PSP American launch delayed until November 2005?
The analysts are back - voicing bleak predictions
There has been some fairly disconcerting rumblings (or rather an ominous lack of them) from the Sony camp recently, with particular regards to concrete information on the PSP (or rather an ominous lack of it). Indeed, amidst great speculation over a possible price point, ever-present industry analysts P. J. McNealy and fellow specialists at Piper Jaffray and Co.have once again raised issue with the proposed American release date.
In this latest report, McNealy has pointed out that if the majority of PSP software unveiled at TGS is to form the launch line-up, then delays are almost inevitable. Many of these games were only 50% complete last week, which would make finishing them in time for the Japanese December launch unlikely: which would in turn have knock-on effects for releases elsewhere.
There are two predicted outcomes. In the case of this software-induced problem, the PSP will launch with a relatively insubstantial game library, surely disappointing the hordes of otherwise enthusiastic gamers. The only way to avoid that would be to delay the whole system to give the games developers time to catch up.
However, the folk at Piper Jaffray have an even more cynical perspective on these uncertainties. Indeed, according to their report, " [Piper Jaffray & Co.] are hearing that the platform has other issues such as thermal problems (transistors are running very hot) and a very short battery life (90 minutes)". Such a hardware issue would certainly disrupt the original Sony calendar. In fact, they reckon that this would push the US launch even further towards the latter end of next year: with a worryingly belated November 2005 date mentioned specifically.
As ever, an official statement from Sony is expected to address concerns about batteries, prices and dates at some point soon. Until then, expect plenty more excited chatter about this potentially problematic state of affairs.
In this latest report, McNealy has pointed out that if the majority of PSP software unveiled at TGS is to form the launch line-up, then delays are almost inevitable. Many of these games were only 50% complete last week, which would make finishing them in time for the Japanese December launch unlikely: which would in turn have knock-on effects for releases elsewhere.
There are two predicted outcomes. In the case of this software-induced problem, the PSP will launch with a relatively insubstantial game library, surely disappointing the hordes of otherwise enthusiastic gamers. The only way to avoid that would be to delay the whole system to give the games developers time to catch up.
However, the folk at Piper Jaffray have an even more cynical perspective on these uncertainties. Indeed, according to their report, " [Piper Jaffray & Co.] are hearing that the platform has other issues such as thermal problems (transistors are running very hot) and a very short battery life (90 minutes)". Such a hardware issue would certainly disrupt the original Sony calendar. In fact, they reckon that this would push the US launch even further towards the latter end of next year: with a worryingly belated November 2005 date mentioned specifically.
As ever, an official statement from Sony is expected to address concerns about batteries, prices and dates at some point soon. Until then, expect plenty more excited chatter about this potentially problematic state of affairs.
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Comments
Kaxxx 5 Oct 2004 13:24
1/14
If that ends up true then it will be very disappointing for many. The PSP seems to be dogged with problems at the moment and it does sound like they may well have to develop the console alot more.
It will be worth it in the end as it is a very exciting handheld but it does show Sony's inexperience in the handheld market and Nintendos control. No doubt (if the rumbling is true) we could see alot of folks who were hoping to buy a PSP jump boat over to DS.
It will be worth it in the end as it is a very exciting handheld but it does show Sony's inexperience in the handheld market and Nintendos control. No doubt (if the rumbling is true) we could see alot of folks who were hoping to buy a PSP jump boat over to DS.
LUPOS 5 Oct 2004 13:49
2/14
would any one really be suprised if sony "did" still release it on time? its not exactly out of character for sony to release a poorly designed system with a lack laster game line up early and just expect peopel to by it. Perhaps you remember a little system called the PS2. The lemmings gobbled that piece up with out a worth while game to play and put the nail in the coffin of the much more worth while at the time Dreamcast. The EA gamers of the world will invariably buy this turd cause its "cool" and someday even nintendo will fall to the sheep.
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not_mine 5 Oct 2004 16:20
3/14
Ah another bitter Dreamcast owner. Sega put out the wrong machine at the wrong time;it couldn't compete with the up-coming PS2 and most people preferred to wait until it came along for their next machine.
The PS2 is certainly not badly-designed; it's still holding its own against the Xbox and GC despite being called 'under-powered'.
The PS2 is certainly not badly-designed; it's still holding its own against the Xbox and GC despite being called 'under-powered'.
fluffstardx 5 Oct 2004 21:40
4/14
Not badly designed? Oh, i BEG to differ.
The chipset is awful. The actual physical shape is a design nightmare. The layout is terrible. The lack of ports is laughable.
Not badly MARKETED, you mean. Sony could sell an Arab sand. The fact that Arab would hunt them down and murder them like DOGS is beyond the point.
Honestly, it's a bad console, sold well. Like the 2600 was. Like the N64 wasn't.
The chipset is awful. The actual physical shape is a design nightmare. The layout is terrible. The lack of ports is laughable.
Not badly MARKETED, you mean. Sony could sell an Arab sand. The fact that Arab would hunt them down and murder them like DOGS is beyond the point.
Honestly, it's a bad console, sold well. Like the 2600 was. Like the N64 wasn't.
animegt 5 Oct 2004 23:21
5/14
i really dont give a F*ck bout when that thing launches, the only thing i liked about it was movie playback, but it ended up bein a fraud... ONLY 2HRS FOR MOVIE playback ???
thats damn sick.... i rather stick with GBAmovies, at least those use the same powe as normal games.
... lol sorry im a lil outta topic.
thats damn sick.... i rather stick with GBAmovies, at least those use the same powe as normal games.
