Sony needs to unite to beat Xbox 360
With the launch of Microsoft’s New Xbox Experience (NXE), a brand new service provided via Netflix is available. However, it looks like Sony is adding a new wrinkle to Microsoft’s plan by preventing all Sony distributed movie titles from being accessed on the Xbox 360. Sony may have finally smartened up and learned how to use its assets like the movie and MMO business, to its advantage.
Many may agree that in some situations Sony might be just to big for its own good. Sony houses one of the largest movie and music studios in the world. Sony is also the largest first-party video game publisher, with over 21 internal studios. Asset and resource wise, Sony far overshadows video game console rival Microsoft in sheer size.
However, the size of Sony has always been its weakness. In most cases the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. For example Sony BMG distributes music via the Xbox 360 while not doing so on the PS3. The Jace Hall show is owned by Sony, yet it is distributed on the Xbox 360 Marketplace and now defunct Playstation Crackle. Even though Sony Pictures owns the IP to Ghost Busters, instead of handing the new Ghost Busters game over to Sony Computer Entertainment, it was given to Atari.
There are just too many instances where Sony is helping out its competitor inadvertently. However, it seems that the execs over at Sony is starting to see the light. There is indication within the past year that there is a new directive to make the Playstation division as successful as possible. Sir Howard Stringer the head honcho that controls the Sony empire gave the order for Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) to be strategically controlled by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE).
The SOE is one of the largest MMO developers in the world responsible for games like Everquest and Starwars Galaxies. Until recently, the SOE had yet to develop a single game for the Playstation brand. However, under the command of the SCE, for the first time SOE is set to bring three MMO games to the PS3.
Another surprising bit of news that came out recently was with the launch of the NXE, Netflix disabled all movies distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment only on the Xbox 360. According to MTV, Steve Swasey VP of Netflix, indicated that this was not a glitch but that the movies have not been licensed for the Xbox 360. When asked if Sony is blocking the licensing of its movies on the Xbox, Swasey refused to comment.
If this is indeed the case, then it looks like Sony might finally be smartening up on how it runs business throughout the company. Considering that Microsoft is smaller in resource and assets, the company is more agile to make quick business decisions.
If Microsoft Game Studios needs to write a hefty check to a third party publisher for Xbox exclusivity, it can do so without traversing many channels. However, for Sony to do such a move two years ago, the request would have to traverse multiple channels, multiple VPs and then finally land overseas, where Ken Kutaragi would sit on the decision until it was too late. Only time will tell if Sony will learn from its past mistakes.
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21 Responses to “Sony needs to unite to beat Xbox 360”
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November 21st, 2008
Well I think it’s stupid because Japan is in a recession and Sony is doing terrible according to it last financial report. The last thing they need to be doing is saying I don’t want to make $ when there already in a bad position and last position. Well it’s their loss. Personally all 360 owners should boycot Sony pictures for such ignorance and for paying the way for Bluray to win. It is trully a stupid move on Sony’s part but then again I could care less and would rather see Sony BURN, CRASHES, AND DIE.
November 21st, 2008
This article isn’t entirely correct unless something different happened yesterday that I missed.
Yesterday Sony movies were on Netflix 360 but no Columbia movies (Different sony owned studio). They made it sound as if it was a license issue which it very may be. If Sony could make money off of Xbox users they will. MS licenses VC1 technology to BluRayAssociation for use with Bluray. Sony has Windows on Vaio. I think people are really jumping to conclusions in order to stir controversy. There has been updates to this news story on joystiq Mike.
I do agree that Sony should have tried to get the Ghostbusters game as an exclusive.
November 21st, 2008
this is what really aggravates me about sony. they’re insane. they stand to make money off every viewing of the movies through licensing.
not to mention each view ups the chance of a hard disk purchase. so this is what do they do?
their, “you’re not playing with my toys unless I say so” routine has failed them over and over and over again. why do they continue?
so in the end, the consumer enjoys another movie from a competing studio or decides to spend the gas, time and money to rent a sony movie from blockbuster. Nice move sony…lol..
November 21st, 2008
kev.
Before you get your panties in a twist…..;) why don’t you check out a couple of things for me on NXE.
Are Sony movies on there?
Are Columbia Movies on there?
Are MGM movies on there?
