More bad news for Sony and PS3

[Mels_Smileys45]

IT SEEMS all is not well in console world, with both the PS3 and Xbox receiving batterings from consumers and the press.


PS3/PSP

Earlier this week Sony reacted to the problems associated with television upscaling on the PS3.

Various incompatibilities had been discovered by new users, but the main point of contention concerned 'older' HD TVs that only support 1080i signals.

This meant the PS3 would force the games to run at the lowly, Wii-like, 480p resolution, as PS3 titles run at either 720p or 1080p resolutions.

Speaking to GameDaily, SCEA stated that Sony was aware of the problem and was working on a fix - which would come in the form of a 'simple firmware download' when it was ready.

The same problem seems to haunt the PS3 when scaling Blue-ray movies, according to Arstechnica which states: "If you don't have a set that does 1080i or 1080p, you're going to be forced into 480p which is far less impressive. PS3's lack of a scaler bites it again. 720p output is not available on the titles we tested".

Unfortunately Dave Karraker, Sr. Director, Corporate Communications retracted the statement made to GameDaily, adding that Sony can't currently confirm the issue can be fixed with a patch and are "looking into the issue and haven't stated any actions that will be taken regarding it."

The same rag brought further bad news for Sony fans via PJ McNealy of American Technology Research.

McNealy has said that Sony may have shipped as few as 125,000 PS3 units in North America for the console's launch, despite previously stating that they had only missed the original (albeit much revised) target of 400,000 by 'several thousand units'.

He also notes that Sony's two million worldwide target for the end of this year is 'under review.'

In related Sony news, SCEA have also announced the pricing for PS1 games on the PSP.

The first batch of original Playstation games will go on sale for between US $5.99 and US $10.99. The downloads should weigh in at between 140MB and 550MB, they must be downloaded to a PS3 hard drive and can then be transferred to Memory Stick Duo for playback on a PSP

The first titles will be available through the PS3-based Playstation Store "in the coming weeks", according to an official statement, and "additional first and third party games will be added on an ongoing basis".

The PS1 playback relies on Playstation Network functionality included in the new PSP version 3.0 firmware, which has been released in Japan and North America. It also includes a remote play feature - enabling PSP owners to wirelessly stream media from the Wifi enabled 60GB Playstation 3, and allowing for access to the console's web browser, friends lists, and other functions. PSP camera support has also been added.

Story http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35983

[Mels_Smileys45]

Only 125,000 units sold? Blu Ray troubles? It must really suck to be Sony right now.

[MoonMan]

I got really excited by the prospect of buying old ps1 games for the psp for $6-11 until I saw that you needed a ps3 to do so. I might have bought a psp for that feature alone.

[Mels_Smileys45]

I got really excited by the prospect of buying old ps1 games for the psp for $6-11 until I saw that you needed a ps3 to do so. I might have bought a psp for that feature alone.


Yeah, I dont understand that bit at all. Why would they do that? Sony seems to like shooting themslves in their feet. The best thing going for the PSP is playing pirate movies and games which in the long run is going to kill off the weak selling system anyway. Game makers are not going to put up with it much longer.

This will be a good example of how the users of a certain brand end up killing the system they love so much.

[Mels_Smileys45]

Console price war looms


'Applied Market Intelligence' company iSuppli.

iSuppli estimates that the total manufacturing cost of the premium model PlayStation 3 with 60GB HD comes in at $840, which retails at $599 - meaning a loss of around $241 per unit sold. The entry-level PS3 with 20GB HD and no Wifi delivers an even bigger loss, as it costs $306 more to build than its current RRP of $499. Factoring in the profit expected at retail increases the likely loss Sony is incurring.

Originally iSuppli had estimated that Microsoft was losing around $125 per console on the launch of the 360. Now they are claiming Microsoft is actually making profit on each console sold, to the tune of over $75. This is in line with Microsoft's claims and sources in Taiwan, previous to Bach's interview with the Mercury news, that the 360's costs had been driven down to a significantly lower level.

Considering console manufacturers generally take a hit per console, it's very likely we'll see a price drop in the near future.


We've said numerous times that Microsoft were planning a price cut, but despite rumours of a Christmas price cut from elsewhere, we've stuck to the suggestion that the drop will occur at the end of Q1/Q2.

This will coincide with when the PS3 is readily available, and Sony has production in full flow.

Seeing as how the 360 has a year lead on the new Playstation, Sony's current manufacturing problems, and the $300+ discrepancy between the costs of each console, it's hard to see Sony ever producing a PS3 at anywhere near the pricing of an Xbox 360, at least not until the very end of its lifespan.

