IGN: Who can save the PS3?

For two game generations, Sony established itself as the industry leader: the popularity of the PSone carried over to the rampant success of the PS2. Of course, many people expected a similar situation for the PS3, but the transition for the latest system hasn't been as seamless as people expected.

[PistolPumptMonk]

I think the onslaught of great looking games coming next year will certainly help the PS3's case, as well as the expected price drop.

It's only a matter of time, my friends.

[PoSTedUP]

the ps3 doesn't need saving it is doing good and it just started to profit and the sales are really good for a 400-500$ console in an ecomonic recession competing against 200-250$ competitors ya feel me.

[PistolPumptMonk]

Oh yeah I don't think it needs saving either, not saying that at all. I'm just saying that those things will help the PS3 become more competitive and possibly pass some of the competition.

So to answer your question, I do indeed feel you. lol

[Wiinsight]

Some of the competition obviously not meaning Nintendo, it's hard to compete when the competition is riding on the wings of Mario, Zelda, and countless other titles that Sony and Microsoft could only dream of matching.

[INehalemEXI]

I think the people like *cough* myself *clears throught* who bought the PS3 at or around launch "early adopter's" already saved the PS3....and as PoSTedUP said it no longer needs saving.

The late adopters will push it to 2nd or 1st and it will still be supported in 2013. Sony was thinking PS4 before the first PS3 was out the door.. What else is R&D going to do ?

[Capital G]

the ship has sailed

ps3 has been in last place for three years and the 360 is outselling it 2:1

its time for SONY to start thinking ps4

[Jeremy Gerard]

OK listen, the PS3 peaked at MGS4, that was its biggest game by far, it is the only game with a title so big it transcends to bring in the casuals.

None of the games coming in 2009 will do much for PS3, MGS4 didn't even do much, face it folks that console is number 3 this gen, and it will stay that way.

But should anyone really care? As long as they launch the games that make current and future owners happy, who cares.

[PistolPumptMonk]

It's funny how "number 1" just means most sales to you guys. Do some quick math. If Sony is making more of a profit from selling a more expensive console with less overall sales, who's the real loser?

Newsflash. Business is all about PROFIT. Not sales numbers. So as Sony's game department continues to rack in with PSP and soon PS3, sit back and enjoy. And maybe sign up for that business class at your local community college next semester.

[Raptors]

Even tho I'm not a fan its safe to say the wii is pretty much out of reach for the ps3 and the 360. The 360 and ps3 are siblings who hate each other but for this gen they're going to have to co-exist with each other. The ps3 does not need "saving" but it would help if the price came down. The system is an excellent value but its price is out of the reach for the majority (average).
I know alot of ppl don't like the 360 or Microsoft on this site however its safe to say that MS accomplished what they wanted. Realistically they couldn't have expected to beat the playstation brand, however, they aimed to expand their footprint in the videogame market and they've done just so.
Personally I hope they stay neck and neck so that they put out their best possible products. The people who are gonna benefit the most from this is us gamers.

[nycredude]

Wow check it out, a Wii fanboy!!! Those are as rare as an unbiased gaming site. Woah!!!

[acedoh]

the PS3 would crash with it's $600 price tag. Not one console has ever exceeded with such a high price. With due time the PS3 was selling very well with a lackluster library. A holiday price drop and it seemed many wanted to have one. This year with the economy and $400 base price it has hurt. Although I still think tens of millions of loyal consumers will be ready to buy the PS3 when the price and the established franchises hit.

[ps3king]

I Bet the Ps3 won't make a dime in profit this whole console generation. It definitely has a lost a lot of money in the ps3 development. That is why you see such limited advertisements for PS3, no money left. I bet it is loosing ridiculous amounts of money per console. If it weren't, they'd surely send out a press release to notify share holders that they are not loosing money for each console sold but they are not.

Luckily the PS2 still sells.

But Like MS, Sony has deep pockets too!!! EXTREMELY DEEP AND DIRTY!

[tatotiburon]

lol pistol hahaha, sony is making the most profit? do you really think that the production costs of a PS3 is the same cost of a wii and xbox 360? if you want to know who is really making a profit, ask Nintendo and Microsoft

[PistolPumptMonk]

HAHAHA! Sony doesn't have money to advertise? Wake up buddy, Sony is a lot bigger than JUST their games division. Go do a quick little google search of the fortune 500 and tell me how much higher Sony is than any of their competitors. Deep pockets doesn't begin to describe how much this giant has.

They aren't advertising because they don't NEED to advertise. They are making good money on the PS2 and PSP, and the PS3 is gaining ground all the time. It's very possible that Sony has a massive ad campaign ready to go to support a price drop sometime early next year, or something to promote God of War III or Killzone 2.

All I'm saying is, Sony doesn't need saving and they will be just fine. And PLEASE don't kid yourself, if they want to advertise, they most certainly can. Just because they aren't shoving products down your throat (Halo mountain dew anyone?) doesn't mean they aren't making some money.

[GrandTheftZamboni]

It's' money raked in by PS3 among other Blu-ray players. Sony gets big chunk of it.

[MNicholas]

As a blu-ray trojan horse, the PS3 has already been a success. In addition, it's already proven to sell better than the 360 in both important metrics, weeks since launch (2.5M more at 108 weeks from launch) as well as at comparable pricepoints.

The only reason the 360 is suddenly selling well is because of the massive price drop. Historical sales data shows us that the PS3 has more latent consumer demand than the 360, ie., the market is willing to pay more for a PS3 than for a 360. Therefore it stands to reason that when the PS3 has it's price drop in april to $299 it will outsell the 360 when the 360 was $299. When the PS3 is $199 the 360 will have to be $129 to have a chance to compete. The market simply places a higher value on the PS3. It's the price, not the consumer interest, that's holding back PS3 sales.

In 18-24 months you'll see a $199 PS3. Cell and RSX will be produced at $25 each or less and Blu-Ray diodes, already under $75, will be even less by then. The most expensive component will be the hard-drive!

[tatotiburon]

ok pistol so sony DOESN'T NEED to advertise, ok so do you think that the devs of Resistance and LBP are happy with their poor sales?? yeah they are now "wohoo we sold 200k, while other games sold millions, yeahhhh!, thank you sony, we don't need any advertise, WE HAVE LONG LEGS" hahah

[iamtehpwn]

Me.

[tatotiburon]

in latinamerica we say: "who can save the PS3? EL CHAPULIN COLORADO!!

[--Onilink--]

To 1.15- well the same way you complain about their logic, it can be said about yours. Just because the system is neck to neck with the 360 in most comparisons is by no means something good to the company that had the type of dominion the last gen. And the fact that they have lost so much people over to the competition and match that to poor sales overall and you've got a console thats in need of changing the course of things(same can be said about the 360 which is running out of possible price drops to produce sales)

The problem i see with most people who own a PS3(at least on this site) and i find it amazing for some1 who might call themselves fanboys, is that they have lowered their expectations so much in regard to almost everything related to the PS3, that everything is fine to them, and people are just pesimistic or too picky, who cares if we dont get enough content on the PSN, its free.., who cares if that game didnt rate higher, that site is biased and there are better games coming, who cares about sales?? they are not important... GUESS WHAT, THEY ARE, if a company doesnt make money then they cant invest on their own products.

And for the record, just because the PS3 is a blu ray player doesnt mean that BD movie sales are going to the videogame department, just because its SONY as a whole doesnt mean they dont have their own different budgets and everything. They could sell 100 million TV's, that it wouldnt have an impact on what they have planned for the PS3.

So my point is people, you cant just let them do anything without critizing it(constructively of course) because nothing is perfect and unless people tell them, they wont do anything about it, and then repeat the same mistakes over and over

[Anon1974]

Think about it. In 2 years the PS3 moved 17 million consoles at a much higher price point than it's competitors. At 2 years the 360 had only sold 13 million consoles. I don't remember the "Who will save the 360" articles or the complaints of slow 360 sales at that point, yet this type of criticism is leveled at the PS3 all the time. What gives?

