PS3 Release Date Info: Part 2

[RzrWire]

This is an update to my previous thread: PS3 Release Date Info.

Since I went awall for several weeks I can no longer post updates in it. As a result I am starting a 2nd and final thread. My 4th post will remain somewhat blank so in the future I can update it with the exact release date for all territories; assuming it is not completely locked due to inactivity. I will pick up where I left off and end with what we know up to this point...

Around the end of February and beginning of March rumors and doubt outside of Sony and from within were growing of a high possibility that the PS3 would miss its Spring launch date. Many developers were not ready to have any games available for launch in Spring, plus Blu-Ray hardware/software wasn't finalized and still under discussion. Articles that circulated on the internet:

1st: Rizon, Post #25, posted this article...

Sony aims for spring release despite tech issues GamesRadar.com - Original Article
21/02/2006 11:40

A delay on final specifications for PS3's super technology is threatening to push back the launch of the next-gen platform, although Sony isn't budging on its spring launch plans.

"We're aiming for spring, but we haven't announced specific regions," a Sony spokeswoman has stated. The company is still waiting for final hardware specifications on key PS3 parts, such as the Blu-ray DVD drive and sound and video inputs, which come from mysterious sounding 'industry consortiums'.

It's highly likely that PS3 will hit Japan first, followed by the US and Europe, as was the case with PS2 and PSone. But even if Sony brought PS3 to Japan this spring we probably wouldn't see a UK launch until 2007 - echoing the nine month wait between the Japanese PSP launch in December 2004 and the handheld's first appearance on UK shelves last September.

2nd: GameSHOUT - Original Article

PS3 Games Ready for Spring Launch
Posted Feb 22, 2006, 8:47 AM ET

Sony says that the games for PS3 are ready, but other PS3 developers Konami, Namco Bandai, and Capcom have are not committing to the PS3 official Spring launch.

Apparently, PS3 developers Konami, Namco Bandai, and Capcom are not committing to any PS3 Spring launch. Also, Square Enix, a major player in the video game market, has no plans to launch titles for PS3 this spring.

However, Sony tells GameSHOUT that they are launching with or without 3rd party game developers. They told us this morning that the Spring launch is unchanged. However, they would not comment on what markets would be available.

Merrill Lynch reported last week that the Sony PS3 may cost as much as $900 to manufacture, and it might delay the launch for six to twelve months.

The cost to make the PS3 is expensive. The Blu-ray itself is $300, and the cell chip is another $200. That's $500 in cost alone, which is probably the reason Merrill Lynch is reporting a possible $900 figure to cover all manufacturing and other related costs.

Microsoft is losing money on the Xbox 360. If Sony were to launch the PS3 lower than manufacture costs, they wouldn't be the first video game company. Which has many investors eager to sell stock if their going to lose rather than profit.

It just seems too much of a rush-job to get the PS3 out the door, but if Sony has games for the PS3, what are the titles? Who made them? Sony declined comment, but made it clear once again that the PS3 Spring launch is on.

3rd: GameSHOUT - Original Article

PS3 delayed?
Posted Feb 19, 2006, 5:52 PM ET

Sony announced that it still aims to launch its PS3 video game console for the spring, but a spokeswoman told said that the timing could be pushed back if it is unable to finalize the technology specifications.

A spokeswoman for Sony Computer Entertainment said, "We're aiming for spring, but we haven't announced specific regions," adding that some of the detailed specifications of the PS3 have not yet been finalized, such as those related to the Blu-ray drive and the input and output of video and sound for the PlayStation 3.

"We're waiting for them until the last possible minute, but the launch could be pushed back if they're not decided soon," she said.

The launch of PS3 has been the subject of heavy speculation in the industry. The console will be competing with Microsoft Xbox 360, which went on sale last November, and Nintendo Revolution, which is expected to come out later this year.

If the PS3 is not ready in time, the Sony spokeswoman added, the company will choose the next best timing for the launch.

