PS3 launches in India, Xbox 360 in UAE

14 Comments by Ross Miller Apr 27th 2007 6:02PM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have found two more territories to duke it out in as each console launches in regions where the other has already been stocking store shelves.

In India, the PlayStation 3 launches today for 39,990 INR (US $981). The Xbox 360 launched in India September 26 with a 23,990 INR (US $515) price tag for the premium system, although the Times of India states the current price for the 360 in India is 27,990 INR (US $686). Nintendo has not yet officially launched the Wii in India.

SCEE sales and marketing director Tim Stokes told TOI he expects the Indian gaming market to grow a massive 850% in three years, from $50 million currently to $425 million in 2010. Sony initially shipped 1,200 units. According to the article, only one model -- the 60 GB SKU -- will be available.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Xbox 360 is launching for 1,799 UAE dirhams (US $490). The PlayStation 3 launched in the region March 23 with PAL territories for 2,499 UAE dirhams (US $680). Games for the Xbox 360, according to Gulf News, will cost between 139 and 279 dirhams (US $37 and $76, respectively).

Read -- Sony brings PlayStation 3 at Rs 39,990
Read -- Microsoft's Xbox [360] officially launched in UAE

Tags: india, microsoft, sony, uae, united arab emirates, UnitedArabEmirates

(Page 1) Reader Comments

Faraz M.: Apr 27th 2007; 6:12PM

i grew up in pakistan and the 360 there is about $600 which is the same in india but $1000 for a PS3!!!! that is just the biggest ripoff of all time
that is about 2-3 months salary for about 75% of the population
believe me, i know
i thought we were getting ripped off but across the world, people that earn not even a fraction of our salary pay twice as much???? wow

Poisoned Al: Apr 27th 2007; 6:31PM

Before all you Americans scream "RIP OFF," remember that the US dollar is pathetically weak at the moment. I sure it's still pricey , but the costs are a little skewed by he fact I wipe my arse with dollar bills because it's cheaper then toilet paper at the moment.

Alex: Apr 27th 2007; 6:35PM

I'm surprised the Wii being the cheapest system isn't out across the world already. But then again Nintendo can't even bring enough Wiis in developed countries alone.

Shagittarius: Apr 27th 2007; 6:39PM

The dollar will get you about 40 INR right now. Those 40 INR will buy a little more than 1$ US can buy. So Poisoned Al is talking out his ass...it is more expensive even in US currency.

I think its beacuse most people are poor and can't afford it either way but the people who are wealthy over there are really wealthy so you might as well make as much as you can off the 1,200 units your shipping over there.

Mr Khan: Apr 27th 2007; 7:29PM

@ Shagittarius

also localization, although some english is spoken in those territories, if they want to market it in each, they would have to implement two seperate and new alphabets, as well as the other languages

Poisoned Al: Apr 27th 2007; 7:39PM

Shagittarius, you get two US dollars to the pound. That is not a good thing if you're an American importer.

Anthony S: Apr 27th 2007; 10:12PM

Wow, Poisoned Al I didn't know the pound was the official currency for Pakistan and the UAE, please enlighten us more with your global economic brilliance.

WTangoFoxtrot: Apr 27th 2007; 11:20PM

no way anyone back home would ever invest in the PS3, too expensive.

I remember ICICI bank had a special loan one could take for the 360 but the PS3 goes too far beyond. still considering salaries are doubling like every 2 years in india it wont be long before they jump on the wagon with us.

Korova: Apr 28th 2007; 8:56AM

Cant wait for the commercials.

If ps3 commercials in India maintain their wakiness lead over xbox commercials so brilliantly established in Europe, they should be ablsolutely glorious, since the Indian xbox commercials was a real hoot!

ammar91994: Apr 28th 2007; 10:59AM

not such a bad price for the UAE, and people here aren't really poor. You could already get the Xbox 360 here for months though...... kinda strange. I don't think the Wii has officialy launched here either, but alot of stores have it for about 1500 dirhams (about $450). One thing I found strange here is that Sonic for PS3 here is 299, while most other games for PS3 are like 279.

letmethinkaboutit: Apr 28th 2007; 12:59PM

One big problem with your argument 'poisoned al' Currency convesion! Yes did you notice it? We pay $600 USD they pay $981 USD. See? Convesion pay attention next time!

Deanodxb: Apr 29th 2007; 2:07AM

Ammar - not sure where you've seen that price for Sonic. Think the most expensive PS3 game I've bought was AED 270. Try the little games stall in the Lamcy. You can bargain that guy right down (he seems to be making the price up on the controllers - get them from Jumbo).

The Dirham is tied to the Dollar but the PS3 is still substantially cheaper in the UAE than the European and Australian PAL regions - no tax!! :)

The Wii's here (UAE) are NTSC - from the US. UAE is a PAL territory, so buyer beware once the Wii launches here. PAL games will not work on an unmodded NTSC Wii. I got my Wii in December from the UK but since picking up the PS3 I hardly use it. The PS3 is amazing with the right display.

tstokes: Apr 30th 2007; 1:19AM

The reason PS3 (and X-Box 360) are so expensive in India - is because the Indian government slaps on around 35% in import duties and other taxes to the cost. Unfortunately these costs are ultimately passed on the to end consumer. So you should take this up with the Indian Finance Ministry rather than have a pop at the console manufacturers.

navin_gameboy: May 31st 2007; 7:40AM

Im a big playstation fan,i have ps1&3 and have played
all the popular games of playstation series.Im eager
to buy ps3.To play the feature games but it costs nearly 40,000 in my currency.Its a high price middle
range people and its dream to ps-3 games.

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