SCEE announces new 40GB PS3 to launch at ?399
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Oct 5th 2007 at 11:40AM }
The existing 60GB Starter Pack will be reduced in price to €499. It will be on sale "while stocks last," as the 60GB model is being phased out, as it was in America. Update: Patrick Seybold from Sony Computer Entertainment America has no real comment about the 40GB model being made available in the US. "We have not made any announcements for new SKUs or configurations for our territory." We're willing to bet we're going to hear something soon.
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London, 5 October 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced details of its exciting new PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) model that will launch throughout the SCEE territories on 10th October 2007 at the highly attractive price of €399.
Providing an incredibly appealing entry point to the world of High Definition gaming and entertainment for the holiday season, the new PS3 brings the next generation of interactive home entertainment to homes all across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia.
Along with an ever expanding line-up of PS3 titles (a total of 65 titles tracking across all genres by Christmas), the new PS3 is equipped with a 40GB HDD and includes all the features central to the High Definition entertainment experience; true next generation gameplay, stunning High Definition Blu-ray Disc™ movies, SIXAXIS™ wireless controller, Wi-Fi and HDMI connectivity, all powered by the Cell Broadband Engine™, the digital heart of PS3.
As with the 60GB PS3, the new PS3 features upgradeable firmware allowing new features and functionality to be added to the system as time progresses. A recent firmware update, for example, enabled PS3 to upscale DVD's played on the system to full 1080P High Definition.
The introduction of the new PS3 has been determined following user feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future potential PS3 owners. The new model features two USB 2.0 ports rather than four and no longer includes the multi memory card port.
The new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation®2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas).
The existing Starter Pack*, comprising a 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility, an additional SIXAXIS wireless controller and two first party titles will be reduced in price to €499. Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3.
"The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners," said David Reeves, President of SCEE. "It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet incredibly affordable High Definition gaming and entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners. PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new PS3 is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system.
*In the UK and Ireland, the Starter Pack will be replaced by a separate in-store promotion on the 60GB PS3.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bocom @ Oct 5th 2007 11:47AM
It probably will be alot more expensive here though. :(
AG23 @ Oct 5th 2007 11:49AM
Awesome! Now people can quit bitching about the price and go get one.
Although, I am surprised they announced it today if it is not on sale until Oct. 10.
Won't that hinder sales for the next 5 days in Europe?
I guess the announcement for the US will come at a later date?
Justin @ Oct 5th 2007 11:50AM
wait....so none for USA?
Pajama Party! @ Oct 5th 2007 11:52AM
Why would they remove software emulation? It's not even a factor in reducing production costs?
And more importantly, how will this impact the future of backwards compatibility in the higher-end 80GB models?
This seems even more boneheaded than Microsoft's initial stance on/approach to backwards compatibility with the 360.
I wonder how much public outcry/hate mail/death threats this will generate? For that matter, I wonder how much of the aforementioned feedback it will take before Sony reinstates software emulation for PlayStation 1 and 2 titles?
BrandonG @ Oct 5th 2007 11:52AM
Amazing, in a long list of goofs, this one is tops on the list. Losing PS2 Backwards Comp is mind boggling!!!! Bury it and then Bury the shovel.
jesus christ @ Oct 5th 2007 11:59AM
Loosing BC means NOTHING
F'ING NOTHING!
the average consumer will NOT CARE ffs
do not start saying sony will loose, IT IS NOW AFFORDABLE. LEAVE IT AT THAT!
sinergy @ Oct 5th 2007 12:00PM
maybe they will sell the emu software off the ps store?
JodyAnthony (FDF - Hedonism Bot) @ Oct 5th 2007 12:01PM
the lack of ps2 bc is awful to me. i have a huge collection of ps2 games and if i had a ps3, wouldnt want to leave the PS2 hooked up at the same time
AG23 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:02PM
@5
Why is it so mind boggling? People have jumped all over the PS3 since it was released about the price and now that they are finally getting the price down to a reasonable level, people are still bitching!
