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60GB PS3 drops to GBP 349 News

PlayStation 3 News by Games Industry.biz

5 October, 2007

Sony has dropped the price of the 60GB PlayStation 3 to GBP 349 and introduced an "entry level" 40GB model to retail at GBP 299, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

The repositioned prices will come into effect on 10th October, with the new 60GB "value pack" including two first-party games for the GBP 349 asking price, along with a single controller.

It takes the place of the current Sony GBP 425 bundle, which included the console, two first-party games and an extra Sixaxis controller.

At the lower price point is the new 40GB model which only features two USB ports rather than four, and loses the multi-memory card slot and backwards compatibility with the PlayStation 2 catalogue.

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".

"As we approach our first PlayStation Christmas, it is satisfying to be able to offer UK consumers the choice of two PlayStation 3 packages both now representing remarkable value," commented Ray Maguire, MD of SCEUK.

"We have a brand new 40GB machine that represents an excellent entry point into the world of high definition games and movies, and we have the fully featured 60GB machine being offered with two next-generation gaming experiences at a highly competitive price."

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."

A full interview with Ray Maguire, where he discusses the new price points in detail, dismisses any comparisons with Microsoft's Xbox 360 pricing, and chats about the problems of early adoption, can be read on GamesIndustry.biz on Monday.

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Peew971
05/10/07 @ 16:29
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First \o/
Razz
05/10/07 @ 16:31
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WHAT IS THIS VOODOO? I HAD NO IDEA SONY WHERE DOIGN THIS!
Bertie staff
05/10/07 @ 16:31
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Oho!
foreverafternothing
05/10/07 @ 16:33
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OMG THAT IS SO CHEAP omg
smelly
05/10/07 @ 16:33
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No back compat? Fook that.
Razz
05/10/07 @ 16:33
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299GBP is a bit cheeky though. It sould be at least 100 quid less than the 60Gb bundle
Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/10/07 @ 16:33
david78
05/10/07 @ 16:34
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/Buys soon
Tiel
05/10/07 @ 16:35
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This is because I bought one last weekend.
Still, for the extra 75 quid I got an extra extra game, and a controller, so things could be worse.
Can't see the 50 quid cheaper model as a good deal though, losing 2 games and BC!
drumbaby
05/10/07 @ 16:36
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All you lucky people can now jump on the PS3 bandwagon...welcome :)
JonFE
05/10/07 @ 16:36
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Anything official for the rest of Europe?
krudster
05/10/07 @ 16:36
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They should have asked us: hands up who wants backward compatibility?

krudster
05/10/07 @ 16:37
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Also, if backward compatibility was being done in software anyway, why take it out?
david78
05/10/07 @ 16:37
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I don't care. I have a PS2
[maven]
05/10/07 @ 16:37
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.o/
Killerbee
05/10/07 @ 16:37
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Has anyone at Sony actually confirmed that all backwards compatibility has been taken out of the 40GB version?

It's just that I've read some reports that say the Emotion engine has gone (which is fine because it was never in Euro versions in the first place) but that the software emulation remains. In other words, the "loss" of BC announcement is only really relevant to the US and Japan.

Anyone?
captainrentboy
05/10/07 @ 16:38
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There's no way to spin this at all, this is a very good move by Sony, and it should see quite a huuuge increase in PS3 sales, let's face it, that £425 price point was fooking rediculous, but this far more wallet friendly. Personally I like the sound of the cheapy one, as I couldn't give two shits about Backwards Compatibility, or the extra card readers.
Yep, I'll be getting one in the new year most definitely, can't afford at the mo as there's faaar too much coming out on the 360, and chrimbo pressies must be bought.
Well done Sony though, Brav fucking ohh.
Salvia
05/10/07 @ 16:38
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People will bleat about the lack of BC but quite frankly it's not that much of a big deal. For the majority of people that are desperate to play PS2 games they'll keep hold of their ps2 if they buy a ps3 .
SIDEARM
05/10/07 @ 16:39
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@drumbaby - I am already on the PS3 bandwagon. It is boring lonely and devoid of decent games at the mo. How do I get off?
Peew971
05/10/07 @ 16:39
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This is actually a great move from Sony. It's the same price as the Elite but with a Blu Ray player. People who care about BC will just have to keep their PS2, 60 GB is 3 times the 360 Premium storage and 2 USB ports are more than enough.
Even without a system-seller game, they can be confident they'll sell loads with a good price combined with the Playstation name.
david78
05/10/07 @ 16:39
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Me thinks i'll be buying a PS3 rather soon...
AcidSnake
05/10/07 @ 16:39
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Just a quick point:
Rock band will use more than 2 usb ports won't it? (Hence there being a multitap dealy on the 360 release)...
So how will this work? Will Rock band package a multitap for the few 4OGB PS3 users?

