180°

Sony: Financial Backbone Will Be 'Much Healthier, Much Earlier' with PS4

Push Square: "Let’s not beat around the bush, the PlayStation 4’s price point was a bit of shock. While we’d heard inklings that the company was going to price its next generation system much lower than previous efforts, very few imagined that it would hit $399.99. And that’s prompted some pundits to question whether the company is taking a large financial hit in order to achieve such an impressive price point. According to PlayStation president Andrew House, though, the 'financial backbone' surrounding the console couldn’t be healthier."

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pushsquare.com
Gandalf3968d ago

Must've cut a good deal with AMD and with whoever's making that RAM.

Arai3968d ago (Edited 3968d ago )

Hynix is supplying the RAM modules IIRC, they were the only ones at the time that could deliver that capacity.

Kleptic3968d ago

Their savings are mostly coming on the optical side i'd imagine...keep in mind, this is the first console Sony has ever made to not push a new phsyical media format. PS1 pushed CD-Rom, which was already around, but far from standard in the programming sense...PS2, DVD obviously, and PS3 started what the PS4 will continue using...that is a massive cut in R&D as well as manufacturing...

Their partnerships with BD and held patents keep those costs in check, and the format is already considerably affordable from a manufacturing stand point...especially compared to 2006.

while its true the basically off the shelf AMD parts will help the production costs...i'm pretty sure most of the saved money comes from using an acceptable optical format that is already tooled and in place from the last generation...and one that they pay no royalties for...

the strange thing is...this media format does not afford MS the same thing, though...They're paying costs just for being able to use the parts for BD, let alone the physical hardware needed...

So not only is MS fumbling left and right with this DRM/always-on BS...they're still feeling the fall out of backing HD-DVD years ago...with kinect 2.0, and all of the above...i'm fairly sure MS is taking more of a hit with the xbox one than Sony is, despite the $100 retail difference...

hellvaguy3968d ago

"backing HD-DVD years ago"

Was decent until you tripped up on this part. Xbox never back hd-dvd. I've never once seen a game released from ms on a hd-dvd. The hd-dvd was an optional accessory.

At the time it was wise for MS to remain neutral on the Blu-ray/hd-dvd format war. When MS released the 360 one year ahead of the ps3, Blu-ray players alone were selling for around $1,000.

nikoado3968d ago

@kleptic

Yep, blu drives are much cheaper now than at ps3 launch.

The off the shelf/semi custom APU is probably much cheaper than RSX and CELL for R&D and manufacture.

A HUGE cost saving is that they have to buy massive factories to manufacture their CPU like they did for CELL.

Overall, good design decisions and a well engineered console enabled them to reach their targeted launch price.

dcbronco3968d ago (Edited 3968d ago )

I know the article mentions the design but that has little to do with the lower cost. The most expensive parts of a console are the CPU and the GPU. In these console those two chips are one chip. In addition, the size of the chip matters. Last generation had two chips and both were 90nm. Now it one chip and 28nm. When that fabricate chips they use a wafer. The wafer are the same size, but if you have a smaller chip you can make more chips from that wafer. But the cost to make "print" the wafer is the same.

So this gen you start with a wafer that cost you ten dollars to "print" at 90nm. That gives you ten chips. And you pay that twice because you need a CPU and a GPU. With a APU the wafer cost ten dollars to "print" but the chip is much smaller, 28nm, so you get 50 chips. And since the APU has the GPU already on it you don't pay another ten dollars.

The 360 moved to a SoC(sort of APU) back in 2009 with the Slim. That is why stories of Xbox never making money are a joke. MS has been making money on every console for years, even before 2009. But if most knew that they would have demanded a price cut four years ago.

Start of last gen $10 makes five consoles. This generation $10 makes 50 consoles. That is the main reason these consoles are most likely being sold at a profit day one. The size of the chip makes other things on the console cheaper too. Smaller means cooler, which means less power, smaller power supply, smaller case, smaller motherboard, smaller fan. Doesn't seem like a lot until you multiply it by 10 million consoles.

And Blu-ray is much cheaper too.

GDDR5 is not though.

BitbyDeath3968d ago

@hellvaguy, MS didn't remain neutral. If they had then you would've also seen a Blu-ray addon.

They backed HD-DVD.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3968d ago
dedicatedtogamers3968d ago

I believe most estimate that it costs Sony roughly $320 per PS4.

TronEOL3968d ago

And I'd say that's a fairly nice chunk made by Sony on each console.

If they make a full $80 on each console sold, they can earn ~$400,000,000 off 5 Million PS4's. And I'd say they'll definitely hit that worldwide without any issue before year end.

Then you count money made (after making back costs) on 3 first party launch titles (among other games), and PS+ Subscription profits.

I think the PS4 may very well make Sony a hefty chunk of change.

