Tecmo Koei: Please Cut the Price of PS3

CEO of the newly-formed publisher Tecmo Koei, Kenji Matsubara, has said he "would welcome a price cut for PS3", and has made his request known to Sony in past meetings.

"Whenever I discuss this with Sony reps I always ask them: 'Please cut the price', but I don't have a clear view on Sony's situation," Matsubara told CVG during an interview.

[chasegamez2]

lower the price of your game

[sunil]

seriously... these game publishers charge $60 for a game ! and 6-7 games cover the cost of a console...

ppl buy 1 console every 6-7 years.... how many games does each gamer buy for the same period?

[Mighty Healthy]

Even the worst fanboys of both sides can 100 percent agree on this. Give this person some bubbles!.

[STK026]

well, I'd say that some of their games can justify the hefty 70$CAD price tag. I know everyone would like it to be lower, but they need the money.

However, I still fail to see why I had to pay 70$ for the piece of crap that was DW6 and BladeStorm.

[k jules]

I really don't get why multi-platform devs are making such a big deal about this. Many people already joined the nex gen with either a PS3 or a 360 (or both), but if the price of the PS3 is to high for some, that doesn't mean they won't buy another next gen machine (360). So it isn't hurting Tecmo, since they publish games for the 360 also. A PS3 pricedrop may result in higher software sales for PS3 titles, but 360 sales will go down with it, because of 360 owners buying PS3's for their exclusives. People still can buy Tecmo games if they want to at a small price (console, not game itself) so it isn't hurting the multiplatform devs.

in short: money making company's should shut up!

[Lawliet]

I agree.. Games are costing like hell! Most don't even justify their costs!

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

That is why I for the most part buy games on sale i.e. when they cost less than $40 in many cases less than $20.

There is probably only a handful of games I paid full price for close to release date. If you are conscientious of the console price you are also likely to be conscientious about the game/accessory cost as well.

[Mighty Healthy]

"well, I'd say that some of their games can justify the hefty 70$CAD price tag. I know everyone would like it to be lower, but they need the money."
Definitely true. I just wish it was back to the 49.99 for newly released games.

[ThanatosDMC]

Koei should really keep their game prices low... considering their games are only updates. (Dynasty Warriors series)

[Tarasque]

C'mon Tecmo you know even if a price dropped you will not sell more games on the PS3. I mean look at the PS2 had a install base over 100 million and the best game sold could do is like 8 and half million that is terrible, sure it is good for the developer. But that is a bad turnover ratio from console:game's sold.

[Blaze929]

That's the whole point and where Tecmo Koei is trying to get at; building a Playstation user base. It started with the acquisition of Koei. Now they are still trying to build and maintain a larger Playstaion base with Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 and it's mainly the entire reason Quantum (aka Quantum Theory) is a PS3 exclusive. A price drop would just make things hella easier for them.

They already have that Xbox base. Focus now is on the PS3. To them, why bother releasing games on the platform if alot of people won't pick it up becuase they dont own a PS3? They want Sigma 2 and Quantum to be successful on the PS3 and no durr a price drop would make that easier.

Just look at it from thier view, it cost alot to make PS3 games compared to the 360, PS2, Wii and they don't want to just say "ok no ps3 games if no one will buy it." No that's not the case, thats why Activision started it and now Tecmo Koei is saying it, as far as "please" which is kind of pathetic for a publisher to be saying. They don't want to jump ship on the PS3 but if they must some probably will. Question now is who else is next to say this. Activision seems like they were the ones with the balls to come out and say it and now slowly more will come out and say the same thing.

Maybe even kind of similar to the Gamecube; all it took were a few big companies to jump ship from that system then everyone followed.

[Rifle-Man]

See? That's how you ask nicely – not like some people I know.

[PirateThom]

Definitely. Temco Koei are even making exclusive PS3 games, but, like anyone, they want to sell to as many people as possible, but they're not making threats to achieve it.

[sunil]

Activision - Street Thug
Tecmo - Honorable, Humble

[GameGambits]

Game devs need to rethink how they make games to be honest. They should know if their title is going to be a AAA blockbuster with millions of sales or not right out of the gate. That in todays day and change is automatically decided by multiplayer component, because if it isn't a 50+ hour RPG, then most people rent it or borrow it.

If your game is 20 hours or less with no real replay value, then don't price it 60 bucks, price it 40. Games like Prototype, Dead Space(which I bought and love), and Fable 2 should've all been 40 dollar games honestly. It's just not appealing to this days market to drop 60 bucks on something you spend a few days on or less.

