PS3 Price Drop, Japan

Sony has decided to rethink their pricing structure for the Playstation 3, at least in Japan. Among today’s keynotes at the Tokyo Game Conference, Sony President Ken Kutaragi announced plans to cut the price of the base model by 20%. Earlier this year, Sony made it clear that the upper-tier option would not be priced, leaving it up to retailers to set the tags for the console that will sell in the US for a steep $600.

According to Kuturagi, the decision was made after a heavy consumer response about the lofty purchase price. Some speculate a pseudo-conspiracy, suggesting that Sony planned for a price drop all along, only to string the public into believing their voices were being heard in order to generate buzz and a feeling of value.

Where does that leave the rest of the world? So far, shafted. Sony spokeswoman Nanako Kato confirmed that there are no plans to lower the cost in the U.S., or any other country for that matter. Even so, the announcement may be coming too little too late. The Wii price point ($250) combined with mulitple delays and lack of shipped PS3 units on release day is more than enough to put a dent in even the most rabid of eastern brand loyalists for Sony.

I don’t purport to be a fan boy on any side of the fence, but methinks the tides be a’turnin for Sony.