Having taken a page from Nintendo’s playbook, Sony seems to have also borrowed one from Microsoft’s marketing. Which begs the question: is there anybody left for Sony to get ideas from, or are they going to have to start coming up with their own?
The details we reported on last night seemed to suggest that the only feature difference between the $500 and $600 models of the PlayStation 3 were 40GB of storage space, which might seem hefty, but well, at least it might have been reasonable to aim for the lower-priced version.
As it turns out, that’s just the tip of the Titanic-sinking iceberg. The $500 PS3 is lacking a number of the attractive features found on its higher-end sibling. Specifically: no 802.11 b/g wireless networking, no Memory Stick / Secure Digital / Compact Flash slots, and, perhaps most critical, no HDMI (high definition video connection). But for just $100 more, you can have all of these in the PS3 “premium” package. Also worth noting is that, no matter which system you buy, the PS3’s controller, while motion-sensitive, does lack the force feedback “DualShock” capability, possibly due to lawsuits Sony has faced.
This marketing strategy seems reminiscent of the XBox 360’s Core and Premium systems. The Core cost $100 less, but came without HD AV cables, a wireless headset, a wireless controller, a hard drive and other features that many gamers considered an essential part of the next-generation console experience. With the true Sony next-gen experience now running $600, I wonder if Sony’s projections of 2 million consoles shipped during the launch window are simply delusional, or if there really are that many people who will shell out more than half a thousand dollars for a video game console.
Well said, Dan!
Let's not forget Sony's newfound desire to allow users to play past PSX titles on the PSP (stolen from Nintendo). Yet another way to fatten up their "library" of games. Since most PSP games are already ports of PSX games, I wonder what the hell they're thinking?
Yeah I have to agree. The hobbled version is pointless, when you consider that to be able to play high def DVDs requires HDMI.
They should lower the price of the hobbled edition even more and just ship it with a DVD drive.
That's not what "begging the question" means -- you mean "asks" or "raises" the question.
Begging the question is a logical fallacy; it's like a circular argument.
ANyway.
I have been looking forward to the ps3 for a longggg time now. After this news, I will refuse to pay anything except 400 for the premium system. Sony needs to learnt o stop ripping off of others and that the majority of gamers are still kids/teens/poor college students.
sony might be stuck in the doldrums for the moment, but they are willing to take huge risks.
if you want to talk about hijacking of ideas, then look to no other than microsoft where every new software release makes you ask "where have I seen that before?" "where haven't I already been today?"
I'd buy it just to use as a Blue-ray player. Overheard somewhere that such a player if sold separately would cost more than $500.
$600 plus tax, and at least another controler puts the cost around $700 - unless you want to buy the $60 games too. This is a $1000 deal for most gamers. Blu-ray movies are going to be over $30 and that's not competative IMO. What if they get hit with dumping carges? It has caused Sony problems in the past. I think that the 360 may only cost $360 before the PS3 ships, and I will have to pass on the "GRAND" PS3.
Dang, man. For $600+ they might as well just make the games for computers and sell controllers with USB cables.
I love my PS2! Will never buy xbox msft junk. I'll buy PS3 when it comes down in price a couple years from now. PS2 is good enough for now.