Kutaragi Discusses PSP & PSX

SCEI boss Ken Kutaragi discusses at length the strategy for the new PSP and PSX. Here's what he said.

At Sony's event earlier this week, Ken Kutaragi revealed the new PSX platform and talked extensively about the strategy for this and the PlayStation Portable, revealed the day before E3 two weeks ago. Courtesy of Famitsu, here's the transcript of Ken's presentation.

"We have shipped 52.5 million PlayStation 2’s worldwide. Now, though, we have finally come to the era where network connectivity is just as important as packaged products. The Network Adaptor is becoming standard equipment in America, and in Japan, where the network infrastructure is finally coming together, we will release a system bundled with the PS2 hard drive this June.

"Also, the launch of a system that writes to DVD’s as well as play them will spark a change in the marketplace. The worldwide DVD marketplace is displaying some explosive growth right now. Since we want to replay all the media possible on DVD on the PlayStation 2, the Sony Group is now making use of the PS2 engine in other areas. We want to build new fusion between game machines and consumer electronics. The first product to stem from this was the PlayStation Portable we announced earlier, and the second product is the PSX.

"The PSP is built from completely new processor technology, making it capable of smooth graphics that can even outclass the PlayStation 2, as well as three-dimensional sound. To that we added Memory Stick support, letting users enjoy applications beyond video games. We are also using the UMD (Universal Media Disc) format. This format easily stands up to the cutting edge of media design; it can hold 1.8 gigabytes, three times what a CD can hold, and it can store two hours of DVD-quality video. Since our E3 announcement, we have received strong declarations of support from many developers and publishers, and the security system we are introducing to the PSP has attracted serious attention from the movie industry. We at the Sony Group want to continue developing the system in assorted areas with all of this content in mind.

"Now, I would like to introduce our second concrete product borne from the fusion of games and electronics, the PSX. This is a combination of game console and consumer appliance that makes use of the PlayStation 2's engine and processing technology. The "X" in PSX refers to the "crossover" of games and electronics, but it also stands for "extraordinary," since we want to make this the best product possible.

"First off, the PSX is capable of replaying and recording CDs and movie DVDs. There is a 120-gigabyte hard drive inside the system, so you can record and replay off the drive or copy media from the hard drive onto a DVD. The system also includes Memory Stick compatibility, all types of connectors, EPG [electronic program guide] support built in, a tuner built in, and a network port built in. We're developing this system as a single product that includes the features every company is developing as separate products.

"The area we're devoting the most energy to, however, is the design. The system may be placed horizontally or vertically, and the disc drive is now slot-loading. The concept here was to make a product that would go well with flat-panel displays, an interior product that could be accepted as part of anyone's lifestyle. The PSX is a complete departure from the digital consumer electronics and DVD/HDD recorders we've seen up to now. This device is possible because of the ability to use the PlayStation 2's engine and the many devices Sony Group has created. We are starting to enter the second wave of digital electronics. With this fusion of games and electronics, we want to introduce a new digital appliance to users. PSX development is continuing smoothly with an eye toward finishing it in time for the end-of-year marketplace battle. As the PlayStation 2 continues to be the core product of our game division, the PSX will be more than just a PS2 compatible - I think it has the power to change the way you see all digital appliances. Also, with the PSP, you will be able to enjoy many types of applications outdoors. We will continue to support not just the hardware, but the content as well."

Kikizo Staff