Support NeoGAF

[snatches]

You won't be getting any games to play on PS3 at the very least until AFTER SUMMER. And if they launch THIS YEAR it'll be like N64 launch, two or three games tops.

And this from a man that should be in the know.....ouch. However, Japanese devs have shown a special talent for crapping out quick launch titles *cough*RR6*COUGH*

 

[borghe]

PS3 is directly on schedule, or near it, according to the Sony guidelines.

Playstation Festival will be to show off the launch Japan titles when the system comes out between April/June 2006.

E3 will be for the western launch titles when the PS3 comes out around September/October 2006.

agreed. can't wait until E3.

PS3 will be my primary game system. Rev will be my system for Rev exclusives. 360 will be my system for western PC dev exclusives (until a reasonably priced PC is more powerful than X360)

 

[RidgeCityFM]

360 production started in september and they barely had units for novmeber. there is no way in hell ps3 is launching in march.

 

[Mooreberg]

People are trying to read too much into vague comments. If they release this thing on June 21st in Japan, than it technically came out in the spring. I don't expect this out in the U.S. before 09/09/06 because there is no point in releasing it before autumn right now. What they are going to have to do is make sure they have enough units for second and possibly third shipments before the holidays. If this thing comes out Nov. 25th and they have the supply problems Microsoft has been having, than it's going to be a 2007 purchase for everyone who isn't willing wait in line at Best Buy (or pre-order way ahead of time).

It'll be interesting to see if this or the U.S. version of Final Fantasy XII comes out first. :lol

 

[SolidSnakex]

360 production started in september and they barely had units for novmeber. there is no way in hell ps3 is launching in march.

It doesn't need to launch in March to stay on track for its Spring release.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

It doesn't need to launch in March to stay on track for its Spring release

in Japan.

 

[bumpkin]

Well, the 360 sold like shit in Japan, so I guess you could say the plan worked.

 

[Goreomedy]

in Japan.

A global launch was never even hinted at. Was it?

 

[DarienA]

A global launch was never even hinted at. Was it?

Never(to my knowledge), folks just speculated on it because of what MS did. Sony I believe was real vague when they were asked if they were going to do a Worldwide launch like MS did... I vaguely remember the answer being blah blah blah Sony is evaluating all of its blah blah blah

 

[DenogginizerOS]

A global launch was never even hinted at. Was it?

I wasn't implying that. But there has been no such distinction made in the media stating such.

 

[PhatSaqs]

A global launch was never even hinted at. Was it?

No. Spring 2006 was being assumed for all territories by some thanks to Sony :lol

 

[Amir0x]

Never(to my knowledge), folks just speculated on it because of what MS did. Sony I believe was real vague when they were asked if they were going to do a Worldwide launch like MS did... I vaguely remember the answer being blah blah blah Sony is evaluating all of its blah blah blah

No. Spring 2006 was being assumed for all territories by some thanks to Sony :lol

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.

Clizzip, case closed.

 

[Mrbob]

I would say after the clusterfuck known as the 360 launch, Sony won't go for a WW launch themselves unless they have ample supply. I hope they don't go for a WW launch if they handle it like MS did. The PSP launch was great. Had a million units at launch, nice and easy to go to the store and grab one. Even though Sony didn't sell out they are still on track to sell about 3.3 to 3.5 million in 9 months in USA alone. Which is very good. Of course if the Xbox 360 launch shows you anything, the Playstation 3 launch will be much bigger than the PSP launch and perhaps much bigger than anyone can imagine. I hope Sony doesn't make the software Blu Ray player too good or gamers could be fighting A/V enthusiasts for months upon months upon months for the system. Might be best to preorder one now.

 

[Solo]

Speaking of pre-orders, I dont suppose any word has come down as to when we can expect to be able to place them? Im not standing like a bitch waiting for EB Games to open on launch day. Ill be pre-ordering.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

Speaking of pre-orders, I dont suppose any word has come down as to when we can expect to be able to place them? Im not standing like a bitch waiting for EB Games to open on launch day. Ill be pre-ordering.

I'm guessing February at the time of the Playstation event.

 

[PhatSaqs]

Clizzip, case closed.

