Sony’s recent announcement of a yet unseen PlayStation 4 has fuelled the endless discussion of the next-generation of games consoles that has been going on for the last five years or so. Obviously, we Sega Addicts haven’t had much need to shout about the PlayStation 4. Not until now.
Weekly Famitsu recently asked a host of key figures in the Japanese videogame industry for their thoughts on the allegedly super-advanced games console. Two of these figures were no other than Yakuza 5 producer and series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, and Yakuza 5 writer and Sega Section Manager, Masayoshi Yokoyama.
What do they make of the PlayStation 4’s specifications and unique controller? Hit the jump to find out!
[Source: Kotaku]
SEGA Chief Communications Officer, Toshihiro Nagoshi
What are your impressions of the PlayStation 4?
I genuinely felt that the specs, namely the high image quality, that enable the development of high quality products, are amazing. I’ve been in this field for 23 years, and back in the past, the current specs would have been considered a fantasy. But at the same time, there are a lot of hurdles that need to be overcome to expand that fantasy to its limit, so there is a certain tenseness that keeps me from simply being overjoyed. I’m also aware that users want to see that fantasy taken to the limit.
Of the PlayStation 4’s specs and functions, what stands out to you?
I’m looking forward to the functions and services that stimulate the ‘user community’ and share game enjoyment. The ‘online’ component of games has been a standard for a while now, but I’m looking forward to services that utilize that component to dynamically cultivate user connectivity.
What sort of game would you like to develop utilizing the PlayStation 4’s specs and functions?
To sum it up in a single phrase, it’d be ‘a great emotional experience shared by many people.’ It used to be the norm in all areas that the bigger the numbers, the worse it looks, and the better it looks, the smaller the numbers—the question now will be how to escape that dilemma? I’m going to give it my best.
SEGA Section Manager, Masayoshi Yokoyama
What are your impressions of the PlayStation 4?
Personally, I was expecting a Sony group home appliance substation sort of expansion, so it felt like an evolution of ‘gaming hardware’ in a good way. There are a lot of features that tickle my creative fancy as a game developer, so I’m quite excited.
Of the PlayStation 4’s specs and functions, what stands out to you?
My primary interest is the controller. I believe the controller is a user’s biggest direct interface with [a console’s] ‘quality.’ With previous game consoles that were released, after a time, what you tend to think of is the tactile sensation of the controller in your hands and the feeling of gameplay. That feeling is stored in your brain along with the memories of fun games. The new controller has the most appealing form and specs I’ve seen since the original PlayStation, so I’m very excited about it.
What sort of game would you like to develop utilizing the PlayStation 4’s specs and functions?
Looking at the new functions, I believe we’ve truly entered the new age of ‘bi-directional media.’ In Japan, TV and other ‘passive’ media are still the majority, but with the emergence of the PS4, I think the possibility of new genres like a change from ‘viewed’ to ‘movable’ TV would be interesting. I’m thinking of such possibilities.
