Microsoft dismisses PlayStation 2 price cut
"The future lies in the growth of current generation consoles," says Euro exec Chris Lewis
Microsoft has shrugged off any suggestions of increased competition from Sony after it announced a price cut today for the nine year-old PlayStation 2 console.
Sony has dropped the price of the console stalwart to EUR 99 and USD 99 in North America, with SCEA's Jack Tretton suggesting the move "will bring in new consumers who will discover how PlayStation platforms are an outstanding choice for their gaming and home entertainment needs."
However, Microsoft dismissed the price cut, stating that the future is about the growth of current generation consoles, not older technology.
"This move from Sony at the end of the PS2’s life cycle is not unexpected," Chris Lewis, VP of the Interactive Entertainment Business for Microsoft, told GamesIndustry.biz.
"We believe, however, that the future lies in the growth of current generation consoles and Xbox 360, as the fastest growing games console last year, with sales up over 80 per cent, will continue to drive the market.
"Xbox 360 has clearly demonstrated that the combination of the right price, blockbuster games as well as the market-leading broad connected entertainment content available through Xbox Live will continue to resonate with the ever growing needs of today’s consumers," added Lewis.