By Steve Ragan Oct 18, 2007, 16:18 GMT
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) said last week that the PlayStation 3 40GB model would be launched throughout Europe on October 10, 2007, at a price of €399 (£299). The 60GB model will also get a €100 price cut, to €499 until the stock is completely dry. This morning, Reuters confirmed that according to Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), the 40GB PS3 will hit US stores in November.
epa01010135 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) said last week that the PlayStation 3 40GB model would be launched throughout Europe on October 10, 2007, at a price of €399 (£299). The 60GB model will also get a €100 price cut, to €499 until the stock is completely dry. This morning, Reuters confirmed that according to Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), the 40GB PS3 will hit US stores in November. EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON
Jack Tretton, president of SCE, told Reuters in an interview that the 40GB PS3 will sell for about $400, and that the 80GB PS3 will sell for $500 down from its original MSRP of $600. The new system is expected in stores across the US on November 2nd, in order to get a jump on pre-holiday shoppers. Sony also wants to take aim at Microsoft and Nintendo with the hope of gaining market share.
“I think the educational curve is starting to be broached with the general consumer,” Tretton told Reuters in an interview, when asked about his expectations for the PS3 through the end of the year.
PS3 sales have constantly fallen short of expectations, coming behind Microsoft’s Xbox 360, and Nintendo’s Wii. Like the European release the US 40GB model features two USB 2.0 ports rather than four and no longer includes the multi memory card port. Sony said it will also no longer be backwards compatible with PS2 games.
“We're choosing to focus on the PlayStation 2 consumer with the PlayStation 2, which remains incredibly relevant, and focus on the PlayStation 3 consumer with the new forty-gigabyte model and the great software coming out,” Tretton told Reuters.
The dip in sales, and the scramble to lower price might add to sales, but the stripped down systems are a disappointment for some gamers.
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