PS3 Price drop and new SKU

[Neal]

Mmm.. no one else posted this yet? :cunning:

A new PS3 SKU will be release on the 10th October in Europe (Not sure about anywhere else) which is the long rumoured 40GB model. The 40GB system will retail in the EU for 399Euros. The 60GB has dropped to 499Euros. In the UK The 40GB will retail for £299 and the 60GB is meant to be dropping to £365 but I haven't seen anything on that yet.

40GB WILL NOT HAVE the following:

* Backwards Compatibility with PS2 Games
* Memory Stick Card Readers
* SACD (Super Audio CD) Playback
* Ethernet Cable
* 4 USB Ports, this model features 2.

Memory card thing isnt a big deal since pretty much everyone has a USB stick. The loss of 2 USB ports isnt that painful either IMO since Ive never used more than 2 at once myself. D: The lack of b/c is a bit lame but if people care so much to cry over it, £60 isnt that much more money. :P

http://www.game.co.uk/PS3/Hardware/~r332728/Sony-PlayStation-3-Console-40GB/ (http://www.game.co.uk/PS3/Hardware/%7Er332728/Sony-PlayStation-3-Console-40GB/)

[Xion]

Sony is weird..they have a bunch of Slightly Different SKU's but like to diss Microsoft for their 3, and keep removing their BC after dissing microsoft for their limited BC (even tho c'mon, how many Xbox games are there to care about compared to the PS1 and PS2's massive library?)

But anyway, the most important thing they need to do besides more games is lower the price of entry. $399 is definately getting closer to where it needs to be, but this is only for the UK, they better do the same here.

[Neal]

They're dropping it for the US as well I HEAR, but the press release for just for Europe. There are good games coming out so don't start that rant here. -_-

Its not like there will never be BC ever again, the 60GB model still has it. I personally think anyone buying a PS3 to play PS2 games is an idiot... but thats just me. D: If you're going to whine then pay the extra money. Tbh though Id rather have a HDD and WiFi than BC if I had to choose.

[Pixel]

Sony is weird..they have a bunch of Slightly Different SKU's but like to diss Microsoft for their 3, and keep removing their BC after dissing microsoft for their limited BC (even tho c'mon, how many Xbox games are there to care about compared to the PS1 and PS2's massive library?)

But anyway, the most important thing they need to do besides more games is lower the price of entry. $399 is definately getting closer to where it needs to be, but this is only for the UK, they better do the same here.

360's BC is fine in my opinion, the only games I would ever want to replay would be KOTOR, KOTOR II, Halo, Halo 2, Morrowind and a few others, and all of those you can play I do believe.

I do think that all PS3's should have BC, but, oh well.

[Xion]

They're dropping it for the US as well I HEAR, but the press release for just for Europe. There are good games coming out so don't start that rant here. -_-

Its not like there will never be BC ever again, the 60GB model still has it. I personally think anyone buying a PS3 to play PS2 games is an idiot... but thats just me. D: If you're going to whine then pay the extra money. Tbh though Id rather have a HDD and WiFi than BC if I had to choose.


1) i wasnt ranting or trying to start one, i stated games is what it needs more than the pricedrop, do you not agree? :blink:

2) Having BC was one of Sony's major points, now there are going to be people who can play their PS2 games on their PS3, and people who cant. >_<

You don't need to aproach with a defensive attitude Dante, It is possible to accept Sony's fault just as i fully accept the faults microsoft has made. Don't let your personal preferences cloud your better judgement.

[Neal]

Defensive attitude? How? I was giving an opinion. :blink: Yes a cheap console wont sell with nothing to play but it does and will have games, thats what I was saying. I also said that if people are going to whine about not being able to play PS2 games then they should pay the extra money if it means that much to them. :P

It is possible to accept Sony's faultWhat fault? Its the lower spec console, you can't expect the exact same thing as the more expensive higher spec one, or there wouldn't be more than one. It's like saying MS have made a fault by releasing the core. I would never buy it because I would want an HDD but some people don't care, good for them.

[Xion]

Defensive attitude? How? I was giving an opinion. :blink: Yes a cheap console wont sell with nothing to play but it does and will have games, thats what I was saying. I also said that if people are going to whine about not being able to play PS2 games then they should pay the extra money if it means that much to them. :P

What fault? Its the lower spec console, you can't expect the exact same thing as the more expensive higher spec one, or there wouldn't be more than one. It's like saying MS have made a fault by releasing the core. I would never buy it because I would want an HDD but some people don't care, good for them.


