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Game Publishers Pressuring Sony For PS3 Price Cut

Posted by Soulskill on from the i-can-get-behind-that dept.

Bloomberg is running a story about several video game publishers and developers who are pushing for a long overdue price cut on Sony's PS3 console. Sales of the PS3 are lagging behind both the Wii and the Xbox 360 despite the PS2's resounding victory in sales of the previous generation of consoles. One of the creators of LittleBigPlanet, a PS3 exclusive, made similar comments in an interview with Gamasutra, acknowledging that they're looking forward to the day Sony drops the PS3's price. An analyst from Janco said such an action is necessary if Sony doesn't want to "lose support from game developers and publishers."

4 of 232 comments (clear)

  1. Hidden Costs by ifrag · · Score: 4, Informative
    Total cost of ownership turns out to be a lot more similar in the long term though. I don't think the PS3 should have any problem competing with the 360. The initial price sticker shock may be having some effect but consider that:
    • PS3 - Stock wireless controller is rechargeable. XB360 Stock controller requires user to provide rechargeables, or just burn through normal batteries.
    • PSN Online is provided free of charge, with multiplayer gaming. XBox Gold membership is something like $50/year, and is required to actually play multiplayer games on XBLive.
    • Most PS3 models have built in wireless support (although there were some that didn't), the XB360 Wireless Network adapter is something around $50.
    • PS3 ships with a larger hard drive than the XB360 (80GB PS3 has been the standard model for some time now). The hard drive is also replaceable with a standard consumer drive. XB360 drive is upgradeable but only with MS product (although I think there are adapters to use other devices, the adapter is once again cost added).
    • PS3 is bluetooth headset compatable, XBox 360 requires use of proprietary headset if the user wants to have a wireless earpiece.

    With accessories and online costs considered, I'd say it evens out, and rather quickly at that.

    --
    Fear is the mind killer.
  2. Re:Pc games easier to pirate than PS3 games by KDR_11k · · Score: 3, Informative

    This is why despite a lower userbase, proportionally the games sell better.

    The tie in ratio is the same as it is for the Wii and it looks like it's equivalent to the 360 when adjusted for time. Do you have any data that says PS3 games sell better across the board (not just the top tier exclusives, those sell on their own merits but the entire library combined tends to sell on the userbase's preferences)?

    --
    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  3. Re:I want a PS3 by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Informative

    you are forgetting something.

    The Xbox360 as it is CAN NOT PLAY ONLINE without you buying a gold membership. Some of the new games will play with the free membership but an Xbox 360 costs you an additional $59.00US a year to own if you want to play online.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  4. Re:I want a PS3 by hansamurai · · Score: 4, Informative

    For the record, it doesn't cost anywhere near $59.00 a year, heck, the MSRP is 49.99. Amazon is selling the 13 month Live cards for $38.99. I bought mine from them a few months ago for something like $29.99.

    http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Live-Month-Gold-Bonus/dp/B000B9RI00

    --
    Reviewing just the first hour of video games.