Big Changes for PS3 at retail?

[Siraris]

First we got the White PS3 filing, then the $299 PS3 rumor, and now this: http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/01/24/best-buy-discontinuing-80gb-ps3/

Some big changes are happening no doubt. Maybe the $299 rumor is true?

[TheEpicOfTyler]

If this was somehow true. I would be all over a PS3.

[violentp]

Like I mentioned before, $299=2nd PS3.

[Craggle]

White PS3 should include the dual shock 3 (I hope).

[scythe]

$299 is nothing but win for Sony... I know SO many people that would buy a PS3 at that price.

[jromero]

If this was somehow true. I would be all over a PS3.

Agreed. I'd be on a $299 PS3 like a hooker on a sailor on shore leave.

[Epix]

I thought they were always planning on discontinuing the 80 gig one and having the 40 gig as the only version. Or was that only in Japan or something?

[bKangy]

I doubt it'll go $299, it'd fuck over international sales far too much, I mean, it's £280 in the UK and roughly equivalent in Europe, they'd be forced to drop to £199 UK and the Japanese equivalent etc. I just can't see it happening this early in the race.

[Johan]

Awesome...absolutely no more PS2-BC units available after this happens!!!

[scythe]

Awesome...absolutely no more PS2-BC units available after this happens!!!

Fine with me... I've used the BC on my 60GB maybe 3 times.

[Ancalagon]

Well now I'll never buy one. If I was ever going to buy one, it would be one with BC, but seeing as that wont be possible anymore, well, no thanks.

[Epix]

Fine with me... I've used the BC on my 60GB maybe 3 times.

I've used BC on mine 60 gig many many times. Of course I never had a ps2 so I'm catching up on all the great games that I missed.

[scythe]

I've used BC on mine 60 gig many many times. Of course I never had a ps2 so I'm catching up on all the great games that I missed.

I thought I would end up using it a lot, but I had a PS2 and had pretty much played all the games i had for it into the ground. Nice to know I got the non-gimped PS3, but other than that, I'd be happy with no BC.

[VYPUR]

To hell with BC myself I have never used it once. When I buy a new system it is hard for me to go back to the older games. Anyway just my worthless 2 cents worth.

[Sammael]

Well now I'll never buy one. If I was ever going to buy one, it would be one with BC, but seeing as that wont be possible anymore, well, no thanks.

Ummm.... What?
I don't understand that one.
Backwards compatibility was only good in one case for me, and that was playing Xbox games on the 360. It was really only 1 game in particular. Started with an H. It ended with a "alo". And there was a "2" at the end.

Maybe it was because there was NOTHING ELSE TO PLAY...

Once a console is established, screw the BC.

Except for Guitar Hero for PS2, but that won't work at all anyway. So phooooey.

[bone_matrix]

Well now I'll never buy one. If I was ever going to buy one, it would be one with BC, but seeing as that wont be possible anymore, well, no thanks.

I'm not defending them here, but if they do drop the price an extra 100 bucks, that's pretty much a PS2 right there.

I like my PS3, I have a 60GB version, and have had it since about October, and tend to do some more PS2 games than PS3. Great hardware, not so great games for myself.

[Ancalagon]

The thing is that I've never owned a PS2. So it would be a nice back catalog of cheap games for me. In fact, I have never used a PS2, or an XBox.

But ya,I guess were I to have the money for a console, I'm not sure it would be such a biggie.

[drakkarim]

I've used BC on mine 60 gig many many times. Of course I never had a ps2 so I'm catching up on all the great games that I missed.

ditto.

i'm guessing, with this being sony and all, if they're removing the 80gb, it'll be to replace it with a 160gb version, cuz you know, everyone will want one anyway ;)

[drakkarim]

Ummm.... What?
I don't understand that one.
Backwards compatibility was only good in one case for me, and that was playing Xbox games on the 360. It was really only 1 game in particular. Started with an H. It ended with a "alo". And there was a "2" at the end.

Maybe it was because there was NOTHING ELSE TO PLAY...

Once a console is established, screw the BC.



that might be true to the xbox1 lineup, but the ps2 lineup was/is humonguous, that is one library that deserves full BC on the ps3. if it didn't have it i'd have missed out on dragon quest, final fantasy, god of war, etc.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I'd rather have a console with BC... but for three hundred bucks I can leave my PS2 out for a few months while I tie up all those loose ends.

[Roc Ingersol]

I also thought this was Sony's plan all along.

Though it's too much to hope that they'd settle down and have only one hardware configuration. I fully expect some mind-bottling combination of hardware specs to hit shelves this Spring.

[Zero]

I would definitely buy one for that. Too bad it probably won't play Blu-Ray movies.

[51|RandoM]

Don't think I give the $299 rumor much weight. On the other hand, I could see somebody making a case for the BD win giving Sony the fiscal confidence to subsidize their PS3 hardware pricing even more.

I'm glad I have a PS3 with BC but if people really want to play PS2 games they still sell PS2 units. You only miss out on the PS2 library if you consciously choose to do so...

[roboninja]

I'd rather have a console with BC... but for three hundred bucks I can leave my PS2 out for a few months while I tie up all those loose ends.

