Posted Oct 12, 2007 at 05:17AM by Charles D. Listed in: PlayStation 3 Tags: Sony, Europe, UK, Sony Computer Entertainment UK, Ray Maguire
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Ray Maguire, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment UK - Image 1Ray Maguire, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment UK, is quite confident that people will be reacting positively now that the new 40GB entry level PS3 units are finally out in Europe. He said that this new strategy initiated by SCE UK will finally silence doubters and take the console to "the next level."

He explained that the reason for the newly unveiled SKU was a product of industry pressure, failing production costs, and a desire to boost sales as the industry moves into the peak period. He also revealed plans to eventually phase out the 60GB console now that the new 40GB PS3 is selling at a better rate due to its reduced price (GBP 299 or US$ 611) compared to the original console.

He explains this initiative the company took by saying:

We have to take a more strategic view on when we do these things. We’re always mindful of price and installed base, but we’re also mindful that we have a sustainable business. We’ve been considering this since launch – this is all part of a very carefully thought-out plan.


Maguire also countered the many anti-Sony sentiments filtering around the 'Net by explaining that the new console will change a lot of attitudes now that it's out. He noted that the resentment a lot of people express towards Sony relies mainly on information without a full understanding of the facts behind the company and the finances involved.


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12 Comments


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   by platon - 2007-10-12
 » I really do't understand pricing...

Their 40g cost more that my 80g costed me.. (550$ with motorstorm (dah) and a remote)... I payed a total, with the taxes AND a 3 years full warranty, of 670$CAD (same as US so I could say 670$US)... There are gonna pay the same, with their taxes for way less... it's not fair at all!

If they wonder why Europe is not at much into gaming that the US or japan... lol


   Re: B - 2007-10-12
 » You can't compare

You can't compare our prices with UK prices. With all of their different taxes it is unfair to say we pay way less. Just look at how much they pay for gas, EVERYTHING is more expensive there.

   Re: Constantinecy - 2007-10-12
 » tell me about it

One litre of petrol is 96p in the UK yes one pound, nearly two dollars to the litre!!!
By the way whats the petrol price in the Wild wild west?

   Re: Soulfinder - 2007-10-12
 » US price..

here it is $2.50/gallon, so 66cents/liter, or 0.32 pounds/liter. correct me if I'm wrong :)

   Re: gtauk - 2007-10-12
 » holy

crap you pay 30p for a litre!!!!

   Re: ktm101xxx - 2007-10-12
 » none

$3/gal here in cali. I wouldnt say the UK is not into gaming, theres a crap load of people on my friends list who are in the UK. They always seem to be on in the middle of the day, strange, they must not have jobs... lol jk

   Re: Constantinecy - 2007-10-12
 » wow

You americans are so lucky!
   by Farnesworth - 2007-10-12
 » At the very least

he sounds like a person who is decently representing Sony, at least in this article.
So far as people slinging mud, I think Sony tends to walk right into it.

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   by Mister Common Sense - 2007-10-12
 » listen to me Sony damnit!

The only thing I don't like is they're always discontinuing old models. Choice is good, I don't know why sony doesn't see things that way.

Backward compatibility isn't a big deal, in the PS3 it was often less than ideal. I still can't get widescreen to work or God of War's 560p mode to work. I leave my PS2 hooked up next to it anyway to reduce wear and tear on the PS3.

2 USB ports or lack of memory card readers isn't a big deal because I've never used more than 2 at once, and my memory stick slot doesn't work anyway (the only one I need.)

The hard drive is upgradable of course. It's just dumb to get a PS3 with 40GB if someone decides that's not enough and has to buy a bigger one anyway (when they have to pay for the 40GB too.)

But still, customers like a choice and like to get a PS3 with the options they want. It's important to have a low price model, but not force people to get that version.

   by Burn_Griffith - 2007-10-12
 » Disappointed

I think SONY's just getting desperate just to win us over. Like they're rolling out with several SKU models. Personally though, if I was them. I'd lower the current SKU models to about $350-400.

Or at least at an affordable price. Rather than messing with a new model.

   by MrGrey1970 - 2007-10-12
 » ...and?

I don`t understand what all the fuss is about. People moaned about the high price of the PS3, so Sony have made a cheaper version. It still plays PS3 games, still plays Blu-Ray movies. What`s wrong with that? So, it won`t play PS2 games....so what, I didn`t buy a PS3 to play PS2 games, and if you have PS2 games then surely you already have a PS2 (or am I missing something?)

Sony have always released cheaper versions of their consoles: I remember paying £300 for the original PS1 when it came out (it had a bundle of 10 games and an extra controller for it). Then Sony released a few cheaper versions before moving onto the PS2, which they did the same thing with. Oh, and I didn`t play PS2 games on that either.

It makes sense really...coming up to Christmas a lot more people will be tempted by the lower priced PS3. This is good for Sony and good for us PS3 owners as the userbase expands, so more money will be ploughed into creating more games and better content on PSN.

It sounds to me like Sony have listened to the critisism regarding their pricing of the PS3 and acted upon it. Nothing wrong there in my opinion


   Re: MrGrey1970 - 2007-10-12
 » error

I meant to say, I didnt play PS1 games on the PS2...grrr...why can`t I edit my post?


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