Thing is, Microsoft's approach with 360 largely failed. Instead of satisfying one territory and disappointing another (Japan didn't care either way, as they demonstrated), Microsoft disappointed both US and EU buyers.

No manufacturer has the production capability to supply a global roll-out. The maths are simple, to produce enough stock for day/week/month-one would take months and months, but manufacturers want to get on the shelves ASAP.

They have two choices, either tool-up for massive production, which means lines will be standing idle within months of launch, or tool-up for sustainable production, and only be able to supply enough for a regional launch.
This applies not only to the console manufacturer, but to the CPU and GPU manufacturers too.

Of course, platform holders want it both ways. And users do not understand the issue, and are not placated even if they do.

The "global launch" thing is a total market spoiler, as are all release dates and announcements. They are playing a game of chess with your hopes as the pawns, and the company P+L as the board. But I am sure that it will come to bite companies in the ass as they fail to live up to unrealistic promises.

Although regional launches are inevitable in the games biz, I can't help but think that placing Europe last on the list....again....is not such a good idea.
Sony are so strong in Japan and xbox seems to be doing so badly there that they are the least likely to switch if delayed.
The US is arguably the biggest market for the ps3 and xbox already has a foothold, so presumably it would be wise to release there first.
Europe is a territory that Sony continually seems to underestimate and a year long wait may be too much considering the xbox drought is finally coming to an end.
I know that if this is confirmed I wont be saving my my trade in points for the ps3 and Im sure I wont be buying ps2 games (in fact Im really sick of the ps2 as it wont display full screen on my widescreen tv) so even though I never thought I'd say it .....I might even buy a 360 myself.

Well that news is unsurprising.

I thought global release of the 360 was good for Europe. I'm playing on my 360 quite happily and I didn't have to wait 6+ months.

They did have problems with the launch and they didn't get as many consoles out as they planned, but as this was a first of its kind and next time they can improve the situation...? Just because it didn't work perfectly doesn't mean that its a bad strategy it had its flaws but then so does the standard staggered approach. I preferred it.

Recent reports on other sites are pointing to a problem with the GDDR memory that was the problem with the memory supplier sending lots of memory that wasn't running at full speed so they had to sort the bad memory from then good memory.

I know you keep banging on about the unavailability of the system in this country but I haven't been seeing the same things as you. Since January there has been a steady stream of 360s into every games shop in Cardiff, they don't hang about very long but they do keep rolling in. My house mate spent all of 2 days trying to get his hand on one once he decided to buy one, it could have been quicker but he didn't want to buy a bundle from Dixon's or Toys R Us so he waited for the next shipment Virgin got in.

But if your a hardcore gamer it shouldn't be to much of a problem to get hold of a 360, Revolution or PS3 at launch as you'll be informed and you know they always sell out at launch and you'll be one of the first people on the pre order list.

But giving the 360 a 1 year, 4months and two Christmas lead in Europe could go against Sony, but I doubt it will make that much difference. The UK seams to like the Xbox and some of northern Europe but I think the rest all like there Playstations.

I definately agree with all the above comments, I think that even thought the 360 had difficulty meeting demands Microsoft showed that they were willing to take a risk and make sure European gamers knew that they were higher up on their priorities. I disagree that both America and Europe were disapointed, maybe the states, but being able to get a 360 within 2/3 months of an american launch was really satisfying for me. It also looks as though there's still demand and that the supply is just about keeping up with it - with all my local shops beginning to stock Premium editions.

Sony releasing after Xmas in Europe is such a bad business plan. As DoctorDee says, global launches are unrealistic, but it seems like Europe is being abandoned, again. I think that this will be really good for both the Revolution and 360 in Europe, as the alternative consoles for kids needing their fix they cannot do anything but gain from this. Possibly this will aid the Revolution more, people with disposable income may feel slightly more willing to shell out for a "cheap" console and then wait for the PS3.

Certainly this will give the advantage to both Microsoft and Nintendo - is it sustainable? Well I guess it depends on the games, the Xbox and the Gamecube were hurt by their relatively small libraries compared to the PS3. This time Microsoft have a year to localise all the games and develop them (no crappy "all your base are belong to us").

Unless Sony can show that their games are an unbelievably improvement on the 360 - and I'm talking ingame footage, none of this prerendered crap, only the hardcore will want to buy the expensive PS3 straight off. There's so much more they need to demonstrate (good online service, decent graphics and gameplay - demonstrate that Bluray is worth it over here, where few people own HDTV's)to warrant an extra £50/60 on the current 360 premium price.