... lol sorry im a lil outta topic.
DoctorDee 6 Oct 2004 09:06
6/14
animegt wrote:
the only thing i liked about it was movie playback, but it ended up bein a fraud... ONLY 2HRS FOR MOVIE playback ???
What's your problem. This is a typical battery life for most portable movie players. It's long enough for 99.3% of movies.
LUPOS 6 Oct 2004 12:02
7/14
Ah another bitter Dreamcast owner.
I'm not a bitter dream cast owner, i got way more than my moneys worth out of that system in the one year it was really well suported. i bet i can name twice as many good games for the dreamcast than there where for the ps2 in its first year. I'm just amazed that there wheren't more bitter ps2 owners. avoding any moderatly racist comments abotu arabs i will agree with the first part of that statment, except the amazing thing is that the arabs baught the sand, it that they waited in line for the privledge of having the sand first! the ps1 was a well designed system (thanks to SGI) but had cheap parts(disc drive anyone) and the ps2 had the same design "flaws" that the saturn was aparently guilty of. overly complicated arcitecture that while fairly powerfull was to difficult to get good results out of. why did playstations do better than saturns the first time? cause it was cool! cause some morons thought battle arena toshinden was a better game than virtua fighter, cause some idiot like warhawk better than panzer dragon, cause some mindless mtv loving, future frat boys of america member thought that CRASH F'n BANDICOOT was better than bug and clockwork night!
in a few years when sega and nintendo are dead and your playing def jam 7 fight for the O.C. and you wonder where all the originality in games went, youll have yourself to thank you and the other 72 million who baught that piece O' $ |-| 1 + !!
Now "THAT" is bitter!
I'm not a bitter dream cast owner, i got way more than my moneys worth out of that system in the one year it was really well suported. i bet i can name twice as many good games for the dreamcast than there where for the ps2 in its first year. I'm just amazed that there wheren't more bitter ps2 owners. avoding any moderatly racist comments abotu arabs i will agree with the first part of that statment, except the amazing thing is that the arabs baught the sand, it that they waited in line for the privledge of having the sand first! the ps1 was a well designed system (thanks to SGI) but had cheap parts(disc drive anyone) and the ps2 had the same design "flaws" that the saturn was aparently guilty of. overly complicated arcitecture that while fairly powerfull was to difficult to get good results out of. why did playstations do better than saturns the first time? cause it was cool! cause some morons thought battle arena toshinden was a better game than virtua fighter, cause some idiot like warhawk better than panzer dragon, cause some mindless mtv loving, future frat boys of america member thought that CRASH F'n BANDICOOT was better than bug and clockwork night!
in a few years when sega and nintendo are dead and your playing def jam 7 fight for the O.C. and you wonder where all the originality in games went, youll have yourself to thank you and the other 72 million who baught that piece O' $ |-| 1 + !!
Now "THAT" is bitter!
tyrion 6 Oct 2004 12:09
8/14
fluffstardx wrote:
Not badly designed? Oh, i BEG to differ.
The chipset is awful. The actual physical shape is a design nightmare. The layout is terrible. The lack of ports is laughable.
The chipset is awful. The actual physical shape is a design nightmare. The layout is terrible. The lack of ports is laughable.
And I BEG to differ back again. :-)
Just 'cos some developers had trouble with programming the PS2 early on doesn't make the chipset awful. Many hobbyist programmers have made good use of the chipset to produce demos, etc. under the PS2 Linux system. And that's using the FP units too, without Sony's libraries. Not a problem.
The physical shape is a matter of opinion, I wasn't sure to start with, but quite like it now. The new PS2 is lovely! Certainly there are no problems accessing the ports, switches, etc. on the old PS2. Not a problem.
Layout? See above. Not a problem.
By "lack of ports", I assume you mean "lack of controller ports"? If so, I've never needed more than two controllers myself, I know I'm not alone in this. For those that do need more than two controllers frequently, the Multi-Tap is available. Not a big problem.
What's the problem with the design of the PS2?
YenRug 6 Oct 2004 12:33
9/14
DoctorDee wrote:
animegt wrote:
the only thing i liked about it was movie playback, but it ended up bein a fraud... ONLY 2HRS FOR MOVIE playback ???
What's your problem. This is a typical battery life for most portable movie players. It's long enough for 99.3% of movies.
The difference being that you don't have to buy your movie collection again, when using portable DVD players.
DoctorDee 6 Oct 2004 12:38
10/14
YenRug wrote:
The difference being that you don't have to buy your movie collection again, when using portable DVD players.
I take your point.
It's a very valid point.
But it has absolutely nothing to do with the battery life.
On the other (equally irrelevant) hand, none of those other movie players can play games.
wedgin 6 Oct 2004 13:32
11/14
If the system gets pushed back that far, odds are it will then be competing the a new Game Boy system, which will obviously own the PSP when it comes out.
Newtynho 6 Oct 2004 19:19
12/14
wedgin wrote:
If the system gets pushed back that far, odds are it will then be competing the a new Game Boy system, which will obviously own the PSP when it comes out.
As if Nintendo would be stupid enough to release another handheld one year or less after the DS's release.
almondVanHelsing 7 Oct 2004 18:16
13/14
I think it's more like the PSP will have a clear field if it is delayed. DS-fever will be over, GBA2 will not be around the corner, a good time for Sony to push the PSP.
Kaxxx 8 Oct 2004 06:37
14/14
Could be true, but could also work against them. A user base already owning a DS, more titles on the shelves and the possibility of a price drop whenb the PSP releases. Its a wait and see situation.