PlayStation price drop "soon"

"On the back of ongoing rumours, CVG has been told that Sony has informed retailers of a looming price drop for both the PS3 and PSP "soon", but is yet to specify an exact date.

A major UK high street retailer told us this morning that they've received word from Sony regarding PSP and PS3 price drops "definitely coming soon", but that it was yet to confirm when or by how much."

[ape007]

it's confirmed now

more ps3 sales=more games\3rd party support utilizing ps3 potential+more games build up on ps3+more companies going to support home

and ms will try to compete and we all know competition is good for all us

:)

[Nineball2112]

I agree that MS will try to compete, but I'm not sure what else they can do?

With the momentum that Sony has going for it right now with all of these games available currently PLUS all the games coming out the rest of this year... I don't know. I think MS has just about benefited all they can from the price drop they did last fall.

MS can only drop their prices so much... I can't see them dropping them much lower. If they don't announce some pretty spectacular games for X360 soon, it's going to be rough for them, imo.

Does anyone think they'll come out with a X360 slim or will they just wait and start selling the X720 (or whatever they'll call it)?

[MURKERR]

360s cheapest console out there so im sure if anyone wants one they'd have one by now a further price drop wont do much, what microsoft needs is exclusive games because sony with its exclusives this year and a price drop is going to be a formidible force

[ActionBastard]

I think the have benefited as much as they can from the price drop, right now at least. Look at last month's NPD. The $199/299/399 360 outsold the $399/499 PS3 by just 100k. Granted, the economy is in the sh!tter, but 100k doesn't scream dominance to me. With what we know is coming to the 360 vs. what's coming to the PS3, you're right, if they don't show exclusive reasons to own a 360 it will be rough.

And that's before any GDC or E# surprises from Sony. Stephen Totilo video blogged about the lack of game demos from MS in comparison to last year. Next blogged about how the PS3's lineup looked great. No worries in a nutshell. That says it all to me. I've listened to him on 1up and while he sucks at SF, he knows games and is honest. The ball really is in Sony's court and they do need to drop the price. If only that greatest hits bundle was $299.

[soxfan2005]

What else can MS do?

The primary, best selling 360 SKU is now at $299 after 3+ years - which was the STARTING price for consoles such as PS1, PS2, and Xbox.

The 360 Pro started at $399 in 2005, it's now $299 - a 25% drop over 3+ years. the Arcade (formerly core) started at $299, now it's $199. Plus - both have added features as prices dropped. In contrast, PS3's primary SKU started at $599, now it's $399 - already dropped in price by 33%. If Sony drops the price to $299, that would be a full 50%. Believe me, MS has PLENTY of room to position the 360 against whatever it's competitors decide to to. MS can still drop prices in a similar percentage to what Sony does, or they can bundle popular games like Sony will be doing.

[frayer]

I can't wait to see the tears...

[psycho360]

Of who? the people who paid $700 for it or recently $499?

[blackpanther25]

why would they be mad they got full backwards capability, more usb ports, and different memory card readers with their systems.

[Ju]

Why would any current PS3 owner be mad ? I'd certainly welcome anyone joining the PS3 family to enjoy what we all do since two years.

[frayer]

The 360 will be made redundant as the PS3 pushes onward...

Blu-Ray
Hard drive
Free online
Wi-Fi
Superior exclusives
Growing game libary
$299.99

Done deal.

[KingKionic]

know it wont be redundant.xbox360 and ps3s are stll selling . fanbase us heavily established . doubt the xbox 360 will dip out.

[TheMART]

PS3 on 299

360 giving the same graphics or in 95% of multiplats the better graphics/framerate/version with no expensive making stuff thats not needed for the same game experience (BluRay/movies, wifi, bluetooth etc.).

So PS3 on 299. What happens if Microsoft drops the price of the Premium to 149 to 179?

Exactly. The mass of people buys around or under 200 bucks. PS3 still doesn't sell a lot better, Microsoft keeps the price advantage and builds further on those people wanting to buy a console for about 150 bucks instead of 200 or even the more expensive 299 and still are able to play:

GTAIV
SFIV
RE5
Tekken 6
Bioshock 2
Lost Planet 2

All the major games. All the PS3 exclusives are nice, I really like LBP but look how little it sold to the installed base of 21 mln. users. Resistance 2, KZ2... For the mass of people that buys a console those don't matter that much. The real large multiplat franchises do. Plus a game like Gears of War or Halo has much more worth of mouth to sell systems.

