Wada Sees A "Big Impact" From PS3 Next Fiscal Year?

[dereksworl]

Possibly get back some of those Playstation exclusives?

Square Enix sees big impact from PS3 cut next year

* PS3 cut won't lead to revision in 2009/10 f'casts-president

* Big boost from PS3 cut likely to come in 2010/11-president

* Shares close up 2.4 pct, lifted by brokerage report (Recasts, adds comments from president)

TOKYO, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Sony Corp's (6758.T) introduction of a cheaper PlayStation 3 will have a big impact on video game sales in the next business year following a limited boost this year, the head of game maker Square Enix Holdings (9684.T) said.

Square Enix President Yoichi Wada told a gathering of reporters on Wednesday the PS3 cut would be positive for game sales but not enough to warrant an upward revision to its sales and profit forecasts in the current year to March 2010.

Last week Sony said it would roll out a slimmer, cheaper version of the PS3 in the first week of September at $299 in the United States, 299 euros in Europe and 29,980 yen in Japan, a quarter of the previous price. [ID:nLI152101]

The move is expected to give a lift to sales of the PS3 and game makers, which include Electronic Arts Inc (ERTS.O), Activision (ATVI.O) and Capcom Co (9697.T).

Square Enix and its recently acquired Eidos unit have announced 3 titles for the PS3, including the latest edition of its popular "Final Fantasy" series, which it is planning to launch this winter.

"In terms of the impact (the PS3 cut) will have on this financial year's earnings, I don't think there will be a major difference," Wada said. "But I expect there to be a big impact from next year." Continued...