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[Ignatz Mouse]

I actually don't think the price is *that* out of line-- I mean, I was all set to jump for $100 less. But I think there's a significant pyschological barrier that $599 is well past, and that sways a lot of public opinion. This isn't so much about the microeconomics of individual console choice as it is about marketing. Sony is now *perceived* to be overpriced and out of step. Blu-Ray doesn't have the same cachet that DVD did in 99-2000, and online does-- and Xbox has the mindshare advantage there.

I winced when Sony pulled out GT HD for the demo. Not becuase it won't be popular, but because it's old. I remember reading the the US Sony guys (I forget the pre-Stollar guy) was happy that Nintendo led off with Mario 64, becuase they knew that meant they had the lock on bieng the new, hip thing, which Mario (as impressive as it was) would be regarded as the past.

Sony is firmly old news at this show. Xbox 360 is hot. Wii? I can't tell, I am myself firmly out of touch with Nintendo. I suspect the Wii is to Wiieird to grab the same attention in the US. I think 360 just became the default console, and PS3 just became the esoteric choice. It won't happen all at once, but I expect that in 2 years Sony will be where Nintendo was in 1998. Not out, but clearly sliding.

Remember, this is coming from a former strong Sony proponent. I wish this were not so-- for one thing, it would make my console choice much easier! I'd rather just buy a PS3 and be done, but now I figure if I did that 1) it would cost more than I want and 2) 360 will have a good chunk of what I want.

GTA was one of my favorites this gen, so the announcement tody helps sway me quite a bit. Alas, I like many Sony 1st and 2nd parrty games, but they can either wait or I can do without. If Sony had shown Twisted Metal Black 2 or Wipeout I'd be really frustrated. But Warhawk does not have that kind of pull.

 

[rastex]

I don't remember that being the case, as a matter of fact I remember people bitching here that they weren't MSRP, but ok.

I'm glad you used the phrase overall sales because yes in the life of a console those sales don't mean much... but we aren't talking about over the entire life, we're talking about that period that MS has coined the "launch window" that period after launch where the hardcore rule the roost...

No, I can't recall a single instance where they were over MSRP, and in fact there were a few times (like with COSTCO) when they were below MSRP.

Actually, I'm not talking about the entire product life, I'm talking about the launch of the product. The number that are willing to shell out more than MSRP for a console on eBay are in the tens of thousands. The launch is in the millions. Looking at the 360, I think it was around 30% of 360s were sold on eBay. How many of those sold for substantially (greater than $100) of MSRP. I'd say less than half. At these numbers it's definitely not a negligible number, but if MS had priced the 360 at $600 it would NOT have sold out. Period. And that's my point. The fact that some people are not sure if the PS3 will sell out or not... honestly that speaks volumes.

 

[nataku]

Yes, it did, on the eve of E3 2002.

I'm betting the same will happen E3 2007 for PS3 (and XBOX 360, too). What they REALLY need to do is consolidate the two PS3 SKUs into one -- 20GB version with all the goodies for $499; 60GB HDD as an accessory. SCE needs to do this for the sake of the platform. Hearing "$599" was the biggest buzzkill yesterday.

Now this is a good idea.

 

[norinrad21]

For that price, it better be printing vagina.

:lol :lol :lol