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TGS 06: No US PS3 price drop

SCEA president Kaz Hirai says that Sony has "no plans" to lower the current $499/$599 American PS3 price points; 20GB PS3s will have HDMI worldwide.

TOKYO--Following Ken Kutaragi's keynote address at the 2006 Tokyo Game Show, Sony announced that the 20GB-hard-drive-equipped model of the PlayStation 3 was getting a price drop in Japan. The lower-end version of the console, which will now boast HDMI high-definition video output, will cost just 49,980 yen ($429) when it hits stores in Japan on November 11. That's about 10,000 yen ($85) less than its prior price, which was around 60,000 yen ($515).

Kaz Hirai on PS3

SCEA prez talks up the next-gen console.

Although Sony's announcement applied only to Japan, news of the discounting spread quickly across the globe. Wire service reports with headlines saying "Sony slashes price tag for delay-hit PlayStation 3" surfaced in numerous local newspapers in the US. These, in turn, fueled a rumor firestorm that the 20GB PS3's $499 US sticker price would also be cut before it goes on sale November 17.

Sadly, though, Sony is sticking firm with its North American PS3 plans. "In the US, we're comfortable with the pricing that we announced at E3--$499 for the 20 gigabyte version and $599 for the 60-gigabyte version," Sony Computer president Kaz Hirai told GameSpot. "There are no plans right now to adjust the pricing for the US market."

Though disappointed, potential PS3 purchasers in the US did get a bit of a consolation prize from Hirai. The executive confirmed that every 20GB PS3 worldwide will have an HDMI port, not just in Japan, as some had speculated.

439 Comments

  • infiniti2003

    Posted Mar 31, 2007 9:34 pm GMT

    Who cares really, where are all the hyped up games like Gran Turismo and MGS4 for a console that was already released a year behind schedule. I guess we'll have to wait for those too...

  • xXrebel666Xx

    Posted Mar 20, 2007 1:07 am GMT

    to dvs1270:
    i bought my ps2 at launch in aus like i am for ps3 and its still running this day in pristine condition, never encountered a disk read error.

  • dvs1270

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 6:29 am GMT

    I agree with you edmakel. No hard feelings here. Bottom line for me is Sony needs to take a look at Nintendo's arrogant, hard a$$ fall from the top. I love MGS, God of War, & the GT series. I was once a diehard fanboy myself (bought my PS2 as soon as it hit the shelf). The price will drop & the initial bugs & hardware problems will show and maybe get resolved. I will not box up the next console like my PS2 & ship it back several times for warranty work. "Disk Read Error" was the start up logo before it finally died.
    Laser disc was gonna change how we watched movies at home, or better yet the betamax video format. Blu-ray sounds great, but it is not common place & as someone else posted one of the 2, blu-ray or hd dvd has to die off. The 2 will not survive together. There is too much competition out there, not even including my favorite platform pc. I want to game not watch the same 10 movies 50 times a week. My PS2 was for games, not saturday movie night. Sony needs to continue the tried & true model and make their money on the back end with games & other support products. a soon to be standard equipment hdmi port & a "may fly" optical drive just can't pull $600 out of my pocket.

  • edmakel

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 6:04 am GMT

    grnidbandit......your're funny I like you! You continuously post against all insurmountable odds of actually proving your point in this little debate. I'm always up for a good scrap of words. Any time you want to talk feel free to hit me up. Some of these Jokers on GameSpot are afraid to post for fear of scrutiny from their peers. Nice to know "somebody!" has some teeth. I got nothing but Love for you "son" (hahahahahah)

  • dvs1270

    Posted Sep 27, 2006 12:25 am GMT

    grnidbandit
    First of all what decade are you living in where children bring apples to their teachers? Sounds like to be you got your degree in economics back in the great depression and maybe you should trade your nursing home in for a real dorm and get back into business/economics class, this is what I pulled off the web as for your "maroney sticker" God I really hate making people with alzheimers feel stupid but you leave me no choice old man

    First off, the name of the sticker is "MoN-roney Sticker" NOT "Maroney". This is the window sticker that is required by federal law to be afixed on all new vehicles containing the following information: Make Model Serial or Identification Numbers The final assembly point The name, and the location of the place of business, of the dealer to whom it is to be delivered The method of transportation used in making delivery of such automobile, if driven or towed from final assembly point to place of delivery The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP or "sticker price") of the base vehicle The MSRP of optional equipment installed on the base vehicle The transportation charges for delivery of the vehicle to the dealer from the manufacturer The TOTAL MSRP of all the above. The EPA mileage estimates are also normally included on this sticker The Automobile Information Disclosure Act was passed in 1958 and was authored by A.S. "Mike" Monroney, a longtime Oklahoma congressman who wrote the law, and who's name is constantly being "mis-pronounced" as "Moroney" throughout the entire automotive industry.

    The actual United States Code is Title 15, Chapter 28, Sections 1231-1233.

