Latest PS3 pricing and release "news" - early November, for $399
By Marc Perton 
posted Apr 26th 2006 4:31PM
posted Apr 26th 2006 4:31PM
Sure, the latest unofficial news on the Playstation 3's release date and pricing doesn't differ substantially from what we've already heard. But a little more reinforcement doesn't hurt, right? So, we'll assume for now that the team at PSM have at least some idea of what they're talking about when they say that the PS3 will be out in "the first half" of November, and will be priced at $399 in the U.S., €322 in Europe and ¥45,965 in Japan (arbitrageurs, fire up your calculators now). That pricing will no doubt come as a relief to anyone who panicked at this month's €599 scare -- and an early November release could give Sony a jump on the Black Friday shopping frenzy. And this is probably the last PS3 rumor we'll hear -- at least until we hit E3 next month, that is.[Via Joystiq]
Just about the same time 360 will be knocking $100 off of their prices.
Will it pay to reserve a PS3 now?
I know that it did not seem to help on the Xbox 360.
Not bad for a blue ray player. I'd gladly spend 400 on that then the 360 value-wise. I wonder if they are going to make you buy a remote or some crap to play the blues.
It will probably be $299 by Christmas.
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Tsunamii, the PS3 will still be a bargain since it includes the built-in blu-ray player.
$399.00 for what??? I noticed the lack of specs at this price level. So does that mean a bare bones system or a "take this and shove it up the X360's ass" configuration???
Post #4: Dude what are you smoking? Your predection is that it comes out in November and a month later they drop the price? Ahhh ya, I dont think so.
"Tsunamii, the PS3 will still be a bargain since it includes the built-in blu-ray player."
Well a bargin on a format that has not been vetted maybe. Alas Microsofts answer today was rumored to be a $100 add on hd-dvd.
Hey I want a PS3 sitting right next to my 360 but the HD-DVD and Blueray fight is going to make it less attracitve to the masses. IMHO
This looks like a fake rumor to me...
Look at the prices (€322 in Europe and ¥45,965 in Japan)?? These prices make no sense..
Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Sony price these bad boys at $399, but I will believe it when I see it. Sony would lose way too much money per console at that price point considering the processors, graphics chipset, controllers, blu-ray drive, and 60GB hard drive... I think it will be closer to $499....
blu-ray is another peice of sony media that will never really catch on. look at mini disk, look at betamax, look at UMD, that thing aint 'universal' like the name says since it only works in one device. and now look, many stores/movie companies are rejecting it. i smell failure for blu-ray
Great now how much will the games cost?
The euro and yen figures look like straight exchange rate translations which, atleast for the euro and based on other electronics items, are unlikey.
It's more likely to be 1 for 1 conversion giving a cost of €399 - which would then be rounded up to £299. That would make it a 1/3rd more expensive in the UK than in the US, but I would be happy with that price.
I think, if this price is below Sony's target, then the rumour will get corrected quite quickly. They can't afford for people to believe it will be cheaper as it would would cause too much negativity (& xbox fanboyism) when the real price is announced.
For once, lets hope Sony keep quite!
#10
You forget to mention floppy disks and CD's, both which were partially developed by sony. I'm pretty sure they cought on quite well.
Yes, the pricing does not seem real. The Japanese and European prices are not 'catchy' enough. As a marketing device, they would end it in 99 (makes you think you're paying a lot less when the difference is really just a dollar).
I am looking forward to Blu Ray. It might be excessive, but it prevents the need for a new format (although I agree this will be the last optical format).
E3...E3...please all wait a couple weeks so myth will meet reality. PS3 = overrated
This is more speculation and clearly not the truth. First, the prices are literally the same across the board. No one has ever priced consoles the same across the board for a few reasons. One is the expense of shipping, another is tarriffs and the third is local taxes. The Euro price is often highest for at least 2 of the 3 reasons -- I'm not aware of tarriff issues, but I know the Europeans pay more because of VAT, which is built-in to the price unlike U.S. sales tax. With this in mind, the €322 is unrealistic, since it converts to about $400.
At any rate, to answer poster 2, yes pre-order the console if you really want it. However, just don't pre-order with Gamestop/EB unless you plan on ordering multiple games. Reportedly, GS/EB didn't base distribution of 360s on when people placed their orders, but on the number of games and accessories they pre-ordered with it. At any rate, you'll have better luck using Best Buy's and Circuit City's Web sites. I snagged my 360 via a Toys R Us pre-order deal at their B&M stores.
Balls -
Where will u b standing @? Anyone else that plans to camp, please post where.
Anyway, when the PS2 and the Xbox 360 came out, iHeld up so many ppl @ gun point who where standing in those lines and u wouldn't believe the # of idiots that have cold hard cash. Those that had ATM or debit cards, iHauled who iCould to the ATM and made them take out the maximum withdrawl. iMake a killing every time.
