610°

£99 PlayStation 3 model has no hard drive?

The latest rumours suggest that Sony will no longer be announcing the new ‘super slim’ model of the PlayStation 3 at Gamescom next month, despite new details of the console emerging.

Jadedz4283d ago

Will it work?

I don't believe so, but anythings possible at this point in time.

WeskerChildReborned4283d ago

I was reading an article that made a good point about this being real good with Gaikai since you can just play games through cloud.

Jadedz4283d ago (Edited 4283d ago )

But isn't this bad for business? I mean, won't people now be expecting (casual consumers) all consoles to be priced like this?

Maybe Microsoft and Sony can get away with it, but it leaves Nintendo in a boat with no paddle - they clearly don't want to go the subsidised route.

ShinMaster4283d ago

....and charged $100 for a 120GB HDD.
You can buy a 500GB HDD for PS3 for half the price.

ChronoJoe4283d ago (Edited 4283d ago )

Things like this are good, they make the initial buy in price low so that the product appears more affordable. Opening the product up to a wider audience.

This indicates the final stage in the Playstation 3's life cycle, at the end they will try to refine manufacturing costs as much as possible and make this a 'budget' console whilst selling their next gen console as a 'premium' hd system.

_-EDMIX-_4282d ago

@Jadedz- you also have to consider having a lower priced sku is also business. I mean it worked for MS no matter how stupid it is to games and the rest of the game community, but it sold.

In doing this, did they gimp a lot of games? HELL YES! But Squares FFXIII and Rockstar's GTAIV are not owned by MS, if they where gimped because of DVD9 or no HDDs in all 360's that hurts Rockstar and Square more then it does MS.

In terms of business, yes its a good idea. I doubt it will happen because the PS3's OS RUNS ON A HDD! So, this is pretty much not happening. I mean it could be an SSD, with isn't a HDD, but is STILL used in the same respect as one, ie i can use a 2.5 HDD in its place if i felt just.

oohWii4282d ago

Hmmm,funny how when Microsft release the 4GB xbox with no HD the Sony crew said it was stupid and wasn't gonna sell.

Now Sony is doing something similar and suddenly it's a great idea...

Funny how the mind of a fanboy really isn't a mind at all...

_-EDMIX-_4282d ago Show
King_many_layers4282d ago

Ther is NO WAY that a model could be released without a hardrive as it would not allow for saving, updates, downloads and mandatory inatalls. The title is pathetic.

t0mmyb0y4282d ago

Gaikai isn't even ready to go with PS. This is dumb

ARBitrator4282d ago

@_-EDMIX-_ - why the hell you getting so bent out of shape. I agree with oohwii, people did slam the 4GB 360 saying it was stupid, an a waste of time and wasn't gonna sell.

What do you want him/her to do drop a bunch of names for you?

You sound like you're pissed off, which makes you look lame as hell being what the subject is. In the end, who really gives a damn?

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4282d ago
Blacksand14283d ago

You can buy a 500gb hard drive on amazon for $40 to $60 dollars.

Vortex3D4283d ago (Edited 4283d ago )

You forget why X360 HDD is expensive and also the reason Microsoft is making money by selling 4GB X360. Because Sony tried to be nice in letting PS3 use any general laptop hard drive, with 4GB PS3, Sony is loosing the chance to make money.

I know gamers just want the cheapest way to upgrade the console (including myself) but the console maker also needs a way to make profit from accessories. With 16GB PS3, Sony looses because they can't make up by selling expensive hard drive.

With hardcore gamers who replaces the shipping hard drive, 16GB PS3 is a perfect model to get. But are we really helping Sony? I know I'm not.

There is still a small profit Sony can make with 16GB PS3 model. Ship it without any hard drive mounting bracket and then sell it separately. At least there's a small profit until 3rd party makers release a cheaper one.

