games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


Rumortoid: Another PS3 price drop to $299? [Update] photo

The last time we heard of a PlayStation 3 price drop it was a little more believable. Many felt that the system was overpriced, so a lower price was definitely welcome. The reduction(s) in price came, and Sony had a pretty decent holiday season for it. Now rumors are surfacing of another price drop. Another reduction in price would be every bit as welcome as the first, but this time around we'll be a bit more cautious with our hopes.

M&C says that the folks at SlickDeals.net are saying that we might see a $299 40GB model by January 29th. SlickDeals did successfully break news of the prior PS3 and Xbox 360 price drops, but we've heard nothing else along these lines yet.

Some may point to the recent announcement of a reduction in manufacturing costs as evidence, but we'll agree with M&C -- Sony wouldn't stand to gain much right now by dropping the price. You never know with Sony, though.

What do you think? Will we see a drop? Would this really benefit Sony in early 2008? 

[Update: The moon speak here at Bloomberg Japan is a statement from Sony's Kaz Hirai saying that there is no plans for a price drop. Didn't they say that last time?] 


Continue: More Sony stories





prev
next 50 comments

56 comments | showing # 1 to 50

broonor's Avatar
broonor at 01/22/2008 10:09
Well, given the hobbled features of the 40 GB, it's a welcome and almost expected drop, but that is quite a substantial drop in price. When you get down to it; I say the money is made on peripherals, games, and the PSN impulse $10 purchases. If the point of your system is to make money; best to take a hit on the chin on the console sale I say (rather than have no one play your games, not matter how "good" they are)
Corncobtacular's Avatar
Corncobtacular at 01/22/2008 10:12
I would think a PS2 price drop would be more likely until Sony needs to gear up for the next holiday season....then i'd say it's believable.
ShinAmano's Avatar
ShinAmano at 01/22/2008 10:12
I wonder if that means a $399 80gig...
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 01/22/2008 10:13
When was the last one? October? This seems a little early. I also don't necessarily think price drops have to come in $100 increments.

What about a $349 model with a Blu-ray movie and a bundled BD remote? That would capitalize on the crowd who is ready to upgrade now that it looks like the next generation of optical media has a victor.
JamesSorensen's Avatar
JamesSorensen at 01/22/2008 10:14
components costing less and consoles selling for a loss until later in life cycle could make sense... definitely possible and would make sense
bhive01's Avatar
bhive01 at 01/22/2008 10:14
I say no way. They just lowered it. Even with removing all that PS2 hardware and cleaning up the motherboard they're still losing money on each one. I could see one retailer having a small supply of them at that price to create some buzz, but other than that I don't expect a price drop until at least the fall if not 2009. And even then, 50$ not another 100$.
mistic's Avatar
mistic at 01/22/2008 10:15
for 299$ I might consider it :-)
kaz's Avatar
kaz at 01/22/2008 10:17
Yeah lets hope it's true and it also means a price drop for the 80 GB. I've been entertaining the idea of getting a PS3(mostly for the blu-rays), and the recent HD DVD woes have only strengthened the thought. I need backward compatibility though, I've seen roughly 0 PS3 games that I want, but there is a cubic shit ton of PS2 games I missed out on.
Teta's Avatar
Teta at 01/22/2008 10:17
I would buy one for that price.
Rhoq's Avatar
Rhoq at 01/22/2008 10:18
I just bought a 40GB last week. The 29th is my birthday. Circuit City better honor the price difference and refund me $100 if this turns out to be true.
RICHARD BLOCKER's Avatar
RICHARD BLOCKER at 01/22/2008 10:19
40 GB or not, If there was a 300$ PS3, I would buy it tonight.
tfo's Avatar
tfo at 01/22/2008 10:19
Well, one way or another, I'm glad I've waited to buy a PS3. And I'm glad for another reason to wait.
bhive01's Avatar
bhive01 at 01/22/2008 10:21
@Kaz, I take it you've never heard of Uncharted?
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 01/22/2008 10:22
Going through the slickdeals forum, I didn't see a source that seemed to know what they were talking about. Wouldn't surprise me if it's chatter started by Microsoft or Toshiba, geared at gimping January sales for PS3 in order to keep the HD-DVD dream alive. I love conspiracy theories.
that1dood's Avatar
that1dood at 01/22/2008 10:25
All in all, no I don't think it'll make a big difference in their sales. Though, I can honestly say that I would buy one if it did drop to $300. Sucks either way for Sony because last I checked they weren't making money off the consoles anyway. So it sounds like a lose-lose situation.
DTwirler's Avatar
DTwirler at 01/22/2008 10:26
IDC for the 40GB model, I want the 80GB. So until I see something lower, I'll wait.
Rockvillian's Avatar
Rockvillian at 01/22/2008 10:26
Still waiting, but they're on the right track!
chief blaze's Avatar
chief blaze at 01/22/2008 10:27
im not to crazy on owning a ps3 but if it keeps price dropping like i can be convinced Id get some moneys worth out of it. i dont care about hd dvd or blu ray, im all digital at my place, having a divx dvd player is the best in my opinion, for now.
Surf314's Avatar
Surf314 at 01/22/2008 10:32
299 are you out of your mind? word!
kaz's Avatar
kaz at 01/22/2008 10:35
@bhive01
Yes, thats why I said roughly 0, I've seen it but haven't looked into it too much. I was really just going to get the HD DVD drive for 360, but we've all seen the news the last couple weeks. After that news is when I said, "well maybe a PS3."
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 01/22/2008 10:37
Nope.
tarzanell's Avatar
tarzanell at 01/22/2008 10:39
If that would mean £199 in GBP, I'd be all over that like a 70's porn star on a moustache.
Reallynotnick's Avatar
Reallynotnick at 01/22/2008 10:39
Is there ever going to be a cheaper Blu-Ray player then the PS3?
galagabug 's Avatar
galagabug at 01/22/2008 10:40
thats a cheap blu-ray player right there!
DanGale's Avatar
DanGale at 01/22/2008 10:44
@tarzanell

