Analyst: Sony from first to worst?
by Blake Snow 
{ Jul 3rd 2006 at 5:30PM }
DFC Intelligence, which provides game industry research, has released a new article citing the possibility that Sony could go from first to last place in home console market share. The article claims that despite Sony's strong brand awareness and current market position, the launch purchase price of $500-$600 combined with a lack of "killer application" game titles could hurt the company's chances of continued success.From the report: "It is our view that the PlayStation systems have been successful not because of hit software but mainly because of software diversity and third-party support... With the PlayStation 3 the company is going after the high-end power user. It is almost as if Coca-Cola not only decided to go with a new formula, but also decided to exit the low brow soft drink business to go into high-end wines."
The research group concludes that if Sony wishes to drive unit volume in 2007, it needs to not only cut the PS3's price, but cut it drastically before there could be a new market leader.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Eagle @ Jul 3rd 2006 5:38PM
DFC who?
More credible firms, please.
And /lol at "killer application" titles...Ha...Reminds me of Dr. Evil saying he's hip and doing the macarena.
Richie @ Jul 3rd 2006 5:42PM
@Eagle: Go be a Sony fanboy somewhere else.
darryl @ Jul 3rd 2006 5:42PM
Analysts... speculation, more FUD - spreat it around. Good times.
C. Grant @ Jul 3rd 2006 5:43PM
Eagle: learn to love Google. http://www.dfcint.com/
darryl @ Jul 3rd 2006 5:43PM
@Richie: Go be a Wiitard somewhere else.
DeejayKnight @ Jul 3rd 2006 5:45PM
This makes perfect sense.
With all their arrogance, blatant disregard for the market that made them what they are, and trash-talking then implementing competitors' ideas is what's bringing Sony down. If they don't change a lot about the PS3, I don't see it happening. While it's understandable that they want to go for the power user and have their system on the market for a long period of time, they're going about it the wrong way. If they slash prices, lower the specs slightly, implement the rumble feature again, and launch one system it'll be a lot easier on the consumer - therefore better for their sales. It's just a shame that they don't see this.
And the analogy of Coca-Cola going to fine wines? Priceless!
Richie @ Jul 3rd 2006 5:48PM
@darryl: I'm a 360 user... we all know what happens when you assume things, kid.
darryl @ Jul 3rd 2006 5:51PM
@Richie: All the same... radical to the max.
DBX00 @ Jul 3rd 2006 5:51PM
This is all getting old...I'd rather spend a couple hundred dollars to have a system for a longer period of time than have to buy a new one in 3 years. Can we just wait and see how the market reacts the launch instead of speculating how the system will do until launch day.
tactics @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:03PM
it's hilarious how so many people think that ps3 is "future proof" and is going to extend the consoles life to 10 years... that's ridiculous.
you're all going to be very sad when xbox720 and wii2 come out in 5-6 years, and you don't get ps4...
-"superfan" tactics.
Eric @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:07PM
When will people admit that Sony had already forfeited the lead in the console race at E3 when Kaz uttered the words “Five hundred and ninety nine US dollars.”
It is IMPOSSIBLE to have the most market share in the next generation of consoles if Sony’s console is priced at $600. You CANNOT sell 200 million let alone 100 million “fine dining experiences”—but you can sell AT LEAST that amount in McDonalds fast food. You think your local chic restaurant has served 99 billion customers? I don’t think so. And with all that new, complex, unproven technology in the PS3 it will be IMPOSSIBLE for Sony to bring down the price quickly enough to appeal to Joe Gamer. Sega, Ubisoft, and other developers/publishers are dreaming if they think the price will drop in a year 65nm processor or not---On top of the fact that I honestly don’t see the 60GB version ever dipping below $300 its entire life span.
I honestly think that if the Wii is most people’s second console of choice, and some people’s first console of choice, then how could the Wii NOT have the most market share of the next generation console war?
And Sony’s marketing lately seems directed towards its investors and its investors only. Sony hasn’t seriously addressed a single issue that a nervous gaming industry has brought up, and if they have, they’ve shoved their foot so far down their throat they are tasting their knee.
