I think it's safe to say this new model will be the exact same one to hit the US. Rumored to be out at $399 in the US, the only "real" difference is that this model will not support PS2 backwards compatibility. With a rumored $99 PS2 this holiday, does this new PS3 model make the PS3 seem more or less attractive to you?

Source (threespeech.com) (http://threespeech.com/blog/?p=635)

NEW ENTRY LEVEL PS3 ANNOUNCED
http://www.threespeech.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/ps340.1.jpg

You’ve heard the rumours - here’s the confirmation. Sony are releasing two new PlayStation 3 packs. As the press release states, “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.”

David Reeves, President of SCEE, says: “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. 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.”

Official Press Release follows. Sony Computer Entertainment UK Announces
Two New PLAYSTATION®3 Packs for Christmas
Brand New 40GB PS3 at £299

London, 5 October 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment UK (SCEUK) today announced details of two new PLAYSTATION®3 (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.

http://www.threespeech.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/SpecsPS3.1.jpg

Aww, you didn't quote the SCEE version. I'll go ahead and post the beginning of it because it seriously made me laugh out loud at how delusional Sony really is.

New PLAYSTATION®3 Model to Take Holiday Season by Storm

Aggressively priced hardware and a terrific software line-up make for an unbeatable combination
New 40GB PS3 at €399

Check out the full article here: SCEE (http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4434&NewsAreaID=2)



Seriously. I know that it's PR's job to put a positive spin on press releases, but this is just blatant lying.

Terrific is going a bit far for now... But by teh time November is over, the PS3's lineup will be terrific... So if he's talking about the future than it does make sense...

The PS3 is lacking in terms of games to the 360... But atleast it's beating teh Wii... But I guess that's like saying 'Atleast I spell better than the dyslexic kid' in English class... So it doesn't really count...

As for this model... Does removing two USB ports really knock of much of the price? Seems pretty pointless... Even though I only use two on mine (one for BT headset and one for charging one of my two controllers...)

Aww, you didn't quote the SCEE version. I'll go ahead and post the beginning of it because it seriously made me laugh out loud at how delusional Sony really is.


Check out the full article here: SCEE (http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=4434&NewsAreaID=2)



Seriously. I know that it's PR's job to put a positive spin on press releases, but this is just blatant lying.


No, it's not blatant lying and I'll tell you why. You, like 90% of the other people that are Xbox 360 owners, don't give ANY credit to the PS3's multiplatform titles... if a person doesn't have a 360 (or technically owns one that can't stay out of the repair process), then they have a lot of third party titles that never get credit such as:
Call of Duty 4 (reported numerous times to be 100% the equal to the 360 version)
Rock Band
Guitar Hero III
Assassin's Creed
Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
Army of Two
FIFA 08
Sega Rally Revo
Tony Hawk Proving Ground
Skate
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (reviews say it doesn't suck)
Need for Speed: ProStreet
Stranglehold
The Simpsons Game
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008
Medal of Honor Airborne
Time Crisis 4
Half Life 2 Orange Box

And that's not counting the PS3-exclusive titles such as:
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Eye of Judgment
Wipeout HD
Haze
Folklore
Unreal Tournament 3 (could slip to '08 depending on Mark Rein's mood)

As well as PSN releases:
Everyday Shooter
Echochrome
High Velocity Bowling
Painand many more that I'm not going to list...

That's an incomplete list of notable titles coming out this holiday season.

So to call the term "terrific" a blatant lie is subjective at best... denial at worst. IMO, it's a better lineup than Nintendo has... at least there are more titles that interest me.

High Velocity Bowling
The Simpsons Game
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008
Medal of Honor Airborne
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights

Replace all those with


Blacksite: Area 51
Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway
Conan
Clive Barker's Jericho
Time Shift

And I agree with you, totally...

Whoa, whoa, whoa Rothbart. My blatant lying was directed towards the counting-their-chickens-before-they're-hatched quote of "The Playstation 3 taking the holiday season by storm." Why would they say that? They have absolutely no data to lead them to make that claim. I guess it's just another one of those promise-high/deliver-low executive sayings that Sony likes to do so much.


