Gamedaily Reports: Wii to Lose Market Share to $99 PS2, says Sony

Hardware marketing director John Koller tells us that Sony believes it will steal some share from the Wii with the new $99 price point on PS2. We also chat about PS3's pricing.

[DragonWarrior_4]

Man,, Sony needs to face reality. They are in total denial about this whole console war.

[sonarus]

Sony is being overly optimistic imo. PS2 games aren't releasing like they used to. All they have is a large catalogue of old games for dirt cheap. They seem to be under the impression that the wii is selling well because of its price point. Thats just dumb.

Unless sony can pull a playstation fit or a sony play out of its ass. No loss of market share for wii

[Godmars290]

Like MS is about Japan? Not that I doubt this is going to effect the Wii, but its sure to boost PS2 sales one last time.

[Smacktard]

Sony's so jaded this generation. I still don't think they've learned anything.

$99 PS2 is sure to take some part of Wii's market share, but no way is it going to have very much of an effect. It'll hurt 360 and PS3 sales just as much, if not more.

[Snake Raiser]

How? I mean, I doubt the wii will die from this, but that is not what sony expects.

[jwatt]

I don't think this will effect the wii too much, maybe the $199 360 but Sony will have to promote.

[crck]

Read the article people. This title was generated to create hits. He was asked if he thought this move would cut into the Wii market share. What's he suppose to say? No? The full answer is actually well thought out and quite complimentary of the Wii. Honestly, you people need to read before spouting out stuff.

As for the PS3 he was also quite clear that the mandate from Japan is profitability, not market share. Just think about it. Sony sold 10 million ps3's last year worldwide? If they had cut the price $100 that means a loss of $1 billion in revenue. Sure they would have made some back in software sales but probably not enough to off set a billion dollars.

@1.1 You need to read the article as well. They expect 80-90 ps2 titles this year and the same amount next year. These are mostly licensed multiplat crap that gamers wouldn't touch. But they are games that kids and non-gamers/casual gamers would buy. Ps2 is for casual, low income or non-gamers. Ps3 is for the hardcore gamers.

[RememberThe357]

is not the same a saying you going to kill an entire system.

How the hell you guys guys make these mental leaps...

[heroicjanitor]

Their plan is to make motion controls for the ps2, then they will have a motion control system far cheaper than the wii.

[Dandiego]

The reality of the market is Xbox 360 has more system sold every month in north America so this blog is really PS3. Just look at the agree/disagree from PS3 and xbox 360 commentaries. It's always on the PS3 side. When you talk 2 days about your old system you can best believe it's bad news for Sony so you are right.

More system sold in North America for Xbox and more PS3 blogers... I'm thinking you guys don't play your PS3 all that much you have way too much time to vote on every comment. I have the PS3 and it's not the system I play the most... If you are a serious online competitive player Xbox 360 is the way to go... unless you have a PC which is the best system for online play. PS3 online is straight up laggy and I have a PC, Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii so I CAN compare so I,m not talking out of my $()*%.

[xwabbit]

How long have you guys been in the market compared to Sony ? Who you think will know more ? Just asking

[heroicjanitor]

Make a bad comment about the ps3 in the ps3 section and you will get disagrees, make a bad comment about the 360 in the 360 section and you will get disagrees. It's how it works. Usually there is more ps3 news, so most people come in here, and you don't understand that.

[SL1M DADDY]

I am guessing that few of you read the article. Sony has a right to be optimistic. Does that mean that what he wishes will come true? Nope, but it would be a little od and quite possible career suicide for him to say no, his console will not sell well... You people act as though if somebody stands behind their product that they are stuck up or full of themselves. Maybe, just maybe it's what corporate folks do, they promote their stuff rather than shun their goods.

[sajj316]

It'll take some market share but not a great amount. People that buy a week buy into casual gaming with motion controls. They buy it for Wii Fit or Wii play or Wii sports. Unless Sony starts putting motion controls on a PS2 and deliver casual games ... don't see it making a dent.

[Snake Raiser]

Thats what we all said about the wii motion control...