Indepth @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:09PM
I don't see myself buying multiple PS3s, like I did with the PS2. If anything, I'm likely to wait until the console is a more managable price or there's a game I just have to have.
Bub @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:13PM
I'm getting two. It's already got Linux, add a keyboard and mouse, and you have a very powerful machine, for under $1000. Oh, and it plays games and blu-ray movies, too.
Doriane @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:15PM
Sony has been overconfident of late. They're taking for granted that their fan-base will never be swayed.
I own a PS2--selected solely for the exclusives--but am not planning to buy a PS3. Instead, I'm springing for the Wii.
The most important thing about a system is the games. None of the PS3 titles are all that wondrous to behold (well, consider, anyway), perhaps with the exception of things like DMC4 and Final Fantasy.
LaughingTarget @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:20PM
I find it entertaining that everyone is attacking this report. Probably didn't even read the thing. The report never says that Sony is going to fail, but there is the chance that it will.
The Coke analagy is perfect. There are countless examples of companies that attempted to drastically change their customer base and have utterly failed. Sony is not some exception to an established rule. Sony got where it is today by targeting the Wal-Mart shopper. The blue collar worker. The low-income family. Sony offered a console that brought entertainment for a low price to those who can't afford many luxuries.
Sony has suddenly changed gears and is now targeting trendy, well to do people that live in the top 10% strata of the population. It is all well and good given they are willing to fork over the price, but Sony has failed to realize these people have different ideas of what is fun. People with those levels of finances usually don't spend a lot of time playing games. Sure, they'll get some now and again, but the amount of time most titles require is not conducive to the needs of the target audience. Those people work, and people who make a lot of money typically work a whole lot more than those who don't. Less time to play games.
The PSP is a perfect example. It is keeping neck and neck with the DS in the USA, but the PSP is a terrible engine to drive software sales. People just aren't buying games for it. The DS has 13 million+ sellers while the DS only has 3. When the two units are fairly equal in install base yet one utterly dominates it in software, that can mean two things. Bad software or a user base that doesn't do that sort of thing. Lumines is not a bad piece of software, excellent game, in the vein of the huge sellers the DS has, but it is not a big seller. Why? The PSP owners are too busy ripping movies and listening to music on the unit.
The PS3 has a high chance of running into the same problem. Being marketed as a BluRay player will grab those high income people. And just like the PSP was marketed as a portable movie player, the PS3 will be used for BluRays. An install base parity with the 360 or Wii will be meaningless because the target audience doesn't really play games all that often. They'll use it to watch a BluRay movie.
If the PS3 is being used as a BluRay player, Sony might as well just rip Cell out of it and sell a BluRay player. It will allow them to better penetrate BluRay with a smaller loss on the units. Software developers will take notice of usage patterns and even if the PS3 takes a huge lead, it may mean nothing if the owners don't play games.
But, as it stands, Sony is targeting the wrong people. Not only will $600 result in a small market share, but will also result in paltry software sales.
molecule @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:21PM
With the known unreliability of such analyzations, I at first took this gamespot piece with a grain of salt. But now that legitimate developers like Ubi and Sega are echoeing the same concerns (i.e. a price drop in '07), I think this analyzation just gained a little more credence.
vidGuy @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:28PM
It's very possible.
Arguably, the two things that made the PS2 a huge success were the wide range of games and DVD compatibility. We know that it wasn't an edge in power.
If PS3 games cost a boatload to make and buy, the range of games will likely be constricted as some lesser known developers drop out. Well known developers will take less chances because they can't afford many flops.
If Blu-Ray doesn't come out and wow the general public (which I'd admit is fairly likely), the PS3 doesn't have the edge the PS2 did with DVD.
At $500 minimum, the general public is going to have to think hard about purchasing a PS3. Sure, the Sony supporters and hardcore gamers may be interested, but the people that put Sony on top this generation, the so-called 'casual' gamers, may turn away, at least for the first year or so.
It's very possible.
josh @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:32PM
I've been a playstation fan from the beginning. This is the first one I won't be buying. Why? Too 'spensive... Plus... I like metal gear but i don't like it so much that it's all I want to play for a whole year until something better for ps2 comes out.
