Will PS3 Price Drop Make a Difference?

Sony has today confirmed what everyone had been expecting: a new PS3 model for $299. But how much will this cheaper pricing structure benefit Sony and stimulate the PS3 marketplace? IndustryGamers contacted several analysts to get their take, and it seems most agree that Sony will finally see a much needed boost in PS3 sales.

"I think a price cut is key to stimulating sales, especially in this economy. It can be really hard to justify a premium price when you have two strong competitors with very solid systems. At a lower price I think there is a great deal of potential to get a lot of the PS2 consumers that were setting on the fence to jump in," DFC Intelligence's David Cole told us. " And there are a lot of those consumers out there....research shows the PS2 is still one of the most popular systems in terms of usage. We had actually built into our forecasts going two years back a drop to $300 in fall of 2009 and at the time our models showed a strong spike in sales because of the drop. Now factoring in the recession it may not be as strong but it is still a net positive for the whole industry when hardware is at mass market prices."

[LordMarius]

Short Answer
Yes

[INehalemEXI]

indeed.

[Trollimite]

this has to a new record! its been less than 2 hours, and the "does it matter" articles are already coming in! wow that was fast!

[rhood022]

@trollimite

While this one article sees the price drop as a good thing (and any sane person would agree), it's inevitable that an article bearing a similar title but "arguing" why it won't work will show up.

Not only that, but you've got the:

"Sony's Desperate attempt to (fill in blank)"
"Price Drop and new model? Why this move means Sony's in trouble"
"Despite Price Drop, PS3 still more expensive"

articles to look forward to.

[darthv72]

The bigger question is how much. Price drops spark interest and we have yet to see what ms has to counter. Even if they dropped the elite down to 299 it isnt much going up against a full blu player w/wifi as well as same size 120gb hdd.

Lots of people who want a ps3 were waiting for a good price drop. Now that the price is dropping there should be no reason to hold off. Unless there was never any intention in the first place? I see lots of fanboys on this site claiming that they want one or the other and never get one even though prices and features change to try and spark their interest.

This year will be good for sony if people are willing to bite now that the price is 299.

[mastiffchild]

Personally I feel it's the smart price to introduce the Slim with. Any lower and they leave themselves with little room to move should MS/Nunty counter by cheapening their own wares as well.

I doubt Sony could make a profit on a $200-250 PS3 yet either but this price means that when the costs go down they have some elbow room. I never thought the $199 PS3 slim was possible or even wise if they could do it.

Lets see how many people who said they were waiting for a price cut before getting a PS3 were being truthful and just how many say that it's still way too dear. This should be interesting though why it's so much dearer in the EU is beyond me-I dread to think what the UK price will end up at-probably just what it is now!

[Rockox]

All I know is that I'm a 360 owner, and with Sony's price drop, they've given me one more reason to buy a PS3. Give me a couple more exclusive games and some backwards compatibility and I'm there.

[deadreckoning666]

Yes, it WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The price drop will mainly influence people who already have a 360, but I don't see it working as well for NEW next-gen console buyers.

360 Elite offers 160GB for(soon to be announced) 300 bucks and is more popular than the pS3 at this point

PS3 Slim offers 80GB for 300 bucks and is not as popular as the 360

@Cold- From what I see here, M$ still has the price advantage if this Elite going down to 300 bucks rumor is confirmed. They have the value advantage as well since a ps3 slim offers 80 gigs for 300 bucks and the elite will offer 160 gigs for 300 bucks. So in a sense, M$ is actually in a better position than before as far as value. Double the gigs for the same price. If u disagree, please tell me why in a pm or in this section. I know M$ hasnt confirmed anythg yet but if PS3 people can talk up the existence of a $300 ps3 weeks before it was even confirmed, why can't I assume that there will be a $300 Elite?

ADD me: psn-deadreckoning666

[Cold 2000]

360 Elite (main 360 version): 300$

PS3 Slim: 300$

The "console wars" has just entered a new phase.

How are MSFT going to bounce back ? They dont have the price advantage anymore...