Hardly closes the case. Just makes it look like Sony is probably (smartly) backing off of a potenetial worldwide launch. It's obvious they were/are thinking about it.

It also makes announcing the Spring 2006 date at E3 look even more DCish. Unless there was some superscript at the bottom of the PP slide that read "* Japan Only" :lol

 

[Amir0x]

Hardly closes the case. Just makes it look like Sony is probably (smartly) backing off of a potenetial worldwide launch. It's obvious they were/are thinking about it.

It also makes announcing the Spring 2006 date at E3 look even more DCish. Unless there was some superscript at the bottom of the PP slide that read "* Japan Only" :lol

I'm sorry, you're just spouting fluff as usual. Sony never once suggested that the worldwide launch was something that they were definitely doing. The case has always been that they were still evaluating which way to go, which means that they have not committed to anything. Any other speculation or implication from the comments is purely drawn from imagination and not worth discussing.

Here we have three actual comments from THREE different Sony reps, all suggesting the same thing. So I mean, you gonna have to do better than this PhatSaqs. Ami 1, Saqs 0

 

[DarienA]

It also makes announcing the Spring 2006 date at E3 look even more DCish. Unless there was some superscript at the bottom of the PP slide that read "* Japan Only" :lol

Thing is... was anyone actually thinking ahead enough to ask Sony... hey when you said Spring 2006... where you talking about a certain region? I don't think they were ever asked that.

In which case they'll always claim they meant Japan.

 

[TheDuce22]

If its true I dont think it worked. 360 will be selling out through March, by then it will be obvious when the PS3 is launching.

 

[PhatSaqs]

I'm sorry, you're just spouting fluff as usual. Sony never once suggested that the worldwide launch was something that they were definitely doing. The case has always been that they were still evaluating which way to go, which means that they have not committed to anything. Any other speculation or implication from the comments is purely drawn from imagination and not worth discussing.

Here we have two actual comments from THREE different Sony reps, all suggesting the same thing. So I mean, you gonna have to do better than this PhatSaqs. Ami 1, Saqs 0

Wha? "fluff as usual"?:lol. I'm just posting my thoughts on a question that was brought up.
You seem to enjoy making mountains out of molehills here lately. Drama queen much?

And of course they never said they were doing it. They've never said they werent either. Which is exactly what the whole issue is about and why it was brought up in the first place.

Thing is... was anyone actually thinking ahead enough to ask Sony... hey when you said Spring 2006... where you talking about a certain region? I don't think they were ever asked that.

In which case they'll always claim they meant Japan

Agreed.

 

[Amir0x]

Wha? "fluff as usual"?:lol. I'm just posting my thoughts on a question that was brought up.
You seem to enjoy making mountains out of molehills here lately. Drama queen much?

No, you're making this into a molehill. "Fluff" just means you didn't have any evidence to back up your claim, which is true.

And of course they never said they were doing it. They've never said they werent either. Which is exactly what the whole issue is about and why it was brought up in the first place.

Sony never said they were doing it, they never said they weren't. With the actual comments, we can gleam for this that they never committed anything. Thus, it's pretty impossible to claim Spring 2006 was assumed FOR ALL TERRITORIES because of Sony, which is what you said.

No, Spring 2006 is assumed for all territories by some because they are not reading what Sony ACTUALLY said. That's the facts behind this, and that's the story. You can't assume anything unless Sony actually says it, which they didn't. Saying PS3 will make it out in Spring 2006 most definitely does not mean every single territory.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

Thing is... was anyone actually thinking ahead enough to ask Sony... hey when you said Spring 2006... where you talking about a certain region? I don't think they were ever asked that.

In which case they'll always claim they meant Japan.

Another example of piss poor journalism. Dig boys, dig!!!

 

[DarienA]

Another example of piss poor journalism. Dig boys, dig!!!

You fail at quoting.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

You fail at quoting.

hangs head. Sorry, DarienA. Fixed.

 

[PhatSaqs]

No, you're making this into a molehill. "Fluff" just means you didn't have any evidence to back up your claim, which is true.

Sony never said they were doing it, they never said they weren't. With the actual comments, we can gleam for this that they never committed anything. Thus, it's pretty impossible to claim Spring 2006 was assumed FOR ALL TERRITORIES because of Sony, which is what you said.

