http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6311&Itemid=2

I know this has been flame war'd about a thousand times in both PS3 and Xbox forums, but more talk continues, and this time straight from Konami. Can't blame them really, it costs a ton to develop games like this and they want a return on their investment. As gamers we all win ; ) We'll see if it ever happens though but the language is definitely changing.

no big surprise, all ps2 MGS eventually made it to xbox about a year later the ps versions.

They're trying to save face but the numbers keep coming back red. :-)
They're greasing the way for a version in a green box.
Not that I personally care; its not my kind of game.
But I do see it as significant that we're seeing the "Wii/60" scenario that MS predicted a year ago playing out to a "t". Basically, since all Wii games are in effect Nintendo exclusive *and* Nintendo buyers outside Japan overwhelmingly only buy first party games, japanese developers are facing the prospect of developing for Wii for japan and for PS3 for export. And since PS3 alone can't support next-gen games, they are forced to support 360 to meet payroll. End result, MS wins japanese developer support for 360 even if japanese consumers don't support the box.
Sort-of a backdoor win, but a win nonetheless, no?

I say that we'll know one way or the other by the end of the week.

i'm not surprised. in effect, they're not *really* doing a favor by dropping the ps3 price. i mean, if people are gonna buy one, now they'll go for the 80gb, and we may see the 60 gb go the way of the 20. the 20 didn't sell at 499, i don't know why they think the 60 will. i mean, 100 more, and you get more features.

coupled with the inevitable MS price drop that'll likely be announced tomorrow, i don't see how konami could NOT put MGS4 to 360.

I'm just happy in general about this. MGS is one of the few games that would have pushed me towards buying a PS3 sooner than I'd have liked.

An important note here is that it's a Konami exec talking to Routers. That starts to sound a little more realistic than console mag rumors. Especially considering it's the execs that make the real decisions, not the devs.

Honestly, if this is to come to 360 then I really no longer have a need for a PS3. I will get Lair... and I guess Killzone... but shessh... besides a blu-ray player I would have no need for it.

Please come to the 360! It will save me 500 bucks!

Honestly, if this is to come to 360 then I really no longer have a need for a PS3. I will get Lair... and I guess Killzone... but shessh... besides a blu-ray player I would have no need for it.


Does thou so easily forget about Uncharted, Ratchet and Heavenly?

i'm not surprised. in effect, they're not *really* doing a favor by dropping the ps3 price. i mean, if people are gonna buy one, now they'll go for the 80gb, and we may see the 60 gb go the way of the 20. the 20 didn't sell at 499, i don't know why they think the 60 will. i mean, 100 more, and you get more features.

coupled with the inevitable MS price drop that'll likely be announced tomorrow, i don't see how konami could NOT put MGS4 to 360.

The 20gb didn't have wifi and a bunch of connection inputs. If it had had that, I would have bought it. Buying an external wifi costs an extra 50 to 100 bux and I dont like how it looks w/ my setup. I would have definitely bought the 20 gig version if it had wifi, and I would have just upgraded the HD myself. I'm sure there are others in my boat. Personally, I think they will get rid of the 60 gig version eventually and drop the 80 to 500 bux.

I bought the 20 PS3 because my entire house is networked with cat5e (no way would I ever use wireless for gaming) and I don't believe that I would ever use the entire 20gb hard drive for the PS3.

only reason for me to own a ps3 is god of war 3 and I can wait a few years for that one.

Does thou so easily forget about Uncharted, Ratchet and Heavenly?


Yes, if Ratchet gets good reviews, coupled with the whole Blu-Ray player (I want an HD-DVD player too), I will be very tempted to get the PS3. The Xbox360 in my opinion is lacking a Ratchet/Crash Bandicoot type game. Worth $499 though? I dont know.

I too could care less about MSG, unless of course it gets really good reviews. I played one of them way back when (MSG 1?) and was unimpressed. Still, it is a big "perception" win regardless of the actual strength of the franchise (kind of like how Killzone seems to have this huge rep that seems far out of proportion to the fun of the other Killzone games).

