PlayStation 4 Price Advantage Will Prove Pivotal in the Battle Against Xbox One

While much of the next generation narrative has been pointed purposefully at digital rights management and used games, arguably the biggest discussion thus far has been left untouched like the awful pizza at a Chinese buffet. SCEA executive Jack Tretton may have revelled in revealing the PlayStation 4’s pro-consumer plans during last week’s E3 2013 press conference, but it was group gaffer Andrew House’s almost aggressive declaration of $399 that will be looked upon fondly by the suits that have been haunted by a larger figure for much of the PlayStation 3’s lifespan.

[GreenRanger]

When Sony announced the price of the PS4, my dog smiled.

[MysticStrummer]

I heard the trophy sound in my brain.

[get2sammyb]

Haha. Platinum Trophy unlocked! :P

[HammadTheBeast]

Red Rings Flashed Before My Eyes.

[slampunk]

Sucks in Australia that the gap is only $50....

[RiPPn]

Yeah but you live in Australia.. that's a win in my book.

[slampunk]

Yeah good point mate!!! It is a great place to live...

[steven83r]

Only $50? Should it be more? Aus makes way more money than US. So the price is set to what they make. Just like here in US Minimum wage goes up and so does prices on everything.

[slampunk]

Just speaking about the price difference in Aust. Xbox One is $599 and PS4 is $549?....The PS4 is an extra $50.......where as $499 vs $399 in the US....

[Belking]

Price is always pivotal. They learned that the hard way though.

[Imalwaysright]

They did but MS didn't.

[Belking]

Not yet.

[Utalkin2me]

They learned the hard way as in beating MS in most consoles sold?

[longcat]

Yes they did outsell them eventually but they lost the NA market to them and went from a 7:1 ratio to 1:1

they lost exclusive 3rd party support in the process as well

So yes, they did learn that price was important

[Utalkin2me]

Again the PS3 came out a year later with much better hardware, Blu ray, wireless, hdmi support and a more expensive console. They didn't lose 3rd party support, maybe some timed exclusive content. But money talks....

[GentlemenRUs]

Well I know one thing, My wallet will be happy!

My Wallet cried with tears of joy when the price was announced ;)

[PerryCaravello]

Price is so important.

We wouldn't want you to get a second job just to own the console lol.

[longcat]

lol, this time around i would have to work 24/7 to be able to afford what MS is selling.

[MikeyDucati1]

It's how 360 overtook PS3 in sales.

[SoapShoes]

*In North America. You might want to add that disclaimer. lol

[MikeyDucati1]

Lol!! True indeed!

[Summons75]

yupp but I find it funny the same people who praise a $400 ps4 cry about the cheaper priced WiiU......fanboys: unending entertainment since the beginning of dawn

[Silly gameAr]

Ummm what? Two totally different machines my friend. These arguements against fanboys from other obvious fanboys are getting lamer everyday.

[Summons75]

Ummmm I not a fanboy. I'm excited for the ps4 and already own a wii u. It's just ridiculous fanboys praise this then complain about the wii u price saying its too expensive. The samething happened with the ps vita. When they announced the priced before the 3ds price drop, vita price was perfect then after they cursed it for being too pricy. Same situation just different rolls now. "Oh wiiu is too expensive.....ps4 price it Soo cheap man, it's perfect".

[jmc8888]

Price paid is supposed to correspond to what you get.

I own a Wii U, and got it at launch.

The price isn't bad. But the gamepad added majorly to the cost.

I like the gamepad, but they did go with inferior components in order to have a console and gamepad.

The PS4 is about 300 percent stronger than a Wii U, probably a bit more. But in raw power a bit over 300 percent.

It only costs $50 more than the Wii U did at launch for the deluxe unit.

Plus you have to understand most people are used to paying in the 100-200 range for a Nintendo.

[Polysix]

huh? it's not JUST about price but price counts. It's nice it's cheaper but even at the same price as the XBlock it would still have been more desirable to most based on it's power and no restrictions.

Not sure how WII U even comes into this? 3DS, DS is cheaper too? and? Totally different spec. Wii U should actually be cheaper.

Sadly Wii U doesn't have the spec for next gen so if we are talking TRUE next gen, PS4 nails it on price!

[NeXXXuS]

Not only that, but also enabling gamers to do what they want with their games as well.

