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A far more enticing pack-in than last year's "Talladega Nights"  (Source: Amazon)
$399 PlayStation 3 possibly on the way with Spider-Man 3

Now with supplies of the 60GB PlayStation 3 dwindling, analysts are predicting that the 80GB PS3 will soon drop to $499 to occupy the current cost-of-entry into Sony’s newest console. Even at with the 80GB hard drive and included game MotorStorm, consumers may still feel that $499 is still too much to pay for a games console – especially when the competition is offering current machines for hundreds less.

Sony knows that this holiday season will be even more crucial than last year’s launch window, as it will be the time to convince more than just PlayStation faithful to buy into their new generation. According to an Ars Technica source, Sony will not only drop the 80GB machine down $100 to $499, but it will also introduce a new entry-level 40GB offering that will come in at another $100 less at $399 – Just $50 more than Microsoft’s 20GB Xbox 360.

Furthermore, Sony may sweeten the deal by bundling with either one or both SKUs with Spider-Man 3 on Blu-ray Disc. Packaging in the super-hero blockbuster will further underscore the PlayStation 3’s duality with its high-definition movie player capabilities (not to mention the shared font style between the console and movie). Those looking to buy into Blu-ray Disc may view the Spider-Man 3 PS3 bundle as a strong value proposition. Spider-Man 3 hits home video on October 30, 2007, so don’t expect Sony to announce anything until then.

For consumers wanting to game on the cheap, Sony realizes that its PlayStation 2 is still a stunningly strong seller. For that reason, it would not be surprising if Sony dropped the price of its PS2 console to $99, as suggested by the report. With even stronger value PS3 bundles, to cheaper PS2, and newly redesigned PSP, Sony is gunning hard for a strong fall and winter.

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Wait...
By Spivonious on 9/10/2007 3:32:03 PM , Rating: 2
So having a 20GB and a 60GB is too confusing. Okay, drop the 20GB. Now we have an 80GB model, so we should drop the 60GB because two models is too confusing. I don't agree with this, but at least there's a trend. Until now. Two models is too confusing so let's introduce a 40GB model?




RE: Wait...
By gramboh on 9/10/2007 4:05:06 PM , Rating: 2
No kidding, this is pretty poor planning and will cause consumer confusion that can only hurt their sales. Not to mention the costs of retooling their assembly/production lines for another SKU (although I suspect this is minor).

I don't have much interest in the PS3 until I upgrade my TV to a 1080P set to use Blu-ray and maybe play Final Fantasy and Gran Turismo (using a 480p/1080i rear projection from 2002).

With the PS3, you can use an externally connected USB2 hard drive correct? So it could be a 3.5inch desktop drive?


RE: Wait...
By michal1980 on 9/10/2007 4:14:36 PM , Rating: 1
poor plaining maybe. But dont people want a low price?

if they are trying to hit a new price point this makes sense.

no game, smaller harddrive. the 80gb already has no ee chip in it.

the 20gb and 60gb had bigger differences, biggest wi-fi, smaller were the card reader, and trim.

So it still one line with just a different drive put in at the end. extra product costs will be minor.

and a 399 price tag will be sweet.

------

So bad planing or not, if this is true, its a GOOD sony move rather then a bad one.


RE: Wait...
By TimTheEnchanter25 on 9/10/2007 4:31:36 PM , Rating: 2
I'm pretty sure that it treats a USB hard drive like a flash drive. You can copy / play files off the extrenal drive, and back up the internal to it. But, I don't think they let you store demos, trailers, downloaded games, saved games, and game content to an external drive. But, I haven't had a reason to test it since I still have 10gb out of 60 free (and a lot of stuff that I don't need to keep).

I really don't see why Sony would drop the 60gb if they are really adding a 40gb model. A quick search at newegg lists a 40gb hard drive for $45.99, 60gb for $47.49, and 80gb for $55.99. I assume that they get much better prices than that. So, the hard drive size certainally doesn't make a $100 difference, nor is there a major savings if they switch from 60gb to 40gb.


RE: Wait...
By SirLucius on 9/10/2007 5:32:59 PM , Rating: 2
Yup, the PS3 can read/write to any FAT32 hard drive. And you can store anything you download on a PS3 on an external drive. There's even an option to download straight to the external drive/flash drive in the Playstation store.

