Scott Steinberg answers some tasty interview questions

by Nick Doerr { Aug 4th 2008 at 11:45PM }

Since Scott Steinberg sat down with GamesIndustry.biz for a long, long time, they split their interview into two chewable parts for us to digest and the second part has been released. We'll truncate the important bits, but there's plenty of information for you if you care to read the entire interview.

Steinberg says it's just as important to get the PS2 safety foods (we're hungry) like SOCOM and Gran Turismo as it is to bring in more exotic and fresh cuisine like LittleBigPlanet and many of the PlayStation Network downloadable titles. In fact, Steinberg thinks "the reality is that we will win hands-down if we convert the PS2 owners to PS3 ... we salivate at the notion of converting our existing PS2 universe." This said, he says Sony isn't attempting to sway the senior citizen market like Nintendo, just the PS2 users. What do you guys think? Will most PS2 users eventually jump onto the PS3, or are the consoles different enough to swap brands?

Tags: scott-steinberg

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

frankym @ Aug 4th 2008 11:57PM

It'll be interesting to see what happens b/c MS has announced price cuts across the board in September, and the arcade version of the 360 will go to $199. MS has clealy stated that they are going after the PS2 users. Sony will not effect any price cuts.

ryan @ Aug 5th 2008 12:26AM

with the price cuts and quite a bit of a PS2 flavor now in their game library (DMC4, VF5, FF13) i can see why MS is going after the PS2 crowd.

Dehshizknight @ Aug 5th 2008 1:43AM

Coming from a long time PS2 user, I can't use an Xbox controller; one of the reasons I went PS3.

parkd @ Aug 4th 2008 11:57PM

With games like GoW3 and FF13 and Versus coming out, the ps2 owners will probably go to games they recall playing on the ps2.

parkd @ Aug 4th 2008 11:57PM

I mean like GoW2 and FFX, etc.

Prince King @ Aug 5th 2008 12:03AM

ps2 users will convert...eventually

Popfrogs @ Aug 5th 2008 2:03AM

Depends on the country. The game library is so deep and the console is so affordable, alot of parts of the world that can't afford the PS3 are buying PS2's. Sony is printing money with it, that's why they won't kill it.

I still think they need to destroy the Wii by making a waggle wand for the PS2.

jimb @ Aug 5th 2008 5:03AM

You can already get one for PS2 over hear in UK from a company called Makro you can get a game and a dedicated controller with motion sensors in it for e.g Wireless Steering Wheel for £8 + vat and that includes the games and required controller.Albeit thats not an official SONY controller or anything...

Gonzo @ Aug 5th 2008 12:40PM

I wouldn't be too sure.
I upgraded to the ps3 but a friend of mine who's PS2 recently broke just replaced it with another ps2.

He was thinking about getting the ps3 until he realized that even the new one wont have backwards compatibility.

I'm afraid that when he does take the next gen plunge, he's going to go for the cheaper brand.

wocyob @ Aug 5th 2008 12:13AM

well only time will tell

deadpool @ Aug 5th 2008 12:21AM

"Will most PS2 users eventually jump onto the PS3, or are the consoles different enough to swap brands?"

Nick Nick Nick Nick...Nick Nick Nick..Nick...Nickelodeon. Sorry, flash back, I meant Doerr. I need to take my meds.

The answer to this question is simple. Now if you take all the PS2 owners in the world and gave them better games than the "other brands" and the PS2 itself, it's clear sailing from there. Right now PS3 is only getting better and better and theres so many things Sony is working on right now.

Remember the edible PS3? Only Sony did that, did the "other brand"? No. You what's that called?

Innovation! 0_0

I think my meds are kicking in.............they've got a kick to them.

proSimian @ Aug 5th 2008 12:34AM

dude, the PS2 still holds the record for best sold console, hes crazy if he thinks he can convert all PS2 owners to PS3 owners. still, they know their PS3 userbase is going to expand like crazy, just dont expect it to do what the PS2 did.

Devin @ Aug 5th 2008 11:09AM

First off, PS3 is selling better than PS2 did in it's similar lifespan per Sony. Secondly, he didn't say that he "expects" to convert all PS2 owners. What he said was they are wanting PS2 owners to switch to PS3. Again, he's a bighead and that's what bigheads say. Corporate moral boosting....

ownage4dummys @ Aug 5th 2008 12:42AM

Agreed, The PS2 was a Huge step and it was by far the best console out of the previous gen. If only it wasn't for that brutal disc read error messege LOL, but yea PS3 has a HUGE future and can anyone say BLU RAY?

vask @ Aug 5th 2008 12:45AM

IMO the possibility is there but they need to step it up with the library of games. i know we got lots of good games coming in 08-09 but they have too many delays on releases and more FPS type games than anything else. the price tag is another factor to the PS2 success especially during the final years of its life the ps3 isnt exactly the cost effective system that the ps2 was not to mention they got rid of BC so everyone HAS to take up more space next to the TV for 2 consoles to enjoy all their older games.

