Sony confirms new November 2006 launch and claims it will be global. The reasons given for the delay mention the development of the technology falling behind schedule.
Sony boss Ken Kutaragi, speaking at a business briefing for software developers apologized for Sony's delay in coming clean about the delay. When we initially announced our plans to launch this spring, we had expected the standardization work on all of the technologies to be completed by last August, but there were improvements that were decided on since then, said Mr. Kutaragi. We wanted to be sure to include all future technologies that are available now... he added.
The delay means PS3 will launch at around the same time as rival Nintendo's Revolution console, handing Microsoft's XBox 360 a full year's worth of an advantage in the next-gen race.
Although the news is negative for Sony it still means that the company has managed to avoid pushing PS3's launch into 2007, something which could have had devastating consequences for the electronics giant. The plans for a global launch in November 2006 however have come under some criticism from analysts as Mr. Kutaragi claimed that Sony will be producing 1 million consoles a month, from November on, for a total sales target of 6 million units by the close of Sony's business year, March 2007. Production of the console is expected to start this summer so there is a possibility that there will be adequate units available for a global launch. Developers, said Mr. Kutaragi, will receive the final SDK by mid-May.
According to Mr. Kutaragi the two main reasons behind the delay were the copy protection technology standard for the Blu-ray drive and the standardization of digital audio and video technology that will allow the PS3 to connect to electronics devices.
The latest price estimates for PS3 suggest a USD 500 price tag and about 5 to 10 launch titles.
Following months of mumbles, interspersed denials and half-denials and contradicting information Sony has finally admitted that the PS3 will not launch in spring and has set November 2006 as its new release date. We find it strange that MegaGames knew of this delay months ago while Sony, apparently, just found out.
Even though this news comes from good sources in Japan, the company is still denying us our closure on the issue as a press event has been scheduled for tomorrow at GDC. According to the news the reason behind the delay is the dreaded issue of copy protection on the Blu-Ray drive and the November 2006 date concerns Japan although it is almost certain that Sony will be pushing to get the console available in the U.S. too in time for the holiday 2006 season.
Microsoft may be opening the champagne today but we have to wonder about the other aspect of this war, the battle for DVD format supremacy and whether this console delay may be Sony's resistance to Microsoft in order to make sure that Blu-Ray is ready for public scrutiny.
Stay with MegaGames for more information as this story develops at GDC tomorrow.
