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“Hope You Like Spending Money,“ Says Sony
9-May-2006
Written by: Alexander Rogers
Boon expected for banks as number of second and third mortgages expected to rise with release of Playstation 3 game console
With E3, the gaming industry's biggest and most glamorous trade show, a mere day from its beginning in Los Angeles, the number of gaming and industry-related announcement has evolved from a trickle into a full-fledged torrent. On Monday, Sony, the Japanese company that has become the undisputed console king worldwide thanks to the playstation 2, announced the long-awaited release data and retail price of the next-generation iteration of the system, the aptly-named Playstation 3. The release dates, Nov. 12 for Japan and Nov. 17 in the U.S. put an air of finality over a question that had frustrated some journalists and former Playstation junkies, who watched as Sony's Johnny-come-lately competitor in gaming, Microsoft, released their own next-gen console, the X-box 360, last holiday season while the PS3 was held back after an initial release date of spring '06. The asking price, however, left some wondering if Sony would really be able to hold onto the market the way they had with the PS2. The cheapest iteration of the system comes at a whopping 499 smackers, while an enhanced system (read: not as likely to break or require immediate add-ons) will set you back $599 in rent. If you think we have it bad, consider that's probably untold thousands in Yen for the Japanese gamer.
The sticker shock was clearly felt by the assembly of fans and journalists at the floor of the event, many of whom felt that despite Sony's ardent rhetoric, the new system didn't boast enough features or game quality enhancements over the X-Box 360 (priced at $399 for the expensive version) to warrant the extra cost. Of course, the real cost of the PS3 will be counted by the number of bank foreclosures and corporate "sick days" come November.
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