While it wouldn't surprise me if MGS4 came out on the 360 eventually to help offset dev costs, I also wouldn't put much into it based on the source. If you know anything about the structure at Konami, it's that the North American branch and Euro branch usually don't know all the things that are going on at the parent company and don't have much say either. Sure it's his speculation but even he is somewhat in the dark of what's really going on.

I really don't understand all the hype around Uncharted. Can someone explain why this is going to be so great? To me, it looks like a 3rd person Far Cry. I may be totally off on this, but compared to Final Fantasy XIII and MGS4, are people really buying a system for this game? I've seen it hyped all over the place and it just looks pretty meh to me.

I really don't understand all the hype around Uncharted. Can someone explain why this is going to be so great? To me, it looks like a 3rd person Far Cry. I may be totally off on this, but compared to Final Fantasy XIII and MGS4, are people really buying a system for this game? I've seen it hyped all over the place and it just looks pretty meh to me.

I dont think people will buy the system based on this game because its an unknown game. The reason it is hyped is because it looks fatastic, has a huge visually appealing world, and has gameplay elements of both Gears of War (coverage fighting system) and Tomb Raider. Whats not to like?

The art design. The E3 shots posted look better but there's something about the art in this game that seems to be just... off. Others may like it and more power them if they do, but it hasn't won me over yet. Maybe once I see the final game in motion it will be more to my liking but I won't hold my breath.

no big surprise, all ps2 MGS eventually made it to xbox about a year later the ps versions.
Only MGS2 made it to the Xbox, MGS3 was never released for anything but the PS2.

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/konami-exec-says-metal-gear-solid-may-go-to-other-consoles/

more confirmation of the statement by Konami's head. We may get it later but looks like it is indeed coming.

buahahahah! YES!! YES!!

I woudlnt buy the 80 gb PS3 because all it has over the 60 gb is a game and a HDD space which is nothing since you can swap any laptop HDD in that you want for cheaper than you can get it already in. Only someone that really cared would get the 80 gig version since there are no special features to make it worth the extra 100 unless you want the HD space.

These rumors won't go away...

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/919/919647p1.html

"We're actively looking into a release for the Xbox 360."

Won't happen. I'll put money on that. In fact, I'll put the $500 I spent on the PS3 just for MGS4 on it.

^ i think its entirely possible. konami spent millions to develop it and i'm sure they sold a lot of copies on ps3, but the growing user base the 360 has is just that many more hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of copies that can be sold.
it makes business sense. especially since konami hasnt pigeon-holed itself by being console-exclusive.
to be honest i also just bought an 80gb ps3 (i've watched speed racer in hd once, kill bill in hd once, and played about 4 demos and its now been sitting there in the corner for the last 3 weeks!) just havent gotten around to getting mgs4 yet

Not sure how well it would sell on the 360 anyway. Anyone who really REALLY wanted the game picked up a PS3. Not sure everyone else would appreciate the game that much. I hear it is very story heavy and calls on a lot of back story from the previous PS games.

Dibs on the $500!!

I bought the MGS4 80gig PS3 bundle.. and sold MGS4 still new in the shrink wrap the next day for $50 bucks.

That shows you how much me (being a 360 owner) cares about MGS4 being on the 360.

It's unfair to say everyone that wanted MGS bought a PS3. I think we tend to forget on this forum that not everyone can afford, or is willing to spend the extra money for game.

I have a PS3 and I've watched several blu-rays and downloaded some demos and haven't touched in months.

I hate the PS3 controller plus the lack of rumble on the controller that came with mine.

If/when MGS comes out for 360 I will read a review or two and decide wether to pick it up.

MGS1 and 3 never got ported to Xbox. Only MSG2 was ported to Xbox.


no big surprise, all ps2 MGS eventually made it to xbox about a year later the ps versions.

What's the big deal. MGS4 sucks.

What's the big deal. MGS4 sucks.

