When the PS3 Slim was announced, I had one major feeling: Relief. I was glad that it was over, and the endless chatter about price cuts and retail listings could finally end. Forbes isn't relieved, however. Playing the role of the cynical dissenter, its official stance is that the announcement of the Slim and the price cuts is simply too little, too late.
"Now Sony's latest move, slashing the PlayStation3's price by $100 to $299 and offering a thinner version of the ginormous console, has almost no hope of making a difference," argues writer Brian Caulfield. "That's because Sony's technology-packed console will remain more expensive than either the Xbox 360, which starts at less than $200 and the Wii, which sells for $250.
"Not a good place to be, with price cuts for those consoles almost surely on the way. And while Sony's offering is packed with expensive technology, it's the least mature where it matters most: motion-sensitive controllers and online gaming."
Ouch. Harsh words from Caulfield, and whether you think he's talking out of his arse or not, he raises a point I had considered myself. Just how much good will the price cut do? A short-term sales spike is inevitable, but what happens after that? And what of the Xbox 360 and Wii price cuts that are sure to come? We'll have to wait and see what the future holds, but I certainly don't envy the PS3's position.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
5:40 PM on 08.19.2009
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Ehr.
AND ENRAGE ME.
Just like the PS3 Slim.
Also I can't wait for this motion control fad to be over with.
I was tempted by the price cut on the PS3 for a few minutes, but I don't think I really need both consoles this generation, better to just put the cash into my computer. But if I didn't already own a 360, I would have a real choice to make between the two.
Hard to argue with the price bit though.
Hey, how about this. Fuck you.
First off, motion control being an important of maturation? Give me a break. It's a tiny fad that has only helped the Wii to become a gimmick machine relying on those too lazy to actually work out.
Online gaming. Sure, it's immensely important in this day and age, and I think the PS3 is doing fine on this front, considering the Wii has little no online gaming to speak of, and the 360 charges to play online. Whereas the PS3 has free wireless online gaming. Please. . .
As far as price cuts are concerned, Nintendo has already established several times that the Wii will not be seeing a price cut any time soon as the system still sells incredibly well, and as long as that money keeps coming in, they're not gonna stop it. Then there's the fact that the 360 "starts at $200". Well, lets not care about the fact that the 360 SKU that starts at $200 requires a massive investment after the fact to do what the PS3 can do straight out of the box.
Just think about that for a while, moronic Forbes writer, and see if you even deserve to have your coveted job anymore.
2) There is no better time to slash a beefy console's price tag than before the holiday rush
3) Fuck Forbes
4) Shouldn't Forbes be off in their little corporate elitist clique that is in their own little reality that is out of touch with everything else?
5) Fuck Forbes
6) Since when is "motion-sensitive controllers" and "online gaming" the only thing gamers care about? (Coming from an elitist corporate entity who probably can't even beat the first level of Pac Man)
7) Fuck Forbes
Forbes is assuming an either or mentality - which is pretty dumb. I think there are going to be a lot of 360 gamers who will now also pick up a PS3. Especially considering the longer life cycle of this generation and if the current trends in exclusive PS3 games go, well, they are just getting better and better.
And don't forget those gazillion PS2 players out there. The ones who don't comment on gaming message boards. For every one gamer who comments there are probably 100 of those people.
Time will tell, but Forbes can go suck it frankly.
I'm not sure I agree about the price point. Mostly because the 360 Arcade has never, ever appealed to me. How can you run a 360 on 256 mb of flash memory? Is there a significant group of people who have bought the 360 arcade and continually pay $60 on new games that they can't get updates on? Not to mention how little you can use XBL.
Should Sony just make a neutered version of the slim with no HD and price it at 200 bucks?
How can they claim the PS3 is less mature than the Xbox 360 at motion controls?
Seeing as Hyundais are so cheap and start @ $7,000 Honda should pack their bags up and close shop.
I think this price point is Perfect for the PS3 as a standard Blu-ray player starts around that price.
I meant is not like they are making cheap cos nobody one want one
it's moar liek it's cheaper so EVERYONE CAN HAVE ONE!.
If this is not the moment for sony to gain some moment, probably is not the last chance. Microsoft can be very bully at home but honest outside of USA people don't give a rat arse for that console. America is the great market sure nothing wrong with that, but the world is way bigger.
They are only saying those two have strong points, whereas the PS3 is shit online and has shit motion controls.
No need to worry, though! Sony are busy stealing Nintendo's ideas right now! One motion controller, coming up!
Forbes can shut it. The price cut/slim is a good thing no matter how you slice it. Some people just like to be negative.
It's annoying when people steal generic control methods, I know. Alfred Vacheron was pretty miffed when other cars started to use steering wheels I understand...
Oh dear lord. If those two factors are the greatest factors in making a successful console I quit video games.
1) The PS3 is only 7million behind 360
2) 360 released a year/year and a half before depending where you live
3) The 360 is cheaper
4) Microsoft releases numbers shipped instead of sold so the gap could be smaller
THE PS3 IS DOING JUST FINE!