I agree about the cost difference. While I'm all for the $399 price, it doesn't make much sense to offer a 40GB drive over a 60GB. The only thing I can think of is Sony wants to avoid an Apple situation where people buy the 60GB model only to have a cheaper model come out a few weeks later, especially with all of Sony's talk of "No more 60GB models!" I got my PS3 about a month ago and I know I'd be a little upset if they suddenly started offering the same 60GB model (minus PS2 hardware) for $100 less. Note, not extremely upset, as I plan on swapping in a bigger HD anyway, but just a little peeved.


RE: Wait...
By MonkeyPaw on 9/10/2007 5:52:18 PM , Rating: 2
I agree, and I actually came up with lower prices than yours on newegg, though I think I was looking at the old IDE models. Even so, if they save $5 per HDD and sell 200,000 40GB models, they just saved $1 million. Considering how the PS3 console is unprofitable even when priced at $599, I could see why they'd want to save money and cut corners.

However, Sony just doesn't realize how their market works. They started by building a machine that's too expensive for most people (combined with feature complexity that makes developers reluctant to jump in). To make things worse, Sony keeps thinking that they can trick the customer into buying one by shaving features along with the price. The 20GB PS3 was $100 cheaper, and nobody wanted it. The thing is, most people with $300-500 to blow on a game console probably don't mind jumping $100 for the better model. After all, the PS2 and Xbox lasted about 5 years before being replaced, so people know they're buying a long-term product these days. The problem is, there just aren't that many people willing to pay $300-600 on a luxury item!

MS took a very simple approach by making and keeping the premium model the obvious choice, and it seems to be pretty successful. It's a good think they haven't answered Sony's moves yet, or we'd be just as lost in the MS camp. Every new PS3 launch just seems to be more confusing than the last. Not only that, buyers of original models have to be wondering what's going on, too. They've watched Sony discontinue the original models already, they've seen parts removed, and they seen the price go down and back up, only to likely go down again along with a newer, even cheaper model--all in what might be less than a year! Sony isn't really developing buyer confidence right now.


RE: Wait...
By Chaser on 9/11/2007 9:32:38 AM , Rating: 2
We're talking about a console system first and foremost. I really don't think Mom and Pop, the kid in college, and most consumers are going to read all the details into it like you and other computer enthusiasts do.

Certainly the mantra on this site has been too expensive, too expensive, too expensive. And so Sony is trying to deliver. So when someone walks into Walmart and finds a gaming console with a Blue Ray movie player for $400.00 they really aren't going to walk away confused because of varying hard drive sizes. Today counts and the money they have in my pocket or checking account then that matters. Not confusion.

You credit M$ for simplicity? Lets see one Xbox has no hard drive. Great. Another had one. Then you get the HD DVD drive that only plays movies, then you get the Elite version that stil only plays movies. You call that simple?

The PS3 gets you the hard drive, the BD player, wireless, and all the main features that count regardless of the models. Only the computer type nitpickers split all the hairs. And now the entry price is going to be $400.00. Thats a good thing. And quite a deal too.


RE: Wait...
By wordsworm on 9/11/2007 5:39:59 AM , Rating: 2
I can see the logic: the low end systems are dumping a lot of old hard drives that no one is buying, and they're just sitting there. They ran out of 20GB hard drives, and are now moving the 40GB drives out. The hard drives that are still selling on the market go with the much pricier PS3. I found a HDDVD player for $199. So at $399MSRP (probably available to the savvy consumer at $350), it's pretty competitive as a high definition player, plus it supposedly comes with expensive extras. I wouldn't be surprised if they do include everything that they have with the more expensive models. Once they get their market going good, then they can stand to make a lot of cash.

Still, nirvana comes in the form of HDDVD+BlueRay in a single unit. That's the only way I can foresee either party really winning. But to do that, for either one to get that action, they have to stick to this format war until they're both ready to call a truce.


RE: Wait...
By Locutus465 on 9/10/2007 5:05:50 PM , Rating: 2
They can solve this with marketing like Microsoft has with the 3 different models of x-boxes. As far as I know most people are not confused with the differences in the world of x-box, with good marketing there's no reason why they should be in the world of PS3... This would take planning on the part of sony though, something they clearly did not do.


