Sony: We don't want the senior citizen gamers
Sony's Scott Steinberg is not impressed by Nintendo's current success. In fact, he thinks his own company shouldn't adopt a similar strategy and try to obtain some share of the mass market. When asked about the Wii, and it's controller, in a recent interview, he commented that the "notion of that controller is a non-trivial point that you've brought up, that control and that familiarity is like comfort food - from my perspective, we lead, we don't follow." Steinberg further went on to say that "as a brand, Nintendo's got their thing, and we're not trying to get the senior citizen group to get into gaming, we're looking to convert the PS2 owners and the tens of millions of installed base that were playing DVDs and playing games on their PS2, to now play Blu-ray movies and Blu-ray games with their PS3." Wait, was that a Sony representative saying they don't want more money? We thought the whole point of being a company was to earn money, so we're not sure why Sony would turn down a certain segment of the market, one Nintendo has proven are receptive to gaming and financially lucrative.





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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ben @ Aug 6th 2008 12:07PM
What about those of us who would like to play our PS2 games on a PS3????
adolson @ Aug 6th 2008 12:09PM
That's what the Wii is for. :P
adolson @ Aug 6th 2008 12:07PM
If Microsoft and Sony did what Nintendo is doing, where would the seasoned gamers go for their fix? Further to that, where will new gamers go when they get bored of what the Wii has to offer? I think all three consoles have their place - Wii for new gamers and group gaming, PS3 for veteran gamers and multimedia enthusiasts, and Xbox 360 for Gears of War.
Ben @ Aug 6th 2008 12:12PM
don't forget teh Haloz
Avoli @ Aug 6th 2008 3:19PM
Personally, when bored of Wii, I go right to PC.
There's something you never hear.
adolson @ Aug 6th 2008 3:46PM
I always forget about PCs because I gave up on Windows and PC gaming in 2002.. I got tired of all the driver issues and viruses and bugs. I found that with each new video driver release, one game would be fixed, but two would break. I got bit by that nasty SoundBlaster Live! bug, which would corrupt data, and often cause a BSOD when reading files from CD drives... I just switched back to consoles and installed debian on my PCs. Haven't even had to upgrade my PC since then. But you're right, it's a valid gaming platform. In fact, with a PC, you no longer need an Xbox 360 for Halo and Gears. :)
Sonic_13 @ Aug 6th 2008 9:48PM
"where would the seasoned gamers go for their fix? "
As a seasoned gamer I go to Wii for my fix.
kavorka @ Aug 6th 2008 12:08PM
To gain any share of that 'lucrative' market, Sony would have to pull some *major* changes. Being a Wii owner in addition to a ps3 owner, I'm glad that Playstation is taking an anti-casual crowd approach. That's why I bought one in the first place! I don't want to play games with my grandma. There, I said it.
SoshiKitai @ Aug 6th 2008 1:25PM
The grandma is sad. :(
Dylan F @ Aug 6th 2008 12:09PM
Yea, looks like they did a great job appealing to previous PS2 owners. 106,000,000 to go! When will Sony get over the fact that they are *not* in first place like they were for the PS2? Sony is just pissed that they are in third and trying to attack and/or mock Nintendo whatever way possible.
adolson @ Aug 6th 2008 12:12PM
Yeah, I'm sure Sony wishes they could have all the mini-game and waggle-fests that we get on the Wii. Face it, it gets boring after a while - every new Wii game seems to have something to do with partiez, petz, or sportz, and I, for one, am sick of it. I won't sell my Wii though, as I have hope that some day The Conduit will be released, and then I'll put another 20 hours into it and it'll go on neglected again until someone releases something else that's worth playing.
daniel @ Aug 6th 2008 1:26PM
Actually, the PS3 is selling the same, if not better, than the PS2 did in the same time in its life. The PS2 has been out for 10 years to get those numbers, The PS3 for only almost 2.
SoshiKitai @ Aug 6th 2008 1:38PM
.......... I wouldn't say "better". They're at a constant rate, but still not better.
Maybe the number of sales are the same (maybe), but not according to ratio. ...many PS2 sales were coming from all around, many of whom have never owned a game system before. Very hyped, very loved. While the PS3 sales come from that same new-and-old gaming crowd that grew into core-gamers. So the number of core-gamers has grown to a massive size, but the ones with the PS3 aren't the majority anymore. Many gamers have gone to the 360, and many new gamers called "casuals" have gone to the Wii. So ratio-wise, the PS3 doesn't have the same spunk as the PS2 did.