Sorry, it just seemed to me like you were quick to blow off the inadequacies i pointed out in Sony's strategy. And yes, releasing a console without BC is a fault weather you care or not. I dont care if it doesnt have BC i would buy it if i wanted to, but that doesnt make it any less of a fault, it just makes it irrelevant to you and me. If it was a lower spec console that could be upgraded to the level of the rest, then i dont see it as a fault, but when there is no option, it is.

[Neal]

Sorry, it just seemed to me like you were quick to blow off the inadequacies i pointed out in Sony's strategy.

Yes, i was defending my OPINION. Is that so hard for you to understand?


Eh, whatever. In the end I don't really care, its not like im going to buy another PS3 anytime soon. I just don't think its that big of a deal thats its not included. :blink:

[Xion]

Yes, i was defending my OPINION. Is that so hard for you to understand?


Its not hard for me to understand your opinion Dante, i understand it and i fully respect it, what you should understand it that your opinion doesn't go over mines or the general public, dont respond as tho what im stating is not important to eveyone else just because it isn't to you (or admitedly me) -_-

State your opinion, but dont use it as a counter to irrefutable fact. There are people who will not be happy about this at all and if you dont care, then you should have no need to respond. Let this end here.

[Desi]

Its not like there will never be BC ever again, the 60GB model still has it. I personally think anyone buying a PS3 to play PS2 games is an idiot... but thats just me. D:
It is only worth its Backwards play at the moment. Extremely dissapointing news. They could have just kept the 20gig and not need so many different models.

[Slim__Cognito]

^^ yeah having so many models is just dumb. the 60 and 80 gig are fine enough. maybe sony is frantically trying to boost sales but what they need to do is just wait untill the games start coming out ,which is this month anyway, and then the console will sell fine.

[Desi]

Pretty much. Advertise the games over the console itself. They just started a new campaign in the US. Looks very good so far.

http://apps.eyewonderlabs.com/adWdrVideoSpace/ad/28148/approvalJSTags.html

Source: Totally stolen from NeoGaf

[Flint]

I just find this whole situation so incredibly stupid - why are Sony screwing over their european customers yet again?

The 40gig machine is already an irrelavance, who is going to buy that when £50 more gets you the 'proper' PS3 with more HD space and all features included?

Why are they releasing a cut down machine at all, and why is Europe still being denied the superior 80gig machine that the US has? If they must insist on having 2 SKU's, why not cut the price of the 60gig to £299 and have the 80gig machine for £350 or £399?

This is yet another instance of Sony making bizarre and ultimately ridiculous business decisions, it's like they suddenly lost all their common sense the moment PS3 was unveiled to the world.

[Neal]

The 40gig machine is already an irrelavance, who is going to buy that when £50 more gets you the 'proper' PS3 with more HD space and all features included?

My thoughts exactly, but MS have the core which has nothing, even less than the 40GB PS3 and people still buy that because, oh yes, its cheaper.

[Flint]

What I find amazing about this is that Sony claim the 40gig machine is the result of their research into what their current and future customers really want - this is quoted from the eurogamer article about the story:


Sony says that it has introduced the two new offerings following "feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future potential PS3 owners".

David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe added: "The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next-generation PS3 owners."


Who in their right mind when asked said "Yeah, I'd really like it if you made a new version of the PS3 that's been cut down and isn't as good as the current model"?

Also, I hear the 40gig machine doesn't come with any games, so that's at least another £30 or £40 you've got to spend just so that you have something to play on the damned thing. Which again, means you might as well just buy the £350 60gig machine seeing as that apparently comes with 2 games.

[Desi]

My thoughts exactly, but MS have the core which has nothing, even less than the 40GB PS3 and people still buy that because, oh yes, its cheaper.
That doesn't make it anymore right just the more stupid. Microsoft is finally getting rid of the core now.

[Neal]

I know its stupid. :cunning: They're not dropping the core here, as far as I know. Where did you read that they were?

[Flint]

Yeah, I thought MS were re-launching the core with a new package containing a disc full of games from Live Arcade. Really though, they should just scrap the core and the standard machine and just have the Elite.

