PS3 launch info

[pipo]

According to German website Gamefront, chairman and CEO of Sony, Sir Howard Stringer confirmed that the company plans to launch its next generation console in the spring of 2006; much earlier than most industry observers had predicted.

Although no territory was mentioned in the statement, indications are that a Japanese launch would be first - around April or May, with European and US launches following later in the year, or early in 2007.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=11692

[london-boy]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=11692

I think, this time around with MS on their backs eating market share every day after X360 release, Sony will have to try and release worldwide, or at least avoid a PS2 kind of scenario (March release in Japan and November in the rest of the world, and October of 4 years later in the UK). 2007 is out of the question.

[pipo]

I think they have problems with the amount of software and hardware to do so.

I don't think they wouldn't want to launch world wide....

[rabidrabbit]

I think if PS3 releases March in Japan, June-July in US and September in EU, that would actually be worse scenario than the PS2 launch.

True, there were huge shortages for PS2's to the end of 2000 and until spring 2001, but already in early summer 2001 it was easy to get hold of a PS2.

The first scenario would mean everybody in europe would have to wait four- five months, at least in PS2 case the lucky ones got their european PS2 not too late after US launch.

[london-boy]

I think if PS3 releases March in Japan, June-July in US and September in EU, that would actually be worse scenario than the PS2 launch.

True, there were huge shortages for PS2's to the end of 2000 and until spring 2001, but already in early summer 2001 it was easy to get hold of a PS2.

The first scenario would mean everybody in europe would have to wait four- five months, at least in PS2 case the lucky ones got their european PS2 not too late after US launch.


There will be huge shortages whatever happens, i think it would be better for Sony to release the damn thing worldwide, get it out there, show what it can do, and go from there. If we can't get our hands on it, demand will rise, and in the meantime they can still hype it up.
I'm sure they will have more problems meeting demand than MS will, if only because of BluRay.

[Guden Oden]

Does the original post really qualify as info when all that is stated in it is, "maybe may, perhaps later":?:

[J_Saint]

Is this anything new? It has been Sony's standpoint from Day 1 saying nothing more then a launch in "Spring 2006."

[BlueTsunami]

Does the original post really qualify as info when all that is stated in it is, "maybe may, perhaps later":?:

tEh sPecooolation!

I see the release of the PS3 probably along the same lines as the 360. Not Global all at once, but incrimentaly (in the span of two months). Not really a FULL worldwide launch but having the launch in each region really close together.

[expletive]

There will be huge shortages whatever happens, i think it would be better for Sony to release the damn thing worldwide, get it out there, show what it can do, and go from there. If we can't get our hands on it, demand will rise, and in the meantime they can still hype it up.
I'm sure they will have more problems meeting demand than MS will, if only because of BluRay.


Those on the fence who were waiting for the PS3 could go to the 360 if theres a launch with premature software and a shortage.

If they are going to have poor software or a shortage of hardware i almost feel like the 'looming specter' of the PS3 holds those fence-sitters in place until Sony can do it right.

Of course, that leaves MS with the market all to themselves in the meantime... Maybe this launching first idea wasnt so stupid after all... :)

J

[Shifty Geezer]

I wonder what percentage of gamers are fence sitters? There must be those who'll buy both, and those who'll buy only one or the other as an upgrade of their current console, but how many gamers are unsure which to buy and waiting to see what happens?

[expletive]

I wonder what percentage of gamers are fence sitters? There must be those who'll buy both, and those who'll buy only one or the other as an upgrade of their current console, but how many gamers are unsure which to buy and waiting to see what happens?

Maybe fence sitterisnt a great description. Maybe its more the casual gamer who doesnt really know launch dates and tech specs etc. They guy who walks into an EB to get the latest Madden and notices that a whole new console was alunched since he was last there. :)

SO he'll either puick up a 360 or ask 'is sony coming out with a new system?'

'yeah next year'

'ok just give me the madden then ill see what i want when both are out'

J

[avaya]

I don't think shortages will be as bad as when PS2 launched.

OK we don't know anything about yields yet but with IBM's East Fishkill doing the initial 90nm CELL production and Nagasaki scheduled to begin in, IIRC 2006 with 65nm production, it should be OK IMO.

Does anyone know if RSX being fabbed at Nagasaki too?

[overclocked]

There will be huge shortages whatever happens, i think it would be better for Sony to release the damn thing worldwide, get it out there, show what it can do, and go from there. If we can't get our hands on it, demand will rise, and in the meantime they can still hype it up.
I'm sure they will have more problems meeting demand than MS will, if only because of BluRay.

