Sony's PlayStation 3 was officially launched in India on the 26th of April and with that the ongoing console war between Microsoft and Sony has just been bumped up a notch. After speaking to Mohit Anand, Country Manager, Microsoft we now track down Ken Nakazawa, Divisional Head, PlayStation India for his perspective on all the next gen bloodshed.
First thing first... even though the PS3 is priced at nearly 40,000 do you think it’ll sell well in India?
The gaming console market in India is still very small and at a nascent stage. With the entry of new brands, the market is gaining a big boost, as barriers for consumers who have previously not considered games as an entertainment option, are broken.
Sony has always shattered stereotype concepts and the world of gaming is no different. With a 60 GB hard disk, a Blue-ray optical drive, Cell and RSX microprocessors, Bluetooth wireless controllers and built in Wi-Fi adapter, PS3 is all set to bring unparalleled high definition experience to India.
Furthermore, the biggest impact that PS3 has brought to India (as well as the rest of the world) is the fact that now consumers have a device that can play back HD content. Whether it’s HD movies or HD games, the PS3 has given consumers the opportunity to enjoy HD at home.
Ironically the PS2 is the PS3’s biggest enemy. Comment.
Both our products, the PS2 and PS3 have their own benefits and audiences that are complemented by two different two communication strategies. The PS2 and PS3 are more like older brother and younger brother. In other words, they will both help each other with sales. The PS2 will still continue to grow because of the launch of PS3. While PS2 with a price of Rs. 7,990/- is more easily affordable, PS3 with it’s completely new architecture (Hi-Definition, Blu-ray technology and set of revolutionary micro-processors) promises to take the gaming industry to another level. Thanks to the PS3, the PlayStation brand itself is now bigger and more popular than ever. Globally, the demand for PS2 has increased while sustaining a commendable growth in PS3 sales as well.
MS has gone all out with its Xbox 360 campaign? How are you planning on tackling the Indian markets for the PS3’s launch?
Sony’s PS3 goes beyond games by becoming a home entertainment center, offering the ability to play music, watch video and more. In a sense, they are about creating new experiences for gamers. Keeping this in mind Sony has created a strategy that makes games closer to reality. We have specially designed 'PLAYSTATION ZONES' in our exclusive Sony retail stores that aim to blur the line between fiction and reality. These zones offer a opportunity to experience a complete personal demonstration of the ultimate gaming experience which Sony offers. The 'PLAYSTATION ZONES' also showcase the right formula for "convergence" with multimedia features that go beyond gaming. The strategy has proved to be a hit as we draw a new class of casual gamers as well as the immersive gamer.
first of all the ps3 costs only 600$ which is about 24000rupees but with the duty and all that crap it costs 40000 which is ridiculously expensive.Moreover ps3 piracy hasn still hit the market.So only when piracy comes for ps3 it will be a hit in india and other developing and under developed countries.The ps2 is a huge success in india bcos of the availability of pirated ps2 games at 40rupees that too here in chennai.piracy is actually a game developers,publishers problem.Sony is actabually happy that piracy is there for their gaming consoles otherwise how can people spend 2999rupees for a game.moreover about the raids which sony has been doing is all a drama.they jus want to do so that the game developers dont get a doubt on sonys credibility! 
