"PS3 price must drop in 2007", says Ubisoft

[Captain Awesome]

GamesIndustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz) reports:

Ubisoft president Yves Guillemot has warned that while his company is optimistic about the prospects for the next-gen consoles, Sony must be prepared to drop the price point of the PS3 in 2007 if it is to compete effectively with the Xbox 360.

...Speaking to business news agency Bloomberg, Guillemot expressed the view that while the PS3 will see enormous demand from early adopters this year, the price point could be a major stumbling block in the following months.

Read the full article here (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=18078).

So how about those fireworks?

[The Iron Weasel]

I honestly believe that Sony is gonna come out on top, by only the skin of their teeth mind you. No matter what anyone says this is my belief.

[Kefkataran]

Eep. NOT a good sign for Sony to see publishers, especially big publishers like Ubisoft, saying stuff like this.

[The Iron Weasel]

Eep. NOT a good sign for Sony to see publishers, especially big publishers like Ubisoft, saying stuff like this.

I agree with you, but the mainstream video game public doesnt hear this stuff usually. So they're still gonna buy up the PS3 like mad.

[Tricky Thumb]

People who must have it will pick it up at 600, but more than half of the people who buy systems and then only buy a game every 3-5 months is going to pick one up. That's a shitload of people who're going to end up getting a 360 or a Wii for the Multiplatform games as well as exclusives.

Why pay 200 more for '360/PS3/Wii" game when you can get the system and most likely the game itself cheaper? So yes, Sony will have to drop the price next year to have any hopes of being competative.

[Heretic Machine]

He essentially proclaimed the obvious. The question is what the price will be when Christmas 2007 hits, that is the milestone that will decide the generation. If it is still above $500 Sony can kiss their ass goodbye. The casual consumer market will not widely accept that price tag, not when the Wii will be going for $150-$200, and the 360 will of likely dropped down to $300 for a premium package. Of course Sony will probably still be wishing on shoot stars for the success of Blu-ray at that point, it'll still take a long time to put that mess in it's grave.

[KamaItachi]

I honestly believe that Sony is gonna come out on top, by only the skin of their teeth mind you. No matter what anyone says this is my belief.

The question is though, is coming out on top by the skin of their teeth enough for Sony? Considering how much they have riding on the PS3 and blu-ray, can they afford to get a fraction of the market share they did in the last 2 generations where they ran pretty much unopposed?

Selling a few more units than the xbox is all well and good from a console war point of view, but as the cheapest and most base form of Blu-ray player is that enough penetration to make the format dominant?

[Evil Avatar]

He essentially proclaimed the obvious. The question is what the price will be when Christmas 2007 hits, that is the milestone that will decide the generation.

Not to bash on you specifically, but do you seriously think there is a snowball's chance in hell that Sony can afford to drop the system price 13 months after the system launches?

I just don't see that happening.

24+ months into the cycle... I could see it. 13 months into the cycle (and honestly only about 6 months of widespread availability following the launch shortages) I don't see it happening.

Judge it by what Microsoft is doing. Do you see them doing a price drop 13 months after the system launched. Nope.

[The Iron Weasel]

The question is though, is coming out on top by the skin of their teeth enough for Sony? Considering how much they have riding on the PS3 and blu-ray, can they afford to get a fraction of the market share they did in the last 2 generations where they ran pretty much unopposed?

Selling a few more units than the xbox is all well and good from a console war point of view, but as the cheapest and most base form of Blu-ray player is that enough penetration to make the format dominant?

You raise an interesting point.

(its 4:25 am....why the fuck am I still up?)

[TrackZero]

I agree with you, but the mainstream video game public doesnt hear this stuff usually. So they're still gonna buy up the PS3 like mad.


No, the moms are going to show up at the store, look at the pricetag and say "unhunh, and what else do you have? oh, this 360 or Wii looks much cheaper, my bobby can still play his games on that, right?".

[F3nyx]

Not to bash on you specifically, but do you seriously think there is a snowball's chance in hell that Sony can afford to drop the system price 13 months after the system launches?

I just don't see that happening.

24+ months into the cycle... I could see it. 13 months into the cycle (and honestly only about 6 months of widespread availability following the launch shortages) I don't see it happening.

