Rumours of plans for a 40GB version of the PS3 in the UK rate amongst one of the worst kept secrets in the games industry this year. After much speculation on gamers and critics alike though, Sony have finally decided to finally confirmed what their their plans for the PS3 in PAL territories are.

Yesterday, Sony finally admitted that yes, a 40GB version of the PS3 would be hitting PAL territories... well, in the UK at least.

The new 40GB PS3 will debut in the UK on October 10 and, in a move that is likely to shoot whatever good intention the company had straight in the foot, the 40GB will "no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 titles," according to the company.

Further damaging the potential fine point of a lower price drop is the fact that the 40BG model will only sport two USB slots instead of four and, will also ditch the multi memory card port- (although this can still be added on using an accessory)

The 40GB version will go on sale at a price point of £299 (about $610). Yes, American friends, the most basic model of the PS3 in the UK actually costs more than the original PS3 did on launch in this

The 40GB PS3 in the wild.

In a self-butt-kissing statement on the issue of the lack of backward compatibility, Sony that the decision reflected, "both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive lineup of PS3-specific titles."

Or, you know, the real reason; it makes the console cheaper to produce, which denying consumers the console's full benefits.

On the issue of PSone titles, gamers can at least rest easy, "the backwards compatibility of PSOne titles is achieved through software and the vast majority of PSOne titles are backwards compatible with the new PS3." In a pretty damning act, Sony did not return calls to the press on why the PlayStation 2 backward compatibility - which has always been achieved through software emulation in European PS3s - could not be achieved with the 40GB model.

Why? It's simple. They're isn't any reason why it couldn't!

One small blessing is the fact that 60GB PS3 Star Park, which comes with two first-party games, and two Sixaxis controllers, will be discontinued, and replaced with the new Value Pack, whichs features a backwards compatible (?!) 60GB PS3, one Sixaxis wireless controller, two first-party titles, and will cost £349 (roughly $712)--a £76 ($155) price drop from the current £425 (about $868) pricetags.

"As we approach our very first PlayStation Christmas, it is satisfying to be able to offer UK consumers the choice of two PlayStation 3 packages both now representing remarkable value," commented Ray Maguire, managing director of Sony Computer Entertainment UK.

Apparently, Sony Computer Entertainment UK and the general consumer have two very different ideas of what "remarkable value" means.

Tags : 40 gig : 40GB : backward compatibility : playstation 2 : PlayStation 3 : price cut : PSone : Sony : uk

Comments

By: Evren

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On: 06:40 Oct 8th, 2007
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I shake my head, This is not going to do Sony ANY good whatsoever...

They must think they are the only games company in the world or something.

Even when I do get my PS3, Im most likely getting it secondhand, so Sony doesnt even get a penny of my money.

Same with the accessories.

By: boa

On: 06:40 Oct 8th, 2007
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It's alot better though.

And it works, I'm now wanting the 60GB model before it sells out as I know I'm going to get one as close to MGS4 as possible anyway, might as well pay the extra �50 for 2 games, the memory slots (although pointles to me :P), the bigger hard drive and the backwards compatability.

By: Mobius Zero

On: 10:36 Oct 8th, 2007
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Lets do an overview, PS3 is only doing well in Japan only cause the audience is not totally into Microsoft X-Box 360 and more into the Wii anyway. Europe is pretty similar to the US in the standings of the consoles since it is like this: Wii, 360, PS3. Maybe they will lower the price of the PS2 or PSP even more maybe to make up for this. Besides, instead of the Sixaxis controllers, how about the new Dual Shock 3 and really make the consumers while, oh wait, they have become a bunch of money marketeer selfish bastards, well, I would say sit on it and wait till they come up with a better deal; including the Dual Shock 3.

The reason the Dual Shock is cause of the reason it keeps the PS2 next to backward compatibility and a huge excellent game library and unbelievably cheap and who it reaches out to and they kept most of the companies that benefited them the most. Now if Sony can actually do this with the PS3 to some degree, we would at least be a bit happier .

By: lowvoice

On: 12:15 Oct 8th, 2007
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So they plan to sell more PS3's by taking out the backward compatibility AND giving it 20GB hardrive less space?

