Analyst: PS3 to miss target by 25% due to "poor sales"
by Blake Snow 
{ Jan 15th 2007 at 4:45PM }
Nomura Securities of Japan predicts Sony will miss its PS3 sales target by 25% due to what they call "poor sales" of the console in North America (see NPD data). The analyst group projects total unit sales of the console at 4.5 million by fiscal March '07, a sizable decrease from their previous 6 million guesstimation.And if that weren't enough, the group lowered future sales expectations across the board for the machine likely to keep Japanese investors wary of its ability to make them money. The negative consumer confidence snowball continues...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
whosmav @ Jan 15th 2007 4:54PM
Is that March of NEXT year? The european launch will mirror the US launch. No WAY they sell even 4 million by march.
Spore @ Jan 15th 2007 4:53PM
The bigger they come, the harder they fall.
disguised @ Jan 15th 2007 4:55PM
Okay.. er.. so what's wrong with the puppy?
Louis S. @ Jan 15th 2007 4:53PM
Sony Puppy: "Aww... Shucks."
Flit @ Jan 15th 2007 4:54PM
HA-hahaha. Rootkit, exploding batteries, and broken ps2's, and poor launch titles. You reap what you sow, sony.
MaulerX @ Jan 15th 2007 4:58PM
It's pretty obvious that SONY is not goung to sell 6 million systems in that time frame. Not after lackluster Holiday sales.
meh @ Jan 15th 2007 4:58PM
the dogs head is stuck between a fence ;(
KEEL @ Jan 15th 2007 5:02PM
Who didnt see that one coming!
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 15th 2007 5:05PM
Poor Sony
rudimentalist @ Jan 15th 2007 5:14PM
NOMURA SECURITIES IS A BUNCH OF NINTENDRONE XBOTS!!!
Aden Nak @ Jan 15th 2007 5:12PM
"We have built up a certain brand equity over time since the launch of PlayStation in 1995 and PS2 in 2000 that the first five million are going to buy it, whatever it is, even it didn't have games," - Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO David Reeves
Sam G. @ Jan 15th 2007 7:36PM
You know, usually I'd cackle with glee at anything anti-Sony, but that puppy just makes me really sad.
Honestly @ Jan 15th 2007 5:16PM
All they need to do is drop the premium price tag to $399.00. I would pick one up for that price today if that were the cost. The reason being is that though it is an insanely powerful system with bluray it doesnt have the games(yet).
Drop the price Sony and I will pick one up.
gtpunch @ Jan 15th 2007 5:19PM
To be fair I'd go out and buy a PS3 right now if it wasn't so expensive, and if it had some exclusive content as good as the fun Wii minigames or Gears of War of Lost Planet, and if the sound/graphics were as good as or superior to the 360, and if it had a mature online experience, and if they put the rumble back in the controllers, and if I didn't have to buy a stupid BluRay drive that I don't want with it (or at least if they included a remote and some component cables with it if it's supposed to be a BluRay player), and if they got rid of the bugs that disconnect the Bluetooth controllers at the worst times, and if they managed to make PS2 games look half decent on it (or made them look better than PS2 like some XBOX games look on the 360), and if they put in a scaler chip so that I could guarantee HD output to my Sony HDTV.
Basically if sony took a Wii or Xbox 360 and stuck the words 'Sony PS3' on the front, and sold it for $50 less than they bought it for they'd A) lose less money, B) get better press and stop looking like idiots, and C) would be doing us all a favour in the long run.
David004 @ Jan 15th 2007 7:00PM
We need an "Analyst" to tell us this? And I think it's closer to 33%, not 25%.
ymmv @ Jan 15th 2007 5:43PM
I don't see Sony selling even 4.5 million PS3s. It's simply too expensive for what it offers. If you're a casual player the Wii is more attractive, if you're a hardcore gamer the 360 is the better option. I'm in Europe and I've got a pre-order for the 20GB version but I'm probably going to cancel it and wait a year before possibly buying one.
matthew @ Jan 15th 2007 5:39PM
People keep suggesting Sony will or should drop the price, but its not going to happen until production costs are reduced dramatically, which will not be any time soon.
They are reportedly losing $200 a console. If Sony dropped it even $100, that's $300 dollars they have to make up in software and movie sales. That is *insane*. What is Sony's take on 1 video game sale? Like $10 or something? If thats close (I have no idea), Sony would need consumers to buy 30 games and movies just to break even on hardware losses.
