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Playstation 3 European launch, 23 March.

L

Leonsito

Member
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY 24th JANUARY GMT

PS3 to Launch in UK on 23rd March 2007
Over 30 Titles for Launch Period
1 Million units forecast for Initial European Launch Period

London, 24 January 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announced that PLAYSTATION®3 will be launched in the PAL territories including the United Kingdom on 23rd March 2007 at a price of £425.

Responding to retail and consumer demand, SCEE confirmed that initially only the 60GB model would be available, with the 20GB model to follow later in the year dependent on demand.

An expected one million PS3 units will be made available during the initial launch period to all SCEE territories.

SCEE also announced a stellar launch line-up of over 30 game titles for PS3, including eagerly awaited titles published by SCEE such as Resistance: Fall of Man™, MotorStorm™, Genji™: Days of the Blade, FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION and Ridge Racer™ 7. An exceptional range of titles in every genre will also be available at launch from the world’s leading third party publishers, including Electronic Arts, Activision, Namco Bandai, Sega, Take 2, Ubisoft, Vivendi Universal, and Sony Online Entertainment.

In addition to games on disc, an exciting range of fully-featured downloadable games
will debut on the PLAYSTATION®Network. These will include gaming icons such as Tekken®: Dark Resurrection and Gran Turismo® HD Concept; the fully-featured PS3 debut of the best-selling franchise Gran Turismo, realised with full HD (1080p) visual quality. Created by Polyphony Digital Inc and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Gran Turismo® HD Concept has been downloaded by more than 350,000 users since it was released in December 2006 in North America and Japan.

Also available on the PLAYSTATION®Network will be brainteasers such as Go! Sudoku and Go! Puzzle, and innovative games such as Blast Factor™ and flOw™, designed exclusively for PLAYSTATION 3 and delivering on the promise to provide original content created by non-traditional developers and publishers.

Concurrent with the European launch, a new System Update to further enhance the entertainment potential of PS3 will be issued.

Announcing the launch details, Ray Maguire, SVP and MD of SCEUK said, “Following the hugely successful launches of PS3 in Japan and North America, we are absolutely delighted to be able to bring significant numbers of PS3 to the UK. To be able to launch with over 30 titles including retail versions and great downloadable gaming experiences across every genre shows that this is our strongest launch line-up in the history of PlayStation, and is what PlayStation fans in the UK have been crying out for.”

PLAYSTATION 3 LAUNCH TITLE LINE-UP

Resistance: Fall of Man™ - SCEE - Disc
MotorStorm™ - SCEE - Disc
Genji™: Days of the Blade - SCEE - Disc
FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION - SCEE - Disc
Ridge Racer™ 7 - SCEE - Disc
Tekken®: Dark Resurrection - SCEE - Network
Lemmings™ - SCEE - Network
Go! Sudoku - SCEE - Network
Go! Puzzle - SCEE - Network
Blast Factor™ - SCEE - Network
flOw™ - SCEE - Network
Super Rub’a'Dub - SCEE - Network
Call of Duty 3 - Activision UK Ltd - Disc
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - Activision UK Ltd - Disc
Tony Hawk’s Project 8 - Activision UK Ltd - Disc
Gundam – Target in Sight - Namco Bandai Games - Disc
Full Auto™ 2: Battle Lines - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
Sonic the Hedgehog™ - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
Virtua Fighter™ 5 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
Virtua Tennis™ 3 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
World Snooker Championship 2007 - Sega®Europe Ltd - Disc
NBA 2K7 - Take 2 International SA - Disc
NHL 2K7 - Take 2 International SA - Disc
Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWll - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
Enchanted Arms - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
The Elder Scrolls lV: Oblivion - Ubisoft Entertainment SA - Disc
Def Jam: Icon - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Fight Night Round 3 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
NBA Street 4 Homecourt 2007 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Need for Speed Carbon - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
The Godfather: The Don’s Edition - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom - Electronic Arts Ltd - Disc
F.E.A.R. Vivendi - Universal Games Intl SA - Disc
Gripshift - Sony Online Entertainment - Network


PLAYSTATION 3 Peripherals Available at Launch

Peripheral - RRP in £ Sterling

SIXAXIS™ Wireless Controller - £34.99
Blu-ray Disc Remote Control - £17.99
HDMI Cable - £17.99
AV cable - £17.99
Component AV cable - £17.99
S Video cable - £12.99
 
M

Mithos Yggdrasill

Banned
Leonsito said:
Ok, now it's official, 23 March is the day, only 60GB at launch, 599€ and 425£ in UK.
Click to expand...

