I believe the PS2 should be at $99, but I would be shocked to see the PS3 get another cut before Oct/Nov 2008. http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/2083.html Pachter Predicts PS2, PS3 Price Cuts For 2008 Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter's latest set of expectations includes more good news for Sony fans, as it seems both the PS2 and PS3 should be getting price cuts in the very near future. According to PSU.com, Pachter revealed his thoughts on the hardware and software sales through this year and into 2008. His comments are as follows: “Sony announced a SingStar PS2 bundle for $149, and will likely cut the price for the PS2 at the beginning of next year (note that Sony recently raised its forecast for PS2 sales by 2 million this year, ending March 31, 2008)." We've been wondering if we'd ever see that super-special $99 price tag for the seven-year-old PS2, and it seems consumers might get that very attractive price tag during the first quarter of next year. While we had hoped to see it for the holidays, Sony certainly isn't hurting in the department of PS2 sales, so they have no real reason to drop the price in 2007. And in regards to the PS3, which some gamers claim is still too expensive, Pachter believes we'll see yet another price drop in the spring. “We expect a further price cut for the PS3 in the spring, when blockbuster games Grand Theft Auto IV and PS3 exclusives Metal Gear Solid 4, Little Big Planet and Gran Turismo 5 will launch." If Sony drops the PS3 price just in time for those massively anticipated games, we have this feeling hardware sales will experience a gigantic spike. Heck, sales will spike for those games, anyway - especially for the exclusive MGS4 and GT5 - so can you imagine what might happen if the PS3 dropped another $50 or $100 when those titles hit...?

Hahaha, Pachter

Sony can't continue to bleed money forever. At some point, they have to turn a profit and another price cut will ensure that will never happen (things already look bleak enough for the profitability of the PS3).

Maybe Pachter is basing his prediction on Sony's hardware shipment forecasts? :P

Now seriously, another price cut would probably hurt more than help... Think about the press's reaction, especially the financially oriented press.

Well there's already some disconnect between Patcher's predictions on how things will play out and reality, now that MGS4's been delayed again. I don't know if this means a price cut in spring is more likely or less.

I like formatting.

Maybe Sony decided money is no object this gen. Would be nice to have a $299 PS3 by the time GTA4/MGS4 come out, no?

I swear Pachter's employers should have some kind of drug testing policy....

they can afford to cut the PS2's and PSP price but not the PS3's till late next year.

Q1 '08 is what matters to Sony. They can't just ignore the quarter, and push all their PS3 sales to the following qrt.

1/ MGS4 now confirmed to be a Q2 release.

2/ We have no real idea when GTA4 will release. I'm guessing it won't be Q1 '08, and might be as late as Xmas. Either way, MS is going to plan a 360 price crop / new model hits for the release of GTA4. I still think the 360 version will get 65-70% of GTA sales (esp. with exclusive episodes hitting), and that although it will help the PS3 - it won't help that much.

3/ Prologue will probably launch Q1 '08. Yet to see how much of a sales impact it will have (hardware-wise). The full version of GT5 might be a Xmas '08, or even a '09 release.

4/ ...which leaves LBP (& HOME... & Killzone??). LBP will be a real litmus test for the PS3 - as its a "very" casual game, launching for a console with a very "non" casual price.

...

People love to just bandy all these titles/names together, without properly considering each of them. Its not like all of them are launching in the same quarter - or even close.

...

I really do think time is running out for Sony. Next week (PS3 price cut in the US), and the following two weeks are CRITICAL.

Remember they have forecast to sell/ship 9 MILLION units in the next 5 months. To have any chance, they will need to sell at LEAST 5m (and probably close to 5.5m) PS3 units this holiday season.

There are EIGHT weeks left this year. 5m/8 = 620k / week.

Last week they sold 135k. Sales in Europe have already dropped 30k (post price-cut) from the week before.

Sales in Japan have barely budged - after big releases (LAIR, EoJ) and the price cuts. Within 2 weeks the remaining big titles for the year will be out (R&C, Musou).

If they are even slightly serious about making their forecast - sales must start budging now. Even within two weeks it will be too late.

I'm of the opinion that Sony probably will not cut the price again in 2008 because they will want to turn a profit (or at least minimize losses) on their hardware before they reduce their price agan; but Pachter's prediction isn't impossible.

Sony could be in a very tough position next year and I'm not too sure I would discount the possibility of them doing something desperate.