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An early screenshot of the memo  (Source: Best Buy)
Sony could be moving to a single SKU world

This console generation brought with it not only high-definition graphics, downloadable content, and seamless multiplayer experiences; it also introduced the concept of selling multiple variations of the same basic hardware.

While Microsoft isn’t shy to continually send new retail Xbox 360 SKUs to stores, Sony appears to be slimming down the choices for those looking for a PlayStation 3, if internal documents from a big box retailer are any indication.

An internal memo intended for Best Buy employees, obtained by PS3 Fanboy, informs that the 80GB PS3 is “going closeout.”

The full memo reads, “The 80GB version of the PS3 is going closeout and won’t be replaced at this time. I will come off the planogram on Jan. 28. The 60GB version should already be gone from stores. Only the 40GB version of the PS3 will be sold in Best Buy stores at this time. This means that there currently isn’t a version that is PS2 compatible.

“At this time, Sony hasn’t made any announcements about new products.”

If the Best Buy memo is indicative of the retail market in North America, then Sony could be moving towards a single production design – at least for now. The only variation between the SKUs in the coming future could be color.

A “ceramic white” PlayStation 3 console has been available in Japan since last Fall, and according to recent FCC filings, it could soon be landing in the U.S.

60GB machines are no longer produced for Europe and 20GB and 60GB machines were recently discontinued in Japan, leaving only the 40GB version.

Although sales numbers of PlayStation 3 consoles are available every month, Sony does not reveal the split in units between the 80GB and 40GB SKUs. Should the less expensive 40GB model sell significantly better than the 80GB, Sony may feel that its full attention should be put towards to promoting the most affordable system.

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How many times can Sony screw up in one generation?!
By Goty on 1/25/2008 10:26:42 AM , Rating: 4
You'd think the backlash from the crippled BC for the 80GB version and the lack of it for the 40GB version of the PS3 would have been enough to tell Sony that users WANT BC. How stupid can they honestly be to now stop offering the only model left with some semblance of BC?!




By Amiga500 on 1/25/2008 10:29:59 AM , Rating: 4
Or perhaps the LACK of a backlash is telling Sony people don't really care about BC at all.

After all, if they have PS2 games, it is logical to assume they have a PS2 to play them on.


By therealnickdanger on 1/25/2008 10:52:39 AM , Rating: 2
That would be my take on it as well... some people pride themselves on having a sh*tty rat's nest of wires. :P


By Samus on 1/25/2008 6:33:15 PM , Rating: 2
I'm genuinely curious how much of a PITA this is for developers. With constantly changing hard drive sizes, new controllers (force feedback finally re-introduced) and sketchy backwards compatibility (I lost track of which ones have it in hardware, which ones have it emulated, and which ones dont have it at all!) it's gatta be a rough world for developers, too.


By Samus on 1/25/2008 6:35:43 PM , Rating: 2
Ohh yea...

DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS


By enlil242 on 1/25/2008 12:10:33 PM , Rating: 2
Hmmm, when I went to Best Buy a couple weeks ago to pick up a 40GB, there wasn't an 80GB model to be had. I asked where they all were thinking they weren't in demand, but the "blue shirt" claimed they have had a hard time keeping them in stock throughout Christmas and the first couple weeks of January.

Now I am not sure if it was due to demand or low stock, or a combination of both of these factors. That's just what I was told. I really didn't care as I was interested in a 40GB model.


By wempa on 1/25/2008 1:02:18 PM , Rating: 3
The are other reasons one might want BC. For example, my wife won an original 60GB PS3 in a poker tournament. Since I've only owned Xbox consoles, that's the first Playstation either of us has owned. She immediately saw a few PS2 games she wanted and received some as gifts for Christmas. If other people are in the same situation , where PS3 is their first Sony console, the BC is definitely a nice feature to have. Whether or not they choose to support BC is fine, but once they make the decision, they shouldn't be changing things like they are now.


By BansheeX on 1/25/2008 2:59:59 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
Or perhaps the LACK of a backlash is telling Sony people don't really care about BC at all.

After all, if they have PS2 games, it is logical to assume they have a PS2 to play them on.


True that. And the extra $100 they're asking for these models could just as easily be spent on a brand new PS2 if they didn't. People caring about wire clutter could easily find a BC model now or in the future on ebay. Millions of these models have already been made. That is enough for those who cared, it's time to move on and focus on reducing the price of the PS3 to compete with MS's cheap optical drive and build quality price cutting tactics.


By ATC on 1/25/2008 3:47:00 PM , Rating: 3
So true. I was so adamant about getting a PS3 with BC that I got the 80gb version and I blasted the 40 model for the lack of it every chance I got.

And on my 80gb I have played my PS2 games on it exactly once. And that instance was merely to test and see if it works, and it did.

I'm not saying BC is useless for everyone at all, but in practise for me personally I found the feature useless and in retrospect I would have been just as happy now with an 80bg version sans BC. BC for me has turned out to be a marketing hype, a check-box so to speak that Sony had to include to compete with the 360.


By Manch on 1/27/2008 4:35:08 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
BC for me has turned out to be a marketing hype, a check-box so to speak that Sony had to include to compete with the 360.


Wasn't it originally prior to the launch of this generation that the 360 did not have BC and Sony did so wasn't it MS that added the feature thru emulation due to consumer backlash and to check that box and compete with Sony?