OMG, For the X360 launch iMade about $32K jack'n fools. Cats like Balls will make this early season 4 me. iCan't 4 that PS3 and the Revo launch, baby. Whoo!!! I'm going to clean up this year!!!!!
Take this price with a grain of salt. Theres no way Sony can release the PS3 at this price point without getting hurt extremely bad. You thought Microsoft was hurt on the losses from the first Xbox? Think twice that much for Sony.
Pure speculation at this point. I have a hard time believing the PS3 will be $399 when you consider the price of an external Blu-Ray drive for PC's are going to start around $850. I know the PS3 won't have the ability to burn, but it's going to have a lot more integrated into than a BRD. PS3 is going to cost plenty and Sony is still probably going to lose moneyon the hardware.
Time to start hitting ocean containers in Long Beach, CA. (that's where ocean freight hit the U.S. first)
Great in a couple of years it will cost like $150 :)
I'm waiting for the PS3 because of my huge investement in PS games....but ultimately I won't be a 1st adopter until the format war is settled out. $600 CDN ($399 US + game + memory + exchange and tax) is TOO much to pay for something that may ultimately be 'just' a game machine.
I'm on the sidelines for at least 2 years more (in that time Sony wil also fix all the 'problems' that the adopters will live with).
At $399 core system that will not cover any of the PS3 upgrades like blu-ray drive, and 60GB hard drive. These will be available on the premium system for $599. excluding the bat-a-rang wireless controller.
To RedBull Runner:
Just because the MiniDisc format wasn't big here in the US, doesn't mean that it wasn't popular in Japan. (Which it was.) Plus, if it wasn't for Betamax, there would have been no Sony Corp. v. Universal City Studios which said it was ok to produce products that may or may not be used to infringe copyrights since their non-infringing benefits far outweigh the negatives. UMDs, sure, I could see how Sony dropped the ball on that one.
However, look at all the studios that are backing Blu-Ray. Shall I name them all for you? Sony (obviously), MGM, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lions Gate, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Considering only two big studios, New Line and Universal are not backing Blu-Ray, I can't see your logic really well.
Let's also consider the number of HD-DVDs thata re being released around launch date compared to Blu-Ray. Blu-Ray: 110. HD-DVD: 89 (4 have only been released on launch day, no dates given for any of the others)
Also, let's compare killer apps for each format. Blu-ray: PS3. HD-DVD: None.
Man this thing is gonna overheat like a bit hooker in a geo metro.
DarkSol,
You forgot to mention the Sony Beano MP3 player. LOL
That was another Sony turd.
George Bush invented the PS3
Hello my freind, can one tell me when the ps3 will be selling and by how much? I really must be getting one most urgently.
Asian Voice (#21):
60 Gb drive? Confirmed as standard.
Blu-Ray drive? Confirmed as standard, and as the media that the games will be on.
Batarang controller? Bad joke.
So, what, exactly, are you thinking the "upgrades" will be?
#21
that makes no sense. every ps3 will be standard with a BR drive or else developers would be forced to develop for two diff. formats, something which will never happen.
additionally, sony has already said that the HDD is a requirement, so I dont see any bundles coming.
I have no doubt in my mind that PS3 will launch in early November ...all 5 of them.
45,965 Japanese yen = 401.09059 U.S. dollars
322 Euro = 399.1834 U.S. dollars
according to google, so why again is that pricing outragous?
Paul (#31), you're an idiot.
Before you waste your time calculating conversions, read the posts (#16, specifically).
How sweet! Our Linux capable multi-media supercomputer is going to be $399. Our beloved PS3 hounders are at it again. Keep it up Thill, Tsunami and Cage. I wonder where's Slayermayer.
These guys never miss a beat when a console related article comes up. They're like flies to a pile of dung. Their sole purpose of living is to fill up the 1st page of article with negative comment. You gotta wonder if they work for M$'s marketing department. No one's putting down X360, yet they make it their life's mission to drag PS3 to dirt.
I wonder how long it will be before Microsoft retools the Xbox360 to replace the stock DVD drive and replace it with an HD-DVD drive while issuing a coupon for the external upgrade to existing owners. I'm sure Toshiba would give Microsoft a cut-rate price on the drives in order to execute a c-block maneuver to dampen the Blu-Ray equipped PS3 market entrance. Perhaps Microsoft would unveil Halo3 on the day of the PS3 launch with the game coming out on an HD-DVD disc.
If Sony is smart, they'll dump the Sony Connect Store in favor of a partnership on iTunes, ship the PS3 with iTunes compatibility, and also stock their own Blu-Ray titles with iPod and PSP compatible files. Of course, those two options depends upon how smart Sony is...and how flexible business-wise Sir Howard Stringer is.
Appreciate the post Steve-O. Means so much. At this point I think Im gonna cry.
Microsoft is not associated with next gen dvd's. They do not promote bluray or hd-dvd. Why are people trying to connect them to hd-dvd?
"Our Linux capable multi-media supercomputer is going to be $399." 99.9% of people do not care what Linux is or what you can do with it.
