PS3 Price Cuts In Japan [Update 1]
It now appears that Sony has listened to all the criticism regarding its PlayStation 3 pricing strategy. They have issued a press release stating that the Japanese 20 GB PS3 will receive a 20% price cut, and will end up costing 49.980 yen or $429. There is no mention of a price cut on the high-end 60 GB version. In addition, both the 20 GB and 60 GB version will have HDMI outputs.
Sony hasn’t said anything regarding the US and Euro PS3 20 GB versions, but even if there are no price cuts, the HDMI port will certainly attract more people to get the 20 GB instead of the more expensive, 60 GB version. Full press release after the jump.
[Update 1] Speaking to 1UP, Sony has confirmed that the Japanese price cut will not affect the US or European PS3 pricing, the 20 GB is still set at $499, but with a HDMI port included.
Sony Press Release
Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3) with 20GB hard disk drive (HDD) will come equipped with HDMI (*) (Ver 1.3/supporting Deep Colour) output as standard with the system. PS3 with 20GB HDD will become available in Japan at a new recommended retail price of 49,980 yen (tax included).
Since SCEI first announced product specifications of PS3 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in May 2005, demand for enjoying full HD quality image and realistic digital sound through HDMI has grown tremendously. Given the sharp increase in availability of flat displays supporting HDMI in the market, SCEI has decided to equip HDMI as standard on all PS3 systems.
SCEI, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will offer a broad line-up of exciting and innovative titles and vigorously promotes the PS3 platform.
September 22nd, 2006 at 12:01 pm
The sony moves in very mysterious ways
September 22nd, 2006 at 2:10 pm
The Japanese home market has always been subsidized by the rest of the world (esp. Europe), its a very introverted mentality.