Have to agree with you here LB.
Although i think they will launch i Japan first with many of the titles that will never reach US/EU market. Than maybe 2 moths later a launch in both US/EU as they feel the pressure.

Thinking realistic thats 6-8 months from now so they should have some titles esp EA and various ports perhaps.

Right now i feel that there aint really any titles on X360 for me, on PS3 there are some but not any MUST HAVE atleast now in the beginning. The titles that im looking forward to the most is actually PS2 games. Specially Ace Combat Zero and SOTC.

The more i think about how Sony seems to push the PS2 quite hard even now it could well be a strategy that will work to have people hold out untill PS3. I think quite few will play for example FFXII on the PS3 and it was certainly very planned that they showed it on the PS3 E3 Conference.

[scooby_dooby]

I think launching PS3 in the US without a prper game line-up would be a veyr very bad move for Sony.

As long as they don't launch, they keep the mystery factor. Alot of people will assume that the PS3 will have better games and better exclusives than the X360, and may decide to simply wait for the PS3. In addition, there is the assumption going around that the PS3 will have much better gfx.

Now, if they are both sitting beside eachother, and people can actually see there is no difference in image quality, and if they also see the X360 has a larger game library, and that it is cheaper (most likely) that would not be a good scenario for PS3.

If I were Sony I'd do exactly what they're doing, hype the hell out of the thing, release video's that are absolutely stunning and try and convince people that the X360 is inferior. Then, when they have built up a competitive launch library, including at least 1 or 2 of these "superior" games, then launch...

[Titanio]

There's nothing new here, just the same "Spring 2006" line. We still don't know what territories that relates to (though probably only Japan).

[BlueTsunami]

Although, Fall 2006 for the US sounds logical (Holiday Season)l but seeing how the PSP was released in spring here....that method doesn't really need to be followed. I actually see the Spring release date (for the US) as very sound in that you release the system and you get PR from word of mouth (the early adopters talking about the system) and that in turns builds up a hype for the coming Holiday season. You end up getting kids wanting the console because his friend Bob got it and whatnot.

[Shifty Geezer]

Perhaps Spring is also advantageous in being a slow period, through Summer also, so matching demand shouldn't be as much as a problem, with time to stockpile for later Christmas when the rush comes.

[shred5]

I think launching PS3 in the US without a prper game line-up would be a veyr very bad move for Sony.

As long as they don't launch, they keep the mystery factor. Alot of people will assume that the PS3 will have better games and better exclusives than the X360, and may decide to simply wait for the PS3. In addition, there is the assumption going around that the PS3 will have much better gfx.

Now, if they are both sitting beside eachother, and people can actually see there is no difference in image quality, and if they also see the X360 has a larger game library, and that it is cheaper (most likely) that would not be a good scenario for PS3.

If I were Sony I'd do exactly what they're doing, hype the hell out of the thing, release video's that are absolutely stunning and try and convince people that the X360 is inferior. Then, when they have built up a competitive launch library, including at least 1 or 2 of these "superior" games, then launch...

I agree.. If they launch that early I think there will be a lack of games and they wont be very polished...

Plus if they launch later it will help bring down the price of the components.. We keep hearing how high priced this system is going to be for Sony... Waiting will allow the prices of some of the components in the system to drop in price...

Waiting dont hurt to bad if both system are pretty much on par with power and they seem to be as of right now... Sony should not rush...

Sony missed the christmas buying season anyway after that console sales drop so waiting an xtra 6 months does not allow MS that much more of a lead...

[one]

Waiting dont hurt to bad if both system are pretty much on par with power and they seem to be as of right now... Sony should not rush... Are you for real? If they are on par, waiting just doesn't make sense. Why do they have to present their lost chance on a silver plate to a competitior?

[shred5]

Are you for real? If they are on par, waiting just doesn't make sense. Why do they have to present their lost chance on a silver plate to a competitior?

Because if they release early and have few games and they dont look very good because the developers had no time to polish the game.. MS wins because of perception.. The casual gamer will think the 360 is more powerfull because the games look better and there are allot more of them...

As long as Sony launches by the the following christmas they will still be fine...

Most of the people who buy a system at or near launch are ******s and hardcore gamers.. They are going to buy the system anyway...

[one]

Because if they release early and have few games and they dont look very good because the developers had no time to polish the game.. MS wins because of perception.. The casual gamer will think the 360 is more powerfull because the games look better and there are allot more of them...MS delivered their beta devkit later than Sony. How do you assume XB360 developers could polish games while PS3 devs can't?

[Black Dragon37]

Fingers crossed for the "worldwide released before summer" rumour. :lol:

[shred5]

MS delivered their beta devkit later than Sony. How do you assume XB360 developers could polish games while PS3 devs can't?

