Sony has 'no plans for a PS3 price drop,' calls rumors 'false'
by Randy Nelson 
{ Mar 30th 2009 at 3:00PM } 
"As we have stated previously, we do not have plans for a PS3 price drop, and any rumors to that effect are false and are the result of speculation," the statement from SCEA public relations manager Al De Leon reads. "SCEA remains focused on the long-term momentum of PS3. With the industry's best software lineup this year, combined with our most aggressive marketing campaign to date, we remain confident in our approach and the value we're delivering with PS3."
Sony's reaction to increasing expectations of an imminent PS3 price drop is interesting; it's not the usual "we don't comment on rumors and speculation." By blatantly stating there won't be one, the company may be trying to manage expectations (note that it hasn't denied a possible PS2 price cut). Also, if it were to announce a price drop one day after issuing this clear denial, it would draw considerable investor ire. Then again, if a reduced price for the console isn't announced relatively soon, it risks upsetting not only shareholders, but retailers and publishers as well.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
TinyTim121 @ Mar 30th 2009 3:04PM
Any plans on hiring a new EU advertising team?
JuanDHexen @ Mar 30th 2009 3:57PM
US also needs a new one,you are not alone pal.
CoheedIV @ Mar 30th 2009 4:00PM
I am still happy with my $599.99 purchase of my PS3 on launch day. Out of all the electronics I have purchased over the last 20 years, it is still the only thing I have that has yet to be "out of date" after over 2 years. I feel in that time I have easily got well over my $600 worth of entertainment out it. I just can't believe people are waiting for a $50 or $100 price drop. I have purchased a $1000 Pioneer receiver and it was out of date 6 months after I bought it...stupid HDMI 1.1 :(
sk8monroe81 @ Mar 30th 2009 4:37PM
coheed- consider yourself lucky:
not everyone has $ 1000 to drop on a receiver, $ 500 on a ps3, $ 500 - $ 2000 on an HDTV, $ 200 - $ 1000 on ps3 games, $ 50 on a second controller, $ 10 on an HDMI cable, $ 20 on a bluetooth headset, etc... etc...
if you cant understand why people are waiting for a $ 100 price drop then maybe you need to read the business section of the papers and maybe take a look outside.
If the ps3 lowers it price by $ 100 then the ps3 would be $ 300, making it 50% less than you paid for it 2 years ago.
that is a great big savings for the average American family.
waiting later to buy a ps3 also means that family is saving a great big amount on an HDTV purchase also.
chispito @ Mar 30th 2009 5:16PM
In his defense, I think he simply means that he has enjoyed it enough that it was worth full price.
If it is something people want, they would be better served to save up for the current price than to wait with $300 in their fists.
I'm so broke I wouldn't even buy one for $300, but I think Coheed has a valid point.
Laurens Holst @ Mar 30th 2009 5:22PM
@sk8monroe81: At the least, the PS3 may not be dropping in price (at least not beyond the original price drop), but HDTVs sure are! TV’s equivalent to the one that I bought for about €600 a year and a half ago are now going for €400 (I even saw one for €250!). So despite the PS3 not dropping in price, a PS3 + HDTV combination does become available for more people every day.
sk8monroe81 @ Mar 30th 2009 5:35PM
chispito-
i didnt look at it that way.
and i agree on the entertainment value..
and he/she has a better ps3 machine than is currently being offered today.
i wouldnt trade in my BC 80gb for a new machine myself and was very happy with my purchase also.
but for the 125 - 150 million ps2 owners and gamers that dont buy new consoles at launch price, a price drop would only greatly increase the number of ps3 owners.
i was just showing my opinion on why someone would wait for a $ 100 price drop.
its a 25% decrease in the price, and a 50% decrease in the price from 2 years ago....
if i knew that i could buy any product for 25% less tomorrow or in a month i would probably wait if it was not food and water.
Danny F. @ Mar 30th 2009 3:05PM
"As we have stated previously, we do not have plans for a PS3 price drop, and any rumors to that effect are false and are the result of speculation,"
.
.
..
....... siiiigh.....
Wes @ Mar 30th 2009 3:11PM
Oh my Danny, I hope you weren't holding your breath too long in anticipation of a price cut. That was a pretty long sigh.
Realistically, Sony as a company is having troubles left and right with the strong Japanese Yen yielding less profit on every sale. In a currency-conversion way, Sony right now is already receiving 'less' money in 'Yen' per PS3 as if a PS3 price cut already occured. Ironic, isn't it?
Sony already has had to make cut-backs on staff, freezing wages so no employees can get a raise and close plants in other countries. I'm not sure why, but, when I hear a company doing those three things, I don't think 'PRICE CUT IMMINIENT! CLEARLY THEY CAN AFFORD TO SELL MORE FOR LESS FOR LONG TERM GAIN!' like some websites do (rolls eyes at Kotaku).
