E3 2007: Industry opinions on PS3 price cut

PS3 News | Nintendo, Microsoft, Capcom get in on the act.

Seems everyone has an opinion. It was only yesterday that Konami was saying that the PS3 price cut wasn't enough. Now Microsoft's Peter Moore, Nintendo's George Harrison, and Capcom's Chief Financial Officer, Kazuhiko Abe, are letting the world know their opinions.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Microsoft said what quite a few people are thinking - the price is one that wasn't. Stating what some see as the obvious, Mr. Moore said, "Interestingly, I didn't see a price cut, and I must have been reading the wrong thing. It's still (US) $499 and $599."

Clarifying, he added, "So they've added greater value at the same prices. Which to me is not a price cut. I don't want to be anal, but I read "price cut" and I expected to see US$399. When I hear the words "price cut" I expect to see a price cut. They've added greater value in the form primarily of storage at the same price points. We'll have to wait and see."

Similarly, George Harrison from Nintendo is playing down the cut, stating, "A $100 price drop won't make a difference," Harrison said. "Can Sony afford a $200 price drop? I don't think so."

Kazuhiko Abe, on the other hand, is more optimistic. If you're a gamer, anyway - he's calling a second price cut before the end of the year. While he wasn't quite clear whether he meant this year or this financial year, he did say in an interview with Reuters, "The price has been cut once and it is likely to be cut again towards the end of the year. I expect the [PlayStation 3's] installed base to grow gradually."

So there you have it. Sony's understandably very bullish about their price cut, but it seems everyone else either thinks it's still to expensive, it won't have enough of an impact, or it isn't really a price cut in the first place. Time will show whether Sony can sustain the surge in sales they've apparently achieved over the last week.

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21 Comments

arbok

4 years ago

Evan wrote

E3 2007: Industry opinions on PS3 price cut by Evan

PS3 News: Nintendo, Microsoft, Capcom get in on the act.

[View Article]

I don't see Microsoft giving out any 'price cuts'. Their Elite model is wayyy over priced. No HD player and no wireless ethernet and about the same price too.

Gtpod

4 years ago

Industry heads giving out their opinions on the price drop is all well and good, but George Harrison saying "A $100 price drop won't make a difference" is just incorrect; did he not watch Sony's conference, or all the news about Amazon's insane spike of PS3 sales? It's very clearly made a difference.

Crestfallen

4 years ago

MS..they always try to cheat. (yes, I **** love that quote.)

The Elite is now only $30US cheaper than the PS3 60GB model, and it has some severe shortcomings when compared.

Then there's the Wii...yeah that's really value for money.

Karai Pantsu

4 years ago

He has a point though - When I read that Sony had cut $100 off the price of the PS3 I thought that they'd actually lowered the price. Instead they've just shuffled around the HDD sizes and kept the same price point. I'd rather have a cheaper unit and upgrade the HDD myself if I want to (which you could probably do cheaper).
That said, it's still more value for money than it was which is always a good thing.

Crestfallen

4 years ago

Karai wrote

I'd rather have a cheaper unit and upgrade the HDD myself if I want to (which you could probably do cheaper).

You do have a cheaper unit though, the 60GB model.

Or do you mean they should have introduced an even cheaper SKU?

Karai Pantsu

4 years ago

I'd just assumed that the 60gb model would be taking over from the 20gb model in the way of the same feature cuts? Which, thinking about it, they probably haven't done...

It's too early for me to actually think about things instead of spouting off a stupid opinion, obviously

arbok

4 years ago

Im not a sony fan but the 60gig model just went from $599US to $499US.

Sounds like a price cut to me.

The 20gig model didnt have wireless ethernet either.

Crestfallen

4 years ago

[quote="Karai]It's too early for me to actually think about things instead of spouting off a stupid opinion, obviously[/quote]
Then what's the point of being signed up to a gaming forum?

The 60GB is staying exactly the same. The 80GB in the states is the same, except that the Emotion Engine is being cut out.

Karai Pantsu

4 years ago

crestfallen wrote

The 60GB is staying exactly the same. The 80GB in the states is the same, except that the Emotion Engine is being cut out.