By the time the ps3 ships the 360 will be starting its second gen.... It wont be launch game vs launch game...

[randycat99]

You didn't answer the question. (what you did, was divert with a different "talking point")

[Guden Oden]

By the time the ps3 ships the 360 will be starting its second gen....
No it won't. It takes 2 years minimum to produce anything even remotely advanced these days. If PS3 launches in the spring of 06, that's only about 6 months "headstart".

You also don't factor in that those 6 months won't be lost to PS3 developers. That's 6 months extra to polish PS3 launch games that x360 devs didn't have. Your entire post reeks of lack of vision and/or bias.

[<nu>faust]

No it won't. It takes 2 years minimum to produce anything even remotely advanced these days. If PS3 launches in the spring of 06, that's only about 6 months "headstart".

You also don't factor in that those 6 months won't be lost to PS3 developers. That's 6 months extra to polish PS3 launch games that x360 devs didn't have. Your entire post reeks of lack of vision and/or bias.

according to devlopers' coments xbox 360 beta kits has been around since last fall, ps3 beta kits since last summer, you do the math

[Titanio]

according to devlopers' coments xbox 360 beta kits has been around since last fall, ps3 beta kits since last summer, you do the math

360 beta kits arrived at the end of this summer/beginning of this fall. It was literally only a month or two ago. PS3 "beta" kits arrived sometime in the summer, I think?

[<nu>faust]

360 beta kits arrived at the end of this summer/beginning of this fall. It was literally only a month or two ago. PS3 "beta" kits arrived sometime in the summer, I think?
yep you are right sorry for the confusion ,i mixed up my alpha and beta kits

[mckmas8808]

yep you are right sorry for the confusion ,i mixed up my alpha and beta kits

I applude you nu. It's good to see someone admit they were wrong. Not enough of that these days.

[<nu>faust]

well the thing got me confused was contradicting comments from different dev sources.(of couse unreliable nature of videogame media helps too ) Acccording to some sources, devs like bizarre got started to get their xbox 360 beta kits right after E3 and then there were reports of developers still not getting their 360 beta kits untill late summer. Plus the way that media uses the term "dev kits" is far from being clear. According to a recent cvg report, Rockstar got their ps3 dev kits and started working on their ps3 project as late as august but its not clear what they mean by dev kits, are they beta kit?s, are they alpha?,why would rockstar wait to get their hand on beta kits to start their projects?i simply don't know.

From what i know microsoft has already started to roll out their final dev kits and sony is supposed to supply the dev with the reference tools around december. So that still gives ms an at least 3 months of advantage. As i said before since there are so many contradicting&confusing reports out there im not sure about the time table. I'd aprreciate of somebody with reliable info shares it with us.

[mckmas8808]

well the thing got me confused was contradicting comments from different dev sources.(of couse unreliable nature of videogame media helps too ) Acccording to some sources, devs like bizarre got started to get their xbox 360 beta kits right after E3 and then there were reports of developers still not getting their 360 beta kits untill late summer. Plus the way that media uses the term "dev kits" is far from being clear. According to a recent cvg report, Rockstar got their ps3 dev kits and started working on their ps3 project as late as august but its not clear what they mean by dev kits, are they beta kit?s, are they alpha?,why would rockstar wait to get their hand on beta kits to start their projects?i simply don't know.

From what i know microsoft has already started to roll out their final dev kits and sony is supposed to supply the dev with the reference tools around december. So that still gives ms an at least 3 months of advantage. As i said before since there are so many contradicting&confusing reports out there im not sure about the time table. I'd aprreciate of somebody with reliable info shares it with us.

Again nu that is just not correct. The way I understand it what PS3 devs are getting in December is what Xbox360 devs received at the end of the summer. The 3 full months to program on final kits. If the PS3 is released in March then it would be the same amount of time for both devs on both sides (ie about 3 months).

And what R* received last August was what Square, Konami, and Guerrilla received Alpha kits. Sony didn't have beta out last year.

[one]

As i said before since there are so many contradicting&confusing reports out there im not sure about the time table.Hope this clears it up...
http://media.ps3.ign.com/articles/635/635630/imgs_1.html

What's important here is that PS3 devkits have had Cell and a GPU similar to RSX in its first devkit since as early as the beginning of this year while Xbox 360 devkits got the CPU and the GPU that have the same characteristics as the real console only a couple months ago. In PS3's case everything except for VRAM bandwidth is promised to improve but for Xbox 360 it's not as simple as that. For example, general-purpose CPU performance declined in a Xbox 360 beta kit.

[<nu>faust]

thank you guys for clearing it up for me.