I'm certainly not paying $1200 (ps3, extended warranty, 2 games, extra controller, tax) it's gonna cost just so i can play Riiiiide Raaaaccerrrr over and over again.
I can't believe i'm saying this but... SONY is looking at a real battle here in the states. And if not careful, Microsoft is going to hit their weak point for MASSIVE DAMAGE!!!
Bryan @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:35PM
It's interesting, because - well, I remember first hearing the price for the PS3 and thinking "Hm, that is a lot of money." And, I can't help but agree that the PS3 comes with a lot of good stuff. The problem, I think, is that - what the majority of the gaming community wants... is nothing more than a gaming system. That's just what I (and, mind you, the majority of my friends) think right about now. I realize that it's "cool" that it's like a supercomputer with BluRay (very few people know what that IS yet!) -- but... I don't want to have to pay for all THAT just so I can play a creative, innovative, good-looking video game! I for one would love for Sony to release a PS3 without BluRay, without Linux, without all that other BULLSHIT, and give me something I can just play a good-old-fashioned VIDEO GAME with.
In all honesty, if I had $600, sure, I'd get one. I think the problem that most of us are facing (whether or not we WANT a PS3) is that... well, call me poor if you so please, but I simply can't afford it!**
**Mind you, I think I could just barely purchase one... but then, I would have no games to play with. And if I were fortunate enough to buy ONE game with it, I couldn't play it with anyone else.
Phew.
Three games + 1 additional controller + PS3 itself = close to $1000.
No thanks.
georgedakota @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:38PM
Well we all know non-hardcore gamers will not pay this price for ps3, it just wont happen with middleclass people. The real question is if it doesnt sell well will sony drop the price in time to save the system? Or will it be too late. My guess is the 360 will take advantage of sony dropping price too late and they will have a strong lead in this race. The only thing in my opinion that could save sony right now is if somehow they dropped the price by alot within 3-6 months of launch. I still see the ps3 selling as much or more than wii though. Nintendo also has their hands full getting the average person to buy a wii. I dont see older gamers getting into wii, to me and my friends we all agree it looks like its made for under 20 year olds,children,women and the non-hardcore gamer.
I dont know its something about sony this time around where they dont seem to be listening to their customers who supported them when Microsoft is always listening and when they made the xbox and 360 they asked hardcore and casual gamers about what they want implemented into the system, they made a great controller after screwing up the first one on the first xbox and it just showed they can admit mistakes. Sony on the other hand is like george bush, always thinking they know they correct way to do something and they dont care what the people want.
vidGuy @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:46PM
"Nintendo also has their hands full getting the average person to buy a wii. I dont see older gamers getting into wii, to me and my friends we all agree it looks like its made for under 20 year olds,children,women and the non-hardcore gamer."
Under 20. Children. Women. Non-hardcore gamer. Those groups make up the majority of the population. If that's who will buy Wii, it'll destroy the other systems in sales.
Personally, everyone I've talked to about the Wii has said one of two things: either 'I'm not sure about that controller' or 'Awesome! I can't wait to buy one!'.
With estimates putting the cost of the PS3 hardware at $700 - $900, if Sony drops the price to be competitive, they are looking at a multi-billion dollar hole from the first year of the console's life, with little chance to break even on hardware sales. Sony won't be dropping the price that early... they just have to create a competitive advantage in quality; something they haven't been known for in quite a few years.
bounchfx @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:47PM
yeah just comparing M$'s lineup at the moment to sony's I really don't see anything justifying a purchase of PS3 so... I won't be getting one at launch anymore, probably not even for Ebay because I'm not sure anyone else would want to spend their money on it.
Before E306 conference, I was still going to get one.. afterwards.. I can't imagine it.
Maybe in a year or two, I mean, I DEFINATLY want to play MGS4 and FFXIII, even a couple other games, like the naughty dog one and ratchet the same 4, but still... nothing worth paying that much cash imo... I don't mind that they 'stole' the wii tech for the controller. I played warhawk at e3 and I think it helps it more than hurts, although it takes a little getting used to.. better to have it now for later then be left out for another 6 years.. business is business.
but at the moment sony is just a non-factor for me, 360 has tons of great games coming, and nintendo is coming back in a big way.
