Sony has been showing off the following chart (above), which supposedly shows a price comparison between the PS3 and Xbox 360.
You would think this is the creation of some half-joking Sony loyalist, but this is actually what Sony is using for marketing. Not only does it compare the cost of online, which is pointless right now since it?s still not clear if developers will charge individually on the PS3, but the way they add up the supposed price of the Xbox 360 is just 100% dishonest.
First off, they use the Core Xbox 360 price of $299, but then they add on $100 for the HDD, and $50 for the Wireless controller. I?m surprised they didn?t also add in $20 for a headset too. Anyways, the Xbox 360 ($399) comes with both the HDD and the Wireless controller (as well as High-Def cables and a headset, neither come with either PS3 model). The only way you?d end up paying the amount they?re adding up for the Xbox 360 is if you?re trying to waste money.
Then we have the HD-DVD drive. This is an optional add-on that will be used for HD-DVD movies only. It has nothing to do with games, but of course, that is why Sony is trying to focus on it. When you have nothing to compete in the games arena, move into technical numbers that are construed in such a way that it?s blatant intention is to confuse the mainstream consumer.
Microsoft is aware of this, and it seems they?ve had enough of the Sony hype train. It seemed MS and Sony were content with making jabs at each other back and forth in interviews, but when it comes to flat-out lying to retailers and customers, something else must be done. Microsoft is preparing legal action against this, so we can add one more lawsuit to the Sony pile.
Here?s another report, thanks to DavidGX for sending in the story:
"First up, were you aware that to use your Xbox 360 Core system you?re required to buy the 20GB drive add-on, an HD DVD drive, a wireless controller, and an Xbox Live sub? We weren?t either. But hey, it says right there, ?requires users to buy? and this is, in fact, a ?fact sheet.? Of course, none of that?s actually true, and what?s more, were one to use the Xbox 360 Premium console pack in that chart instead of the Core pack, the total would be $399 for a console with that very same hard drive, wireless controller, and Xbox Live Silver subscription (which provides access to everything but multiplayer) ? remember, kids, an HD DVD drive is not required to do anything but watch high def movies ? it has nothing to do with high def gaming. We hear Microsoft ain?t too happy about this chart either and is preparing certain legal action, namely because it could be misleading to otherwise unwitting retail employees selling customers game consoles this holiday season. Go figure."
P.S. -In the interest of fairness, it?s also worth pointing out the Wii browser is what will cost you after the first 6 months ? not their online service. What?s more, if you download the browser before June of 2007, it?s straight up free. Otherwise, Nintendo hasn?t yet announced details of the cost of their online service so far as we know. Another nice one, Sony.
P.P.S. -We just confirmed with Microsoft that another Sony claim ? that you need a memory unit or a hard drive to use the WiFi adapter ? is also false. You can grab a Core pack with no memory card and plug in a WiFi adapter and get on your home network. Sheez Sony, did we mention we moonlight as fact checkers?
Cortana_5
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MadamTampini
It's dispicable and quite embarassing for Sony.<div class="ev_tpc_signature">
Sony is anything but a mom-and-pop business. But they are definatly trying to squeak by (or so I see of them, I've had bad experiences with their products 
