Archive for the ‘Inside PlayStation’ Category
Kevin Butler and New Zealand
Posted by Kevin Butler in Inside PlayStation, ads, kevin butler on July 22nd, 2010
From the desk of Kevin Butler
VP of International Diplomacy
Sony Computer Entertainment America
As the star of PlayStation’s current advertising campaign, I get compliments on my performances just about every other day. But recently it has come to my attention that a certain television network named TV3 has created an amazing homage to my marketing prowess. A commercial that is nearly identical to one we created here in the states aired on TV in New Zealand, found its way to the internet, and ultimately to my desk. Few film greats have been treated to a shot-for-shot shrine (actually I think it’s just me and Alfred Hitchcock).
If you haven’t seen our PS3 “Montage” ad in question, here it is:
And Here’s TV3’s ad:
It’s been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If so, color me flattered. However, I do have some constructive criticism for the work that I would like to share.
1. No title for your guy? VP of Big Bigness? PS3 Commercial Tribute Manager? Details, folks.
2. The TV3 version was completely lacking in PS3 video game footage. Clips from Uncharted 2, MAG, God of War 3, or even clips of our upcoming releases Killzone3 and Twisted Metal would have really added some epicness to the spot.
3. The beard. I think it should have been longer.
4. I did like the slow motion effect at the end on the guitar solo. Way to plus it out.
5. Two-color mylar confetti > rainbow paper confetti. Just sayin.
It’s clear to me that TV3 appreciates great advertising and I’d like to thank them for their efforts. In fact we’d like to help them out and make our ENTIRE LIBRARY OF COMMERCIALS available for them to copy in order to promote their programming. I only ask that TV3 doesn’t use our actual footage, but all future homages of this sort are now Kevin Butler sanctioned.
You might be asking, “What’s in it for you, KB?” Well, I asked that too, and here’s what I’ve come up with: I’d like TV3’s support in making the PS3 the OFFICIAL GAME CONSOLE OF NEW ZEALAND. I see this as the only way to make it right with the world. Our super hero team-up could bring the benefits of incredible HD games, Blu-ray movies and the wealth of content available on the PlayStation Network to billions of New Zealanders. Only a total victory in that fine country will satisfy this situation. That, and a box set of Flight of The Conchords sent to the fine creative team in our marketing organization.
Let’s do this.
I await your reply via my Twitter account: @TheKevinButler
See yourself at our E3 Hot Shots Tennis meet-up
Posted by Jeff Rubenstein in E310, Events, Inside PlayStation, PlayStation Community, hot shots tennis get a grip, meetup, psp on July 8th, 2010
I’m biased, but I think last month’s E3 Blog meet-up went pretty awesomely. You may have seen the amateur video of the event (and Kojima’s suprise visit), but the Hot Shots Tennis team went a step further, producing a really cool video featuring the attendees of our meetup.
Things to look out for: Frawlz and Dave from Sarcastic Gamer, Mr. Destructoid, Hiphopgamer, longtime PS Blog commenter Delriach, Hot Shots US Producer Chris Hinojosa-Miranda, Hiphopgamer’s championship belt, Rey Gutierrez’ awesome PlayStation tat, and yours truly, tired, sweaty, and hopped up on a cocktail of caffeine and adrenaline.
Were you there? Did you see yourself?
Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip is now available on UMD and PlayStation Store download for $19.99. In true Hot Shots form, it’s also really addictive.
PlayStation.Blog Share – New Community Controls
Posted by Jeff Rubenstein in Inside PlayStation, PlayStation Community, share on July 7th, 2010
As many of you have pointed out, we’ve been quiet on PlayStation.Blog Share since it launched on St. Patrick’s Day. We’ve been sitting back, allowing you to do your thing: over a million votes have been cast, and you’ve contributed a lot of great, often surprising ideas. We thank you for your involvement so far. Now it’s time for the next step.
The first thing we figured out (and quickly!) during the launch of Share is that you all have a lot more ideas than we have people to approve them for voting. So, starting today, we’re turning over the moderation reins to you. Did someone just submit the same idea you suggested months ago? Flag it for us. We’ll keep the original.
