Kotaku: andrew house

Sony: Physical Games Not Going Anywhere

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:00:00 MST

Despite the release of the digital-only PSPgo and an increasing push towards the delivery of content over the PlayStation Network, Sony would like you all to know that traditional, boxed stuff is "not going away any time soon".

"Make no mistake", SCEE boss Andrew House told GI.biz, "when you're looking at PS3 games and you're seeing the shift in the sheer size of the data that's becoming available, the packaged media business is not going away any time soon".

The "shift" he's talking about is the number of people realising their PS3s can connect to the internet, connect to the PSN, then guy games off it.

"I think there's been an overstatement there potentially, and then a backlash to that - but I don't think we were really responsible for that overstatement, so we're not really part and parcel of the backlash, if that makes sense."

Not really, no! But hey, if Blu-Rays and UMDs are going to be coming down the pipeline for a whiles yet, you got your point across.

Packaged media "not going away any time soon" - House [GI.biz]

The PSPgo Is Expensive Because, Well, "There Is A Certain Premium"

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:30:00 MDT

The PSPgo had a lot of things going for it at E3. Bold digital download plan, smaller size. But then Sony announced the price. $249. Nothankyou. Here, SCEE boss Andrew House explains why it's so damn expensive.

Speaking with MCV, the new Sony Europe head man said "When you introduce a new piece of hardware you have the opportunity to say there is a certain premium that is associated with it, and we took that into account."

In other words, the PSPgo isn't $249 because Sony broke the bank researching it. It's not $249 because it uses radical new technology, or because it has to make up for the fact people aren't buying many PSP games.

It's $249 because it's new, and Sony knows (or at least believes) that the kind of people who will buy something when it's new will pay more for it than they probably should.

House Proud [MCV]

PS3 Price Cut When "Factors Are Aligned"

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:00:00 MDT

Those waiting for a PS3 price cut, keep waiting. Here's what Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president Andrew House has to say about it:

Not to harp on about it, but the PlayStation 3 has a ten-year life cycle and there are issues of cost and profitability... We will make that move on price when all those factors are aligned.

Issues of cost and profitability? All those factors are aligned? Bwah?

Sony stands firm on 'no PS3 price cut' policy [MCVUK via 1Up]

Sony: Wii Owners Will Become PS3 Owners (Eventually)

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:30:00 MDT

Andrew House is the new boss of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, a position with a long, storied history of corporate tit-for-tat. And it's a position he seems to be taking a real shine to.

In his first real public interview since assuming the role following David Reeve's departure in April, House tells Edge Online:

If you look back at previous lifecycles, like PS2 versus N64 [sic], we have lots of data that suggests that lots of people bought into N64 as their entry level gaming device, and were happy to upgrade to a more powerful machine later in the lifecycle when the price point was right for them.

I think we're going to see this later on PS3, and the fact that it's a Blu-ray player as well and that there's a [greater] wealth of network based experiences than are perhaps available on the device they already have will add to the proposition. I think that will definitely be a factor in the marketplace.

Not a bad start to the man's shit-talking career! Unabashed flag-waving, tempered with realistic statements and a lack of clear aggression. He could have a bright career ahead of him.

Interview: Andrew House [Edge Online]

Sony Europe Gets New Honcho

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:30:00 MDT

With David Reeves retiring, Sony exec Andrew House will assume the role of President, CEO and Co-Chief Operating officer of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe as of May 1.

"I'm very happy to welcome Andrew back to the PlayStation business and to work closely with him again" said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment. "I'm confident that the skills and expertise Andy has gained over the years working as Sony's CMO will contribute enormously in leading the PlayStation business in Europe/PAL countries and regions and to bring new initiatives in managing the business in the coming networked era."

House has been with Sony since 1990, staring in corporate communications in Sony Corporation (Japan), where he toiled for five years. By 1995, he was working on the marketing for the original PlayStation and game titles. House went on to work in marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America, helping to establish the PS brand and later devise launch strategies for the PS2 and the PSP.

Since 2005, he has worked at Sony Corporation as Chief Marketing Officer handling corporate marketing across all of Sony's business.

"I'm delighted to return to the PlayStation fold and excited to take on this new challenge," House said, "I have strong ties to the interactive entertainment industry and I believe there is huge potential for further growth of our business in the Europe/PAL countries and regions, particularly in the area of networked entertainment. I'm looking forward to working with everyone at SCEE and with other groups in Sony to help achieve this potential."