@snaffe SOE Planetside 2 Financial Situation - Page 2

Goku · 2012-09-10, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Mox

Don't overestimate the role of SOE for Sony. Sony is a multi billion global player. SOE makes around 150 millions a year. They are peanuts for Sony.

This. Sony is in the red at the moment, but from what I'm reading that is mostly due to the TV division. It isn't like SOE is bringing the company down billions every year. While I want PS2 to succeed to ridiculous heights, this isn't going to bring the entire company into the black. What I'm saying is I doubt SOE is in a rush to get PS2 out the door due to this.

Syphus · 2012-09-10, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Goku

This. Sony is in the red at the moment, but from what I'm reading that is mostly due to the TV division. It isn't like SOE is bringing the company down billions every year. While I want PS2 to succeed to ridiculous heights, this isn't going to bring the entire company into the black. What I'm saying is I doubt SOE is in a rush to get PS2 out the door due to this.

I just wanted to quote this, SOE is really just a speck in the Sony empire. I doubt the higher ups in Japan even know what SOE is.

sameer · 2012-09-10, 03:12 PM

Glad I didnt buy the founder pack. It def. wont be ready by the end of this year. Im holding back my wallet till Im comfortable with the state of the game.

Tatwi · 2012-09-10, 03:29 PM

I think what is sad is that Sharp had to mortgage its factories, even though it makes every LCD display in the iphones and ipads and Apple is making a killing in profit on those devices. Obviously Sharp isn't seeing its fair share of profits on its displays, yet the people it manufactures them for sure are (HP, Dell, Apple, etc). Sony doesn't have this problem, but the sales of their own screens are feeling the result of it: Other screen/TV/computer makers are selling for so cheap that Sony's products *seem* expensive.

Sony has always interested me as a company. While they are into everything, from an outsider it seems like they don't have much of a unified culture that supports the Sony way. Look at SOE, who uses Dell computers and who's president said that any phone that isn't an iPhone sucks (which I would assume included the Sony Xperia line of Andriod phones). It's great that Smed will stand behind a product based on the product's merits rather than it's brand name, but at the same time I have wonder why he doesn't instead sit down with his other Sony brothers and sisters and say, "this is what you need to do to make me use an Xperia instead of this iPhone". Same with the computers in the office, those should all be Sony and if their not, Sony needs to know why and they need to fix it!

By rights, given all the things that Sony is into, I should be able to have a Sony branded device for every tech thing that I do, because I like Sony. However, this is what I have,

TV: Dynex
Desktop Computer: Self built (in a modified 1991 AT server tower!)
Computer Monitor: Samsung
Laptops: Dell Inspiron
Netbook: MSi Wind
Phone: Blackberry 9900
Tablet: Blackberry Playbook
E-Reader: Kobo
MP3 Player: Blackberry 9900 (really, who needs a dedicated player these days?)
Game Consoles: Nintendo Wii (for the kids, not much into consoles myself)
Stereo: Sony!
Camera: Cannon
Camcorder: We just use the camera
Handheld Console: Sony and Nintendo. I used to have a PSP, but I sold it because I found I never had time to use it so it never got used. We still have a DSLite around for the kids though.

If Sony merged with Research in Motion (which I think would be a good brand mix), then my next phone/"portable media/Internet thing" would be a Blackberry Xperia. I like the physical keyboard and the workflow of the Blackberry OS, but at the same time I would love to have more media capabilities and better hardware specs that something like the Xperia Play line has.

If I wasn't concerned about the kids shoving a broom handle through it, I'd pay the premium to buy a larger Sony TV, but the 32" Dynex we have now is fine.

Our laptops/netbook/tablet get the job done, so no need to buy a new one. Would I buy a Sony laptop? An all metal design, yes I would save up for that, but if it's plastic I may as well buy a Dell and save a few hundred dollars.

Sony desktop? Can't do it... just can't buy an OEM computer... But I might buy a Sony monitor if it was around the same price as a Samsung.

I've been considering getting a Playstation 3 for years, but I haven't actually bought one because I figured I/we would rarely use it. We rarely use the Wii. But we all use our computers all the time (kids use a Dell laptop with Linux and a sturdy old Dell CRT monitor. TuxPaint FTW!). We watch TV, but we're not into Blueray or HD channels, etc. so what we have will suffice.

We do want to get a new camera and I am willing to see what Sony has to offer.