Thus: PS3 down to 299?
360 Premium price set on 149 to 179

Again the 360 will outsell the PS3rd. Nothing changed really.

@ the Sonytard below

Wut? The PS3 got a 200 bucks pricecut after just 6 months in the EU. Thats 1/3 of its price @ launch. NOW THATS DESPERATE

The 360 got its pricecut in September 2008. If the PS3 gets its pricecut in may, it won't do much untill Fall (when most is sold up to holidays). Thus I expect Microsoft to drop just another time around September 2009. That'll be a full year after the last one.

The initial price of the Premium will then be allmost 4 years after release cut to 149 to 179 bucks. While the PS3 dropped from 600 to 300 in just 2 years, cut in half, if done this Spring.

And no. It wasn't the Playstation brand that sold the PS2 last gen to those high numbers. These were the reasons:

- GTA console exclusive on the PS2 (now on 360 most complete version)
- Most consoles sold before competition arrived a year after (roles are turned around, the 360 was first this time, most support. Look @ RPG and race genre for example: PS3rd has allmost nothing, 360 is king in about all genres)
- Price cuts at the right time, like the 360 has this gen

Not too mention, the most expensive systems in its gen that had lots of stuff added that didn't add to the core game experience, failed. Remember Neo-Geo, 3D0 and CD-I. All tried about what the PS3 wants to do. = fail.

[Sony Rep]

Haha. It's funny how you celebrate such desperate price cuts. The 360 just had a drastic price cut a few months ago and you think Microsoft should do another one so soon? Haha. Shows just how inferior the 360 is. The brand power of the PlayStation is still relevant in not only European countries and Japan, but America also.

[pwnsause]

you mean desperate when M$ cut the price of the 360 TWICE LAST YEAR? wonder whos more desperate? LMAO

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

+ Don't forget M$ to put a Coin slot in your New xBox!!! £1 = 1hour play time!!! ;-D
The Gullible xBot Zombie DLC Lemmings will Lap it up!!! ;-D

I might get a PSP to;) + Another PS3;)
KillZone 2 awaits me...bye bye;)

[frayer]

Haha. Poor Mart. The PS2 sold 20 million units in Japan. Something the 360 could never do, even if it is the most cheapest pos there. Japanese developers will just stay exclusive like last gen as soon as the PS3 picks up. Europe is Sony land. They don't like Microsoft Corp. The PS3 was consistently outselling the 360 even when it came out first and for cheaper. Guess what?

The 360 came out in EU in 05. The PS3 came out 07 in EU. The install base for the PS3 is about 10.0. The 360 is about 11.5. The only time the 360 ever outsold the PS3 was when they gave it a price cut, and it's still by not much. And Gt5 is the biggest franchise and exclusive in EU, outselling GTA. So, that's not relevant there.

NA is a place where the PS3 can compete and outsell the 360 consistently as given by last when the PS3 was outselling the 360 each month, even though it costs a $100.00 more.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008...
http://www.destructoid.com/...
http://www.edge-online.com/...

[TheMART]

hahaha poor Frayer

Wii took over the sales this gen that the PS2 had last gen in Japan. Wii constantly outsold the PS3 with massive numbers. Its no where in Japan like the 360 doesn't do well there also.

Europe was Sony land indeed. Delaying your nr.1 major franchise for 3 years and dropping two demos GT4HD and GT5p (last one got 8 out of 10 rating) while Forza 1 beated GT4 last gen in review average score and Forza 2 is out already for 2 years, when Forza 3 will arrive even before GT5 in 2010, there has been a shift already from former Playstation fans to 360 and will even more.

Time doesn't matter that much, the hardcore Playstation fans already bought the PS3 and its still 1.5 mln. behind the 360. Now the more casual gamers jump in and don't mind brand. They mind the games. Racing genre: PS3 has nothing but a demo and rrrriddggeeee racccerrrrr exclusive.

360 has Forza 2, PGR3 and 4, will get Forza 3 soon etc.

