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[Mrbob]

If Sony is smart the base PS3 gets dropped to $249 and the move bundle goes to $299. Get all systems to sub 300 price points finally. Sales are relatively flat right now with no price drop in a couple years. PS3 hardware sales are fine the doom and gloom is pretty funny. Now they aren't up like Xbox 360, but then the platform is riding the Kinect wave with 60% of hardware sales being Kinect. While this is impressive, thinking long term we will see what works better. Hardware sales which aren't relying on an accessory for growth, or the platform which now has 3/5 of its hardware sales relying on an accessory. Of course ultimately whoever sells better between PS3 and 360 means nothing to third parties. Nearly every game is multi platform anyway.

But, but, but The Beatles Rock Band was the most important game ever made. lol

Hahaha, this still sticks out to me as one of the most over hyped "failures" of all time. I put failures in quotes because the game did sell ok, but it definitely did not sell well relative to the hype it received.

 

[DuckRacer]

:looks at his warehouse backroom, notices at least 3 dozen uDraw bundles:

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

Ubisoft should've released it on PS2.

 

[Rolf NB]

Price cutting will eat into the industry's revenue even more, any increased software won't make up for the loss since the generation is winding down.

Disagree. Bringing in more people would significantly increase publishing business. The only ones who might possibly NOT benefit are the platform holders themselves, but that can go either way.

As for "winding down", you don't end a generation before tapping into the mass market proper. That's where all those investments are supposed to pay off. Never going there is a colossal waste of money.

 

[ItWasMeantToBe19]

Hahaha, this still sticks out to me as one of the most over hyped "failures" of all time. I put failures in quotes because the game did sell ok, but it definitely did not sell well relative to the hype it received.

http://g4tv.com/videos/41266/Sesslers-Soapbox-Meet-The-Beatles-Rock-Band-That-Is/


Is the perfect example of the hype. Can't believe I used to watch these Sessler videos, but this is still pretty much how people thought it would do.

 

[Barrett2]

Rock Band sales 80% YOY decline?

 

[Kafel]

Ubisoft should've released it on PS2.

It's not made by Ubi.

 

[Meier]

@uDraw: Significantly below their 300k estimate is no understatement. :lol

 

[Grecco]

It's not made by Ubi.

Thats the joke

 

[JGS]

:looks at his warehouse backroom, notices at least 3 dozen uDraw bundles:

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

In all seriousness, uDraw seems like the sort of thing that sells really well over the holiday season and then no one gives two shits about it, just like Cabela and Rapala bundles.

I would have bought it if it included Pictionary which seems fair.

Pictionary for 30-40 plus 70 for Udraw does not seem fair. We figured it would be on lcearance by next winter and play real Pictionary.

 

[Ridley327]

I would have bought it if it included Pictionary which seems fair.

Pictionary for 30-40 plus 70 for Udraw does not seem fair. We figured it would be on lcearance by next winter and play real Pictionary.

I've actually seen Pictionary being offered free if you purchase the tablet in recent ads, so you might want to keep an eye out.

 

[Meier]

Nah, I don't believe so. The Wii is already "slim" enough, it's quiet, and it's always had low power consumption. I don't see a re-design doing anything for the Wii.

IMO, all it needs is a price cut. And maybe some new colors.

The 360's new revision didn't necessarily make it that much smaller but it looked different and new and that weighs heavily in a consumer's mind. I'm confident the Wii could get slimmer -- it's a bit clunky and stale looking at this point. Up the onboard memory every so slightly, include an ethernet port, etc. Small tweaks and a new look would unquestionably help and make people who might have sold theirs previously consider buying it again.

 

[Shurs]

Wow, the Wedbush Morgan predictions are pretty terrible.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

The 360's new revision didn't necessarily make it that much smaller but it looked different and new and that weighs heavily in a consumer's mind.

It also added Wi-Fi and removed RRoD problems (Jasper did that already, but Jasper looked just like previous models on the first glance).

 

[LM4sure]

Part of the problem here is that many people disagree with this and continually repeat the line that even casuals will eventually realize the Wii looks terrible and demand HD games.

Evenutally? LOL!

The majority of people do not even have hd tvs! By the time people realize the WIi looks terrible the wii hd will be out!

 

[bigtroyjon]

Maybe that's because the Move bundle is $100 over the normal retail PS3 price, and the Kinect bundle is the same $299 that the 360 has been selling for before Kinect.

The Move bundle is a terrible deal, and consumers know it...there is zero value to it (no money is saved by buying Move/PS3 separate than getting the bundle). Kinect, meanwhile, is like you're getting it for free with the standard bundle. Combine that with a massive marketing campaign and you got yourself a hot ticket item.

Kinect bundles cost 100 more than their non Kinect conterparts, just like the move stuff. There is a 50 dollar savings but in no way is it "like getting it for free".

