No More 60GB PS3 in the US after July?

[dobwal]

Dobwal, we're going in circles. My opinion on the matter is clear. My deferment to Kaz's, or any other Sony execs statements, completely non-existent. Why you would want to frame things in an absolute fashion based on this man's statements is beyond me. Under the assumption that somehow we're misunderstanding each other though, I'm happy to drop it.

Dropped.

BUT, even if Kaz's scenario were to come to pass word for word, it still would have resulted in a better situation than if we simply never saw a price-cut at all. And in the world where Kaz's quote is fixed and valid, that would have been the only alternative.

Whatever happens, its better for the potential PS3 purchaser than what things were looking like just two weeks ago.

This strategy might be better than doing nothing at all. But we all know that the 80Gb sku's internals are cheaper and that the 20 additional gigs for Sony doesn't come at $100.00 premium. So in all actuality the 80 Gb should be able to occupy a cheaper price point better than the original 60Gb could.

 

[zed]

My theory:

-60GB 499
-80GB + Motorstorm 599
-60GB solds out
-80GB 499


This should be the logic process.

yep thats how its gonna happen
this way they get 2 bites from the cherry
A/ ppl rush to get the $499 machine before its sold out
B/ later $499 for the 80gb machine seems better than $499 for a 60gb machine

 

[RancidLunchmeat]

Kaz states this " then we're back to the $599 SKU only."

If you got opinions on why clearing the channel with a $100.00 price but returning to the original price point with the new sku then I would love to here them.

How about the possibility that Kaz was using the phrase 'the $599 sku' as a description? In that case, replace the words '$599 SKU' with '80gb model with Motorstorm'.

If that's what he meant, are you still equally confused?


Chef: Whether the conflicting statements from Sony PR demonstrate stupidity or brilliance is not a matter of perspective. It's a matter of intent.

 

[infinity4]

so SCE are doing 'stock cleareance sales'?

 

[dobwal]

How about the possibility that Kaz was using the phrase 'the $599 sku' as a description? In that case, replace the words '$599 SKU' with '80gb model with Motorstorm.

If that's what he meant, are you still equally confused?.

Did I say I was confused.

If the $599.00 sku = 80 Gb PS3 with Motorstorm after the demise of the 60 Gb PS3 then does that scenario makes a $499.00 sku = 80 Gb PS3 with no Motorstorm likely to happen with the demise of the 60Gb PS3?

At this point Motorstorm costs Sony no more than a manual, packing material, BluRay disk and a fee to Evolution studios, which adds up to far less then the $60.00 it goes for now.

 

[betan]

PAL is still offering 60Gb versions. So there should be a healthy supply of 60Gb hard disk for now.

I would think PAL 60 GB being a different piece of hardware, would require another FCC approval. I don't think they got one, but the point switching SKUs may not be as easy.

It is, and you only have to search through old threads to find it. Run the numbers for the quarter ended December 31st (a quarter where every manufactured PS3 shipped), and wake up to the fact that the PS3 is expensive to make.

guess I will have to take your word for it.

(not to mention, unsold inventory is counted as an asset on the balance sheet - not a liability, so that whole angle need be abandoned entirely on your part)

I didn't even now they disclosed SCEE balance sheet. I though it was mostly Sony revenue, maybe assets and operation loss. Good to know.

 

[ninzel]

Any chance they are trying to deceptively create demand and sales,and at the last minute say they "changed their minds due to high demand"?

 

[quest55720]

Any chance they are trying to deceptively create demand and sales,and at the last minute say they "changed their minds due to high demand"?

No chance in hell. The 80 Gig model is the future since it is cheaper to produce and has the updated blue tooth to help with drop outs. Once the 60Gig are gone they are gone for good sony has moved to software emulation for ps1/ps2.

All they will do is move a non bundled 80 gig to 499 once the 60 gig are close to being gone.

 

[ninzel]

No chance in hell. The 80 Gig model is the future since it is cheaper to produce and has the updated blue ray to help with drop outs. Once the 60Gig are gone they are gone for good sony has moved to software emulation for ps1/ps2.

All they will do is move a non bundled 80 gig to 499 once the 60 gig are close to being gone.

What's the updated Blue-ray and the dropouts?

 

[quest55720]

What's the updated Blue-ray and the dropouts?

I ment updated blue tooth sorry will edit my post. The controllers losing sync for no reason.

Here is thread on it.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146282

I wish I could find a link but the reason the 80 gig was found out about was sony filed a change in the blue tooth with some agency.

 

[ninzel]

I ment updated blue tooth sorry will edit my post. The controllers losing sync for no reason.

Here is thread on it.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146282

I wish I could find a link but the reason the 80 gig was found out about was sony filed a change in the blue tooth with some agency.

I see.The only problem I've had with the PS3 controller is in FPS games sometimes the camera goes into a spin as if I'm holding the right analogue stick over to one side.

 

[quest55720]

I see.The only problem I've had with the PS3 controller is in FPS games sometimes the camera goes into a spin as if I'm holding the right analogue stick over to one side.

That sounds like a drop out as described in that thread. You basically lose control for 2-5 seconds example character spins around in FPS. Depending on the game it can be a deal breaker.

 

[ninzel]

That sounds like a drop out as described in that thread. You basically lose control for 2-5 seconds example character spins around in FPS. Depending on the game it can be a deal breaker.

