Analyst: PS3 price cut would 'really boost the industry'

Billy Pidgeon, an independent analyst at Game Changer Research, reckons the gaming industry in general would benefit from Sony slashing PlayStation's price.

"The thing that would really boost the industry in this traditionally slow period would be a Sony price cut. That would really help right now," he said.

The quote is part of a Reuters article that looks at E3, the various financial aspects of the industry as it stands today and it's potential economic future.

"If it doesn't happen, I don't think the industry is in for rough times," Pidgeon added. "I do see that, in the fourth quarter, there will be a return to form."

[BRACHATTACK]

I'm still amazed Sony are keeping up despite the high price, it really shows that people want a quality console, no matter what the price.

[table]

It's probably brand power aswell. People know and can trust playstation after 2 amazing consoles on the market. Ps3 has everything going for it especially with Blu-ray. A more affordable ps3 would fly off the shelves.

This article is stupid though. The second paragraph sort of contradicts the first and it really only states the obvious...

[SL1M DADDY]

I paid 600 USD for mine back at launch and have not looked back since. I have had 5 Xbox 360's thanks to in-store warranty and my launch PS3 is kicking it hard and going strong. The only benefit for me on a price cut for the PS3 would be me buying another PS3 for cheaper. I can dig on that.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

When you consider Sony sold a combined 250 million consoles (for PS1, PS2 and excluding PSP) you realize that Sony must have an immense fanbase. Not to mention the branding they already have as an electronics maker.

In my mind, Playstation brand is elevated to the level of Nintendo. Soon you can consider PS1 games nostalgia.

[ThanatosDMC]

::Read the title::

No $h!t!

[skatezero246]

It's becuase some people take quality over quantity which is funny becuase most xbox fans have had more than one 360

[PELVIC THRUST ACTION]

change most to all and then you have it right.

[Daoshai]

now its most? over 50%? I've never had more than one, neither has 5 of my friends who own a 360.

[PELVIC THRUST ACTION]

Mine died four months in ownership. Microsoft charged 250 to fix it. This was back in 2006. Most of my friends have 360s and all of them had it die on them at least once. The current record holder amongst them is six units in three years. It's not just red rings either. Disc Read Errors, Drive scratching discs, E74 are just some of the errors encountered by the 360. The 360 is like the auto industry of the 70s where their standards in workmanship and build quality were well below what people expect. Of course there's a hint of BUY AMERICAN that just makes people want to get it anyways and that's what the 360 has going for it, especially with certain types of people.

[shazui123]

thats really fortunate for you my friend. However I know probably about 20 people whove had 4-5 360s and personally ive had 3 :*(. Still got my ps3 from launch and same with my friends (cept one douche who left it on while he was on holiday on folding@home, his BR drive wouldnt read discs afterwards, what a bell) Realiability isnt an argument, its obvious which consoles more reliable

[Defectiv3_Detectiv3]

The only person I know that hasn't had their 360 die on them never plays it because they got it as a prize from a raffle drawing at their job.

One of my friends makes good money repairing 360s(usually its the heat sync that goes out)

[Ninver]

It seems that sony are the ones to watch this gen. I believe if they do lower the price of the ps3 it will do much better on a monthly basis. Basically the price is the only thing keeping it from total dominance. The game are there and the hardware has been proven future proof.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

"...price cut would 'really boost the industry'

NO DUUUUUH!

[really duh 2]

If $ony cut the price of Ps3 it will only show that they are desperate.

[solidjun5]

So when M$ cut it last year, they were desperate too? Dude, take that fanboy stick out your...for a moment.

Anyway, I still think they won't cut the price till september.

[SpoonyRedMage]

The PS3 has already been dropped twice and more than the 360 has. The 360 is just actually cheaper.

Any price drop would help though. I think a significant Wii price drop could just bring back all the overwhelming demand and with all the quality coming this year and next it wouldn't be a bad purchase.

