Sony: "Gaming Is The Heart And Soul Of The Company"
Video games began long before PlayStation arrived but perhaps it can be argued that, depending on how you view the advancement of the industry, Sony is responsible for "legitimizing" gaming as a form of entertainment.
What began with the original PlayStation over 15 years ago has blossomed into an interactive revolution, culminating in what we have now; the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation Network. And you know, Sony joined the gaming world at just about the time gaming was starting to make mainstream strides, and with the innovation and artistry often unique to the PlayStation brand, the industry has really benefited over the years. In some ways, we should be thankful to Sony, or so the senior director of the PSN at SCEA, Susan Panico, told Gamasutra:
"I think what’s important is that gaming is the heart and soul of the company, and it’s what we do really well. What we did as PlayStation, if you go back 15 years ago, we legitimized [gaming] as a form of entertainment. It’s not a hobby; it’s a broader form of entertainment. But what we’ve learned over the past 15 years is that we have to provide other forms of entertainment to the consumer: movies, comics, music, what have you."
By the way, you'll note she also mentions the arrival of PS1 classics on the PSN, and while Panico says it's "money on the table" for any publisher who wishes to participate, there are always "a lot of licensing issues" that prevent certain titles from becoming downlodable PS1 classics. Well, that's okay...we got all the Final Fantasy titles; who needs anything else?
Tags: playstation, ps games, ps2, ps3
7/2/2010 10:51:42 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (75 posts)
Karosso
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:27:15 AM
Scarecrow
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 1:14:20 PM
dkmrules
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 2:33:38 PM
Karosso
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 2:49:12 PM
Underdog15
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 2:50:43 PM
But yeah... more games... less fluff. Like I said in a post a couple days ago... Xbox, and the Wii to a point (although not as much as Xbox), have changed the tune of their marketing to a mostly aesthetic direction. At this point, I think Microsoft is competing on pure name brand recognition, and not much else.
shadowscorpio
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 5:04:13 PM
FlyingKickPunch
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 5:43:48 PM
OPHIDIAN
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 7:31:33 PM
FlyingKickPunch
Saturday, July 03, 2010 @ 11:30:58 AM
JMO_INDY
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:16:10 AM
Reply
Last edited by JMO_INDY on 7/2/2010 11:18:38 AM
Jordahn
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:16:49 AM
Reply
JPBooch
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:20:23 AM
Reply
Of course, it might not have been considered "legitimate" entertainment at the time, what ever the hell that means.
JMO_INDY
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:22:47 AM
JPBooch
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:28:56 AM
coverton341
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:36:38 AM
dkmrules
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 2:34:50 PM
BikerSaint
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 6:10:16 PM
fstop
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:34:45 AM
Reply
It's clear Sony moved the gaming industry forward by realizing that the original gamers grew up and wanted their games to grow with them whilst not forgetting the fun factor of gaming.
As a matter of fact this statement is proven true simply by looking at the fact that Microsoft saw what Sony was doing and wanted a piece of the pie. It's because of the moves Sony made why gaming is now viewed as a Legit form of entertainment we can speak about in public without fear of scorn and judgement.
shadowscorpio
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 5:15:36 PM
fstop
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 6:39:53 PM
I don't think any company is impervious to mistakes but they sure can bounce back from them.
The last part of your comment made me LOL!
I save all my Playstation's (box's and all) just so I can show my kids how games have progressed and what gaming was like when I grew up lol!
frylock25
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:37:02 AM
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before sony it always felt like a lot of the same kinds of things. i did some light PC gaming but being a young kid its hard to get top of the line computer equipment. shareware doom and games handed down to me.
before sony video games were looked at as disposable and not to be brought with to a new console. it was the standard to ditch your old games and not support them in a new console.
before sony controllers changed in size, shape and button count. sony has made a controller one time and only added 2 analog sticks. correct me if i am wrong but was sony not first on that also? what about the vibration?
sony was always looking for new ways to immerse you in your game and bring you in.
now to this day i can pick up a disc i bought 15 years ago, put it in my system and still play it.
Last edited by frylock25 on 7/2/2010 11:42:36 AM
Snaaaake
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:39:33 AM
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Thank you Sony.
By the way, tears are rolling down my face..................no it ain't because of this statement, it's because Brazil has been knocked out of the World Cup.
JMO_INDY
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:45:10 AM
fstop
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:52:11 AM
Karosso
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:56:05 AM
JMO_INDY
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:59:17 AM
Bugzbunny109
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 12:01:20 PM
Karosso
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 12:11:51 PM
Back on topic, gaming on a Sony console was the foundation for this monster of a industry we have right now, they built it strong and are redefining it with 3D and great exclusive games and the ever expanding PSN. Keep it up Sony! I like where you've been leading the industry this past 15 years.
Scarecrow
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 1:19:24 PM
Africa and South Africa DO NOT belong together
Just like North America and South America are separated.
They want to call their country South Africa and STILL want to act as if they're part of the mainland?
