High Price of Entry Won't Phase PS3 Sales Says Sony Exec
Sony banks on "future-proof" tech to win next-generation console war
Back in May, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) president Ken Kutaragi was quoted as saying that the $499 and $599 price points for its PlayStation 3 were "probably too cheap." Today, Sony CEO Howard stringer again defended the steep price of entry and justified its pricing structure to the best of his ability.
"The price of the PS3 is high... But you're paying for potential. Obviously, it's a higher-risk strategy as all new inventions are. But 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," said Stringer. Considering that consumers consider a console purchase to be a long-term investment, Stringer feels that the PlayStation 3 is more future-proof which will allow potential customers to justify the price tag.
Stringer also notes that Hollywood studios may be the ones who determine whether HD DVD or Blu-ray wins this battle. Gamesindustry.biz reports:
Stringer went on to concede that Hollywood movie studios, currently divided over whether to support Blu-Ray or Toshiba's rival HD-DVD format, could ultimately determine who wins the next-gen war. However, the Sony CEO believes that film execs are "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.