Consumers expect PS3 to cost <$300

According to Compete's October 2006 survey of active current-generation console gamers, almost half (48%) of those considering a PS3 expect it to cost less than $300. When told of the PS3's actual retail price, 73% of all gamers and 59% of those considering a PS3 thought it was overpriced.

[Lex Luthor]

I've said it a million times. Most people don't hang out in forums or usergroups like we do. VERY FEW people know of the shortages, prices, and other issues that are coming with the PS3 launch. That is why Wii is set to launch two days later.

[BIadestarX]

Yep, you got that right. The funny part about it is that none of my friends know about these sites. They come and ask me about any video game news. And that my friends make all of us fanboys!

[SjaakHaas]

Many people dont even know the differences (if there are any) between 360 and PS3. Ofcourse, we do know that, but the mainstream, i dont think so. So why bothering paying 200 bucks more?

My brother (casual mainstream) was more enthousiastic about the Wii, DS and 360 than the PS3 after i told him the prices. And thats only based on price, not games or player compatibility!

[power of Green]

It took me 3 months before i forced myself to waste $400 bucks on a game console.

[Marriot VP]

all true stuff, normal/casual consumers don't buy 400 or above dollar consoles.

[Retard]

400$ is a cut-off huh? I think Xbox 360 is 400$ (weird!) !!! Ahh, I'd expect the cut-off is , more like below $150, PS2 is selling like hot cakes.. =)

[THAMMER1]

The real consumers not nerds and fan boys will not go for a $600.00 toy. It just is not going to go over like high gas prices.

[bluhefner]

No price dont really mean shyt. People buy Jordans at a ridiculous price of $199, people buy Lacoste shirts at a ridiculous price. Its all about marketing and namebrands. Everyone says the PS3 is way overpriced but they still are gunna get it anyway because the namebrand is Playstation, and we are very used to that namebrand. Xbox is still a very new brand to the market and not everyone really wants it. Also when people start gettin HDTVs and wanna watch HD movies that HD-DVD drive MS is charging consumers for is gonna bite MS in the ass, while the PS3 has BluRay built in for HD viewing and also holds more space. No matter how much a PS3 costs people are still gunna buy it(including me). This gen is gonna be similar to the last one, the only thing that changes is that MS has a head start and will sell a lil more systems than they did last gen.

[Retard]

Wish your asses It'll even make 300$ by 2009.. Maybe this improves my chances of getting one... Everyone seems it hate it anyway, lucky me ! =)

[JoelEH]

its not overpriced if your looking for a blue ray player! If you dont have a HD TV and your looking for a console maybe it is a tiny bit overpriced for the us poor people that live pay check by pay check! Why did Japan get a price reduction and the US and Europe didnt? How Rude! I am offended.

[SjaakHaas]

Thats the worst excuse PS3Fans use to compensate the price. Playstation was always meant to play games, not movies. Else it would have been called EntertainmentStation, or whatever.

[BrotherSic]

Sorry this isnt exactly on topic but does anyone know if there has been an update about the availability of the PS3 core pack in the UK? and if so how much will it be?

Trying to decide what console to buy and there is no competition if there is no core pack as i can buy an 360 premium with 2 wireless controllers, PRG3 and oblivion for £289 which sounds pretty good to me.

[fjtorres]

...if you still believe the Sony mouthpieces.
<shrug>
After the last cutback in launch units, to 80,000 for Japan, there were rumors that the problems behind the delays would continue into next year and the Euro launch would slip to May but last week there was a re-statement by Sony that they still have a goal to launch in March.
Not a promise, but a goal.
Most likely they'll meet it; even if it means launching with limited quantities, like in Japan.

[BrotherSic]

well i am thinking it will be very difficult to get a PS3 in march but we shall see if that is even the actual release date.

I just havent seen anything mentioned about the UK getting the core pack since sony said they were unsure about it. This was around the same time they annouced the premium pack would cost £425.

If anyone could give me an update, I would appreciate it greatly!

[Ravenator529]

We have seen survey after survey after survey on the PS3 expectations.

But, the fact is that we will never know how things are going to play out for at least another year.

The short shipments of PS3's are obviously going to sell out at launch. The PS2 user base consists of 140 million units sold. There are only a little over 400,000 units being sold at launch for the PS3.

Lets see what the numbers are after a year and the PS3 is readily available for anyone who would want one.

You can get a 360 anywhere right now but even 6 months after launch, it was still somewhat difficult to find a 360 without having to purchase a bundle package. It wasn't until almost August that when I was able to get mine without a bundle.

Sony promises over a million units by 2007. IMO, that still will not fill the immediate demand for the PS3. Although, I still think its going to be an uphill struggle for the PS3 from this point on. Even with the large user base, it won't ever hit PS2 type numbers.

Not to mention that Sony let their competition get a year lead and over 7 million units sold with expectations of 10 million units sold by years end. In 5 years the original XBox only sold a little over 25 million units. So far the 360 is projected to sell almost 50% of that number in one years time.

Sony may still squeak it out in the end but the difference in sales between the 360 and PS3 over the lifetime of these systems will be much closer than last gen.

And lets not forget the Wii. Which is somewhat of a darkhorse right now. The demand is there, but will it be more of a novelty at best? I really think that the low res 480 graphics is going to hurt this machine in the long run.

When you have a game like GOW play and look as good as it does, who wants low res (last-gen) graphics?

I guess we will all see eventually!

[ironwolf]

Almost half the potential cutomers still think the PS3 costs less than $300; when reality slaps them in the face, it is going to cause a significant loss of potential sales.

[Tut]

The same could be said of the 360, just not AS expensive. Also, potential customers are every being on Earth, so those potential sales may increase as well.

If this is the popular theory that people will not buy consoles above $300 then the Wii is going to have one hell of a Christmas.

Go, Wii, Go!!!

[gearhead]

with that assumption consumers!!!

[BoneMagnus]

Analysts said it was the "independents" who decided the recent elections - not Dems or Reps.

in the same way, it will be the casual gamers - not us - who decide the console war.

At the school I work at, I'm the resident "gaming expert". Many teachers have asked me about the PS3. When I tell them the price, their jaws drop. They say the 360 is too expensive also. These kids will be getting PS2s for Christmas.