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PlayStation (Games) The Almighty Buck

40GB PS3 Coming to the States 105

Posted by Zonk from the stop-monkeying-with-the-hard-drive-size-already dept.
Sony Computer Entertainment of America has finally confirmed that the 40GB PlayStation 3 sku will be released in the US. This release will coincide with a price drop on the 80GB sku, from $600 to $500. "The 40-gigabyte model has already made its debut in Europe and Japan, and was widely expected to come to the United States ahead of the crucial year-end shopping season that accounts for the largest single chunk of annual video game software and hardware sales." (Via GI.biz)
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40GB PS3 Coming to the States More

40GB PS3 Coming to the States

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  • Yawn (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Eponymous Crowbar ( 974055 )
    Wake me up when a compelling game comes out. I've heard decent things about Heavenly Sword, but it isn't my cup of tea. Everything else _so far_ has been a disappointment, delayed until 2008, or I can play it on another system.

    • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

      by WhatAmIDoingHere ( 742870 ) *
      Heavenly Sword is great if you need a game to kill about 4-5 hours with. But paying $500 (or whatever the PS3 costs) plus the $70 for the game for 4-5 hours of gameplay.. Give me my Wii, which for under $500 I've been playing constantly since it came out.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by morari ( 1080535 )
        What the game really $70?! Is that what consoles games are going for nowadays? Geeze, I used to think $40 was too expensive. Most video games aren't worth much more than $20-$30 in my opinion.

        • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

          by AuMatar ( 183847 )
          The cost of high def- more time on engine development and art asset development means higher costs to make a game. And that cost is passed on. Wii games are cheaper, in part because they don't need to do HD.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by morari ( 1080535 )
            That sounds like a bunch of marketing BS to me, hoping to justify outrageous prices. Movies cost a helluva lot more to make and don't cost near that much to buy (and usually cost less to rent as well!). Of course, again, I personally think that the asking price of $20 is too expensive for most films too. :P
          • Except that PC games have been basically high def (and non-interlaced) for longer than the past two generations of consoles and typically debut at $50-$60. And have had lower numbers than console games over the same time period.

            The games need to sell in great enough volume to pay for their production. If the price is too high to sell enough copies, they will not even break even. Obviously, $70 is not too high as enough people are paying this price to keep the game makers in business.
        • The game is $60. Console games cost $60 these days, PC games still cost $50.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by donaldm ( 919619 )
          I live in Australia and PS3, Wii and Xbox360 games cost about the same that being AU$99 (US$89) including taxes. Note I am quoting for a similar popular game across all platforms although to be fair the Wii games are approx 5% to 10% cheaper but while PS3 and Xbox360 games do drop significantly by approx 30% to 50% within six months the Wii games remain at a high price for much longer. Of course if the game is a stinker the price of game drops quickly so the retailer can just get rid of the game.

          Personall
        • Yeah, and you could get a hamburger for a nickel!

          Seriously, though, there's this thing called "inflation." Many games for SNES were $60 new, which means if you're buying a game today for $60, a game with dozens more programmers, super-high res textures and graphics, an actual rock band providing the music, you're basically getting a great deal.

          Of course, all posts like yours can be countered with a simple, "an item is worth what people are willing to pay for it. Period." The most basic rule of economics.

      • Re: (Score:1, Troll)

        by brkello ( 642429 )
        Why does a troll get modded up? Because it mentions the Wii?
        • Just because someone says something you don't like doesn't make them a troll. All he said was that a game is nice but not worth the cost of the PS3.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by brkello ( 642429 )
            No, it's a troll because he puts things in there that are factually inaccurate. I am fine when people say things I don't agree with...but I am tired of the FUD.
          • No it is a troll, there no justification its pure negitive opinion made in a thread about the PS3. Its no different to going into the Ubunutu story and posting "I don't like Ubunutu" he never said it wasn't worth the cost of the PS3 or even that the game was nice.