Finally...all I said is wait for E3. It will explain a lot (hopefully...with Sony you never know). The reason I called it overrated is because Sony never lives up to expectation...
This is a load of bullcrap. The Blu-Ray drive is expected to cost aroun $200 per unit. I don't think their willing to take that much of a loss to sell these things at $399 which would be a loss even without Blu-Ray. If Sony were willing to take a loss...than Blu-Ray Drive prices would be much lower. $900 for the cheapest PC internal drive and $1000-$1200 for a Stand Alone Blu-Ray player...How in the crap are they going to afford throwing in a HD, Gigabit Ethernet, Memory Card Slots, 2 HDMI ports, etc and ever expect to make any money on this thing??? Sony doesn't have 4 Billion to Burn like MS did with the first Xbox. Either their betting the entire company on PS3/Blu-Ray or they will not sell for $399.
If those numbers are accurate, Australia can expect the PS3 to drop for AU$550, based on current currency rates... that's AU$100 cheaper than the Xbox 360 at launch! very interesting =D
ATTACH RATE ANYONE! Look... you cannot sell the machine that cheap if it has a Blu-Ray drive in it. MS and Sony are willing to lose money on the consoles because they make up the difference on the game attach rate... if the main selling point is the Blu-Ray drive and people buy the PS3 with no intention of using it as a gaming device because it is the cheapest Blu-Ray player then they are not making that "make-up" money on those people. They CANNOT lose that much money on these consoles.
I don't think many of you are understanding the HD disc war and what that means to us consumers. The reason why I DO believe that Sony will price the PS3 for a reasonable $399 is so that everyone has the BluRay at their home. Sony is going to have to bite the bullet for the PS3 in order to WIN the HD disc war... and that means a very expensive PS3 console.
If the PS3 was $500-$600, there would be less demand for the PS3 -> less demand for the BluRay -> Sony would lose the HD war. If the PS3 is cheap -> Sony will win.
Anyway... Any of you hard core games out there should be outragged at Sony for their decision to make the next gen console all about a next gen DVD format. Do you know how many people will get a PS3 before you who have no interest in using it to play games?
PS3 = Death of Blu-Ray!
Well, this seems like a pretty good price point to me. $399 is about the top for the average person to pay for a console. Around $500 too many people just can't afford it, or just won't buy it, even around the Christmas season. Hope this price is true
In response to Jason (#39)... the reason Sony WILL price their PS3 console at such a low price and WILL lose that much money is BECAUSE you have to see the BIGGER picture. This goes beyond Sony making money for the PS3... this is about a larger plan of world domination for the next generation HD disc format. Do you know how much money Sony will make in the liscensing of the Blu-Rray technology to all the film and game studios... ALOT! Sony will bite the bullet with a cheap-priced PS3 in order to penetrate the market with the new Blu-Ray and WIN THE HD WAR! Its called "Strategic Marketing!"
Yet more FANBOY talk yet again in these comment boards. All your haters just shut up, if you're not thinking about buying a PS3, then don't get one!!! If your xbox was so good you'd be playing it and you wouldn't have time bashing PS3 on Engadget. And don't read all the latest news about the PS3 if you're just gonna bash it. This PS3 info is for the people who are really interested.
wow #35
nothing you said makes any sense.
1. MS made the right choice by including DVD, and having two SKUs.
2. Sony is not smart, hence their reasoning to include BluRay, and up the cost of their precious PS3.
and lastly, where the hell did you come up with any of that reasoning?
why would apple let sony take in profit from Itunes? apples doing their own thing, and theyre a success. Sony is doing their own thing, and theyre in debt.
Sony sucks.
"You forget to mention floppy disks and CD's, both which were partially developed by sony. I'm pretty sure they cought on quite well."
Ahh your an idiot. Lets try IBM developed them. The Floppy in the mid 60's, Sony made some imporvments in the 80's. I hate Fanyboys of all kinds. Lets not embleish to try and make a point can we?
Heh! If it is 399USD, then its only 321EUR converted.
Thats peanuts! Better import one and I'll save +70EUR.
Gotta love this currency :)
#38
the numbers arent true so dont get your hopes up.
anyhow, as i remember it, MS won the console war in Australia last generation.
"43. "You forget to mention floppy disks and CD's, both which were partially developed by sony. I'm pretty sure they cought on quite well."
Ahh your an idiot. Lets try IBM developed them. The Floppy in the mid 60's, Sony made some imporvments in the 80's. I hate Fanyboys of all kinds. Lets not embleish to try and make a point can we?"
Dude, didnt you hear?
Sony "developed" the world.
Too many fanboys in here. :|
Xbox 360 = overhyped
PS3 = overhyped
Nintendo Rev. = overhyped
All companys will overhype anything just to sell their products.
Why do you care so much about the price? If you think its too expensive then do buy it. There will be million others that'll buy it.
