PS Business Briefing 2006 March official info

[liolio]

for the lake of in game footage, i think Sony don't want to lie too much.
The final dev kit are nowhere near, it 's an intelligent choice to not show unfinished game or ...CGi...lol
For the spring launch they lie from the start.
Do you think that the lake of BR should have stopped sony providing dev kit to dev teams?
Final dev kit in June 2006, that fall spring, in regard with XBOX360 final dev kit, Sony was at least aiming fall summer...
Anyway as a consumer point of vue 6 month delay is not important thing.
Investisors are more peaced off than gamers i'm almost sure.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

World wide launch for PS3 is a STUPID idea because:

- there will be massive shortages (even more than 360)

You still sell the same number of consoles regardless whether you spread them everywhere or one territory. It's also important for BluRay to get peaopl seeing a cheap BRD player exists, even if availability is scarce.

- 360 will have more compelling lineup, better looking games
- 360 will likely be much cheaper and AVAILABLE
- parents walk into store: can't find a damn ps3 anywhere, looks at 360, same games (mult-console), more games, CHEAPER, AVAILABLE, buys 360 instead.

What's that got to do with a worldwide launch? If PS3 only launches in Japan, is that going to give XB360 a less compelling lineup, or make XB360 unavailable in the US where PS3 is also unavailable in US? You're just being silly!

 

[Carl B]

Suuuuuuuure. Killzone footage wasn't a lie. Playable at TGS wasn't a lie. February conference wasn't a lie. Spring launch wasn't a lie. LOL.

It's MOSTLY lies from KK. Even now he's saying HDD standard when he's on the podium, but then backing away from that in interviews. I'm just surprised that people on this forum are so gullible to believe all the lies from KK and Sony.

I have to say I really bristle at all ths 'lies' nonsense coming from people all the time. All corporations 'lie,' but the ball is not in their court to tell the truth, but in ours to not be decieved. Is Microsoft your 'honest broker' exemplar? I mean - what the hell. Who cares? They did in fact 'lie' about Killzone, I'll give you that. But they publicly pulled back on the TGS demos, and the February event was as much a creation of the Internet as it was anything else.

People who harbor grudges against companies due to their 'deceptions' need to get over themselves and move on with their lives. Everyone here is smart enough to judge for themselves what's BS and what's not, you can't blame KK every time you choose to make a stupid purchasing decision.

And knowing you're not even in that stupid purchasing decision boat, why all the angst Johnny? Just need something/someone to hate?

 

[Johnny Awesome]

I don't hate Sony at all. I might even pick up a PS3 late in the console cycle. I just don't like the spread of misinformation. As much as you consider it Sony's right to lie. I consider it my right to call them out for doing so. Sony has lied like crazy to investors and consumers. That's all I'm saying and it's the truth. I'm not saying that Sony is doomed or that no one should get a PS3. I'm sure it will be a powerful system with compelling games.

 

[scooby_dooby]

But since these Sony devs wouldn't have been ready to release their games in Spring of '06 anyway, not sure how it matters, or how it would have changed much of anything..

What would it have changed? It would have created an initial install base early in 2006, allowing them to climb the production curve faster and stockpile more units for the US launch. Basically, developers releasing games for the system at launch would be selling to an install base of 4 or 5 million instead of 1 or 2.

It also would have signifigantly relieved demand since millions would have been sold in japan, satiating that market somewhat, now they're spread very thin. Japan alone could buy 1million units the first day, and that's become the supply for all 3 regions for the first month.

I don't know what material effects this will have, probably a small amount of increase in 360 sales because of increased PS3 shortages, and maybe slightly better SW support for 360 for the next year, but nothing major...I think it's a pretty smart move IF they can pull off the #'s their claiming.

 

[Sis]

World wide launch for PS3 is a STUPID idea because:

- there will be massive shortages (even more than 360)
- 360 will have more compelling lineup, better looking games
- 360 will likely be much cheaper and AVAILABLE
- parents walk into store: can't find a damn ps3 anywhere, looks at 360, same games (mult-console), more games, CHEAPER, AVAILABLE, buys 360 instead.

This is why I detest console discussions sometimes. This level of intellectual dishonesty is truly shameful.

A world wide launch for Sony makes more sense to me than it did for MS. I liked MS shipping to NA and EUR but thought JPN was a waste of time, money and energy. At least Sony should sell out in all territories, assuming they are able to go through with it.