[Xion]

Yeah, I thought MS were re-launching the core with a new package containing a disc full of games from Live Arcade. Really though, they should just scrap the core and the standard machine and just have the Elite.


this is off topic, but that would be the stupidest thing ive ever heard, the core is microsft point of entry advantage of only being $279, why would they want to raise their point of entry to $450! :lol: it also happens to be a good deal. It has HDMI, 5 free arcade games, 256MB memory card for your saves and a wireless controller. Unconfirmed but it may as well be.

On topic- This whole Sony situation is strange, i dont see the reasoning behind removing 2 USB ports or the BC. >_< are they THAT desperate to cut costs? it must be really bad then...:| Its funny hearing podcasts previous to the announcement and how they completely wrote off the possibility of this not being BC. They said it was ludicrous and absolutely unfathomable. Guess they were wrong.

[Flint]

this is off topic, but that would be the stupidest thing ive ever heard, the core is microsft point of entry advantage of only being $279, why would they want to raise their point of entry to $450! :lol:

At least then everyone would have the same machine and the same experience and there wouldn't be this situation of those who have a hard disk and those who don't.

How many people do you actually know that bought the core 360? It may be cheap, but that's hardly relevant if no-one is buying it. And the Elite is about the same price as the new 40gig PS3 (in the UK at least, at about £299).



On topic- This whole sony situation is strange, i dont see the reasoning behind removing 2 USB ports or the BC. >_< are they THAT desperate to cut costs? it must be really bad then...:|


I'm completely bewildered by Sony's strategic decisions, too. I come to the conclusion that these days they must be run by monkeys or something.

[Xion]

:lol:

At least then everyone would have the same machine and the same experience and there wouldn't be this situation of those who have a hard disk and those who don't.

How many people do you actually know that bought the core 360? It may be cheap, but that's hardly relevant if no-one is buying it. And the Elite is about the same price as the new 40gig PS3 (in the UK at least, at about £299).


dont even go there. guess who bought a core? I DID MAN! and you know what, it was worth it because at the time i only had enough money to spend on core, i could not afford a premium. all i wanted to do at the time was play dead or alive 4, and puchasing the core allowed me to do that! and all i did was buy a HDD when i had the money. having the HDD gives you the space needed to download large content from XBL. if you just want to play games online or off, you dont need the HDD just a memory card to save. My cousin has a bare bones core with a memory card. we play online frequently and do you think he needs a hard drive? no he doesnt even care about downloading demos he just wants to play forza 2 all the time. and in the end if he wanted to he could allways just buy a HDD. and just to bring this full circle, this holiday season when all the mom and dads go into the store looking to purchase a next gen system, besides the wii, the xbox 360 arcade bundle is going to look very attractive at $279 with all these games available compared to PS3's minimum of $399 with far less games, and that is why microsoft is banking on it.

if you want an argument make it a valid one. This is about Sony, there is no need for you to bring up Xbox because thats just flaimbait and im quick to catch on fire.

[Desi]

The Core is still a shitty idea like all these PS3 SKU's. I don't want poor motherfuckers playing games. Get out.

[Xion]

The Core is still a shitty idea like all these PS3 SKU's. I don't want poor motherfuckers playing games. Get out.

how selfish :ohmy: Your really going to deny poor old timmy his Halo 3? :lol:

[Flint]

if you want an argument make it a valid one. This is about Sony, there is no need for you to bring up Xbox because thats just flaimbait and im quick to catch on.


I only talked about 360 because someone else asked about the core system and if it was being phased out. I do think the core is a bit pointless, but that's just my opinion, it is not intended as 'flaimbait' as you call it. I am not trying to make an argument, so there's no need for you to overreact.

So that you do not get the wrong idea, I will state for the record that I do actually like the 360 (and yes, I know I made some disparaging comments about it in the past, but things change). Currently I am strongly tempted to buy one (the Elite most likely), but I'd probably wait until next Feb/March when Lost Odyssey comes out, seeing as that's the 360 game I'm most interested in. The only problem with that is that MGS4 should be released at about the same time, and I'm definitely buying a PS3 when that comes out, so looks like I could be in for an expensive new year!

