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PS3 Delayed in Europe
Posted: 2006-09-06 05:05am
by Prozac the Robert
PlayStation 3 Euro launch delayed
The launch of Sony's long-awaited PlayStation 3 games console in Europe has been delayed until March 2007.
Ken Kutaragi, head of Sony's global computer entertainment division, said the machine would still be launched in November in the US and in Japan.
Mr Kutaragi blamed the European delay on problems in mass producing elements of the high-definition Blu-ray disc drives in the machines.
Sony said it still aimed to ship six million new PlayStations by March.
The delay means Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was launched last year, will enjoy another Christmas without facing a challenge from Sony in Europe.
Nintendo's Wii console is also scheduled for a worldwide release this autumn, although no firm date has been set.
Speaking at Sony's global headquarters in Tokyo, Mr Kutaragi apologised for the delays to the PlayStation 3 launch.
But he said Sony had decided to focus on the US and Japan in the run-up to Christmas.
"I am so sorry not to be able to answer all the expectations," Mr Kutaragi said.
It really is the joke console at the moment.
Posted: 2006-09-06 05:49am
by weemadando
Oh, and in Australia too btw.
And to add to how dead Sony is in Europe/Australia now... Its been reported in some gaming press that Microsoft has secured exclusivity for both FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer franchises...
Posted: 2006-09-06 07:10am
by Genii Lodus
weemadando wrote:And to add to how dead Sony is in Europe/Australia now... Its been reported in some gaming press that Microsoft has secured exclusivity for both FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer franchises...
It's a one year exclusivity deal in Europe, it'll save EA and Konami the expense and hassle of having to develop PS3 versions in time for the launch for sales to early adopters that won't be worth it. Not really that great a deal and I'm sure MS paid a nice sum of money for the privelege.
I expected such a move after hearing of shortages in the blue-laser diodes needed for the Blu-ray drives. Sony's mismanagement of the PS3 launch will become a textbook case of how not to launch a product for business students.
Long live the Wii60
Posted: 2006-09-06 07:20am
by weemadando
Well, if you want to talk about nails in coffins... Not having football titles in Europe for launch... Man. That's brilliant.
Posted: 2006-09-06 07:26am
by Vendetta
You hear that low giggle? That's Peter Moore watching his userbase grow...
Posted: 2006-09-06 08:21am
by Cao Cao
Well, duh. Sony has always been a joke in Europe.
Late releases, cancelled releases, Japan/U.S. only releases, the infamous black borders and slowdown from lazy developers *cough*Square Enix*cough*
I'm in the UK and I have an American PSone and PS2, and if a PS3 ever becomes worth buying, I'll get an American one too.
Sony Europe = dead to me since it came into existance.
Posted: 2006-09-06 02:36pm
by Vendetta
Of course, there is the slight bonus in this that by March I'll be able to afford the thing.
Posted: 2006-09-06 06:09pm
by Spyder
I was actually looking forward to seeing the PS3 in action. Even the fanboys won't be able to hold out forever.
Posted: 2006-09-06 08:17pm
by atg
It looks like there will only be 400,000 PS3s at launch in the US, with Japan only having 100,000 units!
Posted: 2006-09-06 08:42pm
by Cao Cao
atg wrote:It looks like there will only be 400,000 PS3s at launch in the US, with Japan only having 100,000 units!
Er.. what?
*sees a vision of Sony's executives sitting around a table, commiting seppuku one by one*
.. yep.
Posted: 2006-09-06 09:01pm
by Uraniun235
Here's what I figure happened.
When they designed the Playstation and the PS2, one of the things they did was perform an unholy ritual involving the sacrifice of the beating heart of a virginal fangirl.
When the time came for the Playstation 3, someone decided a good way to cut costs would be to instead use the beating heart of a virginal fanboy.
Clearly, Sony chose poorly in their efforts to cut costs, and have invoked the wrath of a dreadful beast whose palate was most offended by the sacrificial offering.
Posted: 2006-09-07 05:00am
by weemadando
