Possible PS3 Pricedrop on July 12

[AtomSmasher]

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=16721

Although Sony has yet to confirm a price drop officially, GameDaily BIZ has received confirmation from the retail sector that the PS3 will be dropped to $499 next week.

[AtomSmasher]

Sony apparently is not planning to drop the price, not too surprising.

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2007-07-06T143231Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_India-283451-3.xml

[AtomSmasher]

Okay, apparently now sources from Circuit City, Best Buy, and Target all say there is going to be a price drop, so maybe it will happen.  I'm done posting rumors after this post, I'm just going to wait and see what happens.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/rumor/more-moles-confirm-ps3-price-drop-275588.php

[Samstag]

I assume Sony is still denying it just in case there are people out there willing to pay $600 in the next week.

I wonder what this will do to the used market.  It's been a while since I looked but a couple of months ago a barely used system was going for $450-475 shipped.

[NightGod]

Still not worth buying at $500-it's just way too much to ask for the average console user, especially since there isn't really any game that makes people say "MUST OWN PS3". Anything really awesome is also available on the 360 and/or Wii. Once it gets down to $400, I imagine you'll see them start selling well, then again, Wii will probably be $150 and 360 Premium will be going for $250, so who knows.

I know I can't see myself buying one at anything above a $400 price point and I have a lot of disposable income.

[Kangum]

it would be a wise move to drop the sony ps3 price now when xbox360 is getting the worst publicity. if they do drop the price i would seriously consider getting one instead of an xbox.

i just wish they would hurry up with the games for it. i loath the xbox360 because of the rampant problems with it, some that have been around since 2005 and now its 2007 and they still around. but there are so many good games for it that its still tempting to me.

wii is amusing me only so much. they need to fix the xbox for one and all or sony need to get some decent games out.

[ark_ader]

You think $600 is bad, in the UK the PS3 is £399 = $800.

Tell me whats different between them except it being PAL and a 240v PSU?

[Howard_Casto]

Unfortunately for sony, it's still all about the games.  Since they still don't have any, even a price drop won't improve their sales.  I mean 1 out of 4 360's are dying and they are still selling well, simply because the games are there. 

[NightGod]

Especially now that MS is extending the warranties on all their machines, worst case now you lose a week or two-even if you had a PS3 during that time, you'd still have nothing to play.

[Samstag]

You think $600 is bad, in the UK the PS3 is £399 = $800.

Tell me whats different between them except it being PAL and a 240v PSU?

That price includes an insane amount of taxes, which you can't avoid paying in the UK.

[DaveMMR]

They'd have to drop the price quite a bit for me to even consider it.  $500 is still too expensive.  In the history of consoles, I don't think a single machine that was priced significantly more than the competitors ever succeeded in the mainstream market (and the Playstation has never before been a machine for a "niche" market like the Neo-Geo was).  I know it's not as insanely priced as the 3DO was back in the day, but when you can buy the "Premium" XBox 360 for a hundred dollars less than the cheapest PS3 model, you see how dumb their pricing structure is.  And it's all because Sony is putting the established Playstation brand on the back of new DVD playback technology that is still in it's infancy and may or may not come out on top (remember Sony was the innovators behind the ill-fated Betamax format).  You know how many DVD players I see hooked up to old, dinky televisions with crappy RCA cables? Outside the home theater enthusiasts, it doesn't seem like the average consumer was looking for a "higher quality" DVD player.  And, personally, I never wanted a Blu-Ray player shoehorned into a game console.  It's not a bonus - it's an albatross around its neck. 

And where are the killers games for the PS3?  As Howard pointed out, the high price point of the PS3 seems all the more crippling when there's such a lack of must-own games for it that are exclusive.  Grand Theft Auto IV?   Oops, it's being released for the XBox360 too.  Metal Gear Solid 4?  Yes, a PS3 exclusive though there has been some credible rumors that it may eventually find it's way onto the Xbox 360 to recoup production costs.

I really wanted to get a PS3 when first announced but I think it's a smack to the face of the people who helped put the underdog on top back in the mid-90's by showing incredible hubris with it's ridiculous pricing.  A $100 price-drop might be too little, too late.

[Kangum]

There are two different ones. one with a 60 gig drive for 599 and one with a 20 gig drive for 489 in the usa.

so if it drops 100 dollars will the 20 gig version drop to 389? that would be reasonable imho. especially if it has a blue ray player.

[DaveMMR]

There are two different ones. one with a 60 gig drive for 599 and one with a 20 gig drive for 489 in the usa.

so if it drops 100 dollars will the 20 gig version drop to 389? that would be reasonable imho. especially if it has a blue ray player.

