Hirai: "GTA has always been associated with the PlayStation platform first and foremost"

Speaking to videogaming247 at the SCEE PlayStation Day in London this afternoon, SCE president Kaz Hirai has said no uncertain terms that he believes Grand Theft Auto is primarily a PlayStation franchise.

"I think Grand Theft Auto, the franchise, has always been associated with the PlayStation platform first and foremost, and so I think consumers are coming back again," he said.

"They had previous versions of Grand Theft Auto on previous platforms, so it’s always good to come home to PlayStation 3 as well, I think."

Hirai refused to be drawn on whether or not Microsoft had wasted it's money by paying a reported $50 million for exclusive DLC for GTA IV, saying that punters will vote with their feet.

"Well, it’s really up to the consumers to decide," he said. "As I said before... it’s a franchise that’s associated with PlayStation for the longest time, and I think that based on the numbers I’m seeing right now, I think the consumers feel that way as well."

We're going to post the full interview with Kaz in a second.