Kotaku
Since new models and price-cuts are all the rage for the PS3 in North America, figured it was only fair to ask SCEE what was going on across the pond. Was Europe also going to see a price-cut? Were they getting an 80GB bundle? How's the weather in Budapest?
We have no announcement to make at this time.Slightly disappointing, yes, but not that unexpected. The system launched five months late in PAL territories, you have to expect any price-cuts to come later as well. But how much later? Tomorrow? Sometime this week? I don't think so, not with the American cuts announced publicly and in isolation. I'm thinking Leipzig.
Comments
Figures...
The only upside to waiting for the price cut to reach me in Aus is by then there might actually be some games out for the PS3.
Looking forward to once again owning all the current systems.
Bah... Give them a week or two, Euro will be getting their price cut.
"We have no statement at this time" is corporate speak for "Wink wink, nudge nudge."
Come on Kotaku... Is there a point to this news? or blog post? any point at all? It is a "no comment" with no additional info from previous post.
(This could better be served as an update attached to the other post.)
@PapaBear434: or... WE JUST WOKE UP, GOT HERE AND DRINKING FIRST CUP OF COFFEE YOU DAMN JOURNALISTS, lol
I can't see Sony lowering the price of the PS3 in Europe just yet seeing as it only came out 5 months ago.
That's why I'll be picking mine PS3 up in the states in October when I hit Florida!
A lot cheaper than the UK is offering, and I don't have to emulate my PS2 games either!
Bonus!
Where's the best place to go to buy a console in the states?
They aren't that 'mum' on the subject. The Blog is talking about it openly!
IRENICUS you have got to be joking. This is Kotaku, where cheesy Mario merchandise makes the front page. Unlike the merchandise, this is actual news.
That's ridiculous.
Yes, the PS3 came out here just a couple of months ago - but I guess European and US PS3s cost Sony exactly the same to make.
It is just another piece of evidence that Sony considers the European market somehow way inferior.
@freemonk:
Anywhere. As a lot of anti-Sony heckle squads like to point out, they aren't exactly flying off the shelves. Go to any electronics store, you'll find one.
@DarkD: No it is a blog so posting cheesy stuff is not only okey, great but fun to and news worthy :D
This on the other hand is a WHOLE post about "NO COMMENT"... Which aint supprising considering the time they are asking the time after the news for the americans and E3 is still suppose to make the announcement? I feel this was an early ejaculation, If there is "no comment" after E3 then make something of it.
Dear Mr. Plunkett, the weather in Budapest is fine, and by the way this so called "News" sound like a flamebait from a System War forum...
@RealityCheckKH:
whoopsies, you took a wrong turn somewhere on the main page...here. have a map. with this newfangled appearance, it's easy to get lost in these parts.
=P
@Me: Sorry, I'm talking rubbish. I didn't read it properly. Ignore my comment :p .
@Kreean:
/whap self
oy, I guess I am the guy who got lost. I still blame the new look though. DAMN YOU GAWKER!!!
Here's my take: It's dumb not to do a concurrent price drop. If people in Europe know us Yanks got a price drop do you think they're going to waste a single quid extra on getting it now? No, they're going to wait for the drop. Every month that SCEE doesn't drop the price to match the US equivalent, they're going to see pummetting PS3 sales.
Was this
"The system launched five months late in PAL territories, you have to expect any price-cuts to come a few months later as well."
Mean't as sarcasm. I seriously hope it was! An American price drop needs to be followed immediately by a corresponding Pal drop of at least 100 pounds (not euros). If not, then Sony can expect to sell exactly zero systems in europe after the american price goes down.
We on this side of the pond are pissed off enough with their european pricing policy as it is.
@Phenix: Stop making sense now!
@Irenicus:
Sorry, won't happen again.
@Phenix:
Wait till E3...
@Kreean: And if this hadn't gone up, Europeans reading about American price-drops would all be asking "what about us". There's just no pleasing some people
Well, then again "We have no announcement to make at this time." could mean they'll fucking announce it tomorrow.
@PapaBear434: Yup.
"No comment at this time" should read "hold on for a bit, cause ill get so fired if i say shit right now."
I am European, but it doesn't make me upset. We have to wait for games (Odin Sphere for example) so I guess have no problem to wait for a price cut too.
Meh, it's their own loss.
I will wait forever, even if it means never getting it.
No money for you till it's worth it, Sony.
yup i expect it maybe in a week or less. No sweat my European friends.
My advice :! playasia will have a price drop of the 60GB model of PS3 to $499 and 20GB to $450 - Below: ! export one and buy a $30 power converter 110- 240.
As another poster stated, im not bothered that they havent announced a drop in Europe yet... mostly because there are not any games to buy anyway. When if the games come I will start looking/expecting/wanting a price cut.
