Lately, I have found more and more faith being is being placed in Sony as a company. They seemed to have stopped doing the ridiculous things they did before, like Katuragi talking about the broken square button on the PSP or the original pricepoint of the PS3, and finally getting their act together. Especially after playing Metal Gear Solid 4 recently, I thought Sony were preparing an all-out assault in trying to get back into the game in 2009.
Until I read their most recent press release.
Read it after the jump.
Here is the full release, retrieved from VGChartzÂ
Keeping Gaming and Entertainment Simple
The 2008 holiday season was an exciting time for video gaming and the Blu-ray side of the interactive entertainment industry, and 2009 promises to follow suit. As consumers continue to invest in their entertainment needs this new year, the feature sets of the three multi-functional gaming systems — PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and Wii — become that much more important to consider.
PLAYSTATION 3 has always been about streamlining the gaming and entertainment experience by giving consumers the most features and functionality out of the box, there is no immediate need to upgrade anything to get a rich entertainment experience, as the console comes standard with:
- Built in Blu-ray drive for HD movies and mind-blowing games
- Built in Wi-Fi for wireless gaming and Internet access
- Huge hard drives for storing games, movies, music photos and more
- Free online gaming and entertainment access through PSN
- Ten year’s of value with a future-proof system via firmware updates that offer new services and features
The Xbox 360 and Wii offer a set of features in their own right. However, when you take a look at the feature offerings side by side, there is only one true winner in delivering total value and price.
We’ve compared the lowest entry points from each manufacturer — PS3 80GB – $399, Xbox 360 Arcade – $199, Wii – $249.
Â
| Functionality | Playstation 3 80gb | Xbox 360 Arcade | Wii |
| Out of the box console | $399 | $199 | $249 |
| Wi-Fi | YES | $100 add-on | YES |
| Harddrive | YES (80gb) | $100-150 (60-120GB) | Not available |
| Online Gaming Service | YES | $50 a year | Limited |
| Blu-ray gaming/movies | YES | Not Available | Not Available |
| HDMI Output | YES | Not Available on Earlier Models | Not Available |
| Total Cost | $399 | $449-499 | $249 |
Â
The PS3 is the perfect example of a product featuring superior technology and a sophisticated design creating an ideal all-in-one entertainment product. The Xbox 360 requires additional money, multiple upgrades and additional external devices, putting a burden on the wallet and adds clutter to the entertainment center. And the Wii’s lack of enhanced features comes at the expense of a comprehensive entertainment solution. So as PS3 continues to evolve without the need for additional parts or expenses, expect the competition to continue peddling add-ons in an effort to keep up with the Jones’.
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Surely there is something more important to put in a press release other than stuff we already know? A price-drop is a good start, or the release date of a high profile game? Come on Sony, this is petty, you are capable of much more than this.
Source: VGChartzÂ
[Ed] Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg has responded to this bizarre Sony Press release by stating“First, I would say we absolutely would not want to trade places with Sony,” Â and “We feel like being half the price of the PS3 served us quite well this holiday”
Personally I am surprised that Sony stooped to using a flawed comparison grid that has been floating around the Internet for ages, they seemed to be getting back into the swing of things nicely and have now shot themselves in the foot again
Last Updated: January 13, 2009
easy
January 13, 2009 at 09:27
how on earth is it flawed? not that i’m condoning such a press release (and ms is not immune to this sort of rhetoric either), but the facts remain, ps3 offers a better package out of the box from a hardware point of view.
as for what it offers from a gaming point of view is up to the buyer.
darthdad
January 13, 2009 at 09:30
Where have all the smileys gone?
I could really use one right now.
SlippyMadFrog
January 13, 2009 at 09:36
That looks more like a PS3 fanboy rant than a Sony press release.
“So as PS3 continues to evolve without the need for additional parts or expenses, expect the competition to continue peddling add-ons in an effort to keep up with the Jones”
In my 2 years of Xbox360 ownership I have not bought 1 add-on in order to “keep up with the Jones'”.
SlippyMadFrog
January 13, 2009 at 09:37
Also, the release of the Dual Shock 3 and trophies seem more like “keeping up with the Jones'” than anything.
Macethy
January 13, 2009 at 09:37
Exactly 🙁 (That’s the only one i know)
Rudolph
January 13, 2009 at 10:07
You can’t state the “Total Cost” as $449-499 for the arcade, as the “Total Cost” depends on what the customer wants. I don’t want nor do i need Wi-Fi, i don’t want a HDD as i just save games to memory stick, and i don’t play online. Thus my total cost is still only $199
StNick
January 13, 2009 at 10:24
I fail to see how it’s flawed. All looks legit to me.
It’s old news yes, but if Sony put this sorta thing “out there” more often, they would probably sell a lot more consoles.
When mom and dad go to the store to buy a gaming console for their kids, price is king. If they were a little more informed, perhaps things would be different.
Bacon
January 13, 2009 at 10:46
agreed.
Aequitas
January 13, 2009 at 11:07
actually, since “mom and dad” think that price is king, the arcade will still look more cost effective to them … they don’t care about all the extras, just so long as little johnny gets a console. And the arcade is cheaper.
easy
January 13, 2009 at 11:18
thats why you bought an xbox as it suited your needs, mine suited the ps3.
so as i stated its up to the buyer what each consoles true value is. everybody wins.