They've gone one SKU too many I think...

Also, Backwards compatibility loss: Boo!
Price cut: Big yay!
barnard666
05/10/07 @ 16:41
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I don't really feel as if I have had £75 worth of fun from my PS3 since launch :(

So I guess this means the BC list will never be updated again, but there was no physical component involved, so I dont understand. Perhaps its a way of getting people to rush out and buy expensive ones why the still can!
Ace_McCloud
05/10/07 @ 16:42
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Finally! I'd say well done, but they should've done this a year ago!

/slaps the faces of all of those who paid £425 for one.

"But...but... I got to play -" /SLAP! No you didn't! You were foolish!
krudster
05/10/07 @ 16:42
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So, what if Blu-Ray players weren't compatible with DVDs. Would that be ok? Or would you simply say to people "if you're that desperate to play your old DVDs, you can use your old DVD player".

That argument stinks. It's a pathetic decision.
Chim_chimma_nee!
05/10/07 @ 16:43
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So we're paying less...but getting less.
And that's a good thing?
Psychotext
05/10/07 @ 16:43
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For those confused about the BC... The euro PS3 still had the PS2 graphics chip in it so it wasn't 100% software emulation. That chip is no longer present.

Glad to see the price drop though it'll be next year before I pick one up because of a lack of games.
JonFE
05/10/07 @ 16:43
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krudster, as I understand it, not all PS2 hardware bits were removed for the launch models and software BC needs the remaining bits. However, for the cheap 40Gb model, Sony removed all PS2 hardware to cut costs, so, instantly, BC is gone.

Someone should point Sony out that they promised 100% BC, though...
Moz
05/10/07 @ 16:43
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"Just a quick point:
Rock band will use more than 2 usb ports won't it? (Hence there being a multitap dealy on the 360 release)... "

Wrong the PS3 version of Rock band comes with a wireless guitar so you only need usb for mic and drums
rhinoxious
05/10/07 @ 16:43
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The £349 bundle looks a much better deal than the £299 though!

You get a bigger hard disk, b/c, extra ports, and the two games which you could play and then still trade in for about £40 of the £50 difference.

Tempting, but I'm still struggling to find software to justify it. If I bought it now it would only be as a Blu-ray player.

=FOR SPELLING=
Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/10/07 @ 16:46
Carlo
05/10/07 @ 16:44
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Sweet spot price hit.

Welcome, the masses.
dadrester
05/10/07 @ 16:44
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People will bleat about the lack of BC but quite frankly it's not that much of a big deal. For the majority of people that are desperate to play PS2 games they'll keep hold of their ps2 if they buy a ps3.

what about if you want smooth up scaling? :(
will buy the 60giger (answers own question)
killyourtv
05/10/07 @ 16:44
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shockwaves!
dylman
05/10/07 @ 16:44
#33
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I still don't want one.
X201
05/10/07 @ 16:44
#34
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Amazon were bundling the PS3 games controller etc for 399
So might be a chance of them going £25 quid lower than official price again. So might be a chance of £325

Edited 1 times, most recently on 05/10/07 @ 16:45
Eighthours
05/10/07 @ 16:44
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The £349 model is massively better value than the newbie one. Massively.
Razz
05/10/07 @ 16:45
#36
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Also, if backward compatibility was being done in software anyway, why take it out?

