The great PS3 price cut conspiracy of 07

If there is any inkling of truth here, this is just downright devious.

While the $100 price cut of the 60GB PS3 may seem like a good gesture and an attempt to move some stock, SCEE president David Reeves tells us a different story. He told GameIndustry.biz:

Well, [U.S. customers are not really given the option to pay a lower price], because what the US are offering from the 1st of August is a USD 599 version with one game. All they’re doing is taking their stock in trade that they’ve got at the moment of the 60GB model, marking the price down and it will all be gone by the end of July.

Whaaaa?? Slow that down. GameIndustry followed up, “So once the 60GB is gone, that will be the end of the 60GB then?”

In America, yes.

Straight out of the president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s mouth: Sony is dumping its stock of 60GB consoles at $499, and once they are gone, you will only be left with the $599 80GB model. Effectively, there is no price cut. Don’t look at me, I didn’t say it.

The scary thing is, the logistics make sense. I couldn’t understand the logic of creating a new SKU for $100 more than the 60GB model, with only a measly 20GB and Motorstorm to gain. Who would want that? Apparently anyone who wants a PS3, because it very well may be the only option.

It will be interesting to see how this pans out. Is this just one European exec venting at the fact that Europe isn’t see a price cut, too? If it turns out to be true, it will forever be remembered as “the great PS3 price cut conspiracy of 07.” Until then, keep that grain of salt in hand.