is the PS3 really only for the rich?

Question

600$ yes i have the right to complain,. I find it unfair many people love games and the systems for games are getting more pricey each time, soon only the rich can have a lot of that stuff. i almost didnt get the PS2 for Christmas due to money issue's....so i know i won't be able to afford the PS3....by the time i can afford they will have a new system out and the PS3 is nothing. Sony when they get a new game system out, stop making games for the other systems, this happened with the PS1 after PS2 came out they stopped making games for one....or at least made a few for it, this is how it might be when PS3 comes out

Answer 1

When a company makes a new console, they gradually stop releasing games for the preceding console to get gamers to buy the new one. You can complain about it, but that's the way it is.

But I do agree with you. The PS3's price is ridiculous. What's even more ridiculous is that people are paying it. I saw an eBay auction yesterday where someone sold a PS3 for over $3,000!

I'm a huge gamer. Always have been, and I hope that never changes. I own all three current gen consoles and play them all regularly. Unfortunately, I will not have the means to obtain a 360 or a PS3 at any time in the near future, and it will probably be a while before I get my hands on the Wii. I can't imagine that the same is not true for the majority of gamers out there.

Gaming is becoming way too expensive, in general. Less than 10% of American households, for example, have an HDTV (or can afford one), yet an HDTV is pretty much required to get the most out of a 360 or a PS3. Games are getting more expensive to develop all the time, and that means higher costs for us.

Sony fans like to point out that each PS3 consoles costs over $1,000 to make, and that we as gamers are getting a great deal at $500/$600. That would be great if we were all insane over and begging for the new BluRay format, but most of us are not. We want to play games, format be damned. The inclusion of the BluRay format is not some altruistic move on Sony's part. They are a business, not anyone's friend. They want people to buy the PS3, buy BluRay discs, and help them win the "format war" between BluRay and HD-DVD. That's one way they will recoup the losses on each system: BluRay movie sales (assuming their format catches on).

It's also a very common move for a console maker to create consoles and sell them at a loss. That's because in the gaming industry, money comes primarily from software sales, not hardware sales. Sony is not going out on a limb because they like and care about us and they are certainly not doing something unheard of in the business. They are marketing a new console and format and they expect everyone to suck it up and pay because they know most of us will do anything to get our hands on the more popular third party franchises to which they have the exclusive rights, like Final Fantasy.

Not that the PS3 will fail, but Sony has made a massive mistake, born of hubris, and I fully expect them to feel it in overall sales. If the industry continues on this course, I expect another "crash" in the future.

Scott M: You're wrong. They are selling each unit at a massive loss. A BluRay player alone costs around $1,000. They can afford to do that because, due to their grip on the third party developers, they have built up a strong brand recognition during the PSX/PS2 eras and are guaranteed to sell no matter the price they ask.

Sony is not a gaming company. They are an electronics company. They have loads of revenue from other electronics sales, and taking a loss on each console is not a big deal to them. The PS3 could outright flop (it won't) and the company would hardly feel it. The same is true of Microsoft and the 360.

Nintendo, by comparison, makes nearly all of their money through their games. They are less able to handle an expensive console with a huge loss on each system.

Answer 2

A PS3 is a privilage for those who can afford to purchase one. Just because you want something doesn't make it your right to have it.

The PS3 costs Sony somewhere between $725 and $900 to produce. They will sell them at a LOSS. They are able to sell the consoles at a loss because they make large profits on accessories and games. The Xbox 360 is also produced at a loss to Microsoft.

It's not a conspiracy. It costs a lot to build and they still sell it for less. It's expensive technology, don't be surprised by an expensive price tag.

Answer 3

they use blue ray discs which cost alot of money without the game on it. It'll be a lot.

Answer 4

For now, it is.

But, the price will drop after a while.

Answer 5

nope it is not.... i work at best buy and everyhting about this system is absolutely FANTASTIC.. like you have no idea there is a reason and one hell of a good reason that it is worth 600$... get one..... if you can that is...