    And I see your comparing pots and pans to the PS3 which does not make you seem like a smart person since sony already has a installed user base and the holiday seasoning is coming up. Please check with your doctor first before posting a message directly to me old man -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    You keep missing the boat. you are a waste of my words. The basic priciples of economics have not changed. The cookware & car examples are analogies, understand an analogy? Probably not. Correction noted, monroney sticker- MSRP, dealer added options etc .......... basically it still ends in the price that dumb a$$es pay. You obviously slept through econ. class or lost your book. Hint: "YOU NEED TO READ UP ON SUPPLY (goods-PS3), DEMAND (can't wait to get it fanboys like yourself), & PRICING (too much for a "premium" core system)." I would waste my time explaining again but you still wouldn't get it, or just cut & paste some more google or yahoo searched out b.s. concerning an irrelevant side issue to continue clogging this board & struggling to make a point which you did not. It's not a question of age or education just financial (economical) ignorance which you seem to have mastered. You say you work for a large financial corp. bank teller does not qualify. I hope other people are not depending on you to manage any type of funds other than their Christmas club. BTW I never said had an econ. degree, but thanks for the compliment, I know my well versed explaination threw you for a loop, upset you so much you had to search out something to cut & paste just for me. You are yet to make any valid points on your own that is. Here are a couple of cut & pastes to make you feel good or maybe help you w/ your confusion. Not that I would need them to make my point for me.

    "The law of demand states that, if all other factors remain equal, the higher the price of a good, the less people will demand that good. In other words, the higher the price, the lower the quantity demanded. The amount of a good that buyers purchase at a higher price is less because as the price of a good goes up, so does the opportunity cost of buying that good. As a result, people will naturally avoid buying a product that will force them to forgo the consumption of something else they value more."
    ------------------------------------------------or----------------------------------------------
    "You may wonder why the prices of goods go up and down so often. One of the reasons is the law of supply and demand. Supply refers to how many of a certain good or service are available for people to purchase. Demand means how many people wish to buy that good or service. How does this work? Let's say that a brand-new, super powerful video game is about to come out. The game makers must decide how many of the games to make so they are not stuck with too many. They then have to decide how much to charge for the game - its price. They would need to charge enough for the game to cover the costs of creating the game, advertising the game, shipping the game to stores. Since they also wish to make a profit on the game, they will also want to figure that cost as well. If the price of the game is too high, however, people may not be able to afford it or decide it is not worth the price and there will be too many or an oversupply. If the price is too low, costs will not be covered and little profit will be made even though the game may sell very well. The company would lose money and may even have to close. The people who invest money in the company would not want to give the company money anymore to make more products because they would not get a good share of the profits. Usually as prices rise, the supply or amount of a product increases and as prices fall, the supply decreases as more people can afford the product. If the product is a truly excellent one, there will probably be high demand. Also if it is well advertised, more people will know about the product and be apt to want it. If the product is not well advertised or is not a good product, people will not want it and the demand will be low and the supply greater. In the case of the video game, if a better game came on the market later with superior technology, the demand for the current game would probably drop and thus the price would have to drop to sell it.

    Other factors that affect sales of an item are if the product is available, how good the customer service is, the appearance of the store, how the items are displayed - even what the parking is like for a store or the colors of the boxes the product is in."

  • _Sam_

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:41 pm GMT

    I wasn't expecting it anyway

  • edmakel

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 8:22 pm GMT

    NEVER said I was rich boy....and "son" is slang for young, uneducated , neopohite, rookie, wannabe....which is obviously what you are.....,man please stop posting you sound rediculous...you obviously don't have the knowledge to converse with intellegent well informed people. Just stop! we won't hold it against you...you seem to attack everybody that's not a die hard sony fan.....what's up with that? and you did mention your father...I gues your still sponging off of mommy and daddy...sad...just sad...until you start paying taxes..you really need to keep it zipped partna....(that's slang too if you're really that slow....).You really don't know what you're talking about....funny...I'm probably not that much older than you...you just sound like a juvinile tryin to make a futile point. I guess you paid $400 for those first dvd players that came out...huh? Let's be real for a minute....Would you still pay $600 for something if you could get it cheaper...of course not.....stop posing like you're Bill GAtes or somebody, I honestly don't understand your facade......We all have bills to pay....if you don't ...you're still upder somebody elses care and really can't comment on how expensive or not expensive something really is.......Things change when you move out of the parental nest....the world gets "real" and you obviously haven't experenced that yet...........and by the way....if somebody else agreed with what I posted.... you should take it as constructive critisizm and learn from it....lord knows we have enough dumb ass kids going to public school and private colleges these days......don't be one of them......!! Seriously......edmakel--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Honestly son...you still have a lot to learn. In fact I actually worked for a large luxury and domestice dealership in Atlanta. I really don't have time to educate you on the finer points of buying and selling. Lets just say my experience in the area of moving millions of dollars of inventory compaired to you balancing your checkbook fails in comparison. As far as my estimations...they are not my own. Ive taken those "estimations" from two of the finiest marketing and research firms in America. .....and Please don't ask me to explain who...with a bibliography attached....that's the problem with ill informed posters...you fail to do any research backed up by nonsense and complete personal bias. Do some actual reading before posting jibberish.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ok another old man posting and this one is also calling me son I find this very funny, what educate me on the fine points of buying and selling a car? sorry but my father brought me up not to be a has-been car dealer and you bring up moving millions of dollars compared to my check book, funny how you dont bring up your check book but you do bring up mine. If it is any of your concern I work for a large financial corp and probably have seen more money than you and your entire family has or will ever seen, and yes I do have a nice check book and well off, maybe this is why I dont complain about the price of the PS3. I can understand if one says I will not buy a PS3 because its too expensive and I would rather wait, not everyone has money. But you seem to come off like your some rich guy and you complain like the next man. So stop pretending that you have money and

  • ronrusso75

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 5:44 pm GMT

    I wrote Sony about this. My email to them was as follows: So Japanese consumers are entitled to a price drop for the PS3, but the rest of the world isn't? I
    am EXTREMELY disappointed with this decision to show favortism to one region. At this point I
    refuse to even consider purchasing any Sony products because of what I interpret to be unfair
    pricing practices.

