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[cheekymunky]

He's actually a rather nice fellow in person. A maverick personality by Japanese standards and a little crazy by Western standards but far from your typically lifeless CEO. When the PS2 was first shown at TGS 99, he walked up to the little group I was standing with and asked what we thought of the software. "Not impressive" is what sprung to mind immediately but it was an honest question and he wanted an honest answer.

Arrogant? Absolutely. But it's certainly not unfounded and while he hasn't always backed up what he's said, he's certainly delivered far more than anyone could have predicted in 1994.

You mean he doesnt want to eat my children? Hell, after E3 I figured that he wanted me to sell him my kids....at least one would be led to believe.

j/k


I just think its funny to hear people call him arrogant, while at the same time be sucking on the fumes that Msoft and Nintendo are blowing into the air with their PR people.

 

[Flo_Evans]

I think Sony as well as a lot of people in the forum are overestimating the market's interest in Blue Ray.

yep, and no one over estimates the impact of the wii-mote or the benifits of live to people without broadband connections either right?

There are so many options right now for videogamers. Just because YOU don't want hi-def movies, why do you have to piss in everyones corn flakes that does?

 

[Zapp and Roger]

And will you be able to get a blue ray player for less than $1400? Plus I honestly doubt you can get a PC with all new parts with these specs (even built) for $600, nor will you get the game selection that the PS3 will have.

Because I'm sure that the PS3 will be able to configure my network, remote access my computer at work, find rip encode steal etc, music and burn it, balance my books, database my movies, print...aww fuck the PS3 IS A FUCKING CONSOLE!

 

[Bojangles]

I can't afford a ferarri (yet ), so I go on car messege boards and complain that they make them too fast.

Worst anaolgy ever.

 

[cheekymunky]

Because I'm sure that the PS3 will be able to configure my network, remote access my computer at work, find rip encode steal etc, music and burn it, balance my books, database my movies, print...aww fuck the PS3 IS A FUCKING CONSOLE!

dont forget archive pr0n

 

[GeoramA]

$600 PS3 FTW

Typical Playstation Franchises - CHECK
Best graphics - CHECK
Best controller - CHECK
Free Online Play - CHECK
60GB HDD Standard - CHECK
WiFi - CHECK
HDMI - CHECK
BC That Isn't a Joke - CHECK
Blu-Ray - CHECK

The games are what separates the PS3 from the rest. The system with superior eastern support wins each time in my book.

 

[ToxicAdam]

$600 PS3 FTW

Typical Playstation Franchises - CHECK
Best graphics - CHECK
Best controller - CHECK
Free Online Play - CHECK
60GB HDD Standard - CHECK
WiFi - CHECK
HDMI - CHECK
BC That Isn't a Joke - CHECK
Blu-Ray - CHECK

I guess it's settled then.

 

[Instigator]

Playstation has been convergence incarnate, almost from day one. Extra-gaming functionality was quite key in parts of its history.

What is the convergence aspect that set the original Playstation apart from other CD-based consoles? It was a game machine and... it played audio CD's. Just like the Saturn, Sega CD, 3DO, FM Town Marty, TurboDuo and the never release SNES Playstation..

Wait, maybe there's Yaroze or whatever it was called, which was tacked on 2 or 3 years after release.

Sorry, I see no convergence there.

 

[firefoxsux]

If Sony wanted to sell "Entertainment-computer" (because right now it aint a PC or Mac). They should have created a new line of product with the Playstation-moniker something like "Playstation Media" or "Playstation Entertainment". And they should have released the PS3 as the fucking GAMING console it should have been and at a AFFORDABLE price.

The BR delays, Sony inhouse failure to beat Intel to 65nm, and late RSX deal made the price spiral out of control. This is all last minute damage control plan B. The Linux and HDD are thrown in to "add value". IMO.

Hey guys, It is good to talk about value, but for the million of gamer joes you have the games and the graphics. PS3 does not have much on those fronts wrt the extra $200.

Bottomline: the way Ken and Phil talk about PS3 is ridiculous, as if it's anymore than a 360 + blu ray player. How is PS3 less of a games machine than 360? Look at all the integration and media stuff with 360... the windows media center, and now Live Anywhere with windows and MOBILE!! All the things Sony will do, MS will also do... like having a browser and so forth

OFT. It is like people ignore the functions that the world's largest software dev is bringing to your 360. Poor thing got banned.

This thread is like the Alamo. There are a few desperate people trying to defend a crumbling fort. I feel bad for them, because I have been in numerous political threads like this.

It is always the bad hardware choices..

 

[Bluecondor]

$600 PS3 = I'M NOT EVEN CLOSE TO WANTING IT

Typical Playstation Franchises - I can wait. Besides - most third party titles titles are multi-platform

Best graphics - Debatable, since most of the games I play are multi-platform (i.e. pretty standard across consoles)

Best controller - I guess, but the Wii controller looks innovative and the 360 controller is fine

Free Online Play - I don't play on-line, but if I did, it would be $60 a year on Live or free over the PC

60GB HDD Standard - I had 20 Gs on the XBox, never used them, and I don't even know how many on the 360.

WiFi - I guess, but what do I need it for?

HDMI - I really like this, but it's not worth $600 to me

BC That Isn't a Joke - After the six months, I never played my PS1 games on my PS2

Blu-Ray - This is the biggest wildcard for me. I don't even watch that many movies now. DVD in HD just doesn't excite me

 

[Flo_Evans]

Worst anaolgy ever.

I think you are just mad because some day I will have a PS3 and a ferrari.

 

[gofreak]

What is the convergence aspect that set the original Playstation apart from other CD-based consoles? It was a game machine and... it played audio CD's. Just like the Saturn, Sega CD, 3DO, FM Town Marty, TurboDuo and the never release SNES Playstation..

Wait, maybe there's Yaroze or whatever it was called, which was tacked on 2 or 3 years after release.

Sorry, I see no convergence there.

Convergence doesn't have to be unique to be there. I did say "almost" day one, because it really came to the fore in #2. I think it's likely they had their eye on this from day one, even if the original machine did not embody that principle as much as successive systems have. Certainly it's not something new to the Playstation brand.

 

[Andokuky]

The games are what separates the PS3 from the rest. The system with superior eastern support wins each time in my book.

QFT.

$200 is worth next gen SOCOM, DMC, God of War, Virtua Fighter, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Ace Combat, Tekken, Ratchet & Clank, Gran Turismo, Shadow of the Colossus, etc etc plus the sporradic wacky Japanese games like Guitar Hero and Katamari.

 

[Instigator]

Convergence doesn't have to be unique to be there. I did say "almost" day one, because it really came to the fore in #2. I think it's likely they had their eye on this from day one, even if the original machine did not embody that principle as much as successive systems have.

Back in those days, they called it multimedia, it was attempted by other manufacturers and it was a pipe dream.

 

[gofreak]

Back in those days, they called it multimedia, it was attempted by other manufacturers and it was a pipe dream.

Yet it worked a treat for Sony latterly.

 

[Deku]

Ken honestly means what he says and he's not being deliberately arrogant or condescending. But I think its fair to criticize him for being out of touch.

 

[artist]

He cant put a coherent sentence together and he's heading the PS dept of Sony? The future of PS3 is quite .. really.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

Hey guys, It is good to talk about value, but for the million of gamer joes you have the games and the graphics. PS3 does not have much on those fronts wrt the extra $200.

Now, consider where the vast majority of game console and software sales are made in North America: Wal-Mart and the other big-box and discount stores. You think the average Joe is going to jizz themselves over a $499 or $599 PS3? Well, actually, I guess they would. But after they clean themselves off, they'll look into that wallet or look at their maxed credit card and stop right there. This is the market that MS and Ninty will be able to target for much, much, much fucking longer than Sony will.

Wal-Mart dictates games sales and marketing to such a scary degree that there can be no other conclusion... Then you've got the high likelihood that there will be outrageously priced forced bundles from all of the places that did it last year with the X360, and looking at the differential for the base system prices, you're looking at a mountain of money for people to consider throwing down...if they have that much to, anyway. Seriously, Sony needs to get in touch with the financial reality of the NA consumer, cut the defensive Sony PR, and fucking blink already. Drop the price and you'll have it all. Don't do it and accept o-fucking-blivion (2nd or 3rd). In the end, I'm convinced that Sony would be happy at 3rd place if it meant that Blu-Ray decimates HD-DVD and takes off as a format pretty quickly.

 

[Mrbob]

WE should shut down these threads till after TGS, because I have a feeling a bunch of people who said they won't be buying a PS3 will be scrambling for a way to get funds for a PS3.

Now that I've gotten over the sting of the price (Not too happy), I realize that $499.99 isn't bad considering it is only 100 bucks more than the 360. Now, what is MS going to do with the HD DVD drive? I think they need to price their premium system + HD DVD drive at the same pricepoint as the $499.99 PS3. If they don't and offer this combo at a higher price I would say MS is validating Sony's choice for using Blu Ray as a media as giving consumers a better total overall value.

I don't know if we can say for certain what 'Joe Consumer' will do. PS3 is jumping off into unkown territory like the Revolution is. While HDTV sales are going strong, we still haven't had a huge push of HD content yet. What if the PS3 is that catalyst to help push HD sales through its HD content? It is possible.

 

[AzureRonin]

As a Sony fan I would be concerned. Basically Ken is saying that they don't need to be competitive. Sony is just fine with relying on blind brand power. Doesn't he remind you of another President who lost his company the top spot because of his arrogant business strategy?

 

[Instigator]

Yet it worked a treat for Sony latterly.

Games still define a console's success for the most part. Attempts at convergence is a shortcut, a way to entice customers the easy way because providing actual worthwhile content is always more difficult.

The only true convergence aspect in PS3 is the same as PS2 (because, frankly, the computer functions are not too serious), it provides a media player for movies. The only difference is the success of BluRay is still a question mark and the long-term supply of content (movies, in this case) is uncertain.

 

[Fishie flop oog]

He does have a good point.

Who the hell would balk paying $600 for a PC that has a bluray rom, support for the latest and best looking games?

Even if that PC only ran linux, I think most of us would consider that a pretty good deal.

But most of you bastards will continue to think of it as a console and call it dead at that price.

Hey guess what, the PS3 is dead as a console. But it's become something else entirely... whether or not you end up buying it will probably depend on whether or not you grasp that notion.

Tell us then o wise one, what has the PS3 become if its not a videogameconsole/Blu ray Trojan horse?

 

[meltpotato]

As a Sony fan I would be concerned. Basically Ken is saying that they don't need to be competitive. Sony is just fine with relying on blind brand power. Doesn't he remind you of another President who lost his company the top spot because of his arrogant business strategy?

this has been the over-arching message in all of the recent PR and public statements. its basically as counter-intuitive you can get when approaching brand maintenence and enhancement.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

Zap, the problem doesn't lie in the value of the console...I don't think anyone will argue that $500-600 is a good price for a next-gen console and blu-ray player. Its great that the system is so advanced with extra features, but you're paying a premium for that, and for people that mainly want a next-gen console for the GAMES the price becaomes a barrier. I'm sure you can justify the price by saying "It plays BRD! Linux! Web Browser!" but for many MANY gamers these are extra features that are unimportant or secondary to the game playing aspect of the PS3. For them the minimum they'll be spending is $500 a $100 more than the comparable X360 premium (by comparable I mean the game playing side). Like someone said, its too expensive for a games console and cheap for a media player / games console. Problem is, most gamers, even hardcore ones would rather have a cheaper games console with fewer extras.

 

[Fishie flop oog]

What Ken is saying is all just rhetoric for the media, so they have something to talk about. Basically reverse damage control. Sony will often say something like "Why would we do a price drop" (to the PS2), like at GDC, and then a few months later drop it to $129. Throwing off the competition. Notice that Nintendo stays at their $99 bundle, and Xbox1 stays at 179+forza.

In the end, Sony fixed the Square button issue for those early PSP's fairly quickly. It's what they do, and not what they say that counts. People will blow things out of proportion for Sony PR statements. They know exactly what they want to accomplish from these press releases, and it's to stir up emotion from the internet and the insider crowd. In fact, the amount of rabid response in this short time validates what they are trying to do. And it's 6AM in the morning here.. :lol

I agree, its what they do and not what they say.

That being said, Spring release FTW, what you are about to see is all gameplay, rearview mirror, 600 is a steal bitch now bend over and take it.

 

[AzureRonin]

this has been the over-arching message in all of the recent PR and public statements. its basically as counter-intuitive you can get when approaching brand maintenence and enhancement.

He's not even saying that the PS3 is an amazing value. He's saying that people will buy the PS3 no matter what. To me that sounds like I'm stupid if I buy a PS3.

 

[gofreak]

But I think its fair to criticize him for being out of touch.

With whom? He seems quite aware of the issues here. You might have said he was "out of touch" if he was claiming everyone could easily afford this.

Now, consider where the vast majority of game console and software sales are made in North America: Wal-Mart and the other big-box and discount stores. You think the average Joe is going to jizz themselves over a $499 or $599 PS3? Well, actually, I guess they would. But after they clean themselves off, they'll look into that wallet or look at their maxed credit card and stop right there.

And what's so unique about PS3 in that regard? This is the same at every launch. Meanwhile the early market - the same kind of person who's going out and dropping $400+ on a 360 - will be looking at these systems this holiday and weighing them off for themselves.

The market is staggered. 100m people do not buy consoles at their launch prices. A small minority do.

Games still define a console's success for the most part. Attempts at convergence is a shortcut, a way to entice customers the easy way because providing actual worthwhile content is always more difficult.

Games are most important, yes, but there's no denying the role DVD playback had in PS2's success, particularly early on. If you're already percieved to be the best, it doesn't hurt to have even more plus points on your side, as probably was the case with PS2.

 

[Flo_Evans]

Zap, the problem doesn't lie in the value of the console...I don't think anyone will argue that $500-600 is a good price for a next-gen console and blu-ray player. Its great that the system is so advanced with extra features, but you're paying a premium for that, and for people that mainly want a next-gen console for the GAMES the price becaomes a barrier. I'm sure you can justify the price by saying "It plays BRD! Linux! Web Browser!" but for many MANY gamers these are extra features that are unimportant or secondary to the game playing aspect of the PS3. For them the minimum they'll be spending is $500 a $100 more than the comparable X360 premium (by comparable I mean the game playing side). Like someone said, its too expensive for a games console and cheap for a media player / games console. Problem is, most gamers, even hardcore ones would rather have a cheaper games console with fewer extras.

ok then buy a 360? Cheaper upfront and get raped on accessories to make the console 'complete' later?

 

[Mrbob]

I know Sony is going to a 65 process for their system spring 2007, and so is MS. For this reason I think you'll see a pricedrop quickly. Coincidentally, I think MS is the leader in control of pricedrops and not Sony. I remember when Sony dropped the PS2 100 bucks and MS had to follow suit 6 months after release with the Xbox. I think the same thing may happen in reverse. I wouldn't be surprised if MS puts the pressure on by dropping the system price 100 dollars in fall 2006 or spring 2007, and sony will have to follow suit with the same amount. This is why I'm not going to be buying a PS3 right away, because I have a feeling by May 2007 the system will be 100 dollars less than it is in November 2006.

 

[Fishie flop oog]

Except... it's not. Devices with equivalent functionalities right now costs thousands of dollars.

But humoring your point; if the PS3 is expensive, then everything else that costs more is simply unaffordable. For you, that is.

No they dont, unless you want to throw in a blu ray player in there as well.

 

[krypt0nian]

I know Sony is going to a 65 process for their system spring 2007, and so is MS. For this reason I think you'll see a pricedrop quickly. Coincidentally, I think MS is the leader in control of pricedrops and not Sony. I remember when Sony dropped the PS2 100 bucks and MS had to follow suit 6 months after release with the Xbox. I think the same thing may happen in reverse. I wouldn't be surprised if MS puts the pressure on by dropping the system price 100 dollars in fall 2006 or spring 2007, and sony will have to follow suit with the same amount. This is why I'm not going to be buying a PS3 right away, because I have a feeling by May 2007 the system will be 100 dollars less than it is in November 2006.

Totally on the same page here. I see price drops by E3 on both fronts.

 

[meltpotato]

Games are most important, yes, but there's no denying the role DVD playback had in PS2's success, particularly early on. If you're already percieved to be the best, it doesn't hurt to have even more plus points on your side, as probably was the case with PS2.

I disagree with this statement in every possible way. The PS2 was failure in every one of its "set-top box" aims, including the DVD player and I dont think anyone, certainly not more than 1%, of the install base purchased a PS2 for DVD. Furthermore, many people going into this gen have a memory of a DVD player that they never used ONCE in their videogame console. The reason for DVD play-back was oh we have it already so why not just let them use it, whereas with Blu-Ray they are sticking it in and saying USE THIS. Very signifigant distinction.

serious question: whatever happened to machines that were made to play games and provided hours of fun for all of us? can't even call it a console anymore for fucks sake.

 

[OG_Original Gamer]

There's gonna be some gamers blowing their whole income tax checks on a PS3 and maybe one or two games. The majority will probably be playing on standard televisions, those that have children to add to their 1040 will laugh with glee. So Sony fans better start pulling off that condom and start hittin it raw. When you release that nut, simultaneously scream PLAYSTATION 333333333333 here, I, COME!!.

Then fall asleep with visions PS3's bouncing in your head, be careful though. It may turn into a nightmare of Ken rear ending you without his pants on.

 

[krypt0nian]

I disagree with this statement in every possible way. The PS2 was failure in every one of its "set-top box" aims, including the DVD player and I dont think anyone, certainly not more than 1%, of the install base purchased a PS2 for DVD. Furthermore, many people going into this gen have a memory of a DVD player that they never used ONCE in their videogame console. The reason for DVD play-back was oh we have it already so why not just let them use it, whereas with Blu-Ray they are sticking it in and saying USE THIS. Very signifigant distinction.

Japan would beg to differ. They did purchse it as a DVD player at first. The attach rates were abyssmal and DVD sales were great if I recall correctly.

 

[Zombie James]

There's gonna be some gamers blowing their whole income tax checks on a PS3 and maybe one or two games. The majority will probably be playing on standard televisions, those that have children to add to their 1040 will laugh with glee. So Sony fans better start pulling off that condom and start hittin it raw. When you release that nut, simultaneously scream PLAYSTATION 333333333333 here, I, COME!!.

Then fall asleep with visions PS3's bouncing in your head, be careful though. It may turn into a nightmare of Ken rear ending you without his pants on.

WTF? :lol :lol :lol

 

[Pedigree Chum]

ok then buy a 360? Cheaper upfront and get raped on accessories to make the console 'complete' later?

The $400 X360 seems pretty "complete" to me.

 

[gofreak]

I disagree with this statement in every possible way. The PS2 was failure in every one of its "set-top box" aims, including the DVD player and I dont think anyone, certainly not more than 1%, of the install base purchased a PS2 for DVD.

TBH, I think it helped PS2 sink more than one rival, so I couldn't disagree more either! In my experience, at least. I worked in retail a number of years ago, and nearly everyone coming in looking to buy a console asked about DVD playback. Gamecube suffered enormously because of this. It's just my experience, but it was a pretty consistent one, and as far as earlier rivals go, the DVD issue is cited more often than not as a significant factor (enough that at one point, here, whole DVD players were being bundled with DC toward the end of its life).

 

[meltpotato]

Japan would beg to differ. They did purchse it as a DVD player at first. The attach rates were abyssmal and DVD sales were great if I recall correctly.

you recall incorrectly. The attach-rates were abysmal because of the games. everyone bought TTT and thats it. there was no surge of DVD sales regardless of what GamePro may have said.

TBH, I think it helped PS2 sink more than one rival, so I couldn't disagree more either! In my experience, at least. I worked in retail a number of years ago, and nearly everyone coming in looking to buy a console asked about DVD playback. Gamecube suffered enormously because of this. It's just my experience, but it was a pretty consistent one, and as far as earlier rivals go, the DVD issue is cited more often than not as a significant factor (enough that at one point, here, whole DVD players were being bundled with DC toward the end of its life).

as for the DC, that was simply hype. And it worked flawlessly. This time though, people are going into things realizing that they never used the DVD player and most-likely not having an HDTV. I'd say its a real turn-around of perceived value.

 

[Flo_Evans]

I disagree with this statement in every possible way. The PS2 was failure in every one of its "set-top box" aims, including the DVD player and I dont think anyone, certainly not more than 1%, of the install base purchased a PS2 for DVD. Furthermore, many people going into this gen have a memory of a DVD player that they never used ONCE in their videogame console. The reason for DVD play-back was oh we have it already so why not just let them use it, whereas with Blu-Ray they are sticking it in and saying USE THIS. Very signifigant distinction.

serious question: whatever happened to machines that were made to play games and provided hours of fun for all of us? can't even call it a console anymore for fucks sake.

really? all you would hear circa 2001 is "the japanese are just buying the PS2 cause its a cheap DVD player! they are like $5000 dollars over there! lolz"

Personaly I held off on buying a seperate DVD player before the PS2s launch and have watched a shit ton of DVD on my PS2.

 

[Bizarro Sun Yat-sen]

I disagree with this statement in every possible way. The PS2 was failure in every one of its "set-top box" aims, including the DVD player and I dont think anyone, certainly not more than 1%, of the install base purchased a PS2 for DVD.

huh? This is 180 degrees wrong. DVD playback was a huge driver of PS2 sales at launch --- it was the cheapest DVD player available at the time!

 

[Fishie flop oog]

Given that you can plug any old HDD into the system, I think Linux will recognise any standard KB/mouse.



They showed one working at E3 in the main PS3 OS, not in Linux. If Linux is linux..obviously you should be able to get any browser that's available for it.




HD movies? Probably.

Hmmm, lets see.
Linux is pre installed on the included HD from what I have been told.
So if you plug in a standard 2.5inch HDD you lose Linux, unles they include a disc with the OS on that is.
Too many insecurities at this point.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

And what's so unique about PS3 in that regard? This is the same at every launch. Meanwhile the early market - the same kind of person who's going out and dropping $400+ on a 360 - will be looking at these systems this holiday and weighing them off for themselves.

The market is staggered. 100m people do not buy consoles at their launch prices. A small minority do.

What's unique is that no one in NA has even seen a console for that price. (Most people don't even know what a 3DO is, or even remember the $700 price tag it had for all of its amazing multimedia happiness and superior hardware.) Another unique bit is that while this generation is just getting started, the competitors in the new generation field have NEVER been so disparately priced from each other. It's entirely new ground, from a pricing perspective.

The PS3 and X360 will have nearly identical software lineups and Sony, AFAICS, has no absolute killer app at launch. MS has GoW and several other big titles hitting big with big marketing, as well as the new Madden for two months before Sony's new machine is even out.

X360 will be in such high supply that there won't be the kind of forced bundling going on while PS3 will likely be trapped into that package at many of the same stores...stretching that price difference out massively. MS could start the mass market rush toward next-gen by dropping in price...accelerating the traditional timing of lower-income buyers into the new generation. Hell, that might happen if PS3's price is so well-known that they make X360 look like the new plateau from which the non-hardcore jumps in.

In other words: MS and Ninty (right from the start) target the masses earlier than Sony, who is still only selling to the hardcore, leading to a huge and fairly static average sales lead on a month by month basis for a year to two years. How could Sony come back from that with the current pricing and their losses on each unit?

