Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's president, David Reeves, has stated that he expects PlayStation 3 to reach 'break-even' in 2009. At that time, Sony is "probably going to be a little bit more aggressive".
The full quote is:
"Next year we are probably going to be a little bit more aggressive when we reach the break-even point."
Speaking to
MCV, Reeves also stated that, "No we are not going to go down in price; neither are we going to go down in price on PS3 in spring time either. Absolutely not, whatever you might have heard to the contrary..."
He also restated the information that the PS3 is 'tracking' at the same place at PS2 was in the console lifecycle. This, however, is in the same interview in which he states that, "We’re relying on the fact that the industry will keep growing and while we might have a comparatively smaller share of the market we will have higher sales."
This seems to mean that PS3 is 'tracking' at the same number of sold or shipped units as PS2 at the same point, but in a bigger market and at a greater cost of manufacture?
One point that is definitely without question - and which we can all therefore refer to as absolute fact in future - is the statement:
"No we are not going to go down in price; neither are we going to go down in price on PS3 in spring time either. Absolutely not."
A brave move in light of price cutting by rival Microsoft and the already lower-cost (than PS3) Wii? Or one forced on the man and his company by the price of the unit? So, how are SCE and its branches such as SCEE going to convince people who are not conversant with console-by-console hardware specs? Who don't understand Blu-ray and who walk into shops seeing Xbox 360 prices against the Wii price against the PS3 price?
Well, says Reeves, "Our strategy is very much value added" - prepare for bundles folks. Prepare for bundles in which the software and peripherals take the cash hits.