I understand that they have a great lineup coming. Not as great as 360's which I'm sure you'll disagree with me on, but I prefer the games coming for 360 just like you prefer the games coming for PS3. We just like different genres. I guess the reason that I don't give Sony credit for multiplatform releases is because I know that most games are being designed around the 360's hardware and then ported (Madden, GTA, several others) plus the fact that EVERYONE that I online game with has a 360 and very few have a PS3 so for me it's not even a question as to which version I pick up. Sony's lineup is great, but terrific is taking it a little far.

Yeah, I certainly am not excited for a lot of those games, but others are...

The point is pretty clear though. People writing off the PS3's library aren't giving it a fair shake.

Hey, I get to use this image today... :D

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/rothbart_photos/interweb_memes/goodPS3news.gif

Hey, I get to use this image today... :D

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/rothbart_photos/interweb_memes/goodPS3news.gif


I'm confused. Is that supposed to be a 360 fanboy that's pissed off about good PS3 news or is that supposed to a really happy PS3 fanboy because there's never any good PS3 news?


I've seen the original clip and know that he's really pissed off, but in that short segment it almost seems like he's really happy.

Happy people don't break their computers... :p

People tend to get genuine pleasure out of Sony's fumblings. So when they do something right, some people get all bent out of shape trying to show how it's still stupid.

Games are coming, prices are lowering, the differences between the 360 and PS3 are narrowing...

It will be interesting to see if the $399 PS3 does come to North America whether Microsoft will counter with another price drop of their own.

It's coming. And my guess is MS won't do another straight across price drop, they'll do pack-ins/bundles... value-added (http://www.docadamsaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=968) stuff.

If your a 360 owner then no rumble controllers, no backwards compatibility, 3 good exclusive games (Resistence, Ratchet, Warhawk), 1 good rental game (Heavenly Sword) means wait til next year. This new entry level PS3 does nothing to excite me. It's gimped much like the core 360.

Either:
You didn't look very hard at what's coming out this year
You only listed the exclusives that interest you
You're incapable of counting past three...
That's all I'm saying. And in case #3 was right, I left my list at 3 things just so you wouldn't get lost. :D

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction - Said that one

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Potential but so did Lair. Plus Lara Croft is better looking.

Eye of Judgment - You can go play with your Magic the Gathering geek friends

Wipeout HD -I like Wipeout but haven't heard anything about a 2007 release.

Haze - You're right about this one. Everyone talks about what a system seller this is.

Folklore - don't know much about this

Unreal Tournament 3 (could slip to '08 depending on Mark Rein's mood) - Could ? I think you mean has.

As for all these games being released before the end of 2007, my guess is half will be delayed til next year. That's been Sony's norm since the PS3 released. You keep enjoying Warhawk and all those other great exclusives. Maybe next year you can feel good about buying a console a year before it was ready to have some games.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Potential but so did Lair. Plus Lara Croft is better looking.


I played Uncharted at PAX. It's not Tomb Raider any more than Home is Xbox Live. 360 owners tend to like to describe things in terms of known quantities... if I were to do that, I'd refer to a lot of 360 owners as "asshats". See, it's best to accurately describe something and if you're unfamiliar with it, perhaps not talk about it at all...

Wipeout HD -I like Wipeout but haven't heard anything about a 2007 release.


And why is it my fault you're uninformed (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3161157)?

Haze - You're right about this one. Everyone talks about what a system seller this is.


Again, I played this at PAX and it's shaping to be a solid title. System seller? Not alone. Worth playing? I'd say "yes".

Folklore - don't know much about this


No sweat, it's crap. IGN only gave it a 9.0 (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/824/824614p1.html)

Unreal Tournament 3 (could slip to '08 depending on Mark Rein's mood) - Could ? I think you mean has.


Nope. I meant what I said (http://www.destructoid.com/midway-ps3-unreal-tournament-iii-to-miss-2007-epic-maybe-not-47411.phtml)

As for all these games being released before the end of 2007, my guess is half will be delayed til next year. That's been Sony's norm since the PS3 released.


Very possible. It's also possible nothing else will come out this year exclusive to the 360 of interest to me... see, it's all perspective, isn't it?


You keep enjoying Warhawk and all those other great exclusives. Maybe next year you can feel good about buying a console a year before it was ready to have some games.


I got my PS3 for free, so I feel just fine about it. I'm waiting on my third 360 too... I don't feel fine about that. So yeah, I'm a bit more interested in the game for the console that stays in my house...