My thoughts as well. $299 most likely means I will own a PS3.

EDIT:
I would definitely buy one for that. Too bad it probably won't play Blu-Ray movies.

Umm, what? Do you actually think Sony would do something so asinine? I mean, I know they are Sony and all, but that would just be too over the top stupid.

[51|RandoM]

I would definitely buy one for that. Too bad it probably won't play Blu-Ray movies.

That doesn't save them any money, the machine has to have a BD drive. If they want to differentiate between SKUs I don't think that is how they would do it.

The counter argument is that they might want to be careful to not undercut the pricing on standalone BD players. That argument doesn't hold any weight, though, as it is in Sony's best interest for BD hardware to get as cheap as possible as soon as possible. The more players out there, the more discs sold, the more licensing/branding revenue.

[Codicier]

that might be true to the xbox1 lineup, but the ps2 lineup was/is humonguous, that is one library that deserves full BC on the ps3. if it didn't have it i'd have missed out on dragon quest, final fantasy, god of war, etc.

This.

Which is why I'm glad (and will repeatedly boast without prompt or preamble :D ) that I got a 60GB system.

[Roc Ingersol]

I could see somebody making a case for the BD win giving Sony the fiscal confidence to subsidize their PS3 hardware pricing even more.Wouldn't the BDR win give Sony less incentive to drop the price?

BDR's the only game in town now, so the value of the PS3's bundled blu-ray player is far higher.

[axion]

I would definitely buy one for that. Too bad it probably won't play Blu-Ray movies.

Aren't the games themselves on bluray? Unless you're saying they will gimp it purposefully which would be an amazingly stupid move if they want to push their proprietary format.

[Vanthar]

Wouldn't the BDR win giving Sony less incentive to drop the price?

They're the only game in town now. There's nothing to gain by taking more losses on the hardware. Unless there's some price-point promise in their deal with the studios, I just don't see Sony continuing to sweeten the blu-ray deals.

There's no way for Blu-ray to be successful in the mainstream market without lowering prices. That's why they should still be aggressive in price reductions.

[Wraith]

$300 is a much more competitive price. I don't see MS dropping the Premium/Pro lower than $300 anytime soon, so having the PS3 at parity or better, compared to the 360's main SKU, has got to be good for Sony.

But still for me, I'm waiting for the games. And I want backwards compatibility. I have a PS2, yes, but a back compat PS3 provides some insurance in case the PS2 bites the dust, and provides upscaling capabilities I can't get on the PS2 alone (which is something significant for HDTV owners, which I assume makes up a large percentage of PS3 owners). I'd rather buy a PS3 w/ back-compat (and some extra storage space) for $350-$400 than one w/ no back-compat for $300. And with no memory card slots, is there going to be a way to move PS3 game saves from PS3 to the PS4, when the day comes? Will they release some USB-PS3-memory-card-adapter for that purpose? Or are they not going to make the next Playstation backwards compatible at all, to begin with?

[51|RandoM]

Wouldn't the BDR win giving Sony less incentive to drop the price?

They're the only game in town now. There's nothing to gain by taking more losses on the hardware. Unless there's some price-point promise in their deal with the studios, I just don't see Sony continuing to sweeten the blu-ray deals.

Not true.

The same model used for videogame consoles (and razorblades) still applies. Subsidize the hardware cost so that you sell more software where you have much higher margins.

Just like they want as many ps3 units out there as possible to maximize software sales, they want as many BD players out there as possible to maximize software(movies) sales.

[Zero]

That doesn't save them any money, the machine has to have a BD drive. If they want to differentiate between SKUs I don't think that is how they would do it.

The counter argument is that they might want to be careful to not undercut the pricing on standalone BD players. That argument doesn't hold any weight, though, as it is in Sony's best interest for BD hardware to get as cheap as possible as soon as possible. The more players out there, the more discs sold, the more licensing/branding revenue.

Umm, what? Do you actually think Sony would do something so asinine? I mean, I know they are Sony and all, but that would just be too over the top stupid.

Yeah, I was just joking. Figured they would go along with the motif of stripping a feature away with each SKU. But, you bring up a good point about trying not to undercut BD players. Sony wouldn't do that, right?

RIGHT?

[Godeater]

I think a $299 PS3 is only a matter of time. The sooner it gets here the better for consumers and Sony. The price is the main thing that is holding back most of the people I know who are interested in buying one.

I don't think a lack of BC is a huge deal, at least not anymore. Anyone who really wanted it, has probably got an 80 or 60 already. I ended up selling most of my PS2 games after getting my PS3 anyway. Only ones I kept were God of War 1 and 2, Hitman: Blood Money and GTA:SA. I can hook up my PS2 anytime I get a craving to play them.

[gzsfrk]

I can't help but smile at how so many Sony supporters (I hesitate to use the term "fanboy", since some of them are generally pretty sensible) are suddenly poo-pooing the need for BC, now that it's (presumably) not going to be available in any form on PS3s sold in the future. How many times was the 360 bashed over it's crummy implementation of back-compat? I won't even go to the trouble of looking up and linking the various quotes from Sony execs doing the same.

