AfterDawn: News

Official GTA IV bundles coming for PS3

GTA IV is sure to be the biggest title to ever hit the PlayStation 3 when it is released next week, and Sony definitely knows this. With that in mind they have officially announced a system bundle that will pack the game along with the 40GB model of the system for European and Australian customers.

“We are delighted to offer the millions of PS3 and GTA fans the ultimate gaming package,” said David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.



Those expecting to receive the new DualShock 3 controller with the bundle will be disappointed however. Each bundle will include only one SIXAXIS controller. Even more disappointing is the fact that Australian buyers will have to purchase the controller separately for the shocking price of AUD$99 ($92 USD) if they want it.

The bundle will retail in Europe for €439 and in Australia for AUD$749.95, high premiums compared to American prices.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 23 Apr 2008 15:51

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• 16 comments

• viny1313

  Does it really matter that it doesn't come with the DS3? Like, I wouldn't really care... I'm gonna get one sooner or later just for the hell of it. I already have 2 regular Sixaxises so I don't even need one.
  
  
  Anyways, WTF? Why the hell are the prices so high overseas? That's nutters :S

  23.4.2008 16:07 #1

• Rudeboi

  750 Australian dollars?!?!?!
  That's NOWHERE near the $460 (system and game) we have to pay here in NA. That is outrageous!
  Those poor Australians ! LOL!

  23.4.2008 16:07 #2

• TBandit

  I think its very smart of them, if the game alone sells millions it should sell a good amount of bundles too.

  23.4.2008 16:12 #3

• domie

  They do it because they can - if you live in a country whose cultural heritage is for the consumer to get shafted sideways then they aren't going to change anything about that.
  Rip-off Britain is exactly the same - the 40 GB PS3 model still retails at around $ 600 and up depending on the package - you won't find one cheaper than that even with no games included in the box.
  My 60 Gb model cost me $ 850 in the UK.
  
  You american guys don't know how lucky you are when it comes to electrical goods and prices - I think it's because in the United States , customers are more likely to vote with their wallets and feet and refuse to pay over inflated prices - here in Europe we are used to getting scrwed for electronics and so we put up with it - we need to develop more consumer balls like the americans.

  23.4.2008 20:06 #4

• Vr0cK

  Quote:You american guys don't know how lucky you are when it comes to electrical goods and pricesYet Americans are probably the majority that complain about prices etc. As a result, they dont get a cool package like this. =P

  24.4.2008 01:48 #5

• Jaussi

  Originally posted by viny1313:
  Anyways, WTF? Why the hell are the prices so high overseas? That's nutters :SI've been wondering the same thing. When PS3 hit Finland, the price was 679 € for 3 months until it dropped to 599, nowadays it's 399-499, depending on where you buy, and thats only the starter pack no games along with that 399€ price tag. But these prices are starting to be bearable to me, I'm thinking of getting PS3 after summer vacation. FF XIII, MGS4, R&CF:ToD, God of War III, GT5 etc etc. *drooools*

  24.4.2008 02:17 #6

• saltynuts

  Quote:Quote:You american guys don't know how lucky you are when it comes to electrical goods and pricesYet Americans are probably the majority that complain about prices etc. As a result, they dont get a cool package like this. =P
  
  
  
  
  
  at that price you can keep that damn package,and getting ripped off is in no way cool my friend.

  24.4.2008 02:42 #7

• nobrainer

  Originally posted by Rudeboi: 750 Australian dollars?!?!?!
  That's NOWHERE near the $460 (system and game) we have to pay here in NA. That is outrageous!
  Those poor Australians ! LOL!Australia and Europe always get ripped off, there was a great prog on ITV1(uk) with Quentin Willson this week called "Rip-off Britain" that showed even after import taxes and vat that we still pay on around %20 to%60 more than the rest of the world, the reason that the prices are so high, as stated by the manufacturers, was that their products enjoy exclusiverty due to the high price, and was more alluring to customers, what a load of bull..
  
  Sony stop imports because of our health, not that we could have had ps3 shipped to our door at release for £300.
  
  Lik-Sang.com Out of Business due to Multiple Sony Lawsuits
  
  Originally posted by above hyperink: A Sony spokesperson declined to comment directly on the lawsuit against Lik-Sang, but recently went on to tell Gamesindustry.biz that "ultimately, we're trying to protect consumers from being sold hardware that does not conform to strict EU or UK consumer safety standards, due to voltage supply differences et cetera; is not - in PS3's case - backwards compatible with either PS1 or PS2 software; will not play European Blu-Ray movies or DVDs; and will not be covered by warranty".SIXAXIS controller $92 USD OMG who in their right mind would even consider this at almost $100, what a waste of cash.
  