And I'm glad to see you're not just this way on the UncleGamer forums. Consistency is good! :cool:

Hi Guys and Gals,

This is my first post so be nice ;)

Loosing the camera reader is no biggie, and the 2 USB ports, isn't a problem, you can just use a USB hub and your set. However I have seen alot of complaining all over the web that BC is not included in the lower price point.

I can understand this argument up to a point but what I don't understand is that, people who are looking to upgrade/buy a PS3 with BC surely already own a PS2. Why not keep the PS2 as well?

Obviously space-wise it could be a pain to begin with, but realistically (I would think?) you will find yourself playing the ps2 games less frequently as time progresses, and will eventually pack the PS2 in the wardrobe.

I feel that backwards compatibility always seems to me to be the thing that is "helpful" in a transition stage of a console, but then it kinda becomes redundant.

I am interested to hear other people's comments on this.

What are your gaming habits?

Do you REALLY think you will return to the older games years later or not?

How many people regularly play PSone or original XBOX games on their newer machine, at the moment, and think they will in the foreseeable future?

well i play older games all the time, but i agree that BC isn't a huge issue. i think at least 70% of people who buy a PS3 have a PS2, and if they don't why would they want BC anyway? for $250, i'd definitely get a PS3... now if the games were only a bit cheaper....

It's not Tomb Raider any more than Home is Xbox Live. 360 owners tend to like to describe things in terms of known quantities... if I were to do that, I'd refer to a lot of 360 owners as "asshats". See, it's best to accurately describe something and if you're unfamiliar with it, perhaps not talk about it at all...
You're right. Home is no Xbox Live.
And when Game Informer first wrote about Uncharted they compared it to a Next gen Tomb Raider. And you know the girl sidekick, in the original screenshots, had an asshat face.

But I really do think this will be at least a solid 8 when it comes out.


And why is it my fault you're uninformed (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3161157)?
Sorry I had no idea you were European (http://ps3.ign.com/objects/838/838996.html)



Again, I played this at PAX and it's shaping to be a solid title. System seller? Not alone. Worth playing? I'd say "yes".
I like Free Radical but from what 1up said on their podcast, it sounds like a generic FPS. Do you think there was a reason that they delayed it on the 360? There are alot of games worth playing. I want games that your crazy not to play.


No sweat, it's crap. IGN only gave it a 9.0 (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/824/824614p1.html)
You could be right about this one. Looks pretty stunning.


Nope. I meant what I said (http://www.destructoid.com/midway-ps3-unreal-tournament-iii-to-miss-2007-epic-maybe-not-47411.phtml)
Well once again you are right about a maybe. Epic seems to have different statement every week about its release. But I would think the odds are that this will push til next year.



Very possible. It's also possible nothing else will come out this year exclusive to the 360 of interest to me... see, it's all perspective, isn't it?

I got my PS3 for free, so I feel just fine about it. I'm waiting on my third 360 too... I don't feel fine about that. So yeah, I'm a bit more interested in the game for the console that stays in my house...

And I'm glad to see you're not just this way on the UncleGamer forums. Consistency is good! :cool:

Well then, I would have to say that you've got your money's worth from your PS3. For the people that paid $600, that's a different story.

I hear you about the 360 hardware. I'm also waiting on my 3rd 360. There really is no excuse for this but that is a different post.

I must say that Uncle Gamer does miss your posts. It takes a special talent to defend Sony and all their wonderful PR. It just hasn't been the same since you left. Please say hi to your wife Shane Bettenhausen.:D

It's coming. And my guess is MS won't do another straight across price drop, they'll do pack-ins/bundles... value-added (http://www.docadamsaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=968) stuff.

that's good news for 360 owners then, I love bundle packs, makes me feel like I got a better deal.

I can understand this argument up to a point but what I don't understand is that, people who are looking to upgrade/buy a PS3 with BC surely already own a PS2. Why not keep the PS2 as well?

Obviously space-wise it could be a pain to begin with, but realistically (I would think?) you will find yourself playing the ps2 games less frequently as time progresses, and will eventually pack the PS2 in the wardrobe.

I feel that backwards compatibility always seems to me to be the thing that is "helpful" in a transition stage of a console, but then it kinda becomes redundant.

