Don't compare PS3 with Wii, says Sony AU
via cvg
SCEA's Managing Director Michael Ephraim has told attendees to a media launch event in Australia that Wii is a "completely different" product to Wii.
"We think PS3 is not a product to be compared with Wii, it is a completely different product. This is a digital hub, that is a games console, he said. "If you want to look at comparisons with our other competitors, to maximise Xbox 360, you need Media Centre, you need a PC. And now if you want to play high-definition movies (and we can argue which format is going to win) you have to spend another $249. Xbox is significantly dearer than PS3 for what it can do straight out of the box. Then you have Media Centre, HD-DVD drive, wireless adapter."
Ephraim has also come under fire over the high price of the system compared the US and Japan launches. "Compared to Europe and the UK, we're right in line. We can have an endless argument about who do you compare price with: US or Europe. If you compare to Europe, our price is spot on," he explained.
And what of the much-talked about price cut? "Consumers also need to understand that Sony has spent US$ billion on the development of the Cell chip, the R 'n D for PS3, and the logistics of bringing this product to market. A lot of analysts have commented that Sony is losing money on this device every time we sell one. So at least we can assure the punters in Australia that we're not 'ripping them off' if we're selling it at a loss. We're in line with UK and Europe, comparable products cost more in Australia, and we will do our best to bring the price down as soon as we can."