I don't see the point in the Xbox 360 forcing you to buy a $100 HD DVD drive, if the PS3 comes out at $499, you do the math, the get comparable stats, then you're paying the same for the Xbox 360. But I can't prove that can I?
You people are comparing 2 products, and 1 of the 2 isn't out. So you have no proof that Sony has failed.
105% sure I am allready getting one for christmas!
Sony has their own Blu-ray player, for release in August, listed at $1000. So, in 3 months, they're going to put out the PS3 for $399? What features will that version have missing to drop the price $600? Heck, the Blu-Ray player doesn't even have the Cell processor and graphics abilities.
So, it looks as if their Blu-Ray player is quite the rip-off.
@ steve-o
Umm.. What part of
"Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Sony price these bad boys at $399, but I will believe it when I see it. " did you not comprehend (I guess I am assuming that you can read).. Maybe that assumption is too much...
You see, I would definitely buy a PS3 if it cost $399 (if that price includes a blu-ray drive, 60GB hd, and at least one controller).. But I would not get your little fanboy heart set too much on picking up one of these badboys for $399 just yet.. This rumor looks about as real the past rumors that have been posted about the PS3's pricing. Until Sony actually releases this info, we will have to wait.. And if I know Sony they will wait until the last minute to release the pricing info.
But what do you care? You will probably be one of those morons who pays someone $2000 for one on Ebay....
I have a feeling Halo 3 will be released in November as well...
I have a feeling Sony is releasing these rumors through third party affiliates to gauge people' acceptance of either prices.
Think of it as a focus group for the masses.
IF it ever comes out, blunder-ray will be the only selling point. Of course there will be all of five movies to watch. As far as a gaming system, see the specs for yourself vs Xbox 360:
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/617/617951p1.html
It seems like those prices may be fake. I remember reading an article a few weeks ago saying that Europeans always get the shaft with console launches, because they pay the same amount for their consoles despite the exchange rate making it more expensive for them, relative to the United States price taking the same number. So if Euros had to pay 399 euros then they are paying the equivalent of close to 500 US dollars for the same product. They'd be better off importing from the US and paying shipping charges.
If that were to be the case here, then the numbers don't match up like they apparently did during the Playstation 2 launch and therefore they are possibly fake.
Wow, I'm not going to jump into your arguments here. I just wanted to say that regardless of the price or specs, the PS3 looks great! I can't wait until they finally release it so I can check it out for myself.
#44
You're not very bright. Yes, sony did not invent the huge 8" or even the 5.25" floppies. They ARE however, responsible for 3.5" disks that ruled the computer world for a very long time. Saying the 3.5 is an improvement on the 5.25 is like saying that the CD is an improvement on the vinyl record. Give me a break.
Oh, and they were also up there in the production of the CD, as I already mentioned.
Point is, stop being a hater. For every anti-sony comment someone makes, there is a pro-comment.
And get a better name. Tsunamii sucks
I would say it would have to be impossible for the PS3 to come out at that pricing, Its almost 1/3 of the cost of the cheapest blu-ray player - Oh and how can it be so small - have you seen the size of the Stand-Alone players.
If they release it at that price, with Linux - then every university, geek etc... will be lining up to get their way below cost supercomputer.
$399, lol - If they release the PS3 at that price I will personally buy at least 10 of them - I can turn them into Linux Blu-Ray Media Centres.
Wow, there's a lot of morons posting here, and I think anyone who wasted their time to read these comments is all the dumber for it. Too many fanboys here who have no idea what they're talking about.
Anyway, we all need to remember one simple fact that will give the PS3 a huge advantage over the 360: its Japanese. Yeah, I know, its not fair, boo-hoo, neither are Japanese business practices. If you think I'm wrong, you obviously don't follow the gaming industry, and know nothing about the Japanese and their infamous engineering pride.
To #50 and all others who have compared the price of a standalone BR player to this rumored price...could you please bring your time machine device over to my house, because I had no idea you went to August and saw what the player actually sold for. Thats amazing, your amazing. If I could time travel like you guys, I would be so rich I could buy all 3 next gen consoles, then I wouldn't be such a no life p**sy loser that I had to put one of the consoles down. Oh and also, the PC drives, thats in what...2 months maybe less? Plenty of time for the price to come down on all. I am going to say that I would GUESS more like $499, but who gives a $)*$%)! IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT, DON'T BUY IT! IF YOU HAVE A 360, DON'T BUY A PS3. BOTTOM LINE, GET.........A.........LIFE!
I will be buying both, cause I don't believe in the nerdolgy of FANBOY. queers
So can we start developing with Linux on day one?
I tried making my 7yr old son a fanboy last night. I asked him which he liked better, the PS2 or Xbox. He said he wanted both.
You guys should learn a lot from my son. =P
#54 - The article you are linking to is (as stated in the 2nd paragraph) written by Microsoft's PR department. I'm sure I could put together a few graphs too to make the the PS3 or even the Revolution look great - but I'd rather wait to see them side by side and make up my own mind. Loyalty (different to a simple preference) to a game system manufacturer is just weird, just buy the one that has the games you want to play, end of story.