[dragunrising]

Sony could have easily turned the PS2 into its version of the Wii with a wireless remote and dongle. They could still do it. As long as the PS2 continues to sell, they should really think about this option. Its not like most Wii games look much better than PS2 anyway.

[Mini Mario]

"It'll take some market share but not a great amount. People that buy a week buy into casual gaming with motion controls. They buy it for Wii Fit or Wii play or Wii sports. Unless Sony starts putting motion controls on a PS2 and deliver casual games ... don't see it making a dent"

Well they slapped on motion contols for the ps3, and that didnt work out too well for em.

"Unless Sony starts putting motion controls on a PS2 and deliver casual games"

The ps2 has MANY casual games already, actually more casual games than "core" ...*cough*.....games.

Buzz, barbie, bratz, shrek part, singstar , eye toy yeh there all casual. Plus the million others. Up for some DoA beach volleyball>>?

[frayer]

Makes sense, but this will steal more sales from the 360 than anything else and they know that

smart play

[Elven6]

If it steals from the 360 it will also steal from the PS3,

[jack who]

bingo!

[OmarJA]

& then those PS2 owners will convert to the PS3 when it's cheaper...

Pretty smart move from SONY...

[thebudgetgamer]

that new motion controller almost free dev kits.

:)

[Elven6]

I really don't know if releasing a motion controller accessorie at this point will do anything, maybe if they packaged it in with the box and got behind the idea of motion controls it might take off?

[thebudgetgamer]

but i couldnt hurt, it will probably keep it around for a few more years. it will also help small devs comming up.

;)

[Raoh]

LMFAO, yeah John, cause the $199 360 is hurting the Wii LOL

[Sonyslave3]

dumb a$$ ps3fanboy he just got owned .ahhahahahahhahahahh.

[Snake Raiser]

Rolling on the floor laughing. The xbox (original) is about the only console I know recently that has been owned.

[arsenal55]

Nahh.. I don't really think this price drop will do much. I just want the PS3 to drop! haha

[farhsa2008]

hey ps2 will even take market share from bloody iphones, it is the best console ever made, it has a "free pass" card!

[ultimolu]

That's a really stupid thing to say Sony.

[Anon1974]

I thought this was an interesting interview and he's 100% correct. Any increase in PS2 sales is going to come at the expense of some other system. He said that the PS2 will take away SOME of the Wii's market share. He's absolutely right.

A Wii owner doesn't care about Hi-Def gaming, or having the best tech. If he was, he wouldn't be considering the Wii. If hi-def gaming was important and he was cash strapped it would be the 360, if not the 360 Elite or PS3. So, if you're considering a game console, and Hi-Def gaming doesn't interest you, you see a Wii at $280 and a PS2 at $99, the PS2 doubles as a DVD player (that's kinda nice) and has a huge library of cheap games, plus new games being released all the time...this one quickly becomes a toss up. If I could have either a Wii or a PS2...I wouldn't hesitate to go with the PS2. That's some impressive value.

Edit: And no one. NO ONE is walking into a store with $400 for a PS3 and going "Wait a minute! PS2! Well this thing's amazing, and so cheap!" and walking out with a PS2. They just aren't aimed at the same demographic anymore.

[ultimolu]

You could be right about that.

[PotNoodle]

The PS2 still has a higher market share iirc

[emitsu97]

Raise your hand if you actually read the interview.

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

;)

[Eiffel]

;)

[Hockey11]

I REPORT: WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN.

;)

[no-spin]

what did you expect? they have to be optimistic about their strategies, and a $99 price tag has a psychological edge especially in this Tough times. For those teen in 10-18 the PS2 is a great fit. Cheap, cheaper games, Lots and lots of games (GTA series- the good ones), God of War etc...
Parents looking for cheap gaming will find the PS2 a nice package. I like mine a lot, just because is old it does not mean is not good. The PS2 aged very well, plenty of variety.

[swiftshot93]

that they're done with the hardcore market and will now try to capitalize more on the casual market like nintendo with the wii and DS. I'm sure this price drop is one of many moves to come regarding the PS2 (which would include more casual games, marketing the product to the casuals etc...). This will be very interesting if Sony really takes it to the max, having one hardcore console and one casual one.