Sony is attempting to become more profitable again. Decreasing incoming revenue probably wont help in their profitability goals. Unless, they are currently making a good profit on the PS3 and the even after a price cut they are still making money on the hardware but are able to make up in pure unit of volume sales.
Hyams @ Mar 30th 2009 3:19PM
Wow, Wes - that's one hell of a reply to a person whose entire message was simply the word "siiiigh". I am impressed.
Mr Khan @ Mar 30th 2009 3:38PM
Oh we know for a fact that this means nothing. Until something happens, any denials made by anyone other than the guy at the very top of the totem pole (either Kaz or Stringer in this case) can be contradicted later. Remember Nintendo Europe and the "no plans for a new DS" thing?
Now, i agree that one probably isn't coming, but we can't take their word for it now, when they are just responding to a rumor. These responses are universally negative, or at most ambiguous, by design.
Maverick Saturn @ Mar 30th 2009 3:45PM
Wes is a Sony spokesperson :D
Danny F. @ Mar 30th 2009 4:39PM
@wes
Your argument was sound that I cant deny what you say. Bravo my friend..
In my opinion I feel the announcement they plan to give is in regards to the PSP which is in bigger need of a breathe of life then the PS3. My guess, a new psp design as was rumored (do I doubt), or announcement of revamp of the psp store to allow all games purchased online and run from ms.
If they released a new psp w/o the umd and allowed games to run off the ms then I'll decide to upgrade from my psp phat. ;-)
Flit @ Mar 30th 2009 6:40PM
""Decreasing incoming revenue probably wont help in their profitability goals. Unless, they are currently making a good profit on the PS3 and the even after a price cut they are still making money on the hardware but are able to make up in pure unit of volume sales.""
Doesn't matter. Drop the price. Your console is supposed to be your loss leader, your gateway into more sony products/games/services. The ps3 is not the magic box your marketing department says it is. It's just a computer for christ's sake.
fffunfarm06 @ Mar 31st 2009 12:11AM
dude is this wesley from the jpag?
Kaz @ Mar 30th 2009 3:09PM
Very exciting, PSTWO price drop.
Lootskin @ Mar 30th 2009 3:05PM
Nag, nag, nag. If you can't afford the console you should get a job.
Zertoss @ Mar 30th 2009 3:07PM
Kinda tough to do these days.
Hairball @ Mar 30th 2009 3:14PM
Well, I have a job and I can't afford one. Maybe that's because after I shell out funds for things like rent, cell phone, water, electricity, internet, insurance and gas I don't have 400 bones for a luxury item. But then if you're an adult and still live with your folks I guess you could splurge and by yourself something to make yourself feel less bad about being a loser
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 30th 2009 3:17PM
some people cant afford it dude and they have Jobs. Hell I want another one and wont buy it until they drop the price...
samfish @ Mar 30th 2009 3:17PM
Yeah! Your mom should get a second job like Lootskin's did!
Markez @ Mar 30th 2009 3:22PM
My advice is to do what your parents did; get a job, sir. The bums will always lose.
Lootskin @ Mar 30th 2009 3:22PM
My mom is sicklisted because of her feet. My dad is the only one working and I still could afford a PS3. It's not that expensive.
Markez @ Mar 30th 2009 3:26PM
Here's the distinction. Other people here? Yeah, for some people here, our mom and dad's work situations don't have any bearing whatsoever on our ability to buy a PS3.
hunter2223 @ Mar 30th 2009 3:27PM
I just bought a $48,000 car... and I can't Justify $400 plus the cost of Software on a PS3.
And I'd love to have one. Deciding to be responsible for what you buy at what price point shouldn't be confused with poverty. I probably make more then your mommy and daddy put together.
Lootskin @ Mar 30th 2009 3:30PM
If you want a PS3, just save some dang cash and then buy it. Leave this alone, it's starting to look like a discussion on Gamefaqs.
Morisato @ Mar 30th 2009 3:30PM
I think that solves that mystery then... Obviously Lootskin could afford one because his dad pays for everything. Or maybe he could afford one because his dad paid for it.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 30th 2009 3:30PM
$48k on a car!?!??!?!
Ummmm dunno about anywhere else but the Kia dealerships in my area are running "Buy one get one free" deals to sale cars. I want a F-150 and refuse to get it right now, too big for a Kia but it sounds damn tempting...
Lootskin @ Mar 30th 2009 3:32PM
FFFFF I paid for the console myself. I never said my parents bought one for me. I only said that my mom didn't pull a second job.
Morisato @ Mar 30th 2009 3:35PM
So then you don't deny the fact that your dad pays for your cost of living? Yeah... that's what I thought.
Lootskin @ Mar 30th 2009 3:36PM
I'm still in school.
Morisato @ Mar 30th 2009 3:42PM
Maybe you should enter the real world before you start commenting on luxury and financial security then.