Full Story http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36005



If you can't see the writing on the wall get some glasses. Sony troubles are very substantial. Its hard to invision them winning this console war in any fashion. Microsoft would have to go out of business for Sony to EVER, yes ever, sell more PS3s than Xbox 360s. Ive been saying this for a year but now that all the cards are on the table its become very clear to anyone who is paying attention. Sony screwed this one up with Blu Ray. Theyre trying to push this format on the public and they thought a good way to do so was with their gaming devision. They thought wrong. Its cost them big time and in more ways than one. The whole company is in trouble as it is losing money on all fronts. I myself never thought Sony could dig itself a hole this deep but it has. Im actually amazed that they could have let all this happen. Some may say its still early but Im here to tell you, its too late. Sony needs to rally behind PS2 for another year, maybe two. A price drop on the PS2 will put a hurt on MS and Nintendo more than anything else. People like cheap and in video games, cheap is king. There are diehard gamers out there that will pay anything but they only make up a very small fraction of the pie. The mass market makes any console either a failure or success and the mass market is run by mom and pop. Ive said it from the get go, Blu Ray pushing is a mistake and not needed for gaming when its just as easy to put games on multi dual layer DVD's. Sony, fire your CEO and hire me. I could do a better job than this retard who has run the company into the ground. Theyve even had to LIE about sales figures to keep their stock from falling off the chart. 360 and Wii, enjoy this round. Youve got the champ on the canvas and the ref is counting. You both win big time this Christmas. The big question is how long will it take for Sony to pick itself up, dust itself off and pull its dick out of the dirt. Its going to take some doingas theyre losing so much money and support right now. I'll go on record as predicting 2 to 3 years before they can turn the PS3 around and into a money making machine. If they would swallow a bit of pride and offer a cost effective DVD version of PS3 they could still come out ahead by next X-mas but they won't pull their head out of their ass and listen to someone who knows this market like the back of their jack off hand. Oh No! Some old Sony fart will keep on sucking the Wii and 360 dick all the way to the bottom of the clusterfuck.

[mountain_rage]

making profit[/B] on each console sold, to the tune of over $75. This is in line with Microsoft's claims and sources in Taiwan, previous to Bach's interview with the Mercury news, that the 360's costs had been driven down to a significantly lower level.



That report that the 360 is making a profit is actually wrong, microsoft is currently revising what they can do to make the 360 profitable. They were originally hoping to make a profit by 2008, now it might be slightly earlier but they still arnt making a profit. Those analysis that try to figure out the cost are usually wrong so I wouldnt put too much value on it. With that said however I still think Sony is pretty screwed, they havnt made a successfull format yet and with the ps3 its counting on it.

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/xbox-360-price-cut-vs-cost-reduction/

[amorefelina]

Too often they try to put the cart before the horse just for the sake of making a buck. I think this time they did cross that line and they will have issues in the future keeping profit up, definitely.

Very good post. TY

[Mels_Smileys45]

That report that the 360 is making a profit is actually wrong, microsoft is currently revising what they can do to make the 360 profitable. They were originally hoping to make a profit by 2008, now it might be slightly earlier but they still arnt making a profit. Those analysis that try to figure out the cost are usually wrong so I wouldnt put too much value on it. With that said however I still think Sony is pretty screwed, they havnt made a successfull format yet and with the ps3 its counting on it.

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/xbox-360-price-cut-vs-cost-reduction/


Its often hard to tell who is giving the straight story but I would tend to think iSuppli knows tons more tthan some guy named kevin who wrote a subjective story. Maybe niether story is right, Im just saying I think iSuppli knows what they are talking about. So you saying one story is wrong and Kevin is right is just like Kevin there saying he knows more than the other guys. MS sin't going to tell how much they are making or losing so yeah, its a guessing game. I would think if they are not making money yet they are likley close. Right now there is no reason at all for them to lower price even if they can because Sony is no threat to them at all right now.

Kevin goes on to talk about cost reduction. What he fails to state is that every console tries to cut cost of production through the entire console life span. Sony is still trying to make cheaper PS1 and 2's. Same goes for every consumer product. The guys sounds a bit like an idiot. He does go onto to say though that MS is making a small profit on every console if you read the whole thing. Making money on each console is different than turning a profit or at least in how the story is worded. They have to get out of the red before they can say they have made a profit.



BTW, its good to see you post amorefelina.

[Excrement_Cranium]

Neh.


Sony has too many fanboys now to fail. As does Microsoft. The nostalgia of Nintendo doesn't hold much sway, but having a console at $250 won't hurt them.

[MoonMan]

Can anyone confirm that Nintendo is actually making a profit per Wii system sold? I heard the rumor and can't find valid claims to back it up.

[mountain_rage]

Last I heard they were making a profit. Theres been a recent interview with myamoto that said he was pushing for a 100$ system but that changed and they ended up with the 250$ price tag. I think last I heard its something like 200$ to magnufacture, so your basically paying for wii sports.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21218

http://wii.ign.com/articles/746/746380p1.html

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6157690.html

[lmno136]

spam spam spam

[mataan7]

thats all?!?!?!?!?!

[Feather]

is a 2 year old thread dude

[Mels_Smileys45]

Someone ban that dood and stop taking requests from banned members. Get out of PM and do something!

[Lord_of_the_Dense]

Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Mels??:

the site is pretty cool but needs some improvements

This guy knows what a site like ours needs.

Even if it is a flurry of incomplete thoughts, nine words or less.

All slightly a minute apart.

My summary of his posts:


Cool
Great
Bad
Great
Sucks
Awesome
jazzy
Better
Awesome
Love
My Name Is...
?!?!?!?!?!
gr8
Fun
Good


5 more until your Cleric can become an Epic Cleric...oh damn...rolled a 2...catastrophic failure.:icon_salu

[Feather]

good to see someone watching