As you may have seen tonight here, here and here, we’re kicking off this year’s E3 with some big news (and the show hasn’t even started yet).
In short, we’re introducing a new PS3 model with a 80GB hard drive which will include a free copy of MotorStorm, all for the retail price of $599. This 80GB package will be available starting in August, just a few short weeks from today. The larger hard drive will give players more of an opportunity to take advantage of all the downloadable games and trailers on the PLAYSTATION Network, including the content from our forthcoming download service which will include videos, movies and other entertainment content.
In addition, as some of you speculated last week, we confirmed today that we are lowering the price of our current 60GB PS3 by $100, to $499, effective immediately in North America. I know many of you were eager to hear this and we’re thrilled to share this with you now as we head into E3.
Lastly, to keep up with the latest news, you can view a live stream of the official E3 SCEA press conference this Wednesday, July 11th, starting around 11:30 a.m. pacific time. About a half hour before the conference (11 a.m.), click here and we’ll have a live conference feed available.
And if that isn’t enough for you, we’ll have tons of content hitting the PLAYSTATION Store this week, including the SCEA press conference and exclusive first and third party videos and trailers, only available through PLAYSTATION Network. These will be available shortly after the conclusion of the press conference. We want to make sure that you’re getting the info as soon as possible. Rest assured, there is much more to come this week, including the conclusion of our Inside the Developer Studio series, so stay tuned….
Also See
SCEA President & CEO Jack Tretton outlines the details of today’s announcement (YouTube)
Sony im really happy for the drop price that will make me buy my ps3 really soon…. but like the other said i find a little bit stuppid the 80g sku and more if u can upgrade ur hd only by buying a new one, u better to put the games with the 60g that will help for sale anyway me im sure u know what u do ur big boy now after more than ten year in business.. ho and for finish i hope the model at 499 will be the same than the one at 599 or that will broke ur sell again ….. and i can tell u i try a lot to say good thing about ps3 but every time i ear only bad thing :( so me like i just said i know u know wher u going and i will always trust u sony but i hope u doing the right thing and to finish and repeat me i can’t wait to buy my ps3 ……………. and again i wait to say i think its really important to do something special for people buy ther console at lauch because u make a lot of people angry out there …… anyway i tell u im for Sony and i like Sony for every product :)
I have noticed some comments on here, but not many about the people who have already bought a PS3 before the price cut. I bought my PS3 1 1/2 weeks before the price cut, I think that should warrant me and other people who got their PS3 shortly before the price cut to a possible rebate or something.
@ 401 – if you bought it at Best Buy, they will give you your $100 because there is a 30 day match of price. Check with whatever store you bought it at to see if they do that.
As an early adopter (Dec 2006), I’m not upset about the drop, I’m glad. Content will come even more briskly with a larger installed base, and our system needs to be at least in second place (hopefully first) in order to be viable for the 5-10 year lifespan. Wish you luck Sony, but you better deliver on the great games that show they look and play superior to the 360. You’re the underdog now, go back to being top dog.
And BTW, the second SKU for $599 is just fine. Sony is offering consumers a choice, if they want a bundle great, if they want a lower price, go for the 60gig. It’s all good and Sony is smart to offer back a bundle to those consumers who want a package.
[…] （更正：根据Playstation.BLOG，80GB版PS3还捆绑了MotorStorm游戏，折价50美元，应该算OK） […]
@404
Play on player!
THE #1 COMMENT ON THIS POST IS SPOT ON! THIS IS NOT WHAT WE NEEDED OR WANTED SONY.
Gosh, who is sitting around saying “I bet what customers want is another 20gigs for $100.” You better read this blog or ask somebody who knows Sony! All this after you cancel the 20gig model. It looks ridiculous.