            Personnally I agree in part, there is no single great game on the PS3 which justifies the price tag, however there are a bunch of really good games which together do, from Motorstorm,Resistance,Dirt,Heavenly Sword and Oblivion (the only games I'

            • Re: (Score:1)

              by Dev59 ( 953144 )
              Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction comes out next week. And a month from then, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune comes out. Those look like the first two great PS3 games.

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Dev59 ( 953144 )
        This gets modded up? Really? He adds $10 to the price and lies about the length of the game and he gets modded up as interesting? Heavenly Sword is a short game, yes. But it has no fluff at all and at an absolute minimum is still going to take six hours, with most people taking seven. It's not technically possible to beat the game in 4-5 hours. It's just not.
        • "Heavenly Sword is, as you will soon discover, the very definition of a rental title. Clocking in at somewhere between five and six hours (depending on your appetite for overwrought cinemas) it's a decent game saddled by impossible expectations. It has silly ideas and grandeur in close proximity to one another."

          -Tycho http://www.penny-arcade.com/2007/09/12 [penny-arcade.com]

          I was off by about an hour. Does that extra 60 minutes make it any more worth buying? How about the lack of replayability? Yeah.

          And the price.. I

    • In the next month or so: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Tony ( 765 )
      Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
      Haze
      Assassin's Creed (also for the 360)

      Stay away from Conan, if the whole game is anything like the demo. It seemed like a cheezy ripoff of God of War. (Which is different from Heavenly Sword, which is an excellent ripoff of God of War.)

      Depends on your definition of "compelling." Me, I absolutely love my PS3. It's the best money I've ever wasted. (Granted, the Wii was a pretty damned good waste of money, too.) I play the hell out of Warhawk.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by feepness ( 543479 )
      There are others, but if you only need one: Warhawk.

      Bagging on the PS3 for lack of games is so six months ago...

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by ch0ad ( 1127549 )
      warhawk! it is a fantastic game!

      HS is indeed very good, especially on hell mode. normal mode is way too easy

      also gripshift (possibly the most underrated game on the ps3) and tekken DR.

  • And now.... (Score:3, Funny)

    by ivan256 ( 17499 ) on Thursday October 18, 2007 @01:06PM (#21028519)
    Cue the scores of posters from previous threads who claimed that Sony wasn't planning a drop on the 80GB PS3 when the 60GB models ran out flooding this story with admissions that they were wrong...

    • flooding this story with admissions that they were wrong...
      Wait, people on slashdot can be wrong? And humble enough to admit it?

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Grave ( 8234 )
        Actually I predicted Sony wouldn't cut the price again, and I was wrong. I hereby cease attempting to predict Sony's actions, as all previous console price strategies have been well thought out and planned far in advance. Sony is no longer following this route, and is reacting rather jumpily. I would hope that the 80GB w/ Motorstorm remains $499 and the 40GB remains $399, with no price changes or discontinuations, but at this point I'm not going to expect it.

        Now, will this "price cut" and new model actua

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by DrXym ( 126579 )
      It was quite obvious back then that Sony were going to drop the 80Gb when the 60Gb sold out. It was also quite obvious why they wouldn't wish to say this either since it might impact sales of 80Gb models.

      I really don't understand why anyone would think Sony were dropping the price temporarily and then going to hike it back up.

      • I really don't understand why anyone would think Sony were dropping the price temporarily and then going to hike it back up.
        Well I wouldn't have thought so until you mentioned it. After all, Sony have done a lot of strange things this generation. Though I do admit that they seem to be trying to fix it.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by DrXym ( 126579 )
          Sony did bungle the original price and sent so terribly confusing mixed messages from their various world groups. But they do seem to be more focussed, so hopefully that is a good thing. Certainly they appear to be using their official blog to communicate news in a coherent way.

          Concerning the way Sony is behaving with pricing... most companies want you to buy what's in store right now rather than wait for a price drop or a new model. Otherwise the stuff in the store isn't going to sell as fast. Therefore

  • From what I know of the European and Japanese versions, there will be no backwards compatibility and no memory card ports.

