Sony's two-hour press conference at E3 2014 revealed a lot for the company's array of gaming hardware - exclusive PS4 games, a new console colour and the Western expansion of PlayStation TV, as well specifics on its exclusive television programming starting with comic series Powers.

We ask SCEE's UK managing director Fergal Gara what PlayStation Now's expanded US plans mean for Europe, Project Morpheus' small presence at the conference, the game lineup for 2014 and more.

How did you think the conference went? What was feedback like?

"Based on what I thought myself and what others have told me in various meetings we have had over the last couple of days, the answer seems to be that it went well, that we had a lot of breadth and depth and we also brought out a platform revolution story.



"[With] the PlayStation ecosystem... [we] were able to paint the vision as to how it's good and getting better. Whether that be PlayStation TV coming this year, PlayStation Now coming to the US this year and Europe next year, or whether it's Project Morpheus, which shows the vision of the future, and how we're working with tech.

"That was a strong part of our showing, as was the broad software portfolio [with] the developers we're working closely with."

There was a lot of priority on exclusivity – such as with Destiny's content and beta, as well as indie timed exclusives. Is there a big focus for you to have exclusivity throughout all those different areas?

"We simply say we are trying to create the best place to play. Well, the best place to play has to have points of difference. You create points of difference in two ways, through our own exclusive content we develop in our own studios and through working with publishing partners to deliver various points of difference.

"They were many and varied. [One] of the ones that interested me for example is Far Cry 4, that we've got the functionality where you can bring a friend into the game without that friend needing to own the game.

"That's an example of pushing a few boundaries, experimenting and proving what next-gen really is about. And with Destiny, an amazing project, with an amazing plan, and to have that best of PlayStation is hugely important to us."



So with the Far Cry 4 promotion and Battlefield Hardline beta, a lot of those initiatives are being pushed by Sony?

"Of course. They're down to partnership and down to working with the various publishers and coming up with ideas together. Some of the ideas come from us, and some come from them. It's about partnership. As I say our desire is to create the best place to play and that means having points of difference."

Do you have specifics on how the Far Cry 4 co-op feature will work?

"I don't at this stage, to be totally honest with you. I think conceptually it's very much rooted in the assist-a-friend mechanic we explained back in February, in New York, when we announced the PS4. In concept, it's that kind of idea.

"There are plenty of other variations of that idea being discussed. I'm really excited to see how gamers react to it. In theory, it could be - the marketing man in me says - quite a viral marketing tool in many ways, which is the most powerful from of recommendation, really, if I was to say, 'Why don't you have a crack at this game, jump into my game'?

"That means I'm recommending it, it's peer-to-peer. Recommendation, marketing - call it what you will - it could be quite powerful to take the risk out of the decision for gamers, but also expose them to loads more stuff through people whose opinion they value - their friends."



With E3 this year and the general release lineup, the consensus online is there's not a lot coming this year, it's more towards 2015. Is that something you recognise?

"To be honest, I'm really happy with what's coming in this calendar year. I think we've had a little bit of a drought the last few months, but it's great to see Watch Dogs come to market and do so well – do really, really well on the PS4 in the UK, we're really pleased with that.

"Of course, that was a slip in itself, so maybe we've maybe [had] a little bit of an upside from the slip, by dropping into a quiet period. I think there's a pretty strong embarrassment of riches from now through to Christmas. We've had loads of highlights from The Last of Us to of course Destiny, through to GTA V and DriveClub from ourselves. There are loads to come out."

Are there any more games to come out this year, or is it looking at 2015 onwards for any new announcements?

"I don't know for sure, I think most of what's coming out pre-Christmas has probably been announced already. We can also see a strong start to 2015, which I think you've picked up on. Not everything we've seen this week is coming out this calendar year.

"The positive of that is 2015 will get off to a great start. Whether we take the Batman title or The Order: 1886, these are just two examples of key titles that can get 2015 off to a good start."

Activision



You kicked off the conference with Destiny and the white PS4 bundle. Is that coming to the UK and Europe? And can you buy it separately from Destiny?

"Yes, and both. Initially it will be with Destiny, then it will follow as a standalone [bundle], or in another combination. As we feedback this week, we might come up with other ideas. Initially, it will be sold with Destiny."

Sony discussed Project Morpheus in the conference, but there wasn't a great amount of detail. Why was that?

"I think we are quite open and honest about where we are with Morpheus. We've have some great technology, we have some demo experiences and we're inviting the development community to jump in and help us shape what great experiences it will be like for Morpheus.

"If you haven't had a chance to try it, I strongly recommend you do. It really feels like technology that is maturing. But I think that the gameplay experiences that people are going to love most and see the best added advantage in that VR headset, we don't really know yet.

"We're inviting people to come in and help us find those experiences and experiment. Once that's taken more shape, I think the right date for the market will reveal itself – basically, when it's ready."



"The hardware feels pretty ready to me, but there will be further refinements. It's really the gaming or the experiences that need further work and once we have a bit of momentum there we'll be able to see the correct date.

It's more that software and developers need to come up to speed with that, then.

[PR representative: "That's the reason why we chose GDC to announce the hardware."]

So it's looking like 2015 for more details and a release window?

"Well, it's not going to be 2014. Whether it's 2015 or not, we don't know. It's just as I've said, we'll know as better experiences start getting created. We'll then decide when we should release it."

PlayStation Now was also discussed at the conference, but a lot of that was US-focused. Will you discuss what's the plan for Europe?

"In the short-term, we definitely want to bring it to Europe, and definitely to the UK. I think the UK will be one of the first European territories to launch in for two good reasons.



"The first is, it's has a very strong gaming market and secondly the broadband infrastructure is up there with the best in Europe, or in the top end.

"Not all markets are in as strong [a] position in terms of broadband infrastructure. We're not announcing dates yet, but I'm very hopeful that we will launch in 2015, quite possibly in the early half, but we don't know just yet."

Do you think it will go through a similar plan as the US, having betas and slowly roll things out before going to launch?

"Probably, but we haven't decided all that. Maybe we will be able to do those stages more condensed because of all the learning that has come out of the US. It is the right place to lead the charge here in North America. But the UK should not be that far behind."

It was interesting to hear more about the TV initiative, starting with Powers. Is that a big priority for Sony?

"I see it as relevant. I don't see it as the most relevant thing. The most relevant thing is gamers and games, and I hope that was very clear in the conference.

"But, just as we saw on PS3, the machine is being used for a wide variety of purposes, for example [the fact that] it is the number-one client device for Netflix shows you it's not just about games... It has been a hugely successful device for the likes of iPlayer.

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"So I think it's right to be looking at, what's the next generation of that kind of experience, what else can help differentiate us, what else can add value to PlayStation Plus, which has been a very well-received initiative?

"Where, yes, there's a cost, but what you get back for your cost feels very worthwhile. So far that's been only games-focused really, so we're broadening out further.

"To me it's relevant, it's another point of difference, but the most important thing is the games."

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