Playstation 3 Price Cut

[HBox]

$499 on July 12. (http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=16721)

Launching at $599 was nothing but a disaster. I can't imagine how pissed the 5 people who bought it already will be.

[JPMNICK]

500 is still a lot of money. esp. when the Wii is so much cheaper.

[Hottub]

They had better keep slashing. Wii and 360 are really gaining ground.

[Fallon]

Still $150 too much

[DolaMight]

I'm sure that has alot to do with Microsoft deciding to extend the XBOX360 warranties to 3 years:

Microsoft Corp. <MSFT.O> said on Thursday said it would take a more than $1 billion charge to fix "an unacceptable number of repairs" to its Xbox 360 video game consoles and had missed shipment targets for the end of June. (http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/business-microsoft-xbox.html?ex=1341288000&en=35f5a037684930d7&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)

There was BS rumors that 33% of consoles failed, but I'm sure it was never more than 10. Still too much, but still shows the power of internet rumors.

[Nothing Sound]

Considering that it plays Blu Ray and stand alone
Blu Ray players are going for at least that, it's not a bad price.

I still have no interest though.

[DolaMight]

I'm sure that has alot to do with Microsoft deciding to extend the XBOX360 warranties to 3 years:

Microsoft Corp. <MSFT.O> said on Thursday said it would take a more than $1 billion charge to fix "an unacceptable number of repairs" to its Xbox 360 video game consoles and had missed shipment targets for the end of June. (http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/business-microsoft-xbox.html?ex=1341288000&en=35f5a037684930d7&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)

There was BS rumors that 33% of consoles failed, but I'm sure it was never more than 10.

[sailor]

I'm sure that has alot to do with Microsoft deciding to extend the XBOX360 warranties to 3 years:

Microsoft Corp. <MSFT.O> said on Thursday said it would take a more than $1 billion charge to fix "an unacceptable number of repairs" to its Xbox 360 video game consoles and had missed shipment targets for the end of June. (http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/business-microsoft-xbox.html?ex=1341288000&en=35f5a037684930d7&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)

There was BS rumors that 33% of consoles failed, but I'm sure it was never more than 10.

what a bizarre double post!

[cougarjake13]

what a bizarre double post!

yes the ever elusive sandwich double post

[sailor]

yes the ever elusive sandwich double post

she's a beauty!

[Hottub]

Damn! Starvin' AND Horny!!!

[DolaMight]

she's a beauty!

You're too kind thank you. Truth is I've been watching Nothing Sound for a while now, looking for posting patterns and then bang, timed it perfectly. Just 2 refreshes after the web slowed.

[JPMNICK]

yes the ever elusive sandwich double post

now i am starving

[Hottub]

Damn! Starvin' AND Horny!!!

now i am starving

and....


















FACE!!!!

[Chimee]

I actually bought a PS3 a while back because I had $600 worth of in-store credit at EB Games and now I'm thinking I would have been better off buying a Wii.

[JesterOfSadness]

I actually bought a PS3 a while back because I had $600 worth of in-store credit at EB Games and now I'm thinking I would have been better off buying a Wii.

Christ how many games did you turn in? 4,000?

[JPMNICK]

and....


















FACE!!!!


If I could be FACED by anyone, I would choose you 100% of the time HT

[King Hippos Bandaid]

i'll take 6

:king:

[Hottub]

If I could be FACED by anyone, I would choose you 100% of the time HT


Still starvin',

and oddly enough, even more horny!!!!:tongue:

[Chimee]

Christ how many games did you turn in? 4,000?

It was closer to 100 along with a couple of consoles and controllers and other accessories .

[El Mudo]

I'm sure that has alot to do with Microsoft deciding to extend the XBOX360 warranties to 3 years:

Microsoft Corp. <MSFT.O> said on Thursday said it would take a more than $1 billion charge to fix "an unacceptable number of repairs" to its Xbox 360 video game consoles and had missed shipment targets for the end of June. (http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/business-microsoft-xbox.html?ex=1341288000&en=35f5a037684930d7&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)

There was BS rumors that 33% of consoles failed, but I'm sure it was never more than 10. Still too much, but still shows the power of internet rumors.