No matter how many reasons people give nothing is going to change the fact that the demand in the US for the 360 is far higher than the demand for the ps3 and price has little to do with it.

 

[Shurs]

It also added Wi-Fi and removed RRoD problems (Jasper did that already, but Jasper looked just like previous models on the first glance).

This is the reason I decided to "jump in" as soon as the Type S model was available.

Even if the RROD issues were already cured, it took a physical change in the hardware to put my mind at ease. I also needed wi-fi.

 

[Paracelsus]

Evenutally? LOL!

The majority of people do not even have hd tvs! By the time people realize the WIi looks terrible the wii hd will be out!

Is this still true? I mean, that the majority of people haven't switched to HDTV? Stores basically throw HD ready tvs in your face, at this point. ._.

 

[Meier]

It also added Wi-Fi and removed RRoD problems (Jasper did that already, but Jasper looked just like previous models on the first glance).

I feel confident in saying that the RRoD has been a non-issue for Joe Six-Pack ever since it was out of the news which was years ago. Good call on the wi-fi though as I have to admit I forgot about it. I still think that the visual overhaul was the primary factor it helped spur sales even before Kinect.

 

[Gravijah]

Is this still true? I mean, that the majority of people haven't switched to HDTV? Stores basically throw HD ready tvs in your face, at this point. ._.

Most of the people I know don't have an HDTV. But I live in a very poor area.

 

[OldJadedGamer]

Maybe that's because the Move bundle is $100 over the normal retail PS3 price, and the Kinect bundle is the same $299 that the 360 has been selling for before Kinect.

The 360 was selling for $199 before Kinect. The Kinect bundle is $100 over the normal retail 360 price.

 

[MisterNoisy]

Is this still true? I mean, that the majority of people haven't switched to HDTV? Stores basically throw HD ready tvs in your face, at this point. ._.

According to this article, HDTV penetration was at 65% in the US in May of last year.

 

[chubigans]

The 360 was selling for $199 before Kinect. The Kinect bundle is $100 over the normal retail 360 price.

The 360 also had a $299 model before Kinect. Now it has a $299 model with Kinect, sans some GB storage. The bare bones $199 model has always been there, and I wouldn't exactly call it "standard," but you get what I mean.

 

[Dabanton]

I think we will at least see a GTA5 reveal this year. Though any hint of a release this year would see many big games suddenly need 'extra work' and be pushed back to 2012.

 

[OldJadedGamer]

The 360 also had a $299 model before Kinect. Now it has a $299 model with Kinect, sans some GB storage. The bare bones $199 model has always been there, and I wouldn't exactly call it "standard," but you get what I mean.

Yes, and now that $299 model is $399 with a Kinect. $100 over the normal retail 360 price.

 

[ItWasMeantToBe19]

I think we will at least see a GTA5 reveal this year. Though any hint of a release this year would see many big games suddenly need 'extra work' and be pushed back to 2012.

Going by Rockstar North's website, it seems like they've only started development of GTA V a couple of months ago. And they probably can't make Agent and GTA V at the same time.

 

[chubigans]

Yes, and now that $299 model is $399 with a Kinect.

There's still a $299 Kinect model.

Let me put it another way. For $299 you can either get a PS3 or an Xbox 360 with Kinect. Or if you don't want Kinect you can just get a 360 for $199. That's the bottom line.

 

[Karma]

There's still a $299 Kinect model.

Let me put it another way. For $299 you can either get a PS3 or an Xbox 360 with Kinect. Or if you don't want Kinect you can just get a 360 for $199. That's the bottom line.

Bottom line is Kinect adds $100 to the price of each bundle. It is not free as you first tried to say.

 

[OldJadedGamer]

There's still a $299 Kinect model.

Let me put it another way. For $299 you can either get a PS3 or an Xbox 360 with Kinect. Or if you don't want Kinect you can just get a 360 for $199. That's the bottom line.

Sure, but not sure why you're mentioning that it wasn't a good value with the Move and PS3 saying that it's $100 over normal retail when the Kinect is the exact same. There has always been a $100 price difference between the 360 and PS3 and the Move/Kinect didn't change that.

 

[Thunder Monkey]

This gen isn't over when one of the hardware makers has yet to hit $199. Hell last gens market leader hasn't been $99 for that long yet.

 

[I NEED SCISSORS]

Nice to see Red Dead Redemption continue to sell. I hope another DLC is made for it to further spur sales, and eventually a 'Complete' edition.

 

[chubigans]

Bottom line is Kinect adds $100 to the price of each bundle. It is not free as you first tried to say.

It is in the eyes of consumers.

Sure, but not sure why you're mentioning that it wasn't a good value with the Move and PS3 saying that it's $100 over normal retail when the Kinect is the exact same. There has always been a $100 price difference between the 360 and PS3 and the Move/Kinect didn't change that.

