Should Sony pull a Microsoft and abandon the PS2

[themanfromvlad]

After seeing the PS2 sell more units than any of the latest-gen systems this christmas, do you think it would be smart for Sony to cut the cord on the PS2 abruptly?

While it totally screwed original xbox owners, Microsoft's move to treat the console as a bastard child helped the XBOX 360 sell units. The original xbox has virtually no shelf space at retailers, as per the request of Microsoft.

Now, since Playstation is such a strong brand, isn't Sony just shooting themselves in the foot by selling two competing consoles (Yes, I'm saying that the PS2 and PS3 are competitors) with such a huge difference in price? Can the average consumer be expected to spend $599 on a "Playstation" when there's another "Playstation" right next to it (that looks extremely similar build-wise) for $129?

[dllavaneras]

If they do the same thing they did with the PSone after the PS2 came out, they'll keep both consoles for a while. At least I hope that developers keep pushing out PS2 games! :D

[mkaake]

Well, they've already said that they'll support the PS2 for another 5 years or so, and I think especially now, it's wise... given that:

1. For most of the holiday season, people who actually wanted PS3's had a hard time finding them (now they're in stock most places)

2. Given the current price, there are bound to be a lot of people who can't afford $600 out of their budget for games. These people are fairly likely to buy a PS2 instead - I've overheard people have this conversation, and walk out of the store with a PS2 a few times this last month or so.

So I guess the way I see it, it's better for Sony to be selling something to consumers, rather than nothing. Additional note: they make money on PS2's, while they're loosing more money on each PS3 than the retail cost of the PS2... which one would you want to sell more of, until production costs dropped?

[evilgEEk]

Sony sold 1.4 million PS2's in December, more than any other console out there, including "next-gen".

They would be fools to stop supporting it... of course it is Sony. :rolleyes:

[MacNut]

There is nothing wrong with the PS2 so I don't see why they wont keep making games for it. Im sure they will start to slow down on production but they wont halt it.

[iW00t]

Sony is such an anti-consumer company.

That said I hope they will do it.

"Boo hoo! You guys are giving me money, but you cheapskate losers, I don't want the low quality cash you are giving me!"

*yanks PS2s from retail stores*

"Buy from me! You need me!"

Sony has always be arrogant to the extreme. I wouldn't be surprised if that is their rationale if they do pull the PS2s.

[Markleshark]

Well, this year is planned to be the death of the PS2. It Europe it will be, without a doubt. The PS2 is outdated and 'average' now. The amount of 360s that go in Europe in unreal and it will not be long before it over takes the PS2 as the most popular console.

Good riddance I say. But thats just me, whatever lights you candle I guess. ;)

[Dagless]

Well, this year is planned to be the death of the PS2. It Europe it will be, without a doubt. The PS2 is outdated and 'average' now. The amount of 360s that go in Europe in unreal and it will not be long before it over takes the PS2 as the most popular console.

Good riddance I say. But thats just me, whatever lights you candle I guess. ;)

Aye. I don't know a single PS2 owner now. The last one was upgraded to 360 not so long ago. I still find it incredible that a PS2 costs the same as a DS Lite, half the price of Xbox 360 Core or just a bit less than a PSP. They really should have dropped the price before xmas to maybe get a few sales in the UK. I mean the #1 item this xmas here was the Wii. With a nice price drop that could have so easily been a PS2... maybe.

Sony should stop with the PS2 when the 3 comes out there. Although hell knows what will happen to all that PS2 shelf space in GAME. haha, there isn't enough PS3 content to fill a quarter of that.
Hopefully they'll see what a raging success the Wii and DS are and stick up more shelf space for them. It's pathetic and illogical how they're shunned.

[steamboat26]

My guess is that after God of War II (in a month or so) sony will slowly begin to fade out the PS2, as that seems to be the last great release.

On a side note- I noticed at my best buy last night that we had no PS2s and at least 20+ PS3s.

[paddy]

I think they should abandon blu-ray in the PS3. Too bad its too late for that...

[Haoshiro]

Personally I don't think Sony could afford to stop supporting the PS2 right now.

