It's Official: PS2 is now $199

[Perfect Stu]

Sony Lowers PS2 to $199

SCEA officially announces North American PS2 price reduction.

Sony Computer Entertainment America decided today not to be the follower, but to retain the role of the leader, officially reducing the price of PlayStation 2 from $299 to $199 in North America, the company said in a late night press release Monday. The price drop will take effect immediately.

Amid rumors of a pending Microsoft price reduction for the Xbox -- and after a week of internal discussion and debate, following Microsoft’s price reduction in Europe – SCEA announced a sweeping set of price drops including a price reduction of the PS2 as well as the PS2 8 MB memory card and PS2 Dual Shock controller. The official memory card will retail for $24.99 (down $10 from $34.99), while the Dual Shock from $34.99 to $24.99.

“Our company has always been very aggressive on pricing and we have always looked forward to passing on the manufacturing cost efficiencies to the consumers,” said Molly Smith, SCEA’s director of public relations. “We want to further escalate the accessibility of the PlayStation 2 and to encourage gamers to buy consoles. We don't want pricing to be an inhibitor. With a price point of $199, we will be able to further enhance our business.

As part of an even larger plan, SCEA also announced price reductions of the PS one, the PS one combo, and the PlayStation Dual Shock controller. The PS one will now retail for $49.00 (down from $99); the PS one combo (the portable screen and the PS one units combined) will now retail for $149.00 (down from $199.00), and the PlayStation Dual Shock will now retail for $19.99.

“We are able to lower the price because we have gone through significant pains to modify and make the manufacturing process as efficient as possible for the PS2. The semi-conductor fabrication for PS2s is under the Sony roof so we can control that process a little bit better. At the close of the 2001, Sony became more profitable than we had projected, and we recouped the original investments quicker than we expected. Cracking the 30 million unit mark [shipments made to retailers worldwide] is very significant to us.”

Last week, however, SCEA was singing a different tune. In an interview with SCEA on <a href=”http://ps2.ign.com/articles/358/358880p1.html”><b>this very site</b></a>, a company official was quoted as saying that SCEA was very comfortable with its $299 price point, adding that it didn’t need to drop its price “one iota” in response to the competition. So why the sudden drop to $199? And why now?

“It's more important for us to take the big leap,” said Smith. “And we wanted to make sure that we were doing this for long-term growth. The price point of $299 has served us well. It’s our goal, and it's always been our goal, to reach beyond the core audience to the outskirts of the mass-market audience, and to superceed our own business goals. We are tracking 2.5 to 3 times better sales with PS2 than we were with PlayStation relative to this point in time with PlayStation, and we felt that a $100 reduction was where we needed to be and for the foreseeable future. Also, we didn't really want to distract from E3, which is about the software, not price drops. So it's important to have very constructive meetings with our retailers and partners and plan for the rest of the year.

In related news, Sony Japan announced a very different kind of price reduction for its PlayStation 2 business. SCEJ will reduce the price of PS2s, but using an open-market model, one in which Japanese retailers will openly decide how to price the hardware unit. Retailers will use the model to compete selling PS2s at prices they find affordable, hoping to undercut competing retailers.

“We kind of executing on all fronts and we want to bring this console to biggest market possible,” Smith added. “We want our business partners to sell as many units as possible.”

:cool:

Alright, everyone on these boards have no excuse now...buy a PS2!!!!!! ;)

[TheGame]

Ps2 and Gamecube are the same price now!!!

I wonder if Nintendo is willing to make a sacrifice and drop GCN's price too.

[Revival]

I don't think GameCube would drop it's prices now.. it's a bit too early for that.. I mean, it would be smart business to drop NGC's price a bit, but we'll have to wait and see what comes out of all of it.

[DeathsHand]

Not only is NGC and PS2 the same price, but the PS2s controllers cost like 10 bucks less now and the memory card price drop makes NGC's memory cards even more of a rip off ;)

"I don't think GameCube would drop it's prices now.. it's a bit too early for that.. I mean, it would be smart business to drop NGC's price a bit, but we'll have to wait and see what comes out of all of it."

There has been talk that if PS2 drops it's price to 200 instead of 250 (which they have) and then XBox has to do the same (which they might), NGC would be sitting there with no price advantage and still a fairly low ammount of good games, and good games coming out still at a fairly slow pace, and Nintendo might have to drop the price a bit as well...

I mean, NGC just started pulling ahead of Xbox in the sales after Xbox had been leading for awhile, so Xbox still has a small lead in the overall sales I think... if Xbox has to drop it's price to 200 (maybe even earlier than they expected, which is around E3, although it wouldn't be much earlier), it could pull ahead of NGC again in the weekly sales and NGC's sales could drop...

