Random PS3 News Thread

[jefXfree]

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe have announced that they are hosting a We are PlayStation photography competition that has now launched in Europe. Electronic Theatre ImageThe team?s jubilation at getting a BUZZ! question right; the laughter of a room full of SingStar fans; the entertaining journeys playing your PlayStation Portable! They?re all classic PlayStation moments that you?ve seen or experienced hundreds of times - but can you capture them in a photo? If you can, your name could be in the hat to win some great prizes. There?s also the possibility of a serious cash prize, the possibility of the images being used in future PlayStation campaigns as well as a new Sony D-SLR a350 digital camera and lens. Get snapping and upload your photos by the 16th March 2009 for a chance to win.

The rules are simple ? capture the perfect image of you, your friends or your family enjoying a PlayStation moment with your PLAYSTATION3, PlayStation2 or PlayStation Portable and upload it to www.weareplaystation.com. There are different categories your photos could enter: Caught in the Moment, Unexpected Places, PlayStation Parties, True Love and Endless Play. A panel of guest judges will assess top user-rated snaps on their merits and work out which photographer deserves the top prize of 1000 euros and a Sony D-SLR a350 camera. Ten runners up will receive cash prizes of 100 euros each, while the next best 100 entries will get their hands on a top PlayStation game or vouchers for the PlayStation Store. All entries have the chance of being used in a future PlayStation marketing campaign.

Of course, PlayStation is all about its community ? and that?s why we?re asking you to judge the first round of the competition. PlayStation fans can visit the website and decide which shots will be put before the judges by rating each photo with a score from one to five. Also, every time you Electronic Theatre Imageenter the site, you can give your favourite image a secret ?Super Vote? which will be used to determine the finalists in case several entries generate the same overall rating. The images with the highest average score and, in the event of a tie, with the highest number of ?Super Votes? will go before the judging panel ? so it pays to get everyone you know onto the site and voting.

With so many great moments for so many different PlayStation communities, this is the chance not only to show off your natural eye for a photograph, but also to show the world just how much fun you have with your friends ? and a PLAYSTATION3, PlayStation2 or PlayStation Portable. Visit www.weareplaystation.com for competition terms and conditions and get snapping!
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PRILOSEC DEATH

 

[BlueCali]

How Many People Actually Use The PlayStation Network

For a while now, Sony have publicly measured the sign-up rate of the PlayStation Network by the number of individual accounts. Which looks good on paper, but it's not very realistic, is it?

So we're much happier now we have a real statement on the number of people making the most of the PlayStation Network. During Sony's quarterly earnings report, there was a little Q&A held between Sony executives and market analysts, during which Robert Wiesenthal - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sony America - revealed:

I think right now close to half of our users have opted to sign up to the [PlayStation] network, and I think it's running on track, and we are expecting really great things this year from it.

Not an exact statistic, sure, but it gives us a rough idea. There are 23 million PS3 consoles out there. If "close to half" of all PS3 users have signed up, that gives us around 11 million people actually signed up to the PSN on their PS3's. Not sure whether he also included the PSP in that statement, but seeing as online use hasn't been as important for that system to date, we'd say he's not.

All in all, that's a pretty healthy number! It's OK to tell the truth sometimes, guys. We appreciate it when you do.

 

[jefXfree]

PS3 manufacturing costs down 70%, says Oneda

Speaking during the company’s Q1 earnings call yesterday, Sony Corporation bigwig Nobuyuki Oneda revealed that the cost of manufacturing the PlayStation 3 has dropped a whopping 70 percent since its inception in 2006.

Said Oneda: “The cost reduction since we introduced the PS3 is very substantial and this is on schedule.”

“We don’t disclose how much of the PS3, specifically the cost deduction was achieved during the past two years. But that is on schedule.” However, when pushed on exact figures, Oneda replied: “about 70 percent, roughly speaking”.

Sony revealed yesterday that it suffered considerable losses in the number of PS3 and PSP units sold, with the company posting an operating loss of approximately JPY 25.7 billion (USD 268 million).

 

[j_rocca42]

saw this. 70% is a lot considering the rumored $800ish cost at launch. That puts them at roughly $240/unit now... Smells like a price cut. or the slim...

 

[the_ps_hero]

i paid 600 for mine that was the price drop,i remember them being 800 before & friends blowing 2 weeks pay on one

 

[mobius387]

i paid 600 for mine that was the price drop,i remember them being 800 before & friends blowing 2 weeks pay on one

really?? i thought the launch 60gb was $600 and launch 40gb was $500.

