Does the PS3 really need saving?

By Dave Parrack

The recent NPD hardware sales figures have lead to some labeling the PS3 “a sinking ship” that is “dying on the shelves.” But is it really all that bad for Sony and the PS3 or is there some light at the end of the tunnel?

NPD recently published its sales figures in the U.S. for November. The Nintendo Wii managed to sell over 2 million units, an incredible figure that just underlines how in demand the console of the moment is right now. The Xbox 360 also managed a good total, with Microsoft shifting 836,000 units. But Sony could only muster PS3 sales of 378,000, a pretty dire result it has to be said.

On the back of these figures, CNN made the claims that the PS3 was on its way out. The console is apparently now a sinking ship with little hopes of rescue. But is this an accurate portrayal of the current situation? Sure, the figures aren’t great but I don’t think it’s quite time to wheel the fat lady on to the stage yet.

First of all, let’s look at the figures. As The Washington Post points out, this November only included two holiday sale days, compared to eight last year. That’s going to have had an effect. Sure, that affects all three home consoles but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Sony was hit hardest by this calendar conundrum.

The PS3 also saw growth over the past year, and while 2007’s figures weren’t much to write home about, any growth is good. It also looks more sweet for Sony when you add in sales of the PS2 and PSP. It can kind of afford to allow the PS3 to slowly build momentum while it’s still drawing profits from other consoles under the Playstation brand banner.

CNN isn’t all bad, and do get it right when suggesting Sony badly needs to cut the price of the PS3. I’ve been droning on about this for months but it’s now becoming a matter of urgency that the PS3 becomes cheaper and consequently more affordable to mainstream consumers. Hell, we’re in the middle of a recession and people haven’t got enough spare cash to pay for such a high-cost piece of technology. Especially when the two rival consoles are available significantly cheaper.

Sony definitely needs to get its act together if it’s going to drag sales of the Playstation 3 up where they belong. A price cut early in the year coupled with a heavy advertising presence would be a great start. Then just let the games do the talking. With exclusives such as Gran Turismo 5 and Killzone 2 on the way, reports of the PS3’s death are greatly exaggerated.

Don’t write the obituary yet. The Playstation has a lot of life left in it. And remember, 2009 could be the year of the PS3, even if Sony says so itself.

http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/12/15/does-the-ps3-really-need-saving/

"Seeing growth" and "dying" are not mutually exclusive.

I did not write the article. It sounds like Sony need to lift their game and start promoting PS3 and its games more and a much needed 2009 price cut will help the PS3 sales momentum.

In terms of sales it's not doing awful. In terms of profits it's doing terribly. I love how his solution is 'Drop the price and spend a ton of money on advertisements'. At the current price, keeping the PS3 afloat is a major strain on Sony's budget. To drop price 100$ would likely sink the company.

I don't think sony will be able to afford a 100 dollar price drop on ps3 in the first half of the year. Maybe they will have a 50 dollar drop early on then another 50 close to the holidays but i'm not sure we'll even see that.

the biggest thing holding the ps3 back isn't its hardware or software its sony themselves. they've done a downright sloppy job with the ps3 and the second they clean their act up everything else will follow suite. Though i don't think the ps3 needs saving. It won't die but i think it will def. finish 3rd this gen

that article is so full of hope... but hope dose not mean things are going well..... the issue has become not is the ps3 in trouble, but what can sony due about sony being trouble financially

I actually agree

 I also agree.

Its to late now.

Two years now and its quite clear that the majority of consumers rather have a 360 or mostly a Wii now.

Better luck next generation...if they can afford to join the race.

 I agree on a moral level, but Sony already sacrifice the PS3 so that Blu Ray could surivive. 2009 is supposed to be the year the PS3 gathers some profit, so lets hope for the best. Sony has been digging a grave for the PS3 all by themselves. IMHO they should've let Blu Ray die, like it was and allow the PS3 to appeal to more people than it is now from the start. This is how people get to know what type of a company this is. Its by the decisions they make.