I am interested to hear other people's comments on this.

What are your gaming habits?

Do you REALLY think you will return to the older games years later or not?

How many people regularly play PSone or original XBOX games on their newer machine, at the moment, and think they will in the foreseeable future?

I think most people would want BC on the PS3 because of its ability to upscale PS2 games. I know PS3s library will be quite a bit better by this time next year, but until then, PS2 has such a great library that it would be a shame not to have the ability to play those games with better visuals.

I wouldn't say that I play older games years later but I do during the transition years. PS3 is still in its infancy when it comes to games and should use this as an enticement for the Sony PS2 faithful.

I think that most people don't play games regularly but it is nice to throw in a PSone game occasionally. You probably won't see games like Krazy Ivan on any retro game release but its fun to go back to years later.

Um, as a 360 owner I'm still not motivated to get one. Like you said, a lot of those games are cross platform. And there's only 3 of the exclusive titles you posted are on my watch list. I'm sorry, but I'm still not interested.

Um, as a 360 owner I'm still not motivated to get one. Like you said, a lot of those games are cross platform. And there's only 3 of the exclusive titles you posted are on my watch list. I'm sorry, but I'm still not interested.

'08 is a much different story with: LittleBigPlanet, MGS4, FFXIII, Gran Turismo 5, iNFAMOUS, Killzone 2, etc. There are a ton of promising looking PS3 exclusives coming next year. Call it a marketing move if you want, but I know of very few 360 exclusives coming next year...

'08 is a much different story with: LittleBigPlanet, MGS4, FFXIII, Gran Turismo 5, iNFAMOUS, Killzone 2, etc. There are a ton of promising looking PS3 exclusives coming next year. Call it a marketing move if you want, but I know of very few 360 exclusives coming next year...

I'd have to agree about next year being Sony's year.

MGS4 - Will be the first system seller
Gran Turismo 5 - As good as Forza is, it really has nothing on the Gran Turismo series
FFXIII - If it does come out next year, then this will be a system seller in Japan as well as bringing more PS2 owners to next gen
LittleBig Planet - looks amazing
God of War 3 - who knows if it will come out next year when it is announced, but just the buzz on this alone will be huge.
Killzone 2 - game looks gorgeous but the first Killzone gameplay was average/forgetful. Halo 3 and COD4 have really set the bar high for all FPS next year.

For Xbox 360
Alan Wake - still don't know much about this game but it's got good buzz from the press
Halo Wars - still not sure about RTS on consoles. I wish they would adopt the chat pad for this game.
Fable 2 - I never played the first one and I could see this one slipping to 2009
Ninja Gaiden 2 - I'm most excited about this game next year. Ninja Gaiden was my second favorite game to the Halos.
Left 4 Dead - This might suck but the early video from this game makes it look like a blast.

anyone else notice that Keets in folklore looks like otacon? anyway If I somehow go the money for a PS3 folklore would probably be one of the first games I buy. I'm going to admit this right now at first I thought the PS3 sucked but now that I see some of the games that are coming out for it, it may actually be worth buying.

I dislike the lack of BC. I mean, I do have a PS2, but I definately would like to play some of my favs with upscaled graphics, not to mention that after having my PS2 for so long it's beginning to die out on me. I wouldn't buy this version (not to say I could if I wanted to...). Either way, saving up for another time.

For Xbox 360
Left 4 Dead - This might suck but the early video from this game makes it look like a blast.


Left 4 Dead is looking like is gonna be awesome.
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=80962

For me, FPS just aren't the same if they are played on a control pad, so it's the PC version i'll be plumping for, however either way its shaping up to be the type of online game that just might knock counter-strike off its no1. spot.

You're right. Home is no Xbox Live.
And when Game Informer first wrote about Uncharted they compared it to a Next gen Tomb Raider. And you know the girl sidekick, in the original screenshots, had an asshat face.

But I really do think this will be at least a solid 8 when it comes out.



Sorry I had no idea you were European (http://ps3.ign.com/objects/838/838996.html)




I like Free Radical but from what 1up said on their podcast, it sounds like a generic FPS. Do you think there was a reason that they delayed it on the 360? There are alot of games worth playing. I want games that your crazy not to play.



You could be right about this one. Looks pretty stunning.