The PS3 is Sony's biggest debt-magnet they have ever created. It isn't selling as good as they wanted, the software attach rate is poor, and the loss in R&D and per-console sales is horrible. They are practically bleeding money thanks to the PS3. Sure that happens with most consoles, but not this bad... and with Sony being barely profitable as it is.

The PS2 might just be what keeps them alive, as they probably make quite a but if profit from the system and software. It might be one of their few sources of profit, to stop that would likely be suicide for Sony.... it's all they've got right now.

[zero2dash]

(Like Haoshiro said, but I'll go a little more in depth) Ps2 will probably end up being Sony's [crude] version of the Gameboy for Nintendo. What I mean to say is: Nintendo counts on Gameboy/DS sales to make up the slack for their other hardware losses/not selling so well. Nintendo does make money on their consoles, but when they're not selling - then there's no money being made; that's where the DS has saved Nintendo from possibly becoming a 3rd party company only and ditching the hardware business like Sega did. Sony could essentially be doing the same thing with the Ps2 (at least if they're smart about it) and use those Ps2 earnings to help boost their bottom line with the hurting PSP and Ps3 sales.

Over 100+ million households own a Ps2, there's no reason to bastardize the userbase and sever the cord when there's plenty of money to be made still. A lot of gamers aren't fazed by the new consoles yet and don't have any plans on upgrading; Sony will run the Ps2 into the ground and eek out every cent they can get on it.

Hell I'll be buying a Ps2 again sometime this year. ;)

[danny_w]

Aye. I don't know a single PS2 owner now. The last one was upgraded to 360 not so long ago. I still find it incredible that a PS2 costs the same as a DS Lite, half the price of Xbox 360 Core or just a bit less than a PSP. They really should have dropped the price before xmas to maybe get a few sales in the UK. I mean the #1 item this xmas here was the Wii. With a nice price drop that could have so easily been a PS2... maybe.

Sony should stop with the PS2 when the 3 comes out there. Although hell knows what will happen to all that PS2 shelf space in GAME. haha, there isn't enough PS3 content to fill a quarter of that.
Hopefully they'll see what a raging success the Wii and DS are and stick up more shelf space for them. It's pathetic and illogical how they're shunned.
Perhaps there are a lot of HDTV owners in Europe, but the HDTV penetration is not that great in the US. And maybe that is why the PS2 far outsells the 360 and PS3. No, at least in this market, it wold be stupid of Sony to kill their cash cow. Until more people have HDTV here, the next gen game consoles (particularly the PS3) will have a hard time of it. There is simply no need for an expensive console that doesn't look any better on your current tv (for most people, anyway).

[killmoms]

Until Fumito Ueda makes a game for the PS3, I could care less about it. ICO and Shadow of the Colossus are already out for the PS2—it's the thing I want my parents to send from back home ASAP just because of that. The PS2 still has life in it, especially since the uptake on HD in the US has been so slow. Sony can only push the PS3 once it has some compelling software, and besides Resistance, there isn't much.

[BoyBach]

If the PSone is anything to go by, then as long as the PS2 is still selling I think Sony will continue to manufacture and sell them. Don't forget that it has a massive installed user-base for the developers to make lot's more money from.

Also, I think that Microsoft made a mistake in ending the original Xbox's life far too early. It was just beginning to shine, and it's cut off in it's prime.

[jessica.]

For me the PS2 has life as long as Guitar Hero has life.
Long live air guitar!

[srobert]

I hope the PS2 will be around for a long time. Although PS2 was my least favorite console of its generation (hardware wise ), it's the one I ended up owning the most games for. (I had something like 20 Gamecube games, less than 10 XBox games and 50+ PS2 games)

Edit: personnal taste aside. I think it's unlikely that Sony is ready to discontinue the mass selling and profitable console.

[Haoshiro]

For me the PS2 has life as long as Guitar Hero has life.
Long live air guitar!

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to Guitar Hero II for 360! Being able to get more songs to add to the game will be sweet.

My wife happens to really be anticipating the game as well.

