Another $600 Console Sounds Good Right About Now

GR's DeShaun Zollicoffer writes:

We’re on the cusp of a new generation of Sony and Microsoft consoles and everyone is talking about possible specs. We wants these new machines to be super powerful, but when it comes to price the sweet spot seems to be $400. This is a little cheap for something that should last you 7-8 years, here’s why the PS4 and Next Xbox should cost at least 599 US dollars.

[OneAboveAll]

No it shouldn't.

[GraveLord]

Why not? An iPad easily gets away with it, I can see myself paying $600 for a console if the tech is really there.

[LOGICWINS]

So why didn't the PS3 get away with it in 06'? Sony couldn't even manage to maintain that $600 price point for a year.

The perceived mainstream value of a $600 iPAD is NOT the same as the perceived mainstream value of a $600 PS3/PS4. When the most recent iPAD launched, it sold three million in 3 days...was the PS3 able to do that?

You have a very simple minded reasoning. You assume that if consumers are willing to spend $600 on one product, that they're automatically willing to spend $600 on another ENTIRELY different product.

Theres a REASON that iPADs sell more than PS3s...yet they are more expensive.

A $600 PS4 at launch would be ludicrous. It may be okay for YOU, but not okay for the general public. The higher you price a console, the less it will sell. The less your consoles sells, the slower your install base builds up. If you have a small install base, third party devs won't take a risk making a game for that console for fear that not enough people will buy it.

Look at the Vita. People CHEERED at E3 for the $249 price point...yet in the real world, its struggling to survive at that price point.

[TekoIie]

Wait so if one company is screwing people its ok for another to do it?

Nice logic there GraveLord...

Most I'd be willing to pay for a new Console is $500 (not including games). Otherwise I will definitely wait a year or two for a significant price drop.

[EddieNX]

Yes , you and the rest of the minority of people are prepared to pay $600 for a console.

The other 80% of Gamers not only are not, but litteraly can't afford it.

If sony and MS's consoles are $600 then the Wiiu will take over LOL. The wiiu will sell a 100M and they will struggle at first and then gradually pick up pace with some price drops.....

Not gunna happen. Anything more than $450 for MS and PS is suicide. And as business' , they both want to build the largest installed bases of Hardcore and Casual players.

That's the truth. I would appreciate a $600 mega console. But the rest of the world will not.

The end.

[cee773]

@logicwins

there was not even 3 million ps3's on sale at launch lol they sold 3.5 million ps3 by FY 2006 which is pretty good

they sold 9.1 million by FY 2007 @ 600$

there were many going on ebay spending $1000 on ps3 at launch there is a market for it ps3 was the first premium console at $600 that was not a flop 500-600$ there is a market for premium consoles sony proved that next gen will be more even ground free online free cross game thats 60$ in savings each year up front and it ps3 instant game library can be migrated to ps4 we have a winner a console that will pay for it self many like myself its all about specs 500-600$ sku's is fine by me just keep your iphone,ipad,galaxy for one extra year a

[LOGICWINS]

"there was not even 3 million ps3's on sale at launch lol they sole 3.5 million ps3 by FY 2006 which is pretty good"

Your veering away from the general point I was trying to make.

$500-$600 iPADs are currently outselling $250 PS3s...theres a REASON for this. People look at more than price when they buy something....contrary to GraveLord's argument.

We aren't considering that Apple SMOKES Sony in several categories:

1. Word of mouth
2. Advertising
3. Innovation
4. Ease of use
5. Portability

THATS why Apple products can get away with 50% markups at launch and Sony can't.

[ABizzel1]

@GraveLord

At least he said "if the tech is really there". If the tech is worth $600 then some people would be willing to pay for it. And it's true an iPad isn't worth the asking price at all.

However, it's what people are willing to pay for. Some people don't care about the long term value of a product, and many more are completely oblivious to investments. A gaming console is a long-term investment, because you can't just buy the console and be done. You have to continuously purchase more products to get the maximum use of the console. So the console vs. iPad comparison isn't a god one as the others said.

As for the article I agree. I want a leap in tech, gameplay, graphics, AI, online, gaming experience, etc... And more power will aid many of those things. I also think game developers need to evolve as well. Cookie Cutter games just don't do it for me anymore. I want good gameplay, good graphics, good acting, good story, and more.

On top of that Sony and MS need to advertise more within their own networks. Put the spotlight on these indie games or even games that have retail releases, but need that extra push from under the shadows of bigger releases. If the game is a critical success and it's sales aren't showing it try to aid them.

Finally fanboys need to stop. If a company goes under then that's over 70 million loss sales, which is at least a $14 billion dollars loss to the industry. Stop rage and hating on other consoles especially if you don't have them. Everyone has their preference, but that doesn't mean another's is wrong. If people only like playing Halo and COD, let them buy their 360's, but instead of bashing them show them other games to play that they may enjoy as well. If people have PS3's and only play COD, take a blunt object to their skulls, and show them all the PS3 exclusives they're missing out on. We need to help as well.

[blitz0623]

@LOGICWINS
you know for someone with logic in his username, you sure don't have any logic.

$600 was ridiculous 6 years ago. SIX.
Ever heard of inflation?

The higher you price a console, the less it will sell? What kind of logic is that? You just used the word console so that iPads are exempted.

As long as the value is in the $600, people will buy it. If the PS3 actually had good launch games, and ESPECIALLY good marketing (which it still doesn't because Sony sucks at promoting).

Why did the iPad sell more at $600? You didn't even explain. Let me fill in the blanks. It had extremely good marketing. They made the product look like it came from the high heavens. And mindless impulse buying by consumers who got wowed by it. I'm not saying it's a bad tablet, it's just not worth the $600 like the PS3 was BUT the marketing campaign couldn't have done a better job.

If the PS3 actually justified its $600 price tag with extremely good launch games as well as promotions and other features more appealing to the average gamer, it would have sold more. Not as much as the iPad since it's not for the general public like the iPad is, but more than what it sold back then.

Sony was too arrogant after their PS2 destroyed the competition that they thought they could just throw in a $600 console there and the mindless sheep will buy it. But they underestimated the normal person. Lesson learned. If they want to release another $600 console, they know they have to back it up instead of just throwing it on the market. Again, as long as people see the value in there, more will get it. I'm not saying it will sell like the iPad, but more than what most expect.

[LOGICWINS]

"As long as the value is in the $600, people will buy it."

WRONG.

Value means NOTHING unless consumers understand the worth of that value. If people bought things solely on value, that PS3 would have been proclaimed gadget of the year for six years straight.

"Why did the iPad sell more at $600? You didn't even explain. Let me fill in the blanks. It had extremely good marketing. They made the product look like it came from the high heavens."

Exactly. Your agreeing with me. In business, it's not about being the best, it's about convincing consumers that you are the best. Apple understands this concept better than anyone.

"If the PS3 actually justified its $600 price tag with extremely good launch games as well as promotions and other features more appealing to the average gamer, it would have sold more."

LOL, you just made my point for me! Without advertising, the factor of "value" is neutralized. This is why an iPAD can be priced more than a PS3 AND sell more than a PS3..even though a PS3 offers a better value.

[TheGamerDood]

They're using off the shelf parts so NO it does not justify a $600 pirce tag. $399 for base model, $500 for fully loaded version with all the goodies.

[Imalwaysright]

Apple products sell because its the "cool" thing to own and because people are sheep. The actual quality of the products means nothing to them.

@ blitz Inflation? Do you even realize that world is much worse economicly today than it was in 2006? In 2006 a € 600 price tag was not acceptable and today is even less acceptable.

Sony lost their dominance in the console market because of that € 600 price tag. Unless Sony are idiots they won't pull another stunt like that. If you guys want power build yourselves a PC.

