GamesCom may turn out to be one hell of an event: not only might we see the unveiling of the oft-rumored PS3 Slim – which should also be cheaper than the default PS3 model – but it seems the competition wants a piece of the action as well. You knew they would.
Everything is beginning to come to a boil, as summarized by GameSpot . Firstly, and perhaps in anticipation of the long-awaited price cut, the hot rumor is that Microsoft will meet Sony's challenge by dropping $100 off the price of their 120GB Xbox 360 Elite model. This announcement should also come at GamesCom during MS's press conference, which is scheduled for the day after Sony's (August 18 and 19, respectively). Secondly, reports out of the UK say Sony will certainly confirm the European launch of the PS3 video store, although that announcement didn't exactly take the limelight when it arrived during Sony's E3 2008 presentation. So, what might take center-stage? Well, according to Hong Kong-based magazine GameWave, it's the slimmer, cheaper PS3 model everyone – absolutely everyone – keeps talking about.
Now, it appears as if Sony has been increasing PS3 hardware orders overseas, and MCV says stock of the machine has actually "dried up" in the UK. An anonymous source was quoted as saying, "We've been told not to expect any further [PS3] hardware deliveries until September." Lastly, we have the words of Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter, who offered the following to IndustryGamers :
"All of the rumors floating around suggest that a PS3 price cut and introduction of the PS3 Slim is going to happen by the end of the month, and GamesCom is the only significant event between now and then.
We have seen reports out of China about increased PS3 component orders, have seen pictures that look real of the PS3 Slim, and have seen recent reports of declining PS3 stock in Japan and Europe, with comments from retail that they have been told not to expect new supplies of PS3s until the end of August or early September. All of that points to the possibility of an announcement at GamesCom."
Oh, and let's not forget PSXE's own set of guarantees, as put forth by our latest Twitter update . All this being said, we assume it's only a matter of time and in less than a week, you'll have some huge hardware-related news…
Although I already have my ps3, this would be good for those that haven't picked one up yet. Video store in Europe? That's news to me! cool …I've been waiting for it in Canada and I can only hope it's also released here as well. It's been a long time coming.
Oh my god same! that would make sony a lot of money considering i rent movies on demand all the time!
Don't hold your breath… There's something about the Canadian copyright laws that we keep getting shafted up here for downloading movies to watch. Unless someone in the government suddenly decides that it's an issue, we won't see something like that for a little while, even though the rest of the world is doing it.
it sucks that canadian laws are the only laws on this 3rd rock that restricts the distribution of digital media for sony. hell, i can get netflix here in ontario right now! so whats stopping sony??? same goes with psn cards… companies like microsoft, apple, nintendo, all had prepaid cards on sale 4 years now world wide, but canada only recieved them in june… so why is sony getting shafted???
microsoft and their far from micro sized bribes anyone???
We all know the slim is coming…
Kotick should announce a resignation from Activision…thats the news
I'm waiting for…
amen!
Sony is gonna make their big move! M$ is reacting desperately……and Patcher still knows how to read the internet. I'm looking forward to all the supposed action on the 18th!
Even if MS drops $100 of the Elite it still wont be able to compete with the Slim or any kind of ps3 price drop. Everyone i know says they would own a ps3 if sony took $100 off the price. Very few people are in the market for a 360 but they buy the cheap model just to have something to game on while they wait for sony to drop the price.
…and with the release of a slim model and or price cut, the SONY train moves along above the competition once more. Now leaving M$ behind; Next stop, Ninty…
I don't think Sony even considers Nintendo competition…
Me neither Pearl. Nintendo's console is just to different.
I meant it as far getting Sony to sell just as many ps3s as there are Wiis out there. Though this may seem like a long stretch, it doesn't mean it's impossible.
And yes, they are totally different systems.
