GRTV: Jim Ryan Interview

On the back of a strong showing at Gamescom we caught up with European Sony president Jim Ryan to find out more about strategies, PS Vita, and transitioning from closed to open platforms.

Ryan had lots to say about PS Vita at Gamescom: "I think in hindsight the Vita did get left behind a little bit [at E3]," he told us. "But I think we put that right yesterday [at the Sony press briefing at Gamescom]."

"There really hasn't been that much top software released over the course of the last couple of months. We went to great trouble yesterday to demonstrate that is going to change, starting next month with Little Big Planet on Vita, then following up with FIFA, with Need for Speed, with Assassin's Creed: Liberation, and of course, with Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified. So we're very excited for the prospects for Vita this Christmas."

One of the most exciting announcements from E3 was for the new Cross Buy scheme. Ryan explained why it wouldn't be appropriate for all games appearing across both formats: "This kind of cross functionality between PS3 and PS Vita is something that we definitely believe in, however there are certain games where it just doesn't make sense."

One of the only concerns surrounding the initiative is whether third party developers and publishers are willing to get behind the idea.

"It's something that we're very happy to encourage. We'd like third parties to really embrace the cross functionality between the two formats, and Ubisoft has done this with Assassin's Creed III: Liberation, there is crossover with the PS3 game."

Ryan also touched on Wonderbook, another exciting innovation, this time aimed at a more family orientated market. During the interview Ryan elaborated on the need to find a balance between casual and core gamers, but he still had plenty to say about the exciting new tech first revealed in L.A. earlier this year: "At E3 we unveiled Book of Spells, and yesterday we started to paint the bigger picture, with the Moonbot partnership, with the BBC's Walking With Dinosaurs... and the tease of the unveiling of the relationship with Disney."