No 80Gb PS3 For Europe

SPOnG has received information from within Sony that we find credible, which suggests Sony will not be releasing the 80Gb PlayStation 3 into Europe. We also learned today that rather than continue with a two SKU strategy in the U.S.A., SCEA will also cease to sell the Emotion Engine chipped-60Gb version of the unit once stocks are cleared.

The news comes just two days before - as SPOnG reported on July 9th - Sony's Thursday July 11th announcement (or very early Friday announcement if you're in the UK, the announcement will be made at E3) regarding a European 80Gb PlayStation 3 . It's clear that this announcement will be 'value' related rather than price-related. We infer that this will mean news of a new software/hardware bundle, although our information has not confirmed this.

We spoke directly to SCEE this afternoon to get the official line regarding the UK's 80Gb version - and possible official price cut - and we were told in classic non-denial mode, "We're making our announcement on Thursday, it will all become apparent then... There's a lot of speculation going around, but it's just that."

Our information also makes it clear that the introduction of the 80Gb PS3 - which will not have the onboard Emotion Engine Chip for PS2 emulation - not only means 20Gb more hard disk space, but also the death of the 60Gb (EEC) version. The reasoning breaks down as follows:

All U.S. 80Gb PS3s lack the EEC, bringing them into line with Europe.

Cost says that no more EEC-chipped PS3s will be (or are being) manufactured.

80Gb SATA HDs are as cheap to buy (if not cheaper in bulk) than 60Gb versions - so cost again indicates that the 80Gb will be the only offering once the EEC-versions sell out.

In terms of the U.K., all current PAL (e.g. UK) PS3 are already EEC-less. Therefore it makes little sense for an 80Gb non-EEC unit to make its way to the U.K. and confuse the market.

Of course, because the PS3's SATA hard drive is in fact user-upgradeable, you could pick up a 120Gb Fujitsu MHV2120BH Notebook, 2.5", SATA150, 5400 rpm, 8MB Cache, 12 ms for £44.64 including VAT.

You could then go to Gamestation and pick up a PS3 with a game of your choice for £399 add the SATA drive and upgrade it yourself.

None of this, however, makes up for the fact that a U.K. 60Gb PS3 - for an official price of £425 ($860) compares extraordinarily badly to the current U.S. 80Gb version at $599 (£300).

Let's hope that Sony's 'value' announcement includes a free SIXAXIS with TouchSense (Rumble), several free games and at least £75 off retail.