Don't get me wrong--if this is the precursor to Sony breaching the $300 price point, then I can't help but be excited. I suspect it will mean lower prices on the 360 and perhaps even the Wii (although I don't know that they'll lower their price any so long as the thing stays sold out everywhere). I would be most interested to see MS' response--if they did take price action, would they simply match the PS3 at $299 for the premium (bad move, imo), or would they drop it closer to the $200 mark to maintain their price advantage, with the Elite maybe coming in at $279 or $299 (even though I think it's pretty clear at that point that the PS3 would be the better value with the included Blu-ray)?

[gzsfrk]

There's no way for Blu-ray to be successful in the mainstream market without lowering prices. That's why they should still be aggressive in price reductions.

HD-DVD players were briefly available for <$100 before Christmas, with 3rd gen players available for $129 today. Didn't seem to help them much. Like others have said, when you're the only game in town, price pressures don't mean as much. Sony doesn't have to rush to mass market penetration now that their only competition has more or less withered away.

[Telefrog]

If a $299 PS3 happens this year, it would be a move filled with puppies, unicorns, and rainbow candy.

It's a mighty big "if" however.

[51|RandoM]

I can't help but smile at how so many Sony supporters (I hesitate to use the term "fanboy", since such of them are generally pretty sensible) are suddenly poo-pooing the need for BC, now that it's (presumably) not going to be available in any form on PS3s sold in the future. How many times was the 360 bashed over it's crummy implementation of back-compat?

Sony will still sell you a ps2 to play ps2 games. Will Microsoft sell you an Xbox to play xbox games?

[51|RandoM]

Sony doesn't have to rush to mass market penetration now that their only competition has more or less withered away.

HD-DVD was just a skirmish. The real battle is with DVD.

Don't you think Sony makes more money off a BD movie than they do a DVD movie?

Sony has plenty of reasons to keep cutting BD hardware pricing.

[gzsfrk]

Sony has plenty of reasons to keep cutting BD hardware pricing.

Since the implosion of HD-DVD, they have one less major reason.

[gzsfrk]

Sony will still sell you a ps2 to play ps2 games. Will Microsoft sell you an Xbox to play xbox games?

SDF rationalization of the day. Alert the SPG website! STAT!

(wow... I think that's the first time I've seen "SDF" used in quite a while. Guess the shiny wore off.)

[Zero]

Sony will still sell you a ps2 to play ps2 games. Will Microsoft sell you an Xbox to play xbox games?

No, because they don't want you buying Xbox games, they want you buying 360 games.

[digitalErich]

While I would rather buy a PS3 with BC, if they aren't available, that isn't going to make me hesitate for a second to buy a PS3 once games I must play start to drop.

BC is overrated by the hardcore, in terms of hardware appeal. I don't think it sells (or prevents sales of) the number of systems as forum goers seem to think it does.

I think the only thing BC might do is sell a system sooner in some cases.

[bapenguin]

I could have sworn the 80GB was discontinued when they announced the 40GB one. Or said they would be discontinuing it shortly.

[Micasa]

Didn't someone from Sony say a few weeks back that the 40 GB would be the model on shelves going forward? Maybe they were serious about that.

[Roc Ingersol]

The same model used for videogame consoles (and razorblades) still applies. Subsidize the hardware cost so that you sell more software where you have much higher margins.But in this analogy, they own the next razor platform. People will eventually buy the thing and then start buying your razorblades. So why push it out while the margins on both hardware and software are low? You can take your time and let the cost of manufacturing come down before you push consumer adoption. You're not racing anyone to market anymore - there's no hurry.

Sure, Sony wants to get more PS3s out there to sell games. But the BDR win is effectively a price cut for the PS3. The value of its ability to play HD movies isn't a potential dead-end. They'll probably get a strong bump in sales on that alone.

[II ZoiD II]

I did notice the date of Jan 28th come up again in that internal letter. Same date as rumored price cut (keeping fingers crossed that this rumor is true). The price drop will definately move alot of units and it would be a great time for this price drop. With the lull in new releases on the 360 this is perfect timing, I know that I would jump into this purchase without hesitation. As for the BC I think its a great feature for a newly released system to ease the transition, but the thing has been out for a few years now so whats all the bitching about. If you dont have a PS3 its mainly because of the price tag so you play your PS2 well now its time to get out of the old gen and into the next gen. Why make a system that will play old games when its something that you're trying to get away from. It just gives gamers a reason to buy old software not to mention CHEAPER software. They(sony) want to be selling the new software that is going to show off what the PS3 is capable of! Thats my $ .02!

[pirateTITAN]

Well, when the PS3 first started shipping the prices of its' components were crazy, I believe around $300 dollars more then the sticker price, and a lot of that had to do with the limited production of blue-laser diodes, and the relative inefficiency of CELL production.

Over the past year, the production of blue-laser diodes has been ramped up, causing the price of both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD drives to fall fast, and as for the CELL, Sony turned over its' production facilities to Toshiba, but still grasped a good stake in them. Sony and Toshiba both have started to move that facility to 45nm, while IBM already produced 45nm CELL chips(<-not sure) .

