New PlayStation bundles coming soon, kids.

Link. (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/02/26/destination-playstation-news-mgs-ps3-bundle-kratos-psp-and-dualshock3-release-date-by/)

Not every video game event is a press and party extravaganza (like last week�s GDC). As a gamer, you may not have heard of Destination PlayStation – a meeting between Sony PlayStation, retailers, and 3rd party teams taking place right now in Arizona. But the discussions at DPS are generally pretty significant. Here�s what�s being announced RIGHT NOW.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots PS3 Bundle
To coincide with the much-anticipated North American launch of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots in late Q2 2008, SCEA will introduce a PS3 bundle, which will include an 80GB PS3, the upcoming blockbuster Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, and a DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller for $499.99 (MSRP).

As has been announced previously, MGS4 will include a Metal Gear Online �Starter Pack.� If you can�t wait to try out MGS4, the good news is you don�t have to much longer. Those who pre-order the game will be guaranteed access to a multiplayer beta test for Metal Gear Online scheduled for late April.

God of War PSP Entertainment Pack
In June, a new PSP Entertainment Pack will be hitting stores, featuring the famous face of the Ghost of Sparta � Kratos. Here�s what you get in the bundle, which will be available for $199.99 (MSRP):

Limited-Edition �Deep Red� PSP with Kratos silkscreened on the back God of War: Chains of Olympus Superbad on UMD video Voucher to download Syphon Filter: Combat Ops from PLAYSTATION Store for free God of War: Chains of Olympus still arrives for PSP on March 4, 2008.

DUALSHOCK 3
The final piece of big news coming out of DPS is another much-requested release date: SCEA will introduce the DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller for the first time in North America in April 2008 for $54.99 (MSRP). Compatible with more than 100 PS3 games, DUALSHOCK 3 has both rumble and motion-sending SIXAXIS technologies. So now you�ll be able to play Uncharted: Drake�s Fortune, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, and, yes, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots with rumble turned ON.

This is a very telling announcement. To bundle a high-profile title immediately upon its release at a reduced price seems to suggest that Sony does not expect the momentum they gained late last year to carry through this year (which I expected, but that’s beside the point). Also, the fact that they would announce a new bundle with the 80GB model after announcing to retailers that they were discontinuing it shows that they either have some serious internal problems or some very warped marketing logic.

I can’t pretend to understand what they’re thinking now, but I’m sure it’ll be interesting to watch, especially if Microsoft reacts with some outlandish moves of their own.

Also, that new PSP is butt-ugly. And why the heck haven’t they given up on UMD movies already?

Also, the fact that they would announce a new bundle with the 80GB model after announcing to retailers that they were discontinuing it shows that they either have some serious internal problems or some very warped marketing logic.
I assume it’s only because it’s convenient for them. Limited number of 80gb models coupled with an intention to promote a limited supply bundle hits two birds with one stone. It’s actually quite lazy. Still, I get what you mean by warped logic.

Out of interest how do you think this will fare in the market?

I think the game will outsell the bundle.

Besides, wouldn’t the bundle be like an extra $30USD anyways then getting the system and game separate?