Sony delays European PlayStation 3.

[Kameo]

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Sony Corp. said Wednesday it will delay the European launch of its PlayStation 3 (PS3) video game console by about four months to March and cut its target for shipments this year by half.


Sony (http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=SNE) (Charts (http://money.cnn.com/quote/chart/chart.html?symb=SNE)) had planned to launch the new version of its blockbuster PlayStation console in November, setting the stage for a three-way showdown with Microsoft Corp. (http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=MSFT) (Charts (http://money.cnn.com/quote/chart/chart.html?symb=MSFT)) and Nintendo Co. Ltd. during the key holiday shopping season.

Ken Kutaragi, the head of Sony's game unit and known as the "father of the PlayStation," told reporters Sony would ship 2 million PS3 units this year, half a previously forecast 4 million, but would make up the lost ground to hit a target of 6 million consoles shipped by March.
Sony said it still plans to launch the PS3 on Nov. 11 in Japan and Nov. 17 in the United States.


The game console is the widely awaited successor to the PlayStation 2, of which 100 million units have been sold since its launch in 2000.
Flagging potential problems with the PS3 rollout, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities last month cut by half its shipment forecast to 3 million of the new PlayStations in the current business year to March, citing difficulties in procuring its cutting-edge parts.


The success or failure of the PS3 will have a far-reaching impact on Sony's group earnings.


At stake is more than just pole position in the nearly $30 billion video game industry, but also dominance in next-generation DVDs and the commercial viability of the "cell" microchip co-developed by Toshiba Corp. and International Business Machines Corp. (http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=IBM) (Charts (http://money.cnn.com/quote/chart/chart.html?symb=IBM))


The PlayStation 3 comes with a Blu-ray high-definition optical disc player and is powered by the Cell microchip, dubbed a "supercomputer on a chip".
Sony holds high hopes that the PlayStation 3 will help Blu-ray technology conquer a rival format called HD DVD in becoming the standard for the next-generation DVD. HD DVD is backed by a group of companies lead by Toshiba.

[BlueDragonMan]

The PS world is falling apart :O *Gasps are heard everywhere* The world is going to end! Either that or Microsoft and Nintendo are just going to step up and fill in the gaps! Mwuhahahahahahahaha thats right sony! You could very well cost yourself alot of money in the european market!

[DarthBrady]

Yes, I head this on Digg. Thank You Sony, for yet another ripp off Lie. Yes a Lie. On your Disply at E3, it said one thing. "Playstation 3: November 17th"
I would rather not be told a date until the last minute, than be Lied to and given a false one.

I personally, just have to say it, and say it here.

Sony, Has Screwed up Big time. THey know it, and we Know it. They better pray or start pulling miracles out of their arses.

I mean, who there at Sony actually thinks most people can afford even $600 on a game system? Nad you think I can be bought with some Gimmick? Oooooh it plays bul-ray... big deal. a gimmick. You Didnt have to incorporate blu-ray, you are sony. You could have made your own hydbrid high capacity disc specially for the PS3, and saved moneyt on the price to the customer, you cant deny it! Sega Made 1+GB CDs for the Dreamcast, Nintendo made GB sized mindiscs, and it saved money on both systems. Not to metion BOTH are not copyable with a PC CD or DVD rom Drive, unlike EVERY disc you have sold for with a video game on it since you started.

And HDMI?! yeah, its great, I'll give you that, But, It has already been made clear by game developers, that the games being reelased will not be running on 1080p or 1080i , so what's the point? Let me guess, So people will Buy Sony High Def TVs, and Blue-Ray movies and media, which is coined by yourself, and we all know what a big bag of bucks that's gonna make you wihen they are sold to 3rd party movie and media mufacturers.

I could keep going and going, but there is no point in taking this into a novel of an educated opinion.

So Sony I am annnouncing on CoolROM, that I amfraid I must end our relationship, and see others. Its been good, but you have changed, and I have not. I still care about having fun playing games. I work my butt off, and come home to you, and you just want to empty my wallet. I should have noticed you changing, when you turned your back on Linux in the US, and mow you claim to be crawling back, I just cant trust you. ANd the developers, the are all starting to abandon you, dont you see it?

