Well bugger me, someone, somewhere, in the deep dark recesses of the Sony boardroom has finally woken up and smelt the coffee. For three years now, ever since the release of the PS3 in 2006, the Xbox 360 and Microsoft have been kicking Sony’s ass all across next-gen console market. To this date an estimated 16.84 million PS3 units have been sold compared with 30.2 million Xbox 360 units. The full scale of Sony’s failure in the next-gen market is undeniable; the console came out a full year later than the 360, it was overpriced, Blue-ray technology never really got off the ground and there was, and still is, a distinct lack of good gaming titles. In 2007 Sony’s gaming division recorded a loss of over $1.97bn and soon after Ken Kutaragi President of Sony Computer Entertainment, announced his retirement.
Two of the biggest gripes about the PS3 have been its extortionate price and its poor games development software. The extra year’s development allowed the 360 to make massive gains gaming-wise compared to the PS3. The majority of software companies abandoned their affiliation with Sony and jumped onto the 360 bandwagon, after all what are you going to do not make games and $$$ for a year, or develop for a console which is actually selling. Titles such as Halo and the eagerly awaited Modern Warfare 2 have ensured Microsoft’s dominance within the gaming market, the GPU of the 360 is also much better and provides greater user gaming experiences.
The battle for the next-gen console market is a tough and bitter one. Market leaders are forced to continually compete, redesign and develop the next ‘big thing’. For years the market consisted of only two major players, Nintendo and Sega, but despite their stranglehold on the market both companies failed to hold onto the top spot. Since the days of the Master System and the Nintendo 64, Sega has fallen by the wayside and is now primarily a software company. Nintendo have faired better and have recently bounced back into the market with their hugely successful Wii console, mainly thanks to their unique interactive controller.
The last battle of the consoles was dominated by the Playstation 2 due to their rights on certain titles like GTA: Vice City, a better controller system and several technical difficulties that flawed the original Xbox – no-one wants to see a blue screen on a gaming console, but now the shoe is on the other foot due to a much larger range of Xbox 360 games. Whether or not the new PS3 price cut will have any significant impact is debatable, but I very much doubt that it cause Microsoft any sleepless nights. In the end thou the 360 trumped them all, and if the last E3 is anything to go by, Microsoft and their Project: Natal will secure their position as kings of the next-gen console for years to come.
Still overpriced...
Well at least the games that are out will be slighlty cheaper, i own a ps3 and i must say the selection of games available is terrible. I wish they would bring out more titles!
sony company is the best company. Great article.
Once the brand is Sony, you can always trust! This PS3 really looks great! Thanks for posting this blog.
I own a wii and a PS3 and the PS3 wins hands down on graphics, mine was really expensive though, bought it when it first came out.
sony: $300 today, Wii: $200, can you beat that?
Nintendo development cost of the Wii were much lower i suppose.
From the its photo alone, the PS3 is worth the price. You have just provided a very useful information about it. Thanks a lot!
great news! gotta grab one soon!
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I purchased my son a PS3 when it first came out, so you can imagine I paid top price. Believe it was worth the money but was a bit steep and they should definately cut the price of their games!
Whew! This sounds like a good news for PS3 lovers like me. But too bad, I already have one.
PLaystation seems to be falling behind the XBOX, the games that are out are fantastic but not enough choice I will never own an XBOX as the gameplay on a PS3 is great but please bring out more titles !!!!!
Its about time. I own a 360 and wii but never got around to a ps3 cause of the price. I would like to play the upcoming Last Guardian game so that may be just the inspiration that i need
The playstation 3 is a legendary gadget, I think the prices have been cut due to the PS3 Slim as this is still pretty expensive, I agree with a lot of the comments made here I just wish they had more games to choose from a bigger selection would help them immensely !!!
Sweet! Sony has the best graphics. I’ll take a look at this next time I’m buying a system.
Well I am very glad to hear this as I have to buy another one as I have the YLOD problem !!!!!
I think they have reduced the price of the Sony Playstation 3 as they have brought out the PS3 Slim, I think this is crazy why didnt they bring this out as the main PS3 it just another way for our kids to moan that they have not got the new PS3 it does exactly the same as the normal one, the only difference is that they are a lot smaller than the normal PS3 and weigh less, but they cost more than the old one. I think playstation should run some sort of scheme so that you can give the old PS3 back and get a heavy reduction on the Slim, fat chance of that thou hay!!!!!
At last Sony cuts prices, but it is too late, a Sony PS3 analog appeared produced by Chinese Shenzen manufacturers which are 2 times cheaper offering almost the same quality so it is up to your whether to buy an expensive original or a cheaper replica.
It is about bloody time aswel
With the success of the pre order sales for the new XBox Slim, and a price tag of under £200, will Sony react by cutting the PS3 Slim price further to keep up. I think they need to
My boyfriend has a PS3, unsure what he paid for it, he got it when it first came out. I am a wii gal.