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PSXE Poll Update: PlayStation 4’s Price Tag Is Just Right

Ben-Dutka 25 Comments

The PlayStation 3 launched in 2006 at $600. Lots of people didn't like that.

Sony wasn't about to make same mistake twice, as the new PlayStation model will debut at $200 less than its predecessor: $400. And as a result, most gamers think the price point is absolutely perfect.

According to our latest poll, the vast majority of readers agreed that the price couldn't be better, which is a good sign for Sony. By using more common off-the-shelf components to construct the PS4, Sony is able to produce a cheaper yet more practical console, one that developers have often praised since the unit's unveiling. Some hold to the belief that Sony should've stuck with next-level tech that might result in higher cost, but better overall hardware potential, but the majority appears to disagree.

This week, as the PS4 is now less than two months away, how would you rate your excitement level on a scale of 1-10? Are you completely maxed at a 10? So excited you're starting to drool? Or are you a little more reserved, perhaps due to a less-than-amazing launch lineup? Let us know.

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Analyst Expects “Initial Shortages” For Both PS4 And Xbox One

Ben-Dutka 15 Comments

Despite reports that Sony would flood the market with plenty of PlayStation 4 consoles this holiday season, one analyst believes consumers will still face frustrating shortages.

In fact, Robert W. Baird analyst Colin Sebastian told GameSpot that both the PS4 and Xbox One may be hard to come by when they launch later this year. He believes it's "more likely than not that there will be initial shortages." Furthermore:

"This also partly explains why the manufacturers have been somewhat judicious in allocating pre-sale units to retailers, so that there won't be a lot of unhappy customers from day one."

Sebastian also said he believes both consoles will be on store shelves before Black Friday, which would ideally give the manufacturers a chance to replenish supply before Christmas is upon us. He added that console launches "are really the only equivalent of a 'red carpet' event for the industry." Now, don't you find that a little sad? It seems as if gaming will never enjoy the same level of glitz and glamour Hollywood enjoys.

Well, all our celebrities are behind the scenes. That's a big reason why…and let's face it, a lot of those guys don't exactly have the star "look."

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Sony Pressured Into Releasing PS4 In Western Regions First?

Ben-Dutka 25 Comments

Historically, any new PlayStation console launched in Japan first. Heck, all Japanese-made game machines debuted in Japan.

But times have changed and as SCE president and CEO Andrew House recently admitted , Sony is releasing the PlayStation 4 in Western markets first due to "competitive pressures."

Obviously, this could be due to the knowledge that Microsoft would release their system later in 2013. Furthermore, it makes far more sense to get the console out for the holidays, but you can see how the market has shifted: The original PlayStation did launch for the holidays (December 3, 1994) but that was only in Japan. Then, the PS2 launched at the end of October in the West, and the PS3 hit store shelves in mid-November in North America. Therefore, perhaps it was inevitable that the PS4 should be ready in late 2013.

House added that the PS4 will "allow for an aggressive cost-down strategy" over time, so the company can reach "the broadest mass of consumers" possible. This will help ensure that the new console turns a profit as quickly as possible; past PlayStation consoles took several years to turn a profit. Sony can't afford to do that again, right?

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GameStop: PS4 Global Launch In 2013, Unsure About Microsoft

Ben-Dutka 37 Comments

Sony said to expect the PS4 to arrive for this year's holiday season, but they didn't specify which regions would see the new console in 2013.

Apparently, though, that's because the electronic giant is preparing a global launch for their new console. During GameStop's latest earnings call , executive vice president Mike Hogan said they know the PS4 will enjoy a global release in 2013. Here's the statement in question:

"We know that Sony will introduce the PlayStation 4 globally in 2013, but we are still waiting to see what Microsoft's final plans are. We have scenarios with one console introduction, as well as with two."

So essentially, they're saying Sony is locked into a worldwide launch of their new machine in every region in 2013, but Microsoft hasn't made the same commitment. We've also heard rumors about further Xbox 720/Durango manufacturing delays, even though we're supposed to get the official announcement some time this month. As for the PS4, this would be the first PlayStation console to receive a simultaneous global release.

Are we excited yet?

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PSXE Poll Update: PS4 Won’t Be Ready For Quite A While

Ben-Dutka 19 Comments

Nobody thinks the PlayStation 4 is going to look like this, do they? It's the only fake mock-up we've got, though.

In our latest poll, we wanted to know when you thought the next PlayStation would hit store shelves; there have been plenty of rumors swirling. As it turns out, most readers don't think it'll arrive until holidays 2013, and nearly as many don't expect to see it until 2014.

It'll be even later if Sony doesn't make a new console for the next generation (although most don't believe that to be true). All of this flies in the face of Sony's insistence to not launch a new machine behind the pack, so-to-speak; they've said they don't want to let Microsoft beat them to market again. But recently, Sony has said they're happy with the PS3's position, and they fully intend to focus on the PlayStation Vita.

Now, we realize we're only a couple weeks away from Final Fantasy XIII-2 . There are plenty of differing opinions out there, so what's yours? Come on, scale of one to five, one being the least interested, five meaning you'll get it on launch day.

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Sony Won’t Confirm PS4, Says PS3 Is In A “Great Period”

Ben-Dutka 7 Comments

Here, we'll translate Sony's detailed response for you: "Not so fast, sparky."

Over the weekend, one source made a very big splash by saying that both Microsoft and Sony would unveil their new consoles at E3 2012 .

But Sony boss Andrew House just told CVG that the company is "just entering into this great period for PS3" (which we don't deny), and furthermore:

"I don't think we're contemplating talking about anything to do with future console iterations at this point."

House pointed out that Sony managed to ensure profitability for their publishing partners with the PS2, by giving it a much longer life cycle than competing platforms. And it seems clear they want to do the same with the PS3. After all, many analysts will tell you the PS3 hasn't hit the "sweet spot" in terms of price just yet; that sweet spot has historically been around $200. The PS2 went wild at that price.

He also said that for the time being, physical media is "still the easiest consumer experience," although there are plenty of opportunities to explore other models in the future. Said House:

"Some of our group companies already have a stake in free-to-play models and so on. But in my view, for the very highest quality high-definition console gaming, I think there are still some significant barriers to streaming solutions.

Whether it's in mobile or cloud-based services, there are opportunities there for more casual content and in our case potentially for legacy content, which we would definitely like to explore. But I think we are a way away from being able to deliver the full-on top-end experience like that."

Now, he didn't officially say Sony wouldn't show the PS4 at E3, so there's still hope. At the same time, if the results of our recent poll are any indication, gamers won't mind in the least if the PS4 waits a while.

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