@59 "Wow, there's a lot of morons posting here, and I think anyone who wasted their time to read these comments is all the dumber for it."
Umm, I guess that makes you a moron for reading all the posts...
You pro-Japansese post makes no sense either. First of all, if a console only captures the Japanese market, it would be considered a flop. Why do you think that Sony is doing a worldwide release of the PS3? The Japanese may have engineering pride, but I am sure that most of the components for the PS3 will most likely be made in China due to cost.
I think we can all agree that the Xbox 360 has not exactly been a success in Japan, but it is selling out in every other market. The question for Sony is whether or not they can dominate Japan again with the simultaneous launch of the Revolution, and also overcome Microsoft's one yeat console lead in North America, and Europe.
Sounds crazy if they truly plan to sell the PS3 with blu-ray for $399 while selling a stand alone blu-ray player for $1000
$399 for a bare console with no extras sounds better....i doubt it will include a FULLY functional blue-ray player...imo
People crack me up with their whole "Sony can't sell for that much with Blu-ray", blah blah blah.
All that matters is the MANUFACTURING COST of the drive. It doesn't matter one bit what the drives sell for at retail. Don't you geniuses know that any company soaks early adopters to help recoup R&D costs.
Sony will be cranking these Blu-Ray drives out of some factory in China and they will probably cost $50 to produce.
What about £s?
You guys could calm down a bit. Although I'm not a nintendo fanboy or anything, I'm just going to get a revolution. It's cheaper and nintendo consoles usually have lots of games that are fun to sit down and play for 1/2 to 1 hour periods, which is usually the longest I am able to play before I need to go do something else. That and the fact that a gaming pc is so much more versatile (if more expensive) I may buy a 360 or ps3 when they put linux on them though, since it's a really powerful system for cheap. As for the blu-ray versus hd-dvd thing, why does it matter except to videophiles? Dvd's measly 720x480 isn't that bad as long as your screen is smaller than 4ft.
What if Sony balked at Blu-ray and went the MS route of saying "later add-on"
For $399 would people still buy a deblued-PS3?
@number 63,
I think we can all agree that the Xbox360 has not exactly been a success in Japan, but it is selling out in every other market. The question for Sony is whether or not they can dominate Japan again with the simultaneous launch of the Revolution, and also overcome Microsoft's one yeat console lead in North America, and Europe
ok xbox360 has just came out of manufracturing demand problems but the xbox360 is still selling underwhelming sales, the ps2 still currently outsells the xbox360 and probably always will. About 100,000 japanese own an xbox360, about 1.5million Americans own an xbox360 Europe is probably a million, xbox360 is supposed to hit 5 million units by the end of spring and i dont see it happening, I see the xbox360 hitting 5million by christmas of this year, xbox360 is selling extremely low, i do feel sorry for the xbox360 when the ps3 and rev launches, no doubt hardcore gamers will pick up a rev and casual gamers will pick up a ps3 thats if the ps3 cost 299.99. Ps2 outselling the xbox360 is an indication that the masses have faith in the playstation brand even though the playstation brand is full of crap bs and lies. Ps3 will steam roll over the xbox360 in japan in less then 1 hour,but here in the west its possible the ps3 can steamroll over the xbox360 thats if the ps3 launches at traditional playstation price 299.99, if the ps3 is 299.99 like i said before it will be gameover for teh xbox360. Hopefully at 399.99 ps3 and an xbox360 price drop plus halo3 can temporarly stop the playstation wagon from taking over america once again.
#67
Keep playing your last generation 1/2 resolution games whilst you wait for your dream PS3 to come along, which will most likely play the exact same games at the exact same level as the xbox360.
The Xbox360 launch was the most successful console launch in history, The PS2 sold well (although not initially) because it had no competitors at a similar level, the xbox came later (and was better - but sold less) - The situations are reversed now.
Capturing the Japanese market is nothing, what a couple of dog/hospital/train/pizza delivery boy simulators and they will be chomping at the heals to get a PS3. That crazy ball-bearing game is also ultra-popular in Japan, I have yet to see it in my local arcade.
The Japanese haven't bought xbox360's because I'm afraid they are inherantly xenephobic, its nothing to do with good games.
If you're a "gamer" and don't own an xbox360, its simply because you can't afford to - there's no other excuse, it does ecveything your current/old console does but better.
The Sony PS3 should retail for $999.99
What's a Blu Ray Player?
Blu-Ray was invented by George Bush.
@ 68 / Ben Hobbs : "The Xbox360 launch was the most successful console launch in history, The PS2 sold well (although not initially) because it had no competitors at a similar level, the xbox came later (and was better - but sold less) - The situations are reversed now."
Actually, Sega Dreamcast was the most successful launch in console history (going by game ratings and lack of hardware problems). Gamecube was up there as well, PS2 is somewhere near the bottom (excluding Jaguar.)
wtf, PS2 didn't have "competitors at a similar level" ? Were you there in 2000? Did you see the PS2 launch titles? An 18 month old system was beating it; unless you're talking about the sales figure, which Xbox360 still didn't come close to beating.
