Upon reading this, all I could think of was that they never should have dropped the BC..... they are going to expand the market via PS2, and reveal info about the future of the PS3? Wouldn't it be great if you brought in new casuals via the inexpensive PS2 console, and then when they got a Blu Ray player they could be motivaqted to make it a PS3 because it would allow them to still play all of the games they bought in 2008/9? Now they attract new gamers with a PS2 and then have to convince the new casuals to also get a PS3.

Am I the only who thinks this is a poor business plan?

Someone (everyone) at Sony needs a swift kick. 

January 08, 2008 by: Paul Bertram Howard Stringer says the low-down on the future of the PS3 will be unveiled in the next couple months, Casual software for PS2 to fight against Wii. The pipeline for the PlayStation brand is being expanded in 2008. Sony CEO Howard Stringer yesterday said at CES that a plethora of new features and software will be hitting both the PS3 and the PS2. Stringer said that video downloads is just one of the improvements expected for the PlayStation Network. Additionally, Stringer said Sony will be hosting a press conference in the next two months to "discuss the future of PlayStation 3." We can surely expect to hear some more about Sony's announced and unannounced '08 titles then. And, if the PS3 news wasn't enough, Stringer believes that Sony will combat the Wii via their legacy hardware: PlayStation 2. Continued support in 2008 with "casual games and non-core gamer games" will be the main lines of artillery for the aging console to duel Wii with. Stay tuned. Stringer: Sony Will Beef Up PlayStation Software In '08 By Chris Kohler January 07, 2008 | 5:40:44 PMCategories: Console Games   Speaking to reporters this morning at CES, Sony CEO Howard Stringer said that the company's challenge this year is to "enter the battle against the software companies." As his first example, Stringer said that Sony will expand the PlayStation Network, transforming it into a platform that also offers video downloads. CNET reports that Stringer said a press conference, to be held in two months' time, will discuss the future of PlayStation 3. Towards the end of the conference, Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai told reporters that the PlayStation 2 is the cornerstone of Sony's plan to compete with Wii and that 2008 will bring more "casual games and non-core gamer games" for the console.

That seems like a waste of time to me. The console war is over. It's time to focus on improving the PS3 without worring about what other consoles do.

This was a bit unexpected, since the PS2 is already extremely casual oriented. There are only a few stores around me that have top 10 lists for their own sales, but those that do are topped with Singstars, party games, license games like PotC etc.

@ Grandmaster192 - I agree. It just sounds reactionary, like a knee-jerk reaction. A better idea would be to focus on the PS3. Selling PS2's to potential Wii owners seems like short term planning. It even further delays those purchasers in getting a PS3.

PS2 can be Gamecube, but not when 2 of them duct taped together.
Why not spend all that money on making PS3 popular...

As you can see, this duct type was ranked in the 900's last month and it's now in the 500's. Based on this evident, PS2 will not outsell Wii. 

 I would agree with you, if not for the fact taht PS2 sold a ****load over the holidays. It's still a viable system and, above all else, still makes money for Sony. Perhaps taking out BC in the 40GB wasn't as stupid as I thought.

@ FelmanX - I think it was stupid only for the fact that b/c makes one already vested in the PS3. When the price drops, it's an easy purchase if you already have a game library. That was the concept behind b/c in the first place.

Wow sony really shot themselves in the foot with dropping backwards compatability. Haha im listening to old 1up podcasts of e3 2006 where the ps3 was 1st unveiled to see how far the ps3 has come. It still has a ways to go...

Wrong account, guys. Sorry about that.

"I would agree with you, if not for the fact taht PS2 sold a ****load over the holidays. It's still a viable system and, above all else, still makes money for Sony. Perhaps taking out BC in the 40GB wasn't as stupid as I thought."

Sure, it's still a viable system to develop for, but much longer does it have left? It's time for Sony start thinking about how to make the PS3 a viable system. I think they need to focus on getting the price down in Europe. Why not use the money that way? I mean, think about it... Sony could possibly rise to Wii status in Europe if the price was lower. Also, broadining their Japan userbase is important as well.