It Came From The Future: Pachter Predicts Natal Price, Sales
One of the biggest questions since Microsoft and Sony showed off their motion-driven controllers has been "how much?" While Sony has been absolutely quiet on the subject, Microsoft has stressed that it won't cost as much as a new console. This puts Natal in the $1-$150 price range, but it's not stopping others from looking into their own crystal balls and forecasting the price themselves. Speaking to Industry Gamers, gaming analyst and sales grand poobah Michael Pachter forsaw that Natal will outsell Sony's motion controlled offerings and made his own price predictions...
As for pricing, each has to keep the consumer's cost relatively low in order to achieve broad penetration. I think that Natal will cost $50, as it only really involves a camera (a three-lensed camera, but a camera nonetheless). The EyeWand [Sony's still unnamed controller], on the other hand, involves a camera and two controllers, so it may be slightly more expensive. I would be surprised if the EyeWand retails for more than $100. Neither impacts the other, as neither is intended to compete with the other.I like the sound of a $50 entry fee for Natal, but I'm wondering just how realistic Pachter's prediction of the "EyeWand" coming in at under $100 really is. Wii remotes usually retail for $40 each, and I'm imaging that the camera involved will run over $20. However, his comment that the two controllers are not intended to compete with each other interests me. I find it hard to believe that both of these hardware add-ons aren't the result of Wii envy and don't attempt to wrangle in the exact same audience.
What do you think, dear readers? What's the perfect price for each of these unique controllers? What's your spending limit when it comes to them? Are they competing with each other and the Wii?
[Pachter's Podium: Natal Just $50, Will Outsell PlayStation Motion] Industry Gamers
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Posted to Video Games on 16 October 2009
· Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: michael pachter, microsoft, motion controller, natal, predictions, price war, sony
While a price point of $50 on Natal sounds wonderful I just dont see it going that way. If its under $150 at launch I will be a very surprized boy.
That new Natal technology, even at a commercial level, ain't cheap. I'd be shocked myself if Microsoft actually offered it for less than $150. As well, I wouldn't expect to pick it up on launch day because there will not be a long list of games to support the new tech, at least for a year, I think (probably 2 or 3 titles at the most in order to promote it).
Furthermore I don't expect many developers to discover all its potential and nuances in terms of gameplay experience for at least a year or two after it hits market.
While I agree that Natal will probably be the cheaper of the two, I don't think there will be quite so large a gap. But then again, we should never doubt Sony's tendency to overprice things.