Sony's PlayStation3 Launch Delayed

Not again! This was the reaction of half of the world as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today that there would be a delay in the launch of the highly hyped and much awaited Playstation 3 (PS3).

The company plans to delay the launch by about four months in some parts of the world along with cutting its worldwide shipments by half this year.

Sony announced today that it will postpone the launch date of its PlayStation 3 console in the PAL territories of Europe, Russia, Middle East, Africa and Australasia from 17th November 2006, as previously announced to March 2007, however the launch dates for North America and Japan remain the same those being 17th and 11th November respectively. Initially Sony had planned a worldwide launch in November setting a perfect stage for three way war with Microsoft and Nintendo during the key holiday-shopping season. That would surely have been a gaming treat for the customers!!

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is already in the market and Nintendo's Wii console is also scheduled for a worldwide release this autumn.

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.

This is not only bad news for Sony from the PS3 point of view but also for its efforts to win the high definition video format war against HD DVD backed by Toshiba and Microsoft. The PS3 is considered to be a key driver in getting inexpensive Blu-ray players into the market place.

However planning does not guarantee implementation. The main reason being cited by sony is the production issues with manufacturing of the Blue Laser Diodes – which are required for Blu-ray (and HD DVD Disc drives. The production of these has been delayed by a month. These drives with the Blue-ray high definition video player are a key feature and major selling point of the PS3.

Sony had planned to ship 4 million PS3 consoles to its key markets of US, Japan and Europe by the end of 2006. That number has now been pared back to 2 million and Sony now promises that from the start of 2007, production will start in earnest and 6 million consoles will be delivered by the end of March.

"We are extremely disappointed at news of this delay. We can truly empathise with everyone who was looking forward to PS3's imminent release," said Maguire. "We will however be working tirelessly to ensure that the March 2007 launch is the biggest and best in the company's history." Maguire is senior vice president and managing director of Sony, UK.

Speaking at Sony's global headquarters in Tokyo, Mr Kutaragi, head of Sony's global computer entertainment division, apologised for the delays to the PlayStation 3 launch. "I am so sorry not to be able to answer all the expectations," he said.

The Sony’s head is surely sorry but the gaming freaks would have to wait another six months to get their hands on the PS3!