According to who? I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but most people actually play games before forming an opinion.

For me, I'm not a fan of the previous games. To my surprise, though, I enjoyed Metal Gear Solid 4. Enough so to play through until the end. I think that says a lot about how far this franchise has come. I thought it had a great, if not overly confusing, storyline.

-Brad

What's the big deal. MGS4 sucks.

An average review score of 94 on Metacritic = sucks?

I'd say do it. I am curious to see how it would look.

More wood to the fire:
http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/konami-s-mgs4-on-xbox-360-475888
This one actually quotes the Konami exec by name.

The rumour is back on the agenda, following Konami's Yoshitaka Arai telling Japanese financial news service Morningstar: "The worldwide demand for an Xbox 360 version of MGS4 is quite high, and it is something we are currently looking into."

"After the massive success of GTA IV on Xbox 360, and the recent announcement of previously Playstation exclusives Final Fantasy and Tekken 6 coming to the platform, it'd be no surprise for Konami to follow suit," thinks Editor of Official Xbox 360 magazine, Jon Hicks.

"The huge install base of the console, particularly in the US, means it's missing out on lots of customers by sticking to the PS3. Of course, Konami has ported MGS for other platforms before – the real news would be if it launched the next game in the series on the Xbox as well as the PS3."


The article does mis-speak when it talks about *sony* rather than Konami doing a simultaneous release of an Extended MGS4 for both consoles as a way to finnesse the move to 360.

As I said way above, I don't particularly care about the game but the underlying economics driving the shift are interesting in and of themselves...

Sony could solve alot of their "exclusive" problems by simply dropping the console price, now that you can get a 360 for $199 and the cheapest ps3 is $399...thats a problem for sony that is only going to get worse for them.

In these tough economic times little timmy's mommy isnt going to drop and extra $200 on a console if she can get basically the same thing for 200 bucks less...

Sony could solve alot of their "exclusive" problems by simply dropping the console price, now that you can get a 360 for $199 and the cheapest ps3 is $399...thats a problem for sony that is only going to get worse for them.

In these tough economic times little timmy's mommy isnt going to drop and extra $200 on a console if she can get basically the same thing for 200 bucks less...

That's true, but the problem is Sony has already lost like $3 billion on the PS3. I don't think they want to go back to losing tons of money again.

The PS3 was a bad miscalculation in every single way and they have just lost this generation. Now... it's still a good system. It has great exclusives and pretty much every big 3rd party game, but Sony this generation did not build a system that can win in the marketplace.

p.s. by now MGS4 as an exclusive isn't even an advantage. Anyone who hasn't already bought a PS3 for it won't, they know about all this stuff and are just waiting for it to come out on 360.

That's true, but the problem is Sony has already lost like $3 billion on the PS3. I don't think they want to go back to losing tons of money again.

The PS3 was a bad miscalculation in every single way and they have just lost this generation. Now... it's still a good system. It has great exclusives and pretty much every big 3rd party game, but Sony this generation did not build a system that can win in the marketplace.

p.s. by now MGS4 as an exclusive isn't even an advantage. Anyone who hasn't already bought a PS3 for it won't, they know about all this stuff and are just waiting for it to come out on 360.

Indeed 1 analyst claimed that sony has lost more money on the PS3 than they made on the PS2. We're getting into sales talk here(for which it is forsaken in these lands). but Konami's board has got to be pulling their hair out. They know MGS4 would sell another couple mil units on 360 if it ever got released.

I would love to have MGS4 on the 360! The only real advantages to the PS3 are the free PSN, wifi out of the box, and Blu-Ray. The only one of those features that stands out is the Blu-Ray playback to be honest, since the 360 is so much cheaper.

I would love to have MGS4 on the 360! The only real advantages to the PS3 are the free PSN, wifi out of the box, and Blu-Ray. The only one of those features that stands out is the Blu-Ray playback to be honest, since the 360 is so much cheaper.