Plus, how many ps2's have been sold in the world? 110 million + was the count when I last looked. Don't you think that most people(not all) that want a PS3 already have a PS2!
Some people will never be happy. They have to cut costs somewhere and given the fact that the majority of gamers already have a PS2, this made sense IMO.
Akamaru @ Oct 5th 2007 12:03PM
no. sorry. losing bc is a very big deal. I know they wanna make the thing affordable but what a way to confuse and screw the consumer. If I see my friend palying god of war 2 on his PS3 and I go out and buy on thinking i can play it on mine too and I can't, heads would roll!
BrandonG @ Oct 5th 2007 12:06PM
Sorry Jesus Christ "but Loosing BC means NOTHING"
Delusional. The average customer is a ps2 gamer. You are very wrong.
BrandonG @ Oct 5th 2007 12:06PM
Never said anything about the price buddy. NO PS2 support is mind bloggling. Do anything else to the system but losing PS2 BC is not acceptable. This coming from a company that has shouted to everyone how they love BC and the other guy doesn't. They are a sham.
borland502 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:08PM
"And more importantly, how will this impact the future of backwards compatibility in the higher-end 80GB models?"
It will not impact the 60's or the 80's I think. The compatibility list is mostly fixed at this point I wager. As to why it isn't compatible...
There is a second chip besides the EE chip which is present even in the 80GB set. I don't know much other than it is not so easily replicated. But it does cost money.
Honestly, this division actually makes more sense than the "core" 20GB model. Both are equal as PS3 systems, but one cuts out last gen titles for a cheaper price for both you and Sony. And at that price difference, you could probably afford a PS2 if you change your mind later.
Neptune @ Oct 5th 2007 12:07PM
Losing the BC, bad bad move imo. Well it's the 60gb bundle for me or nothing.
Mak @ Oct 5th 2007 12:10PM
nothing "strangely" about it. They removed the PS2 graphics synthesiser chip from the starter versions. (only the Emotion Engine was emulated in software).
Anyone know when these are available?
Anyway, my only comment would be: Xbox360 R.I.P
Noshino @ Oct 5th 2007 12:08PM
BrandonG
You can ALWAYS buy the other models that have BC...so you can play GoW2 just like your friend :D
FM @ Oct 5th 2007 12:10PM
Good news,can't wait for the NA press release. Now everyone can stop bitching about the price. As for Backward Compatibility...good thing I still have my PS2.
BrandonG @ Oct 5th 2007 12:10PM
Give it up guys. Unless the end of the world would have happened had they included PS2 BC. NOTHING will make this make sense.
ashkungfu @ Oct 5th 2007 12:11PM
Who cares... I have 60+ ps2 games, and didn't buy a ps3 to play them. I have a ps2 for them. I bought a ps3 to play ps3 games and to watch high def movies on my hdtv.. Everyone just needs to stop bitching about everything sony does.
Parker @ Oct 5th 2007 12:11PM
You people are unbelievable. You piss and moan about the price and when Sony gives you a cheaper alternative you continue to piss and moan! Grow up. You can’t get something for nothing. You want to pay less, then you will get less. Quit your crying.
AG23 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:12PM
I honestly don't see the big deal. I think it sweetened the deal for a lot of folks and I think that will be the point. If you don't care about BC, buy the new 40GB version.
If you must have BC, buy the 60 GB version. You still have a choice which is nice. They are not doing away with it entirely, just for the 40GB version and honestly, their are alot of gamers out their who do not care about it. This will be marketed to them.
Random1448 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:14PM
I would have bought this if it had BC, I won't now though, I'll just have to save up some more.
tuaamin13 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:16PM
PS2 emulation on the PS3 is run by the GS chip. The EE chip is emulated by the Cell. Basically they took this out. IF YOU WANT BC, JUST BUY THE MORE EXPENSIVE VERSION WITH MEMORY CARD READERS.
Memory card readers and the larger harddrive by itself is not worth a 100 euro increase in price, so as an added bonus, you get backwards compatibility. It's making the system cheaper, so get over it. A lot of people still have their PS2, so you can always boot that up. Plus PS2 games on the PS3 don't look as pretty as PS2 games on a PS2, even with the smoothing option.