Well once again you are right about a maybe. Epic seems to have different statement every week about its release. But I would think the odds are that this will push til next year.





Well then, I would have to say that you've got your money's worth from your PS3. For the people that paid $600, that's a different story.

I hear you about the 360 hardware. I'm also waiting on my 3rd 360. There really is no excuse for this but that is a different post.

I must say that Uncle Gamer does miss your posts. It takes a special talent to defend Sony and all their wonderful PR. It just hasn't been the same since you left. Please say hi to your wife Shane Bettenhausen.:D

A) The game has changed a lot, and so has that girl's face... She looks pretty good now, but now she looks generic pretty instead of unique ugly...

B) I see it more around a 9ish, but who knows till the reviews start coming out...

C) Do you actually think us Eurofags will get a PSN game before North Americans? Because if you do, think again...

E) Haze was not delayed for teh 360/PC, they just never even started development on it... And the gameplay elements look great in this gmae... I'm just worried about how the AI will turn out...

F) I've always been looking forward to FolkLore ever since the demo came out... But stunning may be going a little far... Still a definate must buy for me...

G) Epic's always been like that... It is dissapointing I admit...

H) I have more than gotten my moneys worth for teh $410 CAD I payed for my PS3...

I dislike the lack of BC. I mean, I do have a PS2, but I definately would like to play some of my favs with upscaled graphics, not to mention that after having my PS2 for so long it's beginning to die out on me. I wouldn't buy this version (not to say I could if I wanted to...). Either way, saving up for another time.

I'm with you, I love teh BC in my PS3... And I would hate to be without it...

This is probably a daft question but I thought that the European PS3 ran BC through software so why is it not on the lower price system or has the console been locked out of playing PS2 games?

This is probably a daft question but I thought that the European PS3 ran BC through software so why is it not on the lower price system or has the console been locked out of playing PS2 games?


I thought I'd answered this here (not a slam against you at all) but here goes again... the "software" emulation used in the European and 80GB North American PS3s still uses the GS (Graphics Synthesizer) chip. The original 20/60GB PS3s used both the EE (Emotion Engine) and GS chips for the PS2 BC. By removing the EE a while back, they were able to reduce costs, but by removing both chips, they were able to remove even more. Enough to (in part) pass the savings on to the customer by reducing the cost.

It should be noted that full PSOne BC is being reported since that is done 100% in software.

I think it's entirely possible (but not very probable) that eventually an entirely software BC may be available to all PS3s but it would be premature (and unwise) to even mention that possibility now since it's not something that's done (or will be soon). I could be wrong though... I should also mention that rumors surrounding an impending PS2 price drop to $99 make the software BC efforts almost pointless. The only thing you're losing by buying a PS2 is the ability to upscale and filter PS2 games.

I think the core issue of this confusion is that the "one chip" emulation had already been termed "software emulation" when that's not an entirely accurate description.

Hope that helps. ;)

I found this from Phil Harrison last year.

“"Backwards compatibility, as you know from PlayStation One and PlayStation 2, is a core value of what we believe we should offer. And access to the library of content people have created, bought for themselves, and accumulated over the years is necessary to create a format. PlayStation is a format meaning that it transcends many devices—PSOne, PS2, and now PS3.”

I would be amazed if they phased it out of all models. I take this "moving to the 40GB SKU as the only SKU" business as a temporary tactic to increase user base.

I have use my PS2 BC, but if told (basically) that it raised the cost of my machine ~$100, I would've opted for the cheaper one and probably bought a PS2 to go with it (if I didn't already have one).

No offense, but this just shows how desperate sony is for the PS3 to sell. In the past few months, they've discontinued a low end version, price dropped the 60 gig to also come with 5 blu-ray movies free, and are selling a high end version bundle with there so called "killer ap" motorstorm. It just seems like sony has tried everything to sell those 20 pound blu-ray players.

On the other hand, this may seem like it will steer the PS3 in its right direction. Its now at a decent pricepoint for a blu-ray player, and its letting more casual people dive in for the cut of 20 gigs less, no card readers, or backwards compatibility. Lets just hope this will kickstart the PS3 in the right direction.

you also forget about the disc capacity a bluray disc will have. it's not just for movies.

One person's "desperate last ditch effort" is another's "that exactly what I was waiting for". I'm just sayin'...

