I think its pretty obvious that the 360 version will outsell the PS3 version in North America and Other regions thanks to the larger more dedicated user base. Not only is the user base larger by far, but also the owners seem to be much looser with their cash. Basically they buy a lot more games then their PS3 counter parts. Further more it falls at a more opportune time for the 360 then it does for the PS3. Too much goodness on the PS3 in the short term will hinder sales.
The game will also sell more 360 consoles most likely securing a permanent lead. While some PS3 enthusiasts might point to rumors of further price cuts. The reality is that it is far from likely seeing as Sony at some point must make money off of their machine, and Microsoft and Nintendo are truncating that time table. Meanwhile Microsoft is in a very good position for another price cut having had more production time, and only offering half a reduction that Sony introduced last year.
Even for the sake of argument if Sony did reduce the price on their machine to three hundred dollars in North America. I highly doubt it would be across the board. Europe seems to always get the hose in that respect. Their machine being of a lesser quality, but higher price. Microsoft would simply undercut them. Which could mean a two hundred dollar pro. Sony wouldn't be doing themselves any favors at that price the 360 would be solidly mainstream. Even then if they kept the core it could be as little as a hundred and fifty dollars. Hard to imagine even the casually interested not snatching the machine up at that price. Given that its also a DVD player. Which means that the gaming component would cost maybe twice the price of a single game.
I just do not see Sony pushing the pricing issue. They had to cut costs to save their machine far earlier then they anticipated or even wanted. Another drastic cut and they force Microsoft right into the kill spot. Which in turn will probably get a cut from Nintendo, and then the situation goes all to hell for them. They might lose on the price front, but if they force a price war of this scope they will lose and lose badly. They are just lucky that Microsoft is looking at profitability rather then market dominance at this point.
Anyway if you believe Sony, and what they have said about PS3 pricing they will not perform another price reduction this year unless the machine starts performing real well in the area of sales without a price reduction. They will pour gasoline on the roaring fire to make it even bigger, but they will not pour it on if the fire is smoldering.
The content while bantered about isn't a major factor in the debate its a great way for Microsoft to generate after sale profits. Given the developers I would expect serious episodic content with a real story, new toys, and entertaining features. Which means it will probably be worth what Microsoft supposedly paid for it. That will only become relevant next holiday season not when the game goes on the market.
Brand loyalty took a real kick in the sack when Sony abandoned backwards compatibility. Further more the bad year and a half probably has sapped a lot of the positivity towards the machine out of the market. So this is just another non issue. Unless someone has lived under a rock, and hasn't formulated an opinion at this point the view on purchasing the machine for this game will be more critical, and a lot less optimistic.
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