[shazui123]

the ps3s still not afforable to a whole bunch of peopl, a price cut of just a little bit more, obviously a slim is needed for this as they dont make any profit with this model (and id probably buy a slim if one came out, ontop of my launch ps3) would definitely spark a sales boost, and probably quite a huge one. As its almost equal with the 360 atm, outselling the 360 slightly worldwide and at 299-399 in most outlets, its definitely doing very well, a pricecut would only do good.

[ultimolu]

Desperate for *what* exactly?
The most expensive console on the market and is still showing it can still be a driving force in the gaming industry?

How is that not impressive? Oh, that's right, you're a 360 fanboy. My mistake.

Keep it up PoG.

[beardpapa]

@Spoony:

For parts of your post I agree and for some others I don't. The price drops of the PS3 point out to desperation, but at the same time Sony took out some features to make the system more affordable. I think months after launch they realized consumers aren't going to lose an arm and leg for a console. In other words, by taking out features they gave themselves an incentive to drop the price.

As you say Microsoft had an incentive to drop the price of their console because the 360 itself is inexpensive. That may be true, however, even at the lowest being $199, it still couldn't compete in sales against the Wii. Isn't that what made the Wii skyrocket in sales? Cheap affordable console? In my opinion, they should've kept the price at what it was. I think most speculate that Microsoft dropped the lowest SKU to $199 in desperation because of the decline in sales against their major competitor Sony for the most part of the year. I think a lot of us expected $199 to skyrocket its sales past the Wii... but since it didn't and only outsells the PS3 every month, hence it seems more like the price drop was a desperate act.

[Omega4]

The real question is how long will that 'boost' last

A couple of months on top isnt really anything the shout about

[donnie-2105]

I dont think the price is a big of a deal as people make out.in the uk if you shop about you can pick up a ps3 for £220 which is only $40 more than the 360 and wii.i think the ps3 lackluste sales are due too its delayed launch,poor quality games,online in its 1st year,the WII ect..The playstation brand has took a big dent this gen and i dont think a nominal price cut will restore it to the halcyon ps2 days.a month or 2 of increased sales then back to normal even with its stellar exclusives most if not all are unknown franchies except gow and gt.

[Caffo01]

poor quality games?!?Have you been living under a rock?rofl

[MajesticBeast]

Dont agree donnie ps3s first year was better then m$ line up with cameo and gears of war. Sony had uncharted resistance heavenly sword and folklore.

[donnie-2105]

I wasnt talking about exclusives but mostly the horrible state of multi platforms in the ps3 1st year and the bare features of PSN compared to live.this garnered the ps3 with a lot of negative press like the ps2 had but this gen 2 strong rivals have made there move

[mirroredderorrim]

I paid 800+ with 1 controller +2 games, on my first PS3 purchase.
A pricecut would be welcomed, so that I may welcome a 3rd PS3 into my home.
Ahhh...
The Power of Jobs.

[badkolo]

sony will dominate e3 becuase of the pricecut, they will have a good show and announce a pricecut which will hurt whatever ms does in their show

[Sitdown]

how big are you expecting this price cut to be? And what is to stop Microsoft from dropping the price of the elite and premium while at the same time throwing in some more games?

[Rowsdower]

Yet the majority of comments here are by people who already own one. I wish that was a reflection of a greater truth but alas its not.

Mirror, please dont call me by my first name, call me Rowsdower, and before this I was a businessman. You shouldn't be here talking about games and lost civilizations, you should be in school.

[mirroredderorrim]

Why do you limit a price cut to attract but only 1 type of consumer?

There is the well-informed consumer who want a slim PS3, with less power consumption and maybe even care about the aesthetics.

[Sitdown]

the thought of that is funny. I am not saying you are wrong, cause you could very well be right, and I would really have to be in that persons shoes..........but the thought of delaying the purchase of a ps3 because you are waiting on a slim, with less power consumption and better aesthetics is very interesting. I wonder how much ones power bill would be decreased by this new unit.

[Rowsdower]

forever!

Keep Circulating the Tapes.

That was for Mirror, and all misties everywhere.

[mac4u10]

i dont care about a price cut i already have my ps3 if you cant afford one just robb a bank simple :P

[Godmars290]

Praising the 360, yet now are saying a cheap PS3 will help everyone where a cheap 360 hasn't.