It’s a fairly simple procedure, but we wanted to explain a little bit here to eliminate any confusion. All you have to do is identify an idea and its duplicate. Click “Report as Duplicate” on the idea that you believe is the copycat (the one you think should be deleted and/or merged). Make sure to take note of the original idea’s ID number. You’ll need this in the second step.
After you click “Report as Duplicate,” you’ll receive a pop-up window like this one. It is here that you will input the ID number of the original idea that is being duplicated by the idea you’re reporting. Once that number has been inputted, click submit.
Now, to be clear, this process will not remove ideas from the site, rather it will flag the two ideas for our moderators. At this point, it will be up to them to make a judgment call about what to do with them. One of two things will happen: either the two ideas will be merged, combining the votes and comments, or one will be deleted in favor of the other. The former is most likely in the majority of situations.
Self moderation was actually an idea suggested by you readers – you’ll note that it, along with other of our ideas that we’ve acted upon have been sorted into a new category: Ideas in Action. These range from long-time fan requests like the Canadian Video Store, to more simple things like bringing Blog meetups to the East Coast. We’ll continue to keep this area updated as we roll out new requested features, titles, and policies. PS – this was another request.
The next step for Share will hit later this Summer: weekly programming. Instead of just continue to keep the floodgates open for ideas about anything, we’ll be looking for ideas related to specific subjects – things where your feedback could lead to an immediate impact.
In the meantime, please keep those ideas and votes coming – we’re reading!
E3 Show Floor: SCEA’s Peter Dille
Posted by Jeff Rubenstein in E310, Events, Inside PlayStation, playstation move on June 16th, 2010
If you’ve watched any of our previous E3 press conferences, Kaz Hirai and Jack Tretton are probably pretty familiar figures to you. But this year, we saw some newcomers to the stage, like our “VP of Sharpening Things” (according to Valve’s Gabe Newell) Kevin Butler and KB’s boss, Senior VP Peter Dille. For a busy exec, Peter pays a lot of attention to what readers like you think – that’s him writing those Kevin Butler ad blog posts and responding in the comments. So I grabbed a few minutes of his time to talk about a few things I think you all care about: core gamers and motion control, Move vs the competition, and PlayStation Plus.
And yes, that is a shot Steven Spielberg playing Sports Champions in our booth…
E3 2010: From the Stage
Posted by Jack Tretton in 3D, E310, Inside PlayStation, PS3, PlayStation Games, news, playstation move on June 15th, 2010
We have been blessed with the most dedicated fans in the business and I’d like to take a moment to thank our new members of PlayStation Nation for helping us to achieve nine consecutive months of growth on the PS3 platform. We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to enhance your entertainment experience on the PS3 and we’re so excited this week to deliver on this promise once again. Today, your PS3 experience already includes Blu-ray games and movies, streamed TV shows and sporting events, and unique original programs, but as we showcased on the E3 stage today, it also delivers cutting edge 3D technology and the most ultra sensory and precise motion gaming solutions available.
There is no denying that Sony is the undisputed leader in 3D technology today and we are the only ones to offer an end to end solution to consumers. With four stereoscopic 3D games available for download already, PlayStation is truly leading the effort to bring theater-like experiences into your living room. There are nearly 36 million PS3 units around the world that are 3D ready today and with demos on the show floor that range from Killzone 3 in 3D to Gran Turismo 5 in 3D, you can get a glimpse of what the future holds as we alter what immersive gameplay means with 3D technology.
We are also experiencing tremendous growth on the PS3 platform and have already started the year with huge releases such as MAG, Heavy Rain, God of War III, MLB 10: The Show, and ModNation Racers. Many would call this a blockbuster year, but for us it represents just the first half of what will surely be an onslaught of brand new experiences with the PlayStation Move controller, in addition to richer and deeper experiences from some of our most favorite characters and franchises like The Sly Collection, Twisted Metal, SOCOM 4, inFAMOUS 2, and LittleBigPlanet 2.
We’ve also been working hard to enhance our digital entertainment offerings, which comes packed today with access to live baseball games from MLB.tv, premium original content from HBO, and 23,000 movies and TV shows from all the major networks and studios. We also unveiled PlayStation Plus, an opt-in and add-on service package designed specifically for PlayStation Network’s most avid power users. PlayStation Plus will provide subscribers with added value, access and convenience to special features like discounts on PlayStation Store content, free and exclusive access to select games, full game trials, and much more – all for $49.99 a year. A tremendous value. In the first month alone, you’re getting $49.99 worth of content for free. Existing features and services you enjoy today and have come to expect from PlayStation Network as part of your daily experience, will remain unchanged and free to access.