Judge it by what Microsoft is doing. Do you see them doing a price drop 13 months after the system launched. Nope.If Wikipedia (and my math) can be trusted:

20 months after launch, the PS2 dropped from $300 to $200. (source) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS2#Price_history)

7 months after launch, the Xbox dropped from $300 to $200. (source) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox#Price_history)

Note that, though the two systems were released over a year apart, the first price drop for each console came in the same week. Obviously, Microsoft would have preferred that the Xbox, like the PS2, spend almost two years at launch price, but the PS2 price drop would have killed their sales, so they were forced to match Sony dollar for dollar.

In this generation, the positions have been reversed -- Sony is launching a year later than Microsoft. Assuming a similar timetable, Microsoft will drop the Xbox 360 price in mid-2007.

The PS3 will already cost $100 more to start with -- if they don't match the Xbox 360 drop, the gap will jump to $200, in which case Sony will be utterly fucked. So in my opinion the Ubisoft president is completely correct.

edit: Them fireworks was pretty damn good (saw them on the 3rd instead of the 4th).

[motor]

I've said it here before and I'll say it again. Sony owns and manufactures all of the parts for the PS3 which is a vastly different situation then the 360. Once the blu-ray starts being made in the millions expect the manufacturing price to drop dramatically, expect the exact same with the cell processor. By next christmas the price difference will be $100 (counting any price drop by microsoft) and in 24 months expect the price to be the same for the two platforms. This isn't just about two different companies it is about two different approaches to making consumer electronics (outsourcing vs internal manufacturing). Look what happened to the price of the PS2 versus the xbox over time, the same decrease will happen this time, it's just that sony is starting at a higher initial price.

[BigJonno]

If Sony come out on top this time round, it'll be the ultimate proof of the power of a brand name. Their success with the PS1 was well-deserved, but they've been coasting ever since. What made the PS2 was it's third party support, but they've been gradually losing their top exclusive titles over the last few years as true exclusives have become timed exclusives and timed exclusives have become not very exclusive at all. Nintendo and MS, on the other hand, have been doing the opposite. The Wii pretty much guarantees some degree of exclusivity by its very design.

At this stage, I really don't see what the PS3 has going for it other than the Playstation name. MS has the early lead, the established online service and infinite pockets. Nintendo has called revolution and shown that not only can it talk the talk, but it can walk the walk too. They also don't have to worry about the problems MS has in Japan. What has Sony really got to offer other than an overpriced product which relies on unproven technology?

[Jack B]

I've said it here before and I'll say it again. Sony owns and manufactures all of the parts for the PS3 which is a vastly different situation then the 360. Once the blu-ray starts being made in the millions expect the manufacturing price to drop dramatically, expect the exact same with the cell processor. By next christmas the price difference will be $100 (counting any price drop by microsoft) and in 24 months expect the price to be the same for the two platforms. This isn't just about two different companies it is about two different approaches to making consumer electronics (outsourcing vs internal manufacturing). Look what happened to the price of the PS2 versus the xbox over time, the same decrease will happen this time, it's just that sony is starting at a higher initial price.

I don't believe Sony makes all the parts. The Xbox 360 had over 1,700 parts from a couple hundred suppliers. I believe Sony might have a few more Sony made parts, but I'd still guess the majority of the parts are purchased and assembled.

I haven't seen an article on the breakdown, but that's my guess.

Also, with the 360 I believe Microsoft also owns the designs for their processors, so they can continue to achieve lower costs throuighout the life cycle of the 360.

Microsoft is in a very good position this Gen with regards to pricing. They were in a tougher position with Xbox pricing and made sure that situation didn't repeat itself.

Note: If someone has the facts, please correct me if needed. I'm just too tired tonight to hunt for them.

[Heretic Machine]

Not to bash on you specifically, but do you seriously think there is a snowball's chance in hell that Sony can afford to drop the system price 13 months after the system launches?

I'm not here to debate whether they can afford to do it or not, or even if they'll go ahead and do it. I'm saying that if they don't, then they lose. It is just that simple.

[Evil Avatar]

I'm not here to debate whether they can afford to do it or not, or even if they'll go ahead and do it. I'm saying that if they don't, then they lose. It is just that simple.

