BREAKING: PHIL HARRISON QUITS SONY......!!!!wtf!!!

[hcamacho]

Taken from NEXT-GEN.BIZ

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9286&Itemid=2

Phil Harrison is today announcing plans to leave Sony. Harrison is the company’s head of worldwide studios and has been instrumental in PlayStation’s development for 15 years.
AT 10AM UK TIME NEXT-GEN WILL PUBLISH AN EDITORIAL ON HARRISON’S SHOCK DEPARTURE.

What the.....?

[Scorch]

Watch him head to Microsoft. or EA

regardless, this is huge. it'll create a nice wave in the industry..

[Dark Slayer120]

Holy shit.

[zewone]

Seems to have lead from his frustrations with Sony Japan not wanting to get serious about online/social gaming.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=33412

[bardockkun]

Wow, thats outta no where.

[Sleepkyng]

wonder where he'll go.

it'd be hilarious if he went to ninty.

[jer7583]

No, No. Everything is fine at Sony! Really.

This explains his comments about Sony of Japan failing to capitalize on the social gaming trend during GDC. The writing was on the wall. Something seemed really off about that.

Even more hilarious was the indication that Sony of Japan was holding back cross game invites because it was considered "rude" to be able to invite someone to a different game than the one they are playing.

[The Mana Knight]

Does this surprise me?? Not really. Early last year, I heard about Phil Harrison in the news all the time. But since E3 2007, I never heard a single word from him (until that GDC comment over Nintendo).

Phil Harrison leaving Sony is nothing new in the industry. Ed Fries, Seamus Blackley, and Peter Moore left MS. Various people have left Nintendo (like Ken Lobb) and Sega through the years.

Kaz taking over for now is not surprising, because he use to head development at SCEA for several years (he's the one who has a lot to do with Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Sony Bend, and other devs together in the past).

[jer7583]

Phil's influence was huge in creating games like Singstar, eyetoy, and other unusual things for SCEE. He was a big mucker with them and undoubtedly SCEJ pissed him off enough that between that and the PS3's under performing, he decided to move on.

Peter Moore had something involving location and his family as motivation for the move, I believe. Red ring of death problems could have played a part as well. Or EA paying more.

[redroversk]

he went to atari, what a set he has.

[jer7583]

That's a rumor. Nothing solid has been said.

Nintendo really could use someone like him to pick up the slack in Europe. Nintendo's philosophy fits with Phil's comments at GDC.

GDC: Harrison admits frustration at Sony Japan #1

Too slow in accepting the idea of social gaming

Sony's Phil Harrison, head of worldwide studios for Sony, has expressed his frustration that the company's Japanese division was too slow at accepting the ideas of social gaming – a market now dominated by rival manufacturer Nintendo and its Wii console.

Sony Europe already had three products on the market designed specifically to encourage social gaming in the living room before the Wii was even released – the EyeToy, SingStar and Buzz – but Japanese execs didn't believe in the concept of families enjoying gaming together.

"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," he said during a private lunch taking place during GDC week.

"And 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."

[The Mana Knight]

Phil's influence was huge in creating games like Singstar, eyetoy, and other unusual things for SCEE. He was a big mucker with them and undoubtedly SCEJ pissed him off enough that between that and the PS3's under performing, he decided to move on.

Peter Moore had something involving location and his family as motivation for the move, I believe. Red ring of death problems could have played a part as well. Or EA paying more.But then again, Phil's stuff was mostly big for Europe. SingStar, Eyetoy, etc. may be innovative, but does not have the same impact on the U.S. The PS3 isn't as under performing as you seem to claim anyway.

Although I will tell you something about Japan. Japan HATES accepting ideas from outsiders. They prefer coming up with something (even if it may have been technically copied or similar to something in another country) and say they came up with it (kind of like Nintendo with social gaming, when the U.S. and Europe had many ideas in the future). Japan is not the country to just accept ideas from other countries and use them regardless (Sega and many other publishers have been the same way for years).

“The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining journey of my life so far.

I am grateful to all the PlayStation family for their incredible support, guidance and friendship. It has been a privilege to serve as part of the team and be inspired by them on a daily basis. I am so proud of everything PlayStation has achieved and will continue to support its future in every way I can.”http://www.psu.com/Sonys-Phil-Harrison-resigns--a0002862-p0.php

Now if Eric Lempel, Jack Tretton, or Kaz would have left, then I'd be surprised (because I hear from them constantly).

