Don Vito Corleone
Elite
What console fit that category? Everything was cartridge-based in the mid-80s, wasn't it? I think you're thinking of DVD players.
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PS3 Game prices To be $70-$80
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What console fit that category? Everything was cartridge-based in the mid-80s, wasn't it? I think you're thinking of DVD players.
mugs
Lifer
I don't think consoles were really the first CD players that very many people had. CD was introduced in 1982, the first popular system to use CDs as media was the Playstation in 1995. By then CD-ROMs were already popular in computers.
PS2 was responsible for converting Japan to DVD, but in the US DVD was already the standard.
Sony NEEDS to have the Blu-Ray drive in PS3, because they want to beat HD-DVD. PS3 will give them a large installed base of Blu-Ray drives. I think they put Blu-Ray in the PS3 to benefit Blu-Ray, not to benefit the PS3. On the other hand Playstation used CDs to benefit Playstation (much more storage and cheaper to produce than cartridges). CD didn't need Playstation's help. They put DVD in PS2 to benefit PS2.
DVD was still a pretty big selling point for the PS2 in the US, while the PS2 helped DVD gain a stronger foothold. When it first came out, the PS2 was priced at $299, while most DVD players were still $149-$199. I know in my household and a bunch of my friends that the PS2 was the first non-PC DVD player that we owned and got us started going to DVD from VHS.
My point is, I agree that it was already standardized, but the PS2 really helped make DVDs more popular for the average consumer.
Powermoloch
Lifer
Long live PC gaming
Queasy
Moderator<br>Console Gaming
That's why I changed the wording from "many" in Duroc's post to "some" in mine. I literally knew people whose first CD player was the PS1.
But, the point I was trying to make was that CDs and DVDs were already established technologically. Blu-Ray is a brand-spanking-new technology and is being released at practically the same time as the PS3. That makes it a) limited in production and b) troublesome which does nothing but increase the costs.....hence $70+ games for the PS3.
mugs
Lifer
Yeah it did, but it was continuing an existing trend. The switch to DVD would have continued without the PS2, just a little slower. Sony is essentially using PS3 to "launch" a new technology (and one of their own design). Looking back, that hasn't worked out so well for them (i.e. minidisc, memory stick, UMD, etc...). Not that Blu-Ray is entirely comparable to those formats, because they have the backing of other companies this time.
JackBurton
Lifer
This reminds me of NeoGeo. NeoGeo was $600, but even if you could afford the console, games were $200 a piece. Sounds like Sony is taking the same route, and it didn't work out too well for NeoGeo.
If it is true $70+ per game, that is ridiculous. Sony is going to have a real problem on their hands with $80 games. Nintendo may have just played their cards perfectly.
If it is true $70+ per game, that is ridiculous. Sony is going to have a real problem on their hands with $80 games. Nintendo may have just played their cards perfectly.
Mr.IncrediblyBored
Lifer
Will PS3 games cost $70+? Maybe, but for a multitude of reasons. Queasy fingered Blu-ray discs as the predominant culprit. Did he outright say it? No, but it was implied. ("But, it does make sense given the cost of Blu-Ray discs.") Since you chose to involve yourself in the discussion, I jumped to the conclusion that you agreed with him.
Unfortunately, neither you or I know (A) the cost to manufacture a BD-ROM and (B) how much of the price increase will be passed onto the consumer.
Well I've worked in Management for a Device Manufacture. It's certain that cost will be passed on to the customer for a new product which utilizes a new production method that cost signifigantly more than previous manufacturing processes. Having to outfit your production floor with new systems is equally expensive.
If Movies are going for 25-100% per disc than Blu-Ray, I think any intelligent person can consider a $10-$20 jump in price over the standard DVD disc of Microsoft 360 is more than possible.
"But in at least one early test, according to a top manufacturing executive who asked to remain anonymous, a manufacturing line for HD DVD discs produced nearly twice as many usable discs as a similar line pumping out the Blu-ray format, over the same period of time. That translates into higher costs for Blu-ray producers. Moreover, component costs for Blu-ray can be nearly double HD DVD costs, because elements are still hard to find, the executive said. "
"Blu-ray discs, on the other hand, require completely different equipment. Most of the major disc replicators--the companies that make DVDs and CDs--now have a test line or two up and running, but hard data on production costs remains scant. "
This is from a CNET news post.
While, no, I don't know the exact cost for production - it's safe to say that a production rate of 50% loss over normal DVD, along with the cost of hard to find elements will lead to expensive disc for the first year or two of production.
Mr.IncrediblyBored
Lifer
HD DVD movies are already on the market for the same MSRP as BD-ROMs. They obviously don't cost the same to manufacture - the troubles with Blu-ray are well documented. What it does imply is that the Blu-ray group is willing to eat into margins to remain competitive. You maintain that it's possible that PS3 games will be more expensive, in part, because of Blu-ray. I maintain that Sony has already set the precedent that it is willing to compete on the price of media, despite margins.
I can purchase a DVD-9 disc from a third-party replicator for <$1 per disc, with color printing, and a DVD case. I've seen cost estimates for single layer BD-ROM ranging from 2 to 4x more expensive per disc than a dual-layered DVD. That means for a $60 video game, anywhere from $2-5 will be used strictly for manufacturing the media. Does that mean I should expect a $10-20 increase in retail price?
If you wanted to argue that PS3 games will cost more to (A) help pay for rising development costs and (B) subsidize the Blu-ray drive in the player, I would agree wholeheartedly.
Slicedbread
Senior member
I dont know if any one noticed this but this info was published in August of 2005, Latest headline, the best headline was on October 31st.
It IS several factors, as I stated in a previous post. It's Manufacturing, Development and Supply/Demand.
I do note however that you say "I maintain that Sony has already set the precedent that it is willing to compete on the price of media, despite margins"
Sony isn't going to be the sole manufacture for Blu-Ray Disc games are they? What about all of these smaller shops and other who produce games. Do they have to go through Sony? I can't see some of these developers eating the cost of a disc. Sony, sure.
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