Hacking the PSP Blog

Sony to continue selling 20GB PS3 in Japan

Sony has confirmed that the 20GB PlayStation 3 will remain available in Japan, despite SCEA's decision to stop selling the machine in North America.

News of the move emerged earlier this week, with SCEA's David Karraker stating that the company will focus on the 60GB model due to "overwhelming demand" for the larger hard drive-enabled console.

However, speaking to Famitsu (as translated by IGN), a Sony Computer Entertainment representative said, "We're currently not considering changes akin to North America.

"However," the spokesperson added, "We would like to react flexibly with the market."

At present, the 60GB PS3 is the only model available in Europe, and SCEE has yet to confirm whether the 20GB version will launch here. Earlier this week, when asked whether SCEA's move could affect the decision, a spokesperson said, "We'll continue to monitor demand for the 20GB model, from a consumer and retailer perspective, which will be factored into any future European launch plans."

Ellie Gibson
April 13, 2007

Source: GamesIndustry.biz

PSP nominated for GPS device of the year

From PSP Fanboy:

The GPS accessory for PSP isn't even announced for US release, but that hasn't stopped it from picking up some serious accolades. Our sister site, Engadget, proudly nominated the GPS device, most likely due to its innovative integration with games, truly compact size, and generally affordable price point. The PSP GPS must compete against other devices, such as Garmin nüvi 660, Mio c710, Pharos iGPS-500, and TomTom GO 910. When we last checked, Sony's peripheral wasn't doing too poorly, grabbing more than 20% of the vote. Not bad for a device with such a limited availability, no?

If you own the GPS accessory for your handheld and want to rock the vote, visit Engadget now.

Andrew Yoon
April 13, 2007

Source: PSP Fanboy

20GB PS3 to be discontinued

SCEA has announced that the 20GB version of PlayStation 3 is to be discontinued in North America after consumers overwhelmingly favoured the 60GB model.

An official statement reads, "At launch, we offered two separate models of PlayStation 3 to meet the diverse needs and interests of our PlayStation fan base. Initial retail demand in North America was upwards of 90 per cent in favor of the 60GB SKU, so we manufactured and shipped-in accordingly.

"Due to the overwhelming demand for the 60GB model from both retailers and consumers, we have ceased offering the 20GB model here in North America."

SCEA spokesperson Dave Karraker confirmed that the decision to stop selling the 20GB PS3 is "based purely on consumer and retailer demand" - adding that the lower spec model is being outsold by the 60GB model "10 to 1". According to Karraker, this illustrates that "consumers are willing to pay more for advanced technology in a gaming console".

There are still "very limited" stocks of the 20GB PS3, and these will continue to be sold at the official price of USD 499 until depleted.

Karraker said those who own a lower spec machine will continue to be "100 per cent supported with software and services, since all PS3s have the same basic architecture". Unlike all Xbox 360s, he added - "If MSFT were to stop selling their Core system, [it] would allow publishers to actually use their hard drive for gaming purposes, leaving the Core user out in the cold."

The news comes just days after it emerged that several US retailers - including SonyStyle - were no longer selling the 20GB PlayStation 3. The 60GB model is the only one currently available in Europe, and it now looks extremely unlikely that the lower spec model will ever go on sale in the region.

Ellie Gibson
April 4, 2007

Source: GamesIndustry.biz