A Robert W. Baird industry analyst is predicting that the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox 720 will have starting retail prices set lower than their predecessors, Eddie Makuch writes for Gamespot on Jan. 14.
Colin Sebastian writes in a report that he predicts the two systems will debut with a price tag of $350-$400 each. Compare these prices to the Xbox 360 (in 2005), which started at $400, and the Playstation 3 (in 2006) which started at $500.
Sebastian’s estimations are based on ‘conversions with a range of game developers and distributors’, held last week at the 2013 CES in Las Vegas. He explained, ‘these conversations yielded interesting takeaways with respect to next-generation game development and more broadly, the intensifying battle for the living room.’
He went on to predict further things about the consoles: both of them may be built using high-end off-the-shelf PC components; hybrid physical distribution models; enhanced voice controls; motion sensing; and ‘broad multimedia capabilities’. In addition, ‘Sebastian estimates that the PC-based architecture of the new consoles will carry a range of advantages, the first of which is a shorter learning curve for developers compared to existing technology. In addition, this will allow developers to more easily build online services and capabilities, including free-to-play and subscriptions.’
For more information on the pricing of the next-gen consoles, check out Eddie Makuch’s article for Gamespot. And for additional information regarding the release dates, check out my own article here.
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