    In all honesty, I looked forward to buying a PS3 and was planning on coupling that purchase with a
    Bravia - my first HDTV. But forget it. I'll buy a WII instead and play it on my old trinitron.
    ------------------------------------------------------------ Sony responded with the following: Thank you for writing us.

    We value your input and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Please rest assured that we
    will convey your feedback to Sony Computer Entertainment America's ("SCEA") appropriate management.

    At the Electronic Entertainment Exposition (E3) conference held in Los Angeles, California, in May
    of 2006, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced a suggested retail price for the
    PlayStation(R)3 (PS3) as follows:

    20 Gigabyte Version: $499 U.S.($549 CDN)
    60 Gigabyte Version: $599 U.S. ($659 CDN)

    We base this price not only on production costs, but what we feel is a fair price for what we
    believe to be an outstanding product.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I replied with the following: Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, it did not address my concern.

    In addition to North America's quoted price, Sony also quoted a price for the 20GB version of the PS3 for Japan at the E3, yet that price has declined dramatically! So why is it that only a portion of your target population now gets a discount? That was my original question. My email was NOT a general dissatisfaction with the high quoted price (relative to other game systems) of the PS3, but a disappointment that Sony is lowering their price for Japan and apparently not considering the same for North America. It appears to me that SONY IS ATTEMPTING TO SUBSIDIZE THE COST OF THE PS3 FOR JAPANESE CONSUMERS AT THE EXPENSE OF NORTH AMERICAN CONSUMERS, which in my opinion is extremely unfair. If Sony could lower the price of PS3 why couldn't the consumer savings be allocated amongst all regions? Again, I am extremely disappointed at your company's decision in this matter.
    --------------------------------------------------------I'll let you know if I hear back.

  • DeathgiverX

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 2:24 pm GMT

    You would think that they would care about the USA I me...wait this is $ony? Oh nevermind, no surprise here, they have been screwing over USA fans for ages no reason to stop now when $ony fanboys are still content to eat the table scraps they get fed.

  • GTCzeero

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 12:40 pm GMT

    What about Europe? You would think that they would have to drop the price for Europe.

  • grnidbandit

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 11:43 am GMT

    ronrusso75 said:you qualify that statement that systems cost more in Japan than they do here? Give me one example of ANY system that sold at a higher price in Japan than what was sold here. Genesis? NeoGeo? I seriously believe you just made this up. (BTW - feel free to bash x-box all you want, you'll get no argument here. I was a sony guy all the way, but this bs of being price sensitive all of a sudden and giving ALL of the launch savings to Japan consumers is bogus.) Why didn't they spread the savings out if they could only afford a small discount? How about instead of an $85 price cut for japanese, they were to give a $50 discount to everybody?!? Sony has just about cornered the market on how to make every mistake possible with a system launch------------------------------------------------------------Go to the japanese sites yourself and see how much more japan usually pays for the games the 20GB was orginally $539 and even with the price drop retailers will definatly set the prices much higher since they know its a new system with only 100,000 on launch, and even with a $50 discount to the entire world people would still complain saying its not enough.

  • Dinghy_Dog

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 10:53 am GMT

    element8865, why should they? they're gonna sell out regardless of their price and features

  • Disciple_Gamer

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:41 am GMT

    Lets be real here. All the crying for not having a price drop is not going to stop the ps3 from selling out this holiday. on top of that go to ebay and you will see people willing to shell out over $1000 just to have one. also you have to remember all the technology sony is putting in their bohemoth. they will already be lossing hundreds of dollars. Don't blame sony for trying to squeeze a dime out of people.

  • element8865

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:38 am GMT

    why don't you sony get a bundle package for the ps3. like 60gig. and 3 games for $700 or something.

  • grnidbandit

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:21 am GMT

    edmakel
    edmakel--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Honestly son...you still have a lot to learn. In fact I actually worked for a large luxury and domestice dealership in Atlanta. I really don't have time to educate you on the finer points of buying and selling. Lets just say my experience in the area of moving millions of dollars of inventory compaired to you balancing your checkbook fails in comparison. As far as my estimations...they are not my own. Ive taken those "estimations" from two of the finiest marketing and research firms in America. .....and Please don't ask me to explain who...with a bibliography attached....that's the problem with ill informed posters...you fail to do any research backed up by nonsense and complete personal bias. Do some actual reading before posting jibberish.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ok another old man posting and this one is also calling me son I find this very funny, what educate me on the fine points of buying and selling a car? sorry but my father brought me up not to be a has-been car dealer and you bring up moving millions of dollars compared to my check book, funny how you dont bring up your check book but you do bring up mine. If it is any of your concern I work for a large financial corp and probably have seen more money than you and your entire family has or will ever seen, and yes I do have a nice check book and well off, maybe this is why I dont complain about the price of the PS3. I can understand if one says I will not buy a PS3 because its too expensive and I would rather wait, not everyone has money. But you seem to come off like your some rich guy and you complain like the next man. So stop pretending that you have money and get back on the lot and start sellin em cars!!

