Q&A With SCEA- Dave Karraker

[Pumpkin Head]

KZU: Sony created the SixAxis and EyeToy respectively, with the desire to bring a new level of gameplay to the console market. Should PlayStation 3 owners expect further innovation from a corporation that has made its name in making high-end, innovative consumer products and are there other official accessories planned for the PlayStation 3?
Dave: Absolutely. You can expect many more innovative accessories and services for PS3, as well as our other platforms. We have always been a technology-driven company, focusing on building systems that stand the test of time and don’t get abandoned after just five years. We have taken some grief over that recently, with people saying we “over-engineered” the PS3. But, ten years down the road, when the PS3 is still relevant, people will look back and say that we made the right decision to include so much forward-looking technology in the box.

KZU: Now that Sony and Immersion have settled, is rumble going to eventually make it’s way to the PlayStation 3 SIXAXIS controller?
Dave: We are currently in discussions with Immersion on how we can incorporate their technologies into our products. No word on when that will happen.

KZU: Regarding the XMB, are there plans to allow users to customize their backgrounds similar to the PSP?
Dave: Yes, we are currently exploring numerous options that allow people to make their PS3 experience more personalized.

KZU: Many users are hoping for cross game messaging(voice and/or text) in the future. Are there any other future XMB features that you can tell us about?
Dave: We are still just scratching the surface of what we hope to do with the XMB and the PlayStation Network. Rest assured we are listening very carefully to gamers and are investigating ways to implement the features they really want. I think you saw this most recently with the implementation of background downloading from the PlayStation Store.

KZU: This is a question that comes up often amongst various internet forums; where is the PlayStation Store pre-paid card and when can we expect to see it?
Dave: It is definitely in the works. No word on when it will be rolled out just yet. Naturally, a lot of planning and strategy around any pre-paid card would be heavily influenced by the PS3 download service that is in the works for other types of entertainment content beyond games.

KZU: Many PlayStation 3 users find the PlayStation Network and PlayStation Store are pretty good as it is, but what do you guys plan on doing in terms of getting more downloadable games and add-on content for games onto it?
Dave: You will see many more third party downloadable games soon, including original titles for the PS Network. Also, this summer is when you will start seeing more robust add-on packs for the games that came out at launch.

KZU: Some users are concerned about the small choice of third party game demos available and the delay of some demos in certain regions. Can we expect to see more demos from third parties and the region delays sorted out in the near future?
Dave: Yes. We were delayed on getting more third-party game content on the PS Store early on, but that should be ramping up very quickly in the next few months.

KZU: As mentioned, the PlayStation Network is pretty great, but many users are left confused by the lack of what many feel should be standard. Things such as no headset support have left online gamers slightly frustrated. Does Sony have any plans on standardizing features such as headset support, leaderboards or even requiring every developer to make their games PSN enabled in some form?
Dave: If you were at GDC you would have heard these topics come up often. Luckily, we had many of the answers in the service called “Home.” As the community hub for PS3, Home will include many of the features you described above and will encourage game developers to include more robust online elements to their games, including advanced communications. Remember, many of the third party games at launch were ports from games already in the works on other platforms. It takes a while for developers to get ramped up on everything they can do on PS3. Just now, we are starting to see people really thinking beyond what was possible in the past.

KZU: DVD and PS2/PS1 game upscaling- Are there any hopes of this making its way to the PlayStation 3?
Dave: We don’t have any news about this at this time.

KZU: Is the PlayStation Home beta trial gong to be open to everyone worldwide?
Dave: Eventually, yes. But, first there will be smaller scale betas for select groups.

KZU: Will LINUX ever be able to ACCESS the PS3’s RSX for 3D acceleration?
Dave: I don’t have any information on this.

KZU: After the last firmware update, we’ve noticed that when viewing the the file information for downloadable games, there is a mention of expiry dates and usage rights. Is this in preparation for subscriber content and perhaps downloadable films?
Dave: This is all part of the legal process of downloadable content. It is not necessarily a precursor for upcoming changes in functionality or services.

KZU: What does the future hold for the PSP? Are there anymore plans for PS3 & PSP integration?
Dave: We just announced the price drop on PSP which saw a really good bump in sales. We have also announced that we are looking to launch the entertainment download service this year, in addition to God of War coming to the platform. Thanks to Remote Play and the direct wi-fi connection, PS3/PSP integration is something developers can take advantage of right now. I would think as we start looking at this next generation of software you will see more and more game makers taking advantage of it.