I'm on my second system...ive heard of people on their 4th or 5th...

[lleeder]

At this rate I'll be able to buy one by 2027.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Remember that PS3 price cut?

Yeah, it's not happening. (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-6195127.html)

miss lower-priced PS3

[King Imp]

Nice! It's still high, but I was hoping for a minimum cut of $100 before committing. Come on Christmas, daddy wants a new PS3!

[zentraed]

My dad bought a PS3 for the blu-ray player on my advice. I don't think either of us has ever played a game on it. The bluetooth remote for it kicks ass. Also, it plays sound and video files, although the format support still needs some improvement.

[weekapaugjz]

yeah, i still can't afford it. and it makes me sad. i played mlb 07 at best buy and thought i was in heaven...

[sailor]

yeah, i still can't afford it. and it makes me sad. i played mlb 07 at best buy and thought i was in heaven...

sell blood?

[HBox]

Remember that PS3 price cut?

Yeah, it's not happening. (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-6195127.html)

miss lower-priced PS3

Because Sony is run by a bunch of idiot monkeys who have no idea what the others are doing:

Sony announces $100 price cut for 60GB PS3 and plans for new 80GB model because, well, it wouldn't be PS3 if they didn't have a model that costs $599. (http://www.kotv.com/news/national/story/?id=131051)

Somebody at Sony also said that they had no plans of releasing an 80GB model, further proving my previous point.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Because Sony is run by a bunch of idiot monkeys who have no idea what the others are doing:

Sony announces $100 price cut for 60GB PS3 and plans for new 80GB model because, well, it wouldn't be PS3 if they didn't have a model that costs $599. (http://www.kotv.com/news/national/story/?id=131051)

Somebody at Sony also said that they had no plans of releasing an 80GB model, further proving my previous point.

Well, this is how the dummies lost World War II. No communication!

[HBox]

Well it turns out that this is a temporary price cut. The 60GB is not being produced anymore, although they say that they have enough supply for a few months. As soon as it's gone only the 80GB model will remain with it's $599 price.

Every single person who works for this company is fucking moron.

Oh yeah. The new 80GB model? They are taking out the PS2 chip that is in there. That means the backwards compatibility will be greatly reduced. Morons, all of them.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Every single person who works for this company is fucking moron.




Excuse me, Sam Raimi and Bruce Springsteen work for Sony.

[mikeyboy]

i played mlb 07 at best buy and thought i was in heaven...

You were in Iowa.

[King Imp]

Well it turns out that this is a temporary price cut. The 60GB is not being produced anymore, although they say that they have enough supply for a few months. As soon as it's gone only the 80GB model will remain with it's $599 price.

Every single person who works for this company is fucking moron.

Oh yeah. The new 80GB model? They are taking out the PS2 chip that is in there. That means the backwards compatibility will be greatly reduced. Morons, all of them.


Do you have any links for this because I really need to see this. If this was an actual statement made from Sony themselves, then I am gonna have to get one right now instead of waiting until Christmas.

[King Imp]

Nevermind. I just saw an article on GameSpot. Looks like I have to get one earlier than expected now because I am not spending more for a model that does less than the current one does.

[sailor]

You were in Iowa.

great line.

[HBox]

Excuse me, Sam Raimi and Bruce Springsteen work for Sony.

I'd call them independent contractors.

[HBox]

Nevermind. I just saw an article on GameSpot. Looks like I have to get one earlier than expected now because I am not spending more for a model that does less than the current one does.

If you buy one before October or November or something you can send away for 5 free Blu-Ray movies. The movies on there aren't great, Blazing Saddles and The Last Waltz are th only two I remember but they are free.

I have a feeling what's going to happen is that once the 60GB models are out they will just lower the price on the 80GB bundle. I can't see them going through another holiday season with a $599 price point. However the 60GB models will be the last ones with the PS2 chip in them. So if that is important to you Sony has you by the balls right now. The PS3s out in Europe right now do not have the PS2 chip and while the list of backward compatible games isn't horrible they are missing some huge games and Sony has said that improving the list in future firmware updates is not a priority for them.

