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Sony rolls out two new PlayStation 3 SKU's

by: Chuck -
More On: PLAYSTATION 3 PlayStation Move
We missed this in the Gamescom blitz yesterday but Sony has introduced two new Playstation SKU's that will be available next month.  The first is a 160GB model that will set you back $299.99 and the other is a 320 GB model that will be part of a Move bundle and will include on Move controller, an Eye Camera, a copy of Sports Champions, and a demo disc for $399.99.  Both systems will be available on September 19th.

Speaking of the Move controller, there's an interesting article over at Ars Technica that discusses why the Move is a better choice than Microsoft's Kinect.  Ben makes a few good points about the differences about the two different systems but I do have to disagree with his point that Move is cheaper overall.  Sure it's cheaper for one set but once you get into multi-player games you're going to be shelling out more money for more controllers which helps offset the initial price difference.  He's absolutely right that the Move is a better system for core gamers though as you've got a control system that developers are already familiar with and you've got those ever important buttons.
PlayStation®3 (PS3™) System to Feature New Higher Capacity Hard Drives in North America This Fall




New models include a 320GB PS3 Featured in the PS3™ Sports Champions™ Move Bundle and a 160GB model PS3 Core SKU; Consumers Will Have 1/3 More Hard Drive Space to Store Games and Digital Content from PlayStation®Network

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. (SCEA) today announced that the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system will be offered in North America with 160GB or 320GB Hard Disk Drives (HDD), offering more capacity to download games and entertainment content from PlayStation®Network along with personal digital content, such as music, photos, and videos. The new models will continue to offer the same advanced features and functions of the current models, but with approximately 33 percent more capacity and at compelling price points. This increased HDD space addresses the growing demand for the digital content offered on PlayStation®Network, where more than 1 billion pieces of content have been downloaded as of July 2010.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO)

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At $299.99 (MSRP), the 160GB model PS3 system offers tremendous value to consumers and is now shipping to retailers at the same price as the existing PS3 model. As part of the September 19 launch of PlayStation®Move, the new and innovative motion gaming experience that delivers precise, intuitive control, the PS3™ Sports Champions™ Move bundle will introduce the 320GB model PS3 system along with one PlayStation®Move motion controller, PlayStation®Eye camera, a copy of Sports Champions, and bonus Blu-ray game demo disc all in one complete package for $399.99 (MSRP).

"With the launch of PlayStation Move just around the corner, we're expecting many new consumers to join the PlayStation® family. The PS3™ Sports Champions™ Move bundle provides those families with everything they need to get into motion control gaming at a great value, with the 320GB model PS3 system as the centerpiece of the package," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president of product marketing. "Also, as PlayStation Network continues to evolve with exciting new services, the hunger for digital content grows; these larger storage capacities address that demand and encourage consumers to take full advantage of the complete PS3 experience."

With more than 52 million accounts registered worldwide, PlayStation Network is fueling momentum for PS3 and providing more value to consumers. An integral part of the PS3 system's rich digital entertainment offering, PlayStation Network is the premier destination for content, with a compelling library of downloadable games, more than 23,000 HD and SD movies and TV episodes, exclusive programming, and PlayStation®Home, a social game network where users can meet friends and play games. Key games launching on PlayStation Network this year include PixelJunk™ Shooter 2, and Dead Nation™, as well as PlayStation Move titles such as echochrome™ ii, Tumble, and Beat Sketcher.

For nearly 15 years, the PlayStation brand has been redefining entertainment, fueling innovation and providing more reasons for families to gather in their living rooms. With the recent introduction of stereoscopic 3D gaming and the upcoming launch of PlayStation Move, the PS3 system is set to revolutionize gaming once again. Those innovations -- combined with the relentless line-up of blockbuster games launching this year, the built-in Blu-ray player that will be updated for 3D Blu-ray Disc™ movies later this year, and the expanded digital entertainment options on PlayStation Network -- truly position the PS3 system as the entertainment hub of the family room this holiday and beyond.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. serves as headquarters for all North American operations.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/

"PlayStation," "PSP," and "PS one" are registered trademarks and "PS3" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Blu-ray Disc is a trademark.