Sony plot 60 Gb-only PS3 for UK and Europe

May 18th, 2006, 20:52 Posted By: wraggster

Via CVG

Although the PS3 is due a simultaneous worldwide launch in November, it seems that Europe may not get the cut down 20Gb model at all, and our home territory definitely won't be getting that E3 announced pre-pay card for online gaming.

That's the latest word from Sony Computer Entertainment boss Ray Maguire anyway, who, speaking exclusively to respected UK trade mag MCV revealed that the lower end PS3 may not even make an appearance over in these here parts.

"The lower-end 20Gb version of PlayStation 3 has no wi-fi, no HDMI and none of the other slots in it, so it's really a question of where we would position it. It's more likely that we will only launch the 60Gb version," opined Maguire."

It's an interesting proposition given the largely negative reaction to the lower spec PS3 over on this side of the Atlantic, in much the same way Microsoft's Core Xbox 360 pack wasn't entirely warmly received. Price will obviously be a crucial decider but with the 60Gb PS3 likely to weigh in around the 425-430 GBP mark (the price will ultimately be decided by retailers and the exchange rate - despite every other site jumping on the 425 GBP bandwagon today), there may be little appetite in the UK and Europe for a lower end machine, shorn of what many perceive to be its most attractive features.

Maguire continued, "We have time to watch the yen and be flexible, but that 60Gb version looks like 425 GBP in the UK at the moment. High trade margins in the UK are likely to see it come in with that kind of street price."

"It's five months until launch, so we have time for dialogue with retailers. Maybe the early adopter price for PlayStation 3 is really upwards of 2,000 GBP, given that retail has a great opportunity to drive HDTV TV sales," added Maguire.

"And we won't be launching the pre-pay card for online that was demonstrated at the press conference. It's not right for the UK - [it's] too difficult to launch or manage."

So no 20Gb PS3 for Europe it seems, if Sony continue thinking this way. But is that a good or bad for gaming? Surely most early adopters will want the full 60Gb monster, so a 20Gb version would just be a waste of time from Sony's perspective. We'd be delighted to hear what you think in the comments below.

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