 

[DaMexiRican]

really?? i thought the launch 60gb was $600 and launch 40gb was $500.

It was. I bought the launch 60gb for $600. Anything higher was somebody trying to make a profit.

 

[j_rocca42]

really?? i thought the launch 60gb was $600 and launch 40gb was $500.

the 60gb was 600 and the 20gb was 500. I meant that the cost of making a launch ps3 was around 800 bucks. they were loosing like 200/unit at launch. no supposedly it's only around 240ish to build a unit. with them making around 160/unit profit...

 

[dboy99]

ok the price is down 70 percent and they still just lost 390 million bucks q1. so price drop is still a no go.

 

[BlueCali]

GameStop’s New Rewards System Unveiled

Today Gamestop has announced their new rewards system, ala a rip off of Best Buy’s reward system. Just late last year Best Buy had started a Gamer’s Rewardzone Club for of course gamers. Instead of the normal 250 points (where 1 point equals a dollar) and a $5 coupon, gamers were getting $10 for ever 150 points. They also started offering coupons and special deals on games. So it seems Gamestop is answering back with their own rip off. In a survey that was sent out to customers who’ve signed up for the company newsletter they were shopping around a new free customer rewards program that would see you earning points for every dollar spent or game traded, which can then be redeemed for various prizes and special benefits. Full Press Release below:

GET IN THE REWARD GAME WITH GAMESTOP REWARDS

Now you can earn points toward great rewards, just for buying or trading at GameStop. – a little “thanks,” from us to you.

It’s FREE to join. It’s GameStop Rewards. All you have to do is sign up with your email address at your local GameStop and you’ll get a membership card so you can immediately start earning points. As a member, you will also get sneak peek previews of new titles delivered to your inbox or mobile device, a 3-day free trial on previously owned games and early access to trailers and other new insider game content.

HOW TO EARN POINTS: Flash your card whenever you make a purchase or trade and you’ll earn 10 points for each game or system you trade in and one point per dollar spent on new and previously owned games. Accumulate and spend your points all year long. Choose from a variety of rewards from the GameStop Rewards catalog. Cool, new and exclusive stuff is added every few months!

There will also be bonus and double point earning opportunities throughout the year, which means you reach higher levels - faster.

HOW TO GET REWARDS: Here are examples of point levels and the kind of rewards you can earn. Go online any time to check out the GameStop Rewards catalog, or we’ll let you know at least once every few months that GameStop has added new rewards – like exclusive collector’s items or rare game-related rewards and experiences that you would expect from GameStop.

REWARD LEVEL 1: 1-100 POINTS

* A coupon for 20% off a strategy guide
* A free beta version of a new game
* A one-time power trade offer – 15% bonus trade-in credit

REWARD LEVEL 2: 101-250 POINTS

* A one-time power trade offer – 20% bonus trade-in credit
* Various opportunities to customize content like a team logo, stadium or Xbox lobby background
* Discount off a collector’s edition of a game
* A one-time-use certificate good for a $5 shipping fee with the purchase of any new game

REWARD LEVEL 3: 251-500 POINTS

* A12-month subscription to Game Informer
* A one-time power trade offer – 25% bonus trade-in credit
* Exclusive in-game accessories like a weapon, player or instrument
* An exclusive mini-game
* Access to chat and provide feedback/ideas directly to game developers
* One free previously owned game

REWARD LEVEL 4: 501+ POINTS

* An all-access entry pass into E3 or Comic-Con
* A life-sized video game character like a Master Chief Statue
* One free new game
* A $50 GameStop Gift Card
* A free trip (air, hotel, plus the all-access entry pass) to E3 or Comic-Con

Get more out of gaming at GameStop, because only GameStop brings power to the players.

Along with the free rewards program, GameStop is also looking at redoing its current Edge program as GameStop Elite, giving the normal 10% discount and trade bonus on used titles for a reduced price of $10, without the attached Game Informer subscription.

PRESENTING GAMESTOP ELITE

Now in addition to GameStop Rewards, you can get an extra edge on valuable bonuses and savings when you add a GameStop Elite membership. Just flash your card at the register. It’s that easy.

ADD AN ELITE MEMBERSHIP & GET ALL ITS BENEFITS:

* An additional 10% price discount on all your previously owned games and accessories, and strategy guide purchases
* An additional 10% trade-in bonus on all your game and accessory trade-ins

Your Elite membership gives you a full year of savings for only $10. It can more than pay for itself in no time!