The PS2 still sells quite well and a lot of games still come out for it. The BC was a selling point for me personally. Hell I still play DC games. Granted there are quite a few of them I don't play anymore but the fighting games and some of the arcade style games I still play. So yeah the feature is worth more to some than others. Besides without BC you only have a couple of games worth playing on yer PS3 anyways! ~jk

Like you said you don't use it like you thought you would. Still I would prefer that Sony have a "High End" SKU with BC and then a lower SKU without it. That would quell some of the bitching people have about it and also give consumers the choice. I think it would mend those broken fences and then Sony could use it for market hype too.


By Chris Peredun on 1/25/2008 10:37:49 AM , Rating: 1
I wouldn't jump right to the conclusion that every backwards-compatible PS3 is going the way of the dodo - just this specific SKU (Motorstorm bundle.)

I predict a new SKU (120GB, no bundled game) to be arriving to coincide with the clearance-pricing on the 80GBs and release of the 40GB Ceramic White PS3s.


By reader1 on 1/25/2008 11:37:49 AM , Rating: 5
I doubt that. I think they'll move to one hardware design because it's cheaper and easier. There could still be bundles and HDD size differences, but manufacturing two different PS3 systems with such small hardware differences is pretty pointless. The minimal impact BC has on sales is short-term and anyone who wanted BC in a PS3 has already bought one.


By Shoal07 on 1/25/2008 11:55:19 AM , Rating: 1
Exactly... If you're one of the minority who gives a **** about BC, you already bought a PS3 when the 60GBs went on sale and were being discontinued (or before). I did because of #1 price drop, #2 5 free movies (this was new), #3 BC because my PS2 is broke.


By Chris Peredun on 1/25/2008 11:55:42 AM , Rating: 4
Bear in mind that anyone with a BC-capable PS3 - be it 20, 60, or 80GB - will be expecting the same back from a repair. Sony will at least need to keep enough stock on hand to replace any of those units.


By Polynikes on 1/25/2008 10:59:23 AM , Rating: 3
Someday, when I want to get a PS3, I'll strongly consider getting a 60GB model used.


By HrilL on 1/25/2008 11:23:58 AM , Rating: 2
Some Kmart's still got those new. It won't be listed but if you go and ask a lot of times they have them still. My Brother and his friend both just got 60GB ones since they both wanted full BC.


By Polynikes on 1/25/2008 5:03:10 PM , Rating: 2
I guess we'll see, I'm still waiting on more games (MGS4, GT5, etc) to come out.


By cubdukat on 1/25/2008 11:54:51 AM , Rating: 1
Yeah, you would, wouldn't you?

But then again, let's remember something:

This is the same company that was so paranoid about you ripping their CDs that they were willing to create a security risk on your computer, lied after said risk was found, and when it was proven, hemmed and hawed about telling you how to get rid of it.

This is the same company that tried to get over on people at a trade show where they allegedly showed off Blu-Ray on a laptop...using a regular DVD+R. And ten-to-one it wasn't encoded like a Blu-Ray disc would be; it was probably garden-variety SD DVD.

And you expect good sense from these people?

As far as I'm concerned, "It's a Sony" is more of a reason to stay away, not to buy it.

That totally tears it. I was looking at getting a PS3 80GB and a PS2 or a 60GB (if I could find it) PS3, but I think I'll stick with Vista for the time being (and I hate Vista), because XBox 360 seems to be just as screwy as the PS3. And there's no way in Hell you will even get me to consider a Wii. They probably made more games for the Amiga in its entire lifetime than have come out for the Wii this year.


By Chris Peredun on 1/25/2008 11:58:27 AM , Rating: 4
quote:
Yeah, you would, wouldn't you?

But then again, let's remember something:

This is the same company that was so paranoid about you ripping their CDs that they were willing to create a security risk on your computer, lied after said risk was found, and when it was proven, hemmed and hawed about telling you how to get rid of it.

This is the same company that tried to get over on people at a trade show where they allegedly showed off Blu-Ray on a laptop...using a regular DVD+R. And ten-to-one it wasn't encoded like a Blu-Ray disc would be; it was probably garden-variety SD DVD.

And you expect good sense from these people?

As far as I'm concerned, "It's a Sony" is more of a reason to stay away, not to buy it.

That totally tears it. I was looking at getting a PS3 80GB and a PS2 or a 60GB (if I could find it) PS3, but I think I'll stick with Vista for the time being (and I hate Vista), because XBox 360 seems to be just as screwy as the PS3. And there's no way in Hell you will even get me to consider a Wii. They probably made more games for the Amiga in its entire lifetime than have come out for the Wii this year.


Cliffs: The grapes were probably sour, and you didn't want them anyways.


By daftrok on 1/25/2008 12:39:01 PM , Rating: 5
I believe that Sony is diligently (and covertly) working on emulation software that will allow us to have more BC, however their primary concern is THIS generation and not the LAST generation. Once PS3 really gets the cash flowing they can spend their time working on getting BC on the PS3.

Though the 40GB PS3 pisses me off in the sense that they pointlessly got rid of 2 USB ports and on top of that didn't even give it some form of BC. I realize that price was a primary concern but this was just ridiculous. How much money would they have lost if they kept the 2 USB ports and the "Graphic Synthesizer" chip that allowed BC?

Alas, we won't know Sony's true plans until they unravel, but know this:
1) When we wanted HDMI for the 20 GB PS3, they obliged
2) Firmware upgrades have met the demands of people constantly throughout the lifetime of the PS3
3) When we yearned for a more affordable PS3 they delivered, albeit with some sacrifices.