Get it next year in Europe
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has today smashed the foolishly clung-to dreams of European gamers, announcing that the PlayStation 3 will not hit retail in the continent until March of 2007, with a very basic press release being issued in the past few hours that confirmed what many have suspected for a long, long time.
According to Sony, "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 press release, clinically glib and clearly aimed at breaking bad news to Sony's increasingly antsy shareholders in as gentle a way as possible, outlines that the launch dates for Japan and North America remain unchanged at November 11th and November 17th respectively.
Perhaps the part of the information from Sony likely to irk European gamers, retailers, Sony's shareholders and those with a bent for adhering to basic logic comes at the end of the release. "The previously announced PLAYSTATION 3 shipment forecast of 6 million units globally within the fiscal year ending 2007 is not changed" we are told. Given this shipping target date is essentially the launch date in Europe for PlayStation 3, Sony's forecast seemingly planned for shipping zero units to Europe even before these claimed production issues relegated Europe to third place in the release food chain.
Well, it's not as though they were going to leave Japan or the US waiting was it.
Catch a cracking gallery of the freshest hardware shots from Sony here and remember to vent your fury (or smug satisfaction depending on your geographical luck-factor) in the forum.
According to Sony, "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 press release, clinically glib and clearly aimed at breaking bad news to Sony's increasingly antsy shareholders in as gentle a way as possible, outlines that the launch dates for Japan and North America remain unchanged at November 11th and November 17th respectively.
Perhaps the part of the information from Sony likely to irk European gamers, retailers, Sony's shareholders and those with a bent for adhering to basic logic comes at the end of the release. "The previously announced PLAYSTATION 3 shipment forecast of 6 million units globally within the fiscal year ending 2007 is not changed" we are told. Given this shipping target date is essentially the launch date in Europe for PlayStation 3, Sony's forecast seemingly planned for shipping zero units to Europe even before these claimed production issues relegated Europe to third place in the release food chain.
Well, it's not as though they were going to leave Japan or the US waiting was it.
Catch a cracking gallery of the freshest hardware shots from Sony here and remember to vent your fury (or smug satisfaction depending on your geographical luck-factor) in the forum.
Companies:
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Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 38.
Earl 6 Sep 2006 14:25
19/38
Europe is just not "Special" enough for Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft really, we miss out on so much stuff, or get it so late everybody has forgoten about it.
How about some Europe only stuff to get em back...
Barstuards !
How about some Europe only stuff to get em back...
Barstuards !
Coxy 6 Sep 2006 14:39
20/38
This sucks to say the least, why has europe always gottenthe s***ty of the stick when it comes to launches?, it happened with the PSP and now it's happening with the PS3, I suppose you could import a US/Japanese PS3, but that would be more trouble than it's worth, I am so p***ed off with Sony right now, and have lost all respect for them, how dare they treat european gamers like this!, the irony being that the CEO of Sony is european himself.
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DeepFraught 6 Sep 2006 14:46
21/38
In the games arena I'm a Sony fanboy by default. Given a choice I won't have anything Microsoft within my household, and Nintendo has historically f**ked up its own patch all by itself.
Now Sony really has crushed a crate of eggs all over its face, bent over and greased up for Microsoft and Nintendo.
Given my loathing for the Microsoft way and the disdain I have for all this HD BS (certainly until the prices of sizable displays become reasonable), I think I'll shift my allegiance to the Nintendo offering.
Goodbye Sony, you've f**ked things up just once too often.
Now Sony really has crushed a crate of eggs all over its face, bent over and greased up for Microsoft and Nintendo.
Given my loathing for the Microsoft way and the disdain I have for all this HD BS (certainly until the prices of sizable displays become reasonable), I think I'll shift my allegiance to the Nintendo offering.
Goodbye Sony, you've f**ked things up just once too often.
SCiARA 6 Sep 2006 15:09
22/38
well done that man - finally they are seeing the light!
TheEliteSamurai 6 Sep 2006 15:22
23/38
Sony lie through their teeth, anyone who hadn't caught on 10 years ago happens to be pretty Naive. Don't get mad over such news, just recognise this is what Sony does best and expect it 6 months after the US no matter what they say.
