There is growing speculation that a price cut and a new, slimline version of the machine are imminent..the new free PS3 Slim
Microsoft and Sony look set for another bruising round in their console war, with both companies rumoured to be readying price cuts of their gaming machines.
Sony will make an announcement in Cologne at the Gamescom conference on Tuesday, but has dismissed talk of an imminent reduction in the price of its PlayStation 3 console as mere rumour and speculation.
However, industry watchers noted that retailers have been struggling to replenish their stocks of the console, sparking speculation that not only is a price cut imminent but that a slimline version of the machine is set to be released.
With the console priced at just under £300, a price cut could tempt more cash-strapped consumers into buying a PS3. Since its launch, Sony has sold almost 24 million of the consoles but still trails Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii in terms of units shipped.
Retailers in the UK say that sales of consoles have eased over recent months in line with a seasonal slowdown. The constraint in supply of new PS3 units does not appear to be related to demand, suggesting that the shelves are being emptied to make room for the new, cheaper PS3 Slim’s launch.
Yet Sony’s hopes of stealing a march on its archrival appear to have been stymied. Not to be outdone, Microsoft is thought to be lowering the price of the Xbox 360 after US technology sites revealed a shake-up of the company’s pricing structure. Rumours suggest that the software giant is preparing to cut the price of its Xbox 360 Elite console, which includes a 120GB hard drive, by £60 to £170. That is likely to spell the end of the more basic Xbox 360 Pro model that was previously sold in that price bracket.
As is the case with Sony, the rumoured price cuts are expected to come into effect at the end of the month.
Source: Times Online
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