If the core 360 was the right choice for you, that's fine, but how much did the separate hard disk cost you? Would it not have been cheaper in the long run just to have saved your money a bit longer and bought the full system? (Again, this is not flaimbait, just a question).

[Xion]

If the core 360 was the right choice for you, that's fine, but how much did the separate hard disk cost you? Would it not have been cheaper in the long run just to have saved your money a bit longer and bought the full system? (Again, this is not flaimbait, just a question).

see but this is where you make the wrong assumption. Like i mentioned, all i wanted to do was play DOA4. If it weren't for the core i would have had to wait till i had the money for a Preimum, but instead i was able to get what i wanted when i wanted, nothing was shoved down my throat. There are many people out there who may just want to test the waters on 360, not take the Plunge. At the same time, it all about point of entry, Microsoft is trying give you the option to purchase an xbox 360 at the lowest price possible, this is what the core is, and still allow you to upgrade your console to the level of a premium or Elite. I understand your viewpoint Flint and im sorry if it seemed as tho i was overreacting im not :P Lost Odyssey comes out Febuary in the US and January in Europe. If youre thinking about getting one, you should get one this holiday theres plenty to get you going until then, and when MGS4 is near release, get the PS3 then, price could allways go down further.

As for Sony, no BC was a mistake, but lowering the point of entry is a much needed step forward for the PS3. ^_^

[Flint]

I see the point you're making Xion, but for me personally if I'd made the decision to buy a 360 I'd want the full package from the start. But each to his own, I guess!


Lost Odyssey comes out Febuary in the US and January in Europe. If youre thinking about getting one, you should get one this holiday theres plenty to get you going until then, and when MGS4 is near release, get the PS3 then, price could allways go down further.

I'm tempted to wait though, just to see if the price of 360 drops as a result of the new PS3 SKU. Is Lost Odyssey really coming out in Europe before the US?



As for Sony, no BC was a mistake, but lowering the point of entry is a much needed step forward for the PS3.


I'd agree that the removal of BC is a bad move, I can't really see why they'd do that. In the PAL machines the backward compatibility was achieved through software and the inclusion of the PS2 graphic chip. It can't really reduce the cost of the machine by that much just by removing one chip, surely?

[Xion]

I see the point you're making Xion, but for me personally if I'd made the decision to buy a 360 I'd want the full package from the start. But each to his own, I guess

well im very glad that you get my point! :D

The relase schedule i mentioned for Lost Odyssey is correct (also its december 7th for Japan i beleive), I dont think Microsoft will lower the price of the 360, they dont need to, although i would like them to even things out a bit, make Core/Arcade $250 and Elite $450

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/05/today-in-joystiq-october-5-2007/#comments

i say thats a well deserved W.T.F award :lol:

"We are presenting the first-ever Joystiq W.T.F. award for Sony, who managed to single-handedly outshine the Microsoft / Bungie schism by deciding not to make the newest PlayStation 3 model backwards compatible ... at all.

Even though it cost them practically nothing to upload written software that lets it work, Sony in its Great Benevolence decided to screw customers but tell them that it's for their own good. doth quote the Penny Arcade (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/09/24), "we need you to believe another new lie." Congratulations on the dubious award"

[Shana]

So far the $399.99 PS3 does have backward compatibility, although only for PlayStation One games - since the 40GB doesn't have the Emotion Engine. PlayStation 2 games will probably be run with the emulator just like the 80GB.

[S-r-ex]

Just keep your good ol'e PS2, the games looks better that way too. And you won't get much for selling it either...and Shana, the PS2 graphics processor, the Graphics Synthesizer (GS) was used in the PAL PS3 and 80GB, but the 40GB doesn't have this, supposedly making it completely unable to play PS2 games. If it at all will play PS2 games sometime, they'll look like they're emulated on your PC, behave like those emulated on your PC, and play as many as your PS2 emulator will...sorta...in other words, they'll play rather poor and like half-assed PS1 and have a playable library as big as Virtualboy...

I'm now happy I got my 60GB PS3 at release, cuz I've used the memorycard slot to play my mp3's from my phone and view pics I've taken with it's shitty 300 kilopixel camera. As for the pics from my 3.2mp camera which battery now lasts for two minutes, I've checked those pics too.

And for those unhappy with only 40 gig, you can always replace it with a 250GB monster. I think 500GB on 2.5" is coming soon...