@Jawknee
Nintendo's Gadget
Sony doesn't consider Nintendo Competition? Granted that they are completely different console, but wouldn't the fact that Sony is developing a wii style mote mean that Sony is paying attention to what Nintendo is doing? Sounds like competition to me….
Nintendo cant be competition for Sony because they are marketed to completely different demographics. The ps3 is the Mercedes E Class of gaming consoles and the Wii is the Honda Civic. Not competing with each other, but offering similar products
I think you missed my point, if they aren't in competition, why are they making a product that will enable them to compete for the "casual" gamer audience that Nintendo attracted? You're telling me that Sony and MS aren't trying to get some of that 40+ million person demographic? If they aren't trying to compete than what are they doing?
Granted that Sony is the "Mercedes E class and the Wii is the Honda Civic" as you mentioned, but when it comes down to it, they're both cars. And Mercedes would always love to have a Honda owner upgrade to improve their own market share. Every luxury car company has an Entry level car in order to get people to cross over and promote brand loyalty to them.(IE: Mercedes C-Class. Hell even Ben has upgraded from a Nissan to an Infiniti ;). Same company..wayyy different car.) Sony is doing the same thing with their wand. Sure the PS3 is more expensive, but it'll soon offer everything the Wii offers and more…you'll think twice about JUST getting a Wii…And that is going to mean some stiff competition between Nintendo and PS3.
Before? No they weren't in competition, It was like comparing Apples to Oranges. Now after what we saw at E3? Sony grabbed and apple and an Orange and made Fruit Salad. Why? So They could be competitive.
Last edited by CH1N00K on 8/13/2009 3:25:07 PM
@CH1N00k
AHH, you're a clever one.
Weird, I got an e-mail at my gamestop store today saying that the Elite's will no longer carry HDMI cables, I guess since they will be cutting the price, they want you to still buy the HDMI separate. Sony has to drop the price now, if they do not, they will be pretty much committing suicide because it will not sell.
Leave it to Microsoft to cut corners the easy way…Sony has some balls to lose money on every console up until now…to me, that shows that they believe in their system
That's pretty funny. Good thing you can get HDMI cables for $1.
i got one for 3 cents.
like $4.98 shipping if i recall correctly.
The Xbox is cheap already. Whoever that wants to buy the 360 probably will go for the Arcade. Microsoft is going for the casual market now, the Elite setting is too much for them.
The Wii will sell like hot cakes regardless of what price it is. Reducing the price probably have little to no effect.
On the other hand, PS3 has always been an envy to the others because of the high price point, people want it, just can't afford it. PS3 will benefit most from a pricecut.
The arcade is getting phased out
M$ is such a devious company. But can they really drop the price of the arcade and the pro, from where it is now(low). Ive been waiting to see ps3 outsell 360 since this gen, maybe this is it.
Why can't Sony keep secrets…it's a shame, but on the other hand, the hype for it is just thunderous.
maybe its some kind of bizarre outer limits kind of market strategy???
think of it… sony's ps3 marketing strategy up until now has been far from the best… maybe some1 thought like "hmm… we spend money on ineffective advertisements that lead to a little amount of hype, if only we could spend no money, and recieve an amazing amount of hype!" then realised that pictures of the slim on the internet would cause intrest to explode overnight! and maybe as hype dies down, and skepticism rises, they distribute several early models in the phillipeans in the hopes that some1 will find it, and show it on the net… and with their "no comment on rumor and speculation" stance, would never have to admit it… the perfect advertisement, mondo effective and didn't cost anything!
another skeptic…wonderful
Reading this, all these reports from around the world. If this was a movie, all this news would come up on spinning newspapers with the last one reading… WAR! Haha…
The console war 😀
We all know this to be true….I want to know 2 things….Is B/C in it and when is the release date?!