 

[dukmahsik]

You still sell the same number of consoles regardless whether you spread them everywhere or one territory. It's also important for BluRay to get peaopl seeing a cheap BRD player exists, even if availability is scarce.
What's that got to do with a worldwide launch? If PS3 only launches in Japan, is that going to give XB360 a less compelling lineup, or make XB360 unavailable in the US where PS3 is also unavailable in US? You're just being silly!

right im being silly?

it's the truth. regular consumers will buy what is available, comparable, and cheaper

 

[scooby_dooby]

Thats not true.Its irrational to believe there are gamers that own a console for a long time and buy games never want to save their progress in any game.
Taking madden and generalizing it just to claim as proof that there are many many many people that dont save their games (forgive me for the expression) is stupid.
Unless that "big market" they were refering to bought a console just for madden or sports games and dont give a damn about other games.Which again is stupid since XBOX and 360 have many good games(that are impossible to finish without saves) that make most owners of these consoles salivate all over them.Me included.

According to Moore, about 10% of gamers never save

 

[Carl B]

I don't hate Sony at all. I might even pick up a PS3 late in the console cycle. I just don't like the spread of misinformation. As much as you consider it Sony's right to lie. I consider it my right to call them out for doing so. Sony has lied like crazy to investors and consumers. That's all I'm saying and it's the truth. I'm not saying that Sony is doomed or that no one should get a PS3. I'm sure it will be a powerful system with compelling games.

I think you and I have different estimations of what the word 'lie' means.

If you say you are going to the grocery store to get some fruit, but you're in an accident along the way and don't make it, did you 'lie' to me?

Sony has never said anything that I would construe as an egregious 'lie.' One would have to be on a different planet entirely to let themselves get wrapped up in 'Toy Story' and 'Matrix' and '4D' claims of hyperbole. Because hyperbole is all it is.

Sony has fallen short on expectations before, this I grant. But I don't think it was for reasons based in deception in their origination, simply a change of circumstance that warranted a - rightful - shift of direction.

I'm willing to have a serious discussion about the ways in which Sony has fallen short of set expectations in the past (though perhaps this thread is not the best venue for such) - but I am unwilling to have a discussion based around the concept of corporate lying.

This isn't some pro-Sony stance of mine either per se, I really think you have to cross a line to warrant the 'lie' accusation in business. Enron, MCI, that sort of level. Microsoft, Wal-Mart, I'll defend all the corporate 'bad guys' for whom I feel information is readily available to the extent that the onus is on the consumer to educate themselves.

PS - I hate extensive lobbying actions and the whole government/business tie-ins by the way, since I'm talking about big business, it's just that a lot of this malfeasance - as dirty as it is - is honestly overt in nature. I'm pro maximum accountability, but even beyond that, maximum citizen/consumer self education.

PPS - If you don't like KK, I don't even have an issue with that. It's just why drag that into this thread, which is really a celebration of so much waiting on some of our parts? This thread isn't 'serious' in nature IMO, it's more of a stress release. Believe me the debate threads will come as the monthe/weeks/days go by.

 

[blakjedi]

I am fully excited for PS3 this gen. I wasn't for PS2 (still not, heh) but PS3 hellz yeah. Just the inclusion of PSP support from the groundup and the fact that an HDD is avaialable and supported with a real deal 60 GB (I still hate that MS gimped us with a 20GB HDD!) is enough to make me relax a little and enjoy the ride.

There was no delay really. Who expected PS3 in NA before november anyway? Whats even more exciting than any of this is the fact that the x360 is SCREAMING power right no you hear me! And the stuff thats coming will be mindblowing (shadowrun, too human, huxley, R6: Vegas).

PS3 games will have just as much if not more time than ANY 360 title with devkits that simulate/approximate the final machines power available for nearly two years. By virtue of time, the PS3 launch titles SHOULD be equal to x360 released at the same time and with a chipset that is in some ways stronger they could be even better.

I'm really looking forward to the physics and animation capabilities of the PS3 more than anything else as I think that visually the RSX and Xenos can do roughly the same effects. Until and even through then I will gleefully play GR:AW oblivion and Blazing Angels until I go blind!

Hail the birth of the SonySoft fanboi!

 

[scooby_dooby]

right im being silly?

it's the truth. regular consumers will buy what is available, comparable, and cheaper

You are being a little silly, Sony doing a WW launch is not stupid, at the very least they get their product on shelves and establish that foot hold, especially in europe.

One thing I think is very interesting is the fact that BR PS3 will now not get to the US in meaningful numbers until the beginning of 2007. That gives Toshiba and and it's $500 HD-DVD player nearly an entire year to battle against the higher priced BR drives without worrying about the bargain PS3 BR player.