[ProjectVulcan]

$600 is ridiculous. $599.99 is much more reasonable.

[kupomogli]

@Logicwins

Considering your name, you don't take much logic into consideration do you?

People cheered at the $249 Vita because at that time it would have done well at that price. The 3DS was also $249 at that time frame. It was shortly after that Nintendo dropped the 3DS price to $169. This not only helped Nintendo get more sales because the 3DS was way overpriced, but it hurt the Vita because now the Vita price didn't look so amazing and because of that, a good portion of the third parties who stated they'd develop for the Vita have since backed out.

So logic does win. Just not your logic. The Vita would have done better at that price point if not for the 3DS price drop which killed all the Vita's momentum.

Not only that, but you're speaking of Apple and markups, then talking about Sony in the same sentence. At the time the PS3 was released, Sony was losing hundreds of dollars on each console. That's not a markup. A markup is when, "the product costs less to make than they're selling it for and normally they could get this much, but people would probably be stupid enough to buy it for even more." That's a markup.

Here is why the PS3 failed at launch. The PS3 was competing against the 360, but that's not what killed it as everyone still assumed that the PS3 would have been better. Sony didn't do anything to lock in GTA4, Devil May Cry 3, Stranglehold, Assassin's Creed, and many other games that were going to be exclusive titles. They did nothing more than assume that, hey, they're Playstation, the developers will stay exclusive to them with no incentive. Until Microsoft paid for those developers to go multiconsole. Microsoft paid Rockstar $75 million to get GTA4 on the 360.

At the same time, Microsoft was buying up exclusive contracts or atleast timed exclusive left and right. In the first couple years the PS3 was out, just about every major third party title that was on the PS3 was also on the 360 because Microsoft paying them off, and a lot of these major third party developers had titles that were exclusive or timed exclusive for the 360.

This is the main reason why the PS3 failed at $600. Why buy a PS3 when in the first couple years anything good the PS3 had you could have for the 360? The PS3 started releasing exclusive after exclusive afterwards, getting exclusive third party games, etc, but the damage was already done.

Sony has often announced that they don't pay for exclusives. Something which has hurt them a lot, because with the money Nintendo made from the Wii, they had no problem following in Microsoft's footsteps. They paid Capcom off for an exclusive AAA Resident Evil title and for Monster Hunter exclusivity. They made an agreement with Square Enix that the Dragon Quest series would be exclusive as long as Nintendo tried to make the series popular in the west(back on the DS.) So Nintendo has got Japan on lockdown for 3DS and Wii U.

[quantae06]

I'm in college and I can't afford a $600 console. :( If PS4 cost $600 I'm have to pass until a huge price drop unfortunately.

[admiralvic]

Terrible example.

Many people are willing to pay that for an iPad, since its perceived to have that much value. This will not be the case for the PS4 / new Xbox, since there won't be an instant need to upgrade.

In the case of the PS3, it was also a bluray player (at the time were also an extremely expensive item and even now can run you 70+ dollars) and down the road it gained internet apps like Netflix. The PS4 won't have any of the side things to instantly sell it, so it will fall upon the games alone to do that. As we've seen with the Playstation Vita and to a lesser extent the Wii U, there aren't a lot of games right off the bat. Most people will probably play catch up with the PS3 and then pick up the PS4 when it's cheap or has "enough" games to justify the cost.

[InactiveUser]

@LOGICsometimesWINS othertimesNOTSOMUCH
"So why didn't the PS3 get away with it in 06'?" [Re: $600 price point]

PS3 2006 @ $499-599, no europe: 1,252,040
360 2005 @ $299-399, 1mo of europe: 1,178,267

First full year (PS3 only ~9 months of europe):
PS3 2007: 7,922,055
360 2006: 6,801,532

Second full year:
PS3 2008: 10,204,758
360 2007: 7,879,552

Third full year:
PS3 2009: 12,997,974
360 2008: 10,913,123

Forth full year:
PS3 2010: 13,896,438
360 2009: 10,160,518

Fifth full year:
PS3 2011: 14,119,093
360 2010: 13,253,914

Logic would have it that they did in fact 'get away with' a higher price point for a higher quality and capable machine.

[PhantomT1412]

I'm sure whatever is in the next PS/Xbox, I could get a better PC at 600$.

[Sarcasm]

I'm not sure I'm one to talk with this subject seeing as how I spent $500 on a GTX 680. But no the most I'll pay for a PS4 is $400. And I'm not itching to be a early adopter this time either.

[Enemy]

Big difference being iPads are completely portable with Wi-Fi capabilities and/or 3G/4G data plans.

[T3MPL3TON]

"LOGICWINS:
1. Word of mouth
2. Advertising
3. Innovation
4. Ease of use
5. Portability"

Innovation? Did you just have the nerve to put apple and innovation in the same conversation? Please tell me that was just put in there as troll bait. Please. PLEASE.

[schlanz]

Personally I think the iPad and tablets have heartily paved the way to convincing consumers bleeding edge electronics should cost $500 or more.

And remember, adjusted for inflation, older consoles would be priced around that much or more.

[Murad]

I totally agree with this statement. I hate how people spend so much on Apple products even though they offer less and make you pay far more.

[xtremeimport]

I always said the original Ps3 wasn't over priced. what you were getting for that price was an incredible deal, to the mass market though it was waaay over priced.

I can't exactly explain why Apple seems to be so successful with selling over priced items when others fail.

perhaps Apples products are aimed more at a majority of buyers where game consoles are still a niche market.

[jdaboss]

you must like your PS3 console of choice comming in 3rd. Why handicap it (again) pricepoint wise for another generation?

[Kingthrash360]

Man ill say this,
YES Sony could sell its next console for 600$ and the hardcore will buy...........but let's not encourage it, I prey to god that won't happen for I am one of those hardcore gamers with shallow pockets that would save up to pay 600$.

[MaxXAttaxX]

People always act as if the premium $600 was the only option.

The tech was there. It was a great deal. You couldn't find a Blu-ray player for much cheaper than a PS3 in 2006.

[AAACE5]

Thats why i dont own or ever plan to buy an ipad.

[Rageanitus]

the probem with apple is they have sheep, and the truth is Apple is making alot of profit on every unit sold! Not sure how Sony was screwing the consumers when hey were making selling the units at a loss.

[N4g_null]

The problem with the iPad comparison is apple hasn't lied about its products. Sony promised the most powerful system and blu ray which no one could touch. This happen during the ps2 but it only burnt them during the ps3 though.

Gamers are feeling way more lied to these days. The apple iPad is far more superior than the ps brand. The os is so much better, the web browser is flawless it basically let's you have a laptop in your pocket. Plus the screen on it along is better than most tvs. Is it over priced? Well there is nothing to compare it to. Its a closed market. Yet their pcs are over priced.

Also you can develop games on the iPad by using your own iPad.

I'd pay $6000 to buy a ps4 I could release my own games on. You see the usefulness far out weights a blu ray player or hyped tech. 3rd parties are a little miffed at how Sony played out last gen also. Notmany money bags where handed out. They also made it so smaller dev could not compete with money house studios. The cell was crazy expensive to develop for while you could use to same art pipeline.

I believe current ps3 dev kits where over a million. Maybe cheaper now, lots of company's are going out of business.

Back on topic. Are there really enough gamers to justify a $600 console so that Sony can stay afloat? Who will Sony listen to? Can sony even afford to do any thing? Will their cloud gaming set up make another console a moot point?

Or will Sony offer a viao as a game console? A laptop without a monitor? Setup a console like os or use win8 which is a console like os?

Is any one still in love with Sony tech anymore? It seems to me apple is the new Sony. Apple may not make new tvs but dang do they have some great monitor tech. They don't even make games!

Sony having bad stocks will make other projects skip them next gen possibly or it will effect the stocks of that publisher also.