Dave @ Jan 15th 2007 5:41PM
Dammit, Joystiq!! Stop trying to make Sony look bad! It's obvious you hate the PS3! We GET IT! NOMURA SECURITIES is obviously a company created by M$ to try and make Sony look bad! Open your eyes and start posting the TRUTH!
;)
deaftly @ Jan 15th 2007 5:46PM
just have to laugh at the suckers that actually paid for a ps3. retards
Marlos Hill @ Jan 15th 2007 5:48PM
I dont really follow why its so necessary that EVERY time there's a negative Sony post its popped on Joystiq. I mean i always felt like its important for all aspects of the gaming world to be somewhat successful. Consistently posting stuff like this just exacerbates the problem.
With that said, i believe we ALL know the biggest problems facing PS3 - INSANE Priced console... not enough games. PERIOD. We get it. Moving along.
I'm kinda waiting for the Wii bubble to pop soon. I own all three consoles... i LOVE my 360...and honestly i believe Sony will bring the PS3 up out of the dump, but jeez, im tired of the stomp on the Sony crap posts nearly everyday.
icelandman @ Jan 15th 2007 5:51PM
So... the PS3 is several hundred dollars in the red for each unit sold, the consensus is that each console is priced over a hundred dollars too much, shipping; distribution; and production errors reduced the initial install base at the most crucial sales period, many rumored exclusives have been forecasted as multiplatform, 2 SKUs is drawing similar flak akin to the 360, the onine community is pegged as sub-par, blu-ray appears to be in a stalemate with HD-DVD in the format wars while technophiles embrace digital distribution more each day, the SIXXAXIS controller contains no rumble and did NOT WIN and Emmy, Ken Kuturagi and Kaz Hirai imply that pricing is not reflected on the consumers ability to pay for it but rather on their love of the word "Sony Playstation", and finally: 40% of Japans population will be over the age of 40 by the year 2030...
Did I miss any criticisms and flaws?
Don't buy Sony stock, that is my only opinion. This mess will sort itself out through major in-house changes at Sony. The we will see...
~PEACE
sracer @ Jan 15th 2007 5:52PM
to matthew:
Sony may lose $200 on each PS3 sale. But they lose $700/$800 for each PS3 that sits on the shelf unsold. Sony will ride out the storm for another 6 months, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sony drops the PS3 price to the same levels as the 360.
The perception will be that the PS3 (at a 360 pricepoint) is an absolute steal... and would fly off the shelves. People without any previous desire for a PS3 will line up and camp out for a PS3 at 360 prices.
Mal F4cti0n @ Jan 15th 2007 5:59PM
It will sell if the games come.
I think for the past two weeks, at the least and maybe more, there have been no new games for the PS3.
Console sales are dependent on the games, the games are dependent on the console sales. Sony did a bad job of paying attention to what the consumers and the developers of those said games wanted or needed.
Thrawn @ Jan 15th 2007 6:08PM
4.5 million by March '07? Hah. Keep dreamin...
Xian! @ Jan 15th 2007 6:10PM
http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=2632
S_DOG34 @ Jan 15th 2007 6:42PM
@ Marlos Hill
I think that the reason it's important for joystiq and other sites to continue hammering on Sony right now is because we need to set the precedent that we are not okay with the kind of approach they are bringing to the console market. We are not okay with a videogame system that costs $600. We are not okay with lackluster launch lineups. We are not okay with unnecessary and proprietary devices being forced upon us. We are not okay with arrogance, lies, and false promises.
If it takes reiterating every piece of data on Sony's lackluster launch on this website and others then so be it. My main concern is that if the PS3 sells well (and luckily so far it's not) that the precedent will be set for console prices in the future. I want this launch to fail so that Sony and others realize that we will not put up with that kind of pricing for a videogame system.
rodeo @ Jan 15th 2007 6:38PM
"Sony may lose $200 on each PS3 sale. But they lose $700/$800 for each PS3 that sits on the shelf unsold."
No they don't. The retailer has paid Sony for the system to get in on the shelves.
Spirit @ Jan 15th 2007 6:40PM
I asked myself "How is the PS3 doing not so great at launch while the 360 did?" Let me state these points before my final conclusion...
(and yes, this does have a PS3 slant... but not to a super fanboyant extent... and I admit why the PS3 is losing!)
1. THE PRICE: The 360 is $400. The PS3 is $500. Yes, $500. Why not $600? Because, all the $600 model adds is card reader slots, a bigger hard drive, and WiFi. Saying the PS3 is $600 would be like saying the 360 is $500, because thats how much it is with the WiFi. So lets stick to $400 and $500. In the pricey electronics world, $100 may not seem like much, but it sure made all the difference with 360 and PS3. I havent heard a peep on 360's price... but I hear everyone sounding off on the PS3's price. I guess $100 is a significant difference, but aren't gamers willing to pay that premium for a more powerful console? (With added bonuses of a Blu-Ray player and 1080p... but forget about them for now) The answer here seems to be no.
2. THE GAMES: Ok. I admit it. The PS3's launch lineup was pretty lackluster. It only had 1 game that wasn't a port, and was good: Resistance: Fall of Man. But hey, one beats none. And by none, I'm referring to the 360's launch lineup. Pretty much everything was a port. And the originals? Kameo? Perfect Dark Zero? (Okay.. PGR3 was good.. but thats a racing game..) But when you compare the PS3 launch lineup to the current library of games for the 360, the 360 is the obvious winner with stars like Gears of War. I'll get back to this later...
So, why did the PS3's launch fail compared to the 360's?
1. THE HYPE: This one really hurt the PS3. This is where the blogs come in (But hey.. even the news played a part in this one). The hype is what helped make the PS3 $600 in everybodys minds, and what made is $200 more than the 360, opposed to $100 more... making people not buy PS3 because it was too expensive. And when the PS3 was first launched, headlines of EXTREME SHORTAGES!!!! and PS3 SHOOTINGS!!! came in. The launch quantities were extremely limited, and not much people could get their hands on one. Therefore, they gave up all hope of ever getting a PS3. So, they bought another game console... and less PS3s were bought. Now they are abundant, but it is too late for some. And bad publicity is constantly swarming in for the PS3, which analyst's opinions, mentions of how much PS3s there are, etc, etc. Here's my advice. You guys (Weblogs Inc) have blogs dedicated to the financial welfare of certain companies like Microsoft... Why not make one for Sony, and put maybe at least half of this Analyst opinions stuff in there. Saves more room on the page. Meanwhile... the Wii rode a wave of huge good publicity. Or just the absence of bad publicity.
2. THE TIME: This one was the BIG KILLER in my opinion. "Why buy a PS3 now when the XBOX 360 has better games?" "Well, I already have a next-gen system, 360!" These are perfectly fine statements. The 360 came out first, so people bought it first. It also has been out longer, so it has more games. I'm not gonna go too in depth with this one. It's self-explanatory.
I still remain optimistic. Sure, it's having a rough start... but is it really doing THAT bad? I think the PS3 will build up more of a library of games, and succeed in the end. I do think it may be at #3... but not too far behind. And, it will most likely end up at #2 in Japan (behind the Wii).
Man... how did I get into a post this long?
courtney @ Jan 15th 2007 6:50PM
I love reading the Sony fanboys write on every freakin videogame sites that that site is anti-sony?
If you guys are saying this on every site, please let me know where the sites who are lieing and telling you how great the PS3 is.
The point is, this isn't hating, it is the truth , live with it.
courtney @ Jan 15th 2007 6:54PM
@ S_DOG34
..man, that was so right on. Couldn't have said it better myself.
twism10000 @ Jan 15th 2007 6:55PM
doesn't it suck when you write a long page about your opinion and you get no star. oh well.
josh @ Jan 15th 2007 7:20PM
"People without any previous desire for a PS3 will line up and camp out for a PS3 at 360 prices."
I think this would have been true had it launched at this price, but now the PS3's name has been tarnished a bit. They are going to have to do more than just drop the price to get me to buy one, they are gonna have to put out some really good games for it. I looked at EGM's "most anticipated games of 2007" list yesterday and the only 2 PS3 exclusives that appealed to me were Lair and MGS4. I don't know if I'd buy a PS3 just for those two games, even at $400.
Quakeulf @ Jan 15th 2007 7:32PM
PS3 will win because most people believe in lies.
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 15th 2007 7:39PM
Hmmm...
It is what it is.
