Instead of the $100 price cut offered on 60GB Playstation 3 in North America (which turned out to be a clearance sale), European users were offered a Playstation 3 Starter Pack which includes the console, extra Sixaxis controller and choice of two first-party games.
But yesterday, Sony of Australia has confirmed that the bundle will no longer be available after August 31, only four weeks after it was first introduced in the region. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe was quick to assure European consumers that the move does not affect other PAL regions, with a spokesperson confirming "there is absolutely no time limit on that offer in Europe".
However, emails being sent from Sony tell another story. Said emails were sent to consumers who were disgruntled for purchasing the GBP 425 console before the Starter Pack was announced and therefore missed out on free games and peripherals. "I was sorry to hear that you are dissatisfied with regards to the launch of the PlayStation 3 Starter Pack. I would like to take this opportunity to stress that this is a summer promotion and that due to the nature of this offer it will end on a predetermined date", said the email from SCEE.
A Sony Spokesman has acknowledged that these emails were in fact sent out from Sony, but he insisted that the current Starter Pack offering "will continue for the foreseeable future".
