CONFIRMED: New PlayStation 3 AND A Price Cut
40Gb confirmed. 60Gb price cut confirmed. 10th October Launch.
5 Oct 2007
Sony UK has finally put paid to the rumours of PlayStation price-cuts and of the new 40Gb unit by confirming both today.
The official line is as follows:
"Sony Computer Entertainment UK (SCEUK) today announced details of two new PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) packs that will be launched on 10th October 2007. The existing PS3 Starter Pack will be replaced by a 60GB value pack at a price of £349. Additionally, a new 40GB entry level PS3 model will be introduced at £299.
Providing a highly attractive entry point to the world of high definition gaming and movies, the new PS3 is designed to bring the next generation of interactive home entertainment to households all across Europe. Along with an 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, USB, 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 – both features that, for those who wish, can be enhanced or provided through the addition of readily available aftermarket accessories.
The new model is also 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 will be replaced by a new Value Pack featuring a fully functioning 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility, a SIXAXIS wireless controller and two first party titles which will be offered at a price of £349. The 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3.
“As we approach our very 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, managing director 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.”
“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 highly affordable High Definition 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."
Providing a highly attractive entry point to the world of high definition gaming and movies, the new PS3 is designed to bring the next generation of interactive home entertainment to households all across Europe. Along with an 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, USB, 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 – both features that, for those who wish, can be enhanced or provided through the addition of readily available aftermarket accessories.
The new model is also 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 will be replaced by a new Value Pack featuring a fully functioning 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility, a SIXAXIS wireless controller and two first party titles which will be offered at a price of £349. The 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3.
“As we approach our very 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, managing director 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.”
“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 highly affordable High Definition 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."
The new unit is pictured to the right. This time - it's official.
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29 comments posted.
First comment
Posted by SuperSaiyan4
Now this is something that is rather stupid:
'The new model is also no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation®2 titles...'
As we all know in Europe and well all areas now SONY removed the PS2 emotion chip in the PS3's and relied on software for backwards compatibilty so what doesnt make sense is how they can stop the BC updates being applied to the 40gb PS3's?
Now here is a major blunder on Sony's part...
40gb PS3 pack £299
60gb PS3 pack £349
So for another £50 you get BC, memory slots, 2 more usb ports and 20gb more hard drive space...
So thinking about it I think SONY deliberatly made the 40gb SKU just so they could enter the sub £300 price point Microsoft was always talking about.
Of course now a lot more people will probably purchase one but as much as the PS3 has a LOT of good hardware its lacking something that gamers in general may want and thats games and exclusives.
Next year may of course be a better year for SONY but I think many need to really look at what they are realling getting or purchasing.
Many will now argue the differences between getting a 360 Elite with a 120gb hard drive an the PS3 60gb being around £70 more and you get blu-ray player, wi-fi etc.
But if you haven't realised yet Microsoft isn't about who has the most under the hood its who has the best software with the best hardware to support each other.
Hopefully this post comes across more 'mature' than my other posts.
'The new model is also no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation®2 titles...'
As we all know in Europe and well all areas now SONY removed the PS2 emotion chip in the PS3's and relied on software for backwards compatibilty so what doesnt make sense is how they can stop the BC updates being applied to the 40gb PS3's?
Now here is a major blunder on Sony's part...
40gb PS3 pack £299
60gb PS3 pack £349
So for another £50 you get BC, memory slots, 2 more usb ports and 20gb more hard drive space...
So thinking about it I think SONY deliberatly made the 40gb SKU just so they could enter the sub £300 price point Microsoft was always talking about.
Of course now a lot more people will probably purchase one but as much as the PS3 has a LOT of good hardware its lacking something that gamers in general may want and thats games and exclusives.
Next year may of course be a better year for SONY but I think many need to really look at what they are realling getting or purchasing.
Many will now argue the differences between getting a 360 Elite with a 120gb hard drive an the PS3 60gb being around £70 more and you get blu-ray player, wi-fi etc.
But if you haven't realised yet Microsoft isn't about who has the most under the hood its who has the best software with the best hardware to support each other.
Hopefully this post comes across more 'mature' than my other posts.
Latest comment
Posted by Joji
That's right Bentley. I still don't understand who or why they removed basicly BC that runs through software and not hardware, like the U.S/Jap version. The PS2 library is maybe all that's entertaining PS3 owners now beyond DLC, since there's not much PS3 games out. Taking that away seems like suicide to me.
I'd certainly like to know where they got their info from 'about BC not bothering most gamers or whatever', because I don't recall being asked at all. I reckon they are going on pure assumption alone, otherwise they'd show us the evidence.
I'd certainly like to know where they got their info from 'about BC not bothering most gamers or whatever', because I don't recall being asked at all. I reckon they are going on pure assumption alone, otherwise they'd show us the evidence.
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