PlayStation 3 To Launch At $499 For 20 Gig, $599 For 60

[Andre]

PS3 Price Points Announced
"If you've been following our live coverage of Sony's E3 press conference, you've already seen the news, and if you haven't...well, Sony finally announced the prices for PlayStation 3.

The next-generation console will come in two models -- but both will include a hard drive, unlike Xbox 360. The base model will retail at $499 with 20 GIG HD. Those with a little extra disposable cash can pick up a premium version loaded with a 80G GIG HD for $599 at launch this November.

Talk about breaking the bank. Guess it's time for all of us to start looking for the second job Kutaragi suggested. Anyone hiring? "

Source: 1up.com

Sony Unveils Redesigned PS3 Controller
"Even though Sony's press conference started late, the company made sure not to disappoint. In addition to announcing a ship date, controversial launch prices and exciting trailer for Final Fantasy XIII and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, PlayStation creator Ken Kutaragi also took the stage for the PlayStation 3's controller.

The surprise wasn't that Sony had ditched the boomerang-style design shown off at last year's shown; that much was a given not long after E3 2005. What shocked audience members, however, was a secret feature of the PlayStation 3 controller that essentially incorporates the gyroscope motion sensor technology that's the focus of Nintendo's Wii.

Sony then shows off a demo of the technology using the upcoming Warhawk sequel. Instead of using the d-pad or analog sticks to navigate around the free-roaming environment, everything was controlled by moving the controller up, down, left and right. Though the demonstration appeared to have a few kinks, the point was made.

What reaction this will spur from Nintendo is anyone's guess, but it's clear Sony isn't about to ignore Nintendo's attempt to distance themselves from the competition."

Source: 1up.com

E3 2006: PS3 Date and Price Announced
"May 8, 2006 - In a last minute bombshell, Kaz Hirai announced the specific date and details of the PS3 launch. The PS3 will be arranged in two separate system configurations: a 20 and a 60 gigabyte hard drive system. What's more, Japan will see the PS3 first on November 11th, at a price for 59,800 yen for the 20 gigabyte system setup. The 60 gigabyte system will be open ended and set by retailers. North America, Europe and Australasia will see the system six days later on November 17th. The price? $499 dollars or 499 Euros for the 20 gig version, and $599 dollars or 599 Euros for the 60 gig version. In Canadian dollars, that will come to approximately $549 dollars for the 20 gig and $659 dollars for the 60 gig version.

Hirai also announced that Sony will try to get a grand total of six million units shipped by March 31, 2007, which is Sony's fiscal date: 2 million PS3s will be available during the initial launch window, another 2 million will be shipped before the end of 2006, and finally another 2 before March 31st."

Source: IGN

[Princess J]

Sorry. I don't have that kind of money, and if I did, I wouldn't spend it on a PS3. As much as I would like to have one, that's CRAZY.

Here's hoping the Wii will actually be affordable to your average casual consumer. I think that'll greatly help its appeal.

[BoltDragoon]

Nintendo just went "Wiiiiii!"

[Icy Guy]

Bolt, I think both Nintendo and Microsoft went "Wiiiiii!" Or maybe they'll announce that they're jointly working on the Nintendosoft WiiSixty.

Now we'll see a 360 price cut announcement for sure - the current rumor is $100 for Premium, $80 for Core.

Sony then shows off a demo of the technology using the upcoming Warhawk sequel. Instead of using the d-pad or analog sticks to navigate around the free-roaming environment, everything was controlled by moving the controller up, down, left and right. Though the demonstration appeared to have a few kinks, the point was made.

Why, God, WHY? Warhawk plays just fine on a regular (non-analogue, I might add) controller. Why couldn't Warhawk 2 have come out in '98, when it was supposed to?

[LaorBR]

OUCH!
The more I know about this new generation, the more I fell in love with my Mega Drive (j/k)

[Gruntling]

$500?! $600?!

I'm sorry, but even for the average working man that's still a lot of dough! I bet when the first PS3s come out they'll be selling in excess of $1,000 on eBay. Sony seriously needs to lower their price if they want to be taken seriously by the casual consumer. Nintendo's going to have no problem gaining market share this generation!

[Gold Jinjo]

Originally Posted by Gruntling

Sony seriously needs to lower their price if they want to be taken seriously by the casual consumer.

Sony can't lower their prices. They've got too much expensive technology in their system, like Blu-Ray. It's going to be a long time until prices are even cut just the tiniest bit.

If you really want a PS3, start pinching pennies, or take your gaming needs to a different system. And Sony continues to make the Xbox 360 look better and better.

[Gruntling]

Originally Posted by Gold Jinjo

Sony can't lower their prices. They've got too much expensive technology in their system, like Blu-Ray. It's going to be a long time until prices are even cut just the tiniest bit.

If that's the case, I think Sony's putting itself in a pickle this time around. Sure there's going to be massive lines and people who will pick up the console no matter what, but in the long run, I think this steep price will hurt Sony more than help it. I really don't think I'd ever pay that much! $599? I'm still in shock!

[Hakey Wake]

Is anybody really surprised by the price?

Or by their attempt at stealing the Wii-motes thunder?

Edit: Actually now that I've actually took the time to do some research, it seems as though Sony were going to use gyros eventually anyway...I mean the Guitar Hero controller had one after all.

[Ice Lightning]

Well I kind of expected the huge price but not stealing Nintendo's idea already. I would have thought they would do that for the next next generation.

What's worse is all the Sony fans will be going: Lolz, Sony is the Roxorz, we gots a c00l c0ntr0llor.

I hate Sony so much. All they care about is getting more money, not about good games or being inovative. Just making money form other people's ideas. Kind of like ebaumsworld.

[Benjo-Kazooie]

Aaa...Aaa(rip-off)...CHOOOOOoooo

[Cyphix]

Looks like the "Good" system is going to be $999, and the "Bad" system will be $829 in Australia.

Link.

[PaintGamma]

I CAN afford one, I just choose to be a stingy bastard and not buy one.

And don't be too afraid of their gyro controller. I mean, it's going to be a bitch swinging that thing around. It dosent actually feel like a sword or anything like that-it still feels like a controller. Thats why Nintendo's is so oddly shaped for it emulates a sword or an object even more making it actually feel more authentic.. They aren't being innovative-just trying to rip people off and failing in the process.

[repobanjo]

600 dollars for an unoriginal system with a rip-off of the Wii controller? BAD CHOICE!

I agree with Bolt. Nintendo and Microsoft went "Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii"! Of course, Sony is too. It's either because they have such a large fanbase that they'll buy a 600 dollar system, or they just like saying, "Wiiiiiiiiiiii!"

[DemyGod]

Totally Nuts. I will never pay for PS3. Someone else can buy it for me, no problem but I'm not even going to ask my mom for it. $600? Yea riiiiiiight.