PS3 outsold the 360? Don't think so. And since September 2008 PS3 sales are less then same months a year before, while the 360 sales kicked in higher gear in the same comparison.

Too bad dude. PS2 had the advantages as written last gen. 360 has those exact same advantages this gen.

[pwnsause]

i like when mart brings up GT5p and GTHD, knowing when both games arent the real thing.

GT4p got the same scores, 8 out of 10, guess what, GT4 got 9.5 out of 10. gt5 is going to do the same thing stupid.

Poor Mart, no games this year? oh wait, you have Games, its DLC!!! LMAO!!!

[cryymoar]

i like how you have to bring the Wii into this for no reason at all.

I also like how that gap between the PS3 and the xb360 is the same as it was when the PS3 launched.

[Man_of_the_year]

Only an idiot would PAY for a DEMO...so i like to think that its the real thing.

[pwnsause]

say that to the People who bought GT4 prolouge.

FACT: the prologues give you a taste of whats to come of the real thing. and to get that taste, you have to pay a fee. it worked with GT3, it worked with GT4 and it will work with GT5.

[Man_of_the_year]

So you're saying once an idiot always an idiot?

That doesn't say much about PS3 Fanboys but it sure would explain a lot.

[Man_of_the_year]

FACT: FREE DEMO'S "give you a taste of whats to come of the real thing"...HELLO that's what a DEMO does...I know that the PSN doesn't have as many FREE demos on it as the 360 does but it still has DEMOS and they are all FREE except GT5P.

I can't believe you actually wrote "the prologues give you a taste of whats to come of the real thing. and to get that taste, you have to pay a fee"...LOL wow Sony's PR really did a number on you.

[frayer]

I wonder if Sony will offer the 399.99 sku as a high end model and the $299.99 sku as a low end- to soften the blow on money lost. Sony has always had two skus on the market. Last year, they had the $500.00 and the current $399.99 one- probably to soften the blow on money lost during the holiday rush.

[thereapersson]

I've owned a 60gb PS3 since May of '07, but it would still be nice to see potential buyers get exactly what they have been wanting out of the system all along: An "affordable" price point.

There really will be no other excuses for anyone once this happens.

[Microsoft Xbox 360]

To be honest, 300 is still a pretty steep price for the mass consumers. BUT with that said, the way the PS3 is selling right now at its current price, I wouldn't be surprised if the PS3 sale spiked and sold consistently high from then on.

[psycho360]

You mean the way its been losing sales month after month the $300 or $400 price tag will suddenly become attractive in this dooms day economy.

[Sevir04]

nice to see you got a second acount to bash.. the kiddies neverget it. they keep springing up like weeds ^^ bubble deduction for trolling FTW!!!!

[eagle21]

Just cause 360 can't sell good at those prices doesn't mean REAL brands like Nintendo and Sony can't.

[sinncross]

I wonder which game they will choose to be released around the same time as the price drop for both the PS3 and PSP.

I think the PSP might get a price drop for Monster Hunter Freedom Unite in Spring. If it can get good sales in the US and UK, Capcom might consider a MH PS3 port from the Wii version. i know PSP sales don't mean PS3 but it could be a way for Sony to prove that the title has selling power around the world on a Sony console.

PS3 is a different thing altogether.
Maybe in June, in time for InFamous. Insomniac and Naughty Dog have gotten their PS3 titles a lot of exposure from PS3 bundles. Might be worth giving Sucker Punch that privilege as well with their new IP.

[PotNoodle]

"I wonder which game they will choose to be released around the same time as the price drop for both the PS3 and PSP. "

I don't think they will release a game around the price drop, but just unleash a big advertising campaign to show off all the great games they have released recently.

Sony have said it many times that they're in it for the long run and i imagine that applies to games too - aslong as they can get them to sell well over time, they're fine :P

[table]

6 months maybe? i still think they will wait until october. we'll see.

Edit @ below: I know 6 months is not soon I just wouldn't take their word for it.

[Pennywise]

6 months is not soon. I would think a couple weeks. End of the month maybe.