Let the games begin !

[Marceles]

i think we all predicted these articles were coming one way or another, even while it was rumored

http://www.n4g.com/NewsCom-...

[Trollimite]

noted. but i ment that, the ps3 slim cant be out for a full day before we see any kind of articles about it. i know the media is fast but i believe that they should take a minute, get the facts, weigh the factors, then write an article!

articles are better that way! or so i beilive

[gaffyh]

Yes

/article

[InfectedDK]

Sometimes people just think and asks themselves too much instead of facing reality.. It often occurs because people don't like the outcome..

[BulletToothtony]

the 80gb ps3 is climbing up as well..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/be...

sales will speak for themselves.. no need to defend the ps3 anymore

[Rockox]

I wonder how soon it will be before we see that douchebag Bobby Kotick say "I told you so!!"

[Ju]

I think it'll have a huge impact. Double the 360 and almost reaching the Wii. Taking bets.

[Anon1974]

" most agree that Sony will finally see a much needed boost in PS3 sales."

Why is a boost "much needed"? No one was publishing articles saying a 360 boost was "much needed" and the PS3 outsold the 360 by 1.5 million consoles in 2007, outsold them last year by over a million before the price cut - and still tied the 360. Even this year there's only 190,000 console separating the PS3 and 360 according to official numbers from each company.

How can they say a boost is "much needed" for the PS3 when no one was saying that regarding the 360. Just seems a bit hypocritical to me, especially when you consider the 360's price advantage.

[ThanatosDMC]

A friend of mine just went to gamestop to buy a PS3. I told the idiot to wait for the Slim but he couldnt wait to get his hands on a PS3. So he bought one today. People are just waiting for the console to be more affordable.

Also, check out Home. Write out a bad word and check how much Mods are itching to suspend people!

[Marceles]

Now it's #3 on Amazon lol, I preordered mine as well.

The one thing I really don't want to happen is PS3 is behind the 360 one month by only a couple of hundred of units, I can REALLY see the articles that come pouring in then.

"PS3 price drop not good enough? Sales confirm it."
"Analyst: If you're smart Sony, make PS3 free to outsell the 360"

[Bubble Buddy]

Sony needs to market this strongly though. I already told my friends waiting for a price drop and they're gonna get it right away, but they can't rely on me to get the word out :P

[GameGambits]

Is the sky blue?
Is the grass green?
Does N4G let in 90% BS dumb "news" articles?

[Mike134nl]

yes indeed
like mentioned in the article "How impactful it will be will be dependent on Sony's execution"

[Silellak]

I am buying one now. I didn't buy one before. So, I would guess, yes.

[FireJackal]

Long Answer:
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

[solar]

immediate: yes long term: undecided. depends on the exclusives.

[NexGen]

Of course it will make a difference. I'm going to get one to keep my 360 company. Before this price drop/new model, I wasn't going to get one. It has already made a difference.

[darthv72]

I am all for price cuts and this is a great time to get one. If you have only the 360, get a ps3 as well. If you have a wii, get a ps3 as well.

Now it is time to play devils advocate.

What will happen if the price cut DOESN'T work? Price is lowered and games are out but still nobody buys it. Games keep coming out with good reviews but still, nobody buys them. What is sony to do to get people to really abandon their old gen systems and game in HD?

Back to reality now. Sony is sure to turn more than a few heads with this news. Good time to be a gamer.

[dcbronco]

to know that it would make a difference. The question is really how much? I think it will be big enough to finally equal 360 sales in the US. The problem is it might not be enough to actually catch the 360 this gen.

[FireJackal]

Quoting the best game ever:
"Payback is a bi#!$"

[AAACE5]

I have always had interest in the Ps3, but this slim version gives me a sense of urgency to pick up one!

[commodore64]

@ darkride.

Quote:
"Even this year there's only 190,000 console separating the PS3 and 360 according to official numbers from each company."

Hmmm.. that sounds a lot like some trademark Darkride66 fanboy spin.

