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In the console wars everything isn't always a huge insult fest. former Corporate Executive, Phil Harrison shares his frustration with us in saying that he's been trying to pass the bill on focusing more on the social aspect gaming for years now - a market that is now dominated by the success of Nintendo's Wii and DS -, but Sony's Japanese execs said an idea like that wouldn't succeed in Japan, stating that "there is no such thing as social gaming in Japan". Here's his direct quote:

"It's a very interesting and frustrating thing for me to experience because I have been banging the drum about social gaming for a long time, with SingStar, EyeToy and Buzz, but our Japanese colleagues said that there is no such thing as social gaming in Japan – people do not play games on the same sofa together in each other's homes. It will never happen, and then out comes the Wii. What's interesting with Nintendo adverts – and they are the same the world over – they always show the view from the television back to the sofa, which is very clever, because what do you see? A family or friends all on a sofa."-Phil Harrison

Harrison then goes on to say that he believes Wii Sports 'encapsulates the idea of a true "next-generation" game, and he admires Nintendo's success in marketing and sales'. This is a man who reguarly compliments the Wii, so whether this is a genuine compliment or an attempt to further make the Japenese execs realize their mistake, and if this is the reason he "retired" is a judgement up to you. Bottom line is, he was right. While I think 'casual' and 'social' games are one in the same, this statement proves that Mr. Harrison and Nintendo have one goal in common: bringing people together to play video games.


Reported By: Ricky S.

Bumpage

I didn't even see this before

GREAT news story Ricky, loved the format and the presentation