach the sweet spot for the mass-market regardless of how many features it has.

  • Petulant_Radish #24 3 years ago

    I like usage of the word umbrage, I think it’s spiffing.

  • seasidebaz #25 3 years ago

    I'm most looking forward to the MMO's. If they can do the Korean model of microtransactions instead of subs then I'm in.

  • Rash' #26 3 years ago

    i think a price cut is imperative this year, whether through an internal redesign or a complete make over. i see making money as their priority but i believe they are working on making a price war happen this year. if it doesn't happen i'll be surprised because it'll be indicative of their current ambitions.

  • Widge #27 3 years ago

    It is a worthwhile platform, its not worthwhile owning both a 360 and a PS3 though, regardless of which one you happen to have camped with.

  • Widge #28 3 years ago

    Oh I gave Pain a try btw. I didn't find myself getting hooked on it though. May give it a blast at a later date.

  • Rash' #29 3 years ago

    vorlon, so definitely this year. lets discuss when then. i reckon in the lead up to christmas, but rumours persist it'll be march.

    widge, i don't think the two consoles are so similar that owning both wouldn't hold some advantages if you were that way inclined. 360 certainly caters to a more hardcore palette.

  • Rash' #30 3 years ago

    farticus, i don't think it's unfair to assume you wouldn't touch PS3 with a barge pole.

  • Golgo #31 3 years ago

    Someone in Sony please get the hint and give Harrison his old job back...the guy's clearly desperate.

  • skillian #32 3 years ago

    I'm pretty sure "bigup" is two words.

  • Rash' #33 3 years ago

    farticus, whether you play the games or not is irrelevant. your extreme biase makes your views questionable. come on now. don't tell me you aren't aware of your fanboy credentials?

  • mcbi4kh2 #34 3 years ago

    who see through the vaporware,
    An app in a public beta is vaporware?

    semi-interactive movies that Sony throw at the gaming masses
    You mean MGS4 that was made by Konami? Happens to be one of the highest rated games this gen, of any platform.

    purchase a console with a decent games library.
    Both 360 and PS3 have a decent games library. Do we need a list wars?

  • Rash' #35 3 years ago

    vorlon, as i have you attention, when do suppose a price drop will occur?

  • NotSoSlim #36 3 years ago

    Why are you guys bothering? Your just feeding him. Hes a fanboy everyone know it

  • Rash' #37 3 years ago

    in fact to all; most agree that what will really turn the tide of sales for sony is a cut in price. when do people suppose it'll be? i purpose in the lead up to christmas.
    Edited by 1 at 06/01/09 @ 11:52

  • Rash' #38 3 years ago

    farty, nobody believes you'll buy a ps3. that suspense is sadly in your own head.

  • NotSoSlim #39 3 years ago

    Christ sake Sony will drop the price of the PS3 this year we all know it. They may even do it twice, 20 million in 2 years and of course the PS3 will fail.

    BORING!!

  • Widge #40 3 years ago

    This argument is about as futile as one about which genre of music is the best.

  • sneetch #41 3 years ago

    @Widge
    "This argument is about as futile as one about which genre of music is the best."

    Agreed, everyone knows it's Pop. ;)

  • Widge #42 3 years ago

    My ray gun of obscure Electronica is pointed at you

  • PearOfAnguish #43 3 years ago

    I have a barge pole here. I'm off down Game to poke some consoles.

  • Rash' #44 3 years ago

    ^^^lol!

  • youhavenomail #45 3 years ago

    I forgot all about Eye Pet. Outta the way, Microsoft, the PS3 juggernaut is coming through to ram Wii off the middle of the road.

  • chessboxer #46 3 years ago

    @ J1GSAW

    Actually I can think of 23 PS3 exclusives coming out this year.

  • bad09 #47 3 years ago

    I actually think Reeves is right on this one. The PS3 improved greatly over 2008 and it looks to do so in 2009 with plenty of good games on the way and the music and movie store will really give the machine a much needed push I reckon (if, Mr Sony, the price it right). Sony just need to educate the masses on the fact that the PS is more than a games console.

    Either way, despite it's VERY bumpy start, I'm happy to be a PS3 owner in 2009 (and so far it has more exclusives I'm interested in than 360 this year) and that's all that matters to me - no matter what farticusmaximus says ;)

  • Dizzy #48 3 years ago

    "I forgot all about Eye Pet. Outta the way, Microsoft, the PS3 juggernaut is coming through to ram Wii off the middle of the road. "

    Looks like Eye Pet will be the best game EVAR!

