(except for money)

Deep down inside, I would love to know what both Ken Kutaragi and Kaz Hirai are thinking. I have been wondering this ever since E3, when I found out the PlayStation 3 would be retailing for at the minimum $500 US for the 20 GB model with many key features stripped, all the way up to $600 US for the 60GB model with all the features added.

Of course we all know about the backlash that occurred at Sony for this announcement. While the PS3 faltered at E3, the Nintendo Wii walked away with all the accolades, and a mention of the price being under $250 didn't hurt either.

But then the story got worse. Rumors spread about PlayStation 3 games costing anywhere from $80-$100. It was then that the floodgates were opened. On a radio call in show, an enraged Sony fanboy went on a tirade against Sony claiming that we are not paying for a game console, but rather we are paying for "raw potential." The best part of the tirade was when the fanboy ended with "or else I'm gonna buy an Xbox 360. I should have done it a long time ago Sony"I SHOULD HAVE ABANDONED YOU!"

And let's not forget the news that caused a shockwave a few weeks ago. Not to anyone's surprise, including mine, Sony is cutting down the production number of PlayStation3 units to 500,000: 400,000 for the United States and only 100,000 for Japan. The poor UK is going to have to wait until Spring 2007, and I feel for those who had to wait, especially GiN's Euro Gal Chella.

And you know what limited numbers mean, don't you kids? That's right. Riots, muggings, exorbitant prices on eBay, and my personal favorite, retailers forcing bundles on customers!

Last week was the Tokyo Game Show, and what Sony did there made me even more sick to my stomach. While they may have done one thing right by offering HDMI High Definition video output down to the 20GB model, they have decided to lower the price to about $429, but only in Japan! (49,900 yen)

The rest of the word is still going to have to pay $500! I don't get it. I know the PlayStation 3 will sell well in Japan. It's always been their market while Microsoft fails to get market share. The opposite will occur here in the US, with the 360 already getting a head start, and the Wii winning over fans with word of mouth.

But still, Sony is going to offer the PS3 at the original price. Why can't Hirai-san and Kutaragi-san get it through their thick heads?

And if that's not bad enough, Sony also announced that while their online service is going to be free, they are requiring people to pay for downloads"even demos! What the heck is that? Xbox Live allows downloads for their free on their Silver package, and that includes demos. Sure we have to pay to play online via Gold, but at least they aren't nickel and dimeing our customers like Sony.

This is getting insane.

At least on the bright side, it was noted that Sony has posted some of their launch PS3 titles on their online store, and they are going for only $60. But is that enough to convince people that the PS3 isn't a huge ripoff? I'm not convinced yet, and I might just end up buying a Nintendo Wii to prove my point!

CURRENTLY PLAYING: NHL 07, (X360) NBA LIVE 07 (X360)

WAITING FOR: GEARS OF WAR (X360)