It also seems most console gamers are going pc next gen. They may even join the mod community! This along was a missed opportunity for console makers and console only gamers.

Or Sony could skip the next gen and continue making games for the ps3.

So the question isn't what you will pay, it is what will Sony do!

[SilentNegotiator]

You think down on it's luck Sony can market something as well as iPad?

[InactiveUser]

@scissor
"I believe current ps3 dev kits where over a million. Maybe cheaper now, lots of company's are going out of business."

Dev Kit cost:
12/19/2007 - $10,250
http://www.engadget.com/200...

3/24/2009 - $2,000
http://www.engadget.com/200...

Some forums say the PS2 dev kit was reduced to $2,000; but either way, $2k or $10k, nowhere near >$1,000,000.

[dedicatedtogamers]

$600? Just buy a PC. With a couple of exceptions (in terms of console exclusives) the PS3 and 360 were just mini-PCs in terms of game genres, online functionality, patches, "expansions" (DLC), and so forth. If the next gen of game consoles can't stand out enough compared to PCs (and I'm not talking about graphics) then I'll just stick with PC and ignore next gen.

[Muerte2494]

at that price point, you could buy a decent graphics card, motherboard, and RAM. The reason why ps3 cost so much is because CELL was expensive and the BD drive. They were trying to get as much money back from their investments as they possibly could. Because of this move though Blu-ray defeated HD-DVD in the HD format war. I don't think we have to worry about $600.00 again. I hope the actually stick with the CELL. Modify it by re-sizing it 22nn and give it 16 cores.

[Jazz4108]

The Ps3 is considered a kids toy where a ipad or iphone is known for business use on a daily basis.

[NastyLeftHook0]

i would pay 1k for a ps4, its a 5 year investment people! come on, people pay 500 bucks and more for phones they are going to get rid of next year, this is minimum 5 year investment.

[kneon]

Personally I have no problem with a $1000 console, if it's got the games I want to play and the tech warrants such a price then it's ok for me. The problem is that for most people $1000 is way too much.

[TheDivine]

Some people do. Just because a small market pays for new expensive tech doesn't mean it's a standard. I got my phone on sale for 75. Most people won't pay that much as its ridiculous. I have an ipad I got for 325 on sale and IMO its worth the 400 not on sale for an ipad 2. It's a sexy, sleek, fast and snappy tablet with a nice screen. Phones and tablets are also everyday items used for daily browsing, calls, media consumption, emails exc. a console is a hobby or toy for us, more of a luxury. I wouldn't pay 600 no matter how sick it is. I would want it to be worth it and sell for that or at a bigger loss and I can wait a year or two. I won't pay over 350ish for a console as I have a few and don't need it. You can get a pc for well under 600 so these days it seems outrageous.

[Blaze929]

only thing I hate about new generation launches with insane price points is that my friends are for sure not going to buy anything over $400. $300 is bad enough. So if another $600 console comes, it will be a very long time before I can fully enjoy the system with friends because my friends, will still be playing the systems they have now until the price drops on the next.

Most of my friends own 360s now because it was just cheaper at the time than the PS3. Will happen again next gen if Sony prices stupidly.

$600 is ridiculous for a lot of "average" people, let's not do that again.

[vlonjati77]

Blaze- you are sort of right,like everyones opinion is :) It depends how someone knows how to save.personally I buy 2 things expensive in life 1) electronics 2) clothes.obviously I eat healthy.Lots of people complain,if people cant afford it they shouldnt buy it.none of my friends cant afford more than $300 either.but I i wont wait till price goes down so they can buy it.
I know 1 thing nowdays people (in generally ) are spoiled & expect too much.I wish Sony continue do what they do best - top notch product(dont give a $hit how many wouldnt agree with me)I m gonna buy the ps4 while many of complainers can suffer inside them.
People-dont hate dont be jealous its really bad for your heart and personallity-it will turn you into garbbage.
PS-this is 1st time I coment more than once on the same article.I started commenting rarely and now everyday.Im gonna change into difficult password so i wont comment anymore,(I know you dont give a $shit LOL i dont either) its just wasted of time.now back to get A$$ kicked in PSASBR(very fun game).have a nice day every1 bright & not so bright ones :) Im still gonna continue having a laugh reading people arguing like kids over videogames .peace

[showtimefolks]

I can bet it will be under $400. Sony is in red as is so don't expect them to release a system where they are loosing money. I say $399 and $349 price points and same goes for ms.

I dnt know how anyone could think another system will cost $600, when Sony exes have said $600 was a mistake to begin with

[torchic]

$349 lol good luck with that.

[morkendo23]

Another high end price tag??? is the writer of this article HIGH?? after SONY 2006 price tag of 600.00 why in HELL would they go back to that fiascal, that is ludicrous.
General public will not buy into another 600.00 console, Sony not able to Afford 600.00 flop again.
if SONY were smart ps4 tag should start out 350-425

this article nothing more than bait for hits.

FLAMEBAIT!!!

below: Dwightowen

ARE you serious????? and wonder why you have 59 disagrees

[DwightOwen]

$800 MINIMUM, or I'm staying with PC, along with every legit developer who is sick of waiting for hardware worthy of their new engines.

[BeAGamer]

?

[Canary]

Funny, last I saw most "legit" developers were leaving consoles for cheaper hardware that's easier to develop games for.

You know, after leaving PC for consoles for that same reason back in 2005.

Stop living in the past. PCs haven't been the dominant development platform for nearly a decade now, and home consoles can't even be called 'dominant' these days, either.

[EddieNX]

Just remember. Gaming is not just about graphics. Sure graphics are important. But Gameplay is the most important factor.

PC elitist's disgust me lol. spending thousands of dollars for a marginally better experience... it's just sad.

Consoles = relevant. PC = who cares ?

[StraightedgeSES]

PC elitist are not obssesd with graphics like console owners if this was true nobody on the PC would be playing half life 1&2, counter strike and minecraft.

[aquamala]

You want to not talk about graphics on a article about next gen consoles?

[ILive]

Funniest comment I have ever read! Bubs for that.

[Riderz1337]

Seriously whats so bad about a 600$ console. I wouldn't mind getting a 600$ POWERFUL console so that it can last us for a long time. Why do most of you people care anyways your parents are probably going to get it for you lol. I'm sorry but I really don't want a 300$ PS4 which barely has any improvements over the PS3. It's been 7 years, there should be huge improvements in the next generation of consoles.

[kayoss]

Totally agree. I want a consoles that is a much more improvement than then the current gen. If its just a slight improvement then what's the point.

[FarCryLover182]

600 to start, and the price will come down just like this gen.

[violents]

That's what sony did for this gen and everyone bitched like they were asking for a kidney or something and you think they should do that again?

[rainslacker]

Yes I think it's possible, probable, maybe not. No matter what Sony does people are going to hate on them, they know this better than anyone. They're going to do what they feel is best for them and their console business, and hopefully keep the consumer interest in mind. Consumer interest isn't necessarily giving us a cheaper console, but giving us a better console that will be worth the investment.

[ronin4life]

Because it wouldn't sell enough to have a high enough install base to encourage devs to make games for it(plus dev costs on such a machine would be devastating to devs and make it even riskier, causing even less support)

The result would be a super capable machine no one buys or makes games for... that hardly sounds worth 500$. (EDIT Buh, 600$ is what I meant... even so...)

[SAE]

Yea , sometimes people stop thinking , they hate something good for them xD ..

im ready for a 600 console , i will even pay more if it's more powerfull ..

[jdaboss]

There's a reason why you re not in a place to make pricing and marketing decisions at multinational corporations (that answer to shareholders) See.. In the REAL WORLD there is a recession going on, and people dont have 600 to drop on new consoles..Some of you N4G nerds are not fitted for realities of the real world.. Get out of your moms basements.