  • DoniFilth

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:12 am GMT

    too bad...oh well you get what you pay for : )

  • grnidbandit

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 9:02 am GMT

    dvs1270
    Son, you need an apple, let's go to school. Have you every taken Economics 101? The more you respond the dumber you prove yourself to be with regards to them. You have no clue about supply, price, & demand. Granted haggling on a car is different but again the PT Cruiser was a perfect example of supply driving up market price because of demand, our local dealer sold them in the mid 30k range for almost 2 years. Once Chrysler stepped up production, the price dropped to around 20k. They call it a maroney sticker for a reason, "morons" who pay what they see. All cars have a mark up that is passed on to "know nots". Let's not forget about wholesale distributions either. If you pay $600, the retailer may only pay $300, that is how things go on sale or there are price drops. As a product or technology becomes more readily available or the demand drops, retailers bring the prices down closer to the wholesale prices they paid for their store or warehouse stock. Ever hear of Sam Walton, he took advantage of this principle. I know you've been in a store & have seen a box (cookware for ex.) with $59.99 or some price printed on it, & a big a$$ sign above them labeled """$19.99 SALE TODAY!!!""" Falling Prices!!!
    The price will drop once the hype or lack of dies & the PS3 are collecting dust on the bottom shelves of stores & warehouses. I was a fanboy & I have bought at least one console from each manufacturer going back to the two knob deal before Atari. This is the most boggled release I've ever seen. Go & read up, study, or something before you fix your hands to add another comment.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------First of all what decade are you living in where children bring apples to their teachers? Sounds like to be you got your degree in economics back in the great depression and maybe you should trade your nursing home in for a real dorm and get back into business/economics class, this is what I pulled off the web as for your "maroney sticker" God I really hate making people with alzheimers feel stupid but you leave me no choice old man

    First off, the name of the sticker is "MoN-roney Sticker" NOT "Maroney". This is the window sticker that is required by federal law to be afixed on all new vehicles containing the following information: Make Model Serial or Identification Numbers The final assembly point The name, and the location of the place of business, of the dealer to whom it is to be delivered The method of transportation used in making delivery of such automobile, if driven or towed from final assembly point to place of delivery The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP or "sticker price") of the base vehicle The MSRP of optional equipment installed on the base vehicle The transportation charges for delivery of the vehicle to the dealer from the manufacturer The TOTAL MSRP of all the above. The EPA mileage estimates are also normally included on this sticker The Automobile Information Disclosure Act was passed in 1958 and was authored by A.S. "Mike" Monroney, a longtime Oklahoma congressman who wrote the law, and who's name is constantly being "mis-pronounced" as "Moroney" throughout the entire automotive industry.

    The actual United States Code is Title 15, Chapter 28, Sections 1231-1233.

    And I see your comparing pots and pans to the PS3 which does not make you seem like a smart person since sony already has a installed user base and the holiday seasoning is coming up. Please check with your doctor first before posting a message directly to me old man

  • wenbin09

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 8:57 am GMT

    it's to o ex to be seen as a game console!!!

  • V4LENT1NE

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 8:10 am GMT

    To much for an over hyped machine.

  • dvs1270

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 6:17 am GMT

    Son, you need an apple, let's go to school. Have you every taken Economics 101? The more you respond the dumber you prove yourself to be with regards to them. You have no clue about supply, price, & demand. Granted haggling on a car is different but again the PT Cruiser was a perfect example of supply driving up market price because of demand, our local dealer sold them in the mid 30k range for almost 2 years. Once Chrysler stepped up production, the price dropped to around 20k. They call it a maroney sticker for a reason, "morons" who pay what they see. All cars have a mark up that is passed on to "know nots". Let's not forget about wholesale distributions either. If you pay $600, the retailer may only pay $300, that is how things go on sale or there are price drops. As a product or technology becomes more readily available or the demand drops, retailers bring the prices down closer to the wholesale prices they paid for their store or warehouse stock. Ever hear of Sam Walton, he took advantage of this principle. I know you've been in a store & have seen a box (cookware for ex.) with $59.99 or some price printed on it, & a big a$$ sign above them labeled """$19.99 SALE TODAY!!!""" Falling Prices!!!
    The price will drop once the hype or lack of dies & the PS3 are collecting dust on the bottom shelves of stores & warehouses. I was a fanboy & I have bought at least one console from each manufacturer going back to the two knob deal before Atari. This is the most boggled release I've ever seen. Go & read up, study, or something before you fix your hands to add another comment.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    grnidbandit
    Ok so your talking about used cars then. Honestly I would like to see you walk into a car dealer and talk them on a brand new car ofcourse and even if your talking about a car that does not sell well the bmw is not going to be price same as lets say a ford or chevy. yeah a price drop can happen for the ps3 but when that happens who knows, I find it funny how bring in all these numbers and claim that people wont be spending that much money on a ps3, well alot of americans are already in debt and if a household makes an average mean of 52k and is some how having trouble surving on that, 90% chance they are already in debt buddy. But I really find your "estemations" funny

  • edmakel

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 6:11 am GMT

    edmakel--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Honestly son...you still have a lot to learn. In fact I actually worked for a large luxury and domestice dealership in Atlanta. I really don't have time to educate you on the finer points of buying and selling. Lets just say my experience in the area of moving millions of dollars of inventory compaired to you balancing your checkbook fails in comparison. As far as my estimations...they are not my own. Ive taken those "estimations" from two of the finiest marketing and research firms in America. .....and Please don't ask me to explain who...with a bibliography attached....that's the problem with ill informed posters...you fail to do any research backed up by nonsense and complete personal bias. Do some actual reading before posting jibberish.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If you bought a car...BMW or Mercedes alike out right for the sticker price then your're a bigger fool than your original post would imply. Ever heard of supply and demand. If Sony delevers all of these systems and consumer's don't buy then what happens???? A price drop. New products always have a short lived high priced selling point...until demand forces it down. Remember the chrysler PT cruiser.....or the VW bug....yeah....I know you do..... I believe that Sony has over estemated the market for their premium system. Last time I checked the Mean household income in The U.S. was right at 52K. That's not a whole lot considering the current state of the US economy. MOst middle case families would not consider this a good investment for entertainment.....yeah maybe during the PS3's development it was seen as a logical step....but now...it's definitley not the right time to inflate entertainment to these heights..... ------------------------------------------------

    Ok so your talking about used cars then. Honestly I would like to see you walk into a car dealer and talk them on a brand new car ofcourse and even if your talking about a car that does not sell well the bmw is not going to be price same as lets say a ford or chevy. yeah a price drop can happen for the ps3 but when that happens who knows, I find it funny how bring in all these numbers and claim that people wont be spending that much money on a ps3, well alot of americans are already in debt and if a household makes an average mean of 52k and is some how having trouble surving on that, 90% chance they are already in debt buddy. But I really find your "estemations" funny (select an action below) ______________ Report Abuse To Moderator

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 5:44 am GMT

    course sony isn't going to lower the price of the ps3. they will already be losing their hind-quarters with the $500/$600 price points.

  • ewjim

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 5:23 am GMT

    US have cheaper ( unlike the Europe ) PS3 and even want a price drop?! You don't get it!!!

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 2:48 am GMT

    I'm a Playstation fan and am ready to camp for the darn system on launch date, but if Sony will keep on treating American and European consumers as second rate customers, then they just lost one buyer on opening day. I say, if the Japanese can get an $85.00 discount, then other customers deserve them too. I don't have anything against the Japanese people as they are not the ones who set the price. I am still sick of being charged $50.00 more than the Japanese for my PSP and Sony will not get that satisfaction ever again. The Nintendo Wii will be the first console I'll purchase on this new console wars. I hope it sells well so that Square-Enix, Konami and Capcom will release their FF, MGS and DMC series on this console, thus making a PS3 purchase unnecessary. If this does not happen, I don't care about waiting a year or two when the PS3 costs much less. It's not about the money, I can easily afford the $600.00 price tag but I just hope that this crappy treatment of non-Japanese consumers hurt Sony so BAD!

  • Aggie1295

    Posted Sep 26, 2006 12:47 am GMT

    The PS3 is over priced, and I really don't see a reason to buy one any time soon. Give them a few months to get on the store shelves, work out the bugs, and then let them drop the price in order to compete with the XBox 360 and Nintendo Revolution, and then it might be worth purchasing. At launch, all you are doing is paying extra for technology (a.k.a. the blu-ray drive) that you don't need.

  • wataru2001

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 11:36 pm GMT

    Quit whining people. We in Europe would be more than willing to pay 499$ for 20Gig and 599$ for 60Gig, if we would only have the chance to get the thing in November.

    Instead we get it in March 07 priced at 499Euros (636$) for 20Gig, if they release the verison on the European market that is, and 599Euros (763$) for 60Gig.

    Talk about UNFAIR.

  • ronrusso75

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 8:20 pm GMT

    What gets me Is that the japanese market has always paid more for consoles and games now its other way around and people dont seem to like it all for some reason. In all honesty and to make any sense out of your post why would you camp for the ps3 if you think its ridiculousy high? you sounds like the system might not even worth getting until a huge price drop happens. ever hear the saying you get what you pay for? this is sonys case. your getting a console with not only with the best exclusives but the most powerful console available. Yes but the wii might be an interesting piece of technology but what about the games. all i have seen is metroid,mario,zelda and red steel the first three look cool but what happens after that this scenario reminds me of the N64. The 360 has great games now and more coming gears of war,mass effect,lost planet look like great titles that I wish were on the PS3 but sony has a heck of alot more, if one thing this gen is based on its not price, its the games same with every gen if sony keeps their 3rd parties close like they have MS keeps sweating Halo but does not give other games the same mainstream attention,and nintendo choosing to go along with the kiddy games, who do you really think will win? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Can you qualify that statement that systems cost more in Japan than they do here? Give me one example of ANY system that sold at a higher price in Japan than what was sold here. Genesis? NeoGeo? I seriously believe you just made this up. (BTW - feel free to bash x-box all you want, you'll get no argument here. I was a sony guy all the way, but this bs of being price sensitive all of a sudden and giving ALL of the launch savings to Japan consumers is bogus.) Why didn't they spread the savings out if they could only afford a small discount? How about instead of an $85 price cut for japanese, they were to give a $50 discount to everybody?!? Sony has just about cornered the market on how to make every mistake possible with a system launch.