Great news for the date. Bad, BAD news for the price. I have not money enough for the PS3. I'll wait wait until White Knights or Afrika are out, hoping that that the price will be under 400 Euro.
 
P

pswii60

Member
It's official because... you say so? I'm not doubting that info for a second because I've heard the exact same, but a source would be useful. Unless you've decided to break the embargo off your own back, in which case you'll be hunted down by Sony and potentially mutilated.
 
S

Sho_Nuff82

Member
Assuming the RS Vegas and Oblivion ports turn out well, the European PS3 could quite possibly have the greatest launch lineup...ever?

I can't believe I just said that.

Should be interesting to see how the PS3 breaks out of the gates over there with that many good games (compared to the US launch) and I'm assuming upwards of one million consoles (if Sony's '6 million by March' is to be believed).
 
J

Jonnyram

Member
You know, compared to the price of previous hardware, that's not bad, but considering the current strength of the pound, that's a ****ing rip off. Seriously, Sony.
 
L

Leonsito

Member
pswii60 said:
It's official because... you say so? I'm not doubting that info for a second because I've heard the exact same, but a source would be useful. Unless you've decided to break the embargo off your own back, in which case you'll be hunted down by Sony and potentially mutilated.
Click to expand...

.
 
P

pswii60

Member
Jonnyram said:
You know, compared to the price of previous hardware, that's not bad, but considering the current strength of the pound, that's a ****ing rip off. Seriously, Sony.
Click to expand...

What? (in relation to 'that's not bad' compared to previous price)

PS2 was £299.99 at launch. Also had the benefit of a DVD player which held as much value (if not more at the time) as the Blu-ray player in the PS3.

PS3 is £425.00.

BIG difference, compared to the price of the previous hardware, it really is bad. Until it's confirmed, I still think that Sony will go for the £399.99 option, because getting in to the 400s is 3D0-pricing territory here in the UK, espeicially with energy prices, inflation and interest rates through the roof atm...

£399.99 just doesn't seem anywhere near as bad.
 
P

pswii60

Member
macksplack said:
I'll be amazed if de ps3 sells more then 2 or 3 million this year in europe if there is no price cut.
Click to expand...

Well, I think Sony will be happy if it does sell that much, as that's possibly more than what the 360 has sold in its first year in Europe at £145 cheaper
 
C

Chris Remo

Member
EDGE reported these same details today, so it seems legit.

Also, I've been in London the past week and I just have to say, holy crap you Brits have an expensive country. And I'm from California.
 
M

Mithos Yggdrasill

Banned
macksplack said:
I'll be amazed if de ps3 sells more then 2 or 3 million this year in europe if there is no price cut.
Click to expand...

I expect a sell out at launch, but then I expect a situation like Japan, because not all the people have 425£ for a gaming machine. Probably the half million mark will be reached really fast and then we'll see a slow down, because a SO high price is a big problem for the machine.
 
W

Wollan

Member
The news is supposed to break at midnight.

You aren't the first one to guess the 23rd of March. :p (Gameindustry.biz)
 
T

The Innocent X

Banned
pswii60 said:
Well, I think Sony will be happy if it does sell that much, as that's possibly more than what the 360 has sold in its first year in Europe at £145 cheaper
Click to expand...

They should cry into their beer if it only sells that much, because all three territories will go to other companies. Sony may only make second in Japan the way they are going, and third everywhere else.
 
I

iapetus

Scary Euro Man
Jonnyram said:
You know, compared to the price of previous hardware, that's not bad, but considering the current strength of the pound, that's a ****ing rip off. Seriously, Sony.
Click to expand...

Haven't we been over this one enough in other threads? This isn't a Sony thing - Microsoft and Nintendo overcharge UKians to the same extent - something you can see by comparing the Wii:360:pS3 price ratios in the UK to those in the US (they're almost identical).

And it isn't limited to consoles either - you've just got to face the fact that consumer electronics are expensive in the UK.
 
L

Leonsito

Member
Wollan said:
The news is supposed to break at midnight.

You aren't the first one to guess the 23rd of March. :p (Gameindustry.biz)
Click to expand...