Also, it is understandable for a company to release their product in Europe last. Japan has one language, The US has one language, Europe has 20+ languages for everything to be translated into. That takes a few months at least.
Besides, the EU being the world's biggest economy by several million sports cars and some regal palaces, one might have thought Sony would like some of that cash a little faster. oh well.
Also, it is understandable for a company to release their product in Europe last. Japan has one language, The US has one language, Europe has 20+ languages for everything to be translated into. That takes a few months at least.
Besides, the EU being the world's biggest economy by several million sports cars and some regal palaces, one might have thought Sony would like some of that cash a little faster. oh well.
miacid 6 Sep 2006 15:57
24/38
As disgusted as I am with Sony like everyone else seems to be, I fear it is all wasted 8~(
Give it 5 years maybe even 1 or 2 and this will be all but a faint memory, Sony will have won over the masses as it seems so good at doing and the PS3 will be selling like the PS2 did.
I guess only time will tell!
Give it 5 years maybe even 1 or 2 and this will be all but a faint memory, Sony will have won over the masses as it seems so good at doing and the PS3 will be selling like the PS2 did.
I guess only time will tell!
saurian 6 Sep 2006 17:05
25/38
OptimusP wrote:
On a brighter note, they're not making the same mistake MS did with their Xbox360 so shortages will be lower...hopefully.
Why do you keep calling it a mistake?? As I come from Europe I think being treated the same as Japan & the US is a change for the better. True there were not enough consoles to go round, but at least we had an equal chance.
Sony have quite clearly stated that we in Europe are the "third place'. I think its disgusting.
Joji 6 Sep 2006 17:05
26/38
Glad someone is so confident for Sony, guess someone has to be even in times like these. Whether they'll sweep the competition away is debatable.
This has the PSP similarity stamped all over it (though I know it pros and cons are different). PSP turns up too late to the party and never recovers from its late showing.
Now that was against the DS, but how will Sony cope against 360 and Wii. If you tag that Toshiba HD-DVD player to the list of damagers, PS3 has now made it's launch and long time success very hard to achieve.
The biggest question is will fans hold their money this xmas or buy a 360 or Wii? Sony die hard or not, we will see.
This has the PSP similarity stamped all over it (though I know it pros and cons are different). PSP turns up too late to the party and never recovers from its late showing.
Now that was against the DS, but how will Sony cope against 360 and Wii. If you tag that Toshiba HD-DVD player to the list of damagers, PS3 has now made it's launch and long time success very hard to achieve.
The biggest question is will fans hold their money this xmas or buy a 360 or Wii? Sony die hard or not, we will see.
majin dboy 6 Sep 2006 18:21
27/38
i picked a 360 up cuz i had a nice lil sum of money,but that was only to play oblivion other than that i mainly lookin forward to the Wii.this is a random post but it kinda has a point because ther aint much to look forward to on the PS3,PES and MGS4,what else.bring on the most exciting inovation in computer game history,bring on the wii.
config 6 Sep 2006 19:21
28/38
Just been playing Saints Row. Being a big GTA fan, it could be the killer app for me, but so far it's just another Grand Theft Also with conmtrols that feel like they need a bit of polishing - on foot, shooting in particular.
So far, no reason for 360 for me, so it's looking like Wii for Chrimbo...
So far, no reason for 360 for me, so it's looking like Wii for Chrimbo...
warbaby 6 Sep 2006 19:37
29/38
TheEliteSamurai wrote:
Sony lie through their teeth, anyone who hadn't caught on 10 years ago happens to be pretty Naive. Don't get mad over such news, just recognise this is what Sony does best and expect it 6 months after the US no matter what they say.
Also, it is understandable for a company to release their product in Europe last. Japan has one language, The US has one language, Europe has 20+ languages for everything to be translated into. That takes a few months at least.
Besides, the EU being the world's biggest economy by several million sports cars and some regal palaces, one might have thought Sony would like some of that cash a little faster. oh well.
Also, it is understandable for a company to release their product in Europe last. Japan has one language, The US has one language, Europe has 20+ languages for everything to be translated into. That takes a few months at least.
Besides, the EU being the world's biggest economy by several million sports cars and some regal palaces, one might have thought Sony would like some of that cash a little faster. oh well.
