Sony Shuhei Yoshida Tells Us What To Expect from Playstation App

Sony Shuhei Yoshida: What To Expect from Playstation App 

By Maya Mayfield
3rd October 2013

Shuhei Yoshida Sony's Worldwide Studios president has said that Google Play and  iOS App Store has helped Sony shift their  way of thinking about mobile apps.  In an interview with GamesIndustry International earlier today, Shuhei gives Sony's detailed plans for mobile cross-promotion.

"A lot of people rarely seek out game specific information, they are busy," says Yoshida. "We have the opportunity to push our information to them through social media networks and App stores. That is why we are creating the hook by releasing Sony's official Playstation app on iOS and Android at the launch date of Playstation 4."

Citing specific plans for Knack, Playstation 4's launch title, Yoshida says.

"We are releasing a puzzle game theme around Knack that gamers can download and play for free. By playing this fun puzzle game, you can earn some items that you can use on PS4. We want to encourage people to be motivated by unlocking these items, so they can see what else there is to discover on the actual Knack game on PS4."

Yoshida did admit that mobile devices have hurt Playstation Vita "quite badly," but intends on keeping the company focused on promoting its products based on their unique features, rather than taking on the mobile market sector head-on.

"The most important thing for us is to continue providing great games and amazing game experiences," says Mr Yoshida. "The games will becoming not just from the Playstation Vita's dedicated games, we have re-designed it so that Vita and ps4  can connect and operate with each other in mind. People that have PS4's can play PS4 games, via remote play, and once we roll out the Gaikai service, gamers will be able to play Playstation 3 games on their PS Vita as well."

In his final conclusion, Mr Yoshida explains that Sony is committed to expanding the Playstation service, not just for the new Playstation 4, but for PS Vita and PS3. "Those are the strengths we have in comparison to other products in the market. It is a product you can use to enjoy our content   from different sources."