Sony chief warns PS3 will be "expensive"; PS2 hits sales highs

daRk_heLmet · Jul 26, 2005, 06:59 AM

Kutaragi started out by reconfirming that the PS3 will be backwards-compatible with PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games and support high-definition TVs. "We're looking at a life cycle of 10 years with the PlayStation 3. We're currently shifting from standard TVs to HD TVs," said Kutaragi. "But in the next couple of years, most flat-panel TVs will be full HD. We're releasing the PS3 with full HD features from the start so that consumers won't have to buy another version of the console in the future. For the same reason, we're using Blu-ray as the PS3's disc format."

"I'm aware that with all these technologies, the PS3 can't be offered at a price that's targeted towards households. I think everyone can still buy it if they wanted to," said Kutaragi to a mostly Japanese crowd. "But we're aiming for consumers throughout the world. So we're going to have to do our best (in containing the price)."

Then Kutaragi issued a somewhat ominous warning. "I'm not going to reveal its price today. I'm going to only say that it'll be expensive," he stated.
_____________________
Read More/Source: C|Net

Dark Lord · Jul 26, 2005, 07:05 AM

my guess will be the 399 range. be a bit more then normal, but its also an insanly powerful machine.

buck4nothing · Jul 26, 2005, 07:16 AM

I would think it'll be at a range of 400 dollars.. the model looks extremely nice and its performance is good so I would believe the PS3 costing around that price would be reasonable

Sandok · Jul 26, 2005, 07:27 AM

500$ +

SecretAgentMan · Jul 26, 2005, 11:49 AM

The PS3 and Xbox360 will be very similar in power so the costs should actually be in the same price range.

Kutaragi is just Sony's BS man.

EcPercy · Jul 26, 2005, 11:56 AM

Well, if ATI and Nvidia can get over $500 for one video card then I am sure people would pay over $500 for a complete system.

I think what will really hurt Sony here will be the fact that the Xbox 360 will come first. When the PS3 does come, Sony will have to keep the price close to the 360 in order to compete. Sony has already been talking about how they will already be losing money on each system sold, but how much? Microsoft has plenty of money to burn so a few billion is a drop in the bucket for Microsoft. Sony on the other hand. I don't know. Considering the PS2 has been making the most money for the company lately. It won't be pretty if they cant afford to lose a few more billion or so.

PS3 could be the beginning of the end for the company.

Here are some links to the facts about this:
(update1)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...4U&refer=japan
(update2)[color=red](same article, but looks to include some sales figures)[/color]
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...1w&refer=japan

bug77 · Jul 26, 2005, 02:34 PM

I'd be surprised if these will cost around 500USD. The latest generation video cards (7800GTX) were 600USD a piece at launch. A complete system at 500USD would be at least weird.

brywalker · Jul 26, 2005, 04:07 PM

It sounds like it is the trend now to price yourself out of the market. Just like Koolance did with their new coolers ($90+).

From the sound of it, the PS3 will lauch at like $499. HEAR ME OUT. Its not enough to stop the "MUST HAVES" from getting it - so it still will have a strong launch. Within 6 months it will hit $399 and then $299 by the next Xmas (so 14 - 16 months out). It will sell strongly, and Sony will be happy. XBOX360 will launch at $299 because the brand isnt as strong. They COULDN'T command a $399+ pricepoint at launch. Sony can. Does that make Sony better? Not at all. Its all about brand.

Mercedes makes the E Class Benz. If they took the SAME exact car and and put Chrysler stickers on it, could they still get $60k for it? Not at all. I know its somewhat of a stretch, but its the same concept. One brand can command more money, even if it has similar technology.

MSX · Jul 26, 2005, 07:50 PM

I just love how they seem to think blu-ray will win the standard war. It'll be betamax all over again.

Anyway, the tech market is sort of overtly priced right now. though I can put together a great gaming machine for $800 CAN. Minus the $300 video card and you have $500. It's up about a $100 from three years ago. (If prices continue to climb the days of a good cheap PC might be over)

So, factoring in the fact it's a console and it is classically to be taken at a loss. I'm going to say its going to be $499. You get the video free, like combo fries at McDonalds.

$500 for a console is what killed Lynx and 3D0. So good luck sony.

