Sony: Developers Just Want The PS3 To Be Free
Analysts, journalists and gamers alike are all clamoring for a PlayStation 3 price drop, despite Sony's insistence that the machine is well worth the money, and they have no plans to issue a price reduction any time soon.
Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey predicted a price drop within the next month, but Sony quickly shot down that possibility, although they didn't rule out the chance of a price cut some time down the road. The Nintendo Wii's much more accessible price and wide mainstream appeal has garnered millions upon millions of fans worldwide and as EA's Peter Moore said, "you can't ignore the guy who has half the market." He also added that Sony has "a ways to go with their pricing," but Peter Dille, perhaps a little miffed at the constant pressure to drop the price of the PS3, replied-
"Everybody in the development community would love for the PS3 to be free, so they could just sell razor blades."(source- Bloomberg)
That's actually pretty funny. Dille did admit that Sony is indeed concerned with profitability, but then again...what company isn't? At this point, we figure it's safe to expect a $50 - $100 price cut for the 2009 holiday season, but perhaps no earlier than that. It would make sense for Sony to issue the reduction in accordance with a major exclusive release, and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves may be a prime candidate. Remember the PS3 bundle that featured the original Uncharted...? Anyway, we'll definitely keep you updated on the situation.
3/16/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (60 posts)
anjpikapp3
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 5:50:23 PM
Why does Sony have to break their cost?? is it because of developers? or is it because of competition? developers will continue to make games because that's their job....if they wanted cheaper consoles then they should have thought of that before getting into the developing business. As for competition...has anyone tried to buy a 360 lately? console (pro bc of the hard drive) $300, extra controller $50, wireless network $100, Live $70...altogether $520 without tax.
PS3 and extra controller $455 without tax...REALLY? Oh, and don't for get the added bluray player...additional $200 in value if you had to buy one separate.
so 360 + blue ray player $720
OR
PS3 for $455
Sony does NOT need to drop the price...if you cant afford it then you should get another hobby!!
Last edited by anjpikapp3 on 3/16/2009 5:54:25 PM
The_Benny
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 8:47:56 PM
From the developers point of view it's obviously a case of wanting the largest install base possible because that translates to more people able to buy the game, and with games being more expensive to develop that becomes increasingly more important. If they're looking at 500,000 sales from the 360 version and 300,000 from the PS3 version (I'm just making the numbers up), and believe that a price cut of $50-100 would bring the PS3 side up to 400,000 or even matching the 360's, then obviously that's more desirable. They get more games sold (and more money earned) for no additional effort.
I imagine some devs and publishers are looking at it as the only thing between them and increased sales. "If we release the game before a price cut we'll sell 300k, but if we release after we'll sell 400k!" Considering everybody thinks the price cut is coming there are probably quite a few who don't want to release on the wrong side of it.
maxpontiac
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 11:17:36 AM
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You can't. And that's the bottom line.
I can see the other side viewpoint as well. Once the PS3 becomes equal to the competitors in pricing, the PS3 user base will explode, so it's obvious on why game companies want a price drop.
JasperLoons
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 11:38:27 AM
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If Microsoft can sell the bottom of the line 360 for $200, the Wii should definitely be that cheap.
Honestly, I just want the Wii gimmick train to end. I sick of the real games consoles being compared to it.
HeXeN
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 4:16:29 PM
Gone
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 4:37:38 PM
Qubex
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 9:11:47 PM
Cavan
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 11:51:05 AM
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Troy Powers
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 11:59:57 AM
Qubex
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 9:12:46 PM
Troy Powers
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 11:54:40 AM
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I say screw the whole thing. Stop trying to compete with the 360. The PS3 is a completely different animal. The PS3 is a premium product and it sells at a premium price. If it's too steep for you, get a 360 or a Wii. I could care less about NPD hardware sales numbers. I don't need my console to sell as many units as another console. Leave that for the commoners. Get on my level or get lost.
karneli lll
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 1:49:18 PM
Qubex
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 9:13:35 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 11:54:54 AM
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Ultimadream
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:15:17 PM
NightHawk17
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 1:31:05 PM
Troy Powers
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 2:09:39 PM
Ummm...no. WALK your happy ass down to the Ford dealership, and you can drive a Ford.
Everybody's happy.
I mean, honestly, this is the best deal. If you want a high end console, you can get one. If you want a mid-level console, there's one of those too. And if you want a low end console...duh! Something for everyone.
But, don't drive to my house in your Focus and tell me my S8 is too expensive. It's not too expensive. It's just too expensive for YOU.
Diggity Dan
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 11:55:25 AM
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In fact, my PS3 was stolen a few weeks ago. Im trying to decide if I can hold out a few months to see if price drops before I buy. Best Buy has a promotion where you get the console plus a free game (KZ2, MLB 09 the show, LBP). Tough to resisit since all my games were stolen too :(
HeXeN
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 4:18:29 PM
Gone
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 4:33:50 PM
ps92117
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 5:09:19 PM
NoSmokingBandit
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:00:40 PM
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elass0wyp0
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 3:28:50 PM
You get what you pay for and every PS3 owner knows that. If anything, the PS3 should get a price increase. The late adapters should be penalized for waiting so long to jump ship. lol
I don't honestly care what the console sells for now, I got mine a long time ago.
Gone
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 3:49:38 PM
convergecrew
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:19:37 PM
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PANICinc
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:40:12 PM
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rell
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 12:46:36 PM
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Jordahn
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 1:18:54 PM
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slugga_status
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 1:26:08 PM
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Wii is in a different category. I personally wouldn't spend my money on it. Still haven't and never will.
Troy Powers
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 1:33:40 PM
rell
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 4:41:41 PM
RustEDalex
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 @ 7:42:53 AM
crawdaddy
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 2:24:36 PM
Reply
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 3/16/2009 6:51:39 PM
ps92117
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 2:29:44 PM
JDC80
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 4:35:01 PM
While the PS3 isn't prefect but comparing what the other two systems offer I take the PS3 all day. Now if Sony want to do a price cut do it for the repair cost.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 6:52:55 PM
Guess which is which... Microsoft HAS to "back" their product; they made a crappy one to begin with.
Qubex
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 @ 3:09:49 AM
Robochic
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 2:38:47 PM
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I got a 20gig Ps3 on launch my dad got it for me, after paying for the console plus an extra control which has no vibration it was like 680 bucks. I've been saying it for like ever the PS3 does not need a price reduction, i would rather them concentrate on making great exclusives then do a price cut. It's like everything cheaper does not mean better actually it means crapier. my parents never regret spending the amount they did, now i'm looking at getting another one with a bigger harddrive, i'm just saving for it little by little.
Mystearica
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 3:05:52 PM
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rell
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 4:49:38 PM
tlpn99
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 3:12:00 PM
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Last edited by tlpn99 on 3/16/2009 3:12:36 PM
Blaiyan
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 @ 4:37:49 PM
cadpig
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 7:08:43 PM
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I think a pricecut would get more folks off of the fence and in to the PS3 camp and that's a good thing.
Last edited by cadpig on 3/16/2009 7:12:36 PM
Dingodial
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 @ 10:39:36 PM
RadioHeader
Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 7:12:14 PM
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slugga_status
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 @ 10:09:50 AM
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Dingodial
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 @ 10:36:37 PM
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1. Sony recently declared this year that they have experienced a 95% loss in profit since 2006.
2. It cost Sony more to make PS3 than what they sell it for.
3. Everyone complained when Sony cut off the Backwards Compatibility & the memory card slots (so they could offer more hard drive memory). Even the dumbest of idiots know that the only way Sony could offer another price drop is by cutting out more of the features. If they did that, everyone would complain even more than they are now.
People who are begging for another price drop are really just selfish people who probably payed $3000 for their TV but for some excuse think that 400 bucks is too much money to fork out to buy the world's greatest game system (PS3). We should stop complaining about the price but instead be thankful that a system this great is even available for purchase!
No offense but if PSXextreme releases articles talking about how great of a bargain the PS3 is now AND at the same time releases articles asking for price drops (like this one) then you guys at PSXextreme are really being contradictory.

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The_Benny
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Monday, March 16, 2009 @ 11:14:27 AM
I imagine third-party developers would love all consoles to be free though, seeing as it's the main obstacle between them and high sales. If all you make is the razor blades all you need to care about is that the razors sell cheap enough for lots of people to have them.