PS2 price cut (1 Viewer)

[paul h]

Just read there are some solid rumours circulating that Sony will cut the UK price from £260 to £199 within the next few weeks...add that to a decent looking line up of software in the next 3 months and Sony should have a good xmas.

 

[Jay H]

Hmmm, would that just be in the UK or do you know if that is universal.. I've been waiting sooooo long before replacing my old PSX that I sold in June for something... Thinking that I'd have to wait for November when the X-box comes out though...
Jay
------------------
HUGBEES! Link Removed
Rider in the 2001 Alaska AIDS Vaccine Ride
Wanna Link Removed

 

[BrianB]

There's been rumours of a US price cut too, Jay, but nothing close to official news.
------------------
Nothing In Particular

 

[Morgan Jolley]

The only way the PS2 will get a price cut is if the GCN and XB get a big welcome and sell very well at launch or around Xmas. The PS2 doesn't need a price cut if it will still sell well at $300, so they won't cut it unless they need to.
I suggest buying a PS2 now rather than waiting for an X-Box. The XB doesn't have as many good games as the PS2 (even though its not out, you can get good games cheap right now and not have to wait) and the PS2 comes with the DVD ability out of the box. If there is something you like about the X-Box, like the games, then I suggest holding out.

 

[Joel Mack]

Unless Sony is irretrievably stupid, they will absolutely cut the price before XBox and GCN release. If they wait until afterward, it'll be too late. The money will be spent.
My prediction: Sony cuts the price by $50 sometime in October.
------------------
"The internet is a place where people from all over come together to
bitch about movies and share pornography."

 

[Morgan Jolley]

If Sony can still sell units at a steady rate at $300, they have no reason to lower the price. If sales slump in early October, there is a chance they could lower the price by mid-November (right before the X-Box and GameCube launches). I don't think they need to, considering the XB and GCN don't have that many killer titles coming out at launch, at least not enough to warrant picking up an XB over a PS2 (by Nov. 15 and 18, a bunch of really big PS2 titles will be out, although Metal Gear Solid 2 was pushed back to the 23rd).
The XB is really not a competitive piece of equipment (in the eyes of Nintendo or Sony) yet. If it gets a warm welcome on launch day and then gets a lot of good games out quickly, maybe it will make Sony and Nintendo take notice. I don't think the XB launch lineup compares to the PS2 library that will be available then, which is more than expected for any console launch. Even if the PS2 is a year old, more games is better, especially good ones.
We just got our satellite hooked up, so I was watching TechTV today, and during TechTV News, a thing at the bottom came up that Sony IS dropping the price of the PS2. No date or new price was there, just that it would happen. Sony doesn't need to, but I don't know everything, so it might be a good decision based on the info they have.

 

[Romier S]

I bet someone on the forum that Sony would cut the price down to 199.99 by christmas. We bet on one DVD for the winner. I forget who I bet though. If you would like to come forward .....are we still on?
I still think Sony will cut the price down to 199.99 in the U.S. They already have almost 15 million units sold worldwide. Remember the PS1 was cut in price a about 100 dollars its first year with only about 5-7 million units sold (of course we are talking about a system that is much more costly to produce). Besides I think if Sony drops the price by 100 dollars its gonna make it really hard on the competition. They already have a substantial lead in the market and with that low of a price point and an already decently established library (With a load of top tier titles coming real soon) they are gonna be hard to beat!!
(Although Im still buying my Gamecube )
[Edited last by Romier S on September 21, 2001 at 10:12 PM]

 

[Camp]

I'll take that bet. I believe it was I who took it in the first place.
$199 would be insanity. Their software line-up is easiliest the best among the 3 "next generation" consoles. People will buy at $299.

 

[Carl Johnson]

I've been debating X-Box vs Gamecube for my next console without even condsidering PS2 but if the price is dropped to $199 this becomes a three way battle for my money.

 

[Joel Mack]

Nice try, Camp. It was me you wagered with, Romier, and we're definitely still on. How come I haven't seen you in the OAR Avengers thread?
It makes absolute zero sense to wait until after the new consoles launch to lower the PS2 price, regardless of how well they're selling prior to then. Unless they make a "pre-emptive strike", I can almost guarantee where sales will be *after* November 15-18th...
------------------
"The internet is a place where people from all over come together to
bitch about movies and share pornography."

 

[Matt Birchall]

quote: My prediction: Sony cuts the price by $50 sometime in October.[/quote]
I'm definitely with you on the price here. $249.99 seems like a perfect place to put the PS2--it's right in-between the Gamecube and the XBox. In someone's eyes who doesn't have any of the three systems yet, it makes the most sense: "The PS2 is only fifty bucks more than the Gamecube, and it plays DVDs; it's fifty bucks less than the XBox, and it doesn't seem that much behind the XBox technically."
There's no way in the world that they'll drop it as low as $199.99. Yeah, that would really hurt both of the other systems' sales initially, but Sony would also be losing a ton of money, too--because the systems are selling just fine at $300 and would sell even better at $250--there's no need for them to drop it that low. Also, and I don't know how much of a difference this would make to most people, but a $199 price point would kind of be "admitting defeat" to the XBox--a $100 difference in the two might say to consumers that the XBox is $100 better than the PS2, technically. . . Wish I would have taken the bet.
Don't know when it will happen, but if/when it does, it will definitely be before the XBox launch on November 15. If they drop the price after XBox but before Gamecube, just like someone else mentioned above, the damage will have already been done. I'd guess we'll see a drop to $249.99 right around the first or second week of November.
-mwb-
------------------
Obi-Wan (to Anakin):
Why do I think you're going to be the death of me?
Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
May 22, 2002
(EDITED to update the apparently new release date for the Xbox. . .)
[Edited last by Matt Birchall on September 21, 2001 at 11:18 PM]

 

[David_LM]

I suggest buying a PS2 now rather than waiting for an X-Box. The XB doesn't have as many good games as the PS2 (even though its not out, you can get good games cheap right now and not have to wait) and the PS2 comes with the DVD ability out of the box. If there is something you like about the X-Box, like the games, then I suggest holding out.

