Rumor of a PS3 price drop for holidays...

[Supergeek]

Finally put the new poll up on RockBandFan (http://www.rockbandfan.com).

Recently, a rumor has been posted online from a fairly reliable source that Sony will be making some price changes for the Playstation 3 in time for this year's holiday buying season (Thanksgiving, Christmas). Specifically:

* Playstation 3 with 80gb hard drive and Spiderman 3 Blu-Ray movie: $500
* Playstation 3 with 40gb hard drive and Spiderman 3 Blu-Ray movie: $400

This brings the Playstation 3 into very close price range of the Xbox.

I personally am using a Playstation 2, but I want to upgrade to a high definition console. I was seriously considering the Xbox 360 and had been very close on a few occasions to buying one. Rock Band is my primary reason for getting a next-gen console, so I've been patient and waiting for price drops. Let's compare the two consoles with specific regard to playing Rock Band and Guitar Hero for each:

* Xbox 360 premium at Wal-Mart online: $349 approx (and only a 20gb hard drive.)
* One year of Live service: $50

So, if you buy a 360 with a year of service, it's $400 -- the same price as a Playstation 3 with double the hard drive space. Not to mention, if you use your Xbox 360 after that year sub is up, you'll have to pay more. Plus the PS3 comes with a free movie.

The one thing the Xbox 360 has going for it is a larger catalog of games. But realistically, I don't plan to play a lot of games -- primarily Rock Band and Guitar Hero. And it also turns out that the Xbox 360 Rock Band bundle comes with a wired guitar, while the PS3 guitars are all wireless for (we assume) the same approximate price. Yuck.

By the way, the PS3 comes with a next-gen optical drive: Blu Ray... but for the 360, it's another $180 to get an HD-DVD drive add-on. If you don't have a preference for optical media, assuming this price change is realized, the PS3 has suddenly become a better buy than the 360.

I'm starting to lean toward a Playstation 3. It seems to be cheaper in the long run. What are your thoughts?

[bounchfx]

I would normally never say this but under your circumstances (someone who doesn't like games) I would strongly suggest a PS3.

You deserve it.

:)

once again, this is only if you really don't like games. or solid online play. also remember that you will need to buy a separate HD cables for ps3, as they are not included.

[parastroke7]

Sony needs the money, so I really doubt there'll be a price drop. That's my input.

[Desensitized]

If you don't like games, don't buy a console. Simple.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

once again, this is only if you really don't like games. or solid online play. also remember that you will need to buy a separate HD cables for ps3, as they are not included.

I must argue. I've been playing alot of Warkhawk lately and its online capabilities are absolutely flawless. So far....

[espher]

If you're exclusively buying it for one game, without friends committed to a specific system, and the Xbox 360's rumoured price drop doesn't happen, the PS3 is definitely a better buy, yes. :)

[Axel32]

The PS3 is a good piece of hardware and all don't get me wrong, but I don't think I'll buy one until I see more exclusives for it. I do like how they're droping the price often.. just to make a new model at the original price... Plus if I did get a PS3, I wouldn't get Rock Band for it. I'm an achievement whore :o

[Kang_Zircon]

I think unless you're seriously not going to be getting any other games - the PS3, at least, is compatable with your old games and has HD player functionality.

But I really doubt you'll hold out on getting new games forever, so you should probably look at what both systems have that are assured to be exclusive and see which you'd prefer in the long-run.

It might be hard to guess right now, but there are certain obvious titles (Halo, God of War) that will almost certainly have sequels and be exclusive to a console.

[masterx1918]

this thread will be closed soon. you should know that console wars aren't supposed to be posted here, especially in the rock band discussion forum.

[Chris_Gonzalez]

Whoa. I doubt Sony'll issue another price drop within 7 months of the first one, but you never know.

[jq71586]

this thread will be closed soon. you should know that console wars aren't supposed to be posted here, especially in the rock band discussion forum.

1. This is not a "console war" no one here is saying "360 PWNZZ!!!11!1" or any fanboy speak.

He just mentioned the rumored PS3 price drop which I have also seen and he wanted our thoughts on which system to purchase. You can't go to a video game website and try to get an unbiased opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of a console. On this forum from what I've seen people actually seem to give legitimate reasons to people who have concerns over the system. Though this should be moved to General and not Rock Band, but, no biggie.

