I agree. The issue is how the manufacturers price the systems. Most videogame companies force a MSRP to the T. and there are very few stores that defect from whatever the big boys (Nintendo, MS, Sony) decide the official MSRP to be. I think, what should be critical for every company this generation is to let the retailers to their job: sell the systems, by any sale and any means nessecary. When you force communistic laws on what something should cost, your restricting the retailer to offer the best incentives to war against the other companies sales. Look at it this way: I doubt MS is selling 360s to Wal-Mart for $399.98 for prem. models from launch. However, we could really never know, because you have that imaginary MSRP at $399. If there was no such hardcore MSRP for a PS3, 360 or Wii (atleast in the US, and probably elsewhere), the retailers could even sell below their cost in an attempt to gain a userbase purchasing their software vs. competitors (where the real cash is made). The fact is, video game companies are using a 30 year old archaic model of sales. Heck, I think most publishers still go on the basis of consignment for video game sales (which led to the crash of 1983)
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