RE: Wait...
By timmiser on 9/10/2007 6:15:12 PM , Rating: 4
I think the difference that you fail to mention is already we have two out of production models of the PS3 and two new models of the PS3 and the PS3 is not even 1 year old yet!

The X360 is what, 2 years old and just one new model(Elite) in addition to the existing two models?


RE: Wait...
By Locutus465 on 9/10/2007 7:59:53 PM , Rating: 2
True, Sony has had more desperate taking shots in the dark kind of stuff going on than MS has... This new package + pricing plan shows this, they're desperatly trying to remake the product into something that will actually sell...

I guess what I'm just getting at is this time around, I think they have something that can sell (assuming the cheap model is not with out backwards compatibility). While they can't do anything about the discontinued models at this point, they could at least create a new marketing scheme to understand how the current products stack up to eachother.


RE: Wait...
By Keeir on 9/10/2007 11:28:26 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
The X360 is what, 2 years old and just one new model(Elite) in addition to the existing two models?


I don't think comparing the PS3 to the Xbox 360 is great. Xbox 360 several revisions already for better reason such that a "Premium" or "Pro" console will have 3 revisions within 2 years (Launch, Zephyr, Falcon?) and probably the greatest problem (having a model without a hard drive).


RE: Wait...
By peritusONE on 9/11/2007 9:02:14 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
I don't think comparing the PS3 to the Xbox 360 is great. Xbox 360 several revisions already for better reason such that a "Premium" or "Pro" console will have 3 revisions within 2 years (Launch, Zephyr, Falcon?)

Counting the internal revisions really do not count towards the discussion, because for the most part, those are invisible to the regular consumer. Only us gaming nerds on the internet even know what the word Zephyr refers to, and we make up a scarce few of total amount of consoles sold.

This is purely about what is in front of everyone's face. It is quite possible that Sony is confusing a lot of people, and it will only get worse. Will that hurt sales? Nobody knows. But would a $399 PS3 help them? I think it will help tremendously. It still has the Playstation name, and that's what people know. The biggest problem for Sony right now, IMO, is that they left the door WIDE open for Microsoft. As a Gamestop employee, our store sells many more 360 Premium systems than we do of the PS3 60GB SKU (10 to 1, easily), and the fact of the matter is, most people still do not know about the RRoD problems.


RE: Wait...
By Chaser on 9/11/2007 9:39:37 AM , Rating: 2
You're right it will. But not many will be confused. And I'm confident since you work at Gamestop you'll be able help clear up that confusion for the prospective PS3 buyer to make an informed choice :)


RE: Wait...
By therealnickdanger on 9/11/2007 1:29:05 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
...for the prospective PS3 buyer to make an informed choice

Yup: buy a 360. :P


RE: Wait...
By timmiser on 9/12/2007 1:05:12 AM , Rating: 2
It doesn't matter who you are, that was funny!!


RE: Wait...
By SaySomeThingOrDIE on 9/23/2007 3:14:56 AM , Rating: 2
The PS3 20GB and 60GB, actually have the EE chip. Which could play some PS2 games. The new upgrades 80GB and perhaps the 40GB does not include the EE chip.


If this is true...
By daftrok on 9/10/2007 3:34:05 PM , Rating: 2
Lets hope that the 40 GB model will be 100% identical to the higher end 80GB model (except for the HDD size, of course). But this move might alienate the 80 GB model. Who would pay 100 dollars more for 40 GB and Motorstorm (granted a good game, but still). I was rather looking forward to a Sony surprise, stating that the 80 GB PS3 will bundle with Motorstorm, Spiderman 3, and 5 Blu-ray Movies will not go down to $499, but instead a $399 price point. That would be some serious competition for the Elite and Premium Xbox 360 consoles, shutting the door on the overpriced PS3 for good. Then again this isn't 100% official so I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed




RE: If this is true...
By Murst on 9/10/2007 3:43:43 PM , Rating: 4
As nice as it would be to have an identical model at $400, something just doesn't feel right. I'm pretty sure they'll end up removing something, just not sure what else...

The first thing that comes to mind is support for the PS2 games (I believe there is still some hardware left in on the 80gb version, even though the EE is out). Other things that are possible is the wireless adapter.

