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[MassiveAttack]

 

[nubbe]

Wow, PS3 is a "Death Star"

 

[elostyle]

Worldwide launch or bust.

 

[choplifter]

Wow, PS3 is a "Death Star"

yep and those pesky Xwing-360s are going in for a sneak attack :lol

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

So epic.

 

[kaching]

:lol @ this thread. I'd jump in on the bet if the stakes weren't set so ridiculously high for a simple launch timeframe prediction.

EDIT: I'd be willing to bet on the PS3 launch if the stakes were that you'd have to buy a game to be raffled off to the membership of GAF if you were wrong.

 

[Excelion]

i bet a permaban with SolidSnakeX

no PS3 launch in spring, anywhere on earth.

 

[Azelover]

So they were talking about the US then? Because i've looked at that pic several times and I still can't find where it specifies where. It just says it'll be out in the Spring, which mean if it comes out thenin Japan, then it came out in Spring, right?

Endless spin. Sony has many times hinted that they were aiming at a global launch in the Spring, and also E3 is american based, it's a bit of a stretch saying it will be coming in the spring somewhere else when you are in America, but whatever you want to believe. A delay was pretty likely from the begining and it's no big deal, but the fact that there is so many people refusing to acknowledge that it was once (carefully)announced for a spring (global)launch will only add (way)more fuel to the fire.

 

[gofreak]

Endless spin. Sony has many times hinted that they were aiming at a global launch in the Spring

The exact opposite, actually. Go read those SCEA interviews from a couple of months back.

and also E3 is american based, it's a bit of a stretch saying it will be coming in the spring somewhere else when you are in America

E3 was the first time PS3 was announced ANYWHERE. They were going to give the earliest launch date, and unfortunately the earliest launch date for a console is unlikely to apply to the US in most cases, as anyone familiar with the industry would come to expect at this stage.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

i bet a permaban with SolidSnakeX

But you've got multiple accounts at GAF Draikin - hardly fair is it? And isn't that a violation of the TOS?

 

[mrklaw]

If they launch in Europe in 2007 then they are cunts. Europe is one of the biggest markets.

Of course, the whole staggered rollout actually helps their cause, as people see the machines in shops around the world it becomes much more real, and therefore Sony have a shot at keeping X360 sales down in Europe during winter 2006.

Please launch in November/December Sony!


As to all their other statements - well first they didn't specify US launch in spring. If journalists read more into it than there was actually there, then its their fault - and Sony pitched it perfectly. If you want to fuck up MS, where better to announce a geographically vague launch date than the US?

 

[Pedigree Chum]

But you've got multiple accounts at GAF Draikin - hardly fair is it? And isn't that a violation of the TOS?

Go back to OAS tjhooker.

 

[Chittagong]

Latest I heard today from a leading publisher is that the PS3 hw should be able to launch any time now, but a broad portfolio of solid content is not there, or even close. I also heard that this does not bother Sony, as it hasn't stopped their hardware before. So we might see the device coming out soon, after all.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

Latest I heard today from a leading publisher is that the PS3 hw should be able to launch any time now, but a broad portfolio of solid content is not there, or even close. I also heard that this does not bother Sony, as it hasn't stopped their hardware before. So we might see the device coming out soon, after all.

I thought the hardware was lagging behind thanks to the BR Drive. Honestly, PS3 could launch with a pack of playing cards and it'd still sell out worldwide.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

I thought the hardware was lagging behind thanks to the BR Drive. Honestly, PS3 could launch with a pack of playing cards and it'd still sell out worldwide.

Nope. You don't even need the cards.

 

[choplifter]

If they launch in Europe in 2007 then they are cunts. Europe is one of the biggest markets.

Of course, the whole staggered rollout actually helps their cause, as people see the machines in shops around the world it becomes much more real, and therefore Sony have a shot at keeping X360 sales down in Europe during winter 2006.

Please launch in November/December Sony!


As to all their other statements - well first they didn't specify US launch in spring. If journalists read more into it than there was actually there, then its their fault - and Sony pitched it perfectly. If you want to fuck up MS, where better to announce a geographically vague launch date than the US?

fuck Europe. they can fucking wait. I want my U.S. PS3. need enough Cells and RSXs for us. Europe can go fuck itself. (not speaking of the U.K. just cuntinental europe

 

[krypt0nian]

Honestly, PS3 could launch with a pack of playing cards and it'd still sell out worldwide.

