Sony has cut the PS3 development by 50% in hopes of attracting more game designers to work with the PS3. This also is said to help the PS3 sales since the price-cut and new 40GB model have increased sales. The PS3 is pulling out all the stops to get their system noticed and attract any Developers to make titles for the struggling system. After all who's going to make games if the system doesn't have enough variety in their library. Sony understands this and needs to do what ever means necessary to get the job done.

Sony halved the fees it charges for a software development kit for the PlayStation 3 video game machine Monday to encourage outside designers to make more games for the struggling console.

Sony Corp.'s gaming unit, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., said prices for the development package for the PlayStation 3 will be reduced to US$10,250 in North America, 950,000 yen (US$8,600; euro5,900) in Japan and euro7,500 (US$11,250) in Europe.

The move follows the price cuts on the PS3 around the world that the company announced last month in an attempt to woo buyers.

Tokyo-based Sony will also strengthen backup support for making new games for the PS3 in an effort to make the machine more popular, it said in a statement.

Although its predecessor the PlayStation 2 dominated the gaming market, the PS3 has struggled against the hit Wii console, the rival offering from Nintendo Co., which makes Pokemon and Super Mario games.

Boosting PS3 sales is crucial for Sony's overall business strategy because it also supports the Blu-ray disc next-generation video, which is vying with the rival HD-DVD format.

Final Blade via theage.com.au »