  • Where is my 500 gig PS3? (Score:4, Insightful)

    by BiggestPOS ( 139071 ) on Thursday October 18, 2007 @01:07PM (#21028545) Homepage
    With the drives now RETAILING for around $100, I can't imagine why 40 gig drives are still being made. What is the point where the overall cost of the materials reaches the floor and the drives can't get any cheaper? Seriously, a 40 gig hard-drive is just laughable, they must be using up over-stock or putting refurbs in. Are single platter drives with that little capacity even being produced anymore in the 3.5" form factor?

    • Re:Where is my 500 gig PS3? (Score:5, Informative)

      by ivan256 ( 17499 ) on Thursday October 18, 2007 @01:14PM (#21028697)
      They use 2.5" drives, so you can't really get 500GB for $100... 40GB per head/platter-side is still the knee in the price curve on 2.5" drives.... A recent change from 30GB (Hence the move from the 60GB PS3 to the 80GB model).

      Regardless, user-upgrade of the hard drive in the PS3 is an officially supported process. If you want bigger, you can have it.
      • Ok, so they need to man-up and put a 3.5 inch drive in the thing somehow (make it bigger, thats fine with me) because that amount of drive space is simply inadequate, IMHO.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by ucblockhead ( 63650 )
      1) Buy a 500 GB USB drive for $109.
      2) Plug it into the PS3's USB port.
      3) Profit!

    • Re: (Score:1, Funny)

      by yulon ( 1176001 )


      I am trying the stupid site, I hate everyone... I would like to kill everyone for the sake of sport. Fuck you all, I hate everyone!!!

    • Re: (Score:1, Insightful)

      by Anonymous Coward
      If you want it so much, make it yourself. Buy a 2.5in 500GB SATA drive and stick it in a PS3.

      BTW, the reason PS3's are still so expensive despite the small hard drive is because of the price on Blu-Ray drive, both PS3's saviour and it's curse.

  • No Backwards Compatibilty == No Thanks... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by nweaver ( 113078 ) on Thursday October 18, 2007 @01:08PM (#21028555) Homepage
    Sorry, no backwards compatibilty == No Thanks.

    I've got a lot of PS2 games still, and I won't be getting rid of em. But there isn't space in my entertainment center housing for a PS2 and a PS3, especially since the PS3 can't have anything stacked on it because of its curvosity.
    • Backwards compatibility has always been a nice perk, but seriously, I rarely ever use it. I think I used backwards capabilities on the ps2 to play ff tactics, and thats it. I think people put too much value in it. Besides, if you want backwards capability, you can still get it. Just cough up the extra 100

      • Re:No Backwards Compatibilty == No Thanks... (Score:5, Interesting)

        by trdrstv ( 986999 ) on Thursday October 18, 2007 @01:26PM (#21028909)

        Backwards compatibility has always been a nice perk, but seriously, I rarely ever use it. I think I used backwards capabilities on the ps2 to play ff tactics, and thats it. I think people put too much value in it. Besides, if you want backwards capability, you can still get it. Just cough up the extra 100

        Some people put A LOT of value in it. In fact if the PS3 didn't have either BluRay, or Backwords compatibility I would have zero reason to get one. As of now I'm waiting until "Some magical time in 2008" when the exclusives worth buying hit, until then I'm watching Movies, and playing PS2 games upscaled on it.

        • There are plenty of exclusives already for the PS3 and more to come this holiday season.

          Warhawk, Resistance, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Heavenly Sword, Lair, Folklore, Ratchet and Clank, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune of the top of my head.

          Sure, HS and Lair should be rentals, but the rest are great exclusives, maybe not so-called "AAA", but definitely worth a buy. Xbox 360 itself only has several "AAA" exclusives.

          To say that the PS3 "has no games" is basically spewing Microsoft FUD.
          • I'm most looking forward to Little Big Planet. It looks like heaps of fun.