Well, I'm not guessing it at all... it's more like the old bunkum's "guesses" :lol
 
J

Jonnyram

Member
pswii60 said:
What? (in relation to 'that's not bad' compared to previous price)
Click to expand...
Well every other region had to stomach an increase in price from PS2->PS3, so I meant that was natural. Yeah, I think 399 would have been better, but I think the 25 quid difference is perceived as small by consumers.
 
E

Elios83

Member
So what about things like launch lineup?
BR movie bundled? Any details about how many consoles will be available at day one?
I don't think this press is only about a date and a price ;)
 
D

Diablohead

Member
Chris Remo said:
EDGE reported these same details today, so it seems legit.

Also, I've been in London the past week and I just have to say, holy crap you Brits have an expensive country. And I'm from California.
Click to expand...
London is not the best place for super cheap, well depends what you want and where.

You should feel sorry for us UK and EU gamers now then :lol
 
P

pswii60

Member
Leonsito said:
Well, I'm not guessing it at all... it's more like the old bunkum's "guesses" :lol
Click to expand...

OK, so you've confirmed it in euros, but will it be £424.99 in the UK or £425? If £425, it will be the first time a console has been sold here without the .99
 
L

Leonsito

Member
Elios83 said:
So what about things like launch lineup?
BR movie bundled? Any details about how many consoles will be available at day one?
I don't think this press is only about a date and a price ;)
Click to expand...

.
 
I

Il Comodino

sorry about his english
Leonsito said:
Ok, now it's official, 23 March is the day, only 60GB at launch, 599€ and 425£ in UK.
Click to expand...

Uk pay more and don't has 20gb version.

Other European countries pay less than 425 pound
 
P

Pope Benedict XVI

Member
Diablos said:
No 20GB model? Why? Production problems?
Click to expand...

Well according to that isuppli costing analysis thing a while back, Sony loses more money on the 20gig model than on the 60gig model. So that might be one possible reason.
 
T

TheGuardian

Member
No 20GB model? Why? Production problems?
Click to expand...

With the PSP, only the Value Pack was available, the Core Pack was only launched after a few months. I'm sure the reason is because Sony loses less money on both the PSP's Value Pack and on the 60GB PS3, than on the simpler packs for each. After awhile, i'm sure the 20GB will be available as well.
 
Forsete

Forsete

Gold Member
Btw, wouldn’t it be wonderful if PS3 came bundled with Casino Royale? :)

BD release: March 13
PS3 EU release: March 23

:D
 
T

The Innocent X

Banned
iapetus said:
Haven't we been over this one enough in other threads? This isn't a Sony thing - Microsoft and Nintendo overcharge UKians to the same extent - something you can see by comparing the Wii:360:pS3 price ratios in the UK to those in the US (they're almost identical).
.
Click to expand...

Not at launch though. the 360 was reasonably priced, at only an $81 markup (exchange rate was about 1.7), whereas the PS3 sees a nearly $250 markup. Some of that is accounted for by increased base cost, but nowhere near all.

Ok, so you could argue MS should have reduced the 360 as the pound strengthened, but they have bundled instead. Now the 360 is almost $160 markup.
 
Brosa

Brosa

Member
LAUNCH NEWS AT MIDNIGHT!

Filed under: PS3 NEWS — Three Speech January 24, 2007 @ 2:47 pm

Quick one to say check back in on Three Speech at midnight, when we’ll be running all available info on the launch details of the PS3 in the UK/Europe.

http://threespeech.com/blog/?p=263
 
S

sonycowboy

Member
Chris Remo said:
EDGE reported these same details today, so it seems legit.

Also, I've been in London the past week and I just have to say, holy crap you Brits have an expensive country. And I'm from California.
Click to expand...

I paid 25 for a crappy turkey sandwich.

It must be like walking among peasants when those folks come to the US.
 
P

Pope Benedict XVI

Member
ChrisAllenFiz said:
Not at launch though. the 360 was reasonably priced, at only an $81 markup (exchange rate was about 1.7), whereas the PS3 sees a nearly $250 markup. Some of that is accounted for by increased base cost, but nowhere near all.

Ok, so you could argue MS should have reduced the 360 as the pound strengthened, but they have bundled instead. Now the 360 is almost $160 markup.
Click to expand...


Yep, and also I don't see why we should think about this only in terms of ratios. Surely the mark-up in absolute terms matters too?
 
I

iapetus

Scary Euro Man
ChrisAllenFiz said:
Not at launch though. the 360 was reasonably priced, at only an $81 markup (exchange rate was about 1.7), whereas the PS3 sees a nearly $250 markup. Some of that is accounted for by increased base cost, but nowhere near all.

