The PlayStation 2 game console from Sony is finally available in India now. However, not only is the console exorbitantly priced, the games available for it now are also priced way beyond the average enthusiast's reach.
At 2000-3000 rupees per game, it is almost like a US gamer having to shell out $200-$300 per game! (This calculation is based on the concept of Purchasing Power Parity or PPP, according to which the ideal exchange rate for the Indian rupee would be more like 10 rupees/dollar rather than the 45 rupees/dollar exchange rate in the currency markets. Interestingly, the Indian economy is the 12th largest in the world in terms of exchange rates but becomes the 4th largest in the world when PPP rates are taken into account!)
To make matters worse, the available games are non-descript at best and do not include the real PS2 hits like Gran Turismo 3, Grand Theft Auto, Metal Gear Solid 2, etc. How in the heavens do these guys expect this console to be hit in India if they price games like this and do not even make the really good games available? And then they beat their chests over how the Indian market is not really ready for game consoles! Sheesh!
The PC games scene in India was also this dismal till some time back - thankfully, better sense prevailed among the distributors and most games are now priced at 500-700 rupees, although you still run into outlandish prices for some of them.