 

[Sis]

According to Moore, about 10% of gamers never save

A co-worker here had bought the core SKU of the Xbox 360 and picked up Kameo, but no memory unit. He said he and his kids played through the game over the course of a few days without saving, just by leaving the console on until they were done. I was honestly flabbergasted by the story; it was such an alien concept to not save. He didn't think twice about it.

 

[Carl B]

What would it have changed? It would have created an initial install base early in 2006, allowing them to climb the production curve faster and stockpile more units for the US launch. Basically, developers releasing games for the system at launch would be selling to an install base of 4 or 5 million instead of 1 or 2.

It also would have signifigantly relieved demand since millions would have been sold in japan, satiating that market somewhat, now they're spread very thin. Japan alone could buy 1million units the first day, and that's become the supply for all 3 regions for the first month.

I don't know what material effects this will have, probably a small amount of increase in 360 sales because of increased PS3 shortages, and maybe slightly better SW support for 360 for the next year, but nothing major...I think it's a pretty smart move IF they can pull off the #'s their claiming.

Well, it's true the install base would have been there, perhaps. But would anyone buy the system when there are no games to launch with it? I guess it's a catch-22 of sorts, but if they sell every PS3 they can manufacture in between now and Christmas 2006, they will have sold the same amount regardless of when they launched. And since we both agree that Sony having not been hit by these BD woes would have been beneficial for them in that sense, certainly I agree that more PS3's and launched earlier would have been better. But the emphasis being on the 'more' rather than the 'earlier.' Consoles are only as good as their available games afterall, and that's looked to be November for about a month now (though I was still hopeful of late Spring myself).

 

[scooby_dooby]

A co-worker here had bought the core SKU of the Xbox 360 and picked up Kameo, but no memory unit. He said he and his kids played through the game over the course of a few days without saving, just by leaving the console on until they were done. I was honestly flabbergasted by the story; it was such an alien concept to not save. He didn't think twice about it.

He must be old-school, from the nintendo days.

Man..I remember leaving Adventure Island on for weeks when I was a kid...

 

[Geo]

Chins up, PS3 f@nbois! You'll have a nice christmas toy anyway!

 

[Synergy34]

You are being a little silly, Sony doing a WW launch is not stupid, at the very least they get their product on shelves and establish that foot hold, especially in europe.

One thing I think is very interesting is the fact that BR PS3 will now not get to the US in meaningful numbers until the beginning of 2007. That gives Toshiba and and it's $500 HD-DVD player nearly an entire year to battle against the higher priced BR drives without worrying about the bargain PS3 BR player.

According to the lastest info, it doesn't look that great for HD-DVD for the first month, seeing that movies aren't making their release dates and Toshiba only releasing around 10K untis for sale at the end of the month. Also, is that a fact that the PS3 will be the first BR player on the market? I'm thinking that they will be out before the launch now.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060314/tc_nm/film_hddvd_dc

 

[scooby_dooby]

Well, it's true the install base would have been there, perhaps. But would anyone buy the system when there are no games to launch with it? I guess it's a catch-22 of sorts, but if they sell every PS3 they can manufacture in between now and Christmas 2006, they will have sold the same amount regardless of when they launched. And since we both agree that Sony having not been hit by these BD woes would have been beneficial for them in that sense, certainly I agree that more PS3's and launched earlier would have been better. But the emphasis being on the 'more' rather than the 'earlier.' Consoles are only as good as their available games afterall, and that's looked to be November for about a month now (though I was still hopeful of late Spring myself).

It's playstation! Of course it would sell without games...and it's not like it would've had NO games, just the typical weak japanese launch lineup with the real lineup for the NA launch.

Also, if they were to launch in June they would have to start production in April or May at the latest, now it sounds like they won't be starting until a couple months before november, so they're definately losing quite a few months worth of manufacturing.

 

[Carl B]

Chins up, PS3 f@nbois! You'll have a nice christmas toy anyway!

Geo you haven't read the thread have you?

 

[Sis]

Geo you haven't read the thread have you?

LOL I was just about to say the same thing. It is, I believe, officially party time for the PS3 fans. And I'm beginning to feel a lot like blackjedi: the birth of a SonySoft fanboi. Now, where does the Revolution fit in?

 

[Carl B]

Also, if they were to launch in June they would have to start production in April or May at the latest, now it sounds like they won't be starting until a couple months before november, so they're definately losing quite a few months worth of manufacturing.

I agree, that definitely sucks for them - but it really seems to be an issue of 'cannot' vs 'will not' in the context of the whole BD mess. I mean I'm sure they would rather start production ASAP. The global launch thing seems to be them trying to make the best of an otherwise unfortunate situation production/launch-wise.

That said though, it sees the best possible alternative to the launch structure we would have envisioned in a best case, so good for Europe at least.