Neptune @ Oct 5th 2007 12:16PM
AG23 is it true that there is a choice, but what worries me is:"Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB.."
JaseH @ Oct 5th 2007 12:24PM
People. People.
About the "No B/C" thing.
They meant no HARDWARE BC... the 40GB will still hold it's Software Emulation. Just as the 80GB.
PS3Fanboy has obviously been misunderstood, and quite franky, it's causing others to become misunderstood as well. Everyone already knows about the discontinued Emotion Chip.
Software Emulation costs nothing.
Search around, or at least wait for more information suitable to your understanding... before you all go on with your own belieifs. Trust me.
Popfrogs @ Oct 5th 2007 12:26PM
No BC. This can't be right...what a weird omission.
AG23 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:32PM
@Neptune
As others have said, Sony has always been about having BC in their console. Because of this, I don't think they will ever do away with BC on their high-end model.
Sammy @ Oct 5th 2007 12:33PM
I think BC is a great feature. It is nice to have uniform product. Does the PS3 not actually offers upscaling features for the older consoles?
What is Sony up to.. I know some people do not mind..that is fair enough but as a business decision for a company who is hit hard by criticism of late this is comical. I might actually give up on Sony altogether not for this reason alone...but just because their attitude makes me nervous.
The irony is the PS3 has not got enough games...that is their other problem...no justification.
Neptune @ Oct 5th 2007 12:39PM
Ah I might have misunderstood the press release. I thought they would perhaps discontinue the whole 60gb model, but it seems they mean the 60gb bundle (hopefully)
jsn @ Oct 5th 2007 12:41PM
Sony marketing must be ran by chimps and men in clown suits. They dog microsoft over backwards compatibility and mulitple sku's and then they go and release another sku that lacks the features they've been hyping for the last year.
They should have waited to release this monstrosity this holiday season. Then at least they could have had their devs polish their games and they could have really counted on MGS/FF to boost their sales. They're going to get murdered this holiday season.
Justin @ Oct 5th 2007 12:42PM
How I see it, is as the price goes lower (at least this early in its life), you lose something.
Since when was 20GB of HDD space worth 100 bucks?
Something else had to go...and I dont think 2 USB ports would have made up the cost either way.
If BC is THAT important to an individual, then that individual should go out and purchase a higher end PS3. Not the el-cheapo version.
Brian Spence @ Oct 5th 2007 12:43PM
Why no backward compatibility if it's just a software issue?? That doesn't seem to make sense.
bored-at-work @ Oct 5th 2007 12:48PM
This is exactly why I bought the 60gb PS3, I'm a ps2 owner and i
wanted to have the choice of playing ps2 titles. For those
complaining about not having BC they should start looking for the
60gb version to make sure the have 100% BC...last time I read they
were very low on stock. This new price still does'nt beat what I
paid for mine, I paid $379 tax included for the 60gb from Sony's Store using their $150 rebate offer!! SWEET DEAL!! :p
ShaggyB @ Oct 5th 2007 12:49PM
ok a few things....
I have to agree with kotaku about sony PR. Its a six step level of BS.
"
1. First come the rumors about something.
2. Then come the general denials from Sony.
3. Then come more rumors in bigger publications.
4. Then come the categorical denials from Sony.
5. Then comes the statement the contradicts the categorical denial.
6. Then comes the announcement.
"
Sony's press relations department is sooo beyond repair. Its truely incredible how bad it is.
Onto The 40gig.....
1. Less USB plugs (Why?)
2. Media reader slots are gone (no complaint, never have used mine)
3. Smaller price tag (This is a good thing)
4. NO BC?!?!?!? (Why?)
Has sony really traded places with nintendo. No BC???? I remember the days when nintendo said SNES didnt need to bea ble to play nes games. I remember when n64 didnt "need" to be able to play SNES and i remember how Gamecube couldnt play N64 games. It was a huge deal becausee PS2 was a PsOne and it gave an instant library.