...just as a comparison, of course.
--- though, don't count the ones where a PS3 are bought, but no games are... it's called a cheap Blu-ray player.
Marshall @ Aug 6th 2008 3:09PM
...Well, according to an actual source that displays data on this sort of thing as opposed to your own recollections. www.vgchartz.com, who I've found to be very accurate in recording and displaying hardware and software sales from all consoles, shows about 30 million units sold for the PS2 in its first 2 years.
The chart that I laid out goes back to December 2, 2000 and I stopped at November 2, 2002. It had an install base of about 5 million already at the time, but I can't go back any farther in the data, and the time span actually reaches up to about 35 million anyway, so I've accounted for it. Not to mention, I'm a month shy of 2 years. I was very generous to the PS3.
Even still, the first two years of the PS3 showing 14.6 million units is not "the same, if not better" than the PS2. In fact, it's a bit worse than HALF of the PS2.
Link:
http://vgchartz.com/hwcomps.php?cons1=PS2®1=All&cons2=PS3®2=All&cons3=X360®3=All&start=36856&end=37563&weekly=1
and here's a PS3 chart from launch to today for comparison, but unfortunately I'm being forced to display 3 systems for this one, so the RED line is the PS3 (the low one :P):
http://vgchartz.com/hwcomps.php?cons1=®1=All&cons2=PS3®2=All&cons3=®3=All&start=39047&end=39663&weekly=1
Dylan F @ Aug 6th 2008 12:15PM
I have a Wii and a 360. I didn't buy the Wii hoping to engauge in hardcore first person shooters like most of you were hoping. I bought it so I could still enjoy all my Nintendo titles like Zelda and Mario, and mabey a few new ones, while still owning a 360 to play all those epic action-adventure games to tame the hardcore in me.
adolson @ Aug 6th 2008 12:24PM
I commend you for your foresight. I didn't see the betrayal coming... Go back and re-watch E3 2K6, and see the undelivered potential. I'm talking about games like Disaster, HAMMER, Sadness, and the like. Honestly, the only game that came close to delivering what people expected after that conference was Metroid, and it's a great game. I want more of that... But I don't keep my hopes up very high, after nearly two years, and all I have to show for it are that and a decent Mario game and a GameCube Zelda game.
SoshiKitai @ Aug 6th 2008 1:32PM
Though I did "fall" for the big hype of great potential (I wouldn't say "fall"... since I still have strong hope), I wasn't TOOOOOO surprised. I mean, the GC had great games, but rather lacking when compared to the PS2... with most 3rd parties only giving Nintendo a tiny glance.
Now the Wii hits big and they get a lot of 3rd party glances, waves,and kisses... except it's all for party games. *face plant*
But whatever, I've still got hope.
And I still love my adventureful Wii over my over-powered PS3, and my tough-as-nails Elite. They're all loved, but I do play favorites. :)
Lars @ Aug 6th 2008 8:32PM
Same here Dylan ('cept PS3 and Wii).
I have to say, this is one of the rare few cases of marketing-speak that I actually agree with. I always expected the PS3 to be for my "hardcore" games and the Wii to be for party games. My mom bought a Wii, and I don't expect her to ever buy a PS3 or 360 (nor do I want her to, she already bugs me enough about how to use the Wii).
Dylan F @ Aug 6th 2008 12:28PM
Yea, you're right, it DOES get boring. I only occasionally play my Wii to do the body test in Wii Fit and maybe one or two exercises. But I still own a Wii so I can play the next game in my favorite Nintendo franchise when it comes out, because I can't get it anywhere else. I'm sure if it were just based on hardware, Nintendo might have not been my first choice. But Zelda and Mario are still my favorite and I still have to have it when it comes out. Which is mainly why I will choose Nintendo first. I didn't see Sony bring anything really new to the table with the PS3, other than improved graphics, and since the 360 it all the graphics I need, it's was $200 cheaper at the time, and Xbox Live is the greatest, the console I was going to choose was simple Mabey my first choice wouldn't be a console with these "waggle" fests, but i'm going to have to live with them if I still want to play Zelda. But I agree with you on that last part, other than the occasional great game that I play for about 60 hours, I hardly touch my Wii. Most of the games have awful replay value. Unlike Microsoft, which most games have XBL that keeps you bust for another 15 hours. Mabey my first choice wouldn't be a console with these "waggle" fests, but i'm going to have to live with them if I still want to enjoy the rare, but ususally great, Zelda.