As far as I can tell, in this past year the 360 has outsold the ps3 by several million.
Most rational people would agree with me, as do the 'official numbers'.

What creative spin have you applied AGAIN to convince yourself otherwise?

[Anon1974]

Do your research.

Calendar year 2007. PS3 outsold the 360 by over 1.5 million consoles.
7.3 million 360's versus 8.85 PS3's sold. That's posted right on each company's investor relations sites.
Calendar year 2008. 10.78 million PS3's sold versus 10.8 million 360's.
First six months of 2009. 2.71 million PS3's versus 2.9 million 360's.

Where the difference comes in is the 5.9 million the 360 sold in it's first year on it's own and then that very first Christmas in 2006 when the PS3 first launched in NA and Japan, the PS3 sold 1.68 million and the 360 sold 4.4 million. That's the difference you see in the overall ship figures right there. Since the winter of 2006 the PS3 has been giving the 360 a run for it's money and has been chipping away at it's lead. Since the start of 2007 the PS3 has matched the 360 and outsold it.

From the start of 2007 to the middle of 2009 the PS3 has sold 22.34 million consoles to the 360's 21 million. Look it up and do the math yourself. You'll see I'm right.

[ultimolu]

Why not?

[ultimolu]

...Lmfao.

That's all.

[Boody-Bandit]

That PS3 announcement really has you uptight.
Seriously how mad you must be just to create a new account and get nearly every one of your nonsense spewing post deleted within minutes.

Hopefully a moderator will realize you're not worth the trouble and just ban this new account of yours permanently.

On topic:
This article is a waste of space. It is like asking if water is wet.

[falcon]

I think it's going to make a really big difference.

[Joni-Ice]

After the slim was announced.

[sunil]

^^ What you said..

I figured it would be a couple of days after... but then what do I know

[Nineball2112]

^^^

The article is basically saying that it WILL make a difference.

[LukaX23]

ughh, here we go again with the fanboyism. why would it not?

[jmare]

Maybe you should read the article. The article goes to various analysts and asks their opinions about the price cut. And guess what? They all had positive reactions saying that this will help Sony and the PS3.

[Silly gameAr]

I read some comments a while back that said that right after the price drop, articles like this would pop up. Here they come.

You guys kick ass. Wish I remembered the articles. I'm also glad this media circus about the slim is almost over. It was getting annoying.

[davidrx7]

When prices drop on things, almost everything, sales of that product go up, I know that , and Im majoring in psych . . .

[NexGen]

I think that's just common sense there chief. Your major didn't help you figure out the obvious. After 8 years of working towards my Ph. D. I can attest to the fact that nothing psych related made this clear to you.

[MastaMold]

alot of ppl were waiting for a PS3 price drop so it all come true as will as the slim and for ppl that don't like the slim they can get a current PS3 for the same price but wit less gig's

[presto717]

.

[gambare]

nope, it's just a stupid question.

[topdawg122]

There will always be these kinds of articles, but i think this compared to the xbox360 elite shows that this is the better deal and even when sony are losing money for every sytem sold they satisfy their fans and that is why I love sony, and this is great news for future ps3 owners

[deadreckoning666]

Yes, it WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The price drop will mainly influence people who already have a 360, but I don't see it working as well for NEW next-gen console buyers.

360 Elite offers 160GB for(soon to be announced) 300 bucks and is more popular than the pS3 at this point

PS3 Slim offers 80GB for 300 bucks and is not as popular as the 360

From what I see here, M$ still has the price advantage if this Elite going down to 300 bucks rumor is confirmed. They have the value advantage as well since a ps3 slim offers 80 gigs for 300 bucks and the elite will offer 160 gigs for 300 bucks. So in a sense, M$ is actually in a better position than before as far as value. Double the gigs for the same price. If u disagree, please tell me why in a pm or in this section. I know M$ hasnt confirmed anythg yet but if PS3 people can talk up the existence of a $300 ps3 weeks before it was even confirmed, why can't I assume that there will be a $300 Elite?

ADD me: psn-deadreckoning666

[ghostface]

I think it will help & Japan & Europe, but not the North America.

