Sony CFO Hiroki Totoki says PlayStation is reforming currently their gaming business

[Old Gamer]

I doubt it, because why would Sony throw a lifeline to Microsoft? A year ago, Microsoft tried to push them out of the market. If Microsoft were in Sony's position, they would have been ruthless.

Had those assholes dominated the PS4 generation, we'd still have no crossplay.

I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment, but the current leadership of Sony is a bunch of braindead Microsoft fanboys.

 

[mibu no ookami]

Please bestow thy greatness upon us, for we, but simple console peasants, are unable to comprehend thy meaning.

My big takeaways

• They have an entire team dedicated to a PC App: "You will be a key member of our PC app team"
• They're specifically looking to build out the ecosystem, which goes beyond console: "enhance the PlayStation ecosystem"
• They're actively looking to expand Monthly Active Users as part of a new phase: "realize the next phase of gaming expansion for our 100M+ monthly active PlayStation users"

Key responsibilities:
Produce and integrate frameworks and SDKs to support development across teams for the PC platform

This seems inherently more involved than just publishing games on Steam.

Build native plugins in C++ or other native Windows environment for deeper integration with the OS

Again, why would you need to have deeper integration with Windows just to publish games on Steam?

Senior Software Engineer, PC Engineer
United States, San Mateo, CA

You'll also notice that this position isn't in the Netherlands. This isn't part of Nixxes. It's part of PlayStation HQ in San Mateo, California.

You will collaborate with UI designers and product managers to break down requirements into work packages and craft compelling PC user experiences.

Now this could just mean more stuff like the overlay, but I don't think that makes much sense. UI designers and product managers? This seems a lot more involved than just overlays or controller applications.

Collaborate with an international team of developers, UI designers, and product managers (USA/Japan/Canada).

See above. This doesn't seem like an insufficient team and it's clearly under the purview of Nishino and the Platform Business Group/Platform Experience Group. This is exactly the group of people you would need to put together a PS Launcher. UI Designers and developers managed by product managers.
My guess is they're building off the framework of PS Store as it exists online already and integrated a launcher back end mirroring PS Store on PS4/5.
Required Qualifications

• Experience with Windows application development

I think Sony has this relatively small window where they can focus on their PC efforts before they have to start focusing primarily on the PS6 UX/UI. They're clearly hiring people towards developing a PC platform. They have some advantages over companies like Epic in that they already have a framework for a PS Store that they can build off of, but I don't think they can half ass this if they want it to work.

I do think they have their work cut out for them, but I also think it's about a growth strategy. As a business you don't take on a company with a monopoly in a space and say, we're going to compete toe to toe with you within 5 years. You have to ask yourself in 10-20 years, will this be a profitable segment for you?

 

[Ghaleon]

Moving it back to Japan I would hope? The most logical move they could make.

Reversing and apologizing for the censorship and disrespect of fans as well as Japanese and asian devs/pubs, should be high on any list for righting the ship too.

 

[akira__]

My big takeaways

• They have an entire team dedicated to a PC App: "You will be a key member of our PC app team"
• They're specifically looking to build out the ecosystem, which goes beyond console: "enhance the PlayStation ecosystem"
• They're actively looking to expand Monthly Active Users as part of a new phase: "realize the next phase of gaming expansion for our 100M+ monthly active PlayStation users"

Key responsibilities:
Produce and integrate frameworks and SDKs to support development across teams for the PC platform

This seems inherently more involved than just publishing games on Steam.

Build native plugins in C++ or other native Windows environment for deeper integration with the OS

Again, why would you need to have deeper integration with Windows just to publish games on Steam?

Senior Software Engineer, PC Engineer
United States, San Mateo, CA

You'll also notice that this position isn't in the Netherlands. This isn't part of Nixxes. It's part of PlayStation HQ in San Mateo, California.

You will collaborate with UI designers and product managers to break down requirements into work packages and craft compelling PC user experiences.

Now this could just mean more stuff like the overlay, but I don't think that makes much sense. UI designers and product managers? This seems a lot more involved than just overlays or controller applications.

Collaborate with an international team of developers, UI designers, and product managers (USA/Japan/Canada).

See above. This doesn't seem like an insufficient team and it's clearly under the purview of Nishino and the Platform Business Group/Platform Experience Group. This is exactly the group of people you would need to put together a PS Launcher. UI Designers and developers managed by product managers.
My guess is they're building off the framework of PS Store as it exists online already and integrated a launcher back end mirroring PS Store on PS4/5.
Required Qualifications

• Experience with Windows application development

I think Sony has this relatively small window where they can focus on their PC efforts before they have to start focusing primarily on the PS6 UX/UI. They're clearly hiring people towards developing a PC platform. They have some advantages over companies like Epic in that they already have a framework for a PS Store that they can build off of, but I don't think they can half ass this if they want it to work.