[peeps]

It would be a smart move for sony tbh just now things are starting to get rolling for them:

- plenty of announced exlusives for 2009/10
- multi-platform games are near enough identical now and the sales are showing that people are starting to buy multi-plats for ps3 whereas in the past they prob would have bought the 360 version.
- The addition of trophies is a big thing. Any offline games in the past i bought for 360 for achievements cus it's a nice thing to aim for. I actually prefer trophies though so now i'm tending to buy more games for my ps3.
- psn is getting there. Not going to make statements like 'its as good' or 'its better' than live. but i think a cheaper price point and free online could appeal to alot more 'casual' gamers who still like the idea of playing online.

Point being, if Sony has any sense they will give the ps3 a price drop within the next few months

[Cajun Chicken]

Eyepet and Ratchet and Clank Future 2 will bring the kids in with the PS3 near the end of this year.

So a price cut HAS to happen before that. then i hope a new Jak will be made... because Sony's platform series rock.

[Jerk120]

It's too late Sony.

The win of the 360 is guaranteed.

[TheOutsider]

Your a waste of my time! so why do continue to comment me? you retarded F**K!!! I see your scared and worried about the new price drop! HA HA kiss your s**tbox goodbye! ha ha ha!

[Droid Smasha]

im going to lmao when this turns out to be some $30 pricecut that doesnt boost sales

[KingKionic]

lol sony wouldnt do that. there not "crazy"...

[Bathyj]

This could be the turning point.

I'm going to speculate Nostradamus style and say the next Xbox will be out in less than 2 years and XBox wont make 50M.

[Zeus Lee]

Obviously.

[You Already Know]

you have to realize the x-factor in the decision making here...

and that is all the standard Blu-ray players on the market...

if Sony drops the price of the PS3, that means that the Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp and Sony stand-alone Blu-ray players also have to drop in price among other Blu-ray brands...

...otherwise people will not even buy the stand-alone players and it will skew the sales of them as well....

..so the price drop for the PS3 relies on a lot of factors as they've already stolen lots of sales from the stand-alone players despite the fact that the PS3 is the very reason that Blu-ray beat out HD DVD....

[pwnsause]

keep the M$DF Machine rolling Bots, you're going to need it, LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[N4PS3G]

Update:

It seems Sony will launch a new two-game PS3 bundle, packing Resistance: FoM and Motorstorm with an 80GB console apparently for the same $399 price. Not a price drop, but it's something. This photo of the box at retailer Target appears to confirm it.

Update ends.

[sajj316]

Target is not UK retail chain. Its in the US. I'm sure they will sell the bundle for $399.99 to minimize impact on costs of selling it for $299.99.

[You Already Know]

alright, then this will be the 1st time in this generation that Sony will only have one SKU?....

I'm expecting there to be a $399 bundle SKU and a $299 standard SKU...

[N4PS3G]

Its an update from the story...i dunno..whatever

[peeps]

I'd expect the 299 to have a smalelr hdd than the 399 else for the bundle you'd be paying an extra $100 for 2 release titles!

[PirateThom]

The Microsoft Defense Force has been on high alert since all the 360's games started going multiplatform and the 360 could barely outsell the PS3 even at sub-Wii prices.

Prove me wrong.

[psycho360]

Surprising to see SDF are out in full force after the 360 killing KZ2 just got released a couple of weeks back. The game which according to N4G 100 million sony fans, was going to rock the world and kill 360.

[PirateThom]

Ah, so you're nonAsianDroid.

[Bathyj]

Who said it was gonna kill 360?

Whose just make up your own lies to justify yourselves.

We just said it was gonna be a better game than anything you have, and we were right.

[ThePlaystation3guy]

Would make the PS3 the best deal on the market PERIOD.

BUILT-IN HARD DRIVE. ($60 for a 60GB Hard drive)

BUILT-IN WIFI. ($100 for the Microsoft brand)

FREE ONLINE NETWORK. ($50 a year for online)

BUILT-IN BLU-RAY. ($200 for the cheapest Blu-Ray player around)

So you get all that and the ability to play PSone games and PS3 games for $300? That sounds like a STEAL to me.

You buy an arcade for $200 then you gotta buy a hard drive, pay to play online, can't even watch next-gen DVDs unless you buy a defunct HD-DVD add-on, ha! Give me a break. The sensible gamer would get a PS3 for $300, not a add-me-on for $200. Then again, with these economic times....