I think I'll hire a monkey to make a next gen console i'll probably still beat MS and Sony

By: Samuel

On: 02:48 Oct 8th, 2007
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*head-desk x 500*

Why can't they just issue one statement, and tell everybody to stick to it? This would clear up the confusion on compatability.

You know what? we don't need 40gb on a console. Just lower it to twenty and put all the extra stuff back in. That should keep the price at �299 (if I know my hardware) and make a whole lot more people happier.

It seems that sony just like to go bankrupt nowadays.

By: ApplesauceNinja

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On: 03:30 Oct 8th, 2007
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It's official - Sony is trying to kill themselves. The bullet is in the chamber,
the hammer's cocked, they have only to pull the trigger. No backward compatibility? What?! They have lost their effing minds.

By: Dragonfly

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On: 09:22 Oct 9th, 2007
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ApplesauceNinja;33172

It's official - Sony is trying to kill themselves. The bullet is in the chamber,
the hammer's cocked, they have only to pull the trigger. No backward compatibility? What?! They have lost their effing minds.

I think they just pulled the trigger.

http://www.videogamechat.net/news/console-news/40GB-PS3-rumoured-to-hit-US-stores-November-2nd-341

By: blazelion

On: 03:10 Oct 9th, 2007
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If they had removed the card reader and the two usb port, but not the emulation, and cut the cost by 50 quid, I'm sure people would have accepted that. By far it's the 400 quid mark that puts people off. By now, plentiful of games ARE supported through emulation, and sony rep Phil Harrison kept on going on in 2006 about how backwards emulation IS important to them as a company.. I shake my head in frustration..

By: dilmanator

On: 03:36 Nov 5th, 2007
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I own a 40gb ps3. The lack of card readers and the fact that it only has 2 usb ports as opposed to 4 is annoying but not game breaking. The fact that my ps3 doesnt have ps2 support however, is really damn annoying.

It's not so much that the ps3 doesnt have ps2 compatibility, its more the fact that is could have it if it wanted to. All it would take from sony would be a simple update and bang, I would have ps2 support.

Why do sony always insist on shitting on people who buy their products? Firstly, they release a new console which has amazing components but has a bus speed that gimps it to hell and back (theoretically speaking, a ps3 is as powerful as the much cheaper xbox360. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.)

Then they dont release any good games for said console (Heavenly sword lasted 5 hours for me and cost me 110 dollars. not cool. Reisistance is horrible. Motorstorm is nothing but a very poor tech demo, ratchet and clank is *ok* but not a must have and everything else is either not worth mentioning or is better on 360)

AND THEN they cull the fantastic back catalougue of games for the ps3. I would have loved to play ff12 or okami upscaled but does sony give me the chance? No. No they dont. And when I bought my ps3, i could'nt find any of the 60gb versions left at all in my area. Effectively they didnt even give me a choice between a cheaper gimped version and a more expensive premium version. If i had the choice, it would have definately been the non existant premium version.

The way i see it, the only reason sony would cull ps2 BC would be to try and sell more ps3 games.

........

WHAT PLAYSTATION 3 GAMES??

Whoever is on the PS3 SKU design team is either autistic or mentally retarded. It infuriates me that sony CAN have backwards compatibility and choose not to. I want sony to come out and tell me why. And while there at it, I want them to me why they havent given me choice.

If microsoft can give me the choice between the 360 pro pack, the 360 premium pack and the soon to be released 360 arcade pack (All of which are well thought out SKU's that address the needs of basically all gamers out there), Then why can sony at least give an option between "Yay i have legs" and "lolz im disabled"

By: Corrine

On: 03:53 Nov 5th, 2007
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They want to force people to start getting PS3s instead of continuing to port everything back to the PS2.
It's not gonna help Sony that much.

We all know why. *sighs*

By: deanogee

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On: 07:17 Nov 8th, 2007
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lowvoice;33156

So they plan to sell more PS3's by taking out the backward compatibility AND giving it 20GB hardrive less space?

I think I'll hire a monkey to make a next gen console i'll probably still beat MS and Sony

i agree what the hell are sony thinking?? i look forwardto your new console...

20 gig less - thats ok i can live with that..

backward compatibility - you have got to be joking! no way!