I still think it's got legs. My god, it's only been out for 2 months. How can people judge something that's only been out for two months. It is the MOST EXPENSIVE game system on the planet. And software is not as abundant. It doesn't make sense to pick it up now.
Until the price is competitive and there is ample software. This story ain't changing.
hahaha @ Jan 15th 2007 7:45PM
and what idiot thinks it'll have games when it's constantly disappointing from a dev's eyes?
some report said that a dev company making for the PS3 needs to sell 500,000 games just to break even on develeopment cost.
If your a dev...would you be interested in taking a risk for Sony (that's right you'd be taking one for the sony team) and make a game for a market of 1 million plus owners that are out there right now?
Hell, think about it...you'd have to sell it to half the whole install base and then you're still only breaking even.
Sure you could have a killer title that sells more ps3s...but then you'd probably have also put in even more $ for it's production.
Regardless, if I were a dev right now, I'd be shopping around for a new system just like everyone should shop around periodically for different car insurance....jeeeeez. O.o;
NeverSage @ Jan 15th 2007 7:46PM
S_DOG34,
You are so right.
Spirit,
I can partially agree with everything you said, except the price. It's $600, sorry. I personally would never buy the $500 one. Maybe it's silly, but if I'm shelling out $500 I want the best system out. But I wouldn't be getting it. I'd have to pay $100 more. I think a lot of gamers feel this way. If Sony only released the $500 one, I'm betting it would have sold much much better. I might have gotten one.
umm....hello??? @ Jan 15th 2007 7:48PM
@25 ---really, if you're going to compare base model to base model, the 360 is $300 vs. PS3 $500.
regardless, sony failed winter 2006 because:
1) not enough units produced before xmas
2) no good games...RFOM was ok, but it is not a MUST HAVE game (unless you already bought a PS3, but it isn't a good enough reason to just randomly buy a system)
3) tech issues that need to be resolved--a) auto-switching for video (you have to manually switch ONSCREEN OF YOUR TV from HDTV to RCA cables---a HUGE hassle when I want to bring my PS3 to my brother's/friend's houses); b) unresolved jaggies from PS1/PS2 games; c) the network (c'mon, VERIZON has a better network!!!!!!!!!) d) having to do a COMPLETE REINSTALL for every MINOR firmware "update"...hello?? ever hear of a "patch"?
4) inexpensive BluRay player argument not really working, although with HDDVD being $500 (or 360 basemodel w/HDDVD addon still at $500), you've got a 3-way tie. But since you have digital distribution on the horizon (360 HD downloads with no hddvd addon needed at $400 (because you need their measly 20gigHD)) and HD cable/satellite with ON DEMAND, why bother??
I own all 3 nextgen systems (360/wii/ps3) as well as most previous gen systems (including sega dreamcast), and right now my game money is mostly spent on the 360 because of the games. I bought the wii so I could play GC games for cheap and Zelda: TP. Not sure why I jumped on the PS3 bandwagon so quickly but I can play my PS2 games and not have to get off my couch to turn the system on/off, and renting BluRay movies is it's primary function.
This report and all the other sale reports won't make any difference, the nextgen systems are an emerging market (except maybe for the 360). When Sony makes some exclusive must-have games is when the real battle will begin...ie- LAIR would be a good example. FFXIII. MGS4. GuitarHero3 (not a typo--just wishful thinking on my part) release those games for winter 2007 (or even April 2007 for the money people will spend from their tax refund) and you'll see PS3's fly off the shelves.
ultimately, my prediction is that all 3 systems will find a place in the market. the Wii is in a league of its own, and sony is probably too large for microsoft to push out of the market, although IMO ms has a huge head start (read: ps2 did better than original xbox), and the 360 will be the successor to the ps2 this time around, although the ps2 might find a lot more software sales if publishers/developers port the nextgen games to the ps2 given the huge install base.
Patreeot @ Jan 15th 2007 7:50PM
poor sales...
poor hardware...
poor games...
poor sony
Jonathan Abbey @ Jan 15th 2007 8:12PM
The $500 model is directly comparable to the $400 XBox 360 model storage-wise, plus high-def video disc playback.. no reason why people shouldn't be willing to buy it if they would be willing to drop $400 on XBox 360 + $50 on Live, except that the games aren't there yet, and everyone's got a rabid hate on for Sony.
This sort of thing feeds on itself, I'm surprised Sony hasn't come to terms with this and tried to figure out how they can right this ship.