Canceling Launch titles and Jacking up the price, then promising fancy prizes, is not gonna win me back. You need to go on your own, and find yourself. By the way, I worn out yet a 4th PS2 controller. So take them with you when you go.

DarthBrady

[cherko]

I'll never ever support Sony again.
The controllers do suck, at least for PS1. Use them for a while and the analog sticks stop functioning.

[chaos master]

I personally, just have to say it, and say it here.
Nad you think I can be bought with some Gimmick? Oooooh it plays bul-ray... big deal. a gimmick.

But those gimmicks are going to sell the PS3 to the masses of the world! Especially the divorced parents masses, but I won't get into that... In America, bigger is better, money is no object, and fast food is a delicacy. Such thinking will lead people to the PS3. Hmmm....

[pizzaman]

bigger is better
Perv. :nono:

The reason why a Blu-ray disk drive will be so nice, is because you don't have to buy the actual BD player to watch newer movies that will come out on BD.

[Kameo]

But those gimmicks are going to sell the PS3 to the masses of the world! Especially the divorced parents masses, but I won't get into that... In America, bigger is better, money is no object, and fast food is a delicacy. Such thinking will lead people to the PS3. Hmmm....


Sony isn't doing well lately, a lot of their products R called back because there's something wrong with it. I call 7 million laptop/notebook batteries as an example. Sony's magical days, where everything which carried the name PlayStation turned into gold R over. People have woke up now, and see that Sony products R not as good as they seem......

[chaos master]

People have woke up now, and see that Sony products R not as good as they seem......

Well, some people are, but I know many people who are oblivious to Sony's antics and want the PS3 because it's expensive, shiny, supposedly powerful, and uses the Spiderman movie font in its name. But maybe that's just where I live....

[Iceman]

Geez, we have alot of PS3 Haters.
It hasn't even launched, aren't you jumping the gun just a little?

My first argument would be "Why do you care?" if you hate the PS3 so much, why do you care if it's delayed?

Second, the price tag. What? the system is going to last forever...let's break this down. PS3-$600, Xbox360-$350-400.
PS3- Free online, 360-$70. 360- Seperate Hard Drive, Price - N/A. See...not that much of a difference.(Wait for a price drop even...no rush!)
I hate how people say the games are getting expensive too, there maybe $60.00
The SNES had games that were around $50,60,70,80,90, heck i've seen 100. Yet it still sold very, very well.
No matter how much you complain, the PS3 will sell very well for $600 and you know it.

And finally, it's all about the developers. You can have the best jacked up system with HDTV and Blue-Ray, Hard Drives and Innovation, but what happens when developers don't take advantage of these features?
Developers like "Ubisoft" worked very hard to create great games. They took advantage of all the features, made it fun and created a great experience. That's what made the systems sell so well, if you had a system with crappy games who just sped things through..the system will fail.
It all comes down to the developers, the system is just one step.


The PS3 will do great. They have a very good line-up of games, a very nice system and a price that's maybe a $100 difference from the 360.
Lets see, about 5 or 6 of you people hate the PS3, and your reasons are poor. Your just basically saying the same thing over and over again. "Price Tag" and "HDTV"...your bashing the hell out of those subjects. I for one am not a PS3 fan-boy, I love the other consoles and hope to get them too...just take it easy, play the system, try some games and then write a review.

P.S- I'm not precise on the price tag, but if you put it in terms like I did...it might not seem so expensive. Don't pick on one clumsy mistake and add-on to it like "OMG, The price tag is so not that less...or HDTV does matter!"

P.P.S- I'm also very very bored, I need a good argument!!!

[chaos master]

Well, I don't hate the PS3 per se.....it's just that I need something to hate right now, and the delays have me doubtful. I do like the Spiderman font, tho.

[Panda]

Geez, we have alot of PS3 Haters.
It hasn't even launched, aren't you jumping the gun just a little?

My first argument would be "Why do you care?" if you hate the PS3 so much, why do you care if it's delayed?

Second, the price tag. What? the system is going to last forever...let's break this down. PS3-$600, Xbox360-$350-400.
PS3- Free online, 360-$70. 360- Seperate Hard Drive, Price - N/A. See...not that much of a difference.(Wait for a price drop even...no rush!)
I hate how people say the games are getting expensive too, there maybe $60.00
The SNES had games that were around $50,60,70,80,90, heck i've seen 100. Yet it still sold very, very well.
No matter how much you complain, the PS3 will sell very well for $600 and you know it.

