PS3 Starter Pack is a "summer promotion"

by Jem Alexander { Aug 8th 2007 at 8:45AM }

A customer email from Sony may indicate that Australia isn't the only region to have an end date on the PS3 Starter Pack. People have been complaining directly to Sony that they missed out on two free games and a controller because they bought a system before the Starter Pack was released. In response, Sony replied with the following: "I was sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with regards to the launch of the PlayStation 3 Starter Pack. I would like to take this opportunity to stress that this is a summer promotion and that due to the nature of this offer it will end on a predetermined date,"

Despite this, Sony have reiterated to Gameindustry.biz that the Starter Pack will be available for the "foreseeable future." So which is it? Chances are, not even Sony really knows. This stinks of the 60GB "clearance sale" debacle. The question is, what happens once the Starter Pack "promotion" ends? With the Leipzig Games Convention happening just days before the August 31st Australian end date, we imagine there'll be an announcement of some sort made there.

We dream of a time when buying a PS3 is a straightforward affair. When we don't have to worry about prices suddenly changing or promotions ending. Maybe one day ...

Tags: Starterpack

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

borland502 @ Aug 8th 2007 9:09AM

But where would we be without bad Sony marketing? Maybe its a court ordered defense against monopoly in the console wars.

Popfrogs @ Aug 8th 2007 9:20AM

Why doesn't Sony use their blog or other means to announce promotions like this?

It seems like Sony doesn't know what Sony is doing...too many divisions, not enough cohesion.

dp @ Aug 8th 2007 9:36AM

argh. what's the problem?

60gb, 80gb, promotion, cheaper, more expensive, free games, 1 joypad.....it's just a bundle!!!!

the hardware differences are negligible at most. the average joe on the street isnt going to be confused by all this, they just see it as different bundles.

no concern needed, move along.

linton @ Aug 8th 2007 9:41AM

This is standard sony, how many times in the ps1 and ps2 days have you seen different packs for the same console, there;s been at least 20+ as far as i can tell,special editions that come with extra controller,different colour ps2's,ps2's that come with a built in hdd and final fantasy online only game,ps1's different discs in eaxh pack(mainly of demo's etc, this is no different to those days, i know there will be other promo's and different versions to come....my only wish is that they'd bought out the original ps3 with the 3 ethernet ports at the back....that would have been fantastic to run as.......?

P @ Aug 8th 2007 10:34AM

It seems pretty pathetic to me to complain that a 'sale' started the day after you bought something, i can understand people being p*ssed or whatever, but whining about it to Sony is a what I find pathetic.
Everyone knows the price of this sort of thing will drop, the longer you wait the better the deal you'll find, if they wanted a better deal they should wait till 2010, or even better 2011, 2012...

I know when i finally get round to buying (soon!) it'll be the best deal i can find at that time, but if something comes out a week later thats better then I wont be kicking up a fuss, if i had the £425 6-8 weeks back i'd have bought a PS3 and been happy (even though really its damn expensive) but everyone knows the longer you wait the better the deal.

Incidently, this 'Bundle' and the photos of it with the 2 controllers and MS & R:FoM on there, are they just fake artwork? Because i've been under the assumption that all these recent deals were just to get rid of existing stock to bring in this bundle version, however as nobody seems to be selling this specific bundle product and there is already talk of it ending soon(ish) im going to assume that all the stores 'specials' are infact part and parcel of the Sony Bundle offer and there is no real bundle with that artwork packaging.
Yes/No?
I only ask as Virgin Megastore are trying to refuse Student discount based on it being a store special, however if its really a Sony deal then i dont see as they have a leg to stand on to refuse this discount.

gullum @ Aug 8th 2007 10:51AM

You have to worry about "prices suddenly changing or promotions ending" with evry consumer product on the face of this earth. Quit being a bitch about it. If you want a PS3, then buy one now while there are good deals out. If you don't think its worth it, then wait

Kiros Skye @ Aug 8th 2007 10:58AM

I fully agree. I got pissed when the price dropped due to when I bought mine (March 07). But I'm not going to bitch about it. I wanted it then and thats my fault. If you wait around for every price drop or promotion until you get something, you may never get it. And if you already have it, dont bitch over the drops.

ptuck874 @ Aug 9th 2007 6:34AM

everybody knows stuff always drop in price over time, sorry but if you don't know that then you got a problem, i got mine in feb of this year and still happy as can be about it :) but i did wait until feb to get my sammy 42" plasma, got a steal for that for 950 including shipping :)