[NextGen24Gamer]

I'll gladly pay 100 dollars more for disc less gaming, family share, Skype 1080p built in, Snap mode with tv, games, movies, and Skype, and voice & gesture commands that can detect individual fingers and facial expressions.

Plus I can now play Halo, dead rising, forza, gears, and Titanfall.

Super excited

[GentlemenRUs]

Why do trolls keep trolling?

Guess that mystery will never be cracked...

EDIT: That or he forgot a /s

EDIT2: After checking your comment history, All those SPAM and/or Trolling hides shows a lot about you.

[NextGen24Gamer]

If you haven't noticed, I only comment on articles in the Xbox one section. And my comments are my opinion and feelings directly pertaining the the direct article being discussed. trolling? No that would be all the Sony fans commenting in the Xbox section acting like they used to love Xbox but yet their comment history suggest otherwise. Lol

[Polysix]

LOL.

[Imalwaysright]

At least you don't list DRM and restrictions as something positive unlike some other "people" here on N4g. I hope you enjoy your system of choice.

[Hicken]

That's because it's irrelevant to him. It could come with a stipulation saying it took all but $50 of your paycheck, and he'd still be excited for it.

[Foxhound922]

Disk less gaming? This is not new and can be done on every current gen console as well. You listed Skype twice, and not to mention everything you listed can be done on the PS4. So you're paying an extra 100 dollars for what again? Oh that's right, you must like restricted gaming aspects of the Xbox one. Seriously man, you are so blinded by fanboyism its kind of sad. You have your lips so magnetically drawn to microsofts teet that you can't even comprehend the magnitude(and facts for that matter) current events in the video game industry.

#sorrynotsorry

[NextGen24Gamer]

Foxhound

Your 100% wrong kiddo. On current gen consoles you can't buy a game, install it on your console, and play it without the disc in the drive. You can't go to a friends console, not bring the disc and play your game. You can't share your games with 10 friends/family in different states and NONE of your friends need the disc and they all have access to all your games!

Ps4 can't do that either unless they enable DRM and unless they go always online or a required check in...So NO...current gen or sonys ps4 can't do what the xbox one does.

I listed Skype, then I listed Skype via Snap...where you can watch tv and Skype at the same time or play a game and Skype at the same time...All with 1080p video...Sony can't and never will be able to do that till their next next gen console...LOL...

What you call restricted...I and many other xbox one fans call incredible sharing capabilities with NO DISC required after your initial install! That's next gen...carrying around your game discs is SOOOOOO Last gen. It's stone age like stuff!

I'm not blind at all, its actually YOU that's blind...But eventually I promise you and the sony fans will see. Next next gen when Sony starts to implement true next gen features....You all will love it and brag about it. LOL...Xbox One gamers will have already jumped into the next gen. Ps4 is the ps3 with better graphics...That's it. No other next gen innovations...Boring...Honestl y. Next gen should be more than just a graphics upgrade.

I love what MS has done with the Xbox One...Some so called gamers just don't understand it yet....Everyone will soon enough...hate all you want...True gamers will being playing next gen games on the next gen Xbox One in November...

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Titanfall, Killer Instinct, Ryse, Halo 5, Quantum Break, Dead Rising 3,Splinter Cell, Gears of War, Forza, and Sunset Overdrive.

[ginsunuva]

What battle?

[Tundra]

I was one of those people who said "There's no way it'd be $400. They're packing way too much in there."

Needless to say, I'm glad they proved me wrong. That's an unbeatable price.

[mirroredge]

Less price then competitor mean simply sign sony dont spend money on games for taking 3rd party exclusive which is already clear in e3 ms spend 1billion on games so the xbox one price is high then ps4

[Foxhound922]

You should research the word "logic"

[NextGen24Gamer]

Titanfall, Killer Instinct, Ryse, Halo 5, Quantum Break, Dead Rising 3,Splinter Cell, Gears of War, Forza, and Sunset Overdrive.

10 reasons why I have to get the xbox one. No way am I going an entire generation without playing those blockbuster innovative next gen games!

I'm a big Call of Duty fan and on top of the 10 must have exclusives that I want to play, COD Ghost will always give the xbox one exclusive early downloads for new maps, etc...

[ThatsGaming]

The price will help it in year one...

But unless Sony can keep bringing the price down when MS does they will hurt later.

Every time there is a price drop announcement console sales spike. By pricing PS4 so low out of the gate, they are not leaving themselves a lot of room to keep sales up through price drops.