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Accumulated PS3 Price Cut Evidence

In case you missed it yesterday, the rumors that a PlayStation 3 price drop is imminent have been sweeping the Internet. And as GameZine reports, the evidence may hinge on the timing.

First, we return your attention to the rumor that began with an EB Games employee saying a $100 PS3 price cut would happen next week, which we couldn't confirm with any local store. It seemed unlikely that such a thing would happen, and we stand by that position. However, there are two things to consider: 1. next week is the Game Developers Conference, where major price cut announcements have been made before, and 2. it's the start of the 2009 fiscal year, which means Sony might be able to afford to take a hit early on. Then, there's the evidence of a new PS3 SKU at Target stores. While it's only a new bundle package, it might make sense to issue a price drop in accordance with this new deal; it has happened before. Come March 29, that package - which features the system along with Resistance: Fall of Man and MotorStorm - should become available, which is also the exact time a price drop may be announced. Last but not least, GameZine tells us that several UK retailers have said they received word from Sony that PS3 and PSP price cuts are "definitely coming soon." They cite CVG, which uses this retailer quote: "It's been on the cards for a while, but manufacturers are not in the habit of giving exact dates so as not to effect sales."

Now, does all this translate to what consumers and analysts have been asking for? Or does all of Sony's denying trump this evidence? They've only said about a hundred times that they have no plans to drop the price of the machine any time soon, so... Well, what do you think?

3/18/2009 Ben Dutka

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Comments (40 posts)

Arvis
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 11:19:09 AM
Reply

The actual question is: "Can Sony even handle a price cut?"

I'd rather sales numbers be mediocre and Sony stay in business, than have them price cut themselves into oblivion.

-Arvis

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photo K
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 1:13:36 PM

yeah, how does a company lose $3 billion and decide to lower the price of their products? I hope their projections on long-term recovery is there...

Does anyone know if the playstation division is at all profitable? I read somewhere that their Television division has been taking huge losses...

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Cpt_Geez
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 1:13:38 PM

@ arvis man you read my mind II said the samething yesturday can they afford a price cut. If II was sony id rather have ok sales then lose about 150 per unit sold. That's a tough pill to swallow.

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Fabi
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 11:22:50 AM
Reply

It would be awesome if they cut could the price, but like Arvis said, who knows if they can handle it.

If the PS3 sold for $300, I don't think the 360 would ever top again.

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photo K
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 1:15:15 PM

i dunno about that, my 360 is bad quality, sometimes i wonder if MS is making a killing off their xboxes...seeing how they were released before they were ready or cheaply made...

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slugga_status
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 11:26:35 AM
Reply

I think Sony denying all of the rumors speaks for itself. I mean why announce a price cut when a new bundle is about to ship out?

As far as I know Sony hasn't necessarily lied about anything regarding the PS3 so I take their word for what it is.

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JasperLoons
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 3:49:09 PM

I think this type of rumor would warrant an exception though. Just think what would happen if they said "ok, ok, you got us, we will be dropping the price next month."
Their sells would drop to nearly nothing until that time.

I'm with you on thinking it wont happen though. I just cannot imagine them dropping the price $100, though I wouldn't be too shocked if they dropped it to $350 for that new bundle.

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RustEDalex
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 11:28:18 AM
Reply

It will probably be a price cut for the ps2 but not the ps3, the ps3 will come around the time GoWIII comes out

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Alienange
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 12:34:16 PM

PS2? That'd be hilarious! I'd buy another one just to take with me on vacations.

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SarahPalinMILF
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 1:58:57 PM

...that is just stupid...the ps2 is already like 80 dollars

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Jordahn
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 11:36:44 AM
Reply

I'm afraid all of this is wishful thinking. I'm all for a pricedrop, but I'm not holding my breath. What's more probable is the 80gb Motorstorm/Resistance bundle released at $400. If this is the case, an 80gb $300 PS3 SKU is very unlikely since both Motorstorm & Resistance cost $60 total, making the PS3 in that bundle $340 which is $40 more expensive than an 80gb $300 PS3 SKU. Maybe the bundle is officially priced at $400, but that too will drop in price to cause confusion to hide behind an 80gb $300 PS3 SKU. This is most logical, but it's too much speculation upon speculation to warrant anything substancial.

