In addition to what Duo says, some analysts who know the Japanese market have said that the upper-tier PS3 console price of "open price" is a very implicit way of saying "the yen equivalent of $700." I think they are betting the house, based on very good analysis of MS' poor performance in Japan, that the Japanese will lap up these consoles like kittens underneath a cow's udder, and knowing this, are willing to stretch the price such that they will take less of a loss for each of those units sold. At the same time, by keeping the "el crapo" version low, they can claim to have offered the consumer base a choice, and it's not their fault that consumers flocked to the expensive version.
I don't really feel appalled at the PS3 price; it's certainly not a shocker. However, the fact that a consumer can't buy the lower tier "el crapo" version and accessorize it to match the capabilities of the upper tier "p diddy" version is, in my opinion,
ing absurd.
Back on topic, I suppose, the "open price" thing reminds me why I never ordered lobster at seafood places. I always found "market price" is equivalent to "how much the waiter thinks you need to spend to impress the woman you're with." I feel bad for the Japanese; yet, I'd love to be able to do some market research to find out if there is any way for Microsoft to penetrate that market in the slightest. Save their souls from a $700 console - y'know, like social work.
