Okay, so we've gone through the first weekend with both Sony and Microsoft's competitive consoles coming in at the same price point…and the PS3 Slim has taken the early advantage.
We'll have to wait until the NPD releases their findings, but for the time being, we can check the world's largest online retailer. If we do so, we find that the Slim was ranked #1 in Amazon's Video Game division while the Xbox 360 Elite came in at #15. Consumers who wish to compare the two systems beyond the price – which is no longer relevant, as both consoles sport that $299 price tag – may find the differences fall in favor of Sony. With the built-in Blu-Ray player, free PlayStation Network, PlayStation Home, and impending top-notch exclusives over the next six months, both gamers and casual entertainment fans have begun to spot the PS3's appeal. Video game sales fell a great deal during the summer, but then again, there hasn't been much of anything to push those sales forward. All those must-have titles are on the way, though, and with none of the three major consoles priced over $300, most analysts believe we'll see a big holiday season. After the announcement of the PS3 price drop, the NPD predicted we might see a 40-60% sales spike.
All the hubbub surrounding the new PS3 Slim has propelled Sony to an early lead in this new, evenly matched price war. Can it continue onward through December…?
Firmware 3.0 is live. I don't like it so far.
Y? Are you running into problems, or is it personally?
It's running fine so far, but there are a lot of little changes which (aside from the clock) I preferred the way they were. Some examples: the font on the XMB is larger, items auto-fade on the XMB, and the "loading" indicator in the upper right corner is now a clock face. Nothing huge, but not improvements IMHO. Also, they didn't fix the ordering of items on the XMB, putting the more-used items toward the top.
If the browser works better, though, it's a fair trade-off.
agreed. someone remind me what was wrong with 2.80?
3.0 rocks!
Well, the browser's still f**ked. Joy. ¦(
I agree with scarecrow. I likely what I see so far.
I think the firmware 3.0 is actually pretty cool. The features are awesome!.
I agree with Crow. I like it a lot so far. Trophies and friend profiles load so much faster now its awesome!
dynamic themes!!!! sweetness!
now i wanna see some of those premium avatars!!
personally i'd like to see some more ratchet stuff. more NPCs like the plumber!!
I really dig this update so far. Everything looks better and it is faster.
Its actually good I know avatars & themes aren't here yet but the 3.00 is pretty good. finally they've changed the loading icon the top right of the browser into a busy indicator that is needed
I'm loving it for the fixed sound wiring options alone. My surround sound system doesn't have HDMI support….now I can use the optical for sound AND HDMI to my HDTV.
I love the new layout of the XMB, evrything oooks much nicer and i have a fancy little BBC iPlayer section.
"I'm loving it for the fixed sound wiring options alone. My surround sound system doesn't have HDMI support….now I can use the optical for sound AND HDMI to my HDTV."
This is what I've been wanting ever since I first got a PS3 on launch. The PS2 always had this from launch all them years ago.
Free network, Blu-Ray, built in wi-fi, Uncharted 2…is there any way Xbox360 can even compete? Where's the games for the Xbox? I see a great holiday season for Sony, and a back to the drawing board for M$.
Don't ignore the big green elephant in the room…Halo: Recon. But besides that I don't think they're dropping anymore exclusive jewels this season.
I'm downloading the Update right now, only at 18%.
Off topic: Please review Siren Ben, Arnold…PLEASE!
It should also help if the ps3 is in the circular ads every sunday. Checked best buy yesterday and not even a mention of the price cut let alone even the ps3 itself. Sony needs to put those commercials on round about quick to keep momemtum going.
BTW xbox price cut were mention inside best buy ad. total BS!
Yeah I know, what's up with that? Even the Sunday before this past one there wasn't a mention of the PS3 price drop in the Best Buy ad, I can't remember if they even had a PS3 advertised in the ad. But then in this week's ad there it was, "Xbox 360 now new lower price!" or whatever it said. I was disappointed about that.
MS musta bought Best Buy ad space exclusivity 😛
Same with the latest Future Shop flyer: 360 elite on the front page (and inside), PS3 advertized at $499 next to a $329 Halo 3 bundle, and no sign of the 120 Gb (a.k.a. the slim).
When I went to get my Slim Gamestop had "Xbox Price Cut" all over their windows. Disgrace. I wouldn't be suprised if M$ is actually losing money with all the ad space they buy.
When I went to gamestop their where "Xbox 360 price cut" posters all over the place and nothing about the PS3 Slim just the same at wal-mart to!.
