X-bit labs

Sony: Nintendo Wii – A Console to Get.

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 05/15/2006 | 11:36 PM ]

A vice president at Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said in an interview during the E3 trade-show that the consumers should buy Nintendo’s Wii as a second game console after the PlayStation 3. A similar thing has been said by an executive at Microsoft Corp. about the Wii and, Sony PS3’s main competitor, Xbox 360 game console.

“I think Peter Moore is exactly right. I think Nintendo will be the second system consumers purchase after PlayStation 3. I haven’t had a chance to check out the Wii myself, but Nintendo has a great history of innovation and has always done great things for gaming and long may they do so. But as it relates to our strategy they are very much in a different market,” said Phil Harrison, a vice president at SCEI, in an interview with GamePro.com.

Microsoft’s premium Xbox 360 version costs $399 today, whereas Nintendo’s Wii game console is rumoured to sell for $199. The top-of-the-range version of PlayStation 3 console, which will be able to play Blu-ray disc movies, will cost $599, by contrast. Recently Microsoft’s Peter Moore said that consumers should purchase an Xbox 360 and a Wii, but avoid Sony’s forthcoming PlayStation.

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 cannot play HD DVD movies by default, but requires a separate HD DVD drive, which costs additional money. Keeping this in mind, Sony defended price-point of the PlayStation 3 and indicated that the value it will have will appeal to customers.

“It’s clearly a case that PlayStation 3’s price is justified by PlayStation 3’s value. That’s what consumers base their purchasing decisions on – value. What we have in addition to a great game system is a Blu-ray player, a network platform, a new controller, and HDD in every system combined in an unbelievably compelling package. And frankly I’m amazed that we can do it so cheaply,” Mr. Harrison said.

The PlayStation 3 will be launched on 11th of November in Japan and on the 17th of November in Australia, Europe, U.S. and other regions. There will be two versions of the console available, one is equipped with 20GB hard disk drive – it will have recommended price of $499 (€499), another features 60GB hard drive, wireless networking, HDMI output and Blu-ray disc playback capability – it will be offered for $599 (€599), which makes the PlayStation 3 the world’s most expensive game console.

Sony currently dominates the worldwide video game market with a 66% share, while Microsoft and Nintendo each hold 17%, according to Strategy Analytics.