Back when Andy House left his role as President of Sony Interactive Entertainment, there were concerns that his replacement, John Kodera, was a little too keen on microtransactions. In a conference call a few months ago, it was discussed that PlayStation would look into the possibility of adding more in-game purchases to future titles, a statement that worried a lot of fans.
One such fan reached out to Kodera on Twitter, voicing their concerns about Sony adopting the 'games as a service' approach. Fortunately, Kodera's response indicates that first party PlayStation games won't be going down that route after all.
https://twitter.com/TsuyoshiKodera/status/950910759843790856
While it doesn't explicitly state the company won't still be looking into it, the tweet is an encouraging sign that things will largely stay the same moving forward. Sony's approach to game development stands out for its diversity of experiences and its high level of polish, and that looks set to continue regardless.
What do you think about Kodera's statement of intent? Don't charge a quid for your thoughts in the comments section below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 29
@YummyHappyPills chill out bro, someone asked a simple question and he gave a simple answer. At the least give the dude the benefit of the doubt.
Maybe it depend on the titles, sony won't shove gaas in to single player games like horizon and god of war but titles like hot shot golf and gran turismo sport are fair game.
@wiiware Yeah, it will probably depend on the title, like you say. If it fits the format of the game, I think people would have less of a problem. Everybody's Golf or GT are probably good examples.
@Quintumply as long as they're not as vile about it as some developers glares at Turn10 Studios
Definitely PR speak, but part of that is also taking into account the current market reality, which is that MTX etc. is extremely unpopular. He won't change his ways out of the good of his heart, but in lieu of earnings? Sure, I can believe that.
good to hear
@AlejandroMora why is nobody allowed to express an opinion without you passive/aggressive folk telling them to chill out all the time?
On topic, I think we will have to wait and see.
Is more Life of Black Tiger part of said vision?
I’m still worried cus EA/Activision have shown there are method publishers can do to get money out of you...
They already do Games as a Service where it makes sense. See: MLB, Uncharted multiplayer, Gran Turismo (although all of that stuff has been free so far).
I think there are places where it makes sense and places where it doesn't. And just because EA and Bungie are doing a terrible job with it, I don't believe the concept is as evil as people on message boards try to make it out to be. Just needs to be done correctly.
I think John's response suggests that they're not interested in shoving loot boxes and a service model where it doesn't make sense. And that's good enough for me.
I think Sony has done a decent job of monetizing where it makes sense. Things like PS Vue and Now absolutely make sense as subscription services. I use Vue and will never go back to cable or satellite for TV. If I decide to switch to Hulu live TV or something, cancelling is simple since there is no contract. That's a service I can get behind.
When it comes to the games, I largely don't play multiplayer anymore, and have never really had an issue finding single player games on my PS4. I have also not really felt like the games I am interested in are asking for additional purchases all the time either. Looking at what single player games are coming out, I am not really worried about it.
@Quintumply @wiiware I would say hotshots is a terrible example. I cant even play the first tournamemt and its crashed on me 3 times just now!
Games as a service needs to die, no ones asking for it apart from the mmo crowd. Good response and happy Playstations vision is in keeping up the good work.
Goody gumdrops.
Combine this with the recent Naughty Dog statement at PSX that they will continue making story-driven, single-player games, and I'll be happy to have a PlayStation system under my TV for many years to come.
They seem to realise that there is still a very large market for high-quality, traditional single-player experiences, with adult themes. As Nintendo generally cater for the younger side of things, and other developers move on to multi-player 'service' games, Sony can perhaps look to gain an increasing share of this particular market.
Right now I'm cool with this but I hope we don't wake up one say and find we have to throw that statement back at him.
@themcnoisy I like single player game more than any other type of games but I don't think gaas is going away, I don't have problem with it as long as it doesn't interfere with sony single player games.
@johncalmc LOL! The "Bricktop" answer! I love it!
@StygianAgenda
I really hope so...
@johncalmc I'd love to see a lot more films like Snatch, Rock'n Rolla, and 'Lock, Stock and Two Broken Barrels'. Guy Ritchie is one of my fave directors, by far.
Great scene, that one. Bricktop's definition of Nemesis is one I'll never forget... or Mickey's mode of speech...wow man! Makes me want to move to London.
@themcnoisy Well i do agree a bit but sometimes things work with servicebased Gran Turismo seems to work fine. Additional skins aka seasonal stuff in multiplayer. As long as they stay away from my singleplayer games Im ok with it. The Guildwars 1 way was fantastic no subscriptions but a new part everytime i played it for years.
Better live up to that statement, because now we'll toss this in your face if you don't.
Actions speak louder than words. We'll see what happens next.
What Andrew House left Sony?
Things are going strong for Sony so they'd be a fool to change their business model to games as a service etc. Glad to hear that's not the intention...
@artemisthemp I think he's still with Sony, just not in the position he had...
Games as a service really needs to be done away with. How many games so far this gen have turned out good under this kind of model? Not very many, in my memory. They end up being incredibly disappointing in the end.
tweet is gone?
That's a relief, though I wonder why the tweet was deleted and his account suspended?
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