Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Toys R Us drops Canadian Xbox 360 price]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/toys-r-us-drops-canadian-xbox-360-price-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/toys-r-us-drops-canadian-xbox-360-price-early/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/toys-r-us-drops-canadian-xbox-360-price-early/#commentsFiled under: ,

What was just a rumor as recently as this morning has apparently already become reality -- the Canadian Toys R Us web site is showing $50 reductions in price for the Xbox 360 Pro (now $349.99) and Halo Edition - (now $399.99). An informant at a Canadian Toys R Us has also told us that the Xbox 360 Arcade has been reduced $20 (to $279.99) and the Elite has come down $50 (to $449.99 -- all prices are in Canadian dollars, eh?)

Ironically enough, FutureShop, where this morning's rumor first originated, has not lowered their web site prices as of press time. Perhaps they're waiting until Friday to unleash that Turok Elite bundle on an unsuspecting public?

Does this surprise move mean an American price drop is in the cards? Probably not -- much like the previous Microsoft Canada price drop, the adjustment seems designed to bring prices up North in line with the weakening American dollar.

Update: Apologies for the inadvertent act of bad foreign relations. No offense was meant, Canada. Are we still cool?

[Thanks Stephen]

JoystiqToys R Us drops Canadian Xbox 360 price originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArcadeBreakingNewscanadaEliteHaloprice dropPriceDroppricingProretailToys R UsToysRUsXbox-360Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Canadian Xbox 360 price drops $50 Friday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/rumor-canadian-xbox-360-price-drops-50-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/rumor-canadian-xbox-360-price-drops-50-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/rumor-canadian-xbox-360-price-drops-50-friday/#commentsFiled under: ,

Update 8:15 PM EST: Toys R Us Canada has apparently lowered their prices already.

Thanks to an anonymous tipster, we have early word on what might be an upcoming price drop for the Canadian Xbox 360. The above phonecam photo comes from a FutureShop Canada employee, who says he was "quite surprised" to find a $50 price drop for the Xbox 360 Pro Console advertised right on the front page of next week's advertising fliers. Our source also tells us that the inside of the flier trumpets a $50 price drop for the XBox 360 Elite (to $449), an offer which allegedly includes a free copy of Turok.

Both price drops should be effective Friday, if this rumor proves true, and while we have no way of confirming this information as of yet, we have no explicit reason to doubt it either. Regardless, if you're a Canadian looking to buy an Xbox 360, it couldn't hurt to wait a couple of days to see if you can save a bit of green, er, funny multicolored money.

JoystiqRumor: Canadian Xbox 360 price drops $50 Friday originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$50canadaEliteFutureShopprice dropprice-cutprice-dropPriceDropProXbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Talking 'aboot' Xbox price drops, Canada gets $100 off, eh?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/talking-aboot-xbox-price-drops-canada-gets-100-off-eh/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/talking-aboot-xbox-price-drops-canada-gets-100-off-eh/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/talking-aboot-xbox-price-drops-canada-gets-100-off-eh/#commentsFiled under: ,


Canada blessed the United States with The Kids in the Hall, and now Microsoft is returning the favor by giving Canada $100 off their Xbox 360s. Now, that's $100 CDN and not USD before all those near the border go running north for cheap prescription drugs, maple syrup, miniature pet caribous and Xboxen. The new prices are $399 for the Premium, $299 for Core and $499 for Elite. Canada will also receive the Halo 3 Xbox for $449. Oh, in case any Americans are thinking that the Canadians are getting a deal ... they aren't. The $349 Premium in the States would roughly convert to $365 CDN.

Heck, while we're at it, Mexico got a price drop too! You can now get the Premium in Mexico for $5,199 pesos. Which means our brothers and sisters to the south actually pay $479 dollars for what the US gets at $349. That's ridiculous and something Mexican gamers should seek amnesty for.

JoystiqTalking 'aboot' Xbox price drops, Canada gets $100 off, eh? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadamexicoprice dropXbox-360xbox360Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Pachter: PS2 price drop this year and another for PS3 by GTA IV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/07/pachter-ps2-price-drop-this-year-and-another-for-ps3-by-gta-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/07/pachter-ps2-price-drop-this-year-and-another-for-ps3-by-gta-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/07/pachter-ps2-price-drop-this-year-and-another-for-ps3-by-gta-iv/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Having recently returned from the future with 4399 other people, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter revealed that he believes a PS2 price cut may be possible this year and the PS3 will get another drop in early 2008. Last year's PS2 price cut wasn't exactly what many were hoping for, but continued strong sales of the PS2 show it didn't hurt. Now Pachter believes that the PS2 might finally hit the $99 mark this year, which if you've held out on getting a PS2 this long -- seriously, it's a really amazing system for $99.

As for the PS3, Pachter doesn't expect any further price cuts on the PS3 this year. He expects the next price drop to happen with the release of the delayed GTA IV and Metal Gear Solid 4 next year. We're still wondering if the 80GB will take the 60GB's spot once the clearance sale is over. We know that in a semantic argument that doesn't technically count as a price drop and is more of a "product shift," but we're very curious to know what happens after those 60GBs are gone?

JoystiqPachter: PS2 price drop this year and another for PS3 by GTA IV originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pachterplaystationprice dropps2ps3Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Xbox 360 at $349 in advertisement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/28/rumor-xbox-360-at-345-in-advertisement/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/28/rumor-xbox-360-at-345-in-advertisement/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/28/rumor-xbox-360-at-345-in-advertisement/#commentsFiled under: ,

A post on CheapAssGamer allegedly shows an ad of a "Wal-Mart" flyer -- although you really can't tell what it is -- indicating an Xbox 360 with a $349 price tag. The resolution in the image is complete garbage and it's very difficult to tell if this has anything to do with the supposed Aug. 8 price drop. An even larger and worse image can be found after the break. Although we are working to nail this date and the $50 reduction down, there really hasn't been a solid piece of evidence we've seen yet.

In another thread done by the same CAG poster who exposed the Circuit City PS3 price cut, the Xbox 360 price drop doesn't appear in either the Target or Circuit City flyers for that week. Best Buy's flyer will be uploaded Monday. Just keep picking up those grains of salt as the information flows in going toward that supposed Aug. 8 date.

Update: Apparently the CC and Target info is for the week ending Aug. 10, so the info for the Sunday following Aug. 8 is still up in the air.

Continue reading Rumor: Xbox 360 at $349 in advertisement

JoystiqRumor: Xbox 360 at $349 in advertisement originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>circuitcityprice droptargetwalmartXbox-360xbox360Sat, 28 Jul 2007 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Harrison: Microsoft rushed Xbox 360 and Sony had to price drop PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/nintendos-harrison-microsoft-rushed-xbox-360-and-sony-had-to-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/nintendos-harrison-microsoft-rushed-xbox-360-and-sony-had-to-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/23/nintendos-harrison-microsoft-rushed-xbox-360-and-sony-had-to-p/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

GameDaily finished transcribing their interview with Nintendo's VP of marketing and corporate communications George Harrison. A quick tidbit from the interview released last week gave us the info that the Game Boy name is probably dead. The full interview sheds little new light on stuff like Nintendo's Perrin Kaplan saying Wii revisions aren't out of the question and whether or not Harrison, Kaplan and other executives are staying with the company following the move -- the answer to that is a big ol' no comment. Harrison did talk Sony and Microsoft though.