Anyhow, all this stuff adds up to what I imagine is the biggest problem for Sony as a corporation:

Outside of its movies, music, and professional camera/video device businesses they just don't have products that are compelling enough to get consumers to switch from what they already have. Add to that the likely reality that everyone who would get a PS3 already has one, and you have a pretty clear picture as to the lack of growth for Sony as a whole.

I think that if they consolidate their branches a bit more, perhaps merging the professional movie camera folks (who are doing well and may prove to be inspirational) with the PC, TV, and mobile hardware divisions, there may be more of a cohesive consumer facing Sony brand of products again. Anyone who was a kid in the 80s and 90s knows what a Walkman is, yet the Sony Walkman branded cell phones of the early 2000s didn't sell all that well. I think it's because of this lack of Sony culture and lack of product cohesion. We consumers see "Sony", but it no longer speaks to us. A round of products that compliment each other, such that having one makes you feel compelled to have other "satellite" products, is what Sony needs - similar to how I bought the Playbook rather than a different tablet, simply because it integrates with my Blackberry in useful ways.

Anyhow, I hope Sony pulls itself out of the hole. They have made some solid products and done their own thing over the years, which is good for the industry and consumers alike. Would be sad to see them fold or sold off in pieces to other companies. like what happened to the real HP.

Hosp · 2012-09-10, 04:40 PM

Guess this has gone from a help SOE thread to a save Sony thread.

Along those lines however, they did do it to themselves. What do i mean? I mean they went from producing top of the line new edge stuff everyone wants to middle of the line mediocre stuff that's sometimes overpriced.

My Examples:

Camera: I started with cannon, tried sony, went right back to cannon. Yes, it was that bad.

Tablet: Did alot of research before buying my tablet, but my bang for the buck was an Asus Transformer. Little underpowered, but for what i use it for vs cost and features, it was a better buy.

Laptop: I believe they still make good laptops. But that market is large enough now that like the tablets, I'd have to do some serious research before
choosing. (all i know is it wont be a Dell.

)

Monitor: My choice of monitors is Viewsonic.
Computers: Build my own.
Speakers: Bose

TV: not in the market, but again, it'll be a tough sell for me to buy a sony over another.

Phone:

So yes, Tatwi, I'm agreeing with ya.

Crator · 2012-09-10, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Hosp

(all i know is it wont be a Dell.

)

Is there something wrong with Dell consumer line of laptops? I'm used to using the business models only.

Ipimpnoobs · 2012-09-10, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Crator

Is there something wrong with Dell consumer line of laptops? I'm used to using the business models only.

Absolutely not. Dell like you said, is used in most large corporations because they have a 24 hour turn around. There customer support is by far the best out of all the companies out there. They are a little bit expensive, but what you are really buying is the support. Most gamers, would never be caught dead with a dell, that is unless they have money to burn and don't want the headache of www.pricewatch.com They'll probably go with pricey Alienware.

I recently watched a channel 7 on your side episode showing local tech stores including best buy. There was a case were it took a week to swap a hard-drive and image it.

Another reason why dell is good, is it is hands down cheaper then supporting an internal hardware line. Imagine calling nvidia for the vid card problems etc... They consolidate and streamline pc building with maintenance. And, everything is proprietary. Lastly, they are international. Who else can do it better currently?

I remember back when gateway was still around. They were competition for a minute, and they up and dissipated.

Syphus · 2012-09-10, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Tatwi

If Sony merged with Research in Motion (which I think would be a good brand mix), then my next phone/"portable media/Internet thing" would be a Blackberry Xperia.

It might be a good brand mix, but it would be a terrible business decision. RIM is a giant sinking ship and unless they start to right themselves I don't see why anyone would even want to touch that.

Goku · 2012-09-10, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Tatwi

I think what is sad is that Sharp had to mortgage its factories, even though it makes every LCD display in the iphones and ipads and Apple is making a killing in profit on those devices. Obviously Sharp isn't seeing its fair share of profits on its displays, yet the people it manufactures them for sure are (HP, Dell, Apple, etc). Sony doesn't have this problem, but the sales of their own screens are feeling the result of it: Other screen/TV/computer makers are selling for so cheap that Sony's products *seem* expensive.

