Sony who last month launched a slim PS3 in an effort to regain lost ground in the gaming market is now set to launch a more-expensive version of the PlayStation 3 which in Australia will sell for $200 more than the same US model.
The new 250GB Model is set to sell for $350 in the USA while the Sony Computer Entertainment model in Australia is expected to be $599 which is over $200 dearer than the US model. This is despite an exchange rate of $0.92 to the US dollar.
The 250-gigabyte PS3 will be available for $350 starting Nov. 3 in the USA. The currentSlim PS3 version which has 120 gigabytes of hard drive sells in the USA for $300 (A$326) Vs $499 in Australia .
The added storage will give the PS3 more room for storing games and online games purchased through Sony’s online PlayStation Network the Company claims.
The system competes with Microsoft Xbox Live, a subscription service that is expected to add Facebook and Twitter applications later this year.
The PS3 trails Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii in sales. Sony has sold more than 24 million PS3s worldwide since the product’s introduction, according to the company. Kyoto-based Nintendo leads with sales of 52.6 million Wii consoles through June, according to company reports, while Microsoft has sold more than 30 million Xbox 360s, according to filings.