So, what I'm saying that its really viable for Sony to drop the price in the near future. They various prices of the components have fallen really fast over the year, and with the fall of HD-DVD, I'm assuming that there will be an excess of blue-laser diodes, which will cause prices to fall.

Armchair analysis.

[Jack B]

Who reads PS3Fanboy.com anyway? ;)

If the PS3 drops to $299, I'd probably buy one, but I'm still too busy with 360 titles to use it much. It would be a Blu-Ray player for the most part. When Grand Tourismo comes out it would get some use, but for non-exclusive games, I'd probably just use my 360 due to Xbox Live, friends list etc.

Edit: I forgot about Resistance. I'd definitely want to give that a try online.

[Karmakin]

$300 PS3 would put them back in the game IMO.

[Wolvie]

Like I mentioned before, $299=2nd PS3.

Namely, me.

[netcraazzy]

I have no doubt that a $299 360 elite would follow. Isn't it typical for console prices to drop during the late summer or early fall though? I seem to remember it always happening around that time in anticipation of the holidays. If Sony did this now they would kind of be missing the boat given that the holidays just ended.

[oldjadedgamer]

I'm waiting on a $299 PS3. That's when I jump in, for the same price I paid for the PS1 and PS2.

[Gorvi]

I have no doubt that a $299 360 elite would follow. Isn't it typical for console prices to drop during the late summer or early fall though? I seem to remember it always happening around that time in anticipation of the holidays. If Sony did this now they would kind of be missing the boat given that the holidays just ended.
If they really want to go all out, they could drop it to $300 now (or right before GTA4), then $250 for the holidays. That may sound a little nuts for a console that launched at $500/$600 a little over 14 months ago, but if they've really cut costs in half from just over $800 to $400, then by the Fall it's not out of the realm of possibility that another $50 could be shaved off of that.

A $250 PS3 with the lineup that they have for the Fall should sell pretty damn well. Of course, this is all meaningless speculation, but if they can, they should.

[Siraris]

Well now I'll never buy one. If I was ever going to buy one, it would be one with BC, but seeing as that wont be possible anymore, well, no thanks.

So what happens when you buy one in the future without backwards compatibility? What are you going to give us?

[Siraris]

I could have sworn the 80GB was discontinued when they announced the 40GB one. Or said they would be discontinuing it shortly.

The 20 and 60 were discontinued in Japan. That's all.

[51|RandoM]

SDF rationalization of the day. Alert the SPG website! STAT!

(wow... I think that's the first time I've seen "SDF" used in quite a while. Guess the shiny wore off.)

Sony will still sell you a ps2 to play ps2 games, will Microsoft sell you an Xbox to play Xbox games?

It is a question, not a rationalization. Your inability or unwillingness to answer the question is an answer in and of itself.

[netcraazzy]

A $250 PS3 with the lineup that they have for the Fall should sell pretty damn well. Of course, this is all meaningless speculation, but if they can, they should.

A $250 PS3 is just crazy talk. Even $299 is really pushing it. I am curious how Nintendo would react though. With the Wii selling so well I wonder if they would leave their price alone. It would be kind of sad if the Wii outsold the PS3 with such similar pricepoints.

[51|RandoM]

But in this analogy, they own the next razor platform. People will eventually buy the thing and then start buying your razorblades. So why push it out while the margins on both hardware and software are low? You can take your time and let the cost of manufacturing come down before you push consumer adoption. You're not racing anyone to market anymore - there's no hurry.

Sure, Sony wants to get more PS3s out there to sell games. But the BDR win is effectively a price cut for the PS3. The value of its ability to play HD movies isn't a potential dead-end. They'll probably get a strong bump in sales on that alone.

The margins on BD software are not low(in comparison to hardware margins which are nonexistent), though, kind of breaks your argument. If they run the numbers and project that the expense of reducing the MSRP of the hardware is covered by the increase of sales in software then why on earth wouldn't they do it?

After all, if the increased sales of software cover the hardware losses they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

[Mal.Reynolds]

Only reason i want BWC is for Killzone because i never finished it ... b/c i played it at my friends house, ive never owned a PS2 so

And a couple more games

[rein]

Going to a single SKU would be a good thing. Going to a single SKU without bc sucks balls. I'm set, I have a 60GB unit but I'm still annoyed by the decision to remove bc. What if mine breaks? I get a non bc replacement? I don't think so.

[Disgustipated]

Eh, if I can get a 60 GB maybe I will. If not, a 40 GB for $300 is still a damn good deal.

[Vanthar]

I really think Sony needs to get a total software solution for BC going. I don't know if its in the works as they make it seem like its not, but it would be the best solution overall. There are PC emulators that cover just about every PS1 game and a decent quantity of PS2 games last I checked. Get this tech to use the Cell and RSX and get a full software emulator going. I think Sony should realize it is a mistake to totally abandon their old library. They lose out on the revenue opportunities of reselling old titles like Nintendo currently does and the giant bulletpoint of being able to play all Playstation brand games.

