Jack Tretton says social and free to play isnt where gaming is headed

**radgamer420** · 08-10-2012

I hope this will be Sony's stance going forward and not just Tretton individual opinion. Good to hear someone from Sony say this. http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2012/08/...ing-is-headed/

**Ghost-Rhayne** · 08-10-2012

Jack Tretton, Sony president and CEO of SCEA, has said that social and free-to-play games aren’t where gaming is headed, which should prove some comfort for dedicate PlayStation fans who just want to buy a game and play it.

“I think the opportunity to be in the console business is greater than ever before,” he said in an interview with GI.biz, saying that social and free-to-play “is a business I think a lot of companies are learning is difficult to sustain for the long term.”
“It’s an adjunct or it’s an add-on, but it’s not where gaming is headed,” he said. “It’s an additive diversion. There’s a place for social and freemium, but it’s not going to replace the business models that are out there.”

Tretton also said that the current fashion of endless sequels and lack of new IPs has got to end at some point. ”I think it tends to go in cycles,” he said. “If somebody comes out with a game people enjoy, it draws people to that genre.”

“Shooters have been bigger the past few years. I think they’re not just the same game done with a different storyline, they’re taking that genre and expanding on it. Sometimes racing is really relevant. Sometimes it’s not.”

It's only short sighted developers who believe that social gaming is the future. Well, when they social I assume they mean web browser games. I agree with Tretton in that it wont be something that is sustainable long term. Glad to see Sony aren't following this fad.

**Soldier 95B** · 08-10-2012

It's not the future of ALL gaming, but it will always be a PART of all gaming. It would be naive to think otherwise.

**Thorzilla** · 08-10-2012

Jesus, some brilliant quote in gaming at last.

**Ghost-Rhayne** · 08-10-2012

Originally Posted by Soldier 95B

It's not the future of ALL gaming, but it will always be a PART of all gaming. It would be naive to think otherwise.

I think it's a great addition to console titles. I played the Dragon Age browser game and unlocked items in the game, which I thought was great. It's not the be all end all future though, just as mobile games aren't. It's good that the mediums for games are diversifying though.

**Soldier 95B** · 08-10-2012

Indeed. Dust 514 is a prime example of how they can coexist.

**RaY_210** · 08-10-2012

I thought everyone already knew this

**radgamer420** · 08-10-2012

Originally Posted by Soldier 95B

Indeed. Dust 514 is a prime example of how they can coexist.

I have no problem with them co-existing. I just dont want it to become the primary business model.

**RaY_210** · 08-10-2012

Originally Posted by radgamer420

I have no problem with them co-existing. I just dont want it to become the primary business model.

It's not. Like he said, it's a diversion from real gaming.

**radgamer420** · 08-10-2012

Originally Posted by RaY_210

It's not. Like he said, it's a diversion from real gaming.

I know what he said. And I said I just dont want it to BECOME the primary business model. I also said I have no problem with them co-existing. Read my post again.

**RaY_210** · 08-10-2012

Originally Posted by radgamer420

I know what he said. And I said I just dont want it to BECOME the primary business model. I also said I have no problem with them co-existing. Read my post again.

Lol. I know. That was just my opinion. I was just referring to him because he had already stated it.

**gangsta_795** · 08-10-2012

Maybe not in the case of consoles, but as far as PC gaming is concerned, not only does F2P encourage innovative games, it also allows Indie developers to compete on the same level as devs backed by top publishers.

Of course, this isn't possible on consoles because of their closed distribution models.

**radgamer420** · 08-10-2012

Originally Posted by RaY_210

Lol. I know. That was just my opinion. I was just referring to him because he had already stated it.

Oh ok I gotcha. No problem.

**Vulgotha** · 08-10-2012

Isn't Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) the one making free to play massive online fps Planet Side 2?

LOL

**Blacksite** · 08-10-2012

There's nothing wrong with free-to-play games, in my opinion, but developers would be wise to explore different genres. Sega will be releasing Phantasy Star Online 2 early next year which I'm really looking forward to playing.