...and lol @ steve-o calling Thill an MS fanboy.
If you check out kotaku (I believe that's the japanese site???) you will see that this rumor has already been shot down. Sony has stated that this is a price which they hope to pursue, but let's face the facts; for all of the new hardware in this puppy we're just lucky they aren't charging $1,000 and your first born. To hear people say that this thing will only be $399 is ridiculous, especially considering all of the brand new technology crammed into the form factor...I mean several analysts have already stated that sony is spending $800 - $900 to manufacture the units...selling these things at $400 that's a $400 - $500 loss per unit sold! That's waaaaaaaay too much for sony to endure considering that almost all consoles (except nintendo products)take at least 2 years to break even or even show some sort of profit in their sales figures. Sony is already having some financial issues (dying umd format, blu ray promotion and manufacturing costs, law suit for dualshock 2, loss of sales in appliances, etc.)They can't survive 2 years losing $400 per unit sold, just face it. If they ship 1 million on launch day (worldwide) like they've already promised then you can figure that they are going to lose ALOT of money. They would virtually never get out of the hole with such figures...there's only possibility at this point concerning what could have lowered the price...and that's specs and features.
Sony could have decided to change up some features to keep prices on the lower end (considering that analysts said that the original blueprint of the ps3 and it's features would have to run $700 - $800). Here's a few ideas:
1) Low quality blu-ray player...lots of missing features including slower disc read and transfer rates. This is very possible to keep the ps3 from competing against sony's blu-ray pals as well, but there again the consumer loses....
2) No Wifi out of the box...originally sony proclaimed that their box would be able to network with other units via wifi, but in order to cut the cost of these units they may have decided to go with Microsoft's plan of action; offer a seperate wifi adapter. Makes more sense to me...
3) Lower quality HDD...weaker hdd means less expensive. Fewer rotations in the hdd will mean that it's not quite as fast and powerful, but sometimes you do what you have to do...
*On another note: I find it very funny that sony's Ken Kutaragi claimed that anything less than 100GB was "not enough memory", yet he came out in early 2006 and stated that the PS3 would have a 60GB hdd stock...hmmmm, something must have changed his mind...probably the $ factor, which is why I believe that sony may have bailed out on certain features.
Understand that I am just assuming the information above, and that I don't believe that Sony's box will debut below $500. In my personal opinion, anyone looking at the PS3 should look at the 360...Sony hyped their machine to sound better than PCs (which is NOT gonna happen...pc is always going to be upgrading and completely openended, consoles aren't). Sony also made the PS3 sound superior to the 360 by a long shot which just isn't true...when you have developers like John Carmack stating that there is virtually no difference between the machines (as far as power goes) I tend to listen. In the end, this generation will be full of ports...less exclusive licenses and more and more ports that are multi-platform. It's just coming down to who you trust with the market...I'm going Microsoft, but mark my words...Don't count Nintendo out yet...
You forget to mention floppy disks and CD's, both which were partially developed by sony. I'm pretty sure they cought on quite well.
Phillips invented the CD. Sony just likes the Blu-ray format so that they can hide bigger and better root kits on them.
Thill (64):
"I think we can all agree that the Xbox 360 has not exactly been a success in Japan, but it is selling out in every other market. The question for Sony is whether or not they can dominate Japan again with the simultaneous launch of the Revolution, and also overcome Microsoft's one yeat console lead in North America, and Europe."
Xbox360 is selling SQUAT in Europe, so your wrong.
Maybe its sold out in usa, but its getting dusty over here. The same with xbox, never sold out.
Nintendo is the same deal. Its rated as a kids console, but we hope this "Wii" (stupid name, imo) can make the deal.
The Playstation in the other hand, has sold out in almost every European country (PS, PS2 and PSP), so I think the same will happen with PS3. Plus, it it comes out at 399EUR, its cheap :) One can allways import one from usa and get it for 321EUR after convertion.
At least Sony didn't F it up and call it Wii
Jason wrote: Sony will be cranking these Blu-Ray drives out of some factory in China and they will probably cost $50 to produce.
While in Malaysia last week, they had external blu-ray readers for sale already and bootleg BR movies too.
Xbox360 is selling SQUAT in Europe, so your wrong.
Maybe its sold out in usa, but its getting dusty over here. The same with xbox, never sold out.
Nintendo is the same deal. Its rated as a kids console, but we hope this "Wii" (stupid name, imo) can make the deal.
The Playstation in the other hand, has sold out in almost every European country (PS, PS2 and PSP), so I think the same will happen with PS3. Plus, it it comes out at 399EUR, its cheap :) One can allways import one from usa and get it for 321EUR after convertion.
Posted at 5:47PM on Apr 27th 2006 by Deoki
Stupid Europeans! Can't you people ever get anything correct? Damn Metric system, you drive on the wrong side of the road, and please ask your women to start shaving.
