SCEE says no more 60GB PlayStation 3 in US after July [Update]

163 Comments by Jared Rea Jul 13th 2007 5:42AM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Business

It's one step forward and a giant lurch back as Sony is poised to pull the plug on their 60GB PlayStation 3. You know, the same PlayStation 3 that they generously shaved $100 dollars from earlier this week.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, SCEE president David Reeves casually mentioned the end of the 60GB model when asked if they would offer the European market a lower priced model, as SCEA did here in the States.

"Well, they're not really are they, because what the US are offering from the 1st of August is a USD $599 version with one game."

Reeves goes on to say that SCEA marked it down to move and that once it's gone, it's gone. When asked for the dreaded confirmation as to if this was the end of the 60GB model, Reeves replied "In America, yes."

Now don't you feel silly for quitting that second job.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Update: Sony America says this is not what's going on. Right hand meet left hand. Nice to meet you?

[Clarification: We're waiting for an official response from SCEA, Sony's US division. Reeves is not an official decision maker for SCEA, and is speculating on behalf of SCEE, Sony's European division.]

Tags: breakingnews, breakingnewse307, e307, pricedrop

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

Breserk: Jul 13th 2007; 5:50AM

This is bullshit. There was no price drop. There is no spoon.

Henry: Jul 13th 2007; 8:24AM

All you americans think you have it bad, the PS3 costs the equivilent of $860 in the UK.

CHAD WARDEN!: Jul 13th 2007; 12:01PM

"Sup beeches, let me tell you all about the P S Triple!"

Ordeith: Jul 13th 2007; 12:46PM

Most of that cost increase is the insane ammount of taxes the UK has hidden in the price.

Autopsy15: Jul 13th 2007; 5:51AM

Wow, doesn't anyone over at Joystiq sleep?

David Costin: Jul 13th 2007; 11:57AM

If this holds true ... to me at least ... this is a VERY unethical form of marketing -- on display from a company I know and love.

Believing, a company would value the short term, quick hit, public relations benefit ... over their long term corporate image sounds misguided.

Maybe someone needs to sail over to Europe and punch Mr. Reeves in the pants, to keep him in line.

I own a 60 gig PS3, and have been getting nothing but my moneys worth since plunking down the $599. I've owned a PS1, a PS2, digital video and photographic cameras, DVD players, and handheld palm devices -- all manufactured by Sony. And no matter what the device, I've always known any Sony product I was considering wasn't going to be a crappy entry level item, put together simply to take my money, but a quality piece of equipment. (Even if I felt I may or may not have been paying a few dollars extra, simply because the item was branded Sony. I was more than willing. From experience, I always knew what I was getting, before I made the purchase.

This would not only affects future/potential customers. But I as a current PS3 owner I can fight too ... simply because they've got my cash, doesn't mean my hands are tied to giving them more. I could resort to using a games rental service and not give Sony another dime.

To think, post E3, I was considering an new PSP.
Maybe now I'll wait to see how this shakes loose.

Ordeith: Jul 13th 2007; 12:48PM

David:

There is life beyons Son¥, seriously.

You need to stop getting ripped off and live a little.

David Costin: Jul 13th 2007; 1:41PM

Was simply stating, take Sonys name off of the products I've purchased and they've still been great products, I cannont deny that. Nor can haters change it, no matter what kooky rationale they choose to argue it.

user_21937: Jul 13th 2007; 5:51AM

So, I have to ask... what was the ****in' point of a price drop?

sorahn: Jul 13th 2007; 6:01AM

move all the 60 gb consoles off the shelves

Jason: Jul 13th 2007; 9:06AM

And to spark a huge jump in sales and make them look better... and then they pull the rug out and say "Ha, fucked ya! Now buy some games and movies."

john: Jul 13th 2007; 9:53AM

1. To get them some good PR.
2. To make everyone focus on their games at E3, not the price.
3. To try pressure MS into dropping the price of the 360.
4. To move the (many) 60gig units off the shelves to make room for the 80gig

It's really pretty cynical. Announce a price drop right before E3. Ride the wave of good PR into the event (would people still be saying that Sony "won E3? if they hadn't dropped the price?). Wait until the event is pretty much over, then announce that the 60 gig unit is going away, hopefully causing more people to buy the "cheap" PS3 before it's gone.