Dylan F @ Aug 6th 2008 12:31PM
Sorry, I screwed that paragraph up a bit while rearranging what I was trying to say.
Comtar @ Aug 6th 2008 12:37PM
I'd like to tell that Sony rep about my Mom who beat Bioshock before I did... I'm not joking. She's working on GTAIV now.
SoshiKitai @ Aug 6th 2008 1:27PM
If you noticed though, she's probably not as casual of a gamer as people would perceive her... in that case, the PS3 would still sell to her, since she could be considered as a core-gamer.
Sora57 @ Aug 6th 2008 1:37PM
Without b/c on all PS3 SKUs, SONY will have trouble converting all those Ps2 owners to PS3 owners. I have the Wii and PS3. I play party games on the Wii, Wii Fit, Madden and Mario Galaxy, and some VC content I downloaded. The PS3 is for HD gaming for me-- from racing games to RPGs, etc. B/c was important to me so I could still play my library of PS2 games, so I got the 60 GB version. SONY sounds delusional when they are say they don't want to widen their mass market appeal.
SoshiKitai @ Aug 6th 2008 1:49PM
Sony always seems to sound delusional.
...ah well, they have a good system, so I can look the other way.
It's like you have a strong sweet tooth, and you get free candy from a really sketchy guy... you know it's probably wrong to encourage his creepy behavior, but hell, he's the only one giving free candy away.
Let's hope they just stay weird, and not suddenly DO something weird.
Blue @ Aug 6th 2008 12:36PM
If Sony is trying to get PS2 owners to switch to the PS3, maybe they should rethink removing backwards compatibility.
Hamster @ Aug 6th 2008 1:27PM
".... one Nintendo has proven are receptive to gaming". Yeah but not good gaming. Until I see geriatrics enjoying Zelda and Metroid, I'm wholly sceptical of the "let's get old people into gaming" gimmick as it so far has just equated to floods of awful shovelware. Why try and appeal to people who are nearly dead? What's the point? Old people will naturally be more into gaming as the generations pass and and those generations (like us) who grew up with gaming become old people, there's really no need to force the issue, especially if it means dumbing-down.
SoshiKitai @ Aug 6th 2008 1:42PM
*dramatic music*
Maybe us selling to older people is a way to comfort our souls... maybe we just want them to understand why... why we loved these games......... and if they love them too, they'll realize all the times they've neglected us and pushed us down for something that wasn't worth a fight over... maybe, just before they go on to the next life, we just want them to turn around just once... just once... to look us in the eye, and give us their acceptance~~!
:P
Mr Bunky @ Aug 6th 2008 1:42PM
Scott Steinberg is just mad because his grandma can whip his ass on the wii.
jfrdricks63 @ Aug 6th 2008 1:53PM
Great way to alienate potential users you arrogant pricks. So whats up with the six axis... I guess that isn't just another motion sensor control huh? Whatever. Glad I got rid of these jerks.
Shogan @ Aug 6th 2008 2:38PM
What a bunch of crap. Trying to get PS2 owners to back the PS3? How about supporting Backwards Compatibility? That's been a HUGE issue for me, and until it's settled, I'm not getting one.
Why can't these companies put their arrogance aside and admit each system has very good things going for it? Nintendo has it's controller, Microsoft has it's online service, and Sony has something I'm sure...
Lars @ Aug 6th 2008 8:38PM
While I agree in principle (I believe that ALL PS3's should have BC), your argument is weak. They've had BC consoles out since launch. Rumor has it the 80GB is gonna be dropped though, so better jump on it before it's too late and they drop BC models all together. That MGS4 bundle is a pretty good deal anyways.
milan @ Aug 6th 2008 3:24PM
I've been feeling that the PS3 is due to start making a serious statement in the next few years, and now all these predicted charts project the PS3 as starting to sell like crazy after a while... Sony is confident in what they are doing cuz they know what they are doing.
HellsHammer @ Aug 6th 2008 3:29PM
"as a brand, Nintendo's got their thing,"
Referring to their new marketing style? That just so happens to put them in first this console war..? And a new controller that Sony tried very unsuccessfully to re-create?
I've really liked PlayStation and PS2. And until PS3, Sony had always pushed the game library to be as big as possible.
"We're looking to convert the PS2 owners and the tens of millions of installed base that were playing DVDs and playing games on their PS2, to now play Blu-ray movies and Blu-ray games with their PS3."
