Sega: Better pricing will be key for PlayStation 3

What a rough existence the PlayStation 3's price tag must lead. Blamed for being Sony's biggest stumbling block and derided by many since its birth, it can't even leave its quaint Cornwall home for fear of being cut, dropped, squashed, slashed or violently diminished. In an interview with Reuters, Sega Corp. corporate director Masanao Maeda openly admits that he, like many others, would probably assault the PS3's price if he ever ran into it in public, noting that a substantial cut before year's end is needed to increase demand.

"Name brand, price and software are what count," says Maeda. "Since it's getting difficult to make software availability a differentiating factor, superior marketing and pricing strategy will be the key for Sony." Maeda makes an excellent point in highlighting the importance of software, an issue that upcoming PS3-exclusive games like Heavenly Sword and the unfortunately named Uncharted: Drake's Fortune certainly appear to be addressing -- at least as far as Western audiences are concerned. Putting the PS3's price under the knife would likely rejuvenate the system worldwide, though whether or not Sony will go through with it this year remains to be seen. In the meantime, we'll continue leaving menacing messages on the price tag's answering machine.

Reader Comments (58)

Ian Van Porter and the club,

all your defect 360 jabs would only make sense if EVERY 360 was defective, and as much as you wish they were, they're not. like my original '05 unit.

where would you guys be without that argument? seriously, what happens when MS fixes the issue with the next 65nm rev? (and drops the price further?)

if you're going to be a fanboy, you really need to find another leg to stand on.

.

digi smalls,
ok i take back my defect360 jab. im still waiting for the 65nm version to come out. i dont wanna risk it right now.

thats why i love the cell processor. it runs smoothly and doesnt overheat. plus its easier to produce as it has a greater chip yield rate.

MS are working on their version of the Cell which they'll produce and own themselves for the 360 successor.

You are right Digi Smalls. Every 360 is not defective, just every 3rd one.

Sure, Matt B, tell yourself that if it makes you feel better about the PS3, but I've got two myself (a Launch Console and the Elite) and I know several people who also own one. I know no one (personally, internet rumbling do not count) who has had ANY problems with their console.

My opinion (based on OTHER internet rumblings and common sense) is that the problem in fact has to do with the way the individual is using the console. I think it's the *rumble*rumble* power grid in the individual's location (Surges, Drops, AC VS DC, etc) Though of course I could be wrong...

Matt B, hell, you might be right, i think one of MS's three manufacturing partners may have had a faulty assembly line.

but its worth noting that MS recently ended their relationship with one of those three partners, and, that even if 360 had that absurd 33% defect rate you claim, that still means * twice * as many 360s work as advertised than don't.

i still want to know what all the PS3 advocates will do once MS inevitably fixes the RROD problem......what will you have left to argue then?

.

I'm not even going to read this post or the comments. This has got to be the most useless thing I've ever seen posted on Joystiq.

Gee, SEGA said Sony should lower the price? Really? That's ggrrrrreeeeaaaat. You'll have to pardon my sarcasm as the rest of the WORLD lets out a resounding "NO SHIT!"
What can possibly be said about this topic that hasn't been said since E3 2006 when Kaz said "...Five hundred and ninety nine US dollars..."? Nothing!
"Most Useless Topic Ever" award(MUTE) goes to Ludwig Kietzmann.

In related news, Sega execs have just come back from a conference hosted by Captain Obvious on the virtues of being late out of the gate and saying painfully obvious statements.

Later today, Sega conceded that there are in fact 3 new consoles this generation and are shocked to find out that they aren't making any of them.

@ #55
""I'm not even going to read this post or the comments. This has got to be the most useless thing I've ever seen posted on Joystiq.""

Welcome to Joystiq. In no time, there will the next 'most useless thing' posted on Joystiq. You'll see.

Scary most old school Sega executives work for Sony now! Listen to the new Sega executives not the ones that ran the company into the ground with lies and life for Sony. Maybe that is what is behind the Current Sega comments? A little resentment? You guys blanked us over, now your screwing them up! Hopefully they will hear this and fire your blanks!

Sega: Better pricing will be key for PlayStation 3

Reader Comments (58)

Posted: Jul 2nd 2007 6:05PM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Jul 2nd 2007 8:47PM Negativecool said

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