Despite growing flack from gamers over the perceived high price tag
of the upcoming Blu-ray enabled PlayStation 3 game player,
Sony
earlier this week came out swinging in defense of its "high risk"
strategy and is already claiming victory in the next-gen console wars, reports
gaming site NewsOr.
Addressing a Toyko conference this past Sunday, Sony CEO Howard Stringer admitted
to attending members of the gaming industry and press that, "[Yes,] the
price of the PS3 is high," but then went on to assess that "[the consumer
is] paying for potential. Obviously, it's a higher-risk strategy as all new
inventions are."
Stringer's remarks come one month after Sony officially announced a two-tiered
pricing strategy for the PlayStation 3. Both $499 and $599 models will be available
when the console officially launches worldwide this November. In comparison,
Microsoft's current Xbox 360 retails for $399US, and Nintendo has announced
it expects to market its upcoming Wii console at a family-friendly under-$300
price tag.
Stringer also stumped for the high price tag for the PS3 as being due in large
part to the Blu-ray player built into both versions of the console, with the
pricier $599 version also sporting a larger hard drive and full 1080p-capable
HDMI outputs geared towards the new generation of HDTVs.
"When you buy into new technology, do you go for a cheaper transitional
[product], or do you take a chance on future-proof, higher technology which
will keep you going for many, many years?" Stringer asked.
The CEO also claims the major Hollywood studios are already "beginning
to sense, in Blu-ray, that the pendulum is swinging, and swinging for a clear
reason, namely that Blu-ray discs can store more data," adding that the
issue of price will be largely irrelevant once the dust settles. "If the
PS3 lives up to its total potential, then I don't think anyone will be worried
about Nintendo or Xbox's cheaper price," he said.