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Sony finally offers the PS3 for $299. PS3 Slim to hit stores in Sept. (IMG: SCEA/J.Anderson)
After months of speculation, experts and pundits telling the masses that Sony would lower the cost of the PS3 only to see the price remain fixed, rumors are once again hitting the wires this week about a slimmer PS3 and a price drop. Now, rumor is fact, thanks to the press conference from Sony at the gamescom show in Cologne, Germany. We’ve added images and video for easy access to information.
Kaz Hirai, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., confirmed during the press conference that the PlayStation 3 will sell for $299 USD, €299 Euro, and ¥29,980 Yen. (The 160GB version of the PS3 is slashed to $399 USD)
The PS3 120 GB Slim edition, which is deeper in form factor than the original PS3, but about one-third smaller and lighter, will launch on September 1 for the same price points. The Slim edition also includes a tune-up to the internal guts of the system, where the semiconductors, cooling mechanism, and power supply are all redesigned. The specs on the system say it will use two-thirds less power, and have reduced fan noise. If you own a Sony Bravia television, the “Bravia Sync” feature in the new Slim PS3 will allow you the option to control it using the television remote.
“Effective immediately, the PlayStation 3, the world’s greatest gaming system, is available for $299 dollars all over the world,” said SCEA President and CEO Jack Tretton.
“As you know, with the original PlayStation and PlayStation 2, we announced revisions of the hardware in the third and fourth years. We’re very pleased, that short of its third birthday, the PlayStation 3 has achieved tremendous milestones, which allowed is to bring out this new form factor and pass on those savings to consumers. Giving them the opportunity to buy this state of the art gaming system at half the price that it originally debuted at in October of 2006,” added Tretton.
Related to the PS3 announcements is confirmation that the PS3 firmware is being upgraded to version 3.0. According to Sony, the firmware update adds several new features including navigation on the PS3 itself. “What’s New” will replace the “Information Board”, and there is also the addition of a Status Indicator, which shows things like user icon, friend icon, number or friends, and message indicator. We’ve added the announcement video below.
Also announced during the press conference is that the PSP will come in two new colors, Turquoise Green and Blossom Pink, starting in November. For those who want an easy way to add funds to the PlayStation Network wallet, there will be network cards sold starting next month for €20 Euro and €50 Euro, similar to what gamers in the U.S. already have.
The PlayStation Network video delivery service will expend to the U.K., France, Germany, and Spain in November as well. Sony said the rest of Europe will follow in 2010.
“Partnerships with illustrious studios such as 20th Century Fox, Disney, Paramount Pictures and many more will ensure a stellar line-up of movies available to buy or rent at launch, on both PS3 and PSP, and in either SD or HD,” Sony said in their announcement.
PSP owners will get Digital Comics as well from Marvel Comics and other publishers delivered to their systems. The comics will be available starting in December. There is also a new digital reader, a download that will be needed if you want to read those comics, that “…features an intuitive Autoflow system that highlights particular parts of a cell to mimic the way the eye moves across the page for a great reader experience on a small screen,” Sony explained.
The price cuts were a long time coming. In an interview with Reuters, Jack Tretton thinks the price cut will help sluggish sales and boost their earnings this holiday season. “I don’t think there’s anything more that we could realistically ask for in terms of putting us in a position to be successful this holiday, I really feel like everything’s lined up for us,” he told the news organization.
He told Reuters that Sony was coming out with both fists swinging, taking a stronger stance in the console war, “We feel like we’ve weathered some significant competitive blows and now we’re great position to land a knock-out punch.”
He finished the interview by scoffing at those who knocked the slow sales, pointing out that anyone who followed the industry and retail sales knew where they are generated. Comparing it to football season in the U.S., “…everything before holiday is pre-season and the numbers really don’t count. But when [you] get into the fall that’s when the majority of the sales are done,” he said.
How long has it been pre-season for Sony anyway? Either way, the price drop is almost certain to pump sales, now that the PS3 is somewhat affordable. Time, and the numbers, will tell.
[The images on this page of the PS3, as well as the video, are copyright 2009 by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All rights are reserved.]
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