Despite Sony's insistence it will not lower theretail cost of the PS Vita to counter Nintendo's recent 3DSprice cut announcement, some industry analysts are saying the electronics giant would do well to reconsider or possibly face a disastrous launch.
“Gamers are increasingly anticipating Sony to lower prices, especially after the 3DS cut,” said Hideki Yasuda, a Tokyo-based analyst at Ace Securities Co. in an interview with Bloomberg, adding,“Sony is under major pressure to cut the price of the Vita or risk a major failure.”
Not all number crunchers are warning Sony about its launch strategy, however. As Shiro Mikoshiba, an analyst at the Tokyo-based Nomura Holdings Inc. explained: “The customers Sony is targeting with its Vita are those willing to spend a lot of money. That’s a valid strategy even if the volume’s low as long as it can sustain the higher price.”
Sony isn't a stranger to adjusting its prices, but it seems set in its waysregarding thePS Vita. After all, lowering the price now may come across as too much of a reactionary move to Nintendo. Then again,knowingthe system willmiss a 2011 holiday launchin North America and the UK,it's arguable the systemwon't be in astrong position to sell for $249 ($299 with 3G) months after everyone has already emptied their wallets.
Enough with the talking heads. Now it's your turn. Should Sony stand firm on its price, or should it heed advice from analysts and consider a cut?
Aug 9, 2011
Source:Bloomberg
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