Will All The Positive PS4 Vibes Disappear If It's Too Expensive?

Sony must be encouraged. It's like a PS4 love-fest out there.

Developers, analysts, journalists and gamers everywhere are singing the praises of Sony's new console, saying its power and accessibility will lead to great new experiences right out of the gate. Many seem to like the new controller, the increased focus on social and digital trends, and the simple fact that the architecture won't prove so complicated for game makers.

The manufacturing rumors don't hint at a possible shortage; quite the opposite, in fact, as Sony could be preparing to flood the market with 16 million units worldwide this year, with production starting in August. Plus, you've got a bunch of games that are already confirmed for early on in the system's life span, which could translate to one hell of a holiday season. The release date has yet to be nailed down but provided it's October or November, that should go over just fine. So long as it's out in time for the holiday rush, most will be happy.

The key is the price. Is it possible that all these positive headlines will revert to skepticism and outright doom and gloom if the console turns out to be more expensive than anticipated? Many are saying that if there are two models and the upper model is over $500, consumers will balk at that. And if this is true, maybe all this hype is meaningless; it doesn't matter how great people think it is if they're not willing to pony up the cash when it arrives. Sony likely won't make the mistake of putting out a $600 machine again but still, if you factor in the cost of games, extra controllers, warranties, etc., even a base price of $400 could easily turn into $600.

But might the positive press help override a high price tag...? Or does the price override all?

Tags: ps4, playstation 4, ps4 price, sony

3/13/2013 9:51:34 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (35 posts)

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Vitron
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:24:16 PM
Reply

I really doubt Sony would again put a monster price for PS4. I mean, Vita had a very good starting price, it just need games. I think that Sony really learned from their past mistakes. Their flow is good so far, VERY. :)

5 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:25:55 PM
Reply

yah, it's a prickly pear. Price seems to really change minds. I would be surprised if they announced a $500+ model of the PS4. Seeing that it's already using hardware that should keep manufacturing expenses lighter relative to prior models, what with blu ray tech being really new back then, I'm expecting a $350-400 range for PS4. I'm more concerned about the supposed $70 price range for new games.

6 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:44:37 PM

$70 games will definitely hinder sales. I know most people will be much more selective at that price point. Tretton stated a .99 - $60 range. I imagine only the cream of the crop to be priced above that amount. But I better be BLOWN AWAY for that price of admission.

3 up, 0 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 11:19:35 PM

I know i'll be more selective. I know 70 today is like 60 yesterday and all, but still. 70 bucks is big time.
Anyhow, I think Sony has one major difference going into this gen over last. PSN is full featured and locked and loaded right now. Sony draws in a lot of revenue from the digital stuff and I'm sure they'll be willing to keep hardware costs lower knowing that they'll cash in on the early adopter impulse buyers through direct access stuff like PSN. In the old days it largely came from accessories and new game sales. Sales after the retailer took their cut of it too.

Last edited by Temjin001 on 3/13/2013 11:20:36 PM

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 7:15:17 AM

Yup, inflation means nothing in the mind of the gamer.

3 up, 0 down

ulsterscot
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:28:58 PM
Reply

Yeah if its $600 fine - if it creeps up any more - I dunno.

0 up, 1 down

Highlander
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:29:56 PM
Reply

Absolutely it could. Look what happened to the Vita, it hadn't even been out in the West for more than a month or two and people were already whining about the cost.

8 up, 3 down

FatherSun
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:38:36 PM

It was a matter of perception. Prior to release people were praising the price of the Vita. Nintendo then strategically cut the price of the 3DS and that praise went right out the window. Once they got that in place they then provided a constant stream of games that are known to sell systems. Vitas power commands the asking price but obviously that is not the only factor.

The future looks quite interesting for the Vita and PS4 integration. I believe this is why Sony was coasting with the system.

Last edited by FatherSun on 3/13/2013 10:41:11 PM

5 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 6:58:39 PM

I have no problem with Vita's price.

What's a deal breaker for me is the nonremovable baterry and the ridiculously overpriced memory cards.

Until they fix those two things I won't be getting one. So most likely I won't. :(

1 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:31:18 PM
Reply

If Sony can somehow nail the price it will cement Sony as the console to beat this upcoming generation. Possibly the most advanced system with such a broad set of features AND a low price would undermine all competition.

Considering the announced specs. Can anyone make an educated guess as to how much the PS4 May cost?

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:36:11 PM
Reply

A $400-$450 price tag will seal the deal on PS4's early dominance in the gaming world.

6 up, 1 down

Highlightreel
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 11:02:35 AM

I'm afraid anything over $399 and I'm going to have to wait awhile. Even at $399 it's going to be a hard sell unless there's a must-have line-up or something crazy.