I do think they have their work cut out for them, but I also think it's about a growth strategy. As a business you don't take on a company with a monopoly in a space and say, we're going to compete toe to toe with you within 5 years. You have to ask yourself in 10-20 years, will this be a profitable segment for you?

Great find, however the people writing those are not always aligned with the actual team. Second point most software projects fail, normally they fail in silence, Xbox somehow makes it public. But for people in software if feels very familiar.

But for playstation to make there own launcher is one of the reasons why steam isn't so friendly towards playstation. It's the only party able to create a launcher that works, unlike some others, and have the exclusive content to force consumers to switch(pun not intended).

The downside would be sour relations with steam the upside is enormous amount of revenue. What if their launcher would solve the stuttergate issue?

But management always has plans, but as a example currently the ps5 store search is hilariously bad. Ps5 store is also difficult to navigate a far cry(no pun intended) from the ps4 store.

 

[mibu no ookami]

Great find, however the people writing those are not always aligned with the actual team. Second point most software projects fail, normally they fail in silence, Xbox somehow makes it public. But for people in software if feels very familiar.

I think this is a big enough initiative that it's happening one way or another. I'd imagine this is being funded by the PC ports and the intention being that future PC ports will save that 25 ish percent, particularly GaaS which have always been able to garner success outside of Steam and for the store to generate revenue from 3rd parties.

But for playstation to make there own launcher is one of the reasons why steam isn't so friendly towards playstation. It's the only party able to create a launcher that works, unlike some others, and have the exclusive content to force consumers to switch(pun not intended).

I mean it's definitely why people are still complaining about PSN logins. They see the writing on the wall here. They see people getting a taste before Sony tries to drag them to their own launcher. It's happened before.

The downside would be sour relations with steam the upside is enormous amount of revenue. What if their launcher would solve the stuttergate issue?

I'm not sure how much Sony really values their relationship with Steam. Or is that not what you meant? There is no solving stuttergate. It's not related to the launcher, it's how the games are designed on PC with DX12 and UE5.

But management always has plans, but as a example currently the ps5 store search is hilariously bad. Ps5 store is also difficult to navigate a far cry(no pun intended) from the ps4 store.

The PS Store is really bad, but this is also an opportunity to make improvements.

I think it's an improvement from the PS3 and PS4 store that always felt janky to me. I often wonder how much of the issues around the store are actually on purpose. So that they can promote the games they want to promote.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

There is no reason they need to adhere to it, except they want to.

There's probably legal reasoning that was agreed to pre purchase.

PlayStation wanted Gummy Bears as an exclusive so they moved it in house. I'm sure PlayStation would prefer if Marathon was PC/PS5 only too.

 

[Neversummer]

Great find, however the people writing those are not always aligned with the actual team. Second point most software projects fail, normally they fail in silence, Xbox somehow makes it public. But for people in software if feels very familiar.

But for playstation to make there own launcher is one of the reasons why steam isn't so friendly towards playstation. It's the only party able to create a launcher that works, unlike some others, and have the exclusive content to force consumers to switch(pun not intended).

The downside would be sour relations with steam the upside is enormous amount of revenue. What if their launcher would solve the stuttergate issue?

But management always has plans, but as an example currently the ps5 store search is hilariously bad. Ps5 store is also difficult to navigate a far cry(no pun intended) from the ps4 store.

PS storefront lacking gifting still shows how behind they are. Also limiting wishlist & or the wishlists not being remove after buy said wishlist game.

Also PS first party output lacks to even compete w Nintendo console PS stands no chance against Steam unless PS acquire big Japanese publisher ie Capcom, Kadokawa/Fromsoft (having Fromsoft games exclusive to PS & at a future date on PS PC launcher permanently exclusive would be massive for PC gamers) Square Enix & hoyoverse mobile game etc but when Steam have hundreds of exclusive from 3rd party by default it’s very hard to compete

 

[VOXApachePhantom]

Moving it back to Japan I would hope? The most logical move they could make.

Reversing and apologizing for the censorship and disrespect of fans as well as Japanese and asian devs/pubs, should be high on any list for righting the ship too.

Totoki may not even know that on PS5 controller, ◯ is for cancel and ✕ is for confirm.

 

[Yurinka]

Please bestow thy greatness upon us, for we, but simple console peasants, are unable to comprehend thy meaning.

They are looking for an experienced programmer who will work in their San Mateo SIE HQ (not a game studio) to work on PC stuff.