Merrill Lynch last week downgraded its rating on Sony to "sell" from "neutral", saying in a research note that Sony could see its earnings decline in the business year from April.

"If the launch is delayed, it will be beneficial in the short term, but will be negative from the standpoint of share price," said analyst Hitoshi Kuriyama in the note. "If it is on time, the PS3 will weigh on the company's profitability."

Most analysts currently expect Sony to launch the PS3 in summer in Japan, followed by a U.S. launch before Thanksgiving. They expect a launch in Europe in early 2007.

"Everyone knows that the launch schedule will probably be delayed," said Takeshi Tajima, an analyst at BNP Paribas, adding that game development has also been delayed because many of the specifications have not been finalized.

We will keep you updated. Also note, GameSHOUT will be broadcasting "GameSHOUT Radio" live from the Sony PS3 show floor at E3 with all exclusive interviews (both audio and video).

4th: Just Playstation 3 - Original Article

Sony Admits PS3 Delay Possible
February 27th, 2006

Few in the industry believe that PlayStation 3 will launch in the spring. It looks like Sony may be ready to announce a delay. A company spokesperson has admitted that a delay is possible.

Image Sony has told the media that the launch of the console will be delayed due to difficulties in finalizing the Blu-ray drive’s specs. An unnamed spokesperson for Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan admitted that PlayStation 3 launch could be delayed.

SCE said that if final specs were not finalized with the Blu-ray Disc development consortium, the launch of the console could be delayed.

Famitsu president Hirokazu Hamamura, is quoted, “Sony has not begun taking orders early this month, that means that it would be difficult for the company to begin sales in May.”

Until now, Sony has steadfastly stuck to its previously announced launch date of “spring” without offering any further details. Most industry observers believe the machine will be launched in Japan and North America in the fall.

Hitoshi Kuriyama, an analyst at Merrill Lynch, believes the U.S launch could be delayed until 2007. Merrill Lynch’s recent report on PS3 suggested the machine would colst around $800 to produce, and would be delayed.

In other news, Sony has announced the sale of majority stakes in five of its retail brands. The company is seeking to offload unprofitable businesses.

Private equity company Nikko Principal Investments has bought the companies - Sony Plaza, B&C Laboratories, Lifeneo, Sony Family Club and Maxim’s de Paris - for an estimated 50 billion yen.

Source: NextGen

The 4th article pointed out (highlighted in blue) that many people in the industry believed if the system was delayed the next step would be launching the PS3 in more than one territory later on. Turns out this would be the case but one that also had Europe in mind.

[RzrWire]

A day before the Playstation Meeting was schedualed to begin (March 15th 2006) a Japanese newspaper, Nihon Kezai Shimbun, leaked information regarding the inevitable announcement Sony was to make the following day:

Just Playstation 3 - Original Article

Japanese Newspaper Reporting PlayStation 3 Delay
March 14th, 2006

The major Japanese newspaper Nihon Kezai Shimbun has reported that Sony’s next-generation PlayStation 3 console has been pushed back to November in Japan, citing production difficulties in manufacturing the Blu-ray drives necessary for the system.

If true, this would be the first confirmed report contradicting Sony’s insistence that the PS3 is scheduled to launch in “Spring 2006″, the only official date given by company representatives in recent months.

The difficulties with the Blu-ray drive are apparently in the specification design rather than the physical manufacturing process, according to the Nihon Kezai Shimbun; the copy-protection mechanisms have not yet been finalized, holding up production of the drives. No problems were mentioned with the system’s Cell processor, a brand-new technology that has the potential to be equally finicky in production.

Officially, Sony has not confirmed the report itself, though the company’s Tokyo developer conference, now officially opened to both the press and analysts, should provide an official statement from Sony’s Ken Kutaragi in the next 24 hours. Should the report be verified, there is still the question of when the U.S. and European launches would be scheduled.

Sony has never stated any explicit intention for a worldwide simultaneous launch, meaning that the European and possibly U.S. versions could be moved back into 2007. The Xbox 360 is currently already released in all territories, and Nintendo is on track to launch its new console “before Thanksgiving” in the U.S., according to recent remarks by executives.