Thank you for explaining that for me. I had just assumed that the bc was done throu the Emotion Engine and with the removal of that it was done throu software. Well a day when you learn something isn't a day wasted.

Is this new SKU not a big mistake?

I think it could be and heres why.

Put your self into the head of young jimmy's mum. You don't know your Playstations from your xboxes but think the Wii's a great games machine. Your getting jimmy a PS3 for Chirstmas, as he's had a PS2 for years and it just broke. Now unless sony put on big letters on the box "DOES NOT PLAY PS2 GAMES" what sku do you think she'll buy. And how peeved will Jimmy be at Santa.

According to Kotaku

http://kotaku.com/gaming/ps3/scee-ps3-60gb-nixed-for-uk-too-307651.php

The 60GB Starter pack in Europe is available until its sold out, and will then be replaced with the 40GB non BC one.

From Nick Sharples, Sony's Director of Corporate Communications in Europe:The 60GB Starter pack will remain on sale until stocks run out (a number of months, depending on territory.) Thereafter, the 40GB model will be the only SKU in the SCEE region. I am assuming this is what they will do for all countries, to make it more price competitive, I am still unsure if this is a good move or not though.

you also forget about the disc capacity a bluray disc will have. it's not just for movies.

You're right. It's just for movies and FMVs.

You're right. It's just for movies and FMVs.

Wrong, it's mainly just for Audio...

Treat this very much as a rumor at this point... my attempts to follow the source(s) back to the beginning wasn't very fulfilling. And personally, I'm not a fan of silver electronics. A couple years ago it was almost hard to find black electronics due to the number of (not necessarily the same exact color of) silver versions. And as someone that somehow hasn't had an issue with dust/fingerprints on my PS3, I'm not sure I'd like a matte finish without seeing it first hand.

Source (maaxconsole.net) (http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=21548)

Rumor: Sony making a 40GB Silver PS3

New bundles, new pricing, new SKU's why ever not new colors? One website is suggesting that Sony is making a new 40GB PS3 SKU in silver and the normal version will come in a matt finish as opposed to a glossy one as evident on previous models.quote:- SCEE confirmed to PSNow! that the new 40GB model will have a matt finish instead of the regular glossy one we see on 60Gb and 80Gb units.

But the true surprise came when they told PS3Now! that the new 40GB will come in Satin Silver.-News Source: ps3center.net (http://www.ps3center.net/story-1035-Sony-Making-a-Satin-Silver-40-GB-PS3-.html)

Apparently the silver is only in place of the chrome (http://www.ps3scene.com/news/static/NoSilverPS3yet40BonlyhasSatinSilverDetailing-1191807634.php) on the 60/80GB units. In other words, it's the "ghetto" chrome... j/k.

Ouch... Cheap stuff...

No offense, but this just shows how desperate sony is for the PS3 to sell. In the past few months, they've discontinued a low end version, price dropped the 60 gig to also come with 5 blu-ray movies free


The 5 free blu-rays isn't a PS3 thing only. It's for all Blu-ray players. Since PS3 is a blu-ray player, it is counted in that discount...

Yes, that's a desperation move from the Blu-ray consortium to counter the exact same offer from the HD-DVD consortium. Expect those two groups to battle it out more and more publicly as the holidays approach. The latest Blu-ray deal runs through 1/31/08, I'm not sure when the HD-DVD one ends.

While that may be somewhat on the surface to be a deal to entice you to buy a PS3, it's more (in my opinion) designed to start your Blu-ray movie library... once you have a collection, you're more likely to add to it. That's how I take it anyway.

Yes, that's a desperation move from the Blu-ray consortium to counter the exact same offer from the HD-DVD consortium. Expect those two groups to battle it out more and more publicly as the holidays approach. The latest Blu-ray deal runs through 1/31/08, I'm not sure when the HD-DVD one ends.



According to Amazon, the HD-DVD deal lasts until the end of February.

this version really sucks

If Im spending that much money Id rather get the complete package. Also what ever happened to Sony's statement that the Xbox 360 was going to die because of too many versions?

If Im spending that much money Id rather get the complete package. Also what ever happened to Sony's statement that the Xbox 360 was going to die because of too many versions?
It's because Sony is referring to the current versions. Microsoft has 3 versions right now. Sony can still claim they only have 2 versions. Once the 60 GBs are sold out, they bring in the 40GB and still have only "2" versions.

