John-ShepardEven Microsoft has to applaud Sony for certain things.
During a recent OXM interview with Microsoft Studios vice president Phil Spencer, the executive praised the competition for various reasons.
For instance, he called Nintendo's IP catalog "amazing" and then proceeded to give Sony props for their "stick-to-it-iveness" concerning new franchises that aren't immediate hits:
"Sony – and I'm focused on first-party because of what I do – I really respect their focus on investing in new things and creative things, what they've done with David Cage and Quantic Dream around Beyond [Two Souls] and Heavy Rain; they stay committed to franchises even if they don't sell 10 million units, they'll stay committed to things.
I think that long-term commitment to franchises is important, where it's easy to pull off the Band-Aid and move onto the next thing [if it doesn't sell]. I respect their 'stick-to-it-iveness'. I'll say, they've done a nice job with PS4 […] When I think about their announcement, their clear focus on a customer, leading with the value proposition of what they're trying to do, staying true to a vision, I think they've done a nice job in how they defined the PS4."
There's no doubt that first-party software is Sony's bread-and-butter; they're often responsible for delivering the most innovative, highest-tech new IPs to market. Heavy Rain is only one example and if Sony can continue to keep things fresh in the new generation, the PlayStation 4 should be in good position. It's also nice to see Spencer applaud the PS4 for catering to the customer. This is precisely the reason why that system was so well received when it was first announced.
We'll have to see how things shape up down the road.
MS trying to appear soft and gracious? Nice new tactic but we know the truth.
I guess so.
I mean, that comment he made about Sony's franchises not selling 10 million copies, sounded more like a backhanded compliment.
And the fact that they money-hatted companies to secure exclusives to the Xbone, tells me that they haven't changed at all.
Walk the talk, MS.
Is this guy new?
I almost replied that he used to work for Sony. But I was thinking of Phil Harrison. 😛
PS4 is NOT catering to the customer… How dare you say that. The PS4 is for pushing Music/Video Unlimited and Netflix memberships. The PS3 catered to the customer. Compare every single feature before you start flaming. I am also not talking about the gaming part of the PS4. Settings, multimedia, internet browser, Freedom vs Restrictivness.
The PS4 is more built for gaming than the PS3 ever was. The PS3 was designed as an entertainment console. The PS4 is a gaming console.
But how about if the customer want multimedia, browser, Netflix and other streaming services in their boxes? Isn't that then to cater to the customer?
If we are to be pedantic we can say that Sony are catering to the customers WALLETS and not the customer in itself. But that's worthless to make a point out of since it's what *every* commercial party are catering to.
If you're worried about being able to play your own video files that feature is coming.
awwwwwwww, aint it nice to finally see someone high up in a company who does not act like a 8 year old spoiled brat!
unlike $onys constant pot shots at the competition……….
hopefully spence puts his money where his mouth is and encourages his teams to do the same.
they revived killer instinct, but theres still oh so many lost franchises they can bring back.
maybe a alan wake 2 is not such a pipe dream after all.
watching that video from same lake a few months ago explaining why there working on quantum break instead really broke my heart you could tell how upset the guy was.
Never pictured you as the gullible type. This is high school cheerleader talk and translates to "I know you are more popular than me now but you don't have a lot of money".
Competition will always take potshots at each other; sugar coated or not.
This sounds a lot like how Microsoft after they lost the browser war has tried to charm their way into consumers start using Internet Explorer again, with their "nobody uses IE anymore… Please? It's not so bad!" style campaigns.
It will be *really* interesting to see the actual sales numbers for the new consoles in a few months.
Their "Don't get scroogled" campaign for Bing is just shameful.
They seem to have become a bit desperate in later years.
So butthurt.
He is not being gracious. The undertone is Sony will support its first part games, even if they do not sell well. In other words, he is saying in his statement, yep Sony is producing new ip's, ones that are not selling well or popular. A subtle suggestion to tell consumers to come see what MS is offering, what they believe sell and are popular.
Keep playing!