Source: JustPlaystation3.com (Yeah, thats us!)

Then on March 15th Sony official confirmed that the PS3 was infact delayed till early November of 2006 only this time with a worldwide launch in Japan, USA, and Europe. Although as of this time other territories have yet to be announced and will be seeing a 2007-08 launch date (Australia, New Zealand, Other Territories, ect.) On top of this the PS3 will have over 6 million units ready by the FY ending March 31st 2006 with 1 million units being completed every month thereafter.

QJ.Net 24/7 PS3 Coverage - Original Article

New PS3 Details From PS Biz '06
Posted Mar 15, 2006 at 06:57AM by Jeff C.

On today's PlayStation Business Brief '2006, Sony has revealed quite some more details of the upcoming PS3. Here they are:

1) PS3 will be the first Next-Gen console with the HDMI video interface.
2) All the PS3 games will be on the Blu-ray disc for anti-piracy purpose.
3) The development machine and development kit is now finished.
4) The network service of the PS3 will basically be free, and will be deployed with the release of the console.
5) The CELL processor will be able to implement the 4th dimension (the time???)
6) PS3 will come with a 2.5' 60G HDD as a standard specification.
7) The OS of the PS3 will be Linux.
8) The network service of the PS3 will be in co-operation with GameSpy.
9) PS/PS2 games will be fully supported, plus with much better resolution.
10) Sony will be replenishing the market with 1 million PS3 per month after the release.

Very interesting facts to learn. But still, the delay is the fact we have to accept now. The PS3 is officially delayed from this spring to the November of 2006, for a global release among Asia, North America and Europe.

[RzrWire]

Despite the delay and to the dismay of many Japanese gamers and those here in the U.S. who, for some reason, thought PS3 was launching here in Spring, not everyone was upset over the news. This includes both Developers, Europe, and Gamers wanting a good solid game lineup come PS3's Launch.

1st: QJ.NET 24/7 PS3 Coverage - Original Article

Japanese Publishers Respond To PS3 Delay
Posted Mar 18, 2006 at 08:33AM by Chris C.

And unsurprisingly they're quite happy that they now have quite a bit more time to add some spit and polish (yuck) to the titles that they're currently readying for the system. Here are some words straight from the horses mouths (sans spit and polish):

Konami: "It's very good that the release period has been clarified. It's important to release [a console] at the right timing when everything is prepared. We hope that the PS3 will expand progressively [through the market]. In terms of our development schedule, we think that the delay will give us enough time to make sure we deliver better quality in our games."

Square Enix: "It's being reported as a 'delay,' but the [PS3's] previously unknown release period has finally become clear, and we are very glad to hear it."

Capcom: "The hardware's release period has been set, so we will be throwing in our full effort to develop good games for it."

Koei: "It will be a major delay, but now that the release date has been decided, we can target it and make work on further quality improvements. We would like to polish up our products so that they will take full advantage of the PS3."

Bandai: "We are fundamentally receiving [the PS3's delay announcement] with a favorable view. Titles for the PS3 are currently in development."

So there you have it, it's not all doom and gloom. Developers really have no excuse not to create a "triple A" lineup of killer titles for the PS3 launch, especially considering that many of them have been working on PS3 titles since as early as May last year.

2nd: QJ.NET 24/7 PS3 Coverage - Original Article

Europe to get equal piece of the PS3 pie
Posted Mar 28, 2006 at 01:39AM by Jerico G.

Sony, through MCV, SCEE president David Reeves, gave assurance that Europe will have a fair share of the PS3 consoles when it comes out in November. Despite the usual domination by the Lion shares of American and Japanese gamers, he made sure that this time, equal numbers of the unit will be made available at the three destinations.

Gamers from Europe has expressed concern about having less numbers of PS3 consoles available for them since there is a usual trend of them being left behind by US and Japan who are considered to be bigger markets. However, Mr Reeves trampled their fears saying that "Europe will be equally served", and that since part of his job is to make sure Europe gets equal billing, he'll work hard to make sure it is equal.