Ok, so you could argue MS should have reduced the 360 as the pound strengthened, but they have bundled instead. Now the 360 is almost $160 markup.
Click to expand...

Not relevant at all. The ratios between the prices now is the same in the UK and the US. In both cases the 360 is old and the PS3 is new.
 
S

Steroyd

Member
Jonnyram said:
Well every other region had to stomach an increase in price from PS2->PS3, so I meant that was natural. Yeah, I think 399 would have been better, but I think the 25 quid difference is perceived as small by consumers.
Click to expand...

The media and retail in the UK have been scare mongering consumers into thinking the PS3 will cost £500.

It might be percieved as cheap here at launch. o_O
 
C

C.Dark.DN

Banned
Is the ps3 really that anticipated for Europeans now/still? Will you wait in lines/camp?

It hit shelves in other parts of the world.. and is currently sitting on shelves waiting for better games to come out later this year.

There's gonna be decent games releasing in Q1 in time for the launch, but still not the highly anticipated games that I'm personally waiting for in America.
 
M

marc^o^

Nintendo's Pro Bono PR Firm
I want a PS3 but I still can't overcome its price.
It must be a nighmare, tomorrow I'll wake up and it will be cheaper.
 
A

AltogetherAndrews

Member
The pricing of hardware and software in my home region is absolutely ridiculous ($90 or more for a new game, and the aftermarket is basically non-existant). And then they wonder why piracy is so rampant in the region. I'm not condoning it one bit, and as far as I'm concerned you either afford it or you don't play, but it's certainly not surprising that others would take a different view on that.

DeathNote said:
Is the ps3 really that anticipated for Europeans now?

It hit shelves in other parts of the world.. and is currently sitting on shelves waiting for better games to come out later this year.

There's gonna be decent games releasing in Q1 in time for the launch, but still not the highly anticipated games that I'm personally waiting for in America.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for other regions, but my home region is purely Sony land. As in, people still scoff at the Xbox brand. Nintendo was popular and probably is again with the Wii, but really, it's a Sony market.
 
L

Leonsito

Member
Well, Sony called, they want their embargo back ;(

Could any mod please delete the 23 March from the topic title?

PS: Expect more units at launch than PS3 solds in Japan at this moment, and a huge load of games.
 
T

TheGuardian

Member
I can't speak for other regions, but my home region is purely Sony land. As in, people still scoff at the Xbox brand. Nintendo was popular and probably is again with the Wii, but really, it's a Sony market.
Click to expand...

Here in Portugal, the Wii isn't even being pushed by the retailers or even the local distributor. You can't find demo stations for the Wii almost anywhere.

Here's a pic of the Wii section in one of the major stores (FNAC):

store_wii.jpg
 
I

iapetus

Scary Euro Man
Pope Benedict XVI said:
Why is the absolute difference not relevant?
Click to expand...

Because the markup on consumer electronics products across the board is roughly a constant ratio, so looking at the absolute difference only gives you a complete no-shit revelation that expensive things are more expensive than cheaper things?
 
J

JoshuaJSlone

Member
pswii60 said:
What? (in relation to 'that's not bad' compared to previous price)

PS2 was £299.99 at launch. Also had the benefit of a DVD player which held as much value (if not more at the time) as the Blu-ray player in the PS3.

PS3 is £425.00.

BIG difference, compared to the price of the previous hardware, it really is bad.
Click to expand...
Well, of course the price is bad, but it's not bad bad. From 300 to 425 is a 42% price increase over the PS2 launch for the 60 gigabyte version. In the US it's a 100% increase over PS2 launch for the 60 gigabyte version, and in Japan ~50%.
 
P

Pope Benedict XVI

Member
iapetus said:
Because the markup on consumer electronics products across the board is roughly a constant ratio, so looking at the absolute difference only gives you a complete no-shit revelation that expensive things are more expensive than cheaper things?
Click to expand...

I don''t see why it being a no-shit revelation makes it irrelevant though.

PS3 buyers are subjected to a greater degree of anal rapage than 360 buyers. Just because it's expected and normal for the market place doesn't mean they shouldn't be annoyed about it.
 
Tieno

Tieno

Member
Wait wait, no 20gb launch in Europe? Or just UK?

Cause I want the 20gb model and then upgrade the HDD. I hope they give an ETA on when they're thinking of introducing that model.
 
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