The video game console wars are heating up this year with two new models on the market. The Playstation 3 offers state-of-the-art graphics and the Nintendo Wii has a much-talked-about motion controller. Time will tell which console will dominate the market. But for now, on Christmas morning children everywhere hope to see a Playstation 3 or Nintendo Wii under the Christmas tree.
Today we talk with Brian Johnson of San Diego, Calif., who works in the video-game industry for Sony Playstation America. Johnson, who has relatives in Emporia, has worked in the industry for 10 years and is a manager of production for the cinematic solutions group at Sony. Johnson talks about the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii.
Q What is the biggest difference in the play between Playstation 2 and 3?
A There are many differences, but one is the Playstation 3’s motion-controlling joystick. You can wave it around and your character will move accordingly.
Q Why has the Wii received more publicity for its motion controller?
A It is pretty much the same deal, so I don’t know why the Wii is getting the most attention. I just guess the Wii was on the market first.
The way I see it, the motion controller is one of the smaller things about the Playstation 3 but it is the only thing the Wii is really offering. The Playstation 3 has so much more stuff. Like the Playstation 3 has an incredibly powerful processor and the graphics engine. Inside the Playstation 3 is a 60 gigabyte hardrive to download games and movies directly. That way you don’t have to go out and buy a game.
Eventually it will be like iTunes for games where you can go onto our site and download them right to your computer. There also are a lot of great peripherals like the Blue Ray, which is like a high definition DVD.
I often get the question of what to buy right now. When you look at the Wii and the motion-sensing thing and even on the Playstation 3 it feels like it is kind of a novel thing. I think ultimately if people are playing a video game like baseball, they really don’t want to be swinging a bat in their living room all day just because baseball players do. It may be fun to do once, but really people just want to push buttons. I think the motion-sensing thing will go away. Like one of the games I am playing right now — these giant monsters attack you and you actually have to shake the controller to get them off you. I don’t want to do that every time.
Q So could that be a real drawback for the Wii?
A That’s my theory, but we will see as time goes on.
Q How improved are the graphics on Playstation 3?
A The improved graphics are great. You can go on our website and look at our NBA 07 basketball game. It is the only game right now that is 1080p resolution (equal to 1,920 by 1,080 pixels; 1080p monitors are theoretically capable of displaying every pixel of the highest-resolution high-definition broadcast), which is the highest resolution you can attain right now in high definition. It looks amazing on a high definition screen. If you see it from across the room, you would think you are watching an NBA game. What is funny is that people complain about the price of the consoles, but to get the full experience you really need a $3,000 high-definition TV to see the high definition.
Q How long have you been working on Playstation 3 games?
A People have been working for a good 3 1/2 years, but we have been on it for 2 1/2 years.
The big thing for us is the resolution is intensifying and so the size of the projects is enormous. We have had to dramatically increase our server capacity. Increased resolution means increased data. Also, our work has to be more detailed because if something looks bad, it will look way worse in high definition.
Q What games have you been working on?
A For Playstation 3, we have focused on Warhawk and Lair
Q Do you think the cost of the video-game consoles will be a big barrier for people to enjoy this entertainment?
A I think the video game industry is an incredible bargain for entertainment value. For instance, I have three kids and if I take my family to see a movie, by the time I have paid for five tickets, popcorn, and a couple of drinks I have spent $50 to $60 bucks for 90 minutes of entertainment.
But if I go spend $40 to $50 dollars for a Playstation 3 game, the kids will be playing them for the next two months. If you break it down to the per-minute cost for entertainment, the video game is one of the most profitable things for the money. Whether it is good for you or not is another question.
Q What are your favorite games right now?
A Shadow of the Colossus is probably the best game I have played in a long time. On Playstation 3, the game Resistance is cool and the Tony Hawk game is fun.
kaimyn (anonymous) says...
An unfortunate article because of the title. A responsible editor/author might title this article, "Interview with Sony Playstation America developer, Brian Johnson." Instead, the title "Playstation 3 vs. Wii" title suggests the content of the article is unbiased.
December 22, 2006 at 12:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kotare (anonymous) says...
kaimyn is very right .
Also Brian Johnson has to play down Wiimote's impact on the gaming scene versus the PS3's six axis controller . Its his job .
I've just brought an X360 core system , and quickly completed Gears of War . Although a very good game , I couldn't help but wonder that if the game had come out the original Xbox , with visuals to suit , would it have given a different gaming expirence ???
I needed to know what all the Wii hype was , so I rented a Wii console for the night , plus Wii sport and Call of Duty 3 .
It was an instant sucess , and I near needed to wrestle the Wiimotes off my 3 children for my turn .
Standing up and playing (tennis , golf , bowling etc) really works , and when you get tired , sit down and carry on .
Call of Duty 3 visuals obviously don't compare with its next gen counterparts , and its full of bugs and glitches . But the Wiimote brought back a quickness and responsiveness , my aging clumsy thumbs don't provide anymore .
For example , moving through a French village with the Bren gun . The radar indicates taking fire from 9 o'clock .The wiimote is flicked to the left and then centred , to reveal a Jerry in a second story window . A burst from the hip is fired , forcing him into cover . Giving enough time to sight the weapon , drawing a bead on the reappearing target and dispaching him with a single well placed shot . It feels so natural , and gives a sense of actually shooting at a target .
The overnight rental of the Wii and games turned into two extra days and an extra $NZ54.00 plus a plan to get one when the new stock arrives in January .
I guess the point of this all is , its all about fun , and that tiny , underpowered , graphically inferrior machine was fun . Lots of fun . And thats what its all about .
Brian Johnson may think that buttons is what we want , but not me ,suddenly I am "so past that " , and the nintendo's motion controller has got me hooked .Nintendo has set a new standard to how we interact with video games .
December 22, 2006 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporia123 (anonymous) says...
I read your wii against ps3!!!
The controller is awsome and is not going away!!! See I don't care about graphics and alot of nintendo fan boys not care ethier. i am a huge fan boy as you can tell!!! Don't bash the wii ok. If the wii didn't have the controller they would be dead ok. Look at this for example: What systems do people want the most right now the wii because of zelda, controller and next year mario gaxlazy and smash bros and metro prime 3 If smash bros be on line you will see the wii will be the best system out there ok trust me. I see it this way Nintendo ahead by 500,000 then xbox 360 then ps3 like 3 million behind wii ok
this is going to be wii year.
December 22, 2006 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )