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PS4 launching in India

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I’m still ridiculously jealous of Geoff and Darryn and all the rest of you who have PS4s. I also still want an Xbox One, although I’m seriously wondering when it will ever make it to our shores. PS4 is getting a head start in plenty of countries – their latest announcement is for India. But will naan of the people be able to afford it?

Launching on 6 January 2014, the PS4 will be priced at Rs. 39 990 (Indian Rupees). With current exchange rate, that’s about R6 650 or $640. Yeah, that’s pretty expensive. The games will also set Indians back quite a bit, although not as much as they cost here:

  • FIFA 14 = Rs. 4 499 (R748 / $72)
  • Knack = Rs. 3 999 (R664 / $64)
  • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag = Rs. 3 499 (R582 / $56)

Honestly, I understand that international launches are expensive for companies – they already generally take a loss on every console sold as it is, something that’s compounded with gambling on exchange rates and worrying about import/export costs. I’m glad to see that the Indians will be able to get their hands on the new console, and a jealous of their game costs. That said, I’m not sure how it works with price parity – how rich do you have to be by Indian standards for afford the PS4? Then again, how rich do you have to be by South African standards to afford it either?

The bigger question for me is where is Microsoft in all of this? There is certainly demand for the Xbox One in other countries – when will they give us release dates, or even just a window? At this point, I’d just be happy if they specified the quarter during which we could expect it. Maybe they are trying to secure full market penetration in the original launch countries, but if Microsoft doesn’t launch in the other countries soon, it will be very hard for them to regain the foothold they garnered with Xbox 360.

Also, why does Knack cost more than Assassin’s Creed IV?

Last Updated: December 19, 2013

7 Comments

  1. Umar of The Rebellion

    December 19, 2013 at 15:23

    HAHAHAHA I see what you did there Zoe..naan 🙂

    Reply

    • Her Highness the Hipster

      December 19, 2013 at 15:37

      hehe! sadly, that pun made me hungry

      Reply

      • Umar of The Rebellion

        December 19, 2013 at 15:37

        Some naan with lamb curry……………..sigh. I need Indian cuisine now

        Reply

        • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

          December 19, 2013 at 19:15

          mmm naan bread with some dahl, and a nice strong curry…. 😀 I’m so hungry now

          Reply

  2. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    December 19, 2013 at 19:11

    India is essentially just like South Africa, or should I say all emerging markets have some things in common. For one thing, you do have extreme poverty, but you also have a rapidly expanding middle class (with tastes and desires very similar to developed countries). They’re actually doing exceptionally well in recent years.Their economy is strong and they’ve become a tech innovator (which has cemented their place among fellow members of BRIC). They’re extremely focussed on education (unlike us), and their workers (especially their academics) are in high demand in the US and Europe. Of course, like most emerging economies they’re trying to curb the brain drain… – an uphill battle if there ever was one.

    Also, their gaming industry has grown exponentially over the last few years. In fact, purely in terms of buying power their gamers eclipses ours (of course, it kind of help if you have a population of over a billion). But, their gaming fraternity is still young, and much like with us, the stigma exists that gaming is for kids.

    But I think in a couple of years, India alongside China could become major territories for gaming. It’s only a matter of time.

    Reply

  3. illsystem

    December 20, 2013 at 08:39

    I will buy you one for you Zoe…

    Reply

  4. illsystem

    December 20, 2013 at 08:41

    Oh, and BTW: Sadly Xbox One launches in Nov 2014 in SA….

    Reply

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