[SAE]

@boss
lol , why act like that ?. im one of the people , it's just an opinion , i want a powerful console so we dont need to upgrade again , ps4 would be my last console , i cant imagine a game in ps5 , unless it brings a different way of playing or they made a cheap console with low specs , why upgrade if you want only a little improvement ?.. it doesn't makes sense to me ..

upgrade means to me at least 3 more powerful then current generation , that's the minimum for me ..

[Sevir]

More powerful than the Xbox360 and yet with all that power only the first party devs with impressive technology showed that power, 3rd party devs struggled to come to grips and even after they came to grips they settled on system parity than plain out exploiting the hardware's true capability.

I think at this point, Sony has learned that they'll get by the same way MS did because MS forced 3rd parties to keep games equal. Couple that with the expenses they had to absorb 4 years after the release of the ps3, I just don't see Sony Investing Greatly into making another super console... Not for another 6 year's anyway.

This upcoming next generation of consoles will be more powerful development processes will be far more efficient, but it won't be like PS2 to ps3.... They'll benefit the most from more memory, but if what the specs are to be believe the games that will benefit the most will be the exclusives...

I would be shocked out of my mind if Both Sony and MS come out with anything remotely playing in the same ballpark as what Epic showed off at e3 2012 with the gtx 680...

Hopeful but not holding my breathe.

[Pintheshadows]

GTX 680's are what, $500. So I doubt we'll see anything quite like that. Shame.

I'm expecting not much more horsepower than a current mid range gaming PC. This can obviously be optimised though.

[Soldierone]

Thats why people should care. Parents are not going to buy their kids a 600 dollar video game. No matter what it offers, it will be seen as a video game console.

[rainslacker]

Over 75% of the people that play games are over the age of 18,so it doesn't matter. Also some parents will buy their kids expensive machines...Mine brought me the TG-CD attachment when it was $400 over 20 years ago when I was just a lass.

[StrawHatPatriot]

It's because most games themselves only feel like they're worth $20 at most, so why spend $600 for a device to play it own, ya know?

[Riderz1337]

600$ for a console that will last you 8 years until next gen or 300$ for a console that will last you 4 years until next gen where you will then buy another 300$ console. It's the same thing makes no difference. And what games feel like they're worth 20$?

[showtimefolks]

$600 don't think like a hardcore gamer, think like a casual gamer buying it for our an etc,

Not saying $600 means Sony won't be successful but they will start rough again and I don't think Sony is looking to loose money in a machine

[Nes_Daze]

Sony learned their lesson, so no, unless they want to repeat their past mistakes, anything at $600 or above would be a huge mistake. Casuals would ignore it, and you'd have to make a pretty good launch in order to justify the pricing.

Don't blame Sony for the lack of progress, thanks to the sh*itload of casuals that entered the markets, companies care more about the motion gimmicks and low prices rather than quality, games, or graphical strength in their consoles.

[FarCryLover182]

If iPads can sell for that price and then replaced a year later or whatever, $600 for a console in the first year seems fine to me since they will last like 7+ years guaranteed.

[Bob Dole]

PS3 and the original iPhone came out around the same time at the same $600 price. People said PS3 was too expensive yet nobody complained about the price of the iPhone. Bob Dole doesn't disagree with you, just... people are tards.

[Hingle_Mcringleberry]

People said the same thing about the VITA. . .look how swell that's working out. When will people get it into their heads that console buyers aren't necessarily Apple worshipping iPad buyers.

[dorron]

I think anything above 400$ would be a suicide: Worldwide economical crisis, Vita not selling all that good, past PS3 start at 600$ failure, lack of games for at least the first year,...

[insomnium2]

The only "failure" with PS3 was that they took a penalty selling each console. People are most times blind to the fact that no matter what these companies are selling they are doing it for the profit.

All people care about is the god damn market share and BS like that and call even profitable things like Vita for example a failure. I mean what did I miss. They are selling a product and making a profit and somehow the product flopped? WTH? Seriously.

If Sony brings out a 600 dollar console again they better brake even on the darn thing since they are in no way shape or form in a position to take risks like they did with PS3. Play it safe Sony for ONE gen ok? No matter which way you go (high end preferably) but make sure you get the devs on board and that you brake even with every single console in HW alone!!!

[modesign]

people are stupid enough to buy the $2500 dollar pc's that are obsolete in 6months, why shouldnt they buy a 600 dollar console that will last 10yrs

[mochachino]

It doesn't matter if they're priced $400 or $600, after 5 years the graphics will look outdated or the games won't run properly. All that extra $200 means is that the graphics will be slightly less outdated looking in 5 years.

I prefer starting off at $400 and releasing a new one after 5-6 years.

[FrightfulActions]

Perhaps I misunderstand you, but you're saying console graphics get worst with age? Because in my experience the exact opposite is true.

PC's can look worst with age (only if you dont keep it up-to-date with the latest graphics cards and the like, the older your PC hardware is the lower settings you need to have your games play smoothly, traditionally) but consoles typically only look better when they age.

You wouldn't think that to the be the case but it is. As developers work with a certain console long enough they learn how to really max its potential to pump out some pretty stellar looking games.

[mochachino]

Graphic quality is relative, at one time Metal Gear Solid 1 looked amazing, but as technology increases what once looked amazing begins to look ok then starts looking bad.

So yeah, console graphics look OUTDATED over time. It's a no brainer really.

Whether it has $600 hardware at launch or $400 it doesn't matter, a 10 year old console will never have high quality graphics because in 10 years when you phone has better graphics it will have $125 hardware or $100.

[Reaper9937]

I want a revolution not an evolution, if the price of admission in $600-$800 so be it.

My eyes are ready, Sony make it happen.

[Kos-Mos]

There are plenty of blu-ray movies for your eyes. Gaming is about pressing buttons.

[MasterCornholio]

As much as i would love a super powerful console for 600€ the market wont accept it which is why the PS4 will fail if its priced that high.

[joinsideke]

Actually, the best thing Sony could do would be to offer the console (lets call it PS4 for sake) for X amount, and then also offer a Vita bundle for X+150 or 200.

I can't think of a better way to move product and put Sony in the clear after a debatable gen

[Y_5150]

That picture is the best, shows the evil businessman at work. :P

I don't know, $600 dollars is a lot! I didn't get a PS3 until it was $400. $450 sounds right to me.

[3-4-5]

If it was comparable to a $800 Custom Built PC, then yea I would pay $450-500 Max for it.

$500 + 1 controller + 2-3 games is another $200 so your looking at $700 just to enjoy the thing.

I'd say they will bite the bullet on Console cost and sell at even or a bit of a loss just to pump out units into the market.

Doing so will assure 3rd Party developers that there is enough of a Fan / player Base to start dedicating their studios to making games for them.

Remember too, The graphics for next gen won't actually look next gen in the first 1-2 years. It will take a bit like it did with 360.

[WiiStation_360]

Hahaha you're dreeeeeeeeeeeaming! :D
That's like saying "I want a $450-500 custom built PC that's comparable to a $800 custom built PC."
None the less, $600 is a bit much for me cause it'll be damn overpriced in New Zealand.

[KrisButtar]

my 360 cost me 400 bucks when i 1st got it
my ps3 cost me 650 bucks when i 1st got it

i personally would want the next machine to be in the 500-600 range as i wanna have another long console gen, i dont want the short years like early gens, the systems just didnt last. i may have been around a while as i remember my atari days and new ones seemed to show up every year, nintendo was every 2 years, sega was every skipped year by nintendo. i maybe wrong on a few details, im going from memory, but since ps1 i noticed the gen lasting longer as i was getting more games.

i would like a system just like my bly-ray player, as i just need to keep getting software(blu-ray,dvd,etc) for it and not keep getting new systems

like the ps1/ps2 lasted forever it seemed and same with the ps3/360, and i would like the next gen to cost a bit more as i want them to last longer

[rainslacker]

In the Atari days they did come out every 2-3 years, and had very little to show as far as upgraded tech goes. I believe Atari actually had the 2600 on the market for the entire time the 5200 was out. There were also quite a few competitors on the market, and it seemed everyone and their brother wanted in on the action. It of course helped lead to an industry wide crash.

