PS3 Price Drop Effective Now [599->499] + 80gb model announc

[Vinen]

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA INTRODUCES NEW 80GB PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™); ANNOUNCES NEW PRICE ON CURRENT 60GB MODEL
80GB System Designed for Today’s Connected Gamer, 60GB Price Now $499


FOSTER CITY, Calif., July 9, 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), Inc. today announced a new 80GB model of its PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system. Beginning in August, the new PS3 model will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $599/$659 CND and will be sold with the popular online-enabled racing game MotorStorm™. In conjunction with this news, the company also announced that effective immediately, the current 60GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499/$549 CND, or $100 below the original launch price.

By featuring an expanded hard disk drive (HDD), the new 80GB PS3 is designed to appeal to the online gaming and entertainment enthusiast, providing ample storage space to download more games and other entertainment content from PLAYSTATION®Network. There are currently more than 60 playable games and game-related downloads available through PLAYSTATION®Store, with expanded entertainment content coming soon. The new model features the million-selling game MotorStorm in the box, allowing up to 12 players to play online at one time, hitting the dirt in this visually-arresting, fast-paced racing title.

Throughout the holidays and this fiscal year, more than 120 new first and third-party software titles will be available for North American PS3 users to enjoy, in addition to the more than 40 software titles currently available. Key upcoming first-party titles include Folklore™, Heavenly Sword™, LAIR, NBA ’08, Ratchet & Clank® Future: Tools of Destruction™, SingStar™, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT™, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Warhawk™.

Numerous third-party titles, including several exclusives, will also be available such as Devil May Cry?IV, Dynasty Warriors?:GUNDAM?, Grand Theft Auto IV, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hellboy, Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots, Ninja Gaiden Sigma?, SEGA Rally? Revo, Stranglehold™, The Darkness, TimeShift™, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter™ 2.

Additional games and services will also be available for PS3 system owners through the PLAYSTATION Network including PlayStation Home, a state-of-the-art 3D online community that serves as a meeting place for PS3 users around the world, as well as numerous downloadable games including the highly-anticipated title PAIN.

“As we move into the next phase of PS3, it’s important that we continue to evaluate our product line, offering consumers the technology and features that meet their growing needs for new forms of media and the way in which it is delivered,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of SCEA. “The introduction of the 80GB PS3, the new pricing for the current 60GB model, the availability of more than 100 new software titles this fiscal year and, finally, the expansion of services for PLAYSTATION Network, will provide even more options for users and will help bring new consumers into the PS3 fold.”

Both the 80GB and 60GB PS3 models come standard with Cell Broadband Engine™ (Cell/B.E.), Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) player, built-in HDD, 1080p high-definition output, Wi-Fi connectivity and SIXAXIS™ wireless controller.

Also, it appears the 80gb model will have "limited" compatibility with PS1/PS2 (see screenshot of box). This probably means software emulation .

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id ... 987&size=o
You need to zoom in on the text on the side of the box.

Heading out to grab a PS3 tomorrow morning ;x

[Exoduso]

I don't see the need for the 80gigs... that IS the only difference right? If so, who cares.

Nice to see they're finally lowering the price on the 60gig though.

[Ghost_Wheel22]

God I'm so happy I squeezed $1500 selling two pre-ordered PS3s on ebay.

Still waiting for a game to come out that would have me buy a PS3. Heavenly Sword prz

[Exoduso]

Hi2u Ninja Gaiden Sigma?

If you got the xbox version/not interested then yeah, Heavenly Sword is the next big title.

[Lbelle]

I'll still wait for the next Shadow of the Colossus/Ico title before I shell out money for a ps3. I can wait on the FF titles.

[MF Perm]

I'll still wait for the next Shadow of the Colossus/Ico title before I shell out money for a ps3. I can wait on the FF titles.

I'm curious about SOCOM myself.

[Exoduso]

The new Ratchet game should be pretty awesome too.

[Lbelle]

That's true. Aside from Deadlocked, the R&C games are definitely some of my favorites of all time.

[Semitry]

Isn't Lair suppose to come out before Heavenly Sword?

I'm hoping the Ebay prices drop by a hundred too for a cheap PS3 when some games I want get released.

[6souls]

Dynasty Warriors: GUNDAM

Holy Shit, thats gotta be good.

[Huggo]

So what was up with the Sony President saying the price cut rumor was false? Seems kinda silly if this surfaces a few days later.

[Pyro]

They confirmed yesterday on the Playstation blog that the new 80GB SKU with the copy of Motorstorm will be $599 and the current 60GB SKU will be dropped to $499.

Linkage

[octopus]

So what was up with the Sony President saying the price cut rumor was false? Seems kinda silly if this surfaces a few days later.

The Sony Presidents seem to always say something stupid anyway.

"The PS3 is too cheap, go work harder to earn one!"
"Rumble is so last gen."
etc....

[Hitoshura]

I'll still wait for the next Shadow of the Colossus/Ico title before I shell out money for a ps3. I can wait on the FF titles.

That and MGS4 IMO. OH and how could I forgot, Atlus confirmed a SMT title in development for PS3.. if it's anything like SMT Nocturne was, it's going to be damn good.

[Kyreth]

Yet another "gamer-cleanup" episode in the E3 prelude. (Along with the whole XBox warranty thing). First Microsoft, now Sony. Nice that the $599 80 GB lets us keep all the old PS3 jokes, though.

All we need now is something Nintendo's been saving up- though being on top, I think that'll wait till E3 itself.

[ertyu]

I'll still wait for the next Shadow of the Colossus/Ico title before I shell out money for a ps3. I can wait on the FF titles.

holy fucking shit I thought I was the only person in the world who loved those games. When team Ico makes their new game I am going to go buy a PS3, until then, fuck it.

[Hollaback]

Isn't it possible for people to just take the hard drive out of their PS3 and drop in, say, a 120GB drive? I thought people were talking about that a while ago. Would kinda eliminate any need for an 80 gig model...

[Pyro]

Yes, you can do that. Personally, I think the new 80GB SKU is a bad idea.

[Vertabreaker]

I'm curious about SOCOM myself.

Fuck yeah dude. That's what I'm waiting on. I just hope it plays like the first one and the hit detection isn't like the second one.

[Julian]

C'mon Suikoden 6!