In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, SCEE President David Reeves let us in on the truth behind the 60GB PS3's price drop -- apparently, the 60GBs are getting the markdown in America because Sony's going to stop selling them here.
How concerned are you about possible criticisms that you should have given European consumers what SCEA has given US consumers, i.e. the option to pay a lower price?
Well, they're not really are they, because what the US are offering from the 1st of August is a USD 599 version with one game. All they're doing is taking their stock in trade that they've got at the moment of the 60GB model, marking the price down and it will all be gone by the end of July.
So once the 60GB is gone, that will be the end of the 60GB then?
In America, yes.
Well, that explains that, doesn't it?
Reeves also explains that, owing to a lower cost of memory in Europe, the difference in cost between a 60GB PS3 and an 80GB PS3 there is "just Euro cents; it's nothing," and that therefore it makes more sense to just stick to one model:
Probably we could have gone for 80GB, but does it really make any difference? We just know that we get a better supply on the 60GB than we will on the 80GB. So we chose to continue with the 60GB until we find that we can get something better, maybe lower cost. It just didn't seem necessary to us.
He also says the fact that their 60GB "has about 88 percent backwards compatibility," compared to our 100 percent.
Looks like if you want a discounted PS3, you should grab one now.
[Via GamesIndustry.biz ]
Contest:
9:39 AM on 07.13.2007
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The cost of slapping a new $50 premium sized HDD in there is too easy to pass up to keep the console's costs high.
Plan on seeing reintroductions of the 20 GB version's featureless body and style sometime next year, but with a 60 or 80GB drive slapped in there. I'm calling it right now. There will be a 120-160 GB PS3 to complement it on the high end of things.
Please Digg this
Did no one at Sony go to business school? Do they know nothing about consumer confidence or, you know... good will?
The 80 gig version, how much is that in the US? Did they not drop the price on that too?
I already hate Digg and all the attention whores who ask everyone to digg their article enough already, but why would I digg your article that is a pure rumor and not even a good one at that?
<p>
As for the software BC, it works just fine.
http://atvs.vg.no/player/index.php?id=10235
(around 1:45, *Website is foreign but interview Kaz answers in English)
This sux!
Judging by their PS3 trackrecord so far I would say that while the people at Sony may not be really, really stupid they often make really, really stupid (out of touch with consumer) decisions.
If that's true, then that's amazing. The only reason I'm doubting this story at all is because it would be the single dumbest move since releasing the console at $600. My logistics center refuses to believe any company could be that dumb.
Then again, ALOT of the old models did not sell, so they should still be there to buy collecting dust.
However, I see no logic in the huge price difference between the old model and the. 100 dollars doesnt equal 20g. Thats just highway robbery! With this announcement, it seems like Sony is trying to just gouge the consumer.
I agree with you bro, its almost inconceivably dumb but that is what Kaz is saying pretty clearly in teh video. Obviously nothing is set in stone and things can change but as of right now it does indeed appear that is what they are going to do at least initially.
...and if you think about it, that is what Sony does with all their consumer electronics...they put out new slightly improved versions and cost reduce the remaining shelf stock of their old stuff every 6 months or so. Just take a look at their tv's and you will see it.
I appreciate your ignorance, but facts are only rumours until they are facts.
And yes, we spell rumour with a "u" in Canada.
I was considering getting the 60GB model in the spring until I heard this.
Isn't the 2600% jump in sales on Amazon indication enough?
People don't want to pay $600 for a fucking console.
You can put faith in money though and it's no secret that they are still losing alot of money on the sale of the hardware. Honestly I dont see them being in that position to cost reduce yet because the way they make up for selling the console at the loss is with game sales....which are obviously very poor at the moment. Only time will tell but I dont have alot of faith in Sony anymore. Not saying the PS3 is bad but I just dont trust the company anymore.
You can put faith in money though and it's no secret that they are still losing alot of money on the sale of the hardware. Honestly I dont see them being in that position to cost reduce yet because the way they make up for selling the console at the loss is with game sales....which are obviously very poor at the moment. Only time will tell but I dont have alot of faith in Sony anymore. Not saying the PS3 is bad but I just dont trust the company anymore.
Then it will sell good again.
Are you trying to imply that all rumors become facts or that we can really believe that you have some buddy that magically knows something that nobody else knows?
Fact is that is only a rumor and should not be taken as any kind of fact or even potential of becoming a fact until (if) it actually does happen.
I'm still not convinced Sony even dropped the price in the first place.
It's not a rumor when the exec of the company is on video saying it in clear english. How is that a rumor?
How stupid do they think we are?
I'm pretty sure my friend does magically know something that you don't, he buys $300 Million worth of electronics every quarter, the next quarter for MS just happens to be starting in August.
Where the fuck is my whistle?
You keep saying that about your friend and I keep not believing you. Funny.