The launch of Sony's long-awaited PlayStation 3 games console in Europe has been delayed until March 2007. Ken Kutaragi, head of Sony's global computer entertainment division, said the machine would still be launched in November in the US and in Japan.
Mr Kutaragi blamed the European delay on problems in mass producing elements of the high-definition Blu-ray disc drives in the machines.
Sony said it still aimed to ship six million new PlayStations by March.
But it halved its forecast for the end of 2006, saying just two million units would be shipped worldwide before the end of December.
Production problems meant that fewer machines than anticipated would be available for the launch in Japan and the US, Mr Kutaragi said.
HAVE YOUR SAY I always believed Sony were going to win this console war, but now I believe that they have dug their own grave
Jermaine Alli, London
Send us your comments Speaking at Sony's global headquarters in Tokyo, Mr Kutaragi apologised for the delays to the PlayStation 3 launch.
But he said Sony had decided to focus on the US and Japan in the run-up to Christmas.
"I am so sorry not to be able to answer all the expectations," he said.
The delay is due to a problem with the mass production of the blue laser diodes needed for the Blu-ray DVD player in the machine Sony said.
Long delays
This is not the first time the next-generation console has been hit by delays.
In March Sony were forced to postpone the original launch date, scheduled for spring 2006, because of problems with the Blu-ray disc copy protection technology.
Retailers had hoped to start taking orders for the console in September
Normally Sony staggers the release of a new console, releasing in Japan and America, with Europe coming a belated third.
The initial delays meant that Sony revised its schedule, saying that the console would be released in all three markets at the same time.
David Reeves, head of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe said at the time: "This is an exciting first for Europe, and is a huge endorsement and vote of confidence in the strength of the European market and its importance globally."
The latest delay means that European gamers will have to wait a further 4 months to get their hands on the next generation console.
Christmas disappointment
It also means Microsoft's Xbox 360, which was launched last year, will enjoy another Christmas without facing a challenge from Sony in Europe.
Nintendo's Wii console is also scheduled for a worldwide release this autumn, although no firm date has been set.
Ray Maguire, senior vice president and managing director of Sony UK, said: "We are extremely disappointed at news of this delay, and can truly empathise with everyone who was looking forward to PS3's imminent release.
"We will however be working tirelessly to ensure that the March 2007 launch, is the biggest and best in the company's history."
On Wednesday Sony began introducing UK retailers to the new games console.
Some were hoping to begin taking pre-orders for the console from the middle of September.
Tim Ellis, head of games for HMV, said the delay was a disappointment for gamers and for retailers, who had been waiting for the launch for much of 2006.
"It also presents a major opportunity to Microsoft to consolidate Xbox's position in the market, while Nintendo have a great chance to launch and firmly establish Wii," Mr Ellis added.
Thus far, public reception of the console has been mixed with Sony's stock price declining partially due to worries about the future of the PlayStation brand and its profitability.[43]
At E3 in 2006, Sony announced that the consle would launch worldwide on Novmeber 17th, 2006. However, on September 6th, 2006 Sony announced that the console would only be launching in Japan and the US by that data, with the European and Australian launches pushed back to March 2007. This was claimed to be due to a shortage of diodes for use in the Blu-Ray drives. After breaking this promise of a worldwide launch, many gamers in PAL territories have been left disappointed with Sony. In a poll run on the BBC's website on September 6th, from 8494 votes cast, 66.38% said that the delay had discuraged them from buying a PlayStation 3 (vote currently sourced on http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/default.stm).
Someone should start a donation pool in the XBox forums for a "smash a PS3" event like those guys did with the 360. Collect the $600 and keep the money.
Someone explain what's so terribly wonderful about blu-balls or whatever it is...
Inside each person lives two wolves. One is loyal, kind, respectful, humble and open to the mystery of life. The other is greedy, jealous, hateful, afraid and blind to the wonders of life. They are in battle for your spirit. The one who wins is the one you feed.
I agree but they've always targeted the younger audience and I hope the Wii will have some good games that will be more captivating for an older audience.
As far as I know I can't find pirated games for Nintendo products here (I can in China). I'm thinking I'll have to go with the PS3 simply because of availability of cheap games.
I'd wait and see if the rumors about non-tradeable games is true before buying.
Inside each person lives two wolves. One is loyal, kind, respectful, humble and open to the mystery of life. The other is greedy, jealous, hateful, afraid and blind to the wonders of life. They are in battle for your spirit. The one who wins is the one you feed.
Jay wrote:I agree but they've always targeted the younger audience and I hope the Wii will have some good games that will be more captivating for an older audience.
Have you played their games? This is a stereotype, moreso than anything.
Nintendo games are fun. More fun than Xbox or PS2 ones, IMO.
What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. – C. S. Lewis
Inside each person lives two wolves. One is loyal, kind, respectful, humble and open to the mystery of life. The other is greedy, jealous, hateful, afraid and blind to the wonders of life. They are in battle for your spirit. The one who wins is the one you feed.
I think wii is a better buy, but I just can't imagine playing with that interactive controller they have, they have tennis games where you stand up and actually swing, golf games where you actually go through the motion, the same goes for baseball games, first person shooters, etc. It brings one word to mind, Laborgaming, which I'm not interested in being apart of.
Sony and Microsoft are just little pups in the world of console gaming.
That being said I think Microsoft has a better idea of what it's market wants (X-box live, open ended RPGs), they're just slightly out of their league. The innovations they've brought to the industry are great, but I still see Nintendo out lasting both in the long run.
the best thing you can say about Sony and MS is that they forced Nintendo to regroup, and reinvent themselves
by the time nintendo had rolled out the n64, they'd fallen into the trap of just slightly upgrading graphix over the previous incarnation without a huge amount of innovation (like we used to see with the nes, gameboy etc)
this time next year I figure I'll be playing my wii and ps3 about equally