            If Sony remade ICO, Shadow of the Colossus, and Katamari Damarcy, specifically for High Definition, I would snap up a PS3 today!

            Lastly, about the backward compatibility issue, I'm happy for Sony to remove it from one model, as long as they always keep a model available that keeps it. I'm quite happy to pay an extra $50 for the PS3, to have it replace my PS2, instead of having to keep both side by side.

            • Re: (Score:2)

              by Genom ( 3868 )
              360 got the first HD Katamari game - came out this week, actually. Still as fun as the original, just looks a heckuva lot nicer.
      • It's not JUST PS2 backwards compatability. It's Backwards compatibility upscaled to HiDef, and with wireless (albeit rumble-less) controllers. The lag on my LCD TV is quite noticable playing non-progressive scan PS2 games on a real PS2, and maybe playing them on a PS3 in my TV's native resolution would allieve that somewhat, so yes, I want backwards compatibility in my PS3 when I eventually get one. Still waiting on some games to make me make the jump though. Eye of Judgment looks interesting, so that m

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by rwven ( 663186 )
      For people like myself who never owned a PS2 that isn't an issue...

      My main gripe with the system is that they don't ship it with component cables and then charge you $50 more than a 360 which DOES come with the cables.

      A $400 system definitely sounds better than the $600 one.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by eln ( 21727 )
        Even for people that have never owned a PS2 (like me) backwards compatibility is a big deal, because games for new systems are EXPENSIVE and games for older systems are CHEAP. There are some excellent PS2 titles out there retailing for around $20. I get most of the use out of my Wii by playing GameCube games on it (even though I've never owned a GameCube) because I can buy GC games far more frequently than I can buy Wii games, which cost 50 bucks each. PS3 games cost around $60 each, so this is even more

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by trdrstv ( 986999 )

          Even for people that have never owned a PS2 (like me) backwards compatibility is a big deal, because games for new systems are EXPENSIVE and games for older systems are CHEAP. There are some excellent PS2 titles out there retailing for around $20. I get most of the use out of my Wii by playing GameCube games on it (even though I've never owned a GameCube) because I can buy GC games far more frequently than I can buy Wii games, which cost 50 bucks each. PS3 games cost around $60 each, so this is even more o

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by rwven ( 663186 )
          To each his own though. I own a 360 and other than Halo2, I've never had an XBOX1 game. I don't even have Halo2 anymore. What's valuable and what's expensive are different to different people.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by trdrstv ( 986999 )

            To each his own though. I own a 360 and other than Halo2, I've never had an XBOX1 game. I don't even have Halo2 anymore. What's valuable and what's expensive are different to different people.

            You may want to pick up Max Payne then (1 & 2). Both games are real good, work under the 360's BC well and scale very nice. As an added bonus it's like $5-$8 for both of them used.

    • If you want backwards compatibility go buy a 60 gig before they run out.

  • But what about ... (Score:3, Informative)

    by trevorrowe ( 689310 ) on Thursday October 18, 2007 @01:13PM (#21028695) Homepage
    What about all of those $500 60GB PS3 units still sitting on the shelves. Will they get a price drop? IMHO the 60GB is the most appealing, as it still plays PS1/2 games w/out emulation.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by ivan256 ( 17499 )
      I'm guessing they're pretty rare at this point.

      All the stores around here that' I've seen only have 80GB bundle packs right now.

      I'm sure you can still find a few if you try, but they'll be gone soon.
    • I believe sony already dumped their 60 gig inventory, so any price drop would be from the retailer, not sony.

    • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

      by rhartness ( 993048 )
      Simple they will remain at $500 (if they exists). Purchasers will see both for $500 and opt for the 60GBer because its the same price and has more space. Retailers will place them side-by-side in the kiosks so that their buyer will surely see the two models and will draw the conclusion.

