Sony Feels Secure in PS3 Thus Far

Speaking of delusions, Sony’s Senior Marketing Manager John Kohler gave a fairly in depth interview with Gamepro this week on the company’s plans for the PS3. Questions of economic viability, success stories, and other performance review questions were asked. The summation of Sony’s answers is simple: We Rock! It’s quite a read and certainly demonstrates to the rest of the industry how far buried Sony’s head is under the sand.

When asked about what he considers successes on the PS3, Kohler used Blu-Ray and SOCOM as examples. Blu-Ray won the HD war but I definitely wouldn’t call it a performance leader. Their players are still too expensive for the common market and media alone is way over priced, which is your market drivers, not the hardware. As for SOCOM, need I remind Sony that six weeks after launch, people still couldn’t play the game? Not just whiny fanboys but reviewers such as IGN couldn’t play.

How about the fact that the PS3 is currently the most expensive console on the market? Oh, not to worry, because Kohler’s been there too! He was launching the PS2 at the time the 1999/2000 recession hit and just look at that! Seriously Sony, eight years later, this recession can’t compare to the dotcom bust. You are looking at a global meltdown with the largest auto manufacturers about to file for chapter eleven, you really think your PS2 strategies will hold up this time?

As for a response to the New Xbox Experience, Kohler had nothing but reassurance to give his Sony fans. Restating that PS Home is coming soon (which we know should be this week) and that the current XMB is so well received, no change is necessary. With the release of Home, the PS3 will “start” to place the PS3 in a social context, where you can easily find friends, share in trophies, and play online games. Wait, did I just open the door to the past and it’s 2005 again? How many times do people have to say it before you will honestly admit it? Home has been delayed for WAY too long, and trophies are too little, too late. When even a company such as Blizzard adopts achievements, you know you’ve missed the boat.

Don’t get me wrong, I use my PS3, as a Blu-Ray player mostly but that’s besides the point. I want the console to succeed (especially since I spent so much on it) but Sony has really shot themselves in the foot this round and will take a lot more effort to come back and have a fighting chance.