Sky Render said: I think Sony's expecting people to not catch onto their little scheme here... They discontinue the models with full BC, then introduce one with none, and now they're planning to discontinue the one with limited BC too? Those who plan to get a PS3 at some point (hopefully when it's less than $400 for a full-featured model; I'd go for $200 at most myself, given the current PS3 lineup), don't give into their scheme, or you're just forfeiting your power as a consumer over the supplier. Suppliers are supposed to provide to meet demand, not force consumers to consume the supply with a threat that it will be replaced by an inferior product. Let them run out of 80GB models in due time, and when the 40GB model isn't flying off shelves, they'll inevitably introduce (or re-introduce) a model with BC to pick up the slack again. And then promptly discontinue it to try and scare people into buying a PS3 with BC, just like they did with the 20GB and 60GB discontinuations. If that's not their plan, then they've certainly done a good job at making it seem that way.

 This is an interesting hypothesis you present.  It defnitely seems to have worked in the past anyway.  Here's my question for the average consumer, however.  Why not just by a PS2 for $129?  That's what I did.  My PS2 was crapping out, I knew I wasn't going to be getting a PS3 anytime soon, so I just bought myself some BC at a fraction of the price.  

I think all that these little fire sales do is show instability and uncertainty to both the gaming market and the development community.  Many lessons will be learned this generation...multiple skus will certainly be one of those lessons.  Of course, if Sony happens to win this console war on the back of Blu-Ray they will think they did everything right.  

If the Wii's success signifies a seachange towards casual gaming (which many seem to think is a bad thing, PS3 success would pave the way for high-priced consoles with fluctuating features.  

Maybe this is one battle the core gamer won't win. 

If that's true, we can pretty much lay this to rest. Do ioi and the team get data on the specific models being sold?

But apart from that, there are at least 2 reasons that discontinuing the high-end model would be absolutely retarded.

First, the manufacturing cost of the 80gb is nearly the same as the 40gb, but it sells for $100 more. That means that sales of the 80gb subsidize sales of the 40gb. Why would they give that up?

Second, it would alienate a large portion of their fanbase, completely (for the reason just stated) unnecessarily. It's not costing them anything extra to keep two models on the shelves, unless it's this nonsense about "consumer confusion" which is highly overstated. As the best article I've read on the subject said last year, Sony would be "turning their backs on their most important potential customers: PS2 owners" (paraphrased).

Yes, the high-end models have been discontinued in the other regions, but remember that in the case of Japan it was the fully hardware BC models, which cost much more than the 80gb, and in Europe they may have simply been phasing out the software BC 60gb in preparation for a global standard. All of this could just be a precursor to a software BC, 80+gb PS3 with a new game bundle.

Sony has done some stupid things lately, but I'm not ready to believe they'd screw themselves and us like this.

No bc = No buy :)

The 80 GB model is no longer listed on the Best Buy website, R.I.P.

meh if they drop the PS2 price and the PS3 prices people can just buy a PS3 and PS2 and have the ability to play all PS2 games. Or else we can wait and see if Sony's programmers can manage to make fully functional BC for the PS2 in the next year.

madskillz said: Keeping the 80gb around is really the only choice for PS2 gamers who haven't made the jump and would love to keep their collection. Now, Sony is saying 'Either buy the PS3 now and have one that will play your PS2 games or miss out altogether.'

Ok, I don't think cutting the 80gb is a good idea but come on now. This is a but false.

Those PS2 owners thinking about making the jump might, you know, have PS2s ........

outlawauron said: madskillz said: Keeping the 80gb around is really the only choice for PS2 gamers who haven't made the jump and would love to keep their collection. Now, Sony is saying 'Either buy the PS3 now and have one that will play your PS2 games or miss out altogether.' Ok, I don't think cutting the 80gb is a good idea but come on now. This is a but false. Those PS2 owners thinking about making the jump might, you know, have PS2s ........

As I have stated so many times before, if you want to win fans, don't shaft them. How can anyone buy something after being lied to? Anyone that does supports the habit. Sony stated core values included BC. Then, they axe full BC less than a year into the PS3's cycle. Then, they decide to introduce a player that has PS1 BC, but not their top-selling PS2? And then to say 'Buy another PS2' when the company stated their CORE VALUE was BC ... no. Sorry. Doesn't compute.

If I were still on the fence, and Sony is shouting to me 'Get with the program!' and buy a PS3 ... I don't enjoy being yelled at, first, and second, only an officer with a pistol - my wife, my mom and dad - are the only folks who tell me what to do. It's my money - and to tell me 'If you still want to play PS2 games, get a PS2.' Thanks a million, Sony. I can't believe folks can be drones ... 

What incentives do PS2 gamers still on the fence have? Correct me if I'm wrong, but if a guy tells his date 'Here's the agenda,' doesn't consider her feelings and just does what he wants to do, without asking for her input, it will be a. a very short date or b. the woman is so desperate and clueless she doesn't care.

Regardless, the relationship is going nowhere fast. 

I have bought a PS1, a PS2 and enjoyed playing PS1 ones on my PS2. Sony said it was a core value - and then, they change it and say it's unnecessary? What about rumble? It's last-gen ... yeah ... and then, after settling with Immerison, here it comes ... and fools will rush out and buy it - and Sony's laughing at 'em. 

I am getting a 40gb PS3, but you can bet I am not paying for it. I wanted a 60gb PS3, and had one on layaway, but I got a PS3 for just a few games ... and trust me, that's the only way I would ever buy a 40gb PS3. I wouldn't pay a company one red cent  that drops core values just to pimp Blu Ray and shafts folks.

They will rid 80GB, then sell all 40GB models for 299$ till spring.
Durign GDC will announce new model, maybe 120GB, maybe just 40GB with dualshock 3 and BC.
When 40GB for 299$ will be sold out, they will bring to the market 349$ costing new SKU wich is like 80GB model but with dualshock 3.

Good strategy, atleast i would do like that.

madskillz said: Sony is just proving one thing - they don't have a clue. They axed the 20gb within a few months after launch - the 60gb shortly thereafter, and now the 80gb, leaving folks with just one choice. Keeping the 80gb around is really the only choice for PS2 gamers who haven't made the jump and would love to keep their collection. Now, Sony is saying 'Either buy the PS3 now and have one that will play your PS2 games or miss out altogether.' Sony needs to find the jackass who keeps pressing the panic button and bury him. Each move like makes the last-gen wins look like flukes ...

God forbid those ps2 owners be forced to play their ps2 games on their... PS2!! It's a scary thought.

I'm sure glad I don't have any Sony stock.