LazySAGamer
January 13, 2009 at 11:57
Sorry about that but the smiley plug in had some technical issues for people using Internet Explorer, I don’t know how long it was happening for but when I was testing the new site I picked it up and removed the plug in.
If I find a better one I will re-install it
LazySAGamer
January 13, 2009 at 11:59
It’s flawed because Sony are implying that all 360 owners want or need Wi-Fi and a HDD.
I have never needed a wi-fi adaptor and the many people I know with Arcades are more than happy without a HDD.
Also HDMI is available on all new models and if we are going to look at old models then we can say that the PS3 didn’t have Wifi (20GB)…
StNick
January 13, 2009 at 12:11
Yeah but the problem is, people think that they are comparing apples with apples and they really aren’t! They walk away thinking, “Wow, the PS3 is so much more expensive than the Xbox!” but they have no idea that you’re getting a lot more in the box.
Whether they need it or not, there are perfectly legitimate reasons why the PS3 costs more, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with Sony pointing that out to prospective buyers!
If it was me that was receiving a gift from my parents, I know for a fact that I would end up having to buy the Wi-fi adapter and HDD because my folks thought that they were getting me the same thing at half the price.
It isn’t.
StNick
January 13, 2009 at 12:20
I don’t think they are implying that at all.
What they are implying is that a HDD, Wi-fi and Bluray make for a better experience, and they are right.
These things cost money, if you don’t want them, get the Xbox Arcade, but for god’s sake, BE INFORMED!
LazySAGamer
January 13, 2009 at 12:36
Blu-Ray doesn’t make for a better gaming experience and neither does Wi-Fi. It’s all subjective and can be argued in circles, which is why I think it’s flawed.
darthdad
January 13, 2009 at 12:37
Well put.
Lydon
January 13, 2009 at 12:40
Exactly, so Sony comparing the Xbox to the PS3 is then a very stupid move as as you stated, the console isn’t suited to the needs of the customer who picks a $199 360.
PaasHaas
January 13, 2009 at 12:55
Sadly thats only true if this article focused on selling the “gaming” aspect of console alone, which it clearly isnt.
Making it a perfectly valid argument as a “Gaming and entertainment experiance” as from the article.
Sony should market their advantages in these areas and comparing it to their compition seems like the obvious thing to do
PaasHaas
January 13, 2009 at 12:57
This should however not have been done in a press release imo
Karl
January 13, 2009 at 13:04
This is a press release, ergo it was only sent to member of the press. The people who know this already. So that doesn’t help Captain Average Consumer looking for a console for his/her self or family.
Karl
January 13, 2009 at 13:06
Yes the PS3 does give you more in terms of hardware. And I think that’s fantastic as its a killer piece of kit. But $500 is $500.
Its like arguing a Mercedes is better than a Golf. Of course it is as it comes with more/better stuff. However, it costs 3x as much and accomplishes the same thing. Its the same case here.
The PS3 isn’t overpriced, it just priced itself out of the market.
LazySAGamer
January 13, 2009 at 13:10
Er they are coming back but I can’t seem to find normal ones…
Feel free to let me know if you run into any issues
ewie
January 13, 2009 at 13:28
So does backward comparability – so add another $99 to the ps3 price.
Fudzy
January 13, 2009 at 13:41
I guess if you’re using the Golf vs Mercedes argument. You could also say the Mercedes is a lot less likely to crash too 😉
I disagree that it’s priced itself out of the market. There will be those who can afford the system and enjoy it’s extra features as well as those who are brand-blinkered.
StNick
January 13, 2009 at 13:54
That’s exactly what I am getting at. With the PS3, you’re getting MORE than a JUST a gaming console. People should be aware of that before thinking that Sony are simply asking double the price for the same thing.
Aequitas
January 13, 2009 at 14:58
The problem is, a gaming console is a gaming console is a gaming console. If the PS3 was marketed as an “entertainment center” then it would be marketed at adults who wanted a high-def experience and blu-ray drive.
But they are competing in the gaming console space …. mentioning the Wii and 360 in their press release is not going to help get them into a different (and much smaller) market space :/
When you want to buy a gaming console, if you can get the same experience (I’m talking about multi-platform games here) on a console that is thousands of rands cheaper, then it’s pretty obvious which one you’re going to choose.
janrik
January 13, 2009 at 15:19
Well put.
Besides, most Hardcore gamers have both by now.
The market is now for casual gamers and that the Wii has cornered. The 360 is trying and making some inroads there, but the battle for console sales have been won by Nintendo a year ago already.
It is this kind of statements by Sony that frustrates me, I used to be a major PS fan boy, but the xbox changed that forever.
I go where my money can buy me the best gaming experience, and for me that is the 360 at this point in time.
My PS3 is plays my Blu-ray movies and the odd exclusive.
Fox1
January 13, 2009 at 17:01
So why the need to defend the PS3 in 2009 and after the holiday season?
I think it’s because the 360 just creamed the PS3 over the holiday season in Europe 😛
Fox1
January 13, 2009 at 17:02
Lazy- We need a Mr Green smiley. 8)
Valante
January 13, 2009 at 19:06
*sigh* Another PS3 bashing article by LG 🙁
LazySAGamer
January 13, 2009 at 22:09
It’s a new year but nothing has changed, Sony still make bad decisions every now and then and Microsoft has still jacked up their price idiotically in SA.
We report on what’s happening.