Harrison says in terms of the Sony price drop, "I don't think they had any choice." He then makes the error of saying that "it's pretty soon after launch to be dropping your price." That was a nice try by Harrison to pull a fast one and make us forget that Nintendo knows quite well how to drop console prices to save themselves. Case in point, the Gamecube dropped its price almost 60 days earlier into its life cycle than the PS3 did. Although he gets back on point saying Sony is continuing to confuse consumers with two versions of the PS3. We wonder why Sony can't just learn from their PSP Lite and simply replace the old with the new.

As for Microsoft, Harrison says they were so busy trying to rush the Xbox 360 to market and beat PlayStation, while "discounting" Nintendo, that it "set them up for the hardware problems that they're having now." He says Microsoft confessed because they couldn't hide the issue any longer, "It's a stunning admission; it's more than a billion dollars." Harrison says Microsoft didn't have a choice on their admission, it just became too much. So, Sony admitted they needed to drop the price, Microsoft admitted their RROD problems ... now, what does Nintendo have to confess?

JoystiqNintendo's Harrison: Microsoft rushed Xbox 360 and Sony had to price drop PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamedailymicrosoftnintendoprice dropps3shell gamesonywiixboxMon, 23 Jul 2007 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumorong: 40GB PlayStation 3 at $399]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/rumorong-ps3-40gb-at-399/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/rumorong-ps3-40gb-at-399/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/rumorong-ps3-40gb-at-399/#commentsFiled under: ,


And here we were worried Sony was going to officially cause us to have a good relationship with our neighborhood bartender and liquor store attendant if they kept this rollercoaster going. A piece of random chatting printed in the loose talk section of the last issue of Game Informer hinted that Sony might release or announce a 40GB version of the PS3 at a delicious $399 price. However, it was just speculation, nothing more. That piece of idle chat made a second pass as a rumor this week stating that once the "clearance sale" is over, Sony would announce the new model. We checked with Game Informer and they explained, "That was one of our pre-E3 rumors that we ran in the loose talk section of the last issue. It turns out that talk was not only loose, it was wrong."

But while we're clearly and emphatically speculating, if there ever is a "low-end" 40GB $399 system with all the specs of the 60GB model (minus the full backwards compatibility, but hopefully with the new rumored Sixaxis), who cares about that extra 20GB of hard drive space? David Reeves sure doesn't.

[Via PS3Fanboy]

JoystiqRumorong: 40GB PlayStation 3 at $399 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>40GBplaytationprice dropps3sonyTue, 17 Jul 2007 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Peter Moore: Sony is 'failing' in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/peter-moore-sony-is-failing-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/peter-moore-sony-is-failing-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/peter-moore-sony-is-failing-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The funniest part of the GameDaily.biz interview with Peter Moore is that he knows the Xbox is biting the big one in Japan, but he points out that Sony "crumbling" in Japan against the Wii is just more delicious. Moore says he planned for an uphill battle in Japan -- actually it's more like a flat-faced vertical mountain battle, having only sold 122, 565 Xbox 360s this year -- but he believes Sony never expected to fail in Japan like they have.

Moore points out that Sony keeps talking about this 10-year plan without ever explaining what that means. He says, "I'm not sure what their 10-year plan is ... It's like they just said, 'We have a 10-year plan' [and that's it]." Moore isn't talking 10-year plans but he expects the Xbox to live longer than the original's four years. He says Sony can have all the plans they like, but the key is getting to the "mass market with price points [that matter]," which Moore says Microsoft is a lot closer to being able to do. Yes, that certainly sounds like allusion to an incoming price drop.

JoystiqPeter Moore: Sony is 'failing' in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crumblinge3e307failuremicrosoftpeter mooreprice dropPS3sonyXbox-360Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[40GB PS3 for $399 on the horizon? Everybody say "wheee!"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/40gb-ps3-for-399-on-the-horizon-everybody-say-wheee/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/40gb-ps3-for-399-on-the-horizon-everybody-say-wheee/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/40gb-ps3-for-399-on-the-horizon-everybody-say-wheee/#commentsFiled under:


The PlayStation 3 price rollercoaster reaches another peak today as Game Informer puts the rumour out there that a new 40GB SKU is on the cards. The price? $399. We've also heard ourselves that this has been in the planning stages for a number of months. When asked for confirmation, Dave Karraker stonewalled us with the following statement: "We won't be making any further announcements regarding our PS3 model hardware strategy in North America until the 60GB model is exhausted and market conditions are evaluated."

It's clear, then, that we won't be seeing any new price drops or SKUs hit the market until the 60GB PS3s are sold out. Once that happens, as Pachter said, we'll see the 80GB system drop down to the price of $499. If not, we'll see a new 40GB SKU come in at a price of $399. There's no reason why both of these things couldn't happen, but we're not convinced that's the case.

Since the rollercoaster started, we've been saying that the problem Sony is facing is that people can't afford the PS3, not that they won't buy it. A $399 ticket to the PS3 party would be excellent, especially if it were to start before the Christmas buzz hits. However, all this price craziness is making things confusing for potential buyers who keep up to date with PS3 news. Once the mainstream have bought out all of the 60GB models (All 2 to 3 million of them; It could take a while) we'll see something happen.

Joystiq40GB PS3 for $399 on the horizon? Everybody say "wheee!" originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>40gb80gbprice cutprice dropPriceCutPriceDropMon, 16 Jul 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pachter expects $499 price to remain, even when 60GB PS3s do not]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/pachter-expects-499-price-to-remain-even-when-60gb-ps3s-do-not/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/pachter-expects-499-price-to-remain-even-when-60gb-ps3s-do-not/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/16/pachter-expects-499-price-to-remain-even-when-60gb-ps3s-do-not/#commentsWill they? Won't they? This is worse than Ross and Rachel. Ah, the 90s. Simpler times. Since Thursday, we've been questioning whether the 80GB PS3 will drop to $499 once the 60GB version sells out. We're fairly comfortable with our prediction that it will and Michael Pachter, of Wedbush Morgan, agrees.

Pachter states that "the Sony entry level price of $499 is here to stay" and that "there are presently 2 - 3 million 60Gb PS3s produced and not yet sold." This number constitutes up 75% of PS3s in the hands of consumers right now, so the idea of that many selling out before the end of the month, as Reeves suggested, is ridiculous. Pachter's reasoning for why he expects the 80GB model to drop in price is similar to most people's. The 80GB PS3 should cost Sony as much, if not less, to produce than the 60GB model thanks to removal of the Emotion Engine (which, at this point, is the PS3's equivalent of the appendix). Not to mention that Motorstorm is included in the 80GB box, so removing the game will allow the bundle to drop in price by at least $50.