I can see what you're saying. Ok, I'll agree there.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

The 360 also had a $299 model before Kinect.

PS3 also had a $399 model before Move. In fact, once it had a $599 model as well.

 

[Mindlog]

I'm pretty sure Kinect has been raising the ASP on 360. However, not hearing a trumpet about YOY hardware revenue raises some uncertainty on that issue.

If true this would contradict the 'Kinect is Free' claim. Kinect would be luring consumers to the more expensive price points.

 

[Massa]

Move at $400 is a terrible price point. SCEA should have done the same as SCEE, just bundling the camera and controller with the system (no game) for $350.

 

[dalemurphy]

It is in the eyes of consumers.

Only if you assume that all consumers are idiots and don't understand the idea of physical storage. While I agree that there is a lot of stupidity in this world, you're making quite a stretch there to assume that most people can't figure out 250 GB vs 4 GB.

 

[dalemurphy]

I'm pretty sure Kinect has been raising the ASP on 360. However, not hearing a trumpet about YOY hardware revenue raises some uncertainty on that issue.

If true this would contradict the 'Kinect is Free' claim. Kinect would be luring consumers to the more expensive price points.

More than half of the systems sold were Kinect bundles. How would it not be luring customers to the more expensive price points?

 

[Sohter.Nura]

Reading the OP with the updated numbers again, PSP software sales were 10 million, rofl.

 

[Lebron]

So it's evolved into an ecosystem now, eh? Haha


Seems Kinect is still doing good, nice to see DC up there.

 

[duk]

this gen has legs! imagine the mandatory price drops later this year.

i dont want next gen to start til 2013 at the earliest

 

[RSTEIN]

Yeah, we still got price cuts plus a whole new cycle of mega games like GTA V, next Halo, Red Dead 2, plus a few other big projects that will sustain the 360/PS3 for at minimum 2 years.

 

[ItWasMeantToBe19]

GTA V and Red Dead 3 aren't locks for this gen. Rockstar will have to work way faster than normal to get them out and Activision could prize away their head talent in 2012 which could send GTA V and maybe Red Dead 3 into development hell as Rockstar would have to reorganize.

 

[Dabanton]

Good news that this gen will hopefully last longer.

 

[MikeE21286]

PSP software sales were $10 million (down 37%).


--- just end the damn thing lol. It's so sad the software situation in the US for the PSP

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

GTA V and Red Dead 3 aren't locks for this gen. Rockstar will have to work way faster than normal to get them out and Activision could prize away their head talent in 2012 which could send GTA V and maybe Red Dead 3 into development hell as Rockstar would have to reorganize.

If I had to guess, I would say GTA V is at least half-done already.

 

[Graphics Horse]

GTA V and Red Dead 3 aren't locks for this gen. Rockstar will have to work way faster than normal to get them out and Activision could prize away their head talent in 2012 which could send GTA V and maybe Red Dead 3 into development hell as Rockstar would have to reorganize.

Another Red Dead expansion seems a lot more likely. I think GTA V depends on how long this console gen lasts.

 

[dalemurphy]

GTA5 will be out within a year and a half, and I'm sure that Rockstar San Diego is already well into some type of production with the next game set in the Red Dead universe.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

If I had to guess, I would say GTA V is at least half-done already.

I don't know about that. I'm guessing Rockstar Norths next release is Agent, unless they have all other teams working on GTA5 simultaneously.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

I don't know about that. I'm guessing Rockstar Norths next release is Agent, unless they have all other teams working on GTA5 simultaneously.

I don't think we'll see Agent that soon, if ever, but if I'm wrong on that one, then I'm obviously wrong on GTA V as well.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

Price cutting will eat into the industry's revenue even more, any increased software won't make up for the loss since the generation is winding down.

Third party publisher health has little to do with "industry" revenue. More consoles sold equals more potential software revenue. <$199 consoles would be a godsend for a lot of titles releasing this year.

 

[TheExecutive]

They were stupid for 2 reasons: 1) they essentially copied a competitor's accessory (albeit doing a better job with it overall) and 2) for better or worse, they targeted this new peripheral at their core audience, people who already own PS3s. It's obvious now that people are not buying PS3s for Move.

MS went the other direction with Kinect. The right direction it seems. Sell it to your core audience at a premium, but bundle it for cheap with new consoles and get a whole bunch of new people on your platform that would otherwise not have given it a second look before. Kinect is different enough and casual enough to appeal to "non-core" gamers unlike the Move which just isn't hitting that demographic.

It doesnt need to sell new consoles to make the move successful. The move can find its own place among existing PS3 owners. Obviously sony would love for it to sell more PS3's but it doesnt have to in order to be viable.