Part of the PlayStation 4's major success has been its initially lower price point than the Xbox One. While the Xbox One started at $500 with a mandatory Kinect sensor many people didn't want, the PlayStation 4 started at $400 and has stayed there ever since.

However, Microsoft has made strides since, making the Kinect optional, and lowering the Xbox One's price to $399 and then $350. Sony has shown no signs of following suit until recently, but their biggest competitor thinks they may soon be changing their prices.

In an interview with IGN, Xbox head Phil Spencer commented on the PlayStation 4's price and the future of the competing console. While some felt that the PlayStation 4's price-cut in Japan wouldn't make it to other territories, Spencer feels otherwise, noting Sony's history of price reductions in time for the holiday shopping season. Spencer also added that he felt Sony might make an announcement regarding a price cut for North American gamers during the upcoming Paris Games Week, which will run from October 28th to November 1st.

Surprisingly, the Xbox head said that he felt it was a good thing for the PlayStation 4 to receive a price cut. Instead of wringing his hands at what it would mean for his own company, he pointed out that gamers win when consoles compete against each other:

"It's great for gamers when price competition happens. We saw that last holiday, and we saw crazy sales numbers on all of the consoles."

Microsoft also isn't a stranger to holiday discounts, selling Xbox One bundles for $50 less during the major shopping season last year. Announcing a price cut during the bridge between October and November would certainly allow plenty of time for shoppers to get their hands on a price-reduced PlayStation 4. In addition, it might even boost attendance for the upcoming PlayStation Experience event, which will be held this December in San Francisco. If Sony applies the same price cut to the console that they did in Japan, gamers can expect to buy a PlayStation 4 for about $40 less than its current going price. In any case, while a price cut would be welcomed by many, Sony hasn't had much reason to do so, as the PlayStation 4 has outsold the Xbox One and Wii U for all of 2014.

Spencer's definitely right in that gamers benefit when major consoles go to war with each other, or are forced to reduce the price to push units. While it's ideal for console manufacturers to still make a profit, some have even gone so far as to sell their units at a loss, like the PlayStation 3's major price cut resulting in major losses for Sony.

Do you prefer to wait for consoles to have their prices slashed, or do you place your pre-order when it's at full price? Let us know in the comments.

Source: IGN