The keynote, titled "New Tactics for 2009," will kick off on September 24th at 10:30am. There will also be a panel discussion about tactics and strategy for global game makers featuring execs from Capcom, Sony, Bandai Namco and Square Enix.

This year's Tokyo Game Show runs from September 24 to September 27 at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba, Japan.

SCE平井一夫氏：TGS2009基調講演で「2009年新戦略」を語る/ゲーム情報ポータル：ジーパラドットコム [Gpara]

But generally speaking, because of the investments that publishers need to make in this round of hardware, it’s going to be more difficult for publishers to make that decision. Where we come into the picture is to have that dialogue with the third-party publishers, to say: “OK, what can we do together if it’s not exclusive that makes the PS3 version of the game more compelling for the consumers than any other version?” Let’s face it – all the games are coming out on a Blu-ray disk which has 50Gb capacity, so let’s put in some making-of content, or maybe additional levels. Also, it really becomes important for the first-party studios to really come up with some envelope-pushing, genre-defining content.

Interesting to see how the playing field has changed this generation.

Kaz Hirai Interview [Three Speech]

It is my understanding that it is up to the game companies to make business decisions on which platform to release their titles. The series has helped in the success of PS2 and PSP. Capcom has plans to release Monster Hunter Portable 2G for the PSP in March '08 [in Japan] so we hope to continue our partnership with the company.

I think the original price-point was the right price-point, evidenced by the issues we had at launch when we couldn't supply enough units to consumers in the Japanese market and the North American market, and it was a huge challenge to try and meet that demand because of all the production issues we had. It wasn't a pricing issue, it was a supply issue.

...I think he's gotten to the point where he wants to try out other ideas beyond the PlayStation business. He told me the other day, 'I'm not getting any younger'... He's our honorary chairman, he swings by the office once in a while — if I ask him for advice, he'll give it to me. He's not engaged every day anymore but if I ask him to be engaged, he will be, and in the meantime he's pursuing his other passions and dreams...he hasn't really shared them with me just yet, but I think he'll share them with the world when he's ready to do so.

Hirai Interview [Spong]

I'd like to clearly say, "The PS3 is a game machine." It's nothing more than that.

There are probably people who think that, looking at the output of Worldwide Studios, there are fewer and fewer Japan-developed 'Japanese style' titles coming out. But we definitely don't have the intention of just bringing Western games into Japan. We will keep on steadily releasing titles that are developed in Japan and designed to appeal to all Japanese users... Speaking generally, it's obviously much better business sense to have games that, even if they're developed in Japan and designed for Japanese users, will be received in the same way by Western gamers... While I can't give an accurate number here, there are a number of games which are being developed with the viewpoint of making the game consciously for the Japanese market but also wanting it to sell well in the West... Just because the foreign market is bigger than the domestic one, we don't intend to take strategy of just making what would have been considered previously as 'Western games' and saying 'We've got no choice but to do this' to our Japanese users. If we did that, there'd be no point in having the Japan Studio.

Yup! So, Japan, relax. More Japan-friendly games are coming, and the PS3 won't be wall-to-wall Western first-person-shooters. *Looks at Resistance, Rainbow Six and Call of Duty 3*
PS3 Content [Develop Mag, Thanks Jason!]

Remember back at last year's E3 when Kaz Hirai showed how the PSP could be used as a rearview mirror in Gran Turismo? Sony hasn't made secret its plans to increase connectivity between the PS3 and the PSP. But now, the company is trying to get gamers to rank how appealing certain PS3/PSP features would or could be. Remember, this isn't Sony confirming anything, but rather, feeling out the Joe Q. Gamer. Included in the survey:

• Use the device to complete side missions for games (unlockables, etc.)
• 
  
• Transfer media (music/pictures/video) wirelessly from the console to the device (broadcast television, new levels for games)
• 
  
• Use the device WHILE PLAYING the console game as an additional weapon/ulitiy to help the gameplay (2nd player option, radar for incoming enemies, etc.)
• 
  
• Record console gameplay video...

PSP Survey [PS3 Forums via PS3 Fanboy]

He's baaaack! We knew something was missing in our lives, and that is Kaz Hirai. At CES, the Sony brass talked PS3, Blu-ray and blah-blah-blah-who-cares — It's Kaz!

Choice quote:

I have heard many people say our competitors' systems are just as powerful as the PS3. That simply is not true. No other next generation entertainment system pushes the envelope on advanced technology like PS3.

...not to mention...

A worldwide launch for any console is quite ambitious. In fact, it has never been done before. I suppose if we had simply done a mild upgrade to the PS2 and not pushed the envelope so hard, it would have been easier on ourselves. However, if we did that every time, we wouldn't be Sony.

Still using the phrase "next generation" and smack-talking the competition. Good to see nothing's changed. Brian Ashcraft

Kaz Talks [IGN via Go Nintendo]

"Major Nelson" is the online person of Microsoft's Larry Hryb. His Major Nelson blog acts as a go-between the company and fans and press alike. Alex Donaldson PS3 RPG Site questions whether Sony needs a similar figure. He writes:

Sony's only problem now would be who? Right now I don't see Ken Kutagari [SIC], Kaz Hirai or Phil Harrison being a particularly strong public figure with the fans. Despite all this, I think getting one would be a step in the right direction for Sony's online service, whatever it may be called.

We thought that Sony already had a Major Nelson tagteam with Kaz and Ken, but no says Alex. "Just for one moment imagine a blog run by Kaz Hirai—do you feel it could work?" he points out. Who cares if it would work? I'd totally read the Kommander Kaz blog. Sony, make it happen. Brian Ashcraft

Sony's Major Nelson [PS3 RPG, via Major Nelson ]