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Mar. 1st, 2007 10:51 am
Mar. 1st, 2007
Mar. 1st, 2007 03:24 pm
Yet more Sony news
Via Slashdot.
Earlier today, the gaming blog Kotaku published an article addressing rumors about Playstation Home, which it described as a "blending of achievements and Miis." Achievements are currently a large component of the XBox Live service and Mii's are cartoon-like avatars you can create as part of the Nintendo Wii's online functionality. The article clearly states that it is talking about rumors and not any official information from Sony itself.
In a followup post, Kotaku's editor Brian Crecente describes Sony's efforts to prevent Kotaku from posting the article and the fallout that resulted when they did so anyway. In an email, Dave Karraker, the senior director of corporate communications for Sony Computer Entertainment of America, wrote the following:
Now I only know what I've read on Kotaku and freely admit there is probably more to the story. However, based on the information I have, it appears that Sony is equating "working with you as closely as possible" with "telling you what you can and cannot write." Sony has every right to take the actions they did. However, in my opinion, it comes off as Sony trying to strongarm journalists in order to control the flow of information. Of course, as Crecente noted in the second post, it also serves to increase the likelihood that the rumors are true.
The final sentence of the second post sums it up nicely:
Earlier today, the gaming blog Kotaku published an article addressing rumors about Playstation Home, which it described as a "blending of achievements and Miis." Achievements are currently a large component of the XBox Live service and Mii's are cartoon-like avatars you can create as part of the Nintendo Wii's online functionality. The article clearly states that it is talking about rumors and not any official information from Sony itself.
In a followup post, Kotaku's editor Brian Crecente describes Sony's efforts to prevent Kotaku from posting the article and the fallout that resulted when they did so anyway. In an email, Dave Karraker, the senior director of corporate communications for Sony Computer Entertainment of America, wrote the following:
I am very disappointed that after trying to work with you as closely as possible and provide you and your team with access and information, you chose to report on this rumor.... I can't defend outlets that can't work cooperatively with us.
So, it is for this reason, that we will be canceling all further interviews for Kotaku staff at GDC and will be dis-inviting you to our media event next Tuesday. Until we can find a way to work better together, information provided to your site will only be that found in the public forum.
Now I only know what I've read on Kotaku and freely admit there is probably more to the story. However, based on the information I have, it appears that Sony is equating "working with you as closely as possible" with "telling you what you can and cannot write." Sony has every right to take the actions they did. However, in my opinion, it comes off as Sony trying to strongarm journalists in order to control the flow of information. Of course, as Crecente noted in the second post, it also serves to increase the likelihood that the rumors are true.
The final sentence of the second post sums it up nicely:
Sony's decision is disappointing, not because of what it means to Kotaku, but because of what it means to the industry.