[PirateThom]

The Pro (and probably soon Elite) 360 is $299, though, in the US. That's big, because the PS3 is offering blatantly more out of the box for the same price.

[Grandreaper9999]

^ Isn't Microsoft axing the hd cables in the elite as well? Or am I crazy?

[Ju]

Even the Americans are not that stupid. If its only the BD player. $299 with BD or without. What's it gonna be? I even say, that alone will bring customers over who were just looking at the Arcade. $199 + $100 extra and you get a BD (well, and a120G drive - but Arcade customers don't care about that either, nor the built in WiFi, am I right ?). Only exception I can see is if M$ would release a $299 Elite WITH a BD rom tomorrow.

[DonCorneo]

that's what xbtos want to think. but the reality is the opposite. LMAO!!!!

crapbox RIP. ps3 already outsold the crapbox by a million in Europe and, of course, the gap will only widen there and in Japan (Asia) due to the price cut.

[CliffyB]

I think it's a tough call. I actually hope it does. Competition is good for everyone. Microsoft has had it's worst year for software in years. I'm glad SONY is turning up the heat. However as I said it's a tough call. Gamers will wait and see. Fangirls like you make predictions and often end up looking stupid.

[IcyJoker187]

bots trying to downplay

[Warlord2k9]

yes

[-MoOkS-]

I dont know. Maybe it will maybe it wont. ALOT of people will look at the slim and think, that looks hideous compared to the higher priced models and I like the look of the 360/wii better.

Sony shot themselves in the foot with this ridiculous redesign

[OmarJA]

54%...

[Man_of_the_year]

I personally don't think the design is all that bad, that it would actually sway buyers to decide to go with the 360. I think that the Slim and the PS3 will sell very well with a price point of $299. I am very eager to see what MS has in store. I do think that with with announcement, momentum has started, there is a buzz in the air and people are excited about a Slim model and a price point at $299.

This is a HUGE benefit for Sony and very aggressive on their part. I think this is exactly what was needed on Sony's part. The remaining months of this year leading up to the Holiday sales will be very interesting.

[wxer]

i don't think the design is ugly

the only thing is its smaller with no glossy touch
and thats it

[Atomic]

unfortunately for you and fortunately for the slim
nobody will care when Uncharted 2 unmatched graphics are running on this beast.

[The_Beast]

i dont see this everyday, you saying somthing postive abt ps3

[wxer]

naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh

it well only sell like hot cakes

[Nineball2112]

:-)

It'll be interesting to see September's NPD hardware numbers, although I think December is REALLY the one to watch.

[wxer]

yep

[Kappa Mikey]

Sony just needs to advertise like crazy and the ps3 slims will sell like hot cakes

[OmarJA]

*Sigh* here we go...

[TheBand1t]

No, because everyone wants to buy a product when it costs 100 dollars more.

[Karum]

Well all I know one of my US gamer buddies has said he'll be buying one now, although he prefers the original "fat2 PS3 over the slim. He wouldn't buy it before because of the price but 299 sounds sweet to him.

[Ju]

Well, "Fats" are $299 as long as supply last. Hurry. He might have a week to get one.

[Rockox]

What's the difference between the PS3 Slim and the Fatty? Besides size, obviously...

[TheBand1t]

Slim as a matte finish, which I find alot more attractive then the glossy black on the current models..

The only thing I dislike is the power and eject buttons.

[Ju]

[Difference] Nothing. Well, Slim has no "otherOS" option. Other then that, same (USB, WiFi, etc).

[free3sixty]

I dont think it will help sony.. maybe for the 1st month but not more.

Because in nearly all PAL5 regions the PS3 already cost 299euro since july and we didnt see any difference in sales. It wasnt an official price cut by sony but many ppl from the euro regions ordered from amazon.co.uk.. the price was at 285 GBP there.. thats around 310 euro.. because of the fiscal crisis.

Shops like amazon.de dropped the price to 339 euro (still uk order is cheaper)and this is already MONTHS AGO!

