Consolation Prize

I’ve just seen that a price cut has been announced for the Sony PS3 in North America. The 100 USD cut brings the price of the 60GB model down to 499 USD. Also announced is that a new 80GB model will be available from August for 599 USD bundled with a copy of Motorstorm.

There’s been speculation of a cut for some time now, so the move is not entirely unexpected and the 100 USD amount is spot on with what was
anticipated. We now have to wait and see what happens in the rest of the world, but I’m hoping this carries forward to Europe.

Press release via
PR Newswire

Sony Computer Entertainment America Introduces New 80GB PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)); Announces New Price on Current 60GB Model

80GB System Designed for Today’s Connected Gamer, 60GB Price Now $499

FOSTER CITY, Calif., July 9 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment
America (SCEA), Inc. today announced a new 80GB model of its PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) 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(TM). 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(R)Network. There are currently more than 60 playable games and game-related downloads available through PLAYSTATION(R)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(TM), Heavenly Sword(TM), LAIR, NBA ‘08, Ratchet & Clank(R) Future: Tools of Destruction(TM), SingStar(TM), SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Warhawk(TM).

Numerous third-party titles, including several exclusives, will also be available such as Devil May Cry(R)IV, Dynasty Warriors(R):GUNDAM(R), Grand Theft Auto IV, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hellboy, Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots, Ninja Gaiden Sigma(R), SEGA Rally(R) Revo, Stranglehold(TM), The Darkness, TimeShift(TM), Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter(TM) 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(TM) (Cell/B.E.), Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) player, built-in HDD, 1080p high-definition output, Wi-Fi connectivity and SIXAXIS(TM) wireless controller.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) mobile entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PLAYSTATION(R)Network and PLAYSTATION(R)Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com
“PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION”, “PSP,” “PS one” are registered trademarks and “PS3″, “Cell Broadband Engine” and “SIXAXIS” are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

It was announced some time ago that the second Grand Theft Auto IV trailer would be released today and it’s now available for your viewing pleasure. I’m sure the trailer is being scrutinised all over the Internet to glean every possible last bit of information from it, but I’ll take it for what it is; An excellent trailer for a very promising looking game in the series.

Infinity Ward has released some gameplay footage for the next game in the Call of Duty series. Unlike all it’s predecessors which were set in WWII this time the action takes place in more modern times.

The game looks like it’s shaping up quite nicely and I’m pleased that they’ve brought the time frame up to date. No release dates are available but it’s due to appear on both the Xbox 360 and PS3.

The recent poll asking the question “What can Sony do to ensure they come out on top?” has now finished. Thankyou to all readers that voted and although there wasn’t a flood of votes (after all it was only the first poll!) the results are still pertinent.

As suspected it was “reducing the price” that got most votes and accounted for a 53% share. I certainly agree that this has to be the first step that Sony takes. Although they are still making a loss on hardware for each unit that is manufactured (estimated 100 GBP / 200 USD) this has to come sooner rather than later as they do not have the luxury of waiting for manufacturing costs to decrease to help offset a new price point.

When a price drop does happen it has to be a significant amount. Here in the UK there was an “unofficial” reduction of 25 GBP (50 USD) a few weeks after launch but I don’t believe another similar drop would be enough. So how much would it take? From a personal point of view a drop of 100 GBP (200 USD) would entice me to buy a PS3 immediately, but from analytical rumours appearing on the Internet a drop of 100 USD (50 GBP) is more likely to happen.

There’s no denying that the PS3 is a state of the art piece of kit, but I just feel that adding in so much cutting edge technology has backfired with regards to the manufacturing costs and the resulting retail price. If you have an opinion on the price point in your region, please feel free to leave a comment.

PS3 60GB Launch Prices
(figures in brackets show the equivalent price using current exchange rates)
(UK) GBP 425 / EUR 599 (840 USD / 102,173 YEN)
(US) USD 599 (303 GBP / 445 EUR / 72,862 YEN)
(JPN) YEN 59,980 (249 GBP / 367 EUR / 493 USD)