Lootskin @ Mar 30th 2009 3:44PM
Oh no I hurt his feelings! What do I do?
E.J. @ Mar 30th 2009 3:57PM
Die in a fire.
exo @ Mar 30th 2009 4:00PM
The point you are not getting lootskin, is otehr people have to pay for their own house and food, you live at home so any money you make is leasiure money, is that really so fucking hard to get?
I really doubt you would be saying the same things if you were responsible for all of your own expenses.
golobulus @ Mar 30th 2009 4:06PM
@hairball:
so you're saying...
in order to afford a PS3 you must STILL be living at home with your parents? does it say that shit on side of the box under system requirements? you make it sound impossible to afford.................. if you ain't living at home.
you know what your problem is? your problem is you need a higher paying job.
now i don't usually pick on folk who can't afford shit but... come on, dude. wtf are you going on about?
Ranelar @ Mar 30th 2009 4:28PM
Although you guys are right concerning why lootskin can afford a ps3, I'm living on my own making $28k a year before taxes. Im also 2 years out of college with student loans, and I've bought a ps3, 360, psp, 42" TV, new computer, and a 5.1 surround sound system since graduating, and I'm feeling fine financially. It's all affordable if you really want it. Of course I bought everything at some sort of discount (ie the ps3 was $100 off by using the Sony card, plus another $100 in best buy credit bc they price matched walmart's gift card deal at the time)
BlaqueBeird @ Mar 30th 2009 4:51PM
It's all about what's important to you. Some people put having a house, a car, and a family before luxuries and entertainment. Some are irresponsible and have no goals in life besides a series of quick thrills to help them forget how sad their mundane and useless existences really are.
Ranelar @ Mar 30th 2009 5:12PM
...and some people log onto entertainment blogs to tell other people how sad their mundane and useless existences really are.
Ridgecity @ Mar 30th 2009 5:41PM
That explains why no is buying PS3s. sad, It was a great console.
Reader @ Mar 30th 2009 8:07PM
You're comparing having a job and living at home with having a job and supporting yourself? lololololol... Just because someone says they can't afford a PS3 doesn't mean they don't have the actual amount of cash to get it. It's one thing to save up 600 dollars and spend it without worrying about anything else; it's a completely different thing to have an apartment, a car, and whatever else to look after. If your car breaks down and costs a grand to fix, you're really going to regret buying that PS3. You have to have a certain amount of cushion. Planning like everything will always go perfect is idiotic and is how some people end up homeless or in insane amounts of debt.
Hairball @ Mar 30th 2009 10:38PM
@golobulus
The last part of my comment was directed at lootskin
When you're stuck in the city where the cost of living is through the roof, then it kinda makes it difficult to make a $400+ (at least one game) purchase that isn't a necessity.
And you're absolutely right, I do need a higher paying job. Now if I could just find one that's actually hiring....
Teh_Sn1p3r @ Mar 31st 2009 5:14PM
I pay my rent($750 for a 1 bedroom), Utilities, Insurance, Cell Phone, Internet, and I even pay for a better Health Care plan, and I got a PS3 in 2 weeks. Don't take this crap Loot, people in general just like to b***h. The fact of the matter is, anyone can get a PS3, even if you are still getting allowance, just put some money aside like 20 bucks every week and you will have enough eventually, people just like to have someone complain too. Oh and I'm in College too. So suck it.
ChooChooCharlie @ Mar 30th 2009 3:06PM
No price drop = no purchase
Game_playa @ Mar 30th 2009 3:13PM
And you would would purchase it if it was $50 lower? I doubt it.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 30th 2009 3:16PM
yea $50 isnt going to be as appealing to some people as a $100 will. Which most likely will be all it gets dropped....
Hashbrown Hunter @ Mar 30th 2009 3:21PM
I hate having to make this point over and over again, but Sony is in pretty much no position to drop the price of the PS3. They sell it at a loss and it would probably be one of the stupidest business moves to increase that. Sony is trying to keep investors happy, but if they drop the price then investment may increase in the short run but once we see more of that money lost in the long run, those investors are gonna get pissed.
In short, Sony shouldn't and probably won't drop the price. No point complaining about it.
Spartacus @ Mar 30th 2009 3:29PM
Hashbrown,
I could've sworn Sony reported to be in the black on the PS3 a while back (ie not selling the system at a loss).
ChooChooCharlie @ Mar 30th 2009 3:29PM
At least a $50 price cut would make it cost the same as the 360 I bought a year and half ago. At the current price of $400, the PS3, to me at least, is not worth it.
It's true that $100 would have been preferred over $50, but that extra 50 bucks would still cover most of the cost of a new game. I will buy one at some point, but the current pricing strategy is insuring that it won't be for a while yet.
Ignatius @ Mar 30th 2009 3:35PM
If Sony has no plans for a price drop, I have no plans of purchasing their console. Simple as that.