Sony were not likely to reduce the price of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console this year because of "financial issues", it has been suggested.
Those waiting for a lower price console may have to content themselves with bids on MadBid.com or second-hand offerings to get a cut-down price.
Speaking to Eurogamer, vice-president of Epic Games Mark Rein indicated that Sony had a "difficult year" and so a price reduction would not have been good for the company.
He explained: "The truth is Sony has had a difficult year and I think they had to do what they had to do to try to be profitable.
"Lowering the price of the console would probably have made their situation worse. They will get around to it in their own good time."
He was commenting on recent comments by Activision chief executive Bobby Kotick in which he warned that he may pull future titles from the PS3 unless Sony drop the price.
Co-chief operating officer at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Jim Ryan told Emirates Business that sales of the PS3 have been strong across Africa and the Middle East.