Kojima: PlayStation 3 Offers 'Movie Theater' Experience'

Major consumer website IGN has reported that, in an interview with Japanese magazine Ge-Maga, famed developer Hideo Kojima spoke fondly of Sony's upcoming PlayStation 3 platform, likening it to more of a “movie theater experience” as opposed to the DVD and television experiences offered by the competition. “The PS3 is a movie theater,” noted Kojima. “You pay 1,800 yen and view a movie with great sound and a huge image. These aren't movies that are remade directly from television, but video that's been made for the movies, and everyone comes wanting that.” He added: “Xbox 360 is watching a DVD at home. It's for people who want to watch a movie, but anything is okay. The Wii is a television program. You turn on the television, and you can watch soccer or watch a variety show -- enjoy a program lightly." Kojima, whose team is currently developing the PlayStation 3 exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, went on to say in the interview that, when looking at the industry going forward: “I get the feeling that the winner had better be the movie theater -- or, the PS3. No one will say that the price is cheap. However, the PS3 is 'the future.' The Wii is interesting, but in terms of functions, it's a machine with past concepts." The developer did note in the interview some disappointment with the PlayStation 3's controller, specifically with regards to the loss of the rumble functionality, a feature that was dropped for the PlayStation 3's controller in the wake of litigation between Sony and technology firm Immersion over the inclusion of rumble technology in the PlayStation 2 controller. He also added that if, as Sony claims, the reason the feature was dropped was due to interference between it and the controller's new motion sensing technology, he suggested that Sony include a button to switch between the two features. Finally, with regards to the high costs associated with development on the PlayStation 3, Kojima commented that he believes that the technology and capabilities offered by the new console are necessary for the evolution of the industry. He said: "Making games for the PS3 will of course cost money, but if you put a stop to that, what will happen to the game industry? Is it okay if everyone just makes variety-style games? It will become like television is now. Comedians make an appearance in a quiz-style show -- that's not culture."