Rumor: Leaked minutes from Sega/Sony meeting reveal PS2 and Dreamcast on PSN, much mo

RagedHybrid · 09-22-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Okay, buckle up -- there's a whole lot to take in here. As discovered by French site Objectif-SEGA, Sega's public relations FTP site recently got a titillating addition: The alleged minutes from an August 5 meeting between the Hedgehog-centric publisher and Sony Computer Entertainment America. (The document is reproduced in its entirety after the break.)

The biggest, potential news from this document concerns SCEA's general plans for the future. One excerpt from the minutes lists a Spring 2010 launch window for the PlayStation Motion Controller -- specifically March for Japan. Another noteworthy section mentions a "PS2 emulator for PS3," claiming that "SCEA wants to sell all PS2 titles on PSN." Later in the document, the possibility of Dreamcast titles on PSN is also suggested, in addition to a "Japanese Import" section.

This leak has an air of credibility due to its appearance on Sega's public FTP media resource center -- however, it's entirely possible that it could have been uploaded to said FTP site by a hack-savvy Dreamcast enthusiast. Maintain your skepticism as you browse the full document.

Alleged official meeting notes:

SCEA Meeting Aug 5th Notes
Aug 6 2009 – DRAFT FOR COMMENTS

Objectives of Meeting

* Dyer agreed to regular quarterly meetings with SOA

Sony PS3

* SCEA reiterated plans to sell 13 million PS3s this year
* Big announcement back half of year they can't talk about (potentially price cut of PS3 to reach hardware goals)
* SCEA commented on indexing between PS3 and 360 SKUs, should be around 2:1 to garner most favorable treatment.

Motion Controller

* Spring 2010 launch (March in JP)
* No bundle/pricing details yet, should come Sept 1
* Plan on selling 4-5MM units WW
* SCEA agreed to provide a list of Sega IP that would work well with the motion controller, Virtua Tennis was an example
* Motion Controller support allows easy way to differentiate PS3 SKU
* Other differentiation opportunities include PSP/PS3 interoperability – think of features that would make users want to buy both PS3 and PSP SKUs.

Alpha Protocol

* Michael Foster, product evaluator, said AP felt barely RPG. Initial level too challenging for players. "Mass Effect felt more RPG."
* Review notes sent to John Merlino a few weeks prior. After meeting Gerald mentioned AP is a high priority for his team.

Planet 51

* Sell in of PS3 SKU – SCEA noted that other movie titles on PS3 had underperformed as well (inc. Transformers) this cycle.
* Dyer suggests contacting Susan at Walmart and asking what she wants in the pack to sell this SKU (movie tix etc)
* Other possibilities are Hybrid movie disc (BD 25 or 50 with Game and Movie on same disc).

Bayonetta

* Collectors edition with Bayonetta Action Figure
* Novo recommended launching PSN demo around Xmas based off a Jan 5th Ship date with 2-3 week run out to launch.
* 3-4 weeks is usually ideal demo timing with fresh content every week leading up to launch (trailers, insider video about PG heritage, video blogs).

Vancouver 2010

* HOME, Olympic destination would garner a lot of positive attention from SCEA
* Should be doing same with Bayonetta, Marvel etc. Easy to launch in all territories.
* HOME merchandizing opportunities (clothes etc).

Sonic Racing

* Open to DLC to differentiate PS3 SKU – not ratchet and clank but other characters
* maybe characters from Rare or Fable universes

Yakuza

* Could put Japanese games directly on PSN for download in a special Japanese Import section (pricing $9.99 to $39.99 for full game).
* Might need to localize menus at least with subtitles.
* SCEA interested in helping on MKTG side if they can have period of exclusivity.

AVP

* Another great HOME candidate
* AVP avatars
* Hybrid BD disc with movie

Iron Man 2

* Great candidate for HOME space – explore Tony Stark's lab etc.
* Should have one for Marvel in general.

PSU2

* Could do bundle at GameStop with PSP 30-35K units on UMD, Go, or both.

Valkyria 1937

* Could bundle with PSP as well.

Vanquish and Aliens: CM

* Opportunity for PS3/PSP interoperability (see Eidos Batman, Army of Two, Assassin's Creed for good examples).
* If we offer that SCEA would be really interested in having us at their booth next E3.

Thor

* SCEA would like a look at the code soon.

Sonic Anniversary

* Could put out collectors edition with all old sonic games on one BD disc.
* "Best of Sonic" for around $99.
* SCEA would love PSN exclusive power ups/different game modes (like Castlevania's flip it over/backwards)

PS2 emulator for PS3 (confidential)

* SCEA wants to sell all PS2 titles on PSN (GTA Vice City/Sonic/etc)
* For co Marketing money show PS3 controller on TV ads – similar to EA Madden Spots, NCAA, etc...

London Olympics

* Perfect opportunity for Motion Controller integration.

DC Digital Titles

* If we provide a list of DC titles SCEA will let us know which ones they're interested in having exclusively.
* If we give them a long period of exclusivity they'll give us more marketing support.