Evan @ Jan 15th 2007 8:19PM
@Spirit
THE PRICE: Both Nintendo and Microsoft are in a position to drop their prices, and could fight a price war over the critical Christmas 2007 period. (Nintendo is making a profit on hardware, and Microsoft is breaking even with a lower cost 65nm coming.) That would widen the price difference even further, and Sony is in no position is drop the PS3's price so soon.
THE GAMES: Microsoft can't shake the image that their system is only for hardcore gamers. The only way Microsoft has been able to diversify their exclusive game lineup is through games they've financed and published themselves (i.e. Blue Dragon, Viva Pinata). Sony should be able to catch up to Micrsoft in almost every genre, except shooters.
THE HYPE: Nintendo deserves credit for stealing Sony's hype. By timing the Wii's launch just days after the PS3 launch, Nintendo disrupted Sony's momentum. Nintendo headlines were pushing Sony headlines off the front page, and Nintendo's positive press was fresher in people's minds.
THE TIME: Sony recovered after launching the PS2 a year after the Dreamcast. There are a lot of simularities between that launch and this launch: the PS2 was more expensive than the Dreamcast, the PS2 had hardware shortages, and the PS2's launch lineup was relatively weak. In theory, they could do it again. The only real difference is, Microsoft is not Sega.
rcme @ Jan 15th 2007 9:04PM
The answer to Sony's problem is basic economics. The market for the PS3 has been saturated.
The PS3 has been marketed as a high end (aka expensive), "High-Def" gaming system. Everyone I have talked to about PS3 sees owning an HDTV as a prerequisite to owning a PS3. All the households with a HDTV that want a PS3 have already bought a PS3. For Sony to expand their current PS3 market, they will have to either lower the price for those with HDTV that haven't yet purchased due to price, or wait until more households get HDTVs. Even lowering the price will provide only a limited market expansion because most households don't have HDTVs, and won't for many years.
You can't compare PS2 sales to potential PS3 sales. For starters, the PS2 didn't require having or upgrading to an expensive HDTV. Also, most families I know that have a PS2, purchased the PS2 a year or two after it came out, after the price dropped and more games were available. Also, all the families I know with a PS2 have them connected to a "second" TV, the small SDTV in kid's bedroom, or the older SDTV in the "family" room. None of these locations are suitable for an expensive PS3 with expensive HDTV requirements.
Of all the families I know, none have a HDTV, and none are planning to get an HDTV until their SDTV stops working or good quality HDTVs come down in price (i.e. 50" 1080p is < $1000). Most have a larger screen SDTV (32"-36"), and most have a GameCube, some have PS2, and one has an XBOX 360. Granted, most families I know have pre-teen/just-teen children. Every family with a GameCube either has or is trying to get a Wii, and the others are seriously considering the Wii, and none of the families with or without a PS2 have any plans to get a PS3 anytime soon.
cARLTON @ Jan 15th 2007 9:22PM
I will buy one when the price Drops to $399.99 Just to run Linux on it. Until then 360 will do.
$599.99 is way too much to spend on a game system. Thats what I pay for rent, I got my 360 for 3$99.99 - $100.00 rebate from micro center in November.
Sony forgot who there audience are, young adults who are not rich and need to watch there spending. I have better things to spend $600.00 on ----> going out, food, Girls, and lets not forget Beer!
To save money I don't buy games I rent them from gamefly, I only plan on buying Halo 3 and HL2 from gamefly used for $35.00
rcme @ Jan 15th 2007 9:32PM
For those comparing the XBox 360 (core/premium) and the PS3 (20GB/60GB), there is an interesting perception among those I have talked with about this.
With the Xbox 360, the perception is that one can get the (lesser cost) core system today and purchase all the parts needed later on to get to the same features as the Xbox 360 premium system. While you may end up paying more this way, you can get to the Xbox 360 premium feature set with just a little added (incremental) cost, but don't need to "buy it all" right away. For many families with limited gaming dollars to spend on their kids, this is quite acceptable. The same reason many families don't buy 4 controllers right away, but purchase these over time. Many families will still seriously look at the Xbox 360 premium system over the core system, but the important part is that they perceive that there is a purchasing option that doesn't lock them out.