Specifically on the "PlayStation PC" app, which I assume would be their PSN store/launcher for PC, and let's say related "coding tools" that would ease other coders include games there.

TLDR: the team who works on PS OS and apps is hiring another guy to work on the PSN PC launcher/store and related stuff.

There is no reason they need to adhere to it, except they want to.

Yes, the reason is to reach more players to make more money. That's the reason of why companies expand to multiplatform.

In case of Sony, they prefered to keep separated two publishing brands: Bungie and PS Studios, to have one of them multiplatform and the other one console exclusive.

Job Application for Senior Portfolio Analyst at PlayStation Global

If they are hiring someone for their Portfolio Strategy team pretty likely is because they axed or are going to axe someone in that aread due to the Concord big failure. As Totoki said, pretty likely they'll make some extra effort to verify there's enough people out there who likes enough the new games they release before releasing them.

 

[BillyZ]

They are looking for an experienced programmer who will work in their San Mateo SIE HQ (not a game studio) to work on PC stuff.

Specifically on the "PlayStation PC" app, which I assume would be their PSN store/launcher for PC, and let's say related "coding tools" that would ease other coders include games there.

Great news for Epic they will no longer be the worst store on PC.

 

[arvfab]

In case of Sony, they prefered to keep separated two publishing brands: Bungie and PS Studios, to have one of them multiplatform and the other one console exclusive.

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www.nintendo.com

 

[akira__]

I think this is a big enough initiative that it's happening one way or another. I'd imagine this is being funded by the PC ports and the intention being that future PC ports will save that 25 ish percent, particularly GaaS which have always been able to garner success outside of Steam and for the store to generate revenue from 3rd parties.

Imagine this, not only will take the 30% from steam for their games they would gain 30% from other games being sold in their PC store too. And that is really lucrative.

I mean it's definitely why people are still complaining about PSN logins. They see the writing on the wall here. They see people getting a taste before Sony tries to drag them to their own launcher. It's happened before.

That is why I think the rage is media pr blitz, because logically it makes no sense, almost all publishers have login account thing, I remember the ea/Ubisoft version being so horrible you couldn't always play the game. Just get stuck in login in, and that was years ago.

I'm not sure how much Sony really values their relationship with Steam.

Well it isn't going so well, during the ps login, they turned off many countries in one go. Showing them the middle finger, for a practice every publisher has.

There is no solving stuttergate. It's not related to the launcher, it's how the games are designed on PC with DX12 and UE5.

if you control the installation, some issues causing stuttergate can be fixed, one of which is forcing the shader compliation, even on the background. The other would be to create tooling like they have for ps5 to find those issues regarding streaming of assets stutter. Allot it possible, currently it makes the PC space a joke, pay 4k for a pc, that takes enough electricity to power your washing machine to still having issues, and having the assets were made for the ps5, having to resort to dlss magic with it's drawbacks to get more out of it. But how many people have monitor that can even handle 200 fps, and then still stutters, crashes, changing ini files, Come on now. That is like a second job, that you have to pay for.

The PS Store is really bad, but this is also an opportunity to make improvements.

I think it's an improvement from the PS3 and PS4 store that always felt janky to me. I often wonder how much of the issues around the store are actually on purpose. So that they can promote the games they want to promote.

On the ps4 store I was able to discover new titles, and I was able to find the games I was looking for. Maybe those low quality games now are the issue.

 

[akira__]

They are looking for an experienced programmer who will work in their San Mateo SIE HQ (not a game studio) to work on PC stuff.

Corporate software development goes really slow, one person won't be able to make the difference. If they started to hire contractors a bunch then we gauge management willingness to get it completed. Because they will have the budget, but still it could fail.

Most projects fail maybe 80% or more, they go into a state of almost done quickly and stay there until they the project is eliminated. But you have seen this from close by, Xbox brought Corporate development to gaming, would be hilarious if it would destroy gaming and people lives that work at those companies.

 

[Yurinka]

Corporate software development goes really slow, one person won't be able to make the difference. If they started to hire contractors a bunch then we gauge management willingness to get it completed. Because they will have the budget, but still it could fail.

Most projects fail maybe 80% or more, they go into a state of almost done quickly and stay there until they the project is eliminated. But you have seen this from close by, Xbox brought Corporate development to gaming, would be hilarious if it would destroy gaming and people lives that work at those companies.

Yes, it's pretty slow. Particularly the one related to stores and platforms that support thousands of games and have dozens of millions of users.

They are hiring an additional person, it doesn't mean he's the only one working on it. In the past they already had similar job offers for that PC store and already had a team working on these things.