Goblemonster: Jul 13th 2007; 3:55PM

C'mon guys... last year Howard Stringer said that the PS3 was future proof (pricing):
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151712
"The price of the PS3 is high, but you're paying for potential," Stringer said.

Mmmmm... everybody STILL wants to pay for potential.

Nate P: Jul 13th 2007; 5:59AM

Hahahaha Sony fucks everyone over once again. Kiss my ass Sony. To think I was actually considering purchasing one.

archie91s: Jul 13th 2007; 3:27PM

sony america has confirmed that this is wrong. that guy is from sony europe. there is no way in hell sony would blow it now after such a positive e3 showing. even i am considering getting a ps3 now, and i'll be incredibly pissed if they get rid of the 60 gig model.

Carl: Jul 13th 2007; 6:02AM

Hey... you're getting an extra 20GB for free now...

*rolls eyes*

Here I thought Sony was finally turning over a new leaf.
Rather, they were just pulling a fast one on us.

Jypson: Jul 13th 2007; 6:13AM

Exactly, I actually thought they were getting a clue. Not a ragging clue mind you ala Hardly Boys, but a semi clue at least. So instead of a price cut, they're running a clearence sale...that insires confidence.

Stupidiot: Jul 13th 2007; 6:03AM

The deal in the UK seems considerably sweeter now (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6896261.stm)
The price remains the same, but now we get a bundle with two games (hopefully our own choice) and an extra controller.

Stupidiot: Jul 13th 2007; 6:15AM

Nevermind, I just noticed the Joystiq article further down the page. It sucks that you can't choose what games you want bundled with it..

ssuk: Jul 13th 2007; 8:19AM

We're still being screwed. Going by US price of the 60GB model of the PS3 (£250) and US prices of controlers and games (controler: £25, games: £30 each so, £85)... We're still being screwed. £330 that pack would be if it used American pricing. £387.75 with VAT added.
However, it's considerably less if you use UK pricing... But we're getting screwed with every game or gaming accessory we buy in the UK, regardless of maker. So...

baby sea tuna: Jul 13th 2007; 9:35AM

That's okay though, they bundle the UK version with the only 2 good games anyway.

Satyr: Jul 13th 2007; 6:04AM

I'm just glad I got mine 2 days ago. will be sending my coupon for 5 BD movies tomorrow.. suckas!

baby sea tuna: Jul 13th 2007; 9:32AM

Yes, I feel like such a sucka now.

...a sucka with $500 still in his pocket!

Triforceowner: Jul 13th 2007; 10:15AM

More importantly, $500 to spend on fun games.

Burnt Meatloaf: Jul 13th 2007; 6:07AM

WTF is wrong with this company? You couldn't do a worse job if you tried!

Jeez, even Commodore wasn't this bad.

Dylar: Jul 13th 2007; 6:10AM

To be fair, this is SCEE talking, the same guy who said that the PS3 would sell with no games. I'd wait until SCEA says something official.

Tyler: Jul 13th 2007; 6:11AM

Has anyone else in Sony confirmed this? They're known for having spokes persons not know wtf they're talking about.. if not.. WTF sony

jason: Jul 13th 2007; 6:13AM

Sony is even more stupid then microsoft first they get rid off the 20gb which would be now $400 same price as 360 premium if they would have kept it and did the $100 price drop like the 60gb version got. That would have made the 360 premium look like crap cuz you would get a blue-ray player and hdmi output.

Now they will get rid off the $500 60gb version what are they trying too do fail this generation. When 360 does get a price drop of $100 or more cuz they want to get down to $199 cuz then 360's will sell like crazy and PS3 will be $600 still, which will you choose $600 good games but not as many as 360 has out at $199 to $299 when they do a price probably annouce it at XO7 or TGS.

Josh Cox: Jul 13th 2007; 6:14AM

...wow. I know I'll own a PS3 SOMEWHERE down the line, and was hoping that I'd have this $500 option available at such point. Lame.

