Gaming thoughts of the day

[Who Really Cares?]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012- ... s-harrison

[Bluecast]

How cute MS is trying to be Apple.

[MiTT3NZ]

I'm glad that DICE want to work on more than just Battlefield games, so as long as they provide EA with one every year or two, they'll fully support other ventures. Hell, EA themselves said that Mirror's Edge is a massively important IP to them and they want to wait for the game to be perfect before releasing it, as opposed to yearly iterations like some of their other series. Just goes to show how unfairly judged EA can be.

[Who Really Cares?]

Influential credit rating agency downgrades Sony to “junk”

“This wasn't an easy decision,” said Matt Jamieson, head of corporate research. “But their reputations have been hit so much that it'll take a long while to crawl back.”

Sony's high-profile financial troubles are blamed primarily on the ailing TV business and the strong yen. The three months to September was Sony's seventh consecutive quarterly net loss.

Staying positive, Fitch said if Sony can sort out its problem areas, such as the TV business, then further downgrades may be avoided. A BB rating indicates a company is vulnerable to defaulting on debt over time, but have sufficient flexibility for now to keep servicing that debt. Sony has a solid buffer of cash, Fitch said, and some profitable, cash-generating units.

“I don't think the banks will push either of these companies to the wall,” Damian Thong, an equity analyst at Macquarie Securities in Tokyo, told the paper. “But they do need to convince people that tough restructuring moves will be done in good time, while minimising unnecessary damage to healthy businesses.”

Sony, under Kaz Hirai, has embarked on heavy cost-cutting measures to try and combat crippling operating costs, and thousands will be let go by April 2013. The giant electronics firm has in recent years seen its dominance eroded and brand power diminished as the likes of Samsung and LG Electronics have risen.

But how's PlayStation doing in all this? PlayStation sales are slouching, particularly handheld, but Sony's more streamlined business appears to be paying off. Last year during the months July, August and September, Sony sold a combined 4.9 million PS2 and PS3 consoles. This year that number was 3.5 million.

Last year during those months, Sony sold 1.7 million PSP and Vita handhelds. This year that number was a slightly lower 1.6 million. In its recent financial report Sony lowered its expectations for PSP and Vita by 2 million, down to 10 million for the full year. The PS2 and PS3 full-year total remains the same at 16 million.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012- ... ny-to-junk

[ThyDarkAngel]

^Was about to post it.

What is Sony waiting for to reestructure everything?
Whenever you feel like to, Hirai...

[MiTT3NZ]

Well, hopefully they won't do it during Christmas. Worst time of year to lose your job, really...

[ThyDarkAngel]

^Makes sense but time is running out...

[MiTT3NZ]

Meh, I reckon someone'll buy them over. Sony aren't goin away any time soon, despite the way things look at the moment.

[ThyDarkAngel]

^I agree, it would take the end of an era for a company as big and legendary as Sony to crumble but still, I can't understand what they are waiting for.
I hope they are not bought thought...

[MiTT3NZ]

I dunno, new owners with a new philosophy and approach to things may be just what Sony needs to get back on top. The company obviously isn't in the best of hands atm, so it's the best solution as far as I can see.

[ThyDarkAngel]

Well, it all depends on who are these new owners, I guess.

[MiTT3NZ]

Me.

[ThyDarkAngel]

What will you do with the company and can I work there making you coffee and flirting with your secretary?

[MiTT3NZ]

My secretary's a dude...

[ThyDarkAngel]

I knew you were gay.