I personally love my PS3. Its crammed with technology, I love the Blu-Ray player, the games are (finally) pretty good....Im looking forward to some of the upcoming exclusives. MGS4 really was pretty awesome in a lot of ways, although I wish I had the time to go through it again. With that said, the system is simply too expensive for the mass market....and even though $399 is a value to me, its not a value to Sony with all they put into the thing. Can't beat the combination of a PS3 with a 360 though. I'll finish up playing some Gears 2 in a few months and throw in a Blu-Ray movie with the wife and life is good ; )

Indeed 1 analyst claimed that sony has lost more money on the PS3 than they made on the PS2. We're getting into sales talk here(for which it is forsaken in these lands).

I really don't think that's true, but yea, the PS3 has been a disaster for Sony. Kaz Hirai has just been trying to salvage whatever he can and keep Sony strong for next generation. I think he's doing a great job, myself, but that doesn't mean PS3 will turn into a big hit.

They know MGS4 would sell another couple mil units on 360 if it ever got released

Maybe! I know MGS2 wasn't a huge hit on the Xbox when it was ported over.

I really don't think that's true, but yea, the PS3 has been a disaster for Sony. Kaz Hirai has just been trying to salvage whatever he can and keep Sony strong for next generation. I think he's doing a great job, myself, but that doesn't mean PS3 will turn into a big hit.
.


How can you say hes doing a great job when 360 is seemlying begining to crush PS3? I mean Microsoft helped make xbox what is through various means.

How can you say hes doing a great job when 360 is seemlying begining to crush PS3? I mean Microsoft helped make xbox what is through various means.

This doesnt make any sense to me. :confused:

I really don't think that's true, but yea, the PS3 has been a disaster for Sony.
Astonishingly... it's true. From when the PS2 was launched to when the PS3 was launched Sony made $2.57bn profit on their gaming division. From the launch of the PS3 to now they lost $3.14bn. :eek:

Is the $2.5 number adjusted for inflation?

Is the $2.5 number adjusted for inflation?
It's from their yearly financial reports. Adjusted it would be about $2.99bn.

Astonishingly... it's true. From when the PS2 was launched to when the PS3 was launched Sony made $2.57bn profit on their gaming division. From the launch of the PS3 to now they lost $3.14bn. :eek:

I dont think that its fair to put it in such a context. The PS3 was meant to fight on two fronts, gaming and Blu Ray disc. The PS3 makes money for sony outside of the gaming division, but does not get the credit.

Unfortunately, all of the losses the PS3 incurrs remain in the gaming division... but much of the earnings on the BD side go to that division. It won the war for BD movies, but none of the BD earnings are placed in the gaming division

Basically what I am saying is that the PS3 incurred a bunch of losses for the BD division and didnt/wont get any of the offsetting earnings. I am not sure if BD is still in the Red, but imagine if it had to fight without the PS3, it would have had to incur gigantic losses and may have lost to HD-DVD. Also, the PS3 helped to drive electronics in general(increased recognition and sales for 1080P equipment, and HDMI AVRs). If the PS3 did not exist, I would not have an HDMI AVR, or a 1080P TV. (the 360 would probably not have HDMI if it were not for the PS3)

first tekken 6, now this. Muah

I quite enjoyed MGS4 on my PS3. I think it would be cool if even people without a PS3 can enjoy it as well. Xbox 360 could move a lot of Snakes.

I dont think that its fair to put it in such a context. The PS3 was meant to fight on two fronts, gaming and Blu Ray disc. The PS3 makes money for sony outside of the gaming division, but does not get the credit.

Unfortunately, all of the losses the PS3 incurrs remain in the gaming division... but much of the earnings on the BD side go to that division. It won the war for BD movies, but none of the BD earnings are placed in the gaming division
I'm not really sure fair or not fair comes into it. The numbers are of limited use anyway... because the massive losses on the PS3 are being offset by the profits on the PSP and PS2 anyway (which are in the same division).

It's impossible to tell exactly what they're losing on the PS3 alone.