 

[mibu no ookami]

If they are hiring someone for their Portfolio Strategy team pretty likely is because they axed or are going to axe someone in that aread due to the Concord big failure. As Totoki said, pretty likely they'll make some extra effort to verify there's enough people out there who likes enough the new games they release before releasing them.

It's a new role. You can tell by searching LinkedIn against that title. No one currently has it or has had it.

People need to stop fantasizing about Concord being a bigger deal than it is. Every year you have box office bombs. It doesn't mean everyone gets fired as a result.

And that isn't what Totoki said. What he said is they're going to playtest games earlier to gather player feedback before getting locked into things that can't be changed. For example a lot of people have said they don't like the art direction of Concord, that could have easily been changed early on before the game was revealed. That doesn't mean they would have canceled the game. Playtests and market research probably would have also suggested that the game didn't have a future at 40 dollars when its contemporaries are F2P.

 

[mibu no ookami]

Yes, the reason is to reach more players to make more money. That's the reason of why companies expand to multiplatform.

In case of Sony, they prefered to keep separated two publishing brands: Bungie and PS Studios, to have one of them multiplatform and the other one console exclusive.

This is not the reason why they were kept separate. They were kept separate as part of the agreement in buying Bungie and that if Bungie met financial goals they would keep their independence.

Given the restructuring of Bungie some planned some likely not, you'd imagine that losing independence is quite possible.

Whether Marathon still comes out on Xbox is very much up in the air, I'd say.

 

[akira__]

Yes, it's pretty slow. Particularly the one related to stores and platforms that support thousands of games and have dozens of millions of users.

They are hiring an additional person, it doesn't mean he's the only one working on it. In the past they already had similar job offers for that PC store and already had a team working on these things.

We can't tell if its a adding to the team size could be that a dev left, could even be that they increasing team size and are hiring more developers through one job posting.

Personally I think not working on it would be a mistake.

 

[Yurinka]

This is not the reason why they were kept separate. They were kept separate as part of the agreement in buying Bungie and that if Bungie met financial goals they would keep their independence.

Given the restructuring of Bungie some planned some likely not, you'd imagine that losing independence is quite possible.

Whether Marathon still comes out on Xbox is very much up in the air, I'd say.

There is no independence since the moment Sony bougth 100% of the company, which means Sony can do with them whatever they want.

In the acquisition Sony decided to keep them multiplatform because Sony was starting to expand to become multiplatform. Sony gave them creative freedom because they give creative freedom to all their teams. In the moment of the acquisition Sony also did put Hermen Hulst and the SIE head of marketing on Bungie's board of directors.

SIE (Bungie's owner and boss) said they were going to keep Bungie as a separate publishing label and keep them full multiplatform, while also supporting the PS Studios GaaS with their knowledge, data, experts etc.

And what Sony said is what they are doing. Sony will release Marathon day one on PC and Xbox because they want so. The only chance of Marathon not releasing on Xbox is that Xbox ends totally collapsing before its release, something I think won't happen.

We can't tell if its a adding to the team size could be that a dev left, could even be that they increasing team size and are hiring more developers through one job posting.

Personally I think not working on it would be a mistake.

Yes, maybe some dev moved to other company, got fired or retired and they are replacing him. That's pretty common.

Or maybe they are on full production and are expanding the team, which is common too.

Who knows. What we know is that they already hired someone for this long ago and they hired at least one more now, meaning they continue working on it.

 

[KvallyX]

Whether Marathon still comes out on Xbox is very much up in the air, I'd say.

They confirmed the Xbox release 2 weeks ago.

 

[mibu no ookami]

There is no independence since the moment Sony bougth 100% of the company, which means Sony can do with them whatever they want.

I wish you were better at this.

Unlike most subsidiaries, Bungie is still operated by a board of directors. While Sony can disolve that board of directors if financials aren't met. The company still has a degree of independence.

In the acquisition Sony decided to keep them multiplatform because Sony was starting to expand to become multiplatform. Sony gave them creative freedom because they give creative freedom to all their teams. In the moment of the acquisition Sony also did put Hermen Hulst and the SIE head of marketing on Bungie's board of directors.

This is not true and if it were we'd see Helldivers on Xbox already or Lego Horizon Adventures.

SIE (Bungie's owner and boss) said they were going to keep Bungie as a separate publishing label and keep them full multiplatform, while also supporting the PS Studios GaaS with their knowledge, data, experts etc.

Things change.

And what Sony said is what they are doing. Sony will release Marathon day one on PC and Xbox because they want so. The only chance of Marathon not releasing on Xbox is that Xbox ends totally collapsing before its release, something I think won't happen.

See above. It could very well still come out on Xbox on day 1, I just wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't.