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Retailers and publishers want a PS3 price cut
Author: Joe MartinPublished: 10th August 2007
The PlayStation 3 Starter Bundle has more than doubled sales of the PS3 for some stores.
Now, mass-market retailers and publishers have stepped forward to voice their concerns about the PlayStation 3 pricing issues in the UK, lending their voices to those of their customers.
Speaking to MCV, Duncan Cross, the Head of Games at Asda, said that "I think for us and for Asda’s customers there’s no doubt that we’d like to have seen some price movement on PS3. The US have got a cut and we’ve got the games bundle but it’s just not the same. I think the console needs an extra something to really get it up to full speed.”
The view was echoed by SCi CEO Jane Cavanagh, who said that “We’re absolutely of the view that Sony will succeed, without question. It’s just a case of the timing. From our point of view, the acceleration of that installed base could be driven by further price cuts. The hardware is pretty expensive. As soon as we start to see cuts coming in, we’ll be more comfortable with the performance of PS3."
Martin Baxter, Head of Games at Choices UK, also agreed that a price cut was needed but disagreed that now was the time for it.
"I think the bundle will be enough to keep sales going in the short term, although ultimately a strong line-up of software and a price drop pre-Christmas would be key to trading through the peak period. Our sales have more than doubled since the new Starter Pack was introduced."
Are you annoyed at how Sony is treating customers in Europe, or do you think that the price of the PlayStation 3 is fair given the amount of hardware packed into it? Let us know what you think in the forums.
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Comments (25)Stats: 0.124 seconds
maybe sony are counting on there fanboys to do it for them, but i cant remember the last time a customer was loyal to one brand.
Phil
With the lack of choice (no 20GB or 80GB units), the inferior hardware (no hardware PS2 emulation - though my understanding is that this is replicated in the 80GB unit now on sale in the US) and the frankly scandalous price differential, it is understandable that European consumers feel properly stuffed by Sony on this.
You know, I hate to disagree with you on this topic again Dev. In fact, it's not that I disagree with your conclusion, just your arguement.
Firstly, you don't say anything about how Oblivion is awful on the 360. Personally, I didn't notice anything wrong with it, and AFAIK it didn't have any massive improvements on the 360 or Pc version.
Games line-up on the 360 is better because there are hundreds of games to choose from. Obviously, some of those are crap, but others are downright amazing.
Must-haves? Tell me, which twenty are you listing and which of them are exclusives? At the very least, this'll be useful to me ;)
Home? Please. It's second life, but for losers. Better than anything the 360 has in that regard, but that doesn't mean its going to be great.
I know you aren't a fanboy etc and I agree the 360 and PS3 are going to be even pretty soon. I have as much reason to hate the 360 as anyone. That said though, I don't think your arguements do an awful lot to support the PS3 right now.
I have a Gaming PC, a PS2, a Xbox and Wii and plan to buy a next gen console next week, and I dont know wich one of them I will buy.
Is there a website who compare the two consoles side-by-side ??
Also, depends what you want to know.
X360 is white (except Elite, which is black); PS3 is black.
X360 has three HDD options (0/20/120 GB); PS3 has 20/60/80, depending on the market, but you can always swap in any 2.5" SATA disk.
X360 has DVD built in but the option for add-on HDDVD; PS3 has Blu-Ray built in.
X360 is cheaper.
X360 is louder.
X360 is more likely to break, but has a great 3yr warranty.
X360 didn't used to offer HDMI output, but the Elite and (apparently) new models of Premium and Core do; All PS3s offer HDMI.
X360 is more established and currently has more games; Many people think PS3 is yet to get many decent titles out.
There are reports that X360 will scratch disks in some cases.
Both have wireless controllers. X360 offers force feedback; PS3 doesn't (not allowed because haven't paid license fees).
Technically, PS3 has more horsepower, but neither is being pushed to its limits with current games.
Both can output 1080p, but the format is more heavily pushed with respect to PS3; for X360 it was a late addition and is not supported by all games.
If they reduced the PS3 then It might effect the PS2 sales, because those that are buying the PS2 now, might be tempted to skip it and get the PS3 if it was cheaper. Why not grab the PS2 sales now and then in a few years those people will then probably move to the PS3. That way, sony posible would have shifted 2 consoles. If you get what I mean.
The PS2 clearly doesnt need a price drop because its still selling. Therefore the PS3 must be at a much higher price so there is a difference between them.
I dont care, ill be buying one at christams what ever price it is because I want one.
Fair does as far as all that goes then ;)
Still disagree about Home though. Its not that great, the trophies really aren't that innovative and, like you said, its free, so whats the big deal? It really isn't a killer app, which is why its thrown in for free. Don't get me wrong, its a nice extra, but it doesn't do anything in my eyes to boodt the status of the PS3.
Just my 2p
Respectively acknowledged in return, Dev. :D
fanboy :P
(just kidding)
The PS3 is selling pretty well too all things considered, comparing launches and sell through its been tracking the 360s sales over a similar period from launch, this is despite its price, titles and the fact it has worthy competitors whereas the 360 never did until this year.
The PS3 price will drop by christmas, its not been out long in Europe give it time.
ps3 with 3 games and a controller at virgin can be had for £360ish with a student/virgin credit card at the mo.
hmv are doing the same kind of deal with two games and two blurays. (and student card )
obviously not everyone has a student card. But most of us can find someone who has.
im actually pretty tempted by it because of the bluray factor.
My PS2 came in at second place for £299 New then my 360 for £280 New
When have Sony ever listened to what the consumer actually wants???
What he meant to say:
When have Sony ever listened to what I want??? (im sorry im sorry but I had to do it, but I understand where you're coming from)
Honestly, in my mind, Sony has done a great job on the PS3. Of course, it's not perfect for everyone and yes it does have it's flaws, but tbh the motion sensor is pretty kickass and it, in my experience, has actually made up for (ex. Super Rub a Dub, MotorStorm, etc.) the lack in rumble (which will be appearing soon hopefully), so I wouldn't go as far as to call it crap because it's really lightweight which should actually be a plus, but the price does need to drop in the UK/EU, and they are trying to (I would think) drop the price to a realistic margin. Luckily over here in the US it's affordable/realistically priced; hopefully they can do the same over there by Xmas.