In an interview with GameInformer magazine, Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) CEO Jack Tretton denied a PlayStation 3 price drop in 2007. According to Tretton, Sony cannot afford a price drop this year, due to the increased research and development cost that went into the new console. "There's a heck of a lot more under the hood and it costs us more money to make it," the CEO said. Tretton insisted that the fact the PS3 is the costliest next generation console is irrelevant: "I think the consumers that get their hands on a PlayStation 3 clearly see the value and not only want to buy one for $599, in some instances they're willing to pay ridiculous prices to buy one on eBay." The Sony CEO did not, however, mention that the eBay PS3 craze is long over.
It seems that Sony is waiting for PS3’s game library to expand which should make the system appear as a better option. Lowering the price now would result in Sony losing even more money per console, but at the same time, sales would improve. A bigger user base would result in more games being bought, which means more money for Sony. A smaller user base could result in third-party developers being unwilling to develop exclusive games for the platform. I’m not ruling out a price drop though, no manufacturer will announce a price drop too early or it will cause current sales to drop. Needless to say, Sony isn’t in a position for a drop in sales.
News source: Ars Technica
It seems that Sony is waiting for PS3’s game library to expand which should make the system appear as a better option. Lowering the price now would result in Sony losing even more money per console, but at the same time, sales would improve. A bigger user base would result in more games being bought, which means more money for Sony. A smaller user base could result in third-party developers being unwilling to develop exclusive games for the platform. I’m not ruling out a price drop though, no manufacturer will announce a price drop too early or it will cause current sales to drop. Needless to say, Sony isn’t in a position for a drop in sales.
News source: Ars Technica
Sony is missing on a very good chunk of spenders, and they are not actually poor. Instead they are just not willing to pay that price for the console.
Basically i think it will become a "all in one box" for the livingroom in most scenarios. its "everything" out of the box.
For the people that is ONLY looking for a games console to play games on however, i can understand that it is a bit on the expensive side.
For me personally, it's definately worth the price (just gotta wait till it ships in Europe), i get a bluetooth 2.0 hub in my livingroom, it replaces my dvd drive, it plays back high def videos, it offers HDMI output for perfect digital connections to my 46" lcd-tv, basically it gives me everything i want in a sleek and nice looking enclosure (something that cannot be said about the x360, fugly, addon this and that and proprietary hdd enclosures that will probably cost shitloads to upgrade, and in the end, a x360 with wifi addon, hd-dvd addon will cost more than a PS3 anyway).
Exactly how does that mean that it doesn't void the warranty to install a bigger HD? The PS3 will soon enough find its place on shelves next to laserdisc players, minidisc players, and betamax players. Funny, the majority of those play Sony proprietary formats that they tried to turn into mainstream, only to have them flounder and eventually die. Porn has chosen HD-DVD, so you can guess where the masses will go.
Definitely.
One thing that people have forgotten is that seperate boxes provide a nice, idiot-proof way to compartmentalize functionality.
My parents can stumble through a DVD player. They can hobble through a VCR. But when they got a shiney new (at the time) $300 DVD-VCR combo, they were lost, because they couldn't quite get the handle of "modes".
If you press "play" on a 5-function device, there are at least six possible things which happen (no. 6 being nothing, because it's turned off).
Meanwhile the 360 have MC Extender, ability to stream movies, and XNA, wich will eventually lead to at least one user created version of XBMC 360.
and the PS3 HDD is replaceable by the user, not easily replaceable by the user, that would be the 360 HDD, even if you at the moment will probably have to pay a premium on it when MS releases one.
Also remember that Sony looses between an estimated at least 200 dollars on every console, though most likely according to those who knows it's more like 300 or more.
now do the math, how much do you think "SONY" earns form every game sold in pure profit,10 dollars to sony ir probably an exaggaration. even so, if we assume they get 10 dollars for every game, do you realize how many games every console owner have to buy.
How does one "loose" money? Is money normally tight?
now do the math
Do the spelling: it's LOSE.
Still, the fact that at the Wal-Mart where I work PS3s will last 3-4 weeks when one comes in as opposed to the Wiis 3-4 hours for every six that come in. I don't know what it takes, but Sony needs to act fast to regain marketshare.
To be honest, I'm not a "Sony must die!" consumer but I'm glad this situation is blowing up in their face. Maybe it will teach them a lesson? Who knows. All I know for sure is that I am very satisfied with my 360, Wii, and PC.
The first decent response to this thread.
I don't see this happening, at least not not for the Xbox 360. It may happen for the Wii, but doubtful. Do a price check on a regular Xbox, you'll see the same $150 price tag it has maintained for the last 3-4 years.
larger harddrive, halo3, fable2....these will all provide a boost for the 360
larger harddrive, halo3, fable2....these will all provide a boost for the 360
That's true, except for the HDD, the PS3 has the larger HDD. The Xbox 360 HDD is 20 GB, but you only have 13.8 GB of personal storage capacity. The PS3 ships with a 20 GB HDD, or a 60 GD HDD, depending on your budget.
As for the titles, most games available these days are multi-platform, and there are more exclusive titles for the Xbox 360 than the PS3; the only two PS3 exclusives that look worth mentioning is MGS 4 (although, IMO, Splinter Cell is just as good), and of course, Resistance, and with Gears out there, also not to mention BioShock and Mass Effect also to come this year, Resistance has a lot of competition to fend off. It may be a great shooter right now, but after BioWare shows their excellence again, Resistance will no longer be mentioned.
Meanwhile, I'm off to download the GRAW2 demo.
At Best Buy.. we have like 100 PS3s.. none are being sold. Every time we get a hold of a Wii.. its gone.
Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!
Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.