[RememberThe357]

needs to focus on his own platforms. This is the guy responsible for Sony's horrid advertising.

He's like a nicer Aaron Greenberg, full of sh*t.

[Sibs]

With this price drop SONY seems to have 2 aims:

1) Take some casual market share, but not much

2) Take a massive leap into the emerging markets (India and China esp.)

[Seferoth75]

Sorry but a PS2 price cut will do nothing. I see most of you are under the assumption that no casuals bought the PS2 already. Which is just complete BS. The majority of owners were casual. Now they have moved on to the Wii. A price cut will do nothing, They've already got a PS2. They've already played the games. They bought 6 million copies of Rugrats for PS2 along with Postman Pat, Power Rangers, Hello Kitty, and so on.

It's kinda sad that they know the PS3 is doing so poorly that they are using their now 9 year old system to try to compete. Make the PS3 the casual system of choice this gen. You've already started making the games anyway. why stop halfway?

[solidjun5]

you make no sense.

[DNAgent]

PS3 has already won this gen's console war by default. Now PS2, 360, & Wii are in a console war to determine the best last gen console.

[sak500]

Jeezus i have to comment and mention the stupidity of your comment. Ignore..

[blazed13]

LMAO @ sony hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahah ahahahahahahhahahahahahaha!!!!! !

[kewlkat007]

The longer casual gamers continue to suckle on the PS2's mammaries, the more dangerous it is for Sony and the PS3. For they can look at other cheaper next-gen consoles that are or will be available "first" at their price point. Then again, the cheaper PS3's are crippled when it comes to BC. Hold on to your PS2's people.

I mean if your buying a PS2 NOW then price must be a factor and no way your getting a PS3 anytime soon. If Nintendo wanted they could come out with a new console or drop the price of the Wii to $149.99. Really it would be game over.

Stop living in yesteryears success Sony and starting pulling them casuals still suckling on the PS2. Then again, selling more than 120 million consoles Sony seems to be comfortable. The Wii and xbox 360 doesn't appear to be competition.

[Seferoth75]

The Wii just might do it. In fact if current sales trends continue it will sell 100m a year or two before the PS2 did. Never say never. People said Nintendo would never be on top again and yet they just announced 50m Wiis sold just last week.

[Shnazzyone]

sony is officially cracking under the pressure. Who would buy a new PS2 when you can buy any used one for like 50 bucks. There are far too many in circulation for a price drop to make any difference in sales of the system. Sony must be desperate to keep the wii from surpassing their biggest sale record.

Sonys ps3 is the biggest lead weight in the world. Sony is buckling under it's weight.

[Anon1974]

So Sony's what? Losing $48 per PS3 sold and breaking even sooner than expected. Dude, Sony planned this from day one, just like they took a hit with the PS2 initially, and the PS3 has been selling much better than the 360 ever did even though it's at a higher price point. Do you think the 360 is a failure as well?

[Seferoth75]

Darkride, Can you provide a link to any of that. Would like to read it. I havent seen anything from Sony with what you have said in it so it would be nice to see.

[ChickeyCantor]

" So Sony's what? Losing $48 per PS3 sold and breaking even sooner than expected. Dude, Sony planned this from day one "

LAWL, are you telling me they "planned" an OVER BUDGET product?( Not bashing the console, costs for developing the PS3 went over budget ).

[Danja]

obviously what he means is that Sony planned on losing a buttload of money on the PS3 from day one , but they are breaking even faster than they had planned...

[ChickeyCantor]

" t Sony planned on losing a buttload of money on the PS3 from day one"

Again, they planned an over budget?

[likedamaster]

They're not breaking even yet, they're just now losing $49 a console. At the beginning, the PS3 was losing $240, mind you. http://www.gamespot.com/new...

