PSP set to miss US March 2005 spot? Analysts believe delay is likely...
SCEA insists production is still 'on track' as promised.
Following SPOnG's analysis of Sony's latest financial report that highlighted ambiguities in the PSP release schedule, further suggestions that such a delay is likely have come to light. P. J. McNealy, an American Technology Research Analyst, has pointed to specific reasons as to why the US launch date could be later than initially hoped.
Although Sony has stated that the PSP will still reach Japan at the end of this year, as of February 2004 the US launch had been pencilled in for March 2005. However, according to McNealy, "From a developer's perspective, they would have ideally already had an SDK [System Development Kit] for a March 2005 launch, as the later the arrival of an SDK into July or August, the odds of having a game ready drop…". If the PSP doesn't have a sufficient catalogue of appealing software when it hits the shops, it could significantly disrupt preliminary sales of the machine.
The same problem has also been cited with reference to the PSP's multimedia offerings. If companies aren't provided with the appropriate equipment to convert their music and movies to the UMD format, there will be little chance for them to prepare goods in time for the actual release date.
The implications of a delayed release would be extremely damaging to Sony's strategy, and SCEA has reacted quickly to contradict these rumours. The official statement issued today reads: "we are on track with the launch timeline disclosed at E3 2004", that being a Christmas launch for Japan, and March 2005 for North America.
There has still been no date given for the European PSP launch, but as soon as it's revealed, expect to read it here first.
Although Sony has stated that the PSP will still reach Japan at the end of this year, as of February 2004 the US launch had been pencilled in for March 2005. However, according to McNealy, "From a developer's perspective, they would have ideally already had an SDK [System Development Kit] for a March 2005 launch, as the later the arrival of an SDK into July or August, the odds of having a game ready drop…". If the PSP doesn't have a sufficient catalogue of appealing software when it hits the shops, it could significantly disrupt preliminary sales of the machine.
The same problem has also been cited with reference to the PSP's multimedia offerings. If companies aren't provided with the appropriate equipment to convert their music and movies to the UMD format, there will be little chance for them to prepare goods in time for the actual release date.
The implications of a delayed release would be extremely damaging to Sony's strategy, and SCEA has reacted quickly to contradict these rumours. The official statement issued today reads: "we are on track with the launch timeline disclosed at E3 2004", that being a Christmas launch for Japan, and March 2005 for North America.
There has still been no date given for the European PSP launch, but as soon as it's revealed, expect to read it here first.
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
Joji 1 Jul 2004 11:53
1/4
This is what I said would happen yesterday. A japanese delay means a u.s delay, and then a possible euro delay, we just haven't heard about it yet. I never thought it would be a games problem for Sony, but it appears to be so, oh dear. Round one and two to Nintendo.
Missing Christmas in japan gives DS a nice lead, and could be suicide for Sony. On top of all that we still don't know a price point for the PSP. I know a lot of people will wait for PSP anyway. When it'll hit europe is the big question and Sony aren't giving us any rope on it at all. Bet we won't see it til August/Sept 2005 because it might take a while to restock from the japanese and u.s sales.
Missing Christmas in japan gives DS a nice lead, and could be suicide for Sony. On top of all that we still don't know a price point for the PSP. I know a lot of people will wait for PSP anyway. When it'll hit europe is the big question and Sony aren't giving us any rope on it at all. Bet we won't see it til August/Sept 2005 because it might take a while to restock from the japanese and u.s sales.
Joji 1 Jul 2004 11:54
2/4
It's weird because I thought DS games would take longer due to the more options available on it.
Exactly how longer does it take to make a PSP hand held game when developers have been working with PS2 for ages now. Can't be that hard surely.
Exactly how longer does it take to make a PSP hand held game when developers have been working with PS2 for ages now. Can't be that hard surely.
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almondVanHelsing 1 Jul 2004 17:54
3/4
I would have thought not long for PSP games if Sony does their jobs right.
If the underneath libraries are compatible, it should be just a re-compile to get a working game. Maybe some tweaks and size reductions, but nothing massive.
This is, of course, if Sony is right on the "close as possible to a PS2" approach and can get compatible libraries for the hardware access.
If the underneath libraries are compatible, it should be just a re-compile to get a working game. Maybe some tweaks and size reductions, but nothing massive.
This is, of course, if Sony is right on the "close as possible to a PS2" approach and can get compatible libraries for the hardware access.
Pandaman 3 Jul 2004 21:16
4/4
At his rate, it almost seems like the DS will be competing with Gameboy Advance 2, not the DS.