Wii U a "potential risk" but Sony puts faith in new IP

[Blacksite]

Making financial commitment to new titles is easier with 64m users, says Ryan

Sony has acknowledged that Nintendo's forthcoming console the Wii U may turn the heads of technology consumers, but it's confident a portfolio of new brands can keep audiences focused on the PlayStation 3.

While many publishers are relying on established franchises and sequels to tread water during the final years of the current generation of consoles, Sony is still investing in brand new IP, evidenced by Naughty Dog's The Last of Us and Quantic Dream's Beyond: Two Souls taking centre stage at E3 last week.

"It becomes economically easier if you've got an installed base of 64 million," said Sony Europe boss Jim Ryan, of creating new intellectual property six years after its console was first released. "Making that financial commitment to this sort of thing is a lot easier than if you've got 6 million."

Nintendo tried to dominate last week's E3 with software reveals and more details of the Wii U to a mixed response from attendees. And with price and release details still up in the air for the new console, Sony doesn't yet feel threatened by the new hardware.

"It's obviously a potential risk but we feel really good about our content," said Ryan. "Obviously, it comes down to content. There are people who buy gadgets for the sake of the gadget, but that's pretty niche. We feel good about our line-up that we showed at E3. We're very excited about publishing it. We've got 30 million (hardware sales target) for this year, it's a big number but we've got the tools to go out and deliver that."

While Sony's PlayStation 3 portfolio looked strong, its PlayStation Vita showing was muted during the conference, with only a number of hardware bundles and a brief mention of a new Call of Duty title for release this year - although only a logo and no footage of the title were shown.

"The dating of Call of Duty isn't something I would call a little announcement," offered Ryan. "Yes, there's wasn't any demonstration of the game but having that franchise on the platform before Christmas is a huge bit of news. Obviously Activision is the publisher of the game so what can be shown is down to them but having that, Assassin's Creed, FIFA and LittleBigPlanet, those four blockbuster IPs on the platform ahead of Christmas makes us feel pretty confident," he added.

The Vita handheld has been criticised for a lack of new releases, with the quiet showing during E3 adding fuel to critics who say Sony is neglecting the console so shortly after release. But Ryan insisted that the console will deliver the content demanded from early adopters, and there is no change to Sony's roadmap for the machine.

"Over the balance of this year we see 60 new titles coming to the platform. There is breadth and depth, so I think anyone who has invested in the platform should feel reassured by that.

"In terms of content that's going to release in the rest of 2012 there's no change. Obviously just the time lines for development would mean that if we had made any decisions about changing strategy it would be next year or the year after that it would reflect itself in what's available in the market.

"There is, as with all platforms, the people that you sell to in the first year aren't the people that you sell to in year's five or six, that's the nature of the beast. Have we abruptly changed course in 2012? Absolutely not," he said.

Source

Well, at the moment, I don't think Sony should feel threatened. They do have some great exclusives coming out next year - The Last of Us, Beyond: Two Souls, God of War: Ascension and Final Fantasy Versus XIII, just to name a few. But I'm pretty sure they are thinking about jumping into next-gen gaming, along with Microsoft, sooner than they would like us to believe.

[snooper71]

A "potential risk"? With the crazy software line-up coming in and back catalog for new buyers, a 50$ drop to 199$ would not hurt Sony one bit and sales would skyrocket in no time on the HW side. Me thinks SONY finally being polite rather than arrogant!!!

[Ghost-Rhayne]

A "potential risk"? With the crazy software line-up coming in and back catalog for new buyers, a 50$ drop to 199$ would not hurt Sony one bit and sales would skyrocket in no time on the HW side. Me thinks SONY finally being polite rather than arrogant!!!

Pretty much this. Late adopters will soon be able to pick up a PS3 for cheap and will have all of Sony's best games (+3rd party gems) at classics prices. I don't see much of a threat at all. Though I could be wrong, Nintendo's brand power is VERY strong, but there is a trend we have seen with game platforms recently, content and price matter. Also, the people who were into Mario are getting older now, Nintendo need to start coming out with more mature content imho, the kiddie shit shown at E3 was a total turn off for me.