I’m a little upset. I own both a 360 and A ps3. When the elite was released the also sold the hdd separately. So as a original owner I didn’t really feel cheated the premium is still the same price and the elite cost a little more. My Ps3 I’ve owned since it came out. And now what I payed for my ps3 could have gotten me a 80gig with a game and heads up people this system could come with a rumble sixaxis control. Sony did say they august is when we could see rumble features. How about this sony. how about everyone who supported you at launch and beyond, If they have copies of the sales receipt if we send you in our information you send us a free game and controller or some credit to use on PSN. You added something more than some lame HDMI port!
@407
Just read #398. Sony just wanted to give another option for people. I don’t think that they had ever ment for the 80GB to be a top seller and thats why it’s a limited edition.
I would rather see more game titles than an 80 gig hard drive of the Playstation 3. I would consider buying the 60 gig and upgrade the hard drive even if that voids my warranty. Or I would possibly see if I could send my PS3 in along with a bigger hard drive for them to install unless they do not do such a request.
I’m an early adopter here like a lot of others here. I’m not mad at all about being an early adopter, if I want the HDD increase I’ll go do the upgrade myself for the 150GB drive, but I’m frugal enough with HDD space generally after having started with a 170MB on my PC back in 92 that it’s no worries for me, I’m streaming pretty much everything now from my PC anyway since the 1.81fw. I paid to be an early adopter b/c I wanted to play early and I’ve had fun so far, and I’m glad to see my brother’s getting a PS3 soon with this new price drop so I’ll be able to annoy him constantly on Home later this year. (:
One thing that really gets me though, is that Sony has no package that includes either an HDMI cable or a headset. My 360 Elite comes with both already at no additional cost. The biggest concern is the lack of an included headset b/c there’s more exposure for it in games when people have it packaged with the system rather than as an add-on accessory, so I’m sure I’ll see a lot of people typing on Home which is a pain. However, when playing Phantasy Star Universe on 360 everyone almost is using the headset b/c there’s no excuse not to when it comes with the system. Just some food for thought for Sony to throw in a cheapo headset in a bundle it doesn’t have to be a bluetooth, it just has to work and then people can get the bluetooth version if they get irritated with a standard one so there’s a straight profit opportunity (…my general theory is going on the fact that when I used a scroll wheel mouse for the first time I never wanted to go back to a 2 button…).
The price cut was good, but it would have been better if Sony would also announce 8 games will also be released in July and August 07.
where is the damn rumble aka dualshock controller. i hate playing games that i cant feel. im glad they had a price drop but sony really needs to step up there game, if you know what i mean. PSN needs some major help, MAJOR! just do it already, copy xbox live. i own all three systems and i have to admit, xbox live knows what there doing. i mean there isnt much to offer under the PSN. i cant even read messages from my friends while im playing a game, sony needs to fix that issue asap. i should be able to view my message and see who is online while im in game. im not an xbox fan boy by no means, but there live service has a lot of stuff. i just dont see the point of paying for there xbox live service and then again for the stuff they have on it. i would love to download full movies (i would pay) from the PSN. i would love to send voice messages rather than txt messages on my ps3. a lot of the ps1 title games are still not up for download. its really weird that there is more emulators and roms i can download on the net than the playstation store. sony doesnt have time to sit anymore if you want to be competitive you have to be aggressive. i have a 60gig for what? i cant even buy movies from the playstation store, dont tell me this hdd is just as worthless as the 40gig i have for my ps2.
Well lets see an 80gb with one game or a 60gb for $100 less, well some complained cause the 20gb didn’t have what the 60gb had to offer and now the 60gb is the price of the 20gb and people still complain hence no one will ever be happy with what they got. An 80gb is great I’m an avid gamer not too hardcore, so honestly I won’t even use the full 60gb available that’s why I have a computer. I’m always looking for the best deals around also, so just FYI for you folks out there that are planning on getting the 60gb go to ToysRus the store or online, they have the PS3 60gb for $499 while also giving 5 blu-ray disc movies free, catch is you just have to mail in the form and wait to get them, you don’t pay for them at the store, it’s not a rebate you just get them free.