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PSN - jq71586 - looking for PS3 friends. :D

[Supergeek]

I would normally never say this but under your circumstances (someone who doesn't like games) I would strongly suggest a PS3.

You deserve it.

:)

once again, this is only if you really don't like games. or solid online play. also remember that you will need to buy a separate HD cables for ps3, as they are not included.

I never said I didn't like games. I play games on my computer; games like Bioshock, Everquest, Half Life 2, etc. I also do a lot of other things, including read forums, build websites, read news, play online games, listen to music, etc. I make my living on my computer. It is much more versatile than a console. Plus, high resolution computer monitors, per pixel, are much cheaper than big-screen televisions.

I would be getting a console because the gaming experiences I can't get on the PC are Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

I guess my biggest problem is getting a console that will enable me to play with my friends. I have relatives and friends who are into Guitar Hero and also plan on getting Rock Band, and I think my recommendations may influence their choice of systems as well.

[Supergeek]

The PS3 is a good piece of hardware and all don't get me wrong, but I don't think I'll buy one until I see more exclusives for it. I do like how they're droping the price often.. just to make a new model at the original price... Plus if I did get a PS3, I wouldn't get Rock Band for it. I'm an achievement whore :o
That's a good point. I like the idea of achievements. There's no equivalent on PS3's network eh? I guess I need to do some research on what exactly their network does.

[Chris_Gonzalez]

I'd go for the PS3 then, if I were you. Even without the price drop, you get to play the other 3 Guitar Hero games (1, 2, 80s), your PS2 library, watch Blu Ray movies, and have free online play. If you look at it like that, it's the better deal.

The PS3's achievements are game based and are called different things. But when Home comes out, they'll be in the form of trophys and stuff. I think that Rock Band's achievement rewards would be like instruments to hang up in your Home. Not sure, but that'd be pretty cool.

[Supergeek]

I think unless you're seriously not going to be getting any other games - the PS3, at least, is compatable with your old games and has HD player functionality.

But I really doubt you'll hold out on getting new games forever, so you should probably look at what both systems have that are assured to be exclusive and see which you'd prefer in the long-run.

It might be hard to guess right now, but there are certain obvious titles (Halo, God of War) that will almost certainly have sequels and be exclusive to a console.
Well, actually the newer PS3's supposedly drop PS2 hardware compatibility. :(

Like I said, I'm not much of a console gamer. Even if I had a 360 and a PS3, I would probably wait for GTA IV on PC, just because a mouse+keyboard is a much better FPS interface than a gamepad.

[Kang_Zircon]

That's a good point. I like the idea of achievements. There's no equivalent on PS3's network eh? I guess I need to do some research on what exactly their network does.

Take a look at Home too - I still only vaguely know what that does.

[jq71586]

That's a good point. I like the idea of achievements. There's no equivalent on PS3's network eh? I guess I need to do some research on what exactly their network does.

Not at the moment. With their massive update of Home coming up there have been rumors of "Trophies" being available, but I'm not sure, and I don't really see the points in achievements either, just not my thing. The PS3 network is free though, and the updates of the PS store have more frequent and with more material.

PSN - jq71586 - looking for PS3 friends.

[Supergeek]

Thanks for everyone's input :)

[Redebo]

Well, actually the newer PS3's supposedly drop PS2 hardware compatibility. :(

Like I said, I'm not much of a console gamer. Even if I had a 360 and a PS3, I would probably wait for GTA IV on PC, just because a mouse+keyboard is a much better FPS interface than a gamepad.

The new PS3 does NOT, i repeat, they do NOT drop the backwards compatibility with PS2/1 titles. What they did do is remove the emotion chip from the main board and accomplish the compatibility with software emulation. On any recently released game there is 100% backwards compatibility with the new PS3's (which would include GH1/2/3/80's

[masterx1918]

1. This is not a "console war" no one here is saying "360 PWNZZ!!!11!1" or any fanboy speak.

He just mentioned the rumored PS3 price drop which I have also seen and he wanted our thoughts on which system to purchase. You can't go to a video game website and try to get an unbiased opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of a console. On this forum from what I've seen people actually seem to give legitimate reasons to people who have concerns over the system. Though this should be moved to General and not Rock Band, but, no biggie.