  • bioreit #49 3 years ago

    I agree that a price cut is the thing most likely to boost PS3's presence - games will certainly help, too, but price really is all-important. And as mentioned before, especially with the prices of Blu-Ray players coming down, Sony can no longer rely on the 'It's roughly the same price as a dedicated BD player AND it's a games console' argument.

    It's also worth mentioning, I feel, that so far my personal PS3 experience has not been great. I love it for Blu-Ray playback and might as well stick WipEout HD on autostart when I turn it on but they really need to work on some of the backend features. My most annoying gripes so far are:

    1. Installation times for demos. Seriously, WTF? Why do I have to install the damn things? This isn't a PC! The PSN store is slow enough download-wise that then having to wait for many minutes more turns a quick spare 30 minute download and play session into a 45 minute staring at progress bars annoyance. Slightly exaggerating, except for my PAIN incident, whereby after downloading the game, had to endure 45 minutes of non-background forced downloads and installation before I could try it out. Not exactly quick to pick up and play...

    2. The stupid restrictions imposed by background downloading. Ok, fair enough, I don't expect to play R:FOM online while downloading a demo, but why the hell can't I watch a Blu-Ray while background downloading? On my 360, I can watch an HD-DVD while downloading a demo while chatting to two or three people at the same time - and my wifi adapter is plugged into the HD-DVD drive too, which is surely using more processing power seeing as it's a pass-through connection over USB.

    3. No auto-audio out feature. I use the optical connection to my 5.1s for when watching Blu-Rays, but quite often I just want to play a game late at night without annoying my housemates, or just want to play a quick game of PAIN or something. But if I want to switch to HDMI audio, I actually have to change the audio output settings! The 360 just autosenses and outputs audio via either optical or HDMI.

    Points 1 and 2 are so annoying to me - I don't think I've ever sat in front of a games console and yet not been able to use it for so much of that time before.

    I realise that Sony is at least a yearbehind Microsoft in implementation terms , so of course MS will be ahead, but in reality, that cannot be used as an excuse when those features are available now in a competing, cheaper console. Normal consumers are not going to accept "Buy our product now and in 12 months or so, these annoying problems will be fixed like they already are in our competitor's product". Consumers will turn round and say "Great. I'll buy it in 12 months time" OR "I'll buy the product with those features already in, thanks".

    Sony needs to bring the price down of the PS3 and make it more usable and user friendly for the masses - who I bet won't be content with watching download and installation screens. This is especially true of those with any experience of the 360 - I reckon my personal opinion wouldn't be half as negative if I hadn't already owned and used a 360.

    /looks back at huge ream of text.

    Jesus. Congrats to anyone who makes it to the end of this ramble.

  • chessboxer #50 3 years ago

    Including a few PSN games, some are also from SOE (so PC/PS3) but they are scheduled for 2009:

    Killzone 2
    God of War III
    Uncharted 2
    Heavy Rain
    MAG: Massive Action Game
    The Agency
    Afrika (only out in Japan atm)
    X-Edge
    Free Realms
    inFamous
    White Knight Chronicles (only out in Japan atm)
    MLB The Show 09
    Gran Turismo 5
    EyePet
    Savage Moon (only out in EU atm)
    Fat Princess
    Flower
    Noby Noby Boy
    The Punisher: No Mercy
    DC Universe Online
    Ratchet & Clank
    Rag Doll Fung-Fu: Fists of Plastic
    Quantum Theory

    2009 could be another wallet busting year, depending on how varied your gaming taste is. All games will be made available in NA/EU.

  • PanStre #51 3 years ago

    @ retibra

    Who embarrassed Yoshida? Ueda did unfortunately...in August Yoshida said Trico was to be shown 'soon', Ueda managed to not be @ TGS and we're all still waiting.

  • CunningLinguist #52 3 years ago

    What about the next ICO game? That will surely generate some hype, or?

  • Ryze #53 3 years ago

    @chessboxer

    No chance you're seeing most of those in 2009.

    I even have my doubts about Heavy Rain making it this year, as a GOOD game.

    I hope I'm wrong on both counts.

  • Apologie #54 3 years ago

    PS3 have such a strong line of games for 2009... 2008 have been amazing but Uncharted2, GT5, God of War2, Killzone 2 etc... just to name a few, ultimately blows the competition away.