See what I'm saying? That's why IGN and videogames.com have been talking about a possible "Major price war" or something for the past... little while, and now it looks like the first step to starting one was taken :D

[Revival]

Well, Nintendo's in a tough kinda position right now.. I mean, if they want to drop the price to be able to compete with other gaming systems, but they also want to be able to make a good amount of profit.. I think it would be great if Nintendo dropped their prices, it might [ok, it WILL] lead to more sales, and like IGN has said, I think this is going to lead to a price war. Maybe eventually the gaming companies will pay US to use their systems.. [ok, I'll keep dreaming] :p

[Jonbo298]

I think Nintendo WILL drop their price to $149.99 to stay competitive and M$ might drop the price to $249.99., but they don't need to since they have enough damn money already. If M$ dropped it to $200, they would lose even more money(and will probably not even make a profit on the Xbox by 2005 like they have said). . . Even though I am only a Nintendo product owner. I might, might get a PS2 after I heard that they have dropped the price to $200. I didnt want to pay $300 in the first place since I already have a DVD player. I will probably wait until a few online games come out since there isn't a whole lot of games on the PS2 that I want at the time. Plus I have already played most of them at friend's houses.

[BreakABone]

Well the GC and PS2 now have trhe same price controller, and I think the 251 is still cheaper than the PS2's card even though it's still much tinier.

Well, now there is even more reasons for me to pick up the Ps2 in the summer. Now if I could get that job...

[DeathsHand]

Originally posted by Jonbo298
but they don't need to since they have enough damn money already.

Well, I think the main reason Sony cut their price when they did is cuzza the big talk about how MS is going to cuz their price at E3...

"I didnt want to pay $300 in the first place since I already have a DVD player"

Gee what a good reason not to get one :rolleyes: I thought Nintendo fans dropped that DVD thing like... a year ago... :D

"Well the GC and PS2 now have trhe same price controller, and I think the 251 is still cheaper than the PS2's card even though it's still much tinier."

Yeah the controllers are the same price now... that's good, cuz I've been wanting to pick up a 2nd NGC controller... But the memory cards are still a rip off... :D even that bigger one you mentioned that's not even out yet... :sneaky:

[Revival]

DeathshandLP: cuz PS2 and Xbox are selling for a loss, but they make up those losses from game and accesory sales
DeathshandLP: so it all evens out
DeathshandLP: ....
ShooterAD: Might not be the case with Nintendo.
ShooterAD: They don't have a lot of games out there yet to make up for the margin.
ShooterAD: That's why I don't think they are going to drop their prices.
ShooterAD: Once Nintendo comes out with all of these fancy accessories [GBA cable in stores, modem, Wavebird, bigger memory cards] and of course, more games that appeal to a wider audience, I think THEN Nintendo will drop it's prices.

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by Jonbo298
since there isn't a whole lot of games on the PS2 that I want at the time

LMAO! And there's a whole lot you want at the time on Gamecube?

http://www.gametavern.net/forums/images/icons/laff.gif http://www.gametavern.net/forums/images/icons/laff.gif

[TheGame]

I'm suprised you guys didn't know...

but...

Unlike Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft (at least in this war) is NOT in it for the money. They are in it to sell a lot and become a household name. Next generation they will think about making $$$, but this generation they are trying to get a userbase (sacrificing $$$ to become a decent competitor in the future).

So a drop to $200 wouldn't suprise me.

And Shooter, Nintendo should start worrying about making a profit AFTER they start releasing good games.

Right now, I doubt Nintendo will be able to compete with Sony or Microsoft at the same price... I mean, that's what happens when you have the worst hardware (features) and the worst games.

This fall Nintendo may compete at the same price, but right now I doubt they can.

[Professor S]

Jonbo, I am not a Sony fan AT ALL (because of business tactics, mainly... killed my Dreamcast... BASTARDS!!), and I even think your full of s**t when you say there are no games on PS2 which interest you. That may be one of the most fanboyish statements I have ever heard.

[Perfect Stu]

What Justin's trying to get at:

Nintendo is screwed, unless they do something. Fast. E3 better be HUGE for them...as far as new, original games are concerned. And lots of them.

I thought I was gonna get a Gamecube FOR SURE. Now I'm sure that I will wait at least until it drops to $149...

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by Jonbo298
Ok, ok. I didn't mean NO games. just not enough for me to want to buy one. I only like certain genres(mainly FPS and Racing). But I just don't want to spend more $ at the time for another system when I can wait and get games for my other console. But down the road, I might get one, depending that is.

you like FPS and Racing and you bought a GAMECUBE?

*holds back laughter*

No, wait...I shouldn't be laughing...it has...Agent Under Fire...and...Burnout...

BWA HAHAHAHA

[Jonbo298]

Originally posted by The Strangler
Jonbo, I am not a Sony fan AT ALL (because of business tactics, mainly... killed my Dreamcast... BASTARDS!!), and I even think your full of s**t when you say there are no games on PS2 which interest you. That may be one of the most fanboyish statements I have ever heard.

I didn't say none(unless I did). I meant that I only like a few genres(mailny FPS and Racing) and I really don't wanna buy PS2 games since I really don't like half to most of them. I just have more trust in my 'Cube. So, people, dont be saying that I bash Sony, dont like any of the games, yadda yadda yadda. Cuz there are a few games I like.

