280°

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."

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industrygamers.com
Trollimite5383d ago

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!

rhood0225383d ago

@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.

darthv725383d ago

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.

mastiffchild5383d ago

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!

Rockox5383d ago

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.

deadreckoning6665383d ago (Edited 5383d ago )

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 20005383d ago

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 !

Marceles5383d ago

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

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

Trollimite5383d ago

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

InfectedDK5383d ago

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

5383d ago
BulletToothtony5383d ago

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

Rockox5383d ago

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

Ju5383d ago

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

Anon19745383d ago

" 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.

ThanatosDMC5383d ago (Edited 5383d ago )

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!

Marceles5383d ago (Edited 5383d ago )

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 Buddy5383d ago

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

GameGambits5383d ago

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

Mike134nl5383d ago

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

Silellak5383d ago

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

FireJackal5383d ago

Long Answer:
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

solar5383d ago

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

NexGen5383d ago

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.

darthv725383d ago

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.

dcbronco5383d ago

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.

FireJackal5383d ago

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

AAACE55383d ago

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

commodore645382d ago (Edited 5382d ago )

@ 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?

Anon19745382d ago

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.

+ Show (29) more repliesLast reply 5382d ago
5383d ago
Boody-Bandit5383d ago (Edited 5383d ago )

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.

falcon5383d ago

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

Joni-Ice5383d ago

After the slim was announced.

sunil5383d ago

^^ What you said..

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

Nineball21125383d ago

^^^

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

LukaX235383d ago

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

jmare5383d ago

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.

Show all comments (143)
110°

7 Deserving Games That Never Got Backward Compatibility

Backward compatibility works for many games on newer consoles, but titles such as The Simpsons: Hit and Run have been left out.

90°

20 Best Survival Games of All Time

From base building to swinging willies, here are the best survival games around, which include a couple of less than obvious picks.

Read Full Story >>
culturedvultures.com
Vader822d ago

No 7 days to die is criminal

210°

Microsoft once tried to nab LittleBigPlanet from Sony after a few drinks

It turns out that many moons ago, Microsoft once had its eye on the Sony published LittleBigPlanet series.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
XiNatsuDragnel5d ago

Microsoft had a good idea but fumbled it again.

Cacabunga3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Project Spark idea was decent but they quickly gave up ..
LBP was wonderful

ApocalypseShadow4d ago

Microsoft in a nutshell. Always tried to poach Sony employees, games, 3rd party games and devices like the depth camera that was turned into Kinect but was running on PS2 before Xbox 360. Wouldn't be surprised they wanted LBP. Just like they worked behind the scenes pushing the MLB to bring Sony's baseball game to Xbox instead of making their own.
https://www.playstationlife...

They didn't spend years trying to develop their own baseball game. They wanted Sony's game.

They're scum.

Zachmo1823d ago

Microsoft didn't force MLB on Xbox. MLB gave Sony 2 options either go multiplat or risk losing the license.

Rynxie3d ago

And why do you think MLB said that? I believe Ms approached MLB.

ApocalypseShadow3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Totally ridiculous comment.

The only exclusivity Sony had was to their own creation of The Show. Microsoft could have paid the MLB for the license just like Sony did and made their own baseball game.

Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox. They're worth 3 TRILLION dollars. You think that's not enough money to make their own baseball game? Don't be delusional.

Microsoft spun it like they always do and told the media that they had to trust Sony with their hardware. After they put Sony in that position of not having a choice. Either go multiplatform or stop making one of their successful games. That's a no win scenario.

And what did Microsoft do? They didn't try to sell the game to the Xbox community. They put it on game pass to hurt Sony. Pushing the idea of why buy games that are $70 when you can play them in their cheap service for $10. It was a dirty tactic.

You fell for the Kool aid drink Microsoft served you instead of spitting it out. Hope it tasted good because you were fooled by Phil and the gang.

3d ago
Hereandthere3d ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Bond revealed that MLB The Show “always came up” in conversations between Microsoft and the Major League Baseball organization. “We always said, ‘We love this game. It would be a huge opportunity to bring it to Xbox.'” she recalled. However, when Microsoft’s efforts materialized, it put the company in an awkward situation where it had to send in pre-release consoles to a rival company.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3d ago
Notellin3d ago

"Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox."

Take a nap, conspiracies are rotting your brain.

3d ago
Hereandthere3d ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

ApocalypseShadow2d ago

Lying to yourself is unbecoming.

Article link tells you all you need to know in Sarah Bond's own words.

Hereandthere3d ago

They were too cheap/inept/lazy to develop their own mlb game, so they port begged for years and bribed the mlb to make the show multiplatform. Like i said many times, xbox brought nothing to the table their 24 years, ZERO.

ApocalypseShadow2d ago

At least you and others get it. Note drank the Kool aid and asked for seconds thinking it was refreshing.

Most don't even know how it all played out but it's there in black and white for all to see. Microsoft brought it up for years until the MLB forced Sony's hand. It was a win win for Microsoft. Kill one reason to buy a PlayStation or kill the game by dropping it in a cheap service to kill Sony's sales numbers on PlayStation.

OtterX4d ago

"However, Healey said Media Molecule wouldn't have felt right doing that, adding it would have been "morally corrupt"."

Major kudos to Media Molecule for being an upright studio with principles.

Cockney2d ago

They chose well, Sony gave them the backing to pursue their dreams with no restrictions even tho their games especially dreams have very niche appeal. Media molecule and Sony deserve respect for this in an age of risk averse publishing.

RNTody4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Great, more stories like this please. Show the last of the zombies holding the line what we've been saying for years: Microsoft is anti competition, anti industry and has no interest in making games at all.

But hey, at least there's an Xbox Games Showcase to look forward to, right?

Inverno3d ago

Well considering SONY just killed the series, LBP would've been dead by now either way. Though MM probably wouldn't exist by now either, so I'm glad they stayed with SONY, hopefully they don't get shut down any time soon or ever honestly.

Inverno3d ago

They shut down the servers, that's millions of user created levels gone. That and dead are pretty much the same, it's also been years since 3 and they cancelled HUB soooo.

3d ago
fsfsxii3d ago

They shutdown the servers because no one was playing, no one in the community cared about the user created levels so why keep them up? Wtf you guys would never succeed in running a business.

Inverno3d ago

Yea dood no one was playing so they shut off the servers. Cause people with enough common sense can't just Google why they were actually shut of, right?

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