“Demand for PlayStation 2 remains strong throughout the world,” said SCEA president Jack Tretton. “The new 99-dollar price point will bring in new consumers who will discover how PlayStation platforms are an outstanding choice for their gaming and home entertainment needs.”
Since launching in 2000, PlayStation 2 has sold more than 136 million sell-in units worldwide, making it the most popular gaming console in industry history. With this move, Sony hopes PS2 sales would rank up and eventually translate to a loyal gamer for a PS3 upgrade –which seems not inevitable this time, with Xbox and Wii competition.
Analysts believes that the only way to regain the sales for PS3 consoles is to make a major price cut, as what happen when Microsoft cut $50 to Xbox 360 console resulting into a rise in sale last year. As with Nintendo Wii with a $250, dominates the gaming market since its launch in late 2006.
Sony’s CEO Jack Trenton takes the PS2 as example of the 10-year product lifecycle Sony always talks about. Targeting what have gone thru, with PS2 did to DVD, and PS3 to Blu-ray disc –which I believe will not work this time as internet streaming video denies the lifespan of Blu-ray. Focusing on PS2 sales seems like a step in the wrong direction for a company that wants to move forward.