Stay Classy PSX...

5 up, 0 down

josiahlo
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 11:17:47 AM

I'm with Highlightreel, if it's over $399 I'm staying put until it hits that price point. $299 and they won't be able to keep it in stock for a long time.

3 up, 0 down

Killa Tequilla
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:43:03 PM
Reply

Please, all the positive vibes disappeared from the low price of a Playstation Vita, $249.99. I just hope the Playstation 4 is safe and grants profit for Sony.

6 up, 0 down

blakkternalx520
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 10:54:02 PM
Reply

For me, price does have a roll in what I choose to spend my money on. When it comes to the PS4, an under $500.00 price tag for me will be a day one purchase. If more, then I will just have to wait awhile to get one.

"it doesn't matter how great people think it is if they're not willing to pony up the cash when it arrives".

It must not be that great to them if they can't find a way to pay for a machine that might change how we play games.

3 up, 0 down

PS3_Wizard
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 @ 11:45:37 PM
Reply

Imma ball out and buy it, no matter the price. Started saving when it was first announced. Been putting $100 aside from every check. By the time the holidays roll around I should have enough for the premium system, and 5+ games.

Early bird gets the worm.

3 up, 0 down

cadpig
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 12:09:11 AM
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I think price is very important. Sony knows that they can't go crazy on the price. I'm not getting a second job or selling blood for a game system.

I'm not going over $600 for the base model and two games.

1 up, 0 down

Coffeya
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 1:06:12 AM
Reply

Yes it will, especially if you figure in the controller and other accessories. For example, people where mad about the cost of the memory sticks for vita. More negativity will follow if there is not a continuous flow of games. Their launch line up is decent so no worries there.

2 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 1:40:53 AM
Reply

I don't think there are any reasons to worry that the PS4 might experience the same as the Vita when it comes to price VS demand.
I do not believe the price is the real problem with the Vita, the real problem is that most people don't want it enough. If they wanted it enough price would not be much of an issue.

People do want the PS4 enough, so I don't see any reason to worry the same will happen here.

Last edited by Beamboom on 3/14/2013 1:45:13 AM

3 up, 0 down

Kryten1029a
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 2:45:39 AM
Reply

I think the price won't be too far off from what they're charging now. Not if they expect to sell that many boxes. If16 million units is credible (seems a bit high) then they'll price them to move.
The impressive thing is that they've turned things around by announcing first. Microsoft will have to do something pretty special to catch up. It's going to be an interesting year, whatever happens!

Last edited by Kryten1029a on 3/14/2013 2:49:00 AM

1 up, 0 down

xnonsuchx
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 3:33:45 AM
Reply

While under $400 would be nice, I think $450 is about the max it could go (for a base model w/ at least 250-320GB of storage) w/o too many balking at it. I just hope there's no BS 'arcade' flash-only model.

2 up, 0 down

berserk
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 8:30:46 AM
Reply

The blue-ray boosted the ps3 price a lot but since they don t cost much now , i really doubt it will cost more then 450 $ .

Personally i ll go to as much as 500 $ , more then that and i ll have to wait for a price drop ( cause more then that and i ll feel like their laughing at us ).

1 up, 0 down

squibbfire
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 8:56:21 AM
Reply

omg...YES!...if its too expensive...people will WALK past the damn counter!!!! 399...is pretty expensive for a console for the average consumer.

2 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 10:08:51 AM

But 600 for a tablet isn't?

4 up, 0 down

gumbi
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 9:26:40 AM
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Price is definitely a factor, but I don't think it'll be more than $500. As long as PS4 comes out in the $399 - $499 range then price won't really be an issue. I suspect most people who've already said they're gonna buy it, will buy it.

If it's $500+, then you'll see a lot of people holding out for a price cut.

As for me... well, I'm probably gonna buy a PS4 regardless. If it's too expensive then I'll only get one game, and no extra controller until later.

2 up, 0 down

Nynja
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 10:17:46 AM
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If it's too expensive, I'll opt out this year and get an upgraded graphics card for my PC and wait for a price drop on the PS4.

1 up, 0 down

josiahlo
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 11:21:26 AM

Based on sale numbers, a $500-$600 tablet will sell depending on who makes it (Apple) but the PS3 proved that a $600 system will not sell in decent numbers until it hits a lower price point. The PS3 didn't take off until the $399 price point (also when I bought it)

0 up, 0 down

daus26
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 10:27:38 AM
Reply

The fact that they're planning to ship so many units at launch tells me that they're not going to go $600 again on us again. If they do, I'm sure they'll have a cheap $400 (or less??!)option and have that as the majority of the 16 million launch units.

