The war of words between Sony and Microsoft will not end. With Microsoft’s Peter Moore raving about the price of the PS3 game console, surely people aren’t expecting Sony CEO Steve Howard to turn the other cheek. It’s pathetic to see two guys in power suits and power ties arguing like two kids on a playground. It seems to me that they are fighting over who could spit the farthest. But since Moore has been hounding the publicity, well, we might as well give the timid Howard a chance to defend the PS3 games from him.
Microsoft’s Peter Moore, it should be recalled, used the price of Sony’s console as a springboard to launch a new Xbox 360 marketing campaign. Moore issued claims that gamers get more value by buying a Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360 for the price. of a single PS3 game console. There’s no doubt that the statement made even die-hard Sony fans hesitant to buy a PS3. After all, $600 is a lot of money. Plus, the choice Moore offers is obvious: It’s a choice between two next-gen consoles and more gaming options or a PS3. Sony has to act; and the usually quiet Steve Howard finally broke his silence.
At a recent press conference in Tokyo, Sony Corp’s Steve Howard issued a statement justifying the price of Sony’s new console. He stated that by purchasing a PS3 game console, consumers are actually buying potential. Such a vague statement needed further clarification and Howard agreed. According to him, although the PS3 console is certainly more expensive ($599) than Microsoft’s Xbox 360 ($300) or Nintendo’s Wii ($250), it offers users Blu-ray technology, touted as the technology of the future. Furthermore, if the performance of Sony’s new console reaches its full potential, users would benefit from more advanced technology and more years of use. Howard also hinted in his statement that the Xbox 360 and Wii are cheaper because they are merely “transitional” consoles with inferior technology compared to the futuristic PS3.
However, market analysts and their servants seriously doubt this statement by Howard. Times are tough and people will surely think if the PS3 game console is worth its price. This can quickly look bad for Sony because reviews show that PS3’s Blu-ray compatible graphics are only equal to those of cheaper consoles. If there are differences, they are very unclear, unless you want to spend your game time analyzing the graphical pixels. Even the controller is considered inferior to the PS1 of seven years ago.
In fact, the Wii sports a much better controller. Furthermore, the argument based on Howard’s potential is stretched too thin and ill-supported. What if the new PS3 didn’t reach its full potential? Then there is the case of disappointed consumers complaining about their loss. What about the long years of use? I doubt it will be five years before the gaming giants come up with a new prototype console. Surely Howard can come up with something stronger than a “potential” argument. PS3 gaming enthusiasts need more fuel for their cause. In the meantime, you know what makes me excited to hear? Peter Moore’s answer to the “potential” of Sony.