Now we have the 40 gig ps3 thats affordable but still requires you to keep your Ps2 to play old games. I dont care how well Ps2 sold. When i get the new one the old one goes out of the entertainment center. Its why the wii is so great, i can download old games to play. I can throw in GC games.
How does this new model help anything?
Ps3 20 gig vs Ps3 60 gig ring a bell. No one buys the gimped system. 360 vs Core??? anyone????
Now we got Ps3 40gig vs Ps3 80gig (why would i buy the gimped one here?). It seems Sony has become desperate. Get that price down, get those blu-ray players into homes. Its not about the games, sadly, its about Blu-ray vs Hd-Dvd. Sony is sacrifice'n the game studio and the playstation brand name to get Blu-ray to be the next gen dvd format. (I guess the thought is that with all the ps2 supporters that theyd only loose some and could repair the damage)
Its been said and proven time and time again. If the games are compelling and only found on your system the price will never be the issue.
GIVE US GAMES FIRST THEN LOWER THE PRICE!!!! (10 games that are exclusive to the system in its first year is terrible and never a reason to drop $600 or $500 or even $400)
Jason @ Oct 5th 2007 12:51PM
Sound great to me. I bought a 60gig and have never used it for PS2 games and have hardly even opened the memory card reader door. I bet most people who buy a PS3 have a PS2 to play old games on. Unlike the Wii the PS3 can function way beyond a retro-games console.
stephmhishot @ Oct 5th 2007 4:41PM
jesus christ, if sony were have released the 40GB version with emulated BC, four USB ports and still managed to keep the card slots, then people would just be complaining that sony "Can't make up its mind! Too many SKUs! TeH Confuzion LOlz!?" if the 40 GB is too bare bones, just spend the extra hundred bucks if the ps2 BC is so important.
tuaamin13 @ Oct 5th 2007 12:54PM
People, it's NO PS2 BC.
PS1 BC still exists.
And this unit will sell because of the price. They're gradually lowering the price and taking out features cheapo users won't need. If you wanted BC and everything, you would have purchased the original.
SOFTWARE PS2 COMPATIBLITY DOES NOT EXIST IN THIS UNIT, AT LEAST NOT UNTIL SONY FIGURES OUT HOW TO EMULATE THE GS (used in the PAL 60GB and the US 80GB for BC).
Chris @ Oct 5th 2007 12:58PM
Losing BC only makes sense if there were actually a lot of games to buy let alone ones that are actually good. I never owned a PS2 but I have been buying cheap PS2 games a lot lately and playing them on my PS3.
What this appears to be is Sony removing a feature they don't have to in order to justify the high price of the 80GB model. If all the 80GB model was is a memory card reader and an extra 40GB then no one would buy it. Thet'd be better of lowering that by $100 as well and keeping BC in the 40GB model.
Joyrex @ Oct 6th 2007 4:58PM
Most likely the Graphics Synthesizer chip for the PS2 emulation was what reduced costs, although I don't understand how 2 USB ports would reduce costs (perhaps on the scale that they are manufacturing these things, it does, though).
Fret not - I am sure Sony will find a way to emulate the GS chip via software, and BC will be restored to this entry-level version.
sectionz @ Oct 5th 2007 1:01PM
USA next week ;)
Jason B. @ Oct 5th 2007 1:25PM
As I said in another news article about this a couple days ago, BC has always been a contributing factor in people's decision to jump to Sony's newer consoles. I have over 400 games for the PS1 and PS2 and do not wish to pull out each console everytime I feel like playing a game from either console. I want to have one console that will allow me to play a majority of my games (I realize some games have issues) and taking that out just pushes away potential consumers.
I would like to know who they researched and said that the BC is reduced feature by later purchasers of the PS3 because I know that as a PS3 purchases, I use my PS3 primarily for PS2 games right now due to the lack of PS3 games that I want to play and there are still some good Ps2 games coming out.
Jakob @ Oct 5th 2007 2:54PM
Hmmm.. It's confusing, if you look at the Europan market:
PS3 40 GB -€399
PS3 60 GB Starter Pack -€499 (in a limited period)
PS3 60 GB -€599?
