The Sony Playstation 3 console and its new controller is shown in this picture after the Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 2006 E3 media event at Sony Studios in Culver City, Calif., in this May 8, 2006, file photo. After years of hype and speculation, the latest round of video game console wars is finally about to begin. Unlike past battles waged since the 1970s, consumers this time around will have some truly distinct options among three contenders, as each device is tuned to different tastes and budgets. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, file)
TOKYO - Sony's PlayStation 3 isn't living up to the hype - at least on Japan's Internet auctions. The gaming consoles, which went on sale here Saturday, are fetching reasonable prices online, disappointing those who had hoped to make a quick profit by reselling the machines on the Internet.
Some of the 4,000 PlayStation 3 consoles listed on Yahoo Japan's auction site were downright bargains. Even systems with games included were going for about 60,000 yen ($510) for the most expensive model and 50,000 yen ($420) for the cheaper one.
That's in line with Sony's suggested price for the less-expensive model. For the higher-end console, it's less than retailers' $600 asking price.
In the U.S., where the PS3 goes on sale Friday, the average high bid for preordered PS3s was about $1,500.
The PlayStation 3 is facing off in a next-generation console war against Nintendo Co.'s Wii and Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360. The Wii debuts on Sunday in the U.S, while the Xbox launched late last year.
Yahoo Japan spokesman Nobumitsu Iwaisaki said some PlayStation 3 bids were as high as 2.1 billion yen ($17.8 million), but those turned out to be jokes.
Sony Computer Entertainment spokesman Daisuke Nakata declined to comment on the auctions, saying the deals were unrelated to Sony's operations.
Hundreds of hard-core game fans had lined up at electronics stores, many from Friday night, to make sure they got one.
But some were clearly not buying it to play - including those who marched immediately to a waiting van with the machines - says Hirokazu Hamamura, president of Japanese game magazine publisher Enterbrain Inc.
"The Net auction is so popular these days, that's inevitable," he said. "There's even talk some are taking the machines overseas."
Although Sony had promised 100,000 PS3 machines in Japan on the first day, the count was more like 90,000, and the entire shipment virtually sold out, Hamamura said.
Sony has promised 400,000 machines for the U.S. launch.
A survey by Enterbrain of 3,500 game stores across Japan showed that 88,400 PS3 machines were sold in the first two days.
Sony Corp. has promised a million PS3 machines in Japan by the end of the year, and an additional million in the U.S., targeting a global shipment of 6 million by March 2007.
I am glad I got an Xbox 360 and waited on the PS3. The price is crazy, if I wait a year the price will be much better. I think when the next generation comes out (The one after this one, approximately in 4-6 years) I will reserve and buy two of each system and sell the extras on E-Bay. I bet I can make an easy $2k off each system, plenty to make up for the money I paid for the systems, the games, the accessories, and to have some left over for myself.
Sadly I am about $40 short. I got about $540 saved up, but I am saving that money for a flat screen TV. I plan on getting the Sony 46" Bravia 1080p HDTV. It cost about $2,500 so I am paying for part of it so we can afford it.
That's the truth, but its like that with any new console launch. The manufactures deny this but they don't release all the systems they built because it will drive up the demand and people will pay out the nose for one. This happens every time the next generation starts, they know this and take no steps to prevent it.
They know that, they rather have people get mugged, beat up, murdered, pay outrageous prices, and **** themselves out for a PS3 than to lose a few bucks on the price. If no one believes me check the news. It makes me sick and I am going to let this BS pass before I pick up mine.
The manufactures deny this but they don't release all the systems they built because it will drive up the demand and people will pay out the nose for one.
What a load of bullshit. Seriously, I sometimes wonder what planet you live on man.
The production problems with the PS3 are well documented. I seriously believe that they are unable to adequately meet demand due to processor manufacturing problems and any other myriad of issues that have hurt Sony's launch numbers. Furthermore, there is little edge to be gained by Sony damaging their reputation as much as hit has been these days. The rootkit fiasco, the dubious new sixaxis controller, numerous statements from Katarugi and many other things have Sony's rep in the gutter right now, yet people are still lining up for it. But what does Sony have to gain from people buying a system to sell on Ebay? They don't see a dime of that extra profit. No sense driving up demand and price if you're not going to see that extra profit, especially since Sony is losing over $200 per console.
Nevermind that Sony has released only 400,000 units (maybe less) in North America. Nintendo is set to release 4 million units in North America. Ten times what Sony is releasing. By your logic, Nintendo would do better to release numbers similar to the PS3. By most accounts, the Wii has seen far more hype than the PS3 and is generally considered to be a must-have item for gmaers for christmas.
Scott Ramsoomair sums up the whole thing best. Seriously though, some critical thinking skills would do you some good Chris.
What a load of bullshit. Seriously, I sometimes wonder what planet you live on man.
The production problems with the PS3 are well documented. I seriously believe that they are unable to adequately meet demand due to processor manufacturing problems and any other myriad of issues that have hurt Sony's launch numbers. Furthermore, there is little edge to be gained by Sony damaging their reputation as much as hit has been these days. The rootkit fiasco, the dubious new sixaxis controller, numerous statements from Katarugi and many other things have Sony's rep in the gutter right now, yet people are still lining up for it. But what does Sony have to gain from people buying a system to sell on Ebay? They don't see a dime of that extra profit. No sense driving up demand and price if you're not going to see that extra profit, especially since Sony is losing over $200 per console.
Nevermind that Sony has released only 400,000 units (maybe less) in North America. Nintendo is set to release 4 million units in North America. Ten times what Sony is releasing. By your logic, Nintendo would do better to release numbers similar to the PS3. By most accounts, the Wii has seen far more hype than the PS3 and is generally considered to be a must-have item for gmaers for christmas.
Scott Ramsoomair sums up the whole thing best. Seriously though, some critical thinking skills would do you some good Chris.
What is with you? Always making things into a personal issue. What you need is some Social Skills. If you have to make personal attacks do it elsewhere and not in my thread. Anyway it always happens when they release a new system, they know its going to happen and they don't do anything. Every time they release a new generation they always have shortages. It happened when they released the PS2, it happened when they released the Xbox 360, now its happening to the PS3.
Thanks Anglo, at least some people see how childish he is being. Every time he quotes something I say its to make a negative comment and rarely about the topic at hand.
