Long read: The beauty and drama of video games and their clouds

"It's a little bit hard to work out without knowing the altitude of that dragon..."

If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

PS3 now 70 per cent cheaper to make

How about that price cut, then?

The manufacturing costs of PlayStation 3 have dropped by 70 per cent, according to Sony CEO Nobuyuki Oneda.

He was speaking during a conference call, as reported by TVG.

"The cost reduction since we introduced the PS3 is very substantial and this is on schedule," Oneda told investors.

"We don't disclose how much of the PlayStation 3, specifically the cost deduction, was achieved during the past two years. But that is on schedule."

When pressed further on how much the cost has come down Oneda replied, "About 70 per cent, roughly speaking."

Sony's never said exactly how much it costs to make a PS3. However, back when the console launched estimates put the price of manufacturing each machine at $800 / £485. In January last year, reports indicated the cost had fallen by 50 per cent to reach $400 / £243.

GamesIndustry.biz's own Carol Vorderman calculates that a further 70 per cent drop would put the current cost at $240 / £146 per unit.

Could that mean a price cut is on the way? Or perhaps they could start giving them away for free?