[navyguy21]

and blu-ray uses VC-1 compression technology which is/was developed by Microsoft so they get a cut of sales as well lol

[CrazzyMan]

Remember, PS3 is MOST expensive console today. But it WILL have 199-299$ price.
PS3 WILL rule in 2009.
It was outselling x360 for whole 2008, and will do even BETTER in 2009. =)

And these games will make A LOT of people to buy PS3:

KillZone 2
Yakuza 3
Heavy Rain
Gran Turismo 5
God of War 3
InFamous
Uncharted 2
Quantum Theory
Final Fantasy XIII
White Knight Chronicles
Demon`s Soul
Final Fantasy XIII:versus
Tekken 6
Resident Evil 5
Bayonetta
MAG
Agency
Ico 3
Wardevil
Eyepet
Heavenly Sword 2

And there are A LOT of games to be ANNOUNCED in FUTURE. =) Come on, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 - 7 GREAT gaming years. (Just for the records, Wild Arms 4, Grandia 3, Kingdom Hearts 2, Final Fantasy XII, Tales of Legendia, Valkyrie Profile 2, Tales of the Abyss, Suikoden V, Rogue Galaxy, Disgaea 2, Persona 3, Odin Sphere most of these games were released on 7th PS2 year, God of War 2/Persona 4 on 8th-9th year)

[heroicjanitor]

He keeps spewing crap all the time and it's annoying.. PS3 hasn't even been out three years

[ultimolu]

I reckon that you two take some Economic courses because I don't think you're in ANY position to tell Sony how to run their company. What use is it to sell the most consoles and yet not make a single profit off of them?

[AceLuby]

PS3 Rulz!

[Danja]

The PS3 doesn't need saving , by the end of this year the PS3 will pass 20 mill sold..how is that doing bad for a system priced at $400.

Sony is about to break even on the PS3 , why lower the price now especially when it's selling so well at it's current price.

I will agree that I would like for Sony to get more aggressive with 3rd party exclusives .

overall the PS3 is selling faster than the 360 was in it's 2nd year ...

[Rhoic]

"They aren't advertising because they don't NEED to advertise."

Denial? Rofl

[JD_Shadow]

...but with that being said, I do think the suggestions in this article are some damn GOOD ones and are worth considering. I would LOVE Sony to stick it to MS a few times to say "hey, two people can play that game". The notion that they even MENTIONED SE as one of those possible companies really was interesting given that alot of people on both the PS3 and 360 side hate the company for saying one thing and then doing another as if they were trying as hard as they could to alienate every single one of their fans.

Before you trash it, please read it. They got alot of good pointers that Sony could use to keep this momentum they got going and really put pressure on MS and Nintendo.

[Firstkn1ghT]

The ps3 is not profiting. It's still losing money with every console sold. They only make money on the software sold but that is also a dud.

[Jamegohanssj5]

I still ask myself. What if Sony dropped the price down to 250 bucks for one week? Let's start a riot!

TGSI

[jammy_70]

who can save the 360 in 09 more like!

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

You guys can come up with any excuse, spin, or write whatever desperate list you want. Fact is the PS3 is a failure, one game in 2008 has done well "Movie Gear Solid" and Sony can't bank on one hit a year.

[SonyOwnsNextYear]

sales numbers sales numbers, all microsoft throws around these Days. sales are probAbly the only good thing they got going, too bad its all revolving on a pRice Kut and wont last.

this push by microsoft is their saving grace as interest is dwindiling on the pc hybrid....but how low will they go in pricedrops. what is the 360 hw really worth? its old tecK really.LOL.

when people wake up aNd realize that ferrarI manaGes 2 sell way less veHicles Than NISSAN every DAY, and still make a huge profit....

where does the ps3 stand?LOL.....someones in trouble and its not the silent black box.

2 months.

[hate_me]

and so it goes on and on and on. When I did poorly at school, that is precisely what I told my parents. NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER, I promise.

edit. but there is only one werstern developer in that list?

[solidt12]

I think Sony is doing a great job and I agree with their model which is invest heavily in their first party studios to make AAA games like Uncharted, Killzone 2, and Infamous is looking good. All they have to do is get the price down because they already have the first party game advantage over there competition.

[AAACE5]

If you want an answer, I say gamers can save Sony!

You buy the exclusives and thats cool! But Ps3 owners need to buy the 3rd party games in the same quanity as the exclusives... And I don't mean just the AAA titles!

The Playstation brand got it's respect from developers as "You can put any game on the system, and it will sell well!" But with this gen (possibly economy effected), gamers are more restrictive on what they buy.

I am hoping that Ps3 owners start buying more games before the Ps3 gains the reputation as a Nintendo console... "Only the first party games sell well, and third party is almost worthless" type of mentality.

[DaTruth]

If you guys think that competition brings quality you may be right, but all that competition quality is completely erased by people's willingness to buy shoddy merchandise. Yes, when something breaks records on breaking and people hail it as the "Second coming" why would they take the time and cost to make quality products.

@Everyone who's gonna say ohh PS2 disk read error: I remember reading the manual and it said to use a vacuum and clean the vents once a month. Neither me or any of my friends did that at all, so no surprise when we have problem due to dust collecting on the laser.

[prowiew]

another of the same articles. At least this one is from ign and not some lazy blog. My opinion is that sony doesnt needs saving, but they sure needs some help. What 360 have is a nice game attachment rate and that is something third parties love. Also, what sony needs is spending $$$$. Thats what microsoft is doing and is working great for them. People keep saying that ps3 is doom or whatever but is just because nobody expected the 360 doing that well, especially all over the world. Nobody expected the 360 getting support by japanesse companies. Nobody expected the 360 selling more or equal that ps3. the playstation brand was a enormous brand and is not anymore on this generation thanks to 360 and the wii.

[CptBach]

First of all, as a lot of people said before, Sony does not depend on their gaming division (and neither does microsoft). So the title of the article is useless
Second of all, I hate people who say that the ps3 needs a price cut. You know nothing about Sony's strategy and how they are managing everything.
It is actually hard to believe that this article was written by the IGN Playstation team.
Release psone classics?? who's gonna play a game with less than 640x480 resolution. As if this will "save" the ps3.
Plus, what people don't understand is that Sony has a big constraint: the ps3's price. No matter what games you will offer, you cannot outsell a console that is half priced.
I just hope that Sony knows what they are doing and will deliver a price cut when the time is right.

[FF7numba1]

well we know soulja boy will save 360 in 09, lol.

Lol profits for MS aren't that much ahead of sony the people think. With the recent price drop and high advertising cost xbox fans need to understand economics.

Sony is breaking even on ps3 and has already turn profit on their gaming division. That ps3 loses some stuff is so 2007. lol Their looking turn profits in march 09 which means their already break even.

Capitol G is just an idiot troll, Friggin trollbox fans.

[Tainted Gene]

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/20...

"As many Sony fans know, the PlayStation 3 hasn't exactly been a financial success for Sony quite yet. Every console sold has not necessarily led to profits for the company, but that trend is to change soon if you believe what Sony head honcho Kaz Hirai had to say. He believes that overall PS3 operations will start to bring in a profit by the end of this fiscal year -- that's the end of March, 2009. "

Right from the horse's mouth....or so to speak.

[xwabbit]

Wow capital, you really dont know how to count huh ? the ps3 hasnt been out 3 years lol. November 11, 2006 was the release of the PS3, now can count.

[Beast_Master]

Kratos and a Price Cut!

[ngg12345]

I mean honestly. There is NO REASON why ps3 has to be more expensive than the xbox 360 by this marginal. I mean it costs the same amount as xbox 360 at launch. It doesn't make any sense why they don't expect that sales are going to be crappy, when it is still overpriced. If it goes down to 250, or 300. Sales will increase dramatically...

[PoSTedUP]

yes but dont you think they would of dropped the price already if it would be more profitable? they dont care about sales right now, they care about profit and the ps3 JUST started making profit, it costs 400$ to make a ps3, why the hell would they drop the price right when they started making profit? so they can go back to losing money? no sir. wrong move. dont worrie about the console war right now man, sony obviously doesn't.

[CrippleH]

There is an actual reason.

The 200 360 is a tard pack with no HDD, no HDMI, and no wireless controllers? that was the arcade pack.

PS3 have to compensate with Built in Wifi, HDMI port, Blu Ray player, and a Hard drive.

[ngg12345]

If they want to have a decent percentage of the video game share, and ultimately have some of the 3rd party to support them, then they have to lower the price. They are just basically surrendering the console war if they don't drop the price.

[PoSTedUP]

the market is still up for grabs man, take a look around you, sony has all the time they need, MS just matched their original install base from last gen, nintendo passed theirs but not by that much so sonys market basically hasn't been touched yet, its not time for sony to panic, wii sales are slowly falling etc.

"They are just basically surrendering the console war if they don't drop the price." - you know nothing.... let the professionals deal with this ok. i am not going to reply to anymore of your ridiculous comments.

*sigh* i am going back on my word... i'll make an exception with one more edit just because i am still around, ok here it goes- EDIT @ below- judging from the statements made from microsoft and sony, this console war will be here for another 7-8 years ok. but then again.. what would YOU know...

P.S. if your really worried about your preferred console, worrie about whats best for it, not what you think it should do.

