PlayStation 3 may be upstaged by PS2

[riffjim4069]

Source

Sony revamping sales estimates as it prepares for hot new game debut.

While media and gamer attention might be focused on the PlayStation 3, Sony (for now) has higher hopes for the nearly seven year old PlayStation 2 video game system.

Phil Harrison, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, told CNNMoney.com the company has raised its sales projections for the older console this year. He stopped short of giving specific revised target numbers. The company previously had forecast shipping 13 million PS2s this year.

The enthusiasm for the PS2 comes as Sony prepares to launch "God of War 2," the sequel to one of the system's most popular titles. Early reviews for the game make it the PS2's best-ranked title.

"The PS2 is currently over 115 million units worldwide and there are still some incredible software experiences for it," said Harrison. "There's still a lot of life left in the system."

While it's no longer as sexy as it used to be in consumer eyes, the PS2 is a profit machine for Sony (Charts). The system, which still sells for $129 in the U.S. and €149 in Europe, is not sold at a loss (unlike the PS3, on which Sony reportedly loses more than $200 per unit). Additionally, since "God of War 2" was developed in-house, the company will pocket a larger percentage of each game sale.

While the PS3, the Xbox 360 from Microsoft (Charts) and Nintendo's Wii got the most media attention during the 2006 holiday season, the PS2 proved to be the best-selling home console, perhaps because of its lower price, perhaps because of widespread availability.

While it wasn't too hard to find an Xbox 360, the PS3 and Wii were scarce. Harrison said that while the supply situation is slightly better, he doesn't expect widespread availability for some time.

"I don't think it will be a stable situation for a while now," he said.

 

[Derwin0]

Took a while for the PS2 to beat the PS1. In fact the PS1 even came out with the slimmer version AFTER the PS2 came out.

 

[mwgiii]

Harrison said that while the supply situation is slightly better, he doesn't expect widespread availability for some time.

"I don't think it will be a stable situation for a while now," he said.

I really wish he would quit saying that. Itrackr.com shows 85% national availability and 10/10 stores around me have the PS3 in stock.

Sony really should have moved GOW2 to the PS3.

 

[BobMurdoch]

That's there way of rationalizing slower sales.... Um, it's a supply problem.

Right.

 

[riffjim4069]

During the Michigan/Ohio State game on ESPN a short while ago, I noticed the announcer said, "ESPN GameTrack is being brought to you by PlayStation 2."

 

[JamesJ]

I heard that as well riffjim...I was confused, but Sony has every right to squeeze as much money as they can out of PS2 I guess!

 

[riffjim4069]

I heard that as well riffjim...I was confused, but Sony has every right to squeeze as much money as they can out of PS2 I guess!

God of War 2 is going to be huge...the good thing is that should play just fine on the PS3. Plus, somebody has to subsidize the $200 loss Sony is taking on each PS3 sold...it may as well be the PS2.

 

[JamesJ]

I think me and you are on the same page there as I believe thats what they are doing! slowly turn everything over to the Ps3 so the losses arent that great, and by the way I never played God of war, is it really that good?!

 

[mewilsie]

Hadn't played GOW until a couple months ago, and just defeated it in "Normal" mode this morning. It really is a fun game if you don't mind very vivid violence and gore.

It combines lots of hack n' slash with some strategy and puzzle elements. What I like most about it is that it's one of those games that you can feel yourself making progress as you go along. Your character gets stronger and aquires new abilities as you go through the game. Plus, the story elements are pretty interesting and not as goofy as some games I've played.

Overall, I'd give it a 9.5 out of 10. It only loses 1/2 a point because some of the harder parts can be so agrivating that you want to scream and throw things like a little kid.