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PSN - jq71586 - looking for PS3 friends. :D

that doesn't matter. It's still a thread praising the PS3, and any moment now a xbox 360 fan will beging posting about the significance of the 360 to the PS3, and before you know it we have a 6 page topic of xbox 360 vs. PS3. This thread doesn't belong in this forum, and you guys know how Sean HATES topics of this matter

[sushi111]

If you arent intrested in playing alot of games, get a PS3.

But the 360 is the system for hardcore gamers

[Supergeek]

that doesn't matter. It's still a thread praising the PS3, and any moment now a xbox 360 fan will beging posting about the significance of the 360 to the PS3, and before you know it we have a 6 page topic of xbox 360 vs. PS3. This thread doesn't belong in this forum, and you guys know how Sean HATES topics of this matter
You're the only one causing any grief, dude. The rest of us are having a civil conversation that is unbiased towards any platform.

Well, except for this guy:
But the 360 is the system for hardcore gamers
Fanboy. I'm trying to keep this thread about features, not feelings.

[Supergeek]

The new PS3 does NOT, i repeat, they do NOT drop the backwards compatibility with PS2/1 titles. What they did do is remove the emotion chip from the main board and accomplish the compatibility with software emulation. On any recently released game there is 100% backwards compatibility with the new PS3's (which would include GH1/2/3/80's
Well that's good to hear then. The GH series (the games I'd be playing most of the time) shouldn't really tax the CPU enough to cause any issues even doing software emulation.

[sushi111]

Well, except for this guy:
Fanboy. I'm trying to keep this thread about features, not feelings.

I didnt say anything fanboyish. I said if he wanted a system for games, get the 360 because it has a much much larger library of quality games right now.

Dont go crazy

[masterx1918]

then this should take place in the off-topic forum. This thread is already starting to turn into yet another console wars thread.

[Desensitized]

Fanboy. I'm trying to keep this thread about features, not feelings.
:rolleyes:

Except he's right. There ARE far more games available for the 360 than the PS3. That's FACT, whether you want to accept it or not.

I like the Wii the most right now, but to say the 360 isn't for hardcore gamers is kinda silly considering it has the most and highest quality games at the moment.

[jq71586]

:rolleyes:

Except he's right. There ARE far more games available for the 360 than the PS3. That's FACT, whether you want to accept it or not.

I like the Wii the most right now, but to say the 360 isn't for hardcore gamers is kinda silly considering it has the most and highest quality games at the moment.

I'll agree with that. I own a PS3, but I know as of right now the higher quality games are on the 360. I really, really want to own Mass Effect lol.

Thats the thing at the center of the whole "next gen" debate we are having here, not a console war (chill Hendrix). Games - advantage 360. Media (such as DVR, blu-ray,) - advantage PS3.

The most important thing is to just get what your friends are getting because there are more than enough people on Live and PSN to play with, but you are going to be playing with your close friends more often than not.

[Electric_Zen]

If you're looking for a console whose primary purpose will be playing Rock Band, then get the console most of your buddies own. The play experience should be basically identical between the two consoles, so the real differentiator will be getting online with your buddies to conquer the Band World Tour.

[Eman311]

I personally don't see it happening, 400 is just way too low to sell such an expensive piece of equipment. Unless they're worried about Blu-Ray failing (the format has recieved several blows over the past month)

[DarK_AssassiN]

My opinion... the PS3 might be cheaper in the long run, but the quality of the system and it's online is terrible in my opinion. I'm not a fanboy (if anything I prefer Sony, I love my PS2), but Sony really didn't do all that well this time around....

[Supergeek]

Here's my source, by the way:

Link (http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/09/09/500-80gb-ps3-with-a-spiderman-3-blu-ray-pack-in-our-mole-lets-us-in-on-sonys-future-plans)

[Jixzer]

Right now, I own a X-Box 360 and a Wii and I love them both. If the PS3 drops in price, I will probably pick one up for a couple of reasons; I still don't have an HD-DVD or Blueray player for my HDTV, the wife LOVES the Ratchet and Clank series, and I love the MGS series. Arguably, Sony is hurting in the quantity of quality games category at the moment, but I'm pretty sure that will soon change and there will be plenty of good titles for the PS3. The next-gen "war" has really only just begun. I see a lot of exclusivity in the future and I don't want to miss out on some kick ass game because I don't have the console to run it. But that's just me.