[Flint]

Even more bad news guys, Sony have said that after current stocks of the 60gig model have been sold, it will be discontinued and the new crippled 40gig machine will be the only version on sale in Europe.

From Eurogamer:

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=84877



Sony has announced that once the current stock of 60GB PlayStation 3s has sold out, European regions will only have access to the newly introduced 40GB model.
The shock decision comes after Sony Europe announced a price cut (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=84824) for the 60GB model to GBP 349 / EUR 399, which the company said was in response to consumer feedback.

The company also unveiled a 40GB PlayStation 3 due to go on sale this Wednesday, but gave no indication that the 60GB model would be discontinued.

"Our offering in the UK market place for Christmas are the two SKUs announced on Friday, but as the 60GB stock is depleted the GBP 299 40GB SKU will be the only version available going forward," David Wilson, head of PR in the UK, told our chums at GamesIndustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/).

"The 40GB machine represents all the power and potential of PlayStation 3 at a very compelling price. Whilst the feature set of the 40GB is a result of extensive feedback and research, all the 'missing' features should some consumers require them are easily upgraded with USB memory card readers, USB hubs, or bigger external USB or internal HDs.

"The only functionality that is being removed is backwards compatibility - and this is because we believe this less important now than when we launched - as there will be 65 PS3 games available by Christmas. Furthermore we believe we should now be devoting our resources to the future of PlayStation gaming and delivering next generation experiences," Wilson added.

Sony has already phased out (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=26704) the 60GB model in North America, where an 80GB unit sells for USD 599 with a copy of MotorStorm.



This is so unbelievably stupid that words almost fail me. Sony once stated that Europe was a really important market for them, but how do they repay us? By making a crippled, cut-down PS3 the only one that will be available. Absolutely staggering.

We are being left with a machine that is half as good as the 80gig model that the US gets. And soon we will be denied the choice to have backwards compatibility if we want it. Are Sony deliberately trying to alienate their European customers? That's what it feels like.

Looks like I'm probably going to have to get a PS3 a little earlier than I was planning to, as there's no way I'm buying the 40gig version.

[S-r-ex]

You miss memcard slots, two USB's and backward compability. Use you good old PS2 ;) If you want more space, just buy a friggin 250GB drive. I'm planning to do it, at least replace the 60GB with one of the 120GB's in my laptop.

[Neal]

dont even go there. guess who bought a core? I DID MAN!

I didn't read that wall of text, but you got utterly owned by their scheme. :lol: You're going to be spending so much more money than if you'd waited.

Flint, that is pathetic but I reckon they will launch another SKU in a while like the US 80GB or something. They apparently filed another one according to some random site on N4G, I didnt bother to read the article. :P

[Xion]

I didn't read that wall of text, but you got utterly owned by their scheme. :lol: You're going to be spending so much more money than if you'd waited.

i suggest you keep your mind away from what doesn't concern you :thumbsup:

[Neal]

OHHHHHHHHH YOU DIDNT LIKE THAT :cunning:

[Flint]

Flint, that is pathetic but I reckon they will launch another SKU in a while like the US 80GB or something. They apparently filed another one according to some random site on N4G, I didnt bother to read the article. :P

They may release something like that, but it won't have backward compatibility (which is something I do actually want) as they seem to be intent on removing it from the PS3 so that they no longer have to devote time and resources to producing BC updates (and cut costs, too). Also there's no indication of when this possible new machine might be released

I actually think it's more likely that they'll release the 40GB in the US and phase out their 80GB model. A stupid move, but it seems like something Sony in their current insane state would do.


You miss memcard slots, two USB's and backward compability. Use you good old PS2 ;) If you want more space, just buy a friggin 250GB drive. I'm planning to do it, at least replace the 60GB with one of the 120GB's in my laptop.


I get what you're saying but you're missing the point about the 40GB machine being a rip-off. For £299 you're getting the 40GB PS3 and no games - the average PS3 game costs about £40, so you're going to have to spend at least £340 for the machine and something to play on it. The 60GB machine costs £350, and what does that extra £10 buy you? 20GB more hard disk space, all USB ports and other interfaces, backward compatibility AND 2 games. When you look at it like that, the 40GB machine is actually an insult.

And why should I have to pay extra for a bigger hard disk drive just because Sony are too cheap to provide a decent sized one with the machine?