Rumor: Ars Technica Mole foretells PS3 and 360 price drops in fall

[Marine Mike]

Rumor: Ars Technica Mole foretells PS3 and 360 price drops in fall
by Griffin McElroy { Jun 26th 2009 at 2:15PM }

Yes, we know -- another console price drop story. Our contempt rivals your own, we assure you. However, this time around, the report comes from a source that's proven to be eerily accurate on hardware announcements in the past -- Ars Technica's unnamed "mole," a prophetic figure who managed to predict the capabilities of the PSP Go, the release of the red Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 bundle and, most notably, last fall's universal 360 price cut.

On the Sony front, the mole is claiming that the 80GB PS3 will become scarce over the next two months, being mostly replaced by the 160GB model. As the larger model continues to sell into the fall, Sony will supposedly simultaneously announce the oft-rumored PS3 Slim and the even more oft-rumored price cut. The mole was unable to discern the exact amount that would be shaved off the price of the console, but was confident it would provide Sony with a much-needed sales boost.

For Microsoft, the mole expects the Pro system to be ushered off store shelves with the help of a few attractive Pro bundles which will crop up over the next few months. The Pro will be replaced by the 120GB Elite, which will supposedly undergo a price cut in September, followed by the release of its own bundles in October. With downloadable titles becoming a focus for both companies, turning the spotlight on consoles with larger hard drives makes sense -- but only time will tell if the Ars mole's sterling predictive reputation will persevere.

[Rike255]

Oooooooh eerie!

[Septimus Prime]

I hate these rumors. Here's what always happens:

-People read about they rumor
-The same people say, "I was going to buy a PS3, but I'll just wait for the price drop"
-The price drop doesn't come
-Depressed sales

It almost feels like MS is starting these PS3 price drop rumors themselves.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Septimus Prime

I hate these rumors. Here's what always happens:

-People read about they rumor
-The same people say, "I was going to buy a PS3, but I'll just wait for the price drop"
-The price drop doesn't come
-Depressed sales

It almost feels like MS is starting these PS3 price drop rumors themselves.

It does include a MS price drop as well so its not a sole focus 'against' the PS3 persay.

[Shin-Ra]

Bored of these rumours now.

[Septimus Prime]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

It does include a MS price drop as well so its not a sole focus 'against' the PS3 persay.

I'm just saying in general.

[Elandyll]

With price drop predictions twice a month on average, one of them is bound to be right on the money one of these day

[Velmeran]

So if this latest rumor is true, and more specifically about the 360 price drops..

How in the red is M$ willing to go in an attempt to get/keep the number of 360's sold above the # of PS3's sold?

[Terjyn]

That "story" does not tell of a 360 price cut. Changing what you get at a price point is not a price cut, otherwise Sony has got like a dozen "price cuts" under their belt already for the PS3. /snicker.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by Terjyn

That "story" does not tell of a 360 price cut. Changing what you get at a price point is not a price cut, otherwise Sony has got like a dozen "price cuts" under their belt already for the PS3. /snicker.

Yeah. Seems they will just replace the Premium by the Elite for the same price (if story is true).

[sfmarine]

Just came across this video.

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/p...ack-57/1330001

$300 would be nice!

[vladittude0583]

I am all for the price cut, however, would $299.99 suffice to bring about a spike in PS3 sales indefinitely until the next price cut or do you guys think this would be more of a temporary fix?

Personally, given the state of the economy, even I would find it hard to fathom paying $299.99 for a gaming console given its competition is priced relatively much lower albeit $299.99 for the PS3 is definitely a bargain with what comes standard for the gaming console assuming Sony does not change any of the existing features.

[icyteddy]

From the rumors that have been floating, Sony will be phasing out the 80g model for a 160g slim version of the PS3. The new slim PS3 will be running the 45mm chip also. As for the price, once again about a $100 price cut. If I did not already have my PS3 and if the slim version is $299 I would jump on this suppose new price.

[sfmarine]

What kind of chip does the 80 gig model have? I'm still waiting on the proposed "slim version" we'll see what happens. I am in the market for a new player so I may get another ps3. I'd like a quiet player...my ps3 is a lion.

[icyteddy]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

What kind of chip does the 80 gig model have? I'm still waiting on the proposed "slim version" we'll see what happens. I am in the market for a new player so I may get another ps3. I'd like a quiet player...my ps3 is a lion.

The older 80g model(one that can play PS2 games) uses the 90mm. The newer 80g one uses the 65mm thus making it quieter and cheaper to produce. The suppose slim version may use the newer 45mm.

[Azyiu]

Even if this rumor is true, it won't do a thing for me; as late versions no longer offer BC...

[ScarredLungs]

If it is true, that would be awesome! We shall see what actually happens.

[Mobe1969]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Even if this rumor is true, it won't do a thing for me; as late versions no longer offer BC...

BC would be nice, but I'd settle for a cheap PS2 with HDMI...

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by Mobe1969

BC would be nice, but I'd settle for a cheap PS2 with HDMI...

In many ways I agreed with you, yet I don't want to have several pieces of equipment sitting around. I like my HT area nice and neat.

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

In many ways I agreed with you, yet I don't want to have several pieces of equipment sitting around. I like my HT area nice and neat.

I've said this one before: The next redesign of the PS3 should have a spot up front with a PCI-E slot or something similar. Then, sold separately, you should be able to get a Retro-card that plugs into into it and has controller/memory card ports up front. The retro card would have a compacted PS2 board on it.