We set an incredibly high bar last year and we expect to surpass it this year by reaching our goal of 15 million PS3 units worldwide. When we say ‘It Only Does Everything’ we know we’re also making a promise to you, that we will continue to deliver new experiences and entertainment options that you didn’t even know you wanted today and many years from now.
For those of you who were not able to join us at the Shrine auditorium this morning, you can download the full presentation on the PlayStation Network.
I also invite all of you to virtually attend E3 in PlayStation Home where you can view our full presentation an experience a virtual replica of our PlayStation booth.
Thanks,
Jack Tretton
Live from E3 2010: PlayStation Press Conference
Posted by Jeff Rubenstein in E310, Events, Inside PlayStation, liveblog, news, press conference on June 15th, 2010
This is the what you’ve been waiting for: PlayStation’s E3 press conference, kicking off at noon Pacific. While we were able to get 150 of you into the Shrine Auditorium, there’s probably a few of you wondering how you can follow the action. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to find out what’s going on. You can stream video from a number of sites, such as GameTrailers, GameSpot, G4, and IGN.
Can’t stream video at work/school/your low bandwidth location? SCEE’s James Gallagher and myself will be updating you live in traditional text fashion via CoverItLive. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter. We’ll be tweeting pics straight from the press conference. However you follow along, enjoy the show!
We’re not done when the show wraps up – in fact, we’re just beginning. Keep an eye on the Blog starting at 2pm, as we’ll have posts, news, and trailers from the stars of the show.
Thanks, L.A.! The PlayStation E3 2010 Meetup Recap
Posted by Sid Shuman in E310, Events, Inside PlayStation, PlayStation Community, hideo kojima, metal gear solid peace walker on June 14th, 2010
One thing I’ve learned since joining the team: Never count out PlayStation fans.
Before starting with the PlayStation.Blog, I was well aware of the legendary community events. And I’d gotten my first taste in March, when hundreds of crazed God of War players packed into a big red tent for the PlayStation.Blog God of War III GDC 2010 Meetup and took disturbing photos like this.
But nothing could have prepared me for the size and intensity of yesterday’s PlayStation.Blog E3 2010 Meetup. If I were Chef Gordon Ramsay from TV’s Hell’s Kitchen, I’d have to say I was “gobsmacked.”
The line kept growing…and growing…and growing… Right: The first 150 entrants got one of these wicked signed Kevin Butler posters.
Devoted PlayStation fans starting lining up 24 hours early in the hot California sun, setting up a Sony shantytown of sorts in front of L.A.-based restaurant Cuidad (great, friendly place, tell Annie we said hi!). Eight hours before we opened the doors, the line stretched to 170 fans. By the end of the night, well over 300 gamers had packed through the doors. What a turnout!
Then Metal Gear Solid mastermind Hideo Kojima showed up, and… well, this YouTube fan video below can do a way better job explaining than I ever could:
Hideo Kojima walks into a bar…and gets the kind of reception only Kojima-san can get!
Amidst screams from the fans, Kojima-san gave out five signed Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker PSP Entertainment Packs (but we saved one signed PSP pack just for you guys, and we’ll be giving it out soon right here on the PlayStation.Blog). The E3 2010 Meetup also had a special guest appearance by Arne Meyer from Naughty Dog, who gave away a one-of-a-kind Art of UNCHARTED 2 Folio Edition that was signed by the entire Naughty Dog team. And “Professor PlayStation” himself, Jeff Rubenstein, confirmed that the first 150 Meetup attendees would be attending the PlayStation E3 press conference (that’s tomorrow at 12pm Pacific!) and gaining access to the E3 show floor. At this point, I think my eardrums burst from the screaming.
Record-breaking attendance, a surprise visit from Hideo Kojima, and new games like Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip, Invisimals, and of course, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Sounds like a success to us!
Now only one question remains: What do we do for the PlayStation.Blog E3 2011 Meetup?