All of those are owned by Sony. If they are not, you have a point, but as of yesterday, only Columbia movies weren’t on there (license issue according to Netflix, will sooner or later be resolved).
This falls into the “jumping to conclusions” point i earlier made, and you ate it hook line and sinker!!!!.. delicious?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10102728-93.html
November 21st, 2008
I really don’t care how you want to word it or twist it but Netflix does not only use the 360 for streaming their videos and I don’t hear about this issue with the other products.
November 21st, 2008
Xbots do you realize that phranctoast is right? It is a simple licensing issue. Nothing else.
Sony is a huge corporation. Sony has its hands in games, electronics, movies, music, etc, etc. It would be nice to see all of its different companies make a united stand against Microsoft and the 360. If all of Sony’s different business stood together, they could make a huge impact on the 360/M$. Unfortunately they will not due that because it is not the wisest business decision. Corporations exist to make money. That is what Sony as a whole is concerned with.
November 21st, 2008
Those other products figured out all the licensing already. Why are you trying so hard to make a problem when there isn’t? geeze..I even provided a link for you ya lazy bastard.
Lets make it simple for you to understand. Microsoft sat on their hands. They should have set this up before hand with Sony, and they didn’t because they wanted to rush the NXE out before Home. Simple as that.
If you ask me, I think Sony should not allow any of its movies streamed through Netflix to the 360. They should also remove their music. They should use MAC OS in their Vaio, and MP4 (which is better than VC1) for their HD compression technique. Then of course they could finally be compared the most evil of anti competitive corporations that is Microsoft.
But it’s not up to me, and this will be a simple fix, and will all be worked out.
November 21st, 2008
To CAD. since you always seem to get it wrong.
http://i38.tinypic.com/16c1e7q.png
November 21st, 2008
phranctoast,
I know what your getting at, however, I don’t think that MS would have to rush to beat HOME to the market. Its been two years and I still haven’t seen it. Its more of MS expecting companies to bow down to them and everything falls into place. Even their beloved fanboys think that they should receive the movies without a licensing agreement.
November 21st, 2008
Too true Wylie. They sure are taking their time. I read somewhere, while the realize that additional work will be required to get Home up to it’s full potential, they didn’t want to release it gimped and patch later mentality.
That being said. SCEE released emails to 100,000 invitations for a closed beta.
http://community.eu.playstation.com/…hread.id=11323
November 21st, 2008
Well I think its already been proven that Sony isn’t blocking movies.
If I were sony, and if it wouldn’t affect my bottom line too much, I would do everything I could to make the 360 seem less appealing – including removing a portion of thier netflix movies available for dl.
So, how many generations until consoles become pc’s with mini keyboards (and no mice) attached to thier game pads? Anyone care to guess?..
November 21st, 2008
Once again Pranctoast I could care less.
November 21st, 2008
I couldn’t care less
November 21st, 2008
And who gives a crap
November 21st, 2008
@ CAD, just point at the scoreboard and start laughing at the people who backed the wrong horse. I know I do.
November 21st, 2008
wow kev… looks like you should quit your job at Microsoft and become an adviser for Sony…
its a wonder how they made money all these years… without your ideas… so weird…
November 22nd, 2008
what you people are thinking about nintendo wii games. this is not right sony games are planning to beat xbox both are different sony may come with new version. Is it planning to beta wii games also being a fan of this I am worried.
http://www.spudmobile.co.uk/nintendo-wii-sword.aspx
November 23rd, 2008
Was that English. Pranctoast quickly show him how to use the English language.
November 23rd, 2008
In the end Sony will destroy Microsoft because they own the hottest movie studios and the most video game developer and also makes the greatest games. Plus we got the most must have exclusives. PLAYSTATION 3 is more powerful then the competition and it looks better and it has the best quality perfection. Plus the free online support that’s way beyond more stable and reliable then Xbox Live %100 free. Microsoft is already losing.
November 23rd, 2008
haha @ Ivan. Take a look at the scoreboard. Microsoft is far from losing.
November 24th, 2008
Harry,
Your concept of a “score” made me grin. A very small-minded approach. Unless you own stock in Microsoft, sales numbers are not your score. Businesses and consumers do (and SHOULD) have a different “score” for products. “More popular” does not equal “better.” In your sad little opinion, should all Zune owners be mocked and laughed at for “backing the wrong horse” even if they are happy with the product and get enjoyment out of it?
-Arvis