Exactly. The mere mention of Tekken/Wipeout/God of War is enough to make me buy sight unseen.

 

[Mrbob]

Latest I heard today from a leading publisher is that the PS3 hw should be able to launch any time now, but a broad portfolio of solid content is not there, or even close. I also heard that this does not bother Sony, as it hasn't stopped their hardware before. So we might see the device coming out soon, after all.

So is Sony already stockpiling hardware units?

 

[Amir0x]

Endless spin. Sony has many times hinted that they were aiming at a global launch in the Spring, and also E3 is american based, it's a bit of a stretch saying it will be coming in the spring somewhere else when you are in America, but whatever you want to believe. A delay was pretty likely from the begining and it's no big deal, but the fact that there is so many people refusing to acknowledge that it was once (carefully)announced for a spring (global)launch will only add (way)more fuel to the fire.

Here are the major comments Sony reps have made about the worldwide launch:

Link

Do you think that Europe's become increasingly important to Sony over the PlayStation's life cycle, and if so is this a trend we can see continuing as you get ready to launch the PS3?

Well, to the first part of that question, the answer is that Europe has always been a key part of the PlayStation success story; the PlayStation 2 business [is] getting up to 40 million units now in Europe and that's an astonishing achievement. As to what that means for the launch of the next generation, it obviously means that Europe will be a vital part of the launch strategy. Whether there's a subtext to your question or not I can't answer.

Not really...

I mean, whether you were trying to suggest that Europe would be getting the console first as a result...

Well, there's been a lot of speculation about that in the press lately. From what has been said, spring 2006 is still a key date, but from what I understand Kaz Hirai said you're still deciding whether to go with a worldwide launch?

Well you'll have to ask David Reeves - I can't speak for Europe in when they would launch PlayStation 3, but we haven't made any announcements and I don't think it's right to speculate.

Link

PSM: Are you still committed to a spring launch for PS3?

Kaz Hirai: We are still strategizing over that, and we’ve not come to a decision yet as to whether we want to with Japan first, the same time, three territories at the same time. Those things we’re still looking at, and it’s obviously a decision that needs to be made with us weighting a variety of actors, including how many units we can ramp up to, what is the manufacturing capacity, but, more importantly, what kind of software lineup are we going to have between first- and third-party in any of the three territories that will get the product first, being Japan, Europe, and the U.S. Which territory has the flow of software, the lineup of software? That will factor into it as well. So, basically, in a nutshell, it’s too early to answer that question both from the manufacturing ramp up standpoint as well as the software lineup standpoint.

PSM: Can we squash the rumors of PS3 slipping into 2007?

Kaz Hirai: [laughs] yes…unless we have no software, which I doubt very much, we’re still on track for a spring 2006 launch.

PSM: How important to Sony is the idea of a simultaneous worldwide launch of PS3?

Jack Tretton: I don’t think a consumer really cares whether or not if [the PS3] is available in another country before or after it’s available for them. Everybody wants a new platform as soon as they can get their hands on it, and I guess selfishly every territory wants to be first, but I think ultimately what the consumers are going to be excited about is going to be the software content that’s available for it. The actual machine isn’t very exciting unless you have compelling software to put into it. Often times, the first territory the system launches in suffers from the weakest launch lineup because the other territories have that additional time to do development and really get more games available and make each game that much better in time to hit the launch window.

 

[Mrbob]

I still think being able to produce hardware now for the Playstation 3 is huge.

The software may not be there, but Sony is not launching in January 2006. If the USA release is September 2006 hardware should be in decent supply by then for a big launch, and then even a bigger push for Christmas 2006. On top of this, it gives developers another 7 months or so to work on games before release.

This also says to me the PS3 isn't much more powerful than the 360, if at all.

 

[The Take Out Bandit]

He brought Kaz Hirai on for a couple of minutes to bleat about how good PS2 and PSP did at Christmas, then mentioned how PS3 will be worth waiting for "The next generation doesn't start until we say so"

What the?!

Ni@@a stole my tag-line!

WHERE'S MY CES CHECK HIRAI?! I know you're reading this! :lol

 

[kaching]

Latest I heard today from a leading publisher is that the PS3 hw should be able to launch any time now, but a broad portfolio of solid content is not there, or even close. I also heard that this does not bother Sony, as it hasn't stopped their hardware before. So we might see the device coming out soon, after all.