And since july media-markt and saturn, also wal-marts in europe dropped the price, there were special offer for 275 euro + 2 games free, weeks ago.

Did we see any strong sales in europe? And the UK alone makes 30% of all consoles sold in europe.

I remember strong sales when the PS3 dropped from 599 USD to 399.. but not because of the cheap one.. NO, it was because ppl went to shops to get the 60 GB PS2 compatible version. The 60GB versions went on ebay for crazy up to 800USD!

Same will be here now.. pll will go and buy the last BUNDLES cause they get the nicer one with 2 games for 299.

[IcyJoker187]

hhahahhaha your so sad lolz

[Foxgod]

It will matter a bit, but damn that thing is ugly!

[DJ]

Doesn't it get tiresome to write all that garbage? Because we're tired of reading it.

[PLAYSTATIONGENRATION]

Everyone on my xbl friends list is getting one now.....some for the blu ray some for the games some just because its a playstation

[Ace_235]

see this article coming.
ps3 just cant win lol.
even when its starts doing good the media says its bad

[deshon09]

yes it will right away no it will takes some time but the holiday season will be good for sony this year

[Lastlivingsoul]

Yes, there are A LOT of people that have been waiting for this price cut, but there are just as many who want Backwards Compatibility. I try to explain that bc is not that much of an issue once you really get into a next gen system.
To me, the ps3 slim is a great deal, and easily outdoes anything 360 is currently offering, but a large portion of consumers, just don't know just how much they are getting with the ps3, not to mention that there is still this misconception the playstation doesn't have many good games, which is just ridiculous.
To me...outside of halo and gears (two extremely over-rated games imo) there is really nothing that matters that you can get on 360 that ps3 doesn't offer however, playstation has a lot that you cant get from xbox. 360 is a good system, but for me, it just doesn't offer anywhere near the same value as ps3.

It should be interesting.

[tippygip]

who told me price drops don't really work, especially when the only advantage to it's competition is blu ray player (which some are expected to sell around 100$ near x-mas). I'm still buying a PS3 Slim but I'll be doing it within the first couple months just like everyone else who was waiting for a drop, what happens when the people that wanted the drop have their system? The numbers will go back to the way they were before.

Don't be shocked next year when the 360 is beating the PS3 in sales again.

[wxer]

i think that sony knows the market better that any other
bottom line they know their sh*t

[Rockox]

Then Sony'd better start marketing the hell outta this thing if they want to move units.

This is awesome. I love how this price drop levels the playing field a bit and now both the PS3 and 360 are going to be working their collective asses off trying to please us gamers.

[tippygip]

Sony is losing in sales dude, clearly they don't know as much as you think they do. You 3 who disagree with me may find this hard to believe but the online communities like N4G are not the majority and while we've all been clamoring for a price drop, the general public doesn't care at all.

All of my close friends have gaming systems from this gen, all of them own a 360. The 360 has become the console for "hardcore" gaming for those people who don't post on message boards and nothing will change that now. The thinking until the end of this generation will be "All my buds have a 360 so I'm getting a 360." My friends have tried to convince me to buy a 360 as well but I have stuck to my guns to get a PS3, I'm the minority not the majority, the only difference between me and you is that I realize this.

edit: Already 95? That just makes it harder for Sony then.

[Golfcoachh]

at Walmart, I don't think many people will be buying it just for that, this will sell units to gamers and so we should see a big spike in software sales as well.

[Ju]

[your business teacher] should talk to M$ with its price drop to $199 which was the only reason to let the 360 march ahead of the PS3 for the last 6 month, then. (and barely made it...maybe he/she was right after all, huh ?)

BTW: $95 for BD players. Good deal. If you got no console and have no intention to get one, other then that, the Slim is still the better deal (and definitively the better BD player).

[tippygip]

You don't think the Pro was the major seller on the 360? I guarantee you the 199 360 was not as big a deal as you might think.

Anyways, I obviously don't care as much as you guys do on the subject so I'm going to stop reading. Just wait though come February, barring a small miracle, 360 will be leading in sales.