Get more out of gaming at GameStop, because only GameStop brings power to the players.


http://projectgamers.com/2009/08/04/gamestops-new-rewards-system-unveiled/

 

[j_rocca42]

I guess that's kinda cool since it's free. and i shop there all the time. I'm sure i'll make good use outta this!

 

[mobius387]

HOW TO EARN POINTS: Flash your card whenever you make a purchase or trade and you’ll earn 10 points for each game or system you trade in and one point per dollar spent on new and previously owned games. Accumulate and spend your points all year long. Choose from a variety of rewards from the GameStop Rewards catalog. Cool, new and exclusive stuff is added every few months!


REWARD LEVEL 4: 501+ POINTS

* An all-access entry pass into E3 or Comic-Con
* A life-sized video game character like a Master Chief Statue
* One free new game
* A $50 GameStop Gift Card
* A free trip (air, hotel, plus the all-access entry pass) to E3 or Comic-Con

whaaat??? all this for spending less than $500??????? am i missing something? all i have to do to get a free trip and ticket to E3 is spend $500 at gamestop, on top of that i get a $50 gift card and a free game????

 

[j_rocca42]

whaaat??? all this for spending less than $500??????? am i missing something? all i have to do to get a free trip and ticket to E3 is spend $500 at gamestop, on top of that i get a $50 gift card and a free game????

sounds to good to be true doesn't it?

 

[BlueCali]

[/B]

whaaat??? all this for spending less than $500??????? am i missing something? all i have to do to get a free trip and ticket to E3 is spend $500 at gamestop, on top of that i get a $50 gift card and a free game????

9 games a year... too bad i get a discount at Best Buy.. I never buy at Gamestop anymore..

 

[j_rocca42]

not all of us are as lucky at you cali!

 

[BlueCali]

not all of us are as lucky at you cali!

I was actually saying u guys get the better deal out of this... even though i save 10 bucks a game.

 

[BlueCali]

Sony Trademarks P.S. Thanks Rewards Program

Today it was revealed that Sony has trademarked a program called P.S. Thanks. The trademark specifically protects P.S. Thanks, against “entertainment services” for an “incentive rewards program geared toward quantifying, identifying and motivating top consumer base with the goal of promotion and sale of video game hardware and software.”

Could this be the new Playstation Underground, or is this going to be like Gamestop’s and Best Buy’s rewards systems already in place. I am very very interested in this new program, because I definitely love me some Sony.



http://projectgamers.com/2009/08/05/sony-trademarks-ps-thanks-new-rewards-program/

 

[ZEUSPLAY]

maybe something that will utilize the trophies as reword points

 

[mobius387]

UPDATE: We received an email from Sony regarding the PlayStation Thanks trademark. The comment states, “We have a long history of creating unique loyalty programs such as PlayStation Underground, which started with the original PlayStation and has evolved into the Gamer Advisory Panel. We continue to look for ways to expand this program and we are evaluating new naming conventions for this evolution, which is why we filed a trademark for PlayStation Thanks."

 

[BlueCali]

UPDATE: We received an email from Sony regarding the PlayStation Thanks trademark. The comment states, “We have a long history of creating unique loyalty programs such as PlayStation Underground, which started with the original PlayStation and has evolved into the Gamer Advisory Panel. We continue to look for ways to expand this program and we are evaluating new naming conventions for this evolution, which is why we filed a trademark for PlayStation Thanks."

Bingo, I win again!

 

[mobius387]

Rumor: Best Buy to Start Matching Gamestop’s Used Game Prices for New Games

First of all, thanks in advance for contratulating me on making the longest title for an article on this site yet. I appreciate the thought!

Now, according to a picture snapped by a user on Cheap Ass Gamer, Best Buy (at least the one he was at in Utah) is allegedly starting to price match the used prices from Gamestop or Gamecrazy on new games in the store. You can stop slapping yourself right now, this is not a dream, that last sentence is true. At least according to the picture.

This is apparantely an attempt to drive out the competition, giving gamers no reason to not buy games at the media store giant. There is no specification on what restrictions apply, but this will most likely have some heavy restrictions, as Gamestop often puts select used games at very low prices ($20-$30).

And as of right now, chalk this one up as a rumor, as there has been no confirmation from Best Buy or it’s website. However, at the least this is a store to store promotion, one that may or my not be standing. Perhaps BB is simply seeing if game sales go up during the promotion. So watch out at your local Best Buy and see if they are also running this promotion. It would be a great opportunity to save a little green by cashing in on this historical offer.

http://projectgamers.com/2009/08/07...ing-gamestops-used-game-prices-for-new-games/