March 23rd For PS3? Nah.

However, confirmation is likely in what remains of this month

Posted by Staff
Now that's what we call a launch pad...
Now that's what we call a launch pad...
Following the release into the wild of the first Euro-PS3 TV ad, rumours apparently leaked from Sony’s ad’ agency, TBWA, have it that the PlayStation 3 will launch in Europe on March 23rd. These join the older rumour that the nex-gen console will hit the streets, strasses and rues of Europe on the more marketing-friendly 3rd March (3/3 for PS3).

SPOnG spoke with a representative of Sony in London this afternoon and we were met with a bald statement that the March 23rd, 3rd and “any other date right now is pure speculation”.

A firm confirmation of the release details – including launch date, launch numbers, special events, press and all the other glitz that has to accompany Sony’s most important hardware launch ever – is expected at the end of this month.

There is no escaping the fact, however, that March 2007 is firmly in the minds of consumers and industry alike. For Sony not to get PS3 into the shops by - at the very latest - March 23rd would be a public relations' disaster. With the Easter buying spike (the chocolate egg and bunny festival is second only to Xmas in its importance to retail) looming, missing March would also dent possible sales.

Therefore the real news will be if Sony announces that PS3 has slipped into April - or even later. So, right now it's still take your pick of any day in March.

That said, you can never discount a slip of the tongue at the advertising agency…

†Source: gamesindustry.biz



Companies:

Comments

warbaby 15 Jan 2007 16:28
1/8
I don't see how they couldn't have gotten the PS3 to Europe sooner than March. Any bs about limited stock is literally bs...

TimSpong 15 Jan 2007 16:54
2/8
warbaby wrote:
I don't see how they couldn't have gotten the PS3 to Europe sooner than March. Any bs about limited stock is literally bs...


Mmmm... Best Buy? NTSC? When was the picture taken? I don't really see how having 60 PS3s in Best Buy would speed up the European launch though.
more comments below our sponsor's message
DoctorDee 15 Jan 2007 17:39
3/8
Isn't "this or that is pure speculation" Sony's way of saying, "You've hit the nail on the head, but we're not going to confirm it because we've promised the exclusive to Future in return for some cheap ad space?"

TimSpong 15 Jan 2007 18:12
4/8
DoctorDee wrote:
Isn't "this or that is pure speculation" Sony's way of saying, "You've hit the nail on the head, but we're not going to confirm it because we've promised the exclusive to Future in return for some cheap ad space?"




I actually have a feeling that it's Sony's way of saying, "We don't know, because Japan hasn't told us yet." I'm not sure which one of us is more cynical though.
tyrion 15 Jan 2007 19:06
5/8
Tim Smith wrote:
I actually have a feeling that it's Sony's way of saying, "We don't know, because Japan hasn't told us yet."

I must admit, that's what I thought of first.
warbaby 16 Jan 2007 02:17
6/8
Bob on Sony's nob. If the Japs haven't told them anything, they are likely in the dark.

As for the pic above, that's been the story around here. Just not in that extreme, a handful of PS3's here and there at various retailers...
tyrion 16 Jan 2007 08:29
7/8
warbaby wrote:
Bob on Sony's nob. If the Japs haven't told them anything, they are likely in the dark.

I'm sorry, are you agreeing with me agreeing with Tim, or are you trying to pull the piss? I can't tell.
SCiARA 16 Jan 2007 09:19
8/8
I can see it selling out and staying sold out for a long time in the UK, I’ve lost count of the number of times someone I know has said they are going to get one because its "Sony" or a "Playstation" and f**k all to do with any games they might like "I don’t know, I’ll get what’s out"

Posting of new comments is now locked for this page.