As to what Perfect Stu said, I am a little weird at the time and can't get the words outta me, ok!

[Bond]

WOAHA... WOAHA....

NOW I CAN PLAY FFX!!!

WOAHA.... WOAHA...

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by Jonbo298


I didn't say none(unless I did). I meant that I only like a few genres(mailny FPS and Racing) and I really don't wanna buy PS2 games since I really don't like half to most of them. I just have more trust in my 'Cube. So, people, dont be saying that I bash Sony, dont like any of the games, yadda yadda yadda. Cuz there are a few games I like.

As to what Perfect Stu said, I am a little weird at the time and can't get the words outta me, ok!

it's alright, kid, I'll leave ya alone...

[Revival]

Originally posted by TheGame
And Shooter, Nintendo should start worrying about making a profit AFTER they start releasing good games.
Yeah, that's my whole point.. I don't think they will lower prices until they can make a profit.. which will come from good games.

[Shadow_Link]

I remember Nintendo saying that if Sony were to drop their price before or at E3, then they would have to follow suit.
I guess they have already started with lowering the price of the normal controller and the yet unreleased wavebird. And with the higher capacity memory card coming out, they will most probably drop the price of the memory card 59...

It was only time until Sony dropped their prices. One of their spokesman for the UK commented on a major price drop once the manufacturing process for the PS2 had improved.

So... I guess all the gamers should be VERY happy now.

[Joeiss]

Sweet news! Now I will probably be getting 2 new controllers... Because mine are pretty warn out, and I want to get a 4-player adapter too. MULTIPLAYER, baby!!!

I find it funny how IGN says that PS2 is selling for 199.99 in North America. I think that they forgot a little something called the exchange rate, lol. But if it is $200 in Canada (which I HIGHLY doubt), then I will definately be buying a new one, and selling it for 300 to my next door neighbour. :p

And thank God the price of the memory cards is coming down! Those were $50 Canadian... So now they are probably $35-$40. Sweet news.

Hopefully Sony's decision will force Xbox and GCN to lower its prices, so that way I can maybe afford to get all three systems. :) Then I won't be missing out on any of thhis first party and exculsive crap!

[Jin]

Yay! I'll finally be able to get all of the Next Gen consoles. Since Sony decided to lower it to $200, Nintendo and Microsoft have almost no choice but to lower their's aswell. I'm so glad I waited to buy all these and bought classic games instead, because I'll be saving $250! It pays to be patient.:)

[Ginkasa]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!



*falls unconcious*

[fingersman]

I don't think Nintendo will drop their prices yet......they will eventually..but not right now. I can't even think of a good reason why they wouldn't but I just think so.:confused:

Maybe it's because I think Nintendo will depend on it's franchises/games that are coming out this summer to sell the system this summer...or something. :unsure: I don't know.

All I know is that I gave someome $140 today to buy two GC games when they go away ...now if I had put $60 with that :sneaky:..argh they probadly couldn't buy it anyway...I don't know how if she would have enough space in her suit case to accomadate that.....so I guess I'll get the PS2 next year when I go away. I mean getting the system is one thing but supporting it with games is another....I mean I'm going to go broke buying....errrrr right..a little of track and stuff...my bad :sneaky:

Well great news this price drop is...I'll buy a PS2 next year or later this year after I get some money saved up. :D

[Drunk Hobbit]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2002/20020515l.gif

[bobcat]

Originally posted by TheGame
Ps2 and Gamecube are the same price now!!!

I wonder if Nintendo is willing to make a sacrifice and drop GCN's price too.
GC was $399 now $329 in Australia.

They did already drop the price

[TheGame]

Originally posted by bobcat

GC was $399 now $329 in Australia.

They did already drop the price

I'm talking about the US...

[bobcat]

I couldn't believe it when I logged onto www.nintendo.com.au about 3 weeks ago ( I think ) and saw the price of the GC.

I already thought $399 was cheap, then when it dropped to $329, there was no doubt in my mind.

Also I bought the Xbox for $630 and then a couple of weeks later, it dropped to $399. Luckily MS had a thing whereby they were giving away 2 free games and a controller for ppl who bought it early like me.

[BlueFire]

Yes! This increases my chances for a PS2 a lot!


*hopes for the best*

[Revival]

Geo, you still have to mooch the PS2 off your brother though, don't you? :unsure:

[Violence Fight]

I am annoyed by all of this blather. I payed alot for my PSX now I feel gipped. DEATH FOR ALL! I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS!
GRAHHHHHHHHHHHH! *Grabs the side of his head and does the now famous "angry Backbend Scream as the camera pans out"*

[bobcat]

Originally posted by Violence Fight
I am annoyed by all of this blather. I payed alot for my PSX now I feel gipped. DEATH FOR ALL! I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS!
GRAHHHHHHHHHHHH! *Grabs the side of his head and does the now famous "angry Backbend Scream as the camera pans out"*
LOL nice avatar and sig!

Avatar is Evil Iori (or Orochi Iori) from Kof97 I can tell :p