Sony got there own problems marketing against itself putting a 60 against and 80 when more than likely we can change the hard drive out our selves and put in a even bigger drive (120) that cost less the 100 bucks, but oh well. Just my thoughts, hope this is helpful to at least one person.
Hey for any military personnel out there and I hope Sony reads this, Microsoft Xbox 360 (which I hate) has a very good package for military personnel, 5 games and online subscription console has everything, it honestly made me think for a second should I get one, cause it’s still a low price of about $450, but I won’t trade my dedication for Sony. Does anyone know if Sony will come out with a Military Package for the PS3?, that would be awesome. Have a good one folks, and Game on.
don’t you shoot enough folks in real life, you need to shoot them in the virtual sphere too?
Good luck with the pricing strategy, some of us understand that you need to pay some shareholders & feed ‘yer families while managing the brand.
The feature set you guys have delivered is awesome & completely justifies the price.
Real Example: I will be traveling during E3 but using my PSP I will be able to remotely download & view and videos that you post so I won’t miss a thing. Only one example of the power of Playstation.
Selah.
Anybody see the great news at PS3fanboy.com Amazon.com saw a 2800% sales increase due to the 60gb price drop issued earlier today. Way to start off E3 if you ask me with the type of momentum and the hype coming off E3, theres no stoping the PS3 now.
@ bullettoothtony for sure i know what you mean the PS3 cant lose MGS4 to 360. Many of my friends who own a 360 (mainly because of HALO) are going to buy a PS3 because of MGS4 and Killzone 2. Keep it exclusive Sony you know how mad some gamers got over the Devil may cry dispute. You dont even want to know how many sony gamers will get pissed right off if (including me) MGS4 goes to 360. If it does go to 360 there goes all my friends who want to buy a PS3 because of this awesome exclusive.
@295 I do totally agree. i’m glad some one said it and made that huuge point. Market your games like hell. Gears of war did well because they marketed the game alot.
@Lp47
In regards to the Amazon thing, yeah, I saw that, and it stunned the hell out of me. Just the fact that in one day, it jumped all the way to the number one selling product in the video game category on the (I believe, but don’t quote me on this) #1 online retail site! The sales increase that we saw there, was the exact thing that Sony intended for this price drop. Now, I return to my previous statements (See #295) MARKET IT BOYS!!! Point out that it’s cheaper and drive sales through the roof. The games will come, it just takes a minute. The 360 looked worse than this in their first lap, but there was nothing to compare it to. It seems like a struggle, but with the right advertising, this is your moment to shine.
@Anyone questioning the 80GB model, I understand your woes. It seems like an extremely bad idea, on paper. BUT in reality, which is where we live, it’s not too bad. It gives consumers a choice, which they clearly labeled as “LIMITED EDITION” for a reason. I saw a couple interviews with Tretton today, in which he discussed how the 80GB isn’t permanent, unless we want it to be. He wants to see how it will sell, if it doesn’t work, it will be cut. The 40 bucks for 20GB of extra space does suck, but you’d be getting reamed just as hard with the 360 HDD. But if they really blatantly marketed the fact that you can replace the HDD yourself, at your own expense, based on taste, and compared that to the 360’s fixed has-to-be-a-MS-HDD idea, they could easily make it much more appealing. The common misconception I’ve been feeling off of this, is that Motorstorm is free, which is wholly untrue, even if Sony themselves say it. They can’t, because that would screw the developer out of thousands of dollars. They are offering the 80GB at $540 technically, but it comes with a 60 dollar game. Therefore, not free game, just bundle deal, limited time, if it doesn’t sell, it will go away. Easy as that.