Eggman @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:49PM
That's a really good analogy with coke and wine, it's like their aiming for a totally different target audience with a different product. For their defense, atleast their doing both at the same time. However, how many people are really prepared to pay that much money for a game console?
A lot of the sony fans here don't realize people aren't just looking at the consoles price, but the total they'd have to pay to get up and running. $600 buys you a system, another game may run you anywhere from $70-90, and since most people have friends/family they like playing with atleast a few other controllers (3 in my case) each costing another (guessing) $40.
Thats more than $820 right there, and all you have is one game. One freakin' game. Kojima also made a nice analogy of the system, which at first sounds weird but really holds true for the PS3. Something about the PS3 being a really expensive dinner which you only have 2-3 times a year but wii being something u can enjoy everynight and the x360 somewhere b/w them. I'm a canadian aswell, a rough estimate i made had the total cost of PS3 sitting at near $1000. Insane to the say the least.
Even if I bought a PS3, i know it'd take a while to recover from the sticker shock. Although hirai said their trying not to have PS3 games close to $100, i bet its gonna be damn close. At which price, i bet a lot of consumers are gonna start thinking REALLY hard about the games they buy. A lot of retailers/develops depend on consumers buying randomly as they browse (forget the word for it). This is gonna wind up hurting them and us at the same time (less games to play).
Patrick @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:51PM
I love these console wars!!!
James @ Jul 3rd 2006 6:55PM
The three biggest franchises in video games right now are Halo, GTA, and Madden, which will all be available on the 360 for hundreds less than the PS3, and will not look much worse than on the PS3. Look at the Xbox and PS2. Mainstreamers bought PS2 because it had GTA and Madden for $199, and didn't have a graphical difference than on the more expensive, but more technical, Xbox.
Jyrrah @ Jul 3rd 2006 7:08PM
I can see the PS3 selling out during the launch. I can see people standing in line for hours to get one. I can also see the same thing happening for the Wii.
The difference is I fully believe the Wii will have better software sales. I also believe most people will hold out until Sony gets a killer game or the console price drops. I don't think Sony will go from the console leader to last place. They may have a rougher launch, but in the end will probably rebound.
the_game_master @ Jul 3rd 2006 7:15PM
2008, Sony joins Sega in the 3rd party software division among ex game consoles companies.
3DO and Atari welcomes 'em aboard. :-D
olhado @ Jul 3rd 2006 7:42PM
PS3 dev kits cost like $20,000. At least that's what I heard. Compared to Wii kits which are like $2,000. So that gives you an idea of the difference in costs.
If it's right.
LongshotX @ Jul 3rd 2006 7:47PM
2009, after the failure of Blu-Ray, Sony Electronics Divisions decided to discontinue creating new optical formats and video game consoles; instead focusing on Micro High Definition Vinyl Disks (MHDVD) and Rungirl Portable Music Players. Seeing as it had finally been handed to the jaws of defeat Sony lost the renown it once had. It's glory had been shattered, and like the great world empires of old it crumbled. Two familiar companies emerged from beneath it's ashes to develop their own video game consoles: Samsung and Panasonic. With their recent advancements in technology they both, in secret, created the Samsung Go! and the Panasonic Pi (3.14159265) video game consoles, forever changing the world of gaming as we know it.
iMoron @ Jul 3rd 2006 7:48PM
Re: georedakota
I think you din't meaned it in a wrong way, BUT I will RANT anyways!
... I get realy angered when I read such retarded comments tours Nintendo, for real, calling them kiddy and the like is totaly retarded. Even more, saying that "hardcore" players see Nintendo as kiddy... what kind of hardcore are you talking about? PlayStation era ones... Those aren't "hardcore", those are "imagecored kids..."!
I mean, it is not like if there were no "kiddy" games on PlayStation or the XBox... What is the big deal if Nintendo makes a good deal of "accesible" games... get a grip... Most of your beloved so called mature games aren't made by Sony nor Microsoft themselves anyhow... and, know what, they have a hard time making accesible games... Accesible in terms of gameplay, deph themselves... Not that there aren't any...