ShaggyB @ Oct 5th 2007 1:05PM
Remember people BC is Sony's ace in the whole. Otherwise they have 10 games i cant get on any other system. 360 has 250 games right now, several i cant get anywhere else. So thats 10 vs 250. BC gives sony the instant 2000+ games from the ps2 library.
Thats a differance maker. Its the reason Ps2 crushed Sega Dreamcast. That battle was N64 vs Dreamcast vs Ps2. Ps2 was last to launch. It didnt have superior games at launch, it just had better graphics and BC with some of the best games of all time (well none nintendo games that is). It was basically an upgrade.
So I ask again.... With no BC The only thing i get with my money is the ability to play 10 games i cant get elsewhere and a blu-ray player. Whats my incentive to buy this?
(dont say blu-ray player. If i wanted to be price gouged with $30-$35 movies id have an Hd-dvd drive as its still cheaper then this ps3) ([sidenote] i have both hd movie formats and use both frequantly its a theoretical question)
Michael C. Sherrin @ Oct 5th 2007 1:06PM
No PS2 games or upscaling. That has been so much of the value of the PS3 since there aren't too many games yet. To think so many people will be deprived of such joy is, well, no matter to me. But still, kinda sad. How much does the emulation software really cost that Sony couldn't put it in?
******
Michael C. Sherrin
http://www.prodigeek.com/
Ben @ Oct 5th 2007 1:31PM
Why is BC such a big deal to some of you here? How can you people even stand to play those old games today? They look horrible compared to the next-gen HD graphics. I tried playing GoW2 but my eyes couldn't even tolerate it.
alienclays @ Oct 5th 2007 1:11PM
tuaamin13 is right people
sony can emulate the EE with a GS ship in the ps3, for ps2 BC via a software AND hardware solution
it can emulate the GS by itself with software alone, on ps3 and psp for ps1 BC
they can't emulate both and the communication between the two with a complete software solution with both EE and GS removed. and with either of them inside you cant realise the cost savings.
as we have seen with the problems with just removing the EE, removing both chips would probably be a can of worms just not worth getting into.
enven just getting rid of 2 usb ports, probably saves only a couple of bucks, so it's obvious sony is desprate to get the ps3 down to a lean fighting weight quickly. lets just hope they don't give the ps3 more technogy exlax and pull a microsoft by charging $100 for wi-fi add-ons.
never$$hort @ Oct 5th 2007 1:15PM
You people BITCH TOO MUCH!!! I haven't played one single PS2 game on my PS3 since I bought mine last Nov. at launch and mine is the original PS3 with full BC... If its that big of deal to you, keep playing your PS2. Ps2 games don't even compare to PS3 games, so why the hell would it be that big of an issue?? Like I said, if it is an issue to you, keep playing your PS2 and if you need one, I'll be putting my Slim Model Ps2 on Ebay with 15 games and Eye Toy very soon...
Nate @ Oct 5th 2007 1:20PM
I think that if there's one model with BC and one model without, that's ok. Just please, don't get rid of all models that have BC. Some people don't have a PS2 or want to play them upscaled on the PS3. People like me. I'm not sorry I spent $600 for a PS3 with 4 USB ports, memory card reader, 60gig hard drive, hardware BC, wifi, and everything else they're cutting down on in cheaper models.
wonway01 @ Oct 5th 2007 1:21PM
Lots of people never understood what was needed for BC, i was often called free which it isnt.
This is great, you want in cheap, you got it but with a few less features. If you want those features you can buy the 80gig version.
This is all good! :)
zeoverlord @ Oct 5th 2007 1:24PM
@15
Yea, it would seem that the GS chip is gone, no worries though it will too be emulated at some point in time, just like the EE chip.
It is possible as i have seen it being done on a PC (though it was pretty buggy), and when they finally get it perfect i predict they will start adding things to it, like AA or HD resolutions.
This step was not the least unexpected if you take into account the actual cost of including the EE and GS chips into the PS3.