Lastly, if Sony can make the new PS3 hard drive IO with non-standard connector that will needed an adaptor in between the SATA hard drive and the PS3 hard drive IO, then they can make some extra profit that way. (I have a HP laptop like that.) I know every PS3 gamer will hate it but profit has to come from somewhere if they start to sell the new PS3 too cheap. Just look at how Apple replaced many of the laptop standard IO ports with incompatible port design and how much they are charging for the cable.

rustyspoon804282d ago

£99 ps3, add in a 1TB HDD for £75 = Great Value

( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sam...

Blacksand14282d ago (Edited 4282d ago )

You paying you can get 500gb for $40. If you buy a 500gb console something is wrong with you get the $99 PS3 go to amazon buy the 500gb HD and make you one i did it and you can to.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea...

Tsar4ever014283d ago (Edited 4283d ago )

A PS3 16gb flash drive with no HDD slot would be hardware suicide. The x360's 4gb gives owners the option for a HDD upgrade. Why would people even consider thinking that sony would be STUPID to release such a console?

The premium model should be 320gb not 250, and the 500gb should only be for bundle deals with added hardware accessories like extra controllers, WF headset or whatever and or a free game or such.

After saying that, I not feeling this multi SKU concept anyway. Why can't sony release "ONE CONSOLE FOR ALL" like they use to like they did with the psOne & ps2 and stop copying Microsoft, starting next-gen.

gaffyh4283d ago

1. It is very likely to have a HDD slot, especially if the form factor of the console is the same as the 250GB and 500GB versions.

2. Even if it doesn't, it will still sell well with casuals.

3. The multi-SKU approach means the consumers can choose what to buy and to some extent at what price. If they had a single premium model, which they have been doing with there Bravias, that would be hardware suicide, because Sony's TV business is in huge trouble because they went with that "offer only premium" strategy.

voodoopickle4283d ago

ps2 had multiple sku's. was the first console to come out with the slim, therefore microsoft copied them. but good try

specialguest4282d ago (Edited 4282d ago )

You must be a young gamer or probably don't remember.

The Sega Genesis had a slim/compact model. http://www.slipperybrick.co...
In addition, there may even be much older consoles with a slim model, but there goes your claim of MS copying Sony lol.

........but good try though.

MostJadedGamer4283d ago

PS3 sales would be insane for the next year+ if they bring a $99 model to market this year.

I don't care if it is just a box with cow manure inside. If it says PS3 on the box, and it costs $99 it will sell like crazy for a very long time.

Jazz41084282d ago

The problem is you can't run 99 percent of ps3 games without installs to the hardrive or you will have insanely slow load times from the blu ray drive and if you take your console onlin you have to have firmware updates. This model will not work for sony and if they do put it out they will be sued and tarnish there image evenmore.

yeahokchief4282d ago

Don't forget they have cloud storage for your saves and they recently bought something called Gaiki.

Perhaps you won't even need all that harddrive space anymore. It'd be nice because my 250 gb slim from 2009 is getting pretty damn full with all the kickass games and exclusives we've had.

xAlmostPro4282d ago

This is better than it sounds. You can easily get a 500gb HDD for £130.. so it would work out £130 for a 500gb PS3, potentially.

The only problem is they need to make it CLEAR that it has no HDD and that people will need to purchase one from a general computing store.

Jadedz4282d ago (Edited 4282d ago )

I'm sure it'll benefit Sony (and Microsoft) financially, but I don't agree with this type of business model (subsidising).

Will the majority of consumers who'll subsidise consoles, pay all that they owe in the end? What happens if the console breaks, is it like a car leasing, which all repairs are free?

I'm not doubting its success, I just don't believe it's right for the gaming business (I could be wrong, though).

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4282d ago
Godmars2904283d ago

As long as it has an expansion slot and comes with a list of recommended HDD if not a discount coupon for a specific brand - so long as its not expensive - I don't see much of a real issue.

Hellsvacancy4283d ago

Thats what i was thinking, but will it even have a slot for a hdd?