True, there are a good deal of nice games... But to insinuate that Nintendo is kiddy because they don't realease so called "mature" games is total stupidity... And you wana know why... Beacause Nintendo does not need to tell developers to make "mature" games for them, those friken developers should crate darned mature games and SHUT THE HELL UP... and stop making such retarded comments tours Nintendo... Kojima can go to hell! Hes a great director and all... but every time he says that Nintendo has a diferent adience he's one of the many at foult. If you make the games they will come... if you ignore you will be ignored...
And considere the amount of crap out there... the pletoa of so called "mature" games that are miserable... Heck, even GTA can be seen as a totaly INMATURE game... "Little inmature 13 year old kid: oh momy GTA is rad, and cool... I can play as a ganstars, kill people... this game is so mature!" Yea, keep on heading that way...criminal wanabe.
Look I am more than annoyed... I don't want to take merits away from anyone, but there are things that are just too much... and calling Nintendo kiddy is one of them...
I am 28 years old... And I must say that if you don't apresiate Nintendo, thats cool. But don't dare call them kiddy! If you can't see the morbosity in Pikmins you are out of touch... If you find Mario kiddy, SO what... try and convice the bunch of ADULTS that look for Mario and friends... There is more kiddy things in mature games than you think...
... OK rant off...
On topic now... Sony will have a hard time, thats garantied... Microsoft is gona try and go for the kill... in a way, like they did with Sega. At most I see MS giving a fatal blow, just beacause MS has the money... They could just underbit without reasons other than to murder Sony...
Nintendo better play their cards right, try and shake the kiddy stigma of them retarded developers (EA anyone! I still HATE them for not realeasing Burnout 3 on the GameCube, BASTARDS) Nintendo will be profitable like they always manage to do... and hopefully regain some gound...
It will be an interesting generation, thats for shure, but there will be blood... Many developers will perish...
Go gamers... Play Wiichever console you like!
-iMoron, the frustrated game developer!
Staticneuron @ Jul 3rd 2006 8:03PM
"The PSP is a perfect example."
Not exactly the PSP's biggest mistake was having increadably lackluster games and not enough games period. Sony also was shot in the foot at the pricing of the UMD's. That media that can only play on the PSP was being priced at 22 to 24 dollars per movie. I wasn't going to pay that and I dont know that many people who will.
Whats really happening is that Sony is targeting to gamers and more. And thats the part that seems to have people in arms. Just because Sony announced the Blu Ray in the PS3 everyone assumed that it was proprietary Sony technology. I would have assumed that would have died when Samsung released thier Blu Ray player first.
When the games are finished chance are you will see more game related news and advertisements from Sony but nothing before than. Sony really should have to advertise Games nor blu ray movies, just the fact that its system can play both.
The thing is that the system looks expensive but that bulk of it is a one time purchase. Generally speaking chanses are both Middleclass and lowerclass people will spend that money on something that they see is worth it. I've seen beat up chevys and toyota's with $1000 dollar rims on them. Stuff like that happens alot in america... all over. Frivolous purchases reign king in america. So it really comes down to whether or not the consumer sees if its worth it. Since we haven't seen a finished game and definatley do not know what is going to be shown for the PS3 at the end of the year, next year, than these are extremly premature calls.
Another small point are there really people here who purchase systems because of only 3 or 4 games? If so I highly doubt the PS3 will be in trouble by the end of next year.
Darth Pixel @ Jul 3rd 2006 8:15PM
There is what DFC was saying in the middle of 2000:
---
In discussing the competition among the four major next-generation
consoles, the report is hesitant to declare a clear winner. Although it
expects the Sony PlayStation 2 to be successful on some level, it
doesn't foresee a repeat of the mass-market penetration achieved by the
original PlayStation. DFC sees the Xbox and project "Dolphin" as strong
competitors and expects Sega to carve out its own market niche with its
Dreamcast console. It feels that, contrary to the opinion of some
industry analysts, the video game market has enough demand to support
all four next-generation consoles, and it foresees the four major
consoles securing varying market share ranging from 20 percent to 40
percent.