I sometimes buy games even I know won't be that long, but only because I don't want to wait the extra day or two for the video store to have it for rent. I bought inFAMOUS on that impulse and honestly if it hadn't had the Uncharted 2 MP beta, it probably would've been a rent for me.

The game devs need to not ask for console price cuts; especially considering it is meant to last me for 10 years. 400 bucks spread out over 10 years investment of entertainment is a S T E A L! Who knows the real year life cycle for 360 or Wii, because we've almost reached the cap on those systems. Expect 2010 or 2011 for bigger news from those two on their next console, but PS3 will just keep pushing itself till year 7 or 8 until they talk about PS4.

If devs want to earn more, and make us pay less, then digital downloads is the way they should go. They could charge us 40 and have the w hole 40 go to them if they released it on PSN or Live.

That's just me though, but if they want to keep asking for 60 bucks on Hannah Montana the movie the game, then I guess they see something there I don't.

[ultimolu]

I would imagine anyone would want a pricecut. My uncle is waiting on one to finally buy a PS3. But Sony will have to do it safely without losing more money.

[bankai]

exactly, they are still selling every console at a significant loss. they are much closer to bringing in a profit than they were this time last year though. so i will bet on a price cut either this coming spring or next fall.

[ExgamerLegends2]

KOEI: Please cut the price of the PS3

Sony: Well .... since you said please

Wait, what?

[Myst]

lol that would be funny if that's how it would actually happen.

[gumgum99]

lol, oh noes! its the Koei mind trick!

[OtherWhiteMeat]

Price cut is coming this fall. Everyone knows that. This is why PS3 sales are hurting a bit. People aren't buying because if they wait another month or two they will save a hundred bucks. Even Microsoft knows the PS3 price will drop. All three consoles should drop in price by Black Friday.

[bankai]

not exactly, PS3s are still selling at a loss

[Persistantthug]

PS3 should be very close to breaking even now, and 4 months from now, PS3 will definitely be well under $400 to manufacture.

[bankai]

yeah, they are still loosing a little over $40 per console and before now they were loosing much more. so i dont see them dropping the price till they are atleast making a little bit back of what they lost. thats why i dont see them dropping the price til atleast this coming spring.

[yoghurt]

I know a price cut will be welcome (i'll probably buy my 2nd), but it really has come down alot already

I paid £425 for the console only, just over 2 years ago - you can now get it for £289 with at least 1 game, most of the time 2. So already in 2 years it's come down over £150

anyhoo, I do agree, please cut the price - so then all these people waiting can buy one and join in the fantastic library PS3 has!

[makingdamage]

To all the developers complaining about the price of playstation 3: please make your games longer than 5 hour so it will be worth buying your games.
Thank you.

[raztad]

Agree but quality is an issue as well. More playtime and better playtime. Probably what KOEI really needs is to diversify and improve their games.

That said, Activision's EMPTY threat and now KOEI's request say how important is Sony and the PS3 for the gaming industry. All third party publishers know that as soon as the PS3 reaches a mass market appealing price, hardware sales will spike substantially improving software sales figures.

Sony is about to cut the PS3 price, probably an annoucement at TGS, alongside with the new PS3 slim. Awesome times ahead. Meanwhile, we current PS3 owners are enjoying this year's amazing lineup.

[ian72]

Why should Sony drop price again, Does everyone want Sony to lose more money. They have dropped the price loads in the last 2 years or so. I got my PS3 2 years ago for £425 and in my opinion that was reasonable for what you get. Real gamers will already have one or a 360 anyhow.

[jmare]

Koei: Please stop making the same damn game over and over again.

[Godmars290]

And over...and over..and over...

[solidjun5]

I'm waiting for the millenium edition (the 1000th iteration of Dynasty Warriors).

[TheMART]

"OtherWhiteMeat - 1 hour ago
PM
Track
Ignore
5 - Don't Worry
Price cut is coming this fall. Everyone knows that. This is why PS3 sales are hurting a bit. People aren't buying because if they wait another month or two they will save a hundred bucks. Even Microsoft knows the PS3 price will drop. All three consoles should drop in price by Black Friday. "

Uhm no, thats not the reason why it ain't selling. Only we nerds on N4G know about a possible pricecut. The rest of the people that play some games know shiat about things that could possible be furtheron this year.

The PS3 just isn't selling. Price too high, recession gives more pressure on expensive stuff to get sold.

[user3915800]

Probably suckutaragi, but the PS3 isnt moving and by the looks of it, probably never will. To be honest only fanatics with the brain of a baboon will cheer for the PS3, ain't that right ken suck a lot.

[PotNoodle]

Like Sony said "Publishers would love us to give it away for free, and so would we"

But the fact is they can't, when they can cut the price, they will do. But it is clear that they have not been able to so far.

