Krazyness of Ken Kutaragi

[AndrewTS 0]

http://www.shacknews.com/extras/kutaragi/0...5_kutaragi_01.x

 

 

 

By: Alec Matias Date: 07/07/05

 

 

 

The president of Sony Computer Entertainment, Ken Kutaragi, is truly a visionary and a pioneer in the videogame industry. He is often called the "father of the PlayStation," as it was he who was the catalyst for Sony's entrance into the console business. Since then, he has been the driving force behind Sony's gaming ambitions, making the PlayStation 2 the behemoth success it is and revolutionizing the portable gaming market with the PlayStation Portable. These days, he is concentrating on cementing Sony's position in the worldwide gaming market by making the PlayStation 3 extend beyond the minds of the college student and turning the PlayStation into a mass-appealing home entertainment device.

 

 

 

Although much of his notoriety comes from his accomplishments, including his trailblazing work on LCD projectors and digital cameras, lately the venerable leader has been garnering press for his off-the-wall remarks. His image has been slowly turning from a videogame luminary to a boisterous loudmouth. What's happened? Why, suddenly, has everything that Kutaragi says immediately undergoes scrutiny and then ridicule on gaming forums across the ‘net? Let's take a look at the history of Ken Kutaragi's remarks and try to pinpoint where things go wrong.

 

 

 

Ken Kutaragi led the team that was developing the SNES CD-ROM. When Nintendo felt threatened by Sony, they dropped Japanese supergiant as the developer of the hardware in a very humiliating, public fashion at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1992. Embarrassed, Kutaragi pleaded with Sony CEO Norio Ohga to keep the project alive, saying that the final product would blow the SNES out of the water. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

 

Gamers didn't get the first glimpse of Kutaragi's antics until the announcement of the PlayStation 2, and even then the affects weren't immediately felt. With the burgeoning power of the Internet, the PlayStation 2 announcement was covered heavily across the Internet. When Sony pulled back the curtains on the hardware, gamers were promised everything and the kitchen sink. Kutaragi poured on the hype; saying that the Emotion Engine, the heart of the PS2, would "create a world as involving and impressive as portrayed in movies." On top of that, he claimed Sony would be the leader in e-commerce, allowing consumers to download digital movies, music, and even games straight to your PS2. They hyped the polygonal production, saying the PS2 could dish out 80 million a second. Well, none of that stuff ever happened and the PS2 was woefully underpowered compared to its rivals. This didn't sit well with gamers and when the PlayStation 3 was revealed at this past E3, many called shenanigans on their technical demonstration.

 

 

 

 

However, it wasn't until the PlayStation Portable where Kutaragi was first being labeled as someone off his rocker. His remarks about a faulty square button were reposted all over the Internet. In Japan, before the launch of the US version, thousands of PSP owners were returning the system because the square button wasn't functioning as properly as the other buttons. It was discovered that the detection sensor beneath the button was not as large as the rest due to its close proximity to the LCD screen. Kutaragi decided to clear the air publicly.

 

 

 

"This is the design that we came up with. There may be people that complain about its usability, but that's something which users and game software developers will have to adapt to. I didn't want the PSP's LCD screen to become any smaller than this, nor did I want its machine body to become any larger.

 

 

 

"The button's location is [architectured] on purpose," Kutaragi added. "It's according to specifications. This is something that we've created, and this is our specification. There was a clear purpose to it, and it wasn't a mistake."

 

 

 

It made sense, but what he said next was what sent gamers into a tizzy.

 

 

 

"I believe we made the most beautiful thing in the world. Nobody would criticize a renowned architect's blueprint that the position of a gate is wrong. It's the same as that."

 

 

 

It was later discovered that an error during production was the true source of the problem. The molding of the case wasn't properly cut and it was later fixed. Still, the damage had been done. Gamers found it comical that Kutaragi would make such a claim about an electronic gaming device.

 

 

 

Up until this point, Kutaragi only had one true "silly" remark under his belt. For the PS2 hype, you can't really blame the guy. Who wouldn't be excited about a product they've been laboring over for years? It would be odd if he didn't oversell it. But in March of 2005, an important shift occured at Sony. It started with the retirement of Sony CEO Nobuyuki Idei. Kutaragi, as executive deputy president, had been long-assumed to take the position. Instead, he announced he was stepping down from the position as well as the head of home electronics division. The company then brought Howard Stringer, an American, to run the Japanese giant. The set of moves must have been severly damaging to Kutaragi's ego; a man who redefined the Sony empire being scrubbed for a foreigner. All he had left was his precious PlayStation.

 

 

That may explain why, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo of 2005, that Ken Kutaragi began to really set off the fireworks. It all started after the show when, in an interview with Japanese media outlet Impress PC Watch, he said the PS3 "is not a game machine. We've never once called it a game machine." A shocker, to say the least. Well, if it isn't a game machine, what is it? He continued, "With the PS3, our intentions have been to create a machine with supercomputer calculation capabilities for home entertainment." This obviously didn't sit well with some members of Sony's brass, forcing the chief technical officer, Masayuki Chatanai, to tell gaming magazine Famitsu, "make no mistake--games will be the killer app for the PlayStation 3."