"The key battle for the 128-bit market will probably occur in 2002," the
DFC Intelligence report states. "With the Dolphin, Nintendo has a chance
to once again be the market leader. Microsoft may have no record with
video games, but so far with the Xbox they seem to be on the right
track."
---
They have a track record. They can't forecast much.
bounchfx @ Jul 3rd 2006 8:23PM
"PS3 dev kits cost like $20,000. At least that's what I heard. Compared to Wii kits which are like $2,000. So that gives you an idea of the difference in costs.
If it's right."
the difference it close, but I think they are $90,000 with wii ones like $15,000,-$20,000.
someone get the facts heh.
LaughingMan @ Jul 3rd 2006 8:28PM
I honestly feel that 500-600 isn't too out there in terms of what people will pay. (note: *I* think it's too friggin much and won't be getting one, but that's my opinion) There's a "NFW price" on everything and I feel the PS3 doesn't cross that line. Espically around the holidays were people are more inclined to spend money on something that they normally wouldn't. My prediction (and I get yelled at everytime I say this:)) Sony wins by a landslide. Price means nothing.
Invisible @ Jul 3rd 2006 8:33PM
Wii kits under $2000 - http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/wii-development-kit-under-2000
striderhayasa @ Jul 3rd 2006 8:44PM
nice quote from DFC, but the PS2 wasn't 600 dollars and the games weren't 59 to maybe 79.99. That's a big ass difference between 2000 and 2006. Look, america may make frivilous purchases but I didn't see people lined up to support DVD-audio or super CDs. What happened to laser disk or how about that Neo-Geo or 3DO? Sega's name-brand was very popular when the Sega CD and 32x came out. How'd those sell? Right. They didn't.
The worst thing to happen to the industry is if middle america tries to support the PS3 with that price tag. Gaming is supposed to affordable for the masses period. Don't give me that jargon about "PS3 being so much more than a game console." Can I run Photoshop or Illustrator on that? A spreadsheet? no? then bite me because that's just bull#$%@.
If you want multipurpose then buy a damn computer that will do more than a PS3 will ever do and you can get bluray drives for them too if you have to have the latest tech. I want to play games.
I don't want some jack-of-all-trades master-of none hardware. Sony is already going to be takng losses on the PS3 at 600. If you think a price drop is coming in 07 you're dreaming.
??? @ Jul 3rd 2006 8:55PM
If you guys care to grab [and read] the latest issues of Game Informer and XBOX mag you will see M$ is poised to overwhelm Sony at launch. Unless Sony management gets their collective heads out of the strat. now and cuts the price drastically on the PS3 they are sunk! Good gawd, the quantity and quality of games coming for the 360 is mindboggling!This all depends, tho if these games hold up to the release dates. I have a 360 now and was going to get a PS3 as well but I've had a re-think and will probably invest the $$ in 360 games. This at least until such time as Sony smartens their asses up and starts listening to people. Time is drawing short, Sony!
LongshotX @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:03PM
www.TigerDirect.com sales real computers with decent specs for prices well below $600. Not the BS Sony is trying to make you believe it has with it's Linux, hard drive, mouse, and keyboard. By the way who actually uses Linux other than geeks. I mean I don't see the average user giving a f*** about some non windows operating system on a half-assed attempt to create a PC. So Striderhayasa, you made an excellent point.
PS3fanboys= Denial, Blind Followers, Naive, Extreme Brand Loyalists = Dammit I got gipped on another failed propiertary format.
asdf @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:05PM
I got a 360 a few months ago and i love it..but at launch i would have never considered it due to lack of really great titles. Call of Duty and PGR is all i can think off. Maybe sony will pull off some great titles like 360. (GRAW, Oblivion, Prey) MGS4 looks tight though.
KC @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:14PM
The price of the PS3 really will only matter for the first year. After that, I would expect $100/year price drops. Unlike MS, Sony has a huge PS2 installed base, many of whom are perfectly happy to keep playing PS2 games for a couple more years until the PS3 becomes more affordable (believe it or not, most PS2 gamers are casual gamers). In the meantime, the hardcore Sony fanboys will buy every PS3 shipped no matter the price, which is why Sony set it so high.
