Mike Bantick
Tuesday, 30 December 2008 09:15
Opinion and Analysis
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The US continues to be an unhappy hunting ground for the PlayStation 3. Whilst rival game platforms, Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360 continue to increase sales, the PS3 seems to be wallowing. Surely the established brand of PlayStation will win the console generation war, but maybe it will take a little longer that first anticipated.
Microsoft and (especially) Nintendo are celebrating a successful holiday season sales fest.
In the U.S. sales of the Xbox 360 rose by 8 percent from last year, whilst the Wii doubled in sales volume – this according to early sales results reported in the
Wall Street Journal . Meanwhile the PlayStation 3 has not captured the seasonal shopper, PS3 sales have dropped by 19 percent for the same time last year.
Many analysts point to the cost divide between the PS3 and its competitors. In the U.S the game console continues to retail at US$399, which is down from the original asking price of US$600 for the 60GB model in late 2006.
For the average consumer comparing shelf prices only, they see the ever popular Wii at its unchanged launch price of US$249 or the well established and modular Xbox 360 starting at an attractive US$199. Price is on the surface a big demotivater during a tougher economic climate.
Even at US$399 Sony are initially losing money on each PS3 sold, hopefully making a profit on software and Blu-ray sales later on. Sony are
getting closer to breaking even on the hardware , but remain resolute there will be no price cut at the till for the PS3 for some time to come. Sony are determined to get the gaming division into the black as soon as possible.
As they have done for most of this console generation, at least in the lucrative U.S. market, Sony is playing catch up to its competitors.
US$399 is actually not that bad when you stack up what you get in the package. A wireless, 80GB of easy upgrade storage, a powerhouse processor machine, with an ever improving range of game titles and an integrated Blu-Ray player. Throw in a free PlayStation Network, online store and 3D social network with PlayStation Home and the package looks pretty good.
So why are they not being snatched up?
