Console cost comparison
Sony is taking a considerable loss on each PlayStation 3 sold. Costs for the 20GB model exceed the suggested retail price of $499 by a total of $306.85, Analysis estimates for the 60GB version, costs exceed the $599 price by $241.35. In contrast, the HDD-equipped Xbox 360 has a manufacturing and materials total of $323.30 while you're paying $399.
[G: interesting! I wonder what Nintendo's cost/price is. I think they are making a profit too right? Also interesting that w/o blue-ray, cost of PS3 would have dropped so much. Is this just a gimmick by Sony to win the HDDVD vs blue-ray war?]
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[G: oh btw, here is another interesting story on how another advantage of the Wii is that the cost of game development is half as much as for xbox and ps3. ** Can someone tell me how or why?]
UPDATE.
he he, I am stuck once again in the console world!
First of all, it is interesting that you don't hear about people waiting in line to buy the Wii - Is it a good approach for Nintendo to make sure it ships out enough consoles to meet the demand and so not get lines of people waiting and so not get the media coverage? Ofcourse, in the long run, the people who wanted and didn't get a PS3 will turn to what they can get: Wii.
here's a \. story about why game industry professionals prefer to buy a Wii rather than a PS3. (Alvaro, you should read this!!! :-P )
I liked this guy's comments: "On the same note, the 360 and PS3 are both pretty much a graphics upgrade. Which means two things, first that (if you have a HDTV, which I don't) it'll look prettier. Second, there is allot more effort, and time, and money, going into making a game for them. If people thought there was too much of a problem with sequels instead of innovation last generation, it'll be worse today: for the 360 and PS3
With the Wii, though, Nintendo is pretty much forcing developers to innovate at least a little, in order to properly use the controller. If I want a graphics update, I'll get a new card for my PC. I go to a council for a distinctly different experience then a PC, usually based on the controller, since that is the real difference. And now, the Wii makes the controller even *more* different then the PC, which to me is an even greater reason to play. That and it doesn't cost *that* much money."
7 comments:
I don't understand the development costs issue either. I think that if you want to make a really good production you spend more money, and since the other consoles have the ability to do fancy stuff then you end up spending in your fancy graphics, animations etc etc. whereas since the wii doesn't have that power you do not even have to worry about trying hard?
I thought of that, but would that give the factor of half? It is probably the development tools that the companies are given. Maybe Nintendo made more userfriendly dev kits?
I don't think so, I stand by my claim. A company can do a fun game without fancy graphics for the ps3 and put it in the online network for download. They are not forced to overwork on a high quality production.
I believe that the nintendo uses pretty much the same underlying hardware - which makes it easier for game developers to actually build these games. The PS3 and the Xbox 360 are dramatically different machines ( as far as the programmer goes). So Gelareh you are right it is the cost of developing new tools.
Its two different approaches to gaming - Nintendo has decided to go for innovation as far as the interface goes, while Sony and Microsoft have decided more power to the game developer ... oh and I think IBM provides all three their processor chips :-) ...
oops I just read your update .. I had read your entry last nite - but was lazy about adding a comment ...
The important issue here is:
"Who is getting which console?"
@ styx:
what is the point of making a product for PS3 if they don't use its fancy graphics etc? that is the main reason why people paid double the price fo a wii right? else they can just make the game for the wii.
My point is that PS3 is intended for a certain audience so the games have to be made for htat audience.
@ brinda
it's good to have a comp eng'r friend! :-) thanks for the insight!
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