!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jagi]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sony explains why there's no BC in the 40GB PS3


In separate interviews today both Sony UK boss Ray Maguire and Sony Europe spokesman Nick Sharples spoke about how the 40GB PS3 lacking backwards compatibility is fine. How is it fine? Maguire tells Eurogamer that by this Christmas the PS3 will have a whopping 65 games and so they feel "there's sufficient choice in the marketplace and that we're still better off using that money that we'd put into backwards compatibility in either investing in new games or using that money to help support bringing the price down." Meanwhile, Sharples tells GameDaily, "We have made clear on many occasions that our priority is on developing innovative new features and services for PS3 and not on backwards compatibility."

We really hate to do this, but we swear Sony must honestly think consumers and the press have the memories of goldfish. Let's just take it back to the PlayStation brand for two seconds. Sony's own Phil Harrison clearly and distinctly said in a 2006 interview with GamePro, "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." A little over a year and "core values" go right out the window. Who needs backwards compatibility anyway when you've got 65 games to sell?


http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/05/sony-explains-why-theres-no-bc-in-the-40gb-ps3/

_____

Sony explains the reasons behind the PS3 backwards compatibility cut

Gamers are already raising a stink over the removal of backwards compatibility in the upcoming lower priced 40GB PS3 model we just found out about. Ray Maguire from Sony UK thinks that the money and effort spent on backwards compatibility could be better spent at this time.

"As we come to our first Christmas with the PlayStation 3 there's going to be about 65 games in the marketplace," says Maguire, "so we feel now that there's sufficient choice in the marketplace and that we're still better off using that money that we'd put into backwards compatibility in either investing in new games or using that money to help support bringing the price down so that people can get into the franchise."

Maguire also feels that while backwards compatibility was important in the beginning due to lack of games, "few really use it," and that effort would now better be used to support hardware price cuts to actually get PS3s in homes.

The Eurogamer article makes no mention of Sony throwing down the "everyone already has a PS2" card, which would have been a fairly strong play.

http://www.destructoid.com/sony-exp...e-ps3-backwards-compatibility-cut-47825.phtml


_______________________________________________



To add, from what i've read only the US have been complaining about the backward compatibility, seems the UK is fine with it

go figure

 

[LennyNero1972]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sony is drunk off that water bottle if they think they drop BC and get away with it. Damn them SOB's is shifty.

 

[Gemini]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

SCEE Explains PS3 BC Backpedalling

By now, we're all aware of the price drop and feature drop of the PLAYSTATION 3 in Europe, resulting in a gimped 40GB model of the console. So why, exactly, was backwards compatibility dropped from the PS3? What was once a "core value" and "necessary" according to Sony Computer Entertainment's Phil Harrison—not to mention a boastful talking point when asked about the Xbox 360's BC— is now clearly not at all necessary, with the company's priorities on "developing innovative new features and services for PS3 and not on backwards compatibility." Yeah, we get it. There's an opportunity to save a couple bucks. But why remove the PlayStation 2 chipset altogether, after investing in software emulation and eliminating hundreds of titles from the PS3 library? According to an interview with SCEE reps at GamesIndustry BIZ a "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" is the reason the company is nixing the once promised support.
Plus, they've got 65 PS3 titles ready for the holidays.
Solution? Buy the 60GB (while they're still available), natch. This is the one time as an early hardware adopter that I don't feel screwed over. Off to hug my Emotion Engine!

 

[Jagi]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sony's new PS3 SKU strategy to confuse customers?

The E-commerce times indicates that the introduction of the 40GB PS3 SKU may actually confuse customers. Sony's continuous adjustment of prices and introducing of new SKU's could have negative consequences in the long-run. Analyst Patcher believes Sony has done a poor job in managing the PS3 SKUs, essentially confusing customers with a disjointed marketing plan which has already introduced four different SKUs. The question of when is the right time to buy a PS3 is raised, because if you feel that a new version or price cut is around the corner, then it is not worth purchasing the current models.

quote:

"Sony has done a poor job in managing its PS3 SKUs," he explained. "They've confused consumers, and today's announcement furthers that confusion because we see there is a 40 GB PS3 in Europe and there is no announcement of one in the U.S."

Since the devices are produced in Japan, it certainly is not as though executives in Europe and the U.S. are creating their own specially manufactured devices, Pachter pointed out.

"It's just a very disjointed marketing plan. It's confusing. You've had four different SKUs already -- 20 [GB], 40, 60, 80, and it looks like 20 is gone and the 60 looks like it is gone. They are replaced eventually by the 40 and 80," he continued.

In the U.S., consumers have gone through the introductions of the 20 GB, 60 GB and 80 GB models, with the 60 GB having been discontinued.

"I don't get these rolling releases," said Pachter. "I can't believe that Sony is so unsophisticated as to think that the only people reading this news are European consumers. U.S. guys are like, 'Where's ours?'"



News Source: ecommercetimes
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/FshtI82TzWSVtK/Sony-Further-Tangles-PS3-Pricing-Strategy.xhtml

 

[Jagi]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sony: The reason we lowered the price of the PS3 is because we listened to consumers

Sony's Ray Maguire has gone on record to say that the reason Sony decided to cut the price of the PS3 is because they have been listening to their consumers. They were receiving messages that consumers really wanted to get involved in the PS3 experience but it was just too much, so Sony went back to the drawing board and created the 40GB SKU. Maguire also believes that the price cut will also encourage those who heavily attacked the Playstation brand for the initial high pricing to come back into the fold and feel involved as they will deem the product worth it.

quote:

SPOnG: So the PS3 as of Wednesday will come in two skus: a 40GB entry-level one at £299 and a 60Gb Value Pack at £349?