Except that's not how it works. it's currently £299, so I could see it going down to around £249 next. But I doubt that would be until next Christmas at least. Then again, I've been wrong before.
moot button's Avatar
moot button at 01/22/2008 10:46
an FCC filing for a white 40gb popped up yesterday. i wonder if they're related. anyways, if this is true, thats a sweet price. i'd be able to get one for upstairs, bluray in da bedroom
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 01/22/2008 10:53
I think the only way Sony would consider a price drop right now is if they believe Microsoft is considering a price drop. For the consumer who hasn't been interested enough to buy a 360 during the last 3 holiday seasons, a $399 40GB PS3 compares favorably in terms of features to the $350 360 Pro.

Somebody who was really into games would already own one or the other.
Aertyr's Avatar
Aertyr at 01/22/2008 10:56
I might actually buy one if they did that, that and get a good game other then uncharted.
Fading Star's Avatar
Fading Star at 01/22/2008 11:14
Please!
foxhound009's Avatar
foxhound009 at 01/22/2008 11:21
It would totally pull a f king Fatality on ms...
for 299 you get 40 gb storage.. free playstation network... blue ray player.... omfg :O:O:O:O ...
they would have shortages for sure

please sony... if you see my comment... ow please do it.
Mr Lazy's Avatar
Mr Lazy at 01/22/2008 11:22
if it hits 300 bucks, i would definitely get one. even if it was to just play ratchet n clank and MGS4
decoyb's Avatar
decoyb at 01/22/2008 11:29
I don't think price is their problem. I could see the price drop around christmas but for now the ps3 is still a good value at 400.

They really just need some games out that even stupid/uninformed people recognize like MGS and Final Fantasy. They have plenty of good games, but not many with mass market appeal.
HarassmentPanda's Avatar
HarassmentPanda at 01/22/2008 11:34
At $299 I would get one once some more games came out. LittleBig Planet and MGS4 would definitely warrant a purchase.
blitzio's Avatar
blitzio at 01/22/2008 11:55
$299? Not bad for a bluray player that plays games :)
skullivan's Avatar
skullivan at 01/22/2008 11:58
A price drop at the end of January would do nothing but piss off the people who paid $400 for the thing during the holidays.

It's not like there's anything major coming out until GTAIV (whenever that is) so why would they drop the price now?

The PS3 will continue to sell at $400 just on the fact that it's the best Blu-ray player available for the price. Blu-ray player sales skyrocketed as much as HD-DVD sales tanked after Warner's announcement so there's not even a reason for them to lower the price to compete on that front.