Pachter ends his report by saying that he expects "the $499 price point to be maintained until early next year, when the 80Gb model will likely be cut again to $399." We're not so sure about this ourselves, but we'd definitely like to see it happen.

JoystiqPachter expects $499 price to remain, even when 60GB PS3s do not originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>60gb80gbmichael pachterMichaelPachterpachterprice dropPriceDropMon, 16 Jul 2007 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[European price cut leaked by SCEAu Managing Director?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/european-price-cut-leaked-by-sceau-managing-director/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/european-price-cut-leaked-by-sceau-managing-director/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/european-price-cut-leaked-by-sceau-managing-director/#commentsWe know an announcement is coming from SCEE this Thursday that is "related to the US price cut", but SmartHouse News claim that they already have the scoop. Michael Ephraim, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Australia has reportedly confirmed that PAL regions will be seeing a price cut of "as much as 17%".

While this is potentially great news, and 17% would bring the PS3 down to a much friendlier price of £350 in the UK (making it the cheapest Blu Ray player available), we're not going to hold our collective breath. One way or the other, we'll know on Thursday.

[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqEuropean price cut leaked by SCEAu Managing Director? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eueuroeuropepriceprice cutprice dropPriceCutPriceDropTue, 10 Jul 2007 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Analysts expecting a Xbox 360 price cut]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/analysts-expecting-a-xbox-360-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/analysts-expecting-a-xbox-360-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/analysts-expecting-a-xbox-360-price-cut/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you didn't already know, today Sony announced that they've trimmed the fat on their Playsation 3 by dropping the price by $100. Surprising isn't it? Now the obvious question is whether Microsoft will retaliate with a price cut of their own or keep things the way they are. Industry analyst Michael Pachter thinks a price cut will happen and has gone on record to say that Microsoft will announce a Xbox 360 price drop sometime during E3. How Mr. Pachter sees it is that they'll knock of $50 from the Core and Premium and take $80 off the Elite making the price points $249, $349 and $399. This is of course entirely possible seeing that Sony is stepping on Microsoft's price point territory. Also, we're thinking a price cut is overdue seeing that the console has been out for nearly two years at the same price. We'll just have to wait until tomorrow night to see what surprises Microsoft has up their sleeves and if our 360 will get a fat trimming too.

JoystiqAnalysts expecting a Xbox 360 price cut originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e307elitepremiumprice dropPriceDroprumorxbox 360xbox 360 eliteXbox360Xbox360EliteMon, 09 Jul 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Target store sells PS3 at $499]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/target-store-sells-ps3-at-499/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/target-store-sells-ps3-at-499/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/target-store-sells-ps3-at-499/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've spent the last hour on the phone calling up random Target stores around the continental United States to nail this story down. What we can say at this point is that certain Target stores do currently have the $499 price on the PS3 (Item# 207230001). Beyond confirmation at these stores, in one case we even have a copy of a person's receipt, dated today, for a PS3 at $499.99. We've even asked while going through the price check process if there is a pattern to the Target computers and why we would be getting different prices at different stores -- there was no adequate answer.

At this point we don't know if this indicates that the price drop may begin this week, or if somebody flipped a switch at the wrong time. We've received reports that certain Circuit City stores have also started selling the PS3 at the $499 price, before their alleged sale next week, but we currently can't confirm that. Even if Sony doesn't announce a PS3 price drop at next week's press conference, it looks like the retailers are moving ahead with one anyway.

[Thanks Nathan and Counter5th]

JoystiqTarget store sells PS3 at $499 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>price dropps3sonyFri, 06 Jul 2007 21:57:00 EST<![CDATA[60GB PS3 sold at Target for $499.99 [UPDATE]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/ps3-sold-at-target-for-499-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/ps3-sold-at-target-for-499-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/ps3-sold-at-target-for-499-99/#comments Has the price cut already been put into effect? Potentially, yes. One of our readers has let us know that he was able to get his hands on a 60GB PS3 for no more than $499.99 at a Target today. In our attempts to verify this we called the store he bought it from. They confirmed that the 60GB PS3 was, indeed, in the shop's system at the price of $499.99. Whether this is an error on the individual shop's part, with the price drop being put into effect early, we weren't sure.

We are currently in the process of calling more stores nationwide, to see how isolated this event really is. We will update this post as and when we get more information. If true, then this is an excellent start for what promises to be an excellent E3. Already Microsoft's keynote is overshadowed by Killzone 2. A pricedrop by Sony before the event even starts only adds to the pressure.

[UPDATE 1] A Kansas Target has the 60GB PS3 in its computer at $599

[UPDATE 2] Another tipster has told us that today they sold two at Circuit City at $499. Confused, the manager called it in and got a confirmation that it was correct. We are in the process of verifying this.

[UPDATE 3] A Target store in Rancho Cucamonga in California has confirmed that the 60GB PS3 is in their system for $499. It looks like there's no pattern to which stores are and aren't offering the price cut.

[Thanks Nathan and Alexander!]

Joystiq60GB PS3 sold at Target for $499.99 [UPDATE] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>price cutprice dropPriceCutPriceDropFri, 06 Jul 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony president says no 'immediate plans' for PS3 price cut]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/sony-president-says-no-immediate-plans-for-ps3-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/sony-president-says-no-immediate-plans-for-ps3-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/sony-president-says-no-immediate-plans-for-ps3-price-cut/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're not calling Sony President Ryoji Chubachi a liar when he says there are no current plans to lower the PlayStation 3 price. It's only fair we don't, as we're still calling Sony's PS3 price drop a "rumor." A rumor that we're starting to get so much anecdotal information, off-the-record and anonymous sources that it feels like a garden-variety Red Ring of Death story -- and we all know how that one ends.

According to Bloomberg in an interview today Chubachi, in regards to the PS3 price cut, said, "We have no immediate plans of now." Then he deferred to Sony's PlayStation division. Bloomberg even goes on to report that a Tokyo-based analyst for Goldman Sachs said in a report dated yesterday that MS and Nintendo may announce price cuts as well. It's all gonna hit the fan in less than a week.

[Via GI.biz]

JoystiqSony president says no 'immediate plans' for PS3 price cut originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chubachiplaystationprice dropps3sonyFri, 06 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the price cut: The long, strange saga of the $599 PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/behind-the-price-cut-the-long-strange-saga-of-the-599-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/behind-the-price-cut-the-long-strange-saga-of-the-599-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/behind-the-price-cut-the-long-strange-saga-of-the-599-ps3/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If the recently rumored $100 price cut for the PS3 turns out to be true, it will end the era of one of the most controversial pricing moves in the history of consumer electronics.