Signifying Sony's interest in the European market as a potential revenue-raker since the console's release is right before Christmas, Mr. Reeves even guaranteed that Europe will have four to six titles available for them at the time of launching. Take that Uncle Sam and Pikachu.

[RzrWire]

Space reserved for exact release dates of all territories in a future update.

Official PS3 Launch Schedual:
Japan (Other Asian Territories), USA, Canada, and Europe - Fall 2006 (Beg. to Mid. November)
Australia & New Zealand - TBA
Other Territories - TBA

Spring (Northern Hemisphere): March 20, 2006 to June 21, 2006
Summer (Northern Hemisphere): June 21, 2006 - September 22, 2006
Autumn/Fall (Northern Hemisphere): September 22, 2006 - December 21, 2006
Winter (Northern Hemisphere): December 21, 2006 - March 20, 2006

[RzrWire]

It is both relevant and enough to post here. To this day I am still wrapping my head around the idea of how Handy came about this.

One of the most important pieces of information regarding the PS3 (the launch date) happened on March 15th 2006 @ the Playstation Meeting. Yet Handycrap101's mind must have snapped due to the PS3 drought Sony caused up to that point, because no sane person could have put this conspiracy together! Scary thing is is that he was right on the money. Unfortunately we may never get an official confirmation...... Read Below:

March 15th - PlayStation Meeting - Post #6

Handycrap101's crazy March 15 theory:

Alright... since the recent announcement of this March 15 event I have devised a theory that actually proves that this event has been confirmed since TGS 05. Some may think I'm crazy but I just say I have too much time on my hands... and it's just one gigantic obscure coincidence.

The theory starts off with looking at THIS PICTURE. If you notice... the clock says 2:43 PM. That is actually Otacon telling us the date of this event. Now... let me show you exactly what I mean:

Time on pic: 2:43
Days in Feb: 28

The '2' in the given time indicates February... but wait, there isn't 43 days in Feb. This is where it gets confusing (not really). If you subtract 28 from 43 you get 15. That 15 represents the 15th day of the month after Feb. Which is March. The "clock" over otacon goes from 2 to 3 because you go past the number of days in Feb (2) and skip to next number (month). Therefore 2:43=3:15! If anyone is still confused... when you add the 29th day it rolls over to march 1st. This would mean the time was 2:29 on otacons clock... but it wasn't. It is 2:43 THUS confirming the March 15 date.

[CARTIER90]

was the worldwide launch the 'surprise' , just out of interest. ?

[cliffbo]

was the worldwide launch the 'surprise' , just out of interest. ?

unless Sony already knew they would delay, no. it didn't exist Cart, just a figment of a journalists small mind.

[brownsfan]

Im lost...

[RzrWire]

was the worldwide launch the 'surprise' , just out of interest. ?

I believe that was Sony's plan all along. If you look at the number of PS3's that will be complete and ready for distribution by the Fiscal Year ending March 31st '06 (6+ million), and that 1+ million units are going to be produced every month afterward; this gives me a strong indication that between Post-E3 & June 21st (end of Spring) was going to be an intended worldwide launch. Sony would have had close to 8+ million consoles ready for shipment which would have been enough (2+ million PS3s per territory) had this been the case. Now that it's been pushed back to early November I don't think to many people are going to be making large amounts of cash selling it on Ebay (keeps fingers crossed ).

[Handycrap101]

My insane theory made it into the thread. And it was DEAD on the money.

I feel special. But anyway, nice thread JAG, it is a pretty nice timeline of how the launch of the PS3 has progressed.

[CARTIER90]

I need to remember not to get my hopes up for release games......I only hope to god GT5 gets some damage, and more cars on track !!!!!, and better AI....YOU LISTENING POLYPHONY !!!!!