Why recommend buying a PS2 now if there is a very good chance that the price will be reduced soon. I also would recommend to wait since you have often stated there should be plenty of Cubes and XBox's to go around. I would wait to see what the initial reviews of the XBox and Cube are at launch and see if the PS2 price is lowered. I want all of the information to be in before I make my decision. You state the obvious that PS2 has more good games out than XBox. But I give alot of weight to XBox's potential and ability to quickly catch up or even go around PS2 because of it power advantages.

 

[Romier S]

I thought it was you Joel I just couldnt remember off the top of my head . We are definitely still on!! (camp you sly devil you!!)
Its statements like the one that Carl made that make me believe Sony will drop the price that drastically. They know the Gamecube is a big threat. I think that last Resident Evil exclusivity announcement has made Sony a little worried too. Say what you will about the series (I LOVE IT!) but they sell like hot cakes. We are talking about a big time console war here people. Things are very different these days. Drastic times call for drastic measures.
The X-box I dont think is much of a threat..now even more with a delay and stil (IMHO) a lack of killer titles. Even then Sony has to have them in the back of their minds. you dont underestimate Microsoft.
We'll have to wait and see. If I'm wrong though I'll be the first to admit it (and send you your new DVD )
PS. I haven't been into PSO for quite awhile. Been playing Max Payne and Code Veronica for the PS2. ill see if I can find some time to jump on soon though.
[Edited last by Romier S on September 22, 2001 at 02:26 AM]
[Edited last by Romier S on September 22, 2001 at 02:28 AM]
[Edited last by Romier S on September 22, 2001 at 02:29 AM]

 

[Morgan Jolley]

$199 for the PS2 would be crazy. If they lower the price, it will be at $249.99 at the lowest. I could see them making it $274.99 or something like that. If they do it, they will probably do it in the beginning of November so that all the people on the fence jump to the PS2 right before the XB and GCN launches.
If you are looking at an X-Box or a PS2, go with the PS2. For the near future (through Christmas) the PS2 has a lot of advantages, even though the X-Box will have just come out. If you want great games, go with the PS2 for now. The XB might catch up next year, but it doesn't have a chance against the PS2's games for right now.

 

[Carl Johnson]

If having the best selection 'right now' was my primary concern then I would already have a PS2 but there are several factors to consider here. The cheapskate in me is giving serious consideration to the Cube. Nintendo always has some good games and the addition of Sega Sports titles is a big plus. The investor in me wants the Box, cause the launch titles look impressive, they get Sega Sports too and the system has lots of potential. That leaves PS2 in third place, badly in need of a price cut to get back into the picture.

 

[Rich Allen]

Sony would be crazy not to drop the price. They tend to be proactive and with the economy in the crapper right now, the 3 way videogame battle will be even tighter this year. Price is gonna be a big consideration and if one is $100 less than the other two, especially if it has Mario for the kids, guess which one it's gonna be. Plus, in public perception, the PS2 is old merchandise. It's been out a year now and the others are the hot new items. JQP tends to take great stock in perception.
Just because it's been selling well, don't mean it's gonna continue. A lot of stores have taken a bath on older PS2 games that they've had for about a year or so and they've only got so much retail space. Guess what's gonna get priority!!! Not more stuff that they think won't sell.

 

[Morgan Jolley]

The PS2 won't sell like hotcakes for the sole reason that it has a user base already. Its selling at a steady pace and there is no real need for Sony to drop the price. A lot of people who already have PS2s are buying GameCubes and X-Boxes, so Sony doesn't need to worry about pushing the hardware that much. The newer PS2 games are going to be on shelves next to X-Boxes and GameCubes, and people would rather pay $350 for a console (with excellent titles like ICO, Silent Hill 2, etc.) and a game than $350 for a console (with one or two good titles) and a game. If the PS2 has a library of good games (plus PSX games) then it is more worth it to buy a PS2 than an XB or GCN, even though they are just launching.

 

[Dave F]

Any price cut (even a small one) would be much more attractive if it was paired with additional hardware, such as the network adapter or DVD remote. Keeping the PS2 at the same price, but including the hard drive would even be a nice option. If it could be worked out financially, it could boost sales, keep the hardware competitive with newer systems, and help market penetration of the new accessories (which would be great for the network adapter).
-Dave
------------------
DVD List

 

[Morgan Jolley]

Actually, Sony could make a PS2 for $350 that comes with the remote and the network adapter. It might not be a good idea to make the price go up, but it would still be cheaper than buying the adapter and remote separately. They should make a $350 package that includes an online game and the adapter, because that would look great to consumers.
If neither works out, a $400 package with the adapter and HDD would look REALLY nice, except they would lose a lot of money.

 

[Rich Allen]

Morgan, how much is Sony paying you to be their cheerleader? And why are you so concerned about them lowering their price? We've all been the victim of buying something and next thing you know, the price is less than what you paid. Sony is going to lower the price, get used to it. I just got one and paid $299. No biggy.