The writing was on the wall early on, with former SCE President Ken Kutaragi hinting way back in July 2005 that he hoped gamers would "work more hours to buy [a PS3]." When the price was officially announced at Sony's E3 2006 press conference the first wave of ridicule was practically immediate. Kutaragi's comment that the price was "too cheap" for what consumers were getting just stoked the fires, leading at least one Joystiq blogger to call the company "out of touch." Hey, $599 is pretty cheap if the thing is made of uranium.

Yet by launch time there were some signs that the high price wasn't really a deterrent. Despite some launch window reviews saying the system "just isn't worth it yet," the initial stock of PS3s sold out to mobs of fans who waited in the November cold to drop up to six Benjamins on a game console. Many of those who managed to get one of the limited initial allotment put them up on eBay, where some fetched ridiculously inflated prices. Maybe $600 was a bargain after all.

Continue reading Behind the price cut: The long, strange saga of the $599 PS3

JoystiqBehind the price cut: The long, strange saga of the $599 PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dreamcastgamecubepriceprice cutprice dropPriceCutPriceDropPS2PS3retailWiiXboxXbox 360Xbox-360Xbox360Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft contemplates a 360 price cut]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/08/microsoft-contimplates-a-360-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/08/microsoft-contimplates-a-360-price-cut/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/08/microsoft-contimplates-a-360-price-cut/#commentsFiled under: ,

In an interview with Bloomberg, Peter Moore and others discuss the Xbox 360 demographic, how they want to target moms and their kids, and hint at a possible 360 price cut. "If we don't make that move, make it early and expand our demographic, we will wind up in the same place as with Xbox 1" Moore says, and what better way to move more consoles than with a price cut. Director of Xbox product management David Hufford reinforces this thinking by stating that "we (Microsoft) are well aware that the sweet spot of the market is really 199 bucks" and that "when mom walks into the store and sees she can get a console with a game for $250, she sees it as a $300 value". It really sounds like Microsoft gets it.

But will we be seeing a Xbox 360 price drop this year or just a game bundle? We can't be sure, but we know Microsoft is cut throat about gaining ground in the console wars this generation and a price drop would help significantly. They just have to make sure their pocketbooks can handle more losses, but we're sure Bill would be willing to co-sign.

[Via CVG]

JoystiqMicrosoft contemplates a 360 price cut originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console warsConsoleWarsprice dropPriceDropxboxxbox 360Xbox360Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony president says PS3 price drop is 'possibility']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/sony-president-says-ps3-price-drop-is-possibility/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/sony-president-says-ps3-price-drop-is-possibility/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/sony-president-says-ps3-price-drop-is-possibility/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sony president Ryoji Chubachi, in what's apparently a translated statement from Japanese daily Yomiui Shimbun, said the company "does not rule out the possibility of lowering the price" of the PS3. This statement could easily be followed by a "duh" from the audience, anything is a "possibility." It's not like companies don't drop console prices eventually, but typically the president of a company doesn't open up the door like that unless they mean it, in the relative fiscal year future -- there are stock holders to think of after all.

Now, does this mean a price drop across the globe? That would be nice, but if Chubachi was speaking with a Japanese newspaper, it could mean that the Japanese will receive another price drop. That would be the nation's second dip in the price drop pool after they already received a 20% cut before the PS3 even launched. At this point it would be nice to get a simple declarative statement on a price drop from Sony. In the words of Master Yoda, "Do, or do not. There is no 'possibility.'" Or something like that.

[Via NextGen]

JoystiqSony president says PS3 price drop is 'possibility' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationprice dropps3sonyWed, 06 Jun 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: Price cut could do more harm than good]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/24/analyst-price-cut-could-do-more-harm-than-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/24/analyst-price-cut-could-do-more-harm-than-good/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/24/analyst-price-cut-could-do-more-harm-than-good/#commentsMichael L. Savner, an analyst for the Bank of America, has made it clear that he sees Sony's current position as a lose-lose scenario. While the rumoured $100 price drop would be welcome, Savner argues that it could be too little too late. The Xbox 360 would still be cheaper and the drop in price would not be enough to get the fence-sitters to topple over into Sony's camp. To top it off, Savner argues, the PS3 exclusives library is looking thin in comparison to the 360's. With GTA IV and Devil May Cry 4 becoming next-gen neutral, there's nothing drawing people to the PS3 that they can't get elsewhere. We at PS3 Fanboy believe that the recent Sony Gamer's Day says otherwise.

Savner goes on to say that a $150 to $200 dollar price drop would make the system much more attractive, having it fly off the shelves. The downside would be that Sony's earnings would drop dramatically as they're already losing money on the system with every sale at the current price. We're glad we have these analysts to tell us these things. There's no way we would have come up with that on our own. Drop the price, sell some consoles, lose some money - it's genius, really.

The crux is, Sony is going to lose out either way. What it needs are strong, system selling titles. Some sort of marketing for Blu-Ray might help, as well. As the BD drive is what makes the console so expensive in the first place, it makes sense that Sony should take the time to explain to their consumers how great a piece of technology it is. Sell Blu-Ray, sell the PS3. Kind of like 'save the cheerleader, save the world', but less apocalyptic.

Read the full analysis over at GameDaily.com and let us know what you think.

JoystiqAnalyst: Price cut could do more harm than good originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystprice dropPriceDropThu, 24 May 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UK PSP sales rise 60% after price drop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/uk-psp-sales-rise-60-after-price-drop/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/uk-psp-sales-rise-60-after-price-drop/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/uk-psp-sales-rise-60-after-price-drop/#commentsFiled under:



Remember the UK PSP price drop? Or Amazon and Play.com's insistance on cutting another ten pounds off the cost? Well apparently it worked. Pocket Gamer has revealed that Sony are reporting a 60% increase in sales during the first weekend of the PSP wearing its new, slimmer price tag.

As Pocket Gamer have said, this is good timing. We have some great games coming up (Crisis Core and Dissidia, to name just two), not to mention a back-catalogue of excellent titles. Such as the newly released (in Europe, at least) Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters. Are you a new PSP owner who took advantage of the recent price cuts? Let us know.

[Via PS3 Forums]

JoystiqUK PSP sales rise 60% after price drop originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>price cutprice dropPriceCutPriceDropsales increaseSalesIncreaseUKMon, 14 May 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon.co.uk selling PS3s for (just) under £390 - this week only!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/amazon-co-uk-selling-ps3s-for-just-under-390-this-week-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/amazon-co-uk-selling-ps3s-for-just-under-390-this-week-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/amazon-co-uk-selling-ps3s-for-just-under-390-this-week-only/#commentsFiled under:

Amazon.co.uk seem to enjoy dropping Sony's prices, even after an official price cut. Well they've done it again. For this week only you can order a 60GB PS3 from Amazon.co.uk for only £389.99. That's a saving of 35 quid. Very nice, indeed!