Ive got two spare 250gb hdds laying around somewhere, i could just use one of those

TKCMuzzer4283d ago

It will come with a slot. Sony are just passing on the cost of the hard drive to the consumer, giving them a choice. It's great value, especially as you can pick up hard drives very cheap.

gaffyh4283d ago

Yeah it will come with a slot because the 250 and 500gb are the exact same model. If the model looked different, that wouldn't case.

ventilator4283d ago

cheap ps3 vs wiiu, i choose ps3

user54670074283d ago (Edited 4283d ago )

Suppose if you've never a had a PS3 it would be a good choice. Plus think of all the PS3 games you have to choose from or work through

Uncharted 1-3
inFAMOUS and inFAMOUS 2
LittleBigPlanet 2
GT5
God of War 3
Resistance 1-3
Killzone 2 and Killzone 3
Modnation Racers

...I could go on but you get my point. It would keep you busy for months. I mean it's like if all your favorite games came out at launch.

ChunkyLover534283d ago

Well one is a next gen console that will last 5 or 6 years and the PS3 is entering its last year. Although I'm sure Sony will still produce them for a while, it wont have the first party support its had all this time.

If your a hardcore gamer, you probably already have the console you wanted or both consoles or all three like me.

A 16 gig PS3 Super Slim would probably be aimed at people looking for entertainment value, families or casuals. Wouldn't be surprised to see this particular model bundled with a Move or LBP Karting or even PlayStation All Stars and offered for $199.

Sony wants to attract those families and casuals so that they will have a product they can continue to sell and make money on like they did with the PS2.

_-EDMIX-_4282d ago

With more developers now then in 2005, free online (or just online period!) the PS3 will last longer then the PS2...EASY!. Many people don't own one, Sony has more teams now then ever, its online is free, PSN will likely support both the PS4 and PS3 etc.

ChunkyLover534282d ago

@_-EDMIX-_
Sony actually has LESS developers right now than at the end of the PS2's life span.

Are you actually suggesting Sony will make first party games for the PS3 after the PS4 is coming out? Even will all of their developers at the end of the PS2's life cycle, they couldn't get a solid launch lineup for the PS3, because they were still making games for the PS2. They need to learn from that mistake.

The PS2 continued to sell because it had a far greater variety of games to choose from. The PS2 probably has the all time greatest library of games. It appealed to casuals, families and was a cheap gaming option.

The PS3 resonates with core gamer's for the most part. Anytime Sony has tried to appeal to other categories, its not been very successful this generation. The reason is because both Microsoft and Nintendo have done a better job offer options to families and casuals and entertainment seekers.

At this point and time in the console generation, any core gamer is going to have already bought the core system or systems of his/her choice. I'd not recommend anyone waste any money on PS3, 360 or Wii right now. We are so close to the next generation, I'd just put that money towards a new machine. A machine that is going to last the next 5, 6 or 7 years.

MostJadedGamer4283d ago

Most casual gamers will choose the cheap PS3 to. Especially since their Wii's have been in their closets collecting dust for years now.

Hardcore gamers of course already own a PS3.

TheFinalEpisode4283d ago

I doubt they would include no hard drive maybe an 8GB but nothing at all make just make it a complete waste of time for both Sony and the consumer

dazzrazz4283d ago

Nobody produces that kinda small hard drives anymore, so 8 or 16 most likely i t will be flash based storage

Neko_Mega4283d ago

They can just put the 16GB flash into it and sell it cheap.

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280°

Sony Taps Bungie's Head of Revenue to Lead Live-Service Games

Sony has recruited Bungie's head of revenue Jaremy Rich to head up its live-service gaming division, Rich has announced on social media.

Read Full Story >>
techraptor.net
ChasterMies15d ago

Please do not put Destiny’s monetization into Sony’s first party games. The monetization is what’s driving players away from Destiny.

just_looken15d ago

The new temp boss is the sony cfo bean counter so i can see this being a thing get every penny.

Cacabunga15d ago

PlayStation officially losing it.. fans will never support gaas games

just_looken15d ago

@car

The new boss did a interview in japan he wants to tap into the mobile market like nintendio so he give 0 fucks about gamers/fans

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

Redemption-6414d ago

@Cacabunga
You only speak for you and those who think like you, but most fans will support what they want. Playstation and PC fans are literally supporting Helldivers 2 and that is a gaas. Maybe you wouldn't, but many more would if they like it.

