PS3 Blu-Ray Disc Production Costs To Be Half Price Of Current DVDs?
Sony balances out EA's talk of pricey next-gen development
Following Electronic Arts’ recent declaration that the production cost involved in next-gen software development could be as much as 200% of present costs, Sony has made an interesting point about the manufacture of the discs themselves. This information certainly undermines EA’s more self-serving approximations, and paints a far more optimistic picture of the future state of the industry.
Of course, Sony is defending its own interests and wants potential investors to know that there are positive prospects for the PS3, but if what it says is true, it will be good news for many involved in the industry. Apparently, the Blu-Ray discs that the PS3 utilises will cost half of what present DVDs do. This effectively means that a full 25 gig PS3 project could be pressed for half the cost of a typical PS2 project: which would, to a certain extent, help lessen the blow of the increased development costs that EA has cited.
This cost-cutting is derived from the fact that glass plates usually used in DVD production can be replaced by cheaper silicone ones. The size of the machinery itself is also an estimated 20% of older DVD equipment, freeing up floor-space and reducing associated property costs.
As soon as any other titbits of next-gen information surface, you'll be the first to know.
Of course, Sony is defending its own interests and wants potential investors to know that there are positive prospects for the PS3, but if what it says is true, it will be good news for many involved in the industry. Apparently, the Blu-Ray discs that the PS3 utilises will cost half of what present DVDs do. This effectively means that a full 25 gig PS3 project could be pressed for half the cost of a typical PS2 project: which would, to a certain extent, help lessen the blow of the increased development costs that EA has cited.
This cost-cutting is derived from the fact that glass plates usually used in DVD production can be replaced by cheaper silicone ones. The size of the machinery itself is also an estimated 20% of older DVD equipment, freeing up floor-space and reducing associated property costs.
As soon as any other titbits of next-gen information surface, you'll be the first to know.
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Comments
ohms 2 Sep 2004 15:53
1/6
wow, I thought blu ray would make the price of PS3 waaay high. still, if it's released close to xbox2 and revolution they'll never be able to maintain a £299 price point. (Although I thought the same of the PS2 when it came out at £299 with Dreamcast at £199, d'oh)
finian 2 Sep 2004 18:32
2/6
The funny thing is I remember the same thing being said when the ps2 was due out
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Joji 2 Sep 2004 19:25
3/6
Perhaps they are telling us what we want to hear. If it's true then that's a very good thing. You can't beat a good deal, but the games might still cost 40 quid each anyway.
Deviluck 2 Sep 2004 20:45
4/6
Im also suprised with its cheapness, well perhaps they have produced a weathly amount and found as a new technology its in the bandwidth to produve cheaply, though the new technolgy will be hard to make games on, like what EA said once.
NiktheGreek 3 Sep 2004 07:03
5/6
Indeed. Game prices are only dictated by their media format so much, really. If EA's statement about development being that much more expensive turns out to be true, we may well actually see a small rise in prices to cover costs.
If the customer is likely to see any saving from Blu-Ray, it is likely to be in the PC gaming sector where developers don't have to pay for development licenses and specialised media. If this does happen, PC gaming is going to begin to look a lot more attractive to some people - if the games are far cheaper and a decent upgrade only the price of a console away, who could blame them? Then again, what if EA's vision is true?
Interesting times we live in as gamers.
If the customer is likely to see any saving from Blu-Ray, it is likely to be in the PC gaming sector where developers don't have to pay for development licenses and specialised media. If this does happen, PC gaming is going to begin to look a lot more attractive to some people - if the games are far cheaper and a decent upgrade only the price of a console away, who could blame them? Then again, what if EA's vision is true?
Interesting times we live in as gamers.
saurian 6 Sep 2004 12:50
6/6
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