[RzrWire]

I'll post a couple more articles related to the PS3 delay for a more indepth detailed look on the entire launch process for the PS3. Plus it gives us insight on just how much influence this console has on the gaming industry and beyond. This particular article has professional insight on other possible reasons for the PS3 delay.

GameSpot - Original Article

Blu-ray not the only reason for PS3 delay?
By Staff -- GameSpot: Posted Mar 22, 2006 3:47 pm PT

IGDA Japan president says lack of key development tools have slowed game development for the system.

Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi explained last week at the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing that the PlayStation 3 would be delayed until November because of problems with the finalization of the next-generation Blu-ray disc standard. However, International Game Developers Association Japan (IGDA Japan) president Shin Kiyoshi has pointed out another likely factor in the console's postponed launch.

In an article posted today on Nikkei Net, Kiyoshi reports that Sony hasn't been able to provide key PS3 development tools to game makers in a timely fashion. As a result, Shin said, most companies haven't even been able to go into full-scale development for PS3 games, even though it's already spring, which was Sony's initial launch period for the console. Nikkei Net says Shin pointed out that the PS3's compiler, which converts programs into a language that the console can understand, wasn't released until very recently.

The responsibility for the compiler was entrusted to compiler specialist SN Systems Limited, which was acquired by Sony in 2005. However, Shin said that the compiler's release had been continually delayed due to the complexity of the PS3's hardware and its multicore Cell processor. SN Systems finally made its release at the end of 2005, but according to Shin, it still didn't take full advantage of the PS3. As a result, IBM itself has become involved in the creation of the PS3's development support tools, and a compiler optimized for the Cell chip is finally being released this month.

Shin predicted for Nikkei Net that, in terms of development environment, the PS3 will have tough competition against Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Revolution. Publishers will be receiving the final release of the PS3's development tool in June, which gives them less than half a year to prepare for the console's worldwide launch. On the other hand, the Xbox 360 is known for its convenient development environment that inherits many aspects of the original Xbox's.

Shin speculates that Sony may be able to prepare a lot of Blu-ray movies for the PS3 launch, but the launch might lack on games. Furthermore, he thinks the chances are high that launch titles for the PS3 may look inferior when compared to Xbox 360 games.

Shin also comments that the Revolution could mean major competition for the PS3 in Japan. He said that the console is known for its friendly development environment that inherits the GameCube's and that there is a possibility of its launching before the PS3.

[RzrWire]

GameSpot - Original Article

Wall Street reacts to PS3 delay
By Tor Thorsen -- GameSpot: Posted Mar 15, 2006 3:52 pm PT

Analysts mostly upbeat, third-party publishers' shares climb on news that the next-generation console will arrive in time for the holidays.
If you were a third-party publisher spending tens of millions developing a PlayStation 3 game, the last few weeks must have been pretty nerve-wracking. As the year has progressed, more and more analysts and industry insiders were predicting that the next-generation console would miss its spring 2006 launch date and instead launch in the fall. With Sony staying resolutely mum on the matter, some analysts went one step further, saying the PS3 might not launch until 2007 in the US and Europe--missing the all-important holiday season.

So when Sony announced earlier today that the PS3 will go on sale worldwide in November, many major publishers breathed a sigh of relief. So, too, did their stockholders. On the Nasdaq, Electronic Arts gained $1.51 (2.85 percent) to hit $54.38, Activision rose $0.72 (5.5 percent) to $13.93, THQ jumped $1.06 (4.3 percent) to $25.9, and Take-Two Interactive rose $0.42 (2.6 percent) to $16.69.

For its part, Sony's stock rose on the New York Stock Exchange, adding $0.17 (0.37 percent) to close at $46.63. However, the announcement came after the close of the Japanese Nikkei market, on which Sony stock slid 1.8 percent to end the day at 5,470 yen ($46.57).

Overall, most major investment firms' analysts were pleased with the PS3 delay and Sony's other big announcement, a price drop for its PlayStation Portable. "We view a worldwide November launch as positive," UBS's Mike Wallace said in a report. "In our view, recent fears that the PS3 launch might have been delayed until as late as 2007 have been overblown. The European launch is earlier than expected, as we had been expecting a launch in Europe in Q1 2007."