Huey_My_D_Long14d ago

@Redemption-64
Look, Im not making any judgement calls about this guy, but I will say that Helldivers 2 GaaS model is unique to Helldivers, and legit the only other game I can think of thats similiar was the Avengers game except HD2 pass is still better.
The fact that you can earn in game currency in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to grind forever, as well you being able work on that pass that you bought...on your own time without a time limit...that right there is fucking huge to me, and I can't name any game other than avengers that avoided trapping players with FOMO logic...I think GaaS on HD2 shouldn't be compared to the rest of the industry...it should be copied.

Einhander197214d ago

Cacabunga

Helldivers 2...

Redemption-64

In Europe it's a 60 40 split favoring PC.
In the US its a 60 40 split favoring PS5.

So PlayStation owners supported the game just fine, it's not getting carried by PC or anything like that.

FinalFantasyFanatic14d ago

@just_looken,
I'm perfectly fine with the way Nintendo entered the mobile market, I never touched their mobile games, meanwhile, the console/handheld stayed the way it is. As for being a bean counter, he's probably going to reel in these massive budgets that Sony's studios have had lately, I haven't played Spiderman 2, but I cannot see how they almost tripled the budget for that game.

@Redemption-64,
That's an exception to the rule, I'm expecting a lot of these GAAS games from Sony to fail, to be fair, they only need a few to succeed, but I would have preferred that they put more of their resources into other types of games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
DivineHand12515d ago

True their monetization is driving players away and at the same time, their decision to chop out content and convoluted systems is keeping new players away from the game.

Joe91315d ago

I don't think that will happen based on how things worked out at Naughty Dog now that we know what we do, seems they had the option to fully commit to live service games or stay making single player experences so they gave up on their live service game. We are not sure how things came about with Bend making a live service game but I hope that was not a forced situation. Sony doesnt seem like they are forcing studios to switch up but we will see, Sony's bread and butter is single player games it is how they dominated the console market.

Obscure_Observer14d ago

Yeah, I though Sony learned something from all their failures in the LS segment under Bungie´s disastrous leadership and supervision which led to games been cancelled, studios closed and all the people laid off.

Looks like Bungie still plays a major role in Sony´s LS initiative and Sony is not backtracking on their GaaS plans.

S2Killinit14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Are we forgetting that Destiny is also a highly successful franchise? I feel like that definitely deserves mention here.

Besides, there is no reason why a person cant learn from past experiences.

Joe91314d ago

I agree, people act as if Destiny flopped when it came out lol it took 9 to 10 years for the numbers to fall yet people are still playing it add the success of Helldivers 2 no wonder Sony is going forward down this path.

S2Killinit14d ago

Personally, I see no problem with Sony also having service games as long as they make good ones, and more importantly they deliver the AAA story driven games that they are known for. So yeah, I agree 100% with you.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
Christopher15d ago

I mean, this person made some pretty bad decisions at Bungie. I hope they've learned from them because I definitely don't see those type of ideas as good for PlaySation in general.

CrimsonWing6914d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Honestly, what’s to learn from? How to make people happily continuously dump money into a single game over its life-time? Buy season passes continuously for several years with a smile on our faces?

GaaS is a design decision that is everything wrong with this industry. The fact that Helldivers 2 did so well and people defend the monetization because it was $40 and is a fun game, scares the sh*t out of me to see that the door is open and all shift will probably be to replicate that in future games. We already know the ROI for traditional game dev cost isn’t doing it for them.

I thought with Jimbo leaving we’d see a change for the better… I’m not so sure now.

S2Killinit14d ago

Service games are being offered by everyone. Sony cannot afford to only create single player AAA games. No one can. They already said they will be doing both.

Abnor_Mal15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

Ps5 gamers in 2023 seemed to play more live service types of games, so regardless to how people feel about them, numbers don’t lie and Sony is going where the money is. I mean look at the excitement around Helldivers2, people are showing that they want live service games.

