European PS3 launch delayed into 2007
Although it is technically not really Xbox news, it is undeniably related to the Xbox 360’s chances in the next-gen wars so here it is: the PlayStation 3 has been officially delayed until March 2007 for Europe. As widely expected, production has not ramped up enough yet to fulfill expected demand, as such forcing Sony to postpone the launch in one of their biggest territories.
After several little tidbits of information made the news over the last few weeks, mainly the fact that Sony still hadn’t started mass production of the PS3 and the yield problems with Blu-Ray laser diodes, noone really had any hope left that the console giant would be able to produce the promised 4 million consoles before November 17 and actually get them shipped over the world. For the time being the Japanese and American launchdates remain unchanged.
From the Sony press release:
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that it would revise the launch date of its PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system in the PAL territories of Europe, Russia, Middle East, Africa and Australasia from 17th November 2006, as previously announced to March 2007.
The revision of the launch date in the SCEE territories is caused by the delay in the mass production schedule of the blue laser diode within the Sony Group, thus affecting the timely procurement of key components to be utilised in PLAYSTATION 3.
The previously announced PLAYSTATION 3 shipment forecast of 6 million units globally within the fiscal year ending 2007 is not changed.
Needless to say several Microsoft offices will be having surprise parties today, as this means another holiday season without any direct competition for their next generation console in many of the key territories… and this time round Microsoft will not be having any shortages themselves. Speaking of shortages, according to the International Herald Tribune, a quite reputable source, the originally projected number of 4 million PS3s worldwide has been tuned down a ‘bit’ to 400k units in the United States and 100k in Japan. Anyone remember Sony laughing at Microsoft only having the same number of 360s or so in the US at launch, and people getting killed and robbed over them because of the shortages?
Sorry to break the news Ken, but you won’t be getting those Euros anywhere soon
Thanks to a huge number of people submitting this news through too many sources to mention.
Launching in March is retarded in so many ways; everyone’s money is depleted after the expensive holiday season and everyone’s starting to book their summer holidays which costs money as well. I don’t see a $600 game console fitting in there.
Oh and stop fucking over Europe Sony.
Vakantiegeld in May ftw
Haha, brilliant! Typical Sony, shafting the Europeans once again!
Oh and us Euros aren’t the only one getting raped by Sony, Sony said to have 400K console available at launch in the US and 100K in Japan. Thinks of the riots in front of Gamestops around the country.
400k in the US? You mean 300k less than there were 360s? :X
*Sniggers*
What a bunch ‘o’ twats, they could atleast have done what M$ did by sharing the stock around. Admittedly they cause shortfalls, but atleast it would have been global. I am thinking that this has played straight into M$’s hands.
Does that mean MS will release Gears of War earlier in Europe?
Oh, and MS: please release Halo 3 on the day the PS3 launches in Europe… LOL…
Heh, that would be great!
I dare say the North American launch will probably be called off until next year, as well. Is there really any point in launching a console with barely 100k units in Japan?
This is the news everyone expected — and with features dropping off the PS3 every single day, the Sony lies are really coming out now.
LOL
Plesident: Get a job and buy some games dude! >|
This is gonna be great for 360 sales this holiday season. I’ve heard so many people say that they’re buying a 360 now.
It makes the worldwide launch of the 360 last year very impressive, despite the shortages they were able to serve all 3 big markets. Ah well gives me some time to save some money for the PS3 and the shitload of launchgames it will get next March.
LOL too funny! Another year for Microsoft in Europe
Only 500k at launch! Japs aint going to like their small 100k! LOL Thats not a launch thats a clearance sale!
This will definately give the 360 a bigger advantage in Europe… awesome
It’s obvious from the numbers that Sony have decided to try and make the best impact they can in the USA against the US XB360, at the expense of turning their back on the brand loyal Japanese back home. I expect a backlash from the Japanese market over this low amount.
As far as Europe, since Sony announced a November 2006 launch, I’ve been looking everywhere, but never seen a flying pig yet. Remember, this is the second delay as far as Europe goes, This European vapourware was scheduled for release in spring of this year; something that a lot of people have forgotten already.
