Sony of America expands into other half of America [update]

by Ben Gilbert { Feb 20th 2009 at 1:00PM }

In an attempt to finally give some attention to an entire continent traditionally devoid of official involvement from video game companies in general, Sony today announced its intentions to expand into ~~South~~ Latin America. This expansion brings with it access to the Playstation Network (though we're not sure how extensively just yet) as well as licensed retail versions of Sony's three major pieces of hardware -- the PS3, PSP and PS2. The company announced it'll be launching in "13 different countries in the region" through a partnership with Sony Latin America.

Sony Argentina has said in the past that any retailers selling the Playstation 3 in the region are doing so illegally, specifically because, " [Sony] must certify it for compliance with the local RF spectrum regulations," said Federico Augspach, marketing manager at Sony Argentina, when he spoke with The Examiner. At the time, the system was running nearly $2000 USD at certain retailers (for imported versions, mind you). And now, Sony's making the system significantly more affordable in the region. Well, moderately more affordable ... if you're rich. We've put in word to Sony for more info on regions and pricing.

UPDATE: Liz Archibald from Sony America updated us on the specific regions, saying, "These countries include Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. Additional services such as PlayStation Network, will be introduced in a phased roll-out to select countries." As far as pricing goes, things get a little more complex, "SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment of America] offers three different PlayStation gaming systems at various price points, and each offers a varying degree of technology and functionality, which ultimately speaks to more consumers in a region such as Latin America, which has many segmented economic classes."

Tags: Federico-Augspach, latin-america, playstation-network, scea, sony, sony-argentina, sony-latin-america, south-america, the-examiner

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Courtney @ Feb 20th 2009 1:09PM

Holy crap, two grand!? It would seem that if someone in Argentina could afford that, then they could probably afford to import one for significantly less.

Who knows though, I deal in small electronics and used to have a couple of customers that bought items from me at full retail and sold them throughout South America at a good profit. They always said it was good money if you had contacts down there, guess they were right.

chongox @ Feb 20th 2009 2:27PM

Way back when I was in argentina all kind of consoles/computers that I had, where bought on the informal market.
As you say before, saving half of the retailer price, when I earn 1/3 of you salary, mind you in an overprice piece of kit. (remember you pay 600 or less).
However I guess they will never know, the real installed base of the product.

Luan @ Feb 20th 2009 1:11PM

Hope they include Brazil...I'm brazilian and I'm moving back there at the end of the year..the PS3 is about R$1,400 there...i don't know how much it is in Dollars, but I'm glad I already have one! xD
even though the price, It actually sells pretty well over there...Damn, I love my country! :P

TracerBullet @ Feb 20th 2009 1:20PM

Look at the economy of Brasil and compare it with the other south America countries.
Any question if we`re going to be included?

Luan @ Feb 20th 2009 1:30PM

what are you implying? that the economy there sucks? My dad said it aint as bad as a lot of countries around, hell, when I was there this summer he spent R$22,000 in a month!

TracerBullet @ Feb 20th 2009 1:40PM

*sigh*

In short, I'm saying that your father is right. Not only or PIB is bigger than the other countries, this present government did a couple of right things, like managing the superavit and creating a "dollar mattress", a respectable reserve that we are using now to help us to go thru the international crysis. Plus, we're way ahead of other countries when it comes to banking rules on security and transparency, so we're not bound to the risks that are causing many finantial instituitions to break. Not to mention there`s just another 2 countries in the world to have the ecquivalent of the Copom - another safety measure.

Now go tell that to your old man and impress him

Luan @ Feb 20th 2009 1:47PM

Oh right....yeah....I always thought that even though Brasil is a "3rd World" country, It is 1000X times better than this end of the world England place I'm at...(no offence, I mean, I'm here right?)...but Brasil is a much better place to live!

Roto13 @ Feb 20th 2009 2:16PM

Games will still be retardedly expensive there.