With the PS3, the perception is that there is no way (at least no obvious way marketed by Sony) to purchase the PS3 20GB system and then "add-on" the features later to get to the same features/functionality of the PS3 60GB system. If one buys the PS3 20GB system today and then realizes they want the "premium" features, like the SD reader later, there is no obvious way to get this other than to buy a whole new PS3 60GB system. The families I have talked with see this as very restrictive.
So, given this perception, many families are going to see only one PS3 system, the PS3 60GB, at the much higher price point.
Bangin Jin and Juice @ Jan 15th 2007 10:20PM
Whats all this about the ps3 being better than the 360. The 360 actually has more horse power than the ps3 for what it is meant to do.
The 360 has 3 procesors, exelent for gaming, one handles phisics other hadles ai, ect.
The 360 has 512mb ram, exelent for things that require alot of system memory and heavy apps.
Also an exelent online service that is maintaines by ms.
ps3 on the other hand has this cell procesor that everybody thinks is a godsend for gaming. does anyone know what the cell proc. is? to put it simply, it can handle a very large equasion (like a math equasion) very fast and eficiently. but only one thing though. so like resident evil 5, AI will be superior on the 360. the 360 built was from the ground up for gaming. where as the ps3 was thrown together, so to speak.
then about bluray, we need it to store hd content right, we need more storage? then why is elder scrolls 4 on a one disc dvd for the 360?
thing like the cell and blu ray are not ideal for gaming. they are next gen technologies, but do we need them?
its easy to realize that the ps3 was a trojan horse for sony. but the consumer caught on. they want to put cell and bluray in our homes to secure the future of sony as a company. so we eill need all things sony, and then they will own all markets in electronics.
i am making a presentation my buisness class about how sony is declining as a company one step ata time, and what decisions not to make asa company.
sony may have hurt their largest outlet for profit. and by puting all their bets on one boat, when that boat sinks it will go down hard, with the captain.
so, in the end, the 360 is better for what it does. dont come with an arguement, "oh why dont people want the ps3 over the 360, i mean its a better buy, it haas bluray and is more powerful."
yes, but why should i care.
"PLAY BEYOND" YES INDEED, PLAY BEYOND THIS SYSTEM, BEYOND LIKE AWAY FROM IT. TEACH COMPANIES LIKE SONY THAT OUR INDUSTRY IS NOT TO BE TOYED WITH AND THAT WE ARE NOT FOOLS. GET A TRUE GAMING SYSTEM AND PLAY BEYOND WHATEVER SONY OFFERS, DO IT FOR THE LONG TERM SURVIVAL OF OUR HOBBY. EVEN IF IT GETS FF13, THEY MUST FAIL FOR THE GAMING INDUSTRY TO SUCCEED INTO THE FUTURE. AND TRY NOT TO GET MADDEN 08, WHEN MADDEN SELLS MORE THAN A GAME LIKE OKAMI, AND THEN THE STUDIO CLOSES. IT IS AN INDICATION OF THE FUTURE. LOOK AT THE SIGNS. WHAT HAPPEN TO CLOVER STUDIOS WILL HAPPEN TO THE INDUSTRY AS WHOLE. IN 20 YEARS WE MAY ONLY SEE MADDENS AND PART 5 AND 6S OF GAMES. BECAUSE NO STUDIOS WITH CREATIVITY WILL BE LEFT. AND MAYBE WE WILL ONLY HAVE ENTERTAINMENT SUPER MULTIMEDIA ULTRA HOVER PAK 64 TURBO THAN A GAMING CONSOLE, AND COMPANIES LIKE SONY WILL FORGET ABOUT WHAT IS TRUELY IMPORTANT.
sorry for the long post, i hope my info is valuable to some.
Jonathan Abbey @ Jan 15th 2007 10:50PM
"With the PS3, the perception is that there is no way (at least no obvious way marketed by Sony) to purchase the PS3 20GB system and then "add-on" the features later to get to the same features/functionality of the PS3 60GB system. If one buys the PS3 20GB system today and then realizes they want the "premium" features, like the SD reader later, there is no obvious way to get this other than to buy a whole new PS3 60GB system. The families I have talked with see this as very restrictive."
Buying a $15 USB SD reader isn't obvious enough?