The Gamestop where I'm at, surprisingly had a big sign at the front door with a ps3 slim on it. I didn't see any xbox signs anywhere.
Here in canada i don't see any signs of the xbox price cut, actually i got the newsletter from best buy and the main item was the ps3 slim.
In the Toronto SUN they had an article about the competitve price drop, I think it was Aug 23, 24 or 25
i looked at a walmart ad and they had the 360 for 299 and no mention of the ps3…wierd.
Well let's hope ps3 comes in 2nd(or maybe even 1st) for the month of august, because while it sucks for me to say this, we know what console going to sell like hot cakes next month thanks to a certain game called ODST 🙁
a certain expensive "add-on" you mean.
Add-on? I thought ODST was its own game.
It started out as an add on then was changed to a stand alone game with a stand alone game price. I strongly dislike Halo so I'm quite biased towards it.
Bah, all we need is more Halo. Boooooooooo!!!!
@Charger – Wouldn't the vast majority of Halo fans have already bought their 360 for Halo 3? I think the game will sell well, but it remains to be seen if it can push any more 360s than usual.
halo is over-rated! there i said it! uncharted:df owns any halo game to date without the need for multiplayer. however: if halo where to arrive on the ps3 it would deal a huge blow to bill's box.
I have to agree with furbiesmustdie. Halo is highly overrated…and yet one of my favorite games. But Uncharted kicks Halo 2 & 3 ass any day.
Last edited by MadKatBebop on 8/31/2009 11:52:44 PM
Halo was fun like 9 years ago.
I've gotta add. Played me some more halo and it is like your floating when you jump!
DID YOU KNOW: Call of Duty has the controls for aiming and shooting as the triggers for X360! That is terrible! I love my ps3 controller even more after playing that vommit!
@Wageslaves
Try jumping in Oblivion; it's like you're on the moon.
As far as features go, there is no question any more. I think the momentum will only pick up as we approach the holidays, but MS is fighting with its advertising so Sony has to counter that with more than just a couple tv spots.
As long as Sony continues the marketing campaigns on the Slim, throw down some massive campaigns for the diverse IP coming out (EyePet – Family Friendly, Gran Turismo 5 – Racing Enthusiast, Uncharted 2 – Platforming goodness etc…), I don't see how they can fail.
As usual, MS has a few exclusives…from increasingly tired Genre's (For me anyway)…so really the appeal is in Sony's exclusive lineup these coming months. Here's hoping that Sony puts its newly grown Marketing balls behind it's IP.
Of all those games you mentioned, Eyepet is the one that Sony should market the most. GT5 and U2 are pretty much on every hardcore gamer's radar, eyepet on the other hand isn't, eyepet will definetely bring some casual gamers onto to ps3 heck it even has me wanting it and I consider myself a hardcore. Eyepet is a huge weapon for Sony to take away some people considering to buy a wii. And the price diference for the slim and the wii isn't that huge anymore, so if Sony runs some ads on tv about Eyepet I'm sure Sony can pull of some huge hardware numbers this christmas season.
I agree largely with what you're saying, they could actually do an EyePet + R&C Bundle, or something like that. A bundle that's truly kid/casual friendly. Would be very appealing for children/parents alike.
However, I do believe a GT5 Bundle…well, let's put it this way, if Sony doesn't do a GT5 bundle…they're fu**ing idiots. There, I said it. GTA3 was bundled w/ PS2's and look how well THAT game did. Basically, GT is Sony's biggest exclusive franchise, by FAR…very very far. If they don't try to exploit that to their advantage…well, I just think it'd be a terribly bad idea.
Supposedly, the Elite is going to 250GB HD standard soon. If so, Sony better match it…or make a 250GB slim model only $40-50 more rather than $100.
…already in the works, according to FCC filings. I don't know about price, though.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 8/31/2009 10:38:59 PM
You'd be a fool to buy a 250 gig slim when you can get a 500 gig hd for under 80 dollars.
As Fane stated, there's already an FCC filing pointing to a 250g model. Hopefully a 250g GT5 Slim Bundle…mmmmm.
Word Vertigo, I got a 500 gb Seagate drive on Amazon for $75.
I still think that the 160gb uncharted bundle is going away and going to be replaced by the 250gb gran turismo bundle. If they sell it for around 350 then xbox is pretty much done. Im not to into Gran turismo but that game just sells consoles no matter what.
While the HD is easily replaceable, there are always going to be a majority of people who don't want to do it themselves and would rather buy a larger HD pre-installed.