Us being naive? How about you being a complete tool. For one, Sony doesn't really have all that much to translate... at all. Big deal, change the language on the interface. And you speak of the US, but forget about North America as a whole. Generally speaking there are 3 main languages. That being English, Spanish, and French.
And if you think the launch is being held up due to language differences, then you my friend are naive.
SCiARA 6 Sep 2006 19:51
30/38
aymen to that.
tg0006 7 Sep 2006 00:45
31/38
well, just think about it this way. with the xbox 360, how many people did you know with one before march of 2006, hell i knew one person with an xbox 360 up untill may. infact, i didnt even see a 360 in stores untill may. This will just make it a lot easier for japan and north american releases. Also, anyone know how many xboxes were released in each of the teratories? just curious
TheEliteSamurai 7 Sep 2006 00:52
32/38
warbaby wrote:
Us being naive? How about you being a complete tool. For one, Sony doesn't really have all that much to translate... at all. Big deal, change the language on the interface. And you speak of the US, but forget about North America as a whole. Generally speaking there are 3 main languages. That being English, Spanish, and French.
And if you think the launch is being held up due to language differences, then you my friend are naive.
No, i do not believe language differences are the reason why it's delayed, it just happened to be one of the things that came to mind at the time as to why Europe always happens to be third. I guess it just happens to be easier to leave us till last due to additional difficulties with releasing a console, so much more work involved in releasing in a territory that has has so many different languages, retailers, currencies and slight cultural variations.
next time i post, i'll be sure to run by you a complete break down of every issue involved in the global release and marketing of the PS3, one can't simply offer a lone idea to the mix can they, my friend?
Blue Ray 7 Sep 2006 08:27
33/38
PERSONALS
Bright, sharp, single blue laser diode seeks clueless corporate giant for sparkling data intercourse and world domination.
I'll bring the 5 million blue laser diodes, you bring 2m USD in used notes and Piña Colladas
I'll bring the 5 million blue laser diodes, you bring 2m USD in used notes and Piña Colladas
hollywooda 7 Sep 2006 09:14
34/38
Anyway you wont want one or the 1st or 2nd or maybe even 3rd batch of PS3's!... they'll all crash f**k up & have disc read error's! they couldn't even get DVD right in the PS2! i had to have 4 PS2's before i got 1 that worked..... & still the laser was s**t so when u were watching a film you got lip sync problems.
SCiARA 7 Sep 2006 09:21
35/38
not to mentin the 1st and 2nd batch of games are gonna be utter s**te, it will be a good 2 - 3 years before anything half decent comes out for it
config 7 Sep 2006 09:29
36/38
SCiARA wrote:
not to mentin the 1st and 2nd batch of games are gonna be utter s**te, it will be a good 2 - 3 years before anything half decent comes out for it
It's unfair to point that squarely at PS3 - pretty much every launch is backed by a poor line up. I thought the launch titles for 360 were on the whole disappointing; only PGR managed to pique my interest, but that waned quickly - it is only a shinier, higher res MSR after all.
I think Wii has the best prospect for good launch titles; it's reputed to be very much like developing for Gamecube, flattening the learning curve and increasing developer output.
SCiARA 7 Sep 2006 09:35
37/38
config wrote:
It's unfair to point that squarely at PS3 - pretty much every launch is backed by a poor line up. I thought the launch titles for 360 were on the whole disappointing; only PGR managed to pique my interest, but that waned quickly - it is only a shinier, higher res MSR after all.
It would be unfair if it was the only thing, but going by the promises made before the PS2 launch + the utter dribble that has been spouted since E3 05 for the PS3 (tech demos, specs, dates, controllers) + the "me too" attitude Sony has adopted I wouldn’t call it unfair...
I also believe Wii will have a stunning line up and hope Nintendo do extremely well - i'll be seriously considering getting one
hollywooda 7 Sep 2006 10:07
38/38
I'm really into what Nintendo are doing with the Wii, its interesting & innovative & at that price level i'm sure i'll be stumbling home drunk one night only to wake up the next day 2 find a new Wii console & a copy of Red Steel magically under my telly!.....