The next generation video game console war begins. Bloomberg Boot Camp, a report on today's technology. Sony, which has been able to dominate the video game console business with the PlayStation 2…..is hoping for a repeat performance with the PlayStation 3. The obstacles…two more worth competitors in Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii…..the initial lack of availability…and last but not least…that 500 dollar price tag for the basic model. About the availability issue, senior vice president Peter Dille says….Sony plans to keep new units arriving every week. And the company has asked retailers to avoid the use of waiting lists…

"We thought it would be more equitable for everyone to have a little bit of element of chance to it. You know there's going to be some luck involved because maybe you'll walk into the store at the very moment that the clerk is bringing new hardware onto the show floor."

The games, which will cost about 60 dollars apiece, look great on a high definition screen. The menu interface is much like the one on the PlayStation Portable…you can browse through your digital photos and music…or browse the Intenet. The PS3 can use standard USB keyboards and mice. About the price obstacle, Dille says…

"We want consumers to understand the benefits of Blu-ray, not just as a movie playback technology. Blu-ray offers so much more storage than competing systems. The other message is the ten year life cycle that Sony provides. We've got a track record of offering technology that stands the test of time."

More on the competition in upcoming reports. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I'm Fred Fishkin.