The pricecut is the distinguishing factor between now and before the reveal.

maybe they will wait to see if Microsoft cut their prices first, last time they did everyone expected Microsoft to follow them but they didn't.

If Microsoft doesn't pricecut, then Sony doesn't need to pricecut.

I think there is a mentality among many gamers that selling more units is all that is important. Obviously, from a business standpoint, that's kind of a silly notion. I assume Sony ran cost/profit analyses that indicated this was the best path in the long run. It still leaves them a pricecut option to use when they need it, as well.

A) All the profit they can get currently = good.

B) Even assuming they wanted to "stop the Wii U's momentum." Why would a price cut do this?

Like... 50 bucks is why people are going to buy the brand new successor to the most popular console of last generation over a 5-6 year old console that's been around forever?

Feels unlikely... Early Adopters have very specific consumer profiles.

Those who are going to buy the Wii U at launch likely either own a PS3, or just never even considered buying one in the first place and don't one one.

The reason there's no pricecut, is because Sony want's start making some decent profit on the PS3 units for a change.

Also, since there's no PS4 coming in 2012 or in 2013, they can wait and price cut it sometime in 2013 and coast all the way into holiday 2014.

alright, i'm convinced.

I agree with you to some extent. I think that Sony's iron grip on their self-manufactured content is what got them in trouble. By having their new hardware more in line with the mainstream, they could (and that is a big if) possibly stop focucing on making consumers eat of their shit software (talking about their OS/Web-browser/Music player/etc.) I think a lot of consumers are turned off products that don't have a huge user install with little to none community support for the software. Sony in very enclosed and don't really update their software enough. (I'm talking about meaningfull updates that enhance the experience for the consumer)

If the PS3 had a web browser that rivaled a computer/tablet with the use of mouse and keyboard if needed, If could play flacs, mkvs, and let people customize their ps3 experience like LBP 1 & 2. I don't think price would be a problem for Sony. It doesn't have to be free, they could make a deal with companies/developers to sell these addetives for .59 cents to 4.99 depending on the content. But no, I think Sony wants the consumer to accept its narrow minded software, even if there are better ones out there.

To sum it all up, I think Sony has the Apple mentality, but have clear notion on how consumers like their entertainment served to them or what they want. It could be worse; they know, but wont give it to them because it will infringe on their intellectual property.

Their irrational fear of piracy play a major role. Making a small mp3 player that can hold thousand of tracks was unthinkable.

But that didn't stop them from locking up content and continue the downward spiral.