Does this price cut fall below your PFPT (Personal Financial Pain Threshold)? £390 does feel a lot less than £425. You've got to love Amazon for giving us a clear time limit before the deal ends. If that doesn't push the impulse buyers into parting with their cash, I don't know what will. Will you be taking advantage of the offer? Let us know.


[Via PS3 Forums]

JoystiqAmazon.co.uk selling PS3s for (just) under £390 - this week only! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazondealprice cutprice dropPriceCutPriceDropUKMon, 14 May 2007 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon UK and Play cut PSP price by a further £10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/amazon-uk-and-play-cut-psp-price-by-a-further-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/amazon-uk-and-play-cut-psp-price-by-a-further-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/amazon-uk-and-play-cut-psp-price-by-a-further-10/#commentsBoth Amazon.co.uk and Play.com have dropped the price of the PSP by an extra £10, even after the recent official price cut a couple of weeks ago. As it now stands the PSP is £119.99 from these two retailers. That's only £20 more than the Nintendo DS.

Amazon UK are also promising (if their e-mail today can be believed) to let you have a PSP, bundled with a game, for only £139.99. Checking the website, however, shows that this is either a typo on the mail-out, or they just haven't got around to updating the site itself yet. Either way, the site still shows bundles selling for £159.99. Which is not such a good deal, considering games are thirty quid each anyway. Where's the saving there?

If you see the site change to reflect the new deal, then let us know. Saving a potential £40 on last month's price is something I'm sure a lot of people won't want to miss.

JoystiqAmazon UK and Play cut PSP price by a further £10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2007 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmazonPlayPrice cutPrice DropPriceCutPriceDropPSPMon, 07 May 2007 07:45:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP experiences price cuts worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/psp-experiences-price-cuts-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/psp-experiences-price-cuts-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/psp-experiences-price-cuts-worldwide/#commentsFiled under:

America isn't the only country enjoying a PSP price cut. This time, it's for our friends across the Atlantic. Starting May 4th, PSP will go for a paltry £129.99, a savings of £20. A "Platinum" range of titles is also being released: Ridge Racer 2, Tekken: Dark Resurrection, KillZone: Liberation, Loco Roco and Moto GP will all be available for £14.99 each.

The UK is not the only territory experiencing a PSP price drop. Korea also announced a discounted price for the system: 198,000 won, a savings of 50,000 won. The savings will take place starting April 26th.

Finally, our northern neighbors have also experienced a price drop. Canadians can now get their PSP systems for $199.99, a savings of $30. These global price cuts are showing a more aggressive stance from Sony--something all PSP fans can be thankful for.

[Via TVG, PSP-Vault, Extreme Gamer]

JoystiqPSP experiences price cuts worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadaeuropekoreaprice dropPriceDroppspsonyukMon, 23 Apr 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony says there are no plans to adjust PS3 price]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/sony-says-there-are-no-plans-to-adjust-ps3-price/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/sony-says-there-are-no-plans-to-adjust-ps3-price/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/sony-says-there-are-no-plans-to-adjust-ps3-price/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Financial Times is reporting that Sony is "reconsidering" its pricing strategy for the PS3. Sony President Ryoji Chubacchi said yesterday, "We are re-examining our [PS3] budgeting process in terms of pricing and volume. Sales assumptions change and the market is competitive. We are in the midst of revisiting our strategy for the PS3."

Chubachi believes that Sony hit their target of 6 million consoles sold at the end of March. Some outlets are reporting that the March numbers actually show the sales to be less than 4 million. There is certainly a shift occurring in the business strategy of the PS3, but at this point the plan isn't clear.

Sony let Joystiq know, "There are no plans to adjust the price of PS3 in North America at this moment in time. As a normal part of our business, SCEA carefully monitors market trends and needs on an ongoing basis, but we currently have no announcement regarding any price drop in our territory."

[Via EvilAvatar]

JoystiqSony says there are no plans to adjust PS3 price originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstation 3price dropps3sonyThu, 19 Apr 2007 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony makes price drop official; adds Daxter and Syphon Filter to Greatest Hits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/sony-makes-price-drop-official-adds-daxter-and-syphon-filter-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/sony-makes-price-drop-official-adds-daxter-and-syphon-filter-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/sony-makes-price-drop-official-adds-daxter-and-syphon-filter-to/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The $30 price drop isn't exclusive to GameStop/EB Games--it's universal. But, that's not where the savings end. Sony has also added two more games to PSP's Greatest Hits lineup: Daxter and Syphon Filter.

According to the press release, "We have always been passionate about making great entertainment accessible to everyone, and the new price for PSP, as well as the continued growth of the 'Greatest Hits' library, reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting and expanding the PSP community," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We are pleased that we are able to engineer savings for the consumer at this stage of PSP's lifecycle, allowing more individuals to experience PSP for the first time. In particular, we have recently seen a steady rise in the number of teens adopting PSP as their primary handheld entertainment system, and we expect the new price will accelerate that trend."

Sony also reminds players that the future of PSP is quite bright, especially with the upcoming God of War: "Ready At Dawn couldn't be more pleased with our success bringing Daxter to the PSP platform last year, and now we have another opportunity to blow away expectations of what a developer can accomplish on a portable when Kratos hits the 'small screen' in God of War," said Didier Malenfant, co-founder and president, Ready At Dawn Studios. "PSP is an ideal platform for us to work on because we have a high level of freedom to be creative, and we can deliver gameplay experiences that rival ones you'd get from a computer entertainment system."

[Update: According to Engadget, the PSP Entertainment Pack will also receive a $30 cut, from $250 to $220.]

JoystiqSony makes price drop official; adds Daxter and Syphon Filter to Greatest Hits originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daxtergod of warGodOfWargreatest hitsGreatestHitsjack trettonJackTrettonprice dropPriceDropready at dawnReadyAtDawnsyphon filterSyphonFilterTue, 03 Apr 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP gets even lower price: $170 for Core]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/02/psp-gets-even-lower-price-170-for-core/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/02/psp-gets-even-lower-price-170-for-core/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/02/psp-gets-even-lower-price-170-for-core/#commentsFiled under:


Ever since GameStop reduced the price of the PSP Value Pack to the price of the Core System ($199.99), we expected the Core System to drop in price as well. Looks like our suspicions were true. Starting tomorrow (April 3), all GameStop and EB Games locations will drop the PSP's price down to a paltry $169.99--a savings of $30.

Think this is a hoax? You'd be wrong! Joystiq confirmed with GameStop, even providing images from their tipster. Check out more proof, after the break. With PSP's new lower price, will it be able to more effectively compete against the Nintendo DS?

Continue reading PSP gets even lower price: $170 for Core

JoystiqPSP gets even lower price: $170 for Core originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coreeb gamesEbGamesgamestopprice dropPriceDroppspMon, 02 Apr 2007 17:05:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP price drop: Core pack down to $169.99 tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/02/psp-price-drop-core-pack-down-to-169-99-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/02/psp-price-drop-core-pack-down-to-169-99-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/02/psp-price-drop-core-pack-down-to-169-99-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: ,


Were you planning on picking up a Sony PSP tomorrow from your local Gamestop or EB Games? Excellent. Were you planning on paying for it? Super excellent. As a reward for your unquestionable moral values, you'll be given a $30 discount on that purchase of "the past". You see, as of April 3, the PSP Core Pack is being marked down from $199.99 to $169.99.

