News roundup: $199 PS3, 250GB Xbox 360, and firmware bricks controller
It may be a slow video game news day, but there is still a good deal of interesting bits of information to come out today. There is a rumor about a 250GB Xbox 360 in the wild and info on a way to get a PS3 Slim for $199 with a catch. Also, apparently the new PS3 firmware 3.0 may be doing some harm to controllers. Take the jump for more details.
Mythical 250GB Xbox 360 denied
Last week Microsoft announced that the Elite Xbox 360 will drop in price to fill the spot of the mid-level Pro which is now discontinued. This leaves only the $299 Elite and the barebones $199 Arcade on the market. There is much speculation that a new Super Elite will be introduced to fill the void at the top spot.
According to Seattle Pi, the mythical 250GB Xbox 360 has been cropping up all over the place. First it was listed on Amazon Germany and then it was listed on South African EBgames equivalent retailer, BT Games. Microsoft outright denied these claims indicating that no such announcement was made. However, its starting to look like this myth may actually be true.
PS3 Slim for $199 with a catch
CNET recently posted an article goading consumers interested in buying a PS3 Slim can do so for the low price of $199. However, there is a catch – you have to sign up for the Sony Visa card. If you are interested in getting a credit card with a low interest you might want to check out the deal as it will indeed offer a $100 credit towards the purchase of a PS3 Slim.
PS3 3.0 Firmware bricks fake controllers
According to Crunch Gear the PS3 3.0 firmware does a little more than offer a new slick XMB makeover. Apparently gamers with fake unlicensed PS3 controllers are facing some issues with getting it to work properly with their system. Apparently, knock-off controllers do not have the right guts to handle whatever updates was made to the controls.
Who wants to be a video game tester reality show
Lets admit it, every gamer has dreamed about getting paid to play video games. Now Sony is giving every gamer out there in the U.S. who is over 21 the opportunity to do so in a new reality TV show called “The Tester.”
The description on the official Playstation Blog states:
This series of programs will follow a group of select gamers as they face-off in a series of elimination challenges designed to test their mental toughness, endurance, and video game knowledge as they compete for a job working as a PlayStation game tester. The winner of the new show gets a job working for PlayStation’s Quality Assurance department in San Diego, CA and gets the opportunity to work on some of the best PlayStation games.
The show is being produced by 51 Minds Entertainment, which is the same company behind “The Surreal Life,” “Flavor of Love” and “Rock of Love.” To try out for the show check out the casting call page.
Overall, I suppose it wasn’t too bad for video gaming news this week, but it still is a bit mild coming off the Gamescom high. I am sure some exciting news will be right around the corner with Tokyo Game Show coming up soon. Make sure to stay tuned for more info on the show.
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26 Responses to “News roundup: $199 PS3, 250GB Xbox 360, and firmware bricks controller”
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September 4th, 2009
“There is much speculation that a new Super Elite will be introduced to fill the void at the top spot.”
You’re implying that the 250gb ‘Super Elite’ is going to cost more, why?
Going by the Amazon Germany web-page that was pulled the SE is going to cost €30 more than the regular 120gb Elite yet it is coming in a bundle that includes the new forza and 2 wireless controllers.
It’s also worth pointing out that the price Amazon Germany listed the SE bundle as being is a couple of € less than the current 120gb PS3 slim price.
I see no reason to assume that the SE is going to do anything but replace the 120gb Elite
(you may recall the ‘quantities limited’ notice on some of the price-cut flyers, I think we can all see what thnat was about now).
Personally speaking, come Oct, I’m in and if I have to order from Amazon Germany to get this deal I can and I will – although I expect Amazon UK to be offering a similar excellent deal come the time.
A Jasper Elite will be nice but the bigger HDD and the bundle make it all a bit of a no-brainer for me.
Ebay will see me recover all of my outlay on my existing Elite and a little more on top too (seeing as I paid so little for it).
Happy days.
September 4th, 2009
The PlayStation Reality Show could be good if they can keep it going (Ex. make serveral seasons, and have guest developers to join the show once in a while). I think it has potential, and it can also open doors for small games.
I have seen “Bricking Controller” issue before, one of my friend brought a 3rd party controller (USB) to play LBP at my house, just to find out the “game” (not the system) would not recognize the controller, for some reason the controller worked on some games but it didnt work for LBP, Resistance 2, and Wipeout HD.
Thanks for the “$199 ad”, I was thinking about getting a Slim, I “may” open the Sony credit card for the offer
September 4th, 2009
“The show is being produced by 51 Minds Entertainment”
So in other words you have to be a total A-hole to get cast?
They emailed me to apply. I would give it a shot, but I can’t pick up and move to Cally because of school.