[King Imp]

However the 60GB models will be the last ones with the PS2 chip in them. So if that is important to you Sony has you by the balls right now.

Yeah, unfortunately they do. While there aren't many I plan on keeping, I looked on the list of those that work and those that don't and the ones I plan on keeping have been listed as having problems without the chip.

[IamFogHat]

Listen, of course I understand the BluRay argument, from an economic standpoint, yes, it makes sense. But seriously, WTF, did they pour any of their resources into the marketing department, hello, you fucking retards, your target demographic is 14-30 year olds (being generous) and in this current market how many of them of them do you expect to buy your fucking product? (you assholes)
seriously. (i don't have to get into the multiple malfunctions of the xbox360/ps3

[cougarjake13]

Well it turns out that this is a temporary price cut. The 60GB is not being produced anymore, although they say that they have enough supply for a few months. As soon as it's gone only the 80GB model will remain with it's $599 price.

Every single person who works for this company is fucking moron.

Oh yeah. The new 80GB model? They are taking out the PS2 chip that is in there. That means the backwards compatibility will be greatly reduced. Morons, all of them.


Do you have any links for this because I really need to see this. If this was an actual statement made from Sony themselves, then I am gonna have to get one right now instead of waiting until Christmas.


other than the obvious reason of wanting you to buy the new shit

whats the reason for taking out the chip ???

[King Imp]

other than the obvious reason of wanting you to buy the new shit

whats the reason for taking out the chip ???

From what I've read, this chip is what is costing them so much money to produce each unit and why they are losing money on each one. By taking them out and moving to the 80GB hard drive (which I also hear is less expensive for them than the 60GB one is), they are hoping to finally start making their profits which up till now they haven't.

[cougarjake13]

From what I've read, this chip is what is costing them so much money to produce each unit and why they are losing money on each one. By taking them out and moving to the 80GB hard drive (which I also hear is less expensive for them than the 60GB one is), they are hoping to finally start making their profits which up till now they haven't.

thats a very good reason

im still pissed but at least i se where they're coming from

[angrymissy]

I have been saving these stupid points I get for meeting planning, and I will have enough to get a PS3 next week.

Who has one, and do you like it? Does anyone know if the next Final Fantasy will be exclusive to Playstation? I am considering it, but haven't heard anyone who has been wowed by the PS3 yet.

[mikeyboy]

I have been saving these stupid points I get for meeting planning, and I will have enough to get a PS3 next week.

Who has one, and do you like it? Does anyone know if the next Final Fantasy will be exclusive to Playstation? I am considering it, but haven't heard anyone who has been wowed by the PS3 yet.

Does this mean we'll get another thread from Jeff about how his wife has too many video games and she shouldn't be permitted to get another system?

[Chimee]

I have a PS3 and all I've used it for the past couple months is to watch DVDs. I'm hoping that once more games start coming out for it, it'll be more enjoyable to play.

As far as the next Final Fantasy, I've heard that it would be multi-platform, but that could just be the version that they're releasing for cellphones.

[angrymissy]

Does this mean we'll get another thread from Jeff about how his wife has too many video games and she shouldn't be permitted to get another system?

I am sure he will be enraged that I am even considering it, but it will cost me NO CASH whatsoever. If FFXIII is PS3 exclusive (which is what wikipedia says), then that would be a major selling point for me.

[HBox]

I have been saving these stupid points I get for meeting planning, and I will have enough to get a PS3 next week.

Who has one, and do you like it? Does anyone know if the next Final Fantasy will be exclusive to Playstation? I am considering it, but haven't heard anyone who has been wowed by the PS3 yet.

For now both MGS4 and both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII Versus are still PS3 exclusives. If I had to bet I'd say that they will remain so but you never know. I'd say that Final Fantasies are much more likely to stay exclusives. But they are still far off. Final Fantasy XIII will be released here next winter at the earliest and I'd bet it's probably a little farther off. Versus will be even longer. MGS4 should be released in the Spring.

