Sony's President of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, may have come close to breaking the hearts of game retailers in an interview with IGN recently. As well as talking about how uncomfortable Sony was with PS3, and calling Team Ico the 'Olympic Team' because it always seems to take an age to develop anything, he's also put a timetable on the move to direct game sales.

When asked how important the PlayStation Network is the PS3, his response will send shockwaves through a few boardrooms:



This may well come as a shock to US retailer GameStop's CEO, Dan DeMatteo, who only last month was explaining that competition from digital delivery is "insignificant".

Also in the interview, Yoshida-san in a surprisingly sober, candid and decent manner waxed realistic with regard to Sony's feelings about the PS3 last year.

"This year, yes (Sony is comfortable with PS3), but last year we weren't so sure. Last year we were very concerned about things that were not happening that should have been happening."

The full interview is over at IGN.