With the NES/Genesis it moved on to be every 3-5 years, with the consoles leap-frogging their release dates, so it did seem like new stuff was always coming out. Sega did some screwy stuff with the Saturn and turned around quick on the DC, but generally the console gens have lasted 5-6 years since the PS1.

The competition now is 3 big players, which is why console releases tend to be all within a year of each other. They have reasons for wanting long generations, as it means they can make more money before investing in new tech.

[KrisButtar]

well said bubble up for you

yea those atari's i remember i had 3 different versions and a C64, plus i had most of segas mistakes sega cd, 32x, saturn. those were many years ago and i remember them costing 200plus each.

i would rather pay 600+ for a system that lasts 6-10years than a 300+ that lasts 3-5

"They have reasons for wanting long generations, as it means they can make more money before investing in new tech"

cheaper systems=/=shorter cycles

[quack]

sony released ps3 with blueray.nobody had it but we love it now and it was an excellent choice.original ips every year for its entire life.low fail rate and it was the most expensive of all 3 consoles at the time.still the original ips keep coming,quality games nobody else has.and yet that lowly xbox without blueray and lacking in original games outsells it.dnt even speak about that kiddy console the wii and its big brother the wiiu.sony needs to market to people like me not kids without money.id pay whatever it takes for a powerful console with ps4 stamped across it.long live the core gamer,god save us from the cheap casual thats slowly eating away at the industry.heres to 700 dollars with all the bells and whistles!!!!!!!!!!

[aquamala]

Do you want them to be cheap or powerful? Can't have both

[LOL_WUT]

Powerful, we wouldn't want them to pull a Nintendo on us.

[ShaunCameron]

Then pay the price it's commanding and move on.

[PygmelionHunter]

Well, technically, you could stop being a graphics wh*** and enjoy a relatively cheap console that is powerful enough for you, like I am with my PS3, a console will never meet the expectations of graphics wh***s over time, so why bother with a $600-$800 console when it's gonna be outdated on release anyway?

BTW, excuse my obsession with the term "graphics wh***", just couldn't find anything better to say...

[dboy99]

A 600 Dollar console is still insane,even in the times of today.

I can't see anyone paying that much money for a console that is most likely gonna lose another round to Ms next generation console.When the the next consoles drop i can can bet you the Xbox premium will be 450 bucks and a stripped down version for 350 or so.They know that price will be a major selling point and will use it to there advantage.

Sony on the other hand doesn't have the fans they use to who would buy anything they put out blindly.they don't have the market share anymore and people could easily get the same games with more content on the other hd console for 100 dollars less.And Plus Sony has failed on nearly everything they have tried this generation and will most likely charge for psn next generation.

[quack]

they failed in so many things this gen but what i love abt sony is they try dude.they offer so much more than the dark side(ms)and the kiddy side(ninty)they invest in new ideas,new ips,new tech and they support the core gamer with new experiences.the problem here is the consumer.he buys a tv for 800 dollars.an ipad for 600 dollars and complains at a console price in the same region.price is not the issue.do not compromise the power of the console and dont sell at a loss and charge for psn since ms gets away with it.ill pay and the core will pay and the kinectify generation can go waggle their hands at a screen and wait...wait...there,it moved!

[zebrahim]

My friend I want to nominate you for president. I've been observing the games sector for a long time and in previous posts I mentioned the casual gamers "noise" effects on industry. Sony need to differentiate their product and market to the core. Plain and simple. Their acquisition of Gaikai alludes to a multifaceted strategy where we could potentially see cloud gaming improving the tech through servers half way through the console life cycle. 600 dollars is nothing. As I type away on my over hyped ipad, I long only for a Sony console with my room littered with dusty Xbox games and peripherals. My PS3 is still pumping. It's illogical sometimes how gamers would support a machine like the Xbox when it's public knowledge that the machine is underpowered, has few exclusives and offers very little other than Xbox live. I'm confident Sony will make things shake in 2013. With the impeccable Kaz Hirai at the helm, it's great times ahead. Lets continue to support Sony. The vita is awesome tech, get one for yourself and indulge in all things Sony. I'm sure it will have an important role to play with the ps4. Seriously though, we need to be committed to paying $600 dollars. If Tim Cook at apple can do it three time in one year (ipad 3,mini and ipad 4), dammit so can Sony. Ignore the Ms noise, they have major issues with Windows 8 right now(not very popular). Check the article by Kaz Hirai with the business weekly in August 2012 on Sonys strategy and you will understand how smart this guy is.

[ILive]

I know man! That is one thing I have always appreciated Sony for...the fact that they try.

[Treian]

Sony won't make the same mistake again....

[Hicken]

The interesting thing is how successful that "mistake" has been.

While being the most expensive console on the market, it's outsold its nearest competitor since launch. Even now, it's the most expensive (current-gen) system on the market, and it sells better than the others.

And it's done so without the marketing campaign or wide appeal its competitors have offered. It's remained very much a core system, and has thrived on that image, in that market.

I don't think the PS4 will launch at $600, but I think if it DOES, it will be more than worth the asking price, and given marketing, it'll be as successful as the PS3, if not moreso.

[Gr81]

PS3 has been very successful, it eliminated all PS2's profits and has yet to recoup total losses entering this gen.

Take off the goggles for a sec.

$600 for a console will be suicide in todays economy. But hey if that's what you want I hope they deliver. Just don't be upset if Sony ends up like Sega.

[Tei777]

It really isn't that simple. The only things that sony must be sure not to do with the ps4 is sell the system at a $300 loss. Even if the ps3 outsold the ps2, I don't see how it would have made its money back.

As for a system launching at $600, the ps3 still managed to sell more in its 1st year then the 360, despite a poor 1st party line up and its high price tag. If they can make an extremely powerful system which nearly breaks even at 600 (at launch), and support it with a HQ exclusive line up they could be very successful. And success does not equate to selling the most units.

[Enigma_2099]

I'm sorry, did the economy improve or something while I wasn't looking?!?!

Hell no this isn't a good idea! I bought my PS3 for $600 when it first came out, and I love it, and even I felt burned by that! No one wants to pay that kind of money for ANYTHING, especially when you don't have that much!

But go ahead, do it again... and watch the systems shelfwarm until the inevitable price cut.

[zebrahim]

Buddy you need to come alive. The economy might be struggling but luxury cars and phones , tablets etc are selling like mad. People are depressed stay more at home and seek relevance through entertainment. Opposites reaction rather than expected. The negativity surrounding Sony is a combination of competitor marketing ploys and Sonys own lack of marketing. The company makes fantastic consoles. Even the lonely Vita deserves a second look. Every week there's an article about how good it is. Everyone ignored the dream cast but it was fantastic. Online play as well...gamers kill their own products. We group up and gang bang when the company does one thing wrong. Lets save up, work hard and reward ourselves should Sony come out with the right tech. Gaikai boys...it's the Ace up the sleeves of Mr Hirai. The competition did Not see that company I assure you. But MS has plans to sap the ignorant gamer, there's enough to go around. They will push the casual market because the kinect sold well. I'm hoping its a 8gb six core master with cloud services for a full backward compatible catalogue compete with full Vita cross play support and optional 4k resolution premium option. Impressive tech will sell if the marketing is done right. It's cool to own an ipad, so it's sells cos you can supposedly be affiliated with affluence. The PS4 needs that PS 1 style marketing...remember hackers and the Sony skate parks? Totally cool.....something is brewing that's for sure.