Sony has always interested me as a company. While they are into everything, from an outsider it seems like they don't have much of a unified culture that supports the Sony way. Look at SOE, who uses Dell computers and who's president said that any phone that isn't an iPhone sucks (which I would assume included the Sony Xperia line of Andriod phones). It's great that Smed will stand behind a product based on the product's merits rather than it's brand name, but at the same time I have wonder why he doesn't instead sit down with his other Sony brothers and sisters and say, "this is what you need to do to make me use an Xperia instead of this iPhone". Same with the computers in the office, those should all be Sony and if their not, Sony needs to know why and they need to fix it!

Perhaps this shows just how independent SOE is from Sony itself? No one should be worried about SOE going into the ground due to how the TV division of Sony is doing.

ziegler · 2012-09-10, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Ipimpnoobs

Absolutely not. Dell like you said, is used in most large corporations because they have a 24 hour turn around. There customer support is by far the best out of all the companies out there.

Thanks

Before you ask, I can neither confirm nor deny.

Originally Posted by Ipimpnoobs

And, everything is proprietary.

Actually...most of Dell internals is not. Video card, like the Mbd, has the bios locked so you cant overclock it. But proc's, PSU's, and drives,controller card, no different from Newegg stuff.

Ipimpnoobs · 2012-09-11, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by Tatwi

I think what is sad is ....

I just wanted to say, you make some fantastic points. To add, if you go to Japan the country is saturated with innovation. Almost every product that is made their is by far imo of the highest quality globally. They are a society that seems will accept nothing less than perfection and are highly precision focused. From the way they fold their clothes to the way the high tech manufacturing operates.

Look at this side by side comparison:
Japan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...nY5NjxC5c&NR=1

USA: Which one would you buy based on those videos? Did someone call osha yet... Just unbelievable.

Sadly, this precision pride concept is something that has been lost in all American made goods and U.S society as a whole. Maybe if they quit focusing on presidential birth certificates and the Kardashians, they could start using their brains to solve problems instead of using bombs. I'm jus' sayn!

The Japanese HQ CEO has a good point. Stick to what you do best. Check this...

Sony confirms...205 jobs gone, three studios closed.
Source: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...y-is-cancelled

"As part of a strategic decision to reduce costs and streamline its global workforce, SOE announced today that it will eliminate 205 positions and close its Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios," read a statement handed to Eurogamer."

One thing for sure is someone on the island, likes Smed

Lastly, I found out they are working on a new everquest, again. I assume they have 80% of their labor behind PS2 and 20% behind E? I'm not sure about that move strategically, does the market really need another fantasy game? Wizards, warriors and bears ohhh my! Plus, no one is talking about blizzards secret project... Very tough market...very tough indeed. Time to pull out the drums, tribal gear and dancing shoes for the rain dance that is about to partake.

Salad Snake · 2012-09-11, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Ipimpnoobs

I just wanted to say, you make some fantastic points. To add, if you go to Japan the country is saturated with innovation. Almost every product that is made their is by far imo of the highest quality globally. They are a society that seems will accept nothing less than perfection and are highly precision focused. From the way they fold their clothes Japanese way of folding T-shirts! - YouTube to the way the high tech manufacturing operates.

Look at this side by side comparison:
Japan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...nY5NjxC5c&NR=1

USA: 2013 Ford Escape Manufacturing - YouTube
Which one would you buy based on those videos? Did someone call osha yet... Just unbelievable.

Sadly, this precision pride concept is something that has been lost in all American made goods and U.S society as a whole. Maybe if they quit focusing on presidential birth certificates and the Kardashians, they could start using their brains to solve problems instead of using bombs. I'm jus' sayn!

That was a fantastic post, I fully agree. One thing that struck about the video; The Japanese factory had MUCH more machinery than the American one. That Japanese worker, no offense to him, was much less muscular than the American workers. However, the machinery available to him made strength a moot point, as well as made him more precise. Us Americans might be proud to use more "elbow grease", but it makes us less efficient as a result.

Personally, the whole American obsession with elbow grease & bootstraps has always subconsciously translated to brute strength & unnecessary risk over balance & a nuanced approach in my opinion. Which parallels the overly masculine culture in the US. Too many bombs, not enough diplomacy. Too many big trucks, not enough green cars. Too much resorting to violence & perpetuating cultural ignorance, not enough self-educating and peaceful protesting. Too much yang, not enough yin. It's a balance that Japan and Europe learned after the war, but the US never had whipped into it.

Meh, I'm going off on a tangent. I probably shouldn't be babbling so much at 3 in the morning. But I just wanted to say your post struck a chord with me.