As far as what you get "in" the PS3, it is a good value. The components and machine itself is worth the $600. I'm interested in High-Def DVD's (Blu-Ray and HD DVD), so the PS3 was a no brainer in regards to buying a Blu-Ray player that will also have a great line up of games too.

The thing that kind of disturbs me is that Sony really was "pushing" the Cell and Blu-Ray on the consumer. I mean, the technology is phenomenal and for a tech geek like me it is perfect, but it's not for everyone right now (kinda like the iphone). I really feel that Sony is alienating some consumers, at least for now and the near future. $600 IS a "barrier" to enter next gen gaming, and it seems unfortunate that it couldn't have been at a more reasonable price point. When the PS3 finally hits the $400 or $300 price point then "watch out", cause they'll move some systems then. For now, it's all about hard core tech/gaming geeks.

The big thing is the difference in strategies for MS and Sony. Sony really is wanting to hit an 8-10 year life cycle for the PS3, this is why Blu-Ray was included, whereas MS and Nintendo are pushing for a 4-6 year strategy and it's not as important to include next gen storage format for them.

@Torch:

I totally agree with you. At some point technology has to be "pushed" on the consumer for there to be innovation and change. As an "early adopter" of tech products I totally understand this concept. With the PS2's success, Sony made a point of building a machine (the PS3) that is meant for the long term, and isn't exactly something that will be a big short term success. They are banking on attracting that PS2 consumer a few years into the PS3's life cycle when they can afford a price drop, cause right now you're not seeing all of those PS2 owners rushing out to buy a PS3 because of the price point. That's why I was surprised that Sony would take that gamble to "alienate" the majority of PS2 owners by having a $600 price tag. Sony is just betting/gambling that those non hard core gamers will not go else where, however...Nintendo has got something to say about that.

I love my PS3 as much as the next guy, but there's a big difference between the title of this article "PS3 is a good value", and his quote of "So, no, I don’t think it is too expensive".

He even mentions the 360 in the full quote,
"Then take a look at the PS3, and for argument’s sake the Xbox 360, and ask 'Can I really get something that will play on HDTV at that price point? ' And the answer is, realistically, no."

I also think it's funny when people discuss "value" and the PS3, they never talk about the DLNA hook up. I get a lot of use/value out of the PS3 being able to show baby pics & listen to all my MP3s from my server in the living room because of it.

Duh... Since Blu-Ray is obviously winning it's a good deal. Not to mention all the features that comes right out of the box. Wireless networking, internet, FREE online play. Oh, nad the games coming down the pipe look great.

I personally think the PS3 is a great deal, especially when comparing it to rivals.

I didn't want to pay extra for a wi-fi adapter than sticks out the back, or rechargeable batteries that make the controller heavier, or be forced to buy an over-priced specific hard drive and pay a subscription to play my games online.

With the PS3 I get everything I want neatly in a single box. There isn't anything extra needed (besides games).

You could say you don't want a blu-ray player, but if you're like me and don't use it now, that doesn't mean you wont use in 5 years time. Not to mention it enables games to have higher content so you wont be stuck in the past.

The problem the PS3 actually has it perhaps it's a bit ahead of it's time and not everyone is ready for it. We don't all have our 1080p HD televisions and our 7.1 surround sound speakers which would show off everything the PS3 can do.

Ultimately you are investing in a machine which isn't going to go out of date within a year like the rest of the technology in this world does.

Why dont people get it...

We're in the 21st century. its done with solo function gadgets.. Who wants to carry a phone, a mp3 player, and a communicator? I sure don't..thats why I see the iPhone as a perfect solution for me, besides that, its stylish, and pretty well designed.

When we look at the ps3, we're getting one of the best dvd, cd, and blu-ray players released. Besides that, we're getting one hell of a beast of a gaming machine. Now... what would all that cost us in space and money, if we bought a single machine for every function?

All I can say is that im happy about my ps3, (and im probably going to be pretty happy about the iphone, when it arrives in my country).

I use my ps3 for streaming video and music of my pc, listening to audio cds... watching upscaled dvds, blu-ray movies, playing games, and eventually browsing news sites, when im too lazy to get my laptop.

I just cant see why people are so blind about what value they are actually getting with a ps3, and other multifunctional products...

oh well, we cant satisfy everyone.

I buy blu-ray discs and games.............Bargain.

the thing is.... if people think it is they will buy it.

why do people keep trying to convince us ?

all this does is make me think its not.

I think it's a good deal considering the 360 would have cost me more in the long run with the likes of live, wireless adaptor, HD-DVD players and batteries.

Now that Jim Ryan is gone just need to remove Herman Hulst from his position! And maybe give Shuhei the position he deserved.

This gen hasn't been the best for games, last gen consoles are still out there and now there's been talk of the PS6 and Xbox Two for a year or so. Many games this gen will be ported to next gen and the cycle will continue. The re-release of the Neo Geo AES+, games on cartridge for £70 ($95), gaming is going back in time. Gaming has gone pricing mad with the high cost of games, consoles and controllers. The men and women at the top are clueless.

It’s always interesting to hear behind-the-scenes stories like this, especially involving veterans like Shuhei Yoshida and leadership figures like Jim Ryan. That said, there are usually multiple sides to decisions at that level. It could be less about not “listening” and more about differences in long-term vision for PlayStation. Yoshida played a huge role in shaping the brand, so whatever the reason, his impact is undeniable.

If true, and I'm inclined to believe it is, it goes to show that Sony lost their way when they became more western/didn't respect the PlayStation origin story. Andrew House and Jack Tretton did great work, but they also didn't try to fundamentally change the PlayStation DNA. Ryan oversaw the death of Japan Studio and a live service direction.

I already figured this, good lord imagine if Shuhei took over instead, would've been a platinum era 😩

I miss the first three generations of PlayStation. The way they turned PS3 around, we knew they meant business. We were all worried for a bit there around launch. Eventually from 2008 they started shifting slowly. But since Yoshida was fired, it's never been the same. Still enjoy my PS5 daily. I got a backlog dating back to PS2 lol So I'm fine but new games aren't as appealing anymore.

It seems like we were thrown on to the worst timeline possible where everything is too expensive and the wrong people were put in positions that makes the world a shitty place. We could have had Shu as the head of PS but we got the shitty alternative. Same goes for everyone in power around the world. Doesn’t matter the company or country the majority of us got the shitty picks and the world is declining like never before. I do think PS can come out of this because of their studios, talent and IP but they need someone more in touch with gamers leading things like Shu was. They’re still the best place for console gaming imo but it could be much better than it is especially without the massive live service failures. The rest of the world I have a lot less hope for right now. Hopefully the pendulum swings back towards the good ole days but I’m preparing for the worst.

There goes illuminati distraction story

So now there's certifiable proof that Ryan was in fact "fired", as opposed to when it was first announced that he "retired", in order to save face.

There's another guy who recently "retired" as CEO of another large gaming company, after doing a dismantling job as lead for well over a decade.

seems legit, the business man, fires the one who has ideas to move the business forward.

Jim Ryan is the reason why we are entering year 6 since the PS5 launch and many of us don't feel like the PS5 has gotten started as yet.

I hope going forward, we will see a return to form.