Sony set to fight to retain lead in console market on all fronts

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 06 March 2007 11:01

Your IT - Entertainment

Question: On the question of the Xbox 360 – is Sony concerned that Microsoft might try to spoil the PS3 party by launching price cuts on or around March 23, and if that happens, what might Sony’s response be?

Answer: We think we have a product that speaks for itself – and really, we encourage your readers to demand a full demonstration of PS3 capability that was shown [at the media launch]. [Once the public sees that] I don’t think the price will be an issue. We run our own business plan and we will stay on course with what we’ve planned.

Question: On the topic of the Wii, it has outsold everything, even the PS2 in the US for the month of January, with reports suggested Wii sales have fallen by 50% in Japan from a lack of new titles. Do you think that the PS3 will have sold the most next-gen consoles by the end of the year globally, and if not, do you have an estimated date as to when PS3 might be dominating the next-gen race in terms of units sold?

Answer: Alex’s that a big question that everyone would love to have a crystal ball [answer to]. [They are all] very different product offerings. We have a potential market of PS3, high definition and Blu-ray that [will grow] larger as the technology develops and games [get great] traction.

Question: How fierce do you think the fight between you, Microsoft and Nintendo will be, come the Christmas/Holiday season 2007? Surely it’ll be the biggest and most spectacular console battle the world has ever seen?

Answer: It sure will. And we’re looking forward to it because we will be fighting this battle on all fronts – the PSP handheld front, the battle for family fun with the PS2 and we’ll be fighting the battle of the high-tech new devices with the PS3 so we’re in serious training for this battle right now – we’re going to be the only playing in all areas in 2007.

+++End of Michael Ephraim's answers+++

Once again, you can read the rest of the interview at the link above. But it’s worth remembering that an outgoing CEO will want to be remembered and in the news – and there’s nothing easier than taking a pot-shot at the PS3 to make that happen.

For the real answers on how well the PS3 has done compared with the Wii and the Xbox 360, check back in January 2008 for the sales figures. Until then, everything, including an outgoing CEO's predictions, are little more than pure speculation.