[KingBroly]

Why on Earth would he join Atari of all places? That place is cursed. Maybe it'll mean 2600 games on the VC now?

BTW, this statement is made under the assumption of what I heard earlier.

[jollydwarf]

Well, Radiohead does have a summer tour coming up...a choice had to be made eventually.

Good luck, Phil! Get your arses here to the States!

http://www.premier-percussion.com/uploads/info/1647_phil_selway_large.jpg

[dallow]

Phil was cool.
Too bad.

[Vanigan]

My main concern is that another Japanese guy is back in charge, which means unless he's really good, we'll be losing a lot of the support that went into Phil's Game 3.0 concepts and stuff like cross game invites.

If they're too slow to implement things like in-game XMB, more games like LBP, and cross game invites, or basically making it more like the 360. I may go back to the 360 as my lead system, even with the cost to play on Live,

[LinkinPrime]

He left because he was an HD DVD owner and lover at heart and Toshiba's news devestated him ;)

[Walt Jay]

Why on Earth would he join Atari of all places? That place is cursed. Maybe it'll mean 2600 games on the VC now?

BTW, this statement is made under the assumption of what I heard earlier.

Atari is jumping back into the console business! The Jaguar and Lynx are making a comeback!! 8-)

[munch]

i just left another game forum becauuse of all the "ps3 sucks" topic... im realy sick of u guys making fun of ps3 i just got devil may cry 4 on ps3 and guess hwat? it rocks so shut ur f***ing muth if u have nothin good 2 say go 2 www.xbox.com forum i

:rofl: I'm seriously laughing out loud. Thanks so much for that. :applause:

:whee:

[basilofbkrst]

Don't Leave Me Phil!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dallow]

i just left another game forum becauuse of all the "ps3 sucks" topic... im realy sick of u guys making fun of ps3 i just got devil may cry 4 on ps3 and guess hwat? it rocks so shut ur f***ing muth if u have nothin good 2 say go 2 www.xbox.com (http://www.xbox.com) forum i:whee:

[cuco33]

Wow... this is surprising. I liked Phil. He was the only guy on the Sony PR team that seemed to give a real damn about gamers and the gaming side of the PS3. I mean yes others do similar but it feels like they are treating it like a job where as Phil knew his shit, knew what gamers wanted, had a vision that most would agree on, etc. You'ld figure HOME, LBP, and multiplayer gaming would be a big push for the social aspect of things. This is big news of him leaving, bigger than Peter Moore leaving MS in my book

:cry:

I hope he goes to Nintendo though :D

[Dr Mario Kart]

Nah. I dont think he would be right for Nintendo. His ideas about digital distribution and online functionality in general really wouldnt mesh with them.

He's a good guy though.

[guinaevere]

i just left another game forum becauuse of all the "ps3 sucks" topic... im realy sick of u guys making fun of ps3 i just got devil may cry 4 on ps3 and guess hwat? it rocks so shut ur f***ing muth if u have nothin good 2 say go 2 www.xbox.com (http://www.xbox.com) forum i
Who's making fun? We're discussing the fact that he's leaving and that Sony has made some really disasterous choices in the recent past re: their Video Gaming Department.

Your argument has no credibility as to the business end of SCEA and if I see more pre-adolescent fanboy posts by youwith no actual merit, your time at CAG will have been a short-lived one.

[The Mana Knight]

Sony has made some really disasterous choices in the recent past re: their Video Gaming Department.I disagree 100% with this statement. But that's just me.

[pimpinc333]

I disagree 100% with this statement.

Disagree all you want but the sales figures show it's true ;)

[guinaevere]

I disagree 100% with this statement.
Whoa now, that's just out of NOWHERE! ;)

[InuFaye]

Keep this on topic please.

No Console wars please.

[zewone]

Mana Knight headed back to his old ways?

[dallow]

Disagree all you want but the sales figures show it's true ;)If it was completely tanking, I'd agree.
Fortunately, it isn't.

Mana Knight headed back to his old ways?He's changed. :)
And you doubted it. Tsk tsk.

Protip for TMK.
Bail out.