  • grnidbandit

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 7:43 pm GMT

    mrwizardsrus
    Even though I am going to camp out to get a PS3 at launch I still think that Sony is setting the price for the system ridiculously high, 499.99 and 599.99 is really steep for a game console. Of course the PS3 will sell out on release day but that is only to us early adopters. What happens after that has yet to be determined. But lowering the price for the Asian market and not lowering the price for North America is wrong. i f Sony would just take a bigger loss and sell the system for 399 and 499 I think they would get a lot more people on their bandwagon.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------What gets me Is that the japanese market has always paid more for consoles and games now its other way around and people dont seem to like it all for some reason. In all honesty and to make any sense out of your post why would you camp for the ps3 if you think its ridiculousy high? you sounds like the system might not even worth getting until a huge price drop happens. ever hear the saying you get what you pay for? this is sonys case. your getting a console with not only with the best exclusives but the most powerful console available. Yes but the wii might be an interesting piece of technology but what about the games. all i have seen is metroid,mario,zelda and red steel the first three look cool but what happens after that this scenario reminds me of the N64. The 360 has great games now and more coming gears of war,mass effect,lost planet look like great titles that I wish were on the PS3 but sony has a heck of alot more, if one thing this gen is based on its not price, its the games same with every gen if sony keeps their 3rd parties close like they have MS keeps sweating Halo but does not give other games the same mainstream attention,and nintendo choosing to go along with the kiddy games, who do you really think will win?

  • mrwizardsrus

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 6:07 pm GMT

    Even though I am going to camp out to get a PS3 at launch I still think that Sony is setting the price for the system ridiculously high, 499.99 and 599.99 is really steep for a game console. Of course the PS3 will sell out on release day but that is only to us early adopters. What happens after that has yet to be determined. But lowering the price for the Asian market and not lowering the price for North America is wrong. i f Sony would just take a bigger loss and sell the system for 399 and 499 I think they would get a lot more people on their bandwagon.

  • jimmy_bean

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 5:46 pm GMT

    Is anyone really surprized by this? Giving North America a price cut would have been good news, and we all know good news for the PS3 just doesnt happen. Ah, the Wii will look so nice next to my 360......in about 3 years i might even be able to find room for the PS3.

  • ronrusso75

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 5:44 pm GMT

    AlienOverlord
    Don't forget the europeans always get a system at a higher price than in the US, but that probably never bothered you right? They are only 100,000 units going on sale in Japan at launch as compared to 400,000 in the US. There are only supposed to be 20% base units but maybe they will have even fewer in Japan. They are providing a lower price point but limiting how many of those systems they will sell. Would you rather they sent just 100,000 to the states with a few of the lower priced systems mixed in? Don't forget that each store can price the premium system however they choose in Japan so you can bet they will be selling at about $1000. Would you prefer to have the situation reversed? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------So us non-japanese consumers should be thankful for getting more units than Japan to the point that we should pay higher prices? And then what happens after a couple of months and millions of units are available? Will Sony raise the prices for Japanese consumers since things are more "fair"? Will they lower it for North American consumers? Look, I was the biggest Sony fan up until today, and I can understand why you're sticking up for them. But I just wrote Sony about my displeasure at not getting the discount that they are offering japan. You'd think that you would support my action since if enough people complain, maybe they'll cut us a break too. In fact, if any country deserves a discount, it's the US considering the biggest competitor to the PS3 is the x-box 360 - an American product. X-box will be much more popular here than in Japan. They should be lowering American prices to cut into Microsoft's home turf knowing that the Japan market is secure. (WII is more of a niche product that is marketing itself as a family "fun" device - the 360 is the only system that is positioning itself as a High Def system aside from the PS3)

  • crills

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 5:09 pm GMT

    the jabs get the price drop cause there not like americans they aint buying the ps3 at the price sony put out and sony knows that. they figure americans will pay any think for a new product .well im not one of them im not buying it

  • AlienOverlord

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 5:08 pm GMT

    Don't forget the europeans always get a system at a higher price than in the US, but that probably never bothered you right? There are only 100,000 units going on sale in Japan at launch as compared to 400,000 in the US. There are only supposed to be 20% base units but maybe they will have even fewer in Japan. They are providing a lower price point but limiting how many of those systems they will sell. Would you rather they sent just 100,000 to the states with a few of the lower priced systems mixed in? Don't forget that each store can price the premium system however they choose in Japan so you can bet they will be selling at about $1000. Would you prefer to have the situation reversed?

  • ronrusso75

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 4:39 pm GMT

    sacatash
    i really have no problem buying a ps3..hint: I have a decent full-time job and don't depend on mommy and daddy's pockets...I also am not an early adopter so I'll get it by Christmas 2007.

    People, you need to understand that if you want to be an early adopter, you should expect to pay a premium for the PS3. In addition having the risk of getting all the bugs and defects that comes with a 1st generation product..so instead of complaining and whining, there are only two options for you guys:

    1. Wait till next Christmas 2007 when there is a large selection of USED PS3 GAMES and HDTV is affordable in order to convince your parents that a PS3 will complete the home theater system. There is no way that the system will be dropping in price after a year, so deal with it!