No, Spring 2006 is assumed for all territories by some because they are not reading what Sony ACTUALLY said. That's the facts behind this, and that's the story. You can't assume anything unless Sony actually says it, which they didn't. Saying PS3 will make it out in Spring 2006 most definitely does not mean every single territory.

Everyone and their mom was speculating (and its still being speculated) Spring 2006 globally after E3 and Sony STILL isnt being concrete close to a year later. That was my point and the "evidence" speaks for itself. If it was as concrete as you want it to be it wouldnt be a point of discussion JUST ABOUT EVERYDAY here on GAF and on just about every other gaming related board.

 

[Amir0x]

Everyone and their mom was speculating (and its still being speculated) Spring 2006 globally after E3 and Sony STILL isnt being concrete close to a year later. That was my point and the "evidence" speaks for itself. If it was as concrete as you want it to be it wouldnt be a point of discussion JUST ABOUT EVERYDAY here on GAF and on just about every other gaming related board.

i'm sorry just because people are dumb - and they obviously are - doesn't mean Sony helped this along OR implied it.

Sony said 'spring 2006' (which does not imply all 3 territories), then Sony had three different reps say 'we're evaluating, we haven't decided, I don't think consumers would be angry if we launched in one territory or all territories at once'.

I can read. I'm pretty happy about it. Just looks like more people need to.

 

[kaching]

As you said earlier, Phat, lazy knee jerk assumptions = Heart of GAF. But that doesn't make it Sony's fault that GAFers can't get their facts straight.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

As you said earlier, Phat, lazy knee jerk assumptions = Heart of GAF. But that doesn't make it Sony's fault that GAFers can't get their facts straight.

When people (not just GAFfers) hear on the radio from AP, NPR, etc. that part of the reason for slow software sales in the US is because of the anticipated release of the Playstation 3 in the Spring, I think it is fair to say that people connected that together to mean the PS3 will be here in the US in the Spring.

AND IT VERY WELL MAY BE HERE! :lol

 

[borghe]

When people (not just GAFfers) hear on the radio from AP, NPR, etc. that part of the reason for slow software sales in the US is becuase of the anticipated release of the Playstation 3 in the Spring, I think it is fair to say that people connected that together to mean the PS3 will be here in the US in the Spring.

AND IT VERY WELL MAY BE HERE! :lol

then people are stupid. anyone with even a single previous experience with video game launches should know how this works (aside from MS). Typically you have the JPN launch, the US launch, then the EU launch.

People who specifically or indirectly claimed spring 2006 in america were doing so with an agenda in some form or another, or are just plain out stupid and/or irresponsible journalists.

 

[PhatSaqs]

As you said earlier, Phat, lazy knee jerk assumptions = Heart of GAF. But that doesn't make it Sony's fault that GAFers can't get their facts straight.

Right. And its not Sony's fault no one asked. And it's not Sony's fault they never specified a territory. And it's not Sony's fault the issue still isnt clear. And it's not Sony's fault people are assuming....., based on what Sony said,.... and what every site out there reported afterwards.

I think I see where this is going :lol

 

[DenogginizerOS]

People who specifically or indirectly claimed spring 2006 in america were doing so with an agenda in some form or another, or are just plain out stupid.

The AP has an agenda?

NEW YORK (AP) -- The video-game industry saw software sales decline from 2004 levels for a third straight month in November as the launch of Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 console helped erode demand for existing titles.

U.S. video-game sales plunged 18 percent from last year to about $700 million in November, market research firm NPD Group said on Wednesday.

The overall results were buoyed somewhat by hardware sales, which gained 10 percent to about $456 million over November 2004. Including accessories, total industry sales slid 9 percent to reach $1.3 billion last month.

Analysts say the November figures are difficult to compare with the year-ago period, when blockbuster hits "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" and "Halo 2" drove a sharp rise in sales.
Still, last month's sales were almost twice those in October as the industry ramped up for the critical holiday spending season.

Much of the decline in software sales can be attributed to consumers holding out for the next wave of consoles, such as the late November debut of Xbox 360, said Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter. Gamers have also been waiting for the spring release of Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3.

