Microsoft Europe bosses: Sony "forcing" consumers into Blu-ray purchase

In a video interview today, the heads of Microsoft Europe and Xbox UK's leaders had some very pointed words for Sony's pricing of the Playstation 3 and its included Blu-ray player. Noting the failure of Betamax and the current uncertainty between HD DVD and Blu-ray, they said Microsoft's strategy of an add-on player allows customers to upgrade when they are ready, rather than force them to pay several extra hundred pounds for something they don't necessarily want or are ready for yet. Of course, thats pretty much exactly Sony's strategy, to create an installed base of Blu-ray players and dominate the high definition DVD market. The Xbox UK head, Neil Thompson, called Sony's business model "challenging" due to the high entry price. It's all a matter of perspective we guess, high priced game machine or low priced Blu-ray player, how will consumers see it and how will it affect sales.