Playstation 3 expensive as hell, expected to remain that way through Summer 2009

As the proud owner of a Playstation 3, I admit to being impressed by what it has to offer, including its Blu-ray capabilities, free online play and a collection of unique exclusives that do their best to distinguish themselves from the available offerings on competing consoles.

However, one aspect of the system that continues to irritate me is its high price point and I find myself having to constantly rationalize my purchase to my peers who contend that its features can be accessed through cheaper means.

After all, how would it look to your friends if you told them that you spent $400 dollars on a piece of technology if its features can be accessed on a similar item for $200?

Regrettably, the PS3’s price point problem will not be resolved anytime soon, according to David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. In an interview with Action ‘Station, he made it clear that price cuts for Sony’s newest system will not occur Summer or 2009 Spring 2009.

He mentioned that the strategy to compete with Xbox 360 and Wii was “value added,” meaning that he plans to present the PS3 as the best value you can get for the amount of money that you can put into it.

This sounds like a decent strategy in words but it is continuously proving difficult to justify, as the Xbox 360 is rapidly advancing in its alternate media capabilities through its New Xbox Experience, all while remaining at a price point that parents can afford.

In fact, the price of a 360 is even lower than that of a Wii. If it were not for the fact that both systems appeal to differing demographics, the 360 would be winning the console wars on price alone.

Unless Sony’s 2009 lineup can prove promising, gamers will continue to frown at its still-too-high entry point, and look to their gaming initiations elsewhere.

Read [Kotaku] Via [MCV's Action Station]