 

[gofreak]

Hmmm, lets see.
Linux is pre installed on the included HD from what I have been told.
So if you plug in a standard 2.5inch HDD you lose Linux, unles they include a disc with the OS on that is.
Too many insecurities at this point.

It would not surprise me if it came with a CD for the Linux install. There's always back-ups also, you can plug in external HDDs/flashdrives if you wish via USB.

 

[ghst]

TBH, I think it helped PS2 sink more than one rival, so I couldn't disagree more either! In my experience, at least. I worked in retail a number of years ago, and nearly everyone coming in looking to buy a console asked about DVD playback. Gamecube suffered enormously because of this. It's just my experience, but it was a pretty consistent one, and as far as earlier rivals go, the DVD issue is cited more often than not as a significant factor (enough that at one point, here, whole DVD players were being bundled with DC toward the end of its life).

Truth. PS2 DVD was a really big deal, but anyone who thinks BluRay next year is going to be as must-have as DVD was after PS2s first year/price drop is totally kidding themself.

 

[meltpotato]

really? all you would hear circa 2001 is "the japanese are just buying the PS2 cause its a cheap DVD player! they are like $5000 dollars over there! lolz"

Personaly I held off on buying a seperate DVD player before the PS2s launch and have watched a shit ton of DVD on my PS2.

There were a lot of things people were saying in the DC/PS2 days. And I think you must mean 2000, not 2001.

 

[AzureRonin]

Blu-Ray isn't even a proven format. DVD was when the PS2 came out. There is just too much uncertainty about blu-ray at this point. By the time the new format is decided upon it will be time for a new console anyways.

 

[krypt0nian]

There were a lot of things people were saying in the DC/PS2 days. And I think you must mean 2000, not 2001.

and one of the true ones was "people are buying a PS2 as a cheap DVD player in Japan"

 

[Zombie James]

Blu-Ray isn't even a proven format.

Catch-22.

 

[gofreak]

What's unique is that no one in NA has even seen a console for that price.

They hadn't seen a Xbox 360 at $400 either.

The other systems your referencing had many other problems in addition to price.

Another unique bit is that while this generation is just getting started, the competitors in the new generation field have NEVER been so disparately priced from each other.

Wii will be out on its own. The other two? Not really. There's $100 in the difference between credible alternatives there, or 25% relative to their prices.

The PS3 and X360 will have nearly identical software lineups and Sony

Maybe this is subjective depending on what one looks for, but I'd disagree.

MS could start the mass market rush toward next-gen by dropping in price...accelerating the traditional timing of lower-income buyers into the new generation.

And this is what I've said MS should do, if they want to put a lot of pressure on Sony..at least come Spring next year, anyway. I doubt a pricedrop would affect the initial PS3 adoption.

Truth. PS2 DVD was a really big deal, but anyone who thinks BluRay next year is going to be as must-have as DVD was after PS2s first year/price drop is totally kidding themself.

I wasn't drawing the parallel. It is a different scenario, but not necessarily all bad different.

I think generally Blu-ray is often dismissed too casually in these debates, however. I think once it's on the market and has presence, it could be very relevant to the early - predominantly HDTV-owning - market. And the wider market will look different in 2 or 3 years than it does today, not to mention the wider gaming market.

 

[meltpotato]

Blu-Ray isn't even a proven format. DVD was when the PS2 came out. There is just too much uncertainty about blu-ray at this point. By the time the new format is decided upon it will be time for a new console anyways.

exactly. its a categorically different situation coupled with the memory of a stagnant DVD player in the PS2 at home.

For the record, im not saying BluRay isnt going to be something of value to games, but i refuse to believe that it will drive many playback sales.

and one of the true ones was "people are buying a PS2 as a cheap DVD player in Japan"

youre completely wrong. There was no signifigant rise in DVD sales that did not matcht he standalone adoption curve, there was no "buzz" in japan about dang i can get a DVD player now. It was a bell and a little bit of a whistle. they showed it play the Matrix. The only thing you saw was people who bought a console and said wtf might as well buy a DVD, and even that was not some sort of norm.