[Maklershed]

I know nothing about this Phil Harrison cat but based on what you guys are saying he was turning the PS3 into something I enjoy. I want more online functionality and cross game invites and home and chat and all that stuff. Just because Japanese are socially backwards doesnt mean the US PS3 owners should have to be as well. Again, I know nothing about the guy but it sounds like I should be disappointed he's going. Hopefully someone picks up where he left off.

[InuFaye]

We need to talk about the man and the legend.

Hot rumor is that he is going to Atari.

[dallow]

I know nothing about this Phil Harrison cat but based on what you guys are saying he was turning the PS3 into something I enjoy. I want more online functionality and cross game invites and home and chat and all that stuff. Just because Japanese are socially backwards doesnt mean the US PS3 owners should have to be as well. Again, I know nothing about the guy but it sounds like I should be disappointed he's going. Hopefully someone picks up where he left off.Yeah, that's why it sucks that are more Japanese perspective might be placed on the system's future.

[Maklershed]

:cry:

[dallow]

Eh, I doubt it though mak.
The projects are already in process.

[Maklershed]

:bouncy:

[guinaevere]

Mana Knight headed back to his old ways?I had no problem with his statement; a guy is entitled to disagree. I was just razzin' him.

Now, if he's so much of a problem to y'all, I'm curious why you don't already have him on your IGNORE LIST. Unless of course you're a troll yourself and want to be causing problems. But surely that couldn't be it, could it?

If you see problems, then report them. If instead you interact with the offending posts and thereby make the mods' job harder, I'll hand out time outs to everyone. Wouldn't that be fun?




InuFaye is right. Talk about Phil.

[geko29]

i just left another game forum becauuse of all the "ps3 sucks" topic... im realy sick of u guys making fun of ps3 i just got devil may cry 4 on ps3 and guess hwat? it rocks so shut ur f***ing muth if u have nothin good 2 say go 2 www.xbox.com (http://www.xbox.com) forum i
What an apt screenname for such a diatribe....:rofl:

[The Mana Knight]

Disagree all you want but the sales figures show it's true ;)It may not be as big as PS2 and PS1 overall, but it's doing fine. A failure would be selling under absolutely nothing. But that's just my opinion.

Seamus Blackley, Ed Fries, etc. had a lot to do with the original Xbox early on (who ended up leaving during the mid Xbox lifecycle), and is the 360 a failure now??? Absolutely not and it's doing well. People move on constantly in industry, whether something is a failure or not. Square Enix is going fine without Sakaguichi and Capcom is still moving without Mikami.

But anyway, Phil joining a company like Atari would not be surprising. He is from Europe and I could see him wanting to join a European publisher. Also, Atari is looking at revitalizing their company (which is why they have a new head) and I could see it happening. He might want the challenge of bringing an underdog to the top.

Also, if you look carefully at this:
There was also a sense of completion. The games of 2008, some of which haven’t been announced yet, are all in deep stages of development now – largely beyond executive power - and will define the future of PS3 as a games platform. Harrison’s work on them is mostly done. If he were staying at Sony, his next job would be to begin preparing for the next hardware generation after PlayStation 3 – effectively his fifth hardware launch for the company (if you include PSP).http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9287&Itemid=2

His job at Sony is pretty much done, and it's time to move on (just like with Seamus Blackley and the original Xbox).

Btw, I edited my previous posts a little, just saying "But that's just me". I don't want to start anything with anyone, that's just my overall opinion, that's all.

[InuFaye]

I hope Phil Harrison can finally go onto the start the European NBA League.

That man would dominate all.

[pimpinc333]

It may not be as big as PS2 and PS1 overall, but it's doing fine. A failure would be selling under absolutely nothing. But that's just my opinion.

Seamus Blackley, Ed Fries, etc. had a lot to do with the original Xbox early on, and is the 360 a failure now???


Who even said the word failure? We basically said they just made some bad choices. You being you, you decided to defend your console about itnot being a failure. That was pretty random.

[munch]

It may not be as big as PS2 and PS1 overall, but it's doing fine. A failure would be selling under absolutely nothing. But that's just my opinion.

Seamus Blackley, Ed Fries, etc. had a lot to do with the original Xbox early on (who ended up leaving during the mid Xbox lifecycle), and is the 360 a failure now??? Absolutely not and it's doing well. People move on constantly in industry, whether something is a failure or not. Square Enix is going fine without Sakaguichi and Capcom is still moving without Mikami.

