Quick Jump Daily Digest

Thank you for your interest in the Quick Jump Daily Digest. Get notified of all new content on QJ in our free Daily Digest. To subscribe, enter your email address below and click the subscribe button.

Cancel and Return to page

Sony's Maguire knows where the "massive land of cheap people" is

Posted Mar 26, 2007 at 5:56AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: PS3 Tags: playstation 3 updates, Ray Maguire, Sony, Sony Computer Entertainment UK

Ray Maguire says U.S. is a massive land with cheap people - Image 1

Here's the thing: online site Games Industry recently had a chat with Sony Computer Entertainment UK (SCE UK) Managing Director Ray Maguire. He talked about the usual stuff - how Sony is going to beat the competition, how the PlayStation 3 (PS3) PAL launch was a success, you know, the usual stuff. Until he was asked on pricing.

It is no secret that the console is priced higher in UK than most of Europe, and most especially than the rest of the world. When asked about this, he amusingly answered by comparing the state of things between U.S. and UK,

If you take what's considered to be the most expensive and the least expensive Â– consider the U.S. with its massive land and cheap people. Then you look at the UK Â– a little island where rent and rates are at an absolute premium, and the cost of people is a lot more. The cost of retail is vastly more in the UK than it is in the U.S.

And then the official continued and mentioned that this is no different than selling a cup of Starbucks coffee or a McDonald's hamburger. According to Maguire, the cost of living is just high in UK. Factor in 17.5% VAT at the maximum and he pities the people of Sweden and Ireland.

Maguire knows well that these comments will spread across the Internet like a wild fire. And he added that Sony being on a bad light is due to today's gaming journalistic standards and the U.S. being a country of cynic people. He said, and we quote,

You also have to remember that we're one of the most cynical nations on the planet and even if you're telling people the absolute truth they doubt whether that information is real or not. This is the world that we sit in and we have to accept it and make the best of it.

We don't know how you guys would react to this but we're just telling you what Maguire said in his interview. If you want to read about the "usual stuff," the Read link below should take you to the full interview.

Update: In an effort to clear up these statements, Sony confirmed with gaming site 1UP that his controversial statement does not refer to Americans being cheap. We all know that wasn't what he meant. Maguire was actually referring to the cheaper labor and cost of living in the U.S. As compared to the US$ 10/hour minimum wage of workers in UK, the Americans' US$ 5.15/hour does seem, we don't know, cheaper.

This story sucks? This story rocks!

Vote Now!

(0)

(0)

well, he's got a point, you know.

us Americans are the whiniest, *****iest, cheapest *****s on the planet. it's just a fact that we don't appreciate anything, and take a whole lot for granted (like our freedoms other countries are still killing each other for to attain).

cynics? you bet. "doubt" is clearly our middle name, and we get our gospel truth from the television, instead of our own instincts and informed opinions. it's even worse here in Los Angeles, where even altruistic good samaritans are greedy, selfish, bastards.

i may be being a little harsh on my country of birth, but it's true. and what scares me the most is that most of us don't even care what type of image we project to other countries, and it doesn't look like there's any chance we're going to change and stop being so damn selfish and self-centered.

# HAH — Guest 2007-03-26 08:10

yeah he does have a point. USA is cheap. My friend dogs the PS3 because of the price and tells me everyday the Wii is better but never plays it and has no games. I have 7 PS3 games and love it.

# idiots — Guest 2007-03-26 08:16

Sony needs to fire its entire marketing staff.

# You say it like it's a bad thing. — Guest 2007-03-26 08:22

Why should we care? It's the attributes that one gains being one of the last major (if not only) super powers left. Alot of counties may be killing each other to attain their freedom but that is them paying their dues. We went through our wars for freedom, our civil wars amongst ourselves, and we've evolved to solving our national dispute without bloodshed, every nation pays it's dues to reach that level. It is because of our freedom that we can take it for granted, you expressing your disheartening and me expressing my pleasures.

You say we get our gospel truth from television but you sum us up together. Any group is retarded, that's what is so beautiful about masses of people. A mass of any people from any nation is going to be, how to put it, not as "optimized" as a single unit. If you were to tally us up as single units, I imagine we would be quite well off to other nations in ratio of retarded:brilli ant.

You can write us off as greedy, selfish, bastards. But you forget how much we waste on helping 3rd world counties. I say a waste cause you also point out they are killing each other. The millions (if not billions) we send as aid all around the world.

I may be a little lenient on my country of birth, but it's true, and what scares me the most is that most of us don't even care what type of image we project to other counties, and it doesn't look like there's any chance we're going to change and stop being so damn uncaring to how people view us regardless of our good deeds.

P.S. I find it amusing that I'm told that I'm cheap for spending 600+ dollars for their console. I love that.

# wow — Guest 2007-03-26 08:49

well there goes 1 million sales.

God you guys suck balls with your marketing. Your commercials have no meaning, and you just called the US cheap.??

# Sorry but you're wrong. — Guest 2007-03-26 09:13

It's quite obviously a very honest statement. Honesty is something that will win a company customers in the end. It is rare - and Sony actually owns up to a lot of things and doesn't sugar coat it.

Yes, cost of living in the UK is higher - hence higher prices. It's simple and true. Props to Sony for saying what is true.

USA - The land of the cheap? No, that's not what he is saying. He said basically that the cost of living in the USA is lower - and a lower cost on the machine is warranted. (Even if they are losing their shirts on each sale)

# Well...., — MrDaBucket 2007-03-26 09:39

Americans are cheap.....they always want more for less.

