PS3 Delayed in Europe, Fewer Units for U.S. and Japan

[Razer]

from 1UP.com-

"For weeks, we've wondered why Sony hadn't started production on PlayStation 3, despite its continued stance its previously announced worldwide launch was still on track, it was still planning on six million units of hardware globally before the end of their fiscal year, and production honestly was supposed to start soon. Apparently, not soon enough for Europe, though.
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced this morning that it has "revised" the launch date for PS3 in Europe, Russia, Middle East, Africa and Australasia from November 17th to an unspecified date in March 2007. Additionally, Sony has revised its shipment numbers for both the US and Japan -- hold onto your butts."

I don't mean to sound like a hater but I feel this is only going to help strengthen the Wii launch. Nintendo just got a couple hundred thousand customers dumped into their laps. I know I'm getting my Wii, tho not at launch. Sony will wait for my money like they always have.

[Razer]

Didn't want to double post but I also didn't want to have a super long post. You'll probably be able to get other views of this on any game site tho.

from Gamepro.com-
"Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has drastically decreased the number of PlayStation 3 consoles it expects to ship this year as it wrestles with shortages of key components. Sony has revealed troubling news: that a component shortage will slash the launch units of the PlayStation 3 from two million to 500,000 units, raising the specter of mass shortages.
The PS3 launch has seen a drastic supply slash, and shortages are expected

The PS3 launch has seen a drastic supply slash, and shortages are expected

Just over a week ago, SCEA CEO Kaz Hirai confirmed that Sony planned to launch this November with a combined two million consoles in Japan, North America, Europe and Australasia.

But revised figures released today have slashed those supply figures by 75 percent:

* In the US, Sony forecasts just 400,000 units for November 17th

* In Japan, Sony now expects just 100,000 consoles on November 11th

* In Europe, the launch has been delayed altogether until March 2007

These slashed figures mean that big shortages are likely in both the US and Japan.

When Sony launched the PlayStation 2 in 1999, it shipped 720,000 consoles in Japan over its first weekend on sale. This time the hype surrounding the PlayStation 3 is even greater but with supplies so tight, it appears Sony will be fortunate to satisfy similar demand over at least the first seven weeks on sale.

Sony is blaming the problems on a delay in mass production of blue laser diodes. The laser diodes are used in the optical disc drive inside the machine's Blu-ray drive. Inclusion of Blu-ray Disc in the PlayStation 3 was seen by some analysts as a gamble from the start. Sony is keen to make the format the de facto choice for high-definition video and its use in the new console would ensure Blu-ray Disc a place in millions of homes. But its use comes with other problems, including high prices and tight supplies.

Using Blu-ray Disc already tripped up Sony once. In 2005 and early 2006, the company had promised the PlayStation 3 in the "spring" of 2006, only to revise the launch date to November. A key factor in that delay was the incomplete Blu-ray Disc format because consumer-electronics makers failed to agree on the disc's copy protection.

It's not the first time Sony has misstepped on a console's launch.

The company planned to have 1 million consoles in U.S. stores in November 2000 when it launched the PlayStation 2 but component shortages hit those plans and Sony ended up shipping 500,000 units.

[RivaOni]

....................... I cant comment on this further than I already have (elsewhere) puely because I'll explode with rage over how so many agming companies treat Europe like shite. sorry for the language.

NOW you're PC.

[Daijaga]

Your not a hater, with every passing day Sony prices and delays themselves further out of the market. Youd think with a multi billion dollar company they could build a better french fry.

Oh look, 7 years after the release of the PS2. Same old french fry.

[Faye]

I'm not suprised. I've already pretty much decided not get a PS3 until the first price drop. However, knowing Sony, they'll still be filling preorders from release by the time the first price drop hits. This is getting rediculous, like Dai sayed "same old french fry".

Ah well, for the first time since NES, nintendo is top on my list. I cant wait.

[RivaOni]

Whats interesting about Europe is that 10 years ago next march, Nintendo launched its N64 which was a a bit of a flop (sales wise in europe) and Nintendo were the market leader coming in from the Super NES days. Not only that but it saw delay after delay after delay and was highly priced.

Funny that the PS3 sounds to be in the exact same situation 10 years later............ coincidence or a sign?

[Stingdragon]

My sister has allready paid and booked a PS3. She is going to be... pissed.
I want one but they are to expensive. And now they are late.
I guess a Wii will do in the mean time.

[Shino]

[Nogrick]

This is exactly why TRU hasn't been taking preorders on the damn things. And I hope I don't have to work on the 17th, cause if people start complaining at me, I'll freakin splode.

[Daijaga]

Fins Sony's customer service number and give it out to customers Nog - liberally.

I just wish companys would quit opening their mouths based on estimates. If I was running a business that planned on shipping 400,000+ units world wide in a day, I think Id shut the f____ up until I had 400,000+ units sitting in a warehouse ready to go.

Companies feel they have to "keep up with the Jonses" and realase mroe and more information about stupid shit and not release product. In the end, we're the losers.