[thorn_9]

If you're looking for a console whose primary purpose will be playing Rock Band, then get the console most of your buddies own. The play experience should be basically identical between the two consoles, so the real differentiator will be getting online with your buddies to conquer the Band World Tour.

QFE

The truth shall set you free!

[thrdeye]

Personally, at $500/$600, I think that Sony may have realized that they were going to struggle with the launch of the 3. I think they had to pad their margin with the large sticker price.

However, in a year or two, I think that Sony will once again be the folks to beat.

(all of this IMHO)
-They will have a system with some great untapped capability
-Hopefully a lower price point (which will create a larger online community due to more owners). A $399 price point would be the death-nail for the other consoles.
-Their backbone titles will be released (GT5, MGS, etc),
-blu Ray should be a more established media format
-More folks will upgrade to HD TV when the digital flip comes in 2009
-The novelty of the Wii will be gone
-Microsoft will begin to focus on building a new console

That said, were it not for the fact that I own a bunch of PS2 games, a Logitech DFP, and was a Gran Turismo fan, I might have opted for the 360

[bounchfx]

"On any recently released game there is 100% backwards compatibility with the new PS3's"

absolutely not true. Sony's website is up for the new 80 gig BC list and it's at roughly 60% Backwards compatability compared to the 60/20gigs ee 99%. this is one reason I kinda want a ps3 now rather than later.. but I just can't justify it with it's current lineup.

In fact, good luck playing GH1 or 2 on it, you need a separate third party device to have your controller be able to connect since it does not support PS2 joypads. At least with a 360 you do have GH2 actually on the system. you could always use your ps2 though if it comes down to that and you can't find the peripheral you need...but I guess that kind of defeats the purpose.(however ps3 will not make your ps2 games HD). Just make sure to check the sony BC site first to make sure GH1-2 works on the newer ps3's


oh, and if your friends are big console gamers and your choice dictates what they get - do them a favor and get a 360. I'm serious. I'm not talking as a fanboy, but as a huge gamer myself. Ps3 is just not worth it yet. (UNLESS you really want a HD movie player - which I could give less than a **** about)


edit: BTW, GH3 is coming to PC.
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/11/guitar-hero-iii-coming-to-mac-and-pc-this-fall

[dragulaAC]

Yah, the 80gb PS3 should eventually get more backwards compatibility through updates, as the 60gb did. I don't bother playing GH1 or GH2 on PS3 as I still have my PS2. The adapters they sell for using the guitar on the PS3 are crap. Only 1 actually works for GH2 and it still doesn't allow the whammy to work.

As for making PS2 games HD, no way, it attempts to upconvert them, as it does to dvd movies. That's it.

Most of my friends don't really play games as hardcore as I do anymore, so I don't have a problem going with the PS3. I'll just randomly jump into open games whenever I'm online. I don't really care about forming a band and playing together everynight, kinda silly to me and I'm too busy for that kind of a commitment.

But, if your friends are a necessity, I'd go with whatever they all have. Otherwise, you'll be the one guy who has to run over to someone else's place to jump into a game.

[Plekto]

Concerning the Blu-Ray/HD DVD aspect of it, it's pretty clear now that Blu-Ray will win since the major movie rental chains all are going with it(which was what eventually broke Beta and now it appears HD-DVD)

Plus, the final nail in the HD-DVD coffin is... there are Blu-Ray burners for PCs now and well. nothing for HD-DVD. Okay, that toshiba drive, but seriously... Who is going to use a 1x 15gig and purposely crippled drive? I can also buy Blu-Ray blank media at Best buy and other places while blank HD-DVDs... yeah, the trend is clear. The one with the larger capacity and PC compatibility wins.

So buying a PS3 is a wise move. Especially one of the older ones for cheap and doing a drive swap. I bet we see in about a year, the 360 offering a Blu-Ray drive as an option.