@78 o rly
I am glad you caught the irony in steve-o calling me a M$ fanboy... But, as painful as it is for me to write this, I do actually own an Xbox 360.. I was really trying to wait for a PS3 but got tired of the delays and lies from S$ny..
But don't fret my old friend, I do have my Mac completely networked with my 360 and can stream my iTunes and display my iPhoto pictures on my TV via my 360... Truth be told, the external design of the 360 actually looks like something from Apple...
I am getting anxious for E3.. That said, I am not so sure that we will hear to much out of Sony... Stall, stall, stall.....
oooooh... looks pretty gay, huh? I'll stick to my NES ;)
Thill,
Did I hurt your feelings? Sorry I put you in the same group as the hardcore PS3 haters. But you must admit that you ARE biased against PS3 for your own reasons (late release, unkept promises, etc.) and as you posted in #85, you ARE on the road to becoming a M$ fanboy. Yes, I know. You said you still might purchase PS3 if you like what you see. So, again, I apologize for grouping you with other hardcore haters.
Slayermayer,
How old are you? Do you still believe that stupid analysis by Merrill Lynch? What, BD player alone will cost Sony $300? Get a life dude. BlueRay is Sony technology and will not cost Sony any more than other optical drives. Manufacturing cost? Development cost? Spread over several millions of units, it ain't nothing.
Promised 100GB but delivering 60GB for HDD? With this delay, they may yet be able to negotiate down 100GB HDD for price of 60GB instead. If not, it's still more storage than your superior X360's 20GB.
"2) No Wifi out of the box"
Let's see what X360 has in its "Premium" console. Wifi? No. It's a separate purchase. You gotta shell out what, additional $60? for a Wifi which should be standard in a "Premium" system that proclaims itself as your "Multimedia Extender". With it's "Cell" Linux operating system, PS3 will not be a measly "extender" but a COMPUTER. If this Linux thing really catches on, perhaps M$ will develop Vista for X360. But oh wait, that's probably against contract for other PC manufacturers...
Steve-O = King of a mythical console that doesnt even know what price it is.
Hope you get paid for you comments.
Of course; we also have to include the MPA (Motion Picture Association) because they are at the origin of HDCP. Once more, the cost of this norm, which is supposed to protect content providers and their revenues will be put on those who will see their liberty (private copies) strongly reduced. They definitively want to have their cake and eat it too.
In the end, knowing that we bought our components and now have flat or CRT monitors capable of displaying at least 720p videos and that we will legally rent or buy HD protected movies we won´t be able to watch them, because we could pirate them. We only hope today that someone will find a software answer as soon as possible…
There is still a tiny hope though. HDCP protection will only really be included in a few media within the next 6 months. More will join in a year when the general public will start to be really interested.
There is still time for manufacturers and most of all editors to find an agreement and less violent solution than downsized and / or black images because of a lack of HDCP compatibility. Let´s hope that we will have worried too much for nothing.
Max PL, what? You're nuts to think Microsoft "won" the Xbox-PS2 market share in Australia. If you worked at a gaming retailer you'd know the difference.
Cage = King of caged monkey who likes to do 360 on a rotten banana.
PS3 will at most be losing $100 per console with price point at $399. That's probably going to test Sony's limit on hard cash, but they will recoup through die shrink, games and royalty (if BlueRay becomes de facto format of next gen).
I'm just pointing out how Slayermayer writes a 100 page thesis basing some biased analysts figures as "facts".
I think the real launch price for the PS3 will be $350 - $400 as it will be close to Christmas.
http://www.ps3assistant.com/news/
Slayermayer,
How old are you? Do you still believe that stupid analysis by Merrill Lynch? What, BD player alone will cost Sony $300? Get a life dude. BlueRay is Sony technology and will not cost Sony any more than other optical drives. Manufacturing cost? Development cost? Spread over several millions of units, it ain't nothing.
Promised 100GB but delivering 60GB for HDD? With this delay, they may yet be able to negotiate down 100GB HDD for price of 60GB instead. If not, it's still more storage than your superior X360's 20GB.
"2) No Wifi out of the box"
Let's see what X360 has in its "Premium" console. Wifi? No. It's a separate purchase. You gotta shell out what, additional $60? for a Wifi which should be standard in a "Premium" system that proclaims itself as your "Multimedia Extender". With it's "Cell" Linux operating system, PS3 will not be a measly "extender" but a COMPUTER. If this Linux thing really catches on, perhaps M$ will develop Vista for X360. But oh wait, that's probably against contract for other PC manufacturers...
Nice try fool, but your points are wrong. Period.
First point, you are assuming on the price points of BD manufacturing costs, as well as the cost of the discs at launch. What do you not like the fact that analysts know what they're talking about? Blu-ray is going to be expensive. PERIOD! Ken Kutaragi stated from the beginning that the PS3 would be expensive...remember that? So what makes you think that a miracle is going to happen and a blu-ray optical drive is going to be only $50 to manufacture?