Anyways, I hope I'm wrong :)


RE: If this is true...
By webdawg77 on 9/10/2007 3:48:56 PM , Rating: 2
From other sources, apparently the software emulation is up to over 90%. And, if your game falls in that other 10%, just play it on the PS2 :).


RE: If this is true...
By Etsp on 9/10/2007 3:50:50 PM , Rating: 2
I really, REALLY doubt that that is the only difference. If it is, it would really shoot the 80GB model in the foot. A quick look on newegg, and I see a 160gb laptop hard-drive for $89. Buy the cheaper model for $100 less, buy a hard drive twice the size of the more expensive model AND save $10.


RE: If this is true...
By Samus on 9/10/2007 4:00:17 PM , Rating: 2
For $399, I would finally buy one to replace my XBOX as a mediacenter.


RE: If this is true...
By Mitch101 on 9/10/2007 4:28:20 PM , Rating: 1
I cant see that. The homebrew on the X-box 1 is spectacular and can do some HD feeds as well. I have not seen anything remotely close to what the X-box 1 can do even on the 360.

As an example my digital camera records in quicktime and the X-box 1 plays them back nicely. Also streaming radio stations, pictures, weather, etc. The Wii has some potential and is adding some of these items but doesnt have a visual ability over the X-box 1 to replace it as a media center like the original.

Heck you can get an x-box 1 for under $50.00 just about everywhere.


RE: If this is true...
By Etsp on 9/10/2007 4:42:23 PM , Rating: 2
That may be true, but PS3 doesn't require a hack, or anything that might even void the warranty to install linux. Plus, the one place that the CBE can truly show its stuff is in media encoding/decoding. I would like to see how it handles encoding an HD stream into an h264 mp4 file.


RE: If this is true...
By MonkeyPaw on 9/10/2007 5:20:40 PM , Rating: 2
I don't think too many people worry about voiding the warranty on their original Xboxes anymore. ;)


RE: If this is true...
By Locutus465 on 9/10/2007 5:28:38 PM , Rating: 2
No offence, but since your original post implys that you already have a hacked x-box... unless you actually want to play games on the PS3 which is a different story.


RE: If this is true...
By Locutus465 on 9/10/2007 5:03:53 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, I'm thinking this is the shot in the arm that Sony will need for the PS3... It's still out of my price range, but I'm sure it just entered other peoples price ranges... I could see people wanting the extra 40GB for the video download service they're working on... I have an x-box premium right now, and I can tell you that the extra HD space would be nice to have for video market place...


The 40GB rumor...
By Legionosh on 9/10/2007 4:13:43 PM , Rating: 2
..is that the PS2 emulation will be non existent in the 40GB model.

I don't see that being the case since it's software emulation ANYWAY...so why not include it?

Personally, since the hardware between the 40GB and 80GB models should be identical with the exception of the hard drive, I am curious as to how Sony would implement this if this rumor does come to pass.

Wouldn't that require a different firmware revision for each of the two models? Or maybe a chip on the motherboard of the 40GB to prevent PS2 games from being played?

I don't see how the exclusion of PS2 emulation would benefit Sony, unless they are banking on people paying more for the 80GB if it will be the only one with the emulation capability.

(speaking of which, glad I got my 60GB when I did..anyway..)

As far as the person asking if the 40GB will have PS2 hardware, that is a question I wouldn't have even bothered asking.

With Sony looking to CUT cost every way imaginable I don't see them putting the emotion engine BACK into the 40GB. It makes NO business sense.

The way it is now, unless Sony changes the 40GB hardware to exclude PS2 emulation, then they have basically ONE motherboard to manufacture, with the only real differences being the TV output (NTSC/PAL) for the various regions.

If they DO introduce a $400 PS3 however, Microsoft will HAVE to follow suit and cut the prices to the levels that many others, myself included, originally speculated : $400 Elite, $300 Premium, $200 Core/Arcade.

Even if Microsoft does have a far better game library, if Sony CAN introduce a $400 PS3, that will DEFINITELY hurt Microsofts sales TREMENDOUSLY.

(I won't even go in to how strongly I feel that Microsoft NEEDS to SERIOUSLY drop the wireless adapter to $50, and the 20GB hard drive to $50...not to mention the 120GB to $100..but that's a different topic)

But, if as speculated/rumored above, Sony DOES exclude the PS2 emulation for WHATEVER god awful reason their management division came up with, then that could HURT Sonys chance at gaining more market share with the PS3.

