PSP: 2004 launch on course? Chatani tries to redress negative speculation
"PSP within the year is secure" says Technology Chief
Last Friday was a big day for juicy Nintendo DS announcements, with an array of games tentatively dated, prices confirmed and surprise features revealed. Sony must have felt a little left out in all the excitement, with the only mention of PSP coming in the form of pessimistic murmurings from various industry analysts.
In an attempt to grab the games press’ attention and to reassure the general public, Masa Chatani, Sony’s Chief Technology Officer, stated to Famitsu that “our plan to sell the PSP within the year is secure as well, so please be at ease”. Indeed, as a leading Sony spokesperson, one might imagine that his word would be enough.
Unfortunately for Sony, in the absence of officially-confirmed, concrete details over prices and dates; no-one seems to believe this claim. Indeed, Koichi Hamamura – President of Enterbrain Publishing (responsible for Famitsu) has said himself, in a interview with Mainichi Shimbun, that he wouldn’t imagine the machine launching any time before March.
So, despite Sony’s protestations, the situation hasn’t really changed. There is still much concern over battery-life, something which Nintendo is keen to point out, and no-one knows for sure how much the machine, or its games, are going to cost. But on the other hand, only Sony knows how near-completion its plans are, and in the face of such adamant ambivalence, it’s impossible to say that what Chatani-san says is untrue.
In the meantime, we can only take Sony’s word for it. And if the Japanese launch is delayed until next year, then there’ll be red-faces all round in the Sony camp and furious, gleeful hand-rubbing at Nintendo.
In an attempt to grab the games press’ attention and to reassure the general public, Masa Chatani, Sony’s Chief Technology Officer, stated to Famitsu that “our plan to sell the PSP within the year is secure as well, so please be at ease”. Indeed, as a leading Sony spokesperson, one might imagine that his word would be enough.
Unfortunately for Sony, in the absence of officially-confirmed, concrete details over prices and dates; no-one seems to believe this claim. Indeed, Koichi Hamamura – President of Enterbrain Publishing (responsible for Famitsu) has said himself, in a interview with Mainichi Shimbun, that he wouldn’t imagine the machine launching any time before March.
So, despite Sony’s protestations, the situation hasn’t really changed. There is still much concern over battery-life, something which Nintendo is keen to point out, and no-one knows for sure how much the machine, or its games, are going to cost. But on the other hand, only Sony knows how near-completion its plans are, and in the face of such adamant ambivalence, it’s impossible to say that what Chatani-san says is untrue.
In the meantime, we can only take Sony’s word for it. And if the Japanese launch is delayed until next year, then there’ll be red-faces all round in the Sony camp and furious, gleeful hand-rubbing at Nintendo.
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
YenRug 11 Oct 2004 12:46
1/5
One question, though, did Chatani specify whether he was talking about the calendar year or the financial year? Makes a world of difference to the meaning and is a common tactic by spin-doctors to make things sound better than they are.
Mecha Ghandi 11 Oct 2004 13:10
2/5
True, he could have been talking about the fiscal year, but the question pertained to a 2004 launch... so if he's that slippery, it's as good as a lie anyway.
He might even have meant within the year, as in, the PSP will be released in the next 365 days. Or maybe, even worse, it's going to be ready within a year... like 2007 or something...
He might even have meant within the year, as in, the PSP will be released in the next 365 days. Or maybe, even worse, it's going to be ready within a year... like 2007 or something...
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YenRug 11 Oct 2004 16:21
3/5
Mecha Ghandi wrote:
True, he could have been talking about the fiscal year, but the question pertained to a 2004 launch... so if he's that slippery, it's as good as a lie anyway.
This is the 2004 fiscal year though, so he wouldn't have been having to stretch the truth too much. Also, when you get to executive level the tendency is to think in fiscal years anyway.
He might even have meant within the year, as in, the PSP will be released in the next 365 days. Or maybe, even worse, it's going to be ready within a year... like 2007 or something...
Yeah, it did cross my mind too, that he could have been referring to within a years time, but that seemed a bit too much like pushing the boat out on claiming he misunderstood if questioned on it later.
Joji 11 Oct 2004 21:59
4/5
Still sounds a bit cloak and dagger to me. They seem to be playing down the battery life and UMD game prices. We should know this information by now.
If there are problems with PSP why not be upfront about them, and turn negative press into positive press? Go figure.
If there are problems with PSP why not be upfront about them, and turn negative press into positive press? Go figure.
SPInGSPOnG 12 Oct 2004 07:39
5/5
Mecha Ghandi wrote:
He might even have meant within the year, as in, the PSP will be released in the next 365 days.
Dude, it really all depends on the translation, doesn't it? My Japanese is not good (neither is my English!), but I understand it is open to interpretation, and that "tenses" aren't their strong point anyway.
Within the year - literally, sounds like within 365 days to me! And that almost sounds feasible. But within 2004 is insanity gone mad. Infact, if Sony manage to release the PSP in Japan within 2004, I will roast and eat my left testacle.
Mecha Ghandi wrote:
Or maybe, even worse, it's going to be ready within a year... like 2007 or something...
That sounds unlikely, but I guess it's possible. If it were true it would be the world championship of disingenuity gold medal winner.