Gamescom retrospective: Sony missed a trick with the 3D TV
- Posted August 26th, 2011 at 15:49 EDT by Steven Williamson
- 12 Comments
There’s no doubt that stereoscopic 3D brings some extra visual “oomph” to the gaming experience. Killzone 3, MotorStorm Apocalypse and Gran Turismo 5 have all shown off their 3D credentials in some style, and with the likes of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, Resistance 3 and many others set for the same treatment, there is certainly some value in picking up a new 3D TV.
For the majority of people though, 3D TVs are still far too expensive and many still aren’t convinced that the technology will in any way improve the experience – especially those who already have gigantic HD TVs in their gaming spaces. Before Gamescom, we asked numerous gaming friends what their thoughts were on 3D gaming and the vast majority weren’t that bothered about the technology and certainly weren’t looking at investing a lot of money in a 3D TV.
However, with the confirmation at E3 that Sony would launch its own budget-priced 3D TV later in the year, the PlayStation 3 manufacturer had the chance to deliver a product which was such good value that those who haven’t quite made their minds up about 3D gaming wouldn’t be able to resist.
As you’ll probably all be aware by now, Sony used its Gamescom press conference to announce release plans and pricing for its budget-priced 24” 3D TV model, a device that is obviously meant to target those who haven’t got thousands to splash out on a high-end TV. This was Sony’s big chance to convince everyone that 3D gaming is worth a punt.
But, Sony got it wrong. When Jim Ryan, newly-appointed COO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), confirmed that its new telly would cost 500 Euros, the reaction in the audience said it all. As we shook our heads, you could almost hear the collective sigh of disappointment. Sony had definitely missed a big trick here.
A 24”inch TV isn’t likely to replace the main TV in most people’s living rooms, but as a second TV in a smaller room it’s just about big enough. The problem is that the people who are likely to be in the market to purchase such a small TV are also likely to be those who don’t have huge disposable incomes. Those who have enough money to buy a 3D TV - and really, really wanted to willy-wave and be among the first to have the technology - have already gone out and bought massive 3D TVs that make Sony’s new model look pathetically tiny.
Nonetheless, there’s still a huge audience for these smaller TVs, but the price-point has been set too high by Sony and has therefore alienated a potentially massive audience that it could have won over if the price were lower. Before the conference, we agreed that we would definitely buy Sony’s TV if it cost about £250-£300 – at that price it’s a bargain and, for some, would be an impulse buy. At this price point, it persuades those many gamers who are still wondering whether 3D is worth it to perhaps take a gamble. At this price point, the 3D TVs would have disappeared off the shelves over the Christmas period.
Furthermore, a lower price point would likely encourage consumers, who will now buy a brand new PlayStation 3 following the price cut, to purchase a 3D TV to go with their new console. If the total cost of a console and the TV would have been around £500 then it’s a price that would have immediately made people sit up and consider buying both. People will, of course, still buy Sony’s TV at £500, but nowhere near the amount of consumers if it would have been a couple of hundred pounds lower.
Sony had a real chance to persuade those who are not yet sold on 3D to buy, and the knock on effect would have seen software sales of 3D titles rise. At this £500 price point, however, we can’t help think that Sony has lost its chance to capitalize on the Christmas market and push its 3D gaming campaign to the next level. A price drop, post-Christmas seems likely, but will Sony have left it too late?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Comments
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Petra_Kalbrain1
- 11:19am EDT - August 26th, 2011
- 1
Well, I'm the "GO BIG OR GO HOME" type. So, I'm bypassing the test-run level for the tech. I've already seen plenty of demos in action to know that I WANT 3D AND I WANT IT BIG!!!
The 65" Sony Bravia HX929 is the only TV for me! It's their 2nd generation flagship model and it's going to be mine in time for the release of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception!!!
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Anim3Fr33K
- 11:29am EDT - August 26th, 2011
- 2
I was quite excited when i first herd about this, and was seriously considering getting one as i presently play on a 24" monitor, but at 500 euro which will come to roughly $1000 AUD thats well beyond my price range, i would have settled for maybe $600, double the cost of my present screen for a full 3D one, but no way am i paying $1000 for a 24" 3D TV when i can get a 50" 1080p tv for that kind of money.
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Blakey9537
- 11:45am EDT - August 26th, 2011
- 3
I was going to buy this if it cost similar to what Americans are paying for it (500$ - £300). However as it is £499 thats way too much for a Monitor which is only 24". I will wait for the inevitable price drop.
Also to Australian fellow I thinks its 700 of your dollars. Not too bad. - http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/08/sony%E2%80%99s-playstation-3dtv-hits-oz-for-700-later-this-year/
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sony1978a |
Aked- 11:49am EDT - August 26th, 2011
- 4
Yes i agree the price tag is LAME for 24inch Tv.
But if Sony added a DVI conection not just HDMI, and packed with 1920×1200 PC resolution, then 500 is good.
it would intrest me for PC and PS3, and many peapel would go get it.
I have 23- 16.10 ASUS PortArt 190x 1200 res and it cost me 600, and it has DVI, HDMI, And old school serial port or what ever is called. so why pay 500 for something that dose less???
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mikeghtmare
- 3:35pm EDT - August 26th, 2011
- 6
It's never too late, they can still drop the price or, most likely, they can bundle the TV with new PS3s and maybe throw in a game sucha as Uncharted 3.
For me, I also want a big TV, not a small one, but I want one that doesn't need glasses so it may be a couple of years before that happens. -
GunTeng
- 4:21pm EDT - August 26th, 2011
- 7
Welll...for basically the same size of TV, a half decent LCD isn't far off the same price......so Im wondering what people are complaining about.
Lets not forget what comes along with the TV.......a game and the glasses.
This is what makes the thing worth it. Now if they had an option to buy without the game.....or pick a game of choice that would be different.
But sure..£500 is a lot of money for people like us...expecially when Christmas is around the corner. But then...what great timing for some ;) I have my £500 saved & Im considering buying it......I do have some concerned however on the details. It cannot be used as a TV alone, and what is the experience like for non-3D games? Can you play a 3D game as a normal game etc.
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jamesobachand |
snake2112- 1:56pm EDT - August 27th, 2011
- 8
I love Sony products but I agree with this article almost 100%.
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LOSTHeroes13
- 2:45pm EDT - August 27th, 2011
- 9
I really want this TV but is coming out with to many games that i want this year, and with the vita on the way early next year that rather then the TV will be on top of my hardware list. If i can swing it for this year i will but if i have to wait i wont be heart broken.
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jaydlaw
- 7:48pm EDT - August 29th, 2011
- 12
i go back and forth on this one. the tv includes resistance 3 which is $60. add to that , if you preorder from gamestop, you also get motorstorm apocolpyse which since it cam out a few months ago i will estimate at $40. so thats $100 worth of games. with that consideration than the tv is $400, not $500. that being said, with only 1 set of glasses, i'll probabally pass. if it cam with 2 pairs, and the games mentioned, that would be enough to purchase. My primary gaming tv is only 27" and is not hd.
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