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Microsoft Responds to Blu-Ray Comments
Next Generation reports that Microsoft's willingness to support Blu-Ray on the 360 was highly overrated. From the article: "The question of whether Xbox 360 has the flexibility to adapt to consumers' needs is a different issue entirely. Xbox 360 is a future-proofed system - one that allows us to add features as consumers demand them - as evidenced by our offering of the HD-DVD drive as an accessory. Current reports indicating that we have a back-up plan, which includes Blu-Ray support are incorrect. At this point, we're fully committed to HD-DVD and have absolutely no plans to support other optical formats." IE: They have the option of adding Blu-Ray if it turns out HD-DVD is a flop. We've reported on this claim earlier.
Apparently you haven't read any of the numerous other slashdot articles that are following the Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD debate. Considering that the first generation stand-alone players for BOTH formats will be over $1000, a $600 (or even$700) PS3 will be a real bargain for anybody who is looking to buy into one of the new formats. At that point, the fact that it also plays games is simply a bonus. This is the successful strategy Sony used with the PS2 (when DVD was new), and it is the strategy that it looks like they will be using again.
w aste gamers" will be grubbing up the PS3's, and these groups of buyers greatly outnumber the enthusiast groups.
Sure the "pure gamers" and the "home theater enthusiasts" may turn it down for the reasons you give... but the "cost-conscious average consumer" and "I-have-a-job-and-money-but-not-a-ton-of-time-to-
In that case, I'd have to go with the PS3 just to keep my old games around. But the porn industry will determine which format wins anyway.