Deeko News spotted a link to a press release about the 60 GB Playstation 3 dropping to $499 beginning tomorrow. Also in August Sony is going to bundle the 80 GB Playstation 3, the standard PS3 in Korea plus Motorstorm for $599. Previously we mentioned the possibility about Europe getting a Motorstorm bundle, so this news shouldn’t come as a surprise.
However, the timing of the announcement is unusual. A price drop seems like something Sony would want to mention during their Wednesday morning press conference. Maybe after the rumor caught fire from the CheapAssGamer forums Sony was forced to jump the gun about the price break. Or… maybe Sony planned to announce the price drop early regardless of the leak. A slightly more reasonable Playstation 3 before their press conference and then a strong showing at E3 could be SCEA’s kip-up.
Edit: I remembered that Sony has an ongoing promotion during this summer where anyone who buys a Blu-ray player nets five free movies. Since the discounted Playstation 3 is a Blu-ray movie player you're also eligible to get a few movies too like Babel and the Corpse Bride.
Edit 2: Sony e-mailed me a slightly different press release that mentions mostly the same stuff and a list of games including Metal Gear Solid 4, which is still on target to come out by the end of the fiscal year.
FOSTER CITY, Calif., July 9 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), Inc. today announced a new 80GB model of its PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system. Beginning in August, the new PS3 model will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $599/$659 CND and will be sold with the popular online-enabled racing game MotorStorm(TM). In conjunction with this news, the company also announced that effective immediately, the current 60GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499/$549 CND, or $100 below the original launch price.
By featuring an expanded hard disk drive (HDD), the new 80GB PS3 is designed to appeal to the online gaming and entertainment enthusiast, providing ample storage space to download more games and other entertainment content from PLAYSTATION(R)Network. There are currently more than 60 playable games and game-related downloads available through PLAYSTATION(R)Store, with expanded entertainment content coming soon. The new model features the million-selling game MotorStorm in the box, allowing up to 12 players to play online at one time, hitting the dirt in this visually-arresting, fast-paced racing title.
Throughout the holidays and this fiscal year, more than 120 new first and third-party software titles will be available for North American PS3 users to enjoy, in addition to the more than 40 software titles currently available. Key upcoming first-party titles include Folklore(TM), Heavenly Sword(TM), LAIR, NBA '08, Ratchet & Clank(R) Future: Tools of Destruction(TM), SingStar(TM), SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, THE EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Warhawk(TM).
Numerous third-party titles, including several exclusives, will also be available such as Devil May Cry(R)IV, Dynasty Warriors(R):GUNDAM(R), Grand Theft Auto IV, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hellboy, Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots, Ninja Gaiden Sigma(R), SEGA Rally(R) Revo, Stranglehold(TM), The Darkness, TimeShift(TM), Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter(TM) 2.
Additional games and services will also be available for PS3 system owners through the PLAYSTATION Network including PlayStation Home, a state-of-the-art 3D online community that serves as a meeting place for PS3 users around the world, as well as numerous downloadable games including the highly-anticipated title PAIN.
"As we move into the next phase of PS3, it's important that we continue to evaluate our product line, offering consumers the technology and features that meet their growing needs for new forms of media and the way in which it is delivered," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of SCEA. "The introduction of the 80GB PS3, the new pricing for the current 60GB model, the availability of more than 100 new software titles this fiscal year and, finally, the expansion of services for PLAYSTATION Network, will provide even more options for users and will help bring new consumers into the PS3 fold."
Both the 80GB and 60GB PS3 models come standard with Cell Broadband Engine(TM) (Cell/B.E.), Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) player, built-in HDD, 1080p high-definition output, Wi-Fi connectivity and SIXAXIS(TM) wireless controller.
