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PS3: the $600 console
Sony announced yesterday more details about its November-launching PlayStation3 and, although most insiders totally expected it, it still was a shock for many gamers: the premium version of the console will sell for $599, making it the most expensive mass-market game console to date.
Sony’s decision to include Blu-Ray high-definition DVD technology made the high price almost a given. Stand-alone Blu-Ray players will retail for about $1,000. Bundling one with the PS3 was a guarantee that it would be more expensive than the current highest-priced game system, the Xbox 360, which sells for $299 and $399 depending on the package you get.
Sony had a few other surprises in its Monday night Electronic Entertainment Expo news conference. After criticizing Microsoft for its two-tiered Xbox 360 sales strategy, Sony instead embraced it with its own business plan. The PS3 will sell in two versions: a $499 system with a 20-gigabyte hard drive and a $599 system with a 60-gigger. The “Budget” version will not come with an HDMI port, limiting its high-definition capabilities, and will also eschew some camera-card slots and will have a slightly different design. It will also lack internal wi-fi support. This is already causing gamers to grumble that anyone serious about high-def and Internet play will end up springing for the $599 system, making the PS3 essentially $600. Start saving your lunch money.
The other big surprise was the the PS3 controller looks the same as the PS2 controller, but now lacks vibration/dual shock in favor of motion sensors similar to what Nintendo is doing with its next-gen console.
Over at Videogamey’s E3 site, gamers are already mocking the controller and some of the lackluster game demos Sony showed off.
Nintendo is putting on its E3 press conference right now, but has already said it will hold off on announcing a pricetag and launch date just yet. Nintendo says gamers will have its oddly named “Wii” console by the end of the year and rumors place it around the $200-$250 range, making it a bargain in comparison to the PS3’s pricetag.
Microsoft might have some surprises this week as well. But Sony is taking a huge gamble with its $600 console and it might be the tipping point for gamers to look to Microsoft and Nintendo if the PS3 games don’t live up to the hype.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Videogames
Comments
By cd
May 9, 2006 3:46 PM | Link to this
great commentary, please keep us updated. I have yet to buy a new system, but the price alone may put me in the xbox category. that and halo 3. still hoping for a price drop right before sony's launch. the blu-ray thing is a gamble - hd-dvd may beat it and then blu-ray will become the beta-max of today.
By tom
May 9, 2006 3:02 PM | Link to this
Just another way for gaming company to make money off of hardworker. Instead of working hard to buy food for our family and keep the lights on they want us to spend at least a months salary on a video game system. If kept the price down it would be better.