Thursday, April 6, 2006
Senior Sony Exec Talks PS3 Price
Posted by Jeremy Charette in "NEWS" @ 07:15 AM
"A Gamasutra story points to a Europe 1 french radio interview with George Fornay, president of Sony Computer Entertainment France and vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. The interview yielded the first public comment from a senior Sony executive on the pricing for Sony's next-generation console. Fornay said on French radio that the PS3 will cost "around 500 euro [$613], in the range of 499 to 599 euro [$612 to 734]." Sony Computer Entertainment president, Ken Kutaragi has mentioned that the system was going to be expensive, but $612 expensive? If Sony's pricepoint for the PS3 is $599 in America, will you be standing in line to buy one? Would a more palatable pricepoint of $499 have you camping out in the cold come early November for a PS3? While nothing Fornay says points to the price slipping that low, keep in mind Sony hasn't confirmed, commented or made any indication about what the North American pricepoint will be."
Keep in mind that typically, pricing for consumer electronics in the US is lower than in Europe. Take for example the Xbox 360, which is approximately 399 Euro ($487 USD) across the pond, but $399 USD in North America. I think a 1:1 currency translation is more realistic. I doubt that Sony will price the PS3 above $600 in the US. To do so would be to commit suicide in the North American gaming market. I think $400 is that critical crossover point where an electronics purchase goes from want to need. Anything over that, and it's considered a long-term investment (like a television, refrigerator, or washing machine). Maybe high prices are Sony's way to counter the supply/demand problem?
Keep in mind that typically, pricing for consumer electronics in the US is lower than in Europe. Take for example the Xbox 360, which is approximately 399 Euro ($487 USD) across the pond, but $399 USD in North America. I think a 1:1 currency translation is more realistic. I doubt that Sony will price the PS3 above $600 in the US. To do so would be to commit suicide in the North American gaming market. I think $400 is that critical crossover point where an electronics purchase goes from want to need. Anything over that, and it's considered a long-term investment (like a television, refrigerator, or washing machine). Maybe high prices are Sony's way to counter the supply/demand problem?
