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Sony Launches PlayStation 2 In India

Posted by simoniker on from the official-goods-at-high-prices dept.

Thanks to The Times Of India for their article reporting the official launch of the PlayStation 2 in India, with pricing set at Rs 17,900 ($390 USD) - almost double its grey market price. The article quotes a Sony spokesman as saying "PS2 console prices are high because of the 66 per cent customs duty. We have launched it officially as there is a potential market for it in the country." But the piece continues: "Sony has a tough battle ahead with the grey market, in addition to intense competition from [other consoles via] ..the smuggled goods market", and explains that "...games like Eye Toy, Formula One 2003, Final Fantasy X, Tomb Raider, Lord of the Rings are best sellers this month in India. In general, titles in action, adventure sports, violence and wrestling generate interest in the Indian market."

5 of 15 comments (clear)

  1. India and Pakistan dont get it. by mnmn · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Countries in the South East Asia really arent trying to push their tech sector much. There are new 'heavy' duties on software about to be imposed and gamers are taxed to death. Most of such electronic equipment pass through in the grey market anyway and the government knows it.

    In Pakistan the PTCL communications carrier controls the whole countrys phone and Internet communications. For years the minimum latency from anywhere in Pakistan to anywhere outside was 700ms. Universities were constantly begging the government for a fatter bandwidth pipe while international carriers circled like buzzards around the borders hoping for a slice of business inside.

    The same is true for software development. While India has grabbed the edge, in Pakistan the beuraucracy simply does not provide any support to the outsourcing companies there while the fresh blood out of colleges emigrate in batches.

    --
    "Give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you." -Nim Chimpsky
    1. Re:India and Pakistan dont get it. by Kethinov · · Score: 4, Interesting
      Countries in the South East Asia really arent trying to push their tech sector much.
      This statement is quite false. China has its own thriving Linux distro. India has the most prestigious tech college in the world. The Indian Institute of Technology declines a higher percentage of its applicants than US ivy league schools! The founder of Sun Microsystems graduated from that college and was born/raised in India. In fact, I find it very surprising that India didn't already have PS2s. If we US citizens don't start realizing that other countries are catching up with us in the tech race, we're going to fall behind.
      --
      You're right, I wouldn't steal a car. But if it were possible, I sure as hell would download one!
  2. Quoth, the marketting rep... by neostorm · · Score: 2, Interesting

    "...Eye Toy, Formula One 2003, Final Fantasy X, Tomb Raider, Lord of the Rings are best sellers this month in India. In general, titles in action, adventure sports, violence and wrestling generate interest in the Indian market."

    The titles listed don't really match up with their vague marketing feedback on what generates interest in India. On top of that, I have no idea what kind of genre "adventure sports" is. Did someone leave out a comma?

  3. $400? by ChibiLZ · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This is a shining example of how Sony can totally ignore reality. They cannot really fight the grey market, why waste the time and money to have Indian PS2s? Also, is the market over there really that big? I have no experience, having never been to India. Are there really a lot of people willing and able to put down $400 just for a game system?

    --
    Don't buy WoW Gold! Make it yourself!
  4. Jobs... by SuDZ · · Score: 2, Funny

    With all of the US's proggraming jobs being sent over seas they can now afford to buy a PS2. :)

    SuDZ