Luan @ Feb 20th 2009 2:21PM

yes, they're about 150-200 bucks, but you can always trade in the stuff you don't want anymore and what not...
plus...my mom imports the games to me :P

Josh @ Feb 20th 2009 2:36PM

Wait, what the hell? They just updated and said Brazil isn't included.

My guess is it's because they're only going after Spanish-speaking countries...

That's still bullshit, though.

Noshino @ Feb 20th 2009 2:45PM

Josh,

"Wait, what the hell? They just updated and said Brazil isn't included."

Yah, like you guessed, that has to do because of different languages. But then again, they have always been treated separately from the other S American countries because of the language, so this isn't really new.

Oz @ Feb 20th 2009 2:51PM

I'm willing to bet that Brazil is not on the list. Even though it is the largest country on the continent with the most solid economy as of now, we are still considered a struggling 3rd world country in the eyes of mult-national companies.
It was said at E3 that Sony intended to get to Brazil, but in 2010, and even when it did get here, many sites have reported that they intent to lauch the PS2 here, instead of the PS3.

Viakenny @ Feb 20th 2009 7:08PM

maybe it's because of a different language, but it may be because of our obscene taxation for video games: in fact, the official Brazilian Xbox 360 bundle (with the Pro console, two games and a media remote) goes for 2199 BRL (922.40 USD at today's rate)

Persio @ Feb 22nd 2009 11:05PM

Oh dear... get over it already, get your entropay card and your ebay games and, again, GET OVER IT!

Watersbr @ Feb 20th 2009 1:13PM

In Argentina it was cheap... in Brazil the launch ps3 got priced at... $3800 (No typo here)

It's still usually priced at $900-1000 range nowadays...

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Feb 20th 2009 1:46PM

In Mexico it was in OVER NINE THOUSAND!!! (Pesos) Like 1,000$ to 1,300$ now is on 800$ to 700$ and it includes LBP.

The iphone by the other hand is on 1,100$ to 1,400$ USD and half the functions aren't even avalible.WTF? I wouldn't mid paying 599$ but 1,400$ Phff they'll have to make itunes avalible here before I even consider it.

Ridgecity @ Feb 20th 2009 2:45PM

Huh? iPhone doesn't cost that. You pay $599 a month (around $45) with contract or $7999 (around $650) prepaid.

I don't understand how accurate this comments are, since Sony Mexico has been selling consoles since the PS1. Maybe they are referring to advertisements and more reasonable prices.

Here in Mexico the only one with realistic prices for a developinng country is Microsoft. Sony and Nintendo products are pretty damn expensive. Actually no, Microsoft sells the arcade machine for $4500 or $300 dollars.

Watersbr @ Feb 20th 2009 3:20PM

It was like $8000 reais on the launch.... it was something like $3800 USD.

It was ridiculous, because it was cheaper to buy a ticket yourself to the US and buy the Ps3!

But it was for a short time.

TracerBullet @ Feb 20th 2009 1:18PM

Good.
People were able to buy Wii`s in Brazil with warranty, tech support, and full access to wii channels/wiiware for some time, now. Likewise, microsoft always sold their Xbox here with the same consumer respect and access to XboxLive.

More competition on the right side of economy is always welcomed. Even if it took so long.

Josh @ Feb 20th 2009 1:29PM

So, generally, are South American retail game releases still in English, or are they usually translated into Spanish/Portuguese?

What about system menus and things? And downloadable games?

JayVe @ Feb 20th 2009 2:55PM

I thought Sony was going to have a WORLDWIDE LAUNCH with the PS3?

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sony-promises-global-ps3-launch-in-november-six-million-units-by-year-end

Here is the link ---^

Viakenny @ Feb 20th 2009 7:18PM

most games are in English, but Microsoft is translating many Xbox 360 games to Portuguese (like the Viva Piñata series)

maloom76 @ Feb 21st 2009 9:37AM

To Josh,
Both the PS3 and most of the games already come with multiple language support, including spanish, although usually with a thick spanish (from Spain) accent. All you have to do is go to the system settings and choose the language that you want.

