PS3 stock drying up in UK and Japan

A lack of PlayStation 3 stock in retail channels is more evidence that Sony intends to reveal a redesigned console and possible price cuts, according to analyst Michael Pachter.

Speaking to VG247, Pachter said that Japanese and UK channels are drying up, with orders on hold until the end of the month.

"The retail commentary I’ve seen has come out of the UK. We heard Japanese retail a few weeks ago say they weren’t going to be getting any more PS3s after August 8, and now we’re starting to hear UK retail say they cannot re-order PS3s until month-end," detailed Pachter.

"And that suggest there’ll be a model change."

Joining other industry watchers, Pachter points to next week's Gamecom event as the likely location for a big reveal from Sony, during its press conference to be held on Tuesday evening. As well as price cuts, a 'PS3 Slim' is also expected.

He added: "If Sony’s practice is the same as it was in the past, and the Slim is more of a redesign of the components to drive down cost, then I think we will get a price cut."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...n-uk-and-japan