And finally, it's all about the developers. You can have the best jacked up system with HDTV and Blue-Ray, Hard Drives and Innovation, but what happens when developers don't take advantage of these features?
Developers like "Ubisoft" worked very hard to create great games. They took advantage of all the features, made it fun and created a great experience. That's what made the systems sell so well, if you had a system with crappy games who just sped things through..the system will fail.
It all comes down to the developers, the system is just one step.


The PS3 will do great. They have a very good line-up of games, a very nice system and a price that's maybe a $100 difference from the 360.
Lets see, about 5 or 6 of you people hate the PS3, and your reasons are poor. Your just basically saying the same thing over and over again. "Price Tag" and "HDTV"...your bashing the hell out of those subjects. I for one am not a PS3 fan-boy, I love the other consoles and hope to get them too...just take it easy, play the system, try some games and then write a review.

P.S- I'm not precise on the price tag, but if you put it in terms like I did...it might not seem so expensive. Don't pick on one clumsy mistake and add-on to it like "OMG, The price tag is so not that less...or HDTV does matter!"

P.P.S- I'm also very very bored, I need a good argument!!!

Xbox Live Silver is free actually, you can download demos get updates and chat, you only need live gold if you plan on playing playing certain games online. the 360 price tag is $299.99 for the core $399.99 for the bundle, you get about $50 worth of free stuff in the bundle like a headset, ethernet cable, month of xbox live gold, and a wireless controller. The PS3's price tag is $499.99 for the 20 gig stripped model and $599.99 for the 60 model which will have full functionality. I'm actually with Iceman though, I'm not put off by the PS3, I think it actually has a nice assortment of games and features, It's what sony thinks about its consumers that has me put off.

P.S. I thought this comic was really funny i went ahead and censored the F-bomb though.

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2897/ctrlaltdelrn0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Iceman]

Lol, that is actually pretty funny..."Everybody wears pants!, were Sony fu** pants!".
I agree that they do treat there consumers poor, but like you said, it has a nice assortment of games and features.

[Kit]

Xbox360-$350-400.

Actually, the 360 is getting a $100 price drop this Christmas, and Sony is actually full of ****. They made a "price comparison" which made the 360 almost twice as much as the PS3, and the Wii almost as much. Because they think gamers are "required to use online play and wireless controllers".

I hate how people say the games are getting expensive too, there maybe $60.00

The full version of Gran Turismo HD is $400, you get a game with no cars or tracks, and you have to buy them all online seperately. Around a dollar each for cars and around 4 dollars for tracks.
Sony will only survive this generation because of chavs and jocks buying it just because it's Sony and they're like "zOMG GRAFFIKZ". Even though the graphics are almost the same on the 360, and the Nintendo system, despite not having as good graphics, so they say, always has better design and artwork.

They have a very good line-up of games

Gran Turismo HD? lol, ok
FFXIII? Yeah, I'm sure the Blu-Ray discs will provide a nice 2 hours of gameplay and a nice 19 hours of cinematics.
GTAIV? The 360 version has Exclusive downloads that aren't available on the PS3 version.

The only decent title for the PS3 so far is Metal Gear Solid.

I mean, who there at Sony actually thinks most people can afford even $600 on a game system? Nad you think I can be bought with some Gimmick? Oooooh it plays bul-ray... big deal. a gimmick.

None of the companies are actually using the extra space provided by Blu-Ray, because the games are multi-platform and are limited to the HD-DVD space. Only one game has actually used more space than provided on a HD-DVD, and that's because Sony ordered them too, so it takes up about 20gig space and up to a minute and a half loading screens, brilliant.
They also reduced the price of their cheaper version.......in Japan, except the cheaper version has no memory card slots, no wi-fi, basically nothing really.
Nintendo and Microsoft have gimmicks too, but do you want to know the difference between the consoles? Unlike the PS3, the extra features for the Wii and 360 don't increase the console price.

Want more Sony bashing? How about how games only work on the first system they're played on? Once you play it on your PS3, it wont work anywhere else, no rentals, no pre-owned games, sucks, huh?
Anything else? How about the fact that Sony has made importing PS3 games illegal? Looks like we have to wait for the official dates, that are delayed in Europe.