    2. Start saving your money(if you have not done so since May 2006, forget it!) and get a job quick! Remember there is more than a month and a half left before it comes out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'd agree with the notion that early adopters to technology are going to pay a premium than those who wait - but SONY LOWERED THEIR PRICE BEFORE THE SYSTEM EVEN CAME OUT! And my problem is this "discount" is only being given to japanese consumers. Obviously Sony can charge whatever they want - they could even give PS3s away to anyone that has a japanese driver's license. But I think it's a horrible PR decision to say that japanese are entitled to a discount because they complained more than Americans. It's obvious that Sony thinks very little of their international consumers.

  • sacatash

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 4:28 pm GMT

    i really have no problem buying a ps3..hint: I have a decent full-time job and don't depend on mommy and daddy's pockets...I also am not an early adopter so I'll get it by Christmas 2007.

    People, you need to understand that if you want to be an early adopter, you should expect to pay a premium for the PS3. In addition having the risk of getting all the bugs and defects that comes with a 1st generation product..so instead of complaining and whining, there are only two options for you guys:

    1. Wait till next Christmas 2007 when there is a large selection of USED PS3 GAMES and HDTV is affordable in order to convince your parents that a PS3 will complete the home theater system. There is no way that the system will be dropping in price after a year, so deal with it!

    2. Start saving your money(if you have not done so since May 2006, forget it!) and get a job quick! Remember there is more than a month and a half left before it comes out.

  • ronrusso75

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 4:07 pm GMT

    I just sent this eamil to Sony:

    So Japanese consumers are entitled to a price drop for the PS3, but the rest of the world isn't? I am EXTREMELY disappointed with this decision to show favortism to one region. At this point I refuse to even consider purchasing any Sony products because of what I interpret to be unfair pricing practices. In all honesty, I looked forward to buying a PS3 and was planning on coupling that purchase with a Bravia - my first HDTV. But forget it. I'll buy a WII instead and play it on my old trinitron.

  • zerooslo7990

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 4:05 pm GMT

    This cemented it. Yes, sony will have the most powerful system and the best grafics, but at what cost? The xbox has some cool games coming out, and the wii is going to have a near perfict launch ( if theres no glitches with the system ) with a great line up of games. But sony is having the worst launch ever. Yes sony will lower the price of the system, but how long from now. If right after cristmas they have a 100+ price drop, they will do fine. But that will not happen. People will wait untill its cheaper and avalible. I'm affraid by the time they lower price halo3 will be out, and most people who wanted a ps3 will have gotten a wii. It's sad that sony threw in features that people could easily live without like bluray. Besides, what if the bluray format fails ( one of them will fail, no media format can coexist ) then that nice 200 doller add on will be useless. At lest xbox you can buy one if HD replaced DVD. But withPS3 youre making a blind leap to bluray. It's just sad. I belive that unless there is a price drop soon. The PS3 will be the least common of the 3 next gen systems.

    Makes me glad guitar hero is coming to all next gen systems

  • ronrusso75

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 3:43 pm GMT

    It's official - I absolutely REFUSE TO BUY A PS3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're telling me that Japanese consumers are entitled to a price cut, but the rest of us aren't?!? Screw that and screw SONY! I hate Microsoft and think the PS2 is the best thing I ever bought, but this news has completely changed my opinion of sony. No thanks, I'll just wait until Sony squirms and drops the price to $250 before I give them any more of my money. WII, here I come!!!!!!!

  • rey06

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 3:01 pm GMT

    i seen this news 5 days ago, oh well nice news. Suk to ps3... why ps3 why cant u make a ******* Price Drop!

  • crills

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 2:21 pm GMT

    it all gomes down to this i been playing games for 30 something years and no way in hell im playing 600 dollers for a consol with no games and one control i did not get a neo geo back then and in not geting a ps3 i got the money but 600$ thats my car payment or half my rent .i know alot of you will read this and say ha you to poor to get one .no thats not it if we let sony get away with this well pay in the future with the ps4 or 100$games and there doing it all ready .why you think theres going to be more ps3 in the us cause they know the japs are not going for it but they see americans as stupid and well buy anything . just look at the psp it sold more in the us but not over there cause the japs know it was wack and has a few good games so they got the ds .over here real gamers got ds and people who want music and movies got psps .so in short go get a ps3 and spend 1000$ on a system and 2 games and extra control ill get a wii five games and a few extra things like controlers and memory cards and still wont be that much. while all you that got the ps3 pockets will be hurt for a few months P.S only a fool will spend that on a system blind for there love for sony for that much money it better go to the store for me and get games and it should fly behind me all the time and remind me why i spent all this money and get me some phillies from the store when i want to smoke lol

  • grnidbandit

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 2:01 pm GMT

    edmakel
    If you bought a car...BMW or Mercedes alike out right for the sticker price then your're a bigger fool than your original post would imply. Ever heard of supply and demand. If Sony delevers all of these systems and consumer's don't buy then what happens???? A price drop. New products always have a short lived high priced selling point...until demand forces it down. Remember the chrysler PT cruiser.....or the VW bug....yeah....I know you do..... I believe that Sony has over estemated the market for their premium system. Last time I checked the Mean household income in The U.S. was right at 52K. That's not a whole lot considering the current state of the US economy. MOst middle case families would not consider this a good investment for entertainment.....yeah maybe during the PS3's development it was seen as a logical step....but now...it's definitley not the right time to inflate entertainment to these heights..... ------------------------------------------------

    Ok so your talking about used cars then. Honestly I would like to see you walk into a car dealer and talk them on a brand new car ofcourse and even if your talking about a car that does not sell well the bmw is not going to be price same as lets say a ford or chevy. yeah a price drop can happen for the ps3 but when that happens who knows, I find it funny how bring in all these numbers and claim that people wont be spending that much money on a ps3, well alot of americans are already in debt and if a household makes an average mean of 52k and is some how having trouble surving on that, 90% chance they are already in debt buddy. But I really find your "estemations" funny

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 1:48 pm GMT

    LOL...why in the world would any of you want a discounted "Core PS3",if it meant it came with a "Open Priced Premium PS3"

    That is the deal Japan got...and you all want it?