The 20 Gig Version has been discontinued in the US due to lack of demand.  The cheapest version you can get is the 60 Gig version.

[Kangum]

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=BROWSE&N=201271&product_code=332131&Pn=PlayStation_3_Console_20GB_Hard_Drive

i asked them and they said they would be getting more very soon. *edit talked to another friend of mine that works at best buy and you are right they are phasing out the 20 gig. at least for now. it seems though he thinks it will make another appearance down the road later on "by popular demand" after they sold some 60 gig units from the price drop.

 will wait and see. there are a few that have the price cuts (60 gig) for the ps3 for sale as of today the 9th.

[AtomSmasher]

And in a related note, Sony will be releasing an 80 gig PS3 in August, which will sell for the now available pricepoint of $599.

http://localnewsleader.com/jackson/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=131139

Seems like a bizarre move by Sony.  I just hope you get more then just 20 gigs of space for that extra $100.

The article also mentions that out of the 100 of new games expected to be released on the ps3 in the next year, only 15 will be ps3 exclusive.  I'm planning on making a decision on which console to upgrade to in a few months and I was really hoping 1 year would be enough time for Sony to give me a reason to get a ps3, but the way things are going, I'll most likely be getting a 360.

[ChadTower]

CNN story about the price drop.

[Kangum]

CNN story about the price drop.

it interesting to me at the end how it says "The quality of the product and long-term viability is what ultimately wins."

just made me think how what is most important seems to shift with what thier current advantage is. i was under the impression that its been discussed before that its the games not the system that is where the money is made.

why buy a ps3 to play mostly ps2 games i guess is my point.

[Samstag]

And in a related note, Sony will be releasing an 80 gig PS3 in August, which will sell for the now available pricepoint of $599.

http://localnewsleader.com/jackson/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=131139

Seems like a bizarre move by Sony.  I just hope you get more then just 20 gigs of space for that extra $100.

It also comes with Motorstorm.  Including a free game is their way of showing Nintendo that they mean business!

[dstone]

I just hope you get more then just 20 gigs of space for that extra $100.

I would hope so, too. Considering a 500gb HDD runs around $100 at NewEgg. Keep in mind, that's buying a quantity of one from a third party. I'm sure someone like Sony could get a hefty discount buying in bulk from the manufacturer.

[DarkBubble]

It also comes with Motorstorm.  Including a free game is their way of showing Nintendo that they mean business!

Oh, gee, Motorstorm.  That'll show 'em.

I'm pretty much sold on the 360 and Wii, but I don't see a PS3 in my future.

[NightGod]

When you add in the fact that you can buy a Wii AND a 360 for roughly the same price as a PS3 was ($100ish more now), it becomes even more insane to buy the PS3.

I LOVE my PS2, present tense-it's still an amazing gaming system, I just can't see anything about the PS3 that's making me want to jump up and buy one.

[pointdablame]

Analysts expect 360 Price Drop

People "in the know" are feeling pretty confident that the 360 will see a price drop at E3 making the Elite, Premium, and core $399, $349, and $249 respectively.

Not confirmed yet obviously, but a quick retaliation by Microsoft seems reasonable.  There is no way they want to give any edge to Sony at this point in the game.  And if it happens, I might just have to upgrade to an Elite

[geomartin]

Analysts expect 360 Price Drop

People "in the know" are feeling pretty confident that the 360 will see a price drop at E3 making the Elite, Premium, and core $399, $349, and $249 respectively.

Not confirmed yet obviously, but a quick retaliation by Microsoft seems reasonable.  There is no way they want to give any edge to Sony at this point in the game.  And if it happens, I might just have to upgrade to an Elite

That would make 3-tier pricing seem a smart move.  Entry level 360 priced to compete with Wii, Premium level cheaper than PS3, and Elite level priced to compete with PS3 after thier price drop.

[Zero_Hour]

Rumor also has it that the 360 will be moving to a 65nm process for CPUs, which would help enable the price drop (more CPUs per silicon wafer=higher yield=lower costs, in theory) Currently the 360 uses a 90nm process.

Not surprisingly, no official word from MS on it yet.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/07/microsofts_next_move_code-name_falcon.html

I'm still on the sidelines as far as PS3 and 360 are concerned, but at this rate, when I am ready to buy, it will probably be a 360. Can't think of any announced PS3 exclusive that would make me reconsider yet.

[NightGod]

Elite will still be $100 cheaper than the PS3 at that price point-which means E-bay prices should get even sweeter, almost makes me wish I had waited a couple months to get mine.