[Mavimao]

(Like Haoshiro said, but I'll go a little more in depth) Ps2 will probably end up being Sony's [crude] version of the Gameboy for Nintendo. What I mean to say is: Nintendo counts on Gameboy/DS sales to make up the slack for their other hardware losses. Sony could essentially be doing the same thing with the Ps2 (at least if they're smart about it).


Nintendo doesn't make any losses in their hardware. Unlike the other two competitors in the video game market, they are primarily a video game company and need to make money through video games. None of their consoles were ever sold at a loss. They might not have sold as many home consoles as Sony, but at least they made money off each n64 and Gamecube ever sold.

[zero2dash]

Nintendo doesn't make any losses in their hardware. Unlike the other two competitors in the video game market, they are primarily a video game company and need to make money through video games. None of their consoles were ever sold at a loss. They might not have sold as many home consoles as Sony, but at least they made money off each n64 and Gamecube ever sold.

I know their consoles all make a profit from day one, what I was speaking about (but didn't specify and will edit my post now) is their low market share #s. Sure, they make money off their consoles no matter how good or bad they sell. But considering that their last two home consoles didn't sell so hot, we probably wouldn't be seeing a new Nintendo system (ie the Wii) if not for the fact that the DS is their new cash cow.

[BoyBach]

I know their consoles all make a profit from day one, what I was speaking about (but didn't specify and will edit my post now) is their low market share #s. Sure, they make money off their consoles no matter how good or bad they sell. But considering that their last two home consoles didn't sell so hot, we probably wouldn't be seeing a new Nintendo system (ie the Wii) if not for the fact that the DS is their new cash cow.


Nintendo had mountains of cash before the DS, and has an even bigger mountain following the DS's runaway success.

[danny_w]

I know their consoles all make a profit from day one, what I was speaking about (but didn't specify and will edit my post now) is their low market share #s. Sure, they make money off their consoles no matter how good or bad they sell. But considering that their last two home consoles didn't sell so hot, we probably wouldn't be seeing a new Nintendo system (ie the Wii) if not for the fact that the DS is their new cash cow.
I think you just refuted your own argument there. Even a small market at a profit is better than a large market at a loss, and the larger the market the worse the loss would be.

[greatdevourer]

They can't afford to. They make money on the PS2s, they don't on the PS3s. The PS2s are still selling like hotcakes, they can't shift PS3s during launch. No brainer

[FleurDuMal]

When did Microsoft abandon the PS2? :confused: :rolleyes:

[MacRumorUser]

With europe still to see the PS3 - it's doubtful sony will be pulling the PS2 anytime soon. (Especailly considering the PS3 may have been delayed again till May)

Plus PS2 wise Europe has still to get

Okami, Rogue Galaxy, FFXII etc...

PS2 is not going to dissapear this year regardless.

[Dagless]

Perhaps there are a lot of HDTV owners in Europe, but the HDTV penetration is not that great in the US. And maybe that is why the PS2 far outsells the 360 and PS3. No, at least in this market, it wold be stupid of Sony to kill their cash cow. Until more people have HDTV here, the next gen game consoles (particularly the PS3) will have a hard time of it. There is simply no need for an expensive console that doesn't look any better on your current tv (for most people, anyway).

Oh heavens no, it's quite the opposite. UK doesn't seem to care about HDTV. But it's a tired subject, so in a nutshell there's so few and so expensive sources here for HD that nobody cares. It's been my constant belief that HDTV will only start picking up once the BBC launches a free HD service over aerial (or require the most minimal of upgrades).

HDTV and equipment was the 3rd best selling electronic over Xmas here. Wii and iPod took the top 2 medals.

[MacRumorUser]

Oh heavens no, it's quite the opposite. UK doesn't seem to care about HDTV. But it's a tired subject, so in a nutshell there's so few and so expensive sources here for HD that nobody cares. It's been my constant belief that HDTV will only start picking up once the BBC launches a free HD service over aerial (or require the most minimal of upgrades).

HDTV and equipment was the 3rd best selling electronic over Xmas here. Wii and iPod took the top 2 medals.

To clear this up. HDTV's are very popular big sellers here.

