In a recent interview with Gamasutra, Sony’s Phil Harrison was asked about In2Games’ third party motion control peripherals (here) and the potential for Sony itself to develop anything similar for the PS2.
“Well, I can’t answer your question directly because I’m not familiar with what you’re referring to, but we put USB ports on the PlayStation 2 for a reason, which was to support open technology. So anything that is based around USB can be plugged into a PS2 and could add some unique experience.”
Harrison continued, “We’ve done that well, Buzz controllers, EyeToy, Singstar, but there are others as well coming. We’re by no means done with PS2. We can’t make enough PS2s at the moment, which is a fantastic situation to be in eight years into the lifecycle.”
Considering the PS2’s cheap price point, Sony would be wise to release their own motion control peripherals, since the Wii has proven there is a large market out there for this sort of gaming convention. With an install base of 120 million units, the PS2 could very well steal much of the Wii’s thunder.
5 Comments to New PS2 Peripherals Hinted at by Phil Harrison
by: used cisco
On September 25, 2007 at 10:45 am
“With an install base of 120 million units, the PS2 could very well steal much of the Wii’s thunder.”
Actually, I think just the opposite. If sony releases a motion controller for PS2, it will simply vindicate the choices Nintendo has made and demonstrate that even Sony admits the potential. I think if they did this, it would only help Nintendo sell systems. Besides, developers aren’t likely to support a device thats added on to the PS2 this late. Why make a game for a tiny fraction of the installed base when you can make a game for 120 million?
by: Norbit
On September 25, 2007 at 12:07 pm
used cisco said: “Actually, I think just the opposite”
You might think that but it doesn’t stop you being 100% wrong.
by: used cisco
On September 25, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Ok, so lets say Sony releases a motion controller for the PS2. How many will they sell? 5 million? 10 million? Sony can’t push too hard towards the PS2, otherwise they continue to weaken the PS3 platform. So why would a developer make a PS2 game for such a small install base? By doing this you completely destroy the advantage of the PS2. You convert a 120 million user base into a 5-10 million user base. It just doesn’t make any sense.
by: Norbit
On September 25, 2007 at 2:04 pm
What you are saying doesn’t make an sense. The 360 only has a user base of just over 10m for gods sake but devs seem happy to make games for that. You do realise that the vast majority of games sell far less than 1m copies don’t you?
A peripheral like this would sell more PS2s and loads of games. It would offer a totally different type of gaming experience for 125m PS2 owners to have with a minimal outlay compared to buying a Wii. Even if it only sold 5m it would be hugely attractive to devs because at the end of the day if you buy the peripheral you are going to want some games to play on it.
“Sony can’t push too hard towards the PS2, otherwise they continue to weaken the PS3 platform”
You couldn’t be more wrong. Every PS2 sold is a potential sale taken away from the Wii or 360 and onemore customer brought into the PlayStation brand and exclusives. The ongoing success of the PS2 is making the future success of the PS3 an absolute certainty.
by: used cisco
On September 25, 2007 at 3:05 pm
“The 360 only has a user base of just over 10m for gods sake but devs seem happy to make games for that.”
This is irrelevant.
You’re saying the devs will make games for the PS2. I’m saying if you’re going to bother with a game for the PS2 at all, then why would you eliminate most of the user base as potential customers by making a game for a peripheral most people dont have?
The answer is, you wouldn’t.