While Microsoft’s Kinect has surpassed 18 million sold, Sony PlayStation Move has not had the same success. Sony Computer Entertainment UK managing director Fergal Gara has admitted to MCV that the company could do more to improve the motion controller’s fortunes.
“I’d say we have a solid foothold with [Move]. Could it, should it, have done more? I think so,” said Gara. “It is the strength of the software that goes with it that is paramount. And we’ve had a widely different performance from the various Move titles. Sports Champions is by far the most successful, selling a couple of hundred thousand units, which is a healthy performance. But it does vary thereafter.”
“So I’d say we are in the market, we have got a shout. Forthcoming titles are going to be important. We take some encouragement from things we can mention, such as Sorcery which is on the schedule, and other things that we know are bubbling under. It is a focus from a studio point-of-view to bring out stronger titles.”
SCEE head Jim Ryan said that Sony has gotten better with marketing the Move to potential customers, with those techniques being put to use in 2012.
“Across Europe, the middle part of 2011 was slower than we’d have liked. There are few things that we have got a lot more clear-minded about in terms of targeting the family, social markets, and not being all things to all men with Move.”
“We were very energetic in our marketing, and the early signs are that that has paid off. Also our developers are making a step-change in their ability to do exciting things with Move software. And the fruits of that will be seen in 2012 and beyond.”