(I for one am grateful for the PS2 emulation in my PS3..since their is really nothing to play on it anyway. Lair anyone?)

This IS a rumor however, and may well prove to be false (for their sake I hope it is)...but only time will tell if any of this comes to pass..

My two cents,
Kevin

legionosh@msn.com




RE: The 40GB rumor...
By zerocool84 on 9/10/2007 4:45:19 PM , Rating: 2
I really do hope they keep with some type of emulation in the 40GB model. I would definitely pick it up if it does since my PS2 is one of those infamous ones with the D.R.E. problems and I havent gotten to play many games within the past 3 years. I don't want to spend money on another PS2. I would rather get a PS3 for $399 and be able to play old PS2 games AND new PS3 games.


RE: The 40GB rumor...
By OxBow on 9/11/2007 10:15:24 AM , Rating: 2
The idea of them dropping ps2 emulation is just ridiculous. It would be more expensive for them to leave it out than to include it since they would have to code different firmware revisions. Over time, that would add up to big money.

Backwards compatibility on the PS3 for legacy titles is pretty darn good. Heaps and gobs better than anything Microsoft has offered. 90% of PS2 games run just fine with no problems at all. Of the remaining 10%, the issues are usually so minor that you would hardly notice them missing (a sound doesn't play right or something similar). Granted, for a few fans of particular games this could be a bother, but the issue's been way overblown.

I've had no problems at all, what so ever, playing legacy titles on my launch PS3. The games look great, play great, and the game saves work fine.

I think, if this rumor is true, a 40 gig PS3 would sell great. With a year on the shelves and some really great titles on the market and more coming out around the holidays, most consumer concerns will be allayed. The system is reliable, does nearly everything that Sony said it will (I'm still having trouble with the USB shoe polishing attachment, but the next firmware revision should handle it) and will continue to get better.


RE: The 40GB rumor...
By TomZ on 9/10/2007 4:50:52 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
My two cents, Kevin legionosh@msn.com

I'm just thinking, now here is a guy who doesn't get enough spam e-mail yet.


RE: The 40GB rumor...
By Legionosh on 9/11/2007 9:56:21 AM , Rating: 2
Tomz...

..I get some, but my filter(s) keep out most of it, so it's not too bad (maybe a dozen a day?)

It's there just in case someone wants to e-mail me to discuss something and what not.

Still, I guess I look at it from the perspective that I don't think someone would try to spam me just to be as a$$...I try to think people aren't that craptastic on the whole.

Kevin

legionosh@msn.com


RE: The 40GB rumor...
By Locutus465 on 9/10/2007 5:09:24 PM , Rating: 2
Well that would be a stupid thing to remove, and ease pressure on microsoft to respond some how... Considering all x-boxs offer the same level of (spotty) backwards compatibility.


Also...
By pheffern on 9/10/2007 3:55:58 PM , Rating: 5
Rumour has it that Sony will also be offering a $299 version of the console, which will include not only a copy of Spiderman 3, but also a live performance by Toby Maguire of his "I'm a bad person" dance number, also known as the dance that destroyed the franchise, or who in the name of God greenlighted this monstrosity.

Demand is expected to be low.




RE: Also...
By Samus on 9/10/2007 4:02:03 PM , Rating: 1
uhh... hah.


RE: Also...
By JWalk on 9/11/2007 2:08:15 AM , Rating: 2
That is funny. Well, it is funny now. It wasn't so funny when I was actually sitting in a theater watching that god-awful hell on earth happen on the screen. I have never felt more disappointment in a movie than I felt that night. (shivers)


RE: Also...
By theapparition on 9/11/2007 9:25:09 AM , Rating: 2
Can I buy this new console without Spiderman 3? That may sweaten the deal. :P


By Reignfyre on 9/11/2007 5:54:20 AM , Rating: 3
Please, for the love of GOD, tell me you're joking. Spider-Man 3 left a lot to be desired I will admit, but how on earth can you rank Talladega Nights as better? It is one of the most vile wastes of film I have ever had the displeasure of being forced to sit through.

