24k Gold Playstation 3. Wow!

They say that money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a Gold PS3.

A company known as Computer Choppers has created a PS3 Slim console that has been dipped in 24k Gold. We can't even begin to imagine how expensive one of these things will be considering a 24k iPhone sets you back $1,399.

Going out on a limb, my only guess is that it would be over the $10,000 mark, minimum. Also put into consideration that only 5 of these beasts are being created in the first place. Suddenly $10,000 actually sounds a bit cheap right about now.

11/11/09 Colton West

Xbox 360 sells twice as many games as PS3 in America

It's true, the PS3 is on a rapid rise. From Europe to Japan and even The United States, but in the latter, the road is rough to say the least.

Microsoft's early arrival in this current generation was bittersweet; because they rushed out the Xbox 360 a hefty price was paid, over $3 billion in repair costs for the dreaded RROD. But at the same time, they managed to build an insurmountable lead on their competitor, namely Sony. That lead has afforded them to gross substantially more from the Xbox 360 over Sony's PS3, and according to three sources, it will be extremely hard, in fact almost impossible for Sony to overturn Microsoft's fortunes in the U.S.

Through April 2009, the Xbox 360 sold 14.4 million pieces of software accounting for 35.49% of market share, while the PS3 sold 7.5 million pieces of software with 17.93% of the market belonging to Sony. As you can see, during that time, the Xbox 360 sold double the amount of software compared to the PS3, numbers that must be pleasing to the Redmond giant. The Nintendo Wii is on a cloud of its own, with apparently no one to reach it. Wii has 46.58% percent of markert share, selling over $19.6 million pieces of software.

In my humble opinion, I see the PS3 coming close to matching software sales of Xbox 360 especially with the smashing success that is the redesigned PS3 Slim. It is for now outselling the competition which will undoubtedly close the gap between said consoles. But to be realistic, that's as close as it's going to get. The Xbox 360 has already won the race in the U.S.

But is winning The United States enough to declare victory in this generation? It's a question many would answer with a resounding no. If you want to win this war, you'll have to do it like Nintendo did in its day, like Sony did with the PS1 and PS2. If you're going to win this console war, you must win at least Europe and America to get a clear cut victory, something that's very hard for either the software or hardware giant to do in their current state.

Sources: 1 2 3

10/14/09 Ernice Gilbert

Video Thirst: Modern Warfare 2 Edition

No one does it like Infinity Ward, no one. This is the latest trailer released for the most anticipated title this year. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 might just become the best selling game of all time, now press play and quench your thirst.

10/05/09 Ernice Gilbert

Quick, buy a PS3 Slim, there might be shortages

If you need to play Uncharted 2: Among Thieves this holiday season, you will want to rush out your house, or office, or where you are, and go to the nearest retail store, and buy a PS3. Why? You might not be able to purchase one later.

Demand for Sony's console is so high that SCEA boss Jack tretton warned of shortages occurring if demand remains consistent. Here's Tretton:

"If things continue at this pace, it is conceivable that there will be product shortages," he said, after noting the PS3's sales were up above 300 percent over last year since the price cut was issued. "We are significantly up versus last year," Tretton said.

So what are you waiting for? Get yourself some cash, and rush out the door. But before you leave I have a question. You ready? Ok, where will you get the money? Oh you work? Ah, ok, just don't go doing nothing illegal now. Be a good citizen.

09/25/09 Ernice Gilbert

PS3 sells 1million units in three weeks

Sony has launched are new ad campaign in North America, Europe and Japan, the theme of the ad blitz is, 'it only does everything,' referring to the PS3. I'm not sure about everything but it certainly knows how to sell. While giving the keynote speech at the Tokyo Game Show this week, Playstation Boss Kaz Hirai said, the PS3 Slim has sold 1million copies in just three weeks. Now that's just impressive.

On September 1st 2009, Sony essentially relaunched its flagship console, with a new slimmer look, and most significantly, a slimmer price tag of $299. Ever since, gamers the world over have been purchasing the black behemoth at an fascinatingly fast pace. Things are going so good that, SCEA boss Jack Tretton warned of shortages at some retail outlets if demand remains at current levels.

Shortages or not, this must be good news for Sony execs who've been the recipients of endless negative stories concerning their leadership. Good riddance. By the look of things, the Sony brand has regained its swagger. Swag on then, just don't get too heady.

