Although everyone, ranging from analysts to journalists to gamers, continue to call for another price drop for the PlayStation 3, Sony says the cost reductions in terms of hardware manufacturing are proceeding "according to plan."

After launching at a premium price of $599, Sony shaved that exorbitant price by 1/3 in a span of only two years, but to remain competitive, some are saying they need to keep going. On the manufacturing side, Sony has managed to lower costs, which is – of course – of a primary concern. As Sony said in their Annual Report, and as found by Examiner.com :

"Regarding the reduction of hardware costs, efforts to shrink the Cell/B.E. progressed according to plan as the original 90nm generation gave way to 65nm and then 45nm devices. Through this, as well as through ongoing efforts to reduce the number of components used, Sony will endeavor to further improve profitability."

Obviously, "profitability" is what matters in business, and the big question is: has Sony arrived at a position where another hardware price cut would still yield the same level of profitability? As of now, many think that the upcoming 45nm chipset will debut with the oft-rumored PS3 Slim and if manufacturing costs are low enough, perhaps that new model will also come with a more attractive price tag. This argument could rage quite literally forever but we have a simple bottom line for you: as an avid gamer, would you want to miss out on the current and future PS3 exclusives?

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JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

Ive been saying it for a while, if your not willing to shell out twice the price for a 10 times better console, u dont deserve Sony's machine, I understand the need to broaden your demographic, but lets face it, they didnt exactly aim for little kids with this system, hence the hefty price tag, i still dont think they should be pressured to lower costs, its a great system and everyone here knows that our PS3s were worth every penny. You gotta pay for a superior console and experience, like you said Ben, its a premium price for a preium device.

Xra897
Xra897
13 years ago

applause man that was perfect

godsman
godsman
13 years ago

I just like the "slim" because its more energy efficient.

www
www
13 years ago

I'm surprised people don't complain about the price of the iPhone, that little gadget thingy costing like a launch PS3,wtf…

ThePearlJamer
ThePearlJamer
13 years ago

I'm glad I got my original 60 gig…I just feel like nothing that it might've needed was cut or cheapened down to lower the price…

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

good for you and being skeptical, haha, we dont want cheap systems,( Microsoft)and (Wii)

ThePearlJamer
ThePearlJamer
13 years ago

I'd rather have a flat tire on my birthday or christmas than a Sh*tbox or Wii

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

The Wii is sooo dope.

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

Maybe if your on dope. lol. though Id doubt you would be able to control the Wii Mote and you would probably have a couple broken TVs.

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

No broken TV's here. The Nintendo hatred on this site a bizzare. Nintendo has created some of the best franchises and some of the most memorable characters. I play my PS3 more but I love my Wii the same.

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

We dont hate the Wii, well i do, we just dont respect it, its a cheap gimmick and Mario and Zelda need to go bye bye, theyve milked mario's teets long enough.


Last edited by JMO_INDY on 7/31/2009 12:43:57 AM

piratedrunk
piratedrunk
13 years ago

I agree jawknee I haven't once regretted my purchase with the Wii it's been plenty of fun. some of you might remember fun.. the thing we usually play games for?

That said they have been seriously neglecting their supporters lately with so little content being released.

Dancemachine55
Dancemachine55
13 years ago

Same here. I recently got a Wii, lots of fun, and best thing is cos of the small amount of good games on it means I can afford to play it.

And it is fun. Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports and Zelda brought back memories and feelings of having fun with a console, rather than it being a chore to finish and see how the story ends.

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

Ur happy ur system has little games? thats effed up dude.

Xbox_Killer
Xbox_Killer
13 years ago

Hey now, don't talk about my Zelda like that.

Oxvial
Oxvial
13 years ago

Zelda a little game ??? you are smoking the wrong things.


Last edited by Oxvial on 7/31/2009 2:02:04 AM

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

I was speaking in quantity. wow. Its just Zelda, not exactly GOTY material.

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

I dont undestand why I am getting bashed for hating Nintendo on a Playstation website, that makes no sense, I cant like something if I dont respect it.


Last edited by JMO_INDY on 7/31/2009 3:20:57 AM

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

Zelda needs to go bye bye? Crazy talk! Zelda is one of then only games that gets better and better with each installment. I would even go as to say Wind Waker and Twilight Princecess have been some of the best games I've played in te last few years. To hate on Zelda is like Blasphamy my friend. Beg forgiveness before it's too late! Lol j/k.

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

ive never heard of any of those games

Oxvial
Oxvial
13 years ago

Its okay if you don't like Zelda but has a gamer if you don't respect that franchise you deserve those thumb downs .