As for the 40Gig itself, I definitely can not see the HDD being the only difference. It's a virtual guarantee that there are other things that will be left out. The backwards compatibility seems like a lock to be left out. The only other thing I could see them leaving out would be the wireless internet access.


By bkm32 on 9/11/2007 8:46:00 AM , Rating: 2
Dear Lord Baby Jesus, please smite this man for bad-mouthin' Ricky Bobby and crew. Amen.


another liquidation sale?
By nerdye on 9/10/2007 3:27:45 PM , Rating: 2
Maybe sony will sell discounted 400$ ps3's with 40gb hard drives to clear out all their backstock of 2.5 40 gig drives! Although this does make me interested in ps3, I don't doubt that sony could screw this one up too.




RE: another liquidation sale?
By Etsp on 9/10/2007 3:48:32 PM , Rating: 2
I really, REALLY doubt that that is the only difference. If it is, it would really shoot the 80GB model in the foot. A quick look on newegg, and I see a 160gb laptop hard-drive for $89. Buy the cheaper model for $100 less, buy a hard drive twice the size of the more expensive model AND save $10.


RE: another liquidation sale?
By Etsp on 9/10/2007 3:50:22 PM , Rating: 2
Replied to the wrong post... I understand the desire to not have an edit button, but what about a "can an admin please delete this post for reasons other than covering up the fact that I was proven wrong?" button. That would be nice


Deep in the hole
By encryptkeeper on 9/10/2007 4:50:05 PM , Rating: 2
This is of course still speculation. Keep in mind there is either a difference in the system that this article didn't elaborate on, or Sony's going to have some seriously pissed investors. The price difference between a 40 and an 80 gig is ~ $15.00. So, to go from 599 (I say 599 because the 80 has yet to drop to the 499 price point) to 399...with only a 15 buck difference is more of a desperate move, mainly from the fact that they have no killer titles for the holiday season.




RE: Deep in the hole
By Murst on 9/10/2007 5:06:50 PM , Rating: 2
From the release point of view, the PS3 isn't doing bad at all.

- R&C Future looks very promising.
- Home has a LOT of potential (I'm not really into "the sims", but a lot of people are)
- rock band will be better on a PS3 (if the rumors are correct, the 360 version will come with wired guitars, while PS3 will be wireless)
- GT Prologue

Sure, there is no "Halo 3" on the list, but any of the above could turn out to be huge successes on the PS3. There's also other titles such as Uncharted that may be decent. Also, next year isn't looking too bad for the PS3, and although this holiday season seems to be better for the 360, the PS3 is definetally hanging in there.


RE: Deep in the hole
By Legionosh on 9/11/2007 10:38:45 AM , Rating: 2
..Just fyi...

I know for a fact that the Guitar Hero 3 controllers will be wireless, so I don't see why Rock Band would be offering wired controllers...

..but if so they need to be shot. That seems to be a silly thing to do with your competition offering a wireless version.

....Hmm. I just read that Rock Bands 360 controller IS confirmed to be wired.

That has to be the most idiotic thing they could've done. I would like to know the reasoning behind that (I am aware of Microsofts tight rein on the wireless tech in the 360, but come on..was the licensing so much that they'd opt to forgo wireless completely?)

There ARE rumors of a wireless controller for the 360 version of Rock Band, but it looks like it will cost $20 more than the PS3 wireless controller..

For shame...

Anyway..

Home : Looks like it could be promising, but since this nets Sony ZERO dollars I don't necessarily see this helping them from a financial point of view. Not to mention I don't see ANYONE buying a PS3 for HOME. So the affect it will have on the PS3 is minimal at best IMO.

R&C : Looks like it could be pretty fun, but not everyone likes platformers (much in the same way not everyone likes FPS or racing games). I am not the most skilled at platformers myself and have actually never played a R&C game for more than 2 minutes (and I've owned a PS2 since launch day).

GT Prologue : Does look very nice indeed. Now heres hoping it has gameplay worthy of it looks. Forza 2 kills GT in that department. It is nice to look at though.

I hope the PS3 does well, since mine is doing nothing but playing PS2 games and Blu-Ray movies at the moment.

Kevin

legionosh@msn.com


Can't wait
By Murst on 9/10/2007 3:39:27 PM , Rating: 2
I already have a PS3, but I can't wait for the price cut. Sony needs to sell more of these systems so that third-party developers focus more on the system.