09/25/09 Ernice Gilbert

Microsoft fears a PS3 overtake, Slashes price of 360 from $299 to $249

Microsoft is not happy with the recent hardware sales data that shows the PS3 leaving the Xbox 360 in its dust. The weekly hardware charts from September 12th - 19th showed PS3 sales was double that of its main rival, with Sony selling 306,794 consoles, compared to Microsoft shipping 146,914 units. So what's Microsoft's response? Slash the price of the Xbox 360 Elite by offering a $50 mail in rebate till October 5th. You may take this lightly, but what they're really doing is, testing the waters to see if $249 would be the deal that'd sway back consumers in their console's direction.

Back in 2005 when the Xbox 360 was launched, Microsoft proclaimed that they had only one goal, and that goal was to beat Sony in this current generation. Sure they had a great head start (minus the RROD), in fact, they have a lead of about 6 to 7million consoles ahead of Sony. But the Software giant knows that when it comes to hardware, Sony is King, and unless they don't keep on extending the value of their Box, Sony has a real chance of overtaking.

The recent Price cut and redesigned PS3 does not make it any easier. Since it relaunched in September, the PS3 Slim has been dominating hardware sales charts across the globe, it's almost like the world has found a fresh new flare for the company they used to love, or it could be that the price is finally right, and after years of seating on the fence, they've made the leap of faith? If the latter is the case, there's no need to worry, because with the stellar lineup the PS3 has going into the holiday season, consumers will be rewarded, for taking that leap of faith.

09/23/09 Ernice Gilbert

Japanese Hardware Sales, Sept. 7 - Sept. 13: PS3 is down

Here they are again, altogether in one harmony. All of them, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. Vying for that special place in the Japanese gamers hearts. Last week, Sony won overwhelmingly, with over 150,000 PS3 Slims sold. This week though, sales were down a whopping 96,000 consoles to 63.54%. The love affair between the DSi and the Japanese people just won't die down, but it seems the Wii is losing her edge.

The Xbox 360 is up, however, not up enough to mount a battle against its nemesis. Don't you just love the orient folks? Nice people, great sunrise, all kinds of food, plus, Media Create's weekly Hardware Charts. I might move to Japan. What you say, the PS2 is still around? Oh really? Good for Sony.

- DSi: 66,498 6,079 (10.06%)

- PS3: 55,344 96,439 (63.54%)
- PSP: 18,375 3,809 (17.17%)
- Wii: 17,568 3,989 (18.50%)
- DS Lite: 11,179 2,870 (34.54%)
- Xbox 360: 7,568 741 (10.85%)
- PS2: 2,612 389 (12.96%)

09/21/09 Ernice Gilbert

Dear Microsoft, the Xbox 360 is losing ground. Do something.

Ever since the Xbox 360 landed on planet earth in 2005, Microsoft has been ferociously supporting their flagship console. It came out a full year ahead of the PS3 and has been waging an all out war with Sony's black behemoth. The 360 managed to build a lead of about 6-7million in units sold lead over the PS3, and apart from the much documented and dreaded RROD, Microsoft has done a great job at keeping the momentum steady, with great exclusives and second-to-none advertising.

The PS3 on the other side of the ring, came out a year later than the Xbox 360, with a price tag that left many of Sony's fan base on the sidelines for years; the console had a very small library of games to boot, and the multi-plats almost all the time looked and ran way better on the Xbox 360. The PS3 had many hiccups from it's inception, and into 2008. To many journalists, it seemed the once No. 1 contender was waging a loosing war. But oh were they wrong, very, very wrong. Fast forward to Sept. 1st 2009, and by the look of things, Sony is on course to gain back its former glory. Read on...

On Sept. 1st 2009, PS3 Slim was launched, and not only did the slimmer sexier console propelled to No. 1 on hardware charts across the globe, it actually was able to set a new record in first week sales for Sony in Japan, with over 150,000 units sold. But what's more astounding is, the momentum is not slowing down that much, and now the PS3 is outstripping even the Nintendo Wii. How long will it keep up, is anyones guess, but with the stellar line-up the PS3 has going into the holiday season, I see no signs slowing, that is, if Microsoft don't step up.