[Blacksite]

Also, the people who were into Mario are getting older now, Nintendo need to start coming out with more mature content imho, the kiddie shit shown at E3 was a total turn off for me.

Nintendo has always been known for targeting a younger audience with their games so there's no doubt that Mario will continue to be their most popular franchise. And while there's a greater possibility for them to come out with more mature content (as evidenced by them showcasing Ubisoft's ZombiU), I don't think it's as nearly important for them than how their games actually play.

[Vulgotha]

Past two generations have made me part ways with Nintendo. I don't like how they treat consumers, developers or their 'vision' for the future of gaming.

[MATRIX 2]

I foresee nintendo having some trouble with the wii U, especially if Sony and MS turn up the heat with both their current and future consoles.

This past E3 was where the wii u was supposed to shine, but they dropped the ball. Next E3 will be all about the next xbox and perhaps provide a glimpse of what the ps4 will bring to the table.

[coolguy]

The wiiu will sell well but it wont hurt ps3 sales.people that will buy the wiiu are die hart Nintendo owners and people that just want a new console

[Jannlee48504]

You guys are crazy this late in the generation the ps3 and 360 are not going to have this huge spike of sales or late adopters if this was 2 years ago then yeah but not now. I think the WiiU is a kiddy system still but it can sale if they market right and take sales away from ps3 and 360. The only thing hurtin the WiiiU is the name since mainstream wont know the difference since all Nintendo has been doing is advertising the controller andthe fact when real next gen systems come out nintendo is gonna look stupid

[Ghost-Rhayne]

You guys are crazy this late in the generation the ps3 and 360 are not going to have this huge spike of sales or late adopters if this was 2 years ago then yeah but not now. I think the WiiU is a kiddy system still but it can sale if they market right and take sales away from ps3 and 360. The only thing hurtin the WiiiU is the name since mainstream wont know the difference since all Nintendo has been doing is advertising the controller andthe fact when real next gen systems come out nintendo is gonna look stupid

There wont be huge spikes in sales. If the slides regarding nextbox are true, then 360 wont be any competition for Wii U but Sony will probably stay true to their statement about supporting the PS3 for a minimum of 10 years (evident by the introduction of Wonderbook and 4 new IPs on the horizon). The PS2 still sells today and even gets a title this year (MLB 12 IIRC). If they are still supporting the PS2 (albeit not in a blockbuster game type way) over a decade into its life, you can bet that the PS3 will get A LOT more mileage and will become the new low cost entry into gaming console. Sony threw a lot of tech into the PS3 knowing it would cost a shitload for them but that the investment would pay off down the road when they could extend the life span of the console and this investment has come to fruition as we saw this E3. It will be interesting to watch.

[AaronSOLDIER]

Sony has nothing to worry about, the majority of people buying the Wii U will be Nintendo fanboys (who don't buy any other system anyway) and casual gamers. A lot of core gamers have lost faith in Nintendo since the Wii.

[TDbank24]

I can't imagine picking up a PS3 for the first time now with all the great games out and still coming out for the console. Where would you start lol?

At $199 you can bet the PS3 would fly off the shelves.

[Ghost-Rhayne]

I can't imagine picking up a PS3 for the first time now with all the great games out and still coming out for the console. Where would you start lol?

At $199 you can bet the PS3 would fly off the shelves.

Imagine the possible bundles...lol Sony could make so much content available at badass prices. Throw in the free online play and F2P MMOs they have, it's unbeatable value.

[dakidx]

The idea is cool but i feel the same way about the "Wii U" as I do about the "Wonderbook"

Pee U

Sony should focus on building a better playstation experience. Simple as that..
The Wii U doesn't appeal to me simply because Nintendo has lost it's dominance as a power console. They are to gaming what LG is to Mobile phones.

[coolguy]

Sony is still selling the Ps2 but no thrid party devs are makeing games.only sony are makeing a few games the pss2 is pretty much dead

[Redrider]

IMO Wii U will only sell to Nitty Diehards and will probably cost more than a PS3 when it launches. I'm in no hurry to replace my PS3 with a new console considering the number of great games currently out and due within the next several years. Oh and if a want a controller with a screen doesn't the VITA do that?