Tokyo (Japan) – Sony will begin offering the 80 GB Playstation 3 with a rumble pack wireless controller this month in Japan. The 40 GB version will be transitioned into “open” pricing.

Sony is stepping up its game against its rivals to draw attention from holiday shoppers. Beginning on October 30, the base model in the Japanese market will be the 80 GB Playstation, which will include one wireless Dualshock 3 controller by default. The current 40 GB will be offered at “open price” from October 10, the company said.

The new PS3 will be offered in three colors, black, silver and white and will be priced at 39,980 Yen, which translates to about $400. The price includes a copy of the game Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Spec III.  

Also, Sony said that the Beta release of its Playstation Home service is on track to launch as open beta within this calendar year. As previously indicated, the increased storage capacity is primarily required by this service – to enable users to buy plenty of games and store photo, music and video content.

home beta

Oct 10, 2008 06:24     

Ive been watching it evolve over the last several months on my friends closed beta system. It really looks good, and features a lot of things I always expected WOW and earlier MMOs to include (like being able to watch streamed content together in a virtural enviornment). But there seems to be something missing. Maybe Ive just grown out of it, but thesekinds of game/chatrooms seem, well... boring. But then again, maybe if I was in it with a bunch of my friends it would be a lot of fun.

caeden report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

sony..

Oct 10, 2008 10:15     

home is a great idea. but when you work as hard as you have over the last year and a half on home, you've let go of key franchises that defined you. Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, TEKKEN!!! I'd start pushing for more titles Sony than worrying about home. once again, I'd like to know where my Kingdom Hearts 3 and God of War 3 is?
jonas report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

open price

Oct 10, 2008 12:42     

what does open price mean?
rimbuk report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

In other words, "CRAP! MS beat us again?"

Oct 10, 2008 23:56     

Sony Exec's can be heard at the water cooler complaining about being third place to some gaijin competitor again. If Sony can't lower the core system price, they can at least lose a few dollars from accessories to put a band-aid on the hemorrhage. I would have wanted to have these more attractive offers in the larger markets. They could take in more customers. Japan's their smallest market. This is a sissy move.

9Nails report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, TEKKEN!!!

Oct 11, 2008 18:37     

Word dog word
Sorbitol report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1