Gamestop and EB Games have already received the promotional materials (as depicted above) and instructions (shown after the break) for the long overdue price drop and will no doubt have it ready to greet you within the next 24 hours. For those still wary of the giggling miasma of April Fool's still lingering in the air, rest assured that we've verified this information with Gamestop. Happy PSP... ing.

[Thanks, Adam]

Continue reading PSP price drop: Core pack down to $169.99 tomorrow

JoystiqPSP price drop: Core pack down to $169.99 tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>April FoolsAprilFoolsGamestopPrice dropPriceDropPSPSonyMon, 02 Apr 2007 17:05:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP gets new low price: $199 for Value Pack [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/psp-gets-new-low-price-199-for-value-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/psp-gets-new-low-price-199-for-value-pack/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/23/psp-gets-new-low-price-199-for-value-pack/#commentsFiled under:


The latest Gamestop ad proudly proclaims that the PSP Value Pack has a new low price. The bundle, which includes a Memory Stick, headphones, and a case, now comes $50 cheaper at $199.99--that's the same price as the Core unit.

It's unclear at this time if this is a Sony-mandated price drop, or if it's a Gamestop-only promotion. However, considering how today is PSP's two year birthday, it makes sense to celebrate with a universal price drop. If the Core unit drops in price as well, PSP will almost be able to compete against Nintendo's handheld ... at least in terms of price.

[Via Gamespot]
[Update 1: Dave Karraker has e-mailed us stating "The PSP Value Pack isn't something we sell to retailers any longer. It is a discontinued model. So, the retailer can price it at any level they wish. It is not a universal price drop, just something GameStop decided to do."]

JoystiqPSP gets new low price: $199 for Value Pack [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopprice dropPriceDroppspvalue packValuePackFri, 23 Mar 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Ballmer teases about price drop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/19/steve-ballmer-teases-about-price-drop/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/19/steve-ballmer-teases-about-price-drop/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/19/steve-ballmer-teases-about-price-drop/#commentsFiled under:

For those of you wondering if the Xbox 360 will have a price drop coming down the pipeline, our good friend Steve Ballmer has some words of wisdom. "I think every console in the world has had a price decrease sometime in the first few years. I don't know whether we'll have a price decrease in the first few years, and I don't want to comment on that, but I will highlight for you that every console has had a price decrease in the first few years."

Perfect, that answers everything. So, basically if history has a tendency to repeat itself, we'll see a price drop. Understandably, Ballmer doesn't want to flat out say what the plans for the Xbox 360 are, as the Entertainment and Devices Division is determined to be profitable in 2008's fiscal year. Still as production costs decrease over time, Microsoft may find an opportunity to drop the price without breaking the bank, or the aforementioned goal. So, a price drop will happen, and it's just a matter of when. Our question for you is will it be before or Halo 3 ships?

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqSteve Ballmer teases about price drop originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Feb 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Price DropPriceDropSteve BallmerSteveBallmerXbox 360Xbox360Mon, 19 Feb 2007 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Tretton: PS3 will be "difficult to cost reduce"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/tretton-ps3-will-be-difficult-to-cost-reduce/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/tretton-ps3-will-be-difficult-to-cost-reduce/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/tretton-ps3-will-be-difficult-to-cost-reduce/#commentsFiled under: , ,

An interview with Sony Computer Entertainment America chief Jack Tretton in the latest issue of Game Informer revealed some troubling news for consumers waiting for a lower-priced PlayStation 3. When asked point blank whether price drops for the PS3 will be "as soon or as drastic as they were for the PlayStation 2," Tretton responded with a curt, "No."

For reference, the PS2 was reduced from $299 to $199 in the United States on May 14, 2002, 565 days after the Oct. 20, 2000 release date. Using this data and Tretton's above answer, we can expect that the PS3 won't come down in price until at least June 4, 2008.

The reason for the shallower pricing curve? According to Tretton, the increased investment in R & D and hardware makes the system "a lot more difficult to cost reduce" than the PS2. "There's a heck of a lot more under the hood and it costs us more money to make it," Tretton told Game Informer. Despite this, Tretton doesn't seem to think the system's price will hurt its position in the marketplace. "I think the consumers that get their hands on a PlayStation 3 clearly see the value and not only want to buy one for $599, in some instances they're willing to pay ridiculous prices to buy one on eBay," Tretton said. (Oh really?)

Well, Joystiq readers are pretty big video game consumers, last time we checked. Do you think the PS3 can remain competitive at its current price until mid-2008? If you don't have the system yet, will you be willing to wait that long for a lower price? How much would you be willing to pay for Sony's power-packed system?

JoystiqTretton: PS3 will be "difficult to cost reduce" originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$299599 us dollars599UsDollarsbusinesspriceprice dropprice reduceprice reductionPriceDropPriceReducePriceReductionPS2PS3reductionMon, 22 Jan 2007 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Friday leads to a 280 percent sales increase]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/black-friday-leads-to-a-280-percent-sales-increase/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/black-friday-leads-to-a-280-percent-sales-increase/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/black-friday-leads-to-a-280-percent-sales-increase/#commentsFiled under:

The PSP has been on a roll lately. The launch of PLAYSTATION 3 a few weeks ago increased PSP sales by 30 percent. The Black Friday boost was even more stellar: sales have gone up another 280 percent, according to Dave Karraker, in a statement to GameDaily. Like Martha Stewart would tell you, the PSP is an awesome holiday gift, and it appears early holiday shoppers know that. Of course, the Black Friday price drops certainly didn't hurt at all either: systems were selling for as low as $150. Considering how system sales exploded with a lower price, imagine the gain the PSP would get from a permanent price drop. Why not, Kaz?

JoystiqBlack Friday leads to a 280 percent sales increase originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Nov 2006 23:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black fridayBlackFridaydave karrakerDaveKarrakerholidaykarrakerprice dropPriceDroppspsalesalesMon, 27 Nov 2006 23:25:00 EST<![CDATA[360 costs are falling but price drop is "a ways off"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/360-costs-are-falling-but-price-drop-is-a-ways-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/360-costs-are-falling-but-price-drop-is-a-ways-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/360-costs-are-falling-but-price-drop-is-a-ways-off/#commentsFiled under: ,

We hope none of you have been sitting on your hands, waiting for the mythical Xbox 360 holiday price drop to arrive next month smiting all competitors with its low, low MSRP; cost conscious Wii waiters would be wooed while PlayStation purists would ponder the price points. All for naught! Microsoft has insisted it won't be lowering the price of its next-gen offering.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Todd Bishop reports that, despite Microsoft's disclosure last week that the 360's manufacturing costs have been falling "faster than expected," the ensuing price drop is "still a ways off." He cites various analysts, and Microsoft themselves, to support this assertion ... but this isn't a new company line. In response to this same question, Peter Moore told us at E3, "[The Xbox 360] had a price drop on Monday when Sony announced their price. We obviously don't talk about price drops, and I can't think of any good reason right now that we would drop the price even further from the delta between what we're offering and what our competitor's are currently offering."

