The existing 60GB Starter Pack will be reduced in price to €499. It will be on sale "while stocks last," as the 60GB model is being phased out, as it was in America. Update: Patrick Seybold from Sony Computer Entertainment America has no real comment about the 40GB model being made available in the US. "We have not made any announcements for new SKUs or configurations for our territory." We're willing to bet we're going to hear something soon.
=====
London, 5 October 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced details of its exciting new PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) model that will launch throughout the SCEE territories on 10th October 2007 at the highly attractive price of €399.
Providing an incredibly appealing entry point to the world of High Definition gaming and entertainment for the holiday season, the new PS3 brings the next generation of interactive home entertainment to homes all across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia.
Along with an ever expanding line-up of PS3 titles (a total of 65 titles tracking across all genres by Christmas), the new PS3 is equipped with a 40GB HDD and includes all the features central to the High Definition entertainment experience; true next generation gameplay, stunning High Definition Blu-ray Disc™ movies, SIXAXIS™ wireless controller, Wi-Fi and HDMI connectivity, all powered by the Cell Broadband Engine™, the digital heart of PS3.
As with the 60GB PS3, the new PS3 features upgradeable firmware allowing new features and functionality to be added to the system as time progresses. A recent firmware update, for example, enabled PS3 to upscale DVD's played on the system to full 1080P High Definition.
The introduction of the new PS3 has been determined following user feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future potential PS3 owners. The new model features two USB 2.0 ports rather than four and no longer includes the multi memory card port.
The new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation®2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas).
The existing Starter Pack*, comprising a 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility, an additional SIXAXIS wireless controller and two first party titles will be reduced in price to €499. Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3.
"The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners," said David Reeves, President of SCEE. "It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet incredibly affordable High Definition gaming and entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners. PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new PS3 is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system.
*In the UK and Ireland, the Starter Pack will be replaced by a separate in-store promotion on the 60GB PS3.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
10-05-2007 @ 11:47AM
Bocom said...
It probably will be alot more expensive here though. :(
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 11:49AM
AG23 said...
Awesome! Now people can quit bitching about the price and go get one.
Although, I am surprised they announced it today if it is not on sale until Oct. 10.
Won't that hinder sales for the next 5 days in Europe?
I guess the announcement for the US will come at a later date?
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 11:50AM
Justin said...
wait....so none for USA?
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 11:52AM
Pajama Party! said...
Why would they remove software emulation? It's not even a factor in reducing production costs?
And more importantly, how will this impact the future of backwards compatibility in the higher-end 80GB models?
This seems even more boneheaded than Microsoft's initial stance on/approach to backwards compatibility with the 360.
I wonder how much public outcry/hate mail/death threats this will generate? For that matter, I wonder how much of the aforementioned feedback it will take before Sony reinstates software emulation for PlayStation 1 and 2 titles?
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 11:52AM
BrandonG said...
Amazing, in a long list of goofs, this one is tops on the list. Losing PS2 Backwards Comp is mind boggling!!!! Bury it and then Bury the shovel.
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 11:59AM
jesus christ said...
Loosing BC means NOTHING
F'ING NOTHING!
the average consumer will NOT CARE ffs
do not start saying sony will loose, IT IS NOW AFFORDABLE. LEAVE IT AT THAT!
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:00PM
sinergy said...
maybe they will sell the emu software off the ps store?
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:01PM
JodyAnthony (FDF - Hedonism Bot) said...
the lack of ps2 bc is awful to me. i have a huge collection of ps2 games and if i had a ps3, wouldnt want to leave the PS2 hooked up at the same time
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:02PM
AG23 said...
@5
Why is it so mind boggling? People have jumped all over the PS3 since it was released about the price and now that they are finally getting the price down to a reasonable level, people are still bitching!
Plus, how many ps2's have been sold in the world? 110 million + was the count when I last looked. Don't you think that most people(not all) that want a PS3 already have a PS2!
Some people will never be happy. They have to cut costs somewhere and given the fact that the majority of gamers already have a PS2, this made sense IMO.
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:03PM
Akamaru said...
no. sorry. losing bc is a very big deal. I know they wanna make the thing affordable but what a way to confuse and screw the consumer. If I see my friend palying god of war 2 on his PS3 and I go out and buy on thinking i can play it on mine too and I can't, heads would roll!
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:06PM
BrandonG said...
Sorry Jesus Christ "but Loosing BC means NOTHING"
Delusional. The average customer is a ps2 gamer. You are very wrong.
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:06PM
BrandonG said...
Never said anything about the price buddy. NO PS2 support is mind bloggling. Do anything else to the system but losing PS2 BC is not acceptable. This coming from a company that has shouted to everyone how they love BC and the other guy doesn't. They are a sham.
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:07PM
Neptune said...
Losing the BC, bad bad move imo. Well it's the 60gb bundle for me or nothing.
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:08PM
Noshino said...
BrandonG
You can ALWAYS buy the other models that have BC...so you can play GoW2 just like your friend :D
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:08PM
borland502 said...
"And more importantly, how will this impact the future of backwards compatibility in the higher-end 80GB models?"
It will not impact the 60's or the 80's I think. The compatibility list is mostly fixed at this point I wager. As to why it isn't compatible...
There is a second chip besides the EE chip which is present even in the 80GB set. I don't know much other than it is not so easily replicated. But it does cost money.
Honestly, this division actually makes more sense than the "core" 20GB model. Both are equal as PS3 systems, but one cuts out last gen titles for a cheaper price for both you and Sony. And at that price difference, you could probably afford a PS2 if you change your mind later.
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:10PM
BrandonG said...
Give it up guys. Unless the end of the world would have happened had they included PS2 BC. NOTHING will make this make sense.
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:10PM
FM said...
Good news,can't wait for the NA press release. Now everyone can stop bitching about the price. As for Backward Compatibility...good thing I still have my PS2.
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:10PM
Mak said...
nothing "strangely" about it. They removed the PS2 graphics synthesiser chip from the starter versions. (only the Emotion Engine was emulated in software).
Anyone know when these are available?
Anyway, my only comment would be: Xbox360 R.I.P
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:11PM
Parker said...
You people are unbelievable. You piss and moan about the price and when Sony gives you a cheaper alternative you continue to piss and moan! Grow up. You can’t get something for nothing. You want to pay less, then you will get less. Quit your crying.
Reply
10-05-2007 @ 12:11PM
ashkungfu said...
Who cares... I have 60+ ps2 games, and didn't buy a ps3 to play them. I have a ps2 for them. I bought a ps3 to play ps3 games and to watch high def movies on my hdtv.. Everyone just needs to stop bitching about everything sony does.
Reply