Tim @ Feb 20th 2009 1:19PM

Is it just me or does it look like the PS3 is riding a toilet down the Atlantic?

Andrew Ryan @ Feb 20th 2009 1:24PM

OMG you're right. I zoomed in & that's exactly what it was. Good eyes lol.

Strategy_Panda @ Feb 20th 2009 3:02PM

its an inflatable raft

Popfrogs @ Feb 20th 2009 10:13PM

Joystick's anti-Sony slant is really getting to you huh? ;)

Jerses @ Feb 20th 2009 1:23PM

The ps3 in mexico cost $800 dlls and games are $100, used games on gamerush cost from $60 to $70.

Games are really expensive in here but i dont think prices will be diferent once sony comes to south america. We can buy PSN cards but they cost $38 dlls ($20dlls cards) so they will keep the prices high.

Live in the boarder or have a friend that goes to the us = win
buy games from mexico = fail

Night Elve @ Feb 20th 2009 1:44PM

It really depends where you buy your games, really.

For example I found that PS3 or 360 Games on stores such as Costco & Sams are priced fairly.

However games in stores such as Liverpool, Palacio de Hierro, Samborns are pretty expensive.

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Feb 20th 2009 1:50PM

Pro Tip:Go to Game Rush,better than Gameplanet and there isn't the pre-order BS on LE.Also they have more variety,I managed to find several awesome games for under 10$.

Sam's does have better prices but in titles no one gives a f*ck.Mix up well sometimes they have higher prices and sometimes lower prices.Some games get a 10% while others get 10% more.

xtrmlybad @ Feb 20th 2009 1:57PM

Are you serious?

Prices in Mexico are pretty rasonable. A $60 game for $800-900? That's a frigging correct price, in my opinion. If you take the conversation rate during this crisis, it's even more convenient for me to buy them over here.

Same goes with PS3 and Xbox360 pricing. The only one I disagree with it's current sell price is the Wii, which goes for $100 dollars or more.

Dante G @ Feb 20th 2009 2:01PM

@Night Elve

Yeah, you just have to know where and when to buy the games. For example, last november I bought madden 09 at liverpool when they had the 25% of sale. I cost me less than 40 bucks.

In Sam's and Walmart game prices are really close to the prices in the US. In some cases they're even cheaper.

Dante G @ Feb 20th 2009 2:07PM

@Mr. Esc

Where's this game rush you speak of?

I live in Mty and I've never seen one of those.

Dante G @ Feb 20th 2009 2:20PM

nvm I just checked. Game Rush is the gaming part of Block Buster. They got some kind of sale right now. They got games like bully for less than $15. I'm gonna take a look at what games they got in store this weekend : )

Jerses @ Feb 20th 2009 3:01PM

I agree that you can buy games for as low as $40dlls in Mexico...but if you want new games or games that worth the play they will cost you $1000 pesos or more. Gameplanet, gamerush, sams club (800 pesos $60 for games like fifa, madden, gt5p,etc)

try buying bioshock, COD5, Resistance 2,LBP,etc. All $100 + even mercadolibre (ebay mexico). :S im good at $800 dlls. but all stores tend to inflate the price of good games. :( shame

Julian @ Feb 20th 2009 5:10PM

But you have to take note of the dollar which is around 13.80 pesos....
so... 1 dll = 13.80 pesos --> 60 dlls a game which is around 820 pesos I think...so the prices are almost alike.

Cuban Pete @ Feb 20th 2009 1:27PM

Hey &$*#& is it really necessary to show a ps3 on a raft. My parents are from cuban and they did not get to America in a raft, they took a plane. So is that how you think all of latin america, oh... I get it the ps3 is taking the raft to latin america because things are so ass backwards down there........ you *$&#. Go *#&*#& yourself.

