price-drop posts (Subscribe to this feed)
Wii price cut in Europe excludes UK [update]
by Ben Gilbert 
{ Sep 25th 2009 at 11:57AM }
Though online portals to major European retailers have yet to reflect the claim, the price for a Wii is reported to drop by €50 across Europe, bringing the total cost to €199, according to GamesIndustry.biz. Unfortunately, it appears that the price cut won't bridge the gap of the English Channel, as the discount is reportedly confirmed for all of Europe except for the UK.
Nintendo officially dropped the price of its console in the US late Wednesday night (during Sony's TGS press conference, those scoundrels!), leaving us wondering why Europe, a key market, was left out of the equation -- until now. With no price cut yet announced for the UK though, that rumored bundle seems all the more likely.
Nintendo officially announces Wii price drop to $199 in US
by Ben Gilbert { Sep 23rd 2009 at 10:08PM }
The official info from Nintendo doesn't comment on price drops anywhere else in the world or the rumored UK re-bundling. We'll follow up with Nintendo as TGS continues this week.
NPD: 40-60% sales increase projection for PS3 was misquoted
by Randy Nelson { Aug 24th 2009 at 9:00PM }
Last week, IndustryGamers quoted an InformationWeek article on post price-drop PS3 sales forecasts ... which just so happens to have misquoted NPD. According to the former, the number-cruncher of video game sales told the latter that, "based on history, price cuts tend to increase month-over-month unit sales in the 40%-60% range," which ended up as, "We would expect to see in the range of a 40% to 60% unit sales increase when September sales are reported."
If you read InformationWeek's version of what NPD said, it sounds like, once September's sales numbers come in, PS3 will have sold 40 to 60 percent more than it did in August. The original quote, though, indicates that based on past price drops, it's seen console sales increase by that amount -- though it wasn't saying that would necessarily be the case with PS3.
We're not exactly sure how quote No. 1 became quote No. 2 -- they're just a tad different, as you can see -- so we've contacted NPD to get its actual projections for $299 PS3 sales. (Which we promise to quote accurately.)
If you read InformationWeek's version of what NPD said, it sounds like, once September's sales numbers come in, PS3 will have sold 40 to 60 percent more than it did in August. The original quote, though, indicates that based on past price drops, it's seen console sales increase by that amount -- though it wasn't saying that would necessarily be the case with PS3.
We're not exactly sure how quote No. 1 became quote No. 2 -- they're just a tad different, as you can see -- so we've contacted NPD to get its actual projections for $299 PS3 sales. (Which we promise to quote accurately.)
It's official: PlayStation 3 price drops to $299
by Randy Nelson { Aug 18th 2009 at 1:40PM }
So, now that it's finally happened, the waiting game to see just how much the drop actually helps PS3 sales begins. Take our poll below if you've been sitting on the fence, waiting for Sony to lighten the load on your wallet.
PS3 price drops spotted in Europe, US cut a possibility [update: Hastings responds]
by Andrew Yoon { Aug 14th 2009 at 10:30AM }
While we're respecting the request of Hastings, it's clear that a significant change is happening to Sony's business strategy regarding the PS3. As seen above, many European retailers are already cutting the price of the PS3 [Image credit: niels]. Reports from Engadget and Engadget Spanish also confirm cuts in multiple stores in Europe.
Lending credibility to the image we received, the ad in question was sent to Joystiq before SCEA's announcement yesterday of the Greatest Hits version of Uncharted, though precisely that was part of the Hastings ad. Coupled with the C&D and Europe's retail actions lead us to believe a price drop is happening. We've included the original post (sans image) after the break.
Iwata continues to deny Wii price drop
by JC Fletcher { Aug 4th 2009 at 9:36AM }
Iwata also admitted that last holiday's Wii lineup, specifically Wii Music and Animal Crossing: City Folk, didn't have the long-term sales Nintendo expects from its big titles. He has high hopes for this year's big three games: Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. In fact, he expects all three of these to break ten million sold by March 2010, the end of Nintendo's fiscal year.
Analyst: GameStop expects 'meaningful' PS3 price cut soon
by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jun 19th 2009 at 1:40PM }
Agee claims to have encountered similar sentiment at a recent GameStop executive meeting, overhearing talk of a "highly likely" and "meaningful" near-term price drop even over the clinking of diamond-encrusted chalices and relentless pre-order thrusting.
It's Sony's decision, ultimately, but if it's alright with you, we'd rather just get this price drop over with. A lower price means more people get in on the fun ... especially when they also get to stop reading these things.
GameStop CEO reckons there 'will have to be price cuts' for Wii, PS3
by Alexander Sliwinski { May 22nd 2009 at 10:30AM }
Sitting atop his throne made with the profits from used games, GameStop CEO Daniel DeMatteo said in an investor call that he believes a price drop for the Wii and PS3 is due. Edge reports (echoing Seeking Alpha's transcript) that DeMatteo thinks, given the current economy, that console prices are too high. He believes that by the third quarter there need to be "price cuts in order to get the hardware moving" to where the company's projections expect them to be.
Dematteo had previously mentioned in a CNBC interview that he'd like to see a $100 cut for the PS3, the same figure that Lazard Capital's Colin Sebastian is expecting by fall. As for a Wii cut, Nintendo doesn't really need one, even as it cut manufacturing costs by 45 percent. If Nintendo does cut the price of the Wii, it would almost feel like charity.
