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Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai has called into question Don Mattrick’s claim that Xbox 360 will sell more than PS3 in this generation – predicting that Microsoft’s console will struggle to match the longevity of Sony’s flagship machine.
When asked what he made of Xbox boss Mattrick’s claim, Hirai told MCV that he found it hard to believe Xbox would sell for as many years as PS3 – as the original Xbox had "gone by the wayside after four or five years”.
Hirai said:
The key word there is this ‘lifecycle’ or ‘this generation’. As you probably know, we’re working on a ten-year lifecycle, we’ve said that since day one and we’ve proven it with PSOne and PS2. I guess Don is saying they’re also going to be embarking on a ten-year lifecycle, then?
"If they are then that’s terrific, but I’ve never seen them manage it before. Last time I checked, the Xbox went by the wayside four or five years after launch.
"On the other hand, if he’s saying that Microsoft will outsell us after five years, if he calls that this generation, then he’s saying he’s going to exit the 360 business within five years. I’m not exactly sure when he says ‘this lifecycle’ or ‘this generation’ what standard he’s using – five years, 10 years, I don’t know.”
Click here to read part one of our extensive interview with Kaz Hirai.