With PlayStation 3s looking to be in limited supply this holiday season, the Xbox 360 will be the only high-def next-gen box sitting pretty on retailer's shelves. With plans to sell an additional 4 million units before the end of '06, a price drop would severely affect Microsoft's ability to capitalize on the impending PS3 shortages. Our best guess at a 360 price drop: 2007, when the processor gets reduced to a cooler, smaller, and cheaper 65nm. We know, a really bold prediction.

Joystiq360 costs are falling but price drop is "a ways off" originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Price dropPriceDropXbox-360Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 price chop still a dream]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/xbox-360-price-chop-still-a-dream/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/xbox-360-price-chop-still-a-dream/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/30/xbox-360-price-chop-still-a-dream/#commentsFiled under:

Here's an article in the Seattle Post Intelligencer telling the mainstream audience what we have already come to accept: Thanks to the PS3's lofty price tag, a price cut for the Xbox 360 is a long way off.

JoystiqXbox 360 price chop still a dream originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>price dropPriceDropMon, 30 Oct 2006 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Yet another analyst spells doom for PSP, predicts price drop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/09/yet-another-analyst-spells-doom-for-psp-predicts-price-drop/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/09/yet-another-analyst-spells-doom-for-psp-predicts-price-drop/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/09/yet-another-analyst-spells-doom-for-psp-predicts-price-drop/#commentsFiled under:


More analysts are joining the Sony-bashing party. In-Stat revealed that Nintendo's recently been making DS Lites at an incredible pace of 2.2 million units a month. By infiltrating the homes of the elderly, women and children, Nintendo has been planning to launch Skynet has been maintaining a healthy lead over the PSP. According to Mr. O'Rourke, he predicts the DS will outship the PSP by 25 to 30% this year.

Like many other analysts, Mr. O'Rourke predicts that Sony will cut the price to somewhere in the 150 to 170 dollar range, which is similar to other estimates. Honestly, I don't think the PSP needs a price drop, but Sony will inevitably have to slash prices (even if they don't want to), or do a redesign to get all this negative press away from them.

[Via TG Daily]

JoystiqYet another analyst spells doom for PSP, predicts price drop originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Sep 2006 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystds liteDsLitein-statnintendo dsNintendoDso'rourkeprice dropPriceDropSat, 09 Sep 2006 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft to launch Xbox 360 Core in Japan [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/microsoft-to-launch-xbox-360-core-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/microsoft-to-launch-xbox-360-core-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/microsoft-to-launch-xbox-360-core-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,

Having already launched the Xbox 360 twice in Japan, it would seem that Microsoft's efforts to woo gamers in the East are due to take a turn for the desperate and slightly non-sensical. Reuters Canada reports that the Redmond giant plans to release a "simpler version" of the console on November 2nd, one stripped of a hard drive and equipped with a lower price (a drop of 10,000 yen, or $86). Savvy gamers will immediately recognize this as the Xbox 360 Core system and promptly recoil in horror. We can only imagine the marketing meeting that spawned this strategy:

"Sir, I don't know if you've heard, but we aren't doing too well in Japan."
"Japan?"
"It's a country. It's where Mario, the Italian plumber comes from."
"Of course. Why aren't we selling millions over there?"
"My analysis of the situation reveals one of two reasons, sir. Number one. We haven't been giving the Japanese gamers the genres or the popular franchises they want. We have no Final Fantasy, no Dragon Quest and no Metal Gear Solid."
"........."
"............."
"Bwahahahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
"But seriously, I figure it's just because they hate freedom so much."
"Well then, we should stick to our guns and give them freedom. Lots of it. Let's send them choice and our cheaper Xbox 360."
"But sir, that didn't even sell well in the countries that do like the Xbox 360. The normal version did much better. Oh, I see."
"That's right. The good Xbox 360 sells well here and the crappy one sells poorly. The good Xbox 360 sells badly in Japan, so therefore ..."
"The crappy one should be a huge hit! Amazing!"

Cracking the Japanese market isn't an amazing or an impossible feat, but assaulting it with the squeaky toy hammer that is a $255 (29,800 yen), feature deprived console is unlikely to be terribly effective. Consider that since its original launch in Japan, the Xbox 360 has sold 158,654 units -- about as much as the DS Lite sells in a week.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

[Update: IGN notes that the system includes Ninety Nine Nights and Project Gotham Racing 3. Does that make up for the 16,275 yen (roughly $130) value of a seperate hard drive and headset? Thanks, A Master Ninja.]

JoystiqMicrosoft to launch Xbox 360 Core in Japan [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Sep 2006 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>core xbox 360CoreXbox360JapanlaunchMSFTprice dropPriceDroprelaunchXbox 360 launchXbox LiveXbox-360Xbox360LaunchXboxLiveThu, 07 Sep 2006 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Core Xbox 360 loses ten pounds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/25/core-xbox-360-loses-ten-pounds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/25/core-xbox-360-loses-ten-pounds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/25/core-xbox-360-loses-ten-pounds/#commentsFiled under:


And before our juvenile brains manage to construct a poor joke regarding the Xbox 360's power brick, we'll quickly blurt out that the lost pounds are strictly in monetary terms. According to Gamesindusty.biz, several retailers in the UK have confirmed that the Core Xbox 360's price has been slashed by 10 quid, bringing its total price to GBP 199.99. A lower price says little of value, however, as walking out of the store with a Core console, a hard drive (GBP 69.99) and a component cable (GBP 19.99) will still cost you more than the standard pack (GBP 279.99).

Though this move is unlikely to cause a similar Core price drop in the US, it does seem to reinforce the idea that the cheaper deal is the less popular one. Of course, that doesn't stop retailers from advertising it in deceiving ways -- the above advertisement is straight from the front page of online retailer, Game, and proudly proclaims that "HD gaming starts" at 199.99 pounds. "HD gaming" here having the definition of "a sequence of fuzzy images conveyed by the included and technically inept composite cable."

