The Times technology reporter, Murad Ahmed, has quietly dropped a bit of a scoop. His latest entry on The Times’ paywalled website starts by claiming that Sony is considering a price for the next PlayStation that would be something of a pleasant surprise.
The figure quoted is £300. That’s over £100 cheaper than the price of a launch day PlayStation 3 and would probably equate to something like $400 in the US.
Obviously, we’re all hoping for something as awesome as possible for as cheap as possible when Sony announces the future of PlayStation this week. Personally, I had been hoping for something like £250-£300 but expecting something more like £400-£500 for what is sure to be a very powerful machine. Of course, the other option is that Sony is planning a couple of bundles, including a limited one, perhaps with a small hard disk and a DualShock 3 rather than their fancy new controller.
I’d be surprised to hear anything about price on Wednesday so perhaps we can expect this area to be the next big rumour roundabout, once the actual console is unveiled.
How about you, obviously we’d all like to spend as little as possible but do you have any personal upper limits to what you’re willing to spend? Do you think this kind of price is fair or are you sure that it’ll be more expensive? Sound off in the comments section below!
Dar-Kaus
Sony are going to be selling the PS4 at a loss that’s a given, so maybe this time round they’ll start the price at £299 for a ‘basic sysyem’ to attract the early adopters and then make the money up on the hardcore players that are willing to pay £350-399. But of course we have yet to see how MS will react to any entry level system price, however just maybe it will be enough to ensure the those early adoptors who are still sitting on the fence for the next generation will consider the cost the real deciding factor in who gets their bucks.
HywelWJ
Yes, that’s how I see it too. The £300 mooted would be a basic model. Can’t see them going any lower than that.
Sad Panda
Will make my decision as close to launch as possible.
Price is not my major buy/not buy concern, leaning towards social network, free to play, DRM is.
This far, all the rumours are ticking the no box, lets see what is announced on Wednesday.
cc_star
Getting a good console in at the right price will be key to gaining traction.
Whilst not competing on the technology front Nintendo will be ready for a sizeable Wii U price cut in time for the Christmas quarter at a time when their big-hitting franchises are also releasing and that could make it quite a compelling purchase away from core Sony or Xbox fans.
I’d expect Microsoft to launch at a great price, where marketshare is probably more important than turning a profit for them as the Xbox brand represent Microsoft’s best (only) chance to get under people’s TVs on a mass consumer basis.
With those competing pressure I’d think a PS4 at anything over £300 would be a very tough sell, anything around the PS3 price of £400+ would bomb in the financial climate as it is now, I think even the initial PS3 pricedrop of £350 would be too much for anything more than the enthusiastic few.
£300 would be a sensible launch price, and whilst Sony could be taking a hit on the GDDR5 RAM in that, the rest of the more common off the shelf components would ensure there’s no reason for a hugely expensive slow-to-sell unit.
cc_star
Although 2 SKUs could make sense
Maybe one with 32GB on board memory at £300 & one with a 500GB replaceable HDD (I hope it’s replaceable again!)
hazelam
i can’t see making the new pad optional being a good idea, surely if they want it supported they need to ensure every PS4 owner has one.
anyway, that would be a nice launch price, another over 400 pound price might be an issue, money’s a bit tighter all round than it was when the PS3 launched.
cc_star
100% yes.
Anything optional will wither & die through lack of support
DividSmythe
I’ll pay £2000 yes I did say £2000 just give me console.
On a serious note I will be getting top model for it on release day if it’s around £500ish.
Lewis
I can see it being £300, and there being a huge push on Plus subscription. I wouldn’t mind throwing down £40 on launch for a few free games to stream. All they have to do is make the new Plus look amazing. I’m sure they will on the 20th. Sony are on a roll at the moment.
TSBonyman
That’s around €400 so not bad at all, especially when compared to the €630 i paid for PS3 at launch. I don’t think they will bundle it without the new controller though.
gaffers101
£300 is a great price. Lets see how it compares to the new Xbox!
bunimomike
Same here. PS1 and PS2 was £300 at launch so £300 to £350 felt reasonable to me (this time around). Thing is, you don’t want it too cheap as it means heavier subsidisation – not good for Sony – or cheaper components which means not good for us.
Deathbrin
More expensive games? :S
MICKY17
£300 – £350 would be perfectly acceptable personally. Anything more would be commercial suicide. Roll on Wednesday!!
Awayze
Set aside £500 for a PS4, been saving up for a year for it now.