Is Sony's PS3 Really a Sinking Ship?

[Eviltaco64]

The main problem with the PS3 is the high price. Note that sales started going down when Microsoft started whoring the 360 at $199. Then they step in and say it's rival is a "sinking ship".

If Sony wants to get somewhere, they need to drop the price, and if they need to make some more modifications to the hardware to do so, then so be it. I'm getting a launch model anyway. :P

[jamotto]

If Sony wants to get somewhere, they need to drop the price, and if they need to make some more modifications to the hardware to do so, then so be it.

Sony has cut every feature that was expendable already.

[Eviltaco64]

Sony has cut every feature that was expendable already.

You have a good point there, but they could sadly remove more. They could probably have a core model with no wi-fi, a completely black trim, less USB ports, etc, like if someone were to $#@! a launch 20GB PS3 and put it on the shelves for $299. It'd also be great if they brought PS2 BC back by means of complete emulation on newer models. I actually know a few people that already avoided getting a new PS3 because they don't have any PS2 BC.

[F9zDark]

Sony has cut every feature that was expendable already.

I think the biggest issue is profit margins. Sony has lost so much money on the PS3 that they cannot afford to keep losing money. So any price cut needs to be accompanied by a cut in the cost of manufacturing.

However, if Sony actually ADVERTISED the system, ADVERTISED its killer games, ADVERTISED all the reasons WHY its a better value (for a long time, it was in fact the BEST value for a console).

They have done NONE of these things.

However, the Console money making scheme has LONG BEEN "Sell at a loss, make it back with games and accessories."

Sony barely sells their own accessories. JUST NOW we're getting a Sony headset. Where are the Sony-made thumb-keyboards, Bluetooth mice and keyboards?

I love Sony and all, but $#@!, if you really ask me, Sony has done very little to actually earn any money on the PS3.

How much does it cost to make a BT keyboard complete with Sony XMB hot buttons, a new quick to make update to support it, etc? Probably no more than 30 bucks. And how much would they sell it for? 80, like most other BT keyboards out there.

My point is, Sony isn't following the general console selling strategy. Lose money on the system, make it back with games and accessories.

[DPyro]

You have a good point there, but they could sadly remove more. They could probably have a core model with no wi-fi, a completely black trim, less USB ports, etc, like if someone were to $#@! a launch 20GB PS3 and put it on the shelves for $299. It'd also be great if they brought PS2 BC back by means of complete emulation on newer models. I actually know a few people that already avoided getting a new PS3 because they don't have any PS2 BC.

There will be no raping of PS3's in this thread

[JLF65]

The main problem with the PS3 is the high price. Note that sales started going down when Microsoft started whoring the 360 at $199. Then they step in and say it's rival is a "sinking ship".

Isn't it nice to have a monopoly to fall back on to make up for the hundreds of millions MS is losing on hardware sales of the 360?

For anybody else, this is called "dumping" and is illegal. For MS, it's business as usual. Isn't nice to have bought politicians to fall back on?

[Qmark]

The simple truth of the matter is that Sony Console Syndrome is very real.

PS1 didn't sell much at all until FF7, and PS2 was a disaster its first couple of years. PS3 will find its place eventually.

[F9zDark]

The simple truth of the matter is that Sony Console Syndrome is very real.

PS1 didn't sell much at all until FF7, and PS2 was a disaster its first couple of years. PS3 will find its place eventually.

Disaster? I wouldn't quite put it like that. PS2 won its generation, almost hands down, and is still kicking ass in sales considering its age (then again its price also makes a difference).

Hell, if I was an exec at Sony, I'd continue to support the PS2 with new games right now. Considering its price, its the best contender against the Wii at least, and its a console that Sony can earn considerable profit on.

Sell the PS3 at a loss, make it back with the PS2.

[jamotto]

I think the biggest issue is profit margins. Sony has lost so much money on the PS3 that they cannot afford to keep losing money. So any price cut needs to be accompanied by a cut in the cost of manufacturing.

Totally Agree.

However, if Sony actually ADVERTISED the system, ADVERTISED its killer games, ADVERTISED all the reasons WHY its a better value (for a long time, it was in fact the BEST value for a console).

They have done NONE of these things.

Even though the quality of the adverts is entirely subjective, looking at the raw numbers the ps3 has had around 549 averts which is 274.5 adverts a year, the ps2 has had 2246 adverts which is 280.75 adverts a year so my conclusion is that they have been advertising the ps3 about as much as the ps2.

Sony barely sells their own accessories. JUST NOW we're getting a Sony headset. Where are the Sony-made thumb-keyboards, Bluetooth mice and keyboards?

Sony starting moving away from Sony branded accessories with the ps2 the ps3 is only a natural continuation of that for better or worse.