Vgchartz just released it's worldwide weekly chart for the week ending 12th September 2009, and the line could not have been drawn any clearer; Microsoft has to do something, and do it quick, or watch Sony's Slimmed down console eat into it's lead by about 5 million by March of next year, almost erasing the lead it has over the PS3 completely. Yes, they tried bundling a new 250GB Xbox 360 with MDW2, but if amazon's best seller list is any indication, that strategy is not working out as planned. And obviously, the price cut they issued is not yielding exciting results. So, something has to be down. Dear Microsoft, the Xbox 360 is losing ground. Please do something.

09/19/09 Ernice Gilbert

PS3 Slim Arrives, available at retail first week in Sept. for $299

And you are so shocked! Yeah right. It was only a matter of time until Sony unveiled the Slimmer, Lighter, Slicker PS3 and I'm thinking, Kaz and the crew could not wait until GamesCom; too many rumors were flying around the internet. In fact, the PS3 Slim was becoming this mysterious thing that everyone wanted to see. Anyways, it's here, and it's cheap. Go get one now. Well, what are you waiting for? Run.

Your Votes are in, PS3 Slim & price cut coming before 2010

I've said it before and I'll say it again, where there is smoke, most times there is fire, and in this case 85% of you believe there's fire. The PS3 Slim/price cut will come your votes indicate, and that's before the year is out. So what does it mean to you? Will you go out and buy a Slim, even if you already own the original? Or are you just happy that Sony has finally seen the light and decided to cut the price of its flagship console? Whatever the reasons, the PS3 Slim and price cut are upon us. Some reports indicate that it will be announced at GamesCom 09 in Cologne, others say it won't be out until the Tokyo Game Show in Japan, but one thing everyone agree on is its inevitable arrival.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 has a lead of about 6 million units on the PS3, and that fact has been a high talking point for Microsoft execs. The software giant has stated numerous times, there goal is to beat Sony by selling more units this generation. However, Sony has more experience in the gaming industry than its nemesis, and as we speak, Sony is prepping a massive onslaught for the coming months to win the hearts of gamers the world over. So here's our new poll, Do you think the PS3 Slim and price cut of $100 will help Sony retrieve its crown? Be sure to place your vote.

08/07/09 Ernice Gilbert

Thirsty Conversations

Oh boy. I know. You got PS3 Slim/price cut fatigue. Me too, but let nothing prevent us from talking. Do it here.

Gran Turismo 5 set to launch in December?

This game might just come sooner rather than later. Last week, PlaystationLifestyle reported that Amazon.com had listed GT5 for release on December 29th 2009. Well, according to GTPlanet, they have a "secret source" that debunks Amazone tentative date but, GT5 will be released this year.

According to them, this “unofficial but extremely reliable source,” says the date will most likely be announced in August at the 2009 GamesCom event in Cologne at Sony’s press conference. Then came the final teaser statement, “he’s making his list and checking it twice,” perhaps Gran Turismo 5 will be launched right around the Christmas rush? It is by far the biggest racing sim ever made, and if Sony releases it this holiday season, things will go wild.

Even better would be a GT5 PS3 Slim bundle. Think about it, along with a price cut, Sony could make millions of gamers the world over extremely happy campers to say the least. So what say you? Do you think it’s another rumor that will be killed, or will GT5 be released in December? Share your thoughts.

08/03/09 Ernice Gilbert

Manufacturing cost for the PS3 is down 70 percent says Sony

The rumored new SKU from Sony, companied by a price cut of about $100.00 seems more real everyday. As time goes by parts get cheaper to produce, giving companies the ability to make the products more streamline and rake in better profits. In this case Sony’s Playstation 3 is the beneficiary, with production costs down significantly.

In it’s annual report, and as found by Examiner.com, here’s the what made we news heads very excited:

"Regarding the reduction of hardware costs, efforts to shrink the Cell/B.E. progressed according to plan as the original 90nm generation gave way to 65nm and then 45nm devices. Through this, as well as through ongoing efforts to reduce the number of components used, Sony will endeavor to further improve profitability."

When pressed Oneda said the cost for making PS3 was down "about 70 percent, roughly speaking."

This must be great news for the company’s share holders who’ve been waiting patiently to see a turnaround in the near future. Let’s face it, Sony has seen its lead dwindle and eventually lost in many of its businesses. From the Sony walkman which lost its lead to the now omnipresent iPod. Then you have Samsung continually outselling the giant in the LCD Television sets department, and now, the biggest of all, the PS3. It is currently in third place behind Nintendo and Microsoft.

In my humble opinion, A price cut is needed, now.

07/31/09 Ernice Gilbert