Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Wednesday, 30 May 2007 00:33
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
As the Wii sells more units, causing games manufacturers to ramp up
plans for more Wii titles, speculation is rampant on how Sony can sell
more PS3s, with claims and counterclaims that a price cut is the
answer.
Sony’s PS3 still sells in numbers well short of those for the Xbox 360 and especially the Wii, hampered in some ways by the fact it is the most expensive games console on the market.
Of course, we know the PS3 is the most powerful games console, given its feature packed nature, but its staggered start in Japan and the US late last year, and the ‘rest of the world’ around 3 months ago didn’t help.
Cries for a price cut to make the PS3 more affordable have come from different quarters, but
in an interview with BusinessWeek, the Bank of America's Michael L. Savner thinks the expected US $100 price cut won’t be enough, and that a US $200 price cut might be needed, although unlikely because it would cut so much into Sony’s profits, already losing an estimated almost US $200 per console currently sold.
Sony have made significant efforts since the PS3 was released to improve its capabilities, although arguably, these should have been available from day one, especially given the PS3’s delay. But haranguing Sony for the lateness of the PS3 is about as useful as doing the same with Vista – both came out as soon as they were in good enough shape to go out the door.
Since release, the PS3 has received a raft of firmware updates, with the latest transforming the PS3 into a ‘digital media center’, able to stream content from different computers or network storage in the home, and better able to link with the PSP, allowing PSP users to stream content from their home PS3 when connected to a Wi-Fi network, no matter where they are in the world.
Other features include the ability to print photos to select Epson photo printers, and most happily, the ability to upscale existing DVD movies to HD quality when the PS3 is connected to a flatscreen TV via the HDMI socket, as well as the upscaling of compatible PS1 and PS2 games.
Sony’s ‘Second Life’-esque ‘Home’ environment launches in the third quarter of 2007 as well. Rumors that an 80Gb model of the PS3 will arrive in the US and worldwide won’t go away, nor will rumors that Sony will re-introduce the ‘rumble’ feature in an updated SIXAXIS PS3 controller later this year, returning a cherished feature to those who want it back again.
But what Sony should know is that its legendary marketing needs to be kicked up a notch, and Sony needs to show people compelling reasons why a PS3 will give them the best digital entertainment experience Sony has ever created.
So, what does the PS3 specifically NEED for better sales and more love from consumers? Details are on page 2, along with the conclusion - please read on!