No PS2 backwards compatibility?!
What a dealbreaker.

Also what ever happened to Sony's statement that the Xbox 360 was going to die because of too many versions?


I don't remember that statement (got a link?) but where they differ is that Microsoft had one version without a hard drive, two with a hard drive; one with wired controllers, two with wireless controllers; one with HDMI, two without HDMI (that has since been addressed) whereas the PS3 models vary in ways that doesn't affect PS3 game playing at all. Every model has a hard drive, every model has HDMI, etc.

Again, that's a personal take on an unqualified statement. Also, Sony's been saying since early '06 that the PS3 would be made with many various configurations. Kutaragi said that long before he left Sony. People should be that surprised. It's not like they're adding RAM, changing clockspeeds, or speeding up the Blu-ray drives in the various models...

Ye i just got that email, seems like a good deal to me, why do you need 4 usb ports, and why the hell do you need a card reader. 40GB seems more than enough space.

But i also read that the starterpack is now 499 euro, if im getting a ps3 why not pay 100 bux more for 20GB + 2 games and an extra wireless controller. If you compare it to the starters kit, the new entry level ps3 seems overpriced. On the other hand, the ps2 sold good in the beginning because of the dvd functionality. And with 399 the entry ps3 is the cheapest blue ray player on the market right now.

why do you need 4 usb ports, and why the hell do you need a card reader. 40GB seems more than enough space.


Well, keep in mind it's easily expanded via a USB hub. But to answer your question(s)/comment(s), I have a USB dongle for a wireless keyboard/mouse always plugged into my PS3. I also have an EyeToy plugged in (soon to be replaced by a PlayStation Eye camera. I also have microphones for SingStar that plug into USB. Not to mention the Guitar Hero III guitar will plug into a USB port and a thumbdrive with media on it would need to plug in as well.

It's not too hard to imagine someone wanting more than 2 USB ports. But as I said, a USB hub will alleviate this problem.

As for 40GB, it all depends what you're going to use your HD for. Rather than taking the 40GB approach, I'm more the "every model on the market has a smaller drive than I want, why pay more for a larger/more expensive one that I'm going to replace anyway" type of person. If I wanted to say match the 360 Elite's 120GB, that's about $80 (yeah, a cool $100 cheaper than doing that on the 360), or if I wanted to spend as much as the 360's 120GB drive ($180), I could bump up to 250GB of storage. Those 360 comparisons were only included as a symbolic "flipping of the bird" to Microsoft and their price gouging, nothing more.

Little late on this, but to the gentlemen who said that its taken a year for PS3 to get games worth playing you must have been living under a rock for the first year of the 360's life when everyone was bitching at MS during those one-to-two games a month (If we're lucky) periods.

Remember when games like Prey and Chromehounds sold 500K each because there was nothing else worth playing on 360?

A full year after it came out 360 came into its own with Gears of War and that opened the software floodgates so kindly STFU.

Little late on this, but to the gentlemen who said that its taken a year for PS3 to get games worth playing you must have been living under a rock for the first year of the 360's life when everyone was bitching at MS during those one-to-two games a month (If we're lucky) periods.

Remember when games like Prey and Chromehounds sold 500K each because there was nothing else worth playing on 360?

Well Said!

I'm a little sick of how everyone has been down on the ps3 game selection when you consider it hasn't really been out long. The 360 had to wait forever for some decent game to come out, and i think the ps3 has been doing pretty well considering the timeframe it has been available.

Rothbart - got a link here for you to check out....

http://www.dvorak.org/blog/

They are stringing PS3s together to make a supercomputer!

Little late on this, but to the gentlemen who said that its taken a year for PS3 to get games worth playing you must have been living under a rock for the first year of the 360's life when everyone was bitching at MS during those one-to-two games a month (If we're lucky) periods.

Remember when games like Prey and Chromehounds sold 500K each because there was nothing else worth playing on 360?

A full year after it came out 360 came into its own with Gears of War and that opened the software floodgates so kindly STFU.

that's a great point that i've yet to see brought up... people forget that year headstart the 360 had... perhaps they're bitter because they rushed out to buy it when it came out and now that they're finally getting some decent games on it, it's gloat city!