I could see a Summer price drop to $300. No earlier than that unless MS announces a price drop of their own, which is very likely around the launch of GTAIV.
BlackDove's Avatar
BlackDove at 01/22/2008 12:05
I'll buy that for a dollar.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 01/22/2008 12:36
YES! Finally. I was wondering about this. The Wii and 360 are clearly going to drop down to casual-gaming price levels this year, and I figured Sony would have to follow suit. They're still low on my priority list, but this could make it actually plausible that I might eventually buy one.
Tubatic's Avatar
Tubatic at 01/22/2008 12:43
If that's the case, then I might just consider getting one, lest I can convince myself that I really care about online play in general and downloadable content for GTA.
JohnThEReaper617's Avatar
JohnThEReaper617 at 01/22/2008 13:04
I just want it cheap as can be so i can actually buy one. With college bills and such its not easy to expedite that much money so no more bundles and such just drop the price
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 01/22/2008 13:16
I doubt it.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 01/22/2008 13:24
I don’t see why they would drop the price now. They’re just coming off their best month of sales ever, and skullivan is right: it would just anger everyone who paid $399 during the holiday season. Plus, a $100 price drop is a lot. I’d expect to see it at $349 by the end of 2008.
Monte's Avatar
Monte at 01/22/2008 13:42
Ya, sony wouldn't drop the price now. The only time they would drop the price is during a high buying season, like the holiday, or during the release of a real system seller (MSG4 maybe?)... it's only at times like that when they will gain as much as they can on a price... during the high buying season you have a lot of people considering PS3 and dropping the price then would turn the heads of anyone on the fence about buying one.
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 01/22/2008 14:09
IF this happens, then Microsoft will surely have to drop their price.
xdaytime's Avatar
xdaytime at 01/22/2008 14:14
I'd buy a 400$ 60gb, but not a 40gb.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 01/22/2008 15:07
I refuse to buy the 40GB model. I suppose I better start saving up now to afford one of the remaining 60GB models in the gray market.
liqideos's Avatar
liqideos at 01/22/2008 15:51
Get the 80gb down to $299, and Microsoft is fucked. Period.
MasterMS's Avatar
MasterMS at 01/22/2008 16:50
I already own a 60GB PS3 but if I didn't there is no way I'd pay for a 40GB PS3 even at $100. Backwards compatibility is a must for me, I mean come on were talking about the PS2 library here, its IMO well worth the difference.
TheBrain's Avatar
TheBrain at 01/22/2008 17:25
Well I'm getting a PS3 as soon as I catch up with my 360 back catalog anyway, so this would be nice.
GrayFox's Avatar
GrayFox at 01/22/2008 18:55
$299 sounds like an absolutely insane price, but if it's true I'll buy one the day they drop it.
DrSpoq's Avatar
DrSpoq at 01/22/2008 20:18
fuck that - I was planning on buying very soon.. now I need to wait dammit :(
prev next 50 comments

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos



    Win this!
    Reminder: We're giving away six copies of Magnacarta 2!



    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Mahjongg Artifacts 2 review
    Dragon Age: Origins review
    Lost Winds: The Winter of the Melodias review
    Osmos review
    Space Invaders Extreme 2 review
    Half-Minute Hero review
    JU-ON: The Grudge review
    Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble review
    Thexder Neo review
    Domino Rally review
    more reviews
    PS3's 256-player MAG
    Rooms The Main Building
    Skate 3
    Hudson's bringing back the Bonk
    James Cameron's Avatar
    Bomberman Battlefest
    Calling
    Bad Company 2's multiplayer
    Partying like it's 1959 in BioShock 2's multiplayer
    BioShock 2 through the eyes of Big Daddy
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 49595 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing
    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Jim Sterling: How to respond to a videogame review





















    More Destructoid Originals



     Popular now more
























    Destructoid's editorial lovefest is:
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief    		 Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor
    Dale North
    News Editor    		 Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor    		 Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Letters to the editors
    tips@destructoid.com
    Associate Editors
    Ashley Davis Jonathan Holmes
    Brad Nicholson Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Chad Concelmo Matthew Razak
    Colette Bennett Tom Fronczak
    Conrad Zimmerman Topher Cantler
    Dyson Samit Sarkar
    Contributors
    Adam Dork
    Ben Perlee
    Daniel Lingen
    Joseph Leray    		 Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Will Maddock
    Stella Wong





     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    		 support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    		 keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online     		seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap     		our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?



    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006