PS3 Starter Pack confirmed for Europe - No price cut in sight
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jul 13th 2007 at 7:10AM }
It looks like MaxConsole.net was right, SCEE has today revealed plans to launch the PlayStation 3 Starter Pack in Europe. The pack will be released on the 18th of July in the UK and will be available in all other European countries by the 1st of August. As a result of this the PlayStation 3 will not be seeing a price cut in Europe. The Starter Pack will sell for £425 in the UK and €599 elsewhere in Europe. These prices may seem familiar to you, as they haven't changed since the console's launch in March.
The Starter Pack contains a 60GB PS3, two games and two controllers. The example used by Sony has Resistance and Motorstorm in the box but other packs will include different games from the launch line-up. We think it's a decent package, but are still disappointed by the lack of price drop. The price of the PS3 in the Starter Pack works out to about £310 or €430. Is this technically a 'price cut' of £115/$250? Let's pretend it is. Then we, as a continent, can start buying safe in the knowledge that we got a larger price cut than America.
The problem still remains, however, that some people just can't afford it. It's not necessarily a matter of "won't", Sony. It's a matter of "can't".
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LS @ Jul 13th 2007 7:33AM
"was" release on the 18th July - what is this, the Future Times Online or something?
That's a pretty decent package and a great price - basically exactly what I started with but with an extra controller, but for less coinage. Not sure it'll help sales though as it's still a lot of mullah
wiz @ Jul 13th 2007 7:33AM
this is rubbish, sure its a good deal but what if you just want the console.
basically they've just lowered the price of the bundles the shops were already doing. and now you have no choice, either buy a normal console for £400 of this bundle which is clearly a better value.
it should be £400 but no their squeezing more money out of europe :(
humpty @ Jul 13th 2007 8:09AM
RFoM and MotorStorm were the first 2 games i bought with my PS3.. this would have been a kick ass bundle.. plus the extra controller.
Kspraydad @ Jul 13th 2007 8:29AM
Awesome price and package and I'm positive that you will see this in the States at $499 or less once all the 60GB players are gone and after the 'limited edition' 80GB pack. SONY isn't really looking to sell that (though if you bought it they make more money) they are setting the 60GB up as the value play to get rid of it. Once its gone they'll drop the new pack and give the US something like the EU pack at 499 with rumble controllers (Sept/Oct)
I'd say that in the EU they are using this bundle to blow out their 60GB and you'll see the 80GB there soon. Head of SCEE even admitted the price difference between 60GB and 80GB is pennies to SONY.
DePetri @ Jul 13th 2007 8:41AM
Here in Finland it seems that this Starter Pack is already out. There's an ad on todays newspaper, and it says that they sell it for 699€. 599€?, I wish.
Jeremy Kane @ Jul 13th 2007 8:42AM
Prepare for a screwjob in the U.S. This hyped price cut is nothing but a scam to get rid of the current 60GB stock and phase it out for the 80GB... You won't even be able to find the 60GB model in as soon as a month. Think I'm just a raving fanboy talking out of my ass...
Link provided: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=26704
Really pisses me off. I had planned on finally picking up a PS3 this fall but if this is the way things are handled by Sony then I'll be waiting a lot longer. :shame:
humpty @ Jul 13th 2007 8:46AM
Why are you surprised? All retailer/manufactureurs do the same thing; you know those end of model year clearance sales on cars, to clear out the inventory for the next model year.. same thing.
Think of it as a clearance sale on the 60gb version. Anyways, 80gb + game is more for less.
Thomas @ Jul 13th 2007 8:47AM
At the right price, this bundle would be very effective in the US.... even with the older model controllers.
Jeremy Kane @ Jul 13th 2007 8:52AM
I'm surprised/irritated/pissed because it was advertised as a big news cut in price not a one month long inventory clearance.
If they had treated as such from the beginning maybe that would be a different matter. Handling it like this is going to cause quite a public backlash. It's almost like Sony is trying to hurt itself this gen. I don't understand it.
Kspraydad @ Jul 13th 2007 11:00AM
Jeremy.
Sony has NOT said what a core 80GB will cost as they haven't announced its availability yet...and they won't until the 60GB are gone.
As for ... I was going to get one this fall but now...on no!...Use a credit card dude.
Dadidito @ Jul 13th 2007 9:18AM
You think PS3fanboy will mention the switcheroo. Seems that lately they have been completely blind to anything negative?
That is nonsense though. The mainstream media will rip Sony if this supposed price cut is just that...a ploy.
borland502 @ Jul 13th 2007 9:22AM
@Jeremy
"I'm surprised/irritated/pissed because it was advertised as a big news cut in price not a one month long inventory clearance"
It's both a clearance and a price cut skippy. One of the reason the 80GB bundle is irritating people is that is is the same console with 20GB more and a game.
So for the love of God, why do you feel betrayed? The EU folks have a reason, but the 60GB model is the same machine. It's not even the difference between the vanished 20GB model. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no architectural differences.
If Sony comes out with a silver colored console, will you feel cheated too?
Jeremy Kane @ Jul 13th 2007 9:30AM
Betrayed is going a little to far. Initially I was pissed but now I'm more disappointed than any thing else.
I don't see how you can consider that a price cut considering when the stock is gone, fairly fast I'm guessing, the only available PS3 will be the 80GB which is $599. You know the same price that the 60GB was at all along. It's a sham...
Chris @ Jul 13th 2007 1:49PM
I am in the UK and would be very tempted by this if it wastn't for the lack of rumble controllers. I think I will wait until we can get those and on the good chance there is a pre-Christmas price cut.
Dave @ Jul 15th 2007 10:53AM
I was really thinking of picking up a PS3, but they just don't have enough exclusive titles and I'm not too sure about their future at this point.