By Chris Nicholls

LOS ANGELES: Sony Computer Entertainment has confirmed the 80 GB Playstation 3, which will replace the current 40 GB model, will arrive in Australia from August 27.

According to Gamespot UK, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe chief executive, David Reeves, said at E3 that the 80 GB model would arrive in Europe, the UK, Africa, Australia and New Zealand on August 27, with Russia follow two weeks later.

While prices of 399 euros and 299 pounds were announced for Europe and the UK respectively, local prices remained unconfirmed.

No PSP or Playstation 2 price drops were announced to accompany the statement, and Reeves said prices would not drop on the 40 GB PS3 in the run up to the 80 GB model’s arrival, saying only a small number were left in the channel.

Reeves’ statement may not ring true for Australia, though, given Sony Australia’s recent announcement of its 35,000 PS3 units giveaway.

And, while Reeves’ comments confirmed the Australian launch date, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia said this was not set in stone.

Reeves also took the opportunity to announce Playstation 3 Platinum game prices, launch titles and dates, with Australians paying $49 for titles such as Assassin’s Creed, MotorStorm, Resistance: Fall of Man, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Virtua Tennis 3.

All the above titles will be on sale from 1 August, with WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008 arriving in September.