And when it does come please make sure it is £100 and not converted to about £50.
@bopmachine: it wont be 100 pounds it will be lowered by 100euro man. Which is how it allways have been.
Man, I love how European representatives just get straight to the point and don't go blabbing on about everything else they're doing.
CVG: Is Nintendo considering releasing a hard drive to bolster the Wii's memory for all this new content?
Nintendo: No.
Is Europe also going to see a price-cut? Are they gettting an 80GB bundle? How's the weather in Budapest?
SCEE: We have no announcement to make at this time.
@Hyrule Outlaw: that's a good point.
Sony America woudlve turned the question into an EyeToy response at some point.
am thinking Christmas
@freemonk: you cant play your ps2 games, if you buy one from the states as they are region locked
Still Im thinking september for euro price cut, bundled with Heavenly Sword or Lair. A singstar bundle will go down well aswell
@GospelGangsta: It will happen sooner im sure, unless they can sell it here for same price and still make profit that is. Which might happen :P
If the price doesn't drop in Europe before the GTA release, it's bye bye Sony.
good news everybody SCEE are going to make a big announcement on thursday at E3:
[www.gamesindustry.biz]
"Although unwilling to be drawn on specifics, a spokesperson did confirm that the announcement will be related to SCEA's price cut of the PS3 in North America, and the introduction of a new 80GB model."
Like I said before... wait till E3
If Sony have any sense at all they will lower the european price to 475 euros or 325 pounds. That will pretty much guarantee an installed base in europe that would be equal to or exceed the 360 installed base within a year.
I would say Microsoft should also cut their prices but, given that Microsoft could have cut 100 pounds from the 360 at the start of this year, I don't think they are serious about wanting to dominate the games market. A donimating force doesn't wait for it's competitors to make the first move. You either lead from the front or step down from the podeum.
@penhalion: The price difference is also to be accounted for higher taxes within each country like the UK but also EU taxes and import taxes VAT crap. The actual price is about the same removing our taxes, and in turn we get a free healthcare system and better social security etc.
So Sony and Microsoft and Nintendo are not robbing us in europe really.
@penhalion: There theres loads of people who want a ps3 at present in europe,a price cut will go down very well.
Still saying that its only UK where the 360 is selling well anyway in europe
Phenix is right. I agree: If we know a price drop os probably coming, we will wait, and NOT buy one now.
That's just what I'm doing. Holding out for this specific price drop. (Australia, Europe, same thing :S)
If they only take off £50(around $100) though i seriously doubt it's going to have much of an impact on sales.
The majority of shops already sell it for £399 over here in the UK, rather than the RRP of £425.
Two facts on the Sony price drop and new 80 gig model.
1.The price drop of the 60 gig model is ONLY FOR NORTH AMERICA and NO OTHER COUNTRY!
2.The new 80 gig American model is based off of the European redesign and will eature backwards PS2 compatability through Emotion engine emulation and not through the hardware Emotion chip that will still be included in the 60 gig models(until all Sony's warehouses are sold out of curent 60gig models i'm betting then the 60gig model will either be disconrinued or will start including PS2 software emulation like the 80gig model).
Pointless to wait.
All it does is screw over European consumers who are now going to wait anyway, until it's discounted.
80GB version will include Rumble Six Axis controller as indicated by the red logo.
So when this price cut takes effect, will Sony offer customers who paid full price a compensation package like MS did with the original Xbox?
After dropping the price of the Xbox, MS offered all existing customers their choice of 2 free games + a new controller.
The ps3 is about 30% more expensive here in Sweden compared to the US, and even moreso if you compared it to japan!
Meanwhile, the 360 has only about 10-15% difference between all regions!
@Tezs:
The link was already posted, but I guess nobody looked at it. Therefore:
[www.gamesindustry.biz]
Sony to announce new PS3 Euro deals
Possible price cut, added value to be revealed at E3
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has contacted GamesIndustry.biz to state that the company will be making a major announcement regarding the PlayStation 3 this Thursday at the E3 Media and Business Summit.
Although unwilling to be drawn on specifics, a spokesperson did confirm that the announcement will be related to SCEA's price cut of the PS3 in North America, and the introduction of a new 80GB model.
Sony has slashed the price of the 60GB PlayStation 3 to USD 499 effective immediately, while introducing a new 80GB version, bundled with a copy of Evolution Studios' MotorStorm, for USD 599.
The PlayStation 3 was launched in Europe March 23, and currently retails for GBP 425 / EUR 599
@sauvage: thats what you took that as? I hope youre right.
They really should enforce the price cut in Europe as soon as possible as its ridiculoously unfair how much extra it is here if $499 = £260 roughly then in the UK we are getting charged approx 60-70% extra for the same hardware!