PS3 is good value, says Eidos boss

Eidos CEO Bill Gardner has said he doesn't believe that PS3 is priced too high - but conceded that even a USD 100 price drop may not be enough to sell the machine to the mass market.

Speaking in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz Gardner said, "Sony is a big company. They know what they are doing.

"I don't think [the price cut] is enough to reach the mass consumer, but I think it is enough to get it moving again, and it will move a little bit further, and they'll need to do it again and it will move a bit further."

According to Gardner, PlayStation 3 is good value considering it includes a Blu-ray player at a relatively competitive price point.

"Go buy an HD or a Blu-ray player. Go ahead. Tell me what it costs you. Then take a look at the PS3," he said.

"I don't think [PS3 is too expensive. I do think we'll start to see additional people pick it up and use it, maybe not necessarily exclusively as a game player but as a Blu-ray player and a game player, and there is an advantage to that."

For more from Gardner, including why Eidos doesn't believe in producing day one software for new consoles, read the full interview.

[Ebay3rd]

I also think the PS3 is a good deal, you get alot for your money and as we all know the newest technology cost so if you want it you gotta pay...

[Torch]

Personally, it's a helluva good deal.

The problem is that the PS3 became the victim of a snowball effect of criticism since it's initial price announcement.

Yet few point the finger at the many other products which fall within - or exceed - the price range of the PS3. Those people fail (or refuse) to realize the amount of features and value that come with a product that costs the same as an iPhone...a MERE FRIGGIN' PHONE for Christ's sake!!!

And all said critics should realize that no one's got a gun pointed to their head: Our market provides the luxury of substitute products.

So go ahead and pick up a 360 Premium instead...it's 'cheaper' after all, right? Well that is, as long as you don't want native wi-fi, HD capabilities, Bluetooth, myriad memory card options, universal storage capabilities, rock-solid hardware reliability (thus far, anyway), and free network access.

You can always buy those often inevitable and critical 'add-ons' if you want (such as a larger hard drive, tacked-on Wifi, Live account access, etc.)

Just don't keep tally of those additional accumulating expenses, or compare features...or you'll be in for a rude awakening and realize what a steal the PS3 really is.

My intention isn't to start a pissing contest; it's only to try to make you realize that just because most people say that the world is flat, it doesn't mean it is.

Think for yourselves and don't be just another member of the herd.

[Vertius]

I agree completely.

Bubble for you, Torch. Not that you need more! ;)

[MACHone]

It's a great value. Sure, it's pricey, but you get plenty with it.

[Mike134nl]

agree thing is not everbody wants a hd dvd player or a blue ray player

[MACHone]

Correct, just like no one wanted a DVD player when they first came out, but we all see where that ended up.

[Honeal2g]

seriously bluray (which i think will win years from now) wont catch on for a long time i mean its just too damn expensive. In order for it to win it has to become the standard there needs to be a need for it, seriously the only that really looks better in HD is video Games ...yes movies look good but not good enough to dish out money on an HDTV and a Bluray player.

capacity is obvioulsy the number one compelling factor..but u've got ipods and portable devices whic are much easier now...

[devi8i]

Yes it is......but the comments are from the company that brought you such great classics as Pocket Pool and Pony Friends

[r1000]

Who cares about BR so much, how about built in bluetooth, built in wireless, backward compatibility

[Mr Murda]

As far as what you get "in" the PS3, it is a good value. The components and machine itself is worth the $600. I'm interested in High-Def DVD's (Blu-Ray and HD DVD), so the PS3 was a no brainer in regards to buying a Blu-Ray player that will also have a great line up of games too.

The thing that kind of disturbs me is that Sony really was "pushing" the Cell and Blu-Ray on the consumer. I mean, the technology is phenomenal and for a tech geek like me it is perfect, but it's not for everyone right now (kinda like the iphone). I really feel that Sony is alienating some consumers, at least for now and the near future. $600 IS a "barrier" to enter next gen gaming, and it seems unfortunate that it couldn't have been at a more reasonable price point. When the PS3 finally hits the $400 or $300 price point then "watch out", cause they'll move some systems then. For now, it's all about hard core tech/gaming geeks.

The big thing is the difference in strategies for MS and Sony. Sony really is wanting to hit an 8-10 year life cycle for the PS3, this is why Blu-Ray was included, whereas MS and Nintendo are pushing for a 4-6 year strategy and it's not as important to include next gen storage format for them.

@Torch:

I totally agree with you. At some point technology has to be "pushed" on the consumer for there to be innovation and change. As an "early adopter" of tech products I totally understand this concept. With the PS2's success, Sony made a point of building a machine (the PS3) that is meant for the long term, and isn't exactly something that will be a big short term success. They are banking on attracting that PS2 consumer a few years into the PS3's life cycle when they can afford a price drop, cause right now you're not seeing all of those PS2 owners rushing out to buy a PS3 because of the price point. That's why I was surprised that Sony would take that gamble to "alienate" the majority of PS2 owners by having a $600 price tag. Sony is just betting/gambling that those non hard core gamers will not go else where, however...Nintendo has got something to say about that.