PSP Titles

* For SKU differentiation it's best to offer features that are slightly different from PS3 version.
* Titles that are coming up on PSP are Assassin's Creed II, GTA China Wars, Resident Evil, Little Big Planet – all massive franchises.
* SCEA has a specific PSP deck which they can send up with their hardware director for a chat.

Source

Angrist · 09-23-2009, 05:15 AM

Would be nice to be able to play the Dreamcast games.

Makes me wonder why Nintendo doesn't hurry up and release more N64 games.

Bube · 09-23-2009, 10:37 AM

I'd probably buy both the PS2 and DC emulation stuff immediately

Especially the PS2 emulator. PS2 games are so cheap these days, and there are some really good games out. It'd be nice playing them through an HD setup..

Edit: Wait a minute.. They say PS2 emulator, but then say that they want to sell PS2 games over PSN. Why can't we just download an emulator and play the games we already own?

manasecret · 09-23-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bube

I'd probably buy both the PS2 and DC emulation stuff immediately

Especially the PS2 emulator. PS2 games are so cheap these days, and there are some really good games out. It'd be nice playing them through an HD setup..

Edit: Wait a minute.. They say PS2 emulator, but then say that they want to sell PS2 games over PSN. Why can't we just download an emulator and play the games we already own?

Interesting point about emulating games you already own... if they did it right, they would let you just stick in any PS2 and Dreamcast games you already own, as well as let you download games from PSN.

magus113 · 09-23-2009, 04:47 PM

Yeah the wording on that seems really strange. A little too strange.

TheGame · 09-23-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manasecret

Interesting point about emulating games you already own... if they did it right, they would let you just stick in any PS2 and Dreamcast games you already own, as well as let you download games from PSN.

But what would make more money for Sony? Letting you play your old games, or having you buy them again? :P

I just hope they expand on the Psx lineup a lot, I want to get some of the games I can no longer find in stores. Mainly Xenogears and Suikoden 2.

TheSlyMoogle · 09-23-2009, 09:19 PM

Either way if done right this could be huge for Sony really.

Angrist · 09-24-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGame

But what would make more money for Sony? Letting you play your old games, or having you buy them again? :P

Exactly. The Virtual Console doesn't let you play your cartridge-owned Nintendo games, does it?

*hums 'Oh Many', something about where the money is*

manasecret · 09-24-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGame

But what would make more money for Sony? Letting you play your old games, or having you buy them again? :P

I just hope they expand on the Psx lineup a lot, I want to get some of the games I can no longer find in stores. Mainly Xenogears and Suikoden 2.

Doing small things and giving them away for free for good will and a larger monetary return in the longrun is underrated. See Valve and Steam and the value-packed Orange Box and all their free updates.

TheGame · 09-24-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manasecret

Doing small things and giving them away for free for good will and a larger monetary return in the longrun is underrated. See Valve and Steam and the value-packed Orange Box and all their free updates.

The problem is that its a risk. I think Sony is tired of taking risks about now lol

BreakABone · 09-24-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGame

The problem is that its a risk. I think Sony is tired of taking risks about now lol

Sony hasn't really taken any risks this generation.
Other than banking on the fact that their name brand was strong enough to sustain a 600 dollar console, and that was more arrogance than anything.

TheGame · 09-24-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreakABone

Sony hasn't really taken any risks this generation.
Other than banking on the fact that their name brand was strong enough to sustain a 600 dollar console, and that was more arrogance than anything.

Nah, looking at history it was a risk. Selling the system without making a profit was a risk too.

Thespis721 · 09-24-2009, 01:46 PM

Selling systems and making little to no profit is not a risk. It's rather common practice if your name isn't Nintendo. They idea is that they make the money off licensing and accessories. As well as just name acknowledgement.

Disney doesn't make a lot of money off tickets to their Broadway musicals. A lot of times, they lose money. But it's about market real estate then anything else.

Bube · 09-24-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angrist

Exactly. The Virtual Console doesn't let you play your cartridge-owned Nintendo games, does it?

*hums 'Oh Many', something about where the money is*

Putting cartridge slots on a Wii wouldn't be the same though

Plus, you can play GC games on Wii

And PS2 compatibility is something the PS3 had at launch.

They also sell PSX games over PSN, but the console is backwards-compatible for PSX games as well.

If they decided to sell the "software emulator" over PSN, then that would be good for everybody. They make money, we get (almost) what we want.

TheGame · 09-24-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespis721

Selling systems and making little to no profit is not a risk.

Losing $150+ per unit after the unit is actually sold is a big risk imo. It just happend to pay out for them more in the Ps2 era then it did in the Ps3 era.

Quote:

Disney doesn't make a lot of money off tickets to their Broadway musicals. A lot of times, they lose money. But it's about market real estate then anything else.

Disney isn't just donating money. They're gambling it and hoping they turn a profit. Just because its a calculated risk doesn't mean its not a risk.