And more bashing about stuff nobody cares about? The boxes don't fit in DVD cases, and have a huge ugly BLURAY logo at the top.

Ok, that's everything you can bash about Sony.

[cherko]

Geez, we have alot of PS3 Haters.
It hasn't even launched, aren't you jumping the gun just a little?

My first argument would be "Why do you care?" if you hate the PS3 so much, why do you care if it's delayed?

I didn't hate Sony until THIS. I was never gonna buy that system anyway, but this is just so damned unfair.

Kit... Is it a FACT that Sony made importing PS3 games legal?!
WTF, we're people here in Europe too, and they better release all games released in the states here! Which is unlikely. As of now, Sony is officially an enemy of mine.

[Kit]

Yeah, it's illegal. Sony wants people to pay full price for what they could probably get cheaper in Japan, so you can't import for PS3 anymore.
Hell, I used to like Sony, The PSX was my favourite console. But now, it's going to hell. A lot of corporations don't like where Sony's going and don't want to make games for the PS3. Probably because of Blu-Ray.

[Kit]

Update, Sony sues-Lik Sang for importing PSPs.

Hong Kong, October 24th of 2006 - Lik-Sang.com, the popular gaming retailer from Hong Kong, has today announced that it is forced to close down due to multiple legal actions brought against it by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Sony claimed that Lik-Sang infringed its trade marks, copyright and registered design rights by selling Sony PSP consoles from Asia to European customers, and have recently obtained a judgment in the High Court of London (England) rendering Lik-Sang's sales of PSP consoles unlawful.

[cherko]

I've never played a PS2, but I didn't like the PSX because of 1) the EXTREME loading times and 2) Most good games weren't released in Europe (only the Final Fantasy series) and the converter was so damned expensive.

[BlueDragonMan]

*Blinks* wait no rentals? *coughs* Bye Bye Playstation. It was nice while it lasted, but I think its time everyone of us....well bury you in the ground!!! AHAHAHAHA *bashes the crap out of the PS3 with a baseball bat untill it becomes part of the ground* Anyway, what possessed them to even think oh we shouldn't allow rentals?! How retarded is that? I was prob gonna buy a PS3 when the price dropped for a couple of thier games, but now I dont think I'm going to ever buy a PS3 if thats true.

[Iceman]

You know I can argue and argue and argue with you forever, but obviously your very closed minded about the Playstation. Half of these things are just non-sense rumors that go around the net, obviously you bought it.

No, Grand Turismo is not $400. Yes "Lik-Sang" should have asked for permission to use there "Own" system. If you created something great, would you want people to distribute it without asking? and holy crap there is a huge amount of games that will be out for PS3...Exclusively.
"Devil May Cry 4", "Metal Gear Solid", "Final Fantasy XIII", "Heavenly Sword", "Killzone", "Mobile Suit Gundam", "Tekken PS3", "Warhawk"...I could name some more, if you like?

All in all, no "bye-bye" PS3. More like "Get outta my way, I gotta have a PS3".
Icy, out!

[pizzaman]

You know I can argue and argue and argue with you forever, but obviously your very closed minded about the Playstation. Half of these things are just non-sense rumors that go around the net, obviously you bought it.

No, Grand Turismo is not $400. Yes "Lik-Sang" should have asked for permission to use there "Own" system. If you created something great, would you want people to distribute it without asking? and holy crap there is a huge amount of games that will be out for PS3...Exclusively.
"Devil May Cry 4", "Metal Gear Solid", "Final Fantasy XIII", "Heavenly Sword", "Killzone", "Mobile Suit Gundam", "Tekken PS3", "Warhawk"...I could name some more, if you like?

All in all, no "bye-bye" PS3. More like "Get outta my way, I gotta have a PS3".
Icy, out!
Iceman, do you know if that "rumor" about games only working on the original console is true?

Want more Sony bashing? How about how games only work on the first system they're played on? Once you play it on your PS3, it wont work anywhere else, no rentals, no pre-owned games, sucks, huh?

[Iceman]

Iceman, do you know if that "rumor" about games only working on the original console is true?
If I understand the question correctly...it's kinda vague to me.:confused:
So, if you play a game on your PS3 it won't work on others?...if that's what he was saying, then no that's not true.