[ngg12345]

This generation is over in 3 years....

[pwnsause]

the PS3 needs to make profit first. They are projected to sell 21 million PS3s by March, that is without a price cut. If they cut the price now, sure they will take marketshare away from nintendo and Microsoft, but the the risk of leaving the console market will be blown wide open if they do it. Their investors will sell their stocks since it would have no value whatsoever. Do you want that to happen? They know they have an advantage due to what the console includes, but cutting it now would be their ultimate undoing. Cutting it later when production costs have cheapen would be the right idea.

A successful business is a profitable business. That is the main rule of Economics.

IF they don't make money off of the PS3, think of what would happen to first party companies, or to the PSN. Sony would have to cut them off. They don't want to do that. Why do you think Microsoft is cutting off Ensemble? just remember, they cut them off right after their price cut. coincidence? I dont think so.

You may have the Best car in your neighborhood, but how are you going to pay off all those loans that you borrowed to buy the car?

[Scotracer]

The Arcade has a Wireless controller as standard and an HDMI port. Nothing like miss-information, is there? :|

[khellendros1]

One of the reasons that Sega failed and eventually stopped making hardware was that they panicked when the PS2 came out and they price dropped themselves out of business. It's true that Sony could drop the price but I'm sure they would rather make money than to just come out on top. Think about it, Nintendo got their butt kicked for two generations but because they made money on every system they were able to stay in business and now they are kicking a$$.

[acedoh]

Microsoft already dropped price and it's doubtful they will do the same next year. This gives SONY a large open window with many high profile games releasing. A price drop and some big games including some we haven't really been talking about and the PS3 will be all the rage this time next year. The Wii has nothing new to offer... So the excitement and newness will wear off. The 360 has played it's cards... It's SONY that has been holding back essentially preparing to give the biggest blow in 2009. It may not happen but I do believe SONY follows the traditional ways of a Japanese company and has a very detailed plan for 2009 and probably even 2010.

[nycredude]

How old are you man? Have you a clue what you are talking about. Don't you worry about Sony because they have people who have made it in this business a long time that know what they are doing.

The reason why they can afford to drop the xbox 360 price is:
A) They have been out for 3 years now, one year longer than the Ps3.
B) It is the Arcade version, and lacks pretty much all the bells and whistles that the Ps3 has, so in essence you are getting an inferior console.
C) I'm sure most will agree that The xbox 360's hardware are poorly made and cost much less to construct.

Sony is doing fine with a console that cost double the competition so why would they reduce the price now? They have a long term plan! While MS obsesses and uses up valuable resources buying up exclusive content and massive add campaigns, Sony is pumping out exclusive after exclusive, not to mention they also haven't stop supporting the psp and the Ps2.

You are correct in one statement though, this gen ends in 3 years. However only for MS because they lack the forward thinking that SOny has always been know for.

Peace

[ThatArtGuy]

the last two console generations is because their handhelds were saving them.

[Danja]

The reason why Nintendo survived the last 2 gens are because

1. They're handhelds were making huge profits
2. The N64 wasn't a flop as ppl said it was
3. Gamecube was making a profit from day one

[AAACE5]

If the Ps3 were priced at $300, it would give the typical consumer the idea that the Elite has more value than the Ps3. It would boost sales, but the damage could hurt the Ps3 overall.

What needs to happen is for fanboys to quit trying to persuade people on N4G to pick up a Ps3, and get their friends, people in the store and whatever gamer they come across to buy one and move into the next gen.

We already know what it can do, and how much great tech is inside it... Tell the people who don't know! I do my part! I have talked people into buying a Ps3! I ask them what they want out of a console, and lead them to it. And that's just from me shopping in stores.

I don't care what console people like as long as they are playing games! I even walked people through the process of what the Wii does and what they needed to play, because store workers don't know how to set them up!

[FF7numba1]

for a person with a lot of bubbles your as clueless as the girl in your avatar. Sony cost is higher than MS the reason why Ms drop their price because they can afford to cut profits. Any good business wants to maximize profits to stay in the game.

Sony is switching from minimizing profits to maximizing profits. MS's purpose is derail sony not control the market. Using cheap but similar hardware really works in MS favor.Your average consumer is a dumb ass and will try to save money even if the product is absolute crap. Let me put that nicely, the average consumer doesn't think rationally.

[Wiinsight]

Nintendo might be able to save it, think they'll sell?

[pupu]

PS3rd place to flop from the patches FACT!

[NegativeCreep427]

Does this fa*got pupu suffer from down-syndrome or is he just a charity case involving a lonely hermit who can't get attention in person?

[pwnsause]

great just what we needed, PP's Gay Brother.

[drdistracto707]

look everyone its pp, quick, take his bubble!!!

[hamsterfist]

Bubble taken pupu

[Stubacca]

It's saved me from boredom. It was the ONLY console worth having this year.

[Sir_Ken_Kutaragi]

IT DON'T NEED SAVING YOU BUNCH OF C**TS!!!;)

Shame you can't have normal Gaming Articles on this site???

+The Wii is rubbish!!! It's for little girls!!! ;-D
+The xBox 360 is for Brain-Dead Thugs!!! ;-D

[olivia]

read all things mention can be put in to play.one thing i learn over the years never count sony out

[ProperFunked]

console wars are lame, why can't we be the PSWII60 people and play together. oh well, lets get thru 09 and we'll see what happens. fvck predictions.

[Graphics Whore]

Why is IGN posting flame bait.

So I guess the IGN Playstation 3 Team is really the Pessimist Party.

[PistolPumptMonk]

Its actually a fairly legit article buddy. Yeah the title is a little flame-baitish but the article actually does have some good substance.

This is the hot topic of our gaming generation. I like seeing a professional opinion from a sight like IGN.

The thing that makes me mad is crappy blogs looking for hits. That is not news.

[Graphics Whore]

How is the PS3 in need of saving. NO CONSOLE is in need of saving each and everyone of them is holding there ground, if you think other wise your in a world of your own, or thee pessimist party.

[solidjun5]

but as PistolPumptmonk says, the substance of the article doesn't necessarily equates to the title of the article. Yea it might be a bit flamebaitish(title that is), they do bring up good points and their intention is not to spout crap just to generate hits. Yea, I agree, all the systems are doing fine, but the point of the article was explain how Sony can back on top.

^_^

[HDgamer]

Clearly its flame bait; I know some of you say its not worth it for a game system to be 400, I would agree if I didn't buy one last year for that price XD. I do think they could give it a price break of -50 or at least -75. But then again they could drop the price around Feb and the release of God of war 3. We all know that bad ass game will sell.

[Johnny Rotten]

The only thing that can save the PS3 is a 1.3v HDMI cable!

[PistolPumptMonk]

Oh yes, the masses will flock to the PS3 after... that...

But really, are you serious?

[Johnny Rotten]

hell ya I'm serious... If your not hooked up with an HDMI your missing out.

The masses will come in time but I strongly believe it will come from the reputation earned from word of mouth (we all know Sony's advertising department don't help much).

[PistolPumptMonk]

Yeah man I'm hooked up with HDMI and I totally agree, it's amazing. I'm just confused what the 1.3v is you were talking about.

[LinuxGuru]

Um...the PS3 uses HDMI 1.3a (I'm assuming 1.3v was meaning you wanted it to use a 1.3 version HDMI connection).

There is no difference between HDMI 1.3a,b, or c except for the addition of an HDMI cable with a mini-connector, and some testing requirements that were changed.

So....yeah the PS3 uses HDMI 1.3a

Or maybe you just structured that statement in a confusing way...maybe you were just saying that hooking up the PS3 with an HDMI cable is what saves it.

lol

[ICUP]

Come on SONY, $50 price cut.

[LokMessier]

They basically gave one in the form of the extra Hard drive size, at least that's how I saw them giving one.

[INehalemEXI]

The playstation visa too.

[Microsoft Xbox 360]

I'm the one that needs saving.

[Aquanox]

I'm tired of those fanboys with blogs or poorly designed websites trying to get some desperate clicks spinning the unspinnable. This is the reality, it's the Playstation which is in serious trouble and IGN is aware of that.

Average fanboy website headline: "Xbox 360 in trouble in 2009?" "Will the Xbox 360 survive 2009?" (Though ignoring it's currently kicking arse)... and the same rubbish over and over again.

Professional website: "Who can save the PS3?"

You get the point.

As for the article content, I think they throw quite good ideas but, unfortunately for Sony, most of them don' seem to be happening.

Konami: I'd bet my arm on that Metal Gear Solid will hit the Xbox 360, in the current or the next version. Other than the MGS series, Konami has been gradually supporting the Xbox 360 and the sales numbers don't see to be pointing out anywhere else.

