New PS3 model to hit Europe for 399 EUR

[-tkf-]

Funny move. I didn't expect they would drop the back compat after the big deal they made out the 'crippled' 360 implementation.

Shows what competition can do.

Anyway, yay for the lower price! I couldn't care less for the card reader or USB ports...

We don´t know if the BC was dropped, all we know is that a new PS3 was introduced that doesn´t support BC.

This is called a choice and afaik lots of people made a great fuss about Microsoft giving people lots of choices. The most important thing about the new 40GB PS3 is that is´s still the same PS3 platform so developers does not have to worry about the harddrive not being there.

 

[pipo]

We don´t know if the BC was dropped, all we know is that a new PS3 was introduced that doesn´t support BC.

I'm not counting on it: http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17683

GameDaily BIZ also contacted SCEE spokesman Nick Sharples who told us, "We have made clear on many occasions that our priority is on developing innovative new features and services for PS3 and not on backwards compatibility. The 40GB model no longer contains any elements of the PS2 chip set which powered backwards compatibility in previous models, and is therefore only compatible with PS one titles."

This is called a choice...

...until stocks run out.

 

[djskribbles]

the 80GB is not going anywhere anytime soon and the BC compatibility is at a high percentage. i don't think Sony is going to completely drop BC anytime soon (meaning there won't be any SKU that supports BC).

 

[max-pain]

the 80GB is not going anywhere anytime soon and the BC compatibility is at a high percentage. i don't think Sony is going to completely drop BC anytime soon (meaning there won't be any SKU that supports BC).

I think it's not in production anymore.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

It must still be in production as it's the same system that's the 80GB model in NA. We could see all 90nm parts becoming 80GB US machines, and the EU only getting 65nm no BC units, but then there'll be another SKU change. Basically, when the BC mobos run out, Sony either stick with just a 40GB machine (and introduce it to the US?) or add another SKU with larger HDD. It's all getting rather messy at this point.

My expectation is that there's a good few million BC mobo's to make PS3's with. Whether they all go to NA or get shared with other territories, we don't know. Unlike the 80GB announcement and 60GB price drop, where it was confirmed that once the stocks of 60GB are depleted that'll be the end of them in the US, we haven't been told (yet) that when the 60GB model runs out in the PAL territories, we'll only have a 40GB model left and no choice.

 

[max-pain]

ups

 

[-tkf-]

I'm not counting on it: http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17683

...until stocks run out.

If your not counting on it you buy one with BC now of course.

I just think there is plenty BC PS3´s to go around, and if Sony can earn money on a "Elite" PS3 the will continue to provide one.

 

[pipo]

the 80GB is not going anywhere anytime soon and the BC compatibility is at a high percentage. i don't think Sony is going to completely drop BC anytime soon (meaning there won't be any SKU that supports BC).

For those who consider backwards compatibility important, the 60GB Starter Pack with extra SIXAXIS controller, two first party titles and extensive backwards compatibility remains available until stocks run out.

Again - from: http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17683

If your not counting on it you buy one with BC now of course.

Most likely. But 'choice' is a bit stretching it the way things are looking right now.

 

[max-pain]

I just think there is plenty BC PS3´s to go around

Try to get one in Australia. Good luck! (AFAIK hard to find.)

 

[fireshot]

No BC? Just like that? Kutaragi would never have allowed this to happen....

I don't like the new direction SCE is heading after Ken got fired, it all seems short termist. Cutting off the goodwill by breaking old promises, shutting down all their manufacturing factories, leaving the chips business.

Stringer would probably leave at the end of his term with a good grade but he have thrown Sony back 10 years.

 

[-tkf-]

Try to get one in Australia. Good luck! (AFAIK hard to find.)

There isn´t a PS3 to be had in .AU now?

That is weird, i hope it´s not a trend for the BC models.

 

[Red Herring]

The fact some people can get some titles working (what's the performance like BTW?)

Generally abysmal with PCSX2 you need a really high end PC (CPU+GPU) just to get it to run at a sufficient speed that isn't at a snails pace.