As far as PS3 right now its game library is just starting to ramp up. Ninja Gaiden Sigma and Resistance: Fall of Man are the two best games out right now. There are some other decent titles if you are into those genres like Motorstorm and Virtua Fighter 5.

In two weeks the good games start getting released. Warhawk, an online-only multiplayer air and ground combat game is released. Then Lair, a dragon-riding shooter, and Heavenly Sword, a God of War type brawler, are released. Ratchet and Clank Future will be released in October. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is a good looking game. It's a Tomb Raider type shooter. It will be released in November. And Sony will be releasing Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on the Playstation network. It's like an expanded demo for GT5. Unreal Tournament 3 will be exclusive until sometime next year. These are all exclusives.

Other good games that will be released that will also be on 360 is Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty 4, Half-Life 2 Orange Box, Guitar Hero 3 and Rock Band. They will all be pretty much identical to the 360 releases except for Rock Band and Guitar Hero 3. The PS3 wireless guitars will cost a little less due tot he way Microsoft handles wireless on 360.

Also if you buy a PS3 soon you get five free Blu-Ray movies.

[JustJon]

For now both MGS4

Expect to see MGS4 on XBox, just a little later.

[Keotok]

I have been saving these stupid points I get for meeting planning, and I will have enough to get a PS3 next week.

Who has one, and do you like it? Does anyone know if the next Final Fantasy will be exclusive to Playstation? I am considering it, but haven't heard anyone who has been wowed by the PS3 yet.

We bought one because we just got a Sony 60" HDTV, and wanted a blue ray player. I love it. It saved me when we had no internet. I was able to plug in usb mouse and keyboard and at least have some access by leaching off of someones wireless.

I store my pictures in it. It has a few common flash card slots. It's so easy to transfer from the camera card to a usb pen drive.

I haven't played many PS3 games on it. Mostly just baseball, but my kids love it. They have gamefly, so have tried many games. They look incredible. Can't help you with FF. My kids don't play that one. Sorry.

I love that the controllers are wireless and WORK.

I honestly don't think I have any major complaints except that there aren't very many games that I would play on it. I have a few PS2 games that I play with no problem. Just not as pretty. I was even able to take the info off the PS2 memory card and put it into the 3, and pick up where I left off instead of starting over.

Hope that helps...

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Microsoft is gonna drop the price of their current "low end" system to about $280 or less. I don't see how Sony is gonna win this one at this point unless they start fixing up their act. Buy low and sell high isn't going to work for them this time around.

[AJDELAWARE]

Sony really blew it from the get go on this one, I think the Wii and poor distribution really screwed up an otherwise profitable business model.

[DolaMight]

Microsoft is gonna drop the price of their current "low end" system to about $280 or less.

And they're shipping them with HDMI now. Same price as the Wee!

[HBox]

Microsoft is gonna drop the price of their current "low end" system to about $280 or less. I don't see how Sony is gonna win this one at this point unless they start fixing up their act. Buy low and sell high isn't going to work for them this time around.

Barring some catastrophic collapse Nintendo has already won. The Wii has just recently surpassed the 360 in installed base. That's amazing. 9 months it took to completely erase a whole year's head start. It's selling more than double the amount of 360s and PS3s every single month.

I think we're in for a weird generation. Nintendo dominating everywhere, Microsoft doing very well here, OK in Europe and horribly in Japan, and Sony doing badly here but well in Europe and Japan (as soon as its big titles are released). It's very much a mixed bag if you're not Nintendo.

[AJDELAWARE]

Barring some catastrophic collapse Nintendo has already won. The Wii has just recently surpassed the 360 in installed base. That's amazing. 9 months it took to completely erase a whole year's head start. It's selling more than double the amount of 360s and PS3s every single month.

I think we're in for a weird generation. Nintendo dominating everywhere...

So its 1985 all over again?

[underdog]

Barring some catastrophic collapse Nintendo has already won. The Wii has just recently surpassed the 360 in installed base. That's amazing. 9 months it took to completely erase a whole year's head start. It's selling more than double the amount of 360s and PS3s every single month.

The Wii will crush everything because they've actually made women want to play video games.