Is it that simple? While the price point would seem to be a major stumbling block for consumers, we are still talking about the Playstation brand name - the system that is in the majority of households and the company that gets almost all the exclusive titles. (Other than Nintendo's characters and those are mostly aimed at children age 8 - 12.)

I think that while it appears to be a simple question of price that it will be more complex than that... you have to take into account advertising and game exclusives (remember it was Grand Theft Auto 3 that made the PS2 the gaming juggernaut that it became... another huge seller like that could come out of nowhere again) and general consumer awareness.

If they start pushing the system and the Blue Ray thing in advertising... the public are sheep. They will buy what they see.

I'll say two things... that it will be interesting to see how things fall out by Christmas of 2008 and I'll continue to try to get people to get it into their head that there will be NO PS3 systems available until around March of 2007, so don't expect Christmas 2006 to be a big win for anyone but Microsoft.

[Heretic Machine]

While the price point would seem to be a major stumbling block for consumers, we are still talking about the Playstation brand name - the system that is in the majority of households and the company that gets almost all the exclusive titles.

Did the Nintendo brand name save the N64? Did the Sega brand name save the Saturn? Consumers are fickle, they will buy what they see as cheaper as long as it appears to be good, the reality of it doesn't matter.

As for Christmas 2006, all three consoles are going to sell out. If you don't have one on Black Friday, you probably aren't going to get one until February at the minimum.

PRE-ORDER ASAP!

[Samurai Joe]

Is it that simple? While the price point would seem to be a major stumbling block for consumers, we are still talking about the Playstation brand name - the system that is in the majority of households and the company that gets almost all the exclusive titles. (Other than Nintendo's characters and those are mostly aimed at children age 8 - 12.)

I think that while it appears to be a simple question of price that it will be more complex than that... you have to take into account advertising and game exclusives (remember it was Grand Theft Auto 3 that made the PS2 the gaming juggernaut that it became... another huge seller like that could come out of nowhere again) and general consumer awareness.

If they start pushing the system and the Blue Ray thing in advertising... the public are sheep. They will buy what they see.

I'll say two things... that it will be interesting to see how things fall out by Christmas of 2008 and I'll continue to try to get people to get it into their head that there will be NO PS3 systems available until around March of 2007, so don't expect Christmas 2006 to be a big win for anyone but Microsoft.

Agreed, the PS3 will more than likely be delayed yet again. March 2007 makes sense.

[jeffool]

So how about those fireworks?And that, people, is why they call him Captain Awesome.
so don't expect Christmas 2006 to be a big win for anyone but Microsoft.And those few of us Nintendo zealots lucky enough to grab a Wii. We're going to enjoy that thing like it or not! ;)

[Evil Avatar]

Agreed, the PS3 will more than likely be delayed yet again. March 2007 makes sense.

It isn't a delay. They are only launching with 2 Million systems worldwide. Even if they decided that the USA was more important than Japan (FAT CHANCE!) that would mean only 1 Million systems available in the USA.

That is a few more systems per store than the Xbox 360 launched with - but not many. It means a total sellout on launch day and a sellout all the way through the end of January and I would imagine that the general public will start to see the system appear on store shelves around March 2007.

But, even by March 2007 Sony is only promising like 6 Million systems Worldwide. It still isn't a huge number.

---

OT: What would be really funny is if the demand for ANY system is so high in November that all three systems sell right out before or on Black Friday. That would be cool for everyone.

[Heretic Machine]

OT: What would be really funny is if the demand for ANY system is so high in November that all three systems sell right out before or on Black Friday. That would be cool for everyone.

Like I said, that is what will happen. The PS3 and Wii will both sell out instantly, the left over consumers will boost 360 sales, and any 360's left will disapear on Black Friday. You might see a few more shipments of each coming and going between then and Christmas, but essentially if you don't have one of them on Black Friday you aren't going to be part of the next-gen until next year.

[Lutheran]

Are any stores taking preorders for the Wii yet?

[Heretic Machine]

Are any stores taking preorders for the Wii yet?

Not to my knowledge. The price and official date haven't even been announced yet.

[BigJonno]

I saw the first "Register your interest in the Wii" ad in GAME yesterday, so expect pre-orders soon.