[Gorvi]

I really think Sony needs to get a total software solution for BC going. I don't know if its in the works as they make it seem like its not, but it would be the best solution overall. There are PC emulators that cover just about every PS1 game and a decent quantity of PS2 games last I checked. Get this tech to use the Cell and RSX and get a full software emulator going. I think Sony should realize it is a mistake to totally abandon their old library. They lose out on the revenue opportunities of reselling old titles like Nintendo currently does and the giant bulletpoint of being able to play all Playstation brand games.
I think a year or so from now, you'll see that. I think the removal was partially to stop getting these PS2/360/Wii games and start getting them PS3/360/Wii, since you could no longer say "well, they just play on the PS3 anyway". They said when they launched the PS3 that once the PS2 was no longer a viable platform, that they'd start selling PS2 games over the PSN in addition to the PS1 games. I'd be surprised if they didn't add software BC later on to accommodate that.

[Virtuoso]

Going to a single SKU would be a good thing. Going to a single SKU without bc sucks balls. I'm set, I have a 60GB unit but I'm still annoyed by the decision to remove bc. What if mine breaks? I get a non bc replacement? I don't think so.


I've wondered about this. I'll go to Sony headquarters and burn the fucking place down if that happens, I've purchased something like 50 ps2 games since buying my ps3.

[Hagetaka]

As for the BC I think its a great feature for a newly released system to ease the transition, but the thing has been out for a few years now so whats all the bitching about.

A few years? Really? The Playstation 3 was released in November of '06. Your math is worse than your grammar.

[Craggle]

It's also possible they are just eliminating the Motorstorm bundle. Once those are gone they roll out the stand alone 80 gb unit (with rummmmmbbbbbbble).

[bapenguin]

The 20 and 60 were discontinued in Japan. That's all.

Well the 20 and 60 were discontinued here as well.

[Roc Ingersol]

The margins on BD software are not low(in comparison to hardware margins which are nonexistent), though, kind of breaks your argument.Incorrect. Those margins can only improve as manufacturing gains on the disc side bring startup and per-disc costs down.After all, if the increased sales of software cover the hardware losses they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.That's a big 'if'. What our disagreement comes down to, is that I don't think they can sell enough software to cover a significant difference.

Rough example: say a player costs $400 and they're taking a loss that's offset by X software sales. If they drop the price to $300, they increase their loss so that it takes X + Y software sales to break even. Trick is, they have to sell you those Y units of software in the time between their price drop and when manufacturing gains would've allowed them to reduce the price to $300 without increasing their hardware loss. (assuming disc margin stays constant, which it won't. But increases in disc margins make for a far more complicated equation.)

You're saying they're likely to sell Y units before manufacturing gains bring hardware cost down $100. I think that's unlikely - based on the anemic sales of BR software and the strong pace Sony has already set in reducing cost.

[Vermillion]

Are people really not considered with getting stuck with the 40 gig model, seeing as the rather large installation most big PS3 games seem to be coming up with?

The price is nice at $299, but I honestly worry about the HD limitation over the life of the console in anything other than the 80 gig model. Which puts me in a hard spot, because I wanted to wait for a price drop, but I seriously worry about the gimped 40 gig version.

[51|RandoM]

Incorrect. Those margins can only improve as manufacturing gains on the disc side bring startup and per-disc costs down.That's a big 'if'. What our disagreement comes down to, is that I don't think they can sell enough software to cover a significant difference.

I wasn't talking about improved margins on BD software. The margin is already there, whereas there probably is no margin at all on hardware at this point. You don't honestly think they're losing money on a $30 BD title, do you?

I'm not making the guess, though. I'm saying that Sony is in the position to run the numbers and IF they think can cover increased hardware losses with increased software sales they will, and if these rumors come true this is a plausible explanation.

Remember, this was phrased as an explanation for how and/or why they would make another significant price cut this soon.

[torrefaction]

Are people really not considered with getting stuck with the 40 gig model, seeing as the rather large installation most big PS3 games seem to be coming up with?

The price is nice at $299, but I honestly worry about the HD limitation over the life of the console in anything other than the 80 gig model. Which puts me in a hard spot, because I wanted to wait for a price drop, but I seriously worry about the gimped 40 gig version.

From everything I've read, you can get your own hard drive.

Can one of the SDF confirm or deny?

[51|RandoM]

Are people really not considered with getting stuck with the 40 gig model, seeing as the rather large installation most big PS3 games seem to be coming up with?

The price is nice at $299, but I honestly worry about the HD limitation over the life of the console in anything other than the 80 gig model. Which puts me in a hard spot, because I wanted to wait for a price drop, but I seriously worry about the gimped 40 gig version.

Burnout Paradise doesn't have an installation. I was going to mention that in the burnout thread, but it makes more sense to do so in response to this. :)

So you run out of install space on your 40GB, what is the worst case scenario? You uninstall some other game. Are there people out there who play 20 different games... every day of the week? Net loss? ~5 minutes you could have spent playing a game.

If those minutes, however many of them there are are really that important to you I would suggest putting a larger hard drive in your PS3. Curiously enough, something Sony wholeheartedly supports.