*on another note: I love how the only thing you can say about Merill Lynch's analysis is that I must be young to believe them...wow, you really have me believing that they aren't a very credible source with your wonderfully sound argument...yeah*
And stop trying to fight for Ken Kutaragi, haven't you figured out that he's only in it for your money? I know you're disappointed about the whole 60GB hdd (much less the fact that sony is avoiding questions of the hdd being internal, and therefore not upgradeable) but don't try to hype your machine up by stating that your own hopes are their plan of action. They aren't going to have a 100GB hdd because of the cost of such a large drive. PERIOD. If you know anything about sony, you should know that the drive would most definately be propriatary which translates to the word expensive in English. And your argument against M$ is bogus considering that J. Allard and Peter Moore have already stated that additional HDD will be available in the future for upgrade. But suppose you don't want to spend the money on the additional HDD, what can you do? Hook that 360 up to a XP based pc and use the HDD on it for things such as music, photos, etc. to save some space. Streaming is not exactly next gen technology but isn't it amazing?
And on your last points: How many homes in America (much less Europe and Japan: economies that are still worse off than America's)have a wifi network? On that note, how many homes in America need a wifi network considering how many computers and/or peripherals that they have? Well let's just put it this way, with the technology still considered rather new, the knowledge of such technology is not exactly widespread yet, so of course it's not selling yet. Not everyone is a tech geek like me, many people just want the bare minimum for them to surf the web and use their consoles online. So what do you say to them? "Well this system is a great buy at $500...it's got linux (which many people have never used, nor understand), a Blu ray player(Many people are happy with dvd and hoping the next gen format war will be dropped), and wifi support (no need when ethernet works great and is more reliable for giving a constant strong signal) stock out of the box.."? You fan boys may buy it, but I think I'll pass...as will millions of others. Thanks anyway Sony.
*also, did you not learn from sony's last gen claims? Remember the whole "PS2 is a computer" and "PS2 will let you browse the internet"? Yeah, last I tried I couldn't run many applications and programs on a PS2...muchless a modded PS2! The most internet surfing I could do was in a game lobby looking for games. Wow, do I need to say that many of us were a little underwhelmed? If anyone deserved to advertise their system as a mini pc, it would have been microsoft. (Intel celeron processor, nVidia gpu, motherboard identical to most Intel based PCs, etc.)
Waiting for your reply...please, do base your arguments on facts rather than your personal opinion this time...I do tire of hearing nonsense.
92. Cage = King of caged monkey who likes to do 360 on a rotten banana.
PS3 will at most be losing $100 per console with price point at $399. That's probably going to test Sony's limit on hard cash, but they will recoup through die shrink, games and royalty (if BlueRay becomes de facto format of next gen).
I'm just pointing out how Slayermayer writes a 100 page thesis basing some biased analysts figures as "facts".
Here Steve-o let me write a short point with small words so that your tiny insignificant brain can comprehend what I'm saying. Ken Kutaragi has already stated that the ps3 will be expensive...when the ps2 launched for $299.99 did he say it would be expensive? No. When microsoft launched the xbox 360, did he ridicule them because the 360 was expensive? No. Simply put, in a way you apparently can't understand, the PS3 will be AT LEAST $500. Talk to any developer and they will tell you that that's the price sony's telling them. Also, just out of curiosity, can you prove that merrill lynch is biased and a bad source for research? Please, amuse me if you will...
Even if these are rumours and I like HD-DVD more, the PS3 has better specs than the 360 and I can't wit for the Cell Processors.
Alright
I own a xbox 360
but im not a fanboy ( or i dont consider myself one )
and i plan to buy a PS3
Now if by some act of God The PS3 are priced at the 400 that the rumor is at then think about this
Would you buy a 400 dollar blu ray player ( PS3) or a 1000 dollar player ( plain old blu ray player)?
Im pretty shure everyone will buy the PS3's
but because the PS3's are so marked down to sell so the company makes money off games they dont realize soo many people will just buy one for playing blu ray movies!
But then If the PS3 is priuced higher then There is:
-No gurentee that the PS3 will sell alot
-No promise of The Blu ray format winning
-A GREATER chance of sony not losing money ( imo )
Therefore the PS3 cannot be priced at 400 dollars and last time i checked someone beside the average joe ( myself) would of figured this out at Sony HQ.
basically what im saying is
Sony either wins the format war of the console war
or maybe neither
To Comment 97 by Clayton D.
Your post reminded me of the fact that Sony's PS2 only sold in Japan because it was the cheapest DVD-Player around. Then poeple just automatically began buying the games
wait im confsued
so you think that they will buy it as a player then end up buying games?
it could happen
but i still think that thats why people will buy Ps3's if thats the price
and sony will lose big time
I was never happy with the Xbox anyway. Regardless of the price, am looking to buy one of these PS3s for Christmas - unless I can get it as a present!