PS4, Xbox 720 pricing forecast

An analyst has chimed in on the price speculation of next-gen consoles, saying that Sony and Microsoft’s next systems will cost between $350 and $400 (R3,000 – R3,540).

The forecast comes from Baird Equity Research’s Colin Sebastian, who, after chatting with “with a number of companies involved in video game development and distribution” at CES 2013, believes that the console prices will be within the range of the Wii U’s high-end launch price.

Sebastian also explained that gamers won’t be willing to pay what they did for the previous console generation, particularly that of the PS3, which launched with an exorbitant price.

“Given the fragile state of the console game market, we expect the E3 trade show in June will take on added significance, most likely providing the industry with the first public opportunity to examine next-generation hardware,” said Sebastian.

“Our check suggest that next-generation console hardware will be largely built from ‘off the shelf’ high-end PC components, along with hybrid physical/digital distribution models, enhanced voice controls and motion sensing (Kinect integration with every Xbox), and broad multi-media capabilities.”

Pictured – not the Xbox 720

While Sebastian’s expectation include Sony and Microsoft showing off their next-gen consoles at E3 2013 in June, it’s rumoured that the console makers will announce the new systems before the big event.

Sony and Microsoft are expected to announce the Playstation 4 and Xbox 720 respectively within the week of the Game Developers Conference (GDC), which takes place in March.

How much would you be willing to pay for the Playstation 4 and Xbox 360? Have you already begun saving?