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Why Robin Makes Batman Better The feature-gimped PlayStation 3 with a 40 GB hard drive is coming to North America at a reduced price, but without the ability to play PlayStation 2 games. If you thought Sony was removing the PS2 guts out of the system, saving them gobs of cash and passing the savings on to you, late adopters, maybe you should think again. According to the Wall Street Journal’s paraphrasing of SCEA boss Jack Tretton, the removal of PS2 backward compatibility and other components isn’t “dramatically reducing Sony’s cost of manufacturing” on Sony’s behemoth console.
Instead, the handicapping of the PS3 was part of an effort to “encourage buyers of the entry-level PlayStation 3 to purchase more games designed specifically for the new system”. If only there were some other ways of doing that outside of ripping out the PS3′s ability to play PS2 games better than an actual PS2 in so many cases.
God, I just can’t think of any. Obviously having better PS3 software won’t work. Nor would working more closely with third parties to help them ship their PS3 ports of Xbox 360 titles day and date, feature for feature. I’ll admit… I’m stumped!
Sony Slashes Price of PlayStation 3 [Wall Street Journal (subscription required)]
For those who enjoy reading press releases, we’ve got *gasp* a press release! Make that the full release about the non-BC 40GB PLAYSTATION 3 that is slated for North America. It’s out November 2nd. Alright, who’s buying?
Release after the jump.
And just in time for Christmas! Bet you didn’t see that coming. The 40GB PLAYSTATION 3 will go on sale November 2nd, which is before the console drops in Japan (November 11th), but after Europe (October 10th). No word whether America will be getting the Ceramic White version that will go on sale in both Japan and Korea. The 40GB version will retail for $US 400, while the 80GB version will get a hundred price cut from $US 600 to $US 500. The 40GB PLAYSTATION 3 will not be able to play PS2 games — unlike previous versions of the consoles, which either featured BC or gimped BC. Addressing this issue, Sony Computer Entertainment of American honcho Jack Tretton remarked:
We’re choosing to focus on the PlayStation 2 consumer with the PlayStation 2, which remains incredibly relevant, and focus on the PlayStation 3 consumer with the new 40-gigabyte model and the great software coming out… Backward compatibility is a nice secondary consideration, but it’s far from the number-one priority.
Oh? Is the number one priority then unnecessarily cluttering up the living room with Sony consoles?
40GB Coming [Reuters]
That Ceramic White 40GB PlayStation 3 is not Japan only by any stretch. As announced a few days back, the country is also getting a Korean release for 348,000 won ($US 350) — on the same day it’s out in The Land of the Rising Sun! Does that mean North America will have a Ceramic White Christmas? One would hope!
Anyone actually interested in picking this up? White PS3 [Ruliweb, Thanks Torokun!]
With the heavily rumoured (read: all but confirmed) feature-gimped 40 GB model of the PLAYSTATION 3 revealed in a recent FCC filing, possibly as model number CECHG01, it should come as little surprise that yet another PS3 SKU is in the works. An additional application from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. with the FCC shows that model number CECHH01, with FCC ID AK8CBEH1300, has undergone testing at the commission. What we don’t know about the new PS3 model is its full hardware configuration, as the details are hidden from public viewing by a short term confidential request letter.
I’m starting to suspect that Sony Computer Entertainment America has a new PLAYSTATION 3 model coming to the U.S. Rumors telegrammed to our offices indicate that Europe already has such a model, the Federal Communications Commission reports it has allegedly tested such a device, and now Target is listing a 40GB hard disk drive model in its database, photographic evidence provided by Gaming Bits. Target even lists the device as shipping with a copy of Spider-man 3, the shitty movie, on Blu-ray! Conspiracy? Or is Sony actually planning to release such a device?
Target says the mystery machine will be in stock on October 28, but a street date could come days later. Something’s up, ladies and gentlemen, but only time will tell if these insane PS3 40GB rumours pan out. I, for one, am very suspicious.
US Playstation 3 40GB Shows Up In Target Store Scan [Gaming Bits]
Where the 40GB PS3 at, North America? Europe, Japan and Australia either have it or are getting it soon, so you just know you’re going to follow. And by all accounts you’ll be following on November 2. So where’s SCEA’s announcement? Nowhere, that’s where.
See, the PAL territories were ready for this. Europe had already worked out a bundle deal to clear 60GB stocks, while Australia went one step further and cut off retail supply of the superceded model altogether. The US, on the other hand, has a problem. According to Michael “Once Was A Teenage Prophet” Pachter, there’s still a ton of PS3s on the shelf. Which means SCEA are in a pickle! Either they hold off on introducing the 40GB model until they’ve sold more 60GB models, or they do what Europe did and bundle the 60 with a game and controller to get rid of the things.
Which are they going to do? I don’t know. I don’t have the gift like Pachter does. Lord knows if I did, I wouldn’t blow it guessing about videogames, I’d be straight down the track to make me some cash money.
SCEA still silent on 40GB console for North America [GI.biz]
We love Ray Maguire. PS3 problems may be old hat by now (ie booooooring), but we will never get tired of hearing Ray tell us all about them. Take today, for example. That 40GB PS3 isn’t Sony flying by the seat of their pants. No, it’s all part of their grand, master plan! We’ve been considering this since launch – this is all part of a very carefully thought-out plan.
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall at the meeting where they planned the past twelve months. Maguire: New PS3 can change attitudes [MCV]
Spanish gaming site MeriStation have published an interview with James Armstrong, who’s CEO of Sony Spain. While chatting, Armstrong revealed that the new 40GB PS3 (hitting stores as you read this) will ship with updated firmware which will improve the PS3′s DVD playback quality. I thought it was already pretty damn good, but hey, improvements are always swell.
James Armstrong, consolidando PS3 [MeriStation, thanks thinred!]
Did a little shopping today. No, I wasn’t shopping for a 40GB PS3. Don’t need one (had to pick up my copy of Phantom Hourglass… more on that tomorrow). But just in case you do, know this, Australia: it’s out, as of today, for $700. If you don’t want one, and would instead prefer the outgoing 60GB Starter Packs, oh boy, you’d best get a move on – I couldn’t find ANY, with most stores sold out across the country (yes, I had them check), while others (David Jones, for example) had already been instructed to remove them from display.