# Stupid you have a perfect name — Jin Wu 2007-03-26 09:52

We are some of the most "something for nothing" bastards on this planet! We account for so much spending in the world economy but do everything in our power to ensure the rest of the world knows it and is required to bow down to us because we're all suckers for commercials.

Which brings me back to stupid's argument, what the hell are you talking about? They've already sold millions and on their way to selling millions more. Marketing you say? Why would a commercial make up your mind for you to buy a product if you yourself have no intention of buying? This is the other problem with us americans, we'll buy dog doody in a shiny metal box if the ad is good.

Stupid's statements just told you everything that's wrong with americans as consumers.

And wow, I didn't know the cost of living was so high in the UK! Guess I'll have to stop giving my UK xbox friends so much crap!

# You say it like it's just Americans. — Guest 2007-03-26 10:45

Who wouldn't want more for less? You write off the rest of the world as if they are so self content with paying "more for less". How many other nations would love to get more for less? You need more substantial backing to say that frivolous statement.

# I Live In The U.S. — CHUCKINGROCKSATSPACESHIPS 2007-03-26 10:57

I'm not cheap for things that matter to me. I like to play video games so l spend the money on them.

Refresh comments list

Add comment

JComments

HOT GAMING NEWS | LATEST GAMING SEARCHES | FORUMS

QUICK JUMP DAILY DIGEST

Welcome to QJ.Net!

If you want your comments to go live without waiting for moderation, you need to be logged in. Being logged in has its benefits:

Logged in members do not wait for their comments to be approved.
Logged in members can create Profiles to be seen by other users.

So why wait? Create an account or login now! It's easy, quick, and free.

To get started, use the LOGIN boxes, or the REGISTER link below!

Want to learn more about the team who brings you the QJ news?

Read about them now!

HOT FLASH GAMES

QJ.NET Categories
• Apple • E3 • Featured Articles • Gadgets • Games for Windows • iPad • iPhone • MMORPG • Mobile • News • Nintendo 3DS • Nintendo DS • Opinions & Analysis	• Photography • PlayStation 3 • PoV • PS Vita • PSP • Rumors • Science • Site News • Tabula Rasa • Wii • Wii U • World of Warcraft • Xbox 360

Sitemap

Newest Downloads

05/22/2012 - 05/31/2012

XeBuild GUI 2.061	05/30/2012
edicpopDS v0.3.01	05/29/2012
RGLoader 0v290 Beta	05/27/2012
WiiMod 3.2	05/27/2012
WiiMC v1.2.7	05/25/2012
True Blue Firmeware v2.7	05/24/2012
3DS Video Converter v2.3	05/24/2012
Mobile Assault 1.8.2	05/24/2012
PSP Tools Alpha 0.1	05/22/2012
Newton War	05/22/2012
DaedalusX64 r766	05/22/2012
PSPMarble	05/22/2012
The Undead 4 - Nazi Zombies	05/21/2012
3DSExplorer v1.2.1	05/21/2012
J-Runner v0.2 Beta 275	05/19/2012

Most Comments this Month
Sound Off: On Game Expirat..	(58)
Say Goodbye to the Xbox 36..	(31)
EA Blames iOS Rock Band Ex..	(28)
Flash0 Contents Of Vita's..	(27)
Sony Had a Rough Year; Vit..	(26)
PlayStation 3: Now Featuri..	(23)
Sound Off: Toughest Game C..	(20)
Apparently You Can Pre-Ord..	(19)
Love It or Hate It, It's A..	(16)
PoV: This Collectors Editi..	(15)
You've Been Up in Arms Abo..	(15)
Pre-Order Generic Shooter..	(15)
Get Off Xbox Live, You Ped..	(14)
This is Next Gen?	(14)
Metal Gear Solid For Vita..	(14)
PoV: Paid MMOs are Dead	(14)
PoV: You Are Wrong about C..	(14)
Stop Your Whining, Start C..	(13)
PSP Is Back, Whiter, Cheap..	(13)
OK, So Maybe Microsoft Can..	(12)
Wii Will Be U	(12)
Does Microsoft Ever Have a..	(12)
Operation Raccoon City Pro..	(12)
Diablo III Getting Mauled..	(12)
Pokemon Liquid Crystal! K..	(12)

Top Jumps this Month
Naruto Shippuden: Ul..	(172)
Pokemon Liquid Cryst..	(106)
neur0n Knocks Out An..	(103)
Bust Out Your PSP Fo..	(92)
PSP homebrew - LameC..	(72)
Wii homebrew - WAD M..	(57)
PSP Comics Reader v2..	(53)
PSP Homebrew: 6.xx P..	(44)
Hellcat Working On R..	(42)
PSP Homebrew - PSPDi..	(41)
PSP homebrew - DSonP..	(38)
neur0n Gives You Mor..	(37)
Sound Off: On Game E..	(36)
PSP GBA v1.2: Gamebo..	(33)
Latest Left 4 Dead 2..	(32)
Another CFW Goodie F..	(30)
Soywiz Releases PSP..	(30)
Sound Off: Should Ap..	(29)
GTA IV patch 1.0.6.0..	(29)
Download full Sid Me..	(28)
Homebrew - PSP/PS3 P..	(26)
PSP homebrew - Mario..	(23)
Brian Lara Internati..	(22)
DS homebrew game - S..	(21)
Metal Gear Solid For..	(21)

HOT GAMING NEWS TOPICS

Quick Jump Daily Digest

Sony's Maguire knows where the "massive land of cheap people" is

Related Stories:

Comments

Add comment

Newest Downloads