Sony's large PS2 installed base also means that third-party developers will keep making games for it for a long time to come. Because the orginal xbox is already dead, MS has to try and push those original xbox gamers into the next-generation as fast as possible. Sony does not have the same concern.
The danger for Sony however, is if it does not have as many exclusive titles as it did this generation, many people will buy the cheaper xbox360 rather than wait for the Sony price drops.
darryl @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:19PM
"Gaming is supposed to affordable for the masses period."
Is it? I'm sorry, but I must have missed that bullet-point. Where again can I find the "spec-sheet of gaming" that you're quoting? I didn't realize that the gaming industry was a charitable organization. The PS3's launch price is not too expensive for what you get. If you don't want what it offers, then don't buy it. Is that really hard to understand? To me, such a concept is pretty straight forward. Vote with your wallet.
striderhayasa @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:38PM
@ darryl
yes it is.
200 to 300 current gen consoles and games ranging from 19.99 to 49.99 versus 499 to 599 for the PS3 and 59 to possibly 74.99 for games. Do the math. Have you even been buying games for the last two generations? read my last post, 3d0, sega CD , turbografx CD, Neo Geo. All of them were too expensive. That with limited support killed them. Does Sony have the execlusive support they had in the last gen? Not quite. Is 360 a great competitor with a great product at a cheaper price? Hell Yeah! is the Wii a threat as well with an even cheaper price, better first and second party development and increased developer support? Believe it.
Greg @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:42PM
Sony is really gonna struggle in Australia, the are charging us $1000 for the console, when you convert currency we should only have to pay about $820, when i buy a console i usually buy 2 games and a second controller so the ps3 will cost me $1000 2 games $200 a contoller $80 thats $1280
bounchfx @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:42PM
32. I honestly feel that 500-600 isn't too out there in terms of what people will pay. (note: *I* think it's too friggin much and won't be getting one, but that's my opinion) There's a "NFW price" on everything and I feel the PS3 doesn't cross that line. Espically around the holidays were people are more inclined to spend money on something that they normally wouldn't. My prediction (and I get yelled at everytime I say this:)) Sony wins by a landslide. Price means nothing.
@ #32
I agree with most of your points, but some things struck me. Yes, they are holidays, and people want to treat themselves and others, but not many people, when given a choice, say between 360/wii vs ps3, will take a 300-400$ price difference, when they can get lots of games + other stuff for that same amount. there will be people that do, but I think the majority wont..
on another note, "Price means nothing."
I really really don't think that is true, in fact, price means a LOT, but if you have the killer apps, and great games altogether with a great selection overall, that will decide the winner. As much as I'm NOT liking sony now after the e3 press conference, I love my PS2 and it clearly had the best library of games dare I say ever, competing with my ever beloved SNES. while the GC and XBOX both had their share of awesome titles, I have to say PS2 walked away with the most quality ones, and that is why it won.
olhado @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:44PM
@ darryl:
That's exactly what we're saying. Most people will think it's too high. They won't buy it. PS3 will fall out of the dominating lead of carved by PS2.
Anyone know how much it's costing Sony to manufacture PS3s? I want to know how much they could be charging for it. And how much they're losing on each one.
[-Z-] @ Jul 3rd 2006 9:44PM
I would agree with KC. Somehow I think Sony always get a lot of criticism or negative publicity since Playstation one, primary causes might be due to the over confident of their executives. While their choices of words might be sometime sounded arrogant, but their past records esspecially PS2 clearly triumphed over those negative criticism. Every war is a huge gameble to Sony, I guess that's their style of playing the games, either win big or die trying. Keep in mind that if Sony won this round, they will significantly boost their consumer electonic sales as well. They're going all in, it's now or never. Sony only hope right now is their huge fan base to help them out during their first year of launch. As you can see among the joystiq comment, there are maybe 1% or 2% which been tagged with negative stars, those people are the one who will support PS3. Some of you guys might call them stupid or too rich, but hey that's their money, they choose how they want to spend it, just because they bought something that is not worth it to you doesn't mean that it's not worth it to them.