[Vanthar]

Are people really not considered with getting stuck with the 40 gig model, seeing as the rather large installation most big PS3 games seem to be coming up with?

The price is nice at $299, but I honestly worry about the HD limitation over the life of the console in anything other than the 80 gig model. Which puts me in a hard spot, because I wanted to wait for a price drop, but I seriously worry about the gimped 40 gig version.

You just manage the hard drive. It's really not much different from deleting save games from memory cards in years past when your memory card is full. Or you buy another 'memory card' (hard drive) with more space.

[Rogue_hunter]

Are people really not considered with getting stuck with the 40 gig model, seeing as the rather large installation most big PS3 games seem to be coming up with?

The price is nice at $299, but I honestly worry about the HD limitation over the life of the console in anything other than the 80 gig model. Which puts me in a hard spot, because I wanted to wait for a price drop, but I seriously worry about the gimped 40 gig version.

The Hard drive can EASILY be upgraded. It's just a matter of popping the cover off the slot, unscrewing one screw, taking the old 2.5" notebook SATA drive off the HD cage, popping the new one on, sliding the drive in, screw the screw back on, close cover.
Hard drive requirements and installation instructions are even in the manual, it's so easy, a caveman could do it.

[Vermillion]

I thought some of the upcoming titles were 10+ gig (15-20 minute) installs? Am I wrong? Couple the game size with any other content I may want to have on the machine, and a 40 gig gets small real quick.

I understand managing the HD, as I have to do it with the 360. It just seems like this is a larger impact on the PS3 platform.

Thanks for the info on easy upgrades, that is helpful. Is it an instant void on the warranty if you can pop the old one back in?

[Roc Ingersol]

You don't honestly think they're losing money on a $30 BD title, do you?I think we're miscommunicating. I'm saying the already-positive margins on BR will only get larger. The loss I'm referring to is the loss they're taking on hardware that must be covered by that software margin. Increase that loss and you need to sell more software. But you need to cover the difference in the time between your price drop and when manufacturing would let you hit that price without increasing loss per unit. Even with $30 movies and $60 games, I don't think Sony is pushing enough software to cover another $100 loss per unit in the interim.Sony is in the position to run the numbers and IF they think can cover increased hardware losses with increased software sales they willWell that's a plausible explanation for any rumor isn't it? "If they think it will make them more money, they'll do it". That rather goes without saying. :p

I thought we were speculating on whether we think the move would make them more money?

[Vanthar]

I thought some of the upcoming titles were 10+ gig (15-20 minute) installs? Am I wrong? Couple the game size with any other content I may want to have on the machine, and a 40 gig gets small real quick.

I understand managing the HD, as I have to do it with the 360. It just seems like this is a larger impact on the PS3 platform.

Thanks for the info on easy upgrades, that is helpful. Is it an instant void on the warranty if you can pop the old one back in?

I don't really know where you heard about 10+ gig install from. The largest (and probably most ridiculous) one I've heard is the DMC 4 install at 5 gigs. Most games do a <1 gig install when the game loads and stream data to the HD from thereon. It's really not a huge issue unless you are playing between 10-20 different games a week.

[Siraris]

With a 40 gig HDD, you can store 8 5 gig installs (which is the high end it seems). Considering most people on this forum are quite in the know about how technology works, you could easily get a 100+ gig HDD for less than $100, and put it in there. Are you also going to have 8 5 gig installs on the HDD at once? I mean how many games do you play at one time?

[Kamalot]

With a 40 gig HDD, you can store 8 5 gig installs (which is the high end it seems). Considering most people on this forum are quite in the know about how technology works, you could easily get a 100+ gig HDD for less than $100, and put it in there. Are you also going to have 8 5 gig installs on the HDD at once? I mean how many games do you play at one time?

Are there 8 games worth owning?

I've got a 20 gig. I rent a game, install it, play it, and remove the install. Never filled it up yet and still have a number of demos, trailers, music and photos on there.

Space isn't a concern

[51|RandoM]

Game Data on my ps3 at this time:

Burnout Paradise: 25 MB
EyeCreate: 43 MB
Eye of Judgment: 1903 KB
Heavenly Sword: 2048 MB
Motorstorm: 22 MB
Virtua Fighter 5: 2342 MB
Resistance: Fall of Man: 167 MB

This is the diskspace those games take up other than save data. If there are 10GB installs out there I have yet to come across one... or even a 5GB install. Uncharted doesn't install anything either.

I checked the saved game data too and none of them are even over 2MB.

[Gorvi]

Are there 8 games worth owning?
That's a rather weak troll, but yes, there are.

[Xerxes]

They can't afford it. With no BC versions, fuck it.

[51|RandoM]

Are there 8 games worth owning?

Easily, the part that seems to be hard to grasp for some people is that not everybody has a 360 and has already purchased the titles that the two consoles share.

Add up the exclusives and the 3rd party games worth owning and if you don't come up with a number greater than 8 you have an agenda or a very low income.

[PsychoticVile]

$300 is a much more competitive price. I don't see MS dropping the Premium/Pro lower than $300 anytime soon, so having the PS3 at parity or better, compared to the 360's main SKU, has got to be good for Sony.