[Anon1974]

Exactly what those guys said. Sony (like Microsoft) initially sell their hardware at a loss in an attempt to build an install base. They did it with the PS2, Xbox, 360, PS3. Nintendo didn't do this with the Gamecube or Wii, from my understanding.
The idea is that they'll make up for this loss by selling software and, eventually, production costs will come down and they can start making a profit on the hardware or afford a price cut.
I have no idea where you got the idea that the PS3 production was over budget. I'd like to see a link to that one.
At any rate, production costs have come down sooner than anticipated on sales far faster than what the 360 managed in it's first two years (17 million consoles vs the 360's 13 million).
My point was simply to try to put the notion of the PS3 being a "lead weight" to rest. The idea is absurd when you look at the big picture. Currency fluctuations are what's hurting Sony, not the PS3.

[rambi80]

READ THE DAMN ARTICLE RETARDS
On a side note - a re-design with an added feature or 2 may have actually gotten some attention

[Thoreau]

isn't going to lose sleep against the ps2. personally, i am not a wii fan because the games are not my style.

[Iceman100]

lololol this is good so what does that say about ps3 that is a far better system?

[solidsnakus]

i swear, sony is just so stupid. check out this idea and tell me if its good or not.

what sony needs to do is create their own wii mote and package it in with ps2s and call it a new name. the PSmee or something sell it for 130$ and come up with a new brand of ps2 games labeled PSmee which all support the mee-remote and its also backwards compatible with ALL ps2 games as well as the new PSmee games. this product would decimate the wii in an instant. your talking about the exact same product as the wii+ a SHIITTT load of ps2 games + a brand new library being made of PSmee games. in case you havent noticed i just made up the PSmee name , that name would suck but its just an example.
what do you think

[ChickeyCantor]

If they relly think price will take a share....
For F sakes, its the controller that makes the Wii interesting to these people.
ITS STILL SELLING FOR 250!.

Get your head out of your ASS.

[CBaoth]

...but I think Sibs is right. This price drop isn't geared for existing markets in as much as it's for emerging markets. Sony's hoping Chinese gamers will opt for the an official PS2@$99 instead of a flimsy government-sponsored knockoff Playbox@$69.

What I'd like to hear is your thoughts on one of my biggest criticisms of Sony this gen in regards to the PS2 and Wii. IMO Sony should've developed a motion controller when Wii sales initially exploded. And then proceed to include it w/ the PS2 alongside a standard controller. Keep following please as I promise this is where I deviate from the fanboying unless you consider this a conspiracy theory of sorts :)

This would've been a financial boon in terms of software sales for both companies. Why? Although the Wii is the undisputed champ this gen it has created a dynamic never seen before in the industry. Coupled with non-comparable hardware specs in contrast to the PS3/360 and a unique control interface, creating core IPs for it is a financial risk that have 3rd parties contemplating any such endeavor - ludicrous given its market share I know. The PS2 isn't as powerful as the Wii but a port would be easily possible and low dev costs means more 3rd parties could recoup their investment. At least that would be the perception.

Yes, I've read the recent reports from Ninty about 3rd party support and sales, but it seems it's almost like it's a half-truth. They tout the numbers but it's still a collection of mini-games based off two iconic characters (Sonic&Mario@Olympics) that remains the highest selling 3rd party game (6mil). While great core titles like NMH,DC, HotD, and Madworld languish for sales and fresh IPs like Winter never get off the showroom floor, it's disheartening for an adult gamer. I doubt Nintendo would've lost any of the market share they currently enjoy as they were first to market motion control. They also managed to secure two groups of people traditionally not associated w/ gaming (women on a large scale and the elderly). In effect, casual games would still comprise the bulk of Wii sales, but core titles would be more prevelant and thus sales would be higher.

Sorry for the wall of text, but trying to be quick and concise usually means I leave out half of the point I'm trying to make lol.

[ChickeyCantor]

" IMO Sony should've developed a motion controller when Wii sales initially exploded. And then proceed to include it w/ the PS2 alongside a standard controller."

This is the problem right there, many people think you should just copy&paste and you shall be on the same level, if not higher than the original designer.

The problem is: even IF sony made a controller and sold it with the PS2, it wouldn't affect much since the motion controller would not be a "standard", a standard what the PS2 is about.
Nintendo went into the crowd, showed them what the Wii was about before it got launched.