[Enigma_2099]

If you have the money to buy it, then buy it. But don't be surprised at the number of people that can't do the same. They may have to use that money for stuff like food and bills... unless mommy and daddy have you covered there.

What is it about "more affordable price point = more consumers buy your product" that is confusing you people?

[FarCryLover182]

I hate to say it, but if a potential price of a console is threatening to mess up with your food bills or whatever.... then one simply doesn't need to buy a next-gen console. They can wait a few years and get it when the price has been reduced.

[josephayal]

I will pay $800 for ps4 if it hits next year

[atreyu_-]

Because no one else will. Then you have a $800 paper weight, with no games. If people had $800 to spend on a Xbox or Ps3 they should buy PC's.

[Omega Zues]

$399 is the perfect price point.

The most I could see my self spending is $449 and thats with a bundle. My real trouble is with the price of games. I mean $59.99 for something I can beat in a day...

[M-M]

The PS4 should be no less than $l,500.

[th3n00bg4m3r]

500$ for PlayStation 4 sounds about right, if not i will wait for price drop.

[zebrahim]

Oh the economy...oh the end of the world...oh the fiscal cliff...sheesh...bring it on Sony. We work hard for our money and want to spend it with you! Enigma, not everybody sits at home and waits for mommy to end her shift at the whispering Willow diner and pub...I'm an excited gamer looking forward to a massive 2013.... You see...I've saved...and I'm ready for the announcements now....we will get value....so chill out and see what comes

[atreyu_-]

Really? Still waiting on that with my Ps3. How long will it take this Generation? Could have got a set top box for $99 and had more "value".

[Ravenor]

Easy on that Sony Cult Punch.

[riverstars86]

Sony's credit is now at "junk" status and anyone with a hint of common sense knows that they can't afford to make a console that they have to take a loss on. I really don't expect the PS4 to be as powerful as the Xbox720 because of this, as MS has the deeper pockets to take a loss on their console. It doesn't matter though, Sony's Playstation never needed to be the most powerful system to have the best games. I have a powerful PC that can play Battlefield 3 on max settings, but I will always choose to play games like God of War and Uncharted (great graphics, but not BF3 max setting graphics) over it. We don't need the best graphics to enjoy the best games.

Regardless, I will be getting both consoles and I would expect a price of $450 to be the ceiling for both consoles. I have the Wii U and it has been collecting dust since the day after launch. Proof in point, if Sony comes out with a console that has good technology and great games, gamers and consumers will come.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

I'm sure xbox 720 and Steam Box will be very affordable.

[ShaunCameron]

And I bet the author thinks a $80+ game accompanying it would sound good right about now too. I'm surprised games didn't cost that this generation considering all the "next-gen" features the 360 and PS3 supposedly boasted.

With that said, I agree with the author stating gamers need to the put the money where their mouth is and stop being cheap. If they want next-gen hardware specs and features, they better be prepared to pay next-gen prices.

[wiiulee]

lol....yeah 600 dollars spells doom for either microsoft of sony....lets see ps2 won last generation selling more systems and games...wii won this generation selling more systems and games..wiiu will win this next generation selling more systems and games...so whichever other company brings that 600 dollar system out might as well say ciao to the console business

[Tei777]

Look more closely and you'll see that although price was responsible to an extent in some cases, their were always larger things at play.

-The ps1 won that generation because it had a 16month head start (almost unheard of) and support like FF7, which was brought over to the ps1 because of the Capacity of CD. I suspect many developers opted for ps1 development for the same reason. PS1 also saw the creation of many strong franchises whilst the only remaining franchise created on the n64 is smash bros.

-PS2 won gen 6 despite being far more expensive then the gamecube, almost double the price in some places like the UK. Its win was largely down to 3rd party exclusivity, mainly garnered from the success of the ps1 and company loyalty. PS2 had exclusives annoucned like MSG/FF/GTA before it was even out. At the time their were no bigger franchises then the above, nowadays COD and sell more then the above, and GTA+FF are no longer exclusive. I suspect the inclusion of a DVD player also helped the ps2 some what. The branding of its competitors helped them even further, the Xbox was fugly and the gamecube was purple lol

-The Wii won this gen because of the controller which allowed it appeal to people who don't even play games, giving a much wider pool of sales to draw on. I'm sure if Nintendo could go back they would have sold the system for $299.

Anyone who simplifies the road to success as having the lowest price isn't actually accounting for what made previous systems successful. The final thing that I'd add is console prices continually increase. in the 6th gen, all systems were pretty powerful and the highest any of them cost at launch was $299. This coming gen the cheapest of all the systems is $349 and its pretty weak by modern standards. we're looking at $499 minimum for both 720/ps4. Especially if they too come bundled with unique controls/hardware.

[Soldierone]

You are not marketing a console to clueless Apple drones, so stop with the comparison! Only way that happens is if one of the two spend millions making their console "hip" and brainwash everyone into it.

Apple also releases a slighty updated piece of junk every 6 months, which does just enough to out date the old. Would you want that too? Buy a new 600 dollar console every year? NO! So why compare the price?

anything above 400 is asking too much, no matter what it offers. Someone will just low ball theirs and release theirs at 300 for sales. Just like this generation.

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

Even if it was $10,000 worth of hardware for $$700 most console gamers would complain.

They want Super high end 2018 pc's for $199.99 + a game.

[Qrphe]

It was a $500 console really. Why do you peeps forget about the cheaper model?

Probably because soundsmore dramatic I suppose.

[taijutsu363]

Dont people buy an Ipad or just Apple products in general that cost 600+ because they know what they are getting? Unlike with the PS4, so people are just a bit reserved to buy the product.

[animegamingnerd]

those are mostly different people like apple fanboy's bought those 500$ ipad's like a lot of nintendo fanboy's bought a wii u at launch and how microsoft and sony fanboys will buy their next gen consoles

[Tei777]

I hope people do realise that they can simply wait for a price drop if the launch price is too much them.

So yes, $600 FTW

[ATi_Elite]

Looking at Watt requirements and price of available tech there is No reason to have any next Gen console higher than $500.

At $600 it better do your taxes, homework and make money to pay for itself.

Remember you consolers gotta save money to buy those $20,000 4K TV's to go along with your 4K consoles!!

(Last part was for those Hyping up 4K like every AAA game is gonna play in 4K resolution.....like all the AAA 1080p games this Gen)

[outlawlife]

nobody is bothering to mention an iPad is an all encompassing product

a game console requires additional things such as a display, $60 software, $50 controllers...and who knows what else

you can buy an ipad and use it forever productively without ever really having to bother buying anything else

apples and oranges comparison

[animegamingnerd]

but all of the games i see myself playing on a ipad i already got another platform like for example i got chrono trigger on the DS which i is the best version of the game and i have GTA3 and GTA vice city on pc and i do not want to play with a touch controller on those games

[outlawlife]

my point is an ipad isn't meant to be a game specific platform...a lot of people use them for things everyday and have never played a game on them

they shouldn't be compared to 8th generation game consoles...they are not on parity yet

same as the fact that they don't market productivity applications on game consoles

[ninjahunter]

Yea, IDK, around $600 your getting in the range where PC is better for the money... I mean, you can get a pretty balls to the wall PC for $600, you know it wont be packin 680's or anything, but a home built PC at that price would max out any game available at 1080p with at least an average of 40 FPS on the big demanding games.

