i wouldn't compare gta to dmc4

dmc4 sold roughly the same in japan as in others and only 130k under US on the ps3...so it only beat 360 because of japan (beat 360 in japan by 210k, but is only 40k ahead ww on ps3 vs 360)

gta doesn't sell well in japan (300k for gta3 on ps2, another 500k for san andreas on ps2), so it doesn't get that boost

so a price cut on 360 is desperation and will hurt...while a price cut on ps3 only helps because more people can afford it...gotcha

that's 360-470 for ps2, which had 123423423x the install base

it isn't being a whore to buy the product that fits you best (price, quality, games, online, controls, graphics, etc)...companies aren't entitled to have customers be loyal

however, companies CAN increase switching costs to help keep customers from moving to competitors...one of the ways for ps3 to do that is to have full BC...however, Sony removed that, thus removing the switching costs and allowing customers to choose 100% on the other factors

in America it will be the 360 just b/c of the bigger user base....the rest will probably go to the ps3 b/c this s one of its big guns for the year

I beleive 360 will sell more copies of GTA IV (otherwise it would be a serious, serious blow for the console)

I however believe PS3 will see better boost in consoles sold on the back of the title.

I just think the 360 install base, particularly in US, is big enough to absorb GTA IV without requing too many more consoles purchased (i.e. I think the game will have a high attach rate with current owners) whereas some will get PS3 for this plus GT5:P and MSG IV, etc. plus I think you have to assume some PS2 owners will go for PS3 on back of title.

However, I could of course be dead wrong...

 Why?

Why are people discussing the cost of Xbox Live as if it were an important factor in a GTAIV debate? For all we know the online will be crap, but even if it's excellent it won't be what your average consumer buys the game and a console for.

MS would kick Sony's but with the online department anyway for those that ARE willing to pay the $50-60 or whatever it is in the USA.

DLC on the other hand won't cost that much (certainly not the ridiculous $50 I saw someone suggest) and it will actually enhance the gameplay that past fans of GTA are looking for!!

Value is important too. You cut a consoles price when you're already the cheapest on the market it makes people wonder. If you have the better console why would cut price when you're already cheaper? These consoles arent equal in peoples eyes, the 360 is the new comer. People know Sony as a games company, not Microsoft.

With RRoD not being  fixed and the price drop people would see it as being desperate. It mattered much  more at $599 and $499. $399 isn't as outrageous so more people will be looking for value in the system than before. 360 price cut will definitely help, but some people aren't only looking at pricing anymore.

A PS3 price cut puts it in line with customers comfortable spending range. The 360 is already within that range and is still losing by 50,000 a week. For the 360 its more of a demand issue, because people dont see value in the system.