[Captain Awesome]

And that, people, is why they call him Captain Awesome.

I did purchase 6 bricks of Sky Rockets and tons of Roman Candles ;)

[EvilBob46]

What made the PS2 was it's third party support, but they've been gradually losing their top exclusive titles over the last few years as true exclusives have become timed exclusives and timed exclusives have become not very exclusive at all.

IMO, the quality of PS2 games (and the quality of its exclusives) has increased dramatically in the last 2 years. Let's face it: The PS2 was complete shit for most of its lifespan. It's only with God of War, Colossus, Ratchet, Guitar Hero, Katamari Damacy, and a variety of later Square titles (namely FFXII, DQVIII, KH2) that the system has become worth owning. All these games are basically PS2 exclusive. I guess my point is that the system is much better today (and has more worthwhile exclusives) than a couple of years ago, despite having lost stuff like GTA.

[bapenguin]

eh. They are going to have to to sell systems. After the first year+ allt hose early adopters and such will have bought the system, you know...the people willing to drop 600 bucks on it. Then as it trickles to the more casual non hardcore type gamer it's gonna have to come down.

[Kelegacy]

Not to bash on you specifically, but do you seriously think there is a snowball's chance in hell that Sony can afford to drop the system price 13 months after the system launches?

I just don't see that happening.

24+ months into the cycle... I could see it. 13 months into the cycle (and honestly only about 6 months of widespread availability following the launch shortages) I don't see it happening.

Judge it by what Microsoft is doing. Do you see them doing a price drop 13 months after the system launched. Nope.
If Blu-Ray manufacturing costs drop significantly, that would be feasible. But that would mean BR players themselves would fall from 1000 to a better range, something Sony desperately needs in order to make the media mainstream.

We'll see. In 13 months they may be suffering shortages, so it might not even be in their interest to drop it. Hopefully that's not the case.

[Metal]

PS3 is pretty screwed. No matter what they do they will always lose money with their hardware. That's something they were able to get away from with the PS2. Microsoft made that mistake last gen. Sony is also screwed in Japan due to the popularity of Nintendo now in the land of the rising sun. Sony is about to jump the shark, and I for one am ready to see them go. :)

[Reanimated]

There's a reason that the PS3 is so expensive this round - Sony can't afford to take the loss on hardware this time. They've got a huge amount of debt, so anyone thinking that they're going to be able to be aggressive on price drops is just engaging in self-delusion.

[Rook34]

See, I think that even the first adopters, or at least many PS fanboys will even have a tough time swallowing a $750 dollar pill. I say 750 because figure they have to buy another controller and a game(but proably 2), then tax. The initial shipment to the world will sell, but I bet you'll see at least 1/4 of it on ebay. It will be bought by nothing but well established fanboys and moneymakers who will sell it to make a mint, and then that will be that (for the most part) until a price drop. And Sony took forever to price drop the PS2.
The real winner this season will be Gamestop... All those desperate fanboys who absolutely must have the PS3 will be forced to sell their souls to get any last bit of credit they can in hopes of attaining the shit-pie in the sky.

[Blue]

See, I think that even the first adopters, or at least many PS fanboys will even have a tough time swallowing a $750 dollar pill. I say 750 because figure they have to buy another controller and a game(but proably 2), then tax. The initial shipment to the world will sell, but I bet you'll see at least 1/4 of it on ebay. It will be bought by nothing but well established fanboys and moneymakers who will sell it to make a mint, and then that will be that (for the most part) until a price drop. And Sony took forever to price drop the PS2.
The real winner this season will be Gamestop... All those desperate fanboys who absolutely must have the PS3 will be forced to sell their souls to get any last bit of credit they can in hopes of attaining the shit-pie in the sky.

For sake of repeating what's been said a thousand times: there is also a 499 version, plus a game. That would only top me out at 560ish plus tax. I don't need a spare controller because a good 95% of my friends aren't gamers nor is my wife, so that just leaves me. Mind you, I have no intentions of paying that much for a console - even $399 for a 360 was too high - so I won't be going anywhere near this, but the idea that it must be 750 plus change is way out of proportion.

[Vagabondllama]

Are any stores taking preorders for the Wii yet?