@Anyone talking about the rumble Sixaxis…
They heard you, on G4, Jack Tretton said that they know people are demanding it, and they are working to satisfy you. Repeat demands (I’m looking at you New_Age_Soldier!) are not gonna do you any good, except to lead you to believe they aren’t listening, giving yourself false doubt at your own expense, and really just making you doubt your purchase, which IMO is still stupid to do at this point. I bought an extra Sixaxis when I bought my PS3 at launch (oh, what’s that? I’m an early adopter?? Oh, yeah, and it doesn’t hurt one bit to see a price drop, it had to happen, I’ve said many times before, the price of the system is a steal for the great technology that will be undeniably pushed forward by my contribution, and I do not regret it at all) and now, if rumble Sixaxis’ are released? Well, darn, I’m just gonna have to get two of those, just to complement the two I already have, allowing 2 more players on my PS3! Doesn’t seem like a loss. I didn’t really miss the rumble, but some of my friends did, and so they will have choice. Kudos Sony. I wish you the best of luck.
For the record, about the red lights:
If you take apart the controller, there is a spot for a surface-mount LED on the circuitboard of the controller; however, it is empty. You *could* solder a red surface-mount LED on to that spot to get the same effect, but sadly the SIXAXIS’ setup does not have that spot grounded or connected to a resistor. As such, if you simply put a surface-mount LED in that spot, it will stay on permanently, even when the controller is off. The only way to fix this to have the light show up when the controller is on is to have an LED that has one side with a charge and one side grounded. It’s hard to explain, really. Just search “SIXAXIS LED MOD” online.
It’s as if SONY intended to have a light there, but never went through with it. Who knows, maybe they’ll finish it when/if they add rumble!
HEY SONY
BRING
BACK
THE 20GIG “LESSER” MODEL
AT $349-$399
=
GAME OVER.
BTW THE 80 GIG IDEA WAS STUPID.
YOU SHOULD OF BUNDLED
100 GIG + WARHWAWK w/ Blue Tooth Mic
=
SHAZAM! I SPIT HOT FIRE!
Vote for me in 2008. All rights reserved.
[…] in geeksville, the price of the Playstation 3 in USA has been cut by USD 100 to USD 499. So let me get my calculator out for a minute. Using today’s USD to AUD exchange […]
What’s up.. just wonderin when Sony will announce Starcraft 2 for PS3??
@421 Yeah, what you said.
I bought my 60gb system within 20mins of launch at AUS prices, and am overjoyed at the price drop.
basically I figure I’ve got the best choice of console (mainly due to hardware stability, partially due to a moderate technical advantage) that’s being screwed by a lack of 3rd party support – which is purely because of the install base. once the install base hits the Go Pedal it’ll all be good.
Now is the right time for the price cut IMHO, beforehand would have been useless because of the drought of games (which doesn’t really bother me too much). My wallet is going seem anorexic over the next 6 months (at least). Now is the time for the masses to jump on, as they’ll be spoiled for choice.
Have I mentioned that my ps3 has run 24hrs a day for many days at a time without incident… while my (now dead) 360 could barely handle 6hrs straight before losing processor and GFX power? I may miss a couple of games in the 360’s library (oh crackdown, how I mourn you…) but the heartache and frustration I certainly don’t.
I love you Sony! :P
@425 I doubt blizzard would allow their game on any console that didn’t allow mouse and keybourd use during game-play. Personally I would LOVE this to be the case. I’ve played LOTR on 360 and it was #$%^ing terrible. great game, just that the genre is not suited to controllers At All. I certainly hope that Sony allow the use of mouse (at least) for RTS games. the power of the ps3 is certainly ample to run starcraft2, and it’s such an anticipated game I reckon it’d be a system seller. I know several people who still have P200 PCs that they use for word processing and STARCRAFT. they never bothered updating their computer ‘cos there was never a game they liked more. Each have said they’ll buy a new computer for Starcraft2 (and given that the ps3 would be cheaper………….)
StarCraft2, i didnt kno wthat was even being made(where have i been?) i dont think its upto sony if a games maker wants to include mouse n keyboard or not – thats just down to the maker of the game, and some games arent good with the controller method either – always be a choice i say, and another thing – i believe sony were the first to bring rumble to games controllers followed by nintendo etc, so im kinda hoping sony will be the first to bring us the new immersion touch sense rumble feature….im still holding off buying a 2nd controller until i hear its a definate yes to rumble or a no….i prefer a yes like most of us do(am i turning into a sony fanboy…..F**k Yeah!) c’mon sony – BRING IT BABY!
