14 DAY TRIAL // The PlayStation 3 is the most expensive console on the market. With its $399 price tag, it dwarfs the $250 Wii or the $200 Xbox 360, which is why a price cut for Sony's big black box has been preached by analysts for quite some time.
We've seen time and time again just how unfounded those estimations were, as Sony dismissed rumors and speculations every time, saying that a reduction of the price would be made when the time was right and when customers would have the most to gain.
Such a time might be August, at least according to Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia, who talked with IndustryGamers and revealed that, in order to coincide with the sales boom generated by the launch of Madden NFL 10 football simulator, Sony might make its console more attractive.
“Industry sources indicate Sony is planning a $100 price cut on the PS3 in mid-August, just prior the launch of Madden (8/18) and the start of the back to school shopping season. This will naturally be a positive for the industry.”
This presumed price cut, coupled with one predicted by Wedbush Morgan Securities' analyst Michael Pachter, might lead to a much needed boost in all-around sales for the gaming industry, which hasn't had the best of years in 2009. “The industry is alive and well. While software sales for the first half of 2009 are expected to be down mid-single-digits, we believe the second half, in contrast, will likely be up 10% to 15% driven by a robust lineup, easier comparisons and potential price cut(s),” Bhatia added.
Hopefully we will get to see some price slashes during the times predicted by these analysts. But sadly we don't know anything for sure just yet, so don’t get your hopes too high until a representative from any of these companies will release a statement.