[Ju]

You guys arguing about the Pro but yet history clearly shows the sales numbers increased after the Arcade was introduced. What you want ? Another wet dream ?

[free3sixty]

look how the tards disaagree, crazy:D??

Frustrated now? seeing the ps3 was already at this price here since MONTHS?

thx 2 fiscal crisis 285 pounds is a great offer for every euro owner.

[Grandreaper9999]

This is what almost EVERYONE was complaining about. PS3--WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. DROP PRICE.

Well, it's happening.

Can everyone just stfu and be happy? Now when you want to buy a new system and you look at the Elite, and the PS3 side by side, it's a no-brainer. price shouldn't even be an issue anymore. Although the price will definitely make a difference, if Sony is going to pull ahead by the end of this gen, I don't think it'll be neck and neck in sales until another 2 or 3 years. It'll definitely be close though.

If prices are matched, and amazing (some would argue superior) software is available for PS3, the rest is up to Sony and their marketing. Despite all the great news about the slim, if the whole world doesn't know, they won't bite.

[Nineball2112]

^^^

Wtf? We don't need your anti-semite comments in here.

[hates video games]

This is the main reason some people have been holding off to buy a PS3. The price. This price seems fair to me. The slim has everything you need right out of the box. If they threw in a game that would be even better. Say KZ2 or something. $299 seems like a good price to me.

[Grandreaper9999]

:D

?

Moooooouuuunnnstahhh..

[bubb13gum Easy]

You know it all comes down to the games...and when I compare 09 to 11 outlook the ps3 has the better lineup...This system launched at $600 and managed to stay relevant. Even at $400 it was right there. 24 million units at $400-$600 price point with low catalog of games??? The Ps3 has been a success and it hasn't broken a sweat yet. Except for Halo reach and Mass effect...why do I own a 360 again?
PSN ID Ease13...bowling master in playstation home lol.

[NegativeCreep427]

all the PS3 skeptics said yes. All the PS3 skeptics said it was the ONLY WAY the PS3 could continue to climb up the ladder in market share. So why the sudden increase in skepticism? Oh I know, its because idiots love to hate on and keep the PS3 down.

Edit @ free3sixty:

Show me some exact proof, mini-Pachter. I don't believe what you say by your words alone. From reports that came in for the first two quarters of 2009, the PS3 has been outselling the Xbox 360 in aggregate worldwide numbers. This past quarter the PS3 sales were only down 15% from the same quarter last year and PS3 attach rates were just recently shown to have been on the increase by a pretty impressive margin. That doesn't sound like a sinking ship to me, but whatever helps you sleep all nice and cozy at night.

[free3sixty]

its because the PS3 is a sinking ship.

Just look on NPP sales data.. the PS3 sold MOST at a 599 USD price tag, at this time the PS3 had not even good games, nearly no exclusives or flop ones.

And since the PS3s price dropped to 399 USD sales also dropped by 43% (USA).. hell thats huge, althogh gamers got MORE games, MOST exclusives and better quality from year to year.

So what is it? tell me...

compared to the "euro" 299 price.. the UK price is high.. but its all because the British pound isnt that strong these days.. and ppl from the euro regions would order from amazon.co.uk or oder UK shops to make a great deal.

[Broncos98]

Yes I am going to buy a PS3 now that it has become affordable to me hopefully backwards compatibility will be included. But this is good news for those of us who were wanting a PS3 but were unable to afford one.

[ramiuk1]

nice to see the people in the uk still paying alot more than everywhere.
£180 in usa compared to £250 in uk.

i was hoping that the older sku would drop to about £200 to clear them,i dont see how making them the same price as the ps3 slim will shift units now.

if the current drops to £200ish i will buy it,but otherwise will keep my cash in pocket for the slim,
another thing.
my tv is piano black
my surround is piano black
my xbox is matt black
was always saying i wish my xbox was same colour as my 40gig ps3 (before it broke)
now i gonna have 2 things matt black lol

oh well with gamesl ike uncharted 2 who gives feck i be too busy looking at my nice big tv

LINK TO FULL INFO FROM SONY
http://uk.playstation.com/g...