If thats the case then everything is sweet. Well, not everything. I mean, I'd like a refund of that cash... but hey, I'd also like a 360 that isn't likely to shuffle off this mortal coil in the next year

ittekimasu

4 years ago

i can't believe how tight arsed americans are... here they are bitching about how nothing's changed well come down to aussie and buy one of our consoles, maybe then you'll notice how cheap you have it compared to the rest of us.

but adding another sku after lowering the 60gb model was a mistake and the obvious rivals who obviously won't give a positive feed back to a competing company are taking advantage by playing stupid and suggesting that while there was no price cut, just a shuffle might be aimed towards at confusing the casual gamer and tainting sony's name making it feel like they are trying to cheat the consumer instead of actually giving a decent price cut which i'm sure australia would've cried tears of joy over.

Frozencry

4 years ago

It is a f**king price cut. Now they're just trying to downplay it.

And you're paying $599USD for 20GB more and Motorstorm included. It 'almost' justifies the price. 'Almost'.

donovan515

4 years ago

We'll we gotta see what happens in PAL, in Europe for the RRP instead of a price cut they get the PS3 60, 2 SIXAXIS, Motorstorm and Resistance. I'll call that a good bundle.

realitybites

4 years ago

The MS rep is missing the point that the 60G versions are $100 USD cheaper.

Asking Nintendo also makes a mockery of the article because we aren't comparing "apples" with "apples". The Wii is last gen low cost technology designed for a different market. The PS3 is at the higher end of the technology curve aimed squarely at the serious gamer. Until it gets to sub $200 than it competes with the Wii.

Comparing the XBox 360 to a PS3 is a valid argument.

ittekimasu

4 years ago

^MS rep isn't missing the point, he's purposely confusing consumers making them think there wasn't any price cut and that sony are just trying to cheat them with an announcement.

I don't think PS could compete with Wii, Wii like the DS have games which are fun and simple, yet i've seen something which you would need to put considerable amount of time to get something out of it, unlike its ps3 counterpart its a game which you can pick up and put down before going to dinner. While i would like to purchase a wii in the future, it'll simply be for the quick fun seek something which sony haven't yet captured for me.

SMASHED

4 years ago

I know I sure hope it happens In PAL, because Im buying one.

And people say $100 cheaper does nothing

Nova Prime

4 years ago

I expect the [PlayStation 3's] installed base to grow gradually too. Extremely gradually.

diogenes92

4 years ago

One day I swear Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony will have one final stand...the deathmatch...

realitybites

4 years ago

ittekimasu wrote

.

I don't think PS could compete with Wii, Wii like the DS have games which are fun and simple, yet i've seen something which you would need to put considerable amount of time to get something out of it, unlike its ps3 counterpart its a game which you can pick up and put down before going to dinner. While i would like to purchase a wii in the future, it'll simply be for the quick fun seek something which sony haven't yet captured for me.

I disagree. The PS2 has just as many pick up and play games. Just depends if you wish to look there.

Buzz!
Singstar
Eyetoy everything
Guncon 2 Time Crisis
Guitar Hero
Most games aren't thet complicated. Just play a few its not that hard. If my wife can play Hexic on Xbox 360 anyone can play anything.

Nintendo have basically like the MS rep pulled the wool over people's eyes. The once dag of marketing has finally come out on top.

Anyone that can flog last gen hardware at $399 deserves a clap and pat on the back. Most companies would get laughed out of existence for trying to do that.

Also I think people are over estimating the computing potential of the Wii.

Nintendo really do annoy me no end they don't make the best software and they don't make the best hardware.

Crestfallen

4 years ago

OMG...the 60GB is being discontinued in the US. Source.

They're just clearing stock, that's all. What's left in the ashes will be the 80GB system lacking the EEC for the same $US599!!!! In other words, this isn't a price drop its just a fire sale (heh, tobias). In a couple of months, the only way to get a PS3 in the states will be by spending $599!!!!!!!

EDIT: Unless the 80GB drops price when all 60GBs are sold.

ittekimasu

4 years ago

^well thats what i'm thinking too, but how many unsold 60GB are left on the shelves and warehouses since the ps3 wasn't doing too crash hot anyway, would this be a way to force sales making people think that this will be their only chance in getting a cheaper ps3, or will they opt for the more expensive one getting the most value for their dollar.

very interesting, i'm interested to see how the results of their announcements will take affect.

4 years ago

Who cares - Pricing will be down later in the year. There is a very high probability that the price will be repositioned much more sharply as Sony cannot afford to loose another XMAS selling season.

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