Sony’s David Reeves: Europe will not get a PS3 price cut for now

Three Speech managed to nab an interview with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president, David Reeves, and immediately asked him the big question looming over PlayStation 3 fans in Europe: Why didn’t EU get a price cut?

Reeves explained that since they managed to achieve their sales target, they didn’t see the need to raise prices. Rather, they thought about people who already bought the system and would be annoyed should Sony suddenly give a price cut.

Reeves acknowledged that the PS3 is not selling as well as the Wii or DS, but they actually are doing well on a regional level. Drawing from experience, he said, Sony learned that giving price cuts on summer months in the UK does little to improve sales numbers.

To prove his point that the PS3 Value Pack is worth the purchase, Reeves gave an estimate of standard PS3 prices, including the extra SIXAXIS controllers and the two free games, as well as adding the  taxes. Reeves said that the European and Australian PS3 prices are almost the same as US’, even after the US$ 100 price slash.

When asked if there will be a price cut in store for EU gamers before Christmas, Reeves played it safe and said that they are sticking to a certain plan for the PS3 – and that answering the question of a Christmas price cut directly might put them in hot water.

Don’t expect anything big this coming Christmas though. Reeves said that he doesn’t think this Christmas is not a critical period for the PS3, but Christmas of 2008 will be.

Sony also isn’t planning on releasing all top-tier titles in one go just before Christmas, as consumers probably wouldn’t be able to buy all the games that they want because the games all got released at the same time. Rather, Sony plans to release the top-tier titles strategically. Calling those games as pillar titles, Sony will put out the anticipated games in February, March, May, and the rest of the months.

Reeves said that the PS3 will indeed start slow, but will gather momentum and impact instead. Judging by what we have heard so far, it seems that the PlayStation 3 will indeed pack more punch as time passes.

Three Speech managed to nab an interview with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe president, David Reeves, and immediately asked him the big question looming over PlayStation 3 fans in Europe: Why didn’t EU get a price cut?

Reeves explained that since they managed to achieve their sales target, they didn’t see the need to raise prices. Rather, they thought about people who already bought the system and would be annoyed should Sony suddenly give a price cut.

Reeves acknowledged that the PS3 is not selling as well as the Wii or DS, but they actually are doing well on a regional level. Drawing from experience, he said, Sony learned that giving price cuts on summer months in the UK does little to improve sales numbers.

To prove his point that the PS3 Value Pack is worth the purchase, Reeves gave an estimate of standard PS3 prices, including the extra SIXAXIS controllers and the two free games, as well as adding the  taxes. Reeves said that the European and Australian PS3 prices are almost the same as US’, even after the US$ 100 price slash.

When asked if there will be a price cut in store for EU gamers before Christmas, Reeves played it safe and said that they are sticking to a certain plan for the PS3 – and that answering the question of a Christmas price cut directly might put them in hot water.

Don’t expect anything big this coming Christmas though. Reeves said that he doesn’t think this Christmas is not a critical period for the PS3, but Christmas of 2008 will be.

Sony also isn’t planning on releasing all top-tier titles in one go just before Christmas, as consumers probably wouldn’t be able to buy all the games that they want because the games all got released at the same time. Rather, Sony plans to release the top-tier titles strategically. Calling those games as pillar titles, Sony will put out the anticipated games in February, March, May, and the rest of the months.

Reeves said that the PS3 will indeed start slow, but will gather momentum and impact instead. Judging by what we have heard so far, it seems that the PlayStation 3 will indeed pack more punch as time passes.