StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Along with the Neo Geo and 3DO, the PlayStation 3 is one of the most expensive consoles ever released. While price drops are inevitable during any console’s lifespan, those holding off until a cheaper PS3 rolls around may find themselves waiting longer than expected. As noted by Joystiq, Game Informer magazine interviewed SCEA’s President and CEO Jack Tretton and one of the topics discussed was PS3’s cost.

The magazine asked if the PS3 would see a price drop schedule similar to PS2, which saw a reduction of a third from $299 to $199 just over a year and a half after launch. Tretton replied to the question with a simple “No,” thus leaving the current price points where they are at for at least the rest of 2007.

Tretton reasoned that the enormous R&D costs of the PS3 make it “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,” said Tretton. He may be referring to the fact that Sony is selling every one of its new consoles at a loss, making it nearly impossible to move on the price until manufacturing costs are reduced. Analysts currently estimate that Sony is taking a $241 hit on 60GB versions, and a $307 loss on 20GB PS3s.

The Sony executive remained confident in the machine’s price point, saying that the PS3 still represents an excellent value. “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.

While Tretton’s words apply specifically to the North American market, the pricing situation is a little different in other territories. The Japanese market received a price-reduced to ¥49,980 ($411) 20GB PS3 before the machine even launched in response to public outcry.

European gamers, who have had to wait for PS3 whether they mind it or not, will be seeing the new console in March at €599 ($777) for the 60GB, and €499 ($648) for the 20GB models – considerably higher than what North Americans and Japanese pay. The UK may get the worst of it all, as the 60GB PS3 will go for £425 ($842) for the 20GB PS3 it will be £350 ($694).

Although Europe may always lag behind the rest of the world for console releases, it may be the first territory to receive a drop in price. With the PS3 selling in Europe at prices much closer to the machine’s manufacturing costs; Sony could have a lot more room to work with. If the PS3 gets a lukewarm – or even cold – reception at launch, it may not be surprising to see adjustments to price or, more likely, the introduction of value-added software bundles.

Going back to Japan, demand for the machine appears to be so low in certain parts of the country that retailers have taken it upon themselves to lower the price. Kotaku reports that sales of the console are so stagnant in Japan that select retailers are taking 20 percent off the price of the 20GB console in hopes to attract buyers. At the sale price of ¥39,980 ($329), Japan has PlayStation 3 at prices that make the rest of the world jealous.

Ace Pace wrote:Kotaku reports that sales of the console are so stagnant in Japan that select retailers are taking 20 percent off the price of the 20GB console in hopes to attract buyers. At the sale price of ¥39,980 ($329), Japan has PlayStation 3 at prices that make the rest of the world jealous.

Grandtheftcow wrote:It's a good opportunity for Microsoft. Hell they'll have pretty much all the same games as PS3 anyway.

Luke Starkiller wrote:

Ace Pace wrote:Kotaku reports that sales of the console are so stagnant in Japan that select retailers are taking 20 percent off the price of the 20GB console in hopes to attract buyers. At the sale price of ¥39,980 ($329), Japan has PlayStation 3 at prices that make the rest of the world jealous.

That is a massive difference to North American prices; I assume there is some kind of region coding built in to stop people from just buying one in Japan and shipping it home?

I seem to recall that the PS3 is regionless (except for DVDs and backwards compatible games). Or was that the 360?

Uraniun235 wrote:Does that include the latest thrilling epic adventure in which a plucky band of adventurers must save the world by preventing the great evil darkness from destroying the soul of Princess Gothloli?

because i hear there's a pretty big market for that over in japan

Uraniun235 wrote:

Grandtheftcow wrote:It's a good opportunity for Microsoft. Hell they'll have pretty much all the same games as PS3 anyway.

Does that include the latest thrilling epic adventure in which a plucky band of adventurers must save the world by preventing the great evil darkness from destroying the soul of Princess Gothloli?

because i hear there's a pretty big market for that over in japan

Tanasinn wrote:

Uraniun235 wrote:

Grandtheftcow wrote:It's a good opportunity for Microsoft. Hell they'll have pretty much all the same games as PS3 anyway.

Does that include the latest thrilling epic adventure in which a plucky band of adventurers must save the world by preventing the great evil darkness from destroying the soul of Princess Gothloli?

because i hear there's a pretty big market for that over in japan

Actually, 360's gotten at least one big RPG that Japan was excited to hear they were getting; I can't recall the name off the top of my head, since I'm more of a "Morrowind" guy when it comes to RPGs, rather than the "Dragon Warrior CXIV" type.

MKSheppard wrote:

Uraniun235 wrote:Does that include the latest thrilling epic adventure in which a plucky band of adventurers must save the world by preventing the great evil darkness from destroying the soul of Princess Gothloli?

because i hear there's a pretty big market for that over in japan

Surely thou Jest!

I never got the point of console RPGs really, why do they all have the same god damn story each one of them, and why do idiots keep buying them?

Xisiqomelir wrote:People, have you not been looking at Media Create recently or something? Japan has no love for RPGs at the moment. It's all More Common Knowledge Training, Animal Crossing, Wii Sports and NSMB.

Uraniun235 wrote:

Xisiqomelir wrote:People, have you not been looking at Media Create recently or something? Japan has no love for RPGs at the moment. It's all More Common Knowledge Training, Animal Crossing, Wii Sports and NSMB.

What is "More Common Knowledge Training" and "NSMB"?

And that honestly sounds like a rather narrow selection.

Praxis wrote:And Dragon Quest and Pokemon, two RPGs.

But i think that one game that has great potential for the 360 in Japan is The Idolmaster with his disturbing amount of lolicon... (if that game make it outside i think they'll have to change some stuffs)

Spanky The Dolphin wrote: I seem to recall that the PS3 is regionless (except for DVDs and backwards compatible games). Or was that the 360?

Uraniun235 wrote: What is "More Common Knowledge Training" and "NSMB"?

Sharp-kun wrote:

Spanky The Dolphin wrote: I seem to recall that the PS3 is regionless (except for DVDs and backwards compatible games). Or was that the 360?

The PS3 has no region coding for PS3 games (it does for DVD's and older games).

Its one of the major reasons I'll likely be getting one.

DPDarkPrimus wrote: What's the point of playing games from other regions if there aren't any out in any region worth playing?

Xisiqomelir wrote:

Praxis wrote:And Dragon Quest and Pokemon, two RPGs.

True, but those are both monster raising RPGs, not traditional JRPGs. My point was that Japan is DSL game land at the moment, not Legend of Disgaea XenoFantasy land.