Square Enix: They have already mentioned they want to support the Xbox 360. Considering how poorly HD gaming is doing in Japan, they have enough reasons to do so since the Xbox 360 is the indisputable king of HD software in terms of sales numbers. They have released The Last Remnant as a Timed exclusive and will publish Star Ocean as well. FF XIII has been the biggest step into supporting the 360 and from that point on, I don't think there will ever be a step back.

EA & CAPCOM: From all the companies listed, they are the ones that have supported the Xbox 360 the most. EA doesn't get married to anyone. They go where the money is and that's the Xbox 360. CAPCOM on the other hand, supported the Xbox 360 heavily by releasing DMC4 and Resident Evil on the 360, as well as Lost Planet and Dead Rising. This sounds impossible.

Said this, it's clear that the only ones that can save SONY is SONY themselves, with killer Triple A titles, a much better pricing strategy and marketing their products to death. That's the only way they will be able to hold a competitive place against Microsoft in this generation.

[Kratos Spartan]

I'll be here soon...

[LokMessier]

bubble, bubble.

Still awaiting that in-game footage to. :D

[Wii win]

KRATOS! *kneels* I come before ye as but a servant, humble and trite. Spare myself, and my fellow PS3 and Wii gamers, but bring down your wrath upon all those who call themselves your masters. =)

[ukilnme]

Hurry the he11 up then Kratos. I need my Next Gen fix. Your franchise is the best Sony has ever had.

Edit:

@ Wii win

Stop sucking up.

[LokMessier]

Hey HEY!! we don't talk to Kratos like that >_<!

[ukilnme]

Ok my bad. I'm sorry Kratos. Now can you please hurry the he11 up?

[LokMessier]

lol!

[swiftshot93]

Kratos, you are no match for Zeus.

[darkdoom3000]

Oh my god! Its another god!

[Bon Scott]

it's only hope.

Ps3 is the biggest disaster in video game history.

[dukadork]

XBOLLOX 360

lol

PS3 needs no saving, it's doing just fine.
some baboons are just a little slow to realize what a stroke of genius it is

reminds me of 2001 space odyssey I just watch last night on bluray after an insane motorstorm2 session with my buddies

neanderthals in the beginning have this puzzling relation with the black monolith... it really challenges their poor little brain

lol

[Stubacca]

You're probably too young to remember the IDO, Saturn, Dreamcast etc.

And too young to be able to afford a PS3. My condolences.

[Magic_The_Celt]

Nah the biggest disaster was the RRoD

[Kill Crow]

was cheaper than the amount of $$$ sony been paying to people it's going to fire

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

dukadork 360 does't need saving, when you combine console sales, game sales, game library, online, independent gaming, services (marketpace/Netflix), and dlc, the 360 is in first place. Now I know your goint to hit that disagree and bubble down button as fast as you can, but it doesn't that the fact that it's the truth.

[Funky Town_TX]

With Blu-ray and games you can't go wrong.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Another one?

So far today I've read 2 "360 needs saving" articles and now this one.

The consoles are all going at their own pace but one thing is for sure. None of them are going out of business and none of them are in trouble and need saving.

Have these people seen the lineup for next year?

[Parapraxis]

I so rarely agree with you. Wow. Have a bubble.

[DiabloRising]

I also agree. Well said.

[nycredude]

As much as it pains me to do so... >>sighs<<

I must agree with your completely intelligent statement there!

[beavis4play]

i couldn't say it any better.

[ultimolu]

o_o ...*gives an agree*

[bigman7387]

GiantEnemyCrab...no insults for ps3...something is not right...how do i react...

NO GIANTENEMYCRAB, YOU'RE STUPID.

whew that feels better

[darkdoom3000]

no fanboyism, and i dont even sense any sarcasm!

have a bubble!

[Halochampian]

I think we can ALL agree which console needs saving...

The Dreamcast.

[Xi]

1.The graphics in games prove themselves enough to be something that isn't possible on the 360. (don't BS me on this, nothing that I've seen so far from the ps3 isn't possible on the 360, and vice versa)
2.The online becomes more user friendly and reliable. (trying to play games with friends, though a large step up from launch, is still a pain.)

then I'll start playing games on my ps3 and not just movies.

[ukilnme]

You obviously have not checked out Haze. That is my 2008 PS3 GOTY.

[Graphics Whore]

Xi, if you think anything on the Xbox 360 looks like Killzone 2 you need your eyes checked.

[Xi]

It's not that I think any game on the 360 looks as good as killzone 2 (yet, since it's not even out) it's that it doesn't look like anything that can't be done on the 360. Don't get me wrong the game looks amazing, I can't wait to play it, but I just felt lied too about the power of the cell. I think it's left a sour taste in my mouth for the product so I don't go as far out of my way to make purchases for it like I do for my 360 and even my wii.

Posted, I think the number of bubbles between us is a better example of who's the "gamer" around here.
Yes posted, my consumer confidence in a product should be deemed a detirming factor in whether or not I support it. You think I buy a lot of vista related products if I think vista doesn't work as well as microsoft said it does? Or a lot of mac products when they break so easily? Well then why would I buy a lot of sony products (games, controllers, camera's etc) when they underpreform? oh wait...

understand now?

[PoSTedUP]

you need for a games graphics to prove that it cant be done on another console or else your not gunna play it? that comment is a disgrace to gaming man for real. your not a true gamer. this is the "gamer" Zone ok.

lol yes because that is the determining factor lol, your a joke man. cant prove my statement wrong? didn't think so... your a sorry excuse for a "gamer" man.

[Graphics Whore]

Xbox 360 has been out for 3 years, PS2 has just been out for 2 and already it has a shining example that Xbox 360 has to catch up on. You would have thought after 3 years the Xbox 360 had something more impressive to show than Killzone 2.

[beavis4play]

if the 360 can do games that look like these.....why aren't they? everything on 360 is done with some form of the UE and all of these games have the same "nice" look. but none push the boundries.(except gears1-but gears2 was only marginally better, so it appears a definite graphics plateau has been reached on the 360)

sorry, Xi..thats just the way it is. still, at 199$, the 360 can still be a good entry level console; but, it won't be producing the bleeding edge graphics. if you want that, it's ps3 or nothing.

[potenquatro]

bleeding edge of grafics ps3 or nothing? have you even played on anything other then ps3?

[LittleBigKillzone]

I usually make long comments but im going to keep this one short and simple. Mark my words, this time next year you will be seeing articles with titles that will go something like "PS3s heroic comeback" or "PS3 comeback kid"

Bottom line is this, its only a matter of time. Once the PS3 gets a $100.00 price cut on top of God of war 3 and Killzone 2, PS3 will be on top

[Jeremy Gerard]

at this time next year we will be reading articles saying "sure 360 won 2009, but will it be able to hang on in 2010" and "even after a price drop PS3 is still in 3rd place, with all the delays of exclusives till 2010, will 2010 finally be the year of the PS3"

Its a pattern that even a lab rat would have noticed by now, every year a bunch of hacks try and convince us that the PS3 is poised to take it all in the next 12 months with its unbeatable game lineup that will one day come. Get real and wise up, PS3 is a dud, stop waiting for poop to get up and dance.

[Graphics Whore]

Lol Jeremy you are such a fanboy, make sure you plaster those holes your oozing green.

[Anon1974]

The PS3 and 360 were neck and neck in sales last year, the PS3 looks set to win this year and at the current year over year rate of growth, if it continues this way the PS3 will pull ahead of the 360's overall lead next year. Tell me - what's going to change next year to stop the momentum the PS3 has going, because it sure isn't going to be the 360's lineup, and the impact of the 360's price cut won't last forever? As is, now it's the only thing that's pulling the 360 up from certain defeat in 2008 to only probably defeat. And what if the 720 is unveiled next year as some analysts are predicting? How do you think 360 sales will hold up once it's replacement is unveiled? I'm guessing not very damn well.

[villevalorox]

hmmmm. i would say its doing damn good.

[GWAVE]

What a tasteless article. Video game journalism gets worse by the week. Call me when this "journalism" stops being one big flame war.

[jack who]

Jesus

[likedamaster]

Overpriced paperweights are unsaveable! PS3 fanboys can be saved though. ;) jk

[aiphanes]

At least $50...but probably $100.

And Finally Fantasy 13 will be better on the PS3 that the Xbox 360...since it was developed for the PS3 first...also GOD of War 3 will blow anything the xbox 360 has to offer in 2009 and 2010...

It all hinges on the price drop...the games are there...

Also bluray is about to super nova tommorrow with the release of The Dark Knight...