Jul 26, 2005, 06:59 AM	#1
daRk_heLmet Keep firing, assholes! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Death Star Posts: 1,072 Rep Power: 0	Sony chief warns PS3 will be "expensive"; PS2 hits sales highs Kutaragi started out by reconfirming that the PS3 will be backwards-compatible with PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games and support high-definition TVs. "We're looking at a life cycle of 10 years with the PlayStation 3. We're currently shifting from standard TVs to HD TVs," said Kutaragi. "But in the next couple of years, most flat-panel TVs will be full HD. We're releasing the PS3 with full HD features from the start so that consumers won't have to buy another version of the console in the future. For the same reason, we're using Blu-ray as the PS3's disc format." "I'm aware that with all these technologies, the PS3 can't be offered at a price that's targeted towards households. I think everyone can still buy it if they wanted to," said Kutaragi to a mostly Japanese crowd. "But we're aiming for consumers throughout the world. So we're going to have to do our best (in containing the price)." Then Kutaragi issued a somewhat ominous warning. "I'm not going to reveal its price today. I'm going to only say that it'll be expensive," he stated. _____________________ Read More/Source: C\|Net __________________ [color=white]My Blog[/color] Last edited by daRk_heLmet; Jul 26, 2005 at 07:55 AM.

Jul 26, 2005, 07:05 AM	#2
Dark Lord HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,945 Rep Power: 125 System Specs	my guess will be the 399 range. be a bit more then normal, but its also an insanly powerful machine. __________________

Jul 26, 2005, 07:16 AM	#3
buck4nothing DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	I would think it'll be at a range of 400 dollars.. the model looks extremely nice and its performance is good so I would believe the PS3 costing around that price would be reasonable

Jul 26, 2005, 07:27 AM	#4
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	500$ +

Jul 26, 2005, 11:49 AM	#5
SecretAgentMan DriverHeaven Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 98 Rep Power: 0	The PS3 and Xbox360 will be very similar in power so the costs should actually be in the same price range. Kutaragi is just Sony's BS man.

Jul 26, 2005, 11:56 AM	#6
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 0	Well, if ATI and Nvidia can get over $500 for one video card then I am sure people would pay over $500 for a complete system. I think what will really hurt Sony here will be the fact that the Xbox 360 will come first. When the PS3 does come, Sony will have to keep the price close to the 360 in order to compete. Sony has already been talking about how they will already be losing money on each system sold, but how much? Microsoft has plenty of money to burn so a few billion is a drop in the bucket for Microsoft. Sony on the other hand. I don't know. Considering the PS2 has been making the most money for the company lately. It won't be pretty if they cant afford to lose a few more billion or so. PS3 could be the beginning of the end for the company. Here are some links to the facts about this: (update1) http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...4U&refer=japan (update2)[color=red](same article, but looks to include some sales figures)[/color] http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...1w&refer=japan

Jul 26, 2005, 02:34 PM	#7
bug77 DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: around Posts: 792 Rep Power: 0	I'd be surprised if these will cost around 500USD. The latest generation video cards (7800GTX) were 600USD a piece at launch. A complete system at 500USD would be at least weird.

Jul 26, 2005, 04:07 PM	#8
brywalker DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 87 Rep Power: 0	It sounds like it is the trend now to price yourself out of the market. Just like Koolance did with their new coolers ($90+). From the sound of it, the PS3 will lauch at like $499. HEAR ME OUT. Its not enough to stop the "MUST HAVES" from getting it - so it still will have a strong launch. Within 6 months it will hit $399 and then $299 by the next Xmas (so 14 - 16 months out). It will sell strongly, and Sony will be happy. XBOX360 will launch at $299 because the brand isnt as strong. They COULDN'T command a $399+ pricepoint at launch. Sony can. Does that make Sony better? Not at all. Its all about brand. Mercedes makes the E Class Benz. If they took the SAME exact car and and put Chrysler stickers on it, could they still get $60k for it? Not at all. I know its somewhat of a stretch, but its the same concept. One brand can command more money, even if it has similar technology.

Jul 26, 2005, 07:50 PM	#9
MSX Burning the frozen... Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,201 Rep Power: 0	I just love how they seem to think blu-ray will win the standard war. It'll be betamax all over again. Anyway, the tech market is sort of overtly priced right now. though I can put together a great gaming machine for $800 CAN. Minus the $300 video card and you have $500. It's up about a $100 from three years ago. (If prices continue to climb the days of a good cheap PC might be over) So, factoring in the fact it's a console and it is classically to be taken at a loss. I'm going to say its going to be $499. You get the video free, like combo fries at McDonalds. $500 for a console is what killed Lynx and 3D0. So good luck sony.