---
To hell with South Africa
Hope next time they host it in a real African country*
JMO_INDY
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 2:56:54 PM
Underdog15
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 2:59:49 PM
With a couple exceptions, specifically to the US team, the refereeing has been stellar. And more critics will say the same thing (although you always get points of view from both sides). Most people do not even properly understand the rules of what constitutes a foul, and even moreso, what constitutes a red or yellow card.
Canadians think it should be reffed like hockey, americans think it should be reffed like basketball, and they're both wrong. (I'm Canadian, btw)
That Nederlands vs. Brazil game was excellently officiated. I once officiated a master's international tournament in Halifax, and I really wish we had those headsets the fifa refs get to communicate with... lol. The assistants were excellent today, and the middle ref did a supurb job of staying with the play. The only outright dive I saw was committed by a Brazilian player, and advantage was played on for a goal kick.
P.s. just because no one got a free kick, doesn't mean the ref didn't consider it a foul. You must consider advantage. Also, what a save on Kaka!
Highlander
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 3:52:26 PM
Scarecrow, you might want to break out an atlas. South Africa covers the entire southern tip of the African continent, it's a *huge* country. Not to mention since the end of apartheid and the Mandela presidency, South Africa has become part of the family of African nations. That's not to say that everything in South Africa is all coming up roses, it's not, but tell me a country where it is.
Last edited by Highlander on 7/2/2010 3:55:15 PM
The Stig
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 8:13:14 PM
Bugzbunny109
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:57:56 AM
Reply
Highlander
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 12:12:48 PM
Reply
I started with a Binatone Pong type game system, then I had an Atari 2600 VCS, then I took a left turn into Home computers with a Sinclair ZX 81 followed by an Acorn BBC Micro, then an Acorn Archimedes (Acorn was a British company that made home computers back in the golden age of 8-bit home computing. The Archimedes was a 32-bit RISC system that used a CPU design of their own, now known as the ARM - Acorn RISC Machine - and used in virtually limitless mobile devices, including the DS!). After the Archimedes, I moved up to PCs. When the original PlayStation arrived, I got one. My friends thought I was nuts and went with the ill-fated N64. Then it was PS2, PSP and PS3.
When Sony says that gaming changed with the PlayStation, they are not really overstating things that much. I mean it is true to say that games and game consoles existed before the PlayStation did. But on the other hand to get anything more than arcade style games you had to invest in a PC. At the time a decent PC was well in excess of $1500, and in today's money (after inflation) that would be nearer $3000. So the PlayStation was a game changer because the inclusion of the CD-ROM enabled a far deeper and richer game to be built on the video game console. Now games could include video cutscenes, lots of audio. Games could be bigger than before and use far more sophisticated graphics. Before the PlayStation the only place you could go for games with any real depth or production quality was the PC. The PlayStation opened the industry up to a new wave of developers who's imaginations were not limited to new variants of Mario or Donkey Kong.
Things have gone from strength to strength since then. I find it interesting that Sony's insistence on the inclusion of the CD-ROM drive on that original PlayStation was one of the key decisions in the development of the modern console. Of course their base hardware design was a good one as well with a MIPS processor and real 3D graphics.
The original PS brought technology only found in PCs to the game console world, and we haven't looked back since.
Karosso
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 12:21:01 PM
fluffer nutter
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 1:01:15 PM
Deleted User
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 12:28:27 PM
Reply
JMO_INDY
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 1:05:30 PM
Scarecrow
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 1:21:59 PM
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But I agree Sony's consoles are the ones that have always allowed the gaming industry to grow and be as creative as they want.
Last edited by Scarecrow on 7/2/2010 1:22:54 PM
shadowscorpio
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 5:24:06 PM
amzngskillz
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 1:40:34 PM
Reply
Last edited by amzngskillz on 7/2/2010 1:41:56 PM
shadowscorpio
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 5:26:06 PM
GuardianMode
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 5:53:28 PM
AcHiLLiA
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 1:48:05 PM
Reply
ColTater
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 2:13:29 PM
Reply
I too have too many gaming memories to discuss, but I know for a fact that I have played well over 400 games in my lifetime. Also, since my x-box is modded and has darn near all the original NES games, some SNES games, most all genesis games, plus MAMEOX for arcade games, I can relive some of those classic memories if I so choose. However since disc based games have been around and have been excellent (PS3 exclusives) lately I haven't had the desire or time for that matter.
Too bad I don't know anybody that shares the same gaming passion/addiction that I do. No one wants to just come over and have a marathon gaming session anymore. I need a gamer friend. :,(
Last edited by ColTater on 7/2/2010 2:21:32 PM
Robochic
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 2:38:35 PM
Reply
BikerSaint
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 7:31:51 PM
(I no longer own these, but I "Do" intend to re-buy the 3 gaming consoles listed below again)....
Texas Instruments computer
Tandy computer
Atari 2600(woodie)
Intellivision
Colecovision
(I still have these in my collection, w/ accessories & 1500+- games, everything almost mint)...