[Torch]

"Sony really was "pushing" the Cell and Blu-Ray on the consumer"

But isn't that the nature of technology? If it weren't pushed or encouraged, we'd still all be sending smoke signals to each other.

And personally, I'll take the 8-10 year life cycle if possible, thank you very much.

Trust me, if MS and Nintendo are planning to (research, design and) release a new console within the next 4-6 years, you and I are definitely going to be paying for it.

Besides, wouldn't the more frequent releases of consoles only further <ahem> 'push' <ahem> technology onto the consumer?

[TLSBill]

I love my PS3 as much as the next guy, but there's a big difference between the title of this article "PS3 is a good value", and his quote of "So, no, I don’t think it is too expensive".

He even mentions the 360 in the full quote,
"Then take a look at the PS3, and for argument’s sake the Xbox 360, and ask 'Can I really get something that will play on HDTV at that price point? ' And the answer is, realistically, no."

I also think it's funny when people discuss "value" and the PS3, they never talk about the DLNA hook up. I get a lot of use/value out of the PS3 being able to show baby pics & listen to all my MP3s from my server in the living room because of it.

[Mucudadada]

Duh... Since Blu-Ray is obviously winning it's a good deal. Not to mention all the features that comes right out of the box. Wireless networking, internet, FREE online play. Oh, nad the games coming down the pipe look great.

[Rama26285]

I personally think the PS3 is a great deal, especially when comparing it to rivals.

I didn't want to pay extra for a wi-fi adapter than sticks out the back, or rechargeable batteries that make the controller heavier, or be forced to buy an over-priced specific hard drive and pay a subscription to play my games online.

With the PS3 I get everything I want neatly in a single box. There isn't anything extra needed (besides games).

You could say you don't want a blu-ray player, but if you're like me and don't use it now, that doesn't mean you wont use in 5 years time. Not to mention it enables games to have higher content so you wont be stuck in the past.

The problem the PS3 actually has it perhaps it's a bit ahead of it's time and not everyone is ready for it. We don't all have our 1080p HD televisions and our 7.1 surround sound speakers which would show off everything the PS3 can do.

Ultimately you are investing in a machine which isn't going to go out of date within a year like the rest of the technology in this world does.

[plexdk]

Why dont people get it...

We're in the 21st century. its done with solo function gadgets.. Who wants to carry a phone, a mp3 player, and a communicator? I sure don't..thats why I see the iPhone as a perfect solution for me, besides that, its stylish, and pretty well designed.

When we look at the ps3, we're getting one of the best dvd, cd, and blu-ray players released. Besides that, we're getting one hell of a beast of a gaming machine. Now... what would all that cost us in space and money, if we bought a single machine for every function?

All I can say is that im happy about my ps3, (and im probably going to be pretty happy about the iphone, when it arrives in my country).

I use my ps3 for streaming video and music of my pc, listening to audio cds... watching upscaled dvds, blu-ray movies, playing games, and eventually browsing news sites, when im too lazy to get my laptop.

I just cant see why people are so blind about what value they are actually getting with a ps3, and other multifunctional products...

oh well, we cant satisfy everyone.

[Antan]

I buy blu-ray discs and games.............Bargain.

[nice_cuppa]

the thing is.... if people think it is they will buy it.

why do people keep trying to convince us ?

all this does is make me think its not.

[Rama26285]

What kind of logic is that? So the more adverts you see, the more you wont believe them??

The simple truth is, ordinary Joe will see the Xbox 360 at $299/$399 and the PS3 at $499/$599 and think the 360 is cheaper. They wont look at the specs and compare the difference or think of all the things you'll have to buy extra.

The simple facts are, if you buy all the accessories to make the Xbox 360 do exactly the same things as the PS3, you will end up paying more. Only someone living in ignorance will disagree as it's not a matter of opinion, but fact.

[Vip3r]

I think it's a good deal considering the 360 would have cost me more in the long run with the likes of live, wireless adaptor, HD-DVD players and batteries.

[Torch]

What would you need batteries for?...the controllers?

Please don't tell me that the controllers aren't even rechargeable!

[Rama26285]

The standard controllers with the Xbox 360 aren't even wireless. If you get the premium console which comes with wireless controllers then you have to buy disposable batteries to keep on playing. You can purchase a rechargeable battery pack from microsoft seperately though.

So look on Target's website, that's $49.99 for a wireless controller and $19.99 for the play and charge kit which includes the battery and cable to charge it.