I mean if you think about it Nintendo is already having a hard time selling at their price, and there isn't competition of next gen consoles yet. K, maybe Nintendo is just different, but my point stands that if Sony wants success early on and sell many of those 16 million, they're going have to take in consideration on the Xbox's prices and I assume they won't go $600 on people.

1 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 10:50:00 AM
Reply

$450 for the lesser model and $500 for the premiere model is a must. The PS4 is an impressive console and will be worth the price of admission. I will spend what ever D1 to buy the PS4 but for Sony to have a successful launch it will need to stick to these prices and not a penny more and give us great launch and launch window games.

0 up, 0 down

Sir Dan
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 11:15:16 AM
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Answer: Yes

1 up, 0 down

JROD0823
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 2:24:04 PM
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I spent north of $600 including tax for the PS3 alone 3 months after its launch, and would be willing to do so again for a PS4, although I highly doubt it will cost anywhere near that.

My bold prediction is that Sony will wait for Microsoft to announce the price of the nextbox at their E3 presentation, then either match it, or undercut it at their presentation.

Last edited by JROD0823 on 3/14/2013 2:32:08 PM

2 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 5:48:22 PM
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In today's economy, price is a huge obstacle considering that luxury items such as the PS4 might have to give way to things such as gas and food.

0 up, 0 down

photo K
Thursday, March 14, 2013 @ 7:58:27 PM
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I paid $700 for a freaking Ipad2, so I'm mentally prepared to pay $800 for a PS4. Depends on who they target, maybe they will have different models like the tablets out there.

0 up, 0 down

Ultima
Friday, March 15, 2013 @ 12:33:02 PM
Reply

The short answer is "yes", too high a price will cut hype, but there's a little more to it than that. To be more specific, it has to be "if the price is too high in comparison to competition".

We saw this with the 3DS and the Vita: When the 3DS was $250 and the Vita price matched it, the Vita was praised for its price. When the 3DS dropped its price, now the Vita was seen as "too expensive". One could argue that it really isn't based on the hardware (though I doubt any one disagrees that the memory cards aren't grossly overpriced), but the average consumer doesn't give a crap about hardware, they care about how much they're forking over for your new system. Especially in this weakened economy. Even if the Vita had a software lineup to match 3DS, the 3DS would still be out-selling it by a huge margin.

Thus, If Sony releases an SKU that is over $500, but Microsoft also releases an SKU that is also $500, it'll deflate the hype a little, but not that much. On the other hand, if Sony releases an SKU that is over $500 when Microsoft's top end is US$400 or even $450, THAT will put a serious damper on PS4's hype. Regardless of extra peripherals that one might purchase, the sticker price of the base system is the must crucial aspect that sticks in the minds of potential purchasers.

This is also why we can't count out Nintendo and the Wii-U. The Wii-U's most expensive SKU is US$350 right now. Even if you don't consider the Wii-U to be "next gen", as I said, the majority of consumers don't give a crap about hardware or what counts as "next gen". If consumers see PS4 units selling for over US$400 and, worse, over US$500, the Wii-U will start to look mighty attractive (even more so if Nintendo does a price cut before the next gen systems arrive, which I would bet money on). Either that, or they'll ignore all the next gen systems and just keep buying PS3s and 360s (which is also going to happen, the only question is in what numbers).

That's why I think the MOST that Sony can price the PS4 at is US$400. That is, their most expensive SKU should be no higher than that. If they can be a cheaper SKU that clocks in at US$350 (or even better, $300, but that might be a bit of a stretch). Maybe they could get away with a US$350 and a US$450 SKU. But more than that, and they're going to either get ignored or cede market share to Nintendo again.

Last edited by Ultima on 3/15/2013 12:34:20 PM

0 up, 0 down

PHOENIXZERO
Friday, March 15, 2013 @ 2:07:28 PM
Reply

The PS4 isn't going to be more than $400 for the hardware outside a premium version or bundle. There is absolutely nothing in terms of components that says it will be. Hell, the hardware in the PS4 could easily be sold for under $400 with the premium version coming in at $450 if not $400 though Sony could simplify things and just release one SKU and stop the nonsense with having two exact models where the only difference is HDD size. Won't happen of course since they make more off the models with larger HDDs... Just hope they still allow people to swap them out without and BS.

This stuff is just like two years ago when Sony introduced the Vita with people and "experts" speculating that it'd cost $400 at launch if not more for just the hardware. As for the memory card thing, yeah Sony screwed the pooch with the ridiculous prices but anyone who paid attention should have known that since we knew since March 2011 that the Vita wouldn't have internal memory and would require proprietary memory cards.

0 up, 0 down

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