EDIT: The raft is Sony taking a PS3 to South America, not vice versa (as this is a story about Sony expanding into Latin America). The only reason I used a raft was because it's really difficult to Photoshop a PS3 on a sailboat. Sorry buddy, no harm intended. If you want to Photoshop me a PS3 taking a sailboat/ship to South America with 580px by 350px max dimensions, maybe we can work something out. :)

Lionbacker steamID: detfan1957 @ Feb 20th 2009 4:53PM

@pete:

I really, really hope you're joking.

rodrigohitman @ Feb 20th 2009 1:30PM

Man... this really stinks from Sony...
The dont give a penny about the LatinAmerican audience...
First of all... In Mexico they Used to sell the 80gb PS3 around 800-900 usd... now... its around 600-800...
Now... Customer Suport sucks Big Time... if your PS3 have's a Failure they last like 60days to replace it... and they dont give a damn...
Mexican PS Store Sucks too... it haves like 10% of the original US Store and we dont even have the right to buy it with our own currency, we have to buy PS pre-paid cards that are really expensive and we cant manage to use a credit card too...
Mark Stanley need to work know... they need to change their customer support, they need to change they way they sell videogames here...
Man... the got a lot of Profit selling ps3 here in Mexico come'on!!
Well this is the same old story... we latins are just a part of the third world and we dont count as consumers...

billzilla @ Feb 20th 2009 1:41PM

I don't know what it's like to be a gamer in Mexico, but If it's any consolation, Sony treats the USA market like 'a third world' compared to their own Japan market.

xtrmlybad @ Feb 20th 2009 2:06PM

Good move by part of Sony.

Being Mexican, I'd say most prices are fairly decent now a days, which apparently everyone disagrees. Two or three years ago, last gen, the prices for games and consoles was ridiculous and overpriced. Now, prices increase maybe $10-$20 dollars, which is a good fee for convenience and transportation (since I live 2 hours away from USA, I tend to buy my games over there -- which in turn is like $40 dollars of gas per trip). Since more American stores are rolling into the country, we can find better prices due to competition of local stores.

In fact, in a rare case, No More Heroes was $500 pesos on launch (around $45 dollars) in GameRush, which completely boggled my mind and I still think it was a mistake.

Microsoft showed good support to Mexico over the last couple of years, and it has worked great. We'd have amazing marketing campaings and what not.

What I like the most about this news is the support of PSN Network. Several times my friends and I have tried to purchase songs in Rock Band, only to fail needing American CCs, so we had to wait to purchase PSN cards directly from the US.

Anyway, good news, good news. Hope pricing goes doing with Sony's full support over the region.

Rafael @ Feb 20th 2009 1:35PM

And this is why we have so much piracy down there. Living in Brazil I never bought an original game because it was priced around R$200. Which converts to USD$100 but if your sallary is paid in R$ then it feels like USD$200, not 100.

Then I came to the US and I'm happy to pay $60 for a game, it's expensive but affordable and I know I'm contributing to the studio that made it and helping them keep on doing more games.

But 200 for a game it's just out of question.

TracerBullet @ Feb 20th 2009 1:55PM

... and because people buy pirate things, the official sellers can't bring down the price.

I rather wait two, 3 months to have the money to buy a software, CD, game, etc. But I just buy the official ones

Viakenny @ Feb 20th 2009 7:26PM

yes, this IS a vicious cycle. and only the government can break that cycle, with decent taxation not just for video games, but for everything here! in fact, our taxation is about 35% of the Brazilian GDP!

eduardoarciente @ Feb 20th 2009 1:35PM

FINALLY SOME JUSTICE!

Trust me, I live in Venezuela, and buying games via mercadolibre (black market in english, the local version of ebay) prices for everything from consoles to games to memory cards go at double the listed rice at best.

Oh, and retailers? Try getting a PS3, 360 or Wii in a mall, these guys quadruple the original price without bating an eyebrow.

It's far better to go to the USA, buy all your shit there, and then come back.

EDIT: "mercadolibre" is actually "Open Market" in English. Spanish language skillz: GO!