Who knows.. maybe at $400, Sony can even catch up to the 360. If the 360 can sell 10 million units at 400$ (or close to it), Sony *should* be able to as well.




RE: Can't wait
By Legionosh on 9/11/2007 11:00:49 AM , Rating: 3
In theory Sony indeed *should* be able to, but they won't have it as easy as Microsoft did.

When the 360 launched Microsoft had no next gen competition. If you wanted next gen you bought a 360 (as myself and all of my friends did).

With the PS3, not only do they have to compete with the 360 (which has a 10million+ user base not to mention the best next gen game library out there by far), but also with the Wii (whose general populas appeal and uber low price point (well comparatively speaking anyway) have pushed it to the top of the sales charts in a years time (if not less).

Sony definitely has it's work cut out for them this time around.

From a technical perspective the PS3 is one nice piece of hardware, it's just a shame there's nothing really worth playing on it (my PS3 plays PS2 games and Blu-Ray movies at the moment).

I hope they do well (although I have to say that their utter arrogance sure seems to be biting them in the rear at the moment. Maybe next time they'll realize the general public doesn't want to pay $600 for a system. It's been shown with the 3DO and the Neo Geo (the Neo had other issues like cart cost of up to $200 but that's besides the point).

Am I the only one who realized that if the PS3 had launched with DVD as opposed to Blu-Ray they could've :

A) probably launched several months earlier

B) launched at a price point of near or at $400

C) not had to deal with the situation they are in now

While the extra storage is indeed handy, it isn't NECESSARY for making a quality game. It's JUST as easy (if not easier) to make a bad on Blu-Ray as it is ANY OTHER MEDIUM.

For example, Bioshock has been getting 9s and 10s across the board. It's an excellent game. DVD9 seems to be more than sufficient.

Could it have benefited from Blu-Ray? Maybe, but here's something to consider.

All the PS3 fanboys say "with Blu-Ray you can have uber long games, extra content, etc..".

What they don't factor in is the fact that adding all that extra content COST the developer and Publisher time AND money.

Do they think dev X will make a game 2-3 times longer by using all the space on Blu-Ray without charging for it? They would lose their A$$$ES financially. A+ titles can cost in the tens of millions to produce as it is (and with the smaller user base the devs would have a hard time earning back the invested money).

Anyway didn't mean to rant, just wanted to a few (hopefully valid) points.

My two cents,
Kevin

legionosh@msn.com


Just about the right time
By webdawg77 on 9/10/2007 3:20:59 PM , Rating: 2
I would definitely consider picking up the 40GB version for $399. I paid that much for the 360. Especially with some of the upcoming games, mainly FF13, it would be just about the time to buy it.




RE: Just about the right time
By FITCamaro on 9/10/2007 3:42:43 PM , Rating: 2
I agree that that price is definitely a lot more attractive. And might actually put me in the mindset of wanting to own one. But I really don't think it'll get that cheap just yet. Not with standalone Blu-ray players still being $500. They'd be taking an enormous loss on it on top of what they're already losing. No one in their right mind would buy the 80GB either when an identical (sans hard drive) model was $100 cheaper.

And will prompt Microsoft to cut the 360 to the prices it should have gone to. $200 for the Core, $300 for the Premium, and $400 for the Elite (maybe $350 to be cheaper than the PS3 and since its just a hard drive and color difference).


I will have to think about this
By Mitch101 on 9/10/2007 4:24:46 PM , Rating: 3
I will have to think about getting one at $399.00. As I see it $200.00 for the price of a set top HD-DVD player so this is like spending $200.00 more to have a PS3.

The problem being that two major movie companies are moving away from Blue Ray over to HD-DVD. Or I could buy both and be able to watch either format for $600.00 total which isnt bad but if one side fails that was a possible waste.

But the more I think about it the more I will wait. Once they drop the price to $399.00 they wont raise it back up. Without a true winner on either format I have to say I would take a chance on spending $200.00 on the HD-DVD unit with 7 free movies over spending $400.00. Its a tough call.

For the games there isnt a game on the PS3 that I must have yet over my PC especially with Gears of War coming for the PC so I dont have value in the PS3 yet as a gaming machine.