My wife doesn't play games at all, and she actually went out and bought a Wii after playing it once.

[DolaMight]

It's very much a mixed bag if you're not Nintendo.

And it sucks for the consumer because developers usually develop the big games for the system with the biggest installation base (Wii) and then port them over to the other systems. As a result the quality of alot of PS3 and 360 games will suffer because the focus was on older technology.

Also the technology has never been so different across the same "generation" of consoles before, games cost more to make now and publishers won't be as likely take risks on games anymore.

[underdog]

Also the technology has never been so different across the same "generation" of consoles before, games cost more to make now and publishers won't be as likely take risks on games anymore.

You're absolutely right. One system is based on gameplay, while the other two base their games around graphics. I think video game companies are finally learning how profitable it is to make actual Wii versions of their games, not just games you can play on the Wii.

[AJDELAWARE]

You're absolutely right. One system is based on gameplay, while the other two base their games around graphics. I think video game companies are finally learning how profitable it is to make actual Wii versions of their games, not just games you can play on the Wii.

Yes! There is nothing worse then playing a game ported to Wii, and they try to "embrace" the controls, and this is done by simply allowing you to control the camera angle with the nunchuk. I like that this forces game companies to be innovative and design games based on the controls of the system, theyve had it far to easy before (in theory) with the standard type of controller for the last 3 decades, now its time for them to step it up.

[angrymissy]

Jeff says if he sees a PS3 in our house he is filing for divorce. Reignited the whole NO ONE NEEDS THREE GAME SYSTEMS WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU fight

[JustJon]

Jeff says if he sees a PS3 in our house he is filing for divorce. Reignited the whole NO ONE NEEDS THREE GAME SYSTEMS WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU fight

FFXIII

[Don Stugots]

Jeff says if he sees a PS3 in our house he is filing for divorce. Reignited the whole NO ONE NEEDS THREE GAME SYSTEMS WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU fight

we have 4 systems. Nintendo, Atari 2600, PS 2, Xbox. coming soon: Wii.

[StupidGirlllll]

I never wanted a gaming system either, but once I played the WII I had to get it. I was @ Target one Sun @ 7 AM waiting to get it. It has got to be the best most easiest system to use. The controllers are wireless, which makes it easier to monuver. I really love the Super Paper Mario I can play it everyday.

[HBox]

FFXIII

I'm guessing she has a couple years to wear him down before that comes out.

I for one am a little disappointed in the Wii. Only gimmicky and minigame stuff has come out for it. There wasn't even a proper baseball game released. That should be easy! This feeling could change as early as tomorrow when I pick up Metroid Prime 3. But beyond that and Mario Galaxy I'm not really looking forward to anything.

[zentraed]

I'm guessing she has a couple years to wear him down before that comes out.

I for one am a little disappointed in the Wii. Only gimmicky and minigame stuff has come out for it. There wasn't even a proper baseball game released. That should be easy! This feeling could change as early as tomorrow when I pick up Metroid Prime 3. But beyond that and Mario Galaxy I'm not really looking forward to anything.

I don't think the developers were expecting the Wii to be so successful, and they put all their efforts into the PS3 and 360. With the massive installed base now, I expect there will be some decent third-party games in the future.

[Da Fish]

I got my PS3 August 6th and I love it. I picked up Resistance with it and the game is great. I also got Warhawk.

[TooLowBrow]

i am seriously thinking about picking up the ps3.
i want it for gta4.
are there any games i should get before gta comes out?
or should i just wait and buy the system when the game comes out.

[Kilgores Feet]

I'm guessing she has a couple years to wear him down before that comes out.

I for one am a little disappointed in the Wii. Only gimmicky and minigame stuff has come out for it. There wasn't even a proper baseball game released. That should be easy! This feeling could change as early as tomorrow when I pick up Metroid Prime 3. But beyond that and Mario Galaxy I'm not really looking forward to anything.

A fellow Arcadian?