But still for me, I'm waiting for the games. And I want backwards compatibility. I have a PS2, yes, but a back compat PS3 provides some insurance in case the PS2 bites the dust, and provides upscaling capabilities I can't get on the PS2 alone (which is something significant for HDTV owners, which I assume makes up a large percentage of PS3 owners). I'd rather buy a PS3 w/ back-compat (and some extra storage space) for $350-$400 than one w/ no back-compat for $300. And with no memory card slots, is there going to be a way to move PS3 game saves from PS3 to the PS4, when the day comes? Will they release some USB-PS3-memory-card-adapter for that purpose? Or are they not going to make the next Playstation backwards compatible at all, to begin with?

Actually if the PS3 drops to $300 and has similar features to the Pro as in it includes at least a 20gb harddrive and such you better believe MS will drop the Premium pack to $300 or lower. As a matter of fact MS could afford to drop it there now as they still have a large profit margin on the system but haven't because Sony loses even more money every time they drop the price of the PS3 because of the cost of Blu-Ray.

[Chameleo]

i'd rather have a PS3 than a 360. is Skate. out on the ps3?

[Jamikazi]

i'd rather have a PS3 than a 360. is Skate. out on the ps3?

yes it is. 10 char

[Lutheran]

That's a rather weak troll, but yes, there are.


IMHO playing Uncharted , Resistance and Rachet alone are worth owning the system. Throw in glorious blu ray movies and its a no brainer , especially at the prices they are selling for now.

[bapenguin]

If the PS3 hits $299 there's no excuse to not have one...well unless you can't afford it. But if you can...snag that shit.

[Kelegacy]

I'm still waiting for a Dual Shock standard PS3. WHen that happens, I'll be more apt to grab one.

[Kamalot]

Easily, the part that seems to be hard to grasp for some people is that not everybody has a 360 and has already purchased the titles that the two consoles share.
Ahh. you make a good point. I don't typically think of cross-platform games on the PS3 since I tend to pick them up on my 360. Most of the time, the 360 version of cross platform titles perform better, have integrated Online features, and work with the 360's voice chat/music tracks etc.

I supposse someone without a 360 could find enough titles to install that would fill up the PS3's hard drive, but I still maintain that hard drive space on the PS3 is a non-issue.

[Gorvi]

Ahh. you make a good point. I don't typically think of cross-platform games on the PS3 since I tend to pick them up on my 360. Most of the time, the 360 version of cross platform titles perform better, have integrated Online features, and work with the 360's voice chat/music tracks etc.

I supposse someone without a 360 could find enough titles to install that would fill up the PS3's hard drive, but I still maintain that hard drive space on the PS3 is a non-issue.
Regardless of anything else you said, that bolded part is true.

[Skampy]

I don't care about the BC being gone. If PS3 hits 299 i'll pick one up. $400 bucks is only "100" more than $300 but $400 seems so much more expensive.

I did buy a xbox 360 premium for $400 back in the day a few months after launch. But another $400 console just isn't needed by me right now.


Regardless of anything else you said, that bolded part is true.
I don't worry about HD space on PS3, if it does become an issue i know i can just replace the drive.

[roboninja]

Easily, the part that seems to be hard to grasp for some people is that not everybody has a 360 and has already purchased the titles that the two consoles share.


I would be in this boat, and as much as I have been making fun of Sony's foibles this gen, I would be a PS3 owner in a second at $299.

[Xerxes]

If the PS3 hits $299 there's no excuse to not have one...well unless you can't afford it. But if you can...snag that shit.

I'd still need the BC. I don't have enough money to buy more shelves just to fit the ps2 somewhere. :rolleyes:

[Itchyeyes]

First we got the White PS3 filing, then the $299 PS3 rumor, and now this: http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/01/24/best-buy-discontinuing-80gb-ps3/

Some big changes are happening no doubt. Maybe the $299 rumor is true?
I think $299 is pushing it. My guess is that they drop the Spiderman 3 bundle and sell it at $350-$380.

[51|RandoM]

ps2 slim-line

9.0 x 6.0 x 1.1 inches

[Telefrog]

IMHO playing Uncharted , Resistance and Rachet alone are worth owning the system. Throw in glorious blu ray movies and its a no brainer , especially at the prices they are selling for now.

Not banging on the PS3, here but $60 x 3 + $400 = $580. I can't think of any three games on any single system I would shell out almost $600 for. I get what you're saying, but the way you said it was a little sketchy.

[51|RandoM]

Not banging on the PS3, here but $60 x 3 + $400 = $580. I can't think of any three games on any single system I would shell out almost $600 for. I get what you're saying, but the way you said it was a little sketchy.

You wouldn't have understood anybody wanting NeoGeo back in the day either. :)

[cp#]

I still would not buy a PS3 for $300. And I don't believe in the price drop yet

The only game I'd want would be Uncharted and perhaps Warhawk. I have played Resistance extensively co-op campaign and online multiplayer, it is fun but I prefer COD4. Motorstorm looks great but the load times are ridiculous and there isn't any fucking multiplayer. I'm sure Ratchet is great but I have a Wii for that. The only other games I can think of are God of War III and Ico 3. I have never played a Metal Gear but I am confident it will hit the 360 with a Substance version as always.

