Sony Won't 'Rule Out' PS3 Price Reduction

[jed]

Adding further fuel to speculation that the $600 Blu-ray enabled PlayStation 3 is headed for a price cut, Sony President Ryoji Chubachi seemed to suggest to a Japanese newspaper that that the company is indeed considering such a move.

This news comes on the heels of a surprise price drop for Sony's brand new BDP-300 Blu-ray player, which hits stores this week at a $499 MSRP -- that's $100 cheaper than originally announced back in February.

"Sony does not rule out the possibility of lowering the price" of the PS3, Sony president Ryoji Chubachi told the daily Yomiuri Shimbun. He went on to say that the company would make a "full assessment" of the competitive situation in the game market, and then make a decision.

Full story:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news/show/683

[MrE]

although the PS3 is worth the $600 price tag, not very many gamers are willing (or can afford) to drop that much for it... so if a price cut does come soon, it should def make an impact on buyers. I don't expect it to sell like candy until it is priced like candy

[bear89103]

Originally Posted by MrENGLISH

although the PS3 is worth the $600 price tag, not very many gamers are willing (or can afford) to drop that much for it... so if a price cut does come soon, it should def make an impact on buyers. I don't expect it to sell like candy until it is priced like candy

Hard to sell candy priced like filet mignon huh?

Yeah, I agree... the PS3 is worth the 6 bills... but at that price, you're limiting your market to those that want one, but cannot afford one. If they lower the price they will definitely get more sales.

I think that's pretty much a given.

[pow]

I'd be interested to see whether Sony follow suit on this in the UK. We haven't even seen the first stand alone Blu-Ray player from Sony yet, and this is quoted as having an RRP of around £800 ($1500) when released.
With those kind of figures involved it's no wonder no-one is jumping into the format. I have an XBox360 with the HD-DVD add-on, and would like very much to purchase a stand-alone Blu-Ray player in adddition. There's no chance however of me forking out £800 for a player, and I've no desire to buy another games console.
A price cut on the PS3 will no-doubt see a short-term hike in sales numbers, but I think a strategy such as Microsoft's initial one on the 360 (ie. heavily subsidising the unit) is needed to really boost sales and sway the format war in Blu-Ray's favour.

[akdlt]

Originally Posted by MrENGLISH

although the PS3 is worth the $600 price tag, not very many gamers are willing (or can afford) to drop that much for it... so if a price cut does come soon, it should def make an impact on buyers. I don't expect it to sell like candy until it is priced like candy

remember, the magic number for home systems is $300, a price that the 360 does have on its "low end" model. Unless they can drop the PS3 to around $400, they are not gonna make a huge impact. I, like many others, am not going to fork over &400+ for a video game system that doesn't offer any new or interesting games. yes, I know resistence is the best thing on the system, but is it really anything more than a rehash of some older FPS titles.

I am going to get rid of my 360 HD drive and get the Toshiba HD-XA2. from what I have read about it and all otheer HD DVD or BD players, is that it is the best HD player and SD upscaler out there right now.

[taygan315]

The PS3 is a great deal at $600 but Sony really needed to do this before the bottom gave out on them.

[GearsOfWar]

Originally Posted by MrENGLISH

although the PS3 is worth the $600 price tag, not very many gamers are willing (or can afford) to drop that much for it... so if a price cut does come soon, it should def make an impact on buyers. I don't expect it to sell like candy until it is priced like candy

The PS3 is not worth $600 under any circumstances now with the release of the $499 bluray player coming out. Actually neither are worth that much money considering we are paying an enormous premium to enjoy being an early adapter of a new format and or console. Having said that I still think
that the PS3 even @ $499 for the 60GB does nothing for most folks because
its gaming aspect leaves alot to be desired considering the lack of reputable games currently out. I think Sony is letting Toshiba back into the picture with HD-DVD in a big way when they could have possible settled the whole format war months ago.

[illegalprelude]

Originally Posted by GearsOfWar

The PS3 is not worth $600 under any circumstances now with the release of the $499 bluray player coming out. Actually neither are worth that much money considering we are paying an enormous premium to enjoy being an early adapter of a new format and or console. Having said that I still think
that the PS3 even @ $499 for the 60GB does nothing for most folks because
its gaming aspect leaves alot to be desired considering the lack of reputable games currently out. I think Sony is letting Toshiba back into the picture with HD-DVD in a big way when they could have possible settled the whole format war months ago.

here comes the anti-sony boys. surprise surprise. good thing the name dosent give him away as a potential 360 fanboy

[Ez9000]

i'm all for a price reduction. Especially if it means more people adopt blu-ray as their main format!