  439 Euro is £350, suerly it would be cheaper to purchase the ps3 and game seperately!
  
  BTW ppl the 360 with GTA4 is selling for £159.99 for the same graphicial detail and gameplay with extra downloadable content. I think sony may just have shot themselves in the foot again!
  
  or if you are a pirate with a modded 360 you already have gta4!
  Pirated copies of Grand Theft Auto IV leaked online
  Originally posted by link: According to Kotaku, 6.3 GB file of the PAL version of Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360 was ripped and leaked to various sites at 11:50 am EST today. "An NTSC version is expected within the next 48 hours," reports Kotaku.
  

  The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  
  The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  
  The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!
  
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.
  
  How do you stop anti consumer = its easy purchase only second hand media and avoid their propertarian hobbled by DRM hardware! http://www.boycott-riaa.com/

  24.4.2008 03:14 #8

• oappi

  lol so this is the why they didnt make pc versio =)...
  This is the worst thing that can happen since now even some fans are going to download it because it is the only way to play it advance. They still might buy the "real" copy to play it on internet so it is not that big deal this time.
  __
  Some smart man in game business once said that you should not count "pirates" as customers just ignore them, most likely they are never going to be your customers what ever you do. Just focuse the ones that are buying.

  24.4.2008 11:21 #9

• stuntman_

  GTA 4 for the 360 has more content and I am getting my 80 GB PS3 bundled with MGS4 for $500 so im not really that bummed this isnt in the US

  24.4.2008 18:12 #10

• viny1313

  More Content = 1 or 2 Extra Bad Missions + Extra DPs :P
  
  Oh, and you've gotta pay for them lol
  
  I'm not losin' sleep :)

  24.4.2008 18:16 #11

• nobrainer

  Originally posted by viny1313: More Content = 1 or 2 Extra Bad Missions + Extra DPs :P
  Oh, and you've gotta pay for them lol
  I'm not losin' sleep :)that may be true, as yet no details have been released other than speculation that has not been quashed by rockstar that the extra content will equell the size Vice City or San Andreas ... but the fact is that the;
  
  360 price is with GTA4: £159.99
  PS3 price is with GTA4: £350
  
  for the same graphicial detail, somthing is very wrong here!
  
  GTA4 for the pc if its ever released will be £29.99 just as most top priced games, why are console games so over priced in comparison?
  
  

  The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.
  

  25.4.2008 02:55 #12

• viny1313

  PC versions can be more glitched then console versions and sometimes have less support... I think GoW is like that, ins't it?
  
  And that was a PC game in the first place :S

  25.4.2008 10:51 #13

• pirkster

  Originally posted by TBandit: I think its very smart of them, if the game alone sells millions it should sell a good amount of bundles too.Absolutely
  
  GTA4 was a major factor in my purchasing a PS3, though I did buy mine before the bundle announcement LOL.
  
  Actually the announcement may be too late, as preorders have already been so strong - but no doubt taking advantage of the GTA4 frenzy will have a positive affect on console sales (as I am a perfect example) regardless.

  25.4.2008 15:40 #14

• nobrainer

  wll reviews are coming in and its 10 out 10 from ign.
  
  Grand Theft Auto IV Review This is the American dream.
  
  Quote:Closing Comments
  Grand Theft Auto III was a revolutionary title, one that inspired a whole new generation of 3D action games. Grand Theft Auto IV is just as big a leap forward, though perhaps in subtler ways, and sets a new benchmark for open-world games. Everything in GTA IV works in harmony. The story would be nothing without the city; the city gains realism from the physics engine; the physics compliment the improved AI; the AI would make no sense without the new cover system. And on and on. There is no one major weak aspect.
  
  A "10" is not a score we give out very often. In fact, the last time we gave a 10 to a console game was Soul Calibur in 1999. A 10 doesn't mean a game is perfect -- it means a game is pushing boundaries, expanding a genre, and doing many things to a level so far above and beyond its competitors that they overshadows any flaws. Certainly, GTA IV has some issues, the most noticeable being the occasional flaw in the cover system, but there are many more pieces of GTA IV that are better than anything I've seen from a game in the past decade. We don't give 10s often -- just to games that merit the score. what is funny on the ign site, there is a user rating and its already 9.2 even before they have purchased a copy or seen actual in game play graphics, just shows how the marketing effect works on the pre-order culture of "gotta have it now"
  
  as i mentioned previously:
  
  360 price is with GTA4: £159.99
  PS3 price is with GTA4: £350
  
  what are ppl going to pick up maybe sony should have dropped the price of the ps3 to a more realistic price.
  
  

  The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.
  

  26.4.2008 05:02 #15

• viny1313

  I had it on the 23rd... My friend has a modded 360 so he gave me $5 to burn it and he's playin' it right now :P

  26.4.2008 09:35 #16