[Ju]

Well, guess UK is still closer to Europe to the US then ? 250ukp is still equ. to about 299 Eur.

[shutupandplay]

Honestly, it will make a difference. A big difference. But for me, it`s just smoke and mirrors, the slim is nothing but a glorified price drop, and I`m not falling for it.

[SmokingMonkey]

i think it looks cool, but not as nice as the Phat 60gb model.

My favorite showing of the day; water.

[Batzi]

It's 100$ cheaper of course it will make a difference.

[hates video games]

Look at the 160gb PS3. Its $499. This new PS3 slim is only $299 and has a 120gb hdd. Hell the 40gb PS3s are $399. With the slim you are getting so much more for so much less. This is going to help sony a lot if you ask me. It should be a good Christmas for Sony this year.

[Man_of_the_year]

I agree. I think this is the unit that Sony needed to compete with the 360 Elite. And being that it is at the same price point as the Elite, i do think that the Slim is a better deal considering all the features and a Blu-Ray machine being in the system. If MS doesn't lower the price on the Elite, i can see the Slim really taking off, especially in Japan. Actually, i think that the Slim would look right at home in the bedroom beside my Samsung 32' HDTV. Well looks like i will be owning 2 PS3's and i Elite. Nice.

[ULTIMATE_REVENGE]

You have been refuted by so many people who live in EUROPE where YOU live so please stop the lies and shut up.

And do you know the meaning of frustrated because you're frustrated right now.

Frustration = posting the same comment over and over again like free3sixty.

Your not even worthy of owning a 360.

[sephy 9 2 5]

a price drop will increase sales in every territory just like it did the last time they cut the price. C'mon let's not get silly here.

[Chaos Striker]

I think people are overlooking a major question that is being posed by the analysts. Each of them agree that this price cut will indeed help boost demand and hopefully alleviate some of the problems that Sony is facing (notably, decrease their overall losses from the previous two quarters). But, how long will a price cut stimulation last? This will only be a short term measure that can provide support for the next 6 to 8 months (from my viewpoint). As a result, we will have to see what kinds of tactics Sony has up their sleeves when the effects of the price cut start slowing down. But until then, we should enjoy this positive outcome!

[Ninjamonkey82]

This Christmas will be a bumper year for gaming i think.

[etownone]

At this price,
As far as value is concerned,
you'd have to be stupid to buy a 360 now.

Only reasons I see people still choosing a 360 this season over a ps3;
1. Their buddies have 360's
2. Halo and Gears

[Darkshader]

How come xbox 360 owners think that PS3 doesn't have enough games (the first 6 months of the PS3 existence ONLY). But when i asked people i knew who own an xbox 360, they said COD series or Gears of War 3 (marjority are multiplatform games). These people needs to be educated! And when i mentioned the exclusive and first party games of the PS3, it is like their face is so confused (maybe because lack of info regarding the games i've mentioned) ... duh!

Its already MYTH when it comes to no games and expensive price for the PS3. Now every PS2 & Xbox owner can jump in the PS3 band wagon with this awesome news from Germany.

[Munky]

And I think I'm going to be a PS3 owner by Sept 1st. :)

[zainkool]

that is one of the most retarded questions ever asked. of course it does. The PS3 will sell more, it is as simple as that

[advocade]

With next year all games like god of war 3, heavy rain, white knight chronicles and FF13....perhaps FF13 versus....Plus motion controller....PS 3 is gonna be the next Christ arrive.....

Hope to see the new cat game in the PSN which i don't know whats the name, to have a new proper BD game release play with the new motion controller....It sure attracts alot of kids though....

[ActionBastard]

I love how a $299 PS3 makes 360 owners scared.

[Darkshader]

Amen!

