...that MS obtained, apart from sales, at least another achievement: if XB360 sales don't drop this week, or at the latest next week (as data will be available towards the middle of the week after), Sony will be forced to take a gamble for Xmas, either sticking on the current price and relying only on bundles or dropping prices too. So, if they bet on XB sales drop and they don't enough, Sony would have sales lower than expected, while in the opposite situation, Sony would unnecessarily give up a part of gross takings, maybe having losses if HW costs haven't dropped enough. Spreading in time price drop dates around the world did pay for MS: giving up an higher spike, they got a longer lasting effect in return, putting their rival in uncertainty for more time in a crucial period. Obviously if Sony is almost 100% sure the bundles will get them very good Xmas sales as absolute value, they could accept the risk of being third in sales and avoid gambling.

They aren't going to drop the price this year

They aren't going to drop the price this year

They aren't going to drop the price this year

They aren't going to drop the price this year

They aren't going to drop the price this year

They aren't going to drop the price this year

They aren't going to drop the price this year

They aren't going to drop the price this year

They aren't going to drop the price this year

They aren't going to drop the price this year

There. One time for how many more analysts come up with some silly reason Sony *must* drop their price this holiday season will appear this week.

Really this holiday is important for Sony for the following reason.

More sales for the PS3 = more revenue = closer to profit = cheaper manufacturing costs = closer to break even = closer to price cut

So basically the PS3 isnt getting a price cut this holiday. Afterward, maybe early first half of the year.

^^

Edit: @ twesterm:

You haven't to persuade me... More Sony, perhaps!

In these financial times, Sony is better off playing it safe. Who cares what MS does, all they do is loose billions and I see no reason for Sony to be dragged into that same path. With sales dropping off everything, both off them should look at profitability instead of poking each others eyes out all the time.

As always we are going to be looking at a holiday season with minor differences between 360 and PS3 anyway, with the Wii owning them both hard. I do expect Sony to have better figures with the new PSP 3000 and the PS2 then lasts years. As far as MS goes, they may or may not outsell the PS3, but loose a lot of money in the proces and have to deal with ever growing piracy figures on their console. The fact that the PS3 has not yet been hacked, in combination with console gaming (and in effect console modding) is ever growing, is slowly getting more desastrous for the 360. That fact that people can easily play warez on Live with a stealthpatch is even more concerning. Warezgames are even being released on 360 way before the PC which is a very concerning trend.

Anyhow, Wii will win.

profit over market share is important in any business. why cut prices if youre going to make less money? it doesn't make sense. plus, sales between the 360 and ps3 are close enough to rid it out at least until after christmas.

I think if they are going to drop price early next year they better drop it for november so they can profit from the christmas sales ...

Sony is not going to drop price and lose money during their busiest season with some huge games coming out.
LBP
Socom
BioShock
Far Cry2
Monopoly
Eternal Sonata
Motorstorm: PR
Naruto:UNS
Resistance 2
Valkyria Chronicles
Singstar
You must stop posting these "ideas". Sony will lose money if they drop the price more. Why drop the price, while having the biggest game release of the system when you are losing 150-200$ a console coupled with the christmas holiday season.

LBP by itself will put ps3 on top of the 360. now stop it.

 That makes no sense whatsoever, they would have to sell an additional 2 games per every console they sell to make back on the loss. Now ask yourself: "Who buys two games & a console at Christmas for 400-500$?"

thats beyond wishful thinking...especially with Gears 2 and Fable 2 coming for the 360.

Also, did you just list monopoly and Eternal Sonata as huge games?