BUT HD Broadcasting is not as it is prohibitively expensive to recieve it.

There is a difference, Jimmi's post could be confusing.

[BoyBach]

To clear this up. HDTV's are very popular big sellers here.

BUT HD Broadcasting is not as it is prohibitively expensive to recieve it..


Absolutely.

At a rough guess/estimate I would say that 90% of the TVs we sold last year were HD compatible or HD Ready.

"Is it HD Ready?" is the first question we get asked about our TVs.

Of course, the problem is that apart from the Xbox 360 and a premium Sky package, there is very little readily available High Definition content at the moment.

[zero2dash]

At a rough guess/estimate I would say that 90% of the TVs we sold last year were HD compatible or HD Ready.

"Is it HD Ready?" is the first question we get asked about our TVs.

Of course, the problem is that apart from the Xbox 360 and a premium Sky package, there is very little readily available High Definition content at the moment.

I think for the most part, that's the way it is here in the US also. That's what our situation was, anyway. My old 27" Sony set started acting up (some voltage overflow protection fault) and we didn't have the cash to fix it but there was money on the Sears card. That day - we had a new HDTV. And really, the only reasons we bought an HD set were that it was only a few hundred more than an SD set and...we had the money. :) Might as well get something more future-proof and go HD if you're in the market for a new TV and you've got the money.

Last weekend we upgraded to Dish|HD (because we got the receiver free); it will either keep our rate the same or it may go up $10 (I can't remember) but there's like 25 HD channels we get now not including locals (which is included in our Dish|HD but also available OTA with our TV since it has a built in HD tuner). Once HD programming is more widespread and available, I think the adoption rate will climb. But as it is now...HD penetration will take awhile (again, unless people are already in the market for a new TV). HD doesn't have a "you've gotta go out and get one" stigma just yet. :o

[MacRumorUser]

25 HD channels :eek:

There are about 6-8 here on the Sky platform.

Sky One HD
Sky Sports HD
Sky Movies 9 HD
Sky Movie 10 HD
National Geographic HD
Discovery HD

Sky Boxoffice HD (pay per view ontop of your package(

BBC Three HD (The only free HD channel, but you still need a HD box costing €450/£300)

To get the full 6 channels on the Sky platform, you have to pay for the hardware as mentioned prior (€450)

Then you have to subscribe to the FULL sky digital package which costs €66 + 15 extra for HD.

So a total of €81 (nearly $100) per month

It's ridiculous.

[zero2dash]

25 HD channels :eek:

There are about 6-8 here on the Sky platform.

My understanding is the HD packages are +$10 over the regular packs that Dish has, and we actually downgraded our plan (from Top 180 which in HD is HD Gold, to [basically] Top 120, which is HD Silver). We have: (http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/programming/dishhd/programming/pricingandpackages/silver/index.shtml)

Animania HD
Family Room HD
GamePlay HD
Discovery HD Theater
Equator HD
DISH Network PPV in HD
Film Fest HD
Food Network HD
HDNet Movies
Kung Fu HD
Monsters HD
World Cinema HD
HDNews
Rave HD
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
NFL Network HD
Rush HD
WorldSport HD
Gallery HD
HDNet
HGTV HD
TNT HD
Treasure HD
Ultra HD
Universal HD

(National Geographic HD is available if you have the HD Gold package...I didn't want to pay the extra $10 for it because the other SD channels we'd get with Gold, we don't watch anyway.)

Dish bought the Voom networks, basically, which is what they offer that DirectTV HD doesn't have. GamePlay HD is cool, it's sorta like a Gamespot HD channel. They have shows that are about 10000x better than the crap on G4 and they range from shows that show an hour of 1 game (game play footage and cinematics) and other stuff like specials on FPS, adventure games. Last night they had a "history on boxing videogames" on and the 2nd one they showed was the great Mike Tyson's Punch Out. :)

We also have Showtime HD because we subscribe to that channel (there's also an HBO HD and Starz HD if you get those as well). Kung Fu HD rules too...nothing but kung fu movies in HD. The first day we had it, I got to see Fist Of Legend again. :D Ohhh I was sooooo happy!