Doesn't matter.  It rather improbable that everyone will buy a PS3 through SONY by signing up for a credit card, but the option is there.  So out of principle it's something they have to consider.

It's very possible that Sony makes hand over fist profit with their first party ventures.  Also,  I would imagine they get more perks from their Playstation video store than Microsoft does from Netflix.  Other things like charging developers for bandwidth space,  slightly higher priced peripherals among other things all can contribute.   And lastly,  no one knows the actual financial figures for the PS3 or it's cost.   Educated guessing?  Sure.  

The PS3/Playstation division has never been doing really bad (Well, except early on in the PS3 lifecycle).  Even while Sony has struggled in other areas(TV market, Cell phones, etc).

The biggest unknown would be the actual game development that Sony has.  Nintendo has done it for years to great success.  Producing tons of games (In-House).  This leads to higher profits for Sony with possibly less cost.  

Their strategy (Pumping out games left and right) will serve them very well if they can keep it up.  Especially if they can keep third party games on their system (Which as long as their console sales remain strong, they will.).  Which will essentially force gamers wanting to play these games to take the plunge and purchase a PS3.    They can keep their profit margin on the PS3 and drop the price when their numbers start to slip.   

IMHO,  Sony has the ability (Moreso than Microsoft atleast), to pump out tons of 'exclusive' quality titles in the coming years soley because of their first party dominance.  Microsoft's reliance on third parties is a fine strategy.  (Sony has used it to great success in previous generations).   However, with development costs through the roof for the HD consoles.  Most of these third parties are going multi-platform simply to turn a decent profit or in some cases, break even.   Again this kind of plays into Sony's court.

I guess we'll see.  I think Sony will maintain strong, competitive sales as long as they have the software.  Otherwise,  their biggest hurdle is still price.  (Especially in America).  While they might not be in a position to cut the PS3 massively,  they might be able to hold the masses over with quality titles until they are in a position to cut the price.

Kind of like Alan Wake?  Woo Woo.

Another quarter, another thread of the year of "any" console, another potential exaggeration of the actual situation...

ps3 is clearly looking to have th best games this year........those who bring up sales to downgrade great games are stupid.

Mars might end up on the 360, according to the devs, they're willing to do one if the publisher wants it (provided they find a publisher. I've been following their website closely and haven't seen anything about it yet).

Never thought i'd see the day ,when there was so much crowing about Sonys first party providing 2-3 times as many games as the competition, has now degenerated into old 360 ports, games on PC and PSN games as "victories".

Sony still makes money in a variety of other places. Glasses, for example, are a prime advertising place for videogames these days.

I've seen a few people with "SONY" tat'd right on the leg of the glasses :o

This thread = FAIL!!!

Games are in development for years, so it's not like Sony started these projects this year, and nobody said anything about the ps3 dying...they jsut said it's going to finish 3rd this generation, and 2nd for HD consoles, which would be a huge disappointment, given that ps2 is STILL the #1 console of all time, and STILL selling...

As others have stated, games are developed over a number of years, the real effect of the recession would only be felt in a year to 18 months time. It doesn't look like Sony are closing any studios though so the effects will not be too bad.