PS3 price cut unlikely to happen this year, say analysts

A number of games industry analysts have said they don't expect Sony to cut the PlayStation 3's price any time soon, despite competitive holiday packages from Nintendo and Microsoft.

Speaking to GamesIndustry in one of its regular multi-analyst consultations, IDC Research's Lewis Ward pooh-poohed the idea of a late 2012 price cut.

"Sony dropped their console prices $50 in 3Q11 so I don't expect another price cut this holiday season. I don't think Sony will have terrible game sales results this holiday season but I also won't be surprised if they come in third when it's all said and done," he said.

DWR Research's PJ McNealy said a price cut wouldn't do the corporation much good right now.

"The fundamental question for Sony right now is how many incremental PS3 units could they sell at this point in the cycle if they cut price now? My opinion is that it likely wouldn't have a big impact for Sony this calendar year," remarked

"Sony is trying to minimize losses right now after posting terrible financial results in the past year. I think the solutions for them right now are more focused on a slim PS3 with bundles."

EEDAR's Jesse Divnich also predicted an increase in bundled materials rather than a price cut, with National Capital Alliance analyst Mike Hickey noting that Sony may well be focused on holding steady ahead of a PS4 announce rather than trying to drive growth at this stage.

"We expect there will likely be a PS4 next year, and I think that's where they're putting the majority of their resources," he said.

"If they cut the price now, they'll just have to cut it again when they announce PS4. So maybe they are thinking 'Let's limp this through until the announcement' and then they'll do the next price cut similar to what Nintendo did with Wii in front of Wii U."

Microsoft formalised holiday price cuts on the Xbox 360 yesterday.