      That, my friend, is how they clean out your old stock. I've seen GameStop do this type of thing before with New games that are old rather frequently. They actually drop the price of new games that are no longer availab

  • With GTAIV pushed back to 08.... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by the computer guy nex ( 916959 ) on Thursday October 18, 2007 @01:14PM (#21028699)
    What SOFTWARE will help push the hardware? 360 is still cheaper and has more great games being released in a 3 month span (Bioshock, Halo3, Mass Effect) than any PS3 game.

    Also don't count out the Madden effect. Since EA couldn't get the game working right on PS3 (30FPS!!!) the 360 looks even better. Price cut won't hurt the Wii at all either.
    • Software is great, but I've never had a game that didn't lock up numerous times on my 360. It's to the point that I don't even use it for anything but playing movies now (those never seem to lock up). If I had it to do over again, I'd have gotten a PS3 instead. Or a Wii, but finding one of those is like trying to catch the Tooth Fairy leaving money under your pillow.
      • I've never had a game lock up on me, and none of my friends who own a 360 have ever mentioned anything of the sort. If game lockups were a common occurrence, you can bet that the game review and news sites would be all over it too. I'd bet that your 360 has poorly-mounted heat sinks, or is possibly in an area where it can't get adequate airflow. If it's just an airflow issue, put the 360 somewhere with good ventilation. If that's not it, then hit up MS for a replacement, newer units and refurbs have imp
        • psst... 360 failures are common [computerworld.com] and ARE [google.com] all over news sites.
          • Yes, but those are Red Ring of Death issues, which normally doesn't manifest itself as a game lockup. I know, I'm on my second 360. Game lockups on the 360 are a result of poor coding and QC. Call of Duty 3 locked up alot until a great patch was issued (under rated game for online MP IMHO) and The Orange Box also locked up frequently until its first patch came out, hopefully its second will fix lag issues. My guess its the game he is playing...it could be some other problem though (like bad hardware). Wra

    • 360 is still cheaper and has more great games being released in a 3 month span (Bioshock, Halo3, Mass Effect) than any PS3 game.
      You are right of course. The 360 does have more games coming out than any PS3 game. They are just not developing PS3 games for PS3 games.

      I have to say I don't even think the timespan matters.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by account_deleted ( 4530225 )
      Comment removed based on user account deletion
      • Yeah but we've been hearing this argument for almost 1 year now (Lair is just around the corner!), and yet no one besides a few hardcore fanboys have bought the PS3. NPD numbers for the 360 show 5 days in September (Halo 3 launch on Sept 25) put the 360 above the Wii in units sold. Unreal. The PS3 needs games, and the games you listed are NOT system sellers not matter how hard you want them to be.

  • Woot? (Score:3, Funny)

    by Kirin Fenrir ( 1001780 ) on Thursday October 18, 2007 @01:28PM (#21028927)
    Hooray, another PS3 I can choose not to buy!

  • from impossible to improbable (Score:3, Interesting)

    by 192939495969798999 ( 58312 ) <infoNO@SPAMdevinmoore.com> on Thursday October 18, 2007 @01:33PM (#21029017) Homepage Journal
    All this price cut does is highlight the fact that you can still get a Wii and a few games or accessories for that price. Add in the new first-person sword/lightsaber action here now or coming soon, and I can't imagine any kid that wouldn't rather get a wii. Super-realistic graphics on a car racing game pale in enjoyment compared to reinacting famous swordfights with virtual characters.
    • I can't help but feel that as PS3 (and 360) adoption increases, wii owners will realise that they're a generation behind and the novelty value (The Wiimote is just a novelty IMHO)will wear off. I already know people who are kicking themselves for believing the hype and buying one. Fair enough if that's your thing, but for many it may just be an "ooh, shiny!" moment.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by AuMatar ( 183847 )
        THis is called "projection". Its actually the opposite- most Wii owners are very happy with their purchase. Playing witht he wiimote is *fun*. Meanwhile Sony and MS offer the same experience we've had for the past 10 years since the PS1 era, with slightly shinier graphics (or so they claim- quite turthfully, I barely see a difference between hd and sd). And charging hundreds of dollars to do so. No thanks, I'll take my Wii any day of the week- something new is better than the same old shit. If I wa
        • I thought the same thing for the first week I had a Wii. don't get me wrong, when people come over its fun to bowl, but I own 2 dozen 360 games and 3 Wii games. FYI the 360 outsold the Wii for September, and Halo 3 was only out for 5 days. The Wii fad is on the way out, but it is a nice toy.
        • Isn't your opinion exactly the same type of projection the OP was engaging in?

