Not yet confirmed but highly likely. There is only financial incentive for Sony to get to a two sku model for the PS3. They would have one high end model, and one low end model. They are adopting the Microsoft framework. Probably by next spring that is if the PS3 survives the holiday we will see a elite model from Sony.

Personally I am not impressed with the Microsoft or Sony strategy for the holiday season. Sony selling a crippled console. Microsoft seemingly advocating a bundle approach. The lack of backwards compatibility will hurt sales. Negating much of the gain produced by the lower price. While the bundles do not seem to be the appropriate games. I think a Madden, Halo 3, or even a Bioshock would have done wonders. Instead the rumors are saying Forza, Marvel, viva pinata, or even a Call of Duty.

I suppose if you pushed me on the question I would say that Microsoft has the better offer. Two games in a package and at a lower price should have a bit more appeal then a gimped system at the lower price with no game.

I have said before that if it isn't clear that this model is not compatible with PS2 titles, we'll see some news about angry customers. Whether it will be clear or not, it's anyone's guess... Sony should, at the very least, put a sticker on the version with BC saying "compatible with PS2 games", but even that may not be enough!

I doubt they'll make a big deal out of the BC by putting warnings on the lower-priced model's box though...

@Dodece

It has spiderman 3..

Hopefuly this is the end of the different versions of the PS3 and 360. Really enough already. For the 360 it's the Elite and standard version (the Core for all intensive purporses is dead). And for the PS3 it will be the 80 GB and 40 GB versions once the 60GB runs out. Let's stick with just pushing those two versions for the next few years Microsoft and Sony. No need to confuse customers more. Maybe even sometime next year some casual gamers will even come around to the systems, once they're comfortable chosing one version over the other.

@leo-j

Spiderman 3 was one of the worst movies of the summer. Not at the box office mind you, but the movie itself was horrible. I do not think that movie is going to drive console sales. Really not something to brag about. Will people buy the movie off the shelves I pray not. Unfortunately good taste seems to be at a premium these days.

@Dodece


one of them has R& C bundled
& yeah SP 3 was TERRIBLE

BUT BUT

it made more than the 1st two (unusual for a sequel)

Depending on how Sony handles the packaging it could be minor issue or a major one. If Sony doesn't clear note the lack of PS2 compatibility on the 40GB model, it will be a disaster. A sticker on the box isn't going to be enough, any advertising needs to make note of the difference as well. We, (U.S. residents), live in a litigous society and people will not hesistate to sue whether they are justified or not.

@dodece

worst movie of the summer? It wasnt the best but it was ok. Atleast you get a movie with it.

That's a really good question. It would be confusing as the devil for someone to buy one and find out the 40gb version they snapped up ... SURPRISE! It can't play their collection of PS2 games. The media should definitely tout the lack of BC, but most folks don't believe the hype unless they see it on FOX News.

I seriously doubt many people outside of those who whine on video game blog forums will care about this. There will be some returns, but nothing spectacular like people here are expecting. Given that people probably already have ps2's if they own ps2 games, mabye when they feel the need to play a ps2 game they will pull their ps2's out of the closet and have a go instead of wearing their ps3 optical drive with ps2 games.

Where are the people bitching about shitty xbox 360 backwards compatibility? I'm not sure about exact numbers but its under 50% of xbox games work on x360s.

While some of you are going "NO backward compatibility with PS2 games, no sale" that seems fair for savvy video game nerds to say. do you really think most people buying it, for themselves or for their kid really truly care about this? ever think they are buying it to play ps3 games (maybe blu-ray movies) given the decision to buy a ps3 over a much, much cheaper ps2?