KZU: What are SCEA’s views on international online play for the PlayStation 3? Will this be an integral part of future releases due to an increased usage of internet around the world, and the higher stability of the Playstation Network?
Dave: Right now, we are focused on enhancing the features of the PlayStation Network, listening to gamers on what they want most. Online gameplay is incredibly important, so we are looking at all the different options we can provide to make the gaming experience more exciting and interactive. You can expect many more announcements in this area very soon, particularly with the launch of Home.

KZU: Can you tell us anything about the Ti-Vo like functions Phil Harrison hinted at a while back?
Dave: It is no secret that with an internal hard drive in every PS3, the system could be used like a Tivo device. However, we have no announcements regarding such a service at this time.

KZU: Many users enjoy the PlayStation 3 web browser. But there are some concerns such as incompatibility with various Java and Flash based websites. Is the web browser in the PlayStation 3 upgradable, and will it happen?
Dave: The web browser in PS3 is upgradeable, along with almost all the software components in the system. You can expect us to continue to enhance the browser with added functionality throughout the PS3’s lifetime.

KZU: Can you tell us anything new about the game, Eight Days?
Dave: Nothing new to share on that game.

KZU: Of course you can’t tell us much about Killzone, but we’re looking forward to seeing it at E3 this year!
Dave: We got a really great reception to the Killzone video we showed at GDC this year. It was basically a tech demo that showed the particle lighting and other features, but I think it really showed where we are heading with Killzone. E3 will be the big coming out party, however.

Thanks Dave!
And a big thank you to the readers who have submitted such great questions. We’re sorry that not all of them could be answered but hopefully Dave will have more info to share with us in the near future.

http://www.killzoneunit.com/kz/?p=439

[Viper]

http://forums.e-mpire.com/showthread.php?t=72437

Already posted but I'll leave this one up because it's easier to read. No offense, NeoP.

[GTAce]

http://forums.e-mpire.com/showthread.php?t=72437

EDIT: Damn it Viper! 8(

[NeoPlayStation]

Originally Posted by Viper

http://forums.e-mpire.com/showthread.php?t=72437

Already posted but I'll leave this one up because it's easier to read. No offense, NeoP.

No problem

[masteratt]

KZU: Can you tell us anything new about the game, Eight Days?
Dave: Nothing new to share on that game.

Well at least he didn't say it was canned.

[Tarkus]

How could they not be thinking of upscaling DVD res? I mean come on now. Doing it for PS1 / PS2 games would be sweet but with Sony's track record I wouldn't hold my breath...but tweaking the software to upscale DVD's should really be in the planning stages at this point.

[LiquidEagle]

I didn't like how he dodged a few of those questions or gave really generic answers, but I hope that just has to do with a pre-E3 mindset where a lot of this stuff is going to be revealed at the proper time.

But I wanna know now!!! >.<

[VonGak]

I find it weird that they asked him about SCEE games when there's great upcoming SCEA titles like Uncharted, Warhawk and sports titles.

[totobeni]

Can you tell us anything about the Ti-Vo like functions Phil Harrison hinted at a while back?
Dave: It is no secret that with an internal hard drive in every PS3, the system could be used like a Tivo device. However, we have no announcements regarding such a service at this time.

Sony..Come on ..it's so easy just add "Location Free" from PSP to PS3 and the "PSX" DVR recorder app to PS3 ...

easy..as 1...2...3

[frosty]

The DVR would require additional input hardware, such as a USB device with RCA and/or component inputs on it.

[VG Aficionado]

I would buy that USB add-on with no second thoughts.

[curryking1]

Originally Posted by VonGak

I find it weird that they asked him about SCEE games when there's great upcoming SCEA titles like Uncharted, Warhawk and sports titles.

That is quite silly. Wouldn't have noticed it myself lol. Good call.

[Domination]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin Head

http://www.killzoneunit.com/kz/?p=439

Good read, Pumpkin Head! Those guys at Killzoneunit asked some very good questions, although I already knew a lot of the answers to some of them from the start, but I think it helps to shine a little light on the subjects many here were becoming concerned about. As usual for me, however, I've always seen a delicate process like this to be more related to time and not the fact that it can't be done, of course after much research. It is the sole reason I advise many here to be patient.

