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Gossip: What Kutaragi Wants
He's been called "Crazy Ken." Ken Kutaragi might've created the PS1 and the PS2, but it was the PS3 that made him seem out of touch. Or was it? It's no secret that Kutaragi is not a numbers guy (Kaz Hirai, he's your pencil pusher). No, Kutaragi's an engineer by trade. He likes to make stuff. And according to numerous insiders, Kutaragi has been itching to make games for months now. The Bandai Namco move isn't necessarily Sony shoving him in the corner. It could be something else entirely — A strengthening between the two entities, an opportunity for Sony to create more exclusive titles. (Kutaragi's son apparently is a manager at Bandai Namco, so this marriage more than makes sense.) Moreover, unlike Hirai, Kutaragi is a gamer. He's a big FPS and RPG fan, so don't be shocked if you see him churn out a mis-mash of both. Does Sony shuffling Kutaragi around in the organize mean he's made mistakes? Definitely. But is he now irrelevant? Hardly.
kodec
says:
With all the 3rd parties cancelling PS3 games, I guess someone has to make the software.
Thomaticus
says:
Ken is like Obi Wan Kenobi... "if you strike me down I will become more powerful than you can imagine"
By putting him in this position, Hopefully Sony and Namco can start building some new Sony exclusive franchises that push systems, like Mario pushes all Nintendo systems. He helped create the ps3, now he needs to set an example on how to harness its power.
First project... ideas anyone?
Tyrannical
says:
New Sony / Namco studio is not a good sign for PS3.
If anything, it shows Namco has doubts about the PS3. By forming a spin off coporation, Namco is protecting their assets if the partnership corporation goes bankrupt.
You can bet that it will be Sony that pumps the majority of money into Cellius, as they will be paying Cellius to make games.
Karttikeya
says:
Why couldn't they make a more original name with less Sony corporate inspiration involved?
_sean_
says:
I think its a good idea. Ken has helped engineer some good hardware before, i bet he has good ideas for games as well. More exclusives cant hurt PS3 either. Hopefully they'll make something turn-based, the Japanese console RPG market will need something to replace DQ (R.I.P.)
penhalion
says:
Namco will want this partnership forgotten or at least their involvement in it. So Cellius makes great sense. There isn't anyone out there that will not say "Cellius ah that's Sony that is".
As for Kutaragi making games. He has never made a game in his life so that's just plain stupid. I've always wanted to rule the galaxy but, come on does anyone think I'll be good at it....didn't think so .
This is definitely the bigwigs at sony finally saying look mate the gamers don't like you. Accounting hate you with a vengence and the PS3 is a blue-ray player with no real technical merit what so ever! Time to move on son.
Devil54312
says:
So basically all Ken wanted to do is to develop a game, why did he have to screw all of us and do a crappy job by releasing a handicapped console with NO Rumble, and no force feedback for Gran Turismo HD. I still F***ing pissed to have bought the logitech G25 with a Racing Seat and have no forcefeedback.
Nice Job Sony for taking a 2 steps back.
EnigmaNemesis
says:
Make a kick ass FPS called, Krazy Ken and his Fanboy Adventures, where it is a FPS that he goes on a killing spree of the competitions "bosses" and I would buy a PS3.
miwesagi
says:
I'm still waiting to see if Ace Combat is a PS3 exclusive... anyone know if other Namco titles are going cross platform?
Islandkiwi
says:
Kutaragi is an engineer, not a game designer. He was reshuffled at the end of November, now he's being shunted off to form a new company..that couldn't be a clearer indication of being put out to pasture.
I'm not bagging on Ken, either. His quotes are often ridiculous, but he's also not a pr guy...he's not even a business guy. He's an engineer.
To be honest, he may end up a happier guy with this move. But it is a clear indication that Sony believes the PS3 and it's launch has been muffed.
cello
says:
He's a big FPS fan, eh ?
So .... I guess he's down with the 360 then. I wonder how hyped he is for Halo3. Did he play through RS: Vegas?
Maybe he'll buy Crackdown just for the beta invite ;-)
Starcade
says:
Again, on paper this sounds like an interesting move, but I'm not sure the name Ken Kutaragi comes to mind when I think of game software. You said it yourself, he's an engineer.
I would think he'd be inclined to innovate on the hardware side, vs the software side.
Clearly, he's no longer directly involved with the Playstation, which may be a sign in itself. I have to believe, if the PS3 were overwhelming successful, this type of announcement never occurs, as he'd be at work on the next Playstation, not the next Playstation game.
WokStar
says:
Wooohoo,
I'm going home tonite and taking the dust-cover off of my PS3 ... oh wait, games take ages to develop. On second thought, dust-cover stays on.
What Ken needs to do is come up with a marketing strategy at the top rather than jumping into the trenches and trying to make his own game. What are the chances he will come up with the next Gears anyway !?!
Runna
says:
LOL so the Cellius will be making xbox360 games to make up for the R&D; huh?
This is crazy though. If this guy can't squeeze the power out of this box then alot of finger will consider the PS3 a failaur tech wise.
I feel bad for the guy though cuz Nvidia basicly Shat on the PS3 with the G80... They even stole the PS3s PR iot seems...LOL
kenshin001
says:
"New Sony / Namco studio is not a good sign for PS3.
If anything, it shows Namco has doubts about the PS3. By forming a spin off coporation, Namco is protecting their assets if the partnership corporation goes bankrupt."
Namco Bandai titles have been the biggest sellers for PS3. I can't see how that translates to doubt. Also it makes no sense for NB to have a majority stake for something they think may go bankrupt.
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