Sonic_extreme @ Jan 16th 2007 9:55PM
Most of the issues with family members I know is the price. They only see 600$ + games+ insurance + tax. The reason they dont consider the 500 it's cause they see it to close to xbox 360. So the 500$ one it's pointless to them, because 360 its 100$ cheaper and comes ready for HD.(component cables). They are the type of people who does'nt care about 1080i to 1080p. To them its the same thing. So while last gen the same family members which had ps2 where 6, where saying that xbox was new and they didn't know of any games they wanted and didnt know if xbox would be around for another gen. This gen I see all 6 having 360's and 2 of us already have it and one more being bought this weekend. Tides are changing. And the more the PS3 stays at 600$ the more the damage. Even if they cut it to 450$ by christmas 07 imagine a 360 at 250$.? I think MS will match dollar by dollar to sony's price cut. Sony has lost the core people who made the PS brand a success. The bad thing is this gen they got competition out of the gate. Remember last gen when SOny had sold 10mil ps2 in the US by the time Xbox and Gamecue came out. No competition for 1 year. This time around we see Sony loosing ground for everymonth we see 600$ for the PS3. Sony may have made their biggest mistake for not caring for competition. I know my family is not the only one who cares about prices. Then again we where the ones who made ps1 and 2 a success.
Eric @ Jan 15th 2007 11:44PM
Bangin Jin - Dude you've got to learn how to spell and write (it's EXCELLENT, and EQUATION etc.). Drop that BUSINESS course and take English 101. I think hooked on phonics should have a been a ps3 launch title.
Korova @ Jan 15th 2007 11:51PM
A lot of hardcore gamers who were on the fence waiting for the second (and the third) shoe to drop this Christmas found themselves getting a 360 (some - reluctantly). Sony's challenge is to lure them back.
They could do it IF:
- Spring 2007: bundle a killer app (or at least a AAA title) and a certificate for an HDMI or component cables with the system;
- 1 year plan: $100,000,000 publicity budget - I want a PS3-pimped-toilet! Yesterday!
- 2 year plan: fight 360 tooth and nail for every exclusive, every expansion pack, every unit - leverage that industry experience.
Of course MS will be doing the same. It could be interesting. I think Stiq might be recycling that puppy photo for a Ninty bubble pop story next year.
New Year RESOLUTION: I will not read any post comparing 360 and PS3 SKUs. Enough already. Its the games, stupid!
Evan @ Jan 16th 2007 12:10AM
@Bangin Jin and Juice "ps3 on the other hand has this cell procesor that everybody thinks is a godsend for gaming. does anyone know what the cell proc. is?"
Sony has made sure that people do not understand the cell processor, by using confusing statistics and exotic sounding architectures to make the PS3 sound more impressive than it really is. It's exactly like the PS2 and it's exotic "Emotion Engine" processor... Initial marketing for the PS2 was all about the power! Sony had people believing the PS2 was a "supercomputer" for over a year! Sony succeeded in scaring people away from the Dreamcast with the promise of the uber-powerful PS2. Sony succeeded in making people think the PS2 would be significantly more powerful than PCs of the time. And when the XBox was announced, Sony flaunted Gigaflop statistics that claimed the PS2 was TWICE as powerful as an XBox!
Sony is using identical tactics to sell the PS3. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I'm old enough to remember being caught up in the hype surrounding the Emotion Engine, so I know the cell processor is also BS. However, many Sony fanboys are not old enough to have been fanboys during the PS2 launch, and are falling for Sony's hype just like I did 6 years ago.
rcme @ Jan 16th 2007 12:21AM
"Buying a $15 USB SD reader isn't obvious enough?"
Nope. A large number of potential buyers of gaming systems are families, where the parents are buying a gaming system for their family/kids, and these parents are not technical and don't know a lot about the technical details of these systems. Again, this is about perception and how the system is marketed by Sony. While there are a lot of technical buyers for games systems like the PS3, in order for Sony to get to sales numbers like the PS2, I would expect the majority of PS3 buyers will have to be families or other non-technical folks.
Unless Sony markets an add-on PS3 branded USB SD reader for the PS3 20GB, most of these parents (aka potential PS3 buyers) will never realize they can buy any USB SD reader and plug it in to a PS3.
Keep in mind, these are the same families/parents that think the only SD card that will work in a Wii is the overpriced Nintendo Wii branded SD card. I've had to sit down with more than a few of the families/parents I know that have recently purchased Wii to let them know they don't have to buy the Wii branded SD card, but can purchase a normal, less expensive, SD card instead.