[Biosynthnut]

I'll take it for 400 alex...as a GAME console.

[gkarris]

With Blu-ray production costs lowering, it certainly would seem an opportune time for Sony to lower the cost of its game console. While more than 3.6 units have been sold since launch, sales for console still lag behind Nintendo's Wii and Microsoft's Xbox 360, and many feel the PS3's higher pricetag is to blame.

Wow, 3.6 units, that's about right...

Looking forward to the price drop!!!

[jonathan.morris]

I'm still on the fence about the PS3, I see no real reason to cough up €630 for a couple of extra movies (BRD Exclusives) and no real exclusive games.

But I'm no fanboy and have always owned multi-platforms when it comes to games, so I may well be convinced in time, perhaps when FFXIII comes out.

I do think though if they lower it before Q4 of 2007 they could really make a killing, all it takes is one good X-mas to really turn things around in the console market.

[illegalprelude]

I personally, still think over the long run, the PS3 will be fine but I think their on the right track. Keep the price up for now to take a little hit as possible, because a price drop right now might be too big of a hit for them.

From there on, during this first 6 months, we have seen lots of improvments, from updates adding multiple downloads, upscaling, remote play and such. the PS store itself is doing lots and lots better. We also have lots of games coming out during fall and then EyeToy coming, Home coming.

I think though around fall or right before xmas, its time for a price cut. imho, i think the unit is still a bargin for $599 but thats not my call so with a price drop, I think it will be the right move.

I think to also possibly counter the high cost of the Ps3, it would be interesting for them to release a super high end model that has profit in it. Sure they wouldnt sell much but it would be good for the "PlayStation" brand and a profit is always good.

I think it should be
300GB hard drive
TV Tuner
some possibly more AV features and multimedia features.

Having said that, I think the PS3 itself will also once a price cut is taken, needs a $100 cut or so. I hope it dosent have a $50 cut for you because i dont think people will see a much difference in $599 to $549 but from $599 to $499, it makes a difference and I think if they really wanna change things up, it should be $479. The elite sweet spot.

@ this point, same price point, blu-ray player and etc. I dont wanna get into an Ps3 vs 360 thread but yea.

[taygan315]

Originally Posted by illegalprelude

I personally, still think over the long run, the PS3 will be fine but I think their on the right track. Keep the price up for now to take a little hit as possible, because a price drop right now might be too big of a hit for them.

From there on, during this first 6 months, we have seen lots of improvments, from updates adding multiple downloads, upscaling, remote play and such. the PS store itself is doing lots and lots better. We also have lots of games coming out during fall and then EyeToy coming, Home coming.

I think though around fall or right before xmas, its time for a price cut. imho, i think the unit is still a bargin for $599 but thats not my call so with a price drop, I think it will be the right move.

I think to also possibly counter the high cost of the Ps3, it would be interesting for them to release a super high end model that has profit in it. Sure they wouldnt sell much but it would be good for the "PlayStation" brand and a profit is always good.

I think it should be
300GB hard drive
TV Tuner
some possibly more AV features and multimedia features.

Having said that, I think the PS3 itself will also once a price cut is taken, needs a $100 cut or so. I hope it dosent have a $50 cut for you because i dont think people will see a much difference in $599 to $549 but from $599 to $499, it makes a difference and I think if they really wanna change things up, it should be $479. The elite sweet spot.

@ this point, same price point, blu-ray player and etc. I dont wanna get into an Ps3 vs 360 thread but yea.

I am in total agreement with you. I predict that Sony will cut the price by $100 or more (should be the latter as a way of saying sorry we priced it so high to most consumers) and Sony will include SPIDERMAN 3 as a pack in before the actual blu-ray release (again as a way of saying sorry for this hyped-up yet disapointing movie,lol). This fall makes sense to do this move.

[aaronwt]

SOny can keep their crappy $499 player. My PS3 was around that price. That new BD player won't come close to the functionality and speed of the PS3. Hardly a good alternative to the PS3.