I wanted to love my Wii with a fire-filled passion. And I do, sort of. It's just too bad I don't have anything to do with it. When Galaxy comes out I will have a game to play but that won't take all that long, I'm guessing.
The only must-have games so far have all come out at such long intervals that I won't touch the machine for a month or so (unless I have people over for a party.) I don't even see it changing all that much in upcoming months.
I want Galaxy, Zak & Wiki and Brawl. But only two of those are really single player and none of them seem all that spectacular.

I want a PS3, because I love Final Fantasy, but a system for one game seems absurd.

[Midkiff]

i am seriously thinking about picking up the ps3.
i want it for gta4.
are there any games i should get before gta comes out?
or should i just wait and buy the system when the game comes out.

i've always been a playstation guy but I think I will get the xbox 360 instead because gta4 will be released on both, and you can get Halo too

[Kilgores Feet]

i've always been a playstation guy but I think I will get the xbox 360 instead because gta4 will be released on both, and you can get Halo too

Yeah but wasn't Rockstar complaining about the amount of data available on a disc for the 360 compared to he PS3? I seem to remember the debate also touching on the non-standard presence of a HD in the xbox core/arcade as an alternative in future development.

[HBox]

New PS3 bundle coming out this summer. 80GB PS3, Metal Gear Solid 4, Dual Shock 3. $499 on June 12th. (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/02/26/metal-gear-solid-80gb-pack-announced/)

[Knowledged_one]

New PS3 bundle coming out this summer. 80GB PS3, Metal Gear Solid 4, Dual Shock 3. $499 on June 12th. (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/02/26/metal-gear-solid-80gb-pack-announced/)

Until they delay MGS 4 again

That price is outrageous considering their online system is bad and their online community has been delayed again

And what's worse is that the PS3 is getting outsold in Japan now by the XBox 360

[HBox]

Until they delay MGS 4 again

That price is outrageous considering their online system is bad and their online community has been delayed again

And what's worse is that the PS3 is getting outsold in Japan now by the XBox 360

It's not being outsold in Japan. It got outsold by the 360 for one week in the fall and only by a couple hundred units. The Xbox is continually massacred in Japan.

What DID happen is the the PS3 outsold the 360 in NA for the first time last month.

And the online system is not bad. At least some games have dedicated servers on PS3 and I'm not paying a thing.

[Kevin]

New PS3 bundle coming out this summer. 80GB PS3, Metal Gear Solid 4, Dual Shock 3. $499 on June 12th. (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/02/26/metal-gear-solid-80gb-pack-announced/)

You WERE right!! All of your posts DO have links!!! Silly Marc!

[Kevin]

Think you paid too much for your Playstation 3? Don't expect any sympathy from Sony.

In the company's fiscal 2008 annual report, Sony revealed that they've now lost roughly $3.3 billion (that's billion with a B) on the Playstation 3 since its launch. That breaks down to $2.16 billion in 2007, followed by a notably smaller but equally daunting $1.16 billion loss in 2008.

The reason? Pricing the console below its production cost. That's right - that hefty $599 you paid for the PS3 back when it first launched was significantly cheaper than the cost of producing it in the first place, and while the retail price has come down some, the losses keep piling up.

Investors have reason to sweat. In a statement, Sony claimed "the large-scale investment required during the development and introductory period of a new gaming platform may not be fully recovered." They went on to note that they've invested a great deal of money into R&D for the console, a sum they might not be able to recoup if the PS3 "fails to achieve such favorable market penetration."

Sony fanboys should take heart, however. Losing money on hardware is relatively common in the video game biz, as companies routinely lower prices to sell more units and thus stimulate software sales. Sony's game division saw a 26% sales spike last quarter, a trend they expect will continue on the strength of strong exclusives like the recently released Metal Gear Solid 4 and the upcoming sequel Resistance 2.

But will it be enough?

[K.C.]

Think you paid too much for your Playstation 3? Don't expect any sympathy from Sony.

In the company's fiscal 2008 annual report, Sony revealed that they've now lost roughly $3.3 billion (that's billion with a B) on the Playstation 3 since its launch. That breaks down to $2.16 billion in 2007, followed by a notably smaller but equally daunting $1.16 billion loss in 2008.