Not interested!
Allow AO-ratings on the consoles and we’ll talk again!
So Sony when are you going to show that new PS3 controller with rumble in it? We know you have it working behind the scenes.
Can you get to see it too?
Konami’s announcement today worries me. Pay them to keep MGS4 exclusive or something. Don’t lose that, that’s our only good exclusive game. Please don’t let anything stupid happen.
Which announcement? I found a couple of links but they don´t say anything in particular. Can you post the link?
thx
Founded. Patrick, we need confirmation. What do you know about this?
MGS4 going multi?
Not good news man, not good.
$100 off for a system that barly has any games not on xbox 360, which frankly look much better. even if in the long run ps3 will get better still over priced. GTA’s now on xbox what does ps3 have that will warrant people to spend that much money? for those who already have was it really worth the price. every gaming site i go to say the same thing either ps3 and xbox games look the same or xbox games look alittle more polished. i want to buy a ps3 but not willing to get swindled out of 5 or 6 hundred dollars. metal gear, killzone, and god of war three not enough. playstation needs to get it together
im what u call a gamer i dont care how much a ps3 is i’ll pay of it this system is the best.2,000 or 10,000 this is system is whort ever penny
i beat if the ps3 was $400 all the people that are saying xbox360 is better than ps3 will sell there 360 to get the ps3.
Sony…great, great move. Despite the whiners and trolls that have invaded this thread (obviously due to their own insecurity regarding their chosen console), consumers have answered. As of the time of this post, Sony owns Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/videogames/ref=pd_ts_c_th_more/102-0665382-0396105?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-7&pf_rd_r=0TQW1SF669Y6NW5VDCPH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=293804301&pf_rd_i=468642
…and I don’t think the momentum will slow anytime during this E3 week.
Some of the people posting here are so near-sighted. But I look at the Sony strategy and it’s like setting up a check mate. We have the PS2 still outselling the 360, which has profound meaning. We have the success of Blu-Ray, even before the Blockbuster announcement. This price cut has people buying the PS3 like wildfire. E3 will be spectacular. This holiday season will be awesome, with games that will show the unique power of the PS3.
…And then we have all of the negative press and word of mouth regarding the 360, meaning Sony’s competition has made a mistake due to rushing… It’s like a game of chess!
Keep it up, Sony. Most people are too stupid to see your long-term strategy, and even though I think I know it, ya’ll keep surprising me over and over. —12
So, Patrick…
What is up with this thing about MGS4 going multi platform and the new in-game Killzone 2 screenshot?
I mean…
Well…
*yawn*
*Hits his head to the wall several times till going unconscious*
[…] Aunque la Playstation 3 haya bajado de precio de precio hasta los 499 dólares en Estados Unidos, todavía será posible encontrar esta consola al precio de 599 dólares, aunque será su nueva versión con un disco duro de 80 GB, que ya se distribuía en Corea, y que viene con el juego MotorStorm. Lo que no entiendo es la política de Sony de negar rumores para, a continuación, lanzar la nota de prensa confirmándolos. Lo hemos visto con esta reducción de precio, que el propio presidente de la compañía negó la semana pasada y pocos días después se produce. De todos modos, todo lo que sirva para reducir los precios de las consolas bienvenido sea. Via: Blog Playstation. […]
@TheTwelve
Only thing I was whining about if Sony make PS3 80gb do something that my 60gb can’t. That would make me near-sighted fox, looking to kill something. Overall anyone with a brain can get PS3 over network or USB mass storage just add more space. IDE HD are cheap now $100 for 250gb..
Bull!!
“long-term strategy” now I’m just laughing, so your telling me you understand marking and sales of Sony, do you even work for them?
Ok if you are using Windows your helping 360, he got money to blow off and few million broken 360 don’t bug Bill Gates. With the Wii war going on like Apple crazy, omg everyone I know wants a iPhone, I’m like that thing wont help you do things better, more like break your bank acct.
