http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/06/mole-exclusive-ps3-360-price-drops-coming-this-fall.ars

Our favorite inside source has given us a heads-up on what to expect from both Sony and Microsoft this year in hardware packages and pricing. The path to the holidays is a rosy one, with more hard drive space inside the systems at a lower price. Here's what we can expect.

Since we can't name the source, we're treating all this information as rumor, but the Mole's reputation in the industry for breaking large stories, a long history of being first out of the gate with big announcements, and an outstanding track record for accuracy speak for itself. Sony and the PS3

The 80GB model is going to see some serious hardware constraints in the weeks ahead, and retailers have about 60 days worth of inventory before the systems will become hard to find. Expect to see many more 160GB units on store shelves. Those units have no constraints yet, but if the retailers sell through that supply as quickly as they did the 80GB, Sony is in a good place for the final part of its plan in 2009: dropping the price of hardware and launching the PS3 Slim in the fall.

We have absolutely no information on what to expect from that price drop, so we don't know how large it will be... yet. Still, hearing confirmation from the Mole that it's coming is great news. Sony has had much success getting people excited about the PSP platform with a raft of new games and the PSP Go hardware, so launching the PS3 Slim and dropping the price on the hardware that's out now should give the platform its own boost. Microsoft and the Xbox 360

Expect the Xbox 360 Pro to disappear in July or August, but you're going to see some solid bundles to get those systems moving off store shelves. The Halo 3/Fable 2 bundle the Mole previously tipped us off to shows that Microsoft is willing to put some good games into the box to get people buying.

So what are we going to do without the Pro systems? Nothing. The Elite units, with the 120GB hard drive, are going to become the Pro-level system after an early September price cut. We'll be on the lookout for another holiday bundle as well, and that should hit around October. What titles will be included? We should be able to break that story as well, but we don't have the information yet. In conclusion

These moves all make sense: the systems are becoming less expensive to build, and hard drive space doesn't cost much to add... although it does make a good story when you have more storage to offer consumers. With Microsoft selling entire games through Xbox Live, the Elite has become far more important.

The wind was completely taken out of Sony's sales when so much conversation and video was released detailing the PSP Go before E3, so making the launch of the PS3 Slim an event should prove an interesting challenge for the company. The Xbox 360 and PS3 have been "current-generation" systems now for a while; these price drops and bundles should help widen the installed base of both systems.


Let's hope something like this happens.

Pricecuts are always nice.

PS3 pricecut seems right... and its what everybody is asking for.

ANOTHER 360 pricecut... and so soon, would seem desperate. Plus, id expect them to save a pricecut for Natals launch.

right after sony cuts to $299, I expect the arcade to drop to $149

Huge sales for both platforms if this happens

sony has no choice, they are falling further and further behind Microswift, people are waiting for the PS3 to hit that magic number of 299.00 then you will see Sony start to flex its muscles, but no price drop this year Sony can just call it quits. Blu-ray was a mistake, there i said it.

see people competition is nice

Yeah read about this, guy has been correct many times before. The PS3 price cut was a given however another 360 price cut is something I did not expect. Needless to say both will get a boost in sales and we will finally be in a position where people will be able to choose between both consoles with price being much less of a deciding factor.

Yes I know the 360 is also getting a price cut however fact of the matter is that the PS3 will be cheaper and many more will be willing to bite the bullet. GT5 this year is so likely now I would be willing to bet against anybody.

PS3 Slim + FFXIII in Japan = :D
PS3 Slim + GT5 in EU = :D
360 price cut + Halo: ODST + Forza 3 = :D

Edit - I actually think the PS3 price cut will be just $50. The Go will be $250 and cannot see there only being a $50 difference between the two. :/

Except that the XBox360 isn't really getting a pricecut.  They are just "adding value" to the XBox360.  Sort of like what Sony has done by bumping up the storage space on the PS3 without price dropping it.  I mean, the 80GB used to be $500 but now it's $400.  But it wasn't a pricedrop, they just added storage space.

Please...no more PS3 price cut rumours/specualtions/opinions/predictions/etc. This has been going on for long enough. I will believe in a price cut after it happens. Until that time...Sony are also going to hand out free sherbet and lollipops to all their investors and shareholders, and free mints to those "analysts" who keep talking about a price cut because they talk so much shit. In reality, those "analysts" have no idea what they are talking about. Saying PS3 is going to get a price cut is like saying "It's going to rain" You know it will happen..but you have no idea when it will happen.

Interesting move, and one I never thought of. The Elite will be taking the place of the Pro, with the Arcade staying where it is.