Not true.
Ace_McCloud
05/10/07 @ 16:46
#37
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"Someone should point Sony out that they promised 100% BC, though... "

How many things do Sony need pointing out? They've been arses this generation, big arrogant arses...

As for BC, how many people play last gen games still out of curiosity? There's all this back catalogue chat, but I personally couldn't give a shit about my old collection. It never gets played (maybe once in a very long while, and then I realise how dated it is, and play the latest in the genre again and feel good..... Goldeneye anyone?)
captainrentboy
05/10/07 @ 16:47
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The question is where will Microsoft go from here, as from a tech head's perspective, the Elite is fairly pricey now, baring in mind it has no HD movie playback.
But then them doing another price drop on their machine so soon after the last one could seem a little desperate, and your average consumer could be left wondering ''Why has it dropped in price again so quickly?''
Let's not get carried away here though, yes Sony dropping the price is nice, but the game situation is still dire, and needs sorting rapidly, I mean the only reason I want one is because it's a nice Blu-Ray player.
AcidSnake
05/10/07 @ 16:47
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@Moz:
Ah yes...But what if you want 11 Drum kits?...
:)
It was really about removing ports, but I guess you're correct in reasoning that there won't be a game that uses more than 2...
squeakyg
05/10/07 @ 16:48
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I don't really understand the exclusion of the backwards-compatibility. Euro PS3s have only ever had software emulation... how can they take away software emulation? To do so would be an act of purposely crippling the PS3 for no factory cost advantage!
ParanoidZombie
05/10/07 @ 16:48
#41
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Official for France as well: -100€ on both SKUs. Damn, I thought Sony was losing money on every console they sell, like 150$ on every 600$ console. Maybe I misunderstood the whole thing, but it looks like a very bold move from a financial standpoint, doesn't it? If I was an early adopter, I'd be pretty pissed right now.
Cyclone
05/10/07 @ 16:49
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PS3 with 2 games for €500. Excellent. How I just have to find some place that'll give me a 10% student discount as well.
JediMasterMalik
05/10/07 @ 16:49
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There's plenty worth playing, retard.
rhinoxious
05/10/07 @ 16:49
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If you've got a 360 there certainly isn't muchpoint in getting a PS3 for games right now.

But if you haven't 'jumped in' yet then the multi-platform line up is getting pretty good and the PS3 is a Blu-ray player, if you like that kind of thing.

I can see them selling a few this xmas.
lennon
05/10/07 @ 16:49
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Im firmly with Krudster on this. No backwards compatiability is a shit decsion.
Moz
05/10/07 @ 16:50
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"whats the point? There's still nothing worth playing..."

For you maybe, but for other there is Motorstorm and Reistance for a start (And I personally prefer resistance online to Halo3)

And I wouldn't be surpised if Rachet and Clank is added to the choice of bundled games.

Also alot of people seem to ignore the multiplatform games, yes the 360 versions a marginally better in most cases but the PS3 versions are still very playable. Once Singstar and Buzz TV hit the shelves the PS3 at the new price will be very attractive to alot of people.
drxym
05/10/07 @ 16:50
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So the choice is this - a cheaper fully functional PS3 & blu-ray player but no BC, or a slightly more expensive bundle (while stocks last) which includes BC. Seems fair enough. I'm sure it won't stop people bitching and whining about BC, but let's face it, if you want the BC you still have the option to buy a PS3 with it.
JavaJawaUK
05/10/07 @ 16:50
#48
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> All you lucky people can now jump on the PS3 bandwagon...welcome :)

Poor suckers. I hope that these kids enjoy their lack of BC.
AcidSnake
05/10/07 @ 16:51
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They should have done this last week just before the Halo 3 launch actually...Steal its thunder...
skillian
05/10/07 @ 16:52
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Not bothered about the loss of back-cat compatibility, and the price is now pretty tempting.

But at the risk of restating the obvious, it would still need a couple more good games to actually convince me (if I could be convinced at all).

If I didn't already have a Media PC under my TV however, I'd probably grab one come October 10th.

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