Well at least Heavenly Sword might be available at launch day in europe now, only game that has caught might eye so far on ps3. I wonder how much the PS3’s will be fetching on Ebay in europe. I remember reading somewere some rich twat paying 5000 euro’s for a 360 for his son’s xmas present. Sony you truly are giving yourself a arse kicking by not releasing in europe as well even if it was extremely low numbers.
WHAT!?!!! No giant crabs till march! baahhhh. Where am i gonna target my hits for maximum damage now! shittttt
As for europe, curry can give you the numbers, PS2 is still outselling Xbox360, Xbox1 and gamecube at the same time.
Lol, not to be a fanboy or anything, but…. I can pretty much guarrantee that the PS2 will out sell the PS3 this holiday season in europe. Heh…
aaaaaaaahahahahahahaha.Stupid Sony.Old Japenese business men with smug little grins and wallets the size houses.What a disaster of a campaign.I would be firing alot of people for this kind of ongoing PR damage.Could u imagine Donald Trump putting up with that kind of crap.Sony “your fired”
“This is waiting”
^ very nice slogan for PS3 in Europe.
The only problem that I see here is that the PS3 is getting older without it realese (by the time it realese a Good PC will have a similar Power Plus DX9). Almost I got my 360 on Launch and I asum that in 2-3 years time any PC will be better.
someone should put this in wikipedia:
SONY (japanese crap producer)
The Company Name “S-O-N-Y” really is Code for
“L-I-E-S”
most famous company policy: overhype then underachieve ^_^
also famous for completely screwing over european customers.
This is Dying!
Wow how could Sony mess up this bad?? I’m not much of a Sony fan, but I have to give them credit for the PS1 and PS2, which they did a great job on, but the PS3, which hasn’t even seen a release yet, is starting off pretty choppy. Microsoft must have one hell of a shit eating grin on their face haha.
I wonder when XBOXIC will have the news posted about the fact that the XBOX360 HDMI cable has been pulled from the EBGames Website, because MS says it doesn’t exist.
anyone know if the ps3 is region free like the psp.. I have a jap import region 2 on order, but hopefully it plays region 2 movies and all B-ray discs are region free like USD games. I will then try sell it for double on ebay.
Sony stands for:
System Out? Not Yet!
Out!
On an unrelated topic.
This must be the fastest growing thread in Xboxic history.
79 posts and the article was only submitted at 11.15am.
lol I noticed that. tho I can’t be bothered to work out what percentage is made of your highly amusing flaming of Captain Pugwash.
Wii60 here I come
I think sony may of just lost the NG console race.
might have? LOL ya uh huh, sure i think its kinda solidified, they’re coming out in very very short supply, and coming out in most areas alot later than the competitors and it’s 2 competitors are way underpriced in comparison and they both will be in large supply and easy to find… only die hard ps3 fanboys will stick it out to find one
all those kids that were getting 1 for christmas are now getting 360s.
I must say … The_Glovner you light my fire. We should have an insult generator named after you here at Xboxic, somethng to randomly send trash emails or posts to PS3 (are they out yet?) fanboys.
Don’t really know whether to take that as a compliment or a sarcastic comment?
PS3 FOR THE LOSS
Not my words, Kaz’s words.
Sony is in trouble, bigtime.
Now if Microsoft could just come out and boost the warranty and ensure the public that 360’s dont melt, there sales will go through the roof this Christmas.
This is fantastic news! This means developers will have to rethink any PS3 “exclusive” titles. Nobody makes money if the games don’t get sold.
So we may be getting a few titles that are currently slated only for PS3. Yipee,
-Oni
DMC4 anyone?
The way i figure it people will buy the PS3 if they are hard core PS fans and others will stick to either the 360 or the Wii thats comming out. I have friends that are strictly PS fans and are waiting for the PS3. It really dont have anything to do with price or quality its just personal preference.
i love happy endings (and PS3 being delayed)…