Ray Maguire: I’ll take you through it. We’ve been listening to our consumers over the last few months, to find out what they feel about PlayStation 3 and some of the barriers to getting into the next level of gaming. Quite clearly, although there has been a massive uptake in PlayStation 3, there is a bigger swell of opinion underneath which says: “I really want to get into PlayStation 3 but it’s just too expensive.” With that in mind, we went back and had a look at how we could get that entry-level price down.

SPOnG: Sony has taken flak on the Internet for the PS3’s price – even from people who were committed to the PlayStation brand. Do you think this price-drop will help bring them back into the fold?

Ray Maguire: Yes I do. But price is a big issue for everyone. You only commit to something once you decide it’s worth it. For the early adopters, they are the ones who understand every part of our product and what it can do. For the people who are one step behind on their understanding of what PlayStation 3 can do, price is a big factor. But we’ve listened to that, we’ve reacted to it, and we’ve produced a product which addresses all those needs.



News Source: Spong

 

[Jagi]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unnamed sources say 40GB $399 PS3 will hit US on November 2

The backwards compatibility-challenged PS3 we've all been talking about may be available in the US by November 2nd, if Hollywood Reporter is to be believed. Of course, our hero Capitan Obvious has to make a quick fly-by.

Sure, HR their unnamed "industry source", and a buyer from a major retailer was willing to say the same thing, but Destructoid has been all over this for months, and the real credit goes to Ars Technica for throwing this out there in early September.

HR says that he word is that SCEA has been dropping hints to retailers, letting them know that they should clear out current models to make way for these 40GB ones. Easier said than done, right?

As expected, this PS3 be the same version that our European friends are getting. That means that they will come with only two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI and Wi-fi, no memory card ports, and no PS2 backwards compatibility.

[via Next-Gen]

_____________________


Report: 40GB PS3 Hits US in Nov.
By Kris Graft Print | Send to a friend | Email the editor
A new report out of The Hollywood Reporter says SCEA will be following Europe’s lead, announcing a $399 40GB PS3 for November 2.

Citing unnamed industry sources who corroborated the November 2 launch date for the new model, the report said SCEA has been telling retailers to clear out existing PS3 inventory.

Last week, SCE Europe announced a 40GB PS3 at a lower price point than current offerings, as the company readies for another critical holiday season against hardware rivals Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360.

The European 40GB PS3 will only have two USB ports instead of the four provided by existing models. The new model will also be dropping the multi memory card port.

In order to save costs, backwards compatibility to PS2 titles was removed completely from the new model, although PSOne compatibility is intact.

Other features such as HDMI, Blu-ray support, wireless Sixaxis control, upgradeable firmware and wi-fi are all still included.

In the US, the 60GB PS3 currently sells for $500, and is only available while supplies last. A $600 package including MotorStorm is also available.



An SCEA rep said simply that the firm "doesn't comment on rumor and speculation."

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7439&Itemid=2

 

[Zeldar]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got mine on the low for $400. It was an 80Gig, too.
Don't really play it that much though.

 

[Jagi]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got mine on the low for $400. It was an 80Gig, too.
Don't really play it that much though.

damn where did you get an 80gb for 400?


i'm interested in one debating on model though


for current owners of ps3 i posted a question in my ps3 thread was looking for some insight

http://www.bgol.us/board/showthread.php?t=184687

 

[MrChevyDC3]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I just copped an X-Box "Elite" this past weekend, I hope it was a good bargain. I've been a Playstation man for the longest, I used to clown X-Boxers. But, do to a unrefusable $200 dollar still-in-the-box price, I'm now an "X-BOT". Sue me.
But, I really don't see many good games to get. I bought Fight Night 3, the graphics are aight. But I wanna put this 120GB to some use. And I read I can buy an external HD DVD drive for 167.00 and get 5 FREE HD DVD's... Any suggestions?

 

[PC Freak]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fuck that

 

[Gemini]

Re: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $400 PS3 - somewhat confirmed - will you now buy one!!!!!!!!!!!!

"the 360 actaully took something away" Really



PS3 for $399 on November 2 in U.S., says Industry Source

The latest word from industry insiders is that SCEA will follow its European counterpart with a $399 40GB PlayStation 3 on November 2. Gamers looking for backward compatibility with the PS2, however, may still want one of the more expensive versions.

Hot on the heels of the 40GB PlayStation 3 announcement in Europe, it looks as if Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) is getting ready to announce a similar model.
A number of analysts have said that Sony would introduce a $399 version of the PS3 before Thanksgiving in order to better compete with Nintendo and Microsoft this holiday season. According to a new report in The Hollywood Reporter, which cites an industry source, the $399 PS3 will actually go on sale starting November 2.

The report added, "A buyer for a major game retailer cited the same date, adding that SCEA has been dropping hints that stores should do all they can to clear out existing inventory in anticipation of the new model." While Sony had previously confirmed that the 60GB version will no longer be produced, it's not clear if the company will at the same time slash the price on the 80GB SKU (currently $599) down to $499.

Like the 40GB model just announced by SCEE, the new $399 PS3 in the U.S. is said to come with just two USB ports (instead of four), no multimemory card port, and it's expected to lack any backward compatibility with the PS2.

A previous rumor suggested that the U.S. model would come bundled with a Blu-ray disc of Spider-Man 3. The movie itself ships on October 30, so the timing seems about right. And even if it isn't bundled, Blu-ray is still a hugely important factor for PS3. By offering a game console and Blu-ray player all in one for $399, Sony no doubt hopes to counter HD DVD, which recently received a boost from Paramount's exclusivity pledge.

SCEA still isn't talking, but Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter is fairly sure of the $399 price. "This thing being 100 euros cheaper implies very strongly that the U.S. version will be $399," he told Reuters.




http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17692&ncid=AOLGAM000500000000008