Now, Sony has announced this new 160 GB version with dualshock3 and 70 euros in downloadable content for the 31st of October.

I am curious about this version (delaying my purchase of a PS3 because of this announcement), so I call the biggest game retailer in my country (Belgium).

They tell me that it would be ludicrous for Sony to do so, since they've just launched their new 80GB.

I refer to the press conference from Sony and they arrogantly tell me that it's not official since "it's not in their computers".

I tell them that it's been announced by a Sony head at Leipzig, and then he finally says "well, it's not because it's been announced for Europe that Belgium is going to get it too".

(As far as I know, Belgium is pretty much the heart of Europe...)

So now my question: Is there any way to clearly know whether this version is coming to my country, or do I have to send a mail to Sony to verify? (and if I do, will I get an answer...)

it IS coming, don't worry. Half the employees working at game shops (game mania? :P) barely know anything about videogames. It's even worse in multimediashops.

Game Mania indeed ...

*sigh*

And I wanted to pre-order :(

the 160GB SKU is only a limited run...for now.
It's definitely coming, try place a pre-order on the net because it's gonna sell like hotcakes.