Wii presented itself to evolve around the Wii-mote. People see and know this.
Yes it support GCN controllers and the likes, but it is promoted as a console with motion controllers.

If SOny made that controller during the explosion, they would have needed a really good strategy.For you see, during the explosion, Nintendo already won the hearts of those who have a Wii now(or had when they sold it, but some people were waiting a YEAR to get one in their hands).

On top of that SDK's and motion-hardware should have been taken into count. Its not a one day job. Also it could have givin sony a bad publicity name for trying to rip off.
(Although we suddenly see many rip-offs).

[CBaoth]

is you're taking the perspective of a "gamer" and not a CEO or executive. Their obligation is to make money for the company and its shareholders, not care about the their image to a small segment of the gaming community. Like I said earlier, this would've been a reactionary move based off early favorable impressions of the Wii. So yes no market share would've been lost.

I think you're giving far too much credit for motion control and its integration for core gaming. While we can easily attribute its motion sensing capabilities as the reason it's popular with casual games, it's a hit or miss proposition w/ core titles. Games like Metroid and RE4 prove it CAN work, but oftentimes it's clumsily implemented and unresponsive a la Red Steel. You can blame developers for not allocating enough resources and time, but my point still stands. I don't think for one instance adding a motion control peripheral for the PS2 is some sort of a mission impossible Sony can't undertake lol.

And you still didn't answer my central question though. We're just arguing over the logistics. Do you think if Sony would've released a similar device, the Wii's core library would be substantially better? I maintain that yes it would be vastly improved in regards to 3rd party core support. With a 185 million potential customers, developers would be apt to take more chances, provide more variety. I just wonder if we'll actually see that mass migration of 3rd party devs Nintendo fans are expecting (like the DS's case). Or are we too far into the console's lifespan for it to make a significant impact? Anyways, good discussion man.

[DragonWarrior_4]

One Wii controller sells for almost as much as the ps2 console. Anyone who thinks this war is about pricing is truly a fanboy idiot.

[psycho360]

I have a suggestion, remove teh BD drive from PS3 and label it as PS2.5 with ps2/ps1 compatibility and price it @ $149.

[TriforceLightning]

I mean seriously your open to an opinion but your last comments are borderline retarded.Somebody scrap this droid, he's got a glitch.

[condorstrike]

Is this news or an April fools joke:

Sony Give up, discontinue the Ps2 already cause it's not hurting Nintendo, it's hurting yourself................
God this company's CEO is on crack.

eg: go to dealer and see a new Ferrari: PS3... (too expensive) then you see a Ford Pinto: Ps2.... (old and outdated), conscience kicks in and you end up buying the Kia with 15inch rims, but with new new car smell: Wii.

[Anon1974]

The PS2 prints money for Sony. Why on earth would they kill the goose that laid the golden egg, especially with markets yet to be tapped?

[felidae]

Sony is so strange this gen

[artsaber]

How is that so I wonder. Several people have stated this fact without looking @ the big picture. That is why Sony is in business and most people here are not.

Did we soon forget that the PS3 is SOLELY responsible for ALL revenue Sony makes now and in the future for Bluray sales? Think about it. The PS3 single-handedly secured the HD format over HDDVD for Sony. Trojan Horsing every console with Bluray was costly and risky, but genius.

Bluray sales have skyrocketed and Sony is making money hand over fist off of this ONE invention. The PS3 hit the market as a multipurpose device that does everything it is designed for extremely well. For the price, you get the most powerful console this gen, and STILL one of the BEST Bluray players on the market.

If there was no PS3, HDDVD would be the next gen format RIGHT NOW. HDDVD released months before Bluray. HDDVD players had months worth of headstart before the 1st standalone Bluray players hit the shelves. The only product that was capable of catching, surpassing, and stomping a mudhole collectively in all HDDVD products available to the free world was the PS3.

For a console that is priced significantly higher to sell as many consoles as it has is a testament to the reputation of the playstation product. It has stellar reliability and technology... it offers the cheapest price point dollar vs. built-in feature.