 

Then, in that same interview, he attacked Microsoft and their Xbox 360, saying that the console "is more of an Xbox 1.5 than a next generation console." Weeks later, talking to Japanese website Watch Impress, he would say "This time, Microsoft has stated clearly that it is going after PlayStation. However, they're going not after the PlayStation 3, but the PlayStation 2. They were looking at 2, and that's why [Xbox 360] became like that."

 

But that wouldn't be the last time Kutaragi would attack Microsoft. When asked by the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shinbun what he thought about his competitors' next-gen consoles, he said "Microsoft is trailing behind us, but they are not a threat. They are good at improving [on products], but we will be advancing to the next level with revolutionary technology. Beating us for a short moment is like accidentally winning a point from a Shihan (Karate master), and Microsoft is still not a black belt. Just like with their operating systems, they might come out with something good around the third generation of their release."

 

Kutaragi wasn't done with saying wacky things about the PS3. Although it's hard to top "not a game machine," in another interview with Impress PC Watch, Kutaragi talked about the decision to not include a hard drive. "We're not going to equip [the PS3 with] a HDD by default, because no matter how much [capacity] we put in it, it won't be enough." He later said, "We've added a 2.5-inch HDD bay so that users can equip HDDs, such as 80GB and 120GB, even though that's still not enough [capacity]."

 

The message is confusing. Gamers were left asking "not enough for what?" 120GB is a ton of space; what is in the plans that would require more space than that? And even though it is not enough, why even both release such a hard drive at all? Many felt like Kutaragi was avoiding the true issue; that a hard drive would only shoot up the price of the already expensive PlayStation 3.

 

Other statements of grandeur were made, hinting that the PS3 could be superior to the PC in non-linear video editing software or visual graphics programs thanks to the Cell processor. This hasn't been a statement that he's followed up on, leaving many to think it is just techno-hyperbole.

 

His latest folly came just yesterday, when speaking to Japanese economic website Toyo Keizai. He said the PS3 is "for consumers to think to themselves 'I will work more hours to buy one'. We want people to feel that they want it, irrespective of anything else." Take that however you want, but the impression it gives off is that consumers may be a bit surprised at its price tag. Analysts have been pegging it at just under $500 to build with Sony selling it at $399.

 

There's absolutely no question that Ken Kutaragi's commitment to making the PlayStation the most sought-after entertainment property is one filled with passion, vigor, and heart. He is the father and the face of the PlayStation. His successes are many and continuous; he had the foresight to revolution the business strategy of Sony when his only friend in the entire company (luckily, the only one he needed) was the guy calling the shots. However, these recent remarks have done nothing but tarnish his image. Kutaragi was always seen as a true leader; nowadays, he's the BUTT of most gamers' jokes. He's becoming better recognized for his remarks than his accomplishments. As gamers, we are all hopeful that the PlayStation 3 will be as phenomenal as it sounds, but for Kutaragi's sake, I hope he can not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk.

[Insane Bump Machine 0]

idon't get what's so hilarious about Kutaragi's comments on the PS3 and the XBOX360...

[{''({o..o})''} 0]

nm

[razazteca 0]

idon't get what's so hilarious about Kutaragi's comments on the PS3 and the XBOX360...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The man probably wanted to add Tivo, dvd burner, tv tuner, 7.1 speakers, HDTV screen and have people use the PS3 as a laptop computer.

[Jer 0]

Eh, it's just a guy shilling his products. The X-Box 360 vs PS3 quotes are especially tame. Like "Xbox 360 is more of an Xbox 1.5 than a next generation console". That's so KRAZY~! that tons of random people were saying it on message boards after the MTV special. The PSP square button thing was admittedly a little over the top, but really, that's about it.

 

Plus the article kind of lost me when it said the PS2 was "woefully underpowered compared to its rivals". From there the whole thing felt kind of fanboyish.

[AndrewTS 0]

The PS2 is underpowered though, at least when it comes to the usage of video RAM.

 

I find it funny how arrogant he is towards MS/X-Box--he acts as if PS2 won the console wars based on the quality of the technology and innovative features. Nothing could be further from the truth. The XB trumped PS2 in those. He's saying the X-Box 1 and 360 aren't even worth looking at, and that what comes *after* 360 "might" be "good."

 

What's so innovative about cramming functionality for a dozen things inside a little box? Nothing really.

 

How about 120 GB "not being enough" space for a hard drive?

 

It's also funny that we have actual X-Box 360 games to look at and compare, but all we have for PS3 are tech demos, pre-rendered footage, and concept cinemas. Which is the same exact crap they pulled off before.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

The PS2 is underpowered though, at least when it comes to the usage of video RAM.

