An Annual report published by Wedbrush Morgan Securities suggests that the Sony Playstation 3 could be priced at around $500 dollars.
The 144-page report, titled The Definition of Insanity: Why The Next Console Cycle Will Start Off With A Whimper, was authored by industry analysts Michael Pachter and Edward Woo, and is a largely positive look at the future of the games industry which projects strong growth over the coming years in most sectors.
However, as the title suggests, it also sounds a number of warning notes regarding the coming hardware transition – perhaps the most surprising of which is the suggestion that Sony’s PS3 could debut at such a high price point.
Pachter and Woo claim in the report that Sony will try to introduce the PS3 with significantly more functionality than current consoles, building on the model of the PSX device – which includes a digital video recorder (DVR), DVD burner and a number of other home media centre style functions.
The report suggests that by late 2006 – generally considered to be the earliest possible launch window for the PS3 – these features will cost roughly $250 to include in a system, leading to a $500 price tag for the next generation console.
Read more at Gameindustry.biz
Showing 2 comments
RSSIt sounds like Sony is going to sell the PS3 anywhere between $299 and $399 now. I really don't think it will reach the $500 dollar mark.
Have you checked what you are spending a gallon of gas compared to 5 years ago when the previous generation of game consoles came out? How about price and cost to produce facts and figures related to both of these consummer products? Gasoline is double what it costs 5 years ago and roughly five times what it costs to produce! On the other hand the new generation gaming consoles at these prices are actually going to be selling at a loss.
I know this was actually written over a year ago, but the analogy remains the same. We are talking about a comparison between apples and oranges here in the gaming world. The generations in gaming are alike only in that you can play games on them. Other than that the comparisons stop there. We are talking about a absolutely new concept in computing power that goes well beyond a mere gamebox with innovative super management of your entire entertainment resources in your home from your couch.
The PS3 will be lightyears ahead in power and everything it is capable of doing and is well beyond our wildest imaginations. For that, and the fact that it will out perform my recently purchased $2500 gaming computer will be undeniably worth it.
The "Cell" based processor will completely revolutionize computers for years to come, and compared to the outrageous price of gas these days, it will be a small price to pay for the incredible returns on the dollars spent. On the other hand "Gas" is just burning those dollars up.