Let me say it's about time that Sony decided to make the "rumored" $100 price cut official. First off, August will see the release of the 80GB model of the PlayStation 3 for $599. The console will come bundled with
Motorstorm giving consumers a nice little title with their new console. That makes the Xbox 360 the only current console without a bundled game come next month. The 60GB version gets an immediate $100 cut to $499. Not too shabby but still a wee bit expensive. With the bundle for the 80GB game, Sony should've made a free by rebate offer for new purchasers of the 60GB model. The $100 drop is a nice start though and we'll see if Microsoft makes any move to counteract the drop. I personally don't think they have to and we all know Nintendo doesn't need to do anything with the Wii's pricing.
-Update-
Here's a video about the price cut.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Introduces New 80GB PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)); Announces New Price on Current 60GB Model
80GB System Designed for Today's Connected Gamer, 60GB Price Now $499
FOSTER CITY, Calif., July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment
America (SCEA), Inc. today announced a new 80GB model of its
PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system. Beginning in
August, the new PS3 model will be available in North America for a
suggested retail price of $599/$659 CND and will be sold with the popular
online-enabled racing game MotorStorm(TM). In conjunction with this news,
the company also announced that effective immediately, the current 60GB PS3
model will be available in North America for $499/$549 CND, or $100 below
the original launch price.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070709/AQM083)
By featuring an expanded hard disk drive (HDD), the new 80GB PS3 is
designed to appeal to the online gaming and entertainment enthusiast,
providing ample storage space to download more games and other
entertainment content from PLAYSTATION(R)Network. There are currently more
than 60 playable games and game-related downloads available through
PLAYSTATION(R)Store, with expanded entertainment content coming soon. The
new model features the million-selling game MotorStorm in the box, allowing
up to 12 players to play online at one time, hitting the dirt in this
visually-arresting, fast-paced racing title.
Throughout the holidays and this fiscal year, more than 120 new first
and third-party software titles will be available for North American PS3
users to enjoy, in addition to the more than 40 software titles currently
available. Key upcoming first-party titles include Folklore(TM), Heavenly
Sword(TM), LAIR, NBA '08, Ratchet & Clank(R) Future: Tools of
Destruction(TM), SingStar(TM), SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, THE
EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Warhawk(TM).
Numerous third-party titles, including several exclusives, will also be
available such as Devil May Cry(R)IV, Dynasty Warriors(R):GUNDAM(R), Grand
Theft Auto IV, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hellboy, Metal
Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots, Ninja Gaiden Sigma(R), SEGA Rally(R)
Revo, Stranglehold(TM), The Darkness, TimeShift(TM), Tom Clancy's Rainbow
Six Vegas and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter(TM) 2.
Additional games and services will also be available for PS3 system
owners through the PLAYSTATION Network including PlayStation Home, a
state-of-the-art 3D online community that serves as a meeting place for PS3
users around the world, as well as numerous downloadable games including
the highly-anticipated title PAIN.
"As we move into the next phase of PS3, it's important that we continue
to evaluate our product line, offering consumers the technology and
features that meet their growing needs for new forms of media and the way
in which it is delivered," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of SCEA.
"The introduction of the 80GB PS3, the new pricing for the current 60GB
model, the availability of more than 100 new software titles this fiscal
year and, finally, the expansion of services for PLAYSTATION Network, will
provide even more options for users and will help bring new consumers into
the PS3 fold."
Both the 80GB and 60GB PS3 models come standard with Cell Broadband
Engine(TM) (Cell/B.E.), Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) player, built-in HDD, 1080p
high-definition output, Wi-Fi connectivity and SIXAXIS(TM) wireless
controller.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the
entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console,
the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R)
(PlayStation(R)Portable) mobile entertainment system, the ground-breaking
PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and
network services the PLAYSTATION(R)Network and PLAYSTATION(R)Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and
develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game
console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system
for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American
operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment
Inc.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com
"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PSP," "PS one" are registered trademarks
and "PS3", "Cell Broadband Engine" and "SIXAXIS" are trademarks of Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc.