Transformers 2 will be out next year....Bluray is the hit already...

1080p TVs are the norm....HDMI is the norm...the PS3 was just ahead of its time 2 years ago....its mainstream now...At $299...it will sell out....

and sony knows this...

[KYU2130]

the PS3 is ina gaming class by it self.. we have all 3 consoles and the Wii is for kids.. and not even considered next gen in this house.. the 360 is considered a dvd player with upscaling capabilities... which leaves the PS3 as the only true next gen console in this house.. and we have 6 gamers in here.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

If you are using the 360 for just dvd upscaling what a waste.. You seem to put movies at the forefront of your GAME console purchase. To each his own I guess..

Maybe what they say is true that the PS3 is nothing but a Blu-ray movie player for most people? 6 games thats it?

[ukilnme]

Yes, clearly a flame-target just as your comment is. You are somewhat right. The PS3 is in a class all by itself when it comes to watching movies on Blu-ray, that is something the 360 clearly can not do. There are 3 gamers in my house and we all feel that the 360 has the edge in gaming while the PS3 blows it away when it comes to watching movies.

[thebudgetgamer]

and the 360 is doing a little better right now thats no reason to be angry i'm happy the industry is doing strong enough to support three successful consoles at once.

and 1 question does anyone truly believe that we would be better of if the ps3 or 360 disappeared? and why?

:)

[GiantEnemyCrab]

"and 1 question does anyone truly believe that we would be better of if the ps3 or 360 disappeared? and why?"

I would love to read that. You hit the nail on the head! As much as I swing for the 360 I would never want the PS3 to disappear.

[LinuxGuru]

Hey G.E.C., he said 6 *GAMERS*, not 6 games...lol read much?

[interrergator]

well theres one thing and thats advertise there games liek advertise killzone 2

[earwax]

Nothing else. Just burry it

[Graphics Whore]

Without the PS3 you`d be stuck with games that look like Gears of War 2 forever, you need competition.

[Wiinsight]

Not to mention games that play like Gears of War 2 with 20 minute online matchmaking. Gives me plenty of time to get in a couple Super Smash matches.

[hamsterfist]

As much as I hate to agree with the Wii guy, I do.... Gears online matchmaking is a fvcking joke. Please 360 fans contact Epic with your frustrations. I know I have multiple times. I was really looking forward to this game.

[kingfury]

earwax how about you say that sh!t to my face b!tch

[Marquis_de_Sade]

Woah there Kingfury, even for a fanboy thats a bit over the top, you are one angry person.

[likedamaster]

@Hamsterfist

Epic put out an update to matchmaking weeks ago. It takes seconds now... Gears is for the hardcore, you never played nor will you ever.
FAIL!

[Xheratuul]

let us see who will be in 3rd place after 8 more years... the 360.

[karlostomy]

No one will care in 8 years.

The ps3 will be a doorstop by then, even if it does sell more skus.

[Xheratuul]

only time will tell

[Shane Kim]

Ofcourse you won't care Karlostomy, it's because you console will be last after 2009.

[earwax]

Your a retard. Fing 8 years? who will care douche.

[Dread]

not another doom and gloom article. I think this is the third today.

well the argumetns they made are fair.

I would change the title though. It gives the wrong impression. (perhaps that was their intention)

In any case Playstation is going to be fine. It is just a bit expensive at the moment.

[Figboy]

these days is the US economy.

all THREE gaming consoles are doing fine.

*looks down at my empty wallet*

*sighs*

[bigman7387]

You can afford a wallet?

[LinuxGuru]

@ Bigman -

lol true dat

[Figboy]

i cobbled it together using torn carpet.

[Reshun]

Here we go again.

[giovonni]

well, now that all these systems have made it out of their 2nd/3rd Years. It's pretty clear that these systems are holding there own

[Cajun Chicken]

"Releasing a catalog of classic PSone games on the PSN would be a huge help to the PS3, and if tied together with the PSP would allow gamers to play titles both at home and on the go, which would be a huge ace up Sony's sleeve. Along the same lines would be much more PSP/PS3 interactivity, which has been mentioned in passing at various E3 and TGS press conferences, but somehow seem to continually evade significant steps forward."

Edit: By 'True' I mean the above text is the only relevent words in the article.

[tplarkin7]

MGS? DMC? FF?

Those are old and stale franchises by complacent Japanese developers. They don't move systems anymore.

The PS3 has nothing that isn't a knee-jerk reaction to the 360. I'm sorry, but Resistance and Killzone 2 are not inspired by anything other than Sony saying "we need a Halo killer!" It's the same as Microsoft telling Rare that "we need a Mario killer!"

[dkgshiz]

I'm done with this site. The fanboys on here are way too much. Its quite annoying. You wont be seeing me here ever again. For the record. The PS3 doesn't need to be saved. It outsold the 360 all year.

[Aclay]

I never thought the PS3 needs "saving". The Playstation 3 is still selling consistently month per month despite the $399 price point.

Even though people want to point out how much the 360 outsold the PS3 during Black Friday, people tend to forget to look at how much more the PS3 sold this year during Black Friday compared to last year. The PS3 sold about DOUBLE the amount this year during Black Friday than it sold last year in the U.S., and the PS3 is still at $399.... that's a pretty good achievement to me, and that just tells me that there are a lot of people that want PS3's, but just can't get one yet.

As David Reeves point out, the PS3 is ahead of the Xbox 360 in Europe by about 300,000 units, yet the 360 is like double the price, has had 2 price cuts in Europe and came out a YEAR earlier.

For the price that the PS3 is still selling at, I think it's doing fine and doesn't need saving because a $299 price next year in combination with all of the quality exclusives they have lined up is more than enough to give the PS3 a HUGE lift worldwide.

If PS3 sales were actually declining, then maybe the PS3 would need saving but compared to last year, the Playstation 3 doing incredibly better.... If the PS3 is selling better this year compared to last year, then does the PS3 need saving? Makes no sense to me.

[DiabloRising]

IGN proves it has nothing better to write about then an issue that would have made sense in 2006.

Gotta love "game journalism."

[kosovo]

some of you guys just want to talk, and what's the aftermath? trash, waste of bandwidth and insanity.
who can save the ps3? huh?, then everyone rushes in and starts debating, bal bla bla, funny how this seems to be more debatable than the 08 election. i bet, Clinton would have picked some of this confused folks to fire up her campaign.
keep ranting like a punk!
IGN you could go save the PS3 since you care most.
be right back, no body say a damn thing.

[Jecht]

No one, it doesn't need to be saved and I really wish people would stop saying it does. This isn't 2006, early 2007 anymore.

[Warbletot]

Same old sh!t, different day.

[cmrbe]

but i don't agree on relying on 3rd parties anymore. 3rd parties exclusives are dead. Perhaps Sony could fund or buy old well know IP's from Capcom and Konami so that they can bring them to next gen but i think they are too expensive. Sony should rather stick to its current path of producing new IP's from 1st parties.

[Cajun Chicken]

I'd like to see Sir Dan come back for a third game. Sony own that IP and Studio Cambridge, why not actually, y'know, DO SOMETHING with it?

[panasonic23]

jesus when he come 2012 ahahahahahahahahhahahahhahahah ahahhhah

[Socomer 1979]

basically, the article says if you dont buy a ps3 to help recoup thier investment all of ps3's franchises could land
on xbox360 because who needs free applications, web browser, USB support, bluray or 1080p games at 60 fps & they could give a sh1t about dedicated lagless servers.

In a nutshell.

Everybody knows Sony counted on the people & the media to help support thier vision but they miscalculated americans & dirty scumbag Brits. You can't trust them.
They jumped all over ps3 from jump. The media even convinced me once to get a xbox & told me not to worry about rrod because Sony sucks & has no games. Luckily, I have a authority complex & am not easily brainwashed.

[Keowrath]

So ummm... The MEDIA convinced you ONCE to buy a 360 and you're not easily brainwashed??? ROFL!

Just so you know, I'm a "Dirty Scumbag Brit" I only own a PS3 of current gen consoles, have 25 games and am more than happy with my purchase...

And you? You're a twat.

[agent864]

I'm rooting for the PS3 but from a profit perspective it has cost Sony dearly : approx $5.5 Billion US so far. Its probably the main reason why Sony is focused on profitability first then market share. I'm not really sure how they'll recover those losses and cut the price any further for a while. However officially they say they're on target regarding sales expectations so hopefully profitability is on track. If the PS3 will truly have a 10yr life span Sony still has 8 years to make it back. We're in year 3 in the US and Japan.

The PS3 won the HD format war for Sony, I'm not sure how much it was worth to them. The console game is all about ramping up the install base and ramping down the cost as quickly as possible to get those royalties flowing. Sony came out with an expensive machine with content that has not fully compensated for the price premium over the other systems. Kudos for not totally resting on established franchises and coming out with some creative content, but a super blockbuster here and there wouldn't hurt. The marketing hasn't been great either.

2009 needs to see the PS3 @ $299 US and 2010 needs to see a slim PS3 at $249 or $199. And BC needs to be put back in.

profit history
Gaming Division PROFIT (LOSS) IN $Millions

2003 FY $ 1,344 (APR 1 2003 - MAR 31 2004)
2004 FY $ 810 (APR 1 2004 - MAR 31 2005)
2005 FY $ 669 (APR 1 2005 - MAR 31 2006)
2006 FY $(3,026) (APR 1 2006 - MAR 31 2007)
2007 FY $(2,210) (APR 1 2007 - MAR 31 2008)
2008 FY $( 328) (APR 1 2008 - SEP 30 2008)

thats as far back on sony.net I could go. Maybe do some research to go further back.

SCE has posted 2 profitable quarters since the release of the PS3 : 2007 Q3 (OCT 1 2007 - DEC 31 2007) at $113 and 2008 Q1 (APR 1 2008 - JUNE 30 2008) at $51 (prob thanks to MGS4).

So it will be interesting to see if 2008 Q3 and Q4 will be able to turn it around for the games division and post a profit for 2008 FY. The only non profitable holiday season was 2006 holiday so chances are 2008 holiday will be profitable and continuing into 2009.

[hamsterfist]

Why is everyone mentioning the Wii in this conversation? It is obvious by now that the Wii is not in the same market as the 360/PS3. This is going to be Microsofts downfall, not realizing that truth and only coming out with kiddy games for the 360. Here is my opinion. Parents by the Wii for their kids, but the kids want a 360/PS3. Real gamers are buying one or both of those. Microsoft will commit suicide by trying to be the Wii, and in the end Sony catches up because they stick to the PS2 model.

[AriesFury]

Sony do need saving and what will save them is the price cut that fans have been asking for.

[Dr_Nefarious]

whenever the price tag is $300 plus and most of the multiplats look like garbage then there is no saving needed. The only thing that could have saved the PS3 is if it were the revolution that sony was touting it was. Is a good console indeed but not for $300 or $400, whatever the price is? Been 2 years since I bought mine.

[Dehydrated Flamingo]

Soooooo bluray alone doesnt justify the price tag? Thank god your not running a business.

[Shane Kim]

Are you stupid dehydrated flamingo? If this was in his case he would have sold PS3's for 200$. He would have gone out of bussiness in no time but still ;).

[TitanUp]

ps3 doesn't need saving but if it did gamers could save it,has great games no sense in passing the system up. same thing with 360 if 360 sales reach way low gamers who don't have one need to get one.

[OSIRUSSS]

Who can save the PS3?

I can!!!!

[Iceman100]

Nobody can that's who it's finished.

"Sony do need saving and what will save them is the price cut that fans have been asking for."

That's too bat they already dropped the price 2 times, and people like you wanted this kind of a system...so you get what you pay for.

[bigman7387]

I really wonder where you get the idea that the PS3 is finished. Last time I checked it was competitively selling with consoles two-thirds to one half its price.

Or wait, could it be that you are blinded by your fanboyism?

[gamfreak]

doesn't need anyone to save them but themselves and 09 would be the year cause imo games play a big part in the succees of everything.

[SAiOSiN]

oh! KRATOS! i never knew theps3 needed saving. all the consoles are doing just fine. except the wii. lol.

[NipGrip]

I don't think it needs "saving" persay.. Sure, the 360 is outselling it by a wide margin, but the Wii is outselling them both. Does that mean the 360 needs saving as well from the mighty Wii sales? I'm trying to say, just because the 360 outsells the PS3, doesn't necessarily mean the PS3 is going to just fold and close up shop unless someone comes along to make some games for it. It's got games, it's got a large enough base now, it's got a future ahead of it and despite what the 360, Wii, PS2, Colecovision, Tiger Handhelds sell against it, it will be just fine. The whole idea of a "console war" and a "winner" being declared is a timeless myth that never occurs. It's only a neverending fight between the fans of the product much like any other product or sporting event that hardly holds a true bearing on reality.

[KAEM7]

I'm a proud ps3 owner who has been with sony since the beginning (and before that with nintendo). But I am very realistic about the future.

Sony fanboys and adepts mark my words. There will be no "I told you ps3 would rule over xbox" party's, ever. By the time The PS3 will have beaten the xbox 360 in total sold units. Microsoft will release a better, more advanced and more powerfull console. The 360 hardcore fanboys will be the first buyers.

PS3 fanboy: "told you we would win!"
360 fanboy: "get lost gramps, gears 4 and halo 6 on my new 1080 degreesbox is so much better than anything on your old lameass ps3"

and sony will get a console out a year (or more) later and the wars will continue.

The point i'm making?

Enjoy gaming today.

[ultimolu]

Fair article.

But focusing on profits is the most important things for Sony right now. The PS3 isn't doing bad for a console that's more expensive than the competition.

[DMasta718]

Another *insert name* needs saving article.

We get this every week.

[militant07]

superman

[PS360PCROCKS]

so, apparently steal back every franchise Microsoft stole for the next iteration. Um convince EA that you deserve exclusive content and do this while being in 3rd place and having the most expensive console on the market? Oh yeaaa...that's going to work really well. Sony is fine, they are making new games for themselves.

[likedamaster]

Stealing a franchise i.m.o. would be to make it exclusive not multiplatform. GTA, FF, Tekken, and the DMC franchise chose to go multiplatform not the other way around. Besides, exclusives profit the console maker not the devs hence the reason Capcom, Square-Enix, Rockstar, etc didn't go exclusive...money!

You can't deny Sony's position in 3rd. Doesn't change the fact people are having fun with the console, it has a lot to offer as far as multimedia is concerned. The Cube was last place last gen but they spent their time preparing for next gen not crying about it.

[Shendow]

Its just another thing to get people fighting on their sites to make them look like they got alot of people on their site, I own both 360 an PS3 an so far I have been more happy with PS3 then the 360 but 360 does have some games that I will play off an on. Oh yeah did anyone hear that sony might be getting 400GB disc? to me I think that be really crazy to see what people make for it and how long it will take makers of Gears Of War to jump at trying to max that disc out, I mean come on!! who doesn't want to see a game push that far?

[darkdoom3000]

ya cant trust the third parties, good thing sony has a small army of first party devs. and kojima, hes so cool.

[sak500]

Unfortunately Mother Theresa is no more with us. SO no one can save. Bite the bullet and do what MS did last gen..

[Rhoic]

Have they seen the line-up for the PS3 next year? I mean.. that's when I GET my PS3.. because I knew it was smart to hold off this year and wait till 2009.

2009 for the 360 and PS3 is going to be so amazing..

[Magic_The_Celt]

Its a topsy tervy world huh?

one day IGN are "PS3 fanboys" the next day there awesome again because they said something seemingly bashful against the PS3 all you fangirls hate so much :'( and wish you could cry away

bwahahahahahaha

[QuackPot]

The Ps3 doesn't need saving and will at least secure second place behind the Wii.

But what could of/should of? Sony should have:

* taken seriously the competition - at least copy if not better what they offer.

* realized the importance of pricing - the bulk of Ps2 owners are casuals.

* realize the future of controllers - eg the wii-mote/nun-chuck - more fun more involving

* preinstalled their own OPTIMIZED version of LINUX or UNIX on the system - a sleek and fast PC at your disposable to do office work, emails, web browsing, IM etc.

* included mouse, keyboard, mic and head set, HDMI cable

Even the $600 Ps3 on release with a Playmote, keyboard/mouse and Sony Linux preinstalled would have been a very attractive alternative to buying a PC....and be a damn fine gaming console to boot.

Should have/could have.

***

So what's done is done. Now its a matter of when the price drop comes and the Play-mote. Then the question will be if sony will catch the Wii.

[RumbleFish]

Everybody knows that IGN is biased. So wy is everybody taking this so serious? It's just ridiculous!

Peace!

@Capital G: LOL!

[xg-ei8ht]

Oh common, it needs saving everyweek.rofl.

If the ps3 had launched for £299.

It would have outsold everything, yes even the wii.

It's about price only. and one other thing. Not enough casual people know what the ps3 does.

But as i've been told, sony is breaking out the advertising now.

I just want killzone2.:) singleplayer and multiplayer greatness. GOTY 09.

