PS3 delay leads to publisher stock dip
by Kyle Orland 
{ Sep 7th 2006 at 12:45PM }
Wall street reacted to yesterday's big news about the PS3's European delay and component shortages by lowering the stocks of some big video game publishers. Shares of Electronic Arts, Activision, THQ and Take Two fluctuated down one to four percent yesterday as investors and analysts took into account the delay's effect on near-term overseas profits. Despite the one-day drop, analysts are predicting that the delay will not affect the medium to longer-term prospects for the companies as they move resources to the next-generation of systems.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Paul P. @ Sep 7th 2006 12:57PM
Nintendo also had a 1.8% drop. I would think that would be noteworthy.
exy @ Sep 7th 2006 12:59PM
This is the sort of thing that's causing EA and other 3rd party developers to consider the other consoles more then they usually would. Sony could have a bad e3, who cares? Sony could put up some raunchy billboards, eh whatever.
When Sony makes announcements that are effecting stock values, hitting a company where it hurts, in its pockets... this is where change begins.
Derbeste @ Sep 7th 2006 1:02PM
(singing): I put my hand upon your hip. When I dip, you dip, we dip!
The stock market must be the most frustrating place on the planet. I mean....not only does your own performance effect your stock...but the performance of other companies does too.
And when Sony's performance in particular causes MULTIPLE company's stock price to fall, it's no wonder everyone is so hard on them.
It's lonely at the top.
Firegirl @ Sep 7th 2006 1:21PM
All of these delays that Sony keeps announcing are hurting their chances for a successful console, and now also hurting other companies in their wallets. Most people will only save their money for so long before giving in and buying a console that is actually available. http://www.geekgods.net
pandlcg @ Sep 7th 2006 3:00PM
The whole market was down yesterday. I cant remember by how much, but Sony and the PS3 delays are not the only thing that were hurting share prices.
LaughingTarget @ Sep 7th 2006 3:59PM
Industry trends. I think I've mentioned this before, but when one guy goes down, everyone else tends to follow - with exception of a truly boneheaded or miraculous event. This is shown even by Nintendo, which has nothing but good stuff going for them, taking a similar plunge. Stocks tend to follow industry trend lines.
Leevi @ Sep 7th 2006 5:24PM
Should Sony fail big time with its new and shiny PS3, it might be bad for the rest of the players (Nintendo, Microsoft). Video game crash of 2007(?). Very unlikely, but who knows. "The killer aps" for PS3 might be like that E.T. game for Atari 2600... no pun intended with that killer application.
Failure is very very unlikely, but this isn't looking too good. No panic yet, but maybe the investors are starting to get nervous about Sony's (lack of) logic. On the other hand might be just normal price fluctuation.
Jonn @ Sep 8th 2006 12:01AM
What, no fanboy rationalizations? Are they at school or something?
John Lucas @ Sep 8th 2006 10:31AM
Now THIS is news.
The more bad news comes out about the PS3, the more I wonder if the 3rd party that made them will shift to the competition. And when.
The holiday delay is major when coupled with the exorbitant price. Not to mention the shortage of systems shipped to the regions they ARE on track for this year.
The rule is 3rd party goes where they think they can make the most money & have the greatest leeway of making their products. This is what has empowered both Playstations the last 10 years.
On the flip side those same Playstation associates ALSO made stuff on the GameBoys & the DS's because in the handheld sector they stand to make the most from Nintendo's systems.
They're only loyal to a point.
Don't be surprised if one day you hear that Final Fantasy or Metal Gear Solid will find a new home in Microsoft or Nintendo. Or EVEN PC.
No one could imagine this back in the SNES days either as they turned into the N64 days. People assumed it would be a fairly even-handed representation on all systems just as it was in the 16-bit days.
Nintendo's just lucky they had such a stellar first party to lean on when the 3rd party largely left them in the wilderness.
The way Sony's conducting their business IS alarming because it doesn't just affect them but also the other companies seeking to make a profit on their systems.
This is why the worry about Blu-Ray & the overhype of extended room when big games still fit on DVD's.
More complex games equal bigger budgets.
Eventually this bigger is better without edit mentality leads to Spruce Mooses.
Costly clumsy inefficient contraptions that have a hard time making a return on their expenditures.
And since 3rd parties only make money from selling games (a notoriously hard undertaking by history) anything that hampers this causes them concern.
If Sony's latest bad news starts causing dips in these companies' stock you better believe someone is rethinking some things in their business strategies.
Sony better hope this isn't a sign of things to come or it spells definite doom for them.
Unluckily for them Sony DOESN'T have a such a stellar first party to lean on. And THAT'S why this is important.
John Lucas
John Lucas @ Sep 8th 2006 10:33AM
Oh & to Leevi from Msg #7...
As long as Nintendo's in this industry there will NEVER be another videogame market crash.
And that's the truth.
Study your gaming history.
John Lucas