"While this launch date is a delay for Japan, it is a clear positive for our US-publishing stocks, given recent speculation about a possible pushout into Q1 2007," said Shawn Milne of Friedman Billings Ramsey. Milne also pointed out Sony's supply projections as a net win for the industry. "Sony indicated that it expects 1-million-unit monthly production capacity at launch and 6 million units by Q1 2007 (well above Microsoft's Xbox 360 target of 2.5M in its first 90 days). We were expecting 500K-1M at launch in 4Q for the US."

However, analysts warned of similarly bumpy retail road come November. "We think the PS3 launching this year is good news longer-term for the game stocks, but near term, the limited hardware quantities could lead to some earnings misses in Q4 this year," said Wallace. Milne was blunter in his assessment. "We expect shortages and another choppy holiday," he said, adding, "this is clearly not going to be a cheap box ($400-$500 likely)."

However, some analysts were less upbeat about the PS3 delay. One analyst who wished to remain anonymous said that the move is "giving its rival, Microsoft's Xbox 360, a two-holiday season advantage." Hiroshi Kamide, analyst at KBC Securities in Tokyo, told Reuters that the delay could come back to haunt Sony. "The Xbox 360 will now have had a year's head start," he said. "The danger is that [Microsoft] could target big-hitting titles at the launch of the PS3 just to sabotage it."

[RzrWire]

GameSpot - Original Article

Ballmer happy, Miyamoto neutral to PS3 delay
By Tim Surette -- GameSpot: Posted Mar 17, 2006 12:37 pm PT

Microsoft's CEO drools over delay of Sony's console, says 360 will be first to 10 million sold; Nintendo guru doesn't see competition from PS3.
Everyone has an opinion on Sony's recent announcement of a worldwide November launch for its PlayStation 3. Although Sony hadn't shown signs of wavering from its initial spring 2006 release date, many industry analysts correctly predicted that it would be released in late 2006, and some even believed it wouldn't be released until early 2007.

Japanese game publishers have let their voice be heard, message boards have been blowing up with gamers' opines, and now, head honchos from Sony's two chief rivals have chimed in.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer let his feelings be heard loud and clear, unlike his coworker, Microsoft Game Studios general manager Shane Kim, who claimed "leaders don't react." Ballmer, speaking with Fortune, believes the delay means great things for his company's next-generation console, the Xbox 360.

"In every other generation, the first guy to 10 million consoles was the number one seller in the generation. Did we just get an even better opportunity to be the first guy to 10 million? Yeah, of course we did," Ballmer told Fortune.

The delay gives Microsoft a bit of breathing room to catch up on production for the Xbox 360, which has been in short supply since its release in November. Microsoft has set a target of 4.5 to 5.5 million Xbox 360s sold through June, the end of the tech giant's fiscal year. If Ballmer's claims prove accurate, the 360 will have approximately 5 million units in homes, with nearly five months more to increase its head start before Sony even ships its first PS3.

When asked about the PS3's Blu-ray drive, Ballmer brushes off any notion of an advantage.

"Sony's going to try and define that as a fundamental battleground, but I don't think it is a fundamental battleground. I don't care whether it's Blu-ray or HD-DVD--there's not going to be a lot of content in either format this year."

While Ballmer clearly saw the PS3 delay as an advantage, another heavyweight in the industry, Nintendo executive Shigeru Miyamoto, doesn't think the announcement really affects his company's next-gen machine, the Revolution. He shared his feelings, or lack thereof, with The Guardian.

"We don't see it as a competition between [the PS3 and Revolution], although the customers always do," said Miyamoto, the creator of games such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. "Sony has taken a long time to create their machine but it is obvious that the direction we are taking [with the Revolution] is different [than the direction Sony is taking with] the PS3."

Nintendo has not yet set a release date for the Revolution.