This Tuesday: PlayStation Move at Best Buy stores throughout Los Angeles!
Posted by Ami Sheth in E310, Events, Inside PlayStation, best buy, playstation move on June 11th, 2010
Paging Los Angeles! The launch of PlayStation Move this fall is shaping up to be one of the biggest gaming events of the year, and we know all of you are eager to try Move out for yourselves. With the big E3 Expo happening next week, we’ve partnered up with Best Buy to bring PlayStation Move to you ASAP.
On Tuesday, June 15, from 6 – 9 p.m., we’ll be at three different Best Buy locations in the Los Angeles area. Stop by and you can be one of the first to get your hands on the PlayStation Move and try out PlayStation Move games like Start the Party and Sports Champions before this fall’s launch of PlayStation Move. We’ll have our PlayStation reps out there to help you with any questions. And let’s not forget, if you are one of the first 125 people at each location, you’ll get a $5 Subway Card — just the right amount for your favorite $5 Footlong.
Here’s where we’ll be…
Locations:
Best Buy – Culver City
10799 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
Best Buy – Westfield Mall
6000 Sepulveda Blvd.,
Culver City, CA 90230
Best Buy – Burbank
1501 N Victory Pl
Burbank, CA 91504
We are excited about this event and hope you are, too. See you on Tuesday, LA!
Get a Grip on E3 at our PlayStation.Blog Meetup
Posted by Jeff Rubenstein in E310, Events, Inside PlayStation, PlayStation Community, PlayStation Games, meetup on June 2nd, 2010
E3: it’s the most important gaming event in the world. But if you’re not part of the games industry – good luck getting in the door!
Well, as we proved last year: we don’t feel that it’s got to be that way. Once again, we’re opening up E3 to our most loyal fans, and you’re invited: I’m happy to announce details for our 3rd annual PlayStation.Blog E3 Meetup.
On Sunday, June 13th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m, we’re taking over Ciudad in downtown LA. As usual for these types of events, we’ll have food, games, prizes and the opportunity to mingle with your fellow PlayStation gamers. We’ll also be featuring new and upcoming PSP titles such as Hot Shots Tennis: Get A Grip (we’ll be holding doubles matches for advance copies of the game). And just like last year – the first 150 people in the door will gain access to our E3 Press Conference, to be held at the Shrine Auditorium the following Tuesday.
If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, or will be visiting during that time, get your serve and smash ready – this will be our best meetup yet!
Now, the all-important details:
- Location: Ciudad (445 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90071)
- Date: June 13th, 2010
- Time: 5-7 p.m.
- You must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by a parent — ID *will* be checked!
- RSVP to the event invite on our Facebook Fanpage
Please note – last year intrepid Blog readers started lining up 8 hours before the meetup… so if you want in to our press conference, you might wanna set your alarm ;)
And if you’re not able to make it, we’ve still got you covered. Stay tuned for details on how you can follow along with E3 from wherever you live.
Calling all Zombies: Appear in an Upcoming Zombie-game Trailer!
Posted by David Bull in Events, Inside PlayStation on May 7th, 2010
Ever wanted to be in a video game trailer? How about a zombie video game trailer?
On May 15th and 16th, we will be shooting a trailer for an upcoming zombie video game in San Francisco, CA. We want to give 20 of you the chance to appear in the trailer… as a zombie!
So how do you enter to be a participant in this trailer?
Send an e-mail to zombies@playstation.sony.com with the following info:
- Name
- Date of birth (MUST BE 18 years of age or older)
- Phone number
- Zip code of your residence
- Height
- Two Photos:
- Face (Close-up)
- Full body
Send your email between May 7th at 9:00am Pacific and May 12th at 11:00pm Pacific. If you’re selected, we’ll contact you on Thursday, May 13th.
Our wardrobe department will tell you what to take with you to the shoot.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Participants will have to make their own way to the video shoot on May 15th and 16th.
- Participants will not be compensated for their time or appearance.
- Participants will be required to be on set for approximately 10 hours per day.
- Not all Participants selected will be used in the video shoot. Final selection will be determined on site.
- Participants will be required to have make-up done by SCEA.
Now is your chance to be a zombie! E-mail zombies@playstation.sony.com to achieve immortality…the easy way.
Good luck!