Sony exec accuses Microsoft of failing to innovate

SCEA boss Kaz Hirai has accused Microsoft of continuously following Sony's lead and copying ideas, striking a new blow in the war of words between the next-gen platform holders.

"Every time we go down a path, we look behind and [Microsoft is] right there - we just can't shake these guys," Hirai told Official PlayStation Magazine.

"I wish that they would come up with some strategies of their own, but they seem to be going down the path of everything we do."

Hirai didn't stop there, laying into Microsoft's decision to include an HD-DVD drive as an optional external device - rather than supporting a next-gen DVD format from the outset as Sony is doing with its Blu-Ray drive.

"You're not going to be asking me, 'So, talk to me about this Blu-ray add-on that you have. Does it work for games? Is it just for movies?' That's exactly the kind of pitfall you fall into if you launch something that's too early, too premature..." Hirai claimed.

Sony itself has been accused of copying competitors' ideas in the past - eyebrows were raised at E3 this year when the PS3's motion-sensing controller was unveiled. Executives claimed the concept has been in development for several years, but some observers still believe Sony was influenced by the remote controller for the Nintendo Wii.

Similarly, Xbox Live marketplace and Live Arcade services offer connected online gameplay and digital distribution of multimedia content, its basic services available without additional cost to the consumer - all of which has been promised from Sony when the PS3 launches.