Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has made some leadership changes in response to their in-ability to get things going in the sales department of the PlayStation 3. Gamer’s continue to refuse to believe the PlayStation 3 is in a bad situation by explaining how badly Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is doing in Japan and Europe compared to the Sony console. And, of course, the Wii isn’t competition to Sony.
“Andrew House, Chief Marketing Officer and Group Executive of Sony Corporation, has been named President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Chief Operating Officer (Co-COO) of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) as of May 1, 2009.” (smarthouse.au)
We’ve been told this is the year of the PS3, this is when they bring it all together. Nintendo’s losing some of their grip on the industry with slower sales, even in Japan. The economy isn’t playing nice with any of the consoles and sales continue to drop, reportedly 17% in March compared to last years numbers.
Australia isn’t proving to be any help to Sony, “for example in Australia a consumer can now buy the Xbox 360 for $299 and a separate Blu ray player and DVD upscale player for $199. Combined this is $200 under the recommended retail price for a Sony PS3.”
Here in the United States, we’ve bought more Wii balance boards than PlayStation 3 consoles. One can argue that the Wii is a novelty system but that really casts a dark shadow on the PlayStation 3. The PS3 is being beat out by a novelty item? Can the new SCEE management change the direction of Sony?
We’ve mentioned this in the past, but the tough economy gives many smaller developers great opportunities for success. While big publishers struggle to look good in the eyes of the investor, tiny developers can produce quality titles for minimal cash investment and time to market. Ten years ago, smaller developers tried to compete with the big boys making larger titles, cloning successful titles or simply asking investors to put it on the line for their game. Today, developers can create a small iphone app, a cute WiiWare title or exploit the XNA efforts of Microsoft for Xbox Live Arcade and actually have a chance.
Sony’s in big trouble. There’ve been a few articles talking about the PlayStation 3’s death spiral, and you have to wonder if changing from Reeves to House is going to do anything.
I mean, what can they do – aside from the obvious move of cutting the price, and doing that is financially destructive for Sony.
As a PS – if you see the graph they include – the PS3 is about $130-140 more expensive in Australia than it is in the US if you convert the currency. It’s brutal.
Sony’s in big trouble. There’ve been a few articles talking about the PlayStation 3’s death spiral, and you have to wonder if changing from Reeves to House is going to do anything.
I mean, what can they do – aside from the obvious move of cutting the price, and doing that is financially destructive for Sony.
As a PS – if you see the graph they include – the PS3 is about $130-140 more expensive in Australia than it is in the US if you convert the currency. It’s brutal.
Maybe its high time that Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft bring their prices lower… they jacked their prices so high as if their game consoles are necessity. the world economy is going down and they can help a bit if they bring their prices lower.
Maybe its high time that Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft bring their prices lower… they jacked their prices so high as if their game consoles are necessity. the world economy is going down and they can help a bit if they bring their prices lower.
Microsoft did. The lowest price of the 360 is now $199.
Microsoft did. The lowest price of the 360 is now $199.