If Sony can get enough fan during their first year, they will have not only have high chance of winning the consoles market but HD-DVD/blu-ray as well.
molecule @ Jul 3rd 2006 10:12PM
Darth Pixel 30. says "They have a track record. They can't forecast much."
I basically thought the same thing, but now that legitimate developers like Ubi and Sega are echoeing the same concerns (i.e. a price drop in '07), I think this analyzation deserves a little more credence.
makeseven @ Jul 3rd 2006 10:31PM
to number 39: darryl.
"The PS3's launch price is not too expensive for what you get. If you don't want what it offers, then don't buy it. Is that really hard to understand? To me, such a concept is pretty straight forward. Vote with your wallet."
yes, we dont all want it as you said, and many of us wont buy it. it is straight forward and thats how it is. but why cant we just discuss why other people wont buy it?
we arent here talking trash, we are merely discussing sales. its something some people enjoy doing, discussing things like this.
i dont see why you have to get all pissy when we are just talking about the console market.
ANYway...
i personally think they are doing too much.
sony and microsoft were smart when they put in dvd players and cd players into their consoles.
i think this was one of several problems that the camecube had. it didnt have a cd player or a dvd player in it.
but when you look at sony's current situation with blu-ray, its a little different than dvd players in the last gen.
when the last gen came out dvds had already caught on and werent as expensive.
but we dont know if blu-ray will catch on at this point, especially with HD dvd. and as it is people dont already have a stack of movies in blu-ray format, and if they do, i dont think they wanna for out that much more money for another player.
i just want a gaming system really. but if it does some other stuff like dvds and cds, then that is just a plus. but when its something like blu-ray, something i really dont care about its a little different.
look at psp and ds. as stated, psp sold more, but ds has the better games.
most people i see with a psp are just listening to music. i have a buddy who has had a psp for upwards of 6 months, and he still only has 1 game.
now, lets look at ps3.
lets say people DO buy it for all of its other functionalities. then how many of them are gonna wanna fork out what may be 70+ dollars for a game?
and with a lack of solid games out there, they MIGHT not be making much money off of game sales. this is BIG problem since they will already be losing money on the production of the console.
and yes, buy whatever you feel like, its your money and your time. but as for what the majority of people buy, im thinking this genoration may come out pretty even with sony losing a good bit of their market share, and nintendo and microsoft moving up. causing it to come close to even.
and the wii is looking really great right now. even beyond its funky controller, they seem like they will be putting out some good games in the new zelda, red steel, metroid prime, and disaster: day of crises.
but i am upset that they chose AGAIN to not go multimedia with this console. i myself would like a cd player and dvd player on the wii. really, how much would it boost the cost of a wii? 30 bucks?
but hey, as long as it has good games and is really fun, it really doesnt matter that much, as i stated about the xbox and ps2, the cd and dvd players were just plusses. but at this point in time will just about everybody having moved on to dvds, i dont see why nintendo wont put one in there.
i myself used to think nintendo was the greatest, and then got thinking i like the playstation 2 the most. but i myself will happily be playing my xbox 360 come release of the ps3 when people are forking out 600 bucks just for the console.
makeseven @ Jul 3rd 2006 10:33PM
oh, and i would also like to add that i dont like forking out 60 bucks for a 360 game, very well 70+ for the ps3 games.
Darth Pixel @ Jul 3rd 2006 10:45PM
Listen, you can argue as much as you want, but I just proved to you these guys have no credibility.
I guess that wasn't enough, so here is another quote. After E3 2001, DFC said:
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The Final Analysis
In the end, this year’s E3 showed that there truly will be three strong competitors in the video game hardware race. Microsoft and Nintendo finally laid their cards on the table so now it is time to reassess the forecasts for the individual game systems. At the end of June, DFC Intelligence will be releasing detailed updates to our hardware and software forecasts. However, at this point in time, we can say that the Nintendo GameCube was the most surprising system. We had fully anticipated a strong PlayStation 2 software lineup. On the other hand, while X-Box software may have been disappointing to many, it was also fully anticipated for a new game system. On the other hand, we were unsure of where the Nintendo GameCube would be from a pricing, release date and software standpoint. After E3, we feel much more comfortable forecasting a strong market reception for the GameCube.
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