As a video game company, it helps to mention a video game or two. I'm not buying a Blu-ray player. I'm buying a video game console. Work on more games Sony, please.
christian.ryan @ Aug 6th 2008 3:54PM
Gee - I'm almost 30 and just bought a Wii...I guess by Sony McDouche-berg's standards, I'm a "senior citizen?"
Dude, I'll buy yr VAIO laptop, but I think I'll spend my social security AARP money on new Wii games, thanks.
Jimiisama @ Aug 6th 2008 5:40PM
It's kind of arrogant to think he was talking about you, isn't it?
Jeff @ Aug 6th 2008 3:56PM
hahaha "[regarding controls] from my perspective, we lead, we don't follow."
this - coming from the company who's whole controller scheme is basically a fancy-pants SNES controller....
whatever.
HellsHammer @ Aug 6th 2008 4:18PM
Not even basically.
It's exactly different enough to avoid legal action. It has a larger grip. "we lead, we don't follow." See the difference now?
Mr Khan @ Aug 6th 2008 4:56PM
Exclusionary thinking is never a good business practice
James @ Aug 6th 2008 5:25PM
FOOOOOOOOOL! IT'S SO KEWL TO SEE GRANDMAS PLAY GAMES!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO WI SPORTS!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111
nintendo1889 @ Aug 6th 2008 5:49PM
Blue said... "If Sony is trying to get PS2 owners to switch to the PS3, maybe they should rethink removing backwards compatibility."
Totally agree with you. That's one issue I have with the PS3..that and the hyper-inflated price tag. Sure, removing the extra PS2 hardware saves money in the long run. But in the end, was it a good executive decision? No, in fact, it was a pretty pathetic and asinine attempt to "save" money. And that Scott Steinberg guy, he's just jealous because he can't deny Nintendo's success. Heck, Nintendo hasn't had this much success since the SuperNES-era.
Kamek @ Aug 6th 2008 6:25PM
s"o we're not sure why Sony would turn down a certain segment of the market, one Nintendo has proven are receptive to gaming and financially lucrative."
Maybe because sony would rather keep their reputation as a company that tries to make quality games, rather than throw it all away to make some cheap money on casual games. Seriously, I respect their point of view. they won't change who they are just to make easy money.
Mr Khan @ Aug 6th 2008 7:47PM
While it might be a good idea for a developer to keep its integrity for artistic purposes, a publisher, and especially a manufacturer, should be grubbing for as many customers as it possibly can
FYIan @ Aug 6th 2008 6:35PM
So this guy is saying that Sony isn't worried about competing with Nintendo, because Sony is too busy competing with itself?
vidGuy @ Aug 6th 2008 8:04PM
Haha, Nintendo takes over the market Sony dominated with the PS2, and suddenly Sony doesn't want that market? Sounds like a sorry loser if you ask me.
Lars @ Aug 6th 2008 8:42PM
Essentially.
.... are you new to marketing spins? All companies do this type of thing. It's really more for the stock market and investors rather than us gamers.
manyquestions @ Aug 6th 2008 10:01PM
Maybe if they wouldn't be so darn hypocritical, they could have those PS2 gamers. Really, it should be so hard for a company to get players to move up to the new console. But Sony wants to have their cake and eat it too, so they go on and on about ten year product life cycles and how it means that their products may seem "ahead of their time" upon release, all the while continuing to release a console every five years. I really don't get this. Please explain.
Personally, it looks to me like they're just retreating upstream.
Deozaan @ Aug 7th 2008 6:08PM
"from my perspective, we lead, we don't follow."
Yeah, so how do you explain the motion controls tacked onto the SIXAXIS at the last minute?
Derek Vazquez @ Aug 9th 2008 4:12AM
That's exactly what I was thinking. Now that its pretty much common knowledge that the Tech behind Nintendo's Motion-plus isn't Nintendo-exclusive watch Sony grab that up, too!
Derek Vazquez @ Aug 9th 2008 4:10AM
These are the words of a man bitter of the fact that his company isn't in the lead anymore. Its childish, like a little kid who's best friend has a toy he's always wanted and he's like "I don't like that toy anymore anyways." It's jealousy. I bet sony will be jumping at Motion-plus technology since its not exclusive to nintendo. In the game industry Nintendo has done what everone has needed to a long time ago: innovate and reinvent. I own all three consoles and while the PS3 and 360 impress graphically it's all they do. With each new console it has become predictable that the most notable feature is more advanced graphics. Bravo to Nintendo for giving gamers something different and proving that gaming can advance beyond what we are seeing on our tv screens!