[hypernova]

"Our initial expectation is that sales should double at a minimum," Jack Tretton, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment America, said in an interview.

Wow...those are some extreme expectations, IMO.

I really think Wii should drop it's price by at least $20, and even better, $50.  They could really put Sony in a hole then.  Wiis will still be sold out through Christmas, if they won't stay that way already...

I reported awhile back that Wiis were readily available in SW Ohio.  It must've been coincidence.  Every trip to any store that carries them has yielded zero in stock.

[Kangum]

this is just a small piece posted on gamespot

"Author of The Xbox 360 Uncloaked says Microsoft is readying "Falcon," a 360 with smaller, less expensive, and more reliable chips inside."

 the xbox360 65n cpu falcons will be released soon. so yes they may do a pricecut and people run out and buy xbox 360s thinking they got this great deal then 3 or so months later the falcon is released running much cooler.

[Samstag]

It would be pretty silly to want to buy a Falcon in a few months if you have a new 360 now.  Unless something else is improving the main advantage of the new chips is reliability.  So just wait till the old model dies a fiery death and get a Falcon with a warranty repair.

I guess they're supposed to be quieter also, but I never hear my fan over the roar of the DVD drive.

[AtomSmasher]

SCEA (Sony) President getting grilled about the PS3 pricedrop:  http://kotaku.com/gaming/clips/tretton-gets-grilled-on-ps3-price-drop-276569.php

[Howard_Casto]

On g4 the new sony of america president kind of glazed over the fact that more games are being released for the PS2 and the completely failing PSP than their next gen ps3 next year. The only time I remember the previous gen console haveing more new releases than the current gen was the sega saturn/ sega genesis, and we know how successful that system was.   

[DarkBubble]

SCEA (Sony) President getting grilled about the PS3 pricedrop:  http://kotaku.com/gaming/clips/tretton-gets-grilled-on-ps3-price-drop-276569.php

He must console himself after interviews with the piles of money that they give him.  Every time he opens his mouth, you know he's going to be spouting BS.

"Well, the PS3 is still dominant..."

Uh, what?

[pointdablame]

No Price drop for the 360

Looks like the analyst speculation was just that.... speculation.  MS is holding their price structure for now according to the article.

[GlennM]

Yeah, the price should have dropped at all the Wal-Mart as of a couple days ago.  Can't say for other stores though.

[Hawk Daddy]

It's offical, $499 for the 60 gig version.

Hawk

[Silver]

You think $600 is bad, in the UK the PS3 is £399 = $800.

Tell me whats different between them except it being PAL and a 240v PSU?

Oh, It's much worse than that.

Not only is it $200 more expensive, but the European model has had all of the PS2 chips completely removed - they made a new, cheaper, hardware version - so PS2 games run in software emulation, meaning LOADS more PS2 games don't work correctly on the UK model.

If I get a PS3, I'll get a imported US version thanks very much.

[DaveMMR]

You think $600 is bad, in the UK the PS3 is £399 = $800.

Tell me whats different between them except it being PAL and a 240v PSU?

Oh, It's much worse than that.

Not only is it $200 more expensive, but the European model has had all of the PS2 chips completely removed - they made a new, cheaper, hardware version - so PS2 games run in software emulation, meaning LOADS more PS2 games don't work correctly on the UK model.

If I get a PS3, I'll get a imported US version thanks very much.

...or just get a PS2.   

[Zero_Hour]

It's offical, $499 for the 60 gig version.

Hawk

It's official, (at least according to the head of Sony Europe) when the 60 gig version sells out in the US (est. end of July 07) it's discontinued.
80 gig + Game will be only remaining SKU at $599

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=26702

Get em while you can, or hold out for a more sustained price drop.

[Darkclaw]

Persoanlly, I feel like I'm sitting on PLENTY of games so jumping on even a $500 system is just not happening. My son wants a PS3, but when I can buy a Wii and a 360 for the same price...and they actually have GAMES for them, the PS3 just isn't worth it. Adding another 20 gigs of hard drive space isn't worth it to me either (my X-Box HD is nowhere NEAR capacity...so a large hard drive is just silly IMHO.). Until the PS3 has a price competitive with the other systems and a solid library of games I just don't see it being the success that the PS1 and PS2 were...

[Hawk Daddy]

I bought mine today, around 11:00 this morning and it's still sitting in the box, i didn't get any games for it because the only ones I want aren't out yet, Unreal Tournament 07, Socom, Killzone.  But at least I'll have the system for when they come out.

Hawk