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[mrklaw]

Sure there are big lines around the block for PSP launch, and likely for PS3 launch too. But the Japanese don't have quite as big a holiday season as the US, so wouldn't it make more sense to launch before Christmas in the US, and in the spring in Japan?

(thats assuming a fall launch in Japan, which is the case for PSP, but might not be for PS3)

 

[jiggle]

US specific softwares not ready.

A 200,000 launch that is not enough for the large Japanese population, is even more miniscule for the US.

 

[Grubdog]

Who knows, because they can't? Because they don't want to? Because they don't have any EA games yet? Why don't Nintendo release in PAL first?

 

[ourumov]

What about Europe first ? I am sure people here would die for a PSP as well...
I think the main problem they have is the lack of titles that appeal to Joe Average...Madden, NFSU, Tiger Woods...you know, that kind of games.

 

[Solid]

Isn't Europe Sonys biggest market?

 

[ourumov]

It's the one where more differences exists with the competence...I don't know if Europe is the place where more Playstations have been sold. But it could be...easily.
On an unrelated topic, yesterday they were holding a program on Tv about advertising. They were interviewing an agency that had been done ads for Sony recently. Apparently Sony wants to recover their old image: the image of a company that does the best tech and that does useful things. All advertising is headed towards the young people, trying to make them believe that Sony=cool=hi-tech.
I suppose this is part of Kutaragi's plan to make Sony return to the old path where they were recognized for their technology rather than their brandname.

 

[Solid]

REGIONAL PS2 BREAKDOWN:
- North America: 24.12 million installed base per June NPD
- Europe: 24.96 million units shipped
- Japan: 17.52 million units shipped

http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=2&cId=3135080

Going by those figures Japan should get PSP last

 

[Rhindle]

You launch in your strongest market first, and then use the hype to carry you into other markets.

 

[mrklaw]

You launch in your strongest market first, and then use the hype to carry you into other markets.

Exactly my point. Japan isn't their strongest market. Hasn't been for a while.

More importantly, if Xbox launches fall 2005, and PS3 fall 06 - that a whole year headstart. Why allow them that? Sure, you are protecting your own market, but then Xbox2 won't be huge from the get-go in Japan anyway

 

[Gek54]

I would rather wait than risk the buggy first shipments.

 

[Amir0x]

Exactly my point. Japan isn't their strongest market. Hasn't been for a while.

More importantly, if Xbox launches fall 2005, and PS3 fall 06 - that a whole year headstart. Why allow them that? Sure, you are protecting your own market, but then Xbox2 won't be huge from the get-go in Japan anyway

Boy, it's going to be hard for Xbox2 to be huge in Japan. It's going to be interesting to see how Microsoft approaches that market this time around.

 

[Rhindle]

Exactly my point. Japan isn't their strongest market. Hasn't been for a while.

How do you figure? You have to adjust for the population difference. Per capita, Sony sells a lot more in Japan than in the U.S.

 

[Gek54]

And when has per capita ever meant more revenue?

 

[mrklaw]

How do you figure? You have to adjust for the population difference. Per capita, Sony sells a lot more in Japan than in the U.S.

OK, but then Switzerland is probably their strongest country