JoystiqCore Xbox 360 loses ten pounds originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Aug 2006 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CorePremiumprice dropPriceDropUKUnited KingdomUnitedKingdomXbox price dropXbox-360XboxPriceDropFri, 25 Aug 2006 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Kaz Hirai talks PSP, denies redesign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/18/kaz-hirai-talks-psp-denies-redesign/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/18/kaz-hirai-talks-psp-denies-redesign/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/18/kaz-hirai-talks-psp-denies-redesign/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nintendo fans have Reggie. We have Kaz. There's no real new info in his interview with Gamespot, but it's always interesting when a Sony exec goes on the record about the system. Here are some bullet points summarizing what he said:
  • Sony is still "hard at work" on Connect. (Note: It was originally supposed to come out in March.)
  • PSone downloads will come "close" to the PS3 launch. "Obviously, we certainly are not going to have 1,200 titles come out at once. You also need to realize that some of the games just don't translate well onto a PSP environment, games that require the use of the two analog sticks, for example."
  • No plans for a PSP price drop OR redesign. Sony is "happy" with PSP; it is their "fastest-growing product."

JoystiqKaz Hirai talks PSP, denies redesign originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Aug 2006 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connectexecgamespotinterviewkazkaz hiraiKazHiraipriceprice dropPriceDropps1ps3psoneredesignsonyFri, 18 Aug 2006 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[$149 PSP coming soon? CNN reports]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/11/149-psp-coming-soon-cnn-reports/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/11/149-psp-coming-soon-cnn-reports/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/11/149-psp-coming-soon-cnn-reports/#commentsFiled under:

The Sony warehouses are slowly filling up with stockpiles of "finished gaming hardware." Could it be the PlayStation 2 or PlayStation 3? P.J. McNealy from American Technology Research thinks it's the PSP. "[The PSP] has lost momentum. Nintendo has had a great run since it launched the DS Lite and Sony needs to regain some ground." Due to the recent sales boost of DS Lite, and the commercial success of major DS software releases, the analyst expects that Sony will drop the price of the PSP to a mere $149, $50 less than what it is right now.

According to McNealy, this can give Sony a major advantage. Nintendo is unlikely to drop the DS's price from $129 due to its inability to meet demand. Sony's PSP comes with additional functionality, such as the ability to view movies, that will appear to make it a much greater value to consumers. For the full report, visit CNN.

[Thanks, steve!]

Joystiq$149 PSP coming soon? CNN reports originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Aug 2006 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american technology researchAmericanTechnologyResearchcnndsmcnealyprice dropPriceDroppspsonyFri, 11 Aug 2006 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: 360 wireless gaming receiver $20; wheel $130; headset $60; camera $40; Halo and Forza faceplates $20 [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/rumor-360-wireless-gaming-receiver-20-wheel-130-headset-60/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/rumor-360-wireless-gaming-receiver-20-wheel-130-headset-60/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/rumor-360-wireless-gaming-receiver-20-wheel-130-headset-60/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

360 wireless gaming receiver for the PCThanks to a reliable source from Microsoft, we've learned some important details about the new peripherals announced for the Xbox 360, including pricing and a few Halo faceplate (non)specifics. Check out the leaked info and prices below:
  • 360 wireless gaming receiver (which enables wireless 360 controllers, headsets, and wheels on your PC): $20
  • Wireless racing wheel: $130
  • Wireless headset: $60
  • Xbox Live Vision Camera (with headset, one month of Live Gold, and one arcade -- presumably Xbox Live Arcade -- game): $40
  • New faceplates for Halo (with the Master Chief on 'em, but not Halo 3 specific) and Forza (no word on connections to the sequel): $20 each
  • 256 MB portable memory unit (MU): no official price yet, but definitely not four times the cost of the older 64MB MU
Besides acknowledging that the PC is "the biggest gaming device of all," MS appears to be setting an agressive price for its most relevant new PC accessory, the wireless gaming receiver (at least in comparison to the outrageously priced 360 wireless networking adapter). Unfortunately, no price was revealed as of yet for the USB-based HD-DVD add-on.

We've speculated in our recent podcasts as to what would happen to the various 360 SKUs when price drops inevitably occur. An interesting theory bandied about by prolific Joystiq Contributor epobirs (on our earlier bump-to-256MB-MU post) was that a $20 price drop for the Core system, coupled with a $20 price drop on the 64MB MU, would finally allow folks to pick up a capable non-Premium bundle for the original $300 Core price point. (Not a bad way to undercut PS2 memory card prices, too.) We hope to get official confirmation on this info in the not-too-distant future.

[Update: Sorry, had the camera price wrong in the headline; it now matches the price of the bundle listed in the body of the text below.]

See also:

JoystiqRumor: 360 wireless gaming receiver $20; wheel $130; headset $60; camera $40; Halo and Forza faceplates $20 [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 May 2006 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>(non)specific(non)specifics256MB360 SKUs360Skus64MBaccessoryadd-onarcadebiggest gaming device of allBiggestGamingDeviceOfAllbundlecameracommentcommentatorcommentedcommenterconfirmconfirmationcontributorcontrollercontrollersCoreCore systemCoreSystemE3e32006epobirsfaceplatefaceplatesForzagaming receiverGamingReceiverGoldHaloHalo 3Halo3HD-DVDHD-DVD add-onHD-DVD playerHd-dvdAdd-onHd-dvdPlayerheadsetheadsetsJoystiq ContributorJoystiqContributorLive ArcadeLive GoldLive Vision CameraLiveArcadeLiveGoldLiveVisionCameraMaster ChiefMasterChiefmemory cardmemory unitMemoryCardMemoryUnitMicrosoftMSMUnetwork adapterNetworkAdapternetworking adapterNetworkingAdapternon-Bluetoothnon-specificnon-specificsofficialPCpodcastpodcastsportable memory unitPortableMemoryUnitpriceprice dropprice dropsprice pointPriceDropPriceDropsPricePointpricingPS2 memory cardPS2 memory cardsPs2MemoryCardPs2MemoryCardsracing wheelRacingWheelrumorSKUSKUsspecificsundercutUSBUSB-basedVision CameraVisionCamerawheelwheelswireless gaming receiverwireless headsetwireless network adapterwireless networking adapterWirelessGamingReceiverWirelessHeadsetWirelessNetworkAdapterWirelessNetworkingAdapterXbox Live ArcadeXbox Live Vision CameraXbox-360XboxLiveArcadeXboxLiveVisionCameraFri, 12 May 2006 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[GameCube price drop: Nintendo preps retailer [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/01/gamecube-price-drop-nintendo-preps-retailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/01/gamecube-price-drop-nintendo-preps-retailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/01/gamecube-price-drop-nintendo-preps-retailers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

GameCubeGameSpot reports that a GameCube price drop could be in the works. According to an EB Games employee, Nintendo has sent posters that include blank, GameCube-branded "New Low Price" stickers to the retailer. The posters are to be used within the next marketing period (May 1-23) in the event of a price change. The employee confirmed that Sony sent similar materials prior to the PS2 price drop last month.

The GameCube currently retails for $99.99. We suspect that by the end of the month that price could fall to $79.99.

[Update: changed "GameStop" to "GameSpot"]

JoystiqGameCube price drop: Nintendo preps retailer [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 May 2006 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EB GamesEbGamesGameCubeprice dropPriceDropMon, 01 May 2006 11:25:00 EST