Now I wonder will Microsoft finally put a HD-DVD player in the 360 instead of it being an add on? While you might get more technology from the purchase of a PS3 you get more and I have to say better games for the 360 currently.

Tough Call.




RE: I will have to think about this
By mars777 on 9/11/2007 12:14:19 AM , Rating: 1
I'm sure that in 3 years from now the titles and killer titles will be even on the consoles...
And people who whine about killer titles don't enjoy games anyway.

A true gamer doesn't need a killer HALO3 to immerse himself into the game, it just needs a good game of his preferred genre.

For the record: my preferred genre is Fantasy RPG and of the FPS genre I'd be willing to test UT3 in multiplayer mode. The general STORM of FPSes pisses me off a bit since the industry focuses a lot more on them that i'd like to, and other genres are cared less.


Will this have the PS2 hardware built in?
By Bioniccrackmonk on 9/10/2007 3:32:54 PM , Rating: 2
Probably not, but perfect if it does.




By bkm32 on 9/11/2007 8:47:21 AM , Rating: 1
At $99.00 (rumored), just pick 'em both up.


Forget the Hard Drive
By Razgriz20 on 9/11/2007 10:22:39 AM , Rating: 1
Instead of 40gb, Sony should do away with the hard drive to drive down the price and make it more enticing to gamers. Since you can use a standard hard drive with the PS3, gamers can now choose what capacity they want.




RE: Forget the Hard Drive
By Legionosh on 9/11/2007 4:34:01 PM , Rating: 2
Well you can use a standard 2.5"/notebook hard drive. A normal desktop 3.5" hard drive will not fit however.

(they are more expensive and don't really come in sizes over 250GB yet, just fyi)

So you want customers to have to open their console and install the hard drive themselves? While I've been building computers since the early 90s and can do this backwards, blindfolded with my toes, the average non tech savvy customer usually isn't too fond up opening up his/her BRAND NEW piece of $400-$600 electronic equipment.

Gamers can choose the capacity they want now anyway since the hard drive is user replaceable. Standardizing a hard drive on every console makes the game developers job 400% easier (something I wish Microsoft would've standardized on early on, heck even now standardization would be nice..)

You want Sony to entice more gamers? Make sure one of your most talked about and most highly anticipated titles (since the system seems to be severely lacking in the games department at the moment) doesn't get a 4.5 on Gamespot (Lair). While there are higher scores out there Gamespot IS one of the most respected review sites on the internet. Regardless of what some people say they tend to not play favorites and usually tell it like it is.

X-Play, while not the most dependable source for reviews (although I do watch it for Morgan Webb) opted NOT to give Lair a 1 out of 5 (out of kindness) because technically the game CAN be completed (they reserve the 1 out of 5 for games that are broken and unplayable). They gave Lair a 2.

Heavenly Sword faired much better on Gamespot with an 8.0, but even so this was supposed to be the MEGA HUGE breakout UBER title. It was supposed to be the title that finally showed what the PS3 can do. It can be beaten in as little as 6 hours. Sure it's a good game, but not seemingly a GREAT game.

I guess Sonys claims of "Blu-Ray = Magical Gaming goodness" have yet to be fulfilled.

Meanwhile Bioshock has been getting 9's and 10's across the board. Just something to show that Blu-Ray is NOT needed for a great game (we've had great games for years without Blu-Ray..I don't see why it's all of sudden become "impossible" (according to Sony anyway) to make a great game without Blu-Ray).

(but as we've seen it's easy to make a crappy one isn't it)

(and YES I own a PS3 and 360, but the PS3 only plays PS2 games and Blu-Ray movies since theres nothing really worth buying on the system in my opinion. My 360 has Blue Dragon, Halo 3, Eternal Sonata, Mass Effect, PGR4, etc all coming within the next 2 months..just fyi, since Assassins Creed is multi platform I decided to be nice and not include that one as well. The list of games was long enough)

My two Cents,
Kevin

legionosh@msn.com


I hate settling for less, but
By Polynikes on 9/10/2007 6:42:02 PM , Rating: 2
At least I can get a nerfed PS3 for cheaper now, it looks like. I'll just buy a bigger HDD myself.




By Aerius on 9/10/2007 7:50:44 PM , Rating: 2
.. the ps3 has little to no A-grade titles that are exclusive.




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