A good number of titles actually load (a greater number don't) but there is lots of visual corruption, bugs & all sorts of other problems that make them unplayable.

A very small number of titles are actually playable usually because visually they aren't that demanding or it's a favorite title of the devs so they have worked on fixing the bugs (which is what tends to get posted on their front page giving the impression the emulator is a lot further along than it really is).

 

[djskribbles]

Again - from: http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17683



Most likely. But 'choice' is a bit stretching it the way things are looking right now.

i see no mentioning of Sony saying they plan on eliminating BC completely on all SKU's nor do i see any indication that they will. all he said was their priority is on PS3 functions. the compatibility is already very good and there are very few PS2 games being released now. i think there will always be a SKU with some form of BC, or at least for a long time.

 

[sir doris]

My guess is that BC is dropped now from the SKU because they haven't got software emulation working yet, but may get it working later. Although that'd go against the comment that they want to divert funding.

Quick question, is there anywhere that states the 60GB EU and 80GB US PS3s do actually have the GS in them and they are not totally reliant on software to enable backwards compatability with the PS2?

 

[StefanS]

Quick question, is there anywhere that states the 60GB EU and 80GB US PS3s do actually have the GS in them and they are not totally reliant on software to enable backwards compatability with the PS2?

Sony themselves said so. Plus it's pretty evident if you look at the motherboards themselves.

 

[pipo]

Anyways, picked up a 60GB pack (2 controllers / RFOM / MS) for €499.

First impressions: quiet, WiFi is lovely, short USB cable isn't and no HD cable suxorzz!1!, quiet, HS demo looks great, menu looks great, quiet.

I miss the 360's demo feature already (all downloadable games have a demo mode - they are essentially limited full versions) and of course the friends functionality and achievements.

Sony has localization nailed though. MS really has to work on that part for Europe (or Holland at least).

The setup and menu is a bit 'technical' compared to the 360 IMHO, but again, it's localized so Sony gains extra points for that. As a whole it feels a bit more complicated (e.g. after downloading a demo you have to 'install' it before you can start playing?). Nothing shocking though. The menu looks pretty slick though.

Back to the system...

 

[Shifty Geezer]

pipo - these impressions are the 'old' 60GB version?

 

[pipo]

pipo - these impressions are the 'old' 60GB version?

I guess so. We only had one model over here...

Oh, and Super Stardust HD rocks!

 

[Arwin]

Anyways, picked up a 60GB pack (2 controllers / RFOM / MS) for €499.

First impressions: quiet, WiFi is lovely, short USB cable isn't and no HD cable suxorzz!1!, quiet, HS demo looks great, menu looks great, quiet.

I miss the 360's demo feature already (all downloadable games have a demo mode - they are essentially limited full versions)

Actually, just like on the 360, not all these games have demo modes, but actually most of them do, also on the PSN. The Go! games, Nucleus, Blast Factor and a few more. The games that don't have a demo are often a bit larger games than you normally get, like SSHD, Tekken, and Warhawk.

and of course the friends functionality and achievements.

It does have some friends functionality though, but particularly the bit where you can compare achievements with friends or do some cross-game invites and such is where the 360 is still clearly ahead.

Sony has localization nailed though. MS really has to work on that part for Europe (or Holland at least).

Agreed. And it's even better in games.

The setup and menu is a bit 'technical' compared to the 360 IMHO, but again, it's localized so Sony gains extra points for that. As a whole it feels a bit more complicated (e.g. after downloading a demo you have to 'install' it before you can start playing?). Nothing shocking though. The menu looks pretty slick though.

Agreed on most counts there, although I didn't feel the PS3 was more technical. But I think it gives more options in some areas, so that might have something to do with it.

Enjoy! Hope you like it. I also like that it's quiet. It's such an easily overlooked quality.

 

[sir doris]

Sony themselves said so. Plus it's pretty evident if you look at the motherboards themselves.

Thanks