[vlonjati77]

If its worthy I will buy it,which there is no doubt(for me).I can afford it,I ,ve been working for 20 years and always bought what I wanted(according to the budget).Any of you complaining just work,if you dont,or wait till price goes down.simple

[arbitor365]

i think $500 is a bit more reasonable. it would certainly be enough to be a huge leap over the current consoles and the wii u.

anyone wanting or expecting the next xbox and playstation consoles to be $400 or less is deluding themselves. pure and simple.

[Raoh]

The PS3's price was not the issue, an argument for haters but not an issue.

I've stated in another thread when comparing ps3 to 360 at launch.

"People wanted the ps3 and 360 to be evenly priced yet.

PS3 had an hdmi port the 360 did not.
PS3 had Blu Ray, 360 had neither blu ray nor hd dvd.
PS3 supported linux os, 360 did not support any os.
PS3 had browser supporting media, 360 had none.
PS3 had built in wifi, 360 had none.
PS3 had full BC, 360 had emulation, sorry non hdd 360's.
PS3 had bluetooth, 360 did not.
PS3 had hd audio, 360 did not.
PS3 had upgradeable drives, 360 had proprietary ones.
PS3 let play online free, 360 charged you.
PS3 had rechargeable controllers, 360 had AA batteries and charged for a charger.
PS3 had the pseye camera with mini motion games, 360 had a vision cam.

Yet people complained that they were not evenly priced. "

Sony's problem was ram, gpu bandwidth and more importantly poor or no developer tools.

The 360 wasn't better to develop for it was easier, a pc dev could just create on a pc they same way they would for a pc game and just port to 360. Not the case with PS3.

Its like the people that complain about a yearly apple device but buy 4 android devices in one year.

Some of yall are Crazy Town Banana Pants.

[Bolts]

The feature list is meaningless unless they add up to the sum of thier parts. I glady paid nearly $700 for my PS3 at the time because I was expecting the most powerful console on the market. I bought it because Sony marketed it as a 1080p gaming console, being savy gamer I knew that any console capable of 1080p gaming must be an absolute beast so the price is well justified.

As we all know now this is a god damn lie.

Now having said that I'll be more than happy to pay for another $600 console as long it can deliver the performance with the price point.

[t3rrorc3ll]

If you cant afford it too bad i would pay $1000-$1500 for ps4 nextbox if they have the tech in them

[DomceM]

I will never understand people spending money on random crap but being cheap about consoles/PCs/video games.

Beg for a low 300-400 price point, then get underwhelmed with mediocre hardware, and spend the next 6-8 years on N4G comparing mediocre graphics... thinking that games "look amazing". lol...

If you cant spend 600 every 6-8 years for a decent machine then grab a gameboy original from ebay for 10 bucks and call it a night. 600$ is very cheap for something that has to last almost a decade.

[sandman224]

If the tech is there ill gladly pay 600 dollars. But it better be a powerhouse.

[wadukadoo]

I don't care how much it costs as long as they make it epic. $1000 maybe $2000. I don't care. Of course not many people could afford it then. Sigh....

[neogeo]

ok. Here is how it works. Sony makes a nice $1000 system acked with power. Anyone that can't afford it can open a sony credit card acct and finance the ps4 with a 5% interest rate.
To sweeten the deal, almost anyone can be approved.
Here is the catch. If you miss too many payments they can brick your system remotely:)

[fresh2death93]

I had my ps2 until 2010 , i only got my first 3rd gen at 2010, and i think the same thing is gonna happen with the next gen. No way im spending 600+games+controllers+accessor ies!

[mochachino]

Clearly N4G does not represent the average gamer and must be comprised of the more avid gamer. I guarantee at $600-$800 dollars a console will struggle to sell.

[thecowsaysmoo]

Why are people forgetting the wii u? It is only 300 dollars and it will probably drop it's price when the new consoles release. The wii u is the only system you need.

[arbitor365]

hahaha.... I got a good laugh out of that comment.

http://i.imgur.com/UTBPj.jp...

yeah, that wii u sure looks like its going to be a big problem for sony and microsoft. im sure they are just quaking in fear

[Raoh]

WOW.

Based on that release list, its clear.

Next xbox IS coming out next year.

Next Playstation 4 and Wii Tri consoles to be released possibly 2014.

[Klopek]

I'd rather pay high for a definitive upgrade over the current consoles that will last for years. I cannot stress how important quality fans/cooling and discs drives are either. The noise the original 360 produced was absolutely appalling.

Still would be somewhat tempted to blow that money on a PC graphics card though. The general price of gaming from that point forward would be cheaper too.

[porkChop]

$599 would be too much, but I think $499 would be ok. Offer a model at $399 with a smaller hard drive, less usb ports, no game, etc, and the console should do fine. People who can't afford or don't want to pay the $499 for the premium bundle will still be able to buy the cheaper model that they want.

[Adolph Fitler]

If it is $600, it is $600......so what.....people WILL buy it for that if it has the tech to back it up.....And for those that "say it didn't sell", and/or, "the price went down within a year"...., well dur morons,...the Wii-U price will also be down by next Xmas, as thats how it works, tech goes down, because production becomes easier & cheaper, & Sony, MS, Ninty & anyone else in the electronics biz that wants to continue selling there product, as people who are willing to spend the initial asking price already have.......thats why us early adoptors are the backbone of a machines success.
Sony's PS3 sold as well as 360 did at both there respective launch times & for the 12months that followed.....
So morons who believe that $600 is too expensive for a console to launch at, are simply wrong. I still have my launch 60gig PS3 (it has been fixed once by Sony for the YLOD, but hasn't missed a beat since & has copped masses of usage from day 1), I swapped out the hdd for a 320gig (shoulda went 500), & it plays all my PS1 & PS2 games, as well as all my collection of modern games & if I sold it tommorow, it would probably get me back $500-$600, as b/c machines are sought after.

So, I hope Sony do sell PS4 for $600 & make it a powerhouse machine & I also hope, if they don't use a souped up Cell chip as the main cpu, that they add a standard PS3 Cell chip into initial PS4's (meaning launch models), so us early adoptors get a worthwhile reward for paying the premium price.
I think that is a great idea to give us a worthy, useful, awesome feature for our loyalty & willingness to pony up the higher price & ensure the consoles success.

3DS is the one that suffered & had to lower it's price, due to low sales. In fact, it was only a mere couple of months after release, & was a FULL $100 price drop....which was a full 1/4 of the full price dropage.

[Adolph Fitler]

With Blu-Ray playback for movies & games, a Cell chip for b/c, a awesomely powerful cpu & gpu, as well as 16gigs of ram as the main selling features, then I would easily pay $600 (or 1000Au as it seems to convert to with these things, as with PS3), as I find it a small price to pay for something I will definately use for 6-8yrs, as I have with PS3 & 360.
Only really stingy, jewish walleted people would complain about a new console having a price as fair as what PS3's US launch price was, considering it launched with a hdd 40gigs bigger than 360's premium 20gig vsn (it's biggest hdd at the time),PS3 also had the added benefit of inbuilt included Wi-Fi (360 needed another $100 wi-fi add on), & then also the Blu-Ray movie & game usage, newer tech in Bluetooth controllers (as opposed to 360's rf), & then you had the most awesome thing of all (which nobody should have ever expected) which was an included little thing called the emotion engine, which was the chip from the PS2, that allowed FULL b/c with EVERY PS2 game EVER, not to mention ALL PS3's also have the added benefit of playing PSone games.
Sony brought b/c consoles in, they are responsible for being generous enough to give us machines that are not only able to play a past machines games, but also the machine before that....that is unbelievable.....
But, people threw it back at them & spat it in there face, so Sony got a bit burnt by gaming media & opposing fangirls online.......And what for? For giving us about $400-500 more value than a 360 premium, for just a mere $100 more. The bloody Wi-Fi add on for 360 was that $100 difference, then add Blu-Ray to that, as well as Blu-tooth, as well as FULL 2 generation backwards compatability.......& all it proves is that many gamers are not as hardcore as they think, if they used the excuse that PS3 was too expensive.
Anyhow, screw them, as we true gamers all know that enough of us will fork out the $600 asking price to ensure the PS4's success, if it has the goods under the hoods.