Now I support Wii because it was built to be gaming system, but if you want more than “JUST GAMES” you buy PS3.
So come down for consumers how much money ya have. Then you look at what you need and what ya have.
Fox
~looks under the hood of the PS3~ “Nope no Bill Gates here”
@439
Sony niega los rumores porque no quieren que la gente lo sepan hasta que ellos mismos den las noticias buenas. Por ejemplo, el precio del PS3 bajo $100 dolares, eso es algo que lo debe de decir la compañia misma, y no otros que CREEN que va a pasar eso. Sony ya mas o menos tiene un dia especifico para revelar cosas como un bajo de precio, y si rumores empiesan a regarse por la internet, van a negarlo hasta que llegue el dia que lo tenian planeado para decirlo.
Sorry for speaking in spanish everyone. I understand this is an english blog, but someone posted a comment in spanish, and I’m just responding back to it. :-)
Yo Starfox—
Clear evidence is already showing that many people have been waiting for this price drop. I said already that I don’t know Sony strategy, but what I do see is genius. Not perfect, but certainly genius. One thing is for sure: Sony knows more about the market than both you and I. I mean, after smoking the last two generations, Sony just doesn’t become dumb.
I bought a 20gb in January, and updated it myself to 80gb myself. Yet, I still don’t see why it is dumb for Sony to make an 80gb model plus a free and popular game. Combine that with the Blue-Ray sales going on right now—what a deal.
You know what’s dumb? Rushing out a system to get ahead and paying at least (because you KNOW it’s more) 1.5 billion dollars for it. Bad press and bad word of mouth. Giving Sony that much more leverage.
When it comes to the Wii, I’ll buy one myself if I see a game that I have to get. But as long as I enjoy playing REAL sports, I don’t see the purpose of a Wii at this time.—12
Ahh were UNIX commands????
English is my sec from UNIX, damn it…
boot -f dksc(X,Y,8)sashARCS
boot -f dksc(X,Y,7)stand/fx.ARCS –x
umount /root/hw
umount /root
mkfs -b size=512 /dev/dsk/dks0d1s0
mount /dev/dsk/dks0d1s0 /root
/CDROM/dist
install standard
install prereqs
keep conflicting
There your basic IRIX intstall..
Fox
@TheTwelve
Ahh ok that fine, but I did rush to buy my 60gb unlike some others. I got mine is May 05, 2007. For $380 used, with broken disc drive. Five mins with some hand tool and a cheap Sony car audio deck to use the part for the drive. There you go, good as new always work from then.
After that I wanted HD TV, Buy one TV get other half off as well $100 off a PS3 20gb. Not bad, coming in at $1,080… for TWO TV and other PS3 to run Linux.. ahhh
Fox
@ blizzard182
If you are talking about the percentages of people believing MGS4 will be ported to the 360, that is of course their own opinion, and state several reasons why the possibility is there. Me personally, I don’t think Sony will allow that to happen. In Sony’s previous remarks of not going after exclusives, I believe that with MGS4, Sony will pay whatever Kojima wants to keep MGS4 on the PS3 only. Sony needs a good ground to stand on against its competitors, and offering blu-ray as standard will not be enough. The games will be the key for Sony dominating once again in the console wars.
One of the things I can say about Sony is, that they are some really big risk takers!! BUT, know what they are doing.
Also, that Konami spokesperson is clearly wrong about the price cut making no impact.—12
I just read the article that the Konami exec. stated the following quote… “Metal Gear Solid 4 may move to other consoles in an attempt to recoup development costs.”
Sony…This is it. I would recommend pulling out as much money as Konami wants to keep MGS4 on the PS3 ONLY. A lot of people will ditch the PS3 because of it being also on the 360, therefore, Microsoft will basically be getting a lot of your sales. Do what you have to do Sony. I’m telling you…..
Sony,
Understand, It’s not the pricetag on the console. It’s all about who have the best games.