SNES
Atari Jaguar, also w/64 bit CD adapter unit
Panasonic 3DO (Sexy Streamlined FZ-10 model)
Sega Genesis
N-64
Sega Saturn
Sega Dreamcast
Gamecube
Xbox
360 250GB Elite Deluxe (CODMW2 skinned bundle)
PS1
PS2(black-phattie)
Ps2(White Sing-Song bundle-slim)
Ps3(60 gig B/C Phattie)
1 PSP 1000 Black
3 PSP 2000 (White Darth Vader skinned, metallic blue 09 Madden, & a metallic Silver)
1 PSP 3000 (Metallic Silver).
A Wii & it's games will also be added into my collection too, but probably not starting till sometime next year.
Plus, I have numerous little individual handhelds for the casino games, acey duecy, Draw Poker Dueces Poker, Criss Cross slots, Blackjack, and one all about the TV game "Wheel of Fortune".
I also own a neat innovative littleplug & play controller(looks a bit between a cross of Dreamcast & 360 controller with all the same buttons, plus a off/on switch) that actually has 25 of Intellivision's most popular games built right inside of it. Just plug into one of the TV's input jacks, & you're gaming Intellivion style, sans an actual console. Pretty damned cool controller!!!
I've got to say though, that out of all my consoles, my top three gaming rigs right now are.....
1. PS3
2. Dreamcast
3. Panasonic FZ-10
BTW, I would've had to include Colecovision in that list too if I still owned it, and it would've been listed as being in my 4th top console spot too).
Last edited by BikerSaint on 7/2/2010 7:35:27 PM
kraygen
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 4:21:51 PM
If however they put them on psn, not only can I finally experience them, but I can even transfer to psp and take them on the go.
JPBooch
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 3:09:08 PM
Reply
Sony would still be just HiFi Recievers and TV's if it wasn't for Nintendo dropping the ball.
Highlander
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 3:45:01 PM
shadowscorpio
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 5:30:19 PM
shadowscorpio
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 5:30:19 PM
BikerSaint
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 6:33:56 PM
Ninty had asked Sony to make a CD-drive for Ninty's new machine which Sony did, & it was about to be announced at that show.
But to Sony's shock & horror as they were unaware of what was about to happen, Ninty's presentation came out first at the show & they suddenly stated that they weren't going to use Sony's drive.
So, since Sony already had their new CD drive, Sony then decided that they would put it to good use & make their own gaming console & name it Playstation.
Hence, a now 15 year old legend, was first born on stage.
So we all can actually thank Nintendo for being the backstabbers that they were at that show.
@ Shadowscorpio,
Funny you should say that because even though Ninty screwed Sony back then, Sony's already let by-gones be by-gones & just recently, Sony's reached out to Nintendo.....
Sony: We'd Like to Work with Nintendo on Promoting 3D Message
Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida would prefer that Nintendo not "bash" what Sony is doing with 3D glasses on the console side.
The full story here.....
http://www.industrygamers.com/news/sony-wed-like-to-work-with-nintendo-on-promoting-3d-message/
Last edited by BikerSaint on 7/2/2010 6:41:21 PM
fstop
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 6:44:43 PM
shadowscorpio
Saturday, July 03, 2010 @ 5:58:56 PM
SmokeyPSD
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 4:02:39 PM
xnonsuchx
Saturday, July 03, 2010 @ 1:28:52 AM
SmokeyPSD
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 4:01:55 PM
Reply
___________
Saturday, July 03, 2010 @ 3:52:08 AM
Reply
that is the largest load of hogs wash i have ever heard!
PCs legitimized gaming as a form of entertainment, i remember sleeping over my cuzs place when i was like 5 getting up at 4 in the morning once his father went to bed and playing duke nukem 3D.
the PC has done a sh*t load more for the gaming industry than what sony have done, they make it sound like they made game consoles!
god sony are so fu*king arrogant and up themselves this gen!
please, sony, for your own good.
GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR FU**ING A$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
god! never have i heard someone so full of themself!
and i thought arron greenburg and dan greenwalt were bad!
shadowscorpio
Saturday, July 03, 2010 @ 6:12:03 PM
With Sony coming into the picture in gaming they "legitimazed" gaming as a form of entertainment meaning with Sony introducing the Playstaion franchise along with what Sony is known for (movies, media, etc.) , gaming would soon become a form of "mainstream" entertainment along with movies and the such as it is today.
Look, we here on this sight are not saying that you have to like Sony but they are in a big way responsible for where gaming is today and how it is perceived as in the entertainment industry. At least aknowlegde that whether you care for Sony or not.

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Highlander
Reply
Friday, July 02, 2010 @ 11:08:57 AM
I'm also glad that the message from within Sony is that "gaming is the heart and soul of the company". If they recognize that inside the company, then they will continue to focus on the games, games and more games. Exactly what the industry needs. More games, less fluff.