80GB PS3 For Europe

JeuxVideo are tonight claiming that they’ve heard official word on whether Europe will get the 80GB PS3 or not.  According to the site the pack will be 400 Euro, and will contain (thankfully) a Dual Shock 3 controller.  More news on this soon.

Official Press Release:

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) held its E3 media reception this evening at the Viceroy Hotel, Santa Monica, with David Reeves, President of SCEE, providing a European perspective on the announcements made at the Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA)  press conference yesterday.

Launching on 27th August 2008 throughout the PAL territories (shortly after in Russia), the new PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) 80GB model will become the mainstay of the company’s hardware line-up. The 80GB model will retail for €399 (£299), and will offer all of the features and functionality of the 40GB model with double the storage to accommodate more games, movies, graphics, music, photos and other entertainment content – all for the same price.

As with its predecessor, the new 80GB model will be a complete entertainment system comprising the highest quality games and films on Blu-ray™, as well as the ability to download exclusive content, play games online and access the internet at any time through an integrated Wi-Fi connection. The multi-functionality of the 80GB PS3, combined with an incredible number of exclusive first and third-party titles, as well as PLAYSTATION®Network, makes PS3 a comprehensive entertainment value designed to appeal to a wide range of consumers from hard-core gamers to general entertainment enthusiasts.

“We have been listening to our customers and are pleased to be able to answer one of their key requests”, said David Reeves, President, SCEE. “There is more downloadable content than ever before, with the emphasis moving towards user generated content, something clearly seen this week in LittleBigPlanet™. When you add this to the already compelling entertainment offering on PS3, where you can store games, music, videos and pictures, the extra storage becomes invaluable.”

David Reeves also confirmed the introduction to the PAL territories of the Platinum range for PS3, launching on 1st August, at a price of €29.99, including numerous blockbuster first and third party titles, such as Resistance: Fall of Man, Uncharted: Drakes Fortune and Assassin’s Creed.

David Reeves also confirmed that new bundles would be introduced throughout the SCEE territories on both PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®2, but would vary by territory, continuing the successful policy of providing local content for local markets.