BNinjaC: Jul 13th 2007; 6:14AM

somebody tell this guy to stop wanking over pictures of master chief

Patrick: Jul 13th 2007; 6:14AM

*sigh... doesnt surprise me.

Damm, didnt Killzone... ehhhhh forget it.. Fuck you Sony!.

Richard Mitchell: Jul 13th 2007; 6:18AM

"Wow, doesn't anyone over at Joystiq sleep?"

Not on purpose, no.

Purple Haze: Jul 13th 2007; 7:00AM

Your not at joystiq! Your just a pitiful little Xbox360 Fanboy! Which raises a good point, why have you been writing things for joystiq now? And yeah I know they're in the same network thing, but they aren't the same!

Thaddeus: Jul 13th 2007; 6:23AM

Calm down. Sony will drop the price on the new SKU immediately after the 60 giggers sell out. If they announced that now, no one would buy the 60 giggers.

Patrick: Jul 13th 2007; 6:33AM

Calming down for a sec I think this is probably true. David Reeves will probably be raked over the coals for this slip up.... Wheres Phill Harrison when you need him? I swear sometimes I think he's the only one at Sony with their head screwed on.

Philly boy... he'll show us the way!

Hobbes E. Nader: Jul 13th 2007; 6:24AM

According to the topic about this on the NeoGAF forums ("RIP 60Gb PS3", Page 12, post #592), Kaz Hirai confirmed the strategy to be true.

Purple Haze: Jul 13th 2007; 6:40AM

Well now thats just BS isn't? But I guess there is some sense to it, cause now some people will think "only got until july if I wanna get one cheap!"

flaming360: Jul 13th 2007; 6:57AM

Why the hell are they dropping the 60 GB! I was goin to get one :(

manic: Jul 13th 2007; 7:01AM

BUY ONE QUICKLY THEN!

Brian: Jul 13th 2007; 7:13AM

I WAS going to buy one, too. Now there is no way I'm going to support this company.

jsn: Jul 13th 2007; 7:01AM

I guess they had a little too much good press with all the E3 festivities and decided they needed to shoot themselves in the foot.

Mark: Jul 13th 2007; 7:02AM

Sorry - can't sympathise. Being the UK and faced with having to shell out $864 for the 60gb model with a couple of games I probably won't be picking one up any time soon. Christ, even the Xbox Elite costs $200 less.

tactics: Jul 13th 2007; 12:31PM

at least you get free health care. i spent $1000 dollars on the dentist this month, and $300 on the doctor for an outer ear infection. quit complaining.

-"superfan" tactics.

Danny: Jul 13th 2007; 7:03AM

Well done Sony. You pull off the best keynote of the big 3, and then you just screw us all over by reversing the greatest move you've ever made.

Martez: Jul 13th 2007; 7:11AM

I find this to be hilarious. If they do end up dropping the price like an earlier poster said, then okay. But as it stands now, this is so bad it's funny.

Brian B.: Jul 13th 2007; 7:22AM

Kaz Hirai announces the death of the 60GB here in this video interview.

It's official!

http://atvs.vg.no/player/index.php?id=10235

(around 1:45, *Website is foreign but interview Kaz answers in English)

Jason: Jul 13th 2007; 9:18AM

OMG! Kaz said it...clearing out 60GB's, and then back to $599! oh those dirty fucking lying cheats.

Chainblast: Jul 13th 2007; 7:25AM

Are you guys that naive? When August rolls around and the 60GB has been discontinued, the 80GB will drop to $499. Just you wait.

vidGuy: Jul 13th 2007; 9:09AM

Maybe not August, but yeah the 80GB will drop. Then they'll have a new version while they fade the 80GB out.

fludblud: Jul 13th 2007; 11:37AM

by that time the 80 gig version will be phased out and replaced by a $599 120 gig version.

dont you guys get it? THERE WAS NEVER GOING TO BE A PRICE DROP IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS ALL BULLSHIT AND THE AVERAGE CONSUMER IS GETTING MAJORLY DUPED.

its our stupidity in believeing that a company like sony can turn a new leaf that allows this to happen.

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