[curryking1]

In an interview with Killzoneunit.com, Dave Karraker has provided some very interesting responses to the questions he was asked. Here are some of the main take-aways of the intereview:

- Karraker confirmed Immersion and Sony are in discussions on how they can incorporate their technologies into their products, meaning the SIXAXIS controller. Unfortunately he couldn't specify when this would happen.

- Sony is looking for a way to make every PlayStation 3 more personalised, for example by allowing users to customize the background of their XMB.

- Again Sony confirmed they are just scratching the surface with what they would like to do in the XMB, so more updates are on the way.

- PlayStation Store pre-paid cards are in the works, no word yet on when they will be released though.

- You will see more downloadable content on the PlayStation Store soon, such as third-party downloadable games and add-on packs. In the next few months Sony will be ramping up the third-party game demos and other content. And they will also sort out the region delays.

Found this summary. Is it just me or did he confirm rumble? I dunno about everyone else here, but I am finally satisfied on that front. GT5 without rumble would not be 100% complete to me. It's that cherry on top to me because it might not have been there.

Now when rumble will come is a different story, hopefully it comes soon.

Also, sounds great, but predictable that Sony will ramp up third party stuff in the future. One, it's the obvious thing to do to get more content on your online service, and Home that is meant to integrate it all further is coming in the near future.

[totobeni]

Originally Posted by curryking1

Found this summary. Is it just me or did he confirm rumble? I dunno about everyone else here, but I am finally satisfied on that front. GT5 without rumble would not be 100% complete to me. It's that cherry on top to me because it might not have been there.

Now when rumble will come is a different story, hopefully it comes soon.

.

^ isn't rumble confirmed since 1st march ?

...and dudes already played GTHD with rumble ( force feedback wheels ) and all PS2 games on PS3 via DS2 by USB adaptor has rumble ? if you don't know all this then you just hurt my heart ..

and if you talking about new controller with rumble ..i think since Immy and sony return to same bed ..it's just a matter of time before the new SixaxiS-Dualshock-3 boomerang edition

[curryking1]

Ok.. I don't have a steering wheel, and steering wheel doesn't extrapolate to 6XS controllers. Karraker saying rumble will be in the 6XS however, that does extrapolate to 6XS controllers. Steering wheels are meaningless to me lol.

And.. um... duhhhh...

What else could anyone think? It's not it might be, IT IS because Immersion and Sony are friends again. They were in litigation before. To play nice during litigation is to play stupid lol.

[frosty]

MGS4 with rumble, yum.

[CreativeWriter]

If we're gonna do the whole rumble thing again, I hope it's a new take, not just the DS3. Let's do rumble-plus. I don't know what that would be, but I agreed with Sony when they argued rumble was last gen. This better be super duper awesome rumble. Otherwise, I'm sticking with the Sixaxis... I kinda like the Wii idea of putting a speaker in the controller, only we could get a really nice one for the PS3. Anybody else have any ideas to improve rumble?

[LiquidEagle]

It's going to be very hard to have more than just a buzzing controller if you want to keep a decently sensitive tilt-sensor in there, is the problem

I think it would be cool if they used that hollow space in the paddle portions of the controller for some gyrating weight thingy.... something that really makes you have to hold the controller well to keep a grip on it

[Viper]

Originally Posted by totobeni

^ isn't rumble confirmed since 1st march ?

...and dudes already played GTHD with rumble ( force feedback wheels ) and all PS2 games on PS3 via DS2 by USB adaptor has rumble ? if you don't know all this then you just hurt my heart ..

and if you talking about new controller with rumble ..i think since Immy and sony return to same bed ..it's just a matter of time before the new SixaxiS-Dualshock-3 boomerang edition

Confirmed that it will at some point be included, yes but they are in the beginning stages of putting it all together. Actually getting it to market may take a while.

Force feedback from a steering wheel is a different function from the force feedback rumble in a controller. Developers know that steering wheels are already on the market or would be when they were developing the game so they programmed in the usual force feedback coding for it. Rumble has been an unknown quantity and Sony even downplayed it publicly several times so most devs probably left it out completely until just recently but even then they won't be able to add it until after the development tool is completed and testable controllers are shipped to devs.