News
PSPgo's Price is Whatever Sony Wants it to Be
Take That, Competition
by Coop
Sony's price point for the PSPgo is a bit high. At $250, it's double the price of its competition, the Nintendo DS, which came as a surprise to everyone. It would seem that Sony should take advantage of the go's release as if it were a relaunch, seeing as the PSP is essentially a dead console. Instead, they're pricing it at the (high) cost of the original's launch, which was seen as a bit much back then when opinions were still optimistic about the console. Why? In an interview with MCV, Sony revealed that they'd price the handheld however high they damn well want to.
Are you charging more for the PSPgo to protect retail margins as they won’t be selling software? Or to cover R&D costs?
Those aren’t the factors. When you introduce a new piece of hardware you have the opportunity to say there is a certain premium that is associated with it, and we took that into account.
As with all hardware launches you look at the business model, the cost structure, and the necessarily level of profitability, and you use that to set the wholesale price. Much as we do with any other hardware.
In other words, fuck your wallet. I'm really shocked that the guy just came out and said it - and more power to him. The balls on that company to admit that they're jacking up the price of their new handheld will likely annoy the hell out of their investors, but it's still pretty damn funny. I mean, we all sort of know that's the reason they're doing it, but at least Nintendo has the common sense not to talk about it.
I'm still planning on buying one, regardless. Anyone else?
Comments
Fuck them and their $250 "premium". I was considering getting one, but it's just not a sensible purchase right now. I can wait until the price goes down, just like I did with the PSP.
a week ago, i was all about getting a pspgo on day one... now... might just have to wait for a price drop.
No! No! and No! If they don't give a shit about the costumers and or gamers why the hell should I invest my hard earned money in Sony's products. They act as if the original PSP is selling like hot cakes anyway. Good luck on that handheld.
$250 for a handheld?! Even the 3GS sells for $199.
I'm reminded of Sony's "people-will-work-more-to-buy-the-PS3" phase. Way to hate on customers, Sony.
The question is, with no physical game printing costs, will the downloadable games be cheaper than the UMDs were?
I'm still going to get one.
i am still getting one.. you guys act like every console manufacture out there isn't fucking over customers with overpriced consoles, peripherials and whatnot.. why is this any different?
Open up your eyes everyone, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft are all doing things at time to fuck over the consumers.. this is nothing new..
and selly, the original PSP actually is selling pretty damn good.
I'm still going to get one. Might not be at launch anymore, but I will.
Hellll No.
I'd love to have one, but won't be shelling out $250 bucks for it. I've never owned a PSP so I'll continue to make do without one. I have a hard time trying to convince my wife to not get pissed when I consider buying one when we've aready got so much invested into our PS3 and everything that comes along with it. The PSP/PS3 combo would be pretty sweet with all the movies and PSone classics I could transfer onto it, but I'm saving up my $200-$300 for an iPhone...the PSP will have to wait if and when it ever happens.
i love my PSP and i'd be all over the new one but i am disappointed in the price. i have a tough time justifying that cost when i already have a handheld that works perfectly well.