Tretton interview: PS3 is a gourmet meal, Wii is a lollipop, 360 is the unreliable cook

GamePro managed to catch up with Sony Computer Entertainment’s (SCE) Jack Tretton during this year’s E3, and sat down to discuss why a flash drive was not included in the redesign of the PSP. Tretton was also asked how he perceived the handheld gaming experience. Interestingly, GamePro also asked him how he would describe each of the three currently competing consoles, in terms of food.

Tretton said that Sony didn’t include a flash drive in the redesigned PSP simply because they wouldn’t want to shortchange the people who already had the original PSP handhelds. He emphasized the importance of not leaving out any consumer every time a console or handheld changes design.

I think one of the risks you run into when you get into [embedding flash memory into a new PSP model] is, what happens to the people who already bought it? And are you going to get the development community to make UMD based games? We have to make sure that anything we do, as far as the evolution of hardware, doesn’t leave consumers behind.

He then talked about bringing the console experience through handhelds, which he said that the PSP is able to do with its high-end hardware. Tretton’s previous definition of portable gaming was likened to something that “little kids on airplanes [play] to keep them quiet”. With the PSP, however, Tretton said that they were able to port over the console gaming experience that will appeal to a broader range of people, not just children.

On a more PS3-related note, Tretton announced that gamers now have two choices on the PlayStation 3 console – whether they want the 60GB PS3 powered with the Emotion Engine, or if they prefer the 80GB PS3 that uses software emulation. With the 80GB flavor, he said, gamers get US$ 160 worth of value for only US$ 100.

Now comes the fun part. When asked about what each current game console will be should he describe them as food, he has this to say (in the process adding yet another jab towards Microsoft‘s Xbox 360):

I think the PS3 is the Surf ‘n Turf. You want the lobster and steak and you’re going to give yourself the treat of getting the best thing on the menu. The PS2 is your favorite burger restaurant — you go there for comfort food and it’s just always good and is a good value…[As for the other two consoles], one [Wii] is a lollipop, and I’m too old for lollipops. The other one [Xbox 360] I get sick from once in a while because the cook isn’t always reliable.

Check out the full interview in the Read link!

GamePro managed to catch up with Sony Computer Entertainment’s (SCE) Jack Tretton during this year’s E3, and sat down to discuss why a flash drive was not included in the redesign of the PSP. Tretton was also asked how he perceived the handheld gaming experience. Interestingly, GamePro also asked him how he would describe each of the three currently competing consoles, in terms of food.

Tretton said that Sony didn’t include a flash drive in the redesigned PSP simply because they wouldn’t want to shortchange the people who already had the original PSP handhelds. He emphasized the importance of not leaving out any consumer every time a console or handheld changes design.

I think one of the risks you run into when you get into [embedding flash memory into a new PSP model] is, what happens to the people who already bought it? And are you going to get the development community to make UMD based games? We have to make sure that anything we do, as far as the evolution of hardware, doesn’t leave consumers behind.

He then talked about bringing the console experience through handhelds, which he said that the PSP is able to do with its high-end hardware. Tretton’s previous definition of portable gaming was likened to something that “little kids on airplanes [play] to keep them quiet”. With the PSP, however, Tretton said that they were able to port over the console gaming experience that will appeal to a broader range of people, not just children.

On a more PS3-related note, Tretton announced that gamers now have two choices on the PlayStation 3 console – whether they want the 60GB PS3 powered with the Emotion Engine, or if they prefer the 80GB PS3 that uses software emulation. With the 80GB flavor, he said, gamers get US$ 160 worth of value for only US$ 100.

Now comes the fun part. When asked about what each current game console will be should he describe them as food, he has this to say (in the process adding yet another jab towards Microsoft‘s Xbox 360):

I think the PS3 is the Surf ‘n Turf. You want the lobster and steak and you’re going to give yourself the treat of getting the best thing on the menu. The PS2 is your favorite burger restaurant — you go there for comfort food and it’s just always good and is a good value…[As for the other two consoles], one [Wii] is a lollipop, and I’m too old for lollipops. The other one [Xbox 360] I get sick from once in a while because the cook isn’t always reliable.

Check out the full interview in the Read link!