Sony unveils new PS3 model

[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, Sony confirmed that the new 250GB PlayStation 3 model will launch on September 25 bundled with Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception for $270. A 500GB version will arrive alongside Assassin's Creed III in October.

The original story follows below

Sony today unveiled a new PS3 model at its pre-Tokyo Game Show briefing today in Japan. The new PS3 will have a new body and design, approximately 20 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than the current PS3.

The new PS3 will be available in 250GB and 500GB versions, in both black and white colours. The black model will be released on October 4, while the white model will be released on November 22.

Sony revealed the new 250GB PS3 will be available on September 25 in North America for US$269.99 as part of a limited edition bundle featuring Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Game of the Year edition, and a voucher for more than US$30 worth of bonus digital content for the title Dust 514.

The new 500GB PS3 will be available in North America in a limited edition Assassin's Creed III bundle on October 30. Sony did not reveal US or Japanese pricing for this model.

The PAL versions of the two new PS3 models is slightly different: while the 500GB version will be identical, the version replacing the current 250GB model will come as a 12GB flash memory model. Users who buy this model will be able to upgrade to a HDD, but will lose the 12GB as internal storage when they do. This version of the new PS3 will be available in Europe and Australasia. The 12GB flash memory PS3 model will be released on September 27 in Australia for AU$300, and on October 12 in Europe for €229. For more details on Australian pricing and release date, check this story.

Elsewhere in the conference, Sony revealed its PlayStationPlus subscription service will become available for PlayStation Vita in November this year. Different subscription options will be available in each territory, including a 30-day plan (Japan: 500 Yen, Asia: HK$38); a 90-day plan (North America: US$17.99, Europe: €14.99); and a 365-day plan (Japan: 5,000 Yen, Asia: HK$233, North America: US$49.99, Europe: €49.99).

According to Sony, PS Vita will integrate all of the PS3's entertainment options with PlayStation Plus.

Sony also announced it will be opening up PlayStation mobile stores all around the world (Japan, North America, EU, and Australia) later this year, and that its PlayStation Network service has reached 2.4 billion downloads worldwide to date.

On the Vita front, Sony revealed two new colours for the portable console--red and blue--to launch on November 15.

Software

Sony announced Call of Duty: Black Ops for the Vita will be launching in December, while Keiji Inafune took to the stage to announce Soul Sacrifice will have cross-platform functionality but has been delayed to 2013.

Sony also unveiled new Vita title Valhalla Knights 3, coming 2013; and Oboro Muramasa: The Demon Blade, a remake of Muramasa: Demon Blade. Koei Tecmo also announced a new title, Toukiden, featuring a female protagonist. Toukiden will be made by Omega Force, the studio behind Dynasty Warriors, and will have a joint release for PSP and Vita with cross-platform play.

GameSpot will continue to update this story as news comes in.