Sony Japan Meets Dobbs in USA

[Bob Dobbs]

I had the honour of meeting Wataru Mohri of Sony of Japan. A knowledgeable young lad who loves to play "Metal Gear Solid" series on his Sony PS3. He brought us in some "Lucky Cat" malt candy, packaged very cleverly. It is to bring you good luck. It was great meeting him and I appreciate him chatting with me after our meeting (he also bought me a big lunch).

I am paraphrasing my comments on things we discussed in which I will reference in note form.

1. We discussed the new Xbox tech and the current Wii tech in which we agreed that the Wii found the missing market, the adults and the little kids (non-gamer market). This (the Wii) seems to be a gateway system for kids to later go with the PS3 or Xbox360.

2. I learned that the Japanese have these "memory phone card things" that a player can use in an arcade to see their overall score and compare to others. This is something I have not seen here in the USA or Canada. Now I know why the network feature in an arcade machine exists.

3. No development from Sega has been heard as far as a new console. It is believed this will never happen just as the VHS will not make a comeback.

4. Sony is working hard at new innovations in projection systems in which there are some new features that they have put together.

5. The arcades in Japan still have those 2D type games. The titles are new or a sequel to an older game, but this is what they like.

That is all I got of note.

Stock Photo of Lucky Cat Candy

[Anthony817]

Damn, I was hoping for some new re-release of ET on betamax.

[MrSega]

I had the honour of meeting Wataru Mohri of Sony of Japan. A knowledgeable young lad who loves to play "Metal Gear Solid" series on his Sony PS3. He brought us in some "Lucky Cat" malt candy, packaged very cleverly. It is to bring you good luck. It was great meeting him and I appreciate him chatting with me after our meeting (he also bought me a big lunch).

I am paraphrasing my comments on things we discussed in which I will reference in note form.

1. We discussed the new Xbox tech and the current Wii tech in which we agreed that the Wii found the missing market, the adults and the little kids (non-gamer market). This (the Wii) seems to be a gateway system for kids to later go with the PS3 or Xbox360.

2. I learned that the Japanese have these "memory phone card things" that a player can use in an arcade to see their overall score and compare to others. This is something I have not seen here in the USA or Canada. Now I know why the network feature in an arcade machine exists.

3. No development from Sega has been heard as far as a new console. It is believed this will never happen just as the VHS will not make a comeback.

4. Sony is working hard at new innovations in projection systems in which there are some new features that they have put together.

5. The arcades in Japan still have those 2D type games. The titles are new or a sequel to an older game, but this is what they like.

That is all I got of note.

Japanese Lucky Cat Candy.jpg

I'm glad you were able to get an interview with a Sony exec. Tha'ts pretty neat!

Of course he wouldn't know if SEGA is developing a new system. SEGA is VERY fickle when it comes to its R&D amusment department. They hide info from most of thier own employees as well as thier competitors. You have to wait until SEGA gives word or rules it out themselves.

[Bob Dobbs]

Mr. Sega,

I can only say it is not believed that they will enter the console market until something happens (like Xbox, PS or Wii falls off the planet).

Once upon a time, it was Atari 2600 vs. Mattel Intellivision...then in 1982, ColecoVision stepped in (briefly). Although the Intellivision was still producing new games until 1991, the market crash of 1983 killed most of the game companies of the second generation. This opened the door for Sega and Nintendo. FYI, Sega did have a second generation game system.

Maybe history will repeat again...maybe...????

[MrSega]

Mr. Sega,

I can only say it is not believed that they will enter the console market until something happens (like Xbox, PS or Wii falls off the planet).

Once upon a time, it was Atari 2600 vs. Mattel Intellivision...then in 1982, ColecoVision stepped in (briefly). Although the Intellivision was still producing new games until 1991, the market crash of 1983 killed most of the game companies of the second generation. This opened the door for Sega and Nintendo. FYI, Sega did have a second generation game system.

Maybe history will repeat again...maybe...????

Yeah, I see your point.


What I was trying to say is that Sony wouldn't know because SEGA now has a strict policy that's pretty conservitive in keeping a hush hush on anything going on in thier R&D amusment department.

Not that I was saying there was anything wrong with his opinion. You're right history does repeat itself. Sony is probably waiting to see if SEGA does something.

[Bob Dobbs]

I was actually trying (very poorly) to say that someday, Sega might make a comeback being they survived the 1983 crash that Intellivision, Atari and ColecoVision did not survive (I understand Atari had a rebirth). It would take one of the three game consoles to drop off the face of the earth to make Sega say, "hey, we might have a gap to fill". Hopefully, it's the PS7.