But anyway, Phil joining a company like Atari would not be surprising. He is from Europe and I could see him wanting to join a European publisher. Also, Atari is looking at revitalizing their company (which is why they have a new head) and I could see it happening. He might want the challenge of bringing an underdog to the top.

Also, if you look carefully at this:
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9287&Itemid=2

His job at Sony is pretty much done, and it's time to move on (just like with Seamus Blackley and the original Xbox).

Btw, I edited my previous posts a little, just saying "But that's just me". I don't want to start anything with anyone, that's just my overall opinion, that's all.

BREAKING: THE MANA KNIGHT CAN'T FIND ANY FAULT IN SONY......!!!wtf!!!

[InuFaye]

This thread is gone.

RIP.

[Halo05]

i just left another game forum becauuse of all the "ps3 sucks" topic... im realy sick of u guys making fun of ps3 i just got devil may cry 4 on ps3 and guess hwat? it rocks so shut ur f***ing muth if u have nothin good 2 say go 2 www.xbox.com (http://www.xbox.com) forum i

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nISjjwnQnK8

[The Mana Knight]

Who even said the word failure? We basically said they just made some bad choices. You being you, you decided to defend your console about itnot being a failure. That was pretty random.Sorry, I ended making too much of an assumption over what you said (over the looking at your post saying sales and tying it with disaster, and disaster is kind of similar to failure you can say). Oh well, let's just move along. ;)

[dallow]

Who even said the word failure? We basically said they just made some bad choices. You being you, you decided to defend your console about itnot being a failure. That was pretty random.Disasterous = failure, in my book.

[pimpinc333]

Disasterous = failure, in my book.

Your book is the same as TMK's. Toss that shit out the window ;)

Saying they made disasterous choices doesn't mean failure, in my book. ;)

[dallow]

Your book is the same as TMK's. Toss that shit out the window ;)

Saying they made disasterous choices doesn't mean failure, in my book. ;)Poor, is the better word.
And one I'd agree with.

Disaster is the Virtual Boy. ::shudders::

[pimpinc333]

Poor, is the better word.
And one I'd agree with.

Disaster is the Virtual Boy. ::shudders::

Virtual Boy Failure Indeed :D

[VAD3R or Fro]

Sony is doing better now too. Oh well.

[benjamouth]

Bye Phil, you'll be missed.

"Backwards compatibility, as you know from PlayStation One and PlayStation 2, is a core value of what we believe we should offer. And access to the library of content people have created, bought for themselves, and accumulated over the years is necessary to create a format. PlayStation is a format meaning that it transcends many devices -- PSOne, PS2, and now PS3" - Phil Harrison, Sony, December 2006.

[InuFaye]

I liked the Virtua Boy.

It would not have failed if we had NPDs back there, and if it didnt lose 3rd party support.

Madden on the Virtua Boy is some of the illest shit ever.

[LinkinPrime]

Bye Phil, you'll be missed.

"Backwards compatibility, as you know from PlayStation One and PlayStation 2, is a core value of what we believe we should offer. And access to the library of content people have created, bought for themselves, and accumulated over the years is necessary to create a format. PlayStation is a format meaning that it transcends many devices -- PSOne, PS2, and now PS3" - Phil Harrison, Sony, December 2006.

Hmmm...so If he was behind all of that...I'm guessing there's really no chance of future incarnations of PS3's to have BC ever again.

[chakan]

If he's truly leaving to go to Atari, he's nuts.

Regardless, this does not bode well for the future of Home and a "LIVE" experience.

One console future sounds better and better. Sony can build the hardware, M$ can run online, Nintendo can bring its franchise games and wacky controllers.

[-Never4ever-]

i just left another game forum becauuse of all the "ps3 sucks" topic... im realy sick of u guys making fun of ps3 i just got devil may cry 4 on ps3 and guess hwat? it rocks so shut ur f***ing muth if u have nothin good 2 say go 2 www.xbox.com forum i

So I take it you're not much of a Pepsi man anymore?

I disagree 100% with this statement. But that's just me.

This is true.

Anyway you choose to see this, it's going to be only more bad PR for Sony.

[seanr1221]

I care about this as much as I cared about Peter leaving the 360

WOOOOOOOOOOO

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gif

[Scorch]

I care about this as much as I cared about Peter leaving the 360

WOOOOOOOOOOO

:whee:

You posted a random thought just to have an excuse to use :whee:, didn't you?