This time around they certainly seem to be doing more on the 1st/2nd party front to be ready for launch, so not particularly surprising. And even assuming 20-30 games ready for launch, you're not going to truly achieve a "broad portfolio" on the back of such a small library. In the meantime, BC with nearly 100% of PS and PS2 content will help fill the gaps to some extent, esp. as 2006 continues to be a solid year for PS2 releases.

 

[Pimpwerx]

I remember the good old days when people simply bet avatar changes. What's with the rush to get banned? Anything can happen, and it's not really worth my posting abilities.

As for the Spring launch, I can still see it for Japan. I thought the end of March was supposed to be some big holiday over there, but I guess it's not important enough for Sony this time around. Launching in the slower months could help keep demand to a level where Sony can teeth the production lines in time for the holidays. If they can make them, they might as well start as early as possible. Those chips start becoming obsolete as soon as they are finalized. PEACE.

 

[seanoff]

interesting call Duane!!!!!

Golden Week or just before launch for the PS3 in Japan. So Thursday 27 April it is then.







This is a completely made up guess by the way

 

[Kleegamefan]

Endless spin. Sony has many times hinted that they were aiming at a global launch in the Spring, and also E3 is american based, it's a bit of a stretch saying it will be coming in the spring somewhere else when you are in America, but whatever you want to believe. A delay was pretty likely from the begining and it's no big deal, but the fact that there is so many people refusing to acknowledge that it was once (carefully)announced for a spring (global)launch will only add (way)more fuel to the fire.

So I guess the Nintendo Revolution will also launch in NA first then, right??


But....you're probably right...I mean, GBA Micro made its debut at E3 2005 and we all know it launched first in North Ameri...........WHOOOOOPS!!!

 

[MassiveAttack]

So I guess the revolution will also launch in NA first then, right??


But....you're probably right...I mean, GBA Micro made its debut at E3 2005 and we all know it launched first in North Ameri...........WHOOOOOPS!!!

Bingo. PSP made its debut at E3 2004 and launched first in North Ameri......... OH SHIT.

 

[Kleegamefan]

.

 

[Hydro_Alexis]

Nearly everyday where i work i get some chump asking for a ps3 and if it is out in japan now sometimes i really just wanna say yes and sell them a dreamcast.

 

[Mooreberg]

They saw the December NPD and delayed the launch until 2008.

 

[Mrbob]

Chittagong come back.

Did this person you talked too say anything about yields? If the hardware is ready now does this mean Sony will not face the same yield problems MS is currently facing?

 

[DCharlie]

can the people who know either cough once for yes, or cough twice for no to the following :

Did the bulk Cell production run start ?

Is the RSX now finalised ?

 

[choplifter]

one good thing about RSX being finished soooooooo late in the game, is that it won't be outdated feature wise, relative to PS3's release, compared to PS2 launch in 2000 with a powerful but 'old' graphics chip completed in the late 1990s with a Voodoo1 type of featureset. only thing that saved PS2 graphics was its massive (for the time) parallism.

 

[the androgyne]

 

[choplifter]

:lol

 

[elostyle]

So I guess the Nintendo Revolution will also launch in NA first then, right??


But....you're probably right...I mean, GBA Micro made its debut at E3 2005 and we all know it launched first in North Ameri...........WHOOOOOPS!!!

DS did.

When 2 out of 2 competitors now plan worldwide launches, then it would be weird for sony not to do it.

 

[sonycowboy]

DS did.

When 2 out of 2 competitors now plan worldwide launches, then it would be weird for sony not to do it.

I'm not so sure it helped the 360.

Software publishers might have preferred that they actually be able to sell more software in one region and then launch a few months later and get a chance to sell it again to .

As it is now, the launch software will seem "old" by the time either of the userbases get up to speed.

The US launch totals are actually the lowest for a system since the original playstation launch. The N64, Dreamcast, PS2, GBA, Xbox, GCN, NDS, and PSP were all at least 2-3 times larger.

 

[Kleegamefan]

The US launch totals are actually the lowest for a system since the original playstation launch. The N64, Dreamcast, PS2, GBA, Xbox, GCN, NDS, and PSP were all at least 2-3 times larger.

That is just sad.....

 

[Chittagong]

Chittagong come back.

Did this person you talked too say anything about yields? If the hardware is ready now does this mean Sony will not face the same yield problems MS is currently facing?

It was a pretty short discussion - I asked what was his verdict on PS3 coming out anytime soon, since there is a lot buzz since CES about a delay in the hardware. He said that he was under the impression that the hardware is pretty much nailed and that Sony would intent to push it to the market regardless of the amount of software, and that they wouldn't be able to provide really cutting edge software to it soon. I don't think the person is privy to business stuff like yields.

