Timeline of PlayStation 3 SKUs

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Multiple PlayStation 3 SKUs have been released worldwide. Currently, only the 40 GB unit is being produced for Japan and Europe, while both the 40 GB and 80 GB unit are being produced for North America.
Multiple PlayStation 3 SKUs have been released worldwide. Currently, only the 40 GB unit is being produced for Japan and Europe, while both the 40 GB and 80 GB unit are being produced for North America.

The PlayStation 3 was originally launched in Japan on November 11, 2006 and in North America on November 17, 2006 with two SKUs: a 20 GB version and a 60 GB version. Both of these models included hardware backwards compatibility for PlayStation 2 games. In January 2007, Sony announced that Europe's 60 GB version would exclude hardware backwards compatibility for PS2 titles and instead would provide compatibility through software emulation of the PS2's hardware. During the course of 2007, Sony announced several new PlayStation 3 SKUs and discontinued others.

[edit] Timeline of SKUs

  • On November 11, 2006, the PlayStation 3 was launched in Japan, with both 20 GB and 60 GB models available.
  • On November 17, 2006, the PlayStation 3 was launched in the United States, with both 20 GB and 60 GB models available.
  • On March 23, 2007, the PlayStation 3 was launched in Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and New Zealand, with only a 60 GB model available.
  • On April 11, 2007, Sony discontinued the 20 GB PlayStation 3 model in North America, citing "lack of consumer demand."[1] It is widely speculated that the removal of the 20 GB model from the North American market was probably done in order to save manufacturing costs, as there is a difference in cost between the two aforementioned models of around $30.[citation needed]
  • In June 2007, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) president David Reeves stated that there were no plans for the 80 GB PlayStation 3 model to be released in the PAL regions, and that a 20 GB PS3 model for PAL regions is "highly unlikely".[2]
  • On July 9, 2007, Sony announced the 80 GB PlayStation 3 model for North America, bundled with MotorStorm,[3] to be available beginning August 6, 2007.[4][5][6] In addition, Sony announced a price drop in which the 60 GB model would sell for US$499.[3] Around this time SCEE President David Reeves and Sony Computer Entertainment, Incorporated President Kaz Hirai clarified that the North American "price drop" was in fact a clearance sale intended to eliminate stock of the 60 GB unit, the production of which had actually been halted at the time of the price drop announcement. After all 60 GB units were sold, only the 80 GB unit would remain in stores in North America.[7]
  • On August 30, 2007, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) senior director of corporate communications Dave Karraker stated that it had sold and shipped all of its remaining North American 60 GB models to retailers, and that the company no longer has any inventory in its warehouses.[8] According to spokeswoman Kimberly Otzman, retailer supplies for the North American 60 GB model would probably last through October 2007.[9]
  • On October 5, 2007, SCEE announced a 40 GB PlayStation 3 model for release on October 10, 2007, in the PAL territories of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In Australia and New Zealand, the 40 GB model was announced to be released on October 11, 2007, priced at AUD$699 for Australia and $799 for New Zealand.
  • On October 9, 2007, it was announced that the 40 GB Playstation 3 model will be released in Japan on November 11, 2007, with the new Ceramic White color, in addition to the original Piano Black. Both models will retail for a recommended retail price of JP¥39,980. As with the SCEE announcement, an accompanying price drop was announced in Japan for older PlayStation 3 models, with both the 20 GB and 60 GB receiving a JP¥5,000 price reduction in the suggested retail price to JP¥44,980 and JP¥54,980, respectively.[10]
  • On October 10, 2007, the 40 GB PlayStation 3 model was released in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In Europe, the 40 GB model had a price of €399.99. The 60 GB Starter Pack received a reduction in price to €499[11] except in Britain, where the Starter Pack will be replaced by a £349 Value Pack with two first party games (Motorstorm and Resistance: Fall of Man) and one SIXAXIS controller (as opposed to two controllers in the £425 Starter Pack).[12]). Once stocks of 60 GB PAL region model are exhausted, the 40 GB model will be the only one available in the SCEE territories.[11]
  • On October 11, 2007, the 40 GB PlayStation 3 model was released in Australia and New Zealand.[13]
  • On October 18, 2007, SCEA announced that the 80 GB PlayStation 3 model would receive an immediate price reduction in North America to US$499/CAD$499.[14]
  • On February 5, 2008, Sony announced the 40GB model in Satin Silver for Japan.
  • On February 26, 2008 Sony announced at Destination PlayStation, during a retailers conference, that they will be releasing a 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle PS3 that includes the 80GB PS3, a copy of MGS4, and a DualShock 3 controller. The package will be released in North America only.[citation needed]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Thorsen, Tor; Emma Boyes (2007-04-11). 20 GB PlayStation 3 officially discontinued in North America. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2007-04-15.
  2. ^ "Reeves: No PAL 80GB PS3 Plans", Interactive Entertainment Today, June 10, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-31. 
  3. ^ a b New 80GB PlayStation 3; New Price on Current 60GB Model. Sony Computer Entertainment (2007-07-09). Retrieved on 2007-07-11.
  4. ^ SCEA (July 9, 2007). Sony Computer Entertainment America Introduces New 80GB PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)); Announces New Price on Current 60GB Model. PRNewswire.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
  5. ^ Sony admits to PS3 price drop; 80GB PS3 coming to America in August (update). DESTRUCTOID (July 8, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-09.
  6. ^ "New PlayStation to Go on Sale in August", Optimum Online, July 9, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-07-09. 
  7. ^ David Jenkins (2007-07-12). Hirai Confirms Sony America To Phase Out 60GB PS3 Model. Retrieved on 2007-07-14.
  8. ^ Sony out of stock on US 60GB PS3. gamespot.com (August 30, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-09-04.
  9. ^ White (August 30, 2007). Sony May Cut Console Price After Older Stock Is Sold. Bloomberg.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
  10. ^ New PLAYSTATION3 (CECHH00 Series) Comes In Two Color Variations At A New Price. Sony Computer Entertainment (October 10, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-10.
  11. ^ a b New PLAYSTATION3 Model to Take Holiday Season by Storm. Sony Computer Entertainment (October 5, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-05.
  12. ^ Entertainment like you’ve never seen before. Sony Computer Entertainment (October 5, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
  13. ^ SCE Australia boss on the 40GB PS3. CNET (October 10, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
  14. ^ a b Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces New 40GB PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) Configuration and Price Reduction of Current 80GB Model. Sony Computer Entertainment (October 18, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
  15. ^ Sony Scraps Sale of Priciest PlayStation 3s in Japan (2008-01-10). Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
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was launched in Canada