:whee:

[seanr1221]

You posted a random thought just to have an excuse to use :whee:, didn't you?

:whee:

That is a lie.

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gifhttp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/smilies/whee.gif

If this has a big effect on Sony, I'll perk up, but I don't see it as the writing on the wall as some do ;)

[Callandor]

i just left another game forum becauuse of all the "ps3 sucks" topic... im realy sick of u guys making fun of ps3 i just got devil may cry 4 on ps3 and guess hwat? it rocks so shut ur f***ing muth if u have nothin good 2 say go 2 www.xbox.com forum i

...Pepsiman, is that you?
edit: argh, beaten!

[DarkNessBear]

Disagree all you want but the sales figures show it's true ;)
PS3 is pretty close to sales with the 360...

And it passed it in terms of first year sales.

[cuco33]

PS3 is pretty close to sales with the 360...

And it passed it in terms of first year sales.

I think he was refering to the software side of things. We can't really tell if every PS3 purchased is used specifically for gaming, Blu-ray (movies) or both. I'm the latter, I use it for both. But I have 2 buddies who use it strictly for movies and 1 for gaming only, with a few in between that do both, like me. If software doesn't sell, developers will focus elsewhere. I'm sure with time this will change but I don't think that time is here just yet.

[Strell]

He didn't quit. He got fired for putting his head in the Shine-O Ball-O one too many times.

[DarkNessBear]

I think he was refering to the software side of things. We can't really tell if every PS3 purchased is used specifically for gaming, Blu-ray (movies) or both. I'm the latter, I use it for both. But I have 2 buddies who use it strictly for movies and 1 for gaming only, with a few in between that do both, like me. If software doesn't sell, developers will focus elsewhere. I'm sure with time this will change but I don't think that time is here just yet.

What? So what? We also don't know how many people bought a 360 for DVD's or HDDVD's. Or how many people bought the Wii as a book end.

[pimpinc333]

What? So what? We also don't know how many people bought a 360 for DVD's or HDDVD's. Or how many people bought the Wii as a book end.

I think we did know. Didn't MS sport a 8:1 Attach Ratio through the holidays?

[The Crotch]

Well, then. Shall we start a betting pool re: where Phil ends up? My money says EA.I had no problem with his statement; a guy is entitled to disagree. I was just razzin' him.

Now, if he's so much of a problem to y'all, I'm curious why you don't already have him on your IGNORE LIST. Unless of course you're a troll yourself and want to be causing problems. But surely that couldn't be it, could it?

If you see problems, then report them. If instead you interact with the offending posts and thereby make the mods' job harder, I'll hand out time outs to everyone. Wouldn't that be fun?




InuFaye is right. Talk about Phil.
Heart.

[RelentlessRolento]

I love pill... why the fuck are you leaving. i don't want kaz.

[whoknows]

I sorta care, but oh well.

:whee:

[dastly75]

:whee:

[TC]

In related news Shane Bettenhausen was just put under suicide watch.

[Vinny]

I sorta care, but oh well.

:whee:

Yeah... I mean, I can't see this really changing things up anywhere... not immediately, anyway.

[H.Cornerstone]

He was the one guy I liked at Sony, very truthful and progressive. he will be missed.

[RelentlessRolento]

He was the one guy I liked at Sony, very truthful and progressive. he will be missed.

same reasons why I liked him. he never had an agenda or anything to hide.

[refusedchaos]

he was a cool guy. lol he reminds me of a bald porn star that gets domeski from hot chicks. haha yea i know im weird. hmmm i wonder where he will go..

[Monsta Mack]

Hope he joins Microsoft ;)

[Thomas96]

It was weird that he openly spoke out against sony japan and their failure to recognize the market for certain types of games. I guess he was like fuck it, I'll say what I want to say... I'm leaving.

If its true that he's going to go to Atari, then that would be good, they could use his assistance.

[cuco33]

What? So what? We also don't know how many people bought a 360 for DVD's or HDDVD's. Or how many people bought the Wii as a book end.

HUH?!

Who buys a 360 as a DVD player? And who would buy one, PLUS the add on if going with a more robust and better designed stand alone for HD DVD? Makes no sense in what you posted. Stop being all defensive man.