Sony underestimated 80GB demand, admits Steinberg

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 2nd 2008 at 10:30PM }

In an interview with GameDaily, SCEA's Scott Steinberg talked about the various SKUs on the marketplace. The 40GB model was a big focus for Sony's holiday season, as the $399 price point was something they hoped would appeal to the mass market. With NPD numbers for 2008 so far, the plan has worked. However, Steinberg admits that they underestimated the appeal of the 80GB model: "Reality is the price wasn't that big of a deal and $499 sold a lot more than we thought."

Gamers, at least those in America, are willing to pay a premium to get the "complete" experience associated with the brand. For example, many Xbox gamers opt for the Premium model, as opposed to the cheaper (but HDD-less) Arcade model. Many new PS3 owners most likely want PS2 backwards compatibility, something that the 80GB offers (but the 40GB model does not).

"You'll see us replenish these in the marketplace," Steinberg said. In fact, we hope that they'll make a lot of 80GB systems. The upcoming 80GB Metal Gear Solid bundle will certainly have a mass market appeal -- even with its pricey $500 price tag.

Tags: 80gb, ps3, scott-steinberg

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Zombie Huggles @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:39PM

Glad Sony sees that BC is STILL IMPORTANT!

cantbeatmegaman @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:42PM

They need to start selling the 80GB again so I can buy it!

Yee @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:06PM

Good unlucky I buy one lol if ps3 may change poor ps3 we will grow lol

Darren Tilley @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:28AM

I agree

Matthew @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:29AM

I wasted too much time trying to decipher your gibberish.

Jove @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:03AM

what the hell did you say?

Ninjakamster @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:59PM

Its too bad that the 40gb is the only one that comes in several colors (white, silver). Wish they'd bring full BC back with the 60gb, but its time to stop playing the old games and move on to this gen I suppose.

CJLopez @ Apr 4th 2008 3:07PM

You could always repaint it, like 'll do with mine, I need it to be white, cuz with the heat of the summer where I live, will surely overheat with the black paint. 'll be buying a Ps3, but not a air condition, xD

KingDemon @ Apr 3rd 2008 11:58AM

5 hundred is not pricey for a console that has the right features, plus our library of games is decent and will be alot more flexible in the coming months. Needs more games, but I love the shit out of this system.:P

pete @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:03AM

Just shows how bad Sony's marketing team and executive management is. BC is huge and they down play it. Hopefully they see the light now.

Eggy @ Apr 3rd 2008 9:23AM

BC is not huge at all. People just like to buy the best version of something, you see the same with the xbox.

Schoolimangooli @ Apr 3rd 2008 9:51AM

@Eggy It is huge because ps2 are still selling. there for ps2 software is still selling. Those ps2s could be ps3s.

Popfrogs @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:20AM

The people keeping the PS2 market hot are broke people that want access to a gigantic game library. They could sell it for $99 for the next five years and it would _still_ keep making Sony money.

Add poorer markets like Mexico and South/Central America and you see even more of a goldmine. Since these markets don't have HDTVs (even a PS2 is a luxury) the PS2 makes sense for them.

parkd @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:12AM

60 gig is where it's at man...y'know they should really have ads that tell the consumers that you can change the HDD...they make it seem like you can't by calling them "60 gig" or "40 gig"...

ICON[o]clast @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:53AM

My friend is thinking about buying a Playstation 3. Hopefully i can persuade him with my extremely convincing Jedi Mind Trick ways to buy this sku. Then he will be one more to join the Dark SIDEEE! (aka the good/best side).

How'd you like that play on Star Wars? Eh? Eh? ;)

i know... im good.

Zta @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:47AM

The card slots are probably of importance as well. I use them regularly to watch digital video recordings, watch and edit digital photos, and delete unwanted files. I really hope Sony puts the card slots back, as they are important for a real media hub. And free photo rotation, please, but that's a completely other issue.

Tranando @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:26AM

Sony REALLY dropped the ball in Europe. Whilst PS3 sales are HUGE here, they would have been even bigger, had there been a 80GB with PS2 BC, there has not been a PS2 enabled version for about 6 months now..

I know plenty of people that either caved in and bought a 40GB model, or are still waiting....

Come on Sony, bring PS2 BC (and SACD) back to Europe, we want a entry level and a premium model..

Pralaya @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:18AM

yes. we really need a return of BC here in europe.

Darko @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:15AM

I'm calling BS on this one, the marketing team probably aimed for it to sell out quickly. That way they can say ooooo look at the demand.

jtedesco33 @ Apr 3rd 2008 9:55AM

+10 exp for being smart enough to realize the basics of marketing a system that is in third place based on total worldwide units sold of date.

Hyams @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:26AM

- 20 exp for not even bothering to read the article. There is nothing in it about anything selling out.

Popfrogs @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:27AM

Total worldwide units sold to date? Nice trolling attempt, but the PS3 came out a year late, had almost no software at launch, and yet it's a measly 6 million units behind the X360. PS3 = 11.x million, X360 = 16.x million worldwide. http://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php?cons1=PS2®1=All&cons2=PS3®2=All&cons3=X360®3=All&weeks=156

That shows it tracking nearly exactly the same as the X360 and PS2 over the course of its retail life. Not looking bad at all.

anon @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:50AM

What makes me laugh is that you say "pricey $500 tag"

Which translates to £250 in UK, over here the 40GB standard model with nothing included is £280.. I'd hate to see how much this costs in UK.

Eggy @ Apr 3rd 2008 9:24AM

Blame the goverment and EU.

buzzbean @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:14PM

That is $1 more than what the 80 gig goes for now, but you get mgs and a DS3 vs. motorstorm. sounds like a kick ass deal for $1 more.

shase @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:42PM

i am thinking of selling my 40gig and get this... that probably cost me ~250 out of pocket after sales.. GS is buying the 40gig for 200 and ebay sells a bit more. I thought I was fine with 40gig until my cousin decided it was cool to use my slim ps2 as a "candle stand"

snorkel @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:32PM

Newegg.com has the 80gb in stock.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16868110016

You have to purchase it as the combo with the second controller though.

Starfire @ Apr 4th 2008 5:53AM

BC should really be there, just for completeness's sake. 40 gig is also a bit small with games needing large installs. As for the 'buy a larger drive and a PS2' crowd- come on,. the whole point of PS3 is an all-in-one experience (though I admit I may upgrade my 60 gig drive some day, I just don't have to as such).