While Japan and Europe have already received an official 40GB $400 PS3 announcement, Sony has said nothing to confirm that this console is coming to US customers. We've been hearing a date of November 2, but we have heard nothing official yet. The release seems like a given, so you have to wonder why they haven't announced it yet.
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes that SCEA wants to clear out some of the 60GB stock still sitting on shelves before announcing this cheaper 40GB model.
"These rolling announcements suggest to me that Sony has an inventory control problem, with too many unsold 60GB units out there, and they don't want to have to cut the price to clear them," says Pachter.
Pachter believes that the PS3 sales numbers could pick up as much as fifty percent for every hundred dollars the price is dropped, and if that's true, then Sony needs to get on the ball to get ahead for this upcoming holiday season.
Lastly, Pachter doesn't seem too concerned with the removal of backwards compatibility. "I don't think most people who waited this long care enough about backwards compatibility to affect their decision either way."
[Via Gamesindustry.biz]
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site
Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Contest:
4:54 PM on 10.15.2007
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In the end, the PS3 is a phenomenal machine, it just needs more good games.
I have the 60GB too. The BEST PS3 you can get then the 80GB then 20GB... The 40GB i'll have to get. When my 60GB takes a POOP!
I feel like a Apple iPhone "EARLY" adopter wo/ the money back, after the price drop. Yet, business is just that.
I wanted to say the only way they're going to get rid of the 60s In Stock....... Bundle them w/ Games. You know what i'm thinking WarHawk Bundles...
Yeah I just bought that too a couple days ago.
( Game Only Edition ) $29.99
It's gonna be Epic! More Maps & Vehicle(s)...
Sony wont discontinue the 60gb model in favor of the 40 will they?
then again we also have the 80GB. damn this is becoming confusing, all these SKU's.
last i heard Sony IS discontinueing the 60GB, they've been saying that since they dropped the price and offered the 80GB model. The 60GB is bascially only avaible while supplies last as they are phasing it out in favor of the 80GB... once it's dead it will only be the 80GB and the 40GB... the 80GB is $600 but comes with more USB ports and Backwards compatibility and motor storm; the 40GB model is only $400, has fewer USB ports and has no BC, and i think it lacks a few other things.
The only reason they are able to sell the 40GB model at $400 is because it lacks stuff like BC... including the BC would up the price. The 40GB is actually a good idea since their a many potnetial buyers who have a PS2 and don't care about switching between conoles; BC is for the sake of convience of having all your games on one console instead of two... they rather have a lower price than some extra convience. Grant it, i'm not sure how worthwhile upscaling is, so i may be speaking with a bit of ignorance.
If your the type of person that does want BC, then your best bet would be to buy the 60GB model before they phase out, it's the smartest buy right now; it has everything the 80GB has except for the lack of motorstorm and 20 less GB, plus it has BC with HARDWARE meaning 100% BC, where as the 80GB uses software which is less than 100%
Personally, i kind of think they should jsut drop morotstorm from the 80GB model and just sell it at the price of $550 (oh however much motorstorm costs)... It's not all cheaper, but it does feel cheaper and that's what matters in marketing... though if it were possible, i would rather it be one model at $400 without the BC, and one model at $500 with the BC (the two models seperated by about $100; roughly the price of a PS2)... seriuoslly no like the $600