[pizzaman]

If I understand the question correctly...it's kinda vague to me.:confused:
So, if you play a game on your PS3 it won't work on others?...if that's what he was saying, then no that's not true.
THANK YOU! If that were true, I probably wouldn't get a PS3, since almost all the games I buy are already used.

And of course, the PS3 will have Ratchet and Clank along with a new Jak and Daxter game.

[Kit]

No, Grand Turismo is not $400.

The game is regular price, for 30 cars and 2 tracks, according to Famitsu magazine anyway. You go online with the game and pay for cars and tracks seperately. For everything it goes up to $400-$450

"rumor" about games only working on the original console is true?
A story claiming that Sony is preparing to stop the potential sale of pre-owned PlayStation 3 games is being met with some skepticism by industry insiders. According to a UK news source, citing retail contacts, Sony is preparing to make it illegal for consumers to sell used PS3 games. The plan would involve Sony adopting a licensing system whereby gamers would agree that they are purchasing a license to play a game, rather than the game itself. Sony says the story is "just speculation".

Such a move would be a massive boost for publishers and developers which do not profit from the lucrative and damaging retail trade in used games. In fact, many publishers are furious that they have to spend support money on consumers who have not actually contributed a dime to the company's coffers.

In turn, it would be a catastrophe for retailers, which make a significant proportion of margin from used games. Consumers would likely be less than overjoyed.

Sony does have a patent on technology which would tie a piece of software to an individual piece of hardware. But technology and desire are not the only parts of the puzzle. Whether the company would be prepared to take on retail, consumer goodwill and, most likely, the U.S courts, is another matter.

One expert in retail law told Next-Gen.Biz, "Sony can theoretically sell a license to play the game, but the user would have to acknowledge acceptance of the license. You've seen this when you install software on a PC. I'm not sure that the license agreement is enforceable if the licensee doesn't agree to it.

"Also, even if the agreement is enforceable, it's hard to preclude subsequent sale of the disc. The consumer could theoretically agree that he doesn't own the right to transfer his license, but why couldn't he sell the medium that held the license (the disc)? Sony can't enforce the agreement against a third party, as it lacks privity with the third party.

"Stated differently, I don't believe Sony can keep someone from selling a disc, even if they create a license agreement. The only way that this can truly be effected is to require registration of the disc with a specific PS3 console. Sony has a patent on such a technology, and could render a disc unplayable once registered. That would accomplish their goal (if they really have such a goal). In summary, I don't believe this is real."
A senior games publishing source told us, "Sony and the rest of us would love to put an end to this damaging trade, but actually making it happen looks like a fight that's beyond even Sony. I can't see it happening, but i hope I'm wrong."

Another senior manager at a third party publisher said, "I know that Sony is very upset about the used games market. But this story seems a bit far-fetched."

A leading analyst said. "These stories crop up from time to time, and I'm not convinced this is on the mark."

Yes "Lik-Sang" should have asked for permission to use there "Own" system.

...They bought the PSPs then imported them with their own money. Sony just doesn't like importing, which is kind of pointless considering the PS3 is region free.

"Devil May Cry 4", "Metal Gear Solid", "Final Fantasy XIII", "Heavenly Sword", "Killzone", "Mobile Suit Gundam", "Tekken PS3", "Warhawk"...I could name some more, if you like?

I haven't actually heard of a lot of those games. Metal Gear Solid should be ok, same as Tekken. Devil May Cry sequels usually suck, so I'm not getting my hopes up for this. Final Fantasy games have gotten worse and worse since seven, eight was boring and the characters were dull, nine was a little better, but felt just the same as six with more discs, ten was a good movie, not a good game, ten-two? lol, worst yet, they weakened down a lot of monsters and made the battles go by too fast, plus they removed the sphere system and just got the change class system from five, and from what I've seen, thirteen seems to have good trailers, like Square always uses to advertise their games, I haven't seen screenshots yet, but if it's like the others, it won't be that good. Killzone was just the same as any other shooter, except slower, really. The rest of the games I haven't heard any news about, so I can't comment on.

You know I can argue and argue and argue with you forever

Hey, you said you needed an argument, I just shouted out everything I heard. :)