September 4th, 2009
Also aren’t “fake unlicensed PS3 controllers” illegal anyway? They may have done that on purpose.
September 4th, 2009
I always wondered why Sony did not take advantage on its “Sony Picture” studio to make great PS content, help Sony 1st party game developers with storylines and scripts, make movies based on PS video game…..but I guess they got their heads together now. with a God of War and a Uncharted movie on the way. now they have a PS reality show, and also Sony 1st party studio has the most talented “motion capture and video game voice over” crew
September 4th, 2009
The show sounds interesting. Looks like a dream opportunity for many.
So, who wants to be a game tester?
Personally, I would not. But what about you guys?
September 4th, 2009
I have heard that’s the worst job you can get “if you are a gamer”…. you have to replay the same game over and over to look bugs and glitches. and have to go around the whole area to find “that spot” where you just fall out of the map
September 4th, 2009
Still it beats sitting a cubical and having to deal with douche bags all day long. I’m sure it’s repetitive and monotonous, but you do get to spend the day dealing with something your passionate about.
Personally I would LOVE to see Ivan on the show. That would make it a must see.
September 4th, 2009
“Still it beats sitting a cubical and having to deal with douche bags all day long.”
Hey WTF…..
the gameblorge crowd are hardly douchebags…!!!!!
well…..most of us aren’t.
September 4th, 2009
Precisely. Sounds like something that ends up making you hate gaming.
Also, I´m not very good at bug/glitch hunting. My younger brother on the other hand…
I don´t know what the F**K he does to games but he gets a bug for almost each one he touches.
He even get stuff like that from microwaves and celphones.
September 4th, 2009
he must have magnetic powers
September 4th, 2009
Phranc, lol I meant your co-workers and/or boss.
I’m not picky enough to be a tester. Minor bugs don’t bother me too much. As long as the game play isn’t effected, I don’t care. I know some people flip out if they see any slight hiccups during a game.
September 4th, 2009
barnabe u wouldnt need school if u were a tester man lol…oh i could see myself living the “grandma’s boy” dream lolololol
September 4th, 2009
id love to be a tester…i was going to go to school for software development, maybe it’s a sign from God haha…
September 4th, 2009
….wait how much does it pay??
September 4th, 2009
lol Grandma’s Boy was a great movie.
I don’t think testers get paid that well at all. Plus the cost of living in Callie is ridiculous.
September 4th, 2009
true mr jones…well my dreams r crushed then, i might as well work at fast food and play video games glitch free!! lol jk
September 5th, 2009
Cannooks waayhey!
Top deal for our Canadian residents.
Electronista, the large Canadian retailer Future Shop has begun selling the Elite Value Bundle for the same price ($330 CAD=300 USD…..wow, what a turnaround that is), marking an aggressive push on the unit.
The Value Bundle includes the console, a Wireless Network Adapter (to connect to Wi-Fi) and the game Halo 3.
Online buyers will also get the game Battlefield: Bad Company, free.
Purchasers are getting the console & $120+ worth of extras.
Stocks of the 120gb Elite are being cleared folks, there are some top deals about.
September 5th, 2009
You advertise for MS now?
Ahh thank whoever created the calender for Saturdays.
September 5th, 2009
“Ahh thank whoever created the calender for Saturdays.”
uhmmmm…… (confused)
September 5th, 2009
Don’t you think it’s a nice deal SW?
For anyone here than’s Canadian that’s one worth a look, no?
Bundling the wi-fi with the Elite is something that’s been talked about as something that ought to happen for a while here and here it’s happening on this deal.
I’m not advertsing for anyone
& just to say it out loud
I have no connection – and never have had any connection in any way whatsoever – with any of the CE corps.
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.
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.
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.I do work for Sony tho.
September 5th, 2009
I suspect its a good deal, don’t know the original price tho! Just makes me wish I hadn’t purchased one until now
‘uhmmmm…… (confused)’
Don’t like Saturdays?
September 5th, 2009
oh…of course i do!
September 8th, 2009
LoL Xbox 360 is like a car with a lot of missing parts you have to build the rest with extra cash.
For those of you who have an Xbox 360 and will be spending all that money building something a little close to PS3. Go here and saved a lot of money on games. xbox360iso.com/showthread.php?t=63835&highlight=Batman%3A+Arkham+Asylum
September 12th, 2009
ivan – i think it says a lot about how much the gaming community hates sony that millions of more people would rather roll the dice and buy a 360 than buy a ps3… ouch…
spin it anyway you want, but the gamers have spoken. the ps3 is not as good of a gaming machine as the competition. then again, it never was designed to be…
September 16th, 2009
kev:
Keep dreaming you a total idiot.