PS3 Price Dropped After All
What's that word, when people say one thing and do another?
Sony president Ryoji Chubachi was adamant when he told reporters last week that the company had "no plans" to drop the price of the PlayStation 3 soon. Apparently he missed the memo, because that's precisely what Sony has done.
On Monday the company confirmed what has been widely rumoured over the past few days, that the PlayStation 3 would have $100 shaved off its retail price in the US.
The 60 GB model will now sell for $499 in the US. Sony also announced that it would introduce a new top-end model, one equipped with an 80 GB hard drive, while will sell for $599. This new version will also be bundled with hit racing game MotorStorm when it arrives in August.
Sony has been under pressure for months now to trim the price of its console, most notably from several third-party publishers, such as Sega and Ubisoft. The company is currently lagging behind both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii.
Sony has not commented on the possibility that the now-cheaper 60 GB model will be phased out in favour of the 80 GB model, as the cheaper 20 GB model did before.
So far it's only the US that is confirmed to be getting a price drop, but a Sony spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the company would have something to announce for Europeans at its press conference in Los Angeles at this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare