Both Sony and Microsoft now have attractive $299 price points for their flagship console packages. Great news for consumers, right? Not so fast. Both companies have decided to include only RGB cables with their packages, instead of cabling capable of HD output such as composite or HDMI.
So what in the hell are Sony and Microsoft doing packing their $299 models with a set of RGB cables? Those yellow/red/white cables that came with every system since the Super Nintendo aren’t going to show off the HD beauty of some of these next-gen games, and some consumers are either going to be upset they have to buy an HDMI cable or, if they don’t know better, stare at a game picture that is well underwhelming for the money they just spent on the system.
Microsoft VP of Interactive Entertainment Business in Europe gave GamesIndustry.biz his spin:
We wanted to get the Elite pricing to a figure that is acceptable for consumers so they have the option of a premium console gaming experience. Removing the HDMI cable gives the flexibility to consumers who can then decide which type of cable they want for their specific gaming and TV screen set-up.
Masterful attempt at spinning an absolutely blockheaded strategy from both next-gen console manufacturers.
Correction: A previous version of this story stated that the PS3 Slim included HDMI cables out of the box, when it actually includes only RGB cables. The [a]list daily regrets the error.