Analyst expecting $100 PS3 price cut before Fall 09
by Richard Mitchell { May 14th 2009 at 5:30PM }
Given that both the Wii and Xbox 360 are priced at or below the $299 mark (with the exception of the Xbox 360 Elite), we'd say Sebastian is right to claim that any cut less than $100 would be unacceptable. Taking the current economic conditions into consideration, it's likely difficult for most people to justify the $399 price tag when there are comparable consoles to be had for less.
Sebastian joins a cavalcade of companies and analysts making similar predictions lately, noting that it would be a win for everybody. Sony could push its upcoming first-party lineup into more gamers' hands, publishers would gain a larger audience and retailers would enjoy better margins. Sebastian says that "the next 12 months are critical to regain market share" for the Playstation, especially with demand for the Wii finally slowing down and Microsoft reportedly prepping its own motion control interface. And, of course, with Sony aiming to increase PS3 sales by 30 percent this year, a price cut certainly wouldn't hurt.
GameStop CEO: PS3, Wii could drop price, 'key' Nintendo title coming this year
by JC Fletcher { Apr 16th 2009 at 9:25AM }
For once, someone at GameStop wants customers to be able to pay less. Of course, the items CEO Dan DeMatteo thinks are overpriced happen to be consoles, which don't have much of a retail markup -- so dropping the price on them would only give consumers more to spend on stuff with bigger markups.The console most in need of a cut, according to CNBC's interview with DeMatteo? The PlayStation 3. "That price point is clearly an issue in this economy," DeMatteo said of the $399 PS3 price. And DeMatteo would prefer a $100 cut over a $50 cut when it does happen (which CNBC thinks will obviously be this E3). "I don't know that $50 gets you that much," DeMatteo said.
The executive also sees the possibility for a Wii price drop as soon as demand drops. "I think [demand for] the Wii could slow down to the extent that Nintendo may want to cut the price," he says. "Nintendo has it within its arsenal to do that. The component costs have come down considerably. They used to break even on the Wii, but now they're making a considerable margin."
If DeMatteo's prediction of a "key" Nintendo game out this year is true (and if it turns out to be a Wii game), the demand may stay steady. The CEO told CNBC, "They haven't given us any insight, but they have told us to reserve [shelf] space." Both CNBC and IGN speculate that it could be a new Wii Zelda. What about the Zelda game that we already know is coming out? Nintendo already told us about one. And it's coming out on a console with better sales than the Wii. Doesn't that count?
[Image: Penny Arcade]
Analysts: PS2 sales to increase 30% after price drop, others question effect on software
by Alexander Sliwinski { Mar 31st 2009 at 6:45PM }
Gamasutra also spoke with analyst Matt Matthews, who points out that any consumer waiting for the PS2 to reach $100 is "cost-conscious" enough to buy games from the used bin at GameStop, meaning those consumers aren't likely to help new software sales. Apparently, Sony's Jack Tretton agreed with this notion last summer in an Edge interview, when he asked, "If that $30 was the difference between buying a console and not buying a console, how many games are you going to sell to that person?"
At the time, he questioned how strategically important that consumer really is. Apparently, nine months and a fiscal crisis at the company is enough to change some minds.
PS2 drops to ?99 in Europe, no drop for UK
by Jem Alexander { Mar 31st 2009 at 10:30AM }
We've received word from a SCEE representative that the PS2 price drop, which was announced today for the US, will also take place in Europe. On the mainland, the PS2 will drop from around €130 to €99, while remaining frozen at around £90 in the UK.There's no word on when this price cut will take place or why the UK remains immune, but we suggest you keep an eye on your local retailer for more information.
PlayStation 2 now $99
by Kevin Kelly { Mar 31st 2009 at 7:25AM }
Assuaging fears that this is a mean April Fool's joke (which is the day the price is official), John Koller wrote on the PlayStation Blog, "This speaks to the technology and features that were packed into PlayStation 2 from the beginning, as well as to the ongoing support the platform enjoys from the publishing and retail communities and, well, all of you fans."
Of course, SCEA president Jack Tretton couldn't help but add, "Just as PlayStation 2 is delivering on a 10-year lifecycle and helped expand and solidify the DVD format for home entertainment along the way, we believe PlayStation 3 offers the same promise by helping secure the Blu-ray format and delivering unprecedented value as the total home entertainment solution for the next decade." We get it Jack, but can't we just celebrate with the NINETY-NINE DOLLAH PS2 for now?
Sony has 'no plans for a PS3 price drop,' calls rumors 'false'
by Randy Nelson { Mar 30th 2009 at 3:00PM }
"As we have stated previously, we do not have plans for a PS3 price drop, and any rumors to that effect are false and are the result of speculation," the statement from SCEA public relations manager Al De Leon reads. "SCEA remains focused on the long-term momentum of PS3. With the industry's best software lineup this year, combined with our most aggressive marketing campaign to date, we remain confident in our approach and the value we're delivering with PS3."
Sony's reaction to increasing expectations of an imminent PS3 price drop is interesting; it's not the usual "we don't comment on rumors and speculation." By blatantly stating there won't be one, the company may be trying to manage expectations (note that it hasn't denied a possible PS2 price cut). Also, if it were to announce a price drop one day after issuing this clear denial, it would draw considerable investor ire. Then again, if a reduced price for the console isn't announced relatively soon, it risks upsetting not only shareholders, but retailers and publishers as well.
Rumor: PS2 dropping to $100 around April 5
by Alexander Sliwinski { Mar 29th 2009 at 8:00PM }
Our source also checked for a PS3 price cut -- following industry rumors that one is incoming -- but found no evidence in the Kmart system at this time.
[Thanks, Master X]