I would love to see a cheaper Xbox 360 and ps3. But why won't MS create a xbox 360-slim like Sony?! I have been waiting to see something like that happen. A price cut would be good for both sides. I can't wait to see what happens ^.^
Because they're mainly a software company. Sony, mainly hardware. Hence why PS3's aren't plagued with it's own RROD type problem. Sony knows how to build gagits. MS…eeeh not so much. MS needs to focus getting their fat 360's working correctly before making a Slim.
Because a 360 Slim would melt! 😉
$299 is still too much for an Xbox Elite. You've have to be a friggen idiot to choose an Elite over a Slim PS3 if they were both priced at $299. If people are smart, Sony might mop the floor with MS these coming years. Sony has a greAt oppertunity to make some strides.
But people are not smart 🙁
I'm guessing that the selling point for the Elite will be that it has more HDD space than the similar priced PS3 slim will have…but we'll to wait and see.
Then Sony should counter that by offering more HD space or by letting everyone know how easy it is to replace the HD themselves. I still have friends who are surpises when I tell them my PS3 houses a 500gb HD. Either way a smart consumer would choose a blue ray player/game/media device over a few more gigs of space. The Elite has nothing to offer at a $299 price point. Especially of a sleeker PS3 is the same price. Like I said, anyone who chooses an Elite over a PS3 at the same price would have to be a friggen moron.
well i cant say they will since the pro model is supposedly being dropped, but they will probably do something like that if sales are too sluggish, or else more bundles with the arcade unit
I for one am excited! I will be buying a slim ps3 for myself this christmas and moving my phat model to the living room for the enjoyment of my roommates.(and so we can play rock band) woohoo!
Guys… I think the announcement is almost a certainty… if they don't announce then there is something odd cooking.
Why the confidence; well I went over to a retailer I frequently visit to look at new PS3 game releases here in Singapore. Whilst we do not have a GameStop as you have in the United States; the stores here in Singapore are primarily mom and pop stores. Anyway, after a while of huggling with the owner and having to prove to him that I was not about to purchase another PS3, he finally devulged this… "Yes the PS3 Slim exists, and our order should be fulfilled during the October month".
I then asked about price, but he said Sony had not sent them information on that yet, the only suggestion to them was to clear stock and discount where possible in the coming weeks.
Basically, they are expecting slims in by October which to me makes perfect sense if you listen to what else is happening around.
Thought you guys may have wanted to hear about that from my end of the world, South East Asia!
Q!
"i am home"
theres allot of rumors running rampent saying the elite will be the price of the PRO and their dropping the pro.
they would of been better off dropping the arcade having the pro at the arcade price and elite at pro price.
but anyway if this is true, sonys really going to struggle.
120GB HDD instead of 80 HDMI cables headset, all things the PS3 should come bundled with.
if the ps3 is any more than 600 bucks here by years end, i cant see them keeping up.
the ps3s better but not 200 bucks better.
Where's "here"?
Maybe now all the cheap bastards will finally buy one.
inglorious basterds lol
Do you think this is a good swap: my current 1.5 yr old 40gb ps3 for a brand new ps3 slim?
Will this slim have b/c?
I hope so. I have a 60gb model and would go out and buy a slim on day one if they brought back b/c.
What happened to the rumour that B/C will be done via update? Did that die or is it something that people just don't care about with the new "slim" news? OR…
at this point, does Sony consider B/C a selling point? $99 for a ps2 slim, a great collection of PS3 games to chose from now, if you were making decisions at Sony, where would you put B/C on the list of priorities?
i am upgrading my 80gb/bc for a slim if the slim has full bc
here is my dream news.
all 360 only games becomes ps3 only games leaveing actavioison (sorry if my spelling is of) as the only games for the xbox 360. LOL
Oh so you think 40gb/80gb ps3's will be left without bc whiles the slim will be given bc?
Why would you get rid of your 80GB? I love mine with the 4 usb ports and Flash card readers. I might buy a slim eventually but I'm keeping my 80gb until it dies.
Last edited by CH1N00K on 8/13/2009 11:01:20 AM