Also, don't forget about the Vita and PS3 that will surely still be selling (and the many Vita's to get sold when PS4 has been out for a while for remote play).

dcbronco3968d ago

They don't make the whole $80. Other things come into play. Those estimates are usually what's called a BOM(Bill of Materials). They don't include packaging, assembly construction of the console. Some do, some don't. Add advertising and shipping. If there are shortages sometimes you have to rush the shipments and that can be expensive. MS had to have 360's flown into the US at launch and that cost them a ton of money. Consoles are usually brought over on boats in huge numbers.

But overall Sony should make very good money in the first year and more as the generation goes on.

hellvaguy3968d ago (Edited 3968d ago )

Well ya paid online and a cpu that is much more economical. Im no genius, but that's pretty obvious ps4 will be more profitable. Also factor in the disposable controllers that you cant change out the batteries. Mo money, mo money, mo money!

That's not even factoring in if they end up outselling the competition in sales as many are predicting now.

Qrphe3968d ago

>disposable controllers

wut

hellvaguy3968d ago (Edited 3968d ago )

Thought I already pointed that part out. Batteries go bad all the time and degrade the amount of charge they hold. With sony you just toss out the controller (like apple products after a few years) instead of having the freedom to swap out rechargeable batteries.

Angeljuice3968d ago

If the battery fails you can use a screwdriver and replace it. They tend to outlast the controller anyway!

Boody-Bandit3968d ago (Edited 3968d ago )

hellvaguy

I have yet to have any PS3 controller not hold a charge. Even my launch sixaxis controllers still work flawlessly. Also, I have never had any PS3 controller stop working. The durability of the PS3 controller was built to outlast the console longevity IMO. I own 4 PS3 controllers and never had a need or a reason to purchase more.

JoeReno3968d ago

©brutally true facts my sixaxis controllers out lasted my 60gb and are still in use. Never had to replace a battery.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3968d ago
GenericNameHere3968d ago

My phat PS3 YLOD'd, but my Sixaxis is still working like a champ after 6 years. Even the Sixaxis that came in with my uncle's launch day Phat PS3 is working perfectly. But hey, that's just my own experience. I'm not gonna pull out the "well, it happened to me/a friend, therefore it must have occurred/reflects to everyone" line.

Angeljuice3968d ago

I'm really heavy-handed with controllers, not just Sony's but all makes. Sony's tend to be very durable, one lasted me 4 years, third party pads3-6 months.

badz1493968d ago

disposable controller? dude, what are you talking about? sure the batteries are built in but you can change them easily and it cost just a fraction of the cost of a new controller.

I know this because I changed my 2 DS3's batteries and even changed the worn out analogue sticks.

Qrphe3968d ago

Like Applejuice already mentioned, it doesn't take much literacy (or time) to open up and change batteries in a controller.

Qrphe3968d ago (Edited 3968d ago )

lol I seemed to have misspelled your name

Sorry Angeljuice

D':

xhi43968d ago

Bro, I have 4 controllers and I've never had to replace ANY of them...

Lol...

So much more annoying having to buy and buy tons of AA batteries just to play.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3968d ago
NateCole3968d ago

Well no Cell and Much cheaper Blu-day, HDMI and HD will do that for you.

hellvaguy3968d ago

I was with you on the first 2, but then I got lost on how hdmi and hd will make more profit.

NateCole3968d ago (Edited 3968d ago )

HDMI and HD component were more expensive then.

Basically Sony gained a lot of manufacturing experience with the PS3 that has allowed them to get the price down for PS4.

Nothing in the PS4 Sony had to break any bank in R&D and manufacturing like it was the case with the PS3 when they were dev and launching it.

Sony learn a lot from their difficult experience with the PS3 which obviously have helped them immensely for the PS4.

xhi43968d ago

Yeah, the PS3 when it first launched the largest HD size you could get was 60GB because it was so expensive and that was nearly $1000 in Australia ($599 in US)

Now 500GB hard drive is WAY cheaper to produce.

hellvaguy3968d ago (Edited 3968d ago )

oh HD he to say meant hard drive. That was a very weird choice of words. They way he put it I thought he was referring to high def.

green-cigarettes 3968d ago

I'm glad. They definitely deserve it.

50°

How to recruit Lam in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Lam is among the 120 characters available for recruitment in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. While she is one of the many straightforward recruits, a known bug may prevent players from recruiting her if certain conditions are met. Despite developers’ assurances of fixing the bug, some early access players still encounter issues with recruiting Lam despite attempting the standard method.

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infinitestart.com
300°

Tomb Raider Remastered just quietly censored one in-game detail

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered players are ticked off by the game’s most recent patch, which censors in-game pin-up posters of Lara Croft.

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gamingbible.com
rlow110h ago

This is why gaming is screwed. When people change things to fit someone’s agenda, it’s a slippery slope downhill.

Christopher9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

Even if that agenda is of the developer? Way to remove developer rights.

