PS3 gamers feel cheated, admits Sony

Sony's UK Managing Director Ray Maguire has said in an interview that he could understand that PlayStation 3 early adopters might feel cheated for buying the console at £425.

Speaking to GamesIndustry, Maguire said: "I think it's natural to feel that way, of course it is. The difference between our industry and many other industries is that if you're selling cars or houses the price goes up steadily. Consumer electronics only goes one way and that's downwards."

But Maguire believes that gamers who paid the higher price were rewarded with experiencing the technology ahead of the mass market.

"One thing is common amongst the entire market for consumer electronics and that is that there are early adopters like myself who will spend £10,000 on a plasma TV that is worth £3,000 within three years. That's the way the market goes," Maguire said.

"What do they get for that? They get six months of enjoyment of the product before anybody else gets that ability to play those games."

Regarding the newly-announced 40Gb PS3, Maguire believes it will make the PS3 more affordable and denied it will make buying a PS3 confusing, adding: "As products evolve, the offerings change because they have to adapt to the needs of the consumers, but I don't think it's been particularly confusing in six months to go from stand alone, to a bundled proposition into a low price entry level model.

"We also have to remember that consumers don't search around the world for different configurations. We are a global company but we have to act locally as well."