The reason? Pricing the console below its production cost. That's right - that hefty $599 you paid for the PS3 back when it first launched was significantly cheaper than the cost of producing it in the first place, and while the retail price has come down some, the losses keep piling up.

Investors have reason to sweat. In a statement, Sony claimed "the large-scale investment required during the development and introductory period of a new gaming platform may not be fully recovered." They went on to note that they've invested a great deal of money into R&D for the console, a sum they might not be able to recoup if the PS3 "fails to achieve such favorable market penetration."

Sony fanboys should take heart, however. Losing money on hardware is relatively common in the video game biz, as companies routinely lower prices to sell more units and thus stimulate software sales. Sony's game division saw a 26% sales spike last quarter, a trend they expect will continue on the strength of strong exclusives like the recently released Metal Gear Solid 4 and the upcoming sequel Resistance 2.

But will it be enough?


Well, you had to know something was up when you go into any store and see the cheapest Blu-Ray player for $399, and then see the PS3 which is a hi-def gaming console/Blu-Ray player for $399 as well.

I'm not going to feel sorry in the least for Sony, though.

Putting Blu-Ray in the PS3 and making it cheap was one of the final blows in destroying HD-DVD. They'll rake money in as people start converting.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Screw 'em. I'm never buying this console until it drops below $300 at this point. They're losing money for similar reasons the 3DO lost money. Anyone remember Neo Geo, where the games were $200 a piece?

[ruggedo]

Dont forget the release of FF 13 this holiday season. FF was the game line that launched PS 2 and I think 13 should take a big chunk out of that loss. Also a patch released in the last two months brought the backward compatiblitity of the cheap models up to about 98% ,so as that word gets around there should be some sales too.



Think you paid too much for your Playstation 3? Don't expect any sympathy from Sony.

In the company's fiscal 2008 annual report, Sony revealed that they've now lost roughly $3.3 billion (that's billion with a B) on the Playstation 3 since its launch. That breaks down to $2.16 billion in 2007, followed by a notably smaller but equally daunting $1.16 billion loss in 2008.

The reason? Pricing the console below its production cost. That's right - that hefty $599 you paid for the PS3 back when it first launched was significantly cheaper than the cost of producing it in the first place, and while the retail price has come down some, the losses keep piling up.

Investors have reason to sweat. In a statement, Sony claimed "the large-scale investment required during the development and introductory period of a new gaming platform may not be fully recovered." They went on to note that they've invested a great deal of money into R&D for the console, a sum they might not be able to recoup if the PS3 "fails to achieve such favorable market penetration."

Sony fanboys should take heart, however. Losing money on hardware is relatively common in the video game biz, as companies routinely lower prices to sell more units and thus stimulate software sales. Sony's game division saw a 26% sales spike last quarter, a trend they expect will continue on the strength of strong exclusives like the recently released Metal Gear Solid 4 and the upcoming sequel Resistance 2.

But will it be enough?

[LordJezo]

Screw 'em. I'm never buying this console until it drops below $300 at this point. They're losing money for similar reasons the 3DO lost money. Anyone remember Neo Geo, where the games were $200 a piece?

I guess you're buying a 360 then.
http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/06/27/more-price-cut-proof-full-page-kmart-ad-for-299-xbox-360/

[underdog]

Is there a basic PS3 thread? Or can a mod change this thread title or something?

Did everyone notice the new PS3 button menu? I'm liking the new setup in a big way.

Anyone get any "trophies" yet?

[oldladyfacepuncher]

Oh no. Say you didn't do it Underdog.

PS3 Update Pulled
(http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2220662/sony-yanks-ps3-update)

It is not known whether affected PS3 owners will be able to repair the console themselves or have to return it to Sony to be fixed.

[underdog]

Oh no. Say you didn't do it Underdog.

PS3 Update Pulled
(http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2220662/sony-yanks-ps3-update)

Damn.

Mine worked fine, though.

[King Imp]

I was up on the computer when this firmware became available and I almost decided to go downstairs to update it. Glad I didn't.

From now on, because of this, I am gonna wait a week after the updates are released. This way you know for sure they are safe.