Interestingly, at CES I met a guy working for one of the key component (and cost driver) providers of PS3, and had a similar discussion about the hardware. I said that I assumed that there are some issues of integrating the whole package and getting the ventilation right. He said this wasn't a major concern as far as he knew, and that the item on the critical path has been the Blu-Ray standard.

So, for all I know, Sony could be pulling a rabbit from the hat next month with a complete machine but that the launch software wouldn't really have the "wow" people have come to expect since last E3. Keep in mind, however, that the publisher most likely does not have an access to information about first and second party developments, so there is an opportunity for that to stun still. Is there any track record of Sony's first or second party stuff shining at launch is the big question, I guess.

EDIT: Notice how the stuff the publisher says is in direct conflict with what Kaz says in the interview says about the software having to be there for them to launch.

 

[the androgyne]

 

[Pedigree Chum]

It was a pretty short discussion - I asked what was his verdict on PS3 coming out anytime soon, since there is a lot buzz since CES about a delay in the hardware. He said that he was under the impression that the hardware is pretty much nailed and that Sony would intent to push it to the market regardless of the amount of software, and that they wouldn't be able to provide really cutting edge software to it soon. I don't think the person is privy to business stuff like yields.

Interestingly, at CES I met a guy working for one of the key component (and cost driver) providers of PS3, and had a similar discussion about the hardware. I said that I assumed that there are some issues of integrating the whole package and getting the ventilation right. He said this wasn't a major concern as far as he knew, and that the item on the critical path has been the Blu-Ray standard.

So, for all I know, Sony could be pulling a rabbit from the hat next month with a complete machine but that the launch software wouldn't really have the "wow" people have come to expect since last E3. Keep in mind, however, that the publisher most likely does not have an access to information about first and second party developments, so there is an opportunity for that to stun still. Is there any track record of Sony's first or second party stuff shining at launch is the big question, I guess.

Well it seems like Lair is being redied for launch along with SOE's game, and we can expect a Tekken and RR too and ports of some 3rd party X360 titles. In Sony's eyes that's probably enough

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Their expo is more anticipated than E3. A lot of hearts will be broken, but on which side?

 

[Mrbob]

Kaz should be talking about USA launch. Unless the publisher you talked too was talking about USA launch?

I don't think PS3 games need to look much better than 360 games. If all things are even, PLAYSTATION 3 will win on brand name and Blu Ray support alone. Anything extra is a benefit.

:lol

 

[Piper Az]

So I guess the Nintendo Revolution will also launch in NA first then, right??


But....you're probably right...I mean, GBA Micro made its debut at E3 2005 and we all know it launched first in North Ameri...........WHOOOOOPS!!!

comparing GBA micro to PS3? Come on now...

 

[Gek54]

Go back to OAS tjhooker.

No you, MLS.

Seriously, comeback.

 

[isamu]

I'm just wondering what this big 'surprise' in Feb. is suppose to be.

Kenny K walks up to the mic, announces the price, and the curtain pulls back revealing retail boxes for PS3 ready to go on sale THE NEXT DAY!

...or it could just be the surprise of Battle Arena Toshinden 4.

Post of the day! :lol :lol :lol

 

[isamu]

The big surprise in February: nothing compared to the E3 presentation...

Ken Kutaragi will walk up on stage accompanied by Kaz Hirai dressed of only printed powerpoint slides regarding hardware and software sales of PSP and PSTwo and he will present each slide slowly taking it off and projecting it on screen... no detail if he will do a "Full Monty" or not.

Kutaragi will then introduce a PLAYSTATION 3 real-time reel of games that will appear playable at the show floor while inviting Beat Takeshi( Takeshi Kitano) for a tap-dancing number.

 

[HokieJoe]

I thought the hardware was lagging behind thanks to the BR Drive.

Probably correct.

To my knowledge, AACS specs haven't even been finalized yet.

 

[Kleegamefan]

comparing PSP to PS3? Come on now...

Fixed

 

[cyberheater]

"You have nothing to fear. The PS3 will launch in Spring..."

 

[monkeymagic]

Their expo is more anticipated than E3. A lot of hearts will be broken, but on which side?

I don't see many hearts broken.

A lot of people don't even have an X360 so their cash is in their pocket waiting to be spent.

After Feb they can make a more informed decision.