How Sony Can Increase Playstation 3 Sales This Holiday Season

Since launching in late 2006, the Playstation 3 has been constantly struggling against the Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 in terms of hardware sales. The holiday seasons have been especially tough for Sony as the Playstation 3 lags behind its fellow competitors greatly during that period. The upcoming holiday season may be the biggest yet for Sony since another bad performance could hinder their long term goals for the Playstation 3. Fortunately for them, they still have a couple of tricks up their sleeves. Here are a few strategies Sony must mobilize in order to ensure a successful holiday season for the Playstation 3.

Playstation 2 Backwards Compatibility
The Playstation 2 has the biggest user base ever in the video game industry with nearly 140 million units sold. Sony hopes to convert these Playstation 2 gamers into Playstation 3 owners. The easiest way to do this is to bring back Playstation 2 backwards compatibility to the Playstation 3. Many prospective buyers were turned off after Sony removed this special feature. So in order to increase Playstation 3 hardware sales this holiday season, Sony should add value to their system with full software Playstation 2 backwards compatibility support.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
If Gran Turismo 5 doesn't make it out in 2009 than Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is unquestionably the biggest exclusive game on the Playstation 3 this holiday season. The press has been overwhelmingly positive so far for the sequel as many has already given it numerous awards. However, Sony really needs to beef up their advertisement campaign in order to get the word out to the consumers. If advertised correctly, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves could be a killer app for the Playstation 3.

Gran Turismo 5
No other first-party Playstation 3 game has the ability to sell hardware as Gran Turismo 5. The problem is that Sony has been quiet on a release date. However, there have been some whispers that Gran Turismo 5 would arrive before the end of the year. It the Playstation 3 exclusive comes out on or before the holiday season than it will no doubt push hardware sales.

Playstation 3 Slim
The biggest drawback to hardware sales for the Playstation 3 has always been the expensive price tag. Many analysts predict that, once the Playstation 3 drops to below $300, it should begin to sell briskly. The cheaper to produce Playstation 3 Slim model should save Sony plenty of money on manufacturing costs. In turn, they can cut the price of the Playstation from its current $399.99 price tag. A price drop will definitely increase demand of the Playstation 3 this holiday season.