Yes...all the Gamestops and Gamecrazies around here are. Hell, my local Gamecrazy was taking preorders for it when it was still called Revolution.

[destoo]

Are any stores taking preorders for the Wii yet?

Toys-r-us in Canada and Australia are currently taking preorders.

Got money down for two Wiis.

[Rook34]

For sake of repeating what's been said a thousand times: there is also a 499 version, plus a game. That would only top me out at 560ish plus tax. I don't need a spare controller because a good 95% of my friends aren't gamers nor is my wife, so that just leaves me. Mind you, I have no intentions of paying that much for a console - even $399 for a 360 was too high - so I won't be going anywhere near this, but the idea that it must be 750 plus change is way out of proportion.

Not really, considering all the stuff you are getting with the premium package. How many core units of 360 were sold? (I don't know but I'd wager it was FAR less than the premium package) Thus, the premium package is the one most people will buy and be the only viable choice, especially considering the fact that if you bought a core PS3, you have NO WAY to upgrade your unit to become a premium unit, unlike the Xbox360.
750 is not out of proportion - it's exactly what Sony wants and is becoming more and more evident. Sure they're offering the consumer a choice...it'ss just a really crappy choice. It's like those sub commercials for Quizno's..."would you rather have this toasted sub, or THIS sub with lots of 'lettuce' (lifts cover to reveal a sub that's packed with cash).

P.s., I'm in the same boat. I have maybe 2 friends that enjoy gaming and a wife that only rarely plays games; like only when a new Harvest Moon comes out.

[Hellstorm]

Feh. It's not going to matter when the Wii beats both.

[Hellstorm]

Judge it by what Microsoft is doing. Do you see them doing a price drop 13 months after the system launched. Nope.


Is this the same MS that dropped the price of the Xbox in Europe three months after launch? :D

[Blue]

Okay, for clarity sake: the things coming with the 'core' PS3 system are fine by me versus the 'premium' system. A 20G HD is just fine - I don't see any need for 60G. Some have said it won't be wireless. Fine, whatever - I like my consoles to have cords. No HDMI. Again, not something I care about. HDMI means squat-all to me, just let my games be fun.

This isn't the same type of situation it was with the 360. You don't need those things for the PS3. They can enhance your experience and are tweaks that some people will and can use, so they'd snatch it up absolutely. However, I'm not in that camp. Everything that comes with the 'core' version will get me gaming just fine and the 20G HD will suit those purposes just fine.

[absolut taco]

I did purchase 6 bricks of Sky Rockets and tons of Roman Candles ;)
So what is up with all these mega fireworks displays on the 3rd? Are there not going to be any tonight? Seems weird. Anyway, happy 4th all you Americans!

[Reanimated]

Buying the lesser version is simply out of the question - at least for me it is. Either way you are being forced to pay a premium price. If I'm going to be paying that much, I'm damn sure going to have the extra capabilities that the higher version touts. Especially with Blu Ray playback in the picture - that HDMI port is simply a necessity. If I'm buying HD movies, I want to be viewing them over the highest quality connection possible. Couple that with the fact that upscaling of standard DVDs is still only allowed over a digital connection, and that HDMI port becomes even more of a necessity if you're planning to use the PS3 as a primary movie playback device... and I would assume that to be the case for most people since you're paying out the nose for that Blu Ray drive.

[BleedTheFreak]

I agree with you, but the mainstream video game public doesnt hear this stuff usually. So they're still gonna buy up the PS3 like mad.

They'll be concerned when all there favorite 3rd party titles are only on the 360 or the Wii. Even weekend warriors can understand that concept.

[Serapth]

Okay, for clarity sake: the things coming with the 'core' PS3 system are fine by me versus the 'premium' system. A 20G HD is just fine - I don't see any need for 60G. Some have said it won't be wireless. Fine, whatever - I like my consoles to have cords. No HDMI. Again, not something I care about. HDMI means squat-all to me, just let my games be fun.

This isn't the same type of situation it was with the 360. You don't need those things for the PS3. They can enhance your experience and are tweaks that some people will and can use, so they'd snatch it up absolutely. However, I'm not in that camp. Everything that comes with the 'core' version will get me gaming just fine and the 20G HD will suit those purposes just fine.


