Microsoft not Rattled By PS3 Launch

In a recent interview by Spiegel Online with Chris Lewis, regional Microsoft vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, he commented about the launch of the Playstation 3 that it would come down to Blu-Ray versus HD-DVD. He said that “Blu-ray right now reminds us of another technology from Sony: Betamax. A bit like VHS — we think that HD DVD is the format that consumers, film studios and publishers will embrace. As you’re mentioning the cost of Blu-ray — we think it’s about giving consumers choice, we think it’s about not necessarily asking them to pay over the odds for a technology that, at the moment, is unproven. It’s an interesting bet to play — we’re watching what goes on, but I think we’re offering a broader, more flexible choice that doesn’t burden the consumer with a cost element that may be wasted.”

When he was asked about Microsoft’s expectations concerning the PS3 especially the launching price, Chris stated “We don’t want to get, nor are we, distracted by what they announce or don’t announce. We both know that what they say may not become reality. It’s interesting, but from our point of view we’re focused on what we’re doing. I don’t really care when they launch. I’m confident that we’re on a good journey. The rhythm we’re dancing to is our own. The consumers are voting with their wallets. We have the next generation console, it’s here now, in high definition, with great content. Let’s wait and see what actually comes through.”

Microsoft thinks they’ve already won due to the success of the 360 globally (well, except in Japan), but we all know the real battle begins once the PS3 is released since it is not the capabilities of the console that will primarily dictate the sales but the game library itself. But aside from the backhanded Betamax shots, you have to be a little bit skeptical of their claim that they really don’t care when and how the PS3 launches. Whether a boast like that is born out of confidence, fear, or sheer ignorance, we’ll have to see.

In a recent interview by Spiegel Online with Chris Lewis, regional Microsoft vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, he commented about the launch of the Playstation 3 that it would come down to Blu-Ray versus HD-DVD. He said that “Blu-ray right now reminds us of another technology from Sony: Betamax. A bit like VHS — we think that HD DVD is the format that consumers, film studios and publishers will embrace. As you’re mentioning the cost of Blu-ray — we think it’s about giving consumers choice, we think it’s about not necessarily asking them to pay over the odds for a technology that, at the moment, is unproven. It’s an interesting bet to play — we’re watching what goes on, but I think we’re offering a broader, more flexible choice that doesn’t burden the consumer with a cost element that may be wasted.”

When he was asked about Microsoft’s expectations concerning the PS3 especially the launching price, Chris stated “We don’t want to get, nor are we, distracted by what they announce or don’t announce. We both know that what they say may not become reality. It’s interesting, but from our point of view we’re focused on what we’re doing. I don’t really care when they launch. I’m confident that we’re on a good journey. The rhythm we’re dancing to is our own. The consumers are voting with their wallets. We have the next generation console, it’s here now, in high definition, with great content. Let’s wait and see what actually comes through.”

Microsoft thinks they’ve already won due to the success of the 360 globally (well, except in Japan), but we all know the real battle begins once the PS3 is released since it is not the capabilities of the console that will primarily dictate the sales but the game library itself. But aside from the backhanded Betamax shots, you have to be a little bit skeptical of their claim that they really don’t care when and how the PS3 launches. Whether a boast like that is born out of confidence, fear, or sheer ignorance, we’ll have to see.