[dkgshiz]

they flopped

[bobdog626]

After Reading the VGchart they should drop the price on the PS3 like Tomarrow

[You Already Know]

aren't their numbers inaccurate?....I can't recall..

[bobdog626]

Sony is getting there A$$ Whoop right now and they need to do something Right now or it's all over for them.Price Drop comming Soon? Not soon (NOW) Sony need's to give the people what they want and stop playing game's with people's money.Gamer's make Sony ,not the other way around.

[peeps]

soon should do it tbh since Sony have actually picked up the pace when you compare how they were doing a year ago. I mean you only have to look at some recent multi-platform sales to see how sonys closing the gap. In all fairness i'd say they're probably less worried now... but bringing in a price drop would further increase the sales on ps3 hardware/software to get it even closer to its competition.

[Nineball2112]

LOL! Sony is getting whooped right now? Pleeeeeeeeeeease.

Easy with the drama... The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Sony is doing FANTASTIC considering all the hurdles they've overcome so far, including 1 year late start, less then great line-up at launch, less than stellar firmware at launch, MUCH higher price point at launch. Those have all been addressed or soon will be. Sony, imo, is sitting pretty.

[KingKionic]

now look guys all sony has to do is do what this guy says

[KRUSSIDULL]

If there is a price drop good for consumers not good for Sonys wallet. PS3 fans want them to drop price just to outsell 360?

[SoapShoes]

Oh wait, they won't... They'll simply go from "PS3 needs a price cut" to "The price cut was not enough". :D That's the media for you, it doesn't matter what Sony does they will still harp on their console.

[commodore64]

1. They have made nearly $4 billion in losses so far.
2. at last count, they were still losing $50 per console.
3. They are only *just* starting to break even overall (incl software sales)
4. If they drop the price by any significant margin now they are back to losing a lot of money!

It is almost like they are doomed if they give a price cut (in profitability) and they are doomed if the don't (stuck in third place).

Deary me. Sony is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[SoapShoes]

Last time any report was made on manufacturing costs they had them cut in half and only were losing $40 per console. That was quite a while ago in 2008. The gaming division had a profit in 2008 albeit a small profit.

Sony has always lost money on their consoles and I think the drop will be enough to gain many more users that it will counter act the losses.

This will render the Arcade 360 useless. Everyone knows it's extremely gimped and not worth it and if it's only $100 cheaper than the PS3, it will only look all the more bad. So this move will probably help Sony very well and considering Microsoft had to cut their prices for a second time last year to sell more it just backs up my analysis of things.

[commodore64]

But Dude, you just repeated what i said while adding some negative personal opinion on the 360 arcade.

What exactly was the point of your comment, except to add some damage control?

How about we stick to objective facts?

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

Im glad I bought my 60 gig for $500 after the $100 price drop. Ordered online from Circuit City's (lol) website to get the online offer of a free Sixaxis controler with it and my free 5 blu-ray offer. Then I go to the store to pick it up and noticed in store they had a offer of a free game with it, I complained till they honored that offer also. I left with 60 gig PS3, spare sixaxis, resistance, and a mail in coupon for 5 free blu-rays... all for $500. Sick deal if you ask me.

But what Im saying is, the most bang for your buck literally came from the 60 gig PS3. More USB ports, Multiple Card readers, Backwards Compatability for both PS1 and PS2 games. That was the deal breaker for me!

I personally feel everyone without a 60 gig PS3, got shafted on the Sony gaming front...

I own a 360 and Wii also and they both have their faults too, but this is just how I feel of the PS3 side of things!

Glad I bought when I did!

[bobdog626]

The Sky is Falling all around Sony's head.Anyone with a little common sense can see that.VGchart is up Wii=48.10m 360=29.22m PS3=21.07m .I don't care what anybody say or how you can spin this the PS3 is getting the Crap beaten out of them this Gen.Bubbles if im Right

[KingKionic]

i would say that the price cut will change some things but wont surge ahead of xbox 360. i think it will help with software as well.theres more playstation fans then xbox fans. ps2....

[eagle21]

stop holding all that gas! lol

And last June, $299 PS3's SOLD OUT at Wal-mart. All gone. :)

[cmrbe]

So i call bull on this.

The price drop will occur when Sony think its time.