The post about the cost advantage highlights very well a greatly relevant point.
IMO Sony should hurry to do a basic version with the following changes:
- Cheaper box. Less gloss and maybe an external PSU (sucks but nobody doesn't buy because of it)
- No card reader
- No wi-fi
(That is a smaller remix of the 499USD model with bigger capacity HD since they cost almost the same)
Still would beat 360 in features such as BD, HD as part of the spec, bluetooth, free online and HDMI.
This could allow for an inmediate 450 USD/EUR PS3 model at similar loses.
No cripled model like the 360 core. Full functionality, next gen media capacity with no other extras that don't affect the PS3 gaming experience in the long run.
I also think within this year BD reader and Cell should be able to reduce their cost significantly, reducing the cost gap to the 360 to levels that could be absorved by users given it is a higher specs machine (ideally 50/70 bucks over 360 premium)
Price point is for sure hurting badly PS3 sales, but IMHO the biggest single factor is bad press and negative rumors everywhere. That makes people think twice and buy the "This is like Neo-Geo/3DO" not true if inflation is taken into account,
"or the launch catalog is terrible", like every other console has had, actually better than PS2's.
There are a few IFs that could turn things around seriously aside from the already mentioned triple AAA titles coming.
IF 1- A game becomes a console seller proves to be impossible to be done in DVD/multiple DVDs. This would be even stronger if this game has a (justified) crippled version on 360. Lair has a small chance to be it, PES 7 was also rumored. MGS4, FFXIII, Uncharted or a surprise like Gears was for the 360 could be it.
IF 2 - After the warranty the 9M+ 360s around start dying like crazy and the hatred takes over the media and the internet turning their anger against MS.
People tolerance for this is beyond my understanding. I see it as blind hate to Sony, because I cannot believe it is blind love for MS...
IF 3 - Home becomes a hit getting people hooked like Secondlife. Word of mouth makes people feel "outside" the next big thing if they don't join.
I have also doubts about including sixaxis as a fourth IF. What would happen if motion sensing becomes a killer app? will this make the 360 look so much as a last-gen console with updated graphics on the eyes of people?
or just a new 360 bundled with a sixaxis/wiimote clone controller would do?
Last thought, whoever wins second spot, do you see third party studios spending 20M+ on a title for a platform that hsa a user base of let's say 35M agains putting that same money into 4 titles for the Wii with double that user base?
It could make sense if the system is far less crowded like GC was, but still will be difficult. I think Wii is killing superproductions. Let's see. Anyway I heard this many times but I'm not so sure Zelda TP or Super Mario Galaxy really cost 4 times less than Heavenly Sword or MGS4.