You know what, if there was a version that was say... 150$ cheaper with "no bluRay" I would totally agree with you. But, if your taking it up the hoop for a bluray player, I would think you would want HDMI ( I know I would ).

Plus, to my understanding the HD in the "core" isnt upgradable. If thats the case I would be a bit hesitant to go with the 20Gig version, especially if sony is going to do a very Live like digital distribution. My 360 drive is in bad need of housekeeping and I dont own that many games yes and have (0) music/video on the console. If it wasnt upgradable, I would be scared.

[Kefkataran]

Plus, to my understanding the HD in the "core" isnt upgradable. If thats the case I would be a bit hesitant to go with the 20Gig version, especially if sony is going to do a very Live like digital distribution. My 360 drive is in bad need of housekeeping and I dont own that many games yes and have (0) music/video on the console. If it wasnt upgradable, I would be scared.

Last I heard, this is completely false. Sony said the hard drive will be upgradable for both versions, AND that wireless will be available for both. The only thing I've heard confirmed that the Core will not have is HDMI, so it really only matters if you're a hardcore HD buff. As I am not, I think the Core would work rather smashingly. I'll be waiting to hear what others have to say about it of course, but yes.

If it wasnt upgradable, I would be scared.

If what Sony has been saying about the PS3's HD upgradability is true, the 360's is far less upgradable.

[Serapth]

Last I heard, this is completely false. Sony said the hard drive will be upgradable for both versions, AND that wireless will be available for both. The only thing I've heard confirmed that the Core will not have is HDMI, so it really only matters if you're a hardcore HD buff. As I am not, I think the Core would work rather smashingly. I'll be waiting to hear what others have to say about it of course, but yes.



If what Sony has been saying about the PS3's HD upgradability is true, the 360's is far less upgradable.

To that last bit, huh? The only thing not upgradable about the 360 is the lack of drives... As to the first part, I heard the premium was completely upgradable, but I have never heard that about the core.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

You know what, if there was a version that was say... 150$ cheaper with "no bluRay" I would totally agree with you. But, if your taking it up the hoop for a bluray player, I would think you would want HDMI ( I know I would ).

Plus, to my understanding the HD in the "core" isnt upgradable. If thats the case I would be a bit hesitant to go with the 20Gig version, especially if sony is going to do a very Live like digital distribution. My 360 drive is in bad need of housekeeping and I dont own that many games yes and have (0) music/video on the console. If it wasnt upgradable, I would be scared.


I'd be scared regardless. If and when MS releases larger drives, can you imagine how much they are going to cost? They already rip people off with the current one - 20gigs for 100 dollars! A 60gig drive - will that be two or three hundred???

ugh, my head hurts :(

[fatmalamute]

I'd have to say that this is the first generation since the nes that I won't have a major system 6 months after launch (except MAYBE the Wii because the price seems to be much more fair). It is just kind of unsettling to know that to get either the xbox 360 or the ps3 you will end up spending $500 bucks (or more) for the system, a game, and a second controller. I just graduated from college; I am not going to go into further debt for a console.

[Flatpicker]

To me the question is will Microsoft force Sony to cut prices in 07?
I can't imagine the casual gamer trying to decide between a 300 premium 360 or a 600 premium PS3.

Look like this generation is going to be won by whoever has the bigger savings acct to absorb the losses.
I do wonder though, with prices as high and technology being as developed as they are in these systems, are we looking at the 1st generation of 10 year consoles?

[mister_slim]

It isn't a delay. They are only launching with 2 Million systems worldwide. Even if they decided that the USA was more important than Japan (FAT CHANCE!) that would mean only 1 Million systems available in the USA.

That is a few more systems per store than the Xbox 360 launched with - but not many.
A few more? If they hit their projections, that's three times the numbers.

[oldjadedgamer]

A few more? If they hit their projections, that's three times the numbers.

The "if" is a big deal. With the PS2, they could only deliver 500,000 for launch, which was half of what they originally said they would ship (1 million). This is after the PS2 had already been on store shelves for over 7 months and mass production of the machine had been in full swing for almost a year.

[Wonka]

Most systems sell in the last several years of the cycle do they not?