[Main_Street_Saint]

Sure let's have another $600 console; I'll just buy it later on in its life when it has a few price drops and problems with the hardware is fixed.

[LAWSON72]

Thats nice i just know i will be going to college and i will not be able to dish out that kind of cash for a console and $60 each game i want. That is why i am going with a $1000 pc build. I would get more use out if it since it is for more than gaming. I built my first pc not to long ago and i have bought maybe 2-3 games for my consoles in 2012, and 20+ for my pc in 4 months. Games are just so much cheaper on steam. Not only that i have so many games i need to play on ps3 that i just never get around to buying. That is great next gen is so close, mainly so i can get the most out of my new hd 7950. I will not buy any next gen console til halo 5.

[Zha1tan]

lol have fun paying that much for a console when a PC for a same price will probably outperform it.

And it will also have the numerous other benefits of PC gaming such as mods.

[Indo]

Yes $600 is the highest I see, even in todays market it seems pretty realistic. Sony and Microsoft gotta make BANK too so seeing them releasing a powerful next-gen console at $600 or $450 range is gonna happen. Or if thats too much theirs still the Wii U which by then will be even cheaper.

[hazardman]

i think the low end xbox is gonna cost $350 and $500 for premium edition. im just looking at prices of the limited edition console(gears,star wars..etc)and how expensive they were at first and still sell at 350 new.. plus now xbox probably gonna have new br drive and thats gonna drive cost up so i mean we'll see.. i bet that why there doing that subscription service. if you cant pay for it outright you might have to do a 2yr subscription and pay $199+$15.99 month for xbox live.. like they do with phone and shit. now this is just my theory..

[Pintheshadows]

I think both Sony and Microsoft will aim for $400.

[yeahokchief]

The most important thing for me is how they handle system patches, updates, and DLC next generation. I don't want the hassle of having to wait for downloads and installations and redownload dlc etc when i swap my harddrive. They need to improve the usability of the console so they are less like PCS with hassles. I don't like dealing with this stuff. I just want to play games on it without any setbacks. EASE OF USE IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE CONSOLES MAINTAIN and they lose this as they become more like PCs.

I don't know if I'd pay $600 for another console. I probably would just because I have the money. With the PS3 I stuck to a relatively small number of cheap PC games until it dropped in price and had a new God of War game.

I think $500 with a very small harddrive would be cool with me.All of my 2013 games are preordered and paid for in full already so I would easily be able to afford $600 if it were to launch in 2013.

But for me it all comes down to the games. If they have the games on launch that I want to play then I buy the console. The Wii U didn't have any new games I wanted so I didn't buy one.

I'm already thinking of getting a new PC in 2013 so I will probably hold off for 2014 for a new console regardless of when they release it. The good thing about buying 2nd generation of the new console is that they work out the kinks and any design flaws. But once it has a God of War game or an exclusive Rockstar game then I'm pretty much buying the console. It's all about the games.

I don't think there's anything to worry about for anyone who is feeling broke right now. Sony saw how well the Wii and the 360 sold because of their price advantage. I think they will try and keep an edge hardwarewise over the 360, but this time they will have a slightly lower price. I'm predicting the $500 range. But probably with some other type of advantage like how the ps2 added dvd player and the ps3 added blueray. They will have some type of hardware advantage. They make good stuff.

[Adolph Fitler]

Give me a $600 PS4 with FULL PS3 b/c (due to included Cell chip) over a 400 to $500 launch unit with no b/c & stripped out other features. The fact is that millions of us worldwide will buy the machine for that price, simple as that.
If nobody, to hardly anybody bought PS3's at the start, the PS3 & Sony's game console division would have been dead in the water. So, it was quite the contrary, in that the PS3 sold just as well as 360 did for the same time (I think, in fact, it even sold slightly better than 360 in the same timeframe from launch). So, I think PS4 will do just fine as long as it sticks to that $1 under the 600 mark. I mean, it would be nice if it was $400 or $500, but if it was, I would be wondering what was missing.

I pose this question too, would you whiners still think it was too expensive if Sony released PS4 with a stripped down Vita that worked as a controller for PS4, as well as a handheld system? The Vita would have features stripped such as physical media slot, 3G & other not so needed features, but would have all the neccessary features like the rear touchpads, touchscreens, & such.

[CaptainFaisal]

in my country when ps3 came out it cost about 4000-6000 SR
meaning 1000-1700$ and it got sold out in the first day !
So i mean i dont really care about the price of the console! if you guys are worried about the price well then im sorry then we will have a bad console ! But if sony and xbox didnt care aboutthe prices and cared about the power and how long their consoles can last, then i really dont care about the price! Because as people say these consoles MIGHT/WILL BE THE LAST! SO LETS MAKE SURE THEIR AS POWERFUL AS A HIGH END GAMING PC!

[extermin8or]

I can see this happening I think they will do this but be selling at a slight profit. In the console buisness when it's going to be 7 or 8 years potentially before you bring out a new console it's a marathon not a race-plus in 2006 this sort of pricing for such a device was unprecedented, now with Apple's pricing plenty of people just accept it. I can see sony going for the core of the core market like they are doing with the vita and then gradually lowering the price over 3 years and going for the slightly less hardcore market like they have done with the ps3- and it has worked they have managed to pull a profit on it just despite the obscene costs of the CELL but I for one will pay the money if it means I'm getting top technology that will be able to cope for 8 years or so just like my ps3 has it's only really now I'm able to play games and have them looking noticably better on a cheapish pc; and now is the time for the consoles to get a new generation-again :) Plus people a product for 8 years for 600 dollars or a product for 1/2 for the same in the form of a lower tech ipad/ipod that will be suoerceded in a year at best often less...

[Rageanitus]

I have no issue paying anther 600 dollars for a new console... as long as it has the tech to back it up. I bought the PS3 at launch and the Blu-ray component made up for the costs!

Sorry Sony Haters but it is the only console this generation that has longer strides.

Having said that I don't think the console will cost this much this time around because blu-ray is still thiving and GROWING. I will be willing to stil fork out the cash if the this time around they force developers to develope full 1080p at 45 >60 fps for every game (of course you need the hardware for this)

[bozebo]

I'd be willing to pay more for a console with good titles at launch, it is about the games after all. This is more likely to concern Sony's platform it seems, if MS want to attract the niche early adoptors - they are going to need to keep on top of good franchises for the nextbox and I can't really see any that I am still interested in under their control. Their other option is to go casual, or take a larger loss at the start of the gen then build up exclusives a little slower. (this latter one, I think they will do)

People here like to talk about price (I'll bet due to kids on this site who are hoping their parents will buy them the one they want...), but the financing is far more important than just launch price. They get royalties from game sales too and there are things like proprietary peripherals and ripoffs like XBL. Whichever one is a little cheaper before whatever Christmas the big sales come in on, will sell the most consoles - even if the other platform has far better games.

In 3-4 years batteries for mobile devices should be good enough to allow them to typically contain amazing graphics chips anyway, hook up a PS3 controller with Bluetooth and wirelessly stream video to a smart TV and most people will have a great gaming device in their pocket with none of the downsides currently posed by mobile gaming (this can be done now, but people are naive and care about graphics a lot). About 1-2 years further down the line they will be matching the performance of next-gen consoles (unless they cost like $900 at launch or have $80 games to cover the losses taken on the console sale and allow profits)

[poo342947294792]

1 billion with rhinestones and Mjs glove on it and diamond disk drive and 50k res