          I know I've tried the Wii and waving a stick around isn't more fun that using a controller. It's more exercise, though.
    • I swear MS and Sony are paying LucasArts boat loads of money to keep lightsabers off the Wii as much as possible.
    • Yeah, got a Wii and PS3. The Wii's lost its novelty. How many ways can you milk the same trick?

  • Space Left? (Score:2, Funny)

    by pembo13 ( 770295 )
    Is there any more space on store shelves for more PS3s?

  • This is great (Score:3, Interesting)

    by abigor ( 540274 ) on Thursday October 18, 2007 @02:05PM (#21029619)
    I don't care about backwards compatibility. I just want a cheapish Blu-Ray player and kick-ass game machine. I don't own a 360, so I don't care if the games are exclusives or not, just so long as they are fun to play and look amazing. There are a bunch of games out there for the PS3 that seem to fall into this category, and lots more planned, so this new PS3 variant seems pretty good to me.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by vonPoonBurGer ( 680105 )
      To be honest, I think you're nuts. I can't imagine buying a PS3 when there are so many top-notch 360-only or 360-and-PC-only titles available right now. The only top-shelf title the PS3 currently has access to is Oblivion, everything else is essentially good [metacritic.com] but not great [metacritic.com]. Furthermore, with only 17% [vgchartz.com] of the next-gen market currently, the PS3 has a lot of ground to make up. The quirky and interesting games that represent a risky investment for publishers are going to show up on the system(s) with the larg
      • I disagree. There are precious few 360-only titles available. Halo 3 is one, Forza is close to, but not quite, another. Really, I think the 360 has as many good games for it as the PS3. The really good games are still forthcoming on the 360, just as much as on the PS3 (Mass Effect, Fable 2). The game library for either system is weak (much as I love Halo 3, that alone isn't a reason to buy a 360).
        • Agreed. With the exception of Halo 3 and Bioshock, (and the EA debacle w/r/t sports that I don't play anyway)... there's nothing on the 360 that I can't get on a PS3. Yes, indeed there are future exclusives that might be forthcoming, but from what I've read and seen... nothing earth-shattering (and certainly nothing that would make me hock my PS3 so I can get even more 360 games...eheh)

          I frequently choose the PS3 version when multiplatform games are released.. unless there's a compelling reason that it's b

      • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

        by abigor ( 540274 )
        Yeah, true, but the 360 won't play Blu-Ray movies. That's the dealbreaker. There are enough good games for this casual gamer to make the PS3 worth it right now.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by xero314 ( 722674 )

        I wouldn't want to buy into a platform that is unlikely to see this generation's Guitar Hero, or Katamari, or Shadow of the Colossus.

        Guitar Hero is already slated for release on the PS3 as is Rock Band. Katamari is a sad loss but will hopefully get released for PS3 once the publisher sees it undergoing the same effect as Oddworld had when they changed platforms. Shadow of the Colossus is developed and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, good luck seeing it's successor be released on another system. Not to mention the development of LittleBigPlanet which is certainly the most quirky game currently announced for any system.

        Sony

    • Goes to show you how many fanboy mods are on Slashdot.

      Several posts that argue in favour of backwards compatibility both get +5, while a post that argues that it's not important gets only +3.

      Both are equally valid points.

      We've got the usual cry of "no games!!11!!", but we haven't heard how much the XBox 360 breaks down, or the lack of value from a wireless and online play perspective.

      Goes to show you that we've got fanboys running the show.

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