    I feel sorry for all the Xbots out there, that are too blind and narrowminded to give themselves the privilege and oportunity to play the best games of this generation... by the way, i dont give a f*** about wich one sells more, i just want good games and reliability, and i get both with the PS3.

  • Ryze #55 3 years ago

    ^ here we go...

    Apololol's here!

    /popcorn

  • menage #56 3 years ago

    @Bioreit

    I didn't make it:p, in fact I only read the last sentence:D

  • GamesConnoisseur #57 3 years ago

    I enjoy reading fanboy comments on either side of the fences, as a multi platform owner I still cannot claim to be completely neutral and bias free.

    2008 have again been the year for X360 for me despite reading views from 'experts' including EA, and EG PS3 leaning regular contributors that 2008 would be the YEAR for PS3.

    Ah no not exactly! PS3 have made better progress indeed compared to 2007, but come on Resistance 2 was a bit of a let down though not a stinker like Liar... sorry... Lair was. Furies ARGH WTF stupid game design decision!! Gears of War 2 was far better head to head with R2 for me! Still PS3 also had great exclusive gems and that for me were LBP and MSG4. I did rail against MSG4's loooooong FMW, forever installations but it was still one of the more memorable game of the year (not a 10/10 mind you!).

    I simply WONT believe any predictions that one console will be better than the other for the year ahead! You cant do that without having the proof of really good game library. After the disappointment of Resistance 2, I m personally hoping that Killzone 2 would be still able to match the hype and expectations build up so far. Heavy Rain is another title I look forward to but worried it would be too arty farty and David Cage got lost up his own arse, but if done well then yes one of the GOTY contender... I sincerely hope!

    I considered X360 as the better gaming machine since launch but I would not say to Apologie or anyone else who disagree to be an idiot!! As they are entitled to which consoles turned them on the most. I know there are enough merits to own PS3 or Wii but would rate the Wii to be the most disappointed console aside from odd gems (World of Goo being more recent).

  • bonker #58 3 years ago

    "But theres the much rumoured PS3 price-cut around March.

    It has to go below £199 to reach the sweet spot for the mass-market regardless of how many features it has."

    There's no way that a £199 price point, or anything like it, is mass-market for 2009.

    Yes, the Wii is close to that price but the Wii is primarily being bought by people who will *never* buy a PS3 or a 360 so that's a completely different discussion.

    I don't doubt that the PS3 at £199 will present terrific value to lots of people cos of the BD player but that's really only going to appeal to a realtively small percentage of people, the 'mass-market' doesn't give a flying fuck about HD and never will.

  • bioreit #59 3 years ago

    @ menage

    Hey - thanks for trying anyway ;-)

    /wishes there was an emoticon for "two-thumbs-up-pointing-and-cheesy-grin", like Buddy Christ.

    Edit: This is the best I could come up with:

    ¬|¬|;-D

    /needs to get a life. Apolol doesn't seem like he uses his much - maybe I could steal his...

    Edited by 1 at 06/01/09 @ 20:46

  • Rash' #60 3 years ago

    GameConnoisseur, over the course of the PS3's short life the system and it's makers have been criticised by the media and gamers alike for coming short. as an early adopter it has been infuriating having to listen to the nonsensical rants against my preferred HD format of choice. i think now i'm due a little payback (so to speak). predictions can be a simple case of maths. calculate the exclusives heading to each console and it's indisputable sony has a formidable and exciting line up ahead. "it's all about the games" the 360 enthusiasts would rave in criticism of the PS3 during it's formative years. at long last i can finally agree. ;o)
    Edited by 1 at 06/01/09 @ 23:00

  • youhavenomail #61 3 years ago

    "There's no way that a £199 price point, or anything like it, is mass-market for 2009.

    Yes, the Wii is close to that price but the Wii is primarily being bought by people who will *never* buy a PS3 or a 360 so that's a completely different discussion."

    More people bought a PS2 than a Wii, so I don't think Sony need to worry about selling PS3 to those grandmothers. They'll all be dead by next Christmas. Then watch Nintendo come crawling back to us with a new Zelda and Kid Icarus!
    Edited by 1 at 06/01/09 @ 23:19

  • makeamazing #62 3 years ago

    Yawn lots of Xbots :(

    On a serious note, on exclusives the PS3 edged the Xbox in 2008... I'm sure lots of people might argue with that, but they really did edge it. If they can keep that up and decrease the cost I think it wont take long for them to pull in the 1 million. Its the cost thats holding back the PS3.