[Firstkn1ghT]

You can play the "IF" game all you want but the fact is that the Sony as a whole is in serious financial trouble and one of the main reasons is the ps3.

[agent864]

while the SCE division has been losing money since the launch of the PS3 Sony Corp as a whole has been turning a profit. It is likely that SCE will be profitable FY2009...

Sony will need to leverage their hardware/software investments this gen into next gen. I think they will have to try to do a game changer much like nintendo did with the Wii... use existing, cheap, profitable tech in a new way to reach mass market.

[Dehydrated Flamingo]

As a person who would consider himself neutral in this so called console war, i believe that the PS3 is doing fine. However, some people, like 360 fannies and the author of the article, expected the PS3 to be the second coming of Christ. How can that be with a high price point. Which leads me to my next point. This price Sony has on its PS3 is pretty high. But for us gamers we know why. Its pact with a Blu ray player and technology that make it a powerhouse. But to the casual gamer or regular parent, that price is a turn off. I know many people who would love a PS3, they just cant afford it. I am extremely happy with my PS3. And enjoy it more and more everyday.

[power of Green]

PS3 will fail due to the fact the masses know PS3's hardware is not on par with the 360's.

People wan't the best performence from their products.

Also Sony was not able to make the PS3 the talk of popular opinion.

Man I'v been in shops all over my city and no consumers are anywhere to be seen in the PS3 section only the 360 section(wii's are selling out/very hard to get)

[Antan]

"PS3 will fail due to the fact the masses know PS3's hardware is not on par with the 360's."

LMFAO.

[Shane Kim]

The same thing is happening in my city, only the PS3 section is crowded while the local maid is on the 360 section removing dust from the xbox game cases and xbox's.

[Marquis_de_Sade]

You are right Power of Green, the PS3 indeed isn't on a par with the 360 in terms of hardware, its superior.

[Firstkn1ghT]

Well you have to look at the fact the ps3 has been out for 2 years and is still losing money with every console sold. Sony's gaming division is being saved by the ps2. The ps3 has been a complete financial failure. Software sales are a joke. Sony can only be saved with a better well thought out plan for the ps4.

[Jdoki]

With all due respect Firstkn1ght, you are talking tosh!

Both Sony and MS have poured money in to their hardware divisions - and if we're talking losses then a big fat 5billion dollar hole in MS's bank account must sting a bit.

Sony have stated they are going to be profitable with the PS3 during 2009.

It's also strange that you claim softweare sales are a joke, when a few publishers have recently gone on record that PS3 sales are healthy.

Sony have made mistakes, but the speed which they have turned things round is impressive. The first 2 years of 360 sales compared to the first 2 years of PS3 sales are extremely close.

Anyone who thought Sony was going to dominate the HD gaming generation in the same way they dominated previous gens is an idiot. The market has changed completely and become far more agressive.

[Keowrath]

what due respect??? LOL

[xwabbit]

OMG another person who don't know anything, the ps3 hasnt been losing money for a long time now. I keep seeing ur post with no freaking facts just ur ass loL. You talk about sonys sales being a joke ? DOOD M$ lower their box to 200 bucks and it still selling almost the same as the PS3 and the PS3 is twice as much LOL what is a joke ? only because this month ps3 got raped by xbox u talk big. Stop being such a fan boy and get a life.

[Jdoki]

Who'd have thought that another MGS game would help the PS3 when MGS4 sold so well - thanks IGN for clarifying! And who would have thought that SquareEnix releasing Final Fantasy games would help shift some PS3's!! IGN you ARE on the money!! /sarcasm

The PS3 needs no saving. It's gathering momentum right now.

The only thing Sony have done wrong is neglect the JRPG genre, every other genre is well catered for.

If Sony launched a couple of JRPG's it would help the Western markets a bit, but in Japan PS3 sales would go through the roof. You only have to look at the impressive sales spikes the 360 enjoyed when MS launched Blue Dragon etc.

[NobleRed]

Who can save me from rubbish ps3 hating articles?
Ign propably not.

[Chrissy]

LOL @ all the meldowns. Poor sony fanboys. I guess they still havent yet realized that they are a major part of the ps3 problem.

[Antan]

LOL! It does`t need to be saved! I was unaware its going to die after only 2 years, mind you the PS2 died after only 2 years..............oh wait!

[KARMA2009]

KILLZONE 2 and GOD OF WAR 3

Xbox 360 is over

[Firstkn1ghT]

Lil Big Planet and Resistance 2 and MGS4.

Xbox 360 is over!

LMAO

[pornflakes]

Sony cuts 8000 jobs. Lost 1.1 Billion once again.

Their share holders dont allow them to cut the ps3s price but the only ppl who think the ps3 doesnt need a price cut are SOny slaves!

haha

[Are_The_MaDNess]

it BS it dont need help

[Shane Kim]

By looking at charts, PS3 is almost exactley where PS2 was in its second year. PS2 sold like 19 million consoles on year 2 while PS3 is almost at 19 as well. I see no saving needed.

[Citizen Cook]

Face it, Sony need to bite the bullet and cancel the PS3rd before it gets any worse for them. Rush the PS4 to market sooner rather than later. Just like M$ did with the 360...

The tabes have turned. The 360 is now the cheaper console with the better games (PS2) and the PS3rd is the new Xbox 1, overpriced, late to market, a money pit...

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

LOL and this is the droids goto site when the chips are down, that must realy f-ing hurt.

RIP PS3... hope you do better with the PS4, if there is one

[robert0267]

visit the black mesa source website its cool. http://www.blackmesasource.... has everyone played the ratchet and clank for ps3.

[AliC]

What the PS3 needs saving?

[Batzi]

Although MGS4 was a system seller. 1 game is still not enough to "save" the PS3. Price cut however is the key. Think about it Sony.

[Jdoki]

Sony are currently selling roughly the same number of units as the much lower priced 360.

Because of this fact Sony have much more room to maneouver when it comes to price cuts. Selling at their current rate, there is no need for a price cut until after the holidays.

Despite what Sony are saying about 'No price cut in March 09'. I would suspect we will see a price cut by June '09 at the latest. Sony have already stated that the PS3 should be in the black by Q2 09 (iirc), so it would make sense to shave some money off the price.

Also remember that Sony have the option of adding value, rather than cutting prices. By putting together awesome bundles they are building in value. Microsoft did exactly that for a long time - but you may have noticed MS are not pushing bundles quite as hard now that the price has hit $199.

[mastiffchild]

The PS3 has done the job for Sony that it was meant to do and won the Blu Ray war for them which has caudsed huge profits way above money per console and now the exclusives are of such good quality and , by and large more innovative than the MS ones/strategy of IP and developer coersion the long term plan sails plainly into view for all but the most blinkered observer.

The fact that PS3 has outsold the 360(if you look at comparative sales after twp years for each)is a bonus for Sony and as the Wii slows down, it's gamers mature from casual status they will sell more(to say nothing of loyal Sony consumers yet to upgrade from PS2-and they will when the inevitable price cut arrives). Again, it's a longer term strategy(though the advertising/marketing teams have been very weak)than MS with it's get ours out first(damn the gamers who get faulty intested consoles that fail)and get devs over to our side smasn and grab raid(though their marketing is voracious and Sony need to note that at least). Eventually, though, there's room for both companies to profit right now and nobody ever figures in the profits Sony still make from BR royalties/PS2 sales and software or the knock on profits in HDTV areas either.

I have more respect for IGN than most sites but the headline is hit hungry and doesn't reflect reality or the article itself-really there's nothing to see here, move along.

[ZeVeX]

It doesn't need saving, its Install Base is Nearly on par with the 360 and is getting better, its a better hardware product than the 360, not only on a failure rate bases but on quality aswell imo, and it has great games and even better awesome games on the way FFXIII,GT5,GOW3,Killone2 for me, whats to save?

[Avto]

Yeah seriously, why does it needs saving, although it does need to sell better, but saving? I mean Dreamcast needed to be saved, original Xbox and Gamecube didn't sell very well, neither did N64 or Sega Saturn and have you ever heard: who can save Xbox?

[die_fiend]

Ur right about it not needing saving, but the install base isn't nearly on par with 360. 6 million isn't near is it? Considering that the whole of japan have only bought 2.5m of them...If they drop the price by qite a bit I'd be very tempted, but at the moment there isn't really much of a reason 2...

[Avto]

Well 6 million isn't what I call "Nearly on par" with X360, but keep in mind Xbox had an entire year head start to accumulate this lead. Also this time around Japan is not backing Sony as they did with PS2 and PS. Only place where Playstation is really doing it's thing is Europe-GB, so yeah a price cut would be nice especially with this economic situation.