I dont think that its fair to put it in such a context. The PS3 was meant to fight on two fronts, gaming and Blu Ray disc. The PS3 makes money for sony outside of the gaming division, but does not get the credit.

Unfortunately, all of the losses the PS3 incurrs remain in the gaming division... but much of the earnings on the BD side go to that division. It won the war for BD movies, but none of the BD earnings are placed in the gaming division

Basically what I am saying is that the PS3 incurred a bunch of losses for the BD division and didnt/wont get any of the offsetting earnings. I am not sure if BD is still in the Red, but imagine if it had to fight without the PS3, it would have had to incur gigantic losses and may have lost to HD-DVD. Also, the PS3 helped to drive electronics in general(increased recognition and sales for 1080P equipment, and HDMI AVRs). If the PS3 did not exist, I would not have an HDMI AVR, or a 1080P TV. (the 360 would probably not have HDMI if it were not for the PS3)


Even though Sony is a major player in BD, not 100% of BD profits go to Sony. Therefor they shouldn't be taking the big risks they have taken, which just so coincides with how well their gaming division is doing. Sure they are banking on BD to be the next big thing but I don't get how you take a product line that prints money and completely turn it upside down. Also, HDMI isn't really needed for gaming, which the 360 is dedicated to being as the cream of the crop of what the system does.



It is what it is. I hope MGS4 does make it's way to the 360. It's an excellent game, errr movie (;p ;)) that no gamer should be restricted from playing. If you are a gamer or a fan of the series you would WANT it to be spread out to as many people as possible.

I'm not really sure fair or not fair comes into it. The numbers are of limited use anyway... because the massive losses on the PS3 are being offset by the profits on the PSP and PS2 anyway (which are in the same division).

It's impossible to tell exactly what they're losing on the PS3 alone.

I agree. It would be impossible to tell how much sony has been hurt/helped by the PS3.

In my opinion though, the PS3, despite its losses has helped sony big time. The success of blu ray relied heavily on the PS3 taking the Hit in earnings. And the Blu Ray success leads to increased royalties, more 1080P TVs sold(otherwise why do you need 1080P), increased sales HDMI AVRs... etc.

Hopefully Sony realizes it. The PS3 desperately needs a price cut. Technically they have only had 1 pricecut. (IE, the high end PS3 was $600 and the lower model was $500). Now their low model is $400, the high model 160GB is coming soon for $500. Their low model has to be $329 or less this year, or the 360 will really pull away

Well anyways, we are off track. I have both the PS3 and 360, MGS4 is my favorite game for now. It would be great if it came on the 360, just so that it can reach more people. Plus I am curious as to how they would implement it and how it would look.

The PS3 single handily won the HD disc war. Theres no question about that.

The question is how much will BR help or hurt the PS3 in the long run. That answer nobody knows.

How can you say hes doing a great job when 360 is seemlying begining to crush PS3? I mean Microsoft helped make xbox what is through various means.

It's not all about the NPD. The PS3 was a mess, a disaster when Kaz Hirai took over SCE. It's so much better now in every way than it was in early 2007. I am certain by now Kaz, and the rest of SCE, know that PS3 won't be #1 in the sales charts - they are just focused on building a strong, profitable, quality system with a loyal userbase ready to move on to PS4.

If you remember what Sega did with Saturn, they killed it off super early and stopped bringing over the good Japanese games. That just pissed off Sega fans and pretty much killed the Dreamcast before it even began. Sony isn't going to do that.

These always turn into negative discussions. To me, I personally wish that all games were cross-platform. That way, I could make the console purchase decision based on hardware build quality, appearance, and ancillary online/marketplace services. Being handcuffed by console exclusives makes that a little tougher.

Having said that, I think this is a great thing to allow a larger market of gamers to enjoy groundbreaking titles like MGS4.

EDIT: Regarding price drops:

There should be no reason why there's not a $299 PS3 version (there will be, but I mean soon).