Last edited by Oxvial on 7/31/2009 6:42:23 AM

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

Well u down thumbing me isnt gonna stop me from disrespecting ur little elf buddy Zelda. deal with it.

Oxvial
Oxvial
13 years ago

Yeah some people can't just be saved..I'm going to deal with that.

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

jmo, you need to go barrow or buy a Gamecube or a Wii and play Wind Waker and Twilight Princess before you judge. Stop being a close minded and just play good games.

PS3addict
PS3addict
13 years ago

Yeah, I agree,

I love my Wii too!
Punch out is so freaking fun! I played this as a kid and it is great to have a new version. I love Twilight princess as well.

@ JMO,
Remember, a lot of us are over twice your age here and started out with the 8 bit systems. Disrespecting Zelda just should not happen, that game was one of the best games of the first/secnd generation of gaming, and Yes, it only has gotten better. I am stuck in TP at crossing the plains with the wagon, Damb Gail Boomerang is having issues locking on. or maybe it is me…
I put it down for a few days and am back to playing Chrono Trigger for a while.

Alienange
Alienange
13 years ago

I was going to agree with you on this jmo but you argue like a baby.

I'm not a Wii fan that's for sure. I feel let down by Nintendo more than anything… low res, no games, no trophies … in my books they've failed their long time fans.

Luan
Luan
13 years ago

The fact that my PS3 is a 40GB and has a smaller nm processor makes me think my PS3 runs slower…

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

Skepticism is bad, just kidding, I asked a couple of my tech friends at our Area 30 career development site and they said its possible to update the RAM in the PS3 if you could find the right size, just sayin. But dont be too skeptic, remember, ur 40 gig is still more powerful then the X-Box 360, and thats priceless. Also, remember your dealing with Sony, when have they ever given us a defective and outdated console, i'll tell ya, never.


Last edited by JMO_INDY on 7/30/2009 11:10:48 PM

LegendaryWolfeh
LegendaryWolfeh
13 years ago

not at all, the smaller nm just means it's smaller in size, not ability 🙂

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

The power of the processor is the same, and the firmware updates make sure all the memory is being used optimally so don't be worried my friend.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

It's not slower, it's cooler.

Bugzbunny109
Bugzbunny109
13 years ago

"Reduction Of PS3 Manufacturing Costs Going 'As Planned' ". I feel my ps3 slim coming very soon senses tingling XD.

Mornelithe
Mornelithe
13 years ago

I don't personally believe it needs a cut, not for what it gives as a whole. However, I do realize more sales means more money for Sony developers. So, either way works, more PS3 owners can't hurt, no matter how you flip it.

Kevadu
Kevadu
13 years ago

Have all you we-don't-need-no-stinkin-pricedrop folks seen the news about the PS3 being outsold by the PS2 last quarter? This is not good. If you want anyone to actually make games for your favorite console then you'd better be hoping for a pricedrop…

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

au contraire, if PS2 is still supplying money to Sony, they will have plenty to spread around for their 1st party exclusives. People often forget in this console war that MS supports one console, Sony supports 3 including PSP.

Masterofallz
Masterofallz
13 years ago

The Ps2 is $100.

The PS3 is $400-500.

Lets say you were a Mom and you didnt know anything about gaming. Which one are you most likely to buy?

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
13 years ago

@KEVADU
at this point devs will not stop supporting the PS3, even more so since Sony holds the most first and 2nd party devs. which have produced most of the best games for the system to this date. as World said Sony is supporting 3 consoles, which are all selling well, while microsoft is selling one that is slowly declining, so look at the big picture.

This is the point i always make, if you have a PS3 you dont technically need a price cut, and this far into the generation still selling as the most expensive console and selling well i might add, shows no sign of it drastically needing a price cut. I wont argue that it could use a price drop, it would be nice to have one for the people on the outside, but its obvious most people know what the PS3 is worth!

Mornelithe
Mornelithe
13 years ago

The only people I really care about making games for the PS3, have no choice but to do so. 1st party developers are spitting out games left and right, I've no worries about the PS3's situation at all, anymore than I do the PC gaming market.

Kevadu
Kevadu
13 years ago

I don't think you get it…

First of all, writing off all non-first-party games is absurd. I do hope you're not really serious about that. You guys all bitch and moan when you hear about companies like Square-Enix supporting the 360 and then you make inane statements like that…why the heck do you think S-E is supporting the 360? It's a bigger market, that's why. Game development costs are soaring and it's hard to even make a profit on sales for the PS3 alone.