 

I find it funny how arrogant he is towards MS/X-Box--he acts as if PS2 won the console wars based on the quality of the technology and innovative features.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The XB trumped PS2 in those.  He's saying the X-Box 1 and 360 aren't even worth looking at, and that what comes *after* 360 "might" be "good."

 

What's so innovative about cramming functionality for a dozen things inside a little box?  Nothing really. 

 

How about 120 GB "not being enough" space for a hard drive?

 

It's also funny that we have actual X-Box 360 games to look at and compare, but all we have for PS3 are tech demos, pre-rendered footage, and concept cinemas.  Which is the same exact crap they pulled off before.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The only big accomplishment that Sony has to show for the PS2 is that it destroyed the Dreamcast with it's marketing.

 

Second comment, I agree. I like the Xbox and I want to buy an Xbox 360. Microsoft did a good job with it's first console. See also: Playstation, Sony and Entertainment System, Nintendo.

 

PS3 should play games. When you have too much in a box, there is so much that can go wrong.

 

If I get a PS3, I ain't buying a hard drive for it unless it's cheap and I won't have to use a memory card to save stuff.

 

But they rendered the opening movie of FFVII, WHICH WAS THE GREATEST GAME EVER!!!!.

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Are people really just loyal to one piece of equipment? I used to be all Nintendo because that is how my parents uhh restricted me. I have a Cube, PS2, and Xbox. I like the Xbox because of the hard drive and Live. I need to turn my Cube and PS2 back on. As always, with a new generatiion of technology, I am excited with what game developers can create. I am disappointed because as a fan of the 16 bit and 32 bit transition period, it was intresting to compare games that were being ported to both sides and to contrast them. I think each console can do relatively same amount of processing and graphical output. It's just that...well, I'm nostalgic. I miss the days when each system had major differences and pro and cons. I miss the days when I couldn't get an exact arcade translation of something. I miss the days when there was a reason to go to the arcade...

[AndrewTS 0]

Are people really just loyal to one piece of equipment?

 

Do you mean "loyal" in the sense of excluding their competitors, or "loyal" in the sense of continuing to buy the next system?

 

When I started gaming, I was "loyal" to Sega with the Genesis. I was a Sega fanboy. However, the SNES became too tempting to ignore. So I got that.

 

I picked up a Sega CD (used, though), and a 32X. Well, both were disappointing, and when the the Saturn came around, I switched to the PS1, because it was cheaper and offered more and better games I wanted.

 

I got a Saturn later on for the imports, but I can't say I was ever Sega-loyal ever again. But I got a Dreamcast cuz it was awesome.

 

Following gen--got a PS2 a year or so after release, briefly owned an X-Box last year. Picked up and currently own a Gamecube.

 

The name brand on the box doesn't mean a damn thing to me, but the games do. I no longer own an X-Box because it doesn't have enough exclusive games that I'm interested in (or interested strongly enough in) to justify owning one. I know plenty of people have it and love it, and I understand why. But without a ton of quirkly Japanese-style games on it, I can't get excited.

 

If the X-Box 360 provides the variety I'm looking for, I may pick one up--down the line.

 

I'm actually *least* interested in the PS3 (yes, less than the Revolution). Wow. Tech demos of upgrades/sequels to games I wasn't too thrilled with back on PS2!

It's probably good enough for most people. It just isn't doing it for me.

 

Considering the lineup of games still in store for PS2 up until early next year, the "next gen" can take its sweet time, AFAIC.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I'm loyal to Nintendo, but I had a PS2 and a Xbox at one point or other. Both systems had their advantages but I guess I'll always be a Nintendo guy, considering while I had the three systems all housed in my living room, the game library that grew the fastest and most was the Gamecube's library.

[AndrewTS 0]

I think Sony is relying heavily on brand loyalty. Those of us who owned a Sega/Nintendo system in the past are irrelevant to them. They don't need us and they don't care about us.

 

The Playstation made gaming more mainstream. Tons of gamers started playing games with a PS1 and tons started playing games with just a PS2. Sony will do just fine by doing exactly what they did in the past.

 

Microsoft has been doing way too much right for the 360 to *not* exceed the installed user base of the X-Box1. They're going to grow. I don't think they're going to steal many away at PS2's base, but I could be wrong. I wish they'd get that backwards-compatibility issue straightened out, though.

 

However, is there seriously much more room for Sony to grow? Will they sell more PS3s than PS2s?

[Anya 0]

Well the PS2 is on track to outsell the PSX so I am sure they can still grow. More children are getting old enough to play games and groups like women are playing more games. As long as old gamers don't quit they'll grow.

 

 

I also sort of miss the days when arcade ports where different than the arcade and each would be different. It's just a nostaglic thing. I'm playing Super SF II on Genesis right now, even though I have access to like 10 other versions that are superior, just because it's slightly different.