But while retailers sold about $70 million of software for Xbox 360 and $60 million for new handheld systems, that was not enough to counter the $240 million drop in sales of current games, Pachter noted.

"We think that consumers have been lulled into believing that the next-generation consoles are just around the corner ..." he wrote in a research note. "Should that be the case, we think that weakness in sales may persist in December, and the year could end up in negative territory."
LucasArts' "Star Wars: Battlefront II" led November's top-10 titles, selling 467,000 copies of the game for the Xbox and 447,000 units for PlayStation 2.

Frenzied demand for new systems is expected to boost sales in the coming months, but a shortage of Xbox 360s has some analysts worried about results for the holiday season. And game publisher Activision Inc. added to the gloom when it warned of a quarterly profit shortfall late Wednesday.

Although Activision's November sales surged 54 percent - helped mostly by its "Call of Duty 2" for Xbox 360, the third-best seller last month - the company said its overall game portfolio is lagging expectations. Both its third- and fourth-quarter sales are forecast to miss Wall Street estimates, Activision said.

 

[borghe]

Right. And its not Sony's fault no one asked. And it's not Sony's fault they never specified a territory. And it's not Sony's fault the issue still isnt clear. And it's not Sony's fault people are assuming....., based on what Sony said,.... and what every site out there reported afterwards.

I think I see where this is going :lol

you actually (mistakenly?) kind of made the point. Sony was vague to not make promises they might end up not being able to keep. But journalists don't like vague. vague doesn't sell newspapers. what newspaper sell more (or site gets more hits)? The one that says early 2006 or the one that says March 26, 2006?

I don't think anyone is arguing that sony was deliberately vague. But it is up to the reporters to relay accurate information. and posting knowingly inaccurate information in the hopes of forcing sony to reveal their schedule is just shoddy journalism. there is no way to defend that. You caqn't argue "Sony never corrected them" because that's not how it should work. It's like EGM reporting that there will be a licensed character in Tekken 6 and then me saying "EGM said Mario was going to be in Tekken 6" in hopes to have EGM confirm it or deny it. Where does the blame lay in that? Certainly not EGM....

 

[borghe]

The AP has an agenda?

or are just plain out stupid and/or irresponsible journalists.

sorry.. fixed.

 

[Legal Step]

do we need another PS3 discussion? yes we do, but not this one

 

[DenogginizerOS]

This thread raises a concern I have. There is not a SINGLE investigative journalist that covers video games that is prepared to really dig to find out information. All of the current ones are bogged down with one or more of the following: NDA's, vague press releases, fanboyism, cronyism, a general concern for not getting access to anything ever again. Unfortunately.

 

[Marathon]

"PS3 spring release was 'attempt to distract from 360'?"

2001: "Sony killed my Dreamcast with teh PS2 Hype"

2006: "Sony killed my 360 with teh PS3 Hype"

Sony has never once given any timer frame other than Spring 2006 for the PS3 launch in any public statement. Ever.

 

[kaching]

I think I see where this is going :lol

You have a strange sense of responsibility, Phat. If you say something and I willfully or ignorantly go around misrepresenting what you said, do you consider it *your* responsibility to go and visit every person I've spoken with or who has heard my misrepresentation of your words and correct it?

 

[kaching]

There is not a SINGLE investigative journalist that covers video games that is prepared to really dig to find out information.

At this point I'd just settle for someone who can accurately report what facts they're given, and knows how to keep editorial separate.

 

[PhatSaqs]

You have a strange sense of responsibility, Phat. If you say something and I willfully or ignorantly go around misrepresenting what you said, do you consider it *your* responsibility to go and visit every person I've spoken with or who has heard my misrepresentation of your words and correct it?

I wouldnt call anyone ignorant for assuming my CD will be available in all stores that sell CDs next month if I said it's releasing in January, but yet I leave out that it'll only be available at Amazon or in the M & P across the street next month.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

At this point I'd just settle for someone who can accurately report what facts they're given, and knows how to keep editorial separate.

True. I would love to see Gates, Stringer, et al get grilled at a press conference and be hammered if they don't answer questions. Keeping game development content a secret is good for the developers, but when it comes to launches, hardware, and promises, I want to see some more digging.