People make their purchase decisions based on functionality. Sure, PS3 has a BR player on board, but that is easily mitigated by the disparity in game selection and online services. That said, their point of entry would still be justifiably $100 over MS' console, give the obvious build and movie superiority found at that level. And c'mon--a $300 PS3 would be very hard to keep in stock this holiday season. Sony would catch up within 60 days in console sales if they did this, which would be a compelling argument to game developers looking to create killer-app exclusives.

IMO

These always turn into negative discussions. To me, I personally wish that all games were cross-platform. That way, I could make the console purchase decision based on hardware build quality, appearance, and ancillary online/marketplace services. Being handcuffed by console exclusives makes that a little tougher.

Having said that, I think this is a great thing to allow a larger market of gamers to enjoy groundbreaking titles like MGS4.

EDIT: Regarding price drops:

There should be no reason why there's not a $299 PS3 version (there will be, but I mean soon).

People make their purchase decisions based on functionality. Sure, PS3 has a BR player on board, but that is easily mitigated by the disparity in game selection and online services. That said, their point of entry would still be justifiably $100 over MS' console, give the obvious build and movie superiority found at that level. And c'mon--a $300 PS3 would be very hard to keep in stock this holiday season. Sony would catch up within 60 days in console sales if they did this, which would be a compelling argument to game developers looking to create killer-app exclusives.

IMO

Not really, this late Spring (around where MGS4 came out) both Wal Mart and Best Buy were handing out $100 gift cards with the ps3. The only units that sold out were the 80gig MGS4 bundles (I got one). The sales during that time period (almost 2 months) weren't significantly higher and you could attribute most of the sales to the release of MGS4. Historically the price point for everyone is $199 (but Nintendo somehow pushed it to 249 but they offer some mystique who knows) Sony can't get the costs down to achieve 199 and the demand won't spike enough to justify 299 so we are left with 399.

Not really, this late Spring (around where MGS4 came out) both Wal Mart and Best Buy were handing out $100 gift cards with the ps3. The only units that sold out were the 80gig MGS4 bundles (I got one). The sales during that time period (almost 2 months) weren't significantly higher and you could attribute most of the sales to the release of MGS4. Historically the price point for everyone is $199 (but Nintendo somehow pushed it to 249 but they offer some mystique who knows) Sony can't get the costs down to achieve 199 and the demand won't spike enough to justify 299 so we are left with 399.

I'm talking about an official move from Sony, not a one-off sale from WalMart in attempt to inboard a game sale to create increased profit.

And yes, it is just simple business. $299 for a 60G will not only spur sales, but those increased sales are increased impetus for developers to ignore the wonky programming issues with that console, and agree to make more exclusives. In turn, more consoles are sold. In fact, announce the sale one week before Black Friday, and flood the market with units. Compression creates urgency.

Econ 101

Sony has only had 1 price drop(although they have fooled people into thinking there were 3 or 4). That needs to change right now... its way too expensive compared to the base360 with 20GB mail in.

Right now, new model Blu Ray players can be had for $220 or less... so that component should be a lot cheaper for sony.

As far as MGS 4 is concerned, Konami issued another denial for the xbox today.

I thought Sony had 2 price drops? But I guess it could be the whole thing of multiple SKUs, something else they poked fun at the competition for. Their arrogance has bit them in the ass so hard gamers have started to flock away and the businesses are noticing. At least they got Bluray right?

I thought Sony had 2 price drops?

One is about right, once you get past the smoke screens of SKU reconfigs.

Remember, at launch they had the (unicorn-like) 20GB Model at $499 and the 60GB model at $599. Last year they dropped prices to $399 and $499. Current price points? $399 and $499, so there has been no effective PS3 price-cut since last july.

They have increased HDD sizes but prices have stayed constant since then, which is common for computers but not consoles. Then again, the PS3 is billed as a Personal Entertainment *Computer* so pricing it as a computer should be no surprise.

The thing to bear in mind with *both* systems is that the bulk of price reduction on consoles comes from the semiconductors. And the price of semiconductors is proportional to transistor-count and manufacturing process. Both systems are running on similar manufacturing processes and have nearly identical transistor counts so it should be no surprise that both have registered the same $100 worth of price cuts over their lives.

