260°

PS4 Price Drop To $349.99 In North America, How Will This Affect The Upcoming Holiday Season?

Polk Games discusses Sony's announcement of the Playstation 4 North American price cut. Will this price cut help sony this holiday season against Microsofts horde of console bundles? As well as discuss both companies holiday strategies.

Read Full Story >>
thepolinetwork.com
Aloy-Boyfriend3123d ago

If Microsuave responds to this with an Xbox One price drop and a nice looking theme, then that'd be my chance to get one

SniperControl3122d ago (Edited 3122d ago )

All MS can do is drop the price on the X1 as well, which i do see happening, it's inevitable, but, at this point i dont see it doing much, they may win October with Halo, but it will still be to tight to guarantee a NPD for November.

@Quiddd

Don't forget the week after E3, which MS claimed to have won by outselling the PS4.

quiddd3122d ago (Edited 3122d ago )

There's the new console war:

First was the sales console war, then came the holiday season console war, then the limited edition console war............

Now comes the all important win the _______ (insert month) console war

morganfell3122d ago (Edited 3122d ago )

@SniperControl,

I agree. Right now on Amazon, cumulative sales for the month of October to this minute have the top selling game at #5 Uncharted Collection. At #6 is HALO5. This is of course different than the hourly sales which have #4 Uncharted Collection and #7 HALO 5. For consoles on the month to date, at #10 Destiny PS4, #40 PS4 w/TLOU, #54 is X1 HALO5 Bundle. Hourly it is #13 Destiny PS4, #24 PS4 w/TLOU, #33 X1 HALO5 Bundle.

All of that though is pre-PS4 price drop. Tomorrow that takes effect and by Saturday into Sunday we will start to see movement from the PS4 units and bundles which are affected by the cuts.

The issue MS is facing is that Sony has the marketing rights to the 2 biggest titles of the year and one of them, Black Ops 3 launches a mere week behind HALO5. Not enough time for them to see significant stabilized sales advantages. Then hot on the heels of COD comes Battlefront. Again, Sony has the marketing and will see large numbers of bundles shifted due to the game and specifically the impact of the movie which premieres the day after the game launch.

I actually do not expect MS to take a single month the rest of the year. One of their big titles, Forza failed to bump Sony in September. Amazon has become an excellent yardstick for US consumer buying practices and a mere 3 weeks from launch, HALO 5 has so far been unable to unseat Sony.

XisThatKid3122d ago

@Quiddd "Console War" comes one a gen now the "Console Battles" are what you described
Might I add PlayStation is winning mist off them.
To all wars there are many fronts to be fought.

TomShoe3122d ago

Personally I don't think they'll drop the price officially this holiday, as their strong Holiday lineup should have no problem moving units. They know that this holiday is their last real chance to put a serious dent in Sony's NA lead before they take off (SFV, Uncharted), so who knows.

I'd guess that Microsoft should win October on the back of Halo 5, November & beyond should be a toss-up based on retailer deals. I'd give Sony the edge for November, due to the Call of Duty and Battlefront marketing.

S2Killinit3122d ago

@morghandell
I completely agree with you observation. It will be interesting to see the effect of the new Star Wars movie on PS4 sales.

SoapShoes3122d ago

They should focus on other parts of the world before dropping the price here yet again! US and UK were the only regions to drop and recently Japan but everywhere else it's still what it was.

Sitdown3122d ago

@morganfell
Given the amount of midnight launch events, I don't believe Amazon to be the best indicator for Halo 5 sales. I personally wonder if marketing rights of the two games you mentioned will really make that big of a deal.

morganfell3122d ago (Edited 3122d ago )

@Sitdown,

Right now at Best Buy the PS4 Destiny Bundle is #2. The X1 HALO Bundle is #14. At Gamestop, #4 is the PS4 Nathan Drake Collection Bundle and there is an X1 bundle at #25.

Bear in mind this all before the price drop. You can keep hoping and who knows. Something could blow up. A great deal could happen. But looking at trend lines that have been present for some time, it doesn't look good for MS as regards taking an NPD month in the final 3 of the year. By Sunday or so we will have a very good indicator. And remember, it isn't just the base PS4 that is dropping in price. Think about it, those two limited edition SKUs are only $399 with the game. Nathan Drake and the lower Star Wars bundle it is the $349 price and the game is free. And in the case of Star Wars LE it is the game and 5 DLC titles.

UNCHARTED: The Nathan Drake Collection PS4 Bundle $349.99 USD

Limited Edition Call of Duty: Black Ops III 1TB PS4 Bundle (11/6)
$429.99 USD

Limited Edition Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars PS4 Bundle (11/13)
$399.99 USD

Limited Edition Star Wars Battlefront PS4 Bundle (11/17)
$399.99 USD

Star Wars Battlefront PS4 Bundle (11/17)
$349.99 USD

http://blog.us.playstation....

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3122d ago
3122d ago
343_Guilty_Spark3122d ago (Edited 3122d ago )

It's $298 with Gears and Nba 2k16 ...make sure you share your receipt.

http://slickdeals.net/f/814...

ZaWarudo3123d ago

Competition is getting hectic this fall.

tinynuggins3122d ago

Sony and Microsoft. Pay attention son.

S2Killinit3122d ago

He is implying that there is no competition. I believe.

miyamoto3122d ago (Edited 3122d ago )

The Mega Powers versus the Mega Bucks, buddy!

This is a good analysis video.
This time in the holidays 2015 Sony will make sure there will be no more shortage of PS4 units .... oh, wait I can not guarantee that with the $50 price cut.

SaveFerris3123d ago (Edited 3123d ago )

Shouldn't the headline read 'how will this affect this holiday season?' and perhaps replace the second 'this' with 'the'.

TheFirstClassic3122d ago

Black Friday lookin like a good time to get a ps4. That's when I'll get one.

tinynuggins3122d ago

I think I'm with you there my friend. I don't see the ps4 dropping below 349.99 for a couple more years. Now is the time. I skipped ps3 last gen so this will be my first go of uncharted.

TheFirstClassic3122d ago

Definitely get the collection, even though uncharted isn't really my type of game, I still love them because they are just so incredibly well made with such endearing characters. They really have this naughty dog magic that you don't find in other games.

3122d ago Replies(1)
Show all comments (69)
260°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7223h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle10h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18817h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio7h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning772h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga9h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff21838h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga7h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan3h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

romulus232h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv722h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2h ago
purple10112h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos11h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-1h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac11h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad10h ago(Edited 10h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10110h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos10h ago(Edited 10h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic8h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead1h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1h ago
Show all comments (35)
150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos1d 12h ago (Edited 1d 12h ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers1d 8h ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos17h ago(Edited 17h ago)

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken19h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g1d 4h ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing1d 4h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H91d 4h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola1d ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn6691d 3h ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle1d 3h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

Show all comments (14)
300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 19h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 17h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 14h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 7h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 9h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies1d 5h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 17h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic1d 3h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows901d 2h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 18h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 18h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 15h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 17h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 17h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (21)