 

[borghe]

I wouldnt call anyone ignorant for assuming my CD will be available in all stores that sell CDs next month if I said it's releasing in January, but yet I leave out that it'll only be available at Amazon or in the M & P across the street next month.

there is a difference between making the assumption and reporting it to your readers as fact.

as others are saying, there is VERY little responsible journalism in video gaming, and the "true" news outlets are just as bad when it comes to video games. Next-Generation back in the day was about the closest we had to that and once they went away video game journalism turned into hiring 20'something gamers who could fill 200 words for a review or article while being catchy and reasonably gramtically correct.

the situation is RIFE for a new Next-Generation-style magazine/site to come in and take their rightful place at the top. Knock off the sensationalism. Knock off the misrepresentation/rumormongering. Report the facts as they are announced.

Unfortunately as I already said in an earlier post.. If you have 10 sites reporting the PS3 will be available in Spring and 1 site reporting that "We don't have a firm date on when it will be available", which do you think will prosper.

 

[CamHostage]

If playable games were that close (Febuary is only a month away), they would have had least bit of something playable at CES (if not on the floor, at least at the conference).

Not necessarily. CES is a shit show for gaming. The only time I remember software being a big part of anybody's CES presentation was the PSP unveiling, and that was a special SCE event, not Sony proper. So, while I guessed we'd see a little more to be shown of PS3 at CES than this (where's that cool EyeToy face demo, at least?), I'm not surprised that there's nothing new on the software front or that it's not really a big part of the show.

Also, think strategy: Sony's big place at the show is being Sony -- if they had PS3 playable, they'd lose forcus on their TVs and BD players and MP3 Walkman. CES is a business show. If you've ever gone, you'd know that there's nothing fun or interactive about the event. You're there to look at stuff and get some work done, and then you skip over and visit the Porn Convention.

 

[PhatSaqs]

there is a difference between making the assumption and reporting it to your readers as fact.

So if the WP writes that my CD will be in stores next month, based on what I said, then they're at fault for not reporting the facts? :lol

 

[Son of Godzilla]

They did the same thing for Dreamcast launch and it seemed to work decently enough.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

So if the WP writes that my CD will be in stores next month, based on what I said, then they're at fault for not reporting the facts? :lol

What day will your CD be out, and will it be available in all fine stores that sell CD's?

 

[PhatSaqs]

What day will your CD be out, and will it be available in all fine stores that sell CD's?

[silence]

 

[hukasmokincaterpillar]

I love the smell of FUD in the morning.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

[silence]

When asked to comment on the release date, no answer was given. In other news,...

 

[borghe]

So if the WP writes that my CD will be in stores next month, based on what I said, then they're at fault for not reporting the facts? :lol

again you cloud the point at hand with strawman arguments.

If the WP said "His CD will be in stores nationwide next month" with just you saying "My CD will be out next month" then most definitely they are at fault for faulty reporting. Hell, technically in this day of digital distribution, based on what you said, "His CD will be in stores next month" COULD be considered faulty information considering there are more ways than just brick and mortar stores these days, and even more than amazon.

Your point is lost and you are looking more desperate with every post you make. Sony never gave a near specific date beyond spring, and never was specific as to which territory they were walking about. The gaming journalists over stepped their bounds by mentioning anything more specific than what sony did. You can't argue it any other way.

 

[PhatSaqs]

again you cloud the point at hand with strawman arguments.

If the WP said "His CD will be in stores nationwide next month" with just you saying "My CD will be out next month" then most definitely they are at fault for faulty reporting. Hell, technically in this day of digital distribution, based on what you said, "His CD will be in stores next month" COULD be considered faulty information considering there are more ways than just brick and mortar stores these days, and even more than amazon.

Your point is lost and you are looking more desperate with every post you make. Sony never gave a near specific date beyond spring, and never was specific as to which territory they were walking about. The gaming journalists over stepped their bounds by mentioning anything more specific than what sony did. You can't argue it any other way.

:lol

What gaming sites overstepped their bounds by reporting "PS3 Launch Spring 2006"? You are way off the mark here and are now making up shit. No one in this thread ever said any site reported "US/Japan/Europe Spring Launch" or anything of the sort.

Did you even read the thread?