The difference is that MS is making a profit on the hardware at current pricepoints and Sony isn't, mostly because of the BD drive (although the bigger HDDs and built-in WiFi probably don't help any). Add-in that MS rakes in cash from LIVE (which, if not a profit-center at least reduces the operating costs of the backend) and Video Marketplace and that MS has a solid business in Accessories and its easy to see why Sony is in no hurry to cut prices, especially with their lower attach rate.

Sony is simply paying a very high price for "winning" the blue laser format war--perhaps higher than we know if we factor in the puzzling recent comment of their worldwide studios President about "wanting XBOX to succeed in Japan";
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/sony-wants-xbox-360-to-succeed-in-japan/

Something very odd has being going on in Japan with PS3 sales since cheap dedicated BD players became available this summer.

Factor in Microsoft's shift in focus to target Wii customers for this XMAS and the math looks downright interesting for Sony. (Along the lines of the ancient chinese curse...) ;)

Catch up? Within 60 days?

Does someone really think a $299 PS3 would make up the 6 million console difference between the PS3 and 360 in 60 days?

The last thing Sony wants is a price war during the holiday season. The PS3 will sell just fine at $399/$499 this xmas. Expect a price drop in March '09. No lower than $329.

Catch up? Within 60 days?

Does someone really think a $299 PS3 would make up the 6 million console difference between the PS3 and 360 in 60 days?

The last thing Sony wants is a price war during the holiday season. The PS3 will sell just fine at $399/$499 this xmas. Expect a price drop in March '09. No lower than $329.

I'm talking about an official move from Sony, not a one-off sale from WalMart in attempt to inboard a game sale to create increased profit.

And yes, it is just simple business. $299 for a 60G will not only spur sales, but those increased sales are increased impetus for developers to ignore the wonky programming issues with that console, and agree to make more exclusives. In turn, more consoles are sold. In fact, announce the sale one week before Black Friday, and flood the market with units. Compression creates urgency.

Econ 101


jp That's not how Wal Mart does business the vendor is the one who bears the risk 99% of the time. That promotion was done by Sony it was clear from the internal memos that were posted all over the boards during that period. Sony was paying the bill on the gift cards for both Best Buy and Wal Mart. Another thing that I alluded to, from your econ course, is that demand is not a smooth curve at 299 Sony would never bridge the gap maybe a few more people will be interested but historically 199 is the magic number.

jp That's not how Wal Mart does business the vendor is the one who bears the risk 99% of the time. That promotion was done by Sony it was clear from the internal memos that were posted all over the boards during that period. Sony was paying the bill on the gift cards for both Best Buy and Wal Mart. Another thing that I alluded to, from your econ course, is that demand is not a smooth curve at 299 Sony would never bridge the gap maybe a few more people will be interested but historically 199 is the magic number.

Fair enough. Again though, an across the board (all retailers) drop would work.

I don't disagree with $199 as the "magic price point", but it's also unrealistic for this console. It's fine for a stripped 360, but the PS3 just has too much on board to be whored out at that price point.

And when I said "catch up", I should have clarified. Catching up really means closing the gap to a degree that come 2009, the console race might get a bit of a "reset" so the disparity is not so great.

The thing that's really necessary to completely even up is to create an impetus for developers to want to develop for exclusives for this console. I realize that's a tough nut to crack, but something has to be done.

I for one picked up a ps3 2 weeks ago after my 360 rrod for the 3rd time. Now I have both. (mostly for blu ray).

mgs4 has been the only game I purchased for the ps3.

I am glad I did. So far (act 3) has been an amazing experience. I have not played the series, but this game is up there for me as one of the top 2-3 games I have played in the last 2 years. (bioshock, oblivion, cod4).

Gameplay, production values, graphics, story, camo, weapons- all top notch. Cut scenes are a bit long, but this title deserves to be released on the 360. Its that good.