ownage4dummys @ Aug 5th 2008 12:49AM

Another thing guys, another factor that will boost PS3 sales without a doubt is BLU RAYS, anyone looking for a BLU ray player would be dumb not to pick up a PS3 :)

tdh @ Aug 5th 2008 1:36AM

I think that PS2 users will ultimately gravitate to the PS3. Combination of publisher they most likely have an excellent relationship with on top of growing migration to HD will mean a lot of PS2 to PS3 conversions. Sadly frankym has a valid point. Xbox360 going after PS2 users with their lowest bundle is extremely cost effective for a group of people who are still enjoying the "budget bin." A $200 X360 when we still have PS2 bundles around that price point is smart marketing. "Well we couldn't beat the PS2 last generation, so let's steal it this generation."

Shuaib Shameem @ Aug 5th 2008 2:38AM

I, as a previous PS2 owner, have already switched to PS3... quite recently actually. The reasons for switching are many. The main ones are that PS3 is HD, comes with Blu-Ray, and is very, very, very fast. As everyone above me has said, all the games that we loved back when PS2 was ruling the market are now continuing on the PS3. Now although that may be a good reason, most games that come out for the PS3 also come out on the PS2. What Sony HAS to do, is bring backwards-compatibility to ALL versions of the PS3.If someone were to sit and think of all the upgrades they would acheive by switching, that'd have a pretty long list. I mean some smaller reasons I can think of would be PSP-Connectivity, Wireless Remotes (Plus Wireless Headsets, etc.), and easy and non-warranty voiding HDD swapping. And now people can't say, oh but the PS3 doesn't have DualShock anymore.When it comes down to it, most PS2 owners WILL switch to PS3 when they have the money.

Dante @ Aug 5th 2008 3:37AM

it does have duelshock.

Shuaib Shameem @ Aug 5th 2008 7:00PM

that's what i said.....

"And now people can't say, oh but the PS3 doesn't have DualShock anymore." people CAN'T say....

and sorry about the horrible formatting of my post... the PS3 doesn't seem to be amazing at formatting....

bambino @ Aug 5th 2008 3:19AM

They'll have to bring BC back first a'la firmware update or software download after home has been shipped.

I see most ps2 users converting between 2010-2011, with the PS4 being introduce in 2013/2014

CATCHORA @ Aug 5th 2008 5:36AM

What Scott Steinberg doesn't know is that most of the ps2 owners are from countries where ppl are piracy whores!!
That besides the broken ps2 (I personally bought 4 ps2s). But now with the ps3 Unhackable everything is organized & looking better; I feel that ppl are starting to take responsibility more than before. (If you r wondering I’m from Kuwait)

Nineteen88 @ Aug 5th 2008 9:50AM

Hello, I'm from Kuwait too.

=)

& I agree with what you said.

Nineteen88 @ Aug 5th 2008 9:51AM

Hello, I'm from Kuwait too.

=)

& I agree with what you said.

stargateheaven @ Aug 5th 2008 8:34AM

If they kill ps2, then people would switch. dont they get it?

Christian @ Aug 5th 2008 8:21AM

One thing Sony should do is reach beyond the gaming crowd more. For instance a special edition LOTR PS3, bundled with the 3 movies in spanking new Blu-Ray extended edition versions would do a lot to anchor the movie buffs out there to the PS3 for instance.

Carney @ Aug 5th 2008 9:15AM

Christian, that's actually a BRILLIANT idea. I know a lot of friends who who would get a PS3 just for that.

boots555 @ Aug 5th 2008 9:24AM

I don't see why not. I was a PS2 fan and loved all the games. Seen what MS did with their support for the original box and said F them. I know the PS brand will bring some solid games that I can't play any where else. MS eventualy releases their games on PC anyway.

Carney @ Aug 5th 2008 9:18AM

The easiest way to ensure an upgrade is backwards compatibility. Without it, a PS2 owner considering next-gen may switch to Microsoft, Nintendo, or some other player who might jump into the game. After all, NONE of them will support his current game library, so they're all equivalent to him.

Since Tretton has admitted that BC is not expensive to include, deliberately dropping it is obviously a decision to preserve the PS2 ecosystem, keep new PS2 software coming, and thus drive new PS2 sales, because the PS2 makes so much money.

Sony is so addicted to short-term PS2 profits that they're hurting the PS3's future.

Mike @ Aug 5th 2008 4:28PM

Sony needs to improve backwards compatibility.

Quote:

"Steinberg says it's just as important to get the PS2 safety foods (we're hungry) like SOCOM and Gran Turismo"

Gran Turismo 3 & 4 are both unplayable on my 80Gb North American PS3. Their frame rates are diabolical at times so I traded them in. I'm angry about that, but not much I can do. Except I won't buy GT5 until the full release. 2010? Fine, I can wait. I have Dirt and Formula 1 (and maybe Grid) to keep my busy.