Sp the 1st two years are going to be about momentum. Who creates the best perception in the public that they have the lead and are *THE* system to own. It's hard to call who will pull that off. Sure the PS3 is overpriced and getting a lot of bad press with the hardcore (who will have to pay that price). But in a couple years a lot can change. So far MS is doing things right, and Sony is doing things wrong. But there is a long time between now and when systems start to move in large quantities.

It's going to depend a lot on the quality and quantity of games that release between now and then. Who will release the 1st game to really turn heads and make even the non-gamers talk about it?

Getting a lot of consoles out this year helps MS. But it only helps because it makes the publishers hedge their bets and release multiplatform games instead of PS3 exclusives. This reduces the number of chances Sony has to get that 1st big hit of the generation. But if Sony rolls out a massive/innovative hit early next year from its 1st party group who could stop it?

What we are waiting for here is the killer app that will get everyones attention. It's impossible to guess what that will be yet. But there will likely be one. Every generation before has had its platform selling games.

[fitbabits]

I've said it here before and I'll say it again. Sony owns and manufactures all of the parts for the PS3...
Does nVidia know about this? Because they should be the ones manufacturing the GPU, not Sony.

[Siraris]

Does nVidia know about this? Because they should be the ones manufacturing the GPU, not Sony.

Sony also outsourced manufacturing to two other companies who are producing at a loss.

http://www.the-magicbox.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-640.html

[OUX]

Not to bash on you specifically, but do you seriously think there is a snowball's chance in hell that Sony can afford to drop the system price 13 months after the system launches?

I just don't see that happening.

24+ months into the cycle... I could see it. 13 months into the cycle (and honestly only about 6 months of widespread availability following the launch shortages) I don't see it happening.

Judge it by what Microsoft is doing. Do you see them doing a price drop 13 months after the system launched. Nope.


I think that the "real" question is "Can Sony allow MS to have 3 Chirstmas seasons and Ninty 2 before becoming competitive?"

[fitbabits]

Sony also outsourced manufacturing to two other companies who are producing at a loss.

http://www.the-magicbox.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-640.html
Yeah, I was stating the most obvious one, though. I mean, one doesn't have to be ultra knowledgeable about the PS3 to know that nVidia are supplying the graphical muscle.

[bapenguin]

Last I heard, this is completely false. Sony said the hard drive will be upgradable for both versions, AND that wireless will be available for both. The only thing I've heard confirmed that the Core will not have is HDMI, so it really only matters if you're a hardcore HD buff. As I am not, I think the Core would work rather smashingly. I'll be waiting to hear what others have to say about it of course, but yes.

If what Sony has been saying about the PS3's HD upgradability is true, the 360's is far less upgradable.

Don't forget the premium has compact flash/sd/etc slots on it. Not sure exactly what they'll be used for (game saves, etc) but that part isn't exactly upgradable on the core either.

[Chalex]

Does nVidia know about this? Because they should be the ones manufacturing the GPU, not Sony.
As of March 2006, it is known that NVIDIA will deliver RSX to Sony as an IP-core, and that Sony alone would be responsible for manufacturing the RSX. Under the agreement, NVIDIA will provide ongoing support to port the RSX to Sony's fabs of choice (Sony and Toshiba), as well as die-shrinks to 65nm. This is a departure from NVIDIA's business arrangement with Microsoft, in which NVIDIA managed production and delivery of the Xbox GPU through NVIDIA's usual third-party foundry contracts.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVIDIA

[Siraris]

Don't forget the premium has compact flash/sd/etc slots on it. Not sure exactly what they'll be used for (game saves, etc) but that part isn't exactly upgradable on the core either.

Sure it is, get a USB card reader.

[Phanto]

Well looks like there are hard times ahead...

[Kefkataran]

The only thing not upgradable about the 360 is the lack of drives... As to the first part, I heard the premium was completely upgradable, but I have never heard that about the core.

I've heard both. And for the 360, you need to use specific hard drives designed for the 360 don't you? According to Sony you'll be able to use ANY hard drive. If I'm wrong about the 360, let me know, as I'd love to upgrade my hard drive.

[novicius]

So how about those fireworks?

Fantavision is a launch title again? :D