If Sony as a whole was profitable and in good shape I'm sure they'd be tempted to eat some margin and deliver a possibly killer blow.That's usually how significant these two months are.
This is why I'm a bit exasperated Sony isn't competing with MS this holiday season.
I know they are in a position of power, but I can't help but feel that they are taking MS's desperation for granted.
But they're not. As things stand I suspect Sony are willing to risk losing next two months in US so long as they retain overall lead (which they almost certainly will do), sell lots themselves (which they almost certainly will do) and most importantly make a profit.
MS are almost certainly eating a lot of margin now and over peak trading. They can afford to though.
I'd imagine Sony figure the following:
MS sell most but not that much more than Sony - decent probability of happening and not a bad outcome for Sony although gives MA a PR win
Sony pip MS at the post - smaller probability but not that unlikely and if it happens a big PR win plus they didn't eat any margin to achieve it
MS massively outsells Sony - very unlikely and not worth risking margin to proactively try and prevent it
Sony bundles seem solid and overall they have the momentum. Most likely they're only risking MS catching up fractionally and getting some short lived PR.