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PlayStation 3 Available For PreOrder in U.K.
motorheadabega writes "BBC is carrying the story that as of today the PS3 is available for preorder for only £550 ($1,020). All that and they can't even guarantee delivery before Christmas." From the article: "The electronics giant had originally planned to launch the new console in the spring, but was forced to delay because of technical problems with its high-definition Blu-ray DVD drive. The PS3 comes in two different models. The basic model has a 20GB hard drive, while the more expensive model comes with a 60GB one. The lower end model also lacks wi-fi, a slot for memory cards and a HDMI port for high-definition programmes. "
Before you think "Jesus Christ! £550 for a PS3!!!", bear in mind that this is a bundle of the high spec PS3 (with 60GB HDD) and 3 games, AND free shipping.
If you work that back, based on £40 a game, the console cost is £430... which is right on the money for the £425 previously reported. The real newsworthy part of this story is the fact they're taking pre-orders so soon. Do I smell a publicity stunt on the part of play.com?
Note: I still think that the supposed price (£425) is ridiculously expensive, and I'm not trying to argue that this is in any way "cheap".
There is nothing we don't already know in TFA other than that it's available for pre-order. Also note that the pre-order package includes three games. There has to be something more (can't look at the actual offer as I'm at work) to justify the £125($235) difference. Unless of course the games are £42($79) each. Of course, they're probably counting the VAT in there, so maybe it is just the three games. Still... damn expensive.
Everything I say is a lie. Except that... and that... and that, and that, and that, and that... and that.
Gamestation in the UK have been taking PS3 pre-orders for weeks. We've been taking them at £425 for whatever the basic 60Gb package is (i.e. presumably a box with the console and one controller - similar to the PS2). The store I work in has actually stopped taking pre-orders because we've already taken more than we're likely to get come November 17th.
For £550 with 3 games looks like the £425 price is correct, and that's a pretty decent saving on the game prices since we're expecting new PS3 games to cost above £50 new (Xbox 360 games are generally £49.99 new here in the UK). Also notice that Play.com are saying the games included may change due to availability - or more likely they may put more desirable games into the package if better launch titles are announced. There's really nothing next-gen about a Singstar game from what I saw of E3 footage.
What's funny is that, by now, probably more people have preordered the PS3 than are likely to receive them at launch. Looks like the $600 price tag may not hurt Sony too much, after all. I'm interested to see how this will all turn out.
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