Well I plan on getting the new rumble one if it happens, until then it's no bigee in single player games.

 

[mrcorbo]

PAL is still offering 60Gb versions. So there should be a healthy supply of 60Gb hard disk for now.

I really think that Sony would prefer to go with 1 SKU going forward. And, as I mentioned, I believe that their retail partners would prefer this as well.

On the subject of retailers, don't underestimate how much of a factor placating retailers had in driving this price cut. A lot of PS3s were bought on faith in the Playstation brand and these retailers got seriously burned. And the longer those PS3s sit in warehouses the more money it is going to cost them. At some point it passes the break-even point and they have actually lost money on selling those PS3s. I can see Sony's sakes pitch of selling the PS3 leading to additional revenue in PS3 game sales, BR disc sales, increased HDTV sales and other related electronics like home theater equipment, but I would expect that at this point retailers are disappointed in the actual impact. Clearly the PS3 has given BR sales a tremendous boost, but it's still a drop in the bucket next to DVD sales.

All that having been said, I do have a positive outlook for the PS3 right now. They appear to be on the right track, finally.

I'm sure Sony has some smart people looking at past PS1, PS2, PSP sales models.

About time.

 

[Graham]

Sony seem very eager to recoup their losses on this console, even to the extent of harming the system's growth. It's odd really.

Then again I've always wondered how they'd introduce the rumoured 80gb model without confusing everyone.

Sony should have announced the 80gb model much later than they did. Let the 60gb's sell through, and quietly restock with 80s. Savvy buys will know it's a choice of 20gb or hardware BC. Having this bundle box has muddied the waters considerably, and gives no clear time for a transition to a 'plain' 80gb, and no clear indication if the 499 price will stick. Finally it still sends the '599' message.

The PR side has been an absolute disaster too. Conflicting reports from different parts of Sony - in some cases appearing as one-after-the-other news posts (eg evilavatar).

The whole thing makes you wonder how bad a shape the playstation division is in, if they keep bleeding money, one can only wonder how long sony as a company can support it.. Their actions so far suggest to me that they are looking at short term fixes, not long term.. Which is somewhat concerning.

 

[Todd33]

I ment updated blue tooth sorry will edit my post. The controllers losing sync for no reason.

Here is thread on it.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146282

I wish I could find a link but the reason the 80 gig was found out about was sony filed a change in the blue tooth with some agency.

You have to love the Internet. I've only ever seen the drop out thing once, back with the original firmware in Jan. The 80GB FCC filing had nothing to do with a change the BT, did you read it?

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/sony-files-for-80gb-ps3-says-there-are-no-current-plans/

 

[djskribbles]

That sounds like a drop out as described in that thread. You basically lose control for 2-5 seconds example character spins around in FPS. Depending on the game it can be a deal breaker.

i've experienced this issue a few times when i first bought my PS3 on launch, but i haven't experienced this for a long time.

 

[Rangers]

There's no refutation of Cryect's post. At the same time, that doesn't mean you should take what Kaz says at face value. When Chubachi denied the recent price cut we just received was coming, there were those who ignored it, and those who thought since it was an "executive quote," it was as if cast in stone.

Believe me, the 80GB will move down in price as soon as the 60GB's are a memory.

I'm inclined to believe Carl B has an inside source at this point. I noticed he was the first one saying the lower price on the 60GB was just to clear out stock, as if a hunch. Then sure enough a day or two later, that news was confirmed. I think it was more than a hunch.

But on this particular matter, somehow I still doubt him. I dont see why keep the 80Gb at 599 at all, even temporarily? Why pack in the game? Is the game still going to be packed in at 499? I doubt that, so why bother packing it in at all?

I just dont see any reason to announce a "temporarily" higher price on the 80GB model if the plan is to drop it once the 60GB sells through. It doesn't make any sense at all, as basically no 80GB models will sell through at the $599 price, if that's the case.

Whatever Sony is doing is very confusing, and they have basically removed all clarity and goodwill from the announce of $499. I can appreciate the simplicity of Sony only having one permanent sku, for example. But this whole matter has been not simple.

Even if they lose out on a few sales of a 80GB sku at 599 (and it can only be a few), just for simplicity's sake they should have said 499 and be done with it. All sku's, all the time.

 

[inefficient]

Whatever Sony is doing is very confusing, and they have basically removed all clarity and goodwill from the announce of $499. I can appreciate the simplicity of Sony only having one permanent sku, for example. But this whole matter has been not simple.

People who want one now, can buy one now at $499. They have no reason to complain.

People who want one 3-4 months from now will be able to still buy one for $499. They have no reason to complain.

People who want more than 6 months from now should not even be affected by this news because 6 months from now the pricing strategy will likely be totally different. They have no reason to complain.

People who never wanted and have no intention of getting one are the ones complaining the loudest.

 

[DuckThor Evil]

People who want one 3-4 months from now will be able to still buy one for $499.

Well it's likely anyways, but right now we are seeing that Sony is focusing on selling bundles, so it's not 100% quaranteed.

People who never wanted and have no intention of getting one are the ones complaining the loudest.

Often that happens and it applies to many more things than just in console warfare, however you can't deny that this whole PS3 pricing issue has caused some head scratching across the board.