[ZeVeX]

@ Die, Fair enough, i wasn't aware of the actual numbers, but still considering the 360's head start, it isn't bad, and as for you saying there isn't anything that temps you towards a PS3, that's fine, but the way i see it is there isn't anything "tempting" on the 360 for me either, except gears which i have played on my m8's 360 and i liked it, class game, but im not buying a 360 for one game.

[rawd]

@7.1

Is that why the PS2 is still selling?

[robotnik]

PS3 doesnt need to be saved. Xbox 360 however needs to, and fast.

[Anon1974]

We know the 720 is out there. If it's unveiled this year at E3 like some analysts are predicting, what will that do to 360 sales? Would you hold off purchasing a potentially buggy 360 in the hopes that the new console won't be as poorly designed? I know that thought would cross my mind. If I had any idea how much hassle the 360 would be (I'm on my 4th console and MS has been a nightmare to deal with) I would have never touched one and instead just played my old Xbox and PS2 till the PS3 hit. Microsoft did a good job hiding the truth initially though.

[HDgamer]

Before black friday I didn't have an HDTV to play my games on except for my pc but no converter, it still looked good anyway. But once I got my 32" emerson HDTV, everything is just looking good on the ps3. It looks mile stones better, I mean even the blu-ray movies I have which is not many. All the games from multiplatform and exclusives do not look like anything I've played these last recent months. I'm using the HDMI cable for this as well as opposed to the biased gaming website known as gametrailers for lying to its viewers that the component cable and the HDMI cable do not make a difference. Until you try it for yourself, you will greatly see the difference. The best thing about it is too that I didn't even mess with the options, just plug and play. Both the 360 and the ps3 games look good, a HDMI cable will make a very big difference.

[djslapdash]

Sony need to stop thinking that M$ is its only competitor in the market and start targeting the Casual Market. Look what happened to M$. They started by saying Wii is not a competitor and will not copy them, but like all businesses that suffer they go back on their word and copy(benchmark) their successfully rival (Casual Ads, Casual Games).
Sony need to do the same thing and do what they eventually do and copy their competitors.

[IPlayGames]

This is just funny.

PS3 needs saving lol. Until sony says there closing down there gaming division they will still be selling games and consoles.

No matter how much u guys wish they didn't.

[air1]

i thought kz2 was going to save it in 09?

doubts? after lbp and r2 didnt save the ps3?

[Gantrfaxx]

From what? It's not like noone buys the console, or that it has no games. Infact it has some of the best exclusive titles on the whole gaming market, and many many more to come.

[Gazman1982]

Whats up with all these 360 owners on here, is it coz your 360's all got RROD you havent got nothing else to do then to bash on here. SAD SAD SAD PEOPLE !!!

[digger18]

LOL, the Xbox fans dare call the PS3 fans droids!!!!

Just look at all the wanker xbox fans in EVERY PS3 thread.

What sad little fu@kers!!!

[air1]

so we are all going to pretend like you sny fanatics dont do the same?

bu bubu rrod, rrod, rrod

you should be more worried about the ps3 being droped like a bad habit by sony.

[N2NOther]

I think most of you didn't get past the title. The article is about how Sony dominated the past 2 generations and now they're picking up 3rd place because they dropped backwards compatibility (though I don't think this matters as much as anyone thinks) and lost exclusives and offers suggestions as to how to gain back the lead.

The bottom line is that the people that have a PS2 see the PS3 as a game console and that $400 is too much for a game console. They don't see that the PS3 is an amazing piece of tech with tons of bells and whistles that completely justifies the price. Not a lot of people have HDTVs or even see the need to own one so Bluray and high resolutions don't mean much to them. They don't see a lot of high profile games that they can't already get on the cheaper 360 (I can't tell you how many people I've had to sell on Uncharted).

A lot of people don't see Bluray as the significant jump from DVD that DVD was the VHS. And in reality, it isn't. Sure it looks AMAZING, but again, only if you have an HDTV. So instead they have a more expensive formant that without an HDTV, does what DVD already does. A lot of people, myself included, bought DVD because it was much more convenient. Hell, most people don't even know that Bluray has an incredibly durable coating.

At the end of the day the majority of people see the PS3 as a $400 game console and it's hard for people to justify themselves spending that much on one. When Sony drops the price, sales will increase. Just like they did the last time. When the 40gig dropped at $400 the sales went up. People didn't care that features were taken out. They cared that the console was more affordable.

[digger18]

If Sony drops the PS3, then that will be the day I give up console gaming period.

Microsoft have done nothing but try and make people into droids and buy their shovelware or generic Unreal engine games. They see how other companies are doing and then copy them, then bully everybody.

A Microsoft owned company, Variety, even gave a poor score for R2, which was way below the belt. How would Xbox fans feel, if Sony owned companies reviewed Xbox games?

As for Sony fanatics, don't make me fu@king laugh. Yes there are a few on here, but they are heavily out numbered by the Xbox fanatics, on here and everywhere on the net.

This is getting beyond a joke, the fu@king Xbox fanturds have even attacked the user game score for PS3 games on sites and they wonder why PS3 owners retaliated. Also the many Blogs from Xbox fans spreading complete and utter crap and people taking them as gospel.

Its getting a real bad state of affairs, when this sort of sh!t happens. At the end of the day, its only a fu@king toy. Geez, grow up already!!

[pete2711]

I fully agree, I think it's mainly because the x-box is more of a kids console (Well from what i hear, Have been told, Read, And experienced) Which would explain the fanboy ratio of 10 X-BOX to 1 PS3.

It used to be good reading a PS3 article then comment on the article with other PS3 users, Now 80% of the news seems to have ridiculas titles like 'Why the Little Big Planet was a flop' and 'Who can save the PS3' just complete BS only published to create fan wars, And if i do stumble across a decent article worth reading the 1st 1-5 comments will consist of 'PS3 SUCKS!!!' 'X-BOX FTW!!!!' 'HAHA SONY DROIDS!!!' Etc. Etc. it's really sad and pathetic and just ruining websites and gaming in general.

GROW UP OR GTFO

[C_Dub]

Doesn't need saving. So why is IGN stooping to this level?

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

that most people acknowledge the PS3 more for MGS4 more than any game that has come out for it. Their other exclusives seem to not impact people the same way. I've been finishing up the last half of R2 where I left off, and been playing the hell out of littlebigplanet. I just think it's odd how lackluster the games are selling for Sony, when these games had a lot of hype?

[shiningpath76]

ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE IN THIS MESS IS THE LACK OF PATRIOTISM IN OUR COUNTRY, WE NEED TO BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS NOW MORE THEN EVER. THE DOLLAR IS GETTING STRONGER NOW THAT WE ARE PURCHASING LESS PRODUCTS DUE TO THE RECESSION. SOON IT WILL BE AS STRONG AS THE EURO. WHEN AMERICANS DON'T BUY THE WORLD SUFFERS. WE NEED TO STAND BEHIND OUR PRODUCTS EVEN IF WE THINK THEY ARE NOT AS GOOD AS THE FOREIGN ONES. FORGET ABOUT SONY. BE A PATRIOT.

[tk]

From will PS3 rule or PS3 must be saved...
Neither...
It will be in the middle of the road - and have the longest cycle of the three current gen consoles. It is doing well - with the smaller chipsets it will turn profit, prices will come down - and it will have great titles. IGN must need saving - hence the flamebait headlines...

[shiningpath76]

Microsoft can save Sony. They have $60,000,000.00 in surplus they should make them an offer they can't refuse. Wait thats right they are a japanese company they wont let us help them again, not unless Bill Gates figures out a way to bring General Mcarthur back to life then maybe he can make them an offer they cant refuse. I don't think Microsoft would waste there money anyway they only buy out winners not losers.

[pshizle]

its over...but im sure it will save it and boost sales

[cpuchess]

Wasn't there an article like this for the 360?

What if the 360 AND the PS3 fail and we are all stuck with the Wii?!!
Aaaarrrgggggghhhhhhh!!!

[robert0267]

I like my ps3 what about you guys. oh and have you been to the black mesa source site if not here is the address http://www.blackmesasource....

[SSCOOLCHEA]

fk it , I will just laugh out loud at N4G.........Nothing make sense here anymore ..

@ pete2711... I am so happy for HOME. Just the fact I will be talking to people who actually have a ps3 . whether they like the game or not at least I will have an opinion from someone who owns a ps3 ..

[FrankenLife]

The PS3 doesn't need saving. It is doing well. Yes it is behind in hardware sales, but what do you expect out of the most expensive console. The manufacturing costs of each system are down so they aren't loosing money on each unit sold. They are putting out great games. I am really tired of these kind of articles.