And to add, I got my 360 premium (with HDMI) for $279. $399, even $349 is way too much money for me.

[51|RandoM]

What are you really trying to say when you say Motorstorm doesn't have multiplayer---since it does indeed have multiplayer.

Oh, perhaps you mean local multi with splitscreen.

[karak]

Not banging on the PS3, here but $60 x 3 + $400 = $580. I can't think of any three games on any single system I would shell out almost $600 for. I get what you're saying, but the way you said it was a little sketchy.

Thank you because I was going to have to write that all out and I even owned one and don't buy that bullshit.

[Draft]

I'd buy a PS3 for $300 bones, no doubt.

[51|RandoM]

Thank you because I was going to have to write that all out and I even owned one and don't buy that bullshit.

You place a lower value on gaming than some people do, we get it.

[cp#]

What are you really trying to say when you say Motorstorm doesn't have multiplayer---since it does indeed have multiplayer.

Oh, perhaps you mean local multi with splitscreen.

Yeah, it doesn't have split screen. As in I can't race my buddy sitting next to me. Bluray!

[TrackZero]

$299? I could see it. In fact, I hope it's the case. It'll force MS to drop the 360 price as well.

[karak]

You place a lower value on gaming than some people do, we get it.

You are the master of useless posts for like the last 2 weeks. What gives? That's not usually anything like you. Your post could be about any person here even you, since someone on this earth PROBABLY places a higher value on games that you do. If you think THOSE 3 games are worth 600.00 you may simply be more wealthy than I.

But no, I don't place a low value on gaming at all or probably even much lower than you. But I do place a fairly realistic one. "And idiot and his money are soon parted" You HAVE to rate things in some way. And even when you do that you can fool yourself and pretend something is better than it is. Because it doesn't change the cost paid.
And unlike some others on this website or others I won't lie to myself about anything I own just because I own it and pretend its better than it is. Especially games or a system. I am harsh on all games and systems as they cost me MONEY since I am no longer able to get them free.
I rate FUN and the length of it far beyond graphics or flash, even though those can enhance the situation. And 2 of those games are pretty damn short and offer incredibly little replay value UNLESS you force yourself to replay them. So those 3 games even if I found them amazingly fun, would not be worth 600.00. If it was the Wii and you said Zelda, Smash Brothers and Metroid I would feel the same way. Even though 2 of them have incredible reply. And the same thing for 360 and Mass Effect, Gears, and Just Cause or something.
This isn't an opinion but straight fact otherwise once again you are back to a fool and his money. So someone is either a fool and lying to themselves, an autistic and playing the same game every day slapping themselves on the head and watching Judge Judy, or lastly they actually have to judge risk(loss of money) with reward(short but fun games)
Or some people just have WAY more money than others. Whatever.
Edit:51 Random the above actually isn't a ding on you, I just noticed you haven't been as...long winded-in a good way, lately.

[donkeydrop]

I could have sworn the 80GB was discontinued when they announced the 40GB one. Or said they would be discontinuing it shortly.

The 80GB was launched at the same time as the 40GB, so that's not really possible. And take a look at this supposed memo from Best Buy; it's the most obvious fake you will ever see.

[Disgustipated]

You are the master of useless posts for like the last 2 weeks. What gives? That's not usually anything like you. Your post could be about any person here even you, since someone on this earth PROBABLY places a higher value on games that you do. If you think THOSE 3 games are worth 600.00 you may simply be more wealthy than I.

But no, I don't place a low value on gaming at all or probably even much lower than you. But I do place a fairly realistic one. "And idiot and his money are soon parted" You HAVE to rate things in some way. And even when you do that you can fool yourself and pretend something is better than it is. Because it doesn't change the cost paid.
And unlike some others on this website or others I won't lie to myself about anything I own just because I own it and pretend its better than it is. Especially games or a system. I am harsh on all games and systems as they cost me MONEY since I am no longer able to get them free.
I rate FUN and the length of it far beyond graphics or flash, even though those can enhance the situation. And 2 of those games are pretty damn short and offer incredibly little replay value UNLESS you force yourself to replay them. So those 3 games even if I found them amazingly fun, would not be worth 600.00. If it was the Wii and you said Zelda, Smash Brothers and Metroid I would feel the same way. Even though 2 of them have incredible reply. And the same thing for 360 and Mass Effect, Gears, and Just Cause or something.
This isn't an opinion but straight fact otherwise once again you are back to a fool and his money. So someone is either a fool and lying to themselves, an autistic and playing the same game every day slapping themselves on the head and watching Judge Judy, or lastly they actually have to judge risk(loss of money) with reward(short but fun games)
Or some people just have WAY more money than others. Whatever.
Edit:51 Random the above actually isn't a ding on you, I just noticed you haven't been as...long winded-in a good way, lately.

You know, generalizing autistics from what you've seen in Rain Man is kinda shitty.