Since the E3 convention in May of this year, there were two top stories that were the most notable at the event; the debut of Nintendo,s Wii game console and the announcement of the PS3,s price point of $499 for the entry level machine and $599 for the deluxe version. Of the two stories, the PS3 price points continue to be discussed, debated and argued by the game industry and the gaming community. Sir Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony, has decided to go on record again, in order to defend the high price tags of the PS3 machines. In a news report by AFP, Stringer admitted:
"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."
Stringer,s comments, while logical, do not reflect the overall consensus of the general gaming populace. While “total potential” for a game machine,s usefulness is an element in the decision making process of selecting a game console, it is in no way the foremost concern of most gamers. The main concerns are issues such as the quality of games available for the machine, the graphics and power of the unit, and the affordability and value of the game console. If in fact, these are the major concerns of the gaming public, Stringer,s premise that purchases will be based upon “potential” is entirely off the mark.
In contrast with Stringer,s assertion that no one will be concerned about the cheaper prices of the Xbox 360 and Wii, it does not synch up with the numerous polls and comments made by the gaming community. If anything, the price point of the PS3 is the number one concern of consumers. Stringer continued on a different tack by lauding the value added aspect of the included Blu-ray DVD player by stating, “"When you bring [in] new technology, do you go for a cheaper transitional [game machine], or do you take a chance on future-proof, higher technology which will keep you going for many, many years?"
While Stringer,s not so veiled comments about the Wii and Xbox 360 being “cheaper transitional” game machines, it is highly unlikely that any of the next gen consoles will become obsolete for quite some time. In the long run, it will be the games that will determine which game machines will be successful or not.