***One player called it a “huge problem with modern games,” saying they can now be “ruined AFTER people buy them”.***

The level of drama. Yes, I recall sitting there for more hours than I did anything else in the game. These two pinups are the core of the game, after all!

coolbeans8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

rlow1's cringe catastrophizing aside, I do think developers *ought* to strive to maintain an original work to the best of their ability. The language of a "remaster" tacitly implies that - for good or ill - what's being resold is what fans remember but better.

Profchaos7h ago

Games can be ruined after purchasing them yeah we know this not from this but from GTA IV which had half it's radio content patched out due to licensing expirations and to me that was a huge deal.

This pin up poster is a bit of nonsense but the whole argument of modern games can be ruined post launch is Absol true.

DedicatedDark6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

It's not their work to censor. They are incharge of restoration & remastering the work, not overwriting it.

Barlos5h ago

It's not the agenda of the developer though, they're pandering and trying to increase their ESG score.

Way to support censorship...

victorMaje5h ago

It’s not the end of the world for sure, but I understand the hate towards this kind of change. I believe it’s also a matter of principle.

Imagine a Picasso painting being restored & the restorer deciding there aren’t enough strokes, or some lines aren’t straight enough or curved enough…not sure it would/should sit well with people.

Have all original devs signed off on this change? Even if it’s the case, are we saying older gamers are better mentally equipped to process what was there than current gamers, hence the change?

Enough time ago the case was made that games are an art form. We’re supposed to have won that case.
So which is it? Are games art or not?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5h ago
Eidolon6h ago

Hasn't this been happened for over a decade since remasters? I can't see that it's any worse now. Maybe if Sweet Baby starts getting their hands on remasters we will definitely have a problem.

Rebel_Scum8h ago

tbh I dont see something like this as censorship. Does anyone else not find it strange for someone to stick pin ups of themsleves in a locker room?

Now of it was a pin up of some half naked firefighters it might make sense as Lara might like that, and if they removed that I would cry censorship. But removing pin ups of the main character, yeah I get it.

Barlos5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

It's a game, and they were placed there for the audience. It's not real life. If it was, she wouldn't have fought a T-Rex now would she?

Yes, it's censorship but it's a bit less in your face. If they were in the original game, then they should have been in the remasters. It's bad enough that they have that ridiculous unnecessary warning at the start, but then they start removing things post launch. I don't care how small the change, they shouldn't be doing it. It's nothing but ESG pandering but in a subtle way.

Rebel_Scum4h ago

Look bro, if you have pictures of yourself naked on a bear skin rug up in your house let me tell you, its not normal.

jambola3h ago

I wasn't aware censorship was based on what made sense to you

Rebel_Scum3h ago

Likewise, what a stupid comment.

jambola3h ago

I agree
Your comment was pretty stupid

Rebel_Scum2h ago

I never said censorship is based on what I say dumbass. Just because I dont see this as censorship doesnt mean I’m saying others cant.

How about you come at me with your opinion rather than snarky comments with no thought on the matter.

SimpleDad5h ago

By the year 2030, this remaster collection will totally be changed and censored. Probably will remove Lara as a playable character. It's ridiculous. Glad that my family didn't buy this.
I still have Tomb Raider 2 PS1 as a memory.

jambola3h ago

Those shorts are a little revealing
Should probably make them snow pants

Barlos3h ago

They'll probably make her trans

CobraKai4h ago

It’s mentioned in the article, and it’s a point i 100% agree with, it’s the fact that they can censor a game after you buy it. That’s total bullshit.

Killer2020UK4h ago

Whilst it's an overreaction to say this has "ruined" the game, it's still problematic that this has happened post launch and for many, post-purchase.

I don't want someone to change a product for the worse after I've bought it. The same goes for implementing micro transactions after reviews.

I wonder why they did this? Nobody was kicking up a fuss as far as I'm aware.

maykhausonninh4h ago

Nobody was kicking up a fuss as far as I'm aware.

Show all comments (26)
100°

Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster Review – You Are Your Job, Apparently

Gary Green said: In a time where an enhanced, 3D remake of Final Fantasy III already exists, it’s hard to argue that Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster is the definitive version we were expecting. With Final Fantasy III already being the last in the series to be translated and make its way west, this is something of a slap in the face for the fans. Still, let’s not be disheartened. There may be many shortfalls in this edition of Final Fantasy III, however there’s no denying that this classic JRPG still holds some nostalgic value, even if it struggles to break away from its original hardware limitations.

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pslegends.com
FACTUAL evidence9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

It’s funny I’m seeing these articles about pixel remaster, and I just platinumed 1-4 within 8 days lol. I’ve been on FF5 for about a week now. Let’s just say 5 was the start of FF having content like crazy. I should have the plat within 2-3 days.

MrBaskerville57m ago

The game being an accurate represantation of the original was not a slap in the face to the fans. The 3D remasters looked like ass (visually) tbh.