News
Lack of online influenced Sony decision to cancel Eight Days
Michael French Jun 16 2008, 1:15pm
Comments (6)
New Sony strategy favours online-supported games says new SCE WWS boss
In our exclusive interview with Shuhei Yoshida, the new head of Sony Worldwide Studios has admitted that Sony's increasing move towards online-supported games lead to the cancellation of its London Studios' Eight Days.
Two weeks ago it emerged that two London Studios big-budget PS3 games, The Getaway and Eight Days, had been cancelled.
Yoshida was appointed as Phil Harrison's replacement as head of Sony Worldwide Studios earlier this year.
When asked what his overall strategy going forward for PS3 titles, he said: "There are many areas but one focus that has been and will be key is how we use the online technology and PlaySation Network to involve more consumers in participating. LittleBigPlanet is a major, major step forward in that this year. Prior to that we released SingStar, and I’ve been checking out people’s videos – it’s been very interesting to see that people enjoy publishing their performances.
And the Buzz channel – I can’t wait to see the strange questions people come up with for that! So that’s the major common theme that we are trying to enforce with all our projects.
He adds: "I think that we have more projects that we want to do than we do have resources. So, the cancellation of Eight Days was not necessarily because that project was failing, but because we looked at how it fit in the portfolio and where it fit as a production."
Eight Days' lacking online content "was part of the consideration" he added.
"As I say, there are many projects we want to do and we look at many different angles for them, such as profitability, how long it may take, and where it fits in the portfolio – along with other strategic aspects that we are trying to delivery for the platform."
Comments
“What a mistake”
Posted by: brianc6234 - Jun 16, 5:30pm
So does this mean every game will have to include online modes? I don't really care that much about online. I have plenty of PS3 games that have online modes and I haven't even used them. We don't all care about playing online. There's room for single player games too.
“Lets all get smashed and play buzz online!”
Posted by: sacichi - Jun 16, 6:14pm
If I wanted to play family friendly games like Buzz and Singstar I'd buy a Wii. Looks like if I want to play games like The Getaway and 8 Days I'll have to swallow my pride and shovel money into Microsofts coffers.
“Re: Lets all get smashed and play buzz online!”
Posted by: Mike - Jun 17, 10:51am
What an idiot! So if GTA IV did not have any online mode they would've cancel it for PS3? Jerk! Who hired this guy? How stupid you have to be to cancel a great game only because it doesn't have an online mode? Who said all games need to go online? I prefer the single player experience! Yoshida you suck! I want Harrison back!
“Re: Re: Lets all get smashed and play buzz online!”
Posted by: Ascended_Saiyan - Jun 17, 6:27pm
You guys don't even realize that this is our fault (the gaming society at large). People are always looking for someone else to blame but themselves.
Sony is a for-profit organization. Online games make a LOT more money on average than single player games. Sony is just following the trends that we gamers set (just like ALL console companies).
This is what happens when we don't properly support single player only games. If they can't turn a profit on a certain type of game, they are not going to put effort into making them.
“What's the Big Deal???”
Posted by: Wolf26pack - Jun 18, 8:24am
What's the Big Deal Here??? I mean Eight Days didn't really have a release date or anything so they could have potentinally added a online multiplayer mode or something. I don't know how far into development they were but Eight Days looked really promising and I wanted to see more of this game. I hope that they do come back to it.
“Re: What's the Big Deal???”
Posted by: tav47 - Aug 8, 1:21am
lack of online influence? A game that looks that good who needs online ? Should try co-op or multiplayer games to keep people interested