  • marioman50

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 1:43 pm GMT

    HDMI on 20 gig's? good to know if I ever buy a ps3. now you just have to accept memory sticks and I'm sold(well not really, I can just use the usb) that is,... IF! I ever buy one.

  • edmakel

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 1:34 pm GMT

    If you bought a car...BMW or Mercedes alike out right for the sticker price then your're a bigger fool than your original post would imply. Ever heard of supply and demand. If Sony delevers all of these systems and consumer's don't buy then what happens???? A price drop. New products always have a short lived high priced selling point...until demand forces it down. Remember the chrysler PT cruiser.....or the VW bug....yeah....I know you do..... I believe that Sony has over estemated the market for their premium system. Last time I checked the Mean household income in The U.S. was right at 52K. That's not a whole lot considering the current state of the US economy. MOst middle case families would not consider this a good investment for entertainment.....yeah maybe during the PS3's development it was seen as a logical step....but now...it's definitley not the right time to inflate entertainment to these heights.....

  • ErrantAI

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 1:25 pm GMT

    Personally, I'll wait until spring when the majority of the PS3 games I'd be interested in will come out - I'm sure there'll be another price drop, or a bundle or something by then. In the mean time, I'm keeping my eye on the Wii to see if it's worth getting.

  • grnidbandit

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 1:16 pm GMT

    edmakel
    And if you have ever bought a Mercedes Benz....(which I have...have you?) you still haggle over the price of the car. It doesn't make any logical since to accept a price when you could possible drive the deal to a lower buying point. Ever heard of the old base ball saying..."never swing at the first pitch son!" -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Actually I do own one, why would you haggle over the price if you bought one that logic there makes no, now I can understand bargaining but what console can you bargain on? oh let me guess do you buy all of your consoles used? honestly we are talking about new systems here unless you go on ebay and end up buying a used 360 a great price other than that your post makes no sense

  • dvs1270

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 12:55 pm GMT

    I have one thing fixed in my mind "Disk Read Error". Will the next sytem be plagued by the same problems as the PS2? Where are the demos? Where can I try this thing out? Micorsoft has a huge jump & I don't think Sony can catch up now. I wouldn't buy the sytem for blu-ray as I didn't buy the PS2 for dvds. I consider myself a gamer at heart from console to pc, but Sony have to offer more than GT4 or Metal Gear to get me in line to buy core or premium. I'll wait for the first price drop.

  • edmakel

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 12:29 pm GMT

    And if you have ever bought a Mercedes Benz....(which I have...have you?) you still haggle over the price of the car. It doesn't make any logical since to accept a price when you could possible drive the deal to a lower buying point. Ever heard of the old base ball saying..."never swing at the first pitch son!"

  • grnidbandit

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 12:19 pm GMT

    edmakel
    I'm really saddened by Sony's price for the PS3. Yeah, I can afford one but only because I have a decent job and a little disposable income to buy games every now and then. I would have been able to buy more games if the system didn't cost so much. $600 for a system and $120 for two games and i'm at the limit for my entertaiment expenses for the next six months! I have other needs like gas for my car and insurances to pay for.... not to mention a mortgage and grocery so i can eat. I have other entertainment expenses I would like to continue also , like going to the movies, out to dink and eat , bowling, and cart racing. (can't eat a video game) did I mention frackin $2.20 a gallon gas...yeah I did. All of my professional waged friends agree that the retail cost of the system is too high. Truth be told I'll rather spend $200 towards games and upgrading to another High Def set for my gaming experience. At this rate things will be slowing in the coming months. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If your professional friends knew any better the PS3 costs alot more than what they are charing, its like complaining everytime mercedes produces a car, complain about the price but in the end your paying for luxury

  • edmakel

    Posted Sep 25, 2006 12:06 pm GMT

    I'm really saddened by Sony's price for the PS3. Yeah, I can afford one but only because I have a decent job and a little disposable income to buy games every now and then. I would have been able to buy more games if the system didn't cost so much. $600 for a system and $120 for two games and i'm at the limit for my entertaiment expenses for the next six months! I have other needs like gas for my car and insurances to pay for.... not to mention a mortgage and grocery so i can eat. I have other entertainment expenses I would like to continue also , like going to the movies, out to dink and eat , bowling, and cart racing. (can't eat a video game) did I mention frackin $2.20 a gallon gas...yeah I did. All of my professional waged friends agree that the retail cost of the system is too high. Truth be told I'll rather spend $200 towards games and upgrading to another High Def set for my gaming experience. At this rate things will be slowing in the coming months.

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