Kotaku: skubar

Sony Still Undecided On New PlayStation 3 SKU?

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:40:14 MST

Multiple sources have pointed to a 120GB version of the PlayStation 3 replacing the 80GB model, rumored to be extinct at retail soon. According to a report from GameDaily, however, that talk may be premature. The outlet writes that it has a source close to Sony indicating that the company is still working on its product strategy, that "nothing is final yet."

The report goes on to mention that Sony may be looking at differentiating the two versions of the PS3 by including 160GB worth of storage and packing in a DualShock 3 controller. If accurate, it would appear that the successor to the top-tier version of the console isn't arriving any time soon.

Ugh. Someone, please, stop the PlayStation 3 SKU ride. We want to get off.

Source: Sony Mulling Over PS3 SKU Strategy [GameDaily]

SCEE Scuttles PlayStation 3 120GB That No One's Announced Yet

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:20:32 MST

With the 80GB model of the PlayStation 3 looking less and less likely to continue, following Best Buy's plans to drop the configuration and a telling "no comment" from Sony Computer Entertainment America, what will fans of large gigabyte counts do? Turn to the rumored 120GB model of the PS3, hinted at by retail employees to us and Ars Technica, we suppose. The new model, says Ars, will come with a DualShock 3 packed in and feature plenty of porn storage.

But who's not getting it, according to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe? The UK! SCEE tells GamesIndustry.biz that it does "not currently have any plans to release a 120GB PlayStation 3 in the UK", which is PR speak for "Please wait for us to finish approving our press release on the matter."

Sony: no plans to release 120GB PlayStation 3 in UK [GamesIndustry.biz]

Best Buy Says PlayStation 3 80GB Is On Its Way Out [Update]

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:40:15 MST

We've received multiple tips from readers—ones who also happen to be Best Buy employees—who have informed us that the North American retailer hasn't received stock of the PlayStation 3 80GB model for many weeks and is expected to discontinue carrying the model soon. According to our sources, Best Buy stores have also been asked to pull advertising materials related to the 80GB model, currently the only version that features PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility.

Rumors of a 120GB model have been spread to retail employees, but this conflicts with reports from other Best Buy moles who say that internal communications indicate only one model—the 40GB barebones edition—will be stocked after January 28th.

PS3 Fanboy has visual evidence of the notice to employees about the 80GB discontinuation, further proof that backwards compatibility may soon be a thing of the past. We've been bugging Sony about the situation all day, but have yet to receive anything other than a paraphrased "hold tight" about the rumors.

Update: It appears as though it's finally out. The 80GB model isn't showing on Best Buy's site.

Best Buy discontinuing 80GB PS3 [PS3 Fanboy]

Yet Another PS3 SKU On The Way?

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:20:00 MDT

With the heavily rumored (read: all but confirmed) feature-gimped 40 GB model of the PLAYSTATION 3 revealed in a recent FCC filing, possibly as model number CECHG01, it should come as little surprise that yet another PS3 SKU is in the works. An additional application from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. with the FCC shows that model number CECHH01, with FCC ID AK8CBEH1300, has undergone testing at the commission. What we don't know about the new PS3 model is its full hardware configuration, as the details are hidden from public viewing by a short term confidential request letter.

As tipster Nicholas theorized, SCEA may be planning for two price reduced models in the U.S. for the holidays, with the entry level, backwards incompatible PS3 40 GB weighing in at $399. But a second model, say priced at $499, featuring a larger hard drive, still with dual USB ports and a packed-in game would match nicely with a September rumor about the company's holiday hardware line-up.

That could mean that 40 GB, 60 GB and 80 GB models would be on store shelves during the shopping season, with stock of the PlayStation 2 compatible 60 GB version selling until it runs dry on stock. Then we could kiss PS2 gameplay on future PS3s goodbye forever.

Specifics on the new model are scarce, the FCC only revealing that Bluetooth and wireless LAN functions are still present in the CECHH01 model.

Retailers Listing 40GB PS3, Backward Compatability Nixed

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:20:34 MDT

More evidence of the all-but-confirmed "low cost model" 40GB version of the PLAYSTATION 3 has popped up in a variety of locations, with Best Buy stock listings showing the new hard disk drive equipped model packed with a copy of Spider-man 3, the movie, on Blu-ray. It's unclear how that's an incentive. The retailer lists the in-stock date as October 28th.

In addition to Best Buy's internal documentation, European retailer Play is now soliciting interest on its web site for the PS3 40GB model, aka the CECHG01. Play specifies the console as having only 2 USB ports and being incompatible with PlayStation 2 games.

No confirmation on price yet, but the Best Buy documentation lists a $399 MRSP and we're hearing talk of 449 Euro for the newest model. We expect to learn more within the coming weeks.

Sony's $399 PS3 confirmed by Best Buy? [Engadget]
Sony Playstation 3 PS3 Console With 40GB HDD [Play via PS3Fanboy]