Some of the biggest names in PlayStation development reminisce about their favourite PlayStation experiences, and tell us what they've got planned for the future.
When you first started playing video games, did you ever imagine they would evolve as they have done, and actually be considered 'cool'?
"The changes from when I first played Pong as a kid are just amazing. The sheer number of play mechanics, to the immersiveness, and the quality of the visuals and sound that the best modern games have is just staggering. In 1979, when I was running around as a block fighting duck-like dragons in Adventure, I would not have imagined games like God of War would be here for my monster-crushing pleasure in 2005." (Rob McDaniel, Game Designer, Sucker Punch Productions)
"15 years ago, parents would joke about their kids getting high-paid jobs playing and making games. I reckon that the kids who got those jobs had a good idea of what they were up to and now nobody really jokes about the potential of the games industry any more. Games are streets ahead in immersive quality nowadays but I'm an old fart - Jetpac for the [Sinclair ZX Spectrum] 48K is still one of the coolest games ever!" (Alastair Burns, Guerrilla Games)
"As far as games being 'cool' goes, since I grew up playing games I never thought they weren't. Yeah, they were definitely niche entertainment, but I don't remember any of my friends saying, 'Dude, you play video games? That's so uncool!' In fact, my roommates and I played a LOT of SNES games in college (in the '90s). I guess it was a little geeky at the time, but we were having so much fun that we didn't care." (Ted Price, CEO, Insomniac Games)
What has been your favourite project to work on?
"It has to be working on EyeToy, and being able to go through the whole process of being inspired by seeing the technology, and then creating a product around it. I am extremely proud of what it has achieved. (Ron Festejo, Creative Director, EyeToy, SCEE London Studio)
"It has to be the Street Fighter II series. By attracting many users at game arcades and transplanting the game into home game systems while still keeping its quality, the series developed. Since the really good title is not the first one, but maybe the second or the third in the series, we were trying to always measure up to users' expectations. With this series, I was able to have the most direct contact with the users through the games." (Yoshiki Okamoto, CEO, Game Republic)
With the advent of PlayStation 3, are there any concepts that you've been dreaming about for years that can now be brought to fruition?
"The sheer power of PS3 will definitely enable us to make a huge step visually from where we are now, but games will have to really push the gameplay side of things to keep enticing people into our world." (Clemens Wangerin, Studio Director, SCEE's Liverpool Studio)
"Oh yeah! I have a fairly endless list of game concepts... If I was given the opportunity I would love to make a game with storytelling and characterisation that truly rivalled a movie experience - something that I think is only really possible with the technical horsepower of PS3." (Tom Gillo, Senior Producer, EyeToy, SCEE London Studio)
Are there any classic titles that you would like to see remade?
"Not really, although remakes can be good. Personally, I'd rather that we kept pressing on. I mean, who wants to see the Bullitt car chase in bullet-time? The games we loved should be remembered as they were - the combination of limited technologies and sheer imagination defined earlier game personalities. Sure, we draw inspiration from other games, but the more original the title, the more boundaries we push.
"But maybe G-Police..." (Alastair Burns)
'"PS3 Pong would shock the world!" (Evan Wells, Creative Director, Naughty Dog Inc.)
Where do you see the future of gaming? What areas do you think will change?
"Each new generation of hardware always opens up new opportunities. I think PS3 is going to knock down the last few barriers that have held back achieving the highest level of immersion, whether it be in a fully realistic environment, or a completely believable, fantastic one." (Evan Wells)
"I believe that in order for video gaming to become an even more accessible and popular medium than it is now, it will need to place less emphasis on specialist skill sets (such as controller expertise) and offer up ways of interacting with games that are increasingly intuitive. You can already see this phenomenon happening with the likes of EyeToy and SingStar." (Dominic Cahalin, Lead Designer, Cambridge Studios)
Do you feel we've had the 'golden age' of gaming, or are we seeing it now?
By definition, the 'golden age' would be the most exciting period in gaming history, and I think we've probably already had about three of those periods - when PS one came out, then PS2, and now the PSP and PS3. We're fortunate to be working in an industry that continuously looks to break new ground and redefine people's expectations of what gaming is about. In short, I feel that there's more 'golden ages' still to come." (Clemens Wangerin)
"I think I could have different perspectives about that, as Japan and the world are different, as well as arcade and console systems. However, as far as consoles in Japan go - which is what I am developing for - I think that we've had it in the past. But, in a few years' time, I want to change the past to 'the first golden age' or 'prime time'. That's for now and the future. You can't make games any more if you don't have that kind of spirit." (Yoshiki Okamoto)
If you could transport yourself into a game, which one would it be?
"Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, 'cause I'd love the ability to rewind time if I made a mistake or something tragic happened." (David Jaffe, Creative Director, SCEA Santa Monica Studio)
"PaRappa the Rapper's world. How could you not enjoy a place where all conflicts can be resolved with a rapping competition?" (Evan Wells)
"It would have to be Metal Gear Solid. I would love the chance to go through a game wearing a stealth suit. Awesome!" (Ron Festejo)
"Genji, for sure. I want to show up at the very beginning of the game as a non-important, tiny character and be killed right away." (Yoshiki Okamoto)
In ten words or less, describe what sums up PlayStation for you.
"Moving games into the mainstream." (David Jaffe)
"Style, escapism, empowerment and FUN!" (Dominic Cahalin)
"Blowing stuff up without getting sued or thrown in jail." (Ted Price)
"Vital!" (Tom Gillo)
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