[bubb13gum Easy]

we argue over price drops really. If you love your 360 are you going to love it less cause the ps3 now 299??? Sometimes us gamers get caught up in the politics of gaming. 360 aint going nowhere and neither is the ps3. I prefer the ps3 over the 360 but between those two systems, I have had some great gaming over the past two years. I don't care which systems ends up first or last...who has more market share...It's irrelevant. I win.

[Munky]

good to see another person who loves games and not the stupidity that generally surrounds the gaming community. peaz

[AriesFury]

no. too little, too late

[bubb13gum Easy]

A ps3 that had a $400-$600 dollar price point with no games and is only 8 million units behind a system that had a one year+ start (if you want to include microsoft advertising the 360) and has sold 23 million units in 33 months with, all the while competing with its daddy(ps2) for sales...and its too little too late? We haven't even seen God of war yet. Be serious now...

[Benzo1983]

With the proper marketing and strong titles, of course this can make a huge difference.

[LeShin]

with all this arguments about price and how the PS3 was too expensive, I have a question: Do people think that Microsoft or Sony will be able to bring out a new next gen console at a price point of £300/$400?

I've got a funny feeling that next gen won't be happening for a looong time (which is fine by me) if at all because if they do, won't the same price argument be applied to whoever comes out at that price?

If they don't come out at that price, can each company afford to bring out a vastly superior console to the previous one again just to loose a ton of money by bringing it out at a cheaper price? If it's not vastly different from what's gone before, would there be any point in buying such a system? Damn, even MS with their cheaper price was loosing money on each console at one time.

[bubb13gum Easy]

but how much better can the next generation be...we have to be talking about CGI level type upgrade...I dont see the next leap not being CGI. That may be 6-7 years off. They might rebrand the 360 and ps3 I think but a new Wii the only system I see coming out in the next 5 years.

[Half-Mafia]

will the hate ever stop for the PS3/Sony

this is just getting stupid.

[Rowsdower]

PS3 vs 360

I see the slim outselling the elite
but the buffer of the arcade model @ 199 will temper sony's push during the holiday season.

sony has made their move, and MS must counter. I dont know if the 299 elite is enough, but time will reveal all.

today was a good day for gaming

[Dragonopolis]

$150 game console/ $150 bluray player.

$200 game console/ $100 bluray player.

$300 game console/ free bluray player,

However, you want to look at it. Its a fantastic price point. Its sitting right in the sweet spot where it would be safe from bluray or console drops for at least a year. A $50 price drop by MS would be foolish at this point and still would not be enough to justify the difference (or change Sony PS3 sales growth so why lose money) and they would lose out on money if they played early. MS needs to sit out of the price war until after the holidays and feel how this price drop will affect sales and use their marketing strength to slow the damage and make as much they can this holiday. MS needs to try to hold off till summer 2010 then drop the xbox 360 another $100 if they need a price drop. $50 price cut won't work and if sales do start to suffer or PS3 starts on a landslide sales during the Holiday season a $200 360 would certain make people think twice who are holding off until next year. I love console wars and in the end only benefits gamers. MS needs to not panick they aren't in that bad of a position.

Nintendo is the one who will probably scew up again. A $50 price drop is not enough to justify the machine especially since motion controls are coming to both 360 and PS3 by next year. They need $100 drop now which I feel would even nuff out Sony's price drop and could squash the competition. $150 price would be the only price drop they need for the life of the Wii as I doubt 360 or PS3 will see below $200 until new consoles come out. PS2 did fine at $150 despite a lot of short comings. .....

But will it happen for the Wii..... probably not ........ but here is to hoping.

But for Sony fans at least for a year from GamesCom things look very good indeed, with a streamlined PS3, $100 price drop and great game line-up Sony seems to be playing their cards well.

[Henry Cain]

Yes it matters. Your getting more out the box than the 360 and for $299. Plus as of right now the PS3 is more reliable. How can people continue to hate on the PS3.

[JonnyBigBoss]

Yes yes... and

absolutely.

[Saaking]

Of course, only a moron would say it wouldn't. Expect upwards of 600k sales for september and 200k-300k for the following months.

[IYAOYAS]

what features is going to be left out