Sony has made WAYYYYYYY more cash off of the PS3 than Microsoft has made off the 360. The money Sony has made off the PS3 will be exponential as you can credit the success of Bluray as a STANDARD to a GAMING CONSOLE! Who the fu*k else can make that statement?

In my opinion the PS2 should be $89.99, but most people who own them, have them. But they are so small now, with a great library... it is not a bad idea to trick out your car with one or two hooked up to headrest mini monitors... since they play DVDs as well. Even the Wii @ $249 does not do that... go figure.

[PSGamingInc]

"Bluray sales have skyrocketed and Sony is making money hand over fist off of this ONE invention"

"Did we soon forget that the PS3 is SOLELY responsible for ALL revenue Sony makes now"

Now wait, if Blu Ray is making money hand over fist then Sony should be getting all sorts of revenue from somewhere other than the PS3. You know what reading through your....I don't know what it is, because there are so many incorrect statements.

Blu Ray hasn't won anything. My evidence? The fact that Sony was forced to implement their own digital distribution network to meet consumer demand. And of all things it is accessed on what? That genius invention, the blu ray player.

Many speculated MS would be forced to adopt Blu Ray after HD DVD failed, but neglected to realize that MS's biggest horse in this format race was digital distribution. And as I pointed out with Sony's move, digital distribution is not only in this format fight they are winning it.

The PS3 is making more than the 360 is? No

p.s. congratulations arty, that might have been the dumbest comment ever left on N4g, and that is saying something.

[Anon1974]

I can kinda understand artsaber's point. The PS3 is not only selling software and accessories but it's also contributing to increased Blu-Ray sales which is good for Sony as well. The trouble with that is we have no way of knowing just how much the PS3 contributes to that effect so it's really just speculation. The point could be made that while the PS3 brings in extra Blu-Ray revenue for Sony and their partners the 360 brings in XBL subscription fees. If you figure MS has 17 million gold accounts at $50 a pop that's $850 million dollars in revenue a year. Take that away and MS Games isn't making a dime. That's a pretty big revenue stream that Sony doesn't have going for them.

[rayjelic]

If they keep up with the same ratio of games plus add a motion sensor controller.

They can go real far with it, No offence I own a wii and PS3 and I could say honestly the PS2 still looks way better then the wii graphicly

[JeepGamer]

I wasn't aware that the PS2 was still considered a portion of the 'current' market when it came to market share, but if it is then it does control more than half of it even if you combine the PS3, 360 and the Wii.

Still Sony, come on now, you're doing alright with the PS3. Don't throw around the PS2s numbers.

[PSGamingInc]

They are pretty much kicking the pathetic PS3 to the curb in favor of their console from last generation. First you had the massively hyped "BIG ANNOUCEMENT" that turned out to be the PS2 price drop. Then you have Sony releasing statements to the media as if they don't even make and sell the PS3.

I am actually thrilled to death, because the PS2 comes from a time when Sony didn't have their heads up their behinds. The PS2 was a gaming device that played DVDs. The PS3 is a Blu Ray player that also plays games. There is a HUGE difference, and you can easily tell the change in philosophies.

I just hope the current generation of Sony Execs isn't going to go back and somehow screw up the PS2. Normally, I wouldn't even worry about something so proposterous, but seeing one failure after the next with the PS3 has me skeptical of anything Sony does.

[rayjelic]

Just because Sony says they have a big annoucement doesn't mean it's Aim exactly at PS3.
They are involved in so much. Movies, Music, Computer, DVD's, TV's + more. So just because they say they have a annoucement about one of their products they are kicking everything else around.

Microsoft Just better be happy Sony don't decide to become a computer Programmer, because the way things are going with MFST Vista, people are not too happy with them. And I'm sure if their was something new out there. The public would jump on it first hand especially from a Guerrilla company such as Sony.

[Pootie Tang]

The PS2 def can still go head to toe with Wii any day, has the Wii done anything close to God of War 2 even??? I sold my PS2 years ago but i'd buy another one before i'd spend money on a Wii

[emitsu97]

So many comments, so obvious 98% of them aren't within the context of the interview.