But even first party games will be in trouble in the long term if Sony can't sell more consoles. PS3 software sales aren't particularly hot either, you know. Sony is not cranking out games as some kind of charity, they are a business and they want to make money. And they're not. They're not even close. They've just been posting loss after loss. Do you think this situation can continue indefinitely? If they're going to turn a profit based on their software then first they need more people out there with their consoles so there's somebody to buy it…

And yes, the PS2's longevity is impressive and it, at least, is profitable for Sony which helps them in the short term. But I should point out that the PS3 isn't just being outsold by the PS2…it kind of goes without saying at this point that it's being outsold by the 360 and Wii as well. And the DS and even the PSP (which isn't selling particularly well either…). Yes, the PS3 is being outsold by FRIGGIN EVERYTHING.

PS2 sales only help by giving Sony a little extra cash in the short term, but it's a dead platform and everyone knows it. If Sony wants to be at all relevant in the console market 2 years from now then they can't rely on PS2 sales…

BTW, bigrailer19, it is true that 360 sales are 'slowly declining'…everything is declining. There's a recession. What you're totally ignoring is the fact that PS3 sales are massively declining. They are down by much more than 360 sales…sheesh.

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

The PS2 has earned a hella lot more respect then that dude. Dont diss the PS2.

Mornelithe
Mornelithe
13 years ago

@ Kevadu – You're barking up the wrong tree. I'm one of the bigger proponents of utilizing PC gaming for multiplatform games, since the PC's hardware is much more up to date than the consoles. So, no, I don't care about non-1st or 2nd party studios, not on the PS3 anyway.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

@Kevadu

"it is true that 360 sales are 'slowly declining'…everything is declining. There's a recession. What you're totally ignoring is the fact that PS3 sales are massively declining. They are down by much more than 360 sales…sheesh."

I wonder how many Xbox 360 Elite systems MS are selling these days? I mean, it's all very well for the world + dog to compare the sales decline of the PS3 against the sales of the Xbxo360 (all models), but in truth, is it a fair comparison? You're comparing a system that sells without a hard disc and only a DVD drive with a system that comes with a hard disc and a BluRay drive. That's not a valid comparison. I understand that it's the comparison many in the media make. But it's really not a very valid comparison, is it?

RadioHeader
RadioHeader
13 years ago

Wow, the PS2 has been out selling the PS3?
Are you guys talking about NPD, or worldwide?

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

Glad to hear it. While I mostly agree that the PS3 doesn't need a price cut, if Sony can afford it and it can help Sony move units then I say go for it.

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
13 years ago

the fact is it does need a price cut when your outside looking in, you can not ignore that. It is the most expensive of the consoles so to someone who does not have one it desperately needs a price cut.

But on the inside looking out, its worth every penny dropped on the console. even though it is the most expensive, you get a true all in one entertainment console and have all the perks right out of the box.

so to us who have one of course we will justify ourselves by saying it doesnt need one, but the big picture is the PS3 doesnt need justifying, the console speaks for itself.

At this point though everyone who has a PS3 knows its worth it, those who dont are the ones either waiting for a price cut or dont know the value of it. i wont complain about a price cut cus i have one but if Sony can lower the manufacturing costs and drop the price, THATS GOOD NEWS!

tes37
tes37
13 years ago

The first thing that will happen when Sony drops the price is people will ask for another price cut. That's what happened when they made a price cut the first time around.


Last edited by tes37 on 7/31/2009 6:13:03 AM

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

Maybe, but you have to at least admit that the 1st price cut was a must. When Sony 1st anounced the price before it's launch, I told myself I wouldn't buy one out of protest. $599 was too much. I waited until the 1st price drop and then got my 60gb. While now I understand the reason it's costs so much and actually am happy with the price, new comers don't understand. They see the price and are turned off. Sony should either cut that as much as they can with out taking a loss or ramp up their marketing campaign or both.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Somewhere in a poorly lit office a devious Sony exec leans back. The moonlight bounces off his scarred bald head. He steeples his fingers and mutters "Yeeees, everything is going according to plan."

And that is a good thing my friends 😉

JMO_INDY
JMO_INDY
13 years ago

haha, thats great. Why the hell am I still getting trolled? U can stick ur thumbs down… up your ass. that is all.


Last edited by JMO_INDY on 7/31/2009 12:44:21 AM

LegendaryWolfeh
LegendaryWolfeh
13 years ago

woah woah calm down indy, maybe wrong reply? besides just ignore any trolling and move on, don't feed em.