Christopher15d ago

They play long-time existing live service games like CoD, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and the like. Mass majority of new live service games are considered failures and aren't moving gamers away from older games.

just_looken15d ago

Yep the huge issue with live service is they need paid players along with a reason to play them.

You forgot mobile market that also taps into that player base as well as the eve online style games there is only a certain amount of krakens/whales blind supporters compared to the amount of live service games we have its not sustainable math wise.

700 restaurants making food for every seat for 1000-3000 eaters just does not work out

Einhander197214d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Christopher

I am not a big live service fan and literally own zero of the games you listed, but that is not true, unless you call games that aren't the top games to be failures.

There are tons of live service games that are profitable.

Games don't have to be the biggest game ever they just need to make more than they cost.

I challenge you to show professionally prepared data that shows that more live service games fail than make enough to keep going.

Because all the data that I have seen shows that live service is less of a gamble than making a big AAA budget game which needs to survive off retail sales.

FinalFantasyFanatic14d ago

I sometimes wonder if we're at saturation point, where it's hard for a new game to join those ranks unless it's particularly exceptional, people only have so much time and money to devote to these types of games.

romulus2314d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218314d ago

Lol it's not even a quarter of the ps5s sold. Helldivers may have been a hit but let's not say most are enjoying it because truth is most(the real most ) don't care about it.

S2Killinit14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

I play what is fun. If a live service game is good I’ll play it as long as its not a money scheme which Helldivers is not.

And Im a single player gamer.

mastershredder15d ago

How do you kill a franchise that already been killed?
Destiny’s grind, cash-in-on-playbass-cha-Ching, and pop-culture-insertion mainstream-me-too bs totally killed any rep Bungie had. Sony/Bungie, if you are doing this to ward-off players, it’s already working.

crazyCoconuts15d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

Show all comments (43)
80°

Sony May Soon Let You Decide How Much NPCs Talk In Games

Sony has patented to add multiple dialogue modes to let players switch between how many conversations with NPCs they want in the game.

blackblades21d ago

Sony is like the only ones outta the 3 that has atuff like like this pop up changing thing in ways.

just_looken21d ago

Sony in the past has always been first at bat with new ideas/tech but in the end never fully use it or just toss it away.

blackblades20d ago

I think they did use some but yeah most usually never happened but at least they thought about it. Sony seeks things like this and other, Nintendo seek different ways of playing going by there different controler designs and console designs.

just_looken20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

some of the other stuff sony want's/owns never used
https://gamerant.com/sony-p...
https://gamerant.com/sony-p...
https://www.eurogamer.net/s...
https://metro.co.uk/2023/03...
https://decrypt.co/114754/s...

monitor/adjust game difficultly as you play
https://www.techradar.com/g...

Sony nfts
https://www.theblock.co/pos...

Pay ai to play the game for you
https://thebusinessofesport...

Oh all the above last 12 months

I just imagine a evil scientist with test subjects when it comes down to sony recent patent reports.

Kaii20d ago

Will we get dialogue options that won't spoil puzzles in a matter of seconds? :p

280°

Judge rules in PlayStation's favour in $500m patent infringement lawsuit

Genuine Enabling Technology was seeking damages, claiming the tech allowing PlayStation consoles and controllers to communicate infringes its rights.

Read Full Story >>
gamesindustry.biz
S2Killinit22d ago

Big victory for Sony. And a long time coming.

DarXyde22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

Crazy to think the savings from this lawsuit allows them to develop one AAA game.

Make it Bloodborne 2, please and thank you.

22d ago
Profchaos22d ago

Sounds like patent trolling they tried the same thing against Nintendo with the same pattern.

Motion and control input traversing over higher and lower frequencies seperate from each other allowing the controller to do both

Pyrofire9522d ago

Patents suck. Most of them are complete garbage.

Knightofelemia22d ago

So to recoup the money Genuine is going to take on Nintendo or Microsoft next. I hate patent lawyers they are some of the worst bottom feeders out there.

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