[Reshun]

For I see the PS3 as a package bundled with other accesories.. an alternate option for people who don't use wireless network and can stick with smaller storage space.

Though it would depend how much of the price can be deducted with those 2 factors removed.

[kissmeimgreek]

that sounds like a really smart thing for sony to do for a ps3 slim. but im pretty sure i read in a previous commetn that the wifi thing is only like $2 or some thing like that. but i just read that i didnt come up with it.

[bankai]

yeah, if you get a sh*tty quality wifi adapter.

[Godmars290]

If all these companies are so hot about a PS3 price cut because they think it would sell more of their games, why don't they pay Sony to cover the difference.

That, or shut up and wait for Sony to drop the price when they feel like it.

[OmarJA]

Don't worry Tecmo-Koei they well just keep bringing more exclusive AAA titles on the PS3.

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

...and watch the 'ChavBox 360' Die a horrible Death!!! ;-P ;-P ;-P

2 things that SH*T-UP a ChavRedNeckBot on this -
A PS3 Price cut
+
PS3 Firmware Updates!!! ;-D

[Dead_Cell]

Add something different to Dynasty Warriors.
Changing character weapons and clothing doesn't cut it anymore.

[FF7numbaone]

I guess dynasty warriors is aging. Not much to add to it. they added swimming, climbing and tigers. But then they f'ed up the character designs and cut characters.

[xino]

Because Sony are farking dumb!
Developers work hard to create a sick game, and only get half the game sold. If Sony reduces the PS3 price, enough people will get a PS3, thus making the game even have more sales!

Sigma 2 will only earn same amount Sigma 1 did!

[Karum]

A higher install base does not guarantee more sales.

[Dante43]

Sony should say : We will cut the price, IF YOU ABSORB the loses together with us!
Companies: Go suck a lemon, we only work for profit in the fastest way possible. Example: New Guitar Hero/Call Of Duty each year.

[Grimhammer00]

I see both sides to this. I wonder - does anybody here know and want to share the specific cost and profit details of devs/publishers on 360 & PS3?

I wonder if Activision & Tecmo-Koei actually make MORE per game sale on PS3 vs 360?

Regardless, this is all about increasing sales via install base - more potential customers. This is no different than any other industry.

[bankai]

like Xino and some others may not realize, the ps3 as sold over 22 million units. the only developers games that have sold over 10 million copies are Rockstar's GTA San-Andres (PS2), Sony's Gran Turismo 3, and an assortment of nintendo games.

besides that, NO Dynasty warriors game has pushed more than 1.6 million units. and thats its leading series. tecmo really doesnt have anything after team ninja left so im looking forward to seeing the new stuff they can cook up since the merge.

[HDgamer]

Koei please remake dynasty warriors to be a fun not repetitive game as the first 6 games. Third party developers well since this is two developers, are begging. I do wonder how many others will join in, hell if even capcom would join in.

[gamingisnotacrime]

Sony is having a tough fiscal year, and to see the PS brand showing big red numbers would really put the brand in the hot seat. I think earlier this year when the past fiscal year was closing (around April) the PS brand Had to show to Sony Corp why the PS3 was worth the risk and that the gaming division is profitable. Tecmo asked nicelly and they are right, the PS3 would explode in sales with a $100 price cut, But Sony has a business to run and showing red numbers like they did in the first year is not the way to do it.
Sony has said so many times the PS3 is a 10 year console, and the price cuts will arrive according to Sony's plan, not outsiders

[Tarasque]

And Sony will end up with no 3rd party dev's, but anywho if this continues with other devs they will have to look real hard about what they need to do.

[bjornbear]

Koei-san asks politely. He doesn't blurt it out like that Kotick with threats and demands.

Learn from the wise you fat snake...learn

Either way, this foreshadows an upcoming price cut for sure, not only are devs starting to come out mentioning they have asked for it, but its been in the air for a while now, its basically imminent. Sony are just being wise and taking their time.

It is their product, they choose when its best to strike =) Good Strategy always consists of timing your actions

[BrianC6234]

Not this garbage again. Stop it already you idiots. Before you ask Sony to drop their price you better drop the price of your games. Never ask anyone to do something you won't do too.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Another one bites the dust

[Poopface the 2nd]

these guys just wish they had a console with sales like the ps2 to sell their games on. Too bad they cant sell many games on wii(they not nintendo). The 360 is very poor in Japan. The PS3 is their only hope, so they are sad.

I dont see how Activision can complain tho as their games sell a crap load, especially cod4 on ps3/360.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

Wow. The ps3 is just creating all kinds of problems.

[HDgamer]

Just like the day you were born :D