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VinTheDean
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 11:46:09 AM
Reply

The thing that many of the Developers and Analysts are forgetting to mention when they bring up the topic of Price Cut for the PS3 is the life cycle of the PS3.

The PS3 just turn two (2) in US a few months ago while the 360 turned three (3). The 360 price drop occured before they turned 3. So my thought is that the PS3 WILL drop the price this year before they turn 3.

They might do it sooner given the state of the economy and all that. But come one "Developers", "Analysts", and "Skeptics". Keep things in perspective.

The PS3 Price Cut will come in due time. It will come in the appropriate time in "it's own life cycle". They can not AND SHOULD NOT be driven by what an 'older' console is doing in the market.

What is shocking me is that no one is pressing the WII to cut their prices. They have not introduced a price cut at all. Even though they are selling well (VERY WELL), no body is telling them to lower their prices. They are also two years old. The PS3 already drop their price. Why hasn't the WII?

If the WII is selling great then why limit their earnings?

The same argument can be made for the PS3. Console are still being sold left and right. Not as many as some people would like to see but consoles are still selling.
Last edited by VinTheDean on 3/18/2009 11:48:06 AM

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Jordahn
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 11:52:58 AM

In reagrds to the Wii, you can pretty much bet that shipped to retailers equals to sold to consumers. This is where Nintendo can justify producting all the Wii that they can for now. So what's the point in them dropping the price to create more sales? Can Nintendo product more Wii's and have them sold at a cheaper price to accommodate higher sales of 3rd party support? Maybe, but it's just speculation.

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crawdaddy
Thursday, March 19, 2009 @ 3:44:58 PM

Developers is the key word here. If they cannot sell large numbers of games for a system, then they are not going to develop games for that system. Just look at news articles on this website that this game or that game will not come out for PS3. Sony must sell lots more units so game developers can sell more games. What good is the allmighty PS3 without games? So there is your reason to price cut the PS3!!!!!!! Sony can handle it!!!!!!
Last edited by crawdaddy on 3/19/2009 3:50:00 PM

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whooka
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 11:47:46 AM
Reply

Who knows. I would point out that while I'm no fancy, big city economic consultant that a price cut would only make sense to me, esp with Sony's recent earnings loss, if they thought the price cut would move the things like free crack but in the current economy, at least here in the States, even $300 is gonna be too much for alot of people to afford (for a 'game console' so while it would sell more units I just think at this point in the economic timeline people aren't gonna run out and buy them up like crazy.

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End of line
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 12:05:09 PM
Reply

Hmmm with the new financial year it makes sense. The more hardware out there, the more games sell and remember its games sales that count.

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PSNclaw18
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 12:14:30 PM
Reply

What if they were to do a price job on all regular ps3 sku's then, when Uncharted 2 and GoWIII comes out, then they can do special bundle packages at a little more then retail pricing is now. Or not... eh, who knows...

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LegendaryWolfeh
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 12:18:26 PM
Reply

I wish analysts and sh** would just leave this alone. this alone is why so many people don't buy products, "Oh a pricedrop is gonna happen? -STALL-" Which then causes losses for the company which forces them to either drop prices causing more losses or deal with the no drop and try to live on software sales. Sigh, and then after the drop people will continue complaining.

Oh yeah, during the RE5 launch, I was talking to someone and asked if they were getting it for the ps3 or not, and he said "No why would I want a 600$ paperweight" I just stared at him and said..."The ps3 doesn't even cost 600$ anymore" all he said was "oh" I wish ignorant people would start learning shit about other things before spouting nonsense :|

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PANICinc
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 12:25:47 PM
Reply

I think that there has got to be better gaming news to report than 3 articles about a 'possible' price cut for the PS3 in 24 hours!

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clowangel
Friday, March 20, 2009 @ 12:29:11 PM

...I gotta say, there must be something else to report other than rumors of PS3 Price cuts. -_-; I've seen these rumors from this very site more times than I can count. Enough is enough. When it comes, it'll come. And then we can all rejoice. But until then, please just report on something a little more...concrete? I really mean no offense Ben. Sony can't really afford a price cut anyways.

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Gone
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 12:29:40 PM
Reply

Sony hasn't switched over to the 45nm RSX and 45nm Cell, which is their money saver. This will cut cost for them, so a price cut now is just going to hurt them even more. There is going to be a new SKU, but probably no price until a hardware revise.

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Alienange
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 12:34:51 PM
Reply

Or maybe they really are coming out with that PS2 Wii-like controller and will stick it to the Wii with a new PS2 motion sensor controller bundle at 100 bux. Cheap and same functionality. Good byyyyee Wiiiiiii.
Last edited by Alienange on 3/18/2009 12:35:12 PM

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slayerkillemall
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 12:44:21 PM
Reply

I agree with panicinc,(sorry Ben)...
i just saw this and immediately came here to see if you had posted anything (psp 2)?

http://www.sonydefenseforce.com/index.php

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LegendaryWolfeh
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 1:37:54 PM

The PSP2 is still a rumor that will remain a rumor until the Sony actually says otherwise, thought psx COULD maybe make one or two articles about it

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Gone
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 12:51:12 PM
Reply

Newegg already has the PS3 160 GIG for $469 with free shipping.

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LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 6:16:32 PM

Dell has both PS3 systems at 20% off and free shipping. They've had that deal for over a month now.

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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 2:11:28 PM
Reply

No cuts, but I will be interested to see what comes out of the GDC :)

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heyface
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 3:11:13 PM
Reply

It's affect. Not effect.

Idiots.

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photo K
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 4:14:00 PM

lol who cares

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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 5:36:28 PM

That's probably one of the easiest homonyms to mix up. Get a life.

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LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 6:17:19 PM

Congrats on calling people idiots on the internet, bravo!

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ps92117
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 7:00:27 PM

You could have left "idiots" out, but I guess are incapacity to be perfect makes us "idiots" and not average humans.

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LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 7:11:26 PM

It's "our" not "are"

:)

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 8:42:29 PM

That be flaming. Read the posting policy again, if you need to.

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rell
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 4:47:38 PM
Reply

I have to wait and here it from sony mouth.

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KevinCairo
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 7:23:08 PM
Reply

Ben, where was it officially announced that they got the PS3's price down to $450ish or whatever? I'm just wondering 'cause maybe it's possible the price has dropped more since then and Sony has kept it on the hush, hm?

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Qubex
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 8:00:13 PM
Reply

Won't Sony want to sell out of old SKU excess stock?

Q!

"i am home"
Last edited by Qubex on 3/18/2009 8:00:42 PM

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gumbi
Thursday, March 19, 2009 @ 12:33:51 PM
Reply

If the price cut happens before the end of April, then I'll suck it up and buy one to replace my YLOD'd unit. Otherwise, I'm done... selling all my games and jumping ship for a couple years

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Nynja
Thursday, March 19, 2009 @ 12:50:50 PM
Reply

Want a PS3 price cut? They should make a bare-bones system ala 360 Arcade.

Release a system with the bare-bones minimum to play games and enjoy PSN. Take out the wireless adapter, remove the rechargeable battery from the DS3, make the included controller wired, shrink the HDD back down to 20 or 40GB.

If people want wireless, they can buy an adapter. If they want a rechargeable wireless DS3, buy it separately. If they want a larger HDD, buy a new one.

There you have it. The "PS3 Essential".

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Dingodial
